Chapter 75: Chapter 26: His Majesty’s Midnight Visit

Shen Ruoxi’s hair instantly stood on end, and she sat bolt upright, her delicate hand reaching for Cold Frost at the bedside.

At that moment, a cold snort resonated clearly in the silent night.

The person slowly said, “Marquis Shen’s alertness seems to have waned. I thought you would awaken the moment I entered, but surprisingly…” His words carried a faint hint of mockery.

Shen Ruoxi’s tense nerves finally relaxed, but they were soon replaced by a surge of anger in her heart.

She retorted mercilessly, “Your Majesty, who are you trying to scare? What are you doing in a minister’s chamber in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?”

“This world is mine; where can’t I go?” The Emperor responded nonchalantly, as if this was the most normal thing.

Anger boiled in Shen Ruoxi’s heart. How could a king be so rude, barging into a single woman’s room in the middle of the night so brazenly, utterly indecent!

“May I ask, Your Majesty, which Hidden Guard brought you here? This person is quite daring. Though I can’t do anything to Your Majesty, I will surely punish him severely.” Shen Ruoxi’s expression was frosty, her tone filled with indisputable firmness.

Although the Emperor was skilled in both civility and martial arts, for him to sneak into her room silently past the Shen Mansion’s guards was pure fantasy.

Therefore, Shen Ruoxi determined that it must have been an Imperial Guard with high martial skills who brought him here.

“Can’t I come?” The Emperor, still audaciously justified, questioned.

Couldn’t he know whether he could come or not?

The Emperor had been well-read since childhood, understanding the rules and rituals profoundly. How could he not know that this visit was indeed improper!

“Your Majesty, I am unwell and unable to see you off. Please return to the Imperial Palace at once.” Shen Ruoxi spoke, expressionless, her voice cold as ice.

The Emperor slightly curled his lips, his gaze fixed on her.

The dim light in the room made her face look veiled and unclear, yet it paradoxically added an indescribable mystique and allure.

How could she be so captivating!

It wasn’t simply about her looks; after all, beauty varies, each with its charm.

But this particular scenery of hers penetrated deep into his heart.

“I wonder, if I persist on not returning to the palace, what will you do?”

Shen Ruoxi frowned, her voice icy, “Your Majesty, if you insist on this, then I will have no choice. I’ll block your acupoints and let your Hidden Guard take you back.”

“Hehe!” The Emperor chuckled lightly, “That’s perfect. Your action will spread the news of my late-night visit to Marquis Shen’s boudoir across the Capital City, confirming that your separation from Xiao Chengyi was because of me, and I won’t have to explain anymore!”

Shen Ruoxi couldn’t help but laugh angrily, incredulously gazing at the Emperor, thinking that the ruler of a nation could be so unruly, utterly lacking the dignity of an emperor.

“Your Majesty, what do you want? Don’t you think such conduct is disgraceful? As the ruler, don’t you consider your reputation?” Shen Ruoxi’s tone was full of dissatisfaction.

Something she said seemed to hit a nerve, as the Emperor suddenly grew furious, “If I didn’t care about my reputation, I would’ve long decreed you to enter the palace.

I’ve been considerate of your feelings, thinking you needed time to adjust.

But you, just a few days after returning to the Shen family, you’re eager to choose a husband. Are you that impatient?”

“Huh? Choose a husband? Your Majesty, what are you talking about? I don’t understand.” Shen Ruoxi looked bewildered, unaware of any plans to choose a husband.

The Emperor paused, looking at Shen Ruoxi’s bewildered expression, he couldn’t help but feel doubtful, “You… you really don’t know?”

Upon hearing the news of Shen Ruoxi choosing a husband, the Emperor’s heart felt like it was hit hard, the thought of losing her again was excruciating.

Thus, he disregarded all etiquette and protocols, wanting nothing but to seek her confirmation quickly, hoping to dispel this idea.

Shen Ruoxi shook her head, gently pulling the thin quilt up to her neck and yawning, appearing a little drowsy, “Your Majesty, you misunderstood.

Right now, I have no mind for choosing a husband. The border war is tense; we have to find a way to reclaim lost territory and drive Beichang people out of our country.”

Upon hearing Shen Ruoxi’s explanation, the Emperor finally felt at ease.

He suddenly realized his actions tonight were indeed somewhat reckless, barging into a woman’s chamber at midnight could undoubtedly tarnish her reputation.

Although the rumors circulating were spread by his command, rumors remained rumors, vastly different from tonight’s reality.

“Regarding Beichang, you need not worry. Old Marquis Shen left only you as his descendant; should anything happen, how could I account to the people?

Tonight I was indeed reckless. As for choosing a husband, you need not rush; I have arrangements.”

Shen Ruoxi frowned slightly, cautiously inquiring, “Since Your Majesty has arrangements, may I know a bit?”

The Emperor’s lips unconsciously curved upward, naturally leaning closer to Shen Ruoxi, speaking softly, “The person is handsome, three years older than you, with enough power to protect you all your life without allowing you any grievances.”

Shen Ruoxi’s brow knitted tightly, questioning incredulously, “Your Majesty, the person you speak of, could it possibly be yourself?”

The Emperor, upon hearing this, felt delighted, jesting, “Clever. Don’t overthink it, take a few months to rest at home, and I’ll send someone to fetch you to the palace.”

Shen Ruoxi remained extraordinarily calm, clearly and firmly expressing, “Your Majesty, I previously married, returning home after separation makes me a remarried woman. As the Emperor, marrying a remarried woman might bring ridicule from the world. Furthermore, you previously decreed for me to take a husband, and a monarch’s words hold weight!”

The Emperor replied indifferently, “It’s the Jun Family’s debt to the Shen family. As the Jun Family Emperor, how could I not become the Shen Family’s son-in-law?

I promise you, our first son will bear the surname Jun, and the second son the surname Shen, allowing him to return to the Shen family as a Prince, inheriting and continuing for generations, wouldn’t that be good?”

Listening to this, Shen Ruoxi couldn’t help but feel speechless.

The last time at the Imperial Palace, she had expressed her intentions, thinking the Emperor had let go of the idea, yet he had such plans.

“Your Majesty, I just returned home after separation, currently not in the mood to discuss marriage. I hope Your Majesty understands.” Shen Ruoxi politely declined.

The Emperor didn’t seem anxious; he knew Shen Ruoxi needed time to adapt and adjust after returning home.

Therefore, he laughed, “I understand, there’s no need to make a rushed decision. Take your time to consider it.”

Shen Ruoxi gently nodded, subtly showing him out, “Your Majesty, I won’t see you off. If the Shen Mansion servants mistake you for an assassin, that would be inappropriate.”

The Emperor suddenly doted, “I understand, behave yourself, and don’t provoke anyone. I’m leaving.”

He left without delay, and the room soon returned to silence.

Shen Ruoxi maintained the same posture for a long time, then she mockingly smiled to herself, thinking what a mess this all was!

She lay down, trying to empty her mind, her resolve to go to the border city only grew firmer.

The next morning, Xia Lian entered the room, attending to Shen Ruoxi as she got up.

After getting dressed, Xia Lian suddenly mysteriously said to Shen Ruoxi, “Miss, the maid learned from the food delivery man that Zhen’er has had an incident, do you want to know the details?”

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