The Emperor, with more men than women, made me his mistress.

First to emerge was Jin Chenyuan, whose calm demeanor revealed no sign of anything amiss, followed by the Emperor with a faint smile.

The emperor's face showed no signs of injury.

Yue Li: ……

Why did she see the two of them acting as if nothing had happened?

Did she mishear?

"Ah Li." Seeing Yue Li practically plastered on the door of Xuanzheng Hall, Jin Chenyuan knew what she was doing without even guessing. He stepped forward with a helpless yet doting expression and took her hand.

"Auntie." The Emperor, who was a step behind, was not willing to be ignored and stepped forward to greet Yue Li.

Yue Li: ……

After what just happened, she now finds it hard to believe that calling the Emperor "aunt" is so ambiguous.

Banishing the jumbled thoughts from her mind, Yue Li glanced at the Emperor, too lazy to even speak, and simply snorted in agreement.

Seeing Yue Li's reaction, the Emperor's eyes darkened. He deliberately stared at Yue Li and said, "Imperial Aunt, is there something you are dissatisfied with? If so, you can bring it up, and I can change it."

"You... shameless..." Yue Li struggled for a long time before finally managing to utter just those two words. After all, she could think of countless insults in her mind, but when it came to actually saying them, she couldn't recall a single one. She wanted to say something else, but she didn't know how. Besides, she had no idea what Jin Chenyuan and the Emperor had just discussed, how much they knew, or even what had happened between them.

Despite being scolded by Yue Li, the Emperor didn't seem to realize it; in fact, one could say he quite liked Yue Li's lively and spirited demeanor.

After all, Yue Li's current state was much more reassuring than when she was expressionless in front of him earlier.

However, Yue Li's words terrified the servants waiting outside the Xuanzheng Hall for instructions, who all lowered their heads and were inwardly groaning. How could they possibly listen to such words?

In royal affairs, a single misstep could mean losing your life.

Even Fuquan, who was supposed to come out and loyally protect his master, stood in an inconspicuous corner, trying his best to minimize his presence.

Seeing Yue Li's face turn red and her eyes blazing with anger, Jin Chenyuan reached out and pulled her into his arms, patting her back to help her catch her breath. At the same time, he said to the Emperor, who was standing beside him glaring at him, "Your Majesty, please go ahead and attend to your business. It's getting late. Your Highness and I will bid farewell to the Empress Dowager and return to our residences."

After all, how could Jin Chenyuan possibly treat someone who coveted his princess as calmly as before?

However, the Emperor did not intend to let the two leave the palace just like that. After all, they were leaving the palace, but he was still in the palace. Who knew when he would see Yue Li again?

He had to make a good impression on Yue Li.

Ignoring the warning look in his uncle's eyes, he raised his hand, signaling Fuquan to lead the servants outside the hall away.

Then, looking at Yue Li nestled in his uncle's arms, he asked, "Are you leaving the palace now? Doesn't my aunt have anything to say to me?"

When Yue Li heard the Emperor's words, she was stunned for a moment. Her first thought was that the Emperor was having a fit of hysteria.

After what he did to me, what else could I possibly say to him?

Although the relationship between women and men in this world is similar to that in other ancient worlds with polygamy, it's just that there's one more person by their side.

But this also needs to be based on mutual consent.

Besides, the emperor is not so easy to get along with.

Can't you see? The Empress Dowager is now pressuring the Emperor to produce an heir to the country. Is she obsessed with it?

"Then I wish Your Majesty to find a beautiful wife soon and have a son soon." Seeing the Emperor's persistent questioning, Yue Li said deliberately.

Yue Li's words were like a knife piercing his heart, causing the emperor to lower his eyes in distress, not wanting the two people in front of him to see his disheveled expression.

He didn't expect that even after the two had such an intimate relationship, Yue Li still didn't seem to care about him at all.

Jin Chenyuan stood there, watching the emperor's pale face, but made no offer to help.

After all, it was all his own choice, and once he and Yue Li got married, Yue Li would never be able to marry the Emperor again.

Thinking of what the Emperor had said in the Xuanzheng Hall, Jin Chenyuan thought that it would be good if he could make the Emperor back down.

Coughing twice to suppress the bitterness in his throat, the Emperor had no choice but to resort to his trump card, saying, "Since you've put it that way, then I'll go and talk to the Empress Dowager later. Now that my innocence is gone, I can't delay the other noble ladies any longer. Tell the Empress Dowager not to worry anymore and to let those noble ladies go back. After all, if I were to marry those noble ladies now, wouldn't I be letting them down?"

Seeing the slight change in Yue Li's expression, the Emperor continued, "As for me, I believe that once Grandmother learns the cause of this matter, she will understand me."

Hearing the Emperor's words, Yue Li couldn't hold back any longer. She broke free from Jin Chenyuan's embrace and, ignoring the fact that the person standing opposite her was the Emperor, launched into a tirade: "Your Majesty, this is going too far! How did things turn out this way? Wasn't it all a scheme by Your Majesty? I haven't even complained about being taken advantage of by Your Majesty, and you're already complaining. We're both adults. Since Your Majesty did it, you should bear the consequences. What's with threatening me with the Empress Dowager? Is Your Majesty trying to pin the blame for not wanting to get married on me, or for not wanting to have an heir on me?"

Looking into Yue Li's fiery, sparkling eyes, the Emperor didn't hear a word she said; instead, he was mesmerized by those eyes.

Seeing the Emperor staring at her intently without saying a word, Yue Li rolled her eyes and said, "Your Majesty, why aren't you saying anything? Could it be that you're intimidated by my aura?" Yue Li thought to herself.

Jin Chenyuan, who was standing nearby, noticed the Emperor's unusual behavior. His expression darkened, and he pulled Yue Li back into his arms, kissing her forehead. He sighed inwardly, thinking that Yue Li was just too charming no matter what.

The Emperor then seemed to wake from a dream. He looked at Yue Li, who was being pulled back into his uncle's arms, and said in a low voice, "You know, I never meant that."

Seeing that the situation was at a stalemate, Jin Chenyuan said, "This happened too suddenly. Everyone needs time to think it over. Your Majesty also needs to think things through. Let's call it a day."

Without waiting for the Emperor's response, Jin Chenyuan took Yue Li in his arms and left Xuanzheng Hall.

Watching their departing figures, the Emperor pursed his lips, ultimately deciding not to call them back.

"I'll give you time to accept me." The emperor thought to himself, recalling those bright, sparkling eyes from earlier.