The first thing Xie Zhaohua did upon returning to his palace was to summon Ruoyun and inquire about the mysterious woman's background.

"Your Majesty, I heard that the woman climbed into His Majesty's carriage on the night you left the palace to visit your family. Hmph, I wonder what kind of seductive tricks she used to bewitch His Majesty."

"As you know, His Majesty has never been interested in women, and he will fly into a rage if he smells even a strong scent of cosmetics."

"Now, in order to satisfy that vixen, he has searched all the incense shops in the capital, just to find the fragrance she desires."

"Not only that, His Majesty even takes her with him to court. Anyone who dares to speak ill of her will be dragged out of the hall in the next instant."

“This servant specially bribed Ginkgo, who serves in the Imperial Study. She said that sometimes His Majesty would coax that woman, pleading with her in a low voice not to cry, and would even allow her to sit on His Majesty's dragon…”

Ruoyun got so carried away that she didn't notice her master's increasingly unpleasant expression.

Enough!

Ruoyun's words pierced Xie Zhaohua's heart with every single one.

strangeness.

She clearly had no feelings for Xiao Yuchen and never thought of asking for his affection.

But the thought that Xiao Yuchen, who was a man of few desires and never smiled, and who would not touch Xie Zhaohua even if he had her by his side and offered her the position of empress, could actually make him lose his mind and become obsessed with another woman.

Xie Zhaohua felt inexplicably bittersweet.

I feel wronged.

In her past life, no other concubine could get close to Xiao Yuchen except for her.

Does this mean that anyone who owns his carriage that night will be kept by his side and enjoy a life of luxury and wealth?

Is his favor so easily and disregarded?

Xie Zhaohua suddenly stood up.

"Your Majesty, where are you going?"

"The Imperial Study".

Even though she was absolutely certain that the woman Xiao Yuchen brought back was not Fu Yu, she couldn't help but overthink and feel agitated if she didn't see the vixen's face with her own eyes.

As Xie Zhaohua approached the door of the Imperial Study, he suddenly stopped.

Ruoyun and the other maids following behind her almost bumped into her.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong?"

Yes, what happened to her?

How could I have been blinded by inexplicable anger?

Having finally been given a second chance at life, she still has to fall into that tyrant's trap?

Upon closer reflection, if he truly loved the mysterious woman, he should have revealed her identity long ago, elevated her to the position of empress, and granted her a lifetime of wealth and honor.

Why would she be so secretive as to always wear a veil in public?

Perhaps this woman never existed!

It was all a scheme set up by Xiao Yuchen!

He was just waiting for Xie Zhaohua to take the bait.

This prompted Xie Zhaohua, who has a very high sense of self-respect, to willingly surrender and get close to him!

Yes, that must be it.

That night, after Xiao Yuchen met Fu Yu, given his cunning nature, he would definitely try to get information out of Fu Yu.

As long as Fu Yu tells the truth, that Xie Zhaohua told her that the Sun family was recruiting maids.

Xiao Yuchen will definitely discover the flaw.

Because the Sun family doesn't live in the suburbs of Beijing at all!

Xie Zhaohua clenched her handkerchief and turned to return to the palace.

They walked faster and faster.

It's all her fault for acting impulsively and almost failing to see through Xiao Yuchen's scheme.

He is the male protagonist of this storybook world, while Xie Zhaohua is the female protagonist.

Would he like anyone else besides her?

You're just scaring yourself.

Xie Zhaohua finally felt relieved.

The reason why my heart suddenly clenched before was also forgotten.

"Your Majesty."

Seeing Xie Zhaohua alternating between anger and laughter, Ruoyun asked worriedly, "Your Majesty, are you alright?"

What could possibly be wrong with me?

"Are you really not bothered by that vixen? Aren't you afraid that His Majesty will favor her alone and even give her the position of Empress?"

Xie Zhaohua looked knowing and said confidently, "I'm afraid His Majesty won't give it to her."

"ah?"

Ruoyun looked puzzled.

Has the master gone mad?

Xie Zhaohua returned to her palace and resumed her previous life of never leaving the palace.

The spring hunt will be held in a few days.

Pei Jingheng returned to the capital as usual to report on the military situation.

If she can survive until she meets Pei Jingheng and begs him to take her away, she can avoid the tragedy of her past life.

Every year, the spring hunt is accompanied by an extremely grand and luxurious ceremony.

The hunting grounds on the outskirts of the city were heavily guarded, so much so that not even a fly could get in.

Xiao Yuchen stipulated this year that the concubines in the harem were not required to participate.

However, in order to create an opportunity for Xie Zhaohua to be alone with Xiao Yuchen, Empress Dowager Yu forcibly brought Xie Zhaohua along under the guise of being cousins.

Xie Zhaohua, filled with anticipation, kowtowed to express her gratitude to the Empress Dowager.

Empress Dowager Yu thought she had finally come to her senses, but little did she know that she was waiting to meet Pei Jingheng.

Inside Xiao Yuchen's carriage.

Fu Yu nestled in Xiao Yuchen's arms, her delicate brows furrowing slightly.

It's all because I went too wild last night; I have absolutely no memory of what happened in the end.

All I remember is Xiao Yuchen, with that ascetic face, saying some filthy love words.

Fu Yu barely moved, and Xiao Yuchen immediately became alert and hugged her from behind.

"Xiao Yuchen, I can't breathe."

"Is that so? Then I will transfer my breath to you."

Before he finished speaking, Xiao Yuchen leaned down and kissed Fu Yu, breathing air into her mouth little by little.

Even after countless kisses, it still doesn't feel like enough.

Xiao Yuchen's world is not lacking in power, wealth, worship, or endless curses.

He just lacks love.

He knew that only Fu Yu could make up for this love.

Fu Yu bit Xiao Yuchen's lip, feeling annoyed.

"Xiao Yuchen, go to hell."

Her voice trembled at the end, sounding both delicate and charming.

"What will you do if I die?"

Xiao Yuchen narrowed his eyes. "Ayu, are you willing to let me die?"

How could I not be reluctant?

Fu Yu leaned in and sat in Xiao Yuchen's lap, biting his neck hard.

Xiao Yuchen felt her teeth biting through his skin, penetrating his flesh.

Yes, that's it.

His gaze revealed an almost morbid madness.

"If I could truly die by your hand, it would be my honor."

This was the first time Fu Yu had ever seen a man so fond of being injured.

The more you torture him, the more pleasure he gets.

Well, let's respect other people's fates.

Besides, didn't she also enjoy seeing Xiao Yuchen begging her with red eyes after he had tasted the sweetness of it?

In this respect, they are evenly matched, and neither should claim superiority.

Upon arriving at the hunting grounds, Xiao Yuchen helped Fu Yu down from the imperial carriage. Worried that she might catch a cold, he draped a black robe over her shoulders.

Fu Yu's legs were weak and she didn't want to walk, so Xiao Yuchen carried her to the tent to rest.

Xie Zhaohua and Empress Dowager Yu stepped off the carriage and happened to see the palace maids on both sides of the tent lifting the curtains.

A hint of displeasure flashed in Empress Dowager Yu's eyes.

"See? For the sake of this vixen, they actually forbade the harem from participating in the spring hunt."

"His Majesty is becoming more and more lawless."

Seeing that Xie Zhaohua did not reply, Empress Dowager Yu frowned deeply.

Just as I was about to warn her not to do whatever she wanted anymore, I saw Xie Zhaohua looking terrified, her face as pale as snow in the sunlight.