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

For nearly a month afterward, Qingyi Palace became Shen Wangxi's second Taiji Palace in the palace.

He outwardly continued to handle state affairs in the Taiji Hall, but in reality, he spent most of his time there.

Sometimes, while he sat at his desk reviewing memorials, she would quietly lean against the soft couch beside him, reading miscellaneous notes or local chronicles, creating a tranquil and warm atmosphere.

Sometimes, she would sit at the zither table and pluck the strings with her slender fingers.

Shen Wangxi would then put down what he was doing and walk over, pulling her into his arms from behind. He would place his large hand on her delicate hand and guide her to adjust her fingering, while his melodious voice explained the secrets of music to her.

Shen Qingruo then realized that he not only had excellent handwriting and chess skills, but also played the zither so well, though he never showed it off.

When playing chess, he liked to hold her directly on his lap, encircling her in his arms, with one arm around her slender waist and the other holding the chess piece, patiently explaining the opening strategy to the chess notation.

The little girl seemed to understand, but she always looked at him with admiration and said softly, "Your Majesty is so amazing. Aruo is so stupid, she can never learn it."

Occasionally, when playing chess, she would rack her brains but still fall behind. When she was about to lose, she would let out a spoiled groan and start to act like a cheat.

Unlike others who were cautious, she stood directly in front of him, sat in his lap, and wrapped her snow-white arms around his neck, her voice soft and sweet: "This step doesn't count, does it?"

"Your Majesty, please give way to Aruo, okay?"

Shen Wangxi was stunned for a long time when she saw her behaving so shamelessly for the first time.

He had learned from childhood that once a move was made, it could not be taken back. He had never seen anyone play chess with him and dare to openly take back a move.

But seeing her snuggling in his arms and acting coquettishly, he couldn't hold onto his principles and was left with nothing but endless indulgence.

"Alright, as you wish." Shen Wangxi chuckled, pinched her soft cheek, and let her retract the move and place it again.

After she succeeds, she will tilt her little face up, give him a sweet smile, and give him a quick kiss, making his heart melt.

At night, Shen Wangxi stayed almost every night, frequently taking possession of the alluring body beneath him.

His thin lips brushed against her ear, and he whispered repeatedly, "Aruo, give me a little prince."

-

Another day has passed. Shen Jingyan has been freed for more than half a month, but she has never been able to successfully enter the Taiji Hall.

She paced back and forth in the Jingyang Palace, her face full of restlessness and anxiety.

In the past, she, as the Princess Protector of the Nation, could freely enter and exit the Taiji Palace and even the Golden Palace, and her father never hid his whereabouts from her.

Now she couldn't even get close to the palace gates. The guards were polite but firm in stopping her, saying that His Majesty was too busy with state affairs to summon her.

This feeling of being isolated made her anxious.

"Father, are you still angry with me?" she murmured to herself.

She turned to her most trusted head maid, Bizhu, and said urgently, "Go and find out again! Where is Father Emperor today? He can't stay in the Taiji Palace forever!"

Bizhu replied cautiously, "Your Highness, the Taiji Palace is keeping a tight rein on things, and we really can't find out anything. However, there seems to be some unusual activity at the Qingyi Palace."

"Qingyi Palace?" Shen Jingyan's eyes sharpened. "What happened to that bitch again?"

Bizhu lowered her voice: "Our people discovered that Granny Yan recently went to the Imperial Hospital secretly, not to have her pulse checked, but to take some medicine. Her behavior was suspicious."

"I bribed a young apprentice who said the medicine contained ingredients that could prevent pregnancy."

"Contraceptive soup?" Shen Jingyan's pupils contracted sharply, and she stood up abruptly. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely true! Although the prescription is obscure, the ingredients together are undoubtedly for contraception!"

The color drained from Shen Jingyan's face instantly. Her suspicions were finally put to rest, and she was filled with the rage of betrayal.

Father and Shen Qingruo did indeed have an affair, and it even progressed to that point, otherwise why would they need a contraceptive potion?

But if the emperor doesn't want children, he can openly and honestly bestow medicine from the Taiji Palace. Why would the people from the Qingyi Palace need to sneak around to get it?

There's only one possibility: Shen Qingruo herself doesn't want to have the child!

This realization fueled Shen Jingyan's anger even more.

"How dare she!" Shen Jingyan swept the teacup off the table, the sound of the porcelain shattering was ear-piercing.

"An unidentified bastard, relying on her looks, climbed into the emperor's bed and dared to deceive the emperor, thus trampling on my father's favor!"

Her chest heaved violently, and her mind raced.

Whether Shen Qingruo was playing hard to get to secure his favor or had other plans, this was a fatal weakness.

"Bizhu!" Shen Jingyan ordered sternly, "Keep a close eye on the Imperial Hospital and Qingyi Palace. You must obtain conclusive evidence that Shen Qingruo is using contraception."

"Yes, Your Highness," Bizhu replied quickly.

Shen Jingyan walked to the window, looking in the direction of Qingyi Palace with a cold and venomous gaze.

Shen Qingruo, you just wait.

This time, I'm determined to tear off your hypocritical mask.

Let the Emperor see clearly what kind of audacious and despicable woman he now favors is!