The Sickly Beauty Substitute Called It Quits

The palace servants who were waiting to the side fell to their knees. They never thought Noble Monarch Shen, who was always so gentle and good-tempered, would suddenly say such things. No one dared to look up at the emperor’s face, but they all knew of his temperament. Noble Monarch Shen’s words would certainly anger him.

What they didn’t understand was why Shen Yu would dig his own grave. Everyone knew the emperor favored the noble monarch, but since ancient times there’d always been more than one beauty in the imperial harem. Shen Yu openly revealed his jealousy and made threats. Wasn’t he bringing ruin on himself?

Mu Xi’s forehead was covered with a thin layer of sweat. She restrained her fear and glanced up. Unfortunately, from her position she could only see the face of her young master, not the emperor’s reaction.

In the sudden, oppressive silence, Meng Gonggong cautiously looked at the emperor’s face. He felt a sudden jolt of astonishment.

—The man didn’t look angry at all.

The emperor was gazing at Shen Yu, and there was still a smile on his lips. It was only when you looked at his dark eyes that you felt chilled to the bone.

Meng Gonggong felt more and more confused by the di son of the Zhenbei Marquis’ family.

The two protagonists of this scene, who were being silently watched, didn’t care what their attendants were thinking. Shen Yu looked at the handsome emperor in front of him, and in a voice as soft as an orchid, he said, “Does Your Majesty really wish to bring more people into the harem?”

“Why is my noble monarch so jealous?” Shang JunLin leaned closer to Shen Yu’s ear. His voice was low and deep as he hinted, “If the noble monarch dispels this emperor’s thoughts with practical actions, this emperor will comply with your request.”

It was like they were discussing something trivial, not a major event like expanding the harem.

Shen Yu lowered his eyes, then he swept a glance at the kneeling palace servants. His gaze lingered on one of the young eunuchs for a while. When the emperor noticed something was wrong, Shen Yu looked away. “Does Your Majesty really want to proceed in front of these people?”

Shang JunLin took Shen Yu’s waist and pulled him into his lap. He glanced at Meng Gonggong carelessly. “Meng Chang, send them out.”

Meng Gonggong didn’t dare to disobey. He bowed his head and ushered all the servants out.

After they left, Shen Yu loosened his grip on Shang JunLin’s collar and tried to get up from Shang JunLin’s legs.

The moment he moved, he felt the emperor’s arms tighten around his waist. Shen Yu gave Shang JunLin a suspicious look. His eyes seemed to say: Everyone’s gone. Shouldn’t you let go of me now?

Unexpectedly, Shang JunLin not only didn’t let go, he took Shen Yu into his arms, as if to reply, “Noble monarch, what do you mean?”

“Is Your Majesty dissatisfied with my performance?” Shen Yu glared at him. “I’m sure everyone in the capital is about to hear that Noble Monarch Shen, the recent entrant to the palace, is so jealous he actually threatened His Majesty not to allow new people into the harem.

“Your Majesty, how are you going to compensate me for my lost reputation?”

Shang JunLin lifted Shen Yu’s chin and looked at him with deep eyes. “What form of compensation does the noble monarch want?”

“I’m tired of the treasures currently in Yuzhang Palace, Your Majesty….”

“You have quite an appetite.”

Shang JunLin’s words were accurate. Yuzhang Palace was the most gorgeously-decorated palace aside from the main palaces, and it was decorated with countless rare treasures. In terms of the degree of sumptuousness, it was even more magnificent than the emperor’s own bedchambers.

After Shen Yu became the master of Yuzhang Palace, the emperor sent an endless stream of rewards. Anything that was precious was sent to Shen Yu. And now, with a few light words, he said he was tired of looking at everything and Shang JunLin ought to send over a new batch of priceless gifts.

“Your Majesty is too kind,” Shen Yu said, as if Shang JunLin had just praised him. His eyebrows curved in a smile, and his index finger prodded the man’s shoulder. “When is Your Majesty going to let go?”

Shang JunLin had imprisoned Shen Yu with one hand wrapped around his waist and his chin pinched by the other. After hearing the question, Shang JunLin relaxed his grip, and Shen Yu slowly moved down from his lap.

This time Shang JunLin didn’t stop him.

