Seeing Shen Meizhuang perform such a grand ceremony, He Xue's only thought was, "Is she going to reject Thirteen? What did Thirteen do to make Shen Meizhuang hate him so much? She seems to hate him even more than she hated Big Fat Orange."

Poor Thirteen, his love withered before it even blossomed?

He Xue pondered how she should tell the Thirteenth Prince, not only to make things clear but also to avoid hurting his young heart!

It would be bad if the Thirteenth Prince lost confidence in himself in the future!

"Your Highness, Your Highness!" Qingdai immediately called out to remind Hexue, who was clearly lost in thought.

He Xue snapped out of her daze and said, "Just say what's on your mind, there's no need for such a grand gesture!"

"Qingdai, quickly help him up!"

After He Xue and Shen Meizhuang sat down, she spoke up, "Ever since I became pregnant, I've been prone to overthinking!"

What did you just say? I didn't hear you clearly!

"Your Majesty, I beg you to spare Zhen Huan!" Shen Meizhuang knelt down again and kowtowed heavily to He Xue.

"You don't even know what Zhen Huan did, yet you plead for her. Does Zhen Huan really deserve this?" He Xue never understood Shen Meizhuang's feelings for Zhen Huan.

In "Empresses in the Palace", Shen Meizhuang always stood up straight when bowing to anyone. Even when Consort Hua falsely accused her of faking her pregnancy, she still knelt upright when questioned by Da Pang Ju.

He only bowed when pleading for Zhen Huan in front of the Empress Dowager.

“It’s worth it, because we are bosom friends!” Shen Meizhuang said without hesitation.

"As far as I know, you haven't seen each other for several years. Can you guarantee that the Zhen Huan you know now is still the same Zhen Huan you know?" He Xue questioned.

"This...this..." Shen Meizhuang really wanted to say that Zhen Huan was still the same Zhen Huan as before, but for some reason she just couldn't bring herself to say it.

"It seems you're not sure yourself!" He Xue smiled. "As time goes by, many things change, and people are no exception!"

Listen to what Zhen Huan did first, then consider whether you want to plead with me to spare her.

Qingdai told her exactly what Zhen Huan had done!

He Xue no longer wanted to waste her breath on Zhen Huan's matter. This time, she did not let Shen Meizhuang get up, but instead made her continue kneeling.

"Miss Shen, Zhen Huan colluded with a physician from the Imperial Hospital to spy on the Emperor and deliberately created opportunities to meet him by chance."

After the Emperor saw through her scheme, she then slandered the Empress!

Based on these two points alone, if it weren't for the Empress's kind heart and her pleading for her, the Emperor would have already taken her life!

Miss Shen, do you still think Zhen Huan is innocent?

Because of her, the imperial physician who helped her was expelled from the Imperial Hospital.

The imperial physician was deeply in love with Zhen Huan, and the emperor intended to arrange their marriage. However, Zhen Huan preferred to marry someone else rather than marry that man!

"Although repaying kindness with kindness is not a good thing, isn't Zhen Huan's behavior too selfish and heartless?" Qingdai asked.

Shen Meizhuang's face turned pale. "This humble woman knew nothing of these matters. Please punish me, Your Majesty!"

"I don't blame you. After all, you can know a person's face but not their heart!"

You can't act so impulsively in the future! And don't judge things based on your own subjective opinions!

"Yes, thank you for your guidance, Your Highness!" Shen Meizhuang replied.

"Meizhuang, I know your family has high hopes for you. Do not bring shame upon your family."

You can consider the matter of the Thirteenth Prince that I mentioned before.

Of course, if you are unwilling, I will not force you.

"Go back now, I'm tired!"

"Yes, this subject takes her leave!" Shen Meizhuang walked out of Kunning Palace, dejected. Zhen Huan's actions were beyond her understanding of Zhen Huan. Was this truly the Zhen Huan she knew? Or did she truly understand Zhen Huan at all?