Chapter 57

Chapter 57

The entire hall was shocked, but Geng Shuning was not particularly surprised.

Fourth Master's jealousy was nothing new, whether in this life or the last.

The imperial concubines were mostly gloating, especially Guaerjia Changzai and Consort Xi.

Despite their previous animosity, they had grown closer once their status was established. They stifled their laughter behind handkerchiefs, exchanging meaningful glances at Geng Shuning.

Consort Qi looked much older than before, her face haggard and weary. She raised her brows with a sharp, sarcastic look and scoffed lightly without speaking.

Surprisingly, it was the Queen, who had always been frail, who showed some compassion. She proactively spoke on behalf of Geng Shuning, who stood with her eyes lowered in silent endurance.

"Female Official Geng has been serving by the Imperial Maama and the Empress Dowager. I suppose she is not yet accustomed to being at the imperial front. If you find it unsuitable, perhaps Female Official Geng could return to the Empress Dowager's side?"

The Empress Dowager pondered for a moment. The former Emperor's intention was to keep an eye on Geng Shuning, preferably by staying by Yinzhen's side.

If the Emperor really disliked her, it would be acceptable for her to stay by the Empress Dowager's side as well.

But just as she was about to speak, Yinzhen lightly chuckled and rejected the Queen's kind suggestion.

"There's no need for that. The Empress Dowager's kindness is something I deeply cherish. If we were to send Female Official Geng back to your side, it might affect your reputation if something unpleasant were to spread."

He glanced at Geng Shuning, ignoring her awkward silence, a smile on his face but no warmth in his eyes.

"It was Female Official Geng's own wish to pray for the Empress Dowager’s well-being, which also serves as a way for her to show filial piety to me. I won't mistreat her. I've specially arranged a quiet place at the imperial estate for her to focus on her spiritual practices."

"Female Official Geng, am I right?"

Geng Shuning gritted her teeth, knowing this was his way of threatening her.

But this path was one she had chosen, and she was more than willing to take it!

Amid the concubines' astonishment and the Empress Dowager's slight worry, she respectfully crouched down and said, "Your Majesty is absolutely right. It is this servant who has not served well enough. The opportunity for this servant to make amends is already a great blessing."

She paused slightly in her voice and added, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. This servant will prepare promptly and depart for spiritual retreat."

Yinzhen's smile grew even colder. He nodded.

"Very well, then we'll wait for the Imperial Astronomer to choose an auspicious date, and I'll send you out of the palace."

"Until then, Female Official Geng will observe a vegetarian retreat in the rear hall of Nine Continents Clear View."

Geng Shuning: "… Crap, am I going to eat vegetarian food in the palace?"

A few astute concubines picked up on the tension between the Emperor and Geng Shuning. But no one would say anything at this moment.

After all, the Emperor's words were final. Publicly stating that Geng Shuning would leave for a nunnery meant that even if he regretted it later, it would be too late. The news would spread at lightning speed.

No matter what issues there were between the two, Geng Shuning would spend the rest of her days in solitary devotion.

*

The concubines were happy to see such an outcome and remained silent. However, the Empress Dowager was not pleased.

Though her relationship with Yinzhen had always been distant, he was still her son. She understood him better than others.

In the eyes of others, they believed Geng Shuning had angered the Emperor by not performing her duties well. But the Empress Dowager sensed a bit of exasperation and helplessness from her own son.

During the luncheon break at Dazheng Guangming Hall, when the Empress Dowager went to the side hall to change clothes, she sent Nanny Wu Ya to summon Geng Shuning before her.

"Shu Ning, tell me, what's going on between you and the Emperor?"

As soon as Geng Shuning entered, the Empress Dowager ordered her to kneel.

By this time, Lady Wu Ya's face had lost the compassion she had shown earlier in the day and had become particularly stern.

"I sent you to the emperor's side to take care of his health, so he wouldn't have to worry, but you have managed to upset him so badly that he wants to send you out of the palace."

"Even if you are not being sent away from my side, if people find out, they will say that I don't know how to manage my servants. I demand an explanation!"

Geng Shuning knew what the Empress Dowager was worried about. With no outsiders present, she looked up, her eyes red with a mixture of grievance and stubbornness.

"Empress Dowager, this servant always keeps in mind the original intention you had when you sent me to serve by the emperor's side," she said, crawling to the Empress Dowager's side and choking on her words.

"The Imperial Physician said the emperor's body is weak and needs... to strengthen his constitution and restore his energy. On that day, Consort Xi came to the emperor's side with the Third Prince. This servant was worried it would harm the emperor's health, so, so..."

