The newspaper staff were only slightly surprised by Su Mochen's arrival; their surprise lasted even less than when Murong Xi arrived.

After all, when Jing Zhe was away, Zhu Xinning often brought her over to visit every few days, so even though Su Mochen was a princess, the club members were already used to it, but they would still add in their hearts: Club President Jing is awesome!

After entering the newspaper office and looking around upstairs, Jing Zhe realized he didn't see Yu Xiangrong. He asked curiously, "Huh, is Xiangrong late?"

After all, she had promised Murong Xi that she would come today before she left yesterday, but Su Mochen said directly, "Xiangrong, it's almost the New Year, and the Duke of Huguo's mansion is very busy and needs her help, so I won't be coming today!"

"..."

No matter how busy the Duke of Huguo's mansion was, it would never be the young lady Yu Xiangrong's turn to help. Jing Zhe thought the reason might be related to the rapid progress of Yu Xiangrong and Murong Xi's relationship.

With Zhu Xinning's intelligence, she would never allow her own people to be so close to Murong Xi—especially since Murong Xi was a "spy" with a high possibility of being turned, which is why she didn't allow Yu Xiangrong to come over.

The reason I didn't run into Zhang Xiaoyu this morning was most likely because she went to the Duke of Huguo's mansion to inform Yu Xiangrong first...

I have to say, Zhu Xinning's methods are really clever!

Therefore, the following day was undoubtedly very difficult to endure.

If Chu Xia were here, it wouldn't be so awkward. But Chu Xia didn't come to provide an opportunity, so Jing Zhe ended up explaining to Murong Xi alone, while Su Mochen didn't say a word, just stood by with his arms crossed, watching calmly.

The invisible pressure she brought was even greater. After spending half a day at the newspaper office, Murong Xi was already exhausted, both physically and mentally.

By the afternoon, she was like a walking corpse, following Jing Zhe, but she couldn't hear anything anymore. All Murong Xi could think about was when it would get dark so they could go back; she had really had enough of this place…

After enduring this long and arduous wait, it finally arrived at Shenshi (3-5 PM), when Sui Shouren arrived with his men to escort Su Mochen back to the palace.

Although Su Mochen was highly skilled in martial arts, he still had to observe certain rules in front of Empress Yueyao, Murong Xi.

"Your Majesty, it's been a lot of fun learning from you. That's all for today. If we have the chance tomorrow... see you later!"

Su Mochen smiled sweetly, said a few more words to Jing Zhe, and then followed Sui Shouren back to the palace.

Murong Xi was on the verge of tears: Should we continue tomorrow?

I looked at the sky outside again. There was still less than half an hour before it got dark. Although the time was short, it was enough.

The next moment, she was about to pull Jing Zhe upstairs to seize this last moment to reveal her feelings. But after taking only two steps, the sound she least wanted to hear appeared again.

"Young Master, the Empress!"

Murong Xi turned around and looked at Zhang Xiaoyu, feeling utterly hopeless.

"Why is Xiaoyu here again?"

Jing Zhe gave a helpless, bitter smile.

"Oh, Xiaoyu, come and ask what the Empress would like to eat today?"

"..."

Does what I eat really matter that much?

"Isn't Chu Xia at Wenxiangju? Asking her will make the same thing."

"A saintess is a saintess, and an empress is an empress. How can they be the same?"

Zhang Xiaoyu smiled.

"Then let's do it the same way as yesterday! Thank you, Miss Zhang!"

Murong Xi quickly said something, still hoping that she would leave immediately after hearing it, but it turned out that she was overthinking it.

Zhang Xiaoyu nodded after listening, then looked at the darkening sky outside and smiled, "It's getting late. Young Master and Empress must be tired after a long day. Why don't we go back to Wenxiang Residence together?"

"..."

At this point, Murong Xi completely collapsed.

Jing Zhe opened his mouth, glanced at Murong Xi again, and found that her eyes had long lost their luster. She was probably already exhausted, and didn't have much energy left to stay.

Finally, she said, "Alright, I'm a little hungry too, let's go back together!"

"..."

...

The three returned to Wenxiang Residence, where Zhu Xinning was still waiting. Upon seeing Murong Xi, she smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you've had a long journey!"

Murong Xi looked up at Zhu Xinning, who was looking smug. She had indeed had a hard day, and the reason was because of the woman in front of her!

However, Murong Xi no longer had any intention of competing with her; at this moment, she just wanted to go back to her room: she was tired.

So he stopped talking, just nodded slightly, and went upstairs alone.

Watching her somewhat lonely and resolute figure, Zhu Xinning and Zhang Xiaoyu felt a pang of pity and sympathy for no apparent reason, but then they shook their heads: How could they pity the enemy? As long as she is the Empress, she is absolutely not worthy of pity!

Then she began to admire Su Mochen, because the effect of her spending a day at the newspaper was completely different from that of Yu Xiangrong spending a day there.

Yu Xiangrong spent the day at the newspaper office. When Murong Xi returned, he was full of energy and fighting spirit, and even exchanged a few moves with Zhu Xinning.

As a result, Su Mochen spent the whole day at the newspaper office, and when Murong Xi returned, she didn't even have the strength to speak, let alone fight.

While feeling sentimental, Zhu Xinning thought to herself that with Su Mochen's methods and status, he was undoubtedly the most powerful candidate to compete with her for the position of first wife. Fortunately, she had already made Jing Zhe promise him and had also won Su Mochen over in advance, otherwise there would have been endless troubles!

"Let's go back too!"

At this moment, Jing Zhe also made a suggestion, but his words were somewhat angry, which both Zhu Xinning and Zhang Xiaoyu could feel.

Last night, Zhu Xinning endured all of Jing Zhe's attacks by herself. Even after resting for a day, her legs were still a little weak. After hearing this, her legs became even weaker.

As I walked out of Wenxiangju, there weren't many pedestrians on the street because it was lunchtime.

Zhu Xinning thought for a moment, then mustered her courage and said, "Zhe'er, um... I have some things to take care of at home, I need to go back tonight..."

"What's so important? We can deal with it tomorrow!"

Jing Zhe reached out and wrapped his arms around Zhu Xinning's slender waist, pulling her back. Zhu Xinning let out a soft moan and fell into Jing Zhe's arms, pleading, "Zhe'er, your second sister really can't today..."

"Why not? Are you on your period?"

"..."

Having followed Jing Zhe for so long, Zhu Xinning naturally knew what this "relative" meant. She pursed her lips, actually hoping her "relative" would arrive at this time, so she could have a legitimate night's rest...

"Hmm, coming...coming..."

Zhu Xinning gritted her teeth and decided to tell a little lie.

There's nothing we can do; Jing Zhe is just too formidable.

Jing Zhe was stunned for a moment, and then felt a pang of regret.

Originally, I was furious with Zhu Xinning's tight-lipped strategy and decided to teach her a lesson tonight, but then she got her period, which made things difficult.

He had no choice but to turn his head and look at Zhang Xiaoyu with a wicked smile, his expression particularly obvious: Since Second Sister is no longer able to do it, surely you will be fine, right?

————