Shang Xiche maintained his gentle and smiling demeanor, and even considerately said, "The Ninth Princess Consort does not live in the palace and is not used to these palace etiquettes. From now on, she can be exempted from them, just like the Ninth Prince. She can speak standing up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Upon hearing this, Ji Fengyao prostrated herself again, rolled up her sleeves, and struggled for a long time before finally getting up. She jumped up and down with joy, pointing directly at the emperor: "I used to hear the Empress Dowager and the Prince say that Your Majesty is a very nice uncle. I didn't believe it. I thought Your Majesty must be very fierce. I didn't expect it to be true!"

"How dare you! You must not offend His Majesty!" Eunuch De stared at Ji Fengyao's fair and delicate finger, his eye twitching. This bandit was so unruly, he had no manners whatsoever.

"oh!"

Ji Fengyao quickly hid her hands behind her back, but playfully stuck out her tongue, her face full of innocence.

"It's alright. The Ninth Princess Consort has a straightforward personality, which I greatly admire." Shang Xiche raised his hand and handed the string of pearls to Eunuch De: "This string of pearls was a tribute from the Southern Kingdom before the New Year. I suppose young ladies love gold, silver, and pearls, so I'll give it to you to play with."

People don't love jewels and jade, they love medicinal herbs. Wouldn't it be better if you gave them some rare medicinal herbs?

Ji Fengyao forced herself not to shout those words, and happily thanked the Emperor: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your reward!"

Her father had just asked the emperor for several boxes of medicinal herbs a couple of days ago; if she were to ask for them again now, it would arouse suspicion.

Seeing her like this, Shang Xiche's last bit of doubt dissipated, and he affectionately instructed Shang Xiye: "Ninth Brother, the Ninth Princess Consort has been free and unrestrained since childhood, so don't be too restrictive of her. Be more tolerant of her. Harmony between husband and wife is the most important thing. I also hope that you will give me a healthy and chubby imperial nephew soon, so that he can serve my Great Zhao in the future!"

"Thank you for your guidance and concern, Your Majesty..."

Shang Xiye thanked her respectfully, but before he could finish speaking, he heard the little bandit next to him pout and mutter, "They haven't even consummated their marriage yet, how can they have a royal nephew? Do you expect me to stuff a pillow in my belly and conjure up a pregnancy to give birth?"

The palace maids and eunuchs present couldn't hold back any longer and covered their mouths, desperately trying to suppress their emotions.

Shang Xiche almost lost his composure, quickly straightened his expression, and looked at Shang Xiye with great concern: "Ninth Brother, what happened?"

"Your Majesty, my health..." Shang Xiye smiled bitterly, "I'm afraid the Princess Consort will suffer."

Ji Fengyao's eyes twitched as she listened; today was probably a day for everyone to perform.

Life is truly like a play, and it all depends on acting skills!

Shang Xiche's eyes flickered slightly, and he turned to comfort Ji Fengyao gently: "Ninth Princess Consort, you don't need to worry too much. I will definitely find the best doctor to treat the Ninth Prince. The Ninth Prince will definitely get better."

"Your Majesty, I believe you, but I'm still not happy," Ji Fengyao pouted and said innocently, "Your Majesty, why don't you grant me a gold medal? It would allow me to walk around the capital with impunity, to beat whoever I want, and even the princes would be afraid of it."

Everyone's eyelids twitched upon hearing this.

How audacious this bandit is! He demands a royal talisman as a reward! Even the princesses in the palace wouldn't dare accept such a gift!

The emperor's expression changed; this bandit had truly angered the emperor.

"Nonsense!" Shang Xiye quickly scolded in a low voice.

Ji Fengyao, however, acted as if she hadn't noticed anything, and argued with Shang Xiye in the palace with a wronged expression: "How have I been acting so recklessly? I almost fell to my death the first time I saw Your Highness. On the way to the capital, there were one assassin after another who wanted to kill me. I was poisoned as soon as I entered the palace. Just because that woman was bestowed by the Emperor, you are still protecting her in the woodshed, not letting me touch a single hair on her head."