What can't a supreme ruler want?

Dong E's husband did not pursue the matter further.

Rather than saying he came to see the Princess Consort today, it would be more accurate to say he came to seek a talisman for himself.

After all, if he doesn't cause trouble, it's normal for him to disappear without a trace.

But if his family is involved, then he is a sinner.

He is now trying to force the emperor to give him an explanation.

After all, everyone inside and outside the palace knew that the emperor had slept with his wife.

There was even his own promotion of it.

After all, if this matter is suppressed, he, this obstacle, will be finished sooner or later.

Emperor Shunzhi was both angry and helpless.

He grumbled inwardly for a long time. He didn't blame himself for being lustful, nor did he blame Dong E Wan Yue for sending him letters. He only blamed the Empress for speaking without restraint!

After the court session, Emperor Shunzhi was about to confine the Empress's feet.

After all, he was the emperor!

He said it was reasonable for the Empress to start praying for the Qing Dynasty for a month starting from New Year's Day.

But before he could issue the decree, he learned that the Empress Dowager had already issued an imperial edict.

And it's the entire harem!

Emperor Shunzhi was filled with anger, but he couldn't vent it.

He knew it; his mother was always going to oppose him! So Shunzhi thought to himself.

The Empress Dowager has once again been unfairly blamed.

This pot is big and round!

When Emperor Shunzhi heard Wu Liangfu mention Dong'e Wanyue's fate, he closed his eyes again.

"Arrange for someone to escort her out of the palace! Tell her to leave everything to me!"

Ao Bai accepted the imperial decree and took his leave.

Sherry looked at the freshly printed letter in her hand:

"I wish to be with you forever, and for our lives to last without end."

"Until the mountains crumble, the rivers run dry, winter thunder roars, summer snow falls, and heaven and earth unite, only then will I part from you."

The analysis is complete. It definitely wasn't written by that uncultured old man Ao Bai; he didn't have that kind of education.

So, that must be Dong E?

"Wow, she's cultured! Let her go!" After Shirley finished speaking, the little eunuch in front of her bowed and ran away.

When Shunzhi saw the letter, he was immediately reminded of the beauty of a close female friend.

He picked up a pen to write a letter, and had already made up his mind.

And this time, Granny Asa has come back with a truly bitter and vengeful look on her face.

Sherry had already arranged for a royal physician to be on standby.

So, Granny Asa, holding a bowl of bitter medicine, felt the Empress's kindness.

He closed his eyes and chugged it down in one gulp.

"Here, have some candied fruit!" Shirley thought the old lady was quite cute and kindly shared a piece of dried fruit with her.

With a pained expression, Granny Asa urged Shirley to start copying the scriptures.

Sherry didn't refuse; copying occasionally wouldn't hurt.

She needs to think about making money.

Granny Asa was pleased to see Shirley's appearance, but after a while she couldn't help but feel sleepy.

While Granny Asa was sleeping in her chair, Sherry handed the book to the little eunuch.

"Print it, it'll sell like hotcakes, hide it well..."

The little eunuch ran off again with the book in his pocket.

Then, following the news that Dong'e Wanyue was only returning to her parents' home.

Emperor Shunzhi and the Empress Dowager learned of the rumors circulating in the palace.

Emperor Shunzhi was furious, but he couldn't silence the gossip.

To save face for the royal family, the Empress Dowager explicitly forbade any discussion of those matters.

When Shunzhi thought about how incompetent the Empress was, he went to Cining Palace in a huff and said he wanted to depose her.

"Firstly, the Empress disregarded the overall situation and spoke without restraint."

Secondly, the empress was incapable of handling palace affairs, and rumors were never stopped.

Thirdly, —

"Thirdly, the Empress is revered by all the people, yet she has never committed adultery. That vile maid from yesterday should be torn apart by five horses as a warning to others!"

The Empress Dowager spoke coldly, as if she saw another person through her son.

