Chapter 15: Portrait of a Beauty

In the front courtyard, Zhang Desheng had long since sent word that Li Qian intended to dine with Shen Quanyi.

Upon receiving the news, Shen Quanyi began preparations early, but as time passed with no sign of him, Xingye gently suggested, “Perhaps he is held up with official duties outside. Your Highness might begin your meal first.”

At these words, Shen Quanyi’s expression darkened, displeased. “Cancel it. I had no appetite to begin with.”

Xingye was about to persuade her further when Qiuyue beside her quietly shook her head.

After attending to her ablutions, Shen Quanyi sat alone in her chamber, glancing at the sky that had fully darkened outside. She lost track of time and seemed to have dozed off.

The candlelight inside flickered steadily.

Xingye and another attendant waited by the door, growing anxious at Shen Quanyi’s demeanor. Qiuyue smiled softly, “Why rush? Since the Crown Prince has sent word, he surely will come.”

Xingye was about to argue but suddenly recalled that Qiuyue had been serving outside earlier, so her assumption might be mistaken. Silently, she swallowed her words.

Just as she turned to carry away the basin and was forbidden from lifting the curtain, the warm drape was suddenly raised high from the outside. A robe embroidered with dragons and intricate patterns appeared in view. Xingye and the others quickly knelt and bowed, unable to find their voices to greet him.

Li Qian entered, bearing the chill of the snow outside. Seeing him raise a hand in a gesture to silence, the attendants understood and fell quiet.

Inside, Li Qian found Shen Quanyi sitting by the kang in her undergarments, her face heavy with fatigue but resolutely upright. Half her body leaned on a small carved table of pearwood, one hand supporting her cheek, the other lightly plucking at a silver hairpin, stirring the wick of the lamp.

“Why are you sitting here?”

Hearing the voice, Shen Quanyi turned her head and momentarily forgot to bow. After a moment, she recovered and hastened to rise, but Li Qian gently pressed her back down.

He signaled for attendants to enter, then changed into his own undergarments, sitting opposite Shen Quanyi.

The two sat quietly, eyes meeting. Under Li Qian’s intense gaze, Shen Quanyi gradually withdrew, a hint of reluctance in her eyes as she turned away.

“Are you angry?”

Li Qian’s words were not a question. Leaning over the small table, his strong arms enveloped her, and Shen Quanyi obediently threaded her hand through his waist, holding him tightly.

Li Qian chuckled, lowering his head to catch her gaze.

Her pale face slowly blushed, spreading to her neck and ears under his focused look.

“I did not mean to upset you. It’s just that recently, official affairs have been burdensome — the floods in the south and numerous petitions at court.”

Li Qian explained softly. Shen Quanyi was startled; she had intended only a playful reproach, never expecting him to explain, especially about matters at court.

Seeing her pale complexion, Li Qian guessed her thoughts and smiled, “What are you afraid of? Since I’ve mentioned it, it’s nothing that must be kept secret.”

The southern floods had caused refugees to scatter like startled birds. Without strict checkpoints along the way, chaos would ensue. At court, endless petitions and disputes wore down the emperor, who was deeply troubled by the situation.

The greatest fear was an outbreak of contagious disease following the floods — that would be disastrous.

These matters were common knowledge among the people and hardly secrets; there was no harm in mentioning them.

Reassured by Li Qian’s words, Shen Quanyi’s mood softened immediately. She stepped forward, clasped his arm, and looked up with concern. “You must take care of your health.”

Li Qian smiled, running a finger lightly over her gently upturned nose. As if recalling something, his dark eyes fixed on her with deep affection.

“Today, I arrived at the inner court.”

Shen Quanyi paused, instinctively looking up at him. After a moment, she replied, “Yes. Now that my health has returned, and I serve by your side, it is proper to pay respects to the Crown Princess as custom dictates.”

She hesitated briefly, then casually mentioned, “I also met the eldest young lady.”

Upon hearing Shen Quanyi speak of Li Changjiu, Li Qian’s expression stiffened imperceptibly for a moment before he composed himself and said, “Oh, that child has always been indulged.”

Shen Quanyi met his gaze again, seeing his calm demeanor reflected in his dark eyes.

“How could that be? The eldest young lady is innocent and lively. Surely, Consort Liang has carefully nurtured and protected her—the heart of a devoted mother is evident.”

Su Jin indeed valued Li Changjiu deeply.

That was undeniable.

“All right, let’s not dwell on other matters,” Li Qian subtly changed the subject, lifting his hand to grasp Shen Quanyi’s smooth shoulder. “I truly was late today. I owe you a proper compensation.”

With that, he called for attendants to bring brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

Because Qiuyue had served beforehand, Shen Quanyi waited in the main hall. Hearing Li Qian request the materials, she hurried to prepare them.

Soon, Qiuyue entered carrying a redwood tray with the items, setting them down. As she turned to leave, she glanced back to see Shen Quanyi seated on the kang, head slightly bowed. Their hands were intertwined beneath her sleeves, fingers lazily playing together, while Li Qian stood beside her, smiling warmly, his eyes full of adoration and joy.

Qiuyue dared not look any longer, her heart pounding fiercely. She thought, “Consort Shen is truly favored. That is the Crown Prince, after all, destined one day to claim the throne.”

At that thought, Qiuyue dared not imagine further but felt a quiet happiness, knowing her coming here had been the right choice.

With renewed respect, she silently withdrew.

Shen Quanyi rose to grind the ink for Li Qian but did not ask what he intended to write.

Li Qian took the brush and glanced at her before bending over the table, dipping his sleeve into the ink. “The beauty in my heart, I think of day and night.”

The candlelight flickered cheerfully on the table. Li Qian’s brow was serious as he delicately moved the brush, the broad sleeve brushing the paper with soft rustling sounds.

After a time, he set down the brush, fingers cautiously tracing the paper as if afraid to damage a priceless treasure.

Watching a stunning beauty gradually emerge on the page, Shen Quanyi’s eyes brightened. She blinked in slight surprise.

The beauty was unmistakably herself.

“Why, are you so entranced by the beauty?” came a low voice near her ear, tinged with playful laughter.

Shen Quanyi pursed her lips, smiling with some delight. “You paint wonderfully.”

“I have copied her countless times in my dreams,” Li Qian said.

Not grasping the deeper meaning, Shen Quanyi looked up at him.

“You wouldn’t believe it, but though you were not here, I have seen you many times in my dreams. I take you as a fairy who visits me in slumber. I long to be lost in those dreams, meeting with her every day.”

Such intoxicating words of devotion.

Li Qian caught Shen Quanyi’s hand, brought it to his lips, and placed a burning kiss there. His dark eyes locked onto hers with unwavering intensity.

“Do you like it?”

Shen Quanyi’s heart swelled with joy and a touch of shyness. She turned aside, burying her face in the hollow of his neck.