“Consort Rou, you speak.” The man’s magnetic voice sounded.

Chu Jiujiu calmly stood up and bowed, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“What happened yesterday was my fault. I apologize to Lady Li.” Chu Jiujiu bowed slightly to Lady Li.

Lady Li was flattered and flustered, trying to speak, but Chu Jiujiu interrupted.

“I know I’ve done wrong. I beg Your Majesty to confine me for a month so I can reflect on my mistakes.”

The concubines: “???” She… went mad?!

Even Concubine Li was stunned by her actions.

Eunuch Li looked outside the pavilion. Did the sun rise in the west today? There are so many strange things happening.

Han Chu’s gloomy gaze swept over her slender shoulders, his eyes fixed on her stunning beauty…

【This way, I don’t have to be with so many concubines, I don’t have to go hungry and face danger like now. I can stay in my palace and eat grilled fish, barbecue, spicy hot pot!】

Han Chu: “…”

Concubine Li and the others: “…” Eat, eat, eat! She only thinks about eating.

“Such frankness is rare. I will not punish you. I reward you with daily visits to the Yangxin Palace to pay your respects.”  The clear voice, like the sound of jade colliding, slowly reached Chu Jiujiu’s ears.

Chu Jiujiu: “!!!” What?!

Chu Jiujiu looked up in disbelief. Her clear eyes met the man’s cold gaze. The icy coldness in his eyes sent a chill down her spine.

“Pay… pay respects?” She took a half-step back, subconsciously asking again.

Concubine Li and the others’ faces changed instantly. Daily visits to the Emperor’s presence—what kind of treatment was this…

“Consort Rou seems dissatisfied with My reward.” Han Chu’s voice was low and deep.

Eunuch Li couldn’t tell whether she was too happy or couldn’t believe such a good thing, but she certainly wasn’t unhappy.

“Consort Rou, quickly thank His Majesty for his grace.”

Eunuch Li’s sharp voice reached her ears, pulling her out of her stunned state.

“This concubine thanks Your Majesty for your grace.”

【Wuwuwu… I don’t want to, I don’t want to go. Whoever wants this blessing can take it. He’s so scary. What if he wants to kill me? I’m scared…】

Han Chu stared at her impassively, his dark eyes, which made people’s hearts tremble and legs weak, seemed to be looking down at a harmless little white rabbit.

Chu Jiujiu cried inwardly, but outwardly she was the same as usual, only her expression was a little downcast as she sat back on the bench.

The other concubines had various expressions. Whether or not they could hear Chu Jiujiu’s thoughts, they were all envious and jealous of her, wishing it were them who got to visit the Emperor daily.

Concubine Li didn’t expect her attempt to stir up trouble to unexpectedly benefit Consort Rou. She was both angry and annoyed. Daily visits to the Yangxin Palace were the dream of many concubines.

Chu Jiujiu was struck by the big villain’s so-called “grace.” Sitting on the bench, she looked like an eggplant hit by frost, wilted.

Then Han Chu, Eunuch Li, Concubine Li, and others constantly heard her listless thoughts.

【I don’t want to go to the Yangxin Palace, I don’t want to pay my respects.】

【He’s so bad, he might torture me.】

【I’m so pitiful, even more miserable than a neglected cabbage in the field. I hope I can live a few more days, wuwuwu…】

Han Chu ignored her, leisurely sipping his tea.

【…So hungry, I wonder what I’ll have for lunch? Will there be soft braised pork? Concubine Li mentioned grilled fish; I wonder when she’ll invite me to eat it.】

Concubine Li: “…” She was about to be mad. Grilled fish, grilled fish…

Eunuch Li: “…” What a change of mood… But did she really resist going to the Yangxin Palace to pay her respects? This was a great opportunity that other concubines longed for.

Several probing gazes fell on her, but Chu Jiujiu, lost in her inner world, didn’t notice.

Chu Jiujiu waited and waited until Han Chu slowly stood up. With the Emperor’s imposing aura, he left the pavilion as she watched expectantly.

As the figure in bright yellow disappeared from the concubines’ sight, Chu Jiujiu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

【He finally left. I deeply understand what it means to be close to the Emperor like walking on thin ice. 】

Beauty Xin silently listened to her thoughts, raising her gaze to carefully examine Chu Jiujiu. Her snow-like skin and delicate face showed a calm expression, completely unrelated to the anxiety in her heart.

Such a strange thing; any concubine who could hear Chu Jiujiu’s thoughts wouldn’t tell a second person. Even if they observed that someone else could hear Chu Jiujiu’s thoughts, they wouldn’t reveal it.

To avoid being treated as a monster.

Chu Jiujiu watched the Emperor leave and immediately wanted to return to her palace. Before she could speak…

Concubine Li stepped forward, smiling kindly, “Sister, I unintentionally mentioned you in front of His Majesty just now. I hope you won’t blame me.”

Lady Li, huddled in the corner, was still trembling with fear. Seeing Concubine Li mention what happened earlier, fearing that the fire would fall on her again, she listened intently.

Chu Jiujiu smiled faintly, “Concubine Li is joking. How dare I blame you, but…” Her eyebrows furrowed, her watery eyes filled with a pitiful look.

Concubine Li’s smile remained unchanged, her actions as always, deceitful and hypocritical, “But what?”

The other concubines fell silent, listening intently.

Lady Li tightly squeezed her fingers under her sleeve, afraid it might be related to her.

“But I’m hungry.” As soon as Chu Jiujiu’s pitiful voice fell, her stomach rumbled.

Concubine Li: “…”

The other concubines: “…”  We’re defeated.

“I must return to the palace for lunch. I’ll take my leave first.” Chu Jiujiu bowed slightly and turned to leave the pavilion with Xiao Kui.

【Food is important.】

She disappeared in a flurry, leaving the concubines speechless.

Concubine Li was extremely helpless, unable to get angry. She could only let it go, but she would find a way to prevent Consort Rou from approaching the Yangxin Palace, taking the opportunity to make the Emperor blame Consort Rou…