Chapter 66 She will still choose to leave when the opportunity arises.

"A pregnancy test?" Zhou Ling's pupils contracted slightly, and a fleeting, elusive, complex expression flashed across his face. There was surprise, but more than that, a deep, calculating glint in his eyes.

He raised his hand, stopping the imperial physician from continuing, and his sharp gaze swept over Fangru, who was lying on the bed, her consciousness blurred by a high fever.

She clearly did not hear the imperial physician's whisper.

Zhou Ling's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile before his expression hardened, and he turned cold and stern. He then gave the imperial physician a stern order, his tone carrying an undeniable warning: "I understand. Prescribe the best medicine and make sure she recovers from her 'cold'. If even one more person finds out about today's pulse diagnosis, I will hold you responsible. Understand?"

"I understand! I understand!" The imperial physician was drenched in cold sweat and kowtowed repeatedly.

"Go and prepare the medicine."

The imperial physician, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon, bowed and withdrew.

Silence returned to the room. Zhou Ling sat back on the edge of the bed, gazing at Fangru's flushed cheeks, his eyes filled with a complexity he had never shown before. He reached out, his fingertips lightly brushing across her brows and eyes, a gesture imbued with a tenderness he himself was unaware of.

"We have a child, Fangru," he murmured, his voice filled with barely suppressed joy. This unexpected blood connection made him feel that the invisible thread between them had suddenly tightened considerably.

Just then, a eunuch brought in the freshly brewed medicine. Zhou Ling dismissed the others and personally picked up the bowl. He scooped up a spoonful, carefully blew on it to warm it, and then held it to her lips, his voice extremely gentle: "Ru'er, wake up and drink your medicine."

Fangru was awakened, and when she saw it was him, she subconsciously frowned and turned her face away: "I won't drink..."

Zhou Ling gazed at her long eyelashes, his voice low and coaxing: "Drink the medicine, then you'll get better."

Fangru turned her face away from the medicine spoon, her tone indifferent: "When did Your Majesty become so concerned about my health?"

"When have I ever stopped caring?" He raised an eyebrow and brought the medicine spoon closer. "Could it be that my beloved concubine is deliberately feigning illness to avoid me?"

Fangru's ears burned slightly after her secret was exposed, but she forced herself to remain calm: "Your Majesty is overthinking it. It's just that this medicine is too bitter and I can't drink it."

"Bitter?" Zhou Ling chuckled, then suddenly leaned down and whispered in her ear, "So, my beloved consort, do you want me to feed you myself? In... some other way?"

His warm breath brushed against her ear, and Fangru blushed instantly, glaring at him with embarrassment and annoyance: "Your Majesty! I am still ill!"

"That's why you need to take your medicine." He straightened up, shook the medicine bowl, and a playful glint in his eyes. "Do you want me to feed you with a spoon, or with my mouth? My beloved, you choose?"

Fangru bit her lip, knowing he was truly capable of such a thing. After a moment's struggle, she reluctantly took the bowl of medicine. Just as she was about to drink it, she heard him leisurely add:

"You'll be rewarded when you recover." He gently twirled a strand of her hair with his fingertips, his tone ambiguous, "I will personally 'reward' you."

Fangru's hand trembled, and the medicine almost spilled. She looked up at him and glared, only to see him smiling like a triumphant fox.

"Your Majesty is forcing me to stay sick forever."

"How can that be?" Zhou Ling took the empty bowl, his fingertips seemingly unintentionally brushing against her lips, and chuckled softly, "I'm still waiting for my beloved consort... to recover soon."

His deliberately slowed tone made Fangru's cheeks burn.

Watching his smug departing figure, she angrily gripped the quilt tightly. This man clearly knew she couldn't do anything about him!

Suddenly, Zhou Ling's voice came from outside the window, instructing the palace servants: "Go to the storeroom and fetch some candied fruit, the sweetest kind. Tell them... I'm afraid someone will suffer from the bitterness of their medicine."

Fangru paused for a moment, buried her face in the pillow, but the corners of her lips unconsciously curved into a smile.

Inside the study, the fragrance of ambergris wafted silently.