She sniffled a few times, her face turning red. "The emperor thought I was overstepping and was quite displeased."

The Empress Dowager and Lady Wu Ya exchanged a glance, and both understood.

The Imperial Physician had advised the emperor to conserve his strength, and Geng Shuning had disrupted Consort Xi's and the emperor's intimate moment?

For a man... ahem, it was understandable to be angry.

Geng Shuning continued, "These past few days, I was living in fear, thinking of creating some new and interesting things to apologize to the emperor, but he misunderstood... and became even more displeased."

Lady Wu Ya's concern deepened, her expression turning colder.

The emperor's attitude towards Geng Shuning seemed to indicate he had taken an interest in her, at least more than he had with other women.

As an emperor, it was taboo to develop feelings for a woman. She had sent Geng Shuning to the emperor's side to take care of him, not to entangle him and harm his health.

Lady Wu Ya gave her a cold look. "Explain in detail to the Empress Dowager what new things you created that made the emperor think you were trying to seduce him, which made him feel disgusted."

Geng Shuning was startled, her face turning pale as she quickly shook her head. "This servant only modified the loom. The emperor's displeasure wasn't because of... seduction; it was, it was..."

"Speak!" Lady Wu Ya slammed her hand on the low table on the soft daybed, shouting.

Geng Shuning shuddered, closing her eyes in despair. "It was because the emperor misunderstood that this servant was using the metaphor of men farming and women weaving to express my devotion, thinking I wanted him to favor me, but I pushed His Majesty away and ran!"

She covered her face, her voice whimpering. "This servant never forgets the Empress Dowager's instructions. No one should harm the emperor's health. Recently, I have been arranging for the imperial kitchen staff to provide nourishment..."

Lady Wu Ya was taken aback, and even Lady Wu Ya's stern expression faltered, both mistress and servant momentarily thinking they had gone deaf to hear such words.

The emperor wasn't angry because Geng Shuning was trying to seduce him, but because she had rejected Consort Xi and refused to serve him, running away when he had misunderstood her intentions?

Lady Wu Ya's expression became complicated. She had seen servants in the palace try every means to climb into the emperor's bed, but never someone who would go out of their way to complete their duties, even at the risk of her own life.

Lady Wu Ya coughed lightly and picked up her tea, hiding her embarrassment and the laughter she could barely contain.

She signaled Lady Wu Ya to help Geng Shuning up. "I... appreciate your loyalty, Shu Ning. However, the emperor is still angry, and I cannot intercede for you."

"For now, you should go to the imperial estate and become a lay nun. When the emperor's anger subsides and your father returns, I will find a way to ensure you have a good outcome, alright?"

Geng Shuning dabbed her eyes with a cloth soaked in ginger juice, her eyes welling up with tears again.

"Empress Dowager, please don't trouble yourself for this servant. I truly have no desire to marry."

"I would be content to pray for the well-being of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor at the imperial estate for the rest of my life, and occasionally come into the palace to pay my respects. That would be enough for me."

The Empress Dowager was pleased to hear the truth.

As a consort, Consort Xi was trying to win the emperor's favor. Though she wasn't happy, she couldn't stop a consort from doing her duty. If she did, people would laugh at the emperor for not being able to satisfy his consorts.

Geng Shuning was level-headed and hadn't harmed the emperor's health.

Being sent to the imperial estate for quiet reflection was within Yinzhen's control and could be considered a win-win situation.

So, she didn't hesitate to grant Geng Shuning a graceful exit, smilingly taking Geng Shuning's hand and patting it.

"Later, I'll have Nanny Zhou send the pass from Cining Palace to you."

"On all holidays and important occasions, come into the palace to pay your respects. If anyone dares to mistreat you, I will see to it that justice is done."

Geng Shuning showed gratitude, gently thanking the Empress Dowager for her kindness, but in her heart, she thought that the most clueless person, the Empress Dowager probably couldn't handle that.

But thinking about her departure from the palace, delayed for two months, finally being confirmed, her gratitude appeared more genuine.

*

What happened in the side hall couldn't be hidden from Su Peisheng.

As soon as the banquet left Changchun Garden, he reported every word of their conversation to Yinzhen in a low voice.

Yinzhen had drunk some wine, not enough to be drunk, but his pale face had a hint of red, lazily leaning in the imperial carriage, appearing more unrestrained than usual.

He chuckled and turned the prayer beads, lightly teasing, "Look at this ancestor of yours, every word is truthful, but from beginning to end, it's all nonsense, making it all my fault."

