What you think in your mind is one thing, but what you do involuntarily is another.

Song Yi took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, but all he could smell was the woman's delicate orchid-like fragrance, cool and aloof yet with a hint of self-admiration, unlike ordinary perfumes, it was more like a natural body scent.

He couldn't resist grabbing Shen Mingzhuang's chin, and placing his other hand on her shoulder.

If he wanted, he could easily tear off her clothes with a single tug.

A barely controlled infatuation gradually surfaced in the young man's eyes. In the instant his fingertips twitched, his fair, delicate shoulder was exposed to the air. Song Yi couldn't help but gasp; the affection revealed by his body was undeniable.

He scooped her up in his arms and strode toward the bed. Shen Mingzhuang felt numb. Just as Song Yi was about to take the next step, she suddenly reached out and braced herself against his chest.

The scene was all too familiar. She had once blossomed under Jiang Wang's dragon robe. How could she accept another man's affections without any reservations? Did she really have to abandon everything, even her shame?

But a gust of wind swept by outside, and the next moment, a figure appeared in front of the bed.

Shen Mingzhuang involuntarily swallowed, a wave of panic washing over him.

With a cold expression, Jiang Wang stepped forward and struck Song Yi on the back. Song Yi instinctively resisted, but was forced to retreat due to being caught off guard by Jiang Wang.

"You brat, how dare you even dream of having designs on my women?"

Jiang Wang was now enraged, while Shen Mingzhuang watched with mixed feelings.

For some reason, seeing him appear at this moment, she felt a little secretly pleased. He must have been paying attention to her to come so quickly. But soon, this secret joy dissipated like clouds in her heart.

Song Yi had grown up with Jiang Wang since childhood. His temporary setback was only due to his lack of preparation. Now that he had regained his senses, his steps gradually became steady, and he began to calmly deal with Jiang Wang's moves.

"That's a woman you don't want. Since you don't cherish her, why not let her go?"

"Whether I want it or not is my business. Even if I waste paper writing on it, it can only be burned. There is no such thing as giving it to a servant. Song Yi, have I been too lenient with you? I didn't know you had such audacity that you even dared to touch Consort Ming!"

Song Yi had regained his senses by now. He knew that his behavior just now was inappropriate, but any explanation would seem too weak and powerless. He had to admit that he was indeed somewhat attracted to Shen Mingzhuang. After all, what man could resist such a beauty?

It's even more impossible for him to admit it, since he still holds the title of a subject. If Jiang Wang were to completely break ties with the Duke of Wen's mansion over this, even if he had the power to resist, he would only suffer heavy losses on both sides, which is not what he wants to see.

Just as he was distracted, Jiang Wang's palm strike came straight for his left chest. That palm strike carried the force of a sure kill. If he were hit, even if he survived by chance, his shoulder would be ruined.

Song Yi knew Jiang Wang well; he had the ability to do so.

He thought he had nowhere to escape this time, but unexpectedly a figure flashed by and Shen Mingzhuang appeared in front of him, taking Jiang Wang's palm strike with his own.

Two sharp palm strikes collided, and the tables, chairs, and display cabinet on both sides were sent flying by the aftershocks. Shen Mingzhuang was still too young. Although she had inherited Shi Jiang's palace power, she had only mastered it for a short time. It was like a child wearing adult clothes. This palm strike was too much for her to handle, and she was sent flying.

She only noticed two figures rushing towards her, but she lost consciousness.

Song Yi frowned, holding Shen Mingzhuang's shoulder, still somewhat shaken. He really hadn't expected Shen Mingzhuang to stand up, and Jiang Wang hadn't stopped. He hated him so much that he wished he could die on the spot, or even have Shen Mingzhuang die with him.

"She's carrying your child!"

Song Yi blurted out the words, anxiously picking up the man and running outside. They had to find the best doctor right now, otherwise Shen Mingzhuang's life would be in danger.

Holding the dying person in his arms, Song Yi felt a sudden pang of regret as the wind blew in his face. How could he have been so bewitched? He had completely forgotten that she was pregnant. If he had been able to control himself, Jiang Wang wouldn't have been so enraged, and none of this would have happened.

Jiang Wang was completely dumbfounded. He wondered if he had misheard, but he wouldn't be wrong about Song Yi's character. He wouldn't dare to speak so confidently if it weren't true.

He turned and followed, stopping Song Yi before he left.

“What kind of behavior is it to hold her like this? Only the palace has the best medicine right now. Hand her over to me.”

Upon hearing this, Song Yi took a deep look at the person in his arms before handing her over to Jiang Wang, saying, "Things aren't what you think. She's had a tough time, so don't be too harsh on her."

Jiang Wang said nothing and carried the person back to the palace.

The entire Imperial Medical Academy, including the physicians who treated the Empress Dowager at Cixi Palace, were summoned to the Emperor's bedroom.

When Shuangxi returned with the news, Yinrong's eyes widened in fury, but she couldn't speak. She could only gesture to her servants with her eyes. She couldn't express her anger verbally, nor could she show it through her actions. Her eyes were wide with rage, and she looked terrifying.

"Your Majesty, the Empress's health... the imperial heir cannot be saved."

Imperial Physician Jiang, the chief physician of the Imperial Medical Academy, replied with utmost deference, only hoping that the Emperor's wrath would be lessened and directed at him.

With a "crack," the two broken jade thumb rings fell in front of him. Physician Jiang was terrified, and his body trembled uncontrollably.

Thinking back to when Consort Shu suffered a miscarriage in the palace, the Emperor was not this furious. Now, however, he is so enraged because of Consort Ming.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me!"

Physician Jiang boldly said, "It's not entirely without a solution. It depends on whether His Majesty chooses to keep the mother or the baby... If the baby is kept, the fetus can be nourished by the mother's body, but the child will absorb all of the mother's nutrients, and in the end..."

Jiang Wang understood the meaning behind the unfinished words of Physician Jiang, as did everyone else in the hall.

Jiang Wang clenched his large hands, and the cracking sound of his joints grinding together could be heard.

Everyone awaited the Emperor's answer. The person on the bed slowly opened his eyes, his gaze blank. Jiang Wang stepped forward, his heart skipping a beat. "You betrayed me?"

Shen Mingzhuang's eyes were empty, and he smiled blankly, "If Your Majesty had brought the divorce papers earlier, the word 'betrayal' wouldn't have been used."