Sheng Changling didn't dwell too much on Jiang Wuyou's matter, because in his eyes, Jiang Wuyou was already a dead man.
He had more important things to do now. Holding Liu Lingxi's hand, his eyes gentle, he walked back to his bedchamber step by step.
"Xi'er is happier today. I have been negligent these past few days and have wronged you."
This was the first time Sheng Changling had been so gentle. After all, his usual image was that of a wicked and unruly man, which he hadn't changed even in front of Liu Lingxi.
He forcefully pulled her into his arms, just as he always did, making the decision for her without asking if she was willing.
Seeing that Sheng Changling was not the same as before, Liu Lingxi blinked her big, watery eyes in his arms and looked up.
"Your Majesty...why do you say that? You have been very good to me."
Indeed, it was very good; they lived in luxury, with the world supporting them.
Aside from a lack of freedom, in this day and age, which woman has freedom?
Liu Lingxi was not an ungrateful person. She could feel Sheng Changling's kindness towards her, even though this kindness often made her feel unhappy.
Sheng Changling lowered his head and carefully examined her expression. Seeing that her eyes and brows were as bright as usual, he knew that she was not lying, and his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down.
"Xi'er..."
He completely enveloped her, burying his head in the woman's snow-white, fragrant neck, embracing her intimately with a possessive air.
There's a reason why Sheng Changling is behaving so strangely today; it's because of his thoughts...
Ultimately, I still feel somewhat uneasy.
He was afraid.
She feared that the current prosperity was only temporary, that one day Sheng Changfeng, her original wife, would return and she would be cast into the deepest abyss, and that Xi'er would easily change her mind and stop liking her one day.
Although Xi'er may not be entirely sincere towards him now, he is more afraid of being abandoned like worn-out shoes.
Of all the things the Empress Dowager said, one sentence was the most important: Xi'er should indeed be given some space so that she wouldn't harbor resentment towards her.
"It's nothing. I was just worried about your health because I thought you were tired yesterday and I even went to Cining Palace today."
"Your Majesty underestimates me. I am much better now."
Liu Lingxi was relieved. It turned out that Sheng Changling was only worried about her health. Then it was alright.
Since her last childbirth damaged her health, Sheng Changling treated her like a delicate and fragile glass doll, so it was understandable that he was a little nervous.
However, when she thought of the Empress Dowager, there was one question she didn't understand.
Thinking of this, Liu Lingxi reached out and patted Sheng Changling on the back, signaling him to loosen his grip, as she had something to ask him.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager did not dislike me, which is why she brought her two younger sisters with her. There was such a commotion at the entrance of Cining Palace today, why didn't Mother send anyone out to check?"
"Oh, that does seem a bit odd."
Sheng Changling didn't let go of Liu Lingxi, but he did loosen his grip a bit, and the two of them stayed close together, chatting.
He didn't take those two seriously, but the addition of several uncertainties in the harem inevitably made him feel constrained.
Sheng Changling disliked this uncertainty. Hmm, he needed to think of a way to get rid of those two as soon as possible.
I should send my mother out of the palace as soon as possible so that my father can take care of her. Otherwise, I will never feel at ease.
Not to mention that Sheng Changling was deceived by his mother's appearance, even Liu Lingxi was hesitant to make wild guesses.
"Does Mother Empress favor me now?"
Apart from this, she really couldn't find another reason why Empress Dowager Rong was so kind to her.
After all, the two sides have always kept to themselves, but today the Empress Dowager is clearly yielding to her, no, to the Emperor.
Sheng Changling couldn't tell Liu Lingxi that he still harbored a rift with his mother, so he could only gloss over it.
"If you can't figure it out, don't think about it anymore. Just protect yourself."
"I'm just worried—"
"What are you worried about?"
Liu Lingxi was puzzled, but her clear, water-like eyes clearly reflected Sheng Changling's unparalleled handsomeness.
He worried that they couldn't win this battle, that Xi'er—
Who would you choose?
Meeting the woman's clear, beautiful eyes, Sheng Changling smiled bitterly to himself; he already knew his answer.
Xi'er has walked too many roads; her steps are destined not to stop for any one person.
If he loses, many people will naturally emerge to take his place in supporting the Empress, but he will not allow it.
"I'm worried that Xi'er doesn't have me in her heart. Could you please leave more room for me?"
Finally, Sheng Changling voiced his desire, pleading with her for a moment of mercy from the goddess.
If someone had previously said that Sheng Changling would grovel at a woman's feet like a lapdog, begging for her affection, Sheng Changling would have scoffed at it.
But now, that's exactly what he is.
Liu Lingxi looked back at him and nodded solemnly, though in reality, her heart was calm and undisturbed.
Her heart seemed to have stopped beating.
*
Jiangnan.
The army has been assembled, and all soldiers are on high alert, ready to march north.
Sheng Jin looked at her only son, a hint of pride flashing in her eyes, but also a hint of guilt.
"Changfeng, we must win this expedition, we must be safe, and we must take back everything we have lost."
"Yes, Father."
The two looked at each other and saw the same determination in each other's eyes.
Without further hesitation, Sheng Changfeng immediately led his troops to set off.
Sheng Changfeng rode a tall, white horse, his armor imposing and awe-inspiring, a stark contrast to his usual gentle demeanor, now radiating a chilling aura.
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