"You could learn a thing or two from her when it comes to speaking."

Su Peisheng: "...Yes, as the emperor says."

He smiled cautiously and said, "I'm just not quick enough. If the Miss goes to the imperial estate, I won't have a chance to learn."

"Should we ask the Miss to delay her departure from the palace so I can learn slowly?"

Yinzhen smiled again, his eyes glinting with a chill, "No need. Have the Imperial Astronomer calculate the date as soon as possible and send her to the estate, so she won't have to go through the palace gates again."

He planned to stay in the garden until the end of August before returning to the palace and really didn't want to see such a troublesome person in the palace.

Su Peisheng bowed and didn't dare to speak again, secretly swallowing a sigh.

He could tell that the emperor wasn't joking, and that little ancestor had exhausted the emperor's patience.

The emperor's attitude was the wind vane at the imperial court.

On the second day of Geng Shuning's confinement in Yingfei Pavilion, the rough-working maids and nannies who had been serving the female officials could no longer be ordered around by Qiao He.

Even the few female officials who used to come around to curry favor were nowhere to be seen, and Qiao He had to pay money to get some hot water.

Even because the emperor's golden word ordered Geng Shuning to eat vegetarian food, the meals brought back from the kitchen became increasingly unpresentable day by day.

After a few days, even the usually composed Geng Shuning found herself staring at spoiled food in her room.

She couldn't stop laughing at the situation.

When Qiao He stomped in frustration and anger, Geng Shuning even went over to sniff it curiously.

Hmm... it's vinegar-flavored cabbage, and the sour smell couldn't even be masked.

She shook her head and sighed, "It's really difficult for the kitchen to keep the food around for so long."

Curiously, she asked Qiao He, "Is it the same at Yanchun Pavilion and Wuling Chunse?"

She thought she might go hungry but didn't expect the "cold palace meal" to actually be spoiled food.

Qiao He was left speechless by Geng Shuning's unusual reaction.

Helplessly, she packed the food back and said, "It's my fault as a servant for not spending extra money. I thought since you had given many prescriptions to the kitchen before, I didn't expect them to be so ungrateful."

To get hot water, firewood was needed, and someone had to boil it separately. After all, hot water wasn't for the servants, so spending some silver was necessary, but Geng Shuning didn't lack money.

However, the food for the female officials in the emperor's presence should be properly served!

Qiao He thought about it and found it somewhat absurd. She really didn't expect to see spoiled food in the imperial presence.

Gritting her teeth, she said, "I'll go reason with Chief Su!"

But she was afraid that with the way the emperor currently ignored Yingfei Pavilion, she wouldn't be able to see Su Peisheng now, and she didn't dare to say this to worry Miss.

Geng Shuning wasn't worried at all. If Su Peisheng or even Yinzhen didn't know about this, she'd chop off her head and give it to them as a ball to kick.

This was just them giving her the cold shoulder, teaching her some humility.

She threw the silver, originally prepared to buy hot water, back into the cabinet.

"No need to reason, just pass a few words for me."

"If someone stops you from seeing Chief Su, shout that I've been inspired by the spoiled food and came up with a way to feed the people, take it or leave it."

Qiao He was wide-eyed. "Causing a scene in front of the emperor is against the rules..."

Geng Shuning, leaning on the soft daybed, had a roguish smile.

"Don't worry, I've got this. Your Miss isn't afraid of death."

"Make it clear, if I don't see food that pleases me from now on, I won't eat a single bite and will throw it out."

She hadn't acted up these past few days to see how much the palace could take advantage of her misfortune.

Now she saw it. They really spoiled this damn thing and his subordinates with these bad habits.

She smiled even more recklessly. "Starving to death would save me from the crime of self-harm. I'll come back as a man next time and serve the emperor loyally again."

The last sentence revealed the sharpness in Geng Shuning's eyes. She didn't bear the reputation of being a troublemaker for nothing.

Qiao He fell silent, not daring to say a word, and went out to handle her tasks.

*

When Su Peisheng heard Zhao Song, with a bitter face, reporting this, he thought he had gone deaf.

He rubbed his ears, "Miss was inspired by what?"

Zhao Song shrank his neck and stammered, "Well, your subordinate thought the emperor wanted to teach Miss a lesson, so I instructed the lower staff to slightly neglect Yingfei Pavilion."

He tried to explain in a flustered manner, "I didn't dare to have anyone send spoiled food!"

