Seeing the panic, helplessness, and fear in Tang Ning's clear, bright eyes as he pinned her to the table, and recalling how she had previously echoed those ministers who seemed to have ill intentions and were greedy, he realized that Tang Ning was now pinned down on the table.

An inexplicable sense of resentment welled up in Situ Yin's heart, but he showed no further anger, and even the hint of grievance in his eyes slowly faded away.

He stood by the table, staring intently at Tang Ning for a long while. Suddenly, he slowly withdrew his hand from Tang Ning's chin and took a step back.

"Your Majesty..."

Seeing that his expression was a little strange, Tang Ning had just called out to him when, to her surprise, Situ Yin, who was standing in front of her with his eyes lowered, directly called out the name of his chief eunuch, Wen Rang.

Upon hearing Situ Yin's call, Wen Rang immediately bowed and rushed to his side, kneeling down and saying, "Yes, sir."

"Pass down the order..."

Before he could finish speaking, Situ Yin immediately looked up and stared straight at Tang Ning.

"Stop those ministers who are clamoring about prioritizing the greater good and the importance of offspring. Why go through all this trouble with the imperial concubine selection? Since some people think my harem is too quiet, then let them pick out all the eligible girls from their clans tomorrow and send them to the palace. I will select them for them immediately."

As Situ Yin spoke, his gaze never left Tang Ning's face.

"I wonder if the Empress is satisfied now?"

Hearing his question, which was clearly tinged with resentment, Tang Ning was taken aback for a moment, then parted her lips slightly and uttered the word "I".

Situ Yin turned and walked away without paying any attention. "As long as the Empress is satisfied, I have some official business to attend to tonight, so I won't be coming to Weiyang Palace."

He was so agitated that he didn't want to listen to Tang Ning at all. Not a single word she said was pleasing to him, so he simply stopped listening.

He didn't want to stay in Weiyang Palace any longer. Seeing Tang Ning reminded him of what she had said before, and the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Rather than staying here and being angered by her, he would rather go back to handle government affairs.

Thinking this, Situ Yinren had already reached the palace gate.

Just as his foot was about to step out of the threshold, he inexplicably turned back to look at Tang Ning.

Then he saw Tang Ning kneeling on the ground, head bowed, respectfully seeing him off.

They didn't even try to keep him, clearly...

Immediately, Situ Yin was so angry that he turned and left.

Hearing Situ Yin's departing figure, Tang Ning, who had been keeping her head down, couldn't help but smile.

She knew that if she had acted coquettishly and tried to persuade him to stay, Situ Yin would have almost certainly stayed. He might even have denied the imperial edict she had given in a fit of anger for her sake.

After all, he really denied it, so what could his subordinates do to him?

After that, the two should be able to be sweet and loving again.

But it wasn't enough time for her.

The strategy of taking it slow and steady will indeed eventually max out Situ Yin's favorability, but there's not much time left before her death in the story.

She had to speed up her pace.

Meanwhile, on the other side, the ministers who received Situ Yin's oral decree were all stunned. After all, it was clear from how much Situ Yin protected Tang Ning on the Flower Festival that he still cared about this empress with her complicated past. Moreover, since Situ Yin ascended the throne, he had never changed his mind about things he himself was unwilling to do, no matter how much they pleaded.

In fact, after they made the suggestion of holding a talent show, seeing the Emperor's expression, the experienced ministers knew that their suggestion would probably only be a suggestion. The Emperor would not approve it, and in the end, they would just jump around a bit, and the matter would gradually pass.

But who could have imagined that after all the mountains and rivers seemed to block the way, a new village would appear amidst the willows and flowers!

His Majesty agreed so quickly.

Although it wasn't a talent show, allowing them to send their eligible daughters to the palace for His Majesty to choose personally was no different from a talent show!

The timeframe was just too tight.

That very evening, all the mansions of high-ranking officials and nobles throughout the capital began to urgently train their daughters. With the story of Situ Yin and Tang Ning at the Flower Festival as a precedent, quite a few young ladies actually began to look forward to the next day.

