Chapter 41: Unable to Restrain…

Shen Yuling approached Quan Minghe.

“Your Majesty, what is wrong with you?”

Quan Minghe, eyes closed, opened them upon hearing her voice.

His gaze was filled with intense desire.

Without a word, he reached out and pulled Shen Yuling into his embrace.

A short while ago, the Imperial Physician had come to examine him.

Indeed, something was off with his body.

However, the effects of the drug might not be too potent due to Quan Minghe’s robust constitution, so he could actually hold back.

Yet, the physician had still advised him to release the pent-up energy within, which would be beneficial for his dragon body.

This was the second time he had been drugged.

The last time, the perpetrator had been ruthless, eliminating nearly all relevant informants the shadow guards had uncovered.

Clearly, this was not merely a matter concerning the women of the harem.

The viciousness and financial power to hire assassins suggested involvement from court officials or… remnants of those he had overthrown!

It appeared there was a spy within his harem—either colluding with the enemy or plotting rebellion.

Due to his previous experience, Quan Minghe’s frustration had yet to dissipate.

Little did he expect to be drugged again, especially in his own palace, at his own birthday banquet.

With desire in his eyes, a storm of unrestrained anger simmered beneath the surface.

He couldn’t trust any of the concubines in the harem.

Only this woman before him, who had no reason to drug him.

Thus, he ordered for Shen Yuling to be brought to him.

Shen Yuling maintained the facade of complete ignorance.

She extended her slightly cold hand and gently placed it against Quan Minghe’s heated chest.

Worriedly, she said, “Your Majesty, you’re so hot! Are you ill? Shall I call for the physician?”

“I am sick, and you are my remedy.”

Before his words could finish, he flipped over, pinning Shen Yuling beneath him.

The bed curtains of the dragon bed slowly fell, shrouding their figures within.

Soon, the royal black dragon robe was tossed onto the white jade floor.

Following that, the colorful brocade robe, silk cover garment, and peony-embroidered undergarments were systematically stripped away.

Finally, the green lotus pink bellyband also floated down…

This time, the effects of the drug within Quan Minghe’s body dissipated quite rapidly.

Perhaps the drug administered was not as potent as before.

Or it could be that upon returning to his chambers, he had immediately ingested the antidote prescribed by the physician.

Shen Yuling lay atop Quan Minghe’s chest, her breathing rapid and shallow.

Quan Minghe caressed her smooth back.

His gaze, however, drifted elsewhere, lost in thought.

Shen Yuling raised her head slightly.

In a delicate voice, she asked, “Your Majesty, what is happening? Why are you so fierce today?”

Quan Minghe looked down at her.

With a half-smile, he replied, “Today is my birthday. You have not presented me with a gift, so I shall take the initiative to receive one. Is that not acceptable?”

Tonight, Quan Minghe had consumed a great deal of wine, toasts coming from all directions.

Some were from officials, many of whom harbored thoughts of offering their daughters to the harem.

Others were from royal relatives, all intertwined with the concubines and officials.

Not to mention the concubines, who were the most likely candidates to have drugged him.

At this moment, he had yet to figure out who had drugged him and did not intend to disclose this to Shen Yuling.

This matter was, for him, a significant humiliation.

However, Shen Yuling lightly huffed.

With a playful pout, she said, “The celebratory verse I recited today was my gift to you, Your Majesty.”

Quan Minghe had previously suspected that the verse was written by Shen Yuling.

He had interacted with Shen Yuan in battle and knew he was not a particularly meticulous person.

He certainly wouldn’t think to write a special verse for him.

Moreover, the congratulatory edict from Shen Yuan was still placed on his desk, without any mention of the celebratory verse.

Thus, he suspected that the verse had come from Shen Yuling.

But upon confirming it, he couldn’t help but feel a bit surprised.

“How old are you this year?” Quan Minghe suddenly asked.

He had never paid attention to her age, assuming she was around sixteen or seventeen, but no older than eighteen.

“Sixteen.”

“It seems the Lingxi Ye family truly produces talented individuals,” he remarked.

“Your mother was also renowned for her talents when she was young.”

Quan Minghe sighed.

At such a young age, Shen Yuling was already exceptionally gifted.

Compared to those officials who could only flatter him with sweet words, her verse was far more intricate and to his liking.

