On the way back, perhaps Xi Chun’s face, swollen like a pig’s head, drew attention.
By the time they reached Xianyun Pavilion, Ming Xia and Xiao Yuanzi still didn’t know what had happened. When they saw them return, they hurried forward.
They quickly noticed something was wrong. Ming Xia immediately went to her mistress’s side, looking at her worriedly. “Mistress, what happened?”
Didn’t the Emperor summon our mistress to serve? Could something have gone wrong, angering the Emperor?
Before Luo Shuran could speak, they heard Xi Chun burst into tears, unable to hold back, and she said impatiently, “Why haven’t you gone to fetch the imperial physician? Our mistress is injured.” She had endured so much ridicule along the way, and now she couldn’t wait to receive treatment, fearing her face might be ruined.
Xiao Yuanzi glanced at his mistress for instructions. Luo Shuran nodded, and only then did he quickly leave.
Luo Shuran walked inside. Perhaps she had bumped her arm, as a wave of pain washed over her. She had been enduring it all along outside, but her hand was truly injured.
Ming Xia could see her mistress’s discomfort and quickly helped her change her clothes. On her right arm, a layer of gauze had come loose. As she removed it, she saw a large red patch underneath, with purplish-blue bruises and faint signs of swelling.
“Mistress, let me fetch some ice to apply to it.” Without waiting for Luo Shuran’s response, Ming Xia hurried off.
Luo Shuran sat on the couch to rest, lowering her gaze to look at her injury. Some matters required taking the initiative; otherwise, one would forever remain passive.
In Le’an Palace, joy filled the air from top to bottom.
Consort Shu was beaming with smiles. When she saw the bright yellow dragon robe appear, her smile deepened even more.
She had been experiencing symptoms for some time but had wanted to stabilize the pregnancy before sharing the good news with the Emperor.
Today, she couldn’t hold back any longer, partly because the Emperor had summoned that little wretch to serve him with brush and ink. In the past, aside from her, no one else had ever been entrusted with this duty.
Moreover, her own time serving with brush and ink was long ago, back when she had first entered the palace and was deeply favored by the Emperor.
So she understood the significance all too well, and a sense of crisis surged within her. She could no longer allow that little wretch to get so close to the Emperor.
Consort Shu stepped forward to greet him, her voice soft. “Your Majesty.”
Qi Jingheng steadied her, looking at her abdomen with a smile. “Are you feeling unwell, beloved consort? I will have Imperial Physician Wang examine you.”
Unexpectedly, Consort Shu nestled snugly into his embrace, though the smile on her lips faded slightly. She could clearly detect a scent that did not belong to the Emperor—a faint, delicate fragrance, clearly from a woman.
This fragrance was truly unpleasant to her.
Countless thoughts raced through Consort Shu’s mind, but she still managed to show a faint smile. “Your Majesty, your visit alone is the best medicine for me. I missed you so much that I couldn’t sleep.” This was Consort Shu’s greatest strength—her sweet words and ability to charm the Emperor, which he greatly appreciated.
Qi Jingheng took her hand, and the two sat on the couch. Soon, Imperial Physician Wang stepped forward to announce the good news. “Your Majesty, Consort Shu is one month pregnant, and her pulse is stable. Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations, Consort Shu.”
Upon hearing Imperial Physician Wang’s words, Qi Jingheng smiled broadly and waved his hand. “Rewards! Everyone shall be rewarded.”
Consort Shu felt sweetness in her heart and took the opportunity to cling to the Emperor’s arm, leaning on him affectionately. “Your Majesty, you must spend more time with me. When you’re not here, I feel so uneasy.”
At this moment, the Emperor was in high spirits and naturally granted every request, showing her much tenderness. Meanwhile, the Empress’s congratulatory gift quietly arrived.
It was a pair of jade Ruyi scepters.
Shu Fei glanced at them but ordered them to be moved far away. This undisguised act displeased the Emperor somewhat. “The Empress meant well. There’s no need for you to worry, my dear consort.”
Qi Jingheng held considerable respect for the Empress, who managed the rear palace with impeccable order.
Hearing the Emperor’s words, Shu Fei’s lips twitched slightly. Unwilling to relent, she tugged at his sleeve. “Your Majesty, you know the Empress has never favored me. I truly dare not use anything she gives.”
Qi Jingheng lowered his gaze to look at her. Shu Fei was beautiful, and her temperament suited his taste, but sometimes she was simply too spoiled.
Shu Fei was no fool. She quickly sensed the Emperor’s displeasure and immediately smiled, changing the subject. “Your Majesty, look, how are these? I embroidered them myself.”
Qi Jingheng looked over. Shu Fei had brought out small clothes for the child and some items she had embroidered.
He knew Shu Fei’s embroidery skills were mediocre, so she rarely embroidered. Now, upon inspection, her work wasn’t even up to mediocre standards—the stitches on the clothes were crooked and uneven, barely recognizable as auspicious patterns.
But seeing the anticipation in Shu Fei’s eyes, it was clear she had put in great effort. “Not bad,” Qi Jingheng said with a faint smile.
“Your Majesty, you’ve been busy all day. I’ve prepared water for you to rest properly,” Shu Fei said, looking up. She wanted the Emperor to stay the night.
The Emperor did not refuse and nodded in agreement.
The bathing pool in Le’an Palace was not large. Qi Jingheng leaned against the edge, feeling the steam rise as he relaxed his body. Through the gauze curtain ahead, he caught a glimpse of a pink silk skirt fluttering past.
Just that fleeting, ethereal sight brought to mind someone murmuring against him, light and drifting.
Qi Jingheng had to admit that merely thinking about it stirred a physical reaction.
It seemed he had developed a craving for that exhilarating sensation.
In moments of leisure, he often recalled its many nuances.
Just then, the woman in the pink long skirt entered. Her features were delicate and refined, yet her eyes held a touch of fragility that evoked tenderness.
“This servant, Que’er, is here to attend to Your Majesty’s bath,” Que’er said cautiously as she approached behind the Emperor. She had been carefully selected by Shu Fei. Now that Shu Fei was pregnant and unable to serve in bed, she would not let an outsider take advantage.
Qi Jingheng’s gaze lingered on her briefly before slowly shifting away. Even though desire stirred within him, he refrained from acting.
With so many consorts in the rear palace, there was no need for him to favor a mere maid.
Not concealing desire did not mean he was indiscriminate.
Que’er watched the Emperor’s broad back with a mix of anticipation and timidity. The contours of his muscles were clear and defined. She bit her lip lightly, her cheeks flushed, as her hand tentatively reached forward.
She touched Qi Jingheng’s chest and then trailed downward, doing her utmost to arouse the Emperor.
Just as she was about to reach below, Qi Jingheng seized her hand and, with a forceful motion, sent Que’er flying into the water, splashing waves everywhere.
Que’er choked violently on the water before resurfacing, only to see the Emperor glance down at her imperiously before walking out.
Attendants outside hurriedly dried the Emperor’s body and helped him change into fresh clothes.
Meanwhile, Shu Fei, still seated outside, wore a heartbroken expression. She twisted her handkerchief tightly, her heart sour with bitterness. She never thought she would have to personally send someone to him.
To ensure the stability of her pregnancy, she was unable to serve the Emperor. She couldn’t let the Emperor come in vain, unable to release his desires. If this continued, he would surely stop coming here and seek companionship elsewhere.
Yet, while she was still wrestling with these thoughts, she saw the Emperor stride out briskly from inside—not at all the scene she had imagined.