After twenty years as Male Attendant Zhao, he never thought the word 'spoiled' would appear in the emperor's presence.

Are these servants just stupid, or are they deliberately trying to cause trouble?

"Ouch! Spare me, foster father, please spare my life!"

Su Peisheng kicked Zhao Song into the corner of the hall, slamming him against a pillar, and then began to whip him mercilessly with a horsetail whisk.

Zhao Song didn't dare to cry out loud, grimacing in regret.

Su Peisheng was almost mad with anger. "Are you courting death and dragging me down with you?"

"I acknowledge you as my son, but you really want to 'show filial piety' and kill me!"

"Who gave you the guts to make things difficult for Miss? Even the emperor had to endure it."

Su Peisheng suddenly stopped mid-sentence, fearfully slapping himself. He almost let this idiot provoke him into saying something suicidal.

He kicked Zhao Song again, harder. "Send those insolent kitchen staff to the Bureau of Works immediately! Thirty strokes each, then send them all to Xinzheku!"

"No, wait!" He grabbed Zhao Song, who was about to run, and instructed, "First, have the royal kitchen prepare a meal to Miss's liking!"

"Have someone go in and serve her. If Miss isn't satisfied, you'll join them in Xinzheku, and you won't be coming back!"

Afraid Zhao Song didn't understand the severity, Su Peisheng bluntly warned him.

"Only a blind fool like you would dare to step on this formidable lady now that she's fallen out of favor. Is she the same as the other imperial concubines? She doesn't rely on beauty or family background; she relies on her mind." He pointed to his head. "As long as she's useful to the emperor, we have to treat her like an ancestor. Playing tricks on her is courting death!"

"She isn't someone soft-hearted or weak-handed. I won't say more. If there's a next time, you better die far away and don't splatter blood on me!"

"Get lost!"

Zhao Song was scolded and sprayed with spit, trembling as he hurried to carry out the tasks.

Su Peisheng was also bitter. Did he not know that Geng Shuning was being bullied?

Qiao He wasn't dead after all.

Did the emperor not know?

But at this moment, if that formidable lady gave him a slap, the emperor would have to pretend not to know.

He'd been on edge these days, knowing that this method of cold neglect didn't work on her.

Who knew what the emperor was thinking?

Su Peisheng entered the hall, his legs wobbling, and reported in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, Miss Geng Shuning sent a message through Miss Qiao He."

Yinzhen had already traced the connections between Manpi and Guo Luoluo through records of incoming and outgoing carriages over the past few days.

He was about to send someone to probe the collusion between Guo Luoluo and the Tong family.

Seeing Su Peisheng's appearance, he spared a bit of attention to listen.

He wasn't surprised by Su Peisheng's expression, only asking calmly, "Is she angry?"

Su Peisheng smiled apologetically and nodded. "It's all this servant's fault for not teaching Zhao Song better. Miss is so upset that she threatened to starve herself and vowed to serve Your Majesty in her next life as a man."

Yinzhen's eyes flickered with amusement. "Hmm, she still knows how to be angry. I thought she'd only be fierce in front of me and a pushover in front of others."

Su Peisheng thought to himself, when did His Majesty become blind?

"I will go and see for myself." Yinzhen was particularly curious to find out how this troublemaker would act when angry.

He smiled, but his eyes remained cold. "After ignoring her for these few days, I suppose it's partly my fault. Serve my lunch at Yingfei Pavilion. I will go apologize to this high-born lady."

Su Peisheng was startled. "Your Majesty, this... it's daylight; it probably can't be hidden."

If Changchun Yuan were to find out...

Yinzhen continued walking without a care in the world. "She doesn't need me to protect her. Why should I bother?"

Letting the servants at the imperial side put pressure on Geng Shuning wasn't to make her yield; he just wanted to see her angry.

He also wanted her to know that this kind of cold shoulder and mistreatment didn't even count as a beginning.

To stand by his side, to seek power and wealth—did she think she could achieve it on her own?

He was curious to see how far she could go.

*

Qiao He had gone to the imperial side to file a complaint, thinking there would be some argument, at most Chief Su would instruct his people to take extra care of the Miss.

But she never expected the Emperor to arrive, with his lunch being brought into Yingfei Pavilion one after another.

She stood at the door, stunned, having forgotten to enter and serve the meal because Geng Shuning rarely allowed close attendance.

Su Peisheng didn't give her a chance to recover. Once the food was set inside, he immediately shooed everyone out.

Closing the door, he stood guard personally, letting the two esteemed individuals eat by themselves.

