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

Pei Heng was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter: "You certainly know how to pick."

Since the beginning of winter, the Empress Dowager had been unwell several times. He had long wanted to go to the hot spring palace, but he had been delayed by the rebels.

When Shen Lingyi brought it up, he agreed without much thought.

"Fuquan, go back and have someone prepare."

"Yes."

Fuquan smiled and agreed, the more he looked at Shen Lingyi, the more she resembled another Consort Wan in the future.

Although Consort Wan was not a good person, the court was in chaos due to the maternal relatives during the previous dynasty, making the Wan family universally hated.

On the other hand, who wouldn't want to be Consort Wan, second only to the emperor and above all others, truly the number one person in the harem?

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Shen Lingyi smiled like a cat that had just received a dried fish.

Pei Heng couldn't help but pinch the tip of her nose, his expression a mix of helplessness and doting: "You, it's a good thing you didn't enter the palace."

"Otherwise, given your talent for whispering in my ear, I'm afraid I'd be cursed by those pedantic old ministers as a living emperor of insanity."

"How can the late emperor compare to Your Majesty?" Shen Lingyi said sweetly. "The mere mention of the name 'Emperor Ling' is enough to show how scholars praise or criticize him. Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, you have not only eradicated the trend of powerful maternal relatives but also brought peace and prosperity to the world."

"This is only what I know. If we were to talk about His Majesty's achievements, we could go on for three days and three nights without finishing."

Pei Heng held her in his arms, feeling only peace and tranquility in his heart.

Shen Lingyi tugged at his collar, and only when she heard voices outside did she ask, "Does Your Majesty wish to stay here any longer?"

Pei Heng remained silent, his fingers gently pulling back the gauze around Shen Lingyi's neck, his eyes darting around casually.

"You still haven't told me how you got this injury."

Shen Lingyi paused, pressed her hand against his slightly cool fingertips, and said softly, "I'm alright."

The atmosphere seemed to be filled with Pei Heng's deep thoughts, and his gaze was profound and meaningful.

"This person clearly intended to kill you by injuring your neck, but the wound wasn't deep. It seems they changed their mind halfway through the explanation. Such a capricious person could take your life at any moment. So, Miss Shen, are you really going to protect them?"

A chill ran down her neck, and Shen Lingyi instinctively tried to cover the wound that was exposed to the air.

Realizing that this action would reveal even more, he had no choice but to give up.

"Your Majesty...are you interrogating me?" She frowned, slightly incredulous.

Pei Heng held her hand affectionately as always, "I'm just concerned about you. After all, the Second Miss is known as a goddess and has been granted the title of County Princess, making her incredibly popular."

"It's inevitable that some fools will harbor resentment, and I will take responsibility for your life."

The gesture, which was so tender just moments ago, now feels utterly devoid of warmth.

Shen Lingyi knew that the emperor was capricious and suspicious, but this was the first time she had faced him directly.

However, she was prepared.

"Since Your Majesty is concerned about me, I will not hold a grudge against you. I met that person after I left the Prince Su's residence. I suspect that the rebels have not yet been dealt with, and I am worried that Your Majesty will not know how to bring it up."

"That's why I went to great lengths to be with Your Majesty, which led to the trip to the hot spring palace that I just mentioned. Now that Your Majesty knows, there's no need for me to go to any more trouble."

Shen Lingyi said she wasn't angry, but she ripped the gauze off his hand.

Such behavior, which resembles a childish tantrum at home, would be something no one else would dare to do to an emperor.

After all, who knows if she might lose the emperor's favor in the next second?

Shen Lingyi's success was purely due to her exceptional skills and daring.

Fuquan listened, his forehead covered in cold sweat, and he unconsciously softened his breathing.

The next second, the emperor, high above, chuckled softly, all the tension vanishing in that laugh. "Why be so angry? I will investigate."

Shen Lingyi gave a light snort, turned around, and her eyes became more serious. "Then Your Majesty must not test me again in the future."

"……good."

Pei Heng responded with a hint of helplessness; this person in front of him was truly the most troublesome one he had ever encountered.

Although she lacked the abilities of the rebels, she was no less adept at causing trouble. She didn't possess the eloquence of those old ministers, but her little mouth could give him a terrible headache with just a few words.

Pei Heng sighed inwardly, thinking that he really should call those people over to see what his nemesis was.

Before leaving, Fuquan wished he could give Shen Lingyi a thumbs up.

"This old servant will come to the manor to fetch the Second Miss in three days. Please do not forget when you arrive."

After everyone left, Shen Lingyi immediately told Shaoyao to hurry up and send a letter to Wei Chengrui.

"Tell him to hide what needs to be hidden. It's best that no one knows who I met with him that day or what we did."

Peony clearly wanted to ask something, but ultimately chose to remain silent.

Shen Lingyi's injuries weren't serious, but there had been too many ups and downs recently, so she simply used recuperation as an excuse to stay in her room for two days before going out.

On the day of our trip to the hot spring palace, the palace sent a carriage to pick us up on time.

Of those who came, only Fu Quan was present; the figure in bright yellow was nowhere to be seen.

Seeing Shen Lingyi searching for people, Fu Quan chuckled and explained, "His Majesty and the Empress Dowager have already set off. To make the journey more lively, some officials are accompanying them."

After a pause, he added, "If the Second Miss wishes, she may also bring her classmates from the academy."

Shen Lingyi shook her head. "Never mind, she doesn't really like places like this. I'll go alone."

As she boarded the carriage, Shen Lingyi glanced outside and saw the sunlight shining on it, creating a dazzling effect, like a golden light illuminating the way.

The guards surrounded the carriage tightly, so even if an assassin suddenly appeared, it would be impossible for them to harm the people inside.

When faced with such a situation, even if pedestrians cannot recognize whose family is traveling, they will know to take a detour.

Shen Lingyi leaned against the window and asked, "Who went on this trip?"

Fuquan had anticipated her question, and after a chuckle, he counted in detail, "His Highness the Crown Prince is certainly among them, needless to say. Next is Prince Huaizhen, who has endured three years of hardship in the Northern Frontier..."

"The Crown Prince refused to be granted the title of King, saying that he was not yet at the age his father had suggested. However, he had rendered meritorious service in guarding the northern border, and His Majesty would naturally not treat a meritorious official poorly. He would always think of the Crown Prince when there were good things to be done."

Then he listed several more families, all of whom were members of the imperial family or noble families.

Indeed, most noble families cannot go to a place like the imperial palace without His Majesty's permission.

Shen Lingyi's eyebrows twitched repeatedly as she listened.

Fuquan thought she was complaining about the large number of people. "Don't worry, Second Miss," he said, "the palace covers almost half the size of the capital. It can accommodate as many people as you want without causing any disturbance."

Shen Lingyi thought to herself, "That's not what I'm worried about at all. I'm clearly worried about these three meeting..."

The previous attacks, one after another, were already exhausting enough; now, with three of them coming at once, she was worried whether the palace could withstand their onslaught.