They hoped to become the second Tang Ning. Even if they couldn't become Tang Ning, entering the palace as concubines and having a son or daughter would still give them hope for the future.

That evening, the entire capital was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

Unfortunately, all the happiness belonged to others and had nothing to do with Situ Yin.

Because he was so angry, he kept his word and did not come to Tangning's Weiyang Palace that night.

He didn't come, and Tang Ning's expression didn't change much, but her two maids, Chunmian and Chuntan, were secretly worried about her.

Because they could all see that although their mistress said she didn't care, she had actually looked at the palace gates countless times throughout the night. They just couldn't understand why, when their mistress clearly cared, she didn't...

well.

The next morning, the two maids watched Tang Ning sitting by the window embroidering something from behind, and both sighed inwardly.

Just then, the voices of two palace maids suddenly drifted indistinctly from outside the palace walls into Weiyang Palace.

"I've heard that the Imperial Garden is incredibly lively right now, with most of the young ladies from the capital coming. It seems the palace is about to add a few more concubines..."

"That's right. Not to mention them, I heard that the ladies who used to live in the palace have also started to have designs on Consort Ning after hearing how well His Majesty treats her. It seems that the palace is going to get lively from now on."

Upon hearing these two sentences, Tang Ning was stunned. The needle in her hand pierced the pad of her middle finger, and she subconsciously gasped.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, are you alright?"

Chunmian rushed forward first and took Tang Ning's hand in hers. "Why can't you be more careful? You always make Chun Tan and me worry... Your Highness, you seem so uneasy. Perhaps... perhaps we should go to the Imperial Garden for a look, shall we?"

Unable to bear seeing Tang Ning clearly care but forcing herself not to, Chunmian directly offered this suggestion.

Upon hearing this, Tang Ning suddenly raised her head.

"Yes, Your Majesty, His Majesty has spoken on the matter and said that you will be made Empress. Even if it is an irregular selection process, Your Majesty is still qualified to participate. Let's go and see together."

Chun Tan also said the same thing from the side.

About fifteen minutes later.

Tang Ning and her two servants appeared in the Imperial Garden. Before they even entered the garden, they could hear the chatter and laughter of young ladies. Through the gaps in the garden wall, they could even see the beautiful women dressed in red and pink, some charming, some aloof, and some radiant.

They're really vying for attention!

Seeing this, Chunmian was about to walk out when Tang Ning, who was standing next to her, reached out and grabbed her. Before she could explain, they heard a loud shout that the Emperor had arrived.

Because of their relatively secluded position, they hadn't come out before, and now it's even less appropriate for them to come out.

When Situ Yin arrived at the Imperial Garden and smelled the various perfumes and powders on the women in front of him, before his eyes could even settle down, a fragrance that he knew all too well rushed into his nostrils.

Upon smelling the fragrance, Situ Yin was delighted and was about to look up in the direction of the scent.

He had only raised his head halfway when, as if he had thought of something, he forced himself to hold back.

Although he didn't look up, he knew that Tang Ning must be hiding somewhere, secretly watching Situ Yin. His mood, which had been gloomy all night, finally cleared up.

The corners of his mouth had just turned up when he immediately pursed them tightly, making sure no one noticed anything unusual about him.

He slowly walked to his seat and looked at the women below. For a moment, he even felt that if it weren't for the different colors of their clothes, they would all look the same to him.

There is no difference.

Oh, yes, there are some. Some people smell bad, and some people smell even worse.

Situ Yin frowned.

Unaware of what Situ Yin was thinking, many of the women's hearts pounded when they saw him sitting confidently in his chair, frowning at them.

During the Flower Festival, many of their private rooms were far from the arena where the flowers were in full bloom, so they couldn't see Situ Yin's appearance clearly. Now that they could see him, they realized that His Majesty was not only infatuated, but also incredibly handsome.

Suddenly, some people felt even more fervent.

Now that His Majesty has spoken out and is going to select people, there must be a standard for this selection.