Zhou Ling, with his back to Li Zuo, gazed at a white magnolia in full bloom outside the window, his tone as calm as if he were discussing the weather:

"Li Zuo, do you think... Consort Shen is now at ease staying by my side?"

Li Zuo stood with his head bowed, a chill running through him.

He had followed this young emperor for many years and knew his temperament well.

After a moment's hesitation, he chose to speak the truth, his voice steady: "Your Majesty, in my observation, although Consort Shen has stopped resisting fiercely recently, her compliance... is more of a self-preservation after weighing the pros and cons." He paused, recalling the stubbornness that could not be hidden deep in the woman's cold eyes, "She may no longer seek death, but if given the chance... I believe she will still choose to leave."

Zhou Ling slowly turned around, a self-deprecating bitter smile on his handsome face, his deep eyes churning with emotion: "Even you can see it clearly... Yes, she's like a sparrow that can't be tamed. Even if I presented her with the finest golden cage in the world, all she would want to do is spread her wings and fly away."

He stroked the jade thumb ring on his thumb, his tone tinged with helplessness, "She doesn't even want to have my child."

Li Zuo suddenly looked up, a hint of shock flashing in his eyes, which then turned into a complex understanding.

He recalled the joy he felt when his wife was pregnant, a stark contrast to His Majesty's current hidden anxieties.

Zhou Ling walked to the imperial desk, his voice lowering: "I dare not let her know. Li Zuo, do you believe me? I'm afraid... afraid that if she finds out she's carrying my child, she'll try every means... to get rid of the child."

The words he uttered carried an indescribable bitterness.

Throughout the world, countless women yearn for the emperor's child but cannot obtain it, yet the only one he cares about might personally destroy their connection.

Li Zuo was deeply shocked.

He knew Shen Fangru's strong will; if she truly intended to leave, this was indeed something she would do.

A thought quietly took root in his mind: if given the chance, should he help her leave?

The thought startled him, but seeing His Majesty's heartbroken state, he felt that the woman perhaps deserved a wider world.

“Your Majesty…” Li Zuo’s throat felt dry.

Zhou Ling suddenly raised his hand, interrupting him, his eyes instantly regaining the sharpness and decisiveness of an emperor: "Pass on my decree to the Imperial Household Department. From this day forward, secretly prepare for the dissolution of the harem. All concubines who wish to return home will be generously given dowries and allowed to marry at their own discretion; those who do not wish to leave the palace will be transferred to the royal nunnery on the outskirts of the capital for quiet contemplation." He paused, his gaze piercing as he looked at Li Zuo, "This matter must be carried out in secrecy, especially... she must not know a thing of it."

Li Zuo was stunned: "Your Majesty! This..."

Inside the Qingyi Garden, the Empress knelt before the Empress Dowager, sobbing uncontrollably, her hair disheveled, completely lacking the dignity of a mother of the nation.

"Mother! You must do justice for your son!" The Empress raised her tear-streaked face, her voice filled with anguish, "His Majesty... His Majesty not only wants to dismiss the six palaces, but also to depose your son and divorce him!"

The Empress Dowager's hand, which was holding a teacup, suddenly stopped, spilling a few drops of tea. Her phoenix eyes widened in disbelief: "What did you say? Ling'er... he actually wants to disband the harem? Absurd!"

"It's absolutely true!" The Empress crawled a few steps on her knees, grabbed the Empress Dowager's skirt, and lowered her voice, filled with hidden resentment, "Your subject secretly pressured the imperial physicians to find out the truth! It's that Shen Fangru, she's pregnant, almost two months along!"

The Empress Dowager frowned: "Being pregnant with the Emperor's child is a serious matter, but it doesn't have to come to this..."

"Mother!" the Empress interrupted urgently, her words flying. "Do the math! Where was Shen Fangru two months ago? She and that traitor from the White Sun Society attempted to elope at Guanyin Pavilion but failed! Who knows if this child is the traitor's bastard! His Majesty is now bewitched by her, and is willing to disregard ancestral laws and regulations, disband the harem, and depose me for this child of unknown origin! This... this will surely make the world a laughingstock and bring shame upon the royal family!"

