This atmosphere was truly bizarre. Xu Ci felt that the majestic Emperor, surprisingly, disregarded his dignity.

The Emperor personally peeled a shrimp and placed it into Shen Ruoxi’s bowl. Watching this scene, she felt as if it was a farce, finding herself unable to eat, yet unable not to eat.

"Ruoxi, you are a guest. Cousin will peel one for you too."

Shen Ruoxi saw Xu Ci helping her out of the situation, and a faint smile appeared on her face, "Thank you, cousin."

The Emperor originally wanted to say that she was no guest, but he changed his mind, knowing he couldn’t be too obvious at this moment, so he just said, "Eat!"

Shen Ruoxi gritted her teeth, ate the shrimp, then had some meatballs before stopping.

"Is the child in your stomach causing you trouble?" Xu Ci attempted to find a topic to break the slightly oppressive atmosphere.

Shen Ruoxi had been worried that the Emperor might harm the child in her belly. In her heart, she resolved that if the Emperor dared to harm her child, she would fight him to the death.

But she remained calm on the surface and said, "It’s alright, just occasionally feel a bit nauseous, nothing else."

"That’s good." Xu Ci responded, and the scene once again fell into an eerie silence.

The Emperor’s expression was inscrutable, but in his heart, he thought that the child in her belly must not remain.

Shen Ruoxi silently finished her lunch, longing for the Emperor to leave, yet he showed no sign of moving.

After a while, the Emperor said to Xu Ci, "Beloved Consort, I feel a bit drowsy, I’ll take a nap."

Xu Ci didn’t dare to defy him and hurriedly arranged the bed for him, carefully attending to him as he lay down.

Watching him lie down, Xu Ci pulled Shen Ruoxi to the outer hall.

"The Emperor’s intention is very clear. Cousin, I won’t interfere with anything. You are the only bloodline left by Aunt, no matter what, I won’t let anything happen to you." Xu Ci said in a low voice.

She knew her cousin was determined. The war between the Emperor and Prince Zhan was on the brink of breaking out. If Prince Zhan lost, she might really follow him.

Xu Ci spoke frankly and resolutely. Shen Ruoxi slightly furrowed her brow, "Cousin, I am the wife of Prince Zhan. When alive, I belong to him; when dead, I am his spirit."

"We all must live, not for others, but for those who love us." Xu Ci’s eyes were firm, her tone undisputable.

Shen Ruoxi’s heart skipped a beat and after a moment of silence, she said in a low voice, "Cousin, I understand."

Only then did Xu Ci seem to relax, tightly holding Shen Ruoxi’s hand, "Since ancient times it has been so, it’s best if you can think it through." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Shen Ruoxi smiled faintly, her expression carrying a touch of helplessness and fatigue, "Cousin, let’s not talk about this, alright? I never thought I would one day be trapped in such a predicament."

Xu Ci sighed softly. She truly didn’t want to discuss this matter, but the situation had forced it to this point.

"Ruoxi, I have nothing else to say. Just stay safely with cousin." Xu Ci said with concern.

Shen Ruoxi obediently nodded.

On the other side, after the Emperor woke up, he did not make trouble but went straight to the Imperial Study Room to review the memorials.

Knowing this, Shen Ruoxi breathed a slight sigh of relief.

In truth, she was deeply afraid of the Emperor’s unreasonable behavior. She really didn’t want to completely fall out with the Emperor. Even if she had to endure the suffocation for a moment, at least her life was preserved.

If she were alone, she certainly wouldn’t show the Emperor a good face. But now, she had a child in her belly, this child was her lifeblood.

Jun Moling still had Mi Er station troops in the Imperial Palace to protect his lady, thus allowing him to gather his confidants.

Yan Zhen, newlywed, was not originally intended to be summoned by Jun Moling, but he seemed to have received the news and came very quickly.

Since this was the case, Jun Moling no longer stopped him and directly revealed that his Princess Consort was detained in the Imperial Palace.

Upon hearing this, his confidants immediately wanted to storm into the Imperial Palace and rescue Shen Ruoxi.

Fortunately, Jun Moling stopped them in time. In fact, it wasn’t that he didn’t want to bring his lady back; he just felt she was safer in the Imperial Palace.

If he acted and placed her at home, he would be constantly uneasy.

After a meticulous plan, when his people were fully prepared, only then did Jun Moling let them return.

He ate a little food casually. Without his lady at home, the house felt overwhelmingly empty, his heart hollow and restless.

He secretly decided that he would visit his lady at night.

In the afternoon, a servant reported that Ning Zhen had arrived. Jun Moling couldn’t help but frown. He really had no fondness for Ning Zhen and couldn’t help but want to lecture her every time he saw her.

Even though his lady had explained many times, he simply couldn’t resonate with this woman.

"Let her in." Jun Moling said after a moment of thought. At such a critical time, having one more person on his side meant more options, he couldn’t push Ning Zhen away.

Soon, Ning Zhen came in. Naturally, she was there to find Shen Ruoxi, but upon hearing Shen Ruoxi was in the Imperial Palace, she slightly furrowed her brow and then tactfully asked, "Prince, how confident are you?"

Jun Moling truly didn’t want to discuss this matter with her because if it truly came to arms, it would undoubtedly be a major scandal for the Royal Family.

Cousins fighting for the supreme throne, how could they face their ancestors a hundred years later?

However, he was doing it for survival. It was the Emperor pushing him to the brink; how could he simply await death?

"Military Guard Ning, do you have anything else?" Jun Moling’s tone was cold.

Truly unlovable! Compared to Shen Ruoxi, Jun Moling was extremely detestable, never giving her a good face, as if she was an unforgivable sinner!

But thinking carefully, she could understand Jun Moling. After all, the matter of her keeping a lover was no secret in the Capital City. It was only natural that he disapproved and couldn’t accept it.

"Prince, you mustn’t disregard me as one of your own. This item, wasn’t completed by the Princess Consort?" Ning Zhen said, waving the parchment in front of Jun Moling.

Jun Moling looked at the parchment in her hand, hesitated for a moment, realizing her intention. He also felt that his earlier attitude wasn’t quite appropriate. "Yes, it wasn’t completed before she was taken into the palace."

"I happen to have a batch of goods to be sent into the palace. I can exchange the Princess Consort out." Ning Zhen said in a low voice with determined eyes.

Jun Moling knew well that the Emperor would never harm his lady.

In fact, his only concern was the child in his lady’s belly.

The Emperor intended to monopolize his lady, how could he allow his bloodline to remain? So, this worry lingered in his heart.

Jun Moling shook his head, "No matter how advanced the Disguise Technique, it’s hard to deceive those familiar with you. Just go check on her, and don’t take any rash actions.

By the way, can you make Heaven-shattering Thunder? I originally didn’t want to use such means, but if it can be successfully made, it would at least reduce casualties and prevent the outbreak of war."

Ning Zhen nodded vigorously, "Ruoxi has already told me the method, and the necessary items are prepared; let’s make it."

Jun Moling nodded slightly, "Inform me of any personnel and resources needed."

"Alright!"

Jun Moling immediately dispatched Hidden Guards from the Prince Mansion to her, watching her lead the group to the back courtyard, he slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air.

This struggle, he allowed only victory, no defeat.

Because he bore not just personal honor and disgrace, but also the fate of the entire Prince Mansion and his deep responsibility and attachment to his family.

He knew well that if he failed, he would be plunged into an abyss of endless doom, so he had to go all out, meticulously planning to ensure every step was steady, every decision impeccable and wise.