Although Jun Jianchou had struck Wen Qiheng's acupoints, he had failed to seal Wen Qiheng's mute acupoint. At this moment, Wen Qiheng's loud voice could be heard throughout the entire restaurant, completely destroying the image he had cultivated before.

The key point is that after he finished yelling, before he could even reply, he tilted his head and fell asleep on Jun Jianchou's shoulder.

Jun Jianchou muttered something under his breath, pursing his lips:

"Those two are immune to all poisons. Poisoning them? They'd be lucky if they didn't poison themselves to death."

Shen Qinghua, who was mostly sober and resting with her eyes closed next door, overheard these words.

Upon hearing this, she smiled enigmatically, then stopped drinking and eating. With Xiaoyu's help, she paid the bill and boarded the Shen family's carriage, which rumbled back home.

With only five days until the New Year, Shen Jinchen finally decided to take Cen Xi back to the capital. According to the speculations of the civil and military officials, they believed that the grand banquet would soon lead to a change of dynasty.

But when their prime minister returned, he came up with a brilliant idea, saying that the Imperial Wardrobe should do its best to prepare the palace attire for Emperor Zhao and Consort Liu, and that the host of the grand banquet for the officials would still be the current emperor, showing no intention whatsoever of scheming for the throne.

They were puzzled. In terms of behavior, this young prime minister controlled the power of the entire banquet, and Emperor Yan Zhao had become an imprisoned emperor. On the surface, however, Prime Minister Shen was still the same Prime Minister Shen. He didn't even bother to set foot in the palace.

He would normally go to his own Prime Minister's office to handle official business.

At the morning court session, Emperor Yan Zhao still sat in the highest position, while Yan Zhao stood below, discussing state affairs with the officials.

The only difference is that the person in the highest position is just a figurehead.

Everything he said, and every imperial edict he issued, required the consent of the emperor before it could be carried out.

Many people don't understand what this Chancellor, this prince left over from the previous dynasty, is thinking.

Only Cen Xi knew that he was keeping his promise to her and waiting for her to give birth to a son.

So, after all that time they spent at the bottom of the valley, did any of their sperm actually have any effect?

Thinking of this, Cen Xi couldn't help but touch her lower abdomen shyly.

"Your Highness, the Wen family has sent a visiting card."

Just as Cen Xi was beaming with joy, thinking about how she wasn't pregnant yet, Uncle Hu appeared in front of her at an inopportune moment.

Cen Xi, her face flushed, tried to remain calm and asked:

"Mrs. Wen invited me out?"

"Yes! This is his visiting card."

Uncle Hu carefully examined Cen Xi before silently presenting the visiting card.

Seeing the other man's radiant appearance, he felt inexplicably displeased. As an elder in the Jun family, he had taken care of Jun Jianchou since childhood. Naturally, he hoped that his young master would have a happy marriage and a house full of children and grandchildren after he came of age, rather than giving up everything for a woman, willingly bowing down and submitting, and only supporting the woman he liked.

He came to the princess's residence full of enthusiasm, hoping to help his young master find a wife. Unfortunately, judging from the princess's current state, it's clear she intends to have a harmonious relationship with the prince consort.

Is there any need for him to stay?

Cen Xi accepted the visiting card and glanced at Uncle Hu, noticing his unfriendly yet conflicted eyes.

Cen Xi asked directly:

"Does Uncle Hub have a problem with me?"

"No...no! Your Highness, please continue with your duties. This old man will take his leave."

Uncle Hu closed his eyes, finally managing to conceal his emotions. Well, the fact that the young master gave her to this princess means that this woman is very important to his young master, doesn't it?

He did the right thing by taking care of this person; at least he relieved his young master of some of his worries.

"Stop! Old man! I can see the dissatisfaction in your eyes, so stop pretending. I don't keep people who have opinions about me around. Just tell me what's wrong with you, and I'll pay you your monthly salary and then return you to Jun Jianchou, how about that?"

Having spent so much time with Shen Jinchen in Shenfeng Valley, she knew very well that the people Jun Jianchou had sent her would definitely be unhappy with her now that she was back. She had wanted to send them away for a long time, but unfortunately, she hadn't had the chance. Today, this old man had just given her a convenient opportunity.

It would be immoral for her not to answer, wouldn't it?

"Your Highness, don't you know how much my princess loves you? She's even willing to rip her heart out. Aren't you moved?"

Hu Bo's old eyes held a mixture of heartache for Jun Jianchou, incomprehension of the selfish woman before him, and accusation.

"Old man! Don't look at me like that. I admit that Jun Jianchou is very good to me, and I am quite touched. But since ancient times, matters of the heart cannot be forced. I am already married, and I think he is quite good, so I have no intention of changing husbands. You... I can't agree to your request. Since you find me annoying, I will return you to Jun Jianchou. As for the rest, you have no right to interfere."

Cen Xi stared at the old man for a few seconds, narrowed her eyes, and told him her thoughts in detail. She had been too attached to appearances back then. How could she have been so stupid as to bring Jun Jianchou into the princess's residence?

"I remember when I first entered the princess's residence, the princess was quite wary of the prince consort. Has the princess accepted him and decided to spend her life with him?"

The old man still refused to admit that his young master could lose to the prince consort in the manor.

"Yes, that was before. Now we are a loving couple. Besides, I was very touched that he went to save me. I also like him quite a bit, so I will not betray him. Uncle Hu, the Princess's Mansion really doesn't need you anymore. Jun Jianchou has already been appointed as the Grand General and has been granted a mansion. If you go to the Grand General's Mansion, you will definitely be highly valued."

Cen Xi has always disliked being wishy-washy in her dealings with others. Now that she has accepted Shen Jinchen, the previous arrangements must be overturned and started over.

When she got married, she really didn't consider how long she could stay with Shen Jinchen, so it was only natural for her to use Jun Jianchou's power to control the princess's residence.

Now she realizes that Shen Jinchen has entered her heart, and he is willing to compromise for her, so she should take action.

After spending seven or eight days with Shen Fenggu, Cen Xi realized how much she craved that man. She loved being pampered and cherished by him, loved his shameless possessiveness. All of this proved how much Shen Jinchen cared for her, how crazy he was.

She had never imagined that she could have such a passionate love affair with a man. Now that she has experienced it, even though he still has some reservations about his views on marriage, she wants to try to overcome her prejudices and accept this intense love.

Therefore, it is inappropriate for Jun Jianchou's people to stay in the princess's residence at this moment, and she should refuse this kindness.

"Alright, I understand the Princess's decision. I will take the young master's men away soon. Please rest assured, Princess."

Uncle Hu only glanced at Cen Xi before turning and leaving. He didn't intend to get in the way. No matter how good this woman was, she wasn't a good match for his young master, so why should he force it?

Cen Xi watched Uncle Hu leave, feeling somewhat downcast. She and Jun Jianchou were ultimately destined to be apart. She couldn't simply split herself in two to repay Jun Jianchou's kindness. Oh well, so be it.