Chapter 9 – Back to Zhongyu Palace

Shen Qing glanced up and stole a peek, only to be caught red-handed. Her face flushed an even deeper red.
“I do,” she answered.

That voice carried a kind of coquettish charm unique to young girls, tinged with a hint of caution. The words of affection, though forced out, weren’t loud—but they landed right in the listener’s heart.

Truly seductive.

Xuan Yuanling reached out and pulled her into his arms.

Shen Qing was momentarily stunned.

So he’s not pretending anymore?

Didn’t he hold back on the bed last time, insisting she take the initiative?

She thought that kind of thing was his preference.

Well then, not pretending is good too—saves her the effort.

Just as she was thinking that, she heard Xuan Yuanling say, “That pose just now—if I joined in, could you still manage it?”

Shen Qing: “…”

She forced out a reply: “Yes.”

Damn, the emperor is seriously perverted.

After the clouds dispersed and the rain stopped, Shen Qing was mentally prepared this time. She knew the emperor had terrifying stamina, so she never expected it to end quickly.

Sure enough, they went for a second round.

Shen Qing was completely numb. Fine. As long as he’s happy.

Xuan Yuanling was also prepared this time. This woman really was a temptress—every movement, every glance, was seductive.

The more irritated he felt, the more he tormented Shen Qing with vigor.

Shen Qing’s throat couldn’t even make a sound anymore. Internally, she was screaming, Damn it—this is even worse than last time. Did the emperor take something before coming here?!

By the time it was finally over, her voice was hoarse. Yet she still heard Xuan Yuanling throwing the blame:
“Next time, don’t moan like that.”

Shen Qing: “…Why don’t Your Majesty just gag me with a cloth?”

A vivid image flashed through Xuan Yuanling’s mind. If she were gagged, perhaps it’d have a different flavor?

A chill ran down Shen Qing’s spine.

She suddenly felt like she’d said something she absolutely shouldn’t have.

The second night of service ended with no further incident. Thankfully, after their bath, Xuan Yuanling didn’t torment her again. He didn’t stay the night either—he left after washing up. Shen Qing lay sprawled on the bed like a puddle of mud. When Chunhua came in to serve her, she also came to apologize.

“Your Majesty arrived just as this servant was coming by. Who would’ve guessed he’d just walk in on his own? I was scared to death.”

Shen Qing replied, “It’s not your fault. Who could’ve expected the emperor to show up? Help me massage my legs now, or I’ll be so sore tomorrow I won’t even be able to walk.”

Chunhua began massaging her carefully. Unexpectedly, someone from the imperial kitchen arrived outside—with food in hand.

Shen Qing thought, Wow, I really have built a reputation as a foodie, huh?

The emperor actually remembered to feed her.

In truth, Xuan Yuanling had noticed how exhausted she was. Since she was his woman now, he recalled how she had looked when she ate last time—so he had someone send over a late-night snack.

Shen Qing really was hungry. After eating a bit, Chunhua continued massaging her joints and muscles. Eventually, Shen Qing drifted off to sleep just like that.

Originally, this night of service should have ended there. But the next day, Consort Yu sent someone with a message:
“Last time, the servants in Zhongyu Palace said they didn’t fully grasp the recipe you gave them, Lady Shen. Her Highness requests that you come again today to instruct those useless servants properly.”

Shen Qing truly felt that Consort Yu would not die an unjust death in the future.

So, she headed back to Zhongyu Palace.

This time, they didn’t even bother with pretenses. They simply said:
“Lady Shen, what unfortunate timing. Her Highness just lay down to rest, but she still wishes to see your culinary skills. Please wait here a while.”

They didn’t even invite her in—just made her wait outside. And it was blazing hot out there.

Shen Qing felt utterly helpless. What could she do? At least they didn’t make her kneel—standing was already merciful.

She stood there for over an hour. Her skin was pale and delicate, and although it wasn’t quite midsummer yet, prolonged sun exposure still turned her face red and made it feel hot. When she was finally allowed to see Consort Yu, she staggered a little as she entered.

Consort Yu saw her state and a flash of disgust passed through her eyes.
“So this is the Lady Shen who serves His Majesty? Why is your body so weak? You can’t even stand for a while? If one day the emperor wants you to grind ink for him, are you saying you wouldn’t even be able to hold the ink stick?”

Shen Qing knelt. “This concubine is ashamed.”

“I originally wanted you to teach my servants again, but with that frail body of yours, His Majesty is naturally more important than I am. If he asks you to grind ink and you say you’re too weak, what then? Someone, bring the inkstone and ink stick,” Consort Yu ordered. “Lady Shen, you’d better start grinding. When His Majesty needs you, make sure you’re actually useful.”

Shen Qing was utterly speechless. Couldn’t this woman come up with a new way to torment people? All that blathering—might as well just have her kneel instead.

She was beyond annoyed but could do nothing. After all, Consort Yu outranked her.

Rank really could crush people.

Consort Yu leisurely sipped tea as she watched.

Sweat began to bead on Shen Qing’s forehead. Her face was flushed from the sun, while her lips had gone dry and pale. Her entire body looked like it might collapse at any moment.

Wen Qiu leaned over and whispered something in Consort Yu’s ear.

Consort Yu glanced at her freshly done nails.
“That’s enough for today. Have her come back tomorrow to teach those useless servants again.”

Seriously, it just never ends.

Shen Qing had tried to comfort herself before—This woman is doomed anyway. Just imagine dancing on her grave. But now, after going through this again and again, she was seriously fed up.

She frowned, and after just a few steps, Shen Qing suddenly swayed and collapsed to the ground.

Startled, Wen Qiu quickly had someone help her up. They didn’t even bother calling the imperial physician—just pinched her philtrum. Shen Qing, after being force-fed several days’ worth of cooling herbal tea, slowly came to. Wen Qiu looked completely terrified.

“Lady Shen, what happened to you?”

Shen Qing murmured, “I-I’m fine.”

Wen Qiu frowned and turned back to report to Consort Yu.
“She’s awake, but she’s clearly badly frightened. If she were to faint outside instead of in Zhongyu Palace, people might talk—and they might not speak well of Your Highness.”

In truth, they were just upset that Shen Qing had received imperial favor. But if anything happened to her, especially over nothing but a pretty face, and rumors reached the Empress, it could be trouble.

Consort Yu ran her finger across the edge of her tea table.
“Useless thing. Fine. Tell her not to come tomorrow. That pathetic look of hers—just makes me lose interest.”

Now that her petty revenge had been taken, she was satisfied.

When Wen Qiu relayed the message, Shen Qing naturally expressed her gratitude.

But the moment she stepped out of Zhongyu Palace, she dropped the act of trembling humility—and rolled her eyes at the sky.