Chapter 73 – Encountering Consort Yu Again

Though she said she was taking a walk, she didn’t actually go very far. After the renovation of Zhaohua Palace, Shen Qing hadn’t had the chance to look around properly, so she just strolled in the surrounding area. After walking for a bit, she saw Xiao Quanzi standing outside talking to a newly arrived eunuch.

Now that Shen Qing had been promoted to a Noble Lady, the number of people serving her had increased from two to six. Originally, there were two attendants in her palace, along with Xiao Quanzi. The Internal Affairs Bureau had now assigned three more—two palace maids and one eunuch. Shen Qing was still mainly served by Chunhua and Fangyun.

Because two new maids had arrived, Chunhua and Fangyun were no longer as busy as before, and Xiao Quanzi also had more time on his hands.

Ever since Shen Qing returned, she had been grateful for Xiao Quanzi delivering the message that day, so she rewarded him generously and then kept him in her service. Now, Xiao Quanzi was officially a member of Zhaohua Palace.

“Greetings to Noble Lady,” Xiao Quanzi saluted her respectfully.

Shen Qing noticed he was digging at the ground behind him. “What are you doing?”

Xiao Quanzi smiled sheepishly. He was young, no more than fifteen years old. “This servant plans to plant a patch of flowers here. Once they grow, full and lush, it’ll add a touch of vibrancy to Zhaohua Palace.”

Shen Qing thought it was a good idea. Normally, servants in the harem didn’t think of planting flowers. “Didn’t expect it from you, Xiao Quanzi. You really know how to live.” He had some taste.

He had hung up a swing before, and now he wanted to plant flowers. Back then, when she sent him out of the palace to deliver her message and get a book, he’d done it well. He was indeed considerate.

Shen Qing asked, “What kind of flower are you planting?”

“Replying to Noble Lady, it’s called Nightfall Gold Coin. This servant isn’t very good at tending plants, but this one is easy to care for—just needs watering and fertilizing. When it blooms, it’ll cover the ground beautifully. I heard people back home say this flower brings good luck, and it has the meaning of a heavenly maiden casting golden coins under the moon.”

Shen Qing nodded. She had been standing for a while and felt a bit uncomfortable, so she moved to sit nearby. Xiao Quanzi quickly stepped forward and offered his arm for her support.

She glanced at the freshly dug soil and then looked over at the new little eunuch. All these people were selected by the Internal Affairs Bureau, and she wasn’t sure if they’d been briefed. The new boy looked even younger than Xiao Quanzi. She said, “From now on, follow Xiao Quanzi and learn from him.”

That was a clear indication that Xiao Quanzi was now the head eunuch of Zhaohua Palace.

The young eunuch quickly knelt down. “Yes, Noble Lady.”

Xiao Quanzi also knelt down. “Many thanks, Noble Lady.”

Shen Qing shook her head. “This is how it should be.”

Suddenly, Xiao Quanzi said, “This servant has a request.”

Shen Qing was a bit surprised. “Speak.”

He kowtowed and said, “This servant would like the mistress to bestow a name.”

Shen Qing paused, sensing his intentions.

When Chunhua and Fangyun first came, she hadn’t changed their names. Some masters liked to do so—it symbolized that the servant now belonged exclusively to their palace, as a way of discouraging loyalty to others.

But Shen Qing thought: if you’re loyal, you’re loyal. Changing a name doesn’t guarantee it.

So Xiao Quanzi asking for a new name was his way of showing loyalty.

Since he brought it up, she wouldn’t refuse. She bent down slightly to help him up. “What’s your original surname?”

“This servant’s original surname is Wang. I was the sixth child at home, and my parents called me Liuzi.”

“Then from now on, your name will be Wang Lu. It sounds more familiar that way.”

Wang Lu immediately gave thanks. He was genuinely happy. Entering the palace meant cutting off all ties with family—no descendants, no roots. Now being called by a name that still carried a trace of home gave him a sense of connection, not total rootlessness.

He was still Wang.

It was as if he had gone back to the beginning.

Thinking of this, Wang Lu’s eyes welled up. He quickly hid the emotion—how embarrassing.

Just a short outing, and he had received a name. Chunhua and Fangyun, who had been nearby listening, couldn’t help but say, “Noble Lady is biased. Wang Lu got a new name, but our names have never been changed.”

It was Chunhua who said it. She had always been steady and reserved, so this rare request had a hint of girlish charm.

Shen Qing chuckled. “Chunhua is jealous of Wang Lu now? It’s just that your names are already pleasant. There’s no need to change them, and besides, I’m already used to calling you.”

Fangyun pouted as well. “Noble Lady is biased.”

Shen Qing couldn’t help laughing at their teasing. The group was chatting and laughing merrily. In the end, Chunhua and Fangyun’s names remained unchanged.

Now that Shen Qing could walk around, she was ready to go to Fengyi Palace and pay her respects to the Empress—tomorrow, in fact.

She got up early and slowly made her way to Fengyi Palace.

She was, as usual, the first to arrive—nothing had changed. The only thing different was that Consort Yu came today, and she arrived very early to pay her respects!

Shen Qing and Consort Yu crossed paths. Shen Qing paused.

Consort Yu’s eyes reddened at the sight of her. Though Shen Qing had lost some weight these past few days, her features looked more refined than ever, with a delicate, willowy charm. Consort Yu watched helplessly as Shen Qing gave her a perfectly proper curtsey, and without waiting for her to speak, walked into Fengyi Palace on her own.

Consort Yu gritted her teeth. What etiquette!

“So now that Noble Lady Xi has been promoted, she’s arrogant from favor, is she?”

Shen Qing stopped in her tracks and turned back with a cold smile. “This concubine wouldn’t dare.”

Consort Yu accused her of being arrogant in her favor? She really wouldn’t dare—it was an undeserved honor.

“You—”

Shen Qing cut her off, expressionless. “This concubine has paid her respects. Whether Your Ladyship accepts it is your business. My health isn’t fully recovered. If something happens again, would it not be Your Ladyship’s fault? Don’t you agree?”

“You! You—” Consort Yu was about to explode.

Shen Qing interrupted again. “If Your Ladyship keeps talking, I might have to be impolite.”

If not for the rules requiring courtesy, she wouldn’t even have performed that curtsey.

Sure, Emperor Xuanyuan Ling had warned others not to target her, but that didn’t mean she would get any kindness from them. Everyone in the palace knew about her grudge with Consort Yu.

And with just a few words, Shen Qing reminded Consort Yu of that day when Shen Qing, spitting blood, had nearly strangled her to death. Since then, Consort Yu hadn’t slept well—night after night of nightmares. In them, she saw the Emperor’s cold eyes or Shen Qing’s murderous face. Her mind and body were exhausted; even her head ached constantly.

Given Consort Yu’s temper, if it had been anyone else, she would’ve had them taught a lesson. But Shen Qing said her piece and turned to enter Fengyi Palace, leaving Consort Yu so angry she nearly screamed.

“Insolence!”

Eunuch Wanzhao was already wiping sweat from his brow, terrified Consort Yu would lose control again.

These days had been particularly frustrating. The Emperor didn’t favor her, and the Empress had reprimanded her. Wanzhao was at his wit’s end—he had to pacify Consort Yu while fearing what might come next. It was just too difficult.