The next morning, Shen Yunxi got up early and went to the palace.

She should indeed reduce the number of times she enters the palace on ordinary days. However, she had not entered the palace for a while, and the Empress Dowager missed her. In addition, she had a headache, so she sent someone to give her a verbal instruction last night, ordering her to enter the palace today.

Shen Yunxi knew very well that the Empress Dowager would no longer help her and Jun Xuan get together, so she was not against entering the palace. She was originally there to serve the Empress Dowager.

When Shen Yunxi arrived at Cining Palace, she found that Junxuan was not there. At this hour, the morning court session might not have ended yet, or he might be handling government affairs. She couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Knowing is one thing, seeing it with your own eyes is another. As long as Junxuan isn't here, she'll feel much more at ease.

"Your Majesty, is your head throbbing badly?" Shen Yunxi bowed and stood before the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager smiled slightly and waved her hand. "It's not that I'm in unbearable pain. It's just that I haven't seen you for a while and I have a bit of a headache, so I had Granny Tian send someone to tell you. Also, some fine things have arrived from the Jiangnan region, such as silk and fruit, but I'm too old for them. Besides, the imperial physician said that many things are not edible, so take some back with you and bring some for your mother as well."

Shen Yunxi understood that the Empress Dowager always thought of giving her good things, and she felt very warm inside.

“Your Majesty, there’s no need for this. You’re just as young, and those silk fabrics are just as good. You always think of Yunxi. Your Majesty treats Yunxi so well, Yunxi doesn’t know how to repay you,” Shen Yunxi said, her eyes red.

The Empress Dowager waved her hand. "You silly girl, why are you saying such sentimental things? It makes me a little unsure how to answer. As you know, I have no children, and I have a very good relationship with Lanpei. You are like my daughter, so of course I will treat you well. As for repayment, there is no need for that. I lack nothing. As long as you get married in the future, you can come to the palace to keep me company when you have free time."

From the Empress Dowager's words, Shen Yunxi understood that she no longer intended to let Shen Yunxi enter the palace, and everything would be done according to Shen Yunxi's wishes.

Shen Yunxi heard clearly and understood. Reassured, she smiled and nodded, "Alright, Your Majesty, rest assured, Yunxi will enter the palace to accompany Your Majesty when the opportunity arises."

After the two talked for a while, Shen Yunxi began to massage the Empress Dowager's head.

Actually, the Empress Dowager's headaches were not a serious ailment. It was because she had been bullied in her household when she was young, and her body had caught a chill, which affected her head as well, and that's how she developed the headaches.

The Empress Dowager never had any children in her life. She was in good health, and her only problem was headaches.

If she were to catch a cold, the headache would be unbearable, almost unbearable. She had suffered so much in the past that she was now extremely careful not to catch a cold.

The imperial physician said that the Empress Dowager was unwell, referring to her headaches, which were excruciating.

Shen Yunxi was not skilled in medicine and did not know how to treat the Empress Dowager's illness. She could only use massage to relieve her pain, and there was nothing else she could do.

Regardless, Shen Yunxi still didn't want the Empress Dowager to suffer too much.

The Empress Dowager's head did feel much better after Shen Yunxi massaged it, and the pain was no longer so bad. She immediately waved her hand, signaling Shen Yunxi to stop.

Shen Yunxi stopped what she was doing, turned around and took a few steps to pour the Empress Dowager a cup of hot tea.

"Is Your Highness feeling any better?" Shen Yunxi asked.

The Empress Dowager smiled and finished her tea. "I feel much better now. Only you can help me with this headache. Yunxi's hands are even more skillful than the imperial physicians'."

"Your Majesty, please don't joke. Yunxi knows nothing about medicine. If she did, she would truly like to give Your Majesty a proper diagnosis and treatment." With that, Shen Yunxi took the teacup from the Empress Dowager's hand. "Would Your Majesty like another cup?"

"No, one cup is enough," the Empress Dowager replied.

Shen Yunxi didn't try to persuade him, saying that drinking too much tea can make it hard to sleep, and older people should indeed drink it in moderation.

Just then, Granny Tian strode in, glanced at Shen Yunxi, and then reported to the Empress Dowager.

"Your Majesty, I went out to prepare lunch for the Imperial Kitchen and saw His Majesty heading towards Cining Palace," said Granny Tian. She knew, of course, that Shen Yunxi did not want to have too much contact with Jun Xuan, which was why she returned to report.

The Empress Dowager's expression shifted slightly, and she subconsciously looked at Shen Yunxi. Seeing her frown, she immediately said, "Yunxi doesn't want to see the Emperor?"

Shen Yunxi did not want to deceive the Empress Dowager, so she nodded, "Your Majesty, Yunxi really does not want to."

She hadn't wandered around since entering the palace, hoping not to run into Junxuan. She planned to leave the palace immediately after seeing the Empress Dowager, and even staying overnight was out of the question.

As it turned out, coincidentally, Jun-hyun came to Cining Palace again, which was truly frustrating.

Before, when I desperately wanted to see someone, I couldn't. Now, when I don't want to see them, they keep coming closer. It's like God likes to play jokes and doesn't like people to have their wishes fulfilled.

"In that case, Yunxi may leave. If His Majesty asks later, I will tell him that you are unwell," the Empress Dowager said.

Shen Yunxi breathed a sigh of relief, bowed slightly to the Empress Dowager, and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. Yunxi will take her leave now."

After saying that, Shen Yunxi quickly left, fearing that she would run into Jun Xuan. Fortunately, she was indeed very fast, as if a ghost was chasing her.

A few breaths after Shen Yunxi left, Jun Xuan appeared in the front hall. His eyes subconsciously searched for Shen Yunxi's whereabouts, but he did not see her. He clearly heard Defu say that he saw Shen Yunxi enter the palace.

His absence means he does not wish to see him.

Junxuan suppressed his displeasure, bowed to the Empress Dowager, and then sat down in a chair.

"Your Majesty doesn't seem to have that much official business to attend to. Why come so early? Why not get some rest? Your Majesty has a heavy workload of state affairs every day. You must take care of your health; it is the most important thing," the Empress Dowager said with a smile.

"I'm sorry to have worried you, Mother. I'm in good health, and state affairs aren't too demanding. I still have time to visit you. Yesterday, I heard from Defu that you've been having headaches again. Have you summoned the imperial physician to examine you? I heard earlier that the imperial physicians couldn't seem to resolve your headaches. It seems the people in the Imperial Hospital aren't very capable; we'll have to find someone else," Junxuan replied.

The Empress Dowager couldn't figure out what Junxuan was planning, whether he came to see her or Shen Yunxi.

However, judging from his behavior at this moment, it seems that he came here specifically to see her.

"Your Majesty, it's not that the people in the Imperial Hospital are incompetent. My headache is an old ailment that needs to be treated," the Empress Dowager explained.

Junxuan nodded, then changed the subject.

"It is said that Miss Shen has some solutions for the Empress Dowager's headaches. Perhaps I should have someone invite Miss Shen into the palace?"