The bright moon hangs high, beckoning him down from his pedestal.

Shen Wangxi leaned down, getting close to her, and firmly pressed his large hand against her slender waist, preventing her from moving around.

"Nothing."

"I was just thinking that Aruo's blue outfit today suits my taste very well."

He then changed the subject: "But after much thought, I feel that Aruo should still be punished slightly for what happened just now."

Shen Qingruo turned her head, her watery eyes filled with confusion: "Your Majesty, didn't you say you weren't angry anymore?"

"Angry?" Shen Wangxi chuckled softly, his fingertips tracing the ribbon around her waist. "Of course I'm not angry."

He bowed his head. "Now I just want to see if Aruo, beneath this blue dress, is as endearing as she is outside."

"No, I won't agree," she protested weakly, pushing him away with her small hands. "It's still daylight..."

"I know." He easily restrained her fidgeting wrists. "If you're shy, you can speak more quietly so that no one outside can hear you." He touched the smooth skin on her legs.

The man had calluses on his hands from practicing martial arts, and Shen Qingruo couldn't help but furrow her brows slightly.

"Your Majesty..." she said softly.

"Weren't you quite impressive this afternoon?" He lowered his head and kissed her beautiful, tearful eyes, his tone teasing. "You dared to slap the Empress, and now you're scared?"

"She humiliated me first..." she whispered in defense, but her body grew weaker and weaker.

"Yes, she bullied you, and I'll stand up for you." His kisses traveled down her cheek and landed on her slender neck. "Now, it's time for Aruo to thank me properly."

The little girl said with a soft, aggrieved voice, "What punishment, what gratitude, it's all just an excuse."

Shen Wangxi acquiesced and said no more, replacing words with a period.

Her clothes gradually became disheveled, revealing her fair and delicate legs through her blue, belted long dress.

Shen Qingruo bit her lower lip, only a faint breath remaining, while the man's well-defined muscles in his waist and abdomen exuded power.

She called to him pitifully, "...Your Majesty."

Shen Wangxi lowered his head and kissed her rosy lips, "It's okay, Ruo'er."

Outside the palace, Granny Yan stood respectfully with her hands at her sides, listening to the faint sounds coming from inside. First came the young lady's dissatisfaction, then His Majesty's low and indistinct soothing words, and then the voices became even more ambiguous.

Her tense shoulders slowly relaxed, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

The fact that the argument escalated to the point of bedchamber shows that His Majesty's anger has finally subsided.

Wu Tian, ​​who was not far away, also pricked up his ears. Hearing that the commotion inside had changed, he gave a knowing look on his face and quietly gave Granny Yan a thumbs up.

Her mistress, Consort Zhao, is truly remarkable.

He struck the Empress in public, but instead of being punished, he aroused the Emperor's lust in broad daylight.

This favor, this way of manipulating men, is truly unparalleled in the palace.

He shook his head, sighing inwardly: This time, the Empress is probably going to be so angry she'll vomit blood again.

An hour later, inside the palace.

Shen Qingruo lay limply in Shen Wangxi's arms, utterly exhausted.

Shen Wangxi held the warm, soft woman in his arms, his large hand stroking her smooth, tender back.

"Don't be so impulsive again. If someone uses this against you, you won't be able to explain yourself," he warned, his voice still hoarse.

Shen Qingruo gently snuggled against him in response, her voice soft and husky: "I know, as long as she doesn't bother me..."

Shen Wangxi felt helpless, knowing that her words were not very reliable, so she could only hug her tighter.

"Go to sleep," he said. "I'll stay with you for a while."

Shen Qingruo nestled comfortably in his arms, inhaling his pleasant scent, and fell into a deep sleep.

Shen Wangxi looked at her peaceful sleeping face with loving eyes.

So delicate yet so bold, it was impossible for him to be ruthless towards her, so he could only protect her a little more.

-

The next day, Shen Wangxi's decree spread throughout the palace.

"The Empress's words and actions were inappropriate. She mentioned the imperial heir, which aroused the Consort's grief, causing her to become emotionally unstable and overstep her bounds, thus offending the Empress."

"From this day forward, those in Jiaofang Palace and Yilan Palace will each be confined to their quarters for half a month to reflect on their past mistakes."

"This matter is not open for discussion."

When the imperial decree reached the Jiaofang Palace, Wulan Yun was applying ice to her cheeks, where the red marks had not yet faded.

After hearing the eunuch read it aloud, she slammed what she was holding to the ground, her eyes filled with humiliation as she spoke:

"Your Majesty, you have humiliated me and your Empress so much for that vile woman!"

Granny Su comforted her, "Your Majesty, please calm down. His Majesty has ultimately punished Princess Yilan..."

"Punishment?" Wulan Yun interrupted sharply, her voice trembling. "What kind of punishment is this?"

"Shen Qingruo was only confined for half a month? It's nothing!"

"What I have been slapped in the face is my dignity as Empress."

"His Majesty is clearly telling the entire palace that even if you beat the Empress, you'll only be confined to your quarters for half a month. He's blatantly showing favoritism!"

Looking at her disheveled appearance in the mirror, and thinking of Shen Qingruo's charming face, she felt a deep-seated hatred.

"Shen Qingruo, the future is long. I will fight you to the death!"