Cold! His words made the temperature seem to drop.
Jing Xin’s heart pounded as she met his gaze. “This consort is Your Majesty’s concubine.”
Qi Shen stared at her for a long time, his eyes deep and unreadable.
The silence terrified her. Even her usual coyness failed her now.
Jing Xin suddenly felt like crying. She really was far inferior to Qi Shen in terms of composure.
“Was today’s matter your plan?”
In the end, Jing Xin replied, “Yes… this consort only didn’t want them to falsely accuse the Son of Heaven of killing.”
“And taking me up the mountain to watch the sunset, was that also part of it?”
Jing Xin froze. His thoughts were too fast, jumping from one point to another. She didn’t want to admit it, but the sequence of events was already obvious. He was not stupid.
During her hesitation, Qi Shen pinched her chin.
His grip was heavy, forcing her to tilt her face upward in an involuntary, submissive posture as she was made to look at him. It hurt, her lips puckered under his fingers, even her breathing felt strained. He leaned closer, staring unblinkingly at her face.
Last night, his hidden guards had reported Jing Xin’s movements. He had originally thought she merely took pity on the old man and spared his family, but it turned out that was only part of her plan. The angle of the sunset viewing just happened to coincide perfectly with Qin Wuheng’s appearance. How clever.
“Your Majesty…”
“Who are you exactly?”
“This consort is Your Majesty’s concubine.”
He clearly did not believe her. His eyes narrowed, sharp and piercing. From this angle, his tall and imposing presence pressed down like the authority of the Son of Heaven, as if trying to strip away all her disguise.
Jing Xin’s heartbeat quickened. A chill crawled up from the soles of her feet.
Had he seen through her?
Did he know she was not the original Jing Xin, that her soul had changed?
If she told him she came from another world, would he treat her as a demon consort and feed her to the tigers?
She couldn’t say it.
Jing Xin suddenly understood. The more fearful she became, the more suspicious he grew. She forced herself to meet his gaze, looking at him with nothing but softness and grievance.
Facing that unfathomable face, she suddenly regretted ever transmigrating into this novel. Whether it was Qi Shen or her enemies, they were all too powerful.
“Why does Your Majesty doubt this consort? It was I who did it. That old man was still farming just moments before. You and I saw it ourselves. Why did he suddenly died in the wilderness after passing through the area near Minister Qin? Why would Minister Qin give the woman he liked to Your Majesty? That day at Yuping Town, this consort met Miss Shen. The exquisite dagger at her waist was a gift from her beloved. Your Majesty may investigate whether that dagger belongs to Minister Qin.”
She spoke in broken fragments, her breathing growing uneven.
Her body felt hot all over.
Qi Shen noticed it. Whenever she grew feverish, a faint fragrance would spread from her body, filling the air with a scent like an orchid, pure yet intoxicating.
He released her chin.
Jing Xin coughed repeatedly. When she looked up again, tears had already fallen like broken pearls.
“Was that old man not pitiful in his death? Farmers treat their oxen like family. That black ox protected its master, was it not pitiful too? Does Your Majesty not allow this consort to be a good person? Even heaven has made this consort want to be good. I have changed, I am no longer who I was. I only want to be a proper wife, to raise a wise and pure crown prince.”
Qi Shen’s stern expression gradually softened.
Jing Xin felt a burning pain in her shoulder. Looking down, she saw blood seeping through her clothing. It must have been from earlier struggles reopening her wound. Her left shoulder had been torn by an arrow, and although it was not a severe injury, she was now pregnant and could not use strong medicine, making the pain all the more unbearable.
She lowered her gaze, her beautiful eyes misty and pitiful, and pulled her robe slightly aside, revealing half her delicate shoulder.
After removing the bandage, she looked up again. The cold sharpness in Qi Shen’s eyes had already faded.
“Painful,” she murmured softly.
Qi Shen finally let her go. “Where is the medicine?”
“On the desk.”
He turned to fetch it and applied it for her. “What did the imperial physician say?”
“Only this herbal medicine can be used. It works slowly and hurts. The physician said better ointment will only be available after returning to the palace.”
The medicine stung badly. Jing Xin amplified the pain in her expression, tears falling one after another. She bit her lip until it looked like it might split, red and trembling. Yet she made no sound, afraid of angering him or appearing weak.
