Fortunately, there was no one else around, otherwise even if she were Liu Zhu or Huan Bi, she would be utterly ashamed.

At this moment, Zhen Huan had lost all interest in playing the zither. She stopped playing and whispered, "Fourth Prince, we..."

Before she could finish speaking, the chubby orange cat said, "Keep playing, I like to hear it."

Helpless, Zhen Huan suppressed her shyness and burning desire, feeling as if ants were crawling all over her body.

His fingers plucked the strings haphazardly, and the melody of "Phoenix Seeking its Mate" was played in fragments, broken and incomplete.

Sometimes it rushes by like a waterfall cascading down a cliff, sometimes it moves slowly like falling leaves.

The bamboo, as thick as an arm, swayed without wind, as if providing accompaniment, startling a flock of birds that were searching for food.

Liu Zhu Huanbi, who was guarding outside the bamboo forest, looked bewildered, not understanding why her mistress, who was clearly skilled in playing the zither, suddenly seemed to have never learned it.

Only Cui Jinxi, with her extensive experience, had a smile on her face that she couldn't hide no matter what she did.

.........

The bright moon rises high, and its cool light shines through the window onto the bedside, mingling with the warm yellow candlelight.

Zhen Huan lay lazily in the arms of the chubby orange, her fingers slowly sliding across his chest, arousing the chubby orange's desire once again.

However, often the desire is willing but the ability is insufficient...

"Your Highness is in such high spirits today, is there something that makes you happy? Could you tell Huanhuan about it, so that Huanhuan can share in your joy?"

The chubby orange said, "The affairs of the previous dynasty have troubled me, so I came to see you. You are my confidante."

Zhen Huan laughed and said, "Fourth Prince only knows how to use these sweet words to fool Huan Huan. I'm afraid there are many women in the harem who can understand his words."

Big Fat Orange thought about Consort Hua, who was a domineering flower, and then about Sun Miaoqing, who was a foxtail grass. Compared to her, he was only truly comfortable and at ease with Zhen Huan.

Heaven and earth can bear witness that what he just said was absolutely true.

“In my heart, you are different from them.”

Zhen Huan sneered inwardly, always telling her in her ear that she was different, as if she loved her so much.

She was different from others, at least the others were still human, but she was just a shadow!

"Si Lang said that Huan Huan is a woman who understands your heart, so let Huan Huan guess why Si Lang is angry, shall we?"

The chubby orange cat said, "Go ahead and tell me."

Zhen Huan asked, "Is it about the Northwest military rations being robbed, and the Songyang County magistrate's attempted escape with the funds?"

When the topic turned to politics, the chubby orange cat, who had been speaking softly just moments before, suddenly became serious.

"Good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels fast; you all know about it now."

Although her tone was calm, Zhen Huan still sensed the suspicion in Pang Ju's words.

Is he suspecting there's a loudspeaker in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, or is he wondering why she brought it up on her own initiative?

Perhaps both are true...

Zhen Huan seemed oblivious, nestled coquettishly against his chest, and raised her head to say, "Your Majesty has forgotten that Sister An is from Songyang. Her father, An Bihai, was the magistrate of Songyang County and was one of the people who escorted military supplies."

"Jiang Wenqing committed a crime, and the others were also detained. When Sister An found out, her eyes were red from crying. She was both anxious and angry. I felt sorry for her, so I asked on her behalf."

Upon hearing this, the fat orange cat's doubts subsided. "So that's how it is. It wasn't her who begged you to plead for her father before me?"

Zhen Huan said, "No, Your Majesty. My sister An and I are in the inner palace, how would we know about these things? Although she thinks that Uncle An is cowardly and wouldn't dare to do these things, she was implicated."

"But since I didn't see it with my own eyes, I was worried that Anbihai might be a disappointment and make a serious mistake, bringing shame to the Emperor."

“His Majesty is a benevolent and wise ruler. Sister An believes that His Majesty is just and impartial and will not allow anyone to suffer an injustice.”

The chubby orange cat said, "Is this Consort Jing's idea, or yours?"

Zhen Huan stroked the large, plump orange's chest and said softly, "When I was young, I also read through history books. When wise and virtuous rulers dealt with their subjects, they often reprimanded the ruler but were lenient with the subjects, using both kindness and severity, and combining leniency with strictness."

"His Majesty is a wise ruler; he must have already made his decision."

The chubby orange said, "I only knew you were well-read before, but I never expected you to have such insight. I underestimated you."

Zhen Huan said, "Your Majesty, I am but a woman. I was presumptuous in front of Your Majesty just now. Please forgive me."

Big Fat Orange said, "Although the harem is not allowed to interfere in politics, it's okay to say a few words in private."

"Husbands and wives should speak freely and not be concerned about such things."

Zhen Huan said, "Your Majesty is in a good mood, that's why I said that."

"If the Emperor ever gets angry with Huanhuan and remembers these things, he'll blame her for being too talkative."

The chubby orange said, "Nizi is becoming more and more cunning. She has been corrupted by Consort Cheng. I have been too lenient with you."

Zhen Huan said shyly, "I am not as understanding as my other sisters. I only know how to make my husband angry."

Big Fat Orange felt a strong tingling sensation in his chest, which meant he was probably ready again.

With a gasp from Zhen Huan, a splash of crimson was thrown out from the lightly draped gauze curtains, and in the moonlight, the pattern of mandarin ducks playing in the water could be vaguely seen.

The next morning, when Zhen Huan woke up, the big fat orange cat was nowhere to be seen.

Cui Jinxi stood guard behind the screen and rushed forward to serve Zhen Huan when she saw her get up.

"Your Highness, please rise. His Majesty has some official business to attend to and has left. He left quietly and specifically instructed us not to disturb your peaceful sleep."

Zhen Huan remained noncommittal. "I'm a little hungry. Let's eat first. Send someone to tell Ling Rong not to worry, that everything will be alright."

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