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

Chapter 77 Returning to Secular Life...

The scene was deathly quiet.

Several attendants knelt on the ground, wishing they could disappear immediately.

The Fourth Miss is incredibly audacious; she dares to challenge His Majesty's authority—she's got a death wish!

Murong stared coldly at Lou Suyi for a long time, but ultimately said nothing and left in a huff.

Lou Suyi watched Murong's retreating figure, wishing she could rush up to him and yell at him, "If you're so capable, let me leave the palace!"

But she still valued her life and was afraid that if she said a few more words, she would really be beheaded by Murong.

She barely escaped with her life, and she's pregnant; she was definitely too impulsive. He's the emperor, after all; she should have restrained herself.

Ultimately, she was just angry and embarrassed.

It was clearly her fault, but Yan Hui took the punishment in her place. She implicated Yan Hui, yet there was nothing she could do.

By the time the execution was completed, Yan Hui was on the verge of death.

Lou Suying's eyes reddened when she saw Yan Hui's miserable state.

Seeing this, Yan Hui comforted her instead: "It doesn't hurt, it's just a small injury that will be fine after a couple of days of rest, Miss, don't cry..."

Lou Suyi wiped away her tears and said in a hoarse voice, "Don't speak."

She looked at Jili: "Go and ask the female physician to examine Yan Hui's wound."

Geely accepted the order and left.

Watching Jili walk away, Lou Suying suddenly realized that she had no status in the harem and wondered if Jili could summon the female physician. However, given her close relationship with Empress Dowager Chen, she wondered if the female physician would cause Jili any trouble.

She cut open Yan Hui's dress, and when she saw the bloody and mangled wounds, her eyes darkened: "If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have suffered like this."

Yan tried to comfort her, but she stopped her, saying, "Don't say anything. Wait for the female doctor to come and treat your wound."

"Don't blame yourself, young lady. It's not your fault," Jinshu advised from the side.

Lou Suyi remained silent.

It's true that she wanted to leave, but it's also true that she dragged Yan Hui into this. Now that things have come to this, there's no point in saying anything more.

Before long, Jili brought the female healer, which relieved Lou Suyi.

Afterwards, Physician Zhao treated Yan Hui's wounds, saying that since no bones or tendons were injured, the first few days would be difficult, but she would get better afterward.

Lou Suyi only had a little bit of silver on her, which she wanted to give to Physician Zhao, but Physician Zhao politely refused and then took her leave.

Murong did not appear for the next few days, but Fangruo came to ask her why she did not return to the palace with the imperial procession that day.

Lou Suyi said she had overslept, and when she woke up she found that everyone had already returned to the palace.

Fang Ruo looked at Lou Suyi and said meaningfully, "His Majesty punished Yan Hui with a cane because she failed to protect you. By the way, Miss Lou, have you ever thought about returning to secular life?" Lou Suyi was stunned, suspecting that Empress Dowager Chen was testing her. Could it be that Empress Dowager Chen had discovered that she and Murong had already had an affair?
Terrified, she quickly replied, "Aunt Fangruo is too kind. This humble nun has only recently become a nun and has already renounced worldly life..."

Fang Ruo interrupted Lou Suyi with a smile: "Miss, there's no need to rush to a decision. You are still so young and beautiful. The Empress Dowager and His Majesty both value you highly. Your future is full of possibilities. Why don't you consider my suggestion? I must report back to the Empress Dowager. Farewell."

Fangruo quickly returned to Shou'an Palace and told them the results of her test.

Finally, she added, "This servant believes that His Majesty treats Miss Lou differently from others. If His Majesty didn't care whether Miss Lou returned to the palace, why would he punish Yan Hui? This servant has inquired and found that His Majesty left the palace before the palace gates were closed on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival. If there are no surprises, he returned to Yi Garden, just to find Miss Lou."

Empress Dowager Chen was somewhat surprised upon hearing this: "You mean the Emperor has taken a liking to plain clothes?"

"This... I dare not guarantee it, but I am certain that His Majesty values ​​Miss Lou." After a pause, Fang Ruo whispered, "On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, Her Majesty also saw that Consort De and Consort Liang were both intentionally or unintentionally targeting Miss Lou. This shows that they both regard Miss Lou as a rival. It is said that a woman's intuition is the most accurate, and perhaps Miss Lou has indeed made those two consorts feel threatened."

Empress Dowager Chen nodded repeatedly: "You think long-term. It's just a pity that Su Yi is a nun. Even if the emperor is really interested in Su Yi, given his rigid nature, he would never do anything to her."

Fangruo fell silent upon hearing this.

The new emperor was a man of deep thoughts, and no one knew what kind of woman His Majesty truly preferred. At first, the Empress Dowager thought that His Majesty had a special affection for Consort De, and that he had not yet favored her because of her poor health. She even thought that His Majesty was remaining celibate for Consort De's sake.

That is why the Empress Dowager particularly hated Consort De.

However, after His Majesty ascended the throne, he still did not favor Consort De, and even disregarded the Empress Dowager's objections, he wanted to bring Consort Liang into the harem.

She felt that Lou Suying held some weight in His Majesty's heart, but she couldn't be sure if it was as she guessed.

"Perhaps the Emperor treats Su Yi differently simply because she once saved his life. When the Emperor was still a prince, he was always cold and indifferent whenever he saw Su Yi. Maybe we're overthinking it. If the Emperor is truly interested in Su Yi, I can lend him a hand." Empress Dowager Chen waved her hand. "Who does the Emperor really resemble? He was so romantic, like the late Emperor, but he hasn't learned a thing of it."

Fangruo laughed when she heard this: "Your Majesty, don't overthink it. Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. Who knows, His Majesty might come to his senses one day and let Your Majesty hold the little grandson."

"Anyone is fine as long as it's not that vile woman Liang." Empress Dowager Chen chatted with Fang Ruo for a few more minutes before finally bringing up the topic.

A few days later, Yan Hui's injuries had greatly improved, but then Imperial Physician Liu arrived and wanted to examine Lou Suyi's pulse to check her condition.

Upon hearing that she needed to have her pulse checked, Lou Suyi immediately refused: "This humble nun does not need to have her pulse checked, please leave, sir!"

Physician Liu could not say that he had come on the orders of His Majesty.

Before he came here, he had met with His Majesty, who asked him how Lou Suying's health was being treated. He was momentarily speechless, because it had been more than a month since he last examined Lou Suying's pulse.

"Young lady, you've been taking the medicine for some time now. I'd like to know how your health is improving. Please don't be nervous; it's just a matter of taking your pulse..."

Upon hearing this, Lou Suying distanced herself even further from Imperial Physician Liu: "I think the treatment is almost complete, Your Excellency, there's no need for you to go to such lengths."

Physician Liu was at a loss for what to do. He couldn't very well force Miss Lou to come and take his pulse, could he?
He looked at Jinshu, who understood and stepped forward to advise, "Miss, why don't you let Lord Liu take your pulse..."

Before she could finish speaking, Lou Suying glared at her and said coldly, "There are so many rules in the palace. I said I don't want to have my pulse taken, are you trying to force me?"

After saying that, she ran into the dormitory.

Only Imperial Physician Liu and Jinshu remained, looking at each other in bewilderment. Jinshu said apologetically, "Why don't you return to the Emperor to report first, Your Excellency? The young lady had a quarrel with His Majesty a few days ago, and she may still be angry with him."

(End of this chapter)