Poisonous Goddess: I'm just lazing around in the mortal realm.

Dark clouds gathered, and a downpour soon arrived as expected.

An Ruyi, dressed in a deep red palace gown, arrived at the Imperial Study, where the lights were still on, with Xiang'er's help.

Tao Dehai, who had been dozing off against the veranda, immediately snapped awake upon seeing the arrival of the Imperial Concubine. He strode briskly to An Ruyi's side, bowed, and said...

"Greetings, Your Highness. What brings you here so late?"

He bent down slightly, looking sleepy, which gradually calmed An Ruyi's already somewhat angry mood.

An Ruyi smiled slightly and pointed to the food box carried by the palace maid behind her.

"I have heard that His Majesty has been busy with state affairs lately and has not had a proper rest. Seeing that the lights in the Imperial Study are still on, I thought I would send some food to His Majesty so that he would not overwork himself."

As she spoke, she tried to continue walking forward, but Tao Dehai unexpectedly blocked her path, lowering his head and saying...

"Your Majesty, please don't be offended. You know this is the Imperial Study. You cannot enter without a summons."

Nanyang has a history of favoring sons over daughters, so Tao Dehai's words were not wrong.

However, this perfectly ordinary reason took on a different meaning in An Ruyi's ears.

She looked somewhat displeased.

"Is Eunuch Tao stopping me? Then why is His Majesty busy with state affairs while you are waiting outside?"

An Ruyi wasn't stupid. Although she had lived in the inner palace for many years and never concerned herself with the affairs of the court, she understood the Emperor's temperament to some extent. Tao Dehai usually served him when he was handling state affairs.

Judging from Tao Dehai's tired appearance, he must have been standing outside for quite some time.

Tao Dehai's eyes darted around; he hadn't expected An Ruyi to gamble on his affairs outside.

In his panic, he could only hurriedly answer.

"Your Majesty, please don't be offended. His Majesty just wanted to be alone for a while and was afraid that we clumsy people would disturb him."

His explanation was weak and unconvincing. Even Xiang'er couldn't help but exchange a glance with An Ruyi, as if they had both seen through Tao Dehai's lie.

"In that case, I really shouldn't bother His Majesty. I'll trouble Eunuch Tao to hand this food box to His Majesty."

An Ruyi smiled slightly, then gave Xiang'er a wink.

Xiang'er nodded and then prepared to hand the food box to Tao Dehai.

"Your Majesty's kindness will certainly be conveyed to the Emperor. Please go back and rest early, and don't overwork yourself."

As Tao Dehai smiled apologetically, he prepared to take the food box from Xiang'er's hand. However, just as the food box landed beside him, Xiang'er stumbled and pulled him down the steps.

"Ouch—"

With a cry of surprise, he, along with Xiang'er and the food box in his hand, tumbled down the white jade steps in front of the Imperial Study.

Fortunately, the steps weren't too steep. Tao Dehai, who had rolled several times, lay dizzy on the ground. He was used to being pampered by the Emperor's side, and his somewhat bloated figure couldn't protect him at this moment.

His face was wrinkled; at over forty years old, his body could not withstand such ravages.

He cursed under his breath as he tried to sit up, but when he looked up, he saw that the deep red figure had already entered the main hall of the Imperial Study.

"Your Majesty, this is absolutely forbidden!"

He tried to get up quickly, but just as he regained his footing, he was pulled back to the ground.

"Eunuch Tao, are you alright? I see you've fallen like this, should we go to the Imperial Hospital for a checkup?"

Xiang'er is quite perceptive; she used Tao Dehai as a cushion and rolled around several times without getting hurt.

She pulled Tao Dehai, who was trying to get up again, back to the ground, feigning concern.

"Eunuch Tao, how about I take you to the Imperial Hospital for a checkup? These steps are so high, it's really my fault for being careless." She said with a smile, while glancing out of the corner of her eye as her mistress entered the Imperial Study.

He secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"You...you...what do you know!"

Tao Dehai's face turned bright red with anger, and he didn't know what to say for a long time.

Isn't his life now more serious than the fall he took?

"Eunuch Tao, if you ask me, let's go take a look first..."

"Let me go! You little brat, I don't know how your master raised you!"

Tao Dehai, with a burst of strength he didn't know where he got from, pushed Xiang'er away. He slowly stood up, not caring that he was covered in soup and water, and hurriedly ran towards the Imperial Study.

"Grandpa Tao—"

Xiang'er called out in a fake manner, quickly following in his footsteps.

imperial study room

Inside the brightly lit hall, Duan Yuan sat upright at the table. Having removed his dragon robe, his casual clothes made him look handsome and dashing.

At that moment, he was processing the memorials in his hands, and some of the words that looked like cryptic writing were giving him a headache.

A squeak

Duan Yuan didn't even look up, assuming it was Tao Dehai coming in, and began to speak.

"What are you doing here again? I've already told you, I'm currently reviewing memorials and don't want anyone else to disturb me."

He frowned slightly, perplexed by the heavenly memorial.

"Your Majesty, I greet you—"

A sweet voice pulled Duan Yuan back to his senses. He looked up abruptly and saw An Ruyi, dressed in a deep red palace gown, standing pitifully below the throne.

"Your Highness, what brings you here? This is not a place for you."

Duan Yuan frowned slightly. He put down the vermilion brush in his hand, got up, and quickly walked to An Ruyi's side.

Although he spoke words of reproach, his deep eyes were actually fixed on An Ruyi.

They were afraid that this might upset An Ruyi's pregnancy.

An Ruyi leaned against Duan Yuan's chest, her soft voice actually calming Duan Yuan's anger considerably.

"Your Majesty, I just dreamt of you. I saw that you were always working too hard and neglecting your health. I was so worried that I came here... You won't blame me, will you?"

While snuggling in Duan Yuan's arms, An Ruyi glanced at Qingwu by the desk without revealing her thoughts.

At this moment, Qingwu had no idea that An Ruyi would come here. Being merely a palace maid, she quickly knelt on the ground to explain.

"Qingwu greets Your Highness, the Noble Consort."

Her voice was a little hoarse, perhaps she really was sick.

However, because of the gossip she'd heard during the day, An Ruyi assumed Qingwu was feigning illness, and her expression immediately showed some displeasure.

"Your Majesty, why are my servants here? If they are to serve you... does Your Majesty find me lacking?"

Although there was a hint of reproach in her words, her already elegant face was raised, and she pretended to be coquettish and jealous, which Duan Yuan did not find offensive.

He smiled and gently flicked An Ruyi's nose.

"I only sent Qingwu over in the middle of the night because I was afraid you would overthink it, but I didn't expect you to still come to see me."

"Oh? In the middle of the night? Has His Majesty taken a fancy to my Qingwu?"

An Ruyi raised her eyebrows slightly. She glanced at Qingwu, who was now kneeling on the ground, her eyes filled with a fierce glint that seemed about to burst forth.