Almost instantly, Shen Yunxi recalled the incident when Jun Xuan was assassinated right after she was about to leave.

At that moment, her expression changed drastically. She shouted "Be careful!" and quickly stepped in front of Junxuan.

No, she couldn't let Junxuan get hurt; that was the only thought in her mind.

It has nothing to do with love, it only concerns the current situation.

At that time, Shen Yunxi heard Jun Xuan's voice and turned back to look at him. She saw him injured with her own eyes. Then, the Empress Dowager, who was taking a walk in the garden, heard the news of the Emperor's assassination and rushed over. She happened to see the two of them together and said that her reputation was ruined, so she brought her into the palace.

Since he is unwilling to enter the palace, Junxuan must not get hurt today.

Things happened too fast. Junxuan was focused on Shen Yunxi and didn't react in time. A cloud-piercing arrow shot out and flew towards him, but was blocked by Shen Yunxi who suddenly pounced on him.

"Pfft!"

The sound of a sharp blade piercing flesh rang out, and a sharp pain shot through Shen Yunxi's right shoulder, causing her to groan involuntarily.

"Guards, protect the emperor!"

Blood flowed down Shen Yunxi's right shoulder into the water, gradually spreading and staining her small face, making it appear even paler.

Junxuan raised his hand, wanting to lift Shen Yunxi up, but unexpectedly she staggered back a few steps and then struggled to sit on the edge of the hot spring.

"No need, Your Majesty, there's no need to trouble yourself."

As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Yunxi gasped for breath. It was in so much pain that she had just looked down and even caught a glimpse of the arrowhead.

No wonder Junxuan's injuries were so severe back then. He was aimed at the heart and the arrow pierced so deeply that he almost lost his life.

That's good. Now that Junxuan is not injured, her chances of entering the palace are gone, as long as she doesn't get caught by the Empress Dowager.

Junxuan narrowed his eyes, a hint of disdain flashing in them. Just moments ago, he had been struggling to get close, but now he treated him like a monster, clearly playing tricks.

Little did he know that he detested nothing more than others playing tricks on him!

However, since it was for his sake that Jun-hyun got hurt, he might disregard everything else.

"I will pull out the arrow for you."

Junxuan stood up from the water, the sound of splashing water filling the air and rippling the surface. He was wearing only a pair of underpants, yet he walked gracefully toward Shen Yunxi.

Shen Yunxi's expression changed again. Ignoring the pain, she lifted her legs from the hot spring and backed away, refusing to let him touch her. "No need. Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. Men and women should not touch each other. I will do it myself."

After being rejected twice, Junxuan stared at Shen Yunxi, as if trying to discern her feigned innocence or some other intention, but unfortunately, he saw no clue whatsoever.

"Whatever you want." After saying this, Jun Xuan stopped in place, but did not look away from Shen Yunxi.

He wanted to see what tricks Shen Yunxi was playing and how she planned to attract his attention.

Shen Yunxi ignored him. Junxuan's reaction showed his distrust, but it didn't matter. He would find out later. She didn't need to care about his thoughts now.

The next instant, Shen Yunxi turned her head, raised her left hand to grasp the arrow, and pulled it outwards fiercely.

Blood dripped onto the ground, and Shen Yunxi gasped for breath, the pain almost causing her to faint.

Junxuan's pupils contracted, seemingly not expecting that Shen Yunxi would actually pull the arrow out by herself, without a cry of pain or even a groan, completely different from her usual affected manner.

If she hadn't bitten her lip, he really wouldn't have thought it hurt when the arrow was pulled out.

The next instant, Junxuan's pupils shrank. He noticed that the arrow had a barb. He was surprised that Shen Yunxi, a delicate girl, had actually torn open her flesh and pulled it out, leaving a few strands of flesh and blood on the arrowhead.

After pulling out the arrow, Shen Yunxi did not immediately throw it away, but instead handed it to Jun Xuan with trembling body.

“Your Majesty can investigate this thoroughly. This is the physical evidence,” Shen Yunxi said, panting.

Junxuan looked at Shen Yunxi in silence, then took the arrow stained with her blood from her hand with one hand. He noticed a small character on the tip of the arrow and said in a deep voice, "I will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly."

Shen Yunxi nodded. "Your Majesty, I had something to say earlier."

Upon hearing this, Junxuan stared at Shen Yunxi with a half-smile.

A lone man and woman were alone in a hot spring, with no one else around. Shen Yunxi's reputation was ruined, and with her taking the fall for him, it seemed likely that the marriage proposal would be brought up now.

Ah, none of the people around the Empress Dowager are simple. Perhaps the so-called assassination was just a ruse she staged.

"Speak freely, for you have saved my life today." Jun Xuan's lips curled into a smile, making himself appear very kind, but his eyes were cold and his tone carried a hint of sarcasm.

Shen Yunxi saw through Jun Xuan's thoughts. She knew the man in front of her, who was both afraid and apprehensive, to some extent. She understood that he was probably not in a good mood right now, probably because he thought she was going to make him take responsibility.

Unfortunately, he was wrong.

"I beg Your Majesty not to make a fuss about what happened today. As the supreme ruler, Your Majesty is naturally beyond reproach. However, as a woman, I am different. Even though I am betrothed to Your Majesty, there is still a distinction between men and women in an engaged marriage. Therefore, I do not wish to be the subject of speculation and gossip. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission." Shen Yunxi finished speaking quickly, then stood up unsteadily and bowed respectfully to Jun Xuan.

After saying this, Shen Yunxi almost couldn't stand up, and the color of her lips had faded, but she didn't fall down. She wanted to wait for Junxuan's answer.

Junxuan was puzzled. He was only wearing his underpants, and she was soaking wet. Was she really going to give up this opportunity to make him keep his marriage agreement?

Facing Junxuan's piercing gaze, Shen Yunxi met it calmly, showing no sign of guilt.

“Very well, I grant your request.” Junxuan agreed.

"I still need to treat my wound, so I'll take my leave now." Shen Yunxi covered her shoulder and gave a slight curtsy. "May I borrow Your Majesty's cloak? Your Majesty, rest assured, I will wear it inside out so no one will notice."

We must leave as soon as possible. The Empress Dowager should be arriving soon. We absolutely cannot run into her, otherwise this injury will be in vain, and we will still be destined to enter the palace.

"Hmm," Junxuan responded faintly.

There were already cloaks prepared for Junxuan by palace servants in the hot spring. Shen Yunxi casually picked up the most inconspicuous one, turned it inside out, and draped it over her body, covering even her ankles.

With the cloak, Shen Yunxi felt a sense of security and relaxed slightly. She found that the pain in her right shoulder was becoming more and more obvious, and her head was getting dizzier. She could only grit her teeth and walk forward step by step.

As she reached the door, Shen Yunxi stopped, turned around, and smiled. Her smile was bright, yet it also carried a sense of paleness and relief.

"emperor."

Seeing this, Junxuan sneered. It seemed that Shen Yunxi regretted saying such things; she should have brought up the matter of the engagement.

"Is there anything else?"

Junxuan asked softly, but his brows revealed obvious displeasure and impatience.

Don't think he can't see it; Shen Yunxi did it on purpose just now and never gave up that idea.

However, Shen Yunxi's words this time were something he hadn't expected.