The Emperor had not set foot in the imperial harem for a month. The imperial concubines, carrying various tonics, were almost breaking down the door of the imperial study.
Nothing major had happened in the imperial court, nor was the Emperor uninterested in women. He had only one son whom he disliked, and this was the time he should be having more children to stabilize his position.
Otherwise, if something were to happen to him due to that malevolent spirit, wouldn't the empire fall into the hands of that vengeful ghost? The thought made him unwilling, but his heart was willing yet his body was not.
Recently, for some unknown reason, he had become extremely weak. He did not want this news to reach the empress dowager. He could only use piles of memorials to fend off the imperial concubines who came to visit.
In the restless night, the Emperor found himself walking towards the Furong Pavilion. He had carefully considered the events of that day and concluded that Zhao Sisi could not possibly have done it.
But with so many pairs of eyes watching, he had to provide an explanation to everyone. Zhao Sisi came from an ordinary family; how could she produce such a miraculous elixir?
With this thought, he entered the Furong Pavilion. Zhao Sisi, having learned of the Emperor's presence outside through the system, was applying makeup in front of the mirror and reciting a poem with a touch of sorrow.
"Slender clouds played with skill, shooting stars conveyed their hate, the endless Milky Way crossed in secret."
"A meeting of the autumn wind and the jade dew surpasses the countless encounters in the human world."
"Tenderness like water, a joyous occasion like a dream, how can one bear to look back at the magpie bridge road?"
"If love between two hearts lasts for a long time, what matters if they are together day and night?"
"What a beautiful sentiment, 'If love between two hearts lasts for a long time, what matters if they are together day and night.' Sisi, whom are you missing? The stars in the sky convey your longing and sorrow for whom."
Zhao Sisi turned around and looked at the Emperor with tender eyes, bowing softly and greeting him. "Sisi was simply moved by emotion and her words are not worthy of your esteemed presence."
"Sisi, you are too modest. If you were a man, you would surely be among the successful candidates if you participated in the imperial examinations."
"Thank you for your favor, Your Majesty. Why do you have time to visit this useless person like me tonight?"
"Sisi, are you angry with me? At that time, it was due to circumstances. The Empress Dowager was poisoned and on the verge of death, and you happened to have the matching remedy. How could you expect me to protect you?"
"How could I dare be angry with Your Majesty, but I am wronged. That was my family's heirloom. At that time, I only wanted to save the Empress Dowager, so I risked everything. I never expected this outcome."
As she spoke, she began to cry sorrowfully, her tears falling like raindrops into the Emperor's heart.
The Emperor pulled her into his embrace, stroking her soft hair. "It is my fault that I cannot even protect the one I love. Sisi, don't cry. Once you give birth to our imperial son, I will find a way to help you regain your position."
Zhao Sisi cried even more pitifully, burying her face in the Emperor's chest. "Wuwu~ Sisi is truly wronged, Your Majesty. Who wanted to harm me? Who in this harem has such great power?"
"I have always been careful and never dared to make a mistake. Who could possibly resent me so much? Sisi is so scared, afraid that one day I will simply disappear from Your Majesty's world."
"Don't cry, my heart is breaking. I will protect you and your child and will never let you be bullied again."
The Emperor suddenly felt invigorated again. The dim candlelight ignited an ambiguous atmosphere. The Emperor picked her up and walked towards the bed.
When their outer robes were shed, leaving only a layer of white undergarments, Jun Jiuli arrived at the opportune moment, leading a group of robust elderly women.
"Bold intruders, daring to trespass into the imperial harem at night and openly engage in lewd acts. Guards, drag them out and flog them, and tomorrow they will be dealt with by the Emperor."
"Oh my, Consort Zhao is too audacious, and she's carrying..."
"Heh, who would say otherwise. Relying on the Emperor's favor, she acts arrogantly all day. Now she dares to treat the Emperor like this, just wait for the show tomorrow."
"How did she get him in here? The imperial harem is so strictly managed, it's truly chilling to think about..."
"Such a debased person should be dragged out and drowned in a pig cage."
"If not for Consort Gui discovering it in time, we would all still be kept in the dark." Kuai Shu Ge
...
Zhao Sisi screamed in fright. The Emperor felt extremely embarrassed and could not speak. He wanted Jun Jiuli to discover it was him and have everyone removed.
Jun Jiuli did not give them that opportunity. The elderly women were well-trained and began to strike the two directly through the curtains and blankets. Heavy planks fell swiftly upon them.
The Emperor could no longer maintain his dignity and cried out. The concubines who were following to witness the spectacle were all stunned. That voice was so familiar.
"Presumptuous! Drag all these old hags out and have them beheaded!"
The elderly women knelt on the ground. "Your Majesty, please forgive us. Consort Gui, save your old servants!"
The imperial concubines bowed in unison. "Your Majesty, please calm your anger."
The Emperor wrapped Zhao Sisi tightly in the quilt and patted her twice to comfort her. He then parted the curtain and stepped out, looking at Jun Jiuli with displeasure.
"Does Your Consort's Majesty now have to manage every concubine I favor?"
"There is no record in the Department of Ceremonies. Consort Zhao is currently just a commoner. Her nameplate has already been removed. If Your Majesty misses her so much, you may reapply her nameplate. There is no need to sneak in like this in the middle of the night..."
"I manage the entire imperial harem. There are intruders in the Furong Pavilion. To ensure the royal bloodline, I had no choice but to make this trip. Otherwise, I would find this place too dirty to even step into."
As she spoke, she deliberately fanned her nose with her hand, which almost enraged the Emperor to death.
He raised his hand to slap Jun Jiuli, but Jun Jiuli simply looked at him steadily. The Emperor took several deep breaths and finally lowered his hand.
Clenching his fist, the Emperor finally said, "It is getting late, why are you all still standing here?"
Everyone bowed and retreated. The Emperor's majestic image in the hearts of the imperial concubines completely collapsed. They no longer held any hope for him and only wished for a child to rely on.
The Emperor completely lost interest. After comforting Zhao Sisi for a while, he hurried back to the imperial study. Zhao Sisi wished she could tear Jun Jiuli alive.
She had finally waited for an opportunity, and the atmosphere was perfect, only to be abruptly ruined. The next day, this "amusing" incident spread through the streets and alleys with different names.
The ministers were also quite dissatisfied upon hearing the news. Who wouldn't want an imperial grandson quickly? Yet the Emperor was still infatuated with a common girl. Were their own daughters so inferior?
In the evening, the Emperor began to try visiting the various imperial concubines, but each time it lasted less than fifteen minutes. He left with a dark expression every night. He felt too ashamed to sleep until dawn.
His clever little brain began to work. He shifted his suspicions to Zhao Sisi. Why was it that others were not effective, but only Zhao Sisi was?
Had she given him some strange substance? The thought sent shivers down his spine.
"Sisi, how have I treated you all these years?"
"Your Majesty has treated me very well."
"Then why did you do this to me?"
As he spoke, he threw a teacup on the table to the ground, shattering it instantly. Zhao Sisi looked completely bewildered. Only after a reminder from the system did she hurriedly kneel on the ground.
"Your subject does not know what wrong she has committed. I beg Your Majesty to speak plainly."