Returning after a three-year escape from death, the tyrant has turned evil.

Chapter 77: Menstruation
Consort Ning was completely stunned by Jiang Lanye's words.

She rushed over to check on Jiang Lanye's health, but unexpectedly, she was humiliated by Jiang Lanye in front of Song Yi.

What a clever Consort Yun! If Jiang Lanye hadn't reminded her, she would have truly forgotten that she was just a substitute.

Now that the Empress has returned, all her care and love have become a joke.

Song Yi was also surprised that Jiang Lanye would be so blunt, and stared at him blankly.

He held Song Yi's hand tightly and continued speaking to Consort Ning:
“The assassins were targeting me that day. It was Consort Yun who risked her own life to protect me. So, whether I was injured or not, you are not the one who can judge the situation at that time.”

She has no right to accuse Song Yi of hindering his evasion.

Consort Ning felt her face burning hot, utterly humiliated, and unwilling to stay in the Golden Palace for even a second longer.

Looking at Song Yi's exquisite face, Consort Ning felt like a joke.

She forced a curtsy and took her leave, hastily saying, "Your Majesty, I understand. I will take my leave."

After Consort Ning left, Song Yi stared intently at Jiang Lanye, lost in thought.

Jiang Lanye looked at her, pulled her into his arms, and made her sit on his lap.

Song Yi exclaimed in surprise and immediately said anxiously, "Your injury!"

"It's alright, I have no injury on my legs. You haven't sat on my lap like this in a long time."

Jiang Lanye said with a faint smile.

"Jiang Lanye, were you really able to avoid that day?"

Song Yi looked at him, stubbornly wanting an answer.

Jiang Lanye let out a soft sigh, seemingly helpless.

"Yes, I was able to react at the time."

Song Yi was at a loss for words for a moment, and after a long while, he murmured:
"So it really is my problem that I'm holding you back, otherwise you wouldn't have gotten hurt."

Jiang Lanye noticed that she was in a bad mood and immediately said:

"I didn't want to tell you this because I was afraid you would overthink things."

“The assassin was in the palace at the time. Even if I had dodged that attack, he would have still chased after me. It would have taken the guards time to run into the palace.”

"If he were to stab me with his dagger again, I'm afraid you would still throw yourself at me without hesitation. Rather than see you get hurt, I'd rather get hurt myself."

His voice was soft and calm, and he spoke without changing his expression.

Song Yi couldn't understand it at all and couldn't help but say:
"But you are the emperor, and your life is of utmost importance, more important than anyone else's."

"Have you ever thought about what would happen to this dynasty if you didn't survive?"

"Song Yi, I ask you, are you afraid of death?"

Jiang Lanye stared at her intently.

Song Yi: "Of course I'm scared."

Jiang Lanye replied, "But the decisions people make in an instant are unpredictable."

"You say my life is important, but I feel your life is more important. I can't imagine how I would feel if you died in front of me?"

For a fleeting moment, Song Yi really wanted to ask Jiang Lanye why he would like her so much, even though she wasn't that great.

But he was just so obsessed with himself.

"Let's not talk about these life and death matters."

"Jiang Lanye, I'm hungry."

She sat on his lap, squirming restlessly.

Jiang Lanye immediately pinned her down, his eyes darkening. "What are you doing? Behave yourself."

Song Yi said reluctantly, "I'm hungry, I want to eat something."

Jiang Lanye chuckled, "Who spoiled you like this? Does it take for food to be stuffed into your mouth the moment you're hungry?"

Even so, he immediately summoned the palace maid outside the door to serve the meal.

Jiang Lanye's wounds have not yet healed, so he cannot eat anything too stimulating. He has lost a lot of weight in the past two days. The imperial physician just said today that he can eat some meat.

The meal was laid out on the table. Song Yi's eyes lit up at the sight of it, and she immediately picked up her chopsticks, about to put them in her mouth.

But seeing Jiang Lanye sitting motionless to the side, looking inexplicably pitiful, Song Yi knew that he was unable to move at the moment.

So she had to suppress her craving and ask, "What do you want to eat?"

Before Jiang Lanye could speak, Song Yi ladled out a full bowl of chicken soup for him and said:
"This is clear chicken soup, not too oily. Drink it quickly, and see how much weight you've lost these past few days."

Jiang Lanye had never liked these things, and when he saw the bowl placed in front of him, he subconsciously frowned.

Song Yi knew he was reluctant, but she still kept putting more meat into his bowl.

"Jiang Lanye, why don't you just become a monk? Why are you only willing to eat vegetarian food?"

Song Yi picked up a piece of beef with her chopsticks with dissatisfaction, forcefully shoved it into Jiang Lanye's mouth, and commanded, "Open your mouth."

Jiang Lanye narrowed his eyes and said slowly, "Song Yi, you're getting bolder and bolder."

"Could it be that His Majesty, in a fit of anger, intends to kill his concubines?"

After saying that, she touched his lips with the beef she was holding, and said, "Open your mouth."

The two remained locked in a stalemate for a while.

Jiang Lanye opened his mouth expressionlessly, took a bite of the beef, chewed for a long time, and then swallowed it with difficulty.

Immediately afterwards, Song Yi couldn't wait to stuff another bite of food into her mouth.

She always ate with relish. Jiang Lanye had a poor appetite, but seeing her stuffing food into her mouth like a hamster, he was surprisingly tempted to eat as well.

"By the way, didn't you say you wanted someone to make you a new dragon robe? Why hasn't it been delivered yet?"

Song Yi, with something still stuffed in her mouth, asked him indistinctly.

Jiang Lanye glanced at her and said slowly, "You want to see it?"

Indeed, I wanted to see it. Jiang Lanye's dragon robes came in a variety of styles and colors. Even a simple everyday garment looked exceptionally dashing and noble on him.

However, Song Yi particularly loved the dragon robe with its contrasting dark red and black colors, which perfectly suited his tyrannical temperament.

Song Yi nodded, and then heard Jiang Lanye say:

I'll wear it for you to see tomorrow.

Having received the reply, Song Yi continued eating with satisfaction.

Jiang Lanye slowly withdrew his gaze from her, and suddenly thought that if he could attract her with his appearance, it wouldn't be a bad idea.

Song Yi was almost full when she noticed that the bowl of chicken soup in front of Jiang Lanye was still untouched, so she urged him, "Drink it quickly."

Just as she was about to pick up the bowl and spoon to feed Jiang Lanye, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen, followed by a warm flow.

Song Yi:
It seems like she's having her period.

Jiang Lanye noticed that her movements paused for a moment, and looked at her with a puzzled expression, asking her with his eyes what was wrong.

After that brief moment of unease, Song Yi pretended nothing had happened and continued to bring the spoon to his lips, saying, "Drink it quickly."

Fortunately, Jiang Lanye cooperated very well this time.

(End of this chapter)