Chapter 71 – Seeing Lady Shen Again

Shen Qing had been in the palace for over half a year now. With her recent promotion in rank, the Imperial Kitchen served her with renewed diligence, and the imperial physicians came to check her pulse daily. Everyone who had any contact with her had changed their attitude entirely.

As expected, everyone in the harem was truly a master at putting on airs. In the past, even though she had the Emperor’s favor, her low rank meant no one tried to curry favor with her. Now, Zhaohua Palace was lively and bustling with people.

Shen Qing hadn’t formed any particular connections with anyone in the harem, yet her new status rose like the tide, and people began to visit uninvited.

Those of the consort rank naturally maintained their composure, but even they sent gifts. The official excuse was to congratulate her on her promotion and express sympathy for her injuries. Everything sent was medicinal supplements. Shen Qing casually glanced through them and spotted a lingzhi mushroom half her height. Upon hearing that it was sent by Consort Chun, she immediately understood.

Consort Chun was also infertile—this had been mentioned in the original novel. This gesture likely stemmed from a sense of shared hardship.

At this point, she wasn’t just a salted fish flipping over anymore—no, that earlier favor counted as a comeback. Now, it was as if she had acquired a fully upgraded premium suit of armor.

Before, Xuan Yuanling had hesitated and held back, but now that he was sure she wouldn’t be able to bear children, he had no more concerns. The Empress wouldn’t target her, and he could finally be open about his favor.

Granting her such a noble title was a blatant declaration of affection—an announcement that she was under his protection and no one else could touch her.

After all, wasn’t it because of her that Consort Yu had fallen out of favor?

Seeing this, others in the harem naturally dared not act rashly toward her. At the very least, those days when fools like Beauty Qiao and Lady Lin would come looking for trouble were probably over.

The thought made Shen Qing quietly chuckle.

So… does this count as Xuan Yuanling truly having her in his heart now?

Putting aside Consort Chun and Consort Ru, who didn’t come personally, the other concubines who had entered the palace with her all came to offer congratulations.

Of course, their congratulations were accompanied by curiosity—they wanted to see how badly injured she really was. After all, how severe did her wounds have to be for the Emperor to grant her two consecutive promotions? Among them, when Beauty Li came, she was secretly hoping Shen Qing’s face had been disfigured. That way, her seductive looks wouldn’t be able to charm the Emperor anymore.

To be promoted twice in a row—and to be the first among the newcomers to be elevated—how could they not be jealous?

Zhaohua Palace was truly bustling this time. What had once been the most remote palace was now as busy as a marketplace.

Excluding Lady Lin who was confined, Beauty Qiao who was still studying palace rules, Beauty Wang who was “ill,” and the pregnant Noble Consort Fang, everyone else came.

Some were genuinely polite, others wore fake smiles—in the harem, everything boiled down to just that.

Only Lady Shen drew a few extra glances from Shen Qing because of her attire.

It wasn’t exactly shabby, but… the last time Shen Qing saw her, she was dressed the same way. This time, she was still wearing the exact same outfit. Even her jewelry consisted of just a few simple pieces. It was clear she had little of value left to present.

From this, Shen Qing understood that Lady Shen’s days were truly not going well.

Indeed, Lady Shen’s life had taken a sharp downturn—one that looked utterly hopeless now.

She had entered the palace as a Noble Lady, but seeing Shen Qing now, the joy radiating from every corner of Zhaohua Palace, she could no longer suppress the frustration that had been buried in her heart for months. She felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.

Back then, Shen Qing had only been a Second Class Attendant, yet even then, Lady Shen noticed her clothes and accessories were better than her own. And now, in just a short time, her status had risen far above hers.

The festive atmosphere around her pricked at her eyes and stabbed at her heart. Though everyone outwardly celebrated, Lady Shen couldn’t even force a smile anymore.

She truly couldn’t pretend, and what stung even more was realizing that even if she didn’t put on a show of congratulating others, no one cared.

She was like a marginal figure—completely ignored. Maybe someday… she’d die, and no one would even notice.

Her ears buzzed; she could no longer hear what people around her were saying. In the past, she used to dream of gaining favor, but now, only one thought occupied her mind—even if I’m not favored, at least let the Emperor remember me.

To be forgotten entirely—that was worse than death.

Lady Shen looked at Shen Qing. Shen Qing was favored and supported by the Empress behind the scenes. Why would the Empress support her?

In fact, Lady Shen had been one of the few who understood from the start why the Empress backed Shen Qing.

Since Shen Qing’s body hadn’t fully recovered, she naturally didn’t keep guests long. After the pleasantries were exchanged and the gifts received, the congratulatory visits for her promotion came to an end.

All that remained was for her to recover fully and don her formal robes to pay respects to the Empress.

Though Shen Qing was socializing with the others, she didn’t lose sight of Lady Shen. After all, Lady Shen was the type who could turn around and scheme against Consort Yu.

Now that she’d fallen this low, Shen Qing didn’t believe for a second that she wouldn’t try to save herself.

As time passed and the small talk dwindled, the others slowly took their leave.

Shen Qing watched them go. Once everyone had left, she finally allowed herself to rest.

Meanwhile, after leaving Zhaohua Palace, Lady Shen walked with the help of a palace maid. When they reached a fork in the path, Lady Shen suddenly stopped.

“Lady Shen?” the maid asked, puzzled.

But then, Lady Shen turned her foot and changed direction—she was no longer heading toward her own quarters, but toward the Empress’s Fengyi Palace.