Chu Ruoyan’s lips twitched slightly, then she cupped his face with both hands: “Better not. Without human emotions, I’m afraid I’d end up tormenting you to death…” Remembering the large collection of instruments she had bought back then, she couldn’t help but feel her legs go weak.

Yan Zheng obviously remembered too, his breathing grew slightly heavier as he turned his head away: “Let’s not talk about that. Come, let’s eat.”

Chu Ruoyan made a sound of agreement. After taking a couple of bites, she asked, “By the way, how do you plan to get Xuexian into the palace? The Prince of Qin just ‘passed away’ not long ago, the Emperor is grief-stricken. I’m afraid he won’t be in the mood…”

“That’s not something for us to worry about. Concubine Yan, in her bid to win favor, has already sent word to her family to select a woman of exceptional beauty to enter the palace. We just need to deliver the person to the Gu family. The rest will be arranged by others.”

After Yan Zheng finished speaking, Chu Ruoyan sighed: “Yes, Xuexian’s beauty is so outstanding, and she resembles Xue Xian so strikingly. Gu Feiyan definitely won’t pass her up. Then, no matter what method is used, once she meets the Emperor, he will no longer dote exclusively on Xue Xian alone… With this harem conflict, Xue Xian will also have no time to cause trouble for us and the Cao family.”

She paused, looking deeply at Yan Zheng: “You were considering all this on your way back to the capital?”

“No, I started pondering it after receiving the carrier pigeon message from Shadow. The situation in the capital is intricate and complex. I really shouldn’t have left you alone… Mph!”

Yan Zheng’s pupils instantly dilated as the woman leaned in and tightly kissed his lips.

In matters between husband and wife, he was always the more proactive one.

So this time, when his little wife took the initiative, all thoughts of restraint and nurturing the pregnancy were instantly thrown to the wind. He cupped the back of her head and responded fiercely. Cups and chopsticks toppled over, and soon ambiguous sounds drifted from the room…

Half an hour later, Chu Ruoyan looked at him with concern: “Are you alright? Should I call for water for you?”

Yan Zheng shook his head, walked to the washbasin, and splashed his face: “I’m fine.”

Afraid she would worry, he changed the subject. “The war in the southern barbarian lands isn’t over yet. I can’t stay long, A’yan. Leave dealing with Consort Xue to Xuexian. Your cousins, let your second brother handle them. As for the Sixth Prince, don’t worry either. As long as Jiahui finds no opening, he can peacefully leave the palace and marry your third sister!”

Chu Ruoyan nodded. With him here, everything felt so reassuring.

“Then when can you return?”

Yan Zheng was taken aback, a shadow of gloom flickering in his eyes: “Hard to say. It might take a while longer…”

Chu Ruoyan felt slightly surprised but didn’t press further: “Alright. Take care of yourself then. The child and I will wait for your safe return in the capital.”

Yan Zheng gazed at her slightly rounded abdomen, lost in thought for a moment, then nodded: “Alright.”

It ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‍was a night of sweet dreams.

When she woke the next day, the space beside her was empty. Chu Ruoyan touched the bedding, still retaining a trace of warmth, and felt as if yesterday had been but a dream.

Yulu rushed in excitedly: “Miss! Wonderful! Xuexian was sent away by the young master last night!”

Chu Ruoyan wasn’t surprised at all. After getting up and washing, she said, “Have Heiya return to the Bai Xiao Pavilion for me. Ask them what’s happening in the southern barbarian lands.”

Yan Zheng had seemed somewhat off last night. He was unwilling to speak, and she didn’t want to force him.

But whatever it was, she needed to have some idea in her heart.

The Palace.

Last night, the Emperor, unusually, did not stay with Xue Xian but spent the night in Concubine Yan’s Pixiang Palace.

As a result, this morning a new Consort Hui was conferred.

In Yikun Palace, a crack sounded.

Xue Xian smashed the newly delivered crystal cup: “Not even a concubine, directly promoted to one of the four principal consorts! And she’s just a commoner girl! Tell me, what skill does she have to bewitch His Majesty like this?”

The young palace maid who was addressed trembled: “R-replying to Your Ladyship… I heard people say her manner and bearing are extremely similar to Your Ladyship’s…”

Xue Xian was stunned, then flew into a rage: “What? Resembles me?”

The little maid knelt down in terror: “It was spread by the maids from Pixiang Palace… I, I don’t know the details either…”

“What is that wretch’s name?”

“Consort Hui’s original name is Xuexian…”

Xuexian, Xue Xian.

Even the names sounded alike…

Xue Xian felt as if a clot of old blood was stuck in her chest, unable to rise or fall.

Just then, a palace attendant led Xue Baiqing in. She narrowed her eyes: “Come here!”

Xue Baiqing shuddered all over, trembling as he walked to her: “Y-your Ladyship…”

Xue Xian looked at his face. Although it bore some resemblance to her elder brother’s, somehow it always made her think of Chu Jing.

Thinking again of that beauty that wretch Concubine Yan had scrounged up from who knows where…

Malicious thoughts surged. She suddenly pinched Xue Baiqing’s chin: “Tell me, was it Chu Jing who sent someone to find her?”

Xue Baiqing winced in pain but dared not cry out.

He was afraid that if he made even a sound, like last time, he would be forced to drink boiling water.

Who knew this look of endurance only further enraged Xue Xian. She picked up an embroidery needle from nearby and stabbed down.

“Ah!”

The young boy cried out in shock, only to be met with more fierce needle jabs. Xue Xian said coldly, “It must be Chu Jing colluding with Gu Feiyan to send that woman into the palace to deal with me! Two sluts, plus you, you little bastard! Meeting you all is the worst luck of my life!”

As she spoke, she stabbed even harder. Bubbles of blood welled up one after another, merging into patches amidst the boy’s screams.

The palace servants couldn’t bear to watch and averted their eyes.

Ever since the Xue family’s downfall, the Imperial Noble Consort had become increasingly unpredictable in her moods.

Before, she would vent her anger on the palace servants, but after several corpses were carried out over a few days, she was reprimanded by the Empress.

Now it was better. Since this young master Xue entered the palace, Her Ladyship hadn’t targeted anyone else.

But from head to toe, except for his face and hands which needed to be seen, there was almost no part of young master Xue’s body that wasn’t covered in wounds.

An older matron couldn’t bear it and secretly applied medicine for him. She was discovered by Her Ladyship the next day and drowned in a pond.

Since then, the wounds on this young master Xue had never properly healed…

A full two incense sticks’ worth of time later, Xue Xian’s anger finally subsided.

She looked at the boy curled up at her feet and kicked him: “Useless! Drag him away!”

Then she ordered: “Prepare the carriage! I will personally go and meet this Consort Hui!”

However, just as she rose, she heard a eunuch report: “Your Ladyship, Concubine Rong has arrived. She wishes to see you!”

“Concubine Rong? What is she doing here?” Xue Xian muttered, then turned her head and saw Xue Baiqing just being helped up. She scolded angrily, “Are you all dead? Hurry up and get him out of here! Don’t dirty my palace!”

The servants hurriedly assented, wiping the bloodstains from the floor clean.

Not long after, Concubine Rong walked in and curtseyed: “This concubine pays respects to the Imperial Noble Consort.”

Xue Xian acknowledged with a hum.

In her impression, Concubine Rong had always been bland, like a shadow, there or not.

Suddenly, a small head popped out from behind Concubine Rong, speaking in a milky voice: “Yan Wenjing of the Yan family, pays respects to the Imperial Noble Consort!”

Xue Xian narrowed her eyes: “The Chief Grand Secretary Yan’s child? What are you doing in the palace?”

She detested Chu Jing and everyone related to the Chu family, including this little bastard before her.

Concubine Rong said calmly, “Replying to Your Ladyship, Wenjing is the child of this concubine’s elder sister. He has been missing his mother these days, so he came to stay in this concubine’s palace for a few days. Hearing that this concubine was coming to visit Your Ladyship, he followed along.”

Only then did Xue Xian remember that Yan Wenjing’s birth mother, Rong Shan, was Concubine Rong’s elder sister.

At this, Heizhima Tangyuan smiled sweetly and said, “Yes, that’s right! It was Wenjing who insisted that Auntie bring me here. Your Highness, Imperial Concubine Yan, I heard that Xue Baiqing is also in your palace. Could you please ask him to come out for a moment?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep