Chapter 325: Chapter 268: Awestruck and Incomparable

The Emperor was furious, wondering who dared to be so bold.

Shen Ruoxi turned her head, only to see the Empress Dowager storming in, with her cousin closely following, full of anxiety.

Shen Ruoxi’s heart tightened, thinking that the only one who dared to directly barge into the Emperor’s quarters like this was the Empress Dowager.

She quickly saluted and respectfully said, "This concubine greets the Empress Dowager."

Upon hearing it was the Empress Dowager, the Emperor’s heart skipped a beat. He hurriedly rose to greet her, "Your son greets Mother Consort."

The Empress Dowager glanced at the two of them, seeing them so intimately together in broad daylight, especially as a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, she was immediately furious, her veins bulging, angrily shouting, "You two..."

Shen Ruoxi knew the Empress Dowager misunderstood and quickly explained, "Empress Dowager, His Majesty accidentally strained his back while sleeping last night. As a doctor, seeing His Majesty unwell, I took it upon myself to help him with some therapy, which led to the scene your honored self has witnessed.

I am staying in Consort Xian’s palace, simply to accompany her."

The Empress Dowager still had a hint of suspicion on her face when she heard this.

The Emperor quickly agreed, "Mother, what Princess Consort Zhan says is indeed the case."

The Empress Dowager frowned and asked, "Why not have the Imperial Physician take a look?"

The Emperor hurriedly replied, "The skills of those Imperial Physicians can’t compare to Princess Consort Zhan. I already feel much better after her treatment."

After saying that, the Emperor even deliberately stretched his back, moving a little to show that he was really no longer unwell.

Only then did the Empress Dowager’s expression relax slightly. She thought privately that the daughter of the Shen Family would never do such a thing against propriety.

"I’ve heard you’re pregnant. Why not return to the Prince Mansion first?" The Empress Dowager turned her gaze to Shen Ruoxi.

The Emperor’s heart skipped another beat, while at this moment Shen Ruoxi absolutely couldn’t leave. She was worried the Emperor might harm her cousin.

"Empress Dowager, I wish to stay and accompany Consort Xian for a few days. The Prince has been very busy lately, is that alright?" Shen Ruoxi said with a sincere expression.

The Empress Dowager, upon hearing this, smiled slightly. She was never a domineering person and knew that Shen Ruoxi and Xu Ci were cousins, always having had a close relationship. Therefore, she softly said, "Since you want to stay, I have no objections. But is the Emperor’s back truly fine? Should we have the Imperial Physician take another look, to be sure?"

"Mother, I am really fine now. I’m just heading to the Imperial Study Room to review the memorials. But why have you come here today?"

The Emperor was filled with doubts. The Empress Dowager usually didn’t interfere in his affairs, so why had she come to Consort Xian’s chamber today, obviously for Shen Ruoxi?

The Empress Dowager gently shook her head and said, "Nothing, I was just wandering around."

Although the Emperor had doubts, he could not ask further, and could only leave the room with the Empress Dowager.

Once outside, the Empress Dowager earnestly said, "Emperor, Princess Consort Zhan is already your sister-in-law, you must not be confused."

The Emperor knitted his brows, knowing full well that someone must have been spreading rumors to the Empress Dowager. Who could be so bold?

The Emperor pondered secretly, taking a silent oath not to let that person off easily.

"Mother, you must be joking. How could I do such a ridiculous thing? Besides, she is pregnant now. How could I be so indiscreet?

It was just an accident today. She really was treating my lower back, as you also saw with your own eyes, I was lying down and she was just massaging me."

The Empress Dowager recalled the scene, and thinking back on Shen Ruoxi’s straightforward demeanor without any guilt, nodded, "That’s best. I’ve rarely restricted you because I know you’re a wise Emperor."

The Emperor sneered inwardly. For the sake of a so-called reputation as a good Emperor, he had to give up the woman he loved, he would rather forgo this empty title.

But he could not reveal these thoughts in front of the Empress Dowager, so he said softly, "Your son understands."

Seeing her son’s stance, coupled with his status as Emperor, the Empress Dowager didn’t push any further, nodding, "Then I’ll return to the palace."

