After becoming pregnant, the cold-hearted nobles all went mad.

Pei Heng's face was grim, his eyes filled with an intense sense of pressure. "Why is the Crown Prince here?"

Xu Yanqing's brow twitched at the sight, and despite clenching his teeth, he couldn't help but be drawn to the woman in his arms.

"Princess Consort Su has suddenly fainted, and the imperial physicians are of no use. We earnestly request Your Majesty to summon knowledgeable people from the common people to come and treat the Princess Consort!"

Pei Heng remained silent until the person in his arms gently nudged him.

Her soft little hands moved back and forth, and when he didn't react, she pinched him hard, meaning she wanted him to save the person quickly.

Pei Heng lowered his head, wanting to ask, "Are you that concerned about him?"

In the end, he still held back, but his expression became even more somber. He said coldly, "Fuquan, quickly issue the order to conscript people as the Crown Prince instructed. Anyone who can save the Princess will be rewarded with a thousand taels of silver."

"Yes."

Fuquan breathed a sigh of relief after receiving the order. It was good that His Majesty wasn't angry. Now that he had the man gone, it was as if nothing had happened.

Xu Yanqing had no intention of leaving at all, and spoke up before he could: "Is this woman a woman who has mistakenly wandered in? It's not appropriate for conflicts to occur in the academy."

"Why don't I take the person away? That would save Your Majesty a lot of trouble."

Fu Quan slowly opened his mouth wide to look at Pei Heng's expression.

Pei Heng surprisingly didn't get angry: "How can you say I trespassed? This is my beauty."

Everyone was stunned by these words, including Shen Lingyi.

When did she become a beauty?

Xu Yanqing dared not raise his head, but the more he thought about it, the more certain he became that the person in Pei Heng's arms was Shen Lingyi. He gritted his teeth and said, "Neither your subject nor Fuquan has ever heard of Your Majesty bestowing the title of 'Beauty' upon anyone."

"Now you know," Pei Heng said, his large hand caressing Shen Lingyi's waist, his thin lips curving slightly. "Your body is delicate and soft, and your skin is as smooth as jade, which I find very pleasing. From this day forward, you shall be bestowed the title of Consort Ning."

Shen Lingyi felt she could no longer remain silent.

She's only been given the title of "Beauty" for no reason right now; who knows if she'll be carried to the palace in a sedan chair later?

Tears and grievances welled up together, and Shen Lingyi hugged the man, tears streaming down her face.

She gently grasped the man's wrist, her full breasts pressed pitifully against his hard chest, her tone melodious: "How can Your Majesty tarnish my reputation for no reason... I only stumbled in by mistake, and now Your Highness wants to take me away, what right do you have to stop me?"

The person in her arms was a demon mountain spirit in disguise; every move she made was captivating.

She clearly stepped over the screen and walked to Pei Heng on her own, but now Xu Yanqing is saying it's as if he forced her.

Pei Heng was so angry he almost laughed, and said sarcastically, "So it seems I was just confused and remembered wrong?"

No sooner had she finished speaking than someone poked her in a reproachful manner.

Pei Heng felt helpless; there was nothing he could do about her.

I had only heard that the General's family was strict in their discipline, but I didn't know exactly what made them so spoiled and prone to lying.

Well then, since he's unwilling, there's no need to force him to enter the palace. There will be a way sooner or later.

Even after Pei Heng figured it out, he didn't let go of the person, giving Fu Quan a cold glare.

"What are you standing there for? Go get a dress."

Fuquan then realized what was happening and soon went to get a female disciple's robe from the academy. It was the same set that Shen Lingyi had sent earlier, but it was too wet to wear.

Pei Heng rested his chin on one hand, watching her decisive action with great interest.

"Your behavior makes me feel like I don't want to stay here for even a second longer."

"Your Majesty also said..." Shen Lingyi immediately glared at him, her cheeks flushed with a mixture of shyness and anger, her face blushing and glowing.

Her lips still bore the rosy marks of being rubbed by fingertips, constantly tempting one to kiss them.

Pei Heng finally understood why there were incompetent rulers throughout history; it was indeed difficult to bear the favor of a beautiful woman.

Being looked at with such a beautiful woman's coquettish shyness, even the most furious person couldn't muster any anger.

Pei Heng felt rather helpless. "I didn't call these people here, so taking your anger out on me won't help."

She smiled and then said, "You seem to know the Crown Prince quite well. Today was supposed to be the day he went to the palace to accompany the Empress Dowager. The ladies in Shou Kang Palace probably already had someone prepare delicious food for him, but he came here instead."

Shen Lingyi's heart tightened, but she replied slowly and deliberately.

"What relationship could I possibly have with His Highness the Crown Prince? You know perfectly well that he only has eyes for my sister."

"I admit that I was somewhat blind and foolish before, but I'm not blind anymore. I've taken a liking to Your Majesty."

"Then how will you prove that you love me?" Pei Heng raised an eyebrow slightly. He could tell that Shen Lingyi was trying to coax him, but he didn't mind playing along.

Shen Lingyi stood barefoot on the edge of the pool, her round and smooth toes tinged with a faint pink.

The next second, Pei Heng's face was lifted up by a pair of hands, and gentle kisses rained down on his thin lips, as if spring had returned to the earth in an instant.

The parched land, nourished by the sweet rain, kept bobbing its Adam's apple.

"The goddess bestows blessings upon all living beings, yet I love the world, but I also love only you."

Pei Heng really did just let the person go.

When the eunuchs learned of this later, they were all somewhat incredulous and said tactfully, "I have heard that Princess Pingyang and His Highness the Crown Prince had some unpleasantness in the past. I'm afraid it is inappropriate for Your Majesty to release her to the Crown Prince."

Pei Heng glanced at her casually, a hint of superiority in his eyes. "You eunuch would never understand. She said that her relationships with others are all just for show, but with me, it's all real."

On the other hand, once Shen Lingyi was dressed neatly, she was once again a pure and innocent female student.

No one could tell that just a quarter of an hour ago she was nestled sweetly in Pei Heng's arms.

The Prince's residence had prepared a carriage, and Xu Yanqing invited her to get on without saying a word.

"I would like to trouble Your Highness to go to the General's place and fetch someone." Shen Lingyi went to the academy to study without anyone by her side, so to save someone, she naturally had to go back to find Qing Le.

Xu Yanqing had clearly misunderstood. His eyes narrowed and he asked with a cold smile, "Who are you looking for? I only realized today how well-connected you are, knowing so many people I didn't even know."

"Even my good father, the emperor, was completely fooled by you."

Charcoal was burning on the carriage, and there was also brewed tea.

The aroma of tea wafted through the air, and the rising steam condensed into mist on Shen Lingyi's eyelashes. She gently raised her hand and brushed away the foam from the top.

"Shouldn't this be a good thing for Your Highness?"

Xu Yanqing was taken aback, and then she heard her say, "Now it seems that His Majesty is in the prime of his life, and if Your Highness wants that position, who knows how long you will have to wait."

"The palace is heavily guarded, so Your Highness must have been struggling to find a spy."

Xu Yanqing followed her words, his movements pausing slightly. "You want to be my informant?"

"Why not?" Shen Lingyi poured him a cup of tea, and the tea flowed into the cup, instantly filling the air with its aroma.

Xu Yanqing scrutinized her but didn't reply.

Shen Lingyi wasn't in a hurry. "Your Highness can take your time to consider it. But this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so make the most of it."