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

Inside the inner hall, specially made incense had already been lit, mixed with a faint, subtle fruity and woody fragrance that was not easily detected.

Shen Wangxi took off his soaked outer robe and picked up the clean robe that had been prepared. He felt a surge of heat rising up inside him, which came quickly and intensely.

His breath hitched, and he immediately realized something was wrong. Was this a love potion?

Just then, the wardrobe door was gently pushed open.

Liu Rusi, wearing a cloak, came out from inside, her face showing shyness.

As she walked toward Shen Wangxi, she untied her cloak, revealing that she was wearing only a layer of cherry-colored gauze underneath, her graceful figure faintly visible beneath.

"Your Majesty..." Her voice was soft and seductive, her eyes sparkling with a blatant allure, "May I have Ru Si assist you in changing?"

Shen Wangxi's body was tense, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

The drug was extremely potent, surging wildly within his body.

He watched Liu Rusi approach, her curves beneath the light veil, her snow-white skin, all of which challenged his already fragile sanity.

"Get out." His voice was low and hoarse, filled with suppressed anger.

Liu Rusi seemed not to hear him, and instead moved even closer, almost touching him.

She raised her slender hand and boldly placed it on his firm chest, feeling the taut muscles beneath his thin undergarment.

Her breath was sweet as orchids. She looked up at him, her eyes glazed. "Your Majesty, you're burning up. Let me help you..."

As she spoke, she actually stood on tiptoe and brought her luscious red lips close to his chin.

Shen Wangxi abruptly turned his head to avoid her, grabbing her restless wrist with such force that Liu Rusi cried out in pain.

"I told you to get out!" His eyes were dark and gloomy, his breathing was heavy, and his gaze was terrifying.

Liu Rusi was momentarily startled by the fierce look in his eyes, but thinking of her future, she gritted her teeth and, instead of backing down, used her other hand to loosen the ties of her light gauze.

She pressed herself against him, her voice trembling with tears and seduction: "Your Majesty, Rusi truly loves you, please have mercy on her..."

The medicinal effects within Shen Wangxi were churning violently, and he suddenly pushed Liu Rusi away with all his might.

Liu Rusi gasped in surprise, staggered backward, and fell, her elbow hitting the ground. The pain brought tears to her eyes instantly.

Taking advantage of the moment, Shen Wangxi grabbed a teacup from the small table next to her and smashed it hard on the ground.

The porcelain shards shattered, and he quickly picked up a piece and, without hesitation, slashed his left arm.

The stinging pain, accompanied by the seepage of blood, instantly cleared his muddled mind.

Liu Rusi fell to the ground, not seeing clearly Shen Wangxi's actions of cutting himself, only seeing that he had his back to her.

She thought he was still struggling, and hope rekindled in her heart.

Liu Rusi gritted her teeth, got up, and suddenly hugged Shen Wangxi's firm waist from behind, pressing her cheek against his broad back, and called out in a sweet voice:

"Your Majesty, let Rusi serve you. Rusi is willing to do anything..."

Shen Wangxi stiffened, took a deep breath, and forcibly suppressed the restlessness within her.

He grasped Liu Rusi's hand, which was wrapped around his waist, and forcefully flung her away.

This time, Liu Rusi crashed directly into the pillar behind her, letting out a muffled groan, too pained to speak for a moment.

Shen Wangxi stopped looking at her, quickly picked up the outer robe she had taken off earlier, put it on neatly, tied the belt tightly, and covered the wound on her arm.

He turned around and walked step by step toward Liu Rusi, who was leaning against a pillar, completely naked.

Seeing him approach, Liu Rusi forced herself to stand up straight, then tried to lean softly towards him, "Your Majesty..."

Shen Wangxi raised her hand and grabbed her chin, forcing her to lift her head.

His gaze swept over her with disgust before returning to her ambitious face.

Shen Wangxi spoke, her voice low and mocking, "Why would you give up being a proper county princess and insist on climbing into my bed?"

Liu Rusi was stunned, her face turning pale from the contempt in his words.

Shen Wangxi tightened her grip on her chin, making it ache, and asked again, "Trying to steal the Consort's favor?"

His gaze drifted downwards, taking in her slender figure that she was so proud of, his tone dripping with humiliation: "Look in the mirror too, and see if you have the assets."

Liu Rusi trembled all over, and tears of humiliation finally rolled down her cheeks.

Shen Wangxi released his hand as if he had touched something dirty, and turned to leave.

"Your Majesty!" Seeing his resolute stance, Liu Rusi rushed over and collapsed to the ground, clinging tightly to his leg and sobbing uncontrollably.

"You have seen Ru Si's body. Ru Si is already yours and cannot marry another. I beg Your Majesty to grant Ru Si a way to live..."

Shen Wangxi's steps were halted, and he looked down at the disheveled woman at his feet.

He spoke, his voice devoid of warmth, "Fine, then from now on, you won't be the county princess anymore."

Liu Rusi looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears and anticipation.

Shen Wangxi continued, "I hereby bestow upon you the title of Noble Lady and grant you residence in the Jiaofang Palace."

Liu Rusi was stunned. Noble Lady? Although it was a rank in the harem, it was far lower than the Consort rank she had expected, and not even a Concubine of the main palace.

Moreover, granting her residence in the Jiaofang Palace? This is clearly a way of banishing her to the cold palace.

Everyone knows that Jiaofang Palace has completely fallen out of favor.

"Your Majesty!" she protested again.

Shen Wangxi had grown impatient and kicked her hand away with a light kick.

"Wu Tian!" he called out towards the outside of the hall.

Wu Tian, ​​who was waiting outside, immediately bowed and went inside, keeping his eyes down and not daring to look around.

"Issue the decree." Shen Wangxi's voice returned to its usual coldness. "Liu Shi is hereby granted the title of Noble Lady and shall move to the side hall of Jiaofang Palace, effective immediately."

Wu Tian immediately replied, "This servant obeys the decree."

Shen Wangxi stopped looking at Liu Rusi, who was slumped on the ground, and strode away.

The wound on his arm was still throbbing, but it was nothing compared to the disgust he felt for Wulan Yun's actions.