After being reborn, I went on a killing spree in the imperial court.

night.

Cao Yuan drifted into sleep. At this moment, however, her body was shrouded in a drowsy feeling, as if the whole world had become blurred.

She tossed and turned in bed, unable to find a comfortable position. Just then, a strange feeling welled up inside her, as if someone was quietly entering the room and approaching her bed step by step.

Although she was still somewhat conscious, a strong intuition compelled Cao Yuan to force open her heavy eyelids, trying to see clearly who was in front of her. Finally, through a blur, a familiar figure gradually became clearer and then blurred again.

"Chu Yan... is that you?" Cao Yuan asked in a weak, trembling voice.

With a concerned expression, Chu Yan gently stroked her slightly flushed cheeks, as he always did. Then, he picked up a clean white handkerchief and carefully wiped away the fine beads of sweat from her forehead with the utmost tenderness.

After doing all this, Chu Yan took out a small, exquisite snuff bottle from his wide sleeve. He placed the snuff bottle under Cao Yuan's nose and gently swirled it around.

As that peculiar fragrance entered her nostrils, Cao Yuan's vision quickly went black again.

Seeing that Cao Yuan was unconscious, Chu Yan felt relieved. He took off his cloak, lay down next to her, and embraced her.

Looking at the person lying peacefully beside him, he couldn't help but feel nostalgic for the days he spent with Cao Yuan at the foot of the mountain. He sighed, never expecting that the sleeping potion his master had given him would actually be used on Cao Yuan.

Chu Yan looked down at the person in his arms and gently kissed her lips. Although it was somewhat taking advantage of her vulnerability, he still wanted to satisfy himself.

For several days in a row, Cao Yuan's cold had almost healed and her fever had subsided, but she always felt very tired every morning when she woke up.

"Your Highness, aren't you getting up? I think your cold is almost better, so you can move around a bit. It's not good for you to stay in bed all the time."

"But I don't have any energy, I feel so tired, I want to sleep a little longer."

Cao Yuan yawned and struggled to sit up. She touched the belt around her waist. Why was the belt tied wrong?

"Your Highness, would you like to have some porridge first? You can sleep after you finish!" Jinzhu said.

"Your Highness, you've sweated quite a bit this time. Your clothes still smell of sweat. I'll take them to the laundry department for you."

The smell of sweat...

Cao Yuan felt that her physical condition was very similar to... Could it be that she had that kind of dream...?

Cao Yuan shivered.

"Oh, by the way, Your Highness, I have removed the musk from your incense burner. You haven't had your period in a long time."

"The imperial physician also said that musk and sedatives should not be used at the same time, and your fatigue may be related to it."

Cao Yuan agreed, "That's right. Anyway, we won't have anything to do with Chu Yan anymore, so we won't need musk."

"Then I'll sleep a little longer!"

Just as Cao Yuan finished her porridge and was about to go to sleep, an announcement came from outside: "His Majesty has arrived. Princess Huayang, please receive him immediately."

Just as Cao Yuan was about to get out of bed, Xiao Shengxi entered.

Jinzhu lowered the curtain.

"Cao Yuan is unwell and is afraid that she cannot perform the rites for Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty will forgive her."

"Alright, I just came to check on your illness."

The eunuch carefully carried out a beautifully carved sandalwood chair from outside and placed it steadily behind Xiao Shengxi. Xiao Shengxi walked to the chair and slowly sat down.

He gently leaned back, settling comfortably against the wide chair back.

The two spoke through the curtain.

"Your Majesty is too kind. Cao Yuan only caught a cold and is now fine. However, she has been lying in bed for the past few days and is feeling a bit weak."

"I didn't hear much about what happened that day because I was drunk. As a result, you all fell into the lake, and I have already punished the Ministry of Works."

"The Crown Princess was chosen by me, but she is not yet a qualified Crown Princess. If she says anything, please don't take it to heart."

This was a plea for her to let the matter drop and not pursue it further.

It seems he really does have something going on with the Crown Princess.

Everyone says that the emperor of Shu was licentious, but unexpectedly he chose his own nephew to take over.

"The New Year is just around the corner, and the palace will be holding a family banquet. You should take good care of yourself and come to attend."

"Yes!"

In the dead of night, Chu Yan climbed in through the window again.

He walked to the bedside with practiced ease and let Cao Yuan smell the sleeping potion.

What he didn't know was that Jinzhu had reduced the amount of calming and musk used.

In the middle of the night, Cao Yuan slowly woke up.

She instinctively tried to turn over, but suddenly felt a chill run down her back. The chill felt like a cold snake slowly crawling along her spine, sending shivers down her spine. Cao Yuan was startled, all sleepiness instantly gone.

She reached out and casually touched herself, but when her fingertips touched her skin, she was jolted awake as if struck by lightning.

Her clothes had vanished! At that moment, the man's breath was relentlessly spraying onto her body, carrying a burning heat that enveloped her tightly.

Cao Yuan's heart raced, her mind went blank. The man was pulling her closer, his movements gentle and suggestive. This feeling was all too familiar to Cao Yuan…

Chu Yan, it really was you.

It turns out that I wasn't dreaming these past few days.

Good on you!

Watch how I deal with you.

Cao Yuan twisted his chest forcefully.

Chu Yan awoke from the pain and grabbed Cao Yuan's hand, "A Yuan, A Yuan."

Cao Yuan lay in his arms, mumbling, "You dog emperor, don't touch me, don't touch me. I'm Chu Yan's..."

"Ah Yuan? You're not awake?"

Seeing that Cao Yuan didn't react, Chu Yan breathed a sigh of relief; it turned out she was just talking in her sleep.

Cao Yuan suddenly pinched him again.

"Hey... Ah Yuan! Don't..."

-

As night falls, the lights are on.

The entire palace was illuminated by dazzling lights, as bright as day. On this very night, a grand family banquet was about to begin.

The palace servants bustled about among the various palaces, meticulously arranging the banquet. Exquisite tables and chairs were neatly arranged, laden with a variety of delicacies and fine wines. Luxurious silks and flowers adorned every corner, exuding a captivating fragrance.

The guests invited to the palace banquet began to arrive one after another.

At this moment, Cao Yuan also arrived in the hall and went straight to her seat. Only after sitting down did she realize that her seat was diagonally opposite Chu Yan. As she sat down, she inadvertently glanced in Chu Yan's direction, and their eyes met in mid-air, a momentary jolt seeming as if an electric current had passed through them…

Chu Yan sat in his seat, clutching his chest, completely devoid of his usual energy and spirit.

"Your Highness, are you alright? You look so pale lately."

Liu Xueqing asked.

Chu Yan forced a smile. "It's nothing! I haven't been sleeping well for the past few days because the cat scratched me."

"Cat? Where's the cat? I don't know anything about it."

Cao Yuan chuckled to herself.

It was hard on Chu Yan, whose body was covered in bruises from being pinched by her.

Suddenly, there was a loud bang outside.

Cao Yuan stood up warily.