Looking at her slightly protruding belly and her various light meals, he became even more convinced of his suspicions.

At noon, Jian Ruoxi leaned back in her recliner, basking in the sunlight, squinting and yawning.

Lu Shen stepped forward, draped a blanket over her, and handed her a cup of eight-treasure porridge.

Seeing that she couldn't get rid of him, Jian Ruoxi chose to ignore him.

Su Ziyu handed over the milk and oatmeal, looking at Lu Shen provocatively.

Jian Ruoxi looked at the milk oatmeal and the eight-treasure porridge, and picked up the eight-treasure porridge instead.

Lu Shen smiled broadly and eagerly followed the crew to do odd jobs.

"What's wrong? The milk and oatmeal doesn't suit your taste?"

Su Ziyu complained to Jian Ruoxi in an unfriendly tone.

"My favorite drink is eight-treasure porridge, and it's really hard for me to change my taste easily."

Jian Ruoxi put down the eight-treasure porridge and spoke meaningfully.

Su Ziyu didn't seem to care much and picked up the milk and oatmeal to drink.

"This eight-treasure porridge is nutritious and delicious, but the milk oatmeal is sweet and tasty. You can have another option. Try the milk oatmeal next time, and you may discover a different feeling."

Su Ziyu shook the nearly empty bottle, showing it off triumphantly.

Lu Shen, carrying the props, saw Su Ziyu acting cute and accidentally tripped and hurt his foot.

As the loud crashing sound came, Jian Ruoxi hurriedly went over to check.

Su Ziyu looked at Jian Ruoxi, who had left him behind and was hurriedly asking Lu Shen questions, and felt bitter.

"Ziyu, what's so great about her? Your proud little head is practically bowing to the dust."

Han Mingyi came out after putting on her makeup, and angrily retorted.

"I'm aware of your underhanded tactics. It would be best if everyone could live in peace, but if you do anything to hurt Jian Ruoxi again, I won't hold back."

Su Ziyu turned around and looked at her seriously, a solemn expression that made her feel flustered.

"I don't understand what you're talking about."

Han Mingyi pretended not to understand and put her hand on Su Ziyu's shoulder.

Her slender fingers rubbed Han Mingyi's cheek as she gazed at him with fascination.

He took her hand and gently let it go.

"It's not time to start filming yet, so it's best not to act. As a qualified actor, it's better to keep the role and reality separate."

She wasn't angry when she was rejected; instead, she mocked him with a sarcastic laugh.

"You can distinguish between acting and reality. Even if you two are deeply in love in the drama, you'll still be neglected in real life."

She handed him a room key and whispered in his ear:

"I'll be waiting for you at eight o'clock tonight."

Su Ziyu picked up the room key and suddenly stood up.

"I found a room key. Did someone drop it on the ground? Come and get it."

Han Mingyi's face turned ashen, and she gave her assistant a wink.

The assistant stepped forward and quickly thanked him.

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry. It's my room key; I accidentally dropped it."

Su Ziyu didn't make things difficult for her, and handed over the room card, but his eyes were fixed on Han Mingyi.

"You should keep your room key safe; it's not good to lose it easily. You should always keep such a private item on your person."

Jian Ruoxi couldn't help but chuckle as she watched this scene.

"What? Are you proud of Su Ziyu for remaining chaste for you?"

Lu Shen was displeased and turned her face towards him.

Seeing his own handsome reflection in her eyes, he nodded happily.

Ignoring his childish behavior, she spoke calmly:

"You've been fooling around on set for days. It's time to go back."

His expression froze, and he didn't speak.

Then he went to the props area and silently moved the props.

Jian Ruoxi sighed, a fleeting look of heartache flashing in her eyes.

He is the young master of the Lu family and doesn't need to do these physical tasks.

Is everything he's doing now for her, or for the child?

"Everyone in position, time to power on."

Upon hearing the director's voice, everyone put aside their little thoughts and got into a good state of mind.

Han Mingyi, who plays the Imperial Concubine, collapsed in the main hall, sobbing uncontrollably.

"I have tolerated you time and time again, but you have never changed your ways. Even if I do not punish you today, the Emperor will not forgive you."

Jian Ruoxi, dressed in magnificent robes, stepped forward with an imposing air, looking down at the disheveled imperial concubine on the ground.

"The Empress is cunning and resourceful. She appears to be retreating to advance, but in reality, she is plotting every step of the way. Everyone says that the Empress is virtuous and kind, but only I know what a vicious and venomous heart you have."

The imperial concubine struggled to her feet and lunged at the empress, but the emperor kicked her to the ground.

"How dare you! You have repeatedly disrespected the Empress. You are jealous of the concubines, frame loyal officials, and yet you still have the nerve to slander the Empress."

The Emperor fiercely protected the Empress, showing no mercy to the Consort, glaring at her angrily.

"Your Majesty, please don't be angry. You haven't rested well these past few days. I've had someone prepare some calming soup. Please leave this to me. Please get some rest."

The Empress gently comforted the Emperor and had someone help the furious Emperor back to rest.

After turning around, the Empress shed her gentle facade, dismissing everyone and revealing a ferocious expression.

"I never thought you'd end up like this. This is truly satisfying."

The Empress stomped hard on the Consort's back and twisted it several times with her heel.

Her years of suppressed resentment erupted at this moment, and combined with the dim lighting, it appeared particularly sinister and terrifying.

I curse you! I curse you to a terrible death!

The piercing screams and insults were finally silenced by a dirty rag.

"Come on, we've been sisters for years, so today I'll personally see you off."

The Empress bent down and ordered someone to pry open the Consort's mouth and force-feed her the arsenic.

Without watching her final, pitiful struggle, the Empress got up and walked outside.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!