Zhou Yun couldn’t help but clutch her abdomen, her face showing traces of pain. Liang Zhe looked down at her condescendingly and said coldly, “Go back and tell Liu Junqing that if he dares show any more covetous intentions toward Shuying, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

Thinking of Liu Junqing’s behavior, Zhou Yun forgot her fear and angrily retorted, “His heart is set on Qin Shuying—how can I control that?!”

“Did you not hear clearly what I said? I want you to tell him—relay my exact words to him! Also, if you dare spout nonsense again next time, that river is prepared just for you!”

Zhou Yun immediately fell silent.

“Get lost!”

Zhou Yun supported herself on the table to stand up, glared at Liang Zhe resentfully, and left unwillingly.

Seeing Liang Zhe enter, Lu Ye also followed behind Zhou Yun and went out.

Liang Zhe was very satisfied. This Lu Ye had excellent perception—he missed his wife and wanted to talk with her.

Qin Shuying sat down and looked at Liang Zhe with a smile. “Ziyu, you startled me just now. I was truly worried your hand might slip and drop her.”

Liang Zhe smiled and sat down boldly, spreading his legs wide. “I just came from over there and saw your carriage stopped outside, so I followed you in. That fool Zhou Yun actually dared to cause you trouble. Even killing her would dirty my hands. Now that Luo Jinniang is in power and the Hu family is jumping up and down, Zhou Yun will have plenty to suffer—naturally I wouldn’t get myself dirty with that mess. Today was just a warning to make her not dare trouble you in the future.”

Qin Shuying nodded. “I never expected that despite being a noble princess of golden blood and jade leaves, she would be so muddle-headed and shameless, no different from a marketplace shrew. If not for Ziyu, I would have had difficulty dealing with her for a moment.”

When someone throws tantrums, rolls around, and shouts loudly without any regard for face, Qin Shuying could only avoid the situation.

But if that happened, Zhou Yun’s commotion would become known to everyone, and within half a day, people would know that Liu Junqing still couldn’t forget Qin Shuying.

People wouldn’t think this was Liu Junqing’s fault—male romantic affairs are considered admirable, especially for such a devoted top scholar!

People would only think that Qin Shuying wasn’t virtuous as a wife, deliberately seducing Liu Junqing even after marriage.

After Liang Zhe’s intimidation, Zhou Yun temporarily wouldn’t dare act out. How she would return home to fight their internal battles was their family’s affair.

“That weakling Liu Junqing doesn’t dare do anything or say anything—how could he be worthy of Shuying? Having eyes but not recognizing gold inlaid with jade, what use is regret now?”

Qin Shuying glanced at Liang Zhe’s expression and simply smiled.

Liang Zhe’s face was cold as jade. Suddenly he focused intently on Qin Shuying. “Shuying, do you regret abandoning Liu Junqing to marry me?”

Qin Shuying shook her head. “I don’t regret it.”

Liu Junqing appeared deeply affectionate but was actually extremely heartless—just another Lu Changxuan.

Even if Zhou Yun was demoted to commoner status, she was still his wife. How could he let his wife know his feelings? How heartbroken and sad that would make Zhou Yun!

Liang Zhe laughed loudly. “I knew Shuying wouldn’t regret it. Shuying, I’m much better than Liu Junqing. You must never regret it, alright?”

Qin Shuying nodded without hesitation. “Alright.”

Liang Zhe was overjoyed and grabbed her hand.

In broad daylight with people coming and going outside, Qin Shuying lowered her head as a blush rose to her cheeks.

Liang Zhe’s large hand swept around, about to embrace Qin Shuying. With his delicate wife before him, not being able to hold and kiss her was truly torturous…

Just then—”Knock knock knock!”

Someone knocked on the door. Qin Shuying quickly withdrew her hand, and Liang Zhe immediately sat up straight, looking perfectly proper.

The shop assistant walked in, bowed, and announced the dishes. Qin Shuying ordered several items, and Liang Zhe also ordered two.

As soon as the shop assistant left, fearing Liang Zhe might act improperly again, Qin Shuying quietly told him about the palace affairs.

After hearing everything, Liang Zhe said gravely, “Consort De and Lianpin have fallen hard this time. I estimate Fifth Prince and Sixth Prince will stay quiet for a while.”

Qin Shuying nodded. “His Majesty’s intentions are too obvious. If they continue jumping around, their fate won’t be much better than Mu Ruiniang’s.”

