Chapter 29: Possessiveness

After returning to the Residence of Prince Lingyang, Shen Yuling went straight to her own quarters.

The first thing she did was hand over all the protective items she had prepared before leaving, in case of unforeseen circumstances, to Xi Tong. She instructed her to destroy them immediately, leaving no trace behind.

Afterward, she summoned a physician to carefully bandage the scrapes and bruises she had sustained from falling off the cliff.

Now, more than half of the people stationed in Ninglan Courtyard were placed there by Quan Minghe, making it inconvenient for her to act freely.

As a result, Shen Yuling rarely allowed anyone other than Xi Tong to enter her room at will. On the surface, Bai Hua was the only one permitted entry with her approval.

As for the others, although she was well aware that they were Quan Minghe’s people, she pretended not to know.

At this moment, several candles burned brightly in the room, their warm glow illuminating every corner, dispelling some of the gloom brought by her late return.

Xi Tong stood to the side, recalling how today’s plan had only been half-successful. She couldn’t help but pout and mutter, “That Liu Jingyi is actually quite clever.”

Shen Yuling knew that Xi Tong had a habit of complaining, so she merely smiled faintly without responding.

Leisurely, she reclined on the beauty couch, casually picking up a book of strange tales and flipping through its pages.

Seeing her mistress so at ease, Xi Tong couldn’t hold back and added, “Master, you’re still smiling? With Liu Jingyi’s maneuvering, doesn’t that mean all your effort today was for nothing?”

Shen Yuling didn’t even lift her head, her eyes remaining fixed on the book in her hands.

With a faint smile, she said, “How was it all for nothing? The change in Feng Moheng’s attitude toward me is today’s greatest success.”

Even after hearing this, Xi Tong still felt somewhat indignant.

Pouting, she grumbled, “They’re all terrible men, always bullying you, Master.”

Shen Yuling couldn’t help but chuckle and shake her head. Reaching out, she gently patted Xi Tong’s head, comforting her.

Weiyang Palace.

The candle flames flickered, casting shifting shadows across the ornate beams and painted eaves.

Li Ming hurried in, yet his steps carried a trace of hesitation.

Upon reaching the center of the hall, he bowed and reported, “Your Majesty, today, Prince of Lingyang, along with the princess consort and the concubine, went to Yingxu Mountain outside the city for a flower-viewing excursion. Unexpectedly, they were ambushed.”

“To save the prince, the princess fell off the cliff with him.”

When Li Ming first received this news, he had been utterly shocked.

He had hesitated repeatedly, not daring to report the matter to His Majesty immediately.

Quan Minghe had been reading the memorials in his hand, his head lowered in concentration.

At Li Ming’s words, his head snapped up instantly. A sharp, icy glare shot toward Li Ming.

She—Shen Yuling.

Saved Feng Moheng?

Yet, Li Ming seemed oblivious to the deeper meaning in His Majesty’s gaze. He merely assumed the emperor was concerned about the princess consort’s safety.

Quan Minghe’s expression remained unreadable, like the depths of an unfathomable sea—how could anyone easily discern his thoughts?

Even Li Ming, who attended him daily, found it difficult to fully grasp His Majesty’s intentions.

Quan Minghe turned slightly and asked, “Who was behind the assassination attempt on the prince?”

Li Ming immediately responded, “Your Majesty, it appears to be someone the Eldest Princess had offended in the past.”

“The assassins acted boldly, making no attempt to conceal their motives. The Eldest Princess has already begun investigating the matter.”

Li Ming hastily answered with utmost deference, carefully observing His Majesty’s reaction.

Li Ming hesitated briefly before continuing, “Moreover, there were quite a lot of people on Yingxu Mountain today. If the assassins blended into the crowd after the attack, identifying them will not be an easy task.”

“If we rashly deploy soldiers to interrogate the common folk who visited the mountain today, it might incite unnecessary panic among them.”

After a slight pause, he added, “Thus, the Eldest Princess is currently conducting her investigation in secret.”

Though it was described as a covert operation, in reality, it merely meant that official government forces had not been mobilized.

