Chapter 57: A Night of Attendance

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As she emerged from the inner chambers of the sleeping palace, all eyes once again converged on Shen Qianmo. She, however, cast only the briefest glance in Meng Yuanheng’s direction with the corner of her eye, noting that he remained as indifferent and detached as ever, not sparing her so much as a single look.

Who knows what tricks he’s up to now, Shen Qianmo thought with a curl of her lips. Still, she believed he must have his reasons, and since that was the case, she would simply play along.

It was the Empress Dowager, Lady Dujing, who spoke first. “How is His Majesty?”

Eunuch Li knelt on the floor, his voice trembling with excitement as he replied, “Your Majesty, after Miss Shen’s silver needle bloodletting treatment, His Majesty’s asthma has improved significantly and his complexion has returned to normal. Imperial Physician Wang said that with careful recuperation, His Majesty will recover fully.”

Silver needle bloodletting? Shen Qianmo’s mouth twitched; she had to admit, that was an apt description. Eunuch Li was indeed clever.

“So, Father is all right?” The Seventh Prince, Meng Tianyan, who had been silent until now, asked—his question directed at Shen Qianmo.

Unlike the First Prince, Meng Tianluo, this Seventh Prince spoke with a clear, bright tone and eyes alight with energy, giving him a much sunnier disposition. Shen Qianmo lowered her head and answered, “Your Highness, His Majesty is blessed with good fortune and should have no grave concerns. However, as he has yet to awaken, it is prudent to observe him for another night.”

She dared not make promises she couldn’t keep. Still, from her earlier diagnosis, the Emperor’s constitution seemed strong enough to weather this crisis.

“Tch, I thought Miss Shen’s medical skills were legendary. After all that so-called treatment, my father still hasn’t awakened. It seems the rumors in the capital have indeed been greatly exaggerated.” Princess Yaohua’s face was full of disdain.

“Yaohua, mind your tongue!” The Empress Dowager shot her a stern look, her delicate features tinged with authority. This child had truly been spoiled, growing more insolent by the day.

“Mother, you would scold me for this woman’s sake?” Princess Yaohua’s charming face fell, and she cried out in grievance, not forgetting to shoot Shen Qianmo a venomous look.

Shen Qianmo couldn’t be bothered with such a spoiled and unreasonable girl. Princess or not, she kept her head bowed, her expression docile and silent.

“Since Miss Shen has said His Majesty must be observed for another night, perhaps, as a precaution, Miss Shen should remain here in attendance this evening. What say you, Miss Shen?” This time, it was the Third Prince, Meng Tianxu, who spoke. He was so pale he seemed never to have seen the sun, with a hint of effeminacy to his features. If not for his deep voice, Shen Qianmo might have mistaken him for a woman.

Still, Meng Yuanheng was certainly more pleasing to the eye, she thought privately.

As for keeping watch for the night, since the ones in power had spoken, what right had she to refuse?

“I will do my utmost, Your Highness. I only ask that you send someone to inform the Duke’s manor, lest my family grows concerned.”

Since it was his suggestion, let his people do the legwork.

Meng Tianxu offered a faint smile. “Miss Shen is indeed thoughtful in all matters.”

“Thank you for your praise, Your Highness,” Shen Qianmo replied, lowering her head. Inwardly, she grumbled that she’d learned her lesson—one must be thorough, lest she be punished with another twenty strokes.

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“If His Majesty is out of danger, I shall take my leave,” Consort Li suddenly declared. She had been sitting quietly, observing with cold detachment, but now rose abruptly, paid a perfunctory courtesy to the Empress Dowager, and turned to go.

Her departure was marked by the gentle chiming of her ornaments and the graceful sway of her steps—a true beauty, elegant and poised, no wonder she stood out among the countless consorts to become the Emperor’s favorite.