Among these women, some are skilled in playing the zither, some in dancing, and some in painting. I wonder which aspect His Majesty will test them in?

In order to stand out, most people secretly prayed that His Majesty would test them on things they were good at.

Then, with expectant looks on their faces, they heard a project from Situ Yin above that they even doubted whether they were hallucinating.

Sumo wrestling.

Yes, Situ Yin made them wrestle.

Even the rules were set: two people compete against each other, and the winner from each pair competes against the winner from the other pair. This cycle continues until the last person standing is allowed to enter the palace.

The women, who already looked on with disbelief upon hearing about the project, showed an even more pronounced sense of unreality after hearing the competition rules.

For a moment, they even wondered if they were dreaming, otherwise how could they hear such an absurd request!

So His Majesty is really here to choose a concubine, and not a general?

Because they were standing still, Situ Yin frowned immediately. "Why haven't you started yet? Do I need to come and invite you?"

Situ Yin's questioning caused the girls present, who were momentarily stunned, to tremble involuntarily. Some of the more timid and shy girls even started to sob quietly on the spot.

They didn't understand either. Hadn't their parents told them that they were going to the palace to be selected as imperial concubines? Why...?

Sumo wrestling? What's wrong with music, chess, calligraphy, and painting? Why make them do such uncivilized things? Besides, if they stand at the very end, does His Majesty want their lives?

The more the women thought about it, the more their bodies trembled.

But His Majesty is still watching from above, and they have no other choice but to take action.

As a result, this strange scene appeared in the Imperial Garden.

Situ Yin sat expressionlessly in the chair, while the girls below whimpered and punched each other's shoulders and arms with their small fists. The force was so strong that it probably wouldn't even be enough to tickle.

Situ Yin's brows furrowed deeper and deeper as he watched.

"Didn't you eat? Put some effort into it!"

His sudden shout made the group of weeping girls tremble even more violently, and their tears fell like beads from a broken string.

Just then, a woman's voice suddenly rang out from the side.

That's enough.

Ignoring Chun Tan's attempts to stop her, Tang Ning slowly emerged from her hiding place, frowning as she looked at Situ Yin directly in front of her. "Your Majesty, even if you don't like these women, you shouldn't treat them like this!"

"They were all pampered and loved by their parents, and their presence here today is also because they have designs on His Majesty. Why bother..."

As she spoke, Tang Ning looked at Situ Yin, who was still sitting in the chair. The smile in her eyes vanished in the blink of an eye, and her expression immediately turned serious.

Not everyone can withstand the wrath of an emperor.

Sure enough, the group of girls who had been crying and sobbing in the garden all fell silent, one by one, and knelt down with trembling legs.

Without their obstruction, Tang Ning and Situ Yin could see each other more clearly.

The two stared at each other for an unknown amount of time before Situ Yin suddenly stood up and walked towards Tang Ning step by step. As he passed each person, the other person couldn't help but shrink even smaller.

For a time, let alone going to the palace, all they wanted was to go home, home immediately, and then have their parents arrange marriages for them.

Anyone who wants to enter this palace can enter.

They would never enter the palace.

Just as these girls, who had previously harbored dreams, made up their minds to never enter the palace, Situ Yin walked up to Tang Ning, slowly raised his hand, pinched Tang Ning's cheek, and pulled her in front of him.

She was mean to him.

He was yelled at because of these arrogant and ignorant women!

They let him participate in the talent show before, and now they're behaving badly towards him.

In her heart, he really meant absolutely nothing!

Situ Yin kept thinking this to himself, while his hand pinching Tang Ning's cheeks became tighter and tighter.

Situ Yin has always been an unruly and domineering person.

Because the other party was Tang Ning, he repeatedly indulged and let her have her way.

But I never expected her to...

"Get out of here, all of you!"

With a sharp shout, the people kneeling on the ground hurriedly trembled and scrambled to the ground, disappearing without a trace in no time.

Once the garden was empty, Situ Yin slowly began to speak.