Sweat formed on her forehead, and a faint fragrance continued to rise from her body. Her chest rose and fell slightly with each breath.
This was indeed a body of extreme beauty, and her fragility worked in her favor.
Qi Shen’s movements softened.
After applying the medicine, she suddenly leaned into his chest, her body soft and weak, arms loosely circling his neck as she sobbed quietly.
Qi Shen stiffened slightly, unable to understand the strange feeling rising within him. Moments ago, he had still been doubting her.
He pulled her arm away. “Don’t move.”
Jing Xin buried herself against his neck.
This was a kind of vulnerability she had never shown before. Only now did he realize how many changes there were in her. She now acted coquettish for comfort, sometimes soft and sometimes sharp. After changing, she had become almost innocent, her brows and eyes gentler. And… she was quite skilled with her hands.
“Give me a healthy heir. Otherwise, I will not spare you.”
“You don’t even care whether my injury hurts,” she sniffled more loudly.
Qi Shen’s patience thinned. “Then what do you want?”
“I want you to blow on it.”
Qi Shen’s face darkened, but he bent down and blew lightly over her shoulder.
“Are you just pretending?” she complained tearfully. “It still hurts.”
Frustration coiled inside him, but he blew again, more carefully. His palm rested on her slender waist.
“Still hurting?” he asked near her ear.
Before she could answer, he suddenly lowered his head and sealed her lips.
A sudden, forceful kiss swept over her. Only when she let out a soft sound did he finally withdraw, his breath hot against her ear.
“Don’t push your luck.”
Jing Xin blinked, looking startled, but when she lowered her eyes, a faint mischievous smile curved her lips.
Perhaps… she really was a bit of a femme fatale.
“It doesn’t hurt anymore,” she said softly, leaning against his shoulder. “This consort likes Your Majesty when you are gentle.”
She asked, “Are the extra guards outside placed there to protect me?”
“Yes.”
Earlier, she had seen him speaking so closely with Miss Shen. Thinking of it still made her heart sour. “Will Your Majesty take her as a consort?”
“Who told you I would take her?” Qi Shen gave a cold laugh. “Even make her Empress?”
Those words had been spoken when she was unconscious earlier. Jing Xin carefully observed his expression. There was ridicule, disdain, even a trace of disgust.
She finally relaxed. That troublesome “heroine” could step aside.
“This consort knew Your Majesty is wise,” she said sweetly. “May I sleep now?”
Qi Shen no longer questioned her.
He did not know whether he had truly dispelled his suspicion. He was intelligent and understood that the current issue was not her, but Qin Wuheng’s intentions.
He called for attendants and left the room.
Jing Xin did not sleep. Soon after Qi Shen left, Chang Huan entered cautiously.
“Your Highness, did you anger His Majesty?”
“He is no longer angry with me,” Jing Xin said. “How is Li Song’s son? Why did he bring him as well?”
“He said the child’s injuries are evidence and can testify against the murderer. Don’t worry, the child will be fine once he wakes, just a little frightened.”
Jing Xin nodded.
Outside, a tiger’s roar suddenly echoed. Jing Xin was startled. Shou Quan rushed in to report the tiger had been returned to its cage.
She then noticed two unfamiliar palace maids standing outside the screen. Not Yu Zhu, but two quiet, unremarkable women. Yet Jing Xin guessed they were both skilled in martial arts. Qi Shen had likely already realized Yu Zhu was Qin Wuheng’s person and replaced her with these two to protect her.
She gently touched her lower abdomen. The only reason she was still alive and treated this way was likely because of the child.
“Miss Shen requests an audience,” a maid reported.
Jing Xin quickly allowed her in.
Shen Qingyue stood behind the screen and bowed. Jing Xin stepped out with a smile. “Sister.”
She was genuinely grateful to Shen Qingyue.
“I dare not accept such a title,” Shen Qingyue replied.
“Do you not wish to be sisters with me?” Jing Xin said. “After I fainted, it was thanks to your reminder that my child was saved.”
Shen Qingyue wore red robes without makeup. Her features were elegant and refined. Though she had lived in hardship for years, she still carried the aura of a noble lady.
The Shen family had been high-ranking officials for generations. Yet due to false accusations, their entire clan had been condemned.
During the years of the previous emperor’s tyranny, many corrupt officials rose to power, suppressing loyal ministers. Shen Qingyue’s father had been framed by a favored minister and executed, the entire family massacred.