As she passed Shen Qianmo, the fragrance wafting off her made Shen Qianmo’s nose itch uncontrollably. She had always been sensitive to certain perfumes and quickly held her breath to avoid sneezing. To sneeze before such company would probably be deemed an offense.

Consort Li’s figure glided onward. As she passed Meng Yuanheng, she paused for a brief moment before continuing out of the hall.

A glint of speculation flashed in Shen Qianmo’s eyes. Was there something between Consort Li and Meng Yuanheng that she didn’t know about?

At that moment, Meng Yuanheng happened to glance deeply at Shen Qianmo. In that look were mingled guilt, concern, tenderness, worry, and longing.

Shen Qianmo lowered her head, a gentle smile tugging at her lips, reassured.

Night fell, and the Hall of Fortunate Peace grew ever more tranquil. The incense within the sleeping chamber wafted a drowsy haze through the air. Shen Qianmo sat by the Emperor’s dragon bed, leaning against a bedpost with her eyes closed in meditation.

Outside, a cool breeze drifted through, dispersing some of the stale air. She had insisted that Eunuch Li open a window; if the room remained sealed, even the healthiest would fall ill.

The Empress and the princes and princesses had long since retired to their own chambers. Meng Yuanheng, too, had been escorted by Situ Gong to his quarters in the palace. Shen Qianmo had sent the palace maids outside to wait, so now only she and Eunuch Li remained in the vast hall—along with the slumbering Emperor.

What did it matter, being the Son of Heaven, ruler of the world? In Shen Qianmo’s eyes, the Emperor was perhaps the loneliest, most pitiable soul alive. Yet people were endlessly tempted by power and fame, scheming desperately for the throne.

Even among Emperor Mingde’s sons, she could see that each harbored his own designs; none, she wagered, truly cared about the Emperor’s health.

But why had Meng Yuanheng acted so strangely today? What had happened yesterday after he entered the palace?

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“Who are you?” Suddenly, a deep and commanding voice shattered the quiet of the chamber.

Startled, Shen Qianmo snapped out of her reverie to see Emperor Mingde, lying on the imperial bed clad in bright yellow, now wide awake and fixing her with a gaze full of majesty.

Eunuch Li was already kneeling on the floor, his voice trembling with emotion. “Your Majesty, you’re awake! This is wonderful—your humble servant pays you his respects!”

Shen Qianmo, too, could only kneel and bow low. “Your Majesty, I am Shen Qianmo, eldest daughter of the Duke Shen. I offer my greetings to Your Majesty.”

“So, you are Shen Qianmo,” Emperor Mingde repeated, his tone softening. He gestured to Eunuch Li, who hurried over to help the Emperor sit up, placing cushions behind him for comfort.

The Emperor looked her over and said, somewhat surprised, “Was it not rumored that you had been disfigured by fire? How is it you are so beautiful?”

Who would have thought the Emperor so gossipy? Shen Qianmo suppressed a smile and replied, “Your Majesty, it is true my face was burned, but I was treated and healed on Infinity Island some days ago.”

He nodded. “So the stories in the capital about you and the Infinity Sect are true? And it was you who cured my illness?”

Before the Emperor, she dared not claim credit. “Your Majesty’s great fortune is the true cause. I merely did what little I could.”

Eunuch Li, who had served the Emperor for many years, heard the appreciation in his tone and proceeded to recount in detail how Shen Qianmo had treated him. The Emperor nodded repeatedly, looking at her now with a hint of fatherly affection.

Shen Qianmo, however, listened in growing alarm. With such a gift for storytelling, Eunuch Li could have been a professional narrator. She dearly wished to explain that her medical skills were not nearly so miraculous, but she knew that in such moments, silence was safest.

“Eunuch Li overpraises me. I am unworthy of such praise,” Shen Qianmo said quickly, lowering her head in feigned humility. A little modesty was always wise.

Just then, a maidservant announced from outside the hall, “Your Majesty, Consort Xian requests an audience.”