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

Shen Mingxiu realized that she was still too hasty. She clenched her sleeves, suppressed her unease, and smiled at Xiao Heng: "I heard about the Prime Minister's matter at the New Year's banquet and was quite moved. I thought that Your Majesty had also endured and bided his time for Xiuxiu, so I asked you a question out of concern, not wanting to see lovers in the world regret their lives."

Her explanation was quite logical and reasonable.

Xiao Heng had no doubts: "However, it is a good thing that you have a new favorite. How can you let your heart be tied to one woman and ignore the many wonderful women in the world?"

Ling Xianru gave a slight smile: "Your Majesty is right."

He didn't care what Xiao Heng thought; he was only dealing with him because if things got out of hand, it would bring trouble to Wei Rong.

"Although I do not object to mutual affection," Xiao Heng changed the subject, glancing maliciously at Ling Xianru's lower body, and teased, "If you are to marry because you are pregnant, you may come before me and ask for my decree to grant you marriage."

As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Mingxiu's face turned pale.

The fingernail dug deep into the flesh.

who is it!

Who exactly is here with Ling Xianru?

A shotgun wedding... Does Ling Xianru really not care about her anymore and want to marry someone else?

With a quick glance, Shen Mingxiu looked down and saw two footprints, one large and one small, on the dew-dampened mud. The smaller one had an intricately patterned sole.

Find the owner of these shoes—

She made up her mind and looked up to meet Ling Xianru's gaze.

Ling Xianru's face, once touched, always has the power to make people blush and their hearts race.

But he was just a prime minister.

No matter how much you scheme and plot your whole life, it can never compare to the power of an emperor.

Even as a concubine, as long as she firmly holds the position of favored concubine, even Wei Rong cannot surpass her.

Compared to the mere wife of the Prime Minister, the allure of a favored concubine is undoubtedly far greater...

She betrayed Ling Xianru.

But he clearly said that even if she married someone else, he would still be willing to protect and cherish her, and he said this in front of all the court officials.

Why did he change his mind in just two months?

Ling Xianru seemed not to see the resentment in Shen Mingxiu's eyes: "Of course not. The young lady is delicate and precious. I am fond of her and will protect and love her to prevent her reputation from being tarnished."

"My dear minister, you are truly a devoted lover."

Shen Mingxiu couldn't help but speak softly, "The Prime Minister is of noble status and a man of deep affection. I hope that no one with ulterior motives will take advantage of this devotion."

She was originally well-behaved and quiet, and never paid much attention to outside affairs.

Tonight, however, he spoke to Ling Xianru frequently, which made Xiao Heng glance at him twice.

"Your Majesty is overthinking it," Ling Xianru said with a good smile. "As long as it is my will, even if she wants to take my head, it doesn't matter."

"......"

Shen Mingxiu couldn't listen anymore.

If Xiao Heng hadn't put his arm around her shoulder, she might not have been able to stand up.

"His Majesty!"

A guard suddenly looked tense and rushed over to report: "Your Majesty the Empress—"

Shen Mingxiu felt the hand on her shoulder suddenly loosen; Xiao Heng had released her and had no time to reply to Ling Xianru: "How is the Empress?"

"Her Majesty the Empress twisted her ankle on the way to digest her food after dinner."

"Qiuyun Mountain is not like the palace, where one can walk on flat ground. How could she be so careless?"

As Xiao Heng spoke, he was about to go back to see Wei Rong first. After taking a few steps, he realized that Shen Mingxiu was still in the same place, and then instructed, "Xiuxiu, I have ordered the Imperial Guards to send you back. You should rest well. I will come to see you later."

After giving his instructions, he left in a hurry with the guards without even waiting for Shen Mingxiu to speak.

Ling Xianru watched Xiao Heng's figure disappear into the moonlit forest, then bowed and said, "In that case, I shall take my leave."

Wei Rong shouldn't have sprained her ankle; her men would have escorted her back to camp unharmed.

But when a guard was summoned to announce the news, it didn't seem like a lie.

She was always cautious and didn't want anyone to find fault with her. Perhaps she came up with this plan to dispel any possibility that Xiao Heng would suspect her.

As he was weighing his options, Shen Mingxiu suddenly spoke up to stop him: "Lingqing, please stay."

Ling Xian paused, but did not turn around.

The Imperial Guards were still waiting around, and Shen Mingxiu didn't dare to say anything, but she couldn't help but call out to them.

After thinking for a moment, she instructed the Imperial Guards: "I have a few words with the Prime Minister. You may remain where you are."

The Imperial Guards, unsuspecting, retreated to the edge.

Ling Xianru turned around, one hand behind her back.

The virtuous concubine, dressed in her finest attire and with exquisite makeup, swayed gently in the moonlight.

"Lingqing, is everything you just said true?" She looked pitiful, even on the verge of tears: "Is the one I once loved no longer here?"

"Your Majesty has overstepped your bounds. What does my beloved have to do with Your Majesty?"

Ling Xianru's face was cold, and her words were equally cold, as if she couldn't see the sadness in Shen Mingxiu's eyes at all.

After hearing his words, Shen Mingxiu was even more heartbroken.

She realized that Ling Xianru was blaming her.

"You—are still blaming me."

Ling Xianru chuckled, "Why does Your Highness say such a thing? Why should I blame you?"

Is he really not even going to admit it?

Shen Mingxiu was unwilling to give up. She stepped forward, looked at Ling Xianru, and said firmly, "I entered the palace as a concubine out of sheer necessity. If you had asked for my hand in marriage back then, I would have, even at the cost of everything, been with you!"

A blush crept into Shen Mingxiu's eyes, and glistening tears welled up in them.

She wouldn't allow Ling Xianru to fall in love with anyone else, not anyone at all!

Three years ago, when she rescued that carrier pigeon and saw that painting, along with the three powerful characters "Ling Xianru" written in bold strokes, I developed a strong curiosity about this person.

Later, she saw this man again in the mansion, and chatted happily with her father and brothers, falling in love at first sight.

Ling Xianru, she clearly knew her first!

"I have no idea what Your Highness is talking about," Ling Xianru said calmly. "This is the first time I've ever spoken to Your Highness face to face like this."

Why would he turn on me so ruthlessly?

Shen Mingxiu, afraid of falling tears, turned her head to wipe them away, then turned back: "You're talking nonsense. If that's the case, what about those paintings?"

The carrier pigeons she cured later flew into her courtyard time and time again, bringing with them paintings, which are still kept in her boudoir.

Above, there are vast deserts and yellow sands, mountains, rivers, lakes and seas, and also peach blossoms in full bloom.

Moreover, three years ago, when Ling Xianru first entered officialdom, she visited the Shen residence twice. Each time she saw her, she was clearly a gentleman, humble and gentle, completely unlike her later cold and ruthless demeanor in the court.

If none of this counts as being in love with her, then what does?

Hearing her say this, Ling Xianru lowered her eyelashes, concealing the darkness in her eyes.

"Those weren't for the Empress. The carrier pigeon has already been made into soup."