For Chu Xia, what Jing Zhe said next was so hurtful that she wished she could stab him to death with a sword!

She was extremely loyal to Murong Xi and didn't care much for the position of empress, but she never refused it for Murong Xi's sake because she wanted him to be happy.

For example, why did she pull Jing Zhe away right now?

Wasn't it all for Murong Xi's health?

But Jing Zhe was clearly biting the hand that feeds him, and his slander and complete denial of his own contributions made Chu Xia feel disheartened and furious at the same time!

When people get carried away, they're capable of anything!

Let alone a woman?

I'm going to kill you!

Chu Xia was so angry that she trembled all over. Then she drew her sword and pointed it directly at Jing Zhe.

"Oh no, you're going to kill me?"

Jing Zhe was so angry he laughed: Good heavens, you've already been meddling in other people's business and ruining my love with my wife, and now you dare to point your sword at me?

"Come on, your neck's right here, aim and chop!"

Jing Zhe wasn't easily frightened growing up; he simply stretched his head forward, baring his neck, and shouted.

"you--"

Chu Xia was truly caught in a dilemma. Jing Zhe misunderstood her, slandered her, and denied her, which fueled her anger. However, when she drew her sword, she instantly sobered up.

But now she was in a terrible predicament. How could she bring herself to strike? Although she desperately wanted to kill Jing Zhe with a single sword stroke, she knew she couldn't, and shouldn't! Killing Jing Zhe was a small matter; what about the Empress?

But if I don't cut it... I've already made the announcement, don't I, the Holy Maiden of Yueyao Kingdom, have any dignity?

Chu Xia was caught in a dilemma. This woman, who was once a god-like figure in the Yueyao Kingdom, was now so aggrieved that she was about to cry.

Fortunately, Murong Xi had seen everything and quickly reached out to hold Chu Xia's hand, pressing down on her sword.

"Chuxia, you can't be so angry! We're all family, and you've known your husband for a long time. That's just how he is. Why are you getting upset with him?"

Murong Xi found it both infuriating and laughable that her man had a conflict with her best friend, so she could only comfort them one by one while scolding Jing Zhe—who told him to be her man and so shameless?

So she looked at Jing Zhe and said, "Husband, you've actually misunderstood Chu Xia! Chu Xia has been taking extra good care of me all this way, and she was just doing it for my own good. Husband, you've wronged Chu Xia!"

"For your own good? If it's for your own good, why did you break up with us?"

Jing Zhe was not buying it and said with dissatisfaction.

Murong Xi chuckled, thought for a moment, and said, "Husband, don't you notice anything different about me this time?"

What has changed?

Jing Zhe was a little puzzled after hearing this. He had been so excited when he saw Murong Xi that he had hugged her in his arms and hadn't had a chance to observe her properly.

Hearing her say that, Jing Zhe began to examine her carefully.

Sure enough, upon closer inspection, Jing Zhe noticed that the original Murong Xi had an exquisite and noble hairstyle, and her face was lightly made up. Her cheeks were fair, and her lips were red. Even without speaking, just looking at her eyes conveyed an air of majesty.

After all, she was an empress, and she naturally exuded an aura of power.

Now, Murong Xi didn't put her hair up in a bun; she simply tied it up with a long hairpin, letting her jet-black hair fall loosely over her shoulders, exuding a friendly, approachable vibe.

The original Murong Xi at least wore light makeup, but now she didn't wear any makeup at all. She didn't have any lipstick or powder on her face. But the strangest thing was that she didn't wear any makeup at all, but her face was flushed and her lips were rosy. Moreover, upon closer inspection, Jing Zhe even found that Murong Xi had gained some weight!

Although it wasn't very obvious, her face was noticeably fuller than before, and her eyes had lost their previous sharpness and imposing aura, instead appearing more gentle.

Jing Zhe nodded and said, "I can see that."

Murong Xi looked delighted, but also a little puzzled: Did he really figure it out? Then why wasn't he excited at all?

So she asked in a low voice, "Husband, can you tell what's different about me?"

Jing Zhe then spoke frankly: "The original Xi'er, even if she stood here without saying a word, would still exude a sharp edge, like the bright moon high above, making people afraid to approach. But the current Xi'er is much gentler, making people want to get close to her, like... the feeling of a big sister next door!"

"..."

Murong Xi grinned, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

"Pfft!"

Chu Xia, who had just been sulking, was actually amused by Jing Zhe's words.

Jing Zhe rolled his eyes at her and said with dissatisfaction, "Can't some people be a little more self-aware? If you're angry, just be angry. Why are you eavesdropping on me and laughing? Don't you have any backbone?"

"..."

Chu Xia's smile froze instantly. After a moment, she said angrily, "I was laughing because some people have bad eyesight! 'Big sister next door,' you say? Have you ever seen a big sister next door with a belly like that?"

Upon hearing this, Murong Xi playfully punched Chu Xia lightly, her movements gentle, as if she were somewhat embarrassed.

abdomen?

At this moment, Jing Zhe's gaze began to move down to Murong Xi's stomach, and then his eyes were fixed on her. He had thought that Murong Xi's face had become a little chubby, but now he realized that it wasn't just her face that had gotten chubby, but her stomach as well!

Although she wasn't much fatter, you could clearly see her slightly protruding belly!

Noticing that Jing Zhe's gaze was wandering, Murong Xi deliberately stuck out her belly to make it even more noticeable.

This is…

Jing Zhe was stunned for a few seconds. Suddenly, he looked up at Murong Xi, his eyes filled with shock.

"Xi'er, this..."

"Hmph, now you know why I didn't let you hug the Queen? You used so much force, what if you squeezed her?"

Chu Xia crossed her arms and said with no small amount of pride.

If Jing Zhe still doesn't understand by now, then he's truly the biggest fool in the world! It turns out that Chu Xia's good intentions were ultimately misunderstood by him!

So Jing Zhe could only force a smile and say, "Chu Xia, I..."

"Hmph, I won't accept it!"

Chu Xia's proud and aloof spirit kicked in. Seeing Jing Zhe's frustration at being interrupted by her made her feel completely at ease. All the injustice and grievances she had just suffered seemed to be released in that instant.

"Don't be like that, Chu Xia. I really didn't know the situation. If I had known, I definitely wouldn't have treated you that way just now! So please don't hold a grudge..."

"Hmph, I won't accept it!"

Chu Xia glared at Jing Zhe, "I'm not some kind of adult, but you're a real scoundrel!"

After saying that, Chu Xia strode away, leaving Jing Zhe standing there dumbfounded.

————