She alone survived, and her hatred for the imperial family took root in her heart. Her only reason for living was to kill Qi Shen.
Jing Xin knew she was fundamentally kind-hearted, even if bound by hatred.
She invited Shen Qingyue to sit.
Shen Qingyue glanced at her abdomen. “You must be happy to have this child.”
Jing Xin dismissed the attendants. “Yes. With a child, even if I make mistakes, I may be spared punishment.”
“Do you like serving His Majesty?”
Jing Xin shook her head. “Has Your Majesty left you here? Are you entering the palace with us?”
Shen Qingyue nodded. “If I stay by His Majesty’s side, would you hate me?”
“Why would I? Don’t you have someone you love? This place is dangerous and restrictive. Why enter the palace?”
“My beloved is already engaged,” Shen Qingyue said softly. “I am alone now. It makes no difference where I go.”
After a while, Shen Qingyue left.
Jing Xin watched her go, thoughtful. This was not the Shen Qingyue in the story.
But she smiled calmly regardless.
If necessary… she would repay her kindness with a life.
That evening, Qi Shen did not return to dine. Jing Xin was told they would return to the capital in two days.
She was not particularly moved. Everything was for the child anyway.
At the banquet grounds, Qi Shen observed a brutal beast-fighting performance inside an iron cage where wild beasts and warriors were forced to kill each other for survival. Blood and screams filled the air.
Most nobles were accustomed to it, but some still paled.
Suddenly, Qi Shen frowned. “Too noisy.”
Arrows were fired to end the chaos, killing the beast and saving the wounded warrior.
The crowd was stunned. This was the first time Qi Shen had ordered such a thing.
“Release it back into the forest,” he said coldly.
Afterward, Qin Wuheng suggested a dance performance.
A woman in red danced gracefully under the night sky. Her movements were elegant yet refined. Her gaze often fell toward Qi Shen, soft and alluring.
Qi Shen smiled faintly and gave a single word.
“Reward.”
He left. Later, while walking through the forest, Qin Wuheng remarked about fireflies.
Qi Shen said lightly, “I once liked them.”
He suddenly said, “Am I too cruel?”
Qin Wuheng immediately replied, “You are the Son of Heaven. If others call you cruel, let them blame me instead.”
Qi Shen later ordered Shen Qingyue to accompany him.
At the hot spring, he had her brought forward first. When she declined to bathe due to illness, he dismissed her without anger.
After bathing, he changed and returned.
The scent of incense filled the room as he entered Jing Xin’s chamber. She was already asleep.
He lay beside her. But Jing Xin suddenly murmured in her sleep, frowning.
It was a dream of the original owner.
In the dream, a woman in elegant ancient dress thanked her for protecting her child before fading away into white mist.
Jing Xin woke up startled.
Qi Shen’s voice came from the darkness. “It’s me.”
“Nightmare?”
She muttered something and sneezed, complaining about the strong fragrance.
“Sleep,” he said.
But she could not sleep. Eventually, she turned and wrapped herself around his waist like a lazy kitten.
“What did Your Majesty do tonight?”
“Watched a dance,” he replied, avoiding mention of the bloodshed.
“Shen Qingyue danced?”
“Yes.”
Jing Xin hesitated, then asked casually, “What did you do with her?”
Qi Shen suddenly pulled her under him.
Heat surged between them as his hand slipped around her waist. She panicked.
He teased her deliberately, brushing against her sensitive spots until she let out a startled cry.
A voice from outside interrupted, but he coldly ordered them away.
Jing Xin felt like cursing him. But instead, she cried softly.
Qi Shen froze. “Did I touch your wound?”
She did not answer.
“…I didn’t take her,” he said flatly.
Still no response.
His patience wore thin. “I have no interest in her.”
Jing Xin’s crying finally eased.
Qi Shen said, “I only kiss you. If I want to, I do it. That is all.”
“Do you dislike me crying?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Then you must make me happy from now on,” she said softly. “Don’t let me cry.”
“Fine.”
“But crying in bed doesn’t count.”
Jing Xin froze, her face instantly burning.
This man was truly shameless. She turned over, pretending to sleep.
Qi Shen said, “Tomorrow I will take you somewhere.”
Jing Xin asked where, but he did not answer.
She hugged a cushion between them and drifted uneasily into sleep.