Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

Inside Shuixuan Residence, Shen Lang and Jiang Mengxuan whispered sweet nothings to each other for a while. After settling her in, he went back to Xuanzheng Hall to attend to official business.

Since Jiang Mengxuan became pregnant, Shen Lang has gone to Xuanzheng Hall every day after dinner to handle the official business that had accumulated during the day.

To be honest, Shen Lang was not used to this kind of work intensity, but when he thought that he was working for himself, he felt at ease.

"Forget it, let's just consider it as building up a family fortune for my two unborn children."

With the awareness of a loving father, Shen Lang could only forge ahead.

The Imperial Medical Academy diagnosed the Empress's pregnancy as twins, a boy and a girl, based on her pulse, which gave Shen Lang a strange feeling.

Perhaps, only now do I feel myself becoming more and more integrated into this world?

Not long after Shen Lang left, Pan Shijun arrived at the entrance of Shuixuan Residence carrying a booklet.

"Stop, what are you doing?"

As a result, he had only been standing ten steps in front of the Shuixuan Residence when two Imperial Guards immediately lowered their spears and aimed them at him.

"Ouch~"

With a gasp, Pan Shijun was so frightened that he knelt on the ground, repeatedly muttering:

"Open, open, open, open, open..."

After trying for a long time, he still couldn't come up with a second word.

The oppressive atmosphere of the imperial palace was indeed incomparable to that of those wealthy and powerful families; Pan Shijun felt his back was soaked with sweat.

"Tell me, are you an assassin?"

"Ah~"

Pan Shijun was so frightened by the guard's shout that he almost fainted.

Despite the dizziness of seeing stars spinning before his eyes, he struggled to steady himself and said in a trembling voice, "Start, start, start..."

"Start my ass!"

The head guard, unable to bear it any longer, stepped forward and kicked Pan Shijun in the face, knocking him to the ground.

Another guard then pressed the tip of his gun against his neck.

"How dare you attempt to assassinate His Majesty! You're asking for trouble!"

"Arrest them and hand them over to the Jingwei Division for rigorous interrogation to see if there are any accomplices."

"Damn it, are assassins these days so stupid that they actually dare to come to our door so brazenly?"

Seeing the gleaming gun blade in front of him, Pan Shijun was so frightened that his soul almost flew out of his body.

In just a moment, he finally managed to utter a complete sentence.

"Gentlemen, spare my life! Spare my life! I'm not an assassin, I just have important information to report to His Majesty!"

As he spoke, he hurriedly pulled out the "evidence of corruption and embezzlement by the Guanzhong gentry" that Changsun Ying had given him.

"This is the evidence I have gathered over the past few days regarding the embezzlement of large sums of project funds by powerful clans in Guanzhong. I urge you gentlemen to pass it on to His Majesty!"

Upon hearing this, the two men simultaneously put away their guns and took a look at them.

"You stay here and watch over him. I'll go back and report to His Majesty."

"it is good!"

As he watched his colleague walk into the palace, another guard immediately whistled.

In an instant, another squad of twenty heavily armed guards rushed out from the shadows.

Upon seeing this, Pan Shijun felt a chill run down his spine. He quickly got up, knelt down, and looked at the guards in front of him with a fawning expression: "Sir, you've really worked very hard, perhaps..."

pop~

Before he could finish speaking, he was slapped hard across the face.

"Who are you trying to fool with that grin? Get up and stand properly!"

Pan Shijun covered his face, suppressing his fear and resentment, before slowly getting up.

The guard glanced at Pan Shijun and couldn't help but sneer: "Tch, just by looking at your pointy face, I know you're up to no good! Stay put and see what happens, whether you're rich or beheaded."

Upon hearing this, Pan Shijun immediately shrank back: "Sir, I am only here to deliver evidence of the plot to rebel in Guanzhong. Even if I have done nothing, I should at least have done my part."

pop~

As soon as he finished speaking, another slap landed mercilessly on his face.

"Who gave you permission to talk back? Let me tell you, with my husky's uniquely discerning eyes, I can see right through your wicked intentions. Luckily, I'm on night duty tonight..."

"You might actually succeed. Stay out of the way! If you dare utter another word, I'll tear your house down, you hear me!"

"Yes Yes Yes……"

Faced with the husky's threat, Pan Shijun could only stand aside with his head down, quietly waiting for the Empress to summon him.

Little did they know that summoning the Empress was not as simple as meeting a wealthy family's daughter; she could be seen with just a greeting.

Pan Shijun waited for half an hour, until the lights in Shuixuan Residence were all lit, but he still hadn't been summoned.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Shen Lang strolled along the cobblestone path leading to the Xuanzheng Hall.

Aside from public occasions, Shen Lang is not used to being surrounded by people when he goes out, especially inside the palace where he prefers to walk around the palace gates alone, so he can also enjoy the surrounding scenery.

"Oops~"

Suddenly, a soft moan rang in Shen Lang's ears.

Driven by instinct, he stopped and subtly stepped back.

Suddenly, a sensual scene flashed before my eyes.

"Yeah~"

Xiangling, who had been waiting for a long time, finally saw Shen Lang appear. She had hoped to create a wonderful encounter by accidentally falling into his arms.

Unexpectedly, he fell directly to the ground.

"Miss, are you okay?"

Shen Lang frowned and asked, thinking to himself: Where did this idiot come from? Is he a palace maid who just entered the palace?

Xiangling immediately put on a pitiful look and looked up at Shen Lang: "I'm sorry, young master, I accidentally got separated from my sister."

"The palace is so vast that I couldn't find my way around. In my haste, I bumped into you, young master. Please forgive me."

As he spoke, he raised his hand.

The sleeve on her arm immediately slipped down to her shoulder, revealing a patch of white skin.

"Young master, I think I've twisted my leg. Could you help me up?"

"hehe."

Shen Lang smiled slightly, slowly squatted down, and looked at Xiang Ling: "What's your name?"

Looking at Shen Lang so close to her, Xiangling blushed and whispered, "This servant is Xiangling."

As she spoke, she took out a silk handkerchief and covered her face, exuding a seductive charm.

"Xiangling? What a nice name. Tell me honestly, were you waiting here on purpose to get my attention?"

"Young master, I didn't mean anything by it. I just happened to be passing by and that's how we met."

Xiangling adopted a coy and alluring posture, her eyes sparkling with captivating charm.

"A coincidence? Heh, do you know how many young girls like you, just beginning to experience love, try every day in the palace to seduce me?"

But I remain unmoved. Your tricks are useless against me. Since you refuse to tell the truth, so be it. I dislike playing these guessing games.

After saying that, Shen Lang got up and prepared to leave.

Xiangling panicked and hurriedly tried to grab Shen Lang's hand.

But Shen Lang reacted even faster, taking a half-step back.

Seeing that her attempt had failed again, Xiangling immediately put on a seductive look, her eyes sparkling with affection: "To be honest, Your Majesty, I am deeply in love with you, which is why I resorted to such methods to try and see you."

This servant knows that this will damage the relationship between the Regent and His Majesty, but this servant truly cannot control her restless heart.

Regent, you must be feeling very lonely these days. Let me keep you company in your place. I don't want any title, and I certainly wouldn't dare to compete with Your Majesty.

"I would be content as long as I could gain the Regent's favor. Regent, please give me a chance!"

As she spoke, she swayed her hips, displaying an incredibly charming and alluring demeanor.