Liang Zhe said, “His Majesty is benevolent and has been extremely good to Zhou Yun. Unfortunately, that fool Zhou Yun didn’t understand His Majesty’s meaning.”

“From Ziyu’s tone, there are other hidden details?”

Liang Zhe nodded. “I only figured this out recently. His Majesty probably had thoughts of moving against the Mu family long ago, just kept it suppressed. Princess Fuping hasn’t been betrothed yet, but Princess Fu’an was married off early—this was also meant to protect her. When Princess Fu’an became pregnant this time, people made a fuss saying that when Princess Fu’an married, His Majesty made Mu Ruiniang promise that Princess Fu’an couldn’t consummate the marriage until she came of age. This was clearly out of loving care, but Zhou Yun understood nothing. To compete for favor with Liu Junqing, she became pregnant early. Precisely because of this, His Majesty was extremely disappointed and stripped her of her princess title.”

“So there was such a thing. This means His Majesty knew about the Mu family’s treasonous activities long ago, so he married Zhou Yun off early and forbade consummation and pregnancy—all for her good. As long as she didn’t make mistakes, when His Majesty moved against the Mu family, he could have preserved Zhou Yun’s princess title. Though Mu Ruiniang was sent to the cold palace, Zhou Yun’s later life wouldn’t necessarily be miserable. What a pity…”

The two had no more interest in discussing Zhou Yun’s stupidity.

Liang Zhe changed the subject. “The previous dynasty’s rulers were tyrannical, but all rulers of Great Zhou have been wise and benevolent—this is a blessing for us subjects of Great Zhou. In the previous dynasty, Consort De and Lianpin would have died eight hundred times over for such death-seeking behavior. His Majesty’s benevolence spared their lives. However, His Majesty isn’t a fool, and the Empress is also skillful, forcing them to step forward themselves to defend the Empress’s reputation.”

At this point, Liang Zhe suddenly lowered his voice. “So, Shuying, what do you think about the Empress…”

Qin Shuying shook her head and said softly, “The Empress is the Empress. She isn’t anyone else.”

Liang Zhe and Qin Shuying’s eyes met.

After a long moment, they smiled gently.

Who was the person who came to the palace like a phoenix? As long as she didn’t harm people, as long as she didn’t interfere in court politics, as long as she continued hiding in the rear palace as always, as long as she maintained her usual lack of presence, then she was Empress Wen.

Who she really was—whether Lin Yuan or Wen Xiaoqing—truly didn’t matter.

As long as Emperor Delong said she was Empress Wen, then she was Empress Wen.

“Alright, these aren’t things we should worry about. Let it be. What we should worry about now is quickly having a little baby.”

As soon as Liang Zhe said this, Qin Shuying’s face turned even redder, and she lightly spat, “Ziyu…”

Her voice trembled slightly at the end. Liang Zhe felt all the blood in his body rushing to one place—he hadn’t been home for several days and missed his wife…

“Shuying, take pity on me…”

Liang Zhe quickly stood and moved to Qin Shuying’s side, taking her hand with one of his while gazing at her with burning eyes. Those very attractive eyes were bright and fiery. Being looked at like this by him, Qin Shuying felt three parts of heat throughout her body.

“Ziyu…”

Qin Shuying wanted to say, please don’t look at me like that—what kind of place is this?

But it was better when she didn’t call out. The more she called like this, the more it made Liang Zhe tremble from head to toe with burning heat.

“Shuying, I’m in the city on business today and can return home tonight. Wash up and wait for me.”

This, this, this—what kind of words were these!

Qin Shuying wanted to pull her hand away, but his hand clamped onto hers like pincers—she couldn’t break free at all.

Liang Zhe quickly spat and nervously explained, “Shuying, don’t be angry. Those bastards talk nonsense all day, and I’ve learned to be improper too. Don’t be angry with me, alright?”

Qin Shuying was both angry and amused, but how could she really be angry with him? She wasn’t the real Qin Shuying who understood nothing. In her previous life among the common people, she’d heard much more explicit talk—those merchant wives could say anything.

Seeing that Qin Shuying didn’t seem angry, Liang Zhe chuckled.

Then he said, “If you’re angry, tonight in bed I’ll properly apologize to you. I guarantee all your anger will disappear and all your irritation will vanish.”

Qin Shuying: …This boy really has learned bad habits!

Today’s three updates, requesting all kinds of votes.