It couldn't be known that the Emperor had come to apologize.

If they were to quarrel inside, or even fight... or engage in, ahem, intimate activities, it would be even more important to keep it secret.

In reality, the two who hadn't seen each other for over half a month were each calmer than the other.

Geng Shuning didn't bother with the usual formalities and sat opposite Yinzhen.

Having not eaten or drunk well for several days, she didn't care about him, choosing her favorite dishes to eat first.

Yinzhen didn't scold her for her insubordination; Geng Shuning had pretty much committed all kinds of disrespectful behavior anyway.

He even helped Geng Shuning by picking a few chopsticks of food for her and pouring her a cup of mild plum wine.

Geng Shuning, cheeks puffed like a squirrel, ate with relish, not thanking him, just eating meat and drinking wine heartily.

Watching her eat made Yinzhen feel hungry as well, and he smiled, burying himself in the meal as well.

After the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Geng Shuning put down her chopsticks, squinting as she slowly sipped the wine in her cup, her apricot eyes fixed on the window, looking slightly dazed as if drunk.

Yinzhen also put down his chopsticks and stared at her. "Are you full?"

Geng Shuning responded faintly, "The imperial menu I set was indeed delicious."

Yinzhen was slightly dazed; ever since their first encounter at Qingyu Pavilion, there had never been such calm between the two of them.

So calm that there was an unspoken understanding, like the quiet before a storm.

Yinzhen poured himself a cup of bamboo leaf wine and drank it in one gulp. "The court astrologers have set a date. The ninth day of the ninth month is suitable for tonsure. I will have someone send you to the imperial estate a day in advance."

Geng Shuning looked at him with her head tilted. "Is it possible to skip the tonsure ceremony? I want to be a lay nun."

Yinzhen smiled, raised his wine glass, and clinked it against hers, "Is this how you're asking for a favor?"

Geng Shuning drained her cup, wobbled to her feet, knelt down, and solemnly prostrated herself before Yinzhen.

"I beg the Emperor, I can't live without wine and meat."

Yinzhen didn’t tell her to rise, still smiling as he asked, "Should I also send you a few handsome guards to serve you?"

Geng Shuning gasped inwardly, could it really be that good?

She slowly straightened, looked up at him, her clear eyes meeting his cold, amber phoenix-like gaze.

"I treat those who serve the empire generously," Yinzhen explained with a sly smile, "As long as you do not betray me, do not flee, and contribute to the empire, anything you desire, I will grant it."

Geng Shuning believed his words but not his pettiness, shaking her head cautiously.

"I prefer a quiet life, I don't need guards, just the occasional mountain trek and some wine and meat is enough."

"You may have people watch me, I won't do anything foolish, and I won't run away. Following you means I get to eat well."

"Hmm, I trust you, rise." Yinzhen stood up, took a few slow steps, and stood in front of Geng Shuning, looking down at her even as she stood up.

The smile faded from his face, "I only now realize you can speak properly."

Geng Shuning lowered her head, "In the past, I was immature."

"Enough of your nonsense," Yinzhen pinched his nose, the smile turning into a sarcastic one, his voice tinged with alcohol, slightly hoarse.

"No one understands things better than you."

"Showing off your abilities is to catch my attention, ensnaring me is to gain my favor, and when you become indispensable, you alternate between being aloof and affectionate until I grow tired of you."

"Geng Shuning, do your dreams involve military strategy as well?"

Geng Shuning looked up calmly, "Not really, when it comes to military strategy, I only know there are thirty-six stratagems, but I don't know which ones."

"In school, I was too busy studying and working part-time, and at work, I was occupied with work and leisure. I've seen a bit of a military parade, but I couldn't even distinguish the branches of the military."

Yinzhen's hands were behind his back, turning the Buddhist beads faster, his voice still calm.

"Are you naturally exceptionally intelligent? Even I am outsmarted by you, and what you know... few women would understand."

Geng Shuning felt a chill down her neck, instinctively stepped back, and lowered her eyes.

"I... perhaps have seen too much in my dreams, what I cannot remember probably lingers in the subconscious, unable to be the most ordinary woman in this world."

Yinzhen nodded, he thought so too, but his harem did not need such a unique woman.

So, he let her go.

"In a few days, we will return to the palace, you don't need to come, just wait in Yingfei Pavilion for someone to send you to the imperial estate." Yinzhen left these words, striding towards the door.

Su Peisheng had his ears stretched, hearing the footsteps, and quickly opened the door.

As Yinzhen crossed the threshold, he suddenly stopped.