“Then it seems Your Majesty is quite satisfied with that verse.”

Shen Yuling supported herself on his chest, lifting her head.

Her eyes sparkled with pride as she gazed directly at Quan Minghe.

“It was excellently written; I, the subject of the verse, am extremely satisfied.”

Quan Minghe’s praise, with those two emphatic words, was straightforward and powerful.

It made Shen Yuling unable to help but laugh.

If any official received such praise, they would likely be overwhelmed with emotion.

“However, since that verse is your work, why did you say it was a gift from your father to me?”

What woman wouldn’t want to showcase her talents before him to gain his attention and favor?

Who wouldn’t want to take advantage of his birthday banquet to make a name for herself?

If Shen Yuling had openly stated that she authored the verse at the banquet, by the next day, the title of “First Talented Woman of the Qian Dynasty” would surely circulate throughout Qianjing.

At that point, fame and fortune would follow.

“Since Liu Zhaoyi asked me to drink on behalf of my father, if he were present, he would certainly toast the most respected Your Majesty first.”

“As his only daughter, I naturally understand my father’s intentions.”

“Though my father is not a meticulous man, as his daughter, since he is absent, I must represent him and serve Your Majesty faithfully.”

“What I wrote is my father’s intent.”

Quan Minghe was quite wary of her father, who held military power in the northwest.

If it were not for this, why would she be sent to Qianjing?

Yet, her father was genuinely loyal, embodying the foolish loyalty of a minister who would die for his sovereign.

Thus, when the Emperor issued a decree for marriage, even though her mother was reluctant to let her go, her father still allowed it.

Quan Minghe was the ruler of the Qian Kingdom, the founding Emperor of the Qian Dynasty, the man her father had pledged his life to serve.

Shen Yuling hoped Quan Minghe would believe in her father’s loyalty.

Her response was very measured.

In addition, she aimed to increase her father’s favor in Quan Minghe’s eyes.

She certainly couldn’t say that Liu Zhaoyi was Liu Jingyi’s sister and that she didn’t dare drink Liu Zhaoyi’s wine, hence passing it to him.

That would purely make Quan Minghe a test subject!

Furthermore, her relationship with Liu Zhaoyi could only be one where Liu Zhaoyi targeted her first; she couldn’t be the one to oppose Liu Zhaoyi first.

After all, Liu Zhaoyi had given birth to two sons.

Even if Quan Minghe didn’t care about Liu Zhaoyi, he couldn’t disregard the two sons.

Between the prince and her, who was of greater importance? Did Shen Yuling not have self-awareness?

Liu Zhaoyi could command respect in the harem and even openly drug him at his banquet, precisely because she relied on her two sons.

Quan Minghe’s expression was complex and inscrutable.

Though Shen Yuling had grown up in the northwest, she had been raised exceptionally well.

Her performance at the banquet had left the officials with little to criticize about Shen Yuan.

Her talent and quick wit were nothing short of remarkable.

Quan Minghe never anticipated that the illustrious achievements of his earlier years could be so intricately summarized by a mere sixteen-year-old girl.

Nor did he expect her to speak of Shen Yuan’s loyalty in such a way.

While Quan Minghe understood Shen Yuan’s character well.

Shen Yuan was a powerful minister in the northwest, loyal at the moment.

Yet in Quan Minghe’s heart, no one could be certain that Shen Yuan’s loyalty wouldn’t change with the passage of time.

Quan Minghe was used to controlling everything himself.

To be cautious and to maintain a balance against Shen Yuan when necessary, he summoned Shen Yuan’s only daughter to Qianjing.

Perhaps it was all destined.

Because of his decision, the woman in his arms was now his.

Quan Minghe extended his distinctively knuckled left hand, cradling half of Shen Yuling’s face.

His thumb, adorned with a ring, slowly glided over her porcelain-like cheek, rubbing gently, almost absentmindedly.

Shen Yuling tilted her head and leaned into his palm.

Her bright eyes blinked playfully.

She gazed up at Quan Minghe, her expression pure and lively.

Yet Quan Minghe couldn’t help but frown.

An unusual emotion surged within him.

He raised his other hand in a fluster, blocking Shen Yuling’s eyes.

He feared that if he continued to look, he would be unable to restrain himself…