Favored concubine deposed empress? I'll seize your throne and marry you to a powerful minister.

"Chirp chirp." The little guy was so hungry that he lost all his temper and lay on Wei Rong with a droopy face.

Wei Rong found it amusing and beckoned a guard to catch two small green worms.

It was springtime, and caterpillars were easy to catch, but the guard hesitated to give them to Wei Rong: "Your Majesty, caterpillars are unclean; they might soil your hands."

"It's alright."

The guard had no choice but to find a small bowl, break off two twigs, put the insects in it, and hand it to Wei Rong.

The phoenix's eyes lit up at the sight of the insect, and it chirped even more enthusiastically.

It stopped hiding and started jumping around on Wei Rong's shoulder, staring at the wriggling green worm in the bowl, eager to try it out.

It's obvious that it was raised by humans; it doesn't know how to peck at food in the bowl on its own and has to wait to be fed.

"Spoiled and pampered," Wei Rong murmured, not knowing who she was referring to.

She used a stick to pick up a green worm, and Xuanfeng jumped onto her hand and swallowed the worm in one gulp.

Then it chirped and looked at her, then at the bowl.

This indicates that he/she is not full.

Qiaoyu, standing nearby, couldn't stand it any longer: "Hey, you little brat! Our Empress needs to be waited on hand and foot, and you dare to trouble her to feed you!"

"Chirp chirp chirp!" Xuanfeng chirped at Qiaoyu again, then rubbed against Wei Rong's hand, chirping.

Wei Rong then fed it another one.

Everyone watched as the Empress patiently fed a black phoenix.

She showed no disgust at the filth of the insects, nor was she afraid of being pretentious. After feeding the insects, she even patted the phoenix on the head.

Her skirt billowed in the wind, and a doting smile appeared on her lips, captivating all who looked at her.

The shimmering water reflecting off her skirt made her look almost unreal, more like a fairy descended from heaven.

Xiao Heng couldn't help but take two steps.

"Your Majesty!" Shen Mingxiu's eyes were filled with resentment and jealousy. "You promised to stay with me!"

Xiao Heng also felt that she was strange.

He should still be angry with Wei Rong, after all, Wei Rong is a woman with remarkable methods.

It's not a good thing for a woman with too many ideas to be in his harem; one day, the harem will be thrown into chaos because of her.

Moreover, she is good at provoking herself.

Ever since Wei Beimu died, she seemed to have abandoned all past affection, and she never gave him a kind look whenever they met.

In comparison, Shen Mingxiu loved him to the core.

So how could he not dote on Shen Mingxiu?

Sometimes I think, if only Wei Rong were as well-behaved and adorable.

She puts him first in everything and keeps the admonition that the husband is the head of the wife in mind. How could she have neglected her for so long?

But it is still undeniable—

Compared to Shen Mingxiu's plain and unassuming appearance, Wei Rong, after dressing up, was absolutely stunning.

Who doesn't love a beautiful woman?

"I...have something to say to the Empress. I'll be right back." Xiao Heng instructed his servants to take good care of Shen Mingxiu before heading towards Wei Rong.

Last time, he made a big fuss and got so angry that he didn't know his own strength.

If Ling Xianru hadn't arrived in time, Wei Rong would have almost been unable to breathe.

I remember when I left, the marks on her neck were very deep.

He didn't know if the imperial physician had prescribed medicine for him to apply later, because he was too far away to see clearly just now.

Wei Rong was still focused on playing with Xuan Feng and didn't notice the newcomer at all.

As Xiao Heng approached, she gestured for the servant who was about to report to be quiet.

Not knowing what His Majesty was doing here at this time, Qiaoyu was so nervous that she broke out in a cold sweat, fearing that the same thrilling thing that happened a while ago would happen again.

Wei Rong picked some wildflowers from the surrounding area and, without much restraint, sat down on a large rock beside her and wove a small wreath from the wildflowers.

Orange, red, blue, and white flowers, all sorts of colors, quickly took shape in her hands.

Xuanfeng looked on curiously and even pecked at the flower.

Then Wei Rong grabbed it and put a flower wreath around its neck.

"That's great, it's not just pale yellow anymore, it's a pretty little bird with colorful plumage." Wei Rong poked its beak: "Satisfied?"

Xuanfeng didn't know what it had become, but the flower wreath around its neck was extremely in the way. It chirped a few times in dissatisfaction, and when Wei Rong refused to remove it, it flew away angrily.

Wei Rong craned her neck to search for its tracks: "Going to complain to the master."

Then suddenly, they came into view of the person above them.

Xiao Heng stood with his hands behind his back, smiling slightly as he looked at her: "If you like the Black Phoenix, I will send a few to you. This one is clearly already taken."

She stepped down from the large rock, knelt on the ground to pay her respects, and the smile on her face disappeared: "Your Majesty, may you be well."

Get up.

Xiao Heng reached out and helped her up, then looked at her neck: "Has your injury from last time fully healed?"

He asked about her injuries with an air of nonchalance, and Wei Rong didn't know whether to call him magnanimous or just habitually pretending to be naive.

After all this commotion, how could Xiao Heng possibly come to her and act like nothing had happened?

Strange to say.

The first time he slapped her across the face, she couldn't sleep all night, repeatedly questioning herself about how outrageous her choices had been over the years.

The pain of the second slap was secondary; what bothered him was that he couldn't swallow his anger and was determined to make Shen Mingxiu pay the price, even if it meant a fight to the death.

During the ensuing argument, her neck was nearly broken, and all she felt was relief.

Once you understand what kind of person Xiao Heng is, you will be able to view him rationally from then on.

His current concern is nothing more than a slap followed by a sweet treat, since they are the beneficiaries in Shen Mingxiu's case.

Therefore, I felt that giving her some care was just a small favor.

With so many eyes watching, and the Emperor and Empress at odds, will they start arguing again now?

If the situation escalates out of control in public, will they intervene or not?

"Thanks to Your Majesty, there is no problem."

Wei Rong spoke with a distance, maintaining a distance of three steps between them.

Xiao Heng felt that the palace was the best private school. If an adult stayed there for three to five years, even a tough guy would become dependent on power.

However, these principles do not seem to apply to Wei Rong.

She was like this before she entered the palace, and three years later, she is still the same.

If it were anyone else, and he were to back down, the other party would be expected to accept the concession.

Who are you trying to impress with that face?

The bird's expression was more tender than his.

Even so, with this outfit and that cold expression, Wei Rong still looks good.

Xiao Heng believed that the most beautiful woman in his harem was still the Empress.

Xiao Heng was displeased by his pride: "What else are you dissatisfied with? If you want Xiuxiu to be punished, I have already punished her."

"Your Majesty, I have no complaints. You are overthinking this," Wei Rong said, brushing the grass clippings off her clothes and looking at Shen Mingxiu. "The Virtuous Consort has been enjoying herself lately and has become a bit plump."

Compared to how she looked when she was sick at the beginning of the year, Shen Mingxiu has indeed gained some weight in her cheeks after a month apart.

Xiao Heng withdrew her gaze: "I haven't left the house for a month, and the palace servants have taken good care of me."

"Then the palace servants should be rewarded. They've been demoted and confined, yet they've managed to gain some weight. It's truly remarkable that they've done such a good job."

Wei Rong's words had a hidden meaning, which Xiao Heng understood: "What does the Empress mean?"

"What does Your Majesty mean literally? What are you thinking?"

At this moment, the sun was blocked by a cloud drifting in from the horizon, casting a shadow.

"You—take good care of the concubines this time, and don't have any wicked thoughts," Xiao Heng couldn't help but warn, "especially Xiuxiu."