The Eldest Princess had always been domineering in nature. Upon hearing that her beloved son had been in grave danger, the guards of the Eldest Princess’s residence had already been dispatched in full force.

After all, Feng Moheng was her only biological son, her most cherished treasure.

Quan Minghe frowned.

He didn’t particularly care who was behind the assassination attempt on Feng Moheng. Though Feng Moheng was technically his nephew, if he were truly killed in this incident, it would actually make certain matters much easier to handle. He wouldn’t have to go through the trouble of orchestrating and arranging things himself.

What displeased him, however, was the fact that Shen Yuling had gone to save Feng Moheng.

Didn’t she always despise him?

Just yesterday, hadn’t she been in Yaohua Palace, crying and begging him to stay with her?

How was it that today, without the slightest hesitation, she was willing to die alongside Feng Moheng?

Could it be that she still harbored the delusion that she could make Feng Moheng fall for her?

Was she foolish enough to dream of a harmonious relationship with her husband?

Was this all just an act of self-sacrifice to gain sympathy?

If so, she was truly dreaming!

“Bring her into the palace,” Quan Minghe ordered coldly.

Why, then, was she now throwing herself into danger alongside Feng Moheng without hesitation?

Could it be that she still foolishly hoped to win his favor?

Was she dreaming of a harmonious marriage with her husband, thinking they could become a loving couple?

Was she attempting to use this as a ploy to gain sympathy?

If so, she was truly delusional!

“Bring her into the palace,” Quan Minghe ordered coldly.

For a moment, Li Ming failed to react.

Had His Majesty not just been discussing the assassination attempt?

Who was he referring to?

Oh—he must mean the Princess consort.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will make the arrangements immediately.”

Li Ming responded hurriedly before quickly retreating.

The candlelights in Sujin Courtyard were extinguished one by one. Only after confirming that Feng Moheng would be staying the night in Liu Jingyi’s Sujin Courtyard did Shen Yuling finally follow Quan Minghe’s men into the palace.

Yaohua Palace.

Shen Yuling reclined against the soft chaise, her gaze vacant, lost in thought.

Quan Minghe entered.

She was so deeply immersed in her own thoughts that she didn’t even notice his arrival.

It wasn’t until he sat down on a chair some distance away—yet positioned precisely within her line of sight—that she suddenly snapped back to reality.

Quan Minghe’s expression was inscrutable, his face dark and unreadable.

He sat there in silence, exuding an oppressive aura that made it impossible to ignore. The weight of his presence alone was enough to instill fear.

Shen Yuling’s heart tightened. She quickly pushed herself up from the chaise.

What was wrong with him?

After a brief hesitation, she finally spoke softly, “Your Majesty?”

“Shen Yuling, it seems you’ve grown increasingly unruly.”

Quan Minghe’s expression remained cold as he spat out those words.

Shen Yuling was baffled.

Was he angry? He had barely stepped inside before finding fault with her.

And the way he addressed her—his irritation was most likely directed at her.

In a small voice, she refuted, “It was Your Majesty who permitted me to forgo formalities.”

Yet, Quan Minghe’s face remained impassive, as if he hadn’t heard her at all. He made no effort to continue the conversation.

Seeing this, Shen Yuling rose from the chaise, preparing to bow properly.

Shen Yuling had barely set her foot down when she lost her balance and fell.

Fortunately, the luxurious and plush carpet of Yaohua Palace cushioned her fall, leaving her unharmed.

Still, she deliberately let out a soft cry. “Ah.”

Quan Minghe had encountered all sorts of women in his life, and their tactics for feigning helplessness were nothing new to him.

Watching her little act, he remained seated, motionless, his face devoid of any reaction.

“If you’re this delicate,” he said coldly, “where did you find the courage to jump off a cliff?”

Quan Minghe spoke coldly, his words laced with mockery.

Shen Yuling sighed inwardly.

Here we go again—another bout of the emperor’s inexplicable possessiveness.

If Quan Minghe ever found out that she not only saved Feng Moheng but also kissed him, teased him, seduced him…

No, no, no. Quan Minghe would never know.

If he did, it would be the day of her death.