"Who knew she wouldn't know what was good for her, running away on her wedding night, and somehow getting involved with... His Majesty."

"Throughout history, which emperor didn't have three palaces and six courtyards, with three thousand beauties? The existence of the harem was to maintain balance in the court. Now, His Majesty is doing this for a woman..."

Xie Zhaohua distanced herself from the situation, omitting the background, and portrayed Fu Yu as a scheming and obsequious concubine who would stop at nothing to seize the emperor's favor.

After she finished speaking, she waited expectantly for Pei Jingheng's reaction.

Given Pei Jingheng's upright and righteous personality, he would definitely despise Fu Yu and wish he could get rid of her as soon as possible.

Just as Pei Jingheng was about to speak, a bodyguard rushed over and whispered a few words in his ear.

Pei Jingheng narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Zhaohua, something has happened with the Imperial Guards that I urgently need to handle. I'll come find you after you leave the palace and settle down at the Xie family."

"Okay, I'll wait for you!"

Xie Zhaohua's chest trembled slightly as she watched Pei Jingheng's departing figure, a secret hope lingering in her eyes.

The bodyguard who left with Pei Jingheng turned back and glanced thoughtfully at Xie Zhaohua.

"Young Master, those pastries..."

"Buy another one and send it to the palace."

Pei Jingheng's fox-like eyes narrowed into slits.

In the darkness, it's like a wild fox eyeing its prey, waiting for an opportunity to deceive and lure it.

Xie Zhaohua returned to the inner palace.

By this time, the harem was completely deserted.

Apart from her, everyone who should have left, and everyone who shouldn't have left, has left.

Two palace maids approached from a distance, their laughter quite melodious.

It was completely out of place in the quiet and desolate deep palace.

"Including this time, I've delivered water eight times now."

"This is nothing. Last time, I delivered it twelve times."

"I don't know if Your Majesty's back aches, but mine is about to break."

"Only the Empress could make His Majesty so addicted to this taste."

"Of course, our Empress is the best, she..."

Before Donghe could finish speaking, Xie Zhaohua, who was coming towards her, slapped her across the face.