After getting to know him better, discovering his extraordinary talents, and remembering the words of that fortune teller, she tried even harder to treat him well.

Even the only son of the National Guardian General, who was deeply in love with her, did not catch her eye.

Later on, she worried that Shen Chen might find out she was being nice to him because of the fortune telling, so she quietly dealt with her personal maid, Cai Yu.

As he passed the advanced scholar examination and then became a champion scholar, his status rose higher and higher.

Everything she did was through careful planning, such as learning that his body was weakened by an illness he had as a child, leaving him with a chronic chill and headaches. She took the initiative to seek a thousand-year-old Fire Ganoderma to nourish him...

After persistent effort, the two ended up together.

But she felt that Shen Chen always regarded her with a calm expression, as if he was only with her to repay what she had done for him.

Even so, it was fine; most of her true intentions were for power, although outwardly she did not show it.

Due to the lack of proper care during his childhood, his vital essence was damaged, and in this life, he could never consummate their marriage.

She was still a beautiful and charming young woman; no matter how much power she gained, what did it matter? At such a blooming age, she could not let her youth waste away.

With Shen Chen’s tacit consent, she engaged in affairs with others, indulging in carnal pleasures, and gave birth to two infants.

He raised the two babies as his own in the mansion, occasionally coming to see them.

Sometimes, Liu Qingxi doubted whether Shen Chen truly loved her. His expression towards her remained indifferent, and even when she mentioned wanting to bear her own child with someone else, his brow did not furrow.

Yet, what did it matter, as long as she was the wife of Prime Minister Shen, there were no exceptions; even the noblewomen of the capital dared not provoke her, and even the Empress showed her some deference, which was enough.

In dreams, Shen Chen’s so-called indulgence towards her meant he would give her whatever he could; by his side, only she could approach.

Most of the other women who dared to covet him were driven away by her one by one.

Or they were frightened off by Shen Chen’s cold severity.

At that time, he controlled the Investigation Factory and the Palace Department, holding high office, with immense wealth and power.

The Investigation Factory had the Four Symbols under its command, each clever and resourceful, adding to his might.

Even if one married him and could not become his principal wife, becoming a concubine was still endlessly glorious, enjoying limitless wealth.

Liu Qingxi would not let those women have their way.

...

"Ah."

A woman’s scream came from the southeast direction of the Liu Mansion.

Cai Yu hurriedly rushed out from a small side room, anxiously knocking on her mistress’s door: "Miss, are you alright? Did you have a nightmare? Or did a thief come in?"

It was the third watch of the night; the moon was on the tip of the willow. The eaves blocked half of the crescent moon, and the faint moonlight quietly poured over the earth, casting a silvery glow.

Early August marked the beginning of autumn, the weather slightly cool, unlike the heat of summer; the night’s chill was more pronounced.

However, because of that dream, Liu Qingxi’s cold sweat soaked her back; her small face was very pale, devoid of color, like a patient recovering from a severe illness.

The pounding on the door outside continued unabated.

She impatiently shouted, "Nothing’s wrong; if you keep knocking that hard, go kneel in the courtyard for an hour."

She did not consider that the maid was concerned for her, which was why she acted this way.

Cai Yu paused her knocking on the door, her face clearly showing fear.

"It’s good that Miss is fine, then this servant will leave first."

No sound came from inside the room; she retreated sheepishly, fearing further punishment from her mistress.

Liu Qingxi sat on the dark lacquered bed, her face still showing shock.

The events in that dream felt entirely real.