Shen Yunjiao opened her eyes, and what came into view was Xiao Huaijin's handsome jawline. She suddenly woke up and quickly broke free from Xiao Huaijin's embrace.

She hurriedly straightened her clothes and tried to sit her up, but Xiao Huaijin smiled and reached out to pull her limp body back into his arms. "Don't get up. You're so sick that you can't even stand up straight. Stay in my arms."

Shen Yunjiao froze, but then heard Xiao Huaijin say softly from above, "It seems that you and I have become estranged after not seeing each other for a few days."

Xiao Huaijin held the person tightly in his arms, reluctant to let go, and said slowly, "I missed you so much, I missed you so much."

Looking at Xiao Huaijin's face, Shen Yunjiao felt a pang of sadness and quickly covered her face, whispering, "Don't look at me, I have so many red spots on my face now, I look awful."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Huaijin breathed a sigh of relief.

"So that's why. I thought you would blame me."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yunjiao immediately lowered her hands from her face and asked, puzzled, "Why should I blame you?"

A hint of melancholy flashed in Xiao Huaijin's eyes. "I promised to protect the Shen family, but Prime Minister Shen still..."

Whenever her father is mentioned, even after more than half a month, Shen Yunjiao feels a pang of sadness. She shakes her head with tears in her eyes, saying, "It's not your fault."

No one could have predicted that Shen Zhizhang would choose such a tragic way to end his life: by crashing into a pillar.

Xiao Huaijin sighed almost imperceptibly, his expression complicated as he sat up straight and looked at Shen Yunjiao. "Jiaojiao, there's something I don't know whether I should tell you or not. It's about your father."

Shen Yunjiao quickly wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. "Go ahead and tell me."

“Your father and Consort Shu have always had a private relationship, and Consort Shu is even pregnant with his child.”

Even though she was mentally prepared, Shen Yunjiao was still utterly shocked when Xiao Huaijin told her the story himself.

Her face looked rather pale, and after a moment she smiled bitterly, "No wonder..."

No wonder Father refused to listen to advice and insisted on helping Consort Shu to rebel.

Even though there was still a glimmer of hope, she still chose to commit suicide.

It turns out that all of this was because of one word: "love".

This is absolutely ridiculous...

Shen Yunjiao suddenly stood up, and under Xiao Huaijin's bewildered gaze, she knelt down, her knees hitting the ground hard with a dull thud.

Xiao Huaijin's expression hardened, and he immediately stood up to help her up, but she stopped him by raising her hand.

"Xiao Huaijin, listen to me." Shen Yunjiao suppressed a wave of dizziness, her almond-shaped eyes filled with seriousness. "Do you remember when I saved you that day, I asked you for a promise, and you promised me that."

Xiao Huaijin frowned and said, "Jiaojiao, get up first, the ground is cold."

The moment his wrist touched Shen Yunjiao's soft shoulders, Shen Yunjiao reached out and grabbed his arms.

"You said you would protect the Shen family, does that promise still stand?"

“It naturally counts.” Xiao Huaijin pulled back and with a little effort, he pulled Shen Yunjiao up, and the two of them fell onto the small cloth bed.

Xiao Huaijin gazed intently at the woman he loved, his eyes shrouded in a hazy mist.

Shen Yunjiao felt that Xiao Huaijin's gaze was a little strange. The next second, she heard him part his thin lips slightly and ask softly, "Shen Yunjiao, what are you afraid of?"

"I..." Shen Yunjiao's eyes darted around as she stammered, "I'm not afraid."

"Liar." Xiao Huaijin chuckled, took off his shoes, and sat upright in front of Shen Yunjiao.

Xiao Huaijin was tall, and the canopy bed specially made for women was too small for him, so he simply picked up Shen Yunjiao again.

Shen Yunjiao was a little confused by his actions. She raised an eyebrow and said, "Don't hug me. I was just talking to you about something important."

Xiao Huaijin bent his knees slightly and held Shen Yunjiao in his arms.

Shen Yunjiao was forced to sit on Xiao Huaijin's lap, her heels only able to rest on the edge of the rag bed.

Xiao Huaijin lowered his eyes, gently brushed his forehead against her hair, and said with a hint of complaint, "If you're not afraid, why did you kneel before me?"

Shen Yunjiao hesitated for a long time before pressing against his chest and answering, "My father was a criminal, and I am now also the daughter of a criminal."

"Prime Minister Shen died suddenly from a serious illness, and it had nothing to do with the Consort's rebellion. I have already made this conclusion, who dares to object?"

Xiao Huaijin's voice was cold, but fearing that he might frighten Shen Yunjiao, he softened his voice and said, "Only I and the two princes know about your father's affairs. Even the Empress Dowager doesn't know. Don't worry."

"No one dares to speak ill of you." Xiao Huaijin's light kiss landed on Shen Yunjiao's earlobe, and she shrank her neck, feeling a little ticklish.

"Would you take your anger out on the Shen family and my brother because of this? If we were no longer together one day, would you want to bring up old grievances?" Shen Yunjiao continued to ask relentlessly.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Huaijin laughed in anger. He reached out and pinched Shen Yunjiao's waist hard, his address changing from "朕" (Zhen, the imperial emperor) to "我" (Wo, I), "Shen Yunjiao, is that how you see me?"

Shen Yunjiao coughed lightly, "I just want to prepare for the worst."

She felt a little hot in Xiao Huaijin's arms and was about to get down when Xiao Huaijin pulled her closer, holding her even tighter. He rubbed her waist with his fingertips through her clothes, then suddenly lowered his head and bit her shoulder.

"Hiss." Shen Yunjiao exclaimed in surprise, looking up in astonishment, "Why do you bite people without warning?"

Xiao Huaijin said, "This is punishment, a punishment for not trusting me."

Seeing a hint of anger in Shen Yunjiao's almond-shaped eyes, he quickly reassured her, "Your brother is shrewd and capable, and he has not participated in any treasonous activities. I will not hold a grudge against him, nor will I treat him coldly because of this. The Shen family will not suffer any more hardship in the future, I assure you."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yunjiao felt a tender spot in her heart, and clear tears slid down her reddened eyes.

Shen Yunjiao involuntarily grabbed Xiao Huaijin's clothes, and crystal tears fell like broken pearls.

Xiao Huaijin felt extremely distressed when he saw this, "Why are you crying again?"

Shen Yunjiao choked back tears, her wet eyelashes glistening with moisture. "You've been so good to me."

Hearing her suddenly say that, Xiao Huaijin smiled and wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, "It's not good yet. Just wait and see, I'll treat you even better."