Dethroned the Crown Princess? Then she became your mother

There was an indescribable subtlety in the air, and the two looked at each other for a long time.

Finally, he gently stroked the remaining warmth on his fingertips, as if trying to soothe the ripples in his heart caused by the inadvertent touch.

"What does the emperor want?" Zhang Tianai finally spoke, her voice a little shy and flustered. She clutched the corner of the quilt tightly, fearing that she would lose her composure again.

Murong Shuo's eyes were gentle and profound. He gently raised his hand and then slowly lowered it. "You are still weak and need to rest. I remind you again, you must be obedient. Do not move around anymore, and do not come here without permission. Rest here first and make plans after you recover."

When Zhang Tianai heard this, a trace of unwillingness flashed in her eyes: "But Your Majesty, I..." She hesitated to speak.

"No buts." Murong Shuo interrupted her, his tone full of unquestionable determination, "You don't need to say anything more. I have made up my mind. Your health is more important than anything else."

Zhang Tianai became anxious and unconsciously wanted to put her hands together to pray, but because of her big movements, the quilt slipped off again, revealing her slightly messy collar.

She hurriedly grabbed the quilt again, her cheeks as red as ripe apples, and she hurriedly wrapped herself up again.

Murong Shuo's heart rippled upon seeing this, but he quickly collected himself and changed the subject: "You know, there's something wrong with the medicine you're taking, and that's the root cause of your recurring illness. Have you ever thought about who's behind this?"

Zhang Tianai was horrified upon hearing this. Her eyes widened as she asked in disbelief, "Your Majesty, are you saying there's something wrong with my medicine? How is that possible? I know nothing about it! How did Your Majesty know?"

Murong Shuo did not answer directly, but asked indifferently: "What do you think? I have my own way to find out the truth." He seemed to be thinking about some deeper issues.

Zhang Tianai felt a surge of unease. She lowered her head in thought for a moment, her face turning even paler. "Your Majesty, I am but an abandoned woman. How could I have deserved such calamity? Who would treat me this way?"

Murong Shuo looked at her fragile and helpless appearance, and couldn't help but feel a trace of pity in his heart.

He sighed softly and said soothingly, "Don't worry too much. I will get to the bottom of this matter. As for you, just focus on recuperating."

He turned to leave, but stopped short just before stepping over the threshold. Without looking back, he spoke in a deep, magnetic voice, "Remember, no matter where or when, I'm here, and I'll never let you suffer any injustice."

As night fell, the quilt quietly slipped off, revealing the moonlight and unfinished thoughts on her shoulder.

"If this life ends, the only regret I will have is that my sins are not fully redeemed." She murmured softly.

"Enough!" A low and firm voice interrupted her whisper. It was Murong Shuo. His eyes were full of heartache and reluctance. He reached out and gently placed his hand on her shoulder, gently but firmly pulling up the quilt that had slipped off.

"Have a good rest and stop thinking about random things." After saying that, he turned around, leaving behind a resolute back, and disappeared into the night.

Zhang Tianai looked at the figure walking away with a dazed look in his eyes, feeling mixed emotions.

There really was something wrong with the medicine she used. It was just a guess before, but now it was revealed by the supreme king.

She knew very well that once the emperor made up his mind, the truth would come out and those shadows trying to hide in the dark would eventually be exposed.

She chuckled, with a hint of self-mockery and relief in her smile, allowing the shoulders that were not completely covered to be exposed to the air again, and her fingers gently slid across the skin, feeling the coolness of the night.

Her thoughts drifted away, and she couldn't help but wonder about the emperor's mood after he left. Would his heart be disturbed by the scene just now? Would he remember her unintentional disclosure in the dead of night?

Just as she was immersed in her own reverie, a burst of hurried footsteps broke the silence in the room.

"Girl!" Chunmei came hurriedly, holding a package tightly in her hand.

After confirming that there was no one around, she approached the bed with confidence and asked with concern: "Miss, are you okay?"

Zhang Tianai shook her head slightly, her eyes falling on the package in Chunmei's hand.

"I'm fine, just a little tired." She responded softly.

"Then what happened to you?" Chunmei asked anxiously.

Zhang Tianai opened her red lips slightly, her tone carrying a hint of amusement: "Chunmei, why are you so anxious? What's the big deal about the Emperor? What else can he do to me? Eat me? Haha, I wish it was that interesting."

It didn’t matter if she ate it, she actually wanted to be eaten. Zhang Tianai smiled at her again.

Chunmei felt relieved upon hearing this, but her worries remained. "Miss, there's a vast boundary between you and the Emperor. You must never cross it. Especially that time when you accidentally exposed your shoulders. It was truly terrifying."

Her eyes were full of seriousness and warning, and she obviously had a clear understanding of this taboo relationship.

"Alright, alright, I know what's going on." Zhang Tianai interrupted her with a smile, turning his gaze to the sound of rain outside the window. "Why don't you take care of yourself first? You're all soaking wet. Why don't you change into dry clothes?"

Chunmei then realized her embarrassment and quickly explained, "I was in such a hurry to bring you clothes, afraid you'd catch a cold, that I didn't take care of myself. So, I was jogging all the way here and didn't notice."

"Silly girl, go change quickly, or you'll fall ill later." Zhang Tianai gently scolded her, then gestured for her to close the door and change clothes.

After Chunmei changed her clothes, Zhang Tianai continued to order: "Help me change clothes. I have to go see the emperor later. There are some things that need to be clarified."

Chunmei carefully tidied Zhang Tianai's clothes and hair.

Zhang Tianai asked softly, "Have Aunt Liu and the others asked about it?"

"I did ask. When I came back, they were anxiously waiting for news. But I didn't say much."

Zhang Tianai responded calmly, "They are also looking for the person who delivered the letter."

Matron Liu and her group were anxiously searching for the mysterious missing figure.

She opened her red lips slightly and said, "It's time to let this mystery come to light."

Then, she said softly but firmly, "Don't let the emperor know about this."

Chunmei was very skillful and had carefully folded the wet clothes she had taken off.

Zhang Tianai was still lying quietly on the brocade couch, with a thousand thoughts in her mind, like an orchid waiting for the spring breeze.

At this moment, light but powerful footsteps were heard outside the door.

Murong Shuo walked in alone, without the eunuch An who usually accompanied him, which seemed particularly unusual.

Seeing this, Zhang Tianai wanted to stand up to greet him, but she was a little flustered by the sudden visitor. In a hurry, the brocade quilt tripped her up, making her look more fragile and helpless.

She hurriedly adjusted her slightly messy clothes, and her long black hair inadvertently fell, covering half of her cheek, making her look even more charming.

When she bent down to look for the pair of embroidered shoes that had been lost under the couch, Murong Shuo had already strode up to her and took her hand without saying a word.

Zhang Tianai looked up, her eyes full of confusion and astonishment, but before she could say anything, she was pulled by a gentle and firm force and instantly fell into a warm embrace.