The fool has become a spirit, and she can speak

Zhong Siyu panicked. She had drunk too much last night and was only focused on being sad and upset. She hadn't even asked the Emperor's opinion. "Your Majesty, didn't you let her enter the palace?"

“Yu’er, someone as dim-witted as you should sleep more and think less. It’s obvious she was brought by your sister-in-law. I’m trying to avoid her, how could I let her into the palace?”

"What did His Majesty say last night?"

"Just said in anger!"

"Words spoken in anger?" Zhong Siyu's eyes reddened, tears welling up in them. "Does Your Majesty know that I haven't slept a wink all night because of your angry words?"

Wan Lianxing took Zhong Siyu's hand and said, "As long as you don't interfere in politics or abuse your power, no one can shake your position in my heart. Others who want to marry me all have ulterior motives, but only you, Zhong Siyu, have fallen in love with me at first sight and are willing to follow me to the death. If I betray you, I will be unworthy to be a ruler."

Zhong Siyu was deeply moved by Wan Lianxing's words, "But sister-in-law brought him here, it's obvious that it's for..."

Wan Lianxing became very serious. "Yu'er, others may not know about my body, but do you? I am practically a cripple, so what are you worried about? I will not share a bed with any other woman except you."

Wan Lianxing would never let another woman know the true state of his body; it was a matter of his pride.

"Your Majesty should not be so self-deprecating. In Yu'er's heart, Your Majesty is a saint, without any faults."

There was no falsehood or flattery on Zhong Siyu's face, which made Wan Lianxing extremely grateful. He held Zhong Siyu's hand tighter and tighter, revealing his true feelings, "Having Yu'er by my side in this life is enough. But Yu'er, you will have to act with me in a little while."

"Acting?" Zhong Siyu doesn't even know how to lie!

Wan Lianxing whispered to her, and Zhong Siyu looked at Wan Lianxing with great doubt. She wanted to say that she couldn't do it, but she was also worried that Wan Lianxing would say that she was useless. Finally, she made up her mind and nodded with a bitter face. She could accompany Wan Lianxing to the Yellow Springs, let alone acting. However, she didn't know if Wan Lianxing's words were really feasible.

As the banquet drew to a close and the cups and plates were nearly empty, just as everyone was still enjoying themselves, a crisp sound rang out as the golden cup beside Zhong Siyu fell to the ground. All eyes turned to the person in the high seat, Zhong Siyu, whose eyes were slightly closed, brows were furrowed, cheeks were flushed, and she was clutching her hand in pain, looking as if she had a splitting headache.

Her maid, Zhu'er, rushed forward in alarm: "Your Highness, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Zhong Siyu closed her eyes and uttered two words, "Dizzy."

Zhong Siyu's body went limp; if Zhu'er hadn't been supporting her, she would have collapsed to the ground.

Everyone asked what was wrong with the Empress. Wan Lianxing remained calm. He first sent someone to fetch the imperial physician, and then said to everyone, "Don't panic, everyone. The Empress is just overly agitated. I will take her to rest. You may all make yourselves at home."

Ge Dongqing swayed unsteadily, already drunk. He looked around, not noticing anything amiss, nor doubting the truthfulness of Wan Lianxing's words. "Brother, with all of us here to accompany the Imperial Father-in-law's family, you can rest assured."

With Ge Dongqing around, Wan Lianxing felt reassured. He got up, picked up Zhong Siyu, and left the table.

Shang Xi had already finished eating. She had watched one song and dance performance after another until she was tired of it all and was just waiting to leave. She said to Cheng Feng, "The Empress is ill. I'm going to go see her."

Without a second thought, Cheng Feng said, "It's definitely an act."

"No, the Queen would not feign illness."

"My uncle and his wife were whispering to each other for a long time; I bet they were just faking it."

"No, in a scene like this, my uncle values ​​the Empress's family very much! If the Emperor and Empress leave together at this time, the Empress must be ill. I'll go and see her."

Before leaving, Shang Xi leaned close to Madam Wan and said, "Mother, the Empress looks terrible, I'm going to take a look."

Madam Wan said, "Go ahead and see what the imperial physician says. Madam Zhong and I will go and take a look in a bit."

Shang Xi looked at Madam Zhong. After Zhong Siyu left, Madam Zhong had no heart for the banquet. Her mind was with Zhong Siyu. The worry on her face was unique to a mother and could not be faked.

In the sleeping hall.

Wan Lianxing lay lazily on his side on the bed. Zhong Siyu sat on the edge of the bed, turned to look at Wan Lianxing, and said with some embarrassment, "Your Majesty, with so many people around, you asked me to claim illness in public. If word gets out, my reputation will be ruined."

"If you don't tell me, and I don't tell you either, who will know? This is just a temporary measure. Look at Han Muran staring at me like a tiger. Aren't you worried? And your sister-in-law, she keeps giving me threatening glances. My hair stands on end. Don't you feel sorry for me?"

Seeing that no one announced her arrival at the door, Shang Xi became anxious and came in by herself.

Looking at Wan Lianxing lying on the bed with his legs crossed, and Zhong Siyu twisting her body to talk to him, Shang Xi realized that she had been worrying for nothing. It seemed that Cheng Feng understood Wan Lianxing better. Shang Xi cleared her throat and said sarcastically, "Oh, is it the Emperor or the Empress who is sick? I think we should quickly summon the people from the Imperial Hospital for the Emperor to consult!"

Wan Lianxing and Zhong Siyu were both flustered. Wan Lianxing sat up and looked towards the door. "My sister-in-law hasn't come yet, has she?"

Zhong Siyu also nervously looked towards the door. The two of them were relieved when they saw that there was no one at the door. Wan Lianxing pulled Zhong Siyu to lie down on the bed and pretend to be sick. Zhong Siyu's cheeks were even redder after drinking some wine. Especially after Shang Xi caught her, Zhong Siyu was so embarrassed that she couldn't lie down and continue to pretend to be sick.

Shang Xi questioned, "Whose terrible idea was it to fake illness?"

Zhong Siyu pointed at Wan Lianxing: "It was your uncle's idea!"

Shang Xi tilted her chin up and said, "I knew this terrible idea was my uncle's doing. How childish!"

"How dare you call me naive!"

“If my brother-in-law dares to talk back to me, I’ll go and reason with my mother-in-law.”

Shang Xi made a move to turn around, but Wan Lianxing quickly called her back, "Come back! Come back! I'll reward you with a pair of turquoise stones later."

"No, the Prince's mansion has plenty of those things."

"Then I'll reward you with a pair of cat eyes!"

"Deal!" Shang Xi was just going through the motions; she wouldn't actually go to her mother-in-law's place because her mother-in-law would be here soon.

"Uncle, what are you and the Empress up to?"

Wan Lianxing said, "Wasn't it your mother-in-law who forced you to bring Han Muran to the welcoming banquet for the Empress's family?"

Shang Xi said, "Uncle, you don't need to nag me. My mother-in-law will be here soon."

Wan Lianxing quickly helped Zhong Siyu lie down on the bed. This time, Zhong Siyu did not hesitate and cooperated by lying down on the bed. At this moment, the maidservant brought in a copper basin, soaked a handkerchief, and placed it on Zhong Siyu's forehead. It really looked like a patient.

Because Madam Zhong was worried about Zhong Siyu's health, she had already arrived with Madam Wan, and Han Muran was naturally among those who came.