Man Huan knew perfectly well that the miscarriage story was a lie, but outsiders didn't know that, especially Liu Wenxin, who was definitely up to no good.

Liu Wenxin was scolded by Man Huan, but instead of being angry, she looked somewhat helpless and timidly looked at Shen Mingzhuang.

"Your Majesty... I didn't know Your Majesty couldn't drink tea..." She looked flustered and hurriedly tried to kneel down.

Shen Mingzhuang remained silent, quietly observing Liu Wenxin as if she were an object.

She used to think she was a weak person, but she never expected her to be two-faced. She was really resourceful when it mattered, dared to gamble and fight, and was good at enduring hardship, like a snake lurking in the dark, waiting for the right moment to bite you.

If this temperament were in a boy's body, would he have any worries about his future?

Shen Mingzhuang gave a cold laugh, a cold light flashing in his calm eyes.

"Although you are of average appearance and mediocre in every way, the Emperor is willing to dote on you. You should cherish this blessing."

The words "plain-looking" and "mediocre in every way" were like a sharp blade piercing Liu Wenxin's chest.

She looked up and saw Shen Mingzhuang's calm eyes and serene, fearless expression. Despite the miscarriage, she was still breathtakingly beautiful, which made her heart sink and she lower her head.

Compared to Shen Mingzhuang, she was indeed of average appearance. But think about it, how many people could compare to Shen Mingzhuang? Her beauty was rare in the world, so there was no reason for her to say that.

"Your Majesty's teachings will be remembered." She said thank you, but the hatred in her heart was like poison, bitter and painful!

Just then, a eunuch announced loudly from outside, "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has arrived!"

Shen Mingzhuang sat in his seat without moving.

Liu Wenxin glanced at her, hesitated, but ultimately said nothing and turned to go out to greet her.

Upon seeing this newly appointed Consort Shu, Yin Rong couldn't help but show a look of disappointment.

She had originally thought she was a stunning beauty, but it turned out she was only this pretty? She had even thought that if she were exceptionally beautiful, she could make good use of her and perhaps become a sharp sword she placed beside Jiang Wang.

It's a pity. Although she has won Jiang Wang's favor now, she is such a person. I'm afraid this favor will only last for a short time.

"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager!" Liu Wenxin stepped forward gracefully and performed the proper greeting.

The Empress Dowager then withdrew her scrutinizing gaze, chuckled, and placed her hand on the back of Liu Wenxin's hand. Her gilded, intricately carved nail guards gently scraped against Liu's hand, which was somewhat rough from her hard work. "I heard Consort Ming has returned?"

Liu Wenxin, her eyes lowered, couldn't help but flash a complicated expression. She responded softly, "Your Majesty, Consort Ming has indeed returned and is currently in my Hehuan Palace."

Upon hearing the words "Your Majesty the Concubine," Yin Rong paused slightly, then chuckled, her eyes softening with kindness. She took Liu Wenxin's hand and said with a smile, "Come on, help me inside and let's see our Consort Ming."

Upon hearing this, Liu Wenxin's heart skipped a beat. She respectfully replied, "Yes," and helped the Empress Dowager into the hall.

Seeing the two people enter the hall together, Shen Mingzhuang didn't even lift his eyelids. He gently put the orange segment in his hand into his mouth and chewed it carefully.

In the winter, the oranges were a bit cold, and she couldn't help but squint. Her raven-feather-like eyelashes trembled slightly, and even a slight frown filled the room with charm.

Yin Rong looked at her, a hint of regret flashing in her eyes. Such good looks, but she was so stubborn. Otherwise, it would be so good to have her for my own use.

She wanted to leave the palace and become a nun while still keeping her hair to express her jealousy, thinking that this would force a king to bow down to her?

As Yin Rong thought about it, a mocking expression involuntarily appeared on her lips.

"I've come to see you." She didn't rebuke Shen Mingzhuang for his arrogance and disrespect, and sat down opposite him.

Shuangxi scolded in a low voice, "How dare you! How dare you be so arrogant in front of the Empress Dowager! You should..."

“Hey, Shuangxi.” Yin Rong waved her hand, telling her to stop. “Mingfei is in poor health now, so you shouldn’t be talking about rules here.”

Then she looked at Shen Mingzhuang and said, "As a woman myself, I sympathize with you for losing your child. But as the emperor's stepmother, your mother-in-law, and the Empress Dowager of Tianzhong, I must advise you that it is your duty as a wife and concubine to produce offspring for the royal family. Now that the imperial heir has been lost, it is because you lack the virtue to do so. Since you do not wish to stay in the palace, why not shave your head and become a nun? I think that would be the only way to show sincerity."

Shen Mingzhuang finished the whole orange unhurriedly before looking up at the Empress Dowager, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes. "In that case, why don't you come with me out of the palace to shave your head and become a nun? After all, as the Empress Dowager, you have only given birth to a princess who is nothing. Perhaps you are reaping the consequences of your past life's bloodshed?"

Upon hearing the words "karmic retribution," Yin Rong's face immediately darkened. She slammed her hand on the coffee table, her eyes turning so sinister they seemed to drip water. "Shen Mingzhuang, I'm giving you some face, don't push your luck!"

Shen Mingzhuang took another orange, peeled it himself, and threw the peel on the ground. The peel rolled to the Empress Dowager's feet, and she glanced down at it, her chest heaving even more. "Shen Mingzhuang!"

"What do you want?" Shen Mingzhuang was extremely annoyed. She didn't know what the Empress Dowager was trying to do. Why couldn't she just stay in her own palace? Why did she have to come and provoke her? "You're really asking for trouble. Are you tired of living?"

Although the Empress Dowager has been greatly weakened these days, she is still the most honored woman in the harem. She has never been scolded like this before, especially by a concubine who is not favored!

"Are you looking for death?"

Shen Mingzhuang, feeling irritated, swept the tea tray, teacups, and teapot off the tea table. With a crash, the tea tray and teacups hit the Empress Dowager, and the teapot landed on her knees. The scalding tea immediately soaked into her skirt, and Yin Rong's face changed drastically as she jumped up from the burn. Shuangxi, Fugui, and the other palace maids from Cixi Palace and Hehuan Palace were terrified and rushed towards the Empress Dowager like a tidal wave.

"Empress Dowager, are you alright?"

"Quickly, summon the imperial physician!"

"Your Majesty, why don't you change your clothes first? These clothes are padded, and the cotton can hold hot water. If you don't change them..."

"What are you saying? My clothes are wet, it's not like I've lost my mind!" Yin Rong was seething with rage at this moment, wanting nothing more than to turn Shen Mingzhuang into pieces of dried meat. She was furious at being dealing with such a bunch of stupid servants and wanted nothing more than to execute all these idiots. "Hurry up and write down what needs to be done to help me change my clothes!!!"

Shen Mingzhuang found it all very annoying.

She pursed her lips, stood up, gently rubbed her neck, and then stepped out of the Hehuan Palace.