So what if she's my sister-in-law? You seduced me first.

After feeding her the medicine, Ning Yu wiped the medicine from Qing He's mouth with a handkerchief, then looked at Xie Xun sitting to the side and said, "Your Majesty, please go out first. I need to take off her clothes and re-dress her."

Xie Xun glanced down at her, his eyes filled with displeasure. "Send the imperial physician."

Ning Yu didn't want to rely on others, nor did she want to go back with him; her expression was indifferent.

"How long are you going to make trouble for me over this servant?"

She didn't speak, but Xie Xun leaned over and pulled the stool she was sitting on closer to him. Ning Yu was startled and was pulled right next to him, so close they were practically touching.

Her cheeks were suddenly lifted, and she met his eyes. "Is she more important than me?"

He didn't show any outward emotion on his face, but Ning Yu could hear the murderous intent in his words. She decided to give up and kicked him, trying to get up.

But the dog emperor's hand was clamping down on her, and she couldn't move at all. She could feel pain in her jaw.

"I fell off the cliff because the horse was startled. It was because I refused to let the palace servants follow me. It had nothing to do with them. I don't like His Majesty committing murder because of me, and I don't want anyone to lose their life because of me."

Xie Xun was amused by her words, "Resent me? Because a bunch of servants resent me."

Ning Yu didn't know how to answer his questions, so she lowered her eyes.

"You are so kind to them. I want to see if those servants you saved will take advantage of you and push their luck in this palace without my protection. I want to see if the wolves and tigers in the court and the harem can devour you without leaving a bone."

The hand that was gripping his chin suddenly released its grip. Ning Yu was jolted by the force of his standing up and almost fell. When she steadied herself by holding onto the table, she saw that he had already lifted the curtain and strode away.

The atmosphere inside the tent was oppressive and heavy, and the air seemed to be filled with a suffocating feeling.

Ning Yu stared at the departing figure, wanting to laugh, but unable to. Bitter tears suddenly slid down her cheeks. She lowered her eyes and suppressed her emotions.

Inside the lavish and empty imperial tent, Xie Xun angrily kicked over a brocade stool on the ground. Anyone could make her compete with him. In her heart, even a servant was more important than him. Ever since she was brought back to the palace, she had never given him a kind look.

"Your Majesty, the medicinal bath is ready."

The palace servants emerged from behind the washroom, each carrying a tray, and bowed respectfully toward the man.

Upon hearing this, Xie Xun recalled that he had ordered someone to prepare a medicinal bath for her as soon as he returned, but that damned woman was completely ungrateful. He said in a cold voice, "Repatriate her."

The head palace servant paused for a moment, then hurriedly replied, "Yes."

The well-trained palace servants cleaned the washroom in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. The female official in charge of conditioning the body also hurriedly followed, bowed, and left the main tent.

Xie Xun sat on a chair covered with bearskin, his head slightly tilted back. The palace lanterns in the four corners illuminated his figure, and in the dim light, his eyes revealed a gloomy look.

The howling north wind swept across the lush South Garden. The tents where the emperor was stationed were far away from the imperial tents, and no one dared to approach the high platform where the flags fluttered in the wind. All around were patrolling armored soldiers.

Inside the imperial tent, the lights were bright, and the Black Sea Dragon Pearl emitted a bright light. Xie Xun had been sitting back in his chair for almost an hour, but that damned woman still hadn't returned. He looked at the motionless curtain and a cold smile appeared on his lips.

good very good!

Qingfeng, who was guarding outside the main tent, saw that the lights inside were still on and knew that his master had been mistreated by the madam again. He didn't dare to go in and get scolded, and silently glanced at the tent not far away.

Madam is still awake, isn't she? She's not going to stay out all night, is she?

Ning Yu did not sleep, fearing that Qing He might develop a fever and faint during the night, so she kept watch over her. The environment inside the tent was rather simple. She lit a candle, sat by the bed, and stared blankly into space.

Exhausted from the whole day, around 4 a.m., she reapplied the ointment to Qinghe and then fell asleep sitting by the bed.

The next day, Ning Yu woke up at dawn. Qing He saw her getting up, rubbing her back, her lips chapped, and she said, "Madam---"

Ning Yu turned around and saw Qing He with her eyes open. A flash of surprise crossed her eyes. "You're awake."

"water."

She hurried to the table, poured a cup of tea, and helped her sit up to drink it.

The tea had long since gone cold overnight, and the cold water made Qinghe's head spin. Ningyu noticed this as well and quickly ordered someone to boil medicine and prepare hot water.

The wind was biting cold, and there were no palace servants waiting outside. When the guards heard her ask for hot water, they clasped their hands in greeting, saying, "We still have to patrol."

It was just dawn, and the soldiers and palace staff were already busy coming and going. Ning Yu stood outside the tent, glanced in the direction of the imperial tent, and knew exactly what it meant. She then lowered the curtain and went to the kitchen.

The kitchen in Nanyuan was specifically for serving the royal family members, officials, and nobles who accompanied His Majesty to the hunting grounds. There were no banquets these past few days, as His Majesty was away attending court and not in Nanyuan. As a result, everyone in the kitchen was lazily doing their own work.

When Ning Yu entered, everyone was taken aback for a moment, bowed, and then went about their business. No one came over to ask her what she wanted.

She went to the stove and started brewing the medicine prescribed by the imperial physician yesterday, then picked up the teapot and poured herself a bowl of water to drink.

Fortunately, no one came to cause her any trouble. Ning Yu breathed a sigh of relief. After everything was cooked, she carried the tea and medicine back to her tent.

After taking the medicine, Qinghe's complexion improved significantly. However, she still couldn't walk on her legs. Knowing that she couldn't rely on the imperial physicians, Ningyu decided to prepare the medicine herself.

"Miss, I'm fine. I'll be alright after a few days of rest."

After applying the ointment left by the imperial physician yesterday to the abrasions on her arms and legs, Ning Yu said, "Don't push yourself, I'll go find some medicine."

Just then, she heard the voice of a guard outside, so she went out to see what was going on.

"Madam, no one is allowed to live in the South Garden. You should return to your palace."

Ning Yu was silent for a moment, then said, "I understand."

The palace servants in Changxin Palace were all performing their duties in an orderly manner. The morning wind and frost were biting and piercing. The head maid saw the lady helping a servant back at a glance. She was about to go over and help her, but she paused and bowed as the servant approached.

"Madam, according to custom, you cannot stay in His Majesty's palace before the wedding."

Before the old woman could finish speaking, Ning Yu interrupted her calmly, "I understand. Where do I live?"

She didn't ask such a foolish question as whether she could leave the palace, and calmly accepted her current situation.

The head maid led her to a side hall, saying, "Madam, please stay here for now."

"Can I live in the Cold Palace?"

"---" the head maid said, "Madam, don't talk nonsense. What proper master lives in the Cold Palace?"

The news that His Majesty had agreed to bestow titles upon the six palaces during the morning court session spread like wildfire throughout the palace.

Rumors spread like wildfire that a woman from the Xiao family had been chosen as a concubine, and that the Lady and His Majesty were at odds. No one knew if it was true or not.

The emperor's favor is fleeting. What chance do women have in the harem if they lose favor? The servants below are adept at changing their tune and acting according to the emperor's wishes.

However, she had been in contact with the lady for some time and did not want her to really fall out of favor. After all, she had not yet been formally conferred a title or given birth to a prince, and life in the palace would not be pleasant if she lost favor.