Just as Jiang Chen was pondering, a beautiful figure slowly entered the hall.

A long, ink-colored dress draped over the woman's curvaceous figure, her slender waist cinched with a black sash. This woman who held Jiang Chen's gaze was simply dressed, her only adornment a jade hairpin in her black hair. There was no hint of a pampered concubine's arrogance.

Yet even so, no one who saw her would doubt her identity because of her simple attire!

Her radiant beauty and snow-like skin made the woman in the black dress seem like a goddess descended from the heavens. Especially her upturned phoenix eyes, which contained an innate arrogance, shone brilliantly, captivating all who beheld her.

Such a woman was undoubtedly the goddess of every man in the world!

Gazing at the tall figure for a long time, a fiery light bloomed in Jiang Chen's eyes.

Worthy of being a noble lady from a prominent family!

"Your Majesty stares at me so intently, it makes me quite nervous," Mei Ruoying said, her phoenix eyes curving slightly. Her slender, jade-like hand held a lacquered octagonal food box, the red of the lacquer contrasting with the snowy white wrist, making it appear even more exquisite.

Jiang Chen couldn't help but want to soil that perfection.

Tapping the table lightly with his finger, Jiang Chen beckoned to Mei Ruoying.

"Come here."

The casual, indifferent attitude made Mei Ruoying's breath catch in her throat.

His Majesty is indeed acting strangely!

In the past, he would have rushed over before she even opened her mouth.

But today, he was ignoring her, speaking coldly... Could it be that he was truly infatuated with the Consort Shu?

Suppressing her thoughts, Mei Ruoying didn't dare to act as haughtily as she usually did, and obediently walked towards Jiang Chen.

As she placed the food box on the table, Mei Ruoying was about to rise when she suddenly felt a brute force pulling at her waist.

Immediately, her delicate body fell backward uncontrollably, landing in Jiang Chen's embrace.

Mei Ruoying looked up in surprise.

How dare this foolish ruler be so bold today?!

Just as she was wondering, Mei Ruoying felt a rush of heat near her earlobe.

She frowned uncomfortably, a flash of disgust crossing her beautiful eyes, but it was quickly hidden.

"Your Majesty, you don't have to be so impatient, I..." Mei Ruoying's words were cut short by a gasp as Jiang Chen began to act without restraint.

This was the first time she had been so intimate with a man.

In the past, when she had "loved" the foolish ruler, she would carefully plan everything, having her handmaidens take her place.

This kind of tingling sensation that she had never experienced before…

Made Mei Ruoying's emotions somewhat out of control, and she almost revealed herself, nearly pushing Jiang Chen away.

Damn it, how had this foolish ruler changed so much!

Before, he would never have been so direct... otherwise, she wouldn't have been caught off guard and so easily taken advantage of!

Jiang Chen toyed with her casually until the Mei Ruoying in his arms had a mist in her eyes, then he lazily withdrew his hand.

Mei Ruoying suppressed her revulsion and forced a smile, saying, "Your Majesty, you are so passionate today, I can hardly bear it!"

After speaking, Mei Ruoying exerted a slight force, sliding out of Jiang Chen's embrace like a fish. Then, she opened the food box in her hand and said sweetly, "Your Majesty, this is bird's nest soup that I made myself. Please, try some."

Jiang Chen didn't reply. He looked at the charmingly smiling Mei Ruoying and said faintly, "Consort, put the bird's nest aside for now. I have something to ask you."

"Which dog slave dared to let you into my Hall of Diligent Governance without my permission?!"

Jiang Chen's voice wasn't loud.

But to Mei Ruoying's ears, it was like a thunderclap.

He actually spoke to me like that?

Was this still the emperor who used to be so obedient to me?

Mei Ruoying widened her beautiful eyes and saw nothing but cold killing intent in Jiang Chen's eyes.

Mei Ruoying realized that the emperor was truly angry.

Her expression changed and she knelt down with a 'thump,' begging pitifully, "Your Majesty, I know my crime!"

"I shouldn't have entered the Hall of Diligent Governance without permission. I beg Your Majesty to forgive me this once, for the sake of our past affection."