The Emperor respectfully said, "I respectfully see Mother off."

Looking at the Empress Dowager’s departing figure, the Emperor’s expression instantly turned grim. He was determined to root out the person spreading gossip and make an example of them. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Elsewhere, at Shen Ruoxi’s place, Xu Ci asked puzzled, "Did the Emperor really strain his back?"

Shen Ruoxi, lowering her voice, gently said, "I first knocked him unconscious, but still wasn’t satisfied, so I hit him a few times. He really has injuries on his body."

Upon hearing this, Xu Ci was so shocked she quickly covered her mouth and after a moment, gave her a thumbs up, "Ruoxi, you really are amazing!"

However, before the joy lasted long, Xu Ci looked worriedly and said in a low voice, "What if this spreads out..."

Shen Ruoxi couldn’t help but laugh, "He’s certainly not going to say anything about this disgraceful matter. Even if discovered, given the Emperor’s disposition, he’ll definitely say it was due to his own carelessness, not an issue."

Xu Ci nodded, then couldn’t help but laugh. Shen Ruoxi laughed along too, "Doesn’t it feel particularly satisfying?"

Xu Ci wiped away tears of laughter from her eyes and said, "Indeed, it does. You did what I’ve always wanted to do but didn’t dare."

The two cousins chatted for a while longer.

Suddenly, a deafening sound erupted outside, causing the entire Imperial Palace to shake as if trembling. Shen Ruoxi’s eyes flashed, internally exclaiming: Oh heavens! It really succeeded.

Xu Ci’s face instantly turned pale, "Ruoxi, this..."

Shen Ruoxi only smiled lightly, "Cousin, I can soon go home."

Her words left Xu Ci stunned in place. Shen Ruoxi gently patted her shoulder, showing a confident demeanor, as if she had everything under control.

The entire royal court was in chaos at this moment.

In shock from this turn of events, the Emperor’s face changed drastically, filled with shock. He immediately dispatched the Imperial Army to quickly investigate what exactly had happened.

At Jun Moling’s location, Ning Zhen tightly grasped the mysterious object in her hand, feeling anxious and uneasy.

After all, with Shen Ruoxi usually by her side, she had someone to rely on. Now, without Shen Ruoxi, she truly felt unsure.

However, to avoid harming innocent people, they carefully chose the Emperor’s hunting grounds as the testing site.

This Royal Hunting Ground was expansive, usually well-guarded, and no civilians would intrude.

Even so, the cautious Jun Moling had dispatched Hidden Guards from the Prince Mansion to thoroughly inspect the grounds, ensuring it was empty before they revealed themselves.

After dispersing all possible personnel, they resolutely ignited the Heaven-shattering Thunder.

A monstrous explosion roared, as if tearing the sky apart.

Ning Zhen was shaken to her core by the massive explosion, even the usually steady Jun Moling felt a pang of unease. Such terrifying power truly exceeded their expectations.

The Imperial Army dispatched by the Emperor and the guards from the Prince Mansion quickly joined together, heading to inspect the blasted location.

When everyone arrived at the scene, they were all left speechless, shocked beyond words for quite a while.

A small hill that once stood was leveled to the ground, with a deep, bottomless pit blown into the earth below.

All around the explosion site lay desolate, barren with flying sand and stones. The lush greenery of the past had vanished without a trace, leaving only scorched earth, vividly showcasing the formidable power of this thing.

The leader of the Imperial Army, seeing Jun Moling there, quickly deduced that he had likely detonated the explosive.

However, this explosive was no ordinary item; its power was enough to flatten any location in an instant.

With a solemn expression, Jun Moling said in a deep voice, "You return first! I will personally explain to the Emperor."

Hearing this, the leader of the Imperial Army dared not hesitate, hastily leading his men to quickly retreat, returning to report to the Emperor.

In the Imperial Palace, listening to the report from the Imperial Army leader, the Emperor remained silent for a long time, his face terrifyingly grim.

His gaze was deep and complex, as if he had already discerned the source of Jun Moling’s confidence.

In this invisible battle without smoke, without weapons clashing, he knew he had already lost completely.