"Bang!" The Empress Dowager slammed the teacup in her hand onto the table, her face instantly turning ashen. Her chest heaved, clearly enraged by the shocking news and the potential scandal it might bring.

"Outrageous!" The Empress Dowager stood up abruptly, her well-maintained face covered in frost. "How could the Emperor be so muddle-headed!"

The old nanny quickly stepped forward and whispered, "Your Majesty, please calm down. His Majesty is currently with Consort Shen at the bandit-suppression headquarters outside the city. Going there now might..."

"What are you afraid of?" the Empress Dowager interrupted coldly, her eyes sharp. "Do you want to wait until that bastard is born, until this royal scandal becomes known throughout the land?" She took a deep breath, her mind made up. "Help me change my clothes. I must go to the imperial residence myself to see that Shen Fangru!" She paused, then added, "No need to make a fuss. I will accompany you disguised as a palace maid. This matter cannot be delayed!"

"Yes!" The nanny dared not persuade her any further and quickly agreed.

Meanwhile, inside the bandit suppression headquarters, Fangru was dressing up in front of a mirror.

The woman in the bronze mirror had lost some of her former melancholy and gained more composure. Since fate had confined her to this world, since even the freedom to die had been taken from her, she would live a different kind of life in this predicament.

She gently smacked her lips with rouge, instantly giving them a vibrant color.

Didn't Zhou Ling want a docile plaything? She deliberately chose to be someone he couldn't fathom. These past few days, she'd gradually discovered that this seemingly powerful emperor was actually surprisingly...understandable in some ways.

Footsteps approached, and Fangru saw Zhou Ling's figure appear at the door in the mirror. She didn't get up immediately as usual, but continued to slowly and meticulously tidy her hair. Looking at him in the mirror, she smiled a perfectly timed smile: "Your Majesty has arrived early today."

Zhou Ling was clearly surprised by her calmness, even a hint of leisure.

He approached, stood behind her, placed his hands on her shoulders, and gazed at her through the mirror: "It seems my beloved concubine is in a good mood today."

“Since there’s no escaping it, why bother with a long face all day?” Fangru turned and looked up at him, her eyes clear. “I’ve figured it out. Rather than resisting, I should enjoy it. After all…” She paused deliberately, her fingertips lightly tracing the dragon pattern on his robe, “Your Majesty can only give the best, can’t you?”

Zhou Ling's eyes darkened, his heart stirred slightly by her sudden change.

He leaned closer, his breath brushing against her ear: "I am so pleased that my beloved consort thinks this way."

Fangru felt his breathing gradually become heavier and smiled to herself.

See, he really fell for it.

Instead of stiffly avoiding him as before, she took the initiative to put her hand on his arm and said in a light tone, "Your Majesty, the weather is so nice today, why don't you accompany me for a walk in the garden?"

Zhou Ling gazed at her smiling face, momentarily lost in thought. Fangru, so radiant and lively, like melting snow in early spring, held him captive. He tightened his grip on her hand, his voice softening unconsciously: "Alright, I'll stay with you."

Fangru stood up, gracefully took Zhou Ling's arm, and the two walked side by side into the garden.

When the guards and palace servants inside the imperial camp saw His Majesty and Consort Shen being so affectionate, they all lowered their heads and gave way.

As they walked to a patch of crabapple trees in full bloom, Fangru suddenly stopped and gently shook Zhou Ling's arm. Zhou Ling turned his head, his gaze tender: "What's wrong?"

“Your Majesty,” Fangru looked up, letting the petals fall into her hair, her eyes sparkling with playfulness, “I can’t walk anymore.”

Zhou Ling understood, and the smile in his eyes deepened.

He bent down and lifted her steadily into his arms. Fangru instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, pressed her face against his chest, and listened to his strong heartbeat.

"I really enjoy holding you," Zhou Ling whispered in her ear, "as light as a feather."

Fangru smiled softly in his arms, her eyes sparkling as she looked up.

She leaned closer to him and placed a soft kiss on his cheek: "This is a reward for His Majesty."

Instead of letting her go, Zhou Ling hugged her even tighter.

"Now that's a reward." Zhou Ling planted a kiss on her lips, even more tender than before.

Fangru leaned against him, feeling his warm embrace, and for the first time felt that perhaps staying by this person's side wasn't so unacceptable.