As she spoke, Mei Ruoying softened her voice, and a pair of phoenix eyes rippled with tenderness as she looked at Jiang Chen.

"From now on, I will devote everything to serving Your Majesty and repay my mistake today!"

Trying to seduce me?

Jiang Chen leaned back slightly, stroked his chin, and sighed, "The country has national laws, and the family has family rules. There are so many people in my harem, so naturally, I must be fair to everyone! How can I show favoritism to you alone?"

Upon hearing this, Mei Ruoying's pretty face stiffened, and her fingernails, painted with light-colored nail polish, dug into her palm.

In the past, as long as she said a few soft words or gave him a good look, the emperor would eagerly rush to her side, granting her every wish!

But now, she had already lowered herself so much, yet she hadn't even received a single word of forgiveness!

Consort Shu, you truly have good methods, stealing His Majesty's heart so quickly.

A cold glint flashed in her eyes, and Mei Ruoying said softly, "It was I who was inconsiderate, actually suggesting a method that would damage Your Majesty's brilliant reputation. I am foolish, I beg Your Majesty to forgive me."

Jiang Chen looked at the pitiful Mei Ruoying, and his heart stirred. He pulled her into his arms.

"Consort, it's not that I want to make things difficult for you, but the Hall of Diligent Governance is an important place in the palace. If I don't punish you, it won't be justified."

As the words fell,

A smile was forced onto Mei Ruoying's face.

"Yes, yes, yes, Your Majesty, you said it, I will accept the punishment."

Jiang Chen had already said so much, so Mei Ruoying decided to soften her stance first.

Otherwise, if she allowed the emperor to become disgusted with her, wouldn't she be making things easy for Consort Shu?

Jiang Chen nodded slightly, satisfied with Mei Ruoying's attitude.

If she dared to defy his will, then no matter how beautiful she was or how powerful her family was, he would have to deal with her.

Jiang Chen summoned the Imperial Guards and said faintly, "Consort Mei trespassed into the Hall of Diligent Governance today, violating palace禁. The maids and eunuchs who failed to stop her will all be beaten to death."

"As for the guards and palace servants protecting the Hall of Diligent Governance… hmm, beheaded, with their families exterminated to the third degree. I will issue the decree later. Go and take care of it first."

After giving his orders, Jiang Chen turned his head to look at the stiff-faced Mei Ruoying in his arms.

"Could it be that Consort is feeling unwell? Why are you trembling so much?"

Upon hearing this, Mei Ruoying didn't bother to feel sorry for her people. She took a deep breath and said, "I, I am fine. It's just that I witnessed Your Majesty's divine power just now and felt awe in my heart, unable to control myself, which is why, why I had such an ungraceful reaction."

Jiang Chen immediately burst into laughter.

"Consort, ah, Consort, your little mouth is not only sweet to taste, but the words you speak are also very pleasing to me!"

"A charming little fox like you is indeed hard to find in the world, making me reluctant to punish you severely."

Mei Ruoying's heart skipped a beat.

What did this foolish, tyrannical ruler mean?

He had already killed all the people around her, and he still didn't plan to stop? Did he really think her Mei family was easy to bully?!

Mei Ruoying narrowed her eyes warily and was about to speak, but Jiang Chen suddenly pinched her cheek, preemptively saying, "Look how scared you are, your fur is about to stand on end."

"Relax, I'm not a tyrant, how could I hurt my own concubines?"

"To atone for the offense of trespassing into the Hall of Diligent Governance, Consort will have to pay with money."

"Your monthly salary for a year, as well as the jewelry and antiques I previously bestowed upon you, will all be confiscated into the imperial treasury. What does Consort think?"

Upon hearing this, Mei Ruoying's phoenix eyes widened as she looked at Jiang Chen.

How could this tyrant become so shameless?

He even wanted to take a woman's money?!

Although she didn't care about these material possessions, the thought of her things falling into the hands of this tyrant made her feel terrible!

"Why doesn't Consort answer? Could it be that you are unwilling in your heart?"

Jiang Chen's voice became dangerous!