Five years after her death, she awoke on the dragon bed.

Chapter 272 Denies Having Romantic Feelings for Lou Suyi

Seeing this, Yunmei felt it was a good opportunity to appeal to the Emperor, and said impatiently, "At that time, Consort De was a little emotional and said a few more words, so the Empress placed Consort De under house arrest. Consort De is usually a magnanimous person, but she fell ill under the double shock. In consideration of Consort De's many years of service to His Majesty, please ask His Majesty to withdraw the house arrest order against Consort De."

Murong looked at Consort De, who was still unconscious, and wondered what she was thinking.

Yunmei sensed that His Majesty was softening, so she continued to plead, "Please, Your Majesty, have mercy..."

"The Empress is the head of the harem. If she wants to punish Consort De, there must be a reason. I should not interfere. This matter need not be mentioned again." Murong spoke, but he did not pardon Consort De.

Yunmei's heart sank.

She had originally hoped to use this opportunity to salvage her mistress's reputation. If His Majesty pardoned Consort De, it would be a slap in the face to the Empress, which would also show that His Majesty valued Consort De more, and perhaps even resolve Consort De's inner conflict.

"Take good care of Consort De and make sure she doesn't overthink things..."

Before he could finish speaking, Consort De slowly awoke and called out uncertainly, "Your Majesty?"

Murong went to the bedside and asked in a calm voice, "It is I."

Consort De tried to get up, and Yunmei quickly stepped forward to help her sit up.

When Murong saw that Consort De was about to perform the ceremony, he stopped her, saying, "My beloved consort is still ill, there is no need for such formalities."

Consort De looked at Murong, and tears suddenly streamed down her face.

Murong frowned slightly, truly unsure how to face a woman crying.

"His Majesty has finally come to see me," Consort De said, weeping uncontrollably.

She really liked this man, even more than she liked Xie Zhijie back then, but why did all the men she liked like Lou Suyi?
"Hearing that my beloved consort was ill, I came to see her. Minister Zhao said that if my beloved consort takes good care of herself, she will recover." Murong's expression remained unmoved.

Consort De realized she had lost her composure, and seeing Murong's indifferent expression, she knew he was unmoved by a woman's tears.

This is a cold-blooded and ruthless man; tears cannot move him unless he is someone he likes.

She hastily wiped away her tears and asked in a hoarse voice, "Did Your Majesty ever love me?"

Murong didn't understand why Consort De was asking this pointless question again, so he answered with silence.

"If you didn't like me, why was Your Majesty so kind to me back then?" Consort De suddenly became stubborn again, wanting an answer.

Murong still didn't respond.

Consort De grabbed Murong's sleeve excitedly: "Why was Your Majesty so kind to me back then, but now you're so impatient with me? Has Your Majesty fallen for someone else, or has Your Majesty never loved me at all? Please give me an answer, Your Majesty!"

She just couldn't bear the contrast, and even if she were to die, she wanted to die knowing why.

"To me, love is meaningless. My beloved consort, do not be bound by it and trap yourself in your own web." Compared to Consort De's agitation, Murong's attitude appeared cold and ruthless.

Although Consort De was somewhat prepared, she still couldn't stop crying when she heard Murong's answer: "What about Her Majesty the Empress? If Her Majesty the Empress wanted His Majesty's love, would His Majesty give her the same answer?"

Murong was slightly taken aback, then slowly said, "The Empress would not lose her composure like my beloved concubine."

“According to His Majesty’s intentions, he disdains love and will not indulge in it. Therefore, His Majesty’s feelings for the Empress are not romantic, right?” Consort De looked at Murong earnestly.

Murong was momentarily stunned, then calmly shook his head: "My beloved consort, please take good care of yourself. I still have state affairs to attend to—"

Consort De suddenly went mad, rushing off the bed and hugging Murong from behind: "Your Majesty, give me a definite answer. If Your Majesty doesn't love me, does that mean you don't love the Empress either..." Murong grabbed Consort De's wrist, pulled her away, and said with an imposing air, "Consort De, you have overstepped your bounds!"

Consort De tried to rush forward, but Ji Qing stopped her in time: "Consort De, you must not be disrespectful to His Majesty and offend him."

Consort De, however, insisted on an answer: "Your Majesty, have mercy and grant me a quick death, or I will die. For the sake of my many years of service to Your Majesty, please tell me the answer, okay? Please?"

Murong was about to leave when he heard this and turned back to look at Consort De, who seemed to be insane.

He recalled the bright and proud appearance of Consort De when she first entered his residence that year, and finally replied, "The Empress saved my life. Are you satisfied with this answer?"

Consort De's eyes lit up.

Is Murong indirectly denying that he has romantic feelings for Lou Suyi?

"My beloved consort, please take good care of yourself. I will visit you again next time." With that, Murong turned and walked away without looking back.

Ji Qing hurriedly followed him out.

He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he always felt that His Majesty seemed to have something on his mind.

To be honest, he hadn't expected Consort De to be so bold as to question His Majesty's feelings for the Empress. He was incredibly curious himself, wanting to know what kind of feelings His Majesty had for the Empress.

His Majesty clearly treats the Empress differently, but whether this is due to marital affection or romantic love, he simply cannot discern.

Today, Consort De asked the question, and His Majesty seems to have given his answer.

His Majesty only said that the Empress had saved his life, but did not admit that there was any romantic feeling involved. This should mean that he denied having romantic feelings for the Empress.

To be honest, he also thought that His Majesty would be a wise and powerful emperor, but would not fall in love with any woman.

"Your Majesty, Consort De lost control of her emotions today. Please don't overthink it."

Before Ji Qing could speak, Murong gave him a sharp look.

Ji Qingxin was startled and immediately lowered his head, blaming himself for being too talkative.

“Consort De is too concerned about romantic love between men and women, which is why she has such a troubled mind. Wouldn’t it be better to live a carefree life like the Empress? The Empress never asks me such superficial questions.” Murong Xu said.

Ji Qing thought to himself that the Empress was indeed different from other women, but the Empress had already gained enough. She had received His Majesty's bosom, given birth to an adorable little prince, and the Empress was easily satisfied, so naturally she wouldn't cause herself any trouble.

However, when His Majesty compares the Empress and Consort De, it is clear that in His Majesty's heart, the Empress is superior to Consort De.

Looking at his master's handsome profile, Ji Qing suddenly dared to ask, "If one day the Empress also desires His Majesty's love, will His Majesty grant it to her?"

Murong seemed not to have expected him to ask that question. He glanced at Ji Qing coldly, who lowered his head in fright, wishing he could slap himself.

Just when he thought his master wouldn't answer his presumptuous question, His Majesty suddenly said, "The Empress is rational and calm; she wouldn't do something so rash."

Jiqing felt that his master had a very high opinion of the Empress.

In fact, he also felt that the Empress would not do such a thing.

I vomited three times last night and just vomited again. I suspect I have norovirus.