Hearing this, Green Bamboo, who was nestled in the man's arms, was also shocked. It turned out that what happened last time was actually true.

This was something I hadn't expected at all, but what did it have to do with me anyway?

She's already done quite well to climb from a lowly maid to the position of concubine; it would be unreasonable for her to covet anything else.

After hearing Yang Shujing's words, Shen Jia above could no longer hold back and burst into laughter.

The laughter carried a hint of indulgence and resentment, yet also a strange and frightening quality. Yang Shujing frowned upon hearing it, "A madman..."

"Guards, take the lady back to her room and keep a close watch on her. Without my order, she is not to step out of the room!"

As Shen Jia was dragged out by the guards of the Marquis's mansion, Yang Shujing was secretly pleased with himself.

What does it matter if he's overshadowed by the legal wife, or if he doesn't have a good life? Yang Shujing would never wrong himself for a woman.

Once the room was quiet again, Yang Shujing embraced Green Bamboo and showered her with kisses and affection.

He likes women who are pitiful, obedient, don't cause trouble, are well-behaved, and easy to control.

…

Before we knew it, it was early March, and the pear blossoms in full bloom in the courtyard of Zhaoyang Palace were being swayed by a gentle breeze.

The fallen blossoms, like snow, covered the grass in a thick layer. Su Xin helped Ning Yin collect pear blossoms as one of the ingredients for her skin-smoothing cream.

Last time, Consort Chen got a great deal using Ningyin's Snow Skin Cream. After using it all up, Chongyu's forehead had completely recovered.

Seeing how powerful this thing was, the emperor wanted to ask Consort Chen for some to use himself.

Consort Chen had no spares, so she sent someone to inquire with Marquis Wuding, but Marquis Wuding claimed that he did not have such a good thing at all.

After much deliberation, Consort Chen finally thought of Ning Yin.

However, Ning Yin is currently being protected too well by Xiao Xuan, and anyone who wants to enter the East Palace to see Ning Yin needs his approval.

Moreover, besides Ningyin and Suxin, this huge Eastern Palace also has Zhang Mama, who is the palace maid Ziyuan that Chen Dechang found last time.

There wasn't a single woman in the other palaces either.

The two picked flower petals for a while. Su Xin saw Qingying waving at her from outside the door. Her dark eyes darted around, but she was too embarrassed to speak directly.

She made up an excuse that she had a stomachache, put the basket on the grass, and ran out.

Ningyin pretended not to know, only smiled and continued picking pear blossoms. Granny Zhang shook her head kindly and came over to drape a cloak over Ningyin's shoulders.

"Su Xin is probably at the age where she's thinking about love. It's time to prepare for her marriage."

Ningyin turned and handed the basket to Zhang Mama, then pulled her cloak tighter around herself and said with a faint smile, "I had no idea she and Qingying were so close. It was my oversight as their mistress, but..."

At this point, Ning Yin lowered her eyes and walked towards the stone bench opposite her. Qing Ying was indeed an excellent man.

She was very satisfied with everything about him, from his appearance to his physique.

However, as Xiao Xuan's personal bodyguard, he was dealing with people who wanted to harm the crown prince, so the position was quite dangerous.

Thinking about it, Ningyin sighed. Now she herself was facing a dilemma, so how could she plan ahead for Suxin?

She could tell that Su Xin liked Qing Ying very much, so she didn't say anything more.

But what should be done about her situation?

Are these high palace walls and ubiquitous conspiracies truly my destiny?

As she pondered, Ningyin felt an unbearable surge of energy in her chest, which was caused by the Hehuan Powder that would flare up every ten days.

Each time it flares up, he has to endure excruciating pain all over his body and the agonizing torment of being gnawed by ants.

She used to soak herself in cold water, but after each attack, she felt like she had just been on the verge of death.

Granny Zhang noticed Ningyin's unusual condition and hurriedly went to help her up, but the next second Ningyin began to convulse uncontrollably.

"Granny Zhang, quickly fetch the silver needles!"

Ning Yin struggled to maintain her balance by holding onto the stone table.

This feeling reminded her of Xiao Xuan. Sometimes she really didn't want to endure it anymore, but once something happened between her and a man, she was afraid she would really have no way out.

As she thought about it, the heat wave inside her body surged into her brain again, causing her consciousness to gradually fade.

Just as she was about to fall, she felt her body lift off the ground, and a pair of warm, strong hands tightly embraced her waist, quickly carrying her into the bedroom.

Xiao Xuan's brows furrowed slightly as he watched Ning Yin in such pain, and his heart ached as well.

"Ah Ning, how are you feeling? I'll send someone to invite Mr. Cai right away..."

Before long, Zi Yuan brought in a royal physician, but when Xiao Xuan turned around, he saw that the person was not Old Master Cai, but Bai Meng from last time.

His lips were taut; how come there were no other imperial physicians in such a large hospital?

After Bai Meng knelt and bowed to Xiao Xuan, he secretly glanced at Ning Yin on the bed. Just as he was about to step forward to administer acupuncture, he heard the woman let out a soft, coquettish sigh.

Bai Meng blushed instantly, and his legs trembled involuntarily. Although he liked Ning Yin, was she someone he could covet?

Xiao Xuan's dark eyes swept over Bai Meng, and seeing his flushed cheeks, he couldn't help but push him out, then slammed the door shut behind him.

How could Ning Yin possibly allow other men to get close to her now? She'll be the Crown Princess in just over a month.

As a future husband, isn't it only natural for him to help his wife solve problems?

Looking at the flushed face of the person before him, Xiao Xuan's Adam's apple bobbed, and he couldn't help but tug at his slightly tight robe...

"Ah Ning, do you agree?"