Shui Ling did not hide her eyes and read the contents of the secret decree clearly.

The emperor smiled and said, "Fortunately, you are illiterate. I feel particularly relieved to have you by my side to serve me. I just like your innocent look."

Shui Ling looked worried: "Your Majesty, if someone wants to harm me, will you help me?"

The emperor comforted him, "Don't worry, no one dares to harm you, and no one can harm you."

"But I've been feeling unwell lately, having nightmares every night, and often breaking out in cold sweats. I always feel like there's a pair of eyes staring at me in the dark! I think there's something dirty going on!"

Shui Ling said this, leaning pitifully into the emperor's arms.

"Nonsense!" The emperor stood up and pushed Shui Ling away.

It looked like he was obviously angry.

"Your Majesty, someone must be trying to harm me. You..."

"Alright, it's probably because of the hot weather that you're irritable and have these wild thoughts. Go to bed early. Zhao Xu, take Lingpin back."

Seeing that his goal had been achieved, the emperor was too lazy to play along with Shui Ling anymore and simply ordered her to leave.

Zhao Xu walked in and said respectfully, "Empress Lingpin, I am here to see you off."

"Your Majesty~" Shui Ling pulled the emperor's sleeve and acted coquettishly.

"I told you to get out!"

The emperor pushed her away in dissatisfaction, his eyes wide with anger.

Realizing later that he had gone too far, he said coldly, "I hate those nonsense remarks the most. Go back and reflect on it. Come back to serve me in two days."

Shui Ling was so scared that she started crying and her hands were shaking.

She didn't dare to beg for mercy or explain.

"Your Majesty, please go back first. The Emperor has a lot of things to do and has no time to accompany you." Zhao Xu advised kindly.

Finally, Shui Ling stood up and bowed: "I know I was wrong, and I will think twice before speaking again. I will take my leave."

The emperor didn't even raise his head.

After Shui Ling and Zhao Xu left, he wrote another secret decree.

After a long time, Zhao Xu came in from outside and presented a note to the emperor: "Your Majesty, this is the news from Fu Ping."

The emperor took it, unfolded it and saw that the virtuous concubine falsely accused the noble concubine of practicing witchcraft, intending to let Shui Ling search the Yongle Palace.