The afternoon sun cast him in a half-light, half-shadow division.

After a long silence, he turned back, "I'll ask you one last time, if you regret it, you can come back with me..."

Geng Shuning's nose tingled slightly, and she hurriedly interrupted him, "Your Majesty, I won't regret it. I will not regret it."

Falling in love with him, she didn't regret it; no one can control their feelings.

Loving herself, she knew regret was the most useless thing, and she was willing to bear any cost.

Yinzhen's chest heaved for a moment, and then he turned away, his face cold and expressionless, sweeping out like a gust of wind, leaving behind the biting chill of early autumn.

*

Three days later, the Emperor returned to the palace with the Empress Dowager and the imperial concubines.

On the eighth day of the ninth month, Lin Fu came personally to attend to Geng Shuning and Qiao He, escorting them out of the main gate of the palace all the way to Xiaotangshan.

It started to rain on the way, a drizzle like spring rain, yet carrying a hint of cold that almost chilled one to the core.

"I’ve heard the rooms at the hot spring manor are even colder," Qiao He murmured as she handed a hand warmer to Geng Shuning, her face showing worry.

"Looking at this situation, Miss, it's probably going to be hard for you to go out. I wonder if the imperial estate has prepared fine charcoal for us."

As they got off the carriage, Geng Shuning smiled to comfort her, "We can make a list of what we need and go shopping in disguise!"

She turned to ask Lin Fu, "Master Lin, don't you think so? The Emperor didn't say I couldn't go out."

Lin Fu, with his chubby face stiff, respectfully lowered his head. "Miss is right."

If she got the Emperor’s token, they’d do anything to help her, even if it meant building a ladder to heaven.

Hearing Lin Fu's response, Qiao He breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.

Geng Shuning felt that Lin Fu's reaction was a bit off.

But she was already out of the palace, and smelling the faint scent of sulfur in the air, even the earthy scent seemed sweet, like the taste of freedom.

This made Geng Shuning feel more relaxed, and as she stepped into the east wing courtyard with a hot spring, on the slightly damp flagstone path after the rain, she almost felt like jumping.

The courtyard was lined with thriving bamboo, rustling gently in the autumn rain, adding to the serene atmosphere.

She smiled and turned to Qiao He, who was holding an umbrella, "Let's build a pavilion here to listen to the rain and put two rocking chairs—ah!"

Before she could finish her sentence, she bumped into something solid—something that gave a little under her touch.

As she stumbled, the umbrella in Qiao He's hand fell to the ground, but she didn't pick it up, instead kneeling in the rain.

Geng Shuning, with her back to… the wall, felt a tingling scalp.

For some reason, she hesitated to turn around, afraid that if she did, the moment might shatter.

No one urged her to turn around, and silence filled the air. The secret guards who followed knelt on the ground, all with their heads lowered.

Suddenly, her vision spun as she reached for the wall, and raindrops splattered against her face, forcing her to close her eyes.

He remained silent, holding her as he turned and carried her into the courtyard. None of the kneeling guards followed, not even Su Peisheng, who remained bowed where he stood.

Geng Shuning squinted through the rain, "Your Majesty, why are you here?"

"I regret it," Yinzhen cut her off coldly.

Geng Shuning felt her heart tighten, but for some reason, she shrank back, not daring to provoke him at that moment.

"I can’t let this go. There are things we need to talk about," Yinzhen's voice grew colder, his pace quickening.

In the blink of an eye, he swept her into the main room of the east wing courtyard, through the central door behind the screen, and into the garden with the hot spring pool, where he dropped her on the porch.

Geng Shuning quickly stepped back, putting some distance between herself and Yinzhen.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that he was like a rabid dog, ready to explode at any moment.

She cautiously said, "Sir, do you want to..."

Yinzhen interrupted her again, "There's no one else here. You don’t have to put on an act. You even called me by my name, and now you want me to believe you understand humility?"

He coldly stepped closer to Geng Shuning, "Today, there is no Emperor, no female officials in the emperor's presence, just... Yinzhen and Geng Shuning."

"Don’t hold back the curses you have in your belly; let’s lay it all out on the table!"

Geng Shuning kept backing up, stammering, "Well, I wouldn't dare. What if you get mad and cut off my head?"

Dying isn’t the worst thing—living in misery is.

"Your head is more useful alive. I'm not stupid!" Yinzhen continued to close in, "Even if today you commit a crime that could wipe out your entire family, I’ll let it slide!"

Geng Shuning: "..." Honestly, that’s starting to sound tempting.