Chapter Fifteen: Shen Qiuning—Who Is He?

Xu Zirui noticed the wary look in Shen Qiuning’s eyes and thought she might have misunderstood. He hurriedly explained, “My father asked me to come down the mountain to train under General Shen. They’ve been old friends, so when I heard your name was Shen Qiuning, I got a bit excited.”

Embarrassed, Xu Zirui scratched his head awkwardly. Shen Qiuning remained somewhat skeptical but, seeing the sincerity in his clear eyes, she figured he probably wasn’t a bad person.

“Ningning, I don’t know how to get to General Shen’s residence yet. Can I go back with you?” Xu Zirui smiled broadly at her.

Ningning? What on earth was that? Shen Qiuning thought he was far too uninhibited. “Call me Shen Qiuning, not Ningning. We’re not that close yet.”

Xu Zirui followed behind her. “Calling you Ningning makes it sound like we’re close. You call me Zirui, I call you Ningning, and we look like good friends.”

“Don’t you think so, Ningning?”

“Ningning, what fun things are there in the capital? You can take me around someday!”

“Ningning, these lanterns are so beautiful. We don’t have anything like this up on the mountain.”

Ningning, Ningning, Ningning—Xu Zirui kept calling her that all the way. Shen Qiuning wished she could change her name right then and there. When they reached the general’s residence, having endured it all the way, Shen Qiuning finally exploded, “Xu Zirui! No more talking!”

Xu Zirui fell silent at her shout, his head drooping. “Got it, Ningning, don’t be mad.”

“Ahem, we’re here. Go find my father first. I’m not mad,” Shen Qiuning said, feeling a little guilty for shouting so loudly, softening her tone.

Hearing that she wasn’t angry, Xu Zirui lifted his head, his eyes brightening as he gave her a big smile.

Shen Qiuning took him to find Shen Muyan. Upon recognizing him, Shen Muyan strode over: “This kid’s grown so much! How’s your father lately?”

“Uncle Shen, my father is fine. He keeps scolding me for being lazy and told me to come down and train with you,” Xu Zirui said obediently.

“All right, all right. How did you two end up coming back together?” Shen Muyan asked, puzzled.

Shen Qiuning spoke first: “My purse was stolen, and he helped me get it back. We happened to meet.”

“Let him stay here for now. Treat him like your own little brother from now on,” Shen Muyan instructed Shen Qiuning.

Shen Qiuning led him to his room.

“Ningning, can you take me to the market tomorrow? It’s my first time in the capital,” Xu Zirui chirped behind her.

“Your father told you to train, not just play,” Shen Qiuning refused without hesitation.

***

The next morning.

Shen Qiuning trudged along the street, utterly disheartened, with Xu Zirui bouncing ahead excitedly.

“Ningning, this looks delicious! And this! And this!” Xu Zirui was curious about everything.

Shen Qiuning followed behind, yawning and handing over coins.

Xu Zirui called out to her, and at that moment, a group of riders appeared behind them. Shen Qiuning quickly warned, “Zirui! Watch out!”

Xu Zirui dodged to the side and ran up to her. “Ningning, are you okay?”

“Watch where you’re going. You don’t have to call me. I’m right behind you and not going anywhere,” Shen Qiuning frowned.

Gu Yan had been chasing a criminal but unexpectedly saw Shen Qiuning on the street. He took in the scene silently, then stopped his horse in front of her, his eyes shadowed with indecipherable emotion. Shen Qiuning looked up and met his gaze for a brief moment.

“Move on!” Gu Yan said nothing else and rode away.

“Ningning, do you know him?” Xu Zirui felt Gu Yan looked at them with hostility.

“No, let’s go. Didn’t you want to keep exploring?” Shen Qiuning felt an urge to avoid him, probably because of the Fifth Princess. Since the princess liked him, she wanted to keep some distance.

After lunch, Shen Qiuning entered the palace to practice waist whip training with Noble Consort Xuan. The training sessions had improved her greatly over this period.

Before she reached Noble Consort Xuan’s residence, someone grabbed her arm and pulled her into a corner. “Shen Qiuning, who is he?”

Shen Qiuning winced in pain as Gu Yan tugged her wrist again. “Gu Yan, can you let go?”

Realizing he was hurting her, Gu Yan quickly released her.

“What is your relationship with him?” Gu Yan’s eyes flickered with inquiry.

Shen Qiuning stepped back. “None. General Gu, it’s best you keep your distance.”

She turned and walked away without looking back.

Gu Yan lowered his gaze and walked off in another direction.

Noble Consort Xuan sat in the courtyard, her eyes hollow. Seeing Shen Qiuning, she beckoned her to sit beside her. “Ning’er, I found out—it’s the emperor. Every letter I never sent out, he took it. All these years, he still doesn’t trust me.”

Shen Qiuning grasped Noble Consort Xuan’s hand. “Could it be a misunderstanding? Your Highness, don’t be upset. We can ask and clarify.”

“A misunderstanding? What misunderstanding? He just never believed me. I had a huge fight with my master back then. I was shaken, but in the end, I still entered the palace. I never blamed him, but he doubted me,” Noble Consort Xuan said, tears welling up.

Watching her like this, Shen Qiuning sighed inwardly. To live beside the emperor meant constant submission. If Noble Consort Xuan hadn’t entered the palace, she might now be living peacefully with someone, free from worries.

“Ning’er, today I must confront him and get to the bottom of this. I’ll have someone send you back afterward, alright?” The consort only wanted answers now.

“All right, Your Highness. Please take care of yourself,” Shen Qiuning said, glancing back repeatedly as she left.

In the imperial study, Emperor Yongqing’s eyes ached from reviewing memorials. Sitting up, he rubbed his eyes as a eunuch reported, “Your Majesty, Noble Consort Xuan requests an audience.”

“Let her in!” Seeing her made all fatigue vanish.

Noble Consort Xuan entered. “Your Majesty, I wish to ask something.”

“What does my beloved wish to know?” Emperor Yongqing smiled tenderly.

“Your Majesty, where have the letters I wrote to my master over the years gone?” Noble Consort Xuan’s voice trembled.

The emperor’s smile stiffened, and he could not utter a defense.

“Your Majesty, do you not trust me? I never asked to leave the palace, yet you doubted me. Tell me, what more must I do? You wanted me to come to the palace and accompany you. I endured all the pressure and came. I had a huge fight with my dearest master. For years, I thought he hadn’t forgiven me, that he was angry still. Now I know he forgave me long ago! He forgave me long ago!” Noble Consort Xuan choked on her words as tears slipped down.

Emperor Yongqing stepped forward and embraced her. “It is I who have wronged you.”

She pushed him away gently. “Your Majesty, I have never blamed you. But you never trusted me. Tell me, what is true sincerity?”

Fearing that Noble Consort Xuan might want to leave the palace if she discovered their secret connection, the emperor hid the letters away. He never imagined how deeply it would wound her.

“Your Majesty, perhaps we should both calm down for a while,” Noble Consort Xuan said before turning and leaving.

The emperor dared not follow; he was at a loss for words. This time, it was truly he who had wronged her—from beginning to end, he had failed her.