Chapter 320: Chapter 263: Brazenly Stealing Another Man’s Wife

When Jun Moling received Shen Ruoxi’s letter, he was momentarily stunned.

He thought to himself that his wife wishing to stay with her cousin in the Imperial Palace for a few days wasn’t a big deal, so why did she go out of her way to write a letter?

However, when his eyes fell on the way he was addressed in the letter as "Prince Zhan," he froze in shock.

At that moment, Mi Er walked in and whispered a few words in Jun Moling’s ear.

Jun Moling’s eyes suddenly turned cold, exuding a chilling air. "Mi Er, gather some people to go to the palace and retrieve the Princess Consort."

Upon hearing this, Mi Er quickly and quietly advised, "My lord, the Princess Consort is currently not in any danger. Your rash entry into the palace to demand her presence would undoubtedly give the Emperor a hold over you, making the situation difficult to manage. Besides, there’s absolutely no danger in the palace for the Princess Consort."

Jun Moling raised his eyes, his cold gaze seemingly warning Mi Er that he would not be lenient if he didn’t understand.

Mi Er couldn’t help but shiver but continued to insist softly, "My lord, if you act impulsively now, it would lead to an open confrontation with the Emperor.

He will certainly make a big issue out of it. It’s better for us to feign ignorance and handle the situation cautiously, making comprehensive preparations in advance.

Subordinate firmly believes that the Princess Consort is wise and will surely protect herself. Meanwhile, we need to protect the many relatives of the Xu Family and the Shen Family. Do you believe what I say makes sense?"

Jun Moling remained silent, only reading Shen Ruoxi’s letter repeatedly.

In fact, his considerations went far beyond Mi Er’s, but the thought of his wife losing her freedom momentarily caused him to panic.

Mi Er’s words were not unreasonable. If he acted rashly, even if successfully retrieving his wife, the Emperor would definitely seize the opportunity to make an issue.

Indeed, he needed to prepare in advance just in case, which was also the purpose of his wife’s letter to him — not to act rashly.

"Alright, you may leave now!" Jun Moling finally spoke.

Mi Er, feeling relieved, hurriedly withdrew.

Subsequently, Jun Moling wrote another letter, instructing it to be delivered to Yuan Bao, who was to give it to Shen Ruoxi.

Jun Moling’s letter soon reached the Emperor’s hands. The Emperor carefully read the letter several times and found nothing unusual before allowing Yuan Bao to hand it to Shen Ruoxi.

After reading the letter, Shen Ruoxi carefully put it away.

She knew well that her husband was already aware of the situation. Otherwise, based on his character, he wouldn’t have just returned a letter but would have stormed into the palace directly.

Fortunately, he restrained himself, and she was truly worried that her husband might act recklessly.

Seeing Shen Ruoxi regain her composure, Xu Ci sighed softly, looking guilty, "Ruoxi, you blame your cousin, don’t you?"

Shen Ruoxi shook her head gently, "Cousin, don’t overthink it. Your grandparents are my maternal grandparents; we are family.

Moreover, given the current state of the Shen Family, who else is closer to me? If I cannot protect my family, what kind of granddaughter am I?

Cousin, we are family now. I understand your thoughts, but the future is truly unpredictable." Shen Ruoxi spoke softly.

Xu Ci was slightly taken aback and said after a moment, "In the future, we are still family. I know your thoughts, but I must tell you, we women have always had no choice. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

However, no matter who prevails, we must live well and not overthink."

Shen Ruoxi remained silent, unwilling to admit to Xu Ci that if her husband were to lose, she would never survive alone; she and her unborn child would be with him.

Having faced many storms over the years, she had long looked past life and death, never willing to live with someone she disliked.

Yet, she couldn’t say these words; if she did, Xu Ci would certainly try to persuade her, and if the words reached her grandparents’ ears, she couldn’t bear to handle their pleas.

So, she decided to say nothing.

At noon, the Emperor arrived.

After everyone paid their respects, the Imperial Kitchen presented a carefully prepared sumptuous lunch.

The Emperor signaled for them to join him for the meal, but Shen Ruoxi, feeling stifled, said, "Your Majesty, this concubine is unwell and will not partake. Please enjoy the meal with Consort Xian."

The Emperor smiled faintly, "Does the Princess Consort Zhan not consider the child in her belly? Aren’t you afraid of him going hungry?"

On hearing this, Shen Ruoxi instantly felt alarmed, her eyes filled with vigilance as she looked up.

This sight made the Emperor chuckle, "Princess Consort Zhan, why look at me like this? You’re making me feel embarrassed."

However, his words did not deter her; she merely glanced at him indifferently and said, "Your Majesty, I will eat."

She was truly afraid the Emperor would harm the child in her belly.

With this, the Emperor seemed satisfied, his face revealing a triumphant smile.

Xu Ci felt a pang of bitterness, as the Emperor had temporarily entrusted the Phoenix Seal to her, and she understood better than anyone why the Empress was deposed.

The influence of her maternal family was mediocre, especially since she had given birth to two young princesses.

The Emperor’s actions were simply to vacate the position of Empress for Shen Ruoxi.

The Empress was indeed unfortunate. If she were in her place, she might have faced the same fate as the Empress.

This man, once regarded as a benevolent ruler, turned out to be so ruthless.

The three of them sat around the table ready to eat, a situation entirely against the norm.

Yet, the Emperor’s word was the rule, so no one dared to voice dissent.

In the room, there wasn’t even a single palace maid or eunuch serving, making Shen Ruoxi feel like she was sitting on pins and needles under the Emperor’s brazen gaze.

"My beloved Concubine, Ruoxi is a guest, take good care of her," the Emperor suggested with a smile on his lips.

To know, one is the wife of a prince, while the other is the Emperor’s concubine — the difference in status was evident.

There’s no reason for an Imperial Concubine to serve a Princess Consort, and the Emperor’s suggestion was undeniably putting Shen Ruoxi on display.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, but there’s no need." Shen Ruoxi’s face turned unpleasant, her brows furrowed.

Xu Ci smiled gently, "Ruoxi, there are no others present, and since the Emperor tells us not to stand on ceremony, let’s not mind the difference in status.

We are family; I’m your cousin, and the Emperor..."

Her words abruptly stopped, as she clearly felt the Emperor’s gaze turn cold.

Was he afraid of her uttering the words "brother-in-law"? Knowing he would feel likewise uncomfortable, he knew well that a brother-in-law coveting his sister-in-law was not honorable!

Xu Ci couldn’t help but laugh bitterly in her heart.

The dignified ruler of all, so blatantly coveting another man’s wife, while she was actually his sister-in-law — truly defying moral and ethical norms!

However, at this moment, she absolutely couldn’t go against him.

So, she continued, "The Emperor and your seventh brother are siblings; today, let’s indulge a bit before the Emperor."

Hearing Consort Xian’s words, the Emperor’s expression slightly relaxed.

Between him and Jun Moling, a victor must be decided. If he were to lose, it would simply be fate.

If he were to win, he would win her heart, and for a lifetime, no one would be able to take her away from his side — not anyone!

"Cousin, have some, you’ve grown thin." Shen Ruoxi placed a piece of roast goose into Xu Ci’s bowl.

Xu Ci felt an inexplicable pang of sorrow.

They were close in age and without other sisters, and since she returned home, the two of them were as close as sisters.

She knew Xu Ci’s temperament better than anyone. Yet now, she was helping the villain scheme against her, to manipulate her.

"You should eat too." Xu Ci placed a shrimp into Shen Ruoxi’s bowl.

Just then, the Emperor suddenly stretched out his hand and placed the shrimp into his own bowl.

Under the stunned gaze of the two, he began peeling the shrimp himself...

The Emperor thought to himself that whatever Jun Moling could do, he could do as well. Women could be many, but a wife could only be one.

What others’ husbands could do, even as the Emperor, he wouldn’t lag behind!