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As night fell, the stars twinkled in the deep, tranquil sky.
Feng Moheng was caught up in some urgent matters that arose unexpectedly in the evening. After hastily explaining a few things to Shen Yuling, he rushed off to attend to them.
Shen Yuling returned alone to Ninglan Courtyard.
Feeling somewhat tired after her time on Long Street, she thought of washing up and changing clothes so she could rest early.
Bai Hua had already been waiting in the courtyard for a while.
She intended to inform Shen Yuling of the Emperor’s summons as soon as the princess returned.
After all, it had been almost a month since the princess had last entered the palace.
Now that the Emperor finally remembered her, this matter could not be delayed.
However, she didn’t expect that as soon as Shen Yuling returned, she would say she wanted to bathe.
Seeing this, Bai Hua could only wait for a while longer, thinking she would inform the princess after her bath.
After all, bathing first at the prince’s residence would save some trouble when entering the palace.
Inside the inner chamber, the air was filled with steam.
Xi Tong stood beside Shen Yuling, carefully styling her hair.
With skilled hands, she ensured that not a drop from the bathing tub dampened Shen Yuling’s dark locks.
“Master, Quan Minghe is not someone to be trifled with. You and Feng Moheng have been so unrestrained in your interactions lately; he might not take it well.”
“According to the character design in the original story, Quan Minghe has a strong possessiveness. If he believes a woman has betrayed him, he would go so far as to punish her entire family.”
While styling her hair, Xi Tong spoke softly.
Though she didn’t claim to fully understand Quan Minghe, she was certainly aware of his character in the story.
Ordinary men already have a certain possessiveness towards their women.
Not to mention in ancient times, where men had many restrictions over women.
And Quan Minghe was not just any ordinary man; he was an emperor.
His possessiveness would surely exceed that of others, and angering him would not be something one could easily endure.
Xi Tong feared that Shen Yuling might be playing with fire.
Sitting in the bathing tub, Shen Yuling scooped a handful of water and slowly poured it down from her shoulders.
Her movements were casual and unconcerned.
“Xi Tong, you only see Quan Minghe’s strong possessiveness, but have you realized his desire for conquest?”
Shen Yuling’s gaze appeared somewhat distant, seemingly lost in her thoughts as she asked.
Xi Tong, busy arranging clothes nearby, frowned slightly in confusion.
“Desire for conquest?”
She repeated the phrase, clearly puzzled.
“Yes.”
Shen Yuling chuckled softly, a hint of a smile gracing her lips.
“Men are born with a desire to conquer, so one must learn to torment them.”
Shen Yuling slowly rose from the bathing tub.
Drops of water clung to her fair, delicate skin, shimmering like polished jade in the flickering candlelight.
Her figure was graceful, curves accentuated, becoming faintly visible in the thin mist.
This added an alluring quality to her presence.
She paused slightly, brushing aside a damp strand of hair from her shoulder.
Then she softly continued, “Xi Tong, today I will add some useful information to your database.”
“Men generally have four desires: possessiveness, desire for conquest, protective instincts, and… the desire for validation.”
Shen Yuling slightly lifted her chin, her gaze reflecting a clarity and wisdom in understanding the ways of the world.
“Initially, I encountered Quan Minghe, and then I deliberately married Feng Moheng, igniting Quan Minghe’s possessiveness.”
Shen Yuling’s eyes were deep and far-reaching.
“At that time, he didn’t have any genuine feelings for me; he merely couldn’t stand to see his possession coveted by another.”
She sighed lightly, a tone of faint sarcasm in her voice.
“And now, with my amnesia, my heart and mind are filled with Feng Moheng, which is bound to trigger Quan Minghe’s desire for conquest.”
As she leisurely donned her clothes, she turned to look at Xi Tong.
Xi Tong’s expression revealed her concern.
“The Quan Minghe in the book is a ruthless person, particularly cold-hearted. Even if he has some interest in a woman, if she crosses his principles, he would rather endure discomfort for a while than allow her to control his emotions.”
“You are his woman, yet you love another man; this is practically hitting his sore spot. Do you really think he won’t want to kill you?”
Shen Yuling shook her head.
“If I hadn’t lost my memory, perhaps he would truly resort to violence.”
“But I have lost my memory, which gives him a reason not to kill me.”
“Moreover, I must play the role of a naive woman deceived by Feng Moheng; I am the victim here.”
Shen Yuling adjusted her attire, her expression calm.
Xi Tong continued to question, “Even if Quan Minghe doesn’t kill you, why would that create a sense of conquest?”
“Quan Minghe has yet to have an empress because he believes no woman in the world is worthy to stand beside him, nor capable of earning his effort to conquer her.”
Shen Yuling slightly raised her hand, gently toying with a strand of hair.
“Now that I love Feng Moheng, doesn’t he want to know if I loved him before my amnesia?”
“Don’t you think he will compare himself to Feng Moheng?”
“As an emperor, he wouldn’t want to lose to anyone. He not only wants to conquer me but also wants me to love him.”
The smile at the corners of Shen Yuling’s lips grew more pronounced.
“Previously, he may have simply wanted to claim me for himself, but now his thoughts are likely more complex and profound; he not only desires possession but also aims to completely win my heart.”
“As for the subsequent protective instincts and desire for validation, I will gradually provoke those feelings…”
Shen Yuling’s eyes sparkled with cunning light.
Who says that male leads in male-centric stories can’t love?
Shen Yuling was determined to test whether she could firmly grasp this emperor’s heart in her hands.
Although it appeared that throughout her relationship with Quan Minghe, she had always been the one subtly taking the initiative…
Shen Yuling’s expression turned somewhat stern.
On the surface, it seemed Quan Minghe had taken her purity and forced her to betray her husband, engaging in illicit affairs with him.
Bringing her into the palace was merely a manifestation of his possessiveness as an emperor.
After entering the palace, perhaps once the novelty wore off, he would simply cast her aside.
Discarding her like a piece of trash.
Quan Minghe was a lofty emperor, a man who did not place women in his heart.
What would it matter if she tormented him?
What harm would it do to take revenge?
Shen Yuling’s eyes glinted with determination.
Let Quan Minghe taste the bitterness of unrequited love and the anxiety of gain and loss.
In the end, when everything settled, she would leave gracefully…
Shen Yuling wrapped herself in a light sheer garment and walked out.
After seeing Xi Tong call for water to be brought out, Bai Hua entered.
“Master, the Emperor requests your presence.”
Bai Hua respectfully bowed.
Shen Yuling looked at Bai Hua in confusion, her face reflecting bewilