Shen Ruoxi got up a bit later this morning due to the commotion from yesterday.

Xu Ci had already been waiting outside for quite a while.

The maid serving Shen Ruoxi saw that Xu Ci had been waiting for a long time and asked if she should wake Shen Ruoxi.

Xu Ci rolled her eyes at her and quipped, "Even the Emperor doesn’t dare to disturb her, yet you’re quite bold! It’s fine for me to wait for her a while—even a day or two—without disturbing her in the slightest!"

Upon hearing this, the maid was so frightened she shivered all over and hurriedly knelt down, trembling as she said, "Yes, servant understands."

However, Shen Ruoxi naturally would not let Xu Ci wait long. Shortly after, she woke up.

"Cousin, why are you here?" Shen Ruoxi’s voice carried a hint of listlessness.

Xu Ci replied irritably, "It’s breakfast time. Aren’t you hungry? Aren’t you afraid of the baby in your stomach getting hungry?"

Shen Ruoxi instinctively touched her belly, and her smile revealed a holy and satisfied expression, which made Xu Ci envious.

Even though Shen Ruoxi claimed she was fine and had no problem having a child, her heart still felt cold.

The man didn’t care if she could still have children after taking that kind of medicine. Just the thought of having to bear a child for him made her feel utterly disgusted.

"Cousin, I’ll wash up quickly and come right out."

Once Shen Ruoxi had finished washing up, unexpectedly, the Emperor also arrived. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Xu Ci couldn’t help but laugh coldly in her heart, thinking that despite being a favored concubine, being visited by the Emperor three or four times a month was considered a blessing.

Now, with Ruoxi in her palace, the Emperor frequently visits, and she really does benefit from her cousin’s presence.

After paying respects to the Emperor, the three of them had no choice but to have breakfast together.

The meal was extremely hard for Shen Ruoxi to swallow.

The main issue was the Emperor’s constant glances at her filled with inquiry, resentment, and accusation, generally creating a plethora of unsettling emotions for her.

Among the three, Xu Ci was the calmest. As the Emperor’s legitimate concubine, she calmly dined, ignoring the turbulent undercurrents between the two of them.

Finally, after finishing the meal, Shen Ruoxi just felt the meal left her uncomfortable and unsatisfied.

It seemed that if she stayed in the Imperial Palace any longer, she might starve to death.

After the maids cleared away the leftover dishes, the Emperor glanced at Xu Ci and said, "Concubine, I have a few words to say to Princess Consort Zhan; you may leave for now."

Shen Ruoxi had no desire to be alone with the Emperor, feeling entirely ill at ease.

She frowned and spoke before Xu Ci could, saying directly, "Your Majesty, whatever you have to say, say it here. Consort Xian isn’t an outsider."

The Emperor gave her a warning look, "Princess Consort Zhan, are you sure you want me to say it in front of Consort Xian?"

Seeing the Emperor’s stance, Xu Ci clearly didn’t want to become collateral damage, so she quickly stood up, bowed to the Emperor, and said, "This concubine will take her leave."

Seeing her cousin being so unhelpful, Shen Ruoxi was about to speak when Xu Ci gave her a self-preserving look and then gracefully left.

Now, only Shen Ruoxi and the Emperor were left in the room, and she frowned even more, "Your Majesty, just say what you need to."

Seeing her attitude, the Emperor’s anger flared up.

Last night she had the audacity to hit him, the Emperor! Didn’t she feel the slightest bit guilty?

The Emperor suddenly rolled up his sleeve, an action that startled Shen Ruoxi. What did he intend to do?

The Emperor spoke calmly, "How did this happen? And on the leg? Something like this happening in Consort Xian’s palace—are you trying to make a scandal known to all?

What do you think Consort Xian should be punished with? Do you think any of her eunuchs or maids would survive?"

It was only then Shen Ruoxi noticed the large bruise on the Emperor’s arm, turning purple by now, making her recall how harshly her husband had kicked him.

For some reason, she couldn’t help but want to laugh.

"You’re happy hitting me like that? Aren’t you afraid I’ll execute all the servants in Consort Xian’s palace?" The Emperor said angrily.

Shen Ruoxi stared at him fearlessly, "Emperor, I was the one who hit you, why go after anyone else? Besides, who told you to sneak into a minister’s wife’s room at night? I already held back!"

The Emperor chuckled in exasperation at her words, "This is holding back? Were you trying to kill me?"

"Aren’t you alive and well? I was just really angry at the moment; punish me however you see fit!"

Shen Ruoxi knew well he wouldn’t really do anything to her, so she decided to vent openly.

In this world, she was the only one who never treated him as the Emperor and always acted so freely.

And as for the Emperor, deep down, he wasn’t truly angry.

"I can’t tell the Imperial Physician where these injuries came from. Quickly, treat me; if the Empress Dowager finds out, who knows what uproar it will cause. Hurry up." The Emperor urged helplessly.

It turned out he was afraid the Imperial Physician would find out, so he’d come to her for treatment; she had misunderstood him all this time.

"Alright, where are all the Emperor’s injuries? Let me apply the medicine."

The Emperor cast a resentful glance at her, "Didn’t you cause these injuries last night? Don’t you know?"

Shen Ruoxi almost laughed again hearing that, remembering how her husband didn’t hold back at all.

"It was dark; I just hit you a few times at random. How could I know the exact spots?"

"Just a few random hits, huh? Take a look." The Emperor, neglecting his image, lifted his clothing to reveal his calf.

Seeing this, Shen Ruoxi felt a satisfying sense of relief, unable to suppress her smile.

To think that hitting him would bring her such joy; the Emperor looked at her, captivated. If only she could always smile so brightly, he would gladly let her hit him every day.

Noticing the Emperor’s intense gaze, Shen Ruoxi became annoyed, "Will you let me apply the medicine or not?"

The Emperor played the rogue, "You apply it. Since you hit me, shouldn’t you be responsible? Unless you want the Imperial Physician and Empress Dowager to find out. I can’t do anything to you, but I don’t mind dealing with a few servants."

Shen Ruoxi reluctantly rolled her eyes at him, "Fine, I’ll apply it."

Jun Moling had hit quite hard, not holding back at all.

Shen Ruoxi thought her husband was a bit excessive; after all, he was the Emperor. If anything went wrong, they might be fine, but the servants would suffer.

Due to the sting of the medicine, the Emperor grimaced in pain. Seeing this, Shen Ruoxi couldn’t help but feel some pity, "Does it hurt a lot, Your Majesty?"

The Emperor gazed intently at her close-up head, her scent continually invading his senses. He longed to kiss her thoroughly but managed to resist.

It wasn’t the right time yet; when the day came naturally, he would make sure to collect with interest.

"I can bear it."

The Emperor indeed had many injuries, especially a large bruise near his lower back.

Because it was near the lower back, this bruise needed to be soothed; Shen Ruoxi contemplated for a moment and said to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, lie down so I can ease the bruise on your back; otherwise, sitting long during court would be uncomfortable."

Hearing this, the Emperor was very pleased and quickly complied.

Shen Ruoxi gently lifted the Emperor’s dragon robe, applied a bit of strength with her hands, then softly placed them on the bruise on his back.

As the Emperor felt a sudden shiver coursing through his body, the tingling sensation shot up to his head. He barely managed to stifle a moan.

At that moment, the room’s door suddenly swung open, and several people rushed in.