Concubine Xu dug her nails, painted with red nails, into the tender palm of her hand. She seemed to feel no pain at all and looked at Xiao Yan in disbelief.

But the man never even gave her a look.

After a long while, Concubine Xu finally said, "...I obey your order."

After Concubine Xu was punished for offending the Queen, the concubines in the harem became terrified, and even the servants under them did not dare to fool around.

Especially since the emperor stayed in the Empress's Kunning Palace for seven consecutive days, no one dared to look down on Ning Yu.

"Host, do you still want to continue taking the contraceptive pills?" The system's voice sounded in Ning Yu's mind, "One contraceptive pill is only effective for seven days."

Ning Yu nodded gently. "Please help me exchange it. This body is full of depression and is not suitable for bearing children. There is no rush now."

Soon, a pill emitting a faint glow appeared in Ning Yu's hand.

Ning Yu opened her lips slightly and swallowed the pill, which melted in her mouth.

Xiangli came over and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, I have prepared the fragrant bath, please take a bath."

Ning Yu had already bathed and waved his hand, "His Majesty won't be coming tonight, so let's clear out."

Xiangli was a little confused, "Why?"

Ning Yu explained calmly, "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, so he naturally wouldn't allow himself to be obsessed with a woman, even if I am the Queen, his wife."

Even in the original text, although the heroine Chen Zhu sat on the throne of queen with the help of Xiao Yan, she was not the only one favored.

"Lixiang, the palace gates can be unlocked now."

Ning Yu yawned lightly. She hadn't slept well these days because she had been helping the dog emperor sleep. Tonight, she could finally have a good rest.

Lixiang sighed when she saw that Ning Yu didn't seem anxious at all.

Imperial study.

Xiao Yan glanced out the window. It was already dark. The eunuch from the Imperial Household Department held up a red lacquer tray and said, as usual, "Your Majesty, it's time to turn the tables."

Xiao Yan felt a hint of impatience. His eyes inadvertently fell on the ivory plaque in the middle. The large gilded characters read "Ye Cairen". His mind couldn't help but imagine Ye Cairen's appearance, a pretty lady, but her eyes were somewhat similar to the queen's. He immediately tossed Ye Cairen's ivory plaque into the eunuch's arms and said lazily, "Let's take her."

The eunuch in the Jingshifang was stunned for a moment. He originally thought that His Majesty would go to the Empress's place today, but being able to let His Majesty stay overnight for seven consecutive days was quite a big deal.

Eunuch Fu, who was serving Xiao Yan, was not surprised.

Your Majesty may seem sentimental, but he is actually a hard-hearted person and will never allow himself to become overly obsessed with women.

He remembered that there was a dancer who was beautiful and had a slender waist. In addition, the dancer had extraordinary skills, so he managed to favor her for half a month.

Later, the dancer accidentally bumped into Concubine Xu and was beaten to death. Her body below the abdomen was a bloody mess. His Majesty casually had her buried, and Concubine Xu was unharmed.

Xiao Yan didn't know why he thought of Ning Yu's eyes, which were filled with tears. He thought about whether the Queen might be waiting for him in Kunning Palace. After thinking for a while, he instructed Eunuch Fu, "Send someone to the Queen and tell her that I won't be going there tonight."

Eunuch Fu was slightly startled, but he didn't take it seriously. He just thought that the emperor was heartbroken for the empress who had just lost the little prince.

Eunuch Fu quickly called a clever eunuch over. The young eunuch returned shortly after and said cautiously, "Your Majesty, when I went there, the Kunning Palace had already been locked."

Xiao Yan's handsome face was like frost, and he felt an indescribable irritation in his heart. He pursed his lips and said, "Let's go to Yuluoxuan."

The night was dark. Xiao Yan had just finished visiting Concubine Ye and had already come out of Yu Luoxuan without being delayed for too long.

Eunuch Fu muttered to himself, it seems that Concubine Ye does not please His Majesty, as she came out so soon.

For the next two months, including fixed days every month, the emperor did not visit Kunning Palace. Everyone in the harem was very happy, thinking that the emperor was tired of the queen.

Li Xiang was secretly anxious and couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, a few days ago, Concubine Li and Concubine Ye brought some soup to the Imperial Study. Your Majesty remembered it and went to their palace to sit for a while. The small kitchen just happened to have cooked some icy cold dumplings, which are soft and glutinous to relieve the heat. Why don't we go and deliver some too?"

Ning Yu pondered for a moment and nodded. Now that she had been out of favor for more than two months, it was time for her to take the initiative.

Outside the imperial study.

The young eunuch guarding the gate was feeling tired from the scorching summer sun outside. Suddenly, he heard several footsteps coming from the front. Upon looking carefully, he found that it was the Queen Mother who had arrived. He quickly perked up.

Li Xiang forced a smile and handed a bulging purse to the young eunuch, "Her Majesty is concerned about His Majesty and has specially prepared some food to relieve the heat. Please inform the eunuch."

The young eunuch weighed it up secretly and immediately went in to report.

As soon as the young eunuch entered, he saw a tall and upright man standing inside, reporting to the emperor. He was dressed in black robes, with his black hair tied up high with a jade crown. He looked neat and majestic, with a murderous aura lingering around him.

Perhaps the young eunuch had been looking for too long, and the man's casual glance was like a sharp sword stabbing past, deep and cold. The young eunuch was suddenly frightened and knelt on the ground with a thud.

Xiao Yan frowned slightly, his tone impatient, "What's the matter? Can't you see that I and Lord Chu are discussing something?!"

The young eunuch hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, the Empress is here."

Xiao Yan's brows suddenly relaxed, and the corners of his mouth curled up unconsciously, "Why don't you invite the Queen in?"

It seems that the Queen still has me in her heart, otherwise why would she come to the Imperial Study on her own initiative?

Chu Hewang's eyes were sharp, and he immediately noticed that His Majesty's mood had improved. Was it because of the Queen?

But in his impression, His Majesty had always disliked his first wife and had never had a good face towards her.

He had only been away from Beijing for more than two months, and such a change had occurred?

The young eunuch received the emperor's order and quickly withdrew. He said to Ning Yu, "Empress, His Majesty invites you in."

Ning Yu nodded slightly and walked in slowly carrying the red lacquer food box. His eyes suddenly caught the man in front of him. When he got closer, he could faintly smell a bloody smell.

Ning Yu frowned slightly, then quietly moved away a few steps and saluted Xiao Yan, "Your Majesty."

Chu Hewang saw Ning Yu's actions and glanced at her subconsciously. He saw that the woman's salute was standard and boring, her voice was flat as water, but her facial features were exactly the opposite. She was extremely beautiful, with slightly pale skin and slightly red thin lips, which inexplicably made people want to destroy her.

Chu Hewang withdrew his gaze, his expression calm, and said with a bow, "I will take my leave."

Xiao Yan waved his hand and personally came down to help Ning Yu up.

Before Chu Hewang left the imperial study, he vaguely heard the Queen's voice, "Your Majesty, you must try the ice-cold dumplings made by me..."

There was a hint of coquettishness in her manner, and she was soft and tender, without any trace of the indifference she showed when she was greeting someone.

It was like a wisp of mist that penetrated into Chu Hewang's heart.