Can she refuse?

The answer is obvious.

Afterwards, Jiang Wang instructed Hou Linghai to bring the memorials from the Imperial Study to his bedchamber, where he spent the entire night reviewing them! Shen Mingzhuang, who had been serving him with writing and ink all night, couldn't help but curse Jiang Wang inwardly, thinking him utterly heartless and insane!

She needed to leave this place as soon as possible, lest she die in the line of duty at such a young age.

Jiang Wang appeared to be reviewing memorials with his eyes fixed straight ahead, but out of the corner of his eye, he clearly saw the actions of the person next to him. Seeing her yawning repeatedly but having to continue grinding ink, Jiang Wang felt that most of his anger had dissipated.

In the end, he still let her go back to sleep for half a day. Under the gaze of Shen Mingzhuang's beautiful eyes, which could not hide her resentment, Jiang Wang added nonchalantly, "I am kind-hearted."

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your gracious reward!" Shen Mingzhuang really wanted to slap Jiang Wang onto the dragon throne!

Having a rare opportunity to rest in the side room, Shen Mingzhuang quickened her pace, but then slowed down as she thought of something.

It seems that Jiang Wang has not visited the concubines in the harem during this period. Why is that? With three thousand beauties in the harem, it is impossible that he does not visit the harem normally, leaving so many beauties to live like widows.

The thought flashed through her mind, and Shen Mingzhuang shook her head repeatedly. What did it have to do with her?

Ci'an Hall.

Empress Dowager Yin, her face grim, burned the letter in her hand and coldly ordered, "Go and invite Consort Jin over for a cup of tea."

Soon, Consort Jin appeared outside Cixi Palace.

Upon seeing Empress Dowager Yin, her face stiffened; she wanted to smile but couldn't.

"What, you've become estranged from me after only a few days apart?"

"Your Majesty is too kind." Consort Jin's hands, hidden in her wide sleeves, tightened involuntarily. Every time she saw Yin Rong, she would think of the things Yin Rong had done. Just thinking about it made her feel chilled to the bone, as if she had returned to the sleepless nights she spent day after day.

"Try this newly arrived Biluochun tea."

Yin Rong gave a casual instruction, and Consort Jin hurriedly accepted the tea offered by the palace maid.

The teacup was too hot, and she instinctively wanted to pull her hand back, but when she caught sight of the Empress Dowager, she endured the burning heat on her hand and gritted her teeth to take it.

"It smells wonderful. The tea here at the Empress Dowager's place is all of exceptional quality."

Consort Jin replied with a smile, her manner so respectful that there was not a trace of impropriety.

"Since you like it, then brew another cup of hot tea for the Dowager Consort." The emphasis at the end of the sentence made the Dowager Consort's heart sink.

"Empress Dowager..." she cried out in a panic, her palms feeling like they were being bitten by ants, both painful and itchy, making it almost impossible for her to hold the teacup.

"What's wrong?" Yin Rong slowly raised her eyelids and glanced at Consort Jin. "Do you find this tea unpalatable? Perhaps I'm mistaken. Princess Xian'an seems to be the one who loves Biluochun the most."

He chuckled twice after saying that, but there was no trace of joy in his voice.

Yes, how could the Empress Dowager be happy that her beloved Princess Jiayuan was to be betrothed to a mere merchant?

Consort Jin understood that Yin Rong was deliberately taking her anger out on her. She was angry that Princess Jiayuan was the one who was betrothed to Princess Xian'an, and therefore, even though she had done nothing wrong, she was still being treated this way.

How old is Princess Xian'an this year?

"Your Majesty, Princess Xian'an is sixteen years old this year." Consort Jin's voice trembled slightly, whether from hatred or fear, it was unclear.

"Sixteen already," Yin Rong muttered to herself, then suddenly laughed. "Isn't that a good age for marriage?"