"Have I spoiled you too much? That's why you gave birth to someone who dares to criticize me at will?"

With just that one sentence, Tang Ning's pupils contracted slightly.

"Do you think you've become this important in my heart? I made you Empress, not so you could take advantage of my favor!"

Situ Yin said, enunciating each word clearly.

He had never been this angry since he ascended the throne.

He had heard that if a woman truly cared about someone, she would be jealous and unhappy if other women appeared around him. He originally thought that Tang Ning was here because she cared about him. He had already thought it through. Those ministers were clamoring for a selection of concubines every day. He could indeed let them argue as they always had, and then let it go.

But he was worried that if these people kept arguing, they would eventually turn their anger towards Tang Ning.

Although he didn't quite understand why she said she wanted to be a dutiful empress and agreed to the selection of concubines, he thought about it all night yesterday, and even put himself in Tang Ning's shoes. In the end, he came to the conclusion that "public opinion is a fearsome thing."

He finally understood that Tang Ning was perhaps afraid—afraid that one day he would discard her like a worn-out shoe, and at least she would have to maintain her dignity. She was afraid that her past experiences would lead to gossip if she sat on the Empress's throne. No matter how much he stood behind her, perhaps because of her past experiences, she still felt deeply insecure.

That is why Situ Yin wanted to solve the problem at its root.

As long as these girls are determined to stay away from the palace, he doesn't believe the ministers will force them to.

Not only did Tang Ning not get jealous or unhappy because she cared about him, she also blamed him for belittling others and for blaming him for these unimportant people!

Looking at Tang Ning's face, Situ Yin grew angrier and angrier.

Finally, in a fit of anger, he didn't hesitate to pull away from Tang Ning's cheek, and due to the inertia, Tang Ning staggered involuntarily.

Situ Yin instinctively raised his hand to help her, but as he did so, he realized he was still angry and forced himself to withdraw his hand, then walked outside.

Situ Yin was probably really angry. After leaving the Imperial Garden, he locked himself in Wenqing Palace and no one could persuade him otherwise.

Neither lunch nor dinner was used.

Standing in front of the desk, Situ Yin had a cold face as he practiced calligraphy while his mind raced with thoughts.

Why must he insist on Qin Tangning? And why does he have to make her the empress?

What kind of empress is she? She'll be an empress who's only there to annoy him!

The fragrance on her body works, so he can just keep her in the palace to suppress the poison in his body. How did he treat the women in the harem before? Why can't he treat Tang Ning the same way he treated them?

What's so great about her!

Isn't it just that body odor is more effective?

He has already set too many precedents with her, which is why she is so spoiled and arrogant. In the future, he can no longer indulge her like this; he needs to be more cold towards her.

Yes, that's exactly it.

Having made up his mind, Situ Yin stubbornly continued down this path.

It was only then that he realized the sky outside the palace had completely darkened. Situ Yin, who hadn't expected to waste so much time, frowned as the palace door was knocked on from the outside.

Tang Ning!

That thought came to his mind subconsciously.

After he suppressed his excitement and said "Go in," what appeared before him was the old face of the Imperial Physician Fang.

Situ Yin's face couldn't help but show some disappointment when his expectations were dashed.

Fang Yuanling, who noticed the change in Situ Yin's expression, chuckled inwardly.

Your Majesty is such a decisive and ruthless person, yet when it comes to matters of love, you are so childish and naive.

It's really...

Upon hearing that the Imperial Physician was Situ Yin, who had come to check his pulse, he had no choice but to order him to step forward.

During the pulse-taking process, the Imperial Physician Fang had barely mentioned Tang Ning when Situ Yin's face immediately turned cold. He said he didn't want to hear anything about her and that she shouldn't be mentioned in front of him in the future.

"Here you go."

The academy director responded.

Unexpectedly, when he told Fang Yuanling not to mention it, Fang Yuanling actually stopped mentioning it, which made Situ Yin angry again.

He watched as the Imperial Physician Fang silently finished taking his pulse, silently packed his things, and prepared to leave. Situ Yin clenched his fists tightly.

