Ye Wenxi's gaze was deep, and she lowered her voice: "Does Your Majesty know... about the past between Emperor Rongcheng, the current Empress, and... the former Crown Prince?"

Gu Jingchun's eyes flickered slightly:

"I've heard about it. But... haven't these old grudges already been settled?"

Now that Emperor Rongcheng has married the Empress, why should he dwell on the past? The former Crown Prince is long dead, and the throne has changed hands; why should he still hold grudges?

Upon hearing this, Ye Wenxi's lips curled into a slightly mocking, bitter smile.

"Your Majesty, perhaps... you do not yet fully understand a man's mind."

"Many men in this world, especially when they deeply love a woman, have a possessiveness that is enough to burn away their reason. They wish they could completely erase all of her past and make her belong only to themselves."

"And for some men, what they can't let go of, what they care about most, is women..."

He paused here, seemingly a little embarrassed, glanced at Gu Jingchun, and then continued somewhat awkwardly, "It's about a woman's first time."

"The rumors circulating in the palace now are directed at the Empress. They say that no blood was seen on her wedding night, so they suspect that she is not a virgin."

"What's more, some people even suspect that His Highness the Crown Prince is not His Majesty's biological son."

Upon hearing this, Gu Jingchun was slightly taken aback, then let out a soft hum.

"What a ridiculous joke! Back then, it was Emperor Rongcheng who disregarded the Empress's wishes and forcibly abducted her into the palace."

Now, at this crucial moment, he's suddenly worrying about this?

Gu Jingchun snorted coldly again as he spoke.

“You men are really interesting. You have three wives and four concubines, yet you demand that women remain faithful to one man and be virgins.”

"In my opinion, in this world, it is appropriate for women to have three wives and four concubines. Men can then focus on making money outside, which will save women from fighting over each other."

Upon hearing this, Ye Wenxi looked up in shock, then coughed awkwardly before hesitantly speaking:

"Your idea... isn't entirely unreasonable."

Gu Jingchun casually waved his hand.

"I think I'd better forget about it. You men are quite adept at being jealous."

Leaving aside others, just consider Shen Hechuan. If he heard this and thought she had such thoughts, who knows how he would torment her in a sinister way in the future.

Even for his own safety, Gu Jingchun had to shake off this dangerous thought.

So she immediately shook her head and said:

"In that case, let's return to the palace as soon as possible. You've drunk too much today, so rest well first, and we'll set off early tomorrow morning."

After saying that, she immediately turned and left.

Ye Wenxi watched her retreating figure, her eyes filled with undisguised disappointment. After a long while, she let out a self-deprecating hum.

He genuinely hoped that Gu Jingchun would have such thoughts.

In this way, he might still have a sliver of a chance to stand by her side.

Otherwise, given his background, he was destined not to catch her eye.

Over the years, he went to great lengths and used every means to finally stand by her side.

Therefore, he specially sought out the pair of jade bracelets, intending to confess his feelings to her upon his return, but unexpectedly, he was a step too late.

Upon her return, she learned that the Crown Prince had taken her to the palace.

Although he knew Gu Jingchun's temperament, he still harbored a faint hope that she had no interest in the Crown Prince.

But that night, when he caught a glimpse of Gu Jingchun's gaze towards Shen Hechuan, he understood everything.

At that moment, consumed by jealousy, he couldn't help but provoke him with words.

Just like tonight, he provoked again, simply because of the resentment in his heart.

He watched helplessly as Gu Jingchun helped Shen Hechuan leave, and was so jealous that he deliberately summoned her.

At this moment, even the thought of seeing her again was a luxury.

Once he returns to Tiandu, he fears that even seeing her will be as difficult as ascending to heaven.

Thinking of this, Ye Wenxi felt increasingly bitter and closed her eyes to lie down.

Seeing this, the servant beside him quickly covered him with a thin blanket.

Ye Wenxi remained silent for a long time before slowly uttering a sentence:

"I remember that what I just said was 'inadvertently' revealed to someone."

The servant understood immediately and replied, "Yes, sir."

The next day, at dawn.

Everyone got up early to pack their bags.

By the time everything was settled, it was already broad daylight.

When Gu Jingchun and his group went out, they found that the area outside the door was already crowded with people.

Upon seeing Gu Jingchun and Shen Hechuan emerge, they immediately knelt on the ground, expressing their gratitude in the most sincere way.

As soon as Gu Jingchun boarded the carriage, the people rushed forward, offering all sorts of food and snacks, filling the luggage of Lanxin, Xiaoman, and the others.

Looking through the car window at the earnest expectations and gratitude in the eyes of the people, Gu Jinxi felt a surge of emotion.

He turned his head, his clear eyes looking at Gu Jingchun, his tone more resolute than ever before:

"Mother, I like this feeling."

I want to help the people; I want to use my own strength to make their lives better.

Gu Jingchun nodded with a smile and gently stroked the top of his head:

"Then Xi'er, you must work harder in the future, follow your teacher and father, and learn the ways of governing the country and bringing peace to the people. In this way, you can better help these common people."

Gu Jinxi nodded emphatically:

"Don't worry, Mother. This time when I return to the palace, I will definitely not be lazy or slack off!"

Gu Jingchun said gently:

"However, once you return to the palace, do not restrain yourself as much as before, forget your true nature, or dare not speak your mind."

Gu Jinxi's eyes were bright:

"Don't worry, Mother, I will definitely not let you down this time!"

Seeing his son's confident expression, Gu Jingchun smiled with satisfaction.

However, outside the carriage, Shen Hechuan, riding his horse, did not look too good.

He woke up this morning with a terrible headache.

The pain wasn't like a hangover; it felt more like a bump on my head.

He asked Tianji, who only said that when he was found, he was already lying on the ground.

He had no recollection of this.

He clearly remembered that it was Gu Jingchun who escorted him back to his room.

He even had a dream about it.

In his dream, Gu Jingchun was like a demon, her eyes full of charm, so alluring that he could hardly control himself.

The soft touch felt so real that if he hadn't woken up alone in his bedroom, he would have doubted whether he had actually been intimate with her the night before.

Shen Hechuan couldn't help but glance at Ye Wenxi.

Last night's clandestine confrontation with Ye Wenxi is still fresh in my mind.

If it was just speculation before, he was now absolutely certain—Ye Wenxi's feelings for Gu Jingchun were definitely not simple.

Ye Wenxi also rode behind him.

He stood up straight, but his face showed a slight weariness, which diminished his usual refined and scholarly air.

Noticing Shen Hechuan's gaze, he immediately bowed respectfully on horseback, his posture humble and submissive, a stark contrast to his arrogant and provocative demeanor yesterday.

Upon seeing this, Shen Hechuan couldn't help but let out a cold snort:

"Hmph! Pretentious."

After saying that, he spurred his horse forward a few steps, deliberately creating distance between himself and Ye Wenxi.

Ye Wenxi, however, did not rush. She gently pulled on the reins to slow the horse down, and when she arrived at Gu Jingchun's carriage, she raised her hand and gently knocked on the carriage window.