Shunzhi's mind calmed down in an instant.

He knew that the Empress Dowager had not punished Wanyue yesterday for the sake of the royal family's reputation.

But today...

He knew that if he dared to mention deposing the empress again, his mother would not hesitate to kill Wanyue.

After all, if word got out that a court lady had been unfaithful and had seduced the emperor, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to kill her!

"Your son knows his mistake, Your Majesty, please calm your anger!" Shunzhi knelt on the ground, his reason returning.

This act only strengthened the Empress Dowager's resolve.

"The emperor has the energy to nitpick; it would be better to cultivate his character and set a good example!"

After speaking, the Empress Dowager lowered her eyes. If she could deal with Hailanzhu, she could deal with Dong'e.

"Yes, son knows his mistake!" Shunzhi was somewhat annoyed and felt even more disgusted with Xue Li.

"His Majesty is right about one thing: the Empress should indeed take over palace affairs to prevent rumors from spreading and her inability to handle them!"

The Empress Dowager had a gut feeling that Dong E would definitely enter the palace.

Therefore, the empress must have power.

Otherwise, who can restrain a favored concubine?!

So why not just go along with his wishes?

Shunzhi suddenly looked up, feeling a pang of regret.

So what did he do?

"I'm thinking of letting Lady Dong'e into the palace, shall we?" Shunzhi tentatively suggested.

The battle between mother and son has begun once again.

"Oh? Could it be that you really want to put into practice the saying 'the emperor takes the wife of his subject'?" The Empress Dowager sneered. Men, when they see a seductive woman, they can't resist.

"They will divorce!" Shunzhi was also angry at the thought of Dong E's husband.

If I had known, I would have let him die without knowing why.

When the time comes, wouldn't it be a natural progression for the widowed Lady Dong'e to enter the palace?

But I couldn't resist yesterday!

So, what exactly is the reason?!

Emperor Shunzhi suddenly started to believe in conspiracy theories.

Could it be that Dong'e Wanyue drugged him?

After all, he hadn't planned to do anything else; their current hazy, ambiguous feelings were just right.

"Since Your Majesty has made up your mind, then I grant your request. However, her actions are not respectable and may cause controversy in the court and the harem. Therefore, let her enter the palace with the rites due to a princess!"

Shunzhi opened his mouth to refuse, after all, this position was too low.

But then she thought about it again, and realized that it was already extremely rare for the Empress Dowager to agree to let her enter the palace.

So he didn't say anything.

After leaving the palace, Shunzhi ordered Aobai to investigate whether there was anything wrong with Dong'e Wanyue.

Ao Bai's eyes flickered slightly, and he took his leave.

Soon it was time for another banquet.

Amidst the clinking of glasses and the exchange of toasts, the ministers' expressions revealed their inner turmoil.

However, Shunzhi was very pleased with the respectful demeanor.

Of course, it's true that he ignored Sherry today.

Sherry also bypassed him and drank directly with the Empress Dowager, causing Shunzhi to involuntarily feel a throbbing vein on his forehead.

She couldn't help but glare angrily at Sherry.

Would Sherry agree to that?!

As Shirley tugged at his arm, Shunzhi looked over and saw Shirley casually roll her eyes at him.

I must say, even when she rolls her eyes, she's good-looking.

Just as he realized that the Empress had rolled her eyes at him, Sherry calmly looked away.

He smiled as he looked down at the geisha.

This infuriated Emperor Shunzhi.

Many of the courtiers who were nearby saw this scene and hurriedly drank their wine.

They thought there was something wrong with their eyes, otherwise how could they have seen the Empress rolling her eyes at the Emperor?!

As dusk fell, the banquet came to an end.

After thinking for an afternoon about how to deal with Xue Li, Shunzhi learned from Ao Bai that Dong E Wan Yue's purse had the scent of incense.

That's not the point. The point is that the aromatherapy can easily arouse a man's desire.