Unfortunately, to Sheng Jin's disappointment, Liu Lingxi didn't dare to look at him once during the entire breakfast.
On the contrary, she stared at the imperial meal in front of her with a slightly shy expression throughout, and her dining was extremely well-behaved and polite.
Even when she slightly turned her head and raised her eyes, she was talking to the Crown Prince, as if she was deliberately ignoring him.
To verify this idea, Sheng Jin's gaze toward Liu Lingxi became even more intense.
Then he could see her long, thick eyelashes trembling slightly, as if she were getting more and more nervous, like a butterfly about to take flight... giving him an urge to kiss her fiercely.
Sheng Jin didn't know that people like him, who had actually killed people and seen blood, had eyes that were aggressive like a wild beast.
How could Liu Lingxi eat in peace under such scrutiny?
She was extremely flustered, as if she were bound by a large net, and her body stiffened.
"What's wrong? Is the food not to your liking? Are you still uncomfortable? Why are you using so little? Use more."
During the meal, the Crown Prince noticed something was wrong with his Crown Princess and tried to persuade her in a low voice several times.
But it was all useless. Liu Lingxi had no way to tell the Crown Prince her grievances. Should she say that she felt her father looked at her wrong?
She didn't know how the Emperor managed to do it; his gaze always accurately avoided the Crown Prince and landed on her.
And the foolish prince beside her couldn't discover anything!
Sheng Jin, who witnessed the woman's struggle throughout, licked his teeth excitedly, feeling his blood boiling.
What will she do? Will she avoid me, or will she talk to me openly and honestly?
Thinking of the latter, Sheng Jin couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.
He even couldn't help but fantasize about the image of the delicate and helpless Crown Princess, trapped in his arms, unable to struggle.
Thinking this, Sheng Jin's gaze toward the Crown Princess became even more ardent.
Finally, the agonizing breakfast was over, and Bai Qing came in to report.
"Your Majesty, news has come from Fengyi Palace that the Empress has fainted and requests Your Majesty to go and see her."
"call--"
Liu Lingxi quietly took a breath, and her small hand, which had been clenching the handkerchief tightly, loosened slightly.
Like a small animal, upon realizing the enemy has left, the feeling of relief at surviving a near-death experience fills the whole person with joy.
Sheng Jin smiled helplessly, secretly admiring her cuteness.
However, turning to look at Bai Qing, he wondered what had caused the Empress to faint.
The Empress has always been in good health. Because she has never been favored by the Emperor or given birth, she looks much younger than her peers.
only……
How could the Empress, who was in such good health, suddenly faint? Had she suffered some kind of shock?
Sheng Jin narrowed her eyes slightly, and before she knew it, she had gently picked up a string of prayer beads and was turning them around in her hand.
After thinking it over, all he could think of was what had just happened this morning.
Could it be that the Empress found out about how she dealt with the Jiang family this morning?
The Empress's informants are really quick; the Jiang family has really let their guard down.
Sheng Jin's eyes darkened, and his aura also subsided. He then asked Bai Qing.
"How is the Empress? You bunch of good-for-nothings! The Empress fainted and you didn't even report it in time. What use are you to me!"
Sheng Jin's demeanor changed, and her eyes sharpened as well.
He stared at Bai Qing with far more ruthlessness than he had shown Liu Lingxi just moments before.
Bai Qing was inwardly groaning; this was something he could never have foreseen.
But if the Emperor is so concerned about the Empress, does that mean the Empress holds a higher position or is more important in the Emperor's heart?
It makes sense, after all, the Empress has been with the Emperor for so many years, from the struggle for the throne to his ascension to the throne, through so many ups and downs...
How could the Crown Princess, a woman with no power and only beauty, compare?
Perhaps the Emperor's feelings for the Crown Princess were merely a fleeting infatuation.
Thinking this through, Bai Qing's resolve to side with the Queen became clearer, and his gaze became even more determined.
So he bent down even lower and became even more respectful.
"Your Majesty, how could this servant dare to delay reporting? It was just that Fengyi Palace was in chaos. Only after the imperial physician arrived did someone remember to ask Your Majesty to take a look."
"Oh, did the Queen see anyone this morning?"
Sheng Jin began questioning, which was also a subtle way of putting Bai Qing, the lackey, in check.
Unfortunately, Chief Eunuch Bai, now "judging the situation," believes that the Emperor values the Empress at this time, and therefore becomes even more loyal to her.
Upon hearing the Emperor's words, which clearly showed concern for the Empress, Bai Qing quickly spilled out everything she knew.
"Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress heard the news of the Jiang family's punishment while having breakfast, which is why she acted this way."
Bai Qing tentatively uttered those words.
He adopted an extremely humble posture, but the implication in his words was that he was pleading on behalf of the Empress.
"Ha, you've certainly done your research."
Sheng Jin's gaze was already quite hostile, but unfortunately Bai Qing had her head down and couldn't see anything.
Little did he know that his path to success would end there.
Meanwhile, the Crown Prince, upon hearing Bai Qing's reply, instantly understood what was going on.
Tsk, Mother found out about Jiang Cheng's demotion so quickly? That's way too fast!
Fearing his father's anger and that this would frighten his crown princess, the crown prince took the initiative to make a suggestion.
"Father, the Empress Dowager is unwell. Your son and the Crown Princess should also go to show their filial piety. Why don't I go with you?"
Sheng Jin thought about it and agreed.
Although his handling of the Jiang family during the morning court session was a decision made in a moment of impulsive anger, it was something he had wanted to punish for a long time.
The reason why Jiangcheng was not also removed was indeed because the Empress's face was taken into consideration.
Let's go.
"yes."
When Sheng Jin passed by Liu Lingxi, he noticeably slowed his pace. His tall figure stopped in front of her, giving her a great sense of oppression.
Liu Lingxi's breathing suddenly softened, and she subconsciously stepped back.
Fortunately, the crown prince caught her from behind, preventing her from falling.
"careful."
"Heh~"
Two voices rang out simultaneously, one was the Crown Prince's anxious and concerned voice, and the other was—
The emperor's faint chuckle from above seemed to mock her cowardice.
In fact, Sheng Jin also wanted to help, but seeing that the Crown Prince had helped the woman before him, he had no choice but to give up.
The outstretched hand froze in mid-air, and after a long while, it was casually withdrawn.
However, the smile in his eyes remained unchanged, only now it had become a bit darker.
Once she had regained her footing, Sheng Jin strode forward, each step faster than before.
That's right, he was afraid that if he didn't leave soon, he would lose control and scold the Crown Prince, and then snatch the person away!
He was about to... lose control of himself.
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