Shen Hanshan chuckled, gently stroking Zhao Zhi's hair, a sly glint in his eyes. "What? Worried that my sudden change from being a jealous person to being magnanimous is hiding some kind of conspiracy?" His words, tinged with teasing, instantly broke the tense atmosphere in the room.
Zhao Zhi was amused by him, lightly punched him, and said reproachfully, "Be serious, let's talk about serious matters."
Shen Hanshan's smile faded, and he said seriously, "Zhizhi, I haven't wasted these past few months in Yunchao. I've investigated Yunzhang's background, and he certainly has no ill intentions towards you. Moreover, the winter solstice is approaching, and since you, as his mother, can't come home, I, as his father, must go back to have a reunion dinner with my child and my parents-in-law. Besides, Yunzhang's treatment is urgent. My trip back to Daxuan will conveniently allow me to escort him to Chunsheng County, killing two birds with one stone."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhi felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She looked at Shen Hanshan, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Hanshan, you're always like this, silently arranging everything for me," she said softly, her voice slightly choked with emotion.
Shen Hanshan chuckled, pulled Zhao Zhi into his arms, and whispered in her ear, "Because you are the most important person in my life. No matter where I am, my heart will always be with you."
"Shen Hanshan, I've noticed that your words have been as sweet as honey these past few months. I've heard that the envoy from Da Xuan has visited every brothel in our Dunyang City!"
Zhao Zhi said half-jokingly, half-seriously, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Shen Hanshan was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter.
“Zhizhi, you are now the Empress, how can you not know that what you see and hear is not necessarily true?” he retorted, feigning seriousness, but his eyes were full of laughter.
Zhao Zhi chuckled softly and reached out to pinch his cheek. "I was just teasing you, seeing how nervous you were. But if you really dare to do something to betray me, I won't let you off easily."
She snorted and said, "After the Spring Festival, in order to balance the power in the court, those old ministers will definitely urge me to take husbands. They're all younger than you, and their figures are—"
Shen Hanshan suddenly grabbed her hand, leaned in, and silenced her mouth with his lips, which was full of absurd words.
After a long while, realizing that Zhao Zhi was about to run out of breath, he reluctantly let go of her and gazed deeply into her eyes.
"Zhizhi, don't worry, I, Shen Hanshan, will only love you in this life. No matter how beautiful the women in those brothels are, they can't compare to your place in my heart."
Zhao Zhi felt a warmth in her heart and gently leaned on his shoulder. "I know you always keep your word. But now that you're in Yunchao, I'm always worried that you might encounter some trouble outside."
Shen Hanshan gently patted her back and comforted her, "Zhizhi, don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Besides, with you by my side, I have endless strength. No matter what difficulties I encounter, I will return to your side safely."
Zhao Zhi looked up, her eyes flashing with determination. "Very well, since you have arranged everything, I will say no more. However, I will also accompany Yunzhang to Chunsheng County this time."
Shen Hanshan looked at her with a puzzled expression, and blurted out without thinking, "Are you really so deeply in love with him? You can't bear to be apart from him even for a day?"
Zhao Zhi nodded: "Of course, that's what I want those people behind Yunzhang to see." She grasped Shen Hanshan's hand in return and explained, "Only if our bond is stronger than gold will they believe that I haven't abandoned Yunzhang and won't rashly start a rebellion."
"Besides, I'd like to take this opportunity to spend the Spring Festival with you and the children. Wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?"
Shen Hanshan's expression was somewhat gloomy. Zhao Zhi knew he must have misunderstood.
This man is great in every way, except he's incredibly jealous.
She turned his face towards her, gave him a gentle kiss, and said ingratiatingly, "Hanshan, I really didn't lie to you this time. My brother's health has recovered quite well. After I leave the palace, the affairs of the Yun Dynasty will be temporarily handled by him, the retired emperor. We can spend some time together. What do you say?"
Shen Hanshan's heart had been stirred by Zhao Zhi's earlier intimate behavior, and he was no longer angry with her. However, he couldn't let go of his pride as a man, so he stubbornly remained silent.
Seeing that she couldn't coax Shen Hanshan, Zhao Zhi's smile vanished, and she simply put on an extremely aggrieved look, her eyes slightly red, and her voice carrying a hint of resentment: "Shen Hanshan! Could it be that you've found some confidante outside, and you're afraid I'll expose your secrets when I get back?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Hanshan jumped up and down in a panic, and hurriedly defended himself, saying, "Zhizhi, you're wronging me! I, Shen Hanshan, swear to heaven that ever since I left your side, you've been the only one in my heart and eyes. How could there be any romantic entanglements?" As he spoke, he raised his hand as if to swear, looking both serious and somewhat helpless.
Seeing his eagerness to clarify, Zhao Zhi found it amusing, but deliberately kept a straight face and snorted coldly, "Hmph, empty words are no proof, how can I believe you?" After saying that, she deliberately raised her voice and called out, "Qin Han, come in for a moment."
Upon hearing this, Qin Han, who was guarding outside the door, was startled, thinking that something serious had happened. He quickly pushed the door open and entered, only to find that the atmosphere inside was delicate. Lord Shen looked anxious, while Her Majesty the Empress was in the posture of interrogating a criminal.
He understood immediately and bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty, what are your orders?"
Zhao Zhi pointed solemnly at Shen Hanshan and said sternly, "Qin Han, you must listen carefully. From today onwards, Lord Shen will not be allowed to enter the palace."
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