When Shen Yu looked back at the emperor, he’d already returned to reading his folded reports. Except for the way he stopped Shen Yu a moment ago, there was nothing unusual about him.

Shen Yu shook off his thoughts and picked up the imperial genealogy sent by Shang JunLin.

The imperial family, especially Shang JunLin’s generation, didn’t consist of many people. Aside from the King of Yue, the imperial relatives were peaceful at the moment, and even the King of Yue didn’t dare to reveal any ambition at this stage.

Shang JunLin spent the night in Yuzhang Palace. The next morning, he sent a large number of gifts to Yuzhang Palace to appease the clever noble monarch. Meng Gonggong came in person to proclaim the decree. After worrying all night, everyone in Yuzhang Palace felt utter relief.

Mu Xi chose the things Shen Yu liked the most from the warehouse and redecorated Yuzhang Palace. Shen Yu held a book and sat outside, basking in the sun.

Imperial Physician Gu, who hadn’t visited in many days, came to see him. Mu Xi knew her master paid attention to Imperial Physician Gu and personally brought him in.

“I haven’t seen Imperial Physician Gu in a while. Are you still well?” Shen Yu asked in a lazy voice, looking up from the book.

Imperial Physician Gu knelt and gave a formal salute. “This minister thanks the noble monarch for your life-saving grace.”

“What does Imperial Physician Gu mean? I’ve been here in Yuzhang Palace the whole time. How can I have done anything for you?” Shen Yu tilted his head. “Please get up.”

Imperial Physician Gu couldn’t ignore Shen Yu’s life-saving grace just because he refused to admit what he’d done. However, Imperial Physician Gu knew the imperial palace had many eyes. He followed Shen Yu’s words and stood up. “Noble monarch, please extend your hand. This minister will take your pulse.”

A snow-white wrist stretched out from the wide sleeve. Imperial Physician Gu checked Shen Yu’s pulse without looking directly at him. “The noble monarch’s pulse condition is calm. You can now change to another prescription for your recuperation.”

“Thank you for your trouble, Imperial Physician Gu.”

“It is this official’s duty.” Although it was indeed Imperial Physician Gu’s responsibility to look after Shen Yu’s health, from now on there would be an added element of unspoken kindness to it, and the doctor would have even more care and concern for Shen Yu’s health.

Imperial Physician Gu was truly grateful for Shen Yu’s act of kindness. If Shen Yu hadn’t ordered him not to treat any other patients that day, he wouldn’t have been able to refuse those people when they came to his door. He would have been forced, for no reason, to get involved.

He only escaped death because of Shen Yu. It didn’t matter what Shen Yu’s true purpose was—it happened. Given His Majesty’s attitude towards those people, if he’d really gotten involved, he could not have avoided punishment.

At best, he would have lost his official position. At worst… his own life.

As Imperial Physician Gu left, he couldn’t help but wonder: when Noble Monarch Shen said those words, how much did he know?

When the doctor returned to the imperial hospital, his colleagues came over to greet him. Imperial Physician Gu had always been popular, and soon there were several people gathered around him.

As they walked inside the building, a few other people were there discussing medical techniques.

Suddenly they heard a low-pitched discussion from not far away.

“Exactly how beautiful is Noble Monarch Shen? He even charmed His Majesty into promising not to accept anyone else into the palace.”

“It’s not only that. I heard he actually threatened to kill any newcomers who entered the harem….”

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“That’s too much…. And His Majesty let him?”

“He’s in favor now. What wouldn’t His Majesty let him do? They say His Majesty sent all kinds of things to Yuzhang Palace to soothe the noble monarch’s feelings.”

“But he’s just a man who can’t even have children. Does that mean His Majesty won’t appoint an empress for the rest of his life just because of one man?”

“The Zhenbei Marquis really did well for himself when sent his beguiling di son to the palace. He won’t lack for anything in the future.”

“…”

When Imperial Physician Gu came to a halt, the man who was discussing a pathology case with him was surprised. “What is it?”

“Please wait here a moment.” Ignoring the puzzled expressions of his colleagues, Imperial Physician Gu walked up to the group of people who were talking.

His colleagues were confused. “What’s going on?”

“I don’t know. Let’s follow and see.”

