At night, after bathing, the two of them lay in bed. Zhao Junyao was still reading a book while Xia Ruqing, beside him, was engrossed in a sketchbook, giggling from time to time. Her laughter made Zhao Junyao’s heart itch with curiosity. He eventually threw the book aside and pulled her into his arms. Xia Ruqing could smell the familiar scent of ambergris. She willingly leaned into his embrace, responding indifferently with an ’hmm’. "Qingqing... stop looking!" Zhao Junyao slapped her butt lightly. Xia Ruqing wriggled her bottom and stayed silent! Xia Ruqing, tickled by his actions, twisted and turned. Unable to relieve the tickle, she suddenly turned over. Her arm moved, and she unknowingly, accidentally hit his "little brother." Xia Ruqing herself was oblivious to it. Seeing Zhao Junyao’s face turning the color of pig liver, Xia Ruqing began to feel puzzled. "Emperor, you... what’s wrong?" "Are you feeling unwell anywhere?!" Qingqing, if I can’t... can’t do "that" anymore, let’s see what you’re going to do! After a while, the pain finally subsided. His "little brother" was still standing tall. Fortunately, fortunately! Zhao Junyao decided not to wait any longer and went straight for her! Xia Ruqing let out a cry of surprise. Zhao Junyao pressed her down directly. The red canopy fell, and several books flew out from beneath it. Then came clothes, undergarments, belly bands, panties... Finally, what could be heard, intermittently, was Xia Ruqing’s dissatisfaction. "Emperor, you have so many women, why don’t you go find them!" After all, she was a soul from the twenty-first century and still had a tiny bit of a hygiene phobia. Knowing that he had slept with other women a few days ago made it a bit hard for her to proceed! However, what troubled her most was that Zhao Junyao, this male being known as "Emperor," had absolutely no idea what a hygiene phobia was! He kissed her passionately and wildly, mumbling unclearly, "I only like you, I like only you!" Xia Ruqing cried out in surprise again. Then, she squinted her eyes and embraced him, and the two rolled over in bed once more. Xia Ruqing asked again, "You don’t like them?" This time, Zhao Junyao stated decisively, "I don’t like them!" "Then why did you still go to sleep with them!" She murmured again, "How can you stand it?" Zhao Junyao suddenly paused, pondered briefly, and frowned. He didn’t speak but bent his head and continued! Xia Ruqing was soon thrown into a daze by him. When her consciousness was almost fading, Xia Ruqing thought helplessly, Forget it, I’ll just think of it as having found a rich, stunningly handsome, regular friend with benefits! After consoling herself, Xia Ruqing shamelessly indulged in the joys of the flesh. Zhao Junyao, on the other hand, did not think the same way. In his mind, an emperor did not need to have personal preferences! Who wouldn’t love to indulge in delicious and spicy food? But he simply couldn’t! Who wouldn’t want to marry just one wife they liked? But he couldn’t! Who wouldn’t want to be free to do whatever they wanted, and not do anything they didn’t? But still, he couldn’t! In his position, he had to plan for his empire and bear its burdens! As long as he could guard the Zhao Family’s territory and ensure his myriad subjects lived in peace and happiness, what were these trifles in comparison?! As for the woman he liked, well, that wasn’t a conflict. Even if he cherished her in his heart and spoiled her for a lifetime, he could do it! So, it was quite fulfilling, wasn’t it?! Looking at Xia Ruqing, who had fallen into a deep sleep beside him, he thought about having this interesting little creature by his side for the rest of his life. Eating, drinking, frolicking, and living a life full of flavor. Zhao Junyao couldn’t help but curve his lips into a smile. He enveloped her with his sturdy arms, kissing her, holding her, caressing her, almost wishing he could grind her into his very bones. He swore he would never let her suffer any grievance in his lifetime! The Qingya Residence was as warm as spring. Outside, however, it seemed like a different, colder world. Upon hearing that Xia Jieyu had received the Emperor’s favor, Noble Consort Shih laughed coldly a few times. "This Lady Xia, I truly regret not having killed her back then!" "To think she has risen to such a status today!" "Once she falls out of favor, I will be the first to deal with her!" To Noble Consort Shih, Xia Jieyu was, after all, a concubine with no family status or background. Without favor, she would be nothing! Taking her life would not be a difficult task! After all, in the harem, it was all too common for concubines to die from illness! What Noble Consort Shih didn’t know was that she would wait for this opportunity for her entire life, wait until death, but it would never come. Suddenly, there was a disturbance outside. Ying Yue went to check and quickly returned, now holding a sandalwood box. Ying Yue respectfully replied, "It was Ruirui from Consort Yun’s side. She said... they recently made some new Plum Blossom Sleeping Fragrance, and she brought a bit for you!" Noble Consort Shih took it and observed the delicate sandalwood box. She looked it over, even opened it and sniffed, then tossed it aside. "What is this? I don’t want it. Find a place to throw it away!" Noble Consort Shih was somewhat impatient. "What’s with the ’ah’? I said I don’t want it!" In the harem, no one could be trusted. Were things like incense to be trifled with? Ying Yue could only oblige. She took it out and was about to throw it away when she suddenly thought that it was indeed good stuff. She had seen Honored Lady Xi and Consort Yun making incense. They had gathered quite a few plum blossom petals. It took almost ten full days just to get this little bit of incense. They had gone to great trouble to prepare and send over a small portion, and Her Highness wanted to throw it away! Ying Yue opened the box, looked at the incense pieces inside, and suddenly had an idea. I’ll throw the box away, but I’ll keep the incense! This kind of high-quality incense is expensive! Thinking this, she indeed put the incense away and took it back to the servants’ quarters. That night, Ying Yue burned a little. It was indeed fragrant, and her sleep was much sweeter. When she woke up the next morning, her complexion was rosy, and she looked radiant! Undoubtedly, it was thanks to the delightful sleep from the night before. Ying Yue combed her hair, washed her face, and cheerfully went off to her duties. Noble Consort Shih was still not awake. In a little over half a Shi Chen, it would be time to pay respects to the Empress; the mistress had to be woken up. Thɪs chapter is updated by 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚•𝕟𝕖𝕥 "Your Highness, Your Highness, it’s time to get up!" Ying Yue called. Ying Yue called again, but there was still no movement. This isn’t right! Normally, by this time, the Noble Consort should be... As this thought crossed her mind, her expression changed, and she hurried to lift the bed curtains. "Your Highness, wake up... AH!!!" A piercing scream shattered the pre-dawn tranquility. The Noble Consort had been poisoned! The entire Xifu Palace was thrown into turmoil. People rushed to send messages and summon the Imperial Physician. Others hurried to dress the Noble Consort. And then there were those so frightened their faces turned pale, wailing uncontrollably! Useless, all of it was useless! The Imperial Physician rushed over. After the examination, his expression was grim. "The Noble Consort... has been poisoned," he said. Ying Yue was frantic. "Imperial Physician, please save our mistress!" The Imperial Physician shook his head, then nodded.