Was this implying she had deliberately kept the Empress’s illness from her?
“Mother, it was only that yesterday your son was in such a rush that he forgot to tell Liangdi Xiao.” Liu Meizhao wore an apologetic look. “Liangdi Xiao, I thought you must be tired from serving His Highness, so I wanted you to rest.”
Xiao Hanyan glanced at Shen Qingchen. “Serving His Highness is what this concubine ought to do. Crown Princess, please don’t say such things.”
Shen Qingchen’s gaze lingered on her, noticing even the redness of her fingertips and the pallor of her face. His brows furrowed.
“Chen’er, Mother is fine now. You should both return.” The Empress’s heart ached at the sight of Xiao Hanyan’s pale face, worn from a sleepless night.
“Mother, then your son will take his leave.” Shen Qingchen looked at Xiao Hanyan once more before departing first.
Xiao Hanyan bowed and withdrew. Liu Meizhao’s face stiffened. “Mother, your daughter will also leave.”
“Go on.”
When Liu Meizhao caught up, Shen Qingchen and Xiao Hanyan were walking almost side by side.
“Your Highness.” Liu Meizhao composed her expression and approached him. “Do you have business today? This consort wishes to speak with you.”
Xiao Hanyan lowered her head. “Your Highness, Crown Princess, this concubine will return first.”
“Very well. Liangdi may go.” Liu Meizhao gave her a rare pleasant look for her tact.
Shen Qingchen clenched his fists, frowning in silence. In the palace, it was not the time to speak.
Watching Xiao Hanyan depart, Liu Meizhao said softly, “Your Highness, let us go.”
Shen Qingchen strode away without a word.
Liu Meizhao drew a deep breath and followed. Back in the Eastern Palace, she thought he was heading to Xiwu Hall. But before she could feel pleased, Shen Qingchen turned instead toward the main hall.
“Crown Princess, calm yourself. Her Majesty is unwell, and His Highness is worried. If you comfort him, he will surely see your worth,” Molan urged, seeing her anger.
“Bring ginseng soup. I will deliver it to His Highness.” Suppressing her displeasure, Liu Meizhao reminded herself she must not be impatient.
“Yes, Crown Princess.”
At Wutong Courtyard.
Qingdai applied ointment to Xiao Hanyan’s wrist, which was red and swollen. Her brows knitted in distress. “Liangdi, is it better?”
Xiao Hanyan’s eyes shimmered with tears she fought to hold back. “It’s only sore. Nothing serious.”
“You should have gone directly to Kunning Palace yesterday. With the Empress unwell, you ought to have been at her side.” Qingdai blew gently over her wrist.
“With His Highness and the Crown Princess there, I…” Xiao Hanyan’s voice faltered bitterly.
“Liangdi…” Qingdai’s heart ached, at a loss for words.
Outside, Shen Qingchen had heard every word, his brows deeply furrowed.
Fushun, attending nearby, hesitated—should he remind His Highness whether to enter or leave? He had thought His Highness would go to the main hall, but instead, he had come to Wutong Courtyard, quietly listening.
“Your Highness…” Fushun whispered.
Shen Qingchen strode inside, his face stern, advancing step by step toward Xiao Hanyan. His imposing figure startled her. She quickly rose and bowed. “This concubine greets Your Highness.”
He came before her, grasping her wrist, unsurprised to see her brows knit in pain.
“Why did you not say your wrist was injured?” Shen Qingchen lifted her sleeve, revealing the swelling.
Xiao Hanyan covered it, murmuring, “It is nothing. Your Highness must be mistaken.”
His expression darkened. “Mistaken? Do you think I cannot see the redness and swelling?”
She bit her lip, silent in her grievance.
“Mother knows your filial devotion. Why must you push yourself so?” Shen Qingchen sighed, drawing her into his arms and settling her on his lap.
She leaned against his shoulder, saying nothing, simply resting in his embrace. Her helpless dependence softened his heart.
“Your Highness, I… I am only afraid…” Her voice was barely audible. “With the Crown Princess present, I am afraid.”
“Afraid of what? Tell me.” His voice gentled.
“I fear that if I am not at Her Majesty’s side, she will forget my worth.”
Her words trembled with unease.
“Only that? You don’t fear losing me?” Shen Qingchen teased lightly.
She blinked, startled, panic flooding her eyes. Her lips trembled. “This concubine…”
Seeing her frightened, he regretted it at once.
“Enough, I was only jesting.” His tone softened. “Mother will not forget, nor will I. Yesterday, the first thing she asked upon waking was for you, and she told you to rest well.”
“Truly, Your Highness?”
“When have I ever lied to you?” He held her wrist again. “So you foolishly copied scriptures all night?”
She lowered her head, embarrassed. “I… was too anxious.”
Her wrist was swollen from the effort, her fingertips reddened.
“Does it still hurt?”
“With Your Highness here, it doesn’t hurt at all.” Her eyes glistened, her frailty stirring his pity.
The scriptures had been mostly prepared beforehand; only the last portion was copied last night. She had even deliberately bruised her wrist and pinched her fingers to make them look worse.
“Foolish girl.” He scolded lightly, though his touch remained gentle, afraid of causing her pain. She laughed softly, nestling closer into his embrace.
Meanwhile, Liu Meizhao brought ginseng soup to the main hall, only to be told His Highness was not there. Her face darkened. “Molan, find out where His Highness went.”
Molan soon returned, her expression grim. “Crown Princess, His Highness is at Wutong Courtyard.”
“What did you say?” Liu Meizhao nearly dropped the soup.
“He went there upon returning, and has not come out since.” Molan spoke cautiously.
Liu Meizhao’s fury boiled over, nearly driving her mad. Two days into her marriage, His Highness had yet to spend a night in her hall. If word spread, her reputation—and her family’s—would be ruined.
“Crown Princess, calm yourself. Let us return first.” Molan supported her back to Xiwudian Hall.
Once inside, Liu Meizhao smashed porcelain in rage, scattering powders and rouge across the floor. She collapsed at her dressing table, sobbing bitterly. When had she ever suffered such humiliation?
“Crown Princess…” Molan whispered. “Shall we tell Madam?”
Liu Meizhao’s head snapped up, eyes red. “No. We cannot tell Mother. Such disgrace must never be spoken of.”
“Yes, Crown Princess.”
She wept until her head throbbed, finally stopping. After Molan helped her wash, her emotions slowly calmed.