“Who gave you permission to gossip about the imperial family?” Imperial Physician Gu asked coldly.

The people who’d been talking loudly a moment ago suddenly shut their mouths and bowed their heads sheepishly. “This lowly official was mistaken,” one said.

They were all junior officials of the imperial hospital, and Imperial Physician Gu was their immediate superior. Naturally, they couldn’t afford to offend him.

Imperial Physician Gu took note of their names. “Don’t let me hear you discussing this ever again.”

They all agreed. No one could deny it was inappropriate to talk about the private affairs of the imperial family. 

The colleagues who’d followed Imperial Physician Gu were more and more confused. Since when did he care about this kind of thing?

After that incident, the world once again understood how deeply Shen Yu was favored. His Majesty was even willing to keep the harem empty for him, which showed how deep his affection was.

The ministers who wanted to send family members into the palace were forced to give up. His Majesty’s attitude was clear. If they really tried to send people into the harem, they might be gone in less than a day.

In particular, courtiers who wanted to send their own children into the palace no longer dared to make a sound. They wanted their sons and daughters to compete for favor and gain benefits for their families, not lose their lives.

At morning court, the emperor made clear he had no intention of accepting newcomers into the harem. When court was dismissed, the Zhenbei Marquis left in a trance, surrounded by the envious eyes of the other officials.

“Lord marquis.” Someone walked up to him and said, “The lord marquis really raised his son well.”

Several more people gathered around him. “Lord marquis, you have to try to persuade the noble monarch. How can anyone who’s married to an emperor be so jealous?”

“Yes, it may be fine if His Majesty likes him now, but someday…”

The Zhenbei Marquis was so annoyed his face turned cold. “Don’t pretend to be worried about my son. If you have the ability, get His Majesty to favor your daughter too.”

With that, disregarding the ugly face of the other person, the marquis turned and left.

In the past, he would have been ecstatic that Shen Yu was so highly favored, but these days he wasn’t nearly as certain about Shen Yu’s attitude towards the Zhenbei Marquis’ family. But even if Shen Yu hated the Zhenbei Marquis, Madam Ru, and Shen QingRan, he hadn’t taken action.

The Zhenbei Marquis secretly decided to find an opportunity to test Shen Yu’s attitude.

After morning court, Shang JunLin went directly to Yuzhang Palace. Meng Gonggong followed, along with two young eunuchs holding memorials.

Since that day, His Majesty seemed to want to compensate Noble Monarch Shen. Aside from going to court every day, the emperor stayed in Yuzhang Palace most of the time.

Shen Yu was tending to a pot which contained a pale green plant. Its leaves were shaped like spikes, about half a palm high, and it was planted in a porcelain flower pot decorated with a white and blue pattern.

“This plant’s growing well,” Mu Xi said.

“It’s called a ‘jun ling’ plant.” Shen Yu took the handkerchief offered by Mu Xi. “It’s doing well. I think it will probably survive the winter.”

“Imperial Physician Gu said it can help you sleep. Is that true?” Mu Xi was skeptical. That plant looked no different than ordinary grass, except the leaves were a little more tender.

“Since Imperial Physician Gu sent it, it must be effective.” Shen Yu looked at the plant for a while and gave it some water. “Did you find out what happened to Imperial Physician Gu?”

The matter of Imperial Physician Gu involved a sensitive topic at the moment, and it wasn’t possible for Shen Yu to ask about it openly. Shen Yu still didn’t know how or why Imperial Physician Gu got involved in something that eventually cost his life.

“This slave…” Mu Xi was about to answer when she was interrupted by the man who suddenly walked in the door.

“If the noble monarch wants to know about Imperial Physician Gu, why don’t you ask this emperor directly?” Shang JunLin caught sight of the plant on the table, which was obviously cared for by Shen Yu personally, and the corners of his mouth gradually flattened.

TL Notes:

pulse condition – 脉象 – Refers to the speed, strength, and depth of the pulse, used for diagnosis in traditional Chinese medicine (Baidu)

jin ling – 君苓 – monarch fungus/tuber – There’s a traditional Chinese medicine with the same name, but it’s made of a few different things like ginseng and atractylodes (a member of the sunflower family) (Baidu)