"Yao'er, you will stay at the villa for the time being. If you need anything, just let Wang Youxi know. Once I have made the arrangements, I will bring you to the palace."

The emperor gently comforted Shen Qingyao, not seeing anything wrong with such a promise.

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingyao's face turned deathly pale. She stared at the emperor in disbelief, her lips trembling, unable to utter a single word for a long time.

"Shen Qingyao, I love you!"

"Shen Qingyao, if you marry me, I will make you Empress, and I will make you the most honored woman in the world."

……

Those were all promises made to Shen Qingyao by the emperor.

But now they've just dismissed her with this villa!

It would be better to stay with Cui Yuande!

"What's wrong, Yao'er? Is something bothering you?"

The emperor could see that Shen Qingyao was dissatisfied with his current arrangements and wanted to go directly to the palace.

In the past, he would have spared no expense to make her empress and bring her into the palace.

But now?

It's even more impossible; Shen Qingyao's status is not worthy of the Empress's.

However, if she can devote her heart to him in the future and try to please him more, it wouldn't be a problem if he were happy to give her the title of concubine.

"Ah."

Shen Qingyao was still not quite ready to accept it, so she responded with a cold tone.

The emperor was immediately displeased, released Shen Qingyao's hand, and said with a stern face.

"Yao'er, you know that I like you the most, and I also know that you are the kindest and most considerate."

But as you know, the position of Empress is of utmost importance in this harem, and I cannot appoint her arbitrarily.

I hope you can understand my predicament.

Shen Qingyao realized that since things had come to this point, she could only bow her head.

"Of course I understand His Majesty's feelings."

Although Shen Qingyao's voice was calm, her attitude had clearly softened, which made the emperor feel a little better.

"Good Yao'er, I knew you were the most sensible. The female physician has arrived; let her examine you first."

As the emperor spoke, he beckoned to the female physician who was waiting nearby.

The female physician stepped forward, bowed to the emperor and Shen Qingyao, and then went to Shen Qingyao's side to take her pulse.

After receiving Wang Youxi's signal, the emperor quietly walked out the door.

"So, have you found out who did it?"

As soon as the emperor stepped out of the palace gates, he went straight to the point.

Wang Youxi looked troubled. "Your Majesty, please forgive me. Those men in black were very cunning and they all ran away."

The emperor's face immediately darkened, and he said in a cold voice.

"Ran away? Did I raise you all just to eat?"

Wang Youxi knelt down on the ground, a layer of cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. Although the person has escaped, I have found clues and have sent people to investigate."

Upon hearing this, the emperor's expression softened slightly, but it still carried a hint of coldness.

"As soon as possible. I don't want this to happen again."

To be honest, those men in black didn't ask for anything; they just kidnapped Shen Qingyao and Yun Susu, forcing Cui Yuande to choose. It seemed like one of them had deliberately arranged it.

If he hadn't seen Shen Qingyao's disheveled and panicked state with his own eyes, he would have suspected that Shen Qingyao had staged the whole thing herself.

The female doctor finished her consultation in no time.

"Your Majesty, Miss Shen was just frightened, and she is otherwise fine. She will recover after a couple of days of rest."

The female physician had already been instructed before she arrived, which meant that Miss Shen had not been violated by anyone, and that the Emperor could rest assured.

"Yes, you may go now. You will stay here for the next few days and take care of Miss Shen."

"Yes." The female doctor nodded in agreement and withdrew.

The emperor then entered and comforted Shen Qingyao for a few words before trying to leave, but Shen Qingyao grabbed his sleeve.

"Your Majesty, it is already late, perhaps..."

"No, I have court tomorrow morning."

Although the female doctor said that Shen Qingyao was not seriously injured, the emperor still felt a little awkward, so he refused without thinking.

Shen Qingyao watched the emperor's departing figure, feeling resentful.

Another month has passed.

"Miss Qiuli, His Majesty summons you to his bedchamber tonight."

Liang Qiuli remained the emperor's favorite woman, and he would summon her to his bedchamber every few days.

However, at this moment, the emperor was at the villa with Shen Qingyao.

"Shen Qingyao, you actually drugged me!"

The emperor looked at Shen Qingyao, his face ashen.

These days, he's only been trying to get revenge on Shen Qingyao. Although he's been physically abusive towards her, he hasn't gone all the way.

But he didn't expect that after only a month, Shen Qingyao couldn't resist anymore and actually dared to drug him!

Having already done all that, Shen Qingyao naturally wanted to achieve her goal.

She unbuttoned her clothes, revealing her delicate collarbone, and moved closer to the emperor.

"Your Majesty, I have long admired you. Please grant my wish."

The emperor's body had long been restless, and now that Shen Qingyao was like this, he could no longer endure it.

……

Shen Qingyao achieved her wish and was able to be with the emperor.

But because of her actions, the emperor's last bit of pity for her was completely exhausted.

In his eyes, Shen Qingyao was no different from the palace maids who served her.

Compared to Liang Qiuli, she is inferior to Liang Qiuli in every way.

The very next morning, the emperor didn't even glance at Shen Qingyao before getting dressed and heading straight for the palace.

……

"Do you think Qiu Li is about to fall out of favor? It seems the Emperor stayed outside the palace yesterday?"

The Zichen Palace was sealed off from the outside world like an iron barrel, preventing any news from getting out. However, if anything happened inside, the palace maids and eunuchs would know very quickly.

"Who knows? No matter how favored Qiu Li is, she's just a palace maid. How can she compare to the one outside the palace who will become a concubine in the future?"

"makes sense……"

These words all fell into the ears of Liang Qiuli and Granny Qin, who were passing by.

Just as Granny Qin was about to give her a lecture, Liang Qiuli waved her hand, indicating that she didn't need to say anything more.

"Qiu Li, you...you don't have to be too sad. The Emperor...is the supreme ruler. He can't only have you. You have to accept it."

After returning to Liang Qiuli's residence, Granny Qin, remembering their past relationship, couldn't help but comfort her.

"Granny, I know. The most important thing for us servants is to serve the Emperor well. As for where the Emperor goes or what he does, that's not something we servants should ask."

Liang Qiuli glanced out the window; she knew the emperor was eavesdropping outside.

"It's good that you know, but you don't need to be so discouraged. The Emperor still has some feelings for you. After the imperial concubine selection is over, I will ask for a title for you."

Granny Qin greatly admired Liang Qiuli's attitude of not competing or vying for anything and always putting the emperor first, so she was willing to work hard for her future.

"No need, Granny Qin. I'm fine as I am. I haven't gained much, but at least I can keep my heart. If..."

Before Liang Qiuli could finish speaking, the door was suddenly pushed open from the outside, and the emperor walked in, staring intently at her.

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