"Impossible!"
Xia Ruqing was filled with grievances, and upon hearing these words, she gritted her teeth and said angrily.
Everyone thought she was seducing the Emperor!
Why would she even bother?
As she spoke, she even kicked him once.
Not too hard, not too light, just enough to tug at his heartstrings.
Zhao Junyao couldn’t help but smile.
He most liked that little girl who would act coy with him.
Like a little chili pepper, charming and spirited, like a wildcat!
Sensual and captivating!
He didn’t like those who were timid and indecisive.
"What’s wrong?"
His voice softened considerably.
Xia Ruqing glanced at him sneakily.
Once she confirmed he wasn’t angry, she turned her head aside.
"Hmph!"
"Listen to these palace rumors!"
"They’ve turned me into something!"
As she spoke, she almost shed tears from grievance!
Men!
A mix of toughness and softness works best.
Always being tough makes it hard to coax, and a man’s heart grows cold.
Being always soft only leads to compliance and never earns favor.
So... this balance must be well grasped.
Seeing her about to cry.
Zhao Junyao’s heart indeed felt a twinge of ache.
"What have they said about you?"
He’s been busy with matters of agriculture in the north these days.
He’s heard little of the news in the harem.
Could it be... those women have stirred up trouble again?!
Xia Ruqing saw him ask.
Directly and generously, she explained the whole story.
Of course, adding drama was a must.
In short, she herself was blameless, the fault was everyone else’s, humph!
Upon listening, Zhao Junyao’s expression turned cold indeed.
After a moment of silence, he patted her back.
"Alright! I know now!"
"Qingqing, you’re wronged!"
Xia Ruqing shook her head, speaking with grandeur.
"Not wronged!"
"Emperor... I serve you with a clear conscience, but I fear it’s the children who are wronged!"
"Henger and Yeye are still naive!"
"But Chenchen is already four years old, if he hears..."
Xia Ruqing started tearing again!
Zhao Junyao’s heart chilled as well.
Indeed.
What if the children heard this gossip?
His gaze suddenly turned frosty.
Then returned to normal after a moment.
"I’ll handle this!"
Xia Ruqing gazed tearfully at him, nodding fervently.
Then lowered her head, mulling over for a while.
Finally, cautiously lifted her head and said.
"Emperor!"
"What about the Empress... maybe it’s better to bring her back."
Her voice was small, with a slight tremble.
Though it went against her conscience, she had to say it.
Zhao Junyao’s gaze suddenly turned cold, wanting to lash out but held back.
Finally, he gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice.
"No way! It’s non-negotiable!"
The matter of the Empress is settled; he won’t change it at all.
Xia Ruqing’s heart eased.
"Oh!"
’That’s good!’
Not coming back is indeed good!
The Empress once tried to harm her life; this she remembers vividly.
A heart like a snake’s; her children are still so young.
Bring her back to continue causing harm?!
Zhao Junyao also breathed a sigh of relief.
He lay beside her on the bed.
"I’m tired! Sleep with me for a while!"
Xia Ruqing wiped her tears and smiled.
"Alright!"
"I’m sleepy too!"
The two chatted idly for a while before falling asleep.
By mid-afternoon, Xia Ruqing was still asleep.
Zhao Junyao had already left.
Returned to Zhaochen Palace.
His face immediately became cold.
"Li Shengan!"
"Servants here!"
Li Shengan’s back was all cold sweat.
That expression was frightening!
"You’ve hidden things well!"
Zhao Junyao, biting his teeth, flung a document over.
Li Shengan’s hat was accurately knocked off!
His knees went soft; he immediately crawled to the ground.
"Em... Emperor..."
Thinking, what caused such anger?!
He hadn’t hidden anything! Except...
Body trembled, could it be those words?
"Emperor... Servants are guilty! Seeing you’ve been busy lately!"
"Sometimes summoning officials in the middle of the night! Servants... dared not disturb you!"
Zhao Junyao kicked over again.
"No matter how busy I am, I can’t ignore her!"
"She doesn’t speak; you don’t speak either!"
She’s the woman he loves most!
Loving means treating her well, making her happy, right?!
She was unhappy but he didn’t know.
How can this be?!
Li Shengan got kicked and fell to one side.
Luckily, the Emperor didn’t use force.
He quickly climbed back up.
"Servants are guilty, begging the Emperor to calm his anger!"
Zhao Junyao impatiently waved his hand.
"Rise up!"
What can be done? Can’t possibly kill him!
"Tell me about recent affairs with Consort Ning!"
"And The Eldest Princess"
Actually, his main concern was the children.
Since he last saw The Eldest Princess in that state.
His heart was truly conflicted.
Still his eldest princess; with that demeanor, how will it be when she’s married?
In his opinion, a princess should have a dignity befitting a princess.