Just as Fang Yuanling's foot was about to cross the threshold, and Situ Yin was about to lose his composure, he suddenly saw Fang Yuanling grab the head eunuch Wen Rang who was waiting at the door and straighten his clothes.

"Wenrang, have you heard? The Empress is so pitiful. I heard from the Imperial Kitchen that she didn't have breakfast this morning, nor lunch or dinner. His Majesty doesn't care about her anymore. Who knows what kind of life she will have in the future? The palace is always full of people who fawn over the powerful and bully the weak. The Empress's life is going to be very difficult from now on."

Without even glancing at the person behind him, Fang Yuanling shook his head and walked out.

Upon hearing that Tang Ning hadn't eaten all day, Situ Yin immediately became restless. He tried to get up, but then sat back down.

But after sitting for a while, he couldn't sit still anymore. He crumpled up the papers on the table and threw them aside.

Why is she treating herself so badly? Why is she refusing to eat?

Situ Yin felt like he had a fire burning inside him, and he had no idea how to extinguish it.

After a short while of being angry, he slowly began to reflect on his words. Had he gone too far with his previous remarks? This was truly Tang Ning…

Just yesterday, he had put himself in Tang Ning's shoes. She was already under a lot of pressure to become the empress, and judging from her appearance, she cared a lot about her reputation. It was only natural that she would advise him to participate in the selection of concubines.

Besides, even if she tries to persuade him, as long as he doesn't hold a talent show, who can force him to choose a woman to enter the palace?

He shouldn't have been angry in the first place; he should have gone along with her.

Furthermore, considering how well she treated the palace maids, she naturally couldn't stand him mistreating other women.

Most importantly, he was already angry, so why did he push her? She was already thin and frail; how could she withstand such a push?

The more Situ Yin thought about it, the more incredulous he became. He wondered if he had gone mad earlier. He was clearly wrong from beginning to end, yet he was so self-righteous.

No wonder Tang Ning didn't believe him. He said he wouldn't bully her, but then he pushed her away!

The more Situ Yin thought about it, the more panicked he became. He immediately jumped up and headed straight for Weiyang Palace without looking back, leaving Wen behind him in the dust.

But Situ Yin had only run a short distance when he suddenly looked up and saw Tang Ning standing a few meters in front of him, carrying a lantern.

Upon seeing each other, the two were both stunned.

"sorry."

After a moment of stunned silence, the two apologized to each other.

Upon receiving the apology from the other person, the two were stunned on the spot, and then burst into laughter together.

After laughing, Situ Yin walked over to Tang Ning first. "You...you don't need to be angry anymore. I won't do it again next time, okay? I won't do anything you don't like, okay?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Ning smiled and said, "Okay."

“You’ve done things wrong before, and someone was even going to the palace, but you didn’t care at all. I’m really unhappy about that.”

"But you already have other concubines in your harem..."

Tang Ning was somewhat bewildered.

“They are who they are. I only hope that after you, no one else will enter the palace. Besides, I haven’t even held their hands. They are not the same as you at all. If you don’t like them, I will let them all leave the palace tomorrow. If they want to get married, I can even give them a dowry to encourage them to remarry. How about that?”

Hearing Situ Yin's soft tone, Tang Ning could barely conceal the complex emotions on her face. She opened her mouth, but after a long while, she suddenly mustered her courage and asked in a slightly trembling voice, "Do you... love me?"

Upon hearing Tang Ning's question, Situ Yin was immediately stunned.

But soon, his eyes lit up, his gaze fixed intently on Tang Ning standing before him. "If you say I'm worried that not eating will harm your stomach, that I hope you care about me, that I think of you when I can't see you, that I don't want anyone else, that I only want you to stay by my side from afar for a long time—if these are the emotions that make me love you, then..."

"Yes, Tang Ning, I love you."

Author's Note: Situ Yin: My wife is right whether she's right or wrong.

The ending was foreshadowed earlier, so you should be able to figure it out, right?