When Qin Shu heard Xuan Yuan Che’s words, she couldn’t help but ponder them. Seeing his smiling face and feeling his hand caress her cheek, she wondered—was this guy deliberately saying this?
Just as she was lost in thought, the person who had been standing before her suddenly sat down right beside her.
The fresh osmanthus fragrance filled the air, but with his proximity, a faint scent of sandalwood seemed to blend in. Rather than disrupting the original aroma, it enhanced it, becoming even more pleasant as it wafted into her senses.
Suddenly, Qin Shu snapped back to reality—how had he gotten so close! Especially with Xuan Yuan Che’s flawlessly handsome face now directly in front of her.
Damn, why was she feeling a bit flushed? It wasn’t like she had never seen handsome men before. Although Xuan Yuan Che’s looks were undoubtedly at the pinnacle of perfection, that shouldn’t be enough to make her blush and her heart race, right?
Qin Shu steadied herself, covering her mouth with a light cough, and spoke in a weak tone, “Your Majesty, I have a frail constitution and am still taking medicine to recuperate. Your Majesty should keep some distance from me, lest you catch my illness.”
Xuan Yuan Che’s eyes remained fixed on the person before him. Given her current appearance, if he hadn’t witnessed her galloping on horseback and handling a short blade with masterful precision and ruthlessness, he might have been fooled like everyone else.
“Oh? The Empress told me you were unwell, so I came to visit. Could it be that you don’t want me here, or for me to stay?”
Under Xuan Yuan Che’s intense gaze, Qin Shu felt something was off. Could he have actually discovered she was feigning illness? She smiled gracefully and said, “Of course not. I am truly delighted that Your Majesty has come.”
Xuan Yuan Che leaned in closer, almost pressing against Qin Shu. His heartbeat and breathing grew somewhat uncontrollably and disordered as he neared her, yet her expression didn’t seem particularly eager for his proximity. Composing himself, he said calmly, “Is that so? But I don’t see any signs of delight in your demeanor.”
As Xuan Yuan Che suddenly drew near, Qin Shu instinctively placed her hand against his chest. Even through his clothing, the firmness beneath her palm confirmed his robust physique.
This guy really was tall and long-legged, with top-tier looks, and to top it off, he had a great figure. Damn, and he was the emperor of a nation—no wonder those potential consorts had scrambled to enter the palace during the selection.
Hey, she had to admit, the feel was quite nice.
Pah, stop it! What did she mean by “nice feel”? Was she openly lusting after his body?
Qin Shu snapped back to attention and immediately withdrew her hand from his chest. Wait, his heartbeat seemed unusually fast—had that been her imagination?
With the Imperial Harem filled with countless beauties, and given that they hadn’t done anything beyond getting a bit close and slightly ambiguous, there was no way he’d be this easily flustered, right?
Maintaining a calm expression, Qin Shu acted as though those subtle movements and her fleeting “illusion” had never occurred. Smiling faintly at Xuan Yuan Che, she said, “Your Majesty, I have been frail and sickly since childhood. Someone like me, even when faced with the happiest of occasions, cannot express joy as exuberantly as ordinary people.”
Xuan Yuan Che steadied his mind, suppressing the various factors within him that threatened to spiral out of control, maintaining his composure. He reached out, hooked Qin Shu’s chin, gently pinched and lifted it, bringing their eyes to meet. “So that’s how it is. It seems I misunderstood.”
Qin Shu did not evade Xuan Yuan Che’s gesture, allowing him to hold her chin as she pondered. It seemed Xuan Yuan Che hadn’t noticed her feigned illness. Continuing in a weak tone, she replied, “Any woman in the palace would be overjoyed to see Your Majesty.”
“You are different from them.” As Xuan Yuan Che spoke, his thumb unconsciously stroked her chin. Meanwhile, countless thoughts surged within him—desires for more intimate gestures—but ultimately, his rationality held them in check.
“Different?” Qin Shu blurted out.
Xuan Yuan Che nodded. “Yes, you are different. Because you are the only one I have chosen.”
Hearing his words, Qin Shu grew even more puzzled. What did he mean by “the only one I have chosen”? Was he flirting with her?
But she didn’t delve deeper, stopping at the surface and offering a faint smile. “Your Majesty jests. Every consort in the palace was carefully selected by the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty.”
Xuan Yuan Che sensed her guardedness but felt no urgency. After all, she was now by his side. With time, things would naturally fall into place.
He said nothing more and released her chin. Changing the subject, he asked, “Are you accustomed to living here in Yuehua Palace?”
Qin Shu gazed steadily at Xuan Yuan Che, meeting his eyes. Deep within his gaze, she detected something unusual—a warmth and softness?
No, that couldn’t be. This man was the victor of the fierce struggle among the seven princes—decisive, ruthless, and detached. Moreover, they had no emotional foundation. She had just entered the palace and was not his favored consort. Why would he regard her with such tenderness?
She replied, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern. I am growing accustomed to everything.”
“Good.” After a moment of silence, Xuan Yuan Che continued, “I have state affairs to attend to. Rest well. I will visit you again when I have time.”
As Xuan Yuan Che rose, Qin Shu stood as well, performing a respectful bow. “Your humble consort bids farewell to Your Majesty.”
Watching Xuan Yuan Che’s retreating figure, Qin Shu pondered. She had intended to uncover his motives for bringing her into the palace, but now, before she could even begin to understand, he had appeared unexpectedly, uttering bewildering words and expressing seemingly genuine concern.
Rumors swirled outside about her selection as a consort—that Xuan Yuan Che intended to use her to counterbalance the Duke Stabilizing Country Residence. She and her parents and elder brother had initially considered this possibility.
But since the reign of the founding emperor, the Duke Stabilizing Country Residence had held military authority. The Qin family had always been loyal, never overstepping, avoiding factional strife, and refraining from political entanglements, serving only the emperor. Their loyalty was beyond doubt.
To be frank, if the Qin family had ulterior motives, they wouldn’t need convoluted schemes—they would have acted long ago.
The more she thought, the stranger it seemed. Could it be that Xuan Yuan Che brought her into the palace simply because he genuinely wanted her as his consort?
As soon as the Emperor left, Xin Lian and Xin Yi, who had been waiting nearby, hurried over. Their faces full of concern, Xin Lian asked worriedly, “Your Highness, why did His Majesty come so suddenly? Is everything alright?”
“It’s fine,” Qin Shu replied, lying back down in the rocking chair. Never mind—since Xuan Yuan Che’s intentions remained unclear, she could only take one step at a time.