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

Shen Lingyi looked aggrieved and made accusations.

"If I hadn't been in love with Your Majesty, why would I have been so eager to throw myself into Your Majesty's arms, and even done that thing so early on?"

Pei Heng was caught off guard and recalled the tender and affectionate moments from that time.

The intoxicating sensation sent shivers down my spine, and I could almost hear the woman's sweet moans echoing in my ears.

The so-called clouds and rain over Wushan are nothing more than this.

After that night, he intended to find her, whether to investigate her background or to bestow upon her the title of imperial concubine.

However, the person could not be found, and the title of concubine could not be conferred.

Thinking of the repeated rejections he received, Pei Heng almost laughed in anger, though his face showed no sign of it. "Since I ascended the throne, every year the court officials have submitted memorials requesting the expansion of the harem. I had this intention a few days ago, but you abandoned it halfway through."

"Now you say you admire me, but I really haven't seen it."

Shen Lingyi's eyes widened. Pei Heng found it quite amusing to see her with such an expression.

The next second, she asked incredulously, "It was clearly the remnants of the Wan family who caused this trouble, so why is Your Majesty blaming me?"

Three parts grievance, seven parts sincerity—she really pretended to be stupid and understood perfectly.

Pei Heng chuckled and said to her meaningfully, "Do you know that if anyone else had tricked me like this, I would have executed their entire family long ago?"

Shen Lingyi pouted, looking aggrieved, her eyebrows furrowed: "...Then I thank Your Majesty for sparing my life."

Pei Heng had teased her enough, and seeing that her eyes were already brimming with tears, he knew it was time to stop.

He summoned Fuquan and sent both Shen sisters out of the palace.

After all, there was no direct proof that Shen Tingjiao was involved in the matter. The file could only show that the hidden weapon came from Wuyi Lane and had nothing to do with Shen Lingyi.

We also need to consider the reputation of the General's Mansion, so it's impossible to imprison the person.

However, Pei Heng glanced at Shen Lingyi, paused, and then said, "Tell General Shen that this woman has been disrespectful to me, and order him to discipline her strictly."

He added, "If he's unwilling to take care of it, I can take care of it for him."

Peony has been released and is now beside Shen Lingyi.

Hearing His Majesty's blatant favoritism, she couldn't help but glance at the person beside her.

Shen Lingyi remained calm, seemingly oblivious to the gazes directed at her from all directions, and even paused before leaving.

"Oh, Your Majesty." She ran back quickly and squatted down in an extremely casual manner, her astonishing etiquette causing several palace maids to close their eyes in unison.

Pei Heng, however, seemed not to notice, raising an eyebrow slightly. "What else is there? Don't push your luck."

Although he was critical, his tone clearly showed no blame whatsoever.

Shen Lingyi was not afraid at all and boldly suggested, "My family has a little beggar who is quite skilled in medicine."

"I feel it's a waste of his talent to have him follow me. Why don't you, Your Majesty, make an exception and let him enter the palace to learn from those veteran imperial physicians?"

Not far away.

Fuquan nearly stumbled, wondering if he had misheard. What did the Second Miss say? That His Majesty would give her special treatment?

Shen Lingyi did not empathize with the chief eunuch's feelings; she was busy calculating her own agenda.

It's one thing that Qing Le didn't have traditional medical training, but more importantly, Shen Lingyi wanted to plant her own spies in the palace.

Pei Heng scrutinized her for a while, and finally agreed.

When leaving the palace, we still rode in a carriage arranged by the palace. I have to say, the imperial carriage is definitely more comfortable than our own.

Shen Lingyi leaned back on the blanket, her fingertips twirling a bright orange apricot.

Peony recalled the young emperor's expression in the hall earlier and asked uncertainly, "Miss, do you think His Majesty noticed?"

With a flick of a green onion finger, the sweet and sour fruit pulp instantly falls into the mouth and is swept away by the tongue.

Shen Lingyi's face was cold, a stark contrast to her pitiful and adorable demeanor just moments before.

"As long as the goal is achieved, that's all that matters."

Seeing this, Peony was relieved. Thankfully, Miss was still the same Miss.

Anyone who witnesses Pei Heng and Shen Lingyi's interactions will inevitably wonder: who fell in love first?

Even Shaoyao, who knew Shen Lingyi best, was fooled for a moment by her act and thought that Shen Lingyi had really fallen in love.

Fortunately, it seems that only the emperor, who is high above, is tempted.

The trip was quite eventful, and upon returning home, Madam Jiang inevitably offered him much care and advice.

Shen Lingyi also told her about what happened in the palace, omitting the part about Pei Heng.

Madam Jiang gripped her handkerchief tightly. "If I had known this would happen, I would have rather died than have given your sister to the old lady."

It's too late to say anything now.

Shen Lingyi couldn't say anything, since she had just been born when this happened.

Jiang seemed to have been inspired and began to compete with the old lady.

Originally, the household management was split equally between the two people. Madam Jiang held onto the less important half, while the lucrative task of purchasing was firmly controlled by Granny Feng.

Since Granny Feng was the old lady's person, it was no different from being controlled by the old lady.

Jiang found fault with Granny Feng and wanted to give her a good beating first.

The old lady directly sent a maid over and said, "Granny Feng is from Ning Shou Hall. If she does something wrong, the old lady will punish her. It would be best if you, Madam, didn't meddle in other people's business."

After saying this, he summoned several rough-looking old women to forcibly take Granny Feng back.

Jiang was so angry that her chest ached, but she couldn't openly express her dissatisfaction with her mother-in-law.

As a man, Shen Su was even less likely to interfere in such matters of the inner quarters.

"Mother, don't get angry." Shen Lingyi asked the nanny for a cup of water to help Jiang Shi calm down.

Ning, the old nanny beside Madam Jiang, snorted irritably, "Second Miss, you don't know, this isn't the first time the Old Madam has targeted our courtyard."

Shen Lingyi paused; she truly didn't know.

Anyone with eyes could see that this mother-in-law and daughter-in-law didn't get along, but the old lady hadn't done anything major over the years; at most, she'd just say a few sarcastic things.

Madam Jiang sighed and explained, "The old lady believed in prophecies. Some people said that her year was unlucky and she should not fight with others, so she behaved herself for many years. These years have also been the most peaceful time for me since I came to this mansion."

"The feud between Ning Shou Hall and our courtyard dates back many years. The old lady originally favored a daughter-in-law who was the daughter of a prefect. At that time, the general was powerless and needed a powerful wife's family to support him." Granny Ning said indignantly.

"The general and the governor's daughter didn't get along. The person he loved was the lady, and they had already secretly pledged their lives to each other, which displeased the old lady..."

The period immediately after she married into the family was the most difficult time for Jiang Shi. If it weren't for Shen Su protecting her, she would have suffered greatly.

She's ready to divorce and return to Liangzhou at any moment.

Shen Lingyi combed through Jiang's hair and noticed several silver strands, which she concealed without leaving a trace.

"Mother, don't be angry, your daughter has a solution."