From that day on, Fangru seemed to develop an indescribable attachment to Zhou Ling.

When they strolled in the courtyard, she would unconsciously lean closer to him, her slender hands gently tugging at his sleeve, as if afraid he would leave.

A gentle breeze swept by, and she instinctively wanted to snuggle into his arms, hoping he would lift her up steadily as he had yesterday.

Although Zhou Ling thoroughly enjoyed her proactive intimacy, he glanced at the guards standing around and, ultimately mindful of his imperial dignity, gently put one arm around her shoulder, his deep voice carrying a hint of restraint: "So many people are watching."

Fangru suddenly realized that the guards were standing around her, and her cheeks immediately flushed red. She took a step back like a child who had done something wrong.

Seeing the fleeting disappointment in her eyes, Zhou Ling's heart softened, and he immediately ordered, "Everyone, retreat outside the courtyard and stand guard. No one is allowed to enter without my permission."

The guards obeyed and quietly withdrew, leaving only the two of them in the courtyard.

Zhou Ling then pulled Fangru back into his arms, feeling her immediately cling to him like a fledgling bird returning to its nest. He couldn't help but chuckle and gently kissed the top of her head: "Are you satisfied now?"

Fangru buried her face deep in his chest, greedily inhaling the refreshing ambergris scent emanating from him, her small hands tightly gripping the front of his shirt, as if only in this way could she gain some sense of security.

She nodded slightly, her voice muffled: "Your Majesty smells so good."

These words were spoken softly and gently, yet they tickled Zhou Ling's heart like a feather.

He had never seen Fangru so charming and dependent before, and couldn't help but hug her tighter, gently rubbing his chin against her hair: "Then how about I let you smell me from now on?"

"Mmm." Fangru responded softly in his arms, as if she had found the most reassuring harbor, and her whole body relaxed.

She even unconsciously rubbed her cheek against his chest, like a spoiled kitten.

Feeling the complete dependence of the person in his arms, Zhou Ling felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction welling up inside him. He gently stroked her back, savoring this rare and tender moment.

However, they were unaware that this moment of peace and intimacy had provided an opportunity for someone with ulterior motives. At the very moment they embraced, a pair of eyes were secretly watching everything through the moon gate.

A moment later, Zhou Ling was summoned by an urgent report from the previous dynasty to handle government affairs.

Fangru was admiring the flowers alone in the courtyard when suddenly an unfamiliar old woman approached her, saying that she was ordered by His Majesty to invite her to wait in the side hall.

Fangru followed the nanny to a secluded side room. The moment she pushed open the door, she immediately recognized the Empress Dowager sitting in the main seat. Even though the Empress Dowager was dressed in the clothes of an ordinary nanny, her dignified and elegant demeanor was undeniable.

"You dare not kneel before me?" the Empress Dowager said coldly, her voice carrying a deliberately crafted air of authority.

Fangru feigned panic as she knelt and bowed, a hint of mockery flashing in her lowered eyes. She wanted to see what kind of play the Empress Dowager was going to put on by disguising herself as a maid and sneaking into the imperial camp.

"I ask you," the Empress Dowager's gaze shot out like poisoned silver needles, "is the bastard child in your womb from the Baiyang Society?"

Fangru was struck dumb and looked up abruptly.

Pregnant? She's pregnant? No wonder she's been inexplicably longing for Zhou Ling's embrace these past few days; so that's why.

Seeing her stunned expression, the Empress Dowager assumed she was guilty and her tone became even more stern: "You are two months pregnant, which coincides with the time you eloped with the traitor Baiyanghui. Tell me! Whose child is this?"

Fangru knelt on the ground, her hands unconsciously touching her lower abdomen, her mind racing.

Looking at the Empress Dowager's expression—as if she wanted to punish her immediately but dared not make any rash moves—she suddenly found it laughable.

If they really dared to touch her, why would they be sneaking around like this? It's because they're terrified of Zhou Ling's wrath.

Thinking of this, Fangru felt a mischievous urge. She deliberately made her voice tremble slightly, but each word was clear: "Your Majesty, this child... is indeed from the Baiyang Society."