The events of today’s palace banquet left Shen Qingchen stifled with frustration. Yet he was helpless, and he could only wonder how heartbroken Yan’er must be now. Thinking of this, he quickened his pace. The hall was quiet, and when he entered the bedchamber, he saw Xiao Hanyan reclining on the beauty couch beside the jade screen. She lay on her side, eyes gently closed. Qingdai was attending her, massaging her legs. Seeing Shen Qingchen arrive, Qingdai silently bowed and withdrew.
Shen Qingchen approached. Xiao Hanyan heard the sound and lifted her eyes faintly to look at him.
The beauty on the couch was soft and delicate, like boneless jade.
“Yan’er.” Shen Qingchen sat at the edge of the couch, calling her softly.
Her watery eyes held a trace of grievance and sorrow.
“Your Highness…”
“Are you tired from today?” He leaned closer.
Xiao Hanyan frowned lightly and shook her head slowly.
“Still pretending to be strong.” He had already seen Qingdai massaging her legs when he entered.
Xiao Hanyan lowered her gaze, lips pressed tight, saying nothing.
“Enough, let me rub them for you.” Shen Qingchen straightened and took hold of her slender calf.
“Your Highness… you mustn’t, this concubine dares not…” She shifted her legs gently.
“Don’t move. I know the banquet today exhausted you.” He kneaded her delicate legs slowly.
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. She bit her lip, glancing at him, as though countless grievances pressed at her heart, yet she forced herself not to speak.
“Better now?” Shen Qingchen asked softly.
No answer came—only the faint sound of suppressed sobs. Her muffled crying carried sorrow and helplessness.
Shen Qingchen froze, looking up to see her trembling as she wept, utterly desolate.
“Yan’er…” His hands stilled. Normally, when she cried softly, he would comfort her tenderly. But today’s events had left her wounded. He had no idea how to ease her pain. He had rushed back only out of worry, never intending to make her cry. Yet now, her sobs pierced his heart.
“Yan’er, don’t cry. I’ll be gentler.” He could only resume massaging her legs, his voice low with helplessness.
Gradually, her sobs subsided. She gazed at him through tear-filled eyes.
When he lifted her trouser leg, he saw her ankle was swollen. Her feet were smooth and pale as jade, her toes pink and round, small and adorable. Instinctively, he reached out and held them. They were so delicate that his hand could encircle them completely. He stroked lightly—the skin was soft and fine.
After a moment, unable to resist, Shen Qingchen slowly lowered his head.
Xiao Hanyan had thought he was only tending her ankle. She never expected him to gaze at her foot for so long.
Immediately, under Xiao Hanyan’s wide eyes, Shen Qingchen held her jade-like foot and lowered his head to kiss it.
“Your Highness…” Xiao Hanyan froze, instinctively struggling.
Shen Qingchen gripped firmly, refusing to let go. He looked up at her. “Yan’er, don’t be sad, all right?”
She gazed at him with grievance. “This concubine dares not act willfully, it’s just that I…”
“I know. Yan’er, in my heart, there is only you.”
“Your Highness…” Xiao Hanyan threw herself into his arms, clinging tightly.
“I am here.”
Shen Qingchen stayed with her until she fell asleep.
At Xiwu Hall.
Liu Meizhao returned in a fury, venting her anger by smashing porcelain, leaving the hall in disarray.
“Crown Princess, please calm yourself…” Molan tried again to soothe her.
“Mother has chosen three concubines for His Highness. They will soon enter the Eastern Palace.”
Liu Meizhao collapsed into a chair, breathing heavily, her palms nearly bleeding from how tightly she clenched them. Before, she only had to guard against Liangdi Xiao. Now, with more women in the palace, how could she compete?
“Crown Princess, be calm. This servant believes more women in the palace may be to your advantage…”
Before Molan could finish, Liu Meizhao’s cold glare silenced her.
“Crown Princess, His Highness dotes only on Liangd Xiaoi. Once those concubines enter, her favor will be divided. Then, as Crown Princess, you can win them over. Whether they see His Highness or not will be up to you.”
Gradually, Liu Meizhao calmed. “I do not believe His Highness will ignore several beauties. Liangdi Xiao has been here long enough—he must be weary of her.”
“Exactly. The more women, the more chaos. That will be your chance. When disorder erupts, you can step forward to restore order. Will not the Empress then see you differently?” Molan added. “And His Highness will notice too.”
Liu Meizhao looked at her, nodding. Her twisted expression eased. “Slowly, no need to rush.”
“It is good the Crown Princess understands.”
At Wutong Courtyard.
“Master, the small kitchen just made pastries. I brought some for you to try.” Qingdai opened the food box, revealing a small plate of delicate cakes.
Xiao Hanyan reached out her slender hand, taking one and biting lightly. “The taste is quite good.”
“They were made at His Highness’s order, for you.”
Xiao Hanyan smiled faintly. “Qingdai, has the date been set for the newcomers to enter the Eastern Palace?”
Qingdai paused in the act of serving warm water. She set down the cup, hesitating. “Master, such matters are for the Crown Princess to worry about. Why should you trouble yourself? His Highness…”
“I was only asking…”
Before she could finish, Xiao Hanyan suddenly felt a wave of nausea in her chest. She quickly set down the pastry, frowning as she clutched her chest, her face paling severely.
“Master, what is wrong?” Qingdai asked anxiously, wondering if she had said something wrong to upset her mistress.
Xiao Hanyan’s eyes flickered. This feeling…
“Qingdai, I’m fine. I just ate too quickly.”
“Master, drink some water.” Qingdai said guiltily. “It was my fault. I shouldn’t have brought up such unpleasant matters.”
“You silly girl, I don’t blame you. I only meant that if the date is set, we can prepare accordingly. We mustn’t let His Highness be taken away.” Xiao Hanyan half-joked, half-comforted her.
“Master, do you truly think so?” Qingdai brightened.
“Mm.”
“Master, they say three days from now, the three newcomers will enter the palace together. The Crown Princess has already arranged their quarters.”
“How virtuous of the Crown Princess.” Xiao Hanyan’s hand brushed her lower abdomen without drawing notice. “Qingdai, keep a close watch. Don’t miss anything.”
“Yes, Master.”
After Qingdai left, Xiao Hanyan lowered her gaze to her belly. Slowly, her lips curved into a smile. Here, there is a child.
She had been in the Eastern Palace long enough—it was time for good news. Though she had not deliberately avoided conception, she had roughly calculated her safe days.
Letting nature take its course, the timing now was just right.