"The servant has learned that the Emperor took Li Xiurong out of the palace today. For convenience, Li Xiurong was dressed as a man. The man Princess Consort De assumed to be an outsider was likely Li Xiurong in male attire."
How could it be... No! It’s impossible... How could it be Li Xiurong?
She... she wore men’s clothing?
How could she?
Princess Consort De opened her eyes wide, her disbelief and deep shock causing Chen Jing much heartache.
The Empress Dowager on the soft couch simply closed her eyes, unable to bear watching any longer.
"Princess Consort De, calm down and think about it: No matter how the Empress Dowager or the Emperor favor Li Xiurong, if this matter is true, even if Li Xiurong survives, the rest of her life will either be in the Cold Palace or in a nunnery."
"Although it’s disheartening and disrespectful to say, for Princess Consort De’s sake, I must ask, why do you always trust outsiders’ words but refuse to believe in the protection offered by those close to you?"
Princess Consort De didn’t know how she returned to Yikun Palace.
As she lay in bed in a haze, Chen Jing’s words echoed in her mind: "Why do you always trust outsiders’ words but refuse to believe in the protection offered by those close to you?"
Reflecting carefully, she realized she was gravely mistaken today. Blinded by jealousy, she hadn’t investigated the truth of the matter and recklessly chose to believe it.
She must admit, part of her hoped it was true.
"Your Ladyship, are you alright?" Lan Qin, red-eyed, stood by the bed, worriedly watching Princess Consort De.
For a long time since returning, Princess Consort De had been lying on the bed, untouched by anything.
The bird’s nest porridge sent from the small kitchen had been reheated several times.
"I’m fine, how could anything be wrong with me? I..." Tears slipped from the corners of Princess Consort De’s eyes, dripping onto the bed.
She realized she had been deceived and blinded. Was the person who had first entered the palace the same as the one she was now?
So foolish, anyone could use her as a pawn. She, the dignified Princess Consort De, was manipulated by lowly concubines.
Truly stupid! Utterly foolish!
Princess Consort De turned slightly, tears streaming down. She now regretted, but the Emperor had left her completely, and her aunt was heartbroken by her actions. In the palace, she was left with only the title "Princess Consort De."
Tonight was destined to be an unsettling night, with many concubines returning to their quarters with complex emotions.
Meanwhile, Li Yuyu, who was wrongly accused and should be up all night with anger, was sitting on the bed in Luaxin Pavilion, staring wide-eyed at Yan Xiu.
"Is the Emperor serious about staying overnight at Luaxin Pavilion?"
Yan Xiu raised an eyebrow: "I’ve already ordered the water to be prepared. Does my beloved concubine think I’m taking a bath only to sweat it off at Yangxin Hall?"
"I didn’t think that."
"In that case, my beloved concubine, help me disrobe." Yan Xiu stood in front of Li Yuyu, spreading his arms.
Li Yuyu: ...
Disrobe, disrobe, are your hands useless? Always asking others to help you undress.
Wearing a sweet smile on her delicate face, Li Yuyu, despite inwardly complaining, gently draped Yan Xiu’s Dragon Robe over the clothes rack.
Yan Xiu kept his arms spread.
Li Yuyu continued to smile sweetly.
Yan Xiu raised an eyebrow.
Li Yuyu smiled sweetly.
Yan Xiu: ?
Li Yuyu tilted her head and smiled sweetly.
Her face was about to cramp from smiling. Why did this Emperor keep his arms so raised? Didn’t he feel sore?
"Why aren’t you continuing to undress me?" Yan Xiu couldn’t help but ask in a deep voice.
Li Yuyu: ?
"Continue undressing? Any further and you’ll be naked!"