One person’s love for another cannot be hidden no matter what. Even without doing or saying anything, the light flowing in one’s eyes can reveal the feelings within, let alone such warm interactions between these two.

Lu Heng had been sleepless all night. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Qin Yining’s disgusted, disdainful look before she turned away. She had completely misunderstood him and was unwilling to listen to his explanations.

Wasn’t Pang Xiao just serving her food? How did this compare to the pain he had brought her? If Qin Yining would agree to be with him, his love and care for her would be a hundred, a thousand times more than Pang Xiao’s. Most importantly, he wouldn’t have caused her to lose family members and children, making her endure the suffering of life and death separations!

But even if he was completely sincere toward her, she still only saw Pang Xiao and refused to give him a chance. Even with such excellent conditions laid before her, she still wouldn’t agree!

When Lu Heng saw Qin Yining also serving food to Pang Xiao and smiling at him so tenderly, his heart felt like someone had torn it out and was kneading it forcefully, squeezing it bloody yet refusing to stop.

Perhaps the Empress had them come to the banquet together today just to show fairness, not wanting him to know she had previously entertained Pang Xiao and Qin Yining alone.

But watching this loving couple’s sweet intimacy with his own eyes was the greatest torment for Lu Heng.

Lu Heng remained expressionless, eating his food without tasting it.

Meanwhile, Bian Ruohan was nearly grinding her silver teeth to pieces.

That ***** had done such things yet could still receive Prince Zhongshun’s favor – was the Prince blind? Or did men only care about Qin Shi’s appearance and nothing else?

Looking at Qin Yining again, smiling so happily and sweetly, at such a banquet, Prince Zhongshun, such a magnificent man, was willing to lower himself to care for her. How exactly was she, Bian Ruohan, inferior to that Qin woman? Her husband came from a prestigious family, and in terms of appearance, bearing, talent, and learning, how was he inferior to Pang Xiao?

Though she had married a good man, her husband refused to care for her the way Pang Xiao cared for Qin Yining.

Bian Ruohan gritted her teeth and served Lu Heng a portion of food with her chopsticks.

But Lu Heng’s hand movements froze, and he disgustedly looked away, acting as if nothing had been added to his plate.

Bian Ruohan’s face instantly flushed red – from both anger and shame.

Prince Zhongshun and his princess were so loving, yet Lu Heng wouldn’t even perform for her sake. Her cousin was watching from above, and Her Majesty the Empress was present too. With Lu Heng refusing to give her face like this, how could she hold her head up in public afterward?

The atmosphere at the banquet became strange because of this.

The Empress in the seat of honor – how could she not see the actions of these two couples? One side loving as always, the other like strangers. This was completely different from the scene she had initially envisioned. She had originally thought that even if Lu Heng resented the Bian family for revealing his affairs, he would still maintain appearances. In front of Pang Xiao, he surely couldn’t lose face and would naturally make intimate gestures in comparison, which would also make Qin Yining give up hope.

Who would have thought things would develop like this?

The Empress ate without tasting, worried that since things hadn’t achieved the expected effect, Consort Zhuang would definitely come find her later, requiring more explanations – how tiresome.

Remembering how Bian Ruohan used to constantly cause trouble in the palace, even making the Emperor furious, the Empress’s impression of the Bian family daughters had hit rock bottom.

After the vegetarian banquet ended, the Empress ordered tea to be served. After everyone had tea, Pang Xiao rose to take his leave.

The Empress smiled, “I’ve already had someone pack the Princess’s belongings properly. These days accompanying me in vegetarian meals and Buddhist prayers, the Princess has truly worked hard. Rest well after returning home.”

“Being able to accompany Your Majesty is this subject’s wife’s honor – how could it be called hardship? Many thanks for Your Majesty’s considerate grace.” Qin Yining smiled and bowed.

The Empress waved her hand, indicating she could leave with Pang Xiao.

Was this how it ended?

Bian Ruohan’s eyes widened as she looked anxiously at Consort Zhuang.

How could the Empress still treat Qin Yining with such gentle, kind attitude, not even scolding or beating her, but granting her a meal before letting her leave?

What about her grievances then? Had she argued with Lu Heng for nothing?

The Empress’s actions truly made Bian Ruohan burn with anger. Before Pang Xiao and Qin Yining had gone far, Bian Ruohan quickly stepped forward and urgently called out, “Your Majesty the Empress!”

Consort Zhuang, standing behind the Empress, felt her heart skip a beat and quickly signaled Bian Ruohan with her eyes.

The Empress’s actions were already a clear statement. If one were smart, they should quietly let it go and not dwell on this matter anymore. Yet Bian Ruohan suddenly jumped out – what was she trying to do? Did she want to tear away even the last fig leaf?

Though Consort Zhuang was angry that the Empress wouldn’t stand up for the Bian family daughter, she could understand the Empress’s unwillingness to get involved in scandalous affairs. With the Empress not taking a stance, she could suppress her own thoughts.

But if Bian Ruohan made a scene in front of the Empress, it would be forcing the Empress onto the cusp of the storm, compelling her to make a choice!

If this happened, even if the Empress made a decision today, any decision she made regarding Qin Shi in front of Prince Zhongshun couldn’t cause much harm. But conversely, their position in the Empress’s heart would truly plummet, and they would probably never find another chance to regain the Empress’s regard.

Consort Zhuang’s thoughts flashed in an instant as she quickly smiled, “I imagine Lady Zhongyi also wants to go home and rest?”

Lu Heng also didn’t want Bian Ruohan to embarrass herself, smiling, “In that case, Your Majesty, this subject and my wife will also take our leave. Your Majesty has worked hard praying for the people’s welfare – please rest early today as well.”

The Empress secretly breathed a sigh of relief and smiled with a nod. “Go on, go on.”

Lu Heng grabbed Bian Ruohan’s wrist firmly, smiling on the surface but forcefully pulling her outside.

Bian Ruohan’s face immediately turned pale from pain, but not wanting to lose face in front of Qin Yining, she could only force herself to endure. With her mind focused on bearing the pain and anger, and being dragged along by Lu Heng out of the room, she lost her chance to seek justice from the Empress.

Watching the group depart, the Empress finally relaxed her posture and wiped her forehead.

The moment she saw Bian Ruohan step forward, her heart jumped to her throat. Fortunately, both Consort Zhuang and Lu Heng reacted quickly, preventing Bian Ruohan from speaking about the matter on the spot. Otherwise, how would she have dealt with it?

Consort Zhuang tactfully didn’t ask more questions, bowing, “Your Majesty has worked hard. This consort won’t disturb Your Majesty’s rest. This consort takes her leave.”

The Empress coldly hummed through her nose as a response.

Such a reaction was unlike the Empress’s usual behavior. Today she was truly angered by Bian Ruohan, and thinking of Consort Zhuang’s actions, she responded with suppressed anger.

Consort Zhuang’s heart pounded with terror as she carefully withdrew, immediately thinking about how to send word to Bian Ruohan that this matter must never be mentioned again.

Meanwhile, Pang Xiao escorted Qin Yining under an umbrella to their carriage. Bingtang and Ji Yun had everything ready, both wearing relaxed smiles.

Qin Yining laughed, “Going home – now I won’t worry about sleeping in an unfamiliar bed.”

Pang Xiao helped Qin Yining into the carriage, leaning close to her ear and whispering, “Are you worried about the unfamiliar bed, or about sleeping alone?”

Qin Yining’s cheeks flushed as she glared at him fiercely, “You’re so improper! We’re outside and you’re talking nonsense!”

Pang Xiao nodded as if accepting instruction, “Then I’ll continue when we get home.”

Qin Yining’s face turned completely red, not daring to look at Bingtang and Ji Yun’s expressions as she huffily entered the carriage.

Pang Xiao also got in, sitting close beside her.

Bingtang and Ji Yun held back laughter until their faces were red, both deciding not to disturb the Princess and Prince’s time together, getting into another carriage driven by Tang Xiu instead.

The group slowly departed the villa. Only when the carriage had disappeared far into the rain did Lu Heng expressionlessly withdraw his gaze and lower the carriage curtain.

Beside him sat Bian Ruohan, covering her face and sobbing, troubling him until his head ached.

“I already told you,” Lu Heng’s voice was gentle, his volume not high.

Bian Ruohan slowly raised her head, looking at Lu Heng through tear-blurred eyes.

Lu Heng smiled, “I told you this matter was your own fabrication from nothing, and forbade you from making trouble. It seems you forgot.”

Though Lu Heng was smiling, in Bian Ruohan’s eyes his current smile was as cold as an evil ghost crawling up from hell!

“I, I…” Bian Ruohan’s voice trembled, momentarily tongue-tied, not knowing what to say.

Lu Heng said, “You treated my words like wind past your ears. Since you insist on this, I can’t help you anymore. You’re on your own.”

The phrase “you’re on your own” sounded like announcing Bian Ruohan’s death sentence.

She shook her head, thinking her voice was loud, but what came out was almost a sharp wheeze, “You can’t treat me like this!”

“How? How am I treating you?” Lu Heng smiled slightly, then pushed open a crack in the carriage window to watch the retreating street scene.

Wet, cold air entered the carriage, making Bian Ruohan shiver.

She gritted her teeth, murmuring, “Why is this happening? She clearly seduced you, I clearly caught her committing adultery, she even wanted to kill me to silence me – why won’t you believe me, why won’t Her Majesty the Empress stand up for me!”

Lu Heng closed his eyes, “You slander others without evidence, yet you think you’re in the right? I advise you to be more peaceful. Otherwise, I truly don’t mind remarrying. I could tolerate even a fallen family member like you – randomly remarrying anyone would probably be much better than you.”

“You!” Bian Ruohan’s tears fell in streams as she glared at Lu Heng through her tears.

But Lu Heng had already set aside Bian Ruohan’s matter.

A woman skilled at seeking death couldn’t extinguish his desire for wealth and power. The treasure was right before his eyes, but so many eyes were watching. He had finally thought of a way to petition the Emperor, and given time he could investigate the stone materials openly and legitimately, yet Khan Wutejin was coming and needed his escort.

How could he turn this predicament around?

After Qin Yining returned home, she bathed thoroughly and went to sleep.

Early the next morning, when Qin Yining rose, Pang Xiao had already practiced martial arts and returned.

As the two were having breakfast together, Bingtang quickly entered, “My lord, Huzi has urgent matters to report.”