Shen Si’s small frame trembled slightly. Although the Emperor’s tone was relatively calm, she couldn’t help but feel he was scolding her.
But upon second thought, she raised her eyes and stared at the Emperor. “Then… if Xie Queshan were to make a mistake—a major one, like being disloyal or unfilial—and everyone knew he had wronged me, could I divorce him?”
Could I even kill him?
Her eyes were full of anticipation as she stared at the Emperor. Surely that was it—the Emperor was hinting that she should be smarter.
Gu Lingyun’s cool, detached gaze fell on her face, which was earnestly seeking guidance. He didn’t refute her words. “Come here.”
Shen Si immediately grew excited and hurriedly lifted her skirt to throw herself into the Emperor’s arms.
“I told you to come here, and you throw yourself at me?” Gu Lingyun supported her waist, his palm touching just the right amount of slender softness, yet his expression remained icy.
Shen Si froze. Wasn’t that it? Her moist, clear eyes looked at him, afraid she had once again offended her superior. “Your Majesty… don’t you want to hug Sisi?”
“But I want to hug Your Majesty. You ignored me for so long just now, and my knees hurt so much.”
As she spoke, she pulled the Emperor’s hand toward her knees with a pitiful expression. Even through several layers of skirt, she could still feel the warmth of the man’s palm.
She was always skilled at acting spoiled and obedient. Deliberately pressing closer to the Emperor, her eyes reddened again.
Gu Lingyun’s hand gripped her kneecap. The weight in his arms was almost negligible—she was slender and delicate, with a graceful, enchanting figure.
“Lift your skirt. Let me see.”
Shen Si didn’t understand the Emperor’s scheming mind. When he said this, she obediently complied, as if she were actively seducing him.
She lifted her skirt, revealing a section of her jade-like calf. Her knee was flushed red, with a hint of bruising beneath the surface.
Her skin was fair, still carrying the tenderness and innocence of a young girl.
Gu Lingyun stared intently, his gaze deepening. He retrieved an ointment from the nearby table and handed it to her. “Apply it yourself.”
Shen Si glanced at the noble Emperor, almost blurting out a request for him to apply it for her. Instead, she bit her lip, lowered her head, and applied the ointment herself. “Done.”
The man’s hand pressed against her knee, applying a bit of force as he rubbed it. “The ointment hasn’t even melted. Done?”
“I don’t know how.” Shen Si, born with a silver spoon for two lifetimes, had always had maidservants apply medicine for her. She spoke with conviction.
But the Emperor’s palm was so warm. As he rubbed the ointment in, her bones seemed to soften, and she leaned into his embrace, her heart racing.
Gu Lingyun applied ointment to her other leg as well, then personally pulled her skirt back down, appearing utterly detached. “You may leave now.”
Shen Si didn’t want to leave. She had finally grown close to the Emperor and refused to leave now. Pouting, she acted spoiled. “Your Majesty, I… I hurt in other places too. Could you… rub them for me?”
She knew all too well how audacious her words were. As soon as she said them, her face flushed red. Afraid he might simply toss her out, she clung tightly to the Emperor’s neck.
Tears welled up in her eyes. If the Emperor scolded her for not understanding propriety, she would cry.
Gu Lingyun felt her dependence and admiration, his hand gently stroking her back. Although she was arrogant due to favor, she had never overstepped her bounds like this, repeatedly offending her superior.
“I have matters to attend to. Be obedient.”
The man’s tone grew slightly colder, as if not everything could be indulged.
Shen Si feared most that he would go to Noble Consort Ning. Even though she was afraid the emperor might throw her out now, she still clung to him: “Your Majesty, are you going to the inner palace?”
“Can you not go?”
Her voice grew softer and softer, both fearful and wanting to stick close to him.
Gu Lingyun stared at her. Those tearful eyes were filled with water, glistening and softening one’s heart.
Before he could say anything,
Liu Cha’en outside announced: “Your Majesty, Noble Consort has arrived.”
Shen Si thought she must have come to complain and wanted to explain to His Majesty.
Gu Lingyun spoke expressionlessly: “Go hide behind the screen.”
Shen Si felt wronged, pitifully staring at him, not daring to disobey the imperial command. She could only get off him and hide behind the screen.
As soon as she went behind it, Noble Consort Ning entered.
Ning Ruoxue walked in, supporting her five-month pregnant belly, and performed a proper greeting: “I pay my respects to Your Majesty, wishing Your Majesty imperial peace.”
“I am well, rise.” Gu Lingyun washed his hands in the golden basin brought by a young eunuch, dried them, and allowed her to rise.
Even if Ning Ruoxue did not like His Majesty, she dared not be presumptuous, but her tone carried a hint of aloofness: “Why did Your Majesty not come to Yichun Palace last night?”
This was the first time she had actively sought out His Majesty. No matter how noble the emperor was, she had never felt the need to curry favor before, as he had always doted on her.
Gu Lingyun looked at the memorials, his tone indifferent: “Does Noble Consort have any matters? You are carrying the imperial heir and must take extra care. If anything is amiss, inform Liu Cha’en.”
Ning Ruoxue was slightly surprised. It was rare for her to take the initiative, yet His Majesty’s attitude was so cold. But that was unimportant; she immediately said,
“Your Majesty… today, I went to pay respects to Tai Fei and encountered Marquis Xie’s wife, Xie Shen Shi. She offended her superior by contradicting me—truly lawless! I was so angry I nearly called the imperial physician again. Xie Shen Shi truly disregards Your Majesty’s favor toward Xie Xiaohouye.”
Hiding behind the screen, Shen Si heard her complaint and gritted her teeth in anger. Clearly, it was she who had provoked first, but indeed… she had violated palace regulations. She must not be so impulsive in the future.
Gu Lingyun acted as if he knew nothing: “Such a thing happened.”
“She indeed deserves punishment.”
Beside him, Liu Cha’en kept his eyes downcast, observing his own thoughts. It was His Majesty who had heard Second Miss Shen’s words and even smiled at the time—how could he be angry?
Ning Ruoxue was furious. His Majesty’s attitude was clearly making a big fuss out of nothing and then letting it go lightly. She was deeply shaken and extremely displeased but could not show it too obviously.
Before entering the palace, she had heard that His Majesty doted on Second Miss Shen. To eliminate rivals and secure her own rise in the inner palace, she had her beloved man marry Shen Si.
On their wedding day, her heart ached as if cut by a knife, and she secretly left the palace. Fortunately, Xie Queshan truly loved her, spending their wedding night with her instead.
Shen Si, that wretched woman, had already been trampled to such a state, yet she could still cause trouble!
“Your Majesty, I am an imperial consort, Your Majesty’s woman. How can I allow others to insult me so casually? Your Majesty, uphold justice for me!”
Gu Lingyun set down the memorials, his gaze falling on her as if pitying her pregnancy: “Grant a seat.”
Liu Cha’en personally brought a chair and helped Noble Consort sit down.
“Noble Consort, what would you like to do?” Gu Lingyun’s eyes were unfathomable as he slowly asked, observing her resentful expression.
Ning Ruoxue inwardly sneered. Three years ago, His Majesty had already stopped caring about that woman. Now, she directly demanded, “Xie Shen-shi must apologize to me and be punished. If everyone in the palace behaves like this, the harem will descend into chaos.”
Gu Lingyun nodded slightly, his expression unreadable as he sipped his tea. “Then let it be as the Noble Consort says.”
“Your Majesty is wise. I will not make things difficult for the wife of Marquis Xie. If she sincerely repents, I will naturally forgive her,” Noble Consort Ning promptly expressed her gratitude.
A smug smile curled at the corner of her lips. See, whether it was His Majesty or Xie Queshan, they all bowed to her will.
Gu Lingyun gave a noncommittal hum, his demeanor cool. “Since you are with child, you should not move around too much. You may return now.”
Noble Consort Ning harbored no lingering attachment to His Majesty. She still had to meet Xie Queshan, so she obediently took her leave.