Chapter 74 – My Body Has Recovered

Shen Qing had only just entered Fengyi Palace when the others began arriving one after another. Even Shen Guiren came today. Now that Shen Qing’s rank had risen, her place during the morning greetings had naturally moved forward. Though Shen Guiren had suffered under Consort Yu’s torment, she was still a Guiren, so now she stood closer to Shen Qing.

Shen Qing couldn’t help but glance at Shen Guiren. Today, she was still wearing one of the same few sets of clothing she always rotated. After exchanging formal greetings as dictated by etiquette, the two didn’t speak further.

Soon, the Empress appeared.

Everyone respectfully greeted her.

The Empress found Consort Yu’s demeanor rather amusing and couldn’t help feeling a little sarcastic inside. In the past, Consort Yu never behaved properly—she would intentionally arrive late and flaunt her favor with the Emperor just to upset others.

Now that she had suffered such a major loss, she’d finally learned to behave respectfully.

And she thought that just a few days of proper conduct would make the Emperor forget everything? That things would go back to the way they were?

Impossible.

With these thoughts flashing through her mind, the Empress smiled gracefully at everyone and began speaking.

She then looked at Shen Qing, a flicker of surprise on her face.
“Why has Noble Consort Xi come today?”

Shen Qing offered a proper and respectful salute again.
“Your Majesty, this concubine is already able to walk around. The Imperial Physician said that after a few more days of rest, my health will fully recover. Naturally, I must come to pay my respects.”

The Empress knew the medical report from the physicians had not yet been submitted, but Shen Qing was already here showing her respect. It was extremely courteous of her.

Even if she had ulterior motives, at least on the surface, her respectful conduct in front of so many people was satisfying.

Of course, the main reason was that the Empress found Shen Qing quite useful at the moment.

“You should rest a few more days, truly.”

The Empress said this before having Shen Qing sit down, her expression full of concern.

Then she looked at Consort Yu and deliberately said,
“Consort Yu is much more proper today. It should’ve always been this way. Poor Noble Consort Xi had to suffer because of it.”

Everyone knew what had happened, but no one dared to speak of it openly. The Empress, however, brought it up directly.

In the past, Consort Yu had openly and subtly mocked the Empress for having no children, making sarcastic remarks about how she had the Emperor’s favor while the Empress did not.

Now, the tables had turned.

Shen Qing thought to herself, Hmm. It’d be even better if you weren’t using me as your weapon.

But whatever. Watching the Empress strike back at Consort Yu was still pretty satisfying.

Of course, she kept a fearful expression on her face as she listened.

The others took it all in with varying thoughts in their hearts.

Consort Yu had already cursed Shen Qing countless times in her mind, calling her a dog slave of the Empress. Once they left Fengyi Palace, Consort Yu’s face turned downright awful.

Wan Zhao grew nervous just looking at her and quickly tried to comfort her.
“Your Ladyship, please don’t be angry. His Majesty is still upset right now. But didn’t he return after some time the last time he was angry? This time will be the same. What matters now is taking good care of the Second Prince and the Third Princess. His Majesty still cares about the young ones. He will come back for sure.”

Consort Yu gritted her teeth.

Wan Zhao continued with a flattering smile.
“If His Majesty comes a few more times, once his anger fades, everything will go back to normal.”

Only then did Consort Yu finally manage to suppress her rage.

Yes, as long as the Emperor didn’t blame her, she could tolerate everything else.

Meanwhile, Shen Qing still had no interest in mingling with the others. After giving her morning greeting, she returned to Zhaohua Palace. It was just after the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the weather was starting to cool. Shen Qing’s body was still not as strong as before, so Chunhua draped a cloak over her and helped her walk back.

After this round of morning greetings, Shen Qing enjoyed a few more peaceful days. Boredom eventually led her to invent something—mahjong. Wang Lu had nimble hands, so she had him carve wooden blocks by hand based on designs she drew herself. Then she taught everyone how to play. Four people gathered, and a table was formed.

Shen Qing hadn’t played in ages, and once she started, she couldn’t stop.

With all the good food and drink at Zhaohua Palace, and no need to serve the Emperor while still recovering, she felt like she was already enjoying retirement.

She thought to herself: If I weren’t stuck in the palace, I could be traveling, sightseeing, and experiencing the world. That would’ve made this whole transmigration worthwhile.

But who told her to have such rotten luck, landing right in the middle of the imperial palace?

Well, it was just a thought. Dwell on it too much, and your mind gets muddled. So she stopped thinking about it altogether.

A few more days passed, and finally, the Imperial Physicians submitted her medical report. The Office of Household Affairs was notified, and Shen Qing’s green-name tag was once again placed back into rotation.

During these past few days, Emperor Xuanyuan Ling had genuinely been busy—so busy he hadn’t even entered the harem. Wang De from the Office of Household Affairs was starting to worry they’d be blamed for the Emperor ignoring the concubines.

After all, if the Emperor didn’t flip the green tag, it might be seen as their failure.

Now that Shen Qing’s name tag was back, Wang De wondered if the Emperor would choose her again.

That day, with curiosity in his heart, he brought the green tag before Xuanyuan Ling.

Xuanyuan Ling had indeed been busy. With the incident involving Consort Yu and the Empress’s inability to find out the origin of the contraceptive drug in Shen Qing’s body, he had been purposefully keeping his distance from the harem.

He also hadn’t gone to see Shen Qing—he didn’t want to regret it all over again.

Now seeing Shen Qing’s green tag returned, Xuanyuan Ling raised an eyebrow and waved Wang De away.

Just when Wang De thought he was going to be disappointed, he heard Xuanyuan Ling say,
“Prepare the carriage for Fengyi Palace.”

Zhao Hai immediately set the arrangements in motion.

Once outside, Wang De looked at Shen Qing’s green tag and thought, Wow, Noble Consort Xi really has her ways. The Emperor hasn’t come to the harem in so long, but here he is, seemingly about to flip her card.

But of course, going straight to her would be too blatant. After so long away from the harem, if he went directly to Noble Consort Xi, the Empress would definitely not be pleased. So he chose to go to Fengyi Palace first—to save face for the Empress.

Then naturally, he could visit Zhaohua Palace the next day.

Zhao Hai had the same thought as Wang De. He figured the Emperor’s trip to Fengyi Palace today would prevent him from feeling miserable tomorrow. He silently prayed: Noble Consort Xi, you better soothe His Majesty well tomorrow. Spare us from these days of walking on eggshells.

Shen Qing never would’ve guessed that she had become the last lifeline in both Wang De and Zhao Hai’s minds.

However, she did learn that the Emperor had returned to the harem. When she heard he had gone to the Empress’s palace, she knew he was giving her face.

Curling her lips, she realized her days of recovery were officially over.

The next day, as expected, Xuanyuan Ling sent word through the Office of Household Affairs that he would be coming to Zhaohua Palace for dinner.

Shen Qing smiled brightly on the outside, but cursed in her heart. She really didn’t want to serve him—not because her body hadn’t fully recovered, but because this damn man was deliberately causing trouble again!

You went to the Empress’s palace one day, and the very next day you come to Zhaohua Palace—who wouldn’t see through that act?

You really think the Empress is that magnanimous?