Shen Ruoxi opened her mouth, about to speak, but in an instant, she caught Xu Ci’s gaze.

Xu Ci gently shook her head at her, and this gesture made her heart sink sharply. Undoubtedly, her cousin Xu Ci must know the truth.

She swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue and quietly glanced at the Emperor, only to see that he was still in a fit of anger.

The Empress had already been dragged away, yet the anger on his face still had not subsided.

The Emperor casually glanced at his concubines and said sternly, "If I find out that there’s any scheming or conspiracy among you, don’t blame me for disregarding our ties as husband and wife."

The concubines naturally understood that the Emperor was using this as a warning, and each was filled with fear, hurriedly responding in unison, "We wouldn’t dare."

The Emperor looked once more at these women, his expression slightly softened, "Since the Empress has been deposed, the Phoenix Seal will temporarily be managed by Consort Xian. You all may withdraw!"

After Xu Ci expressed gratitude, the concubines all retreated.

Shen Ruoxi belatedly realized that except for herself, the entire front hall was filled only with the Emperor and his harem members.

This bizarre discovery made her heart skip a beat.

Moreover, since the Empress had been deposed, logically her cousin should be appointed as the new Empress, yet the Emperor had left the position vacant. What on earth could be the reason?

At this moment, only Shen Ruoxi, the Emperor, and Xu Ci remained in the room.

The Emperor’s expression became increasingly amiable, "Princess Consort Zhan, you should often come to the palace. Your cousin really misses you."

"Your Majesty, since there are no outsiders here, let me have the audacity to call you brother-in-law. I will come often if there’s nothing else," Shen Ruoxi was about to take her leave when the Emperor’s words interrupted her.

Perhaps the term "brother-in-law" sounded particularly jarring, the Emperor’s lips curled into a cold smile, "Princess Consort Zhan, since you’re in the palace, spend more time with your cousin. She surely has much to talk to you about, things both proper and improper.

Today, I had the Imperial Kitchen prepare a meal. I’ll be dining in Consort Xian’s palace."

Shen Ruoxi’s face changed instantly, "What is Your Majesty implying?"

The Emperor gave an inscrutably wise smile and looked straight at her, his eyes revealed unabashed heat.

"Princess Consort Zhan, you can ask Consort Xian. I will first go to the Imperial Study Room to review memorials."

Upon finishing, the Emperor turned and walked out without hesitation.

Shen Ruoxi stood up urgently, calling out loudly, "Your Majesty," but was tightly held back by Xu Ci, who loudly proclaimed, "Your Grace, may the Emperor depart safely."

The Emperor strode away, while Shen Ruoxi tightly pressed her lips together. She turned to Xu Ci, looking anxious, "Cousin, what on earth is going on?"

Xu Ci gripped Shen Ruoxi’s hand tightly, speaking softly, "Ruoxi, don’t worry. Let’s sit down and talk slowly."

Shen Ruoxi pressed her lips together, nodded gently, and obediently sat down beside Xu Ci.

Xu Ci’s face was full of sorrow, "Actually, someone as clever as you should have realized.

This matter was not initiated by the Empress; the real mastermind is the Emperor. The Emperor’s intentions were to frame the Empress, using it as an excuse to depose her; and secondly, the Xu Family is powerful and is related to the Shen Family by marriage.

Once a prince I bore ascends the throne, it would definitely threaten the Jun Family’s dynasty. Throughout history, control by in-laws has always been a major taboo for the Royal Family."

Shen Ruoxi’s hand involuntarily clenched tighter, her voice trembling slightly, "Did the Emperor admit it?"

Xu Ci gave a bitter smile, "How would the Emperor ever admit it? He merely hinted broadly, leaving it for me to deduce myself.

Even though it’s clear the Empress wasn’t at fault, he insisted on deposing her. What else could be done?

Poor Empress, who at the end still hoped that the Emperor would save her, never realizing that all this was the Emperor’s schemed trap."

Sweat continuously dripped from Shen Ruoxi’s forehead, "Cousin, this is ultimately a matter of your Royal Family. Since you already know, you must have your own plans. But why involve me?"

Xu Ci bit her lip, her expression showing helplessness and remorse, "Ruoxi, you are so smart, don’t you understand? Since I have revealed these things to you, the Emperor will not let you leave the palace. As long as you are in the Imperial Palace, the Emperor can control your husband."

Upon hearing this, Shen Ruoxi abruptly stood, only to feel a wave of weakness engulf her, causing her to collapse back into the chair, filled with disbelief, "Cousin!"

Xu Ci looked remorseful, "Ruoxi, I know you are skilled in medicine, easily detecting ordinary drugs, so I used Gardenia odorata.

You know, it is colorless and odorless, with no harm to the body, only causing temporary weakness.

Ruoxi, forgive your cousin. If I didn’t do this, the Empress’s fate would be my tomorrow. Since Yan Zhen married into the Shen Mansion, the Emperor has been unable to eat or sleep well, always fearing that Prince Zhan might rebel.

He wanted to bring you into the palace and would find a way. Would you stay with your cousin for a time, please?"

Shen Ruoxi’s lips trembled continuously, her expression becoming incredibly anxious, "Cousin, I don’t blame you, because you too were forced without choice.

But you don’t realize, if my husband knows that I am being held captive in the palace, there’s no telling what extreme actions he might take! I must go back."

Xu Ci’s expression was grave, gripping Shen Ruoxi’s hand tightly, her voice filled with endless pain and helplessness.

"Ruoxi, whether you can leave is not up to us but the Emperor. Since he used the contraceptive drug excuse to frame the Empress, I hold him with no feelings at all now.

But we, being in this palace, if our families knew of our difficult situation, they certainly wouldn’t stand by idly.

Write a letter to Prince Zhan, just say you’ll be staying with me for a couple of days and tell him not to worry. Ruoxi, preserving your life is the most important task now."

Xu Ci’s eyes were filled with heartache, she continued, "The Emperor is no longer the Emperor he once was, his heart is full of schemes, constantly fearing that someone might seize his throne.

Moreover, his obsession with you has grown stronger. Sometimes when he holds me, he shamelessly calls your name. Ruoxi, he has already gone mad, do not upset him."

Shen Ruoxi bit her lips tightly, acknowledging that every word her cousin said made sense.

Outside the palace were not only her husband but also the Xu Family and Shen Family. In such a way, at least she could protect her cousin at critical moments, deeply aware that the Emperor wouldn’t truly harm her.

But given that the Emperor had already made moves, she couldn’t let her husband be unprepared.

"Alright, I’ll write," Shen Ruoxi agreed, immediately picking up a pen.

She wrote in the letter: Consort Xian is slightly unwell, and she needs to stay at the palace for a few days to take care of her, and advises Jun Moling not to worry.

Once Shen Ruoxi handed the letter to a maid, Xu Ci finally exhaled a slight sigh of relief.

"Ruoxi, let them fight it out. We can only focus on protecting ourselves," Xu Ci sighed.

Shen Ruoxi nodded lightly, yet inwardly she calculated discreetly. She knew that once her husband received this letter, he would sense something was amiss.

Simply because there were a few unusual points in the letter, firstly the address, "Prince Zhan," which was never used between the two of them, her husband would definitely become suspicious upon seeing it.

Also, she always addressed Xu Ci as cousin, not as Consort Xian.

Finally, it was about the folding method of the letter, she had an agreement with Jun Moling that if there was ever a day of true danger, and writing clear words was difficult, she would fold the letter diagonally so that he would know her intended message was not explicit.

Shen Ruoxi gazed at the palace walls outside the window, her lips pressed tightly together, knowing she would be alright and hoping that her husband would be too.

Shen Ruoxi’s letter reached the Emperor’s hands immediately, he read it several times and didn’t notice anything unusual. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

He nodded, refolded the letter, and instructed Qi Lin, "Have Yuan Bao deliver it to the Prince Mansion."

Qi Lin received the order and handed it to Yuan Bao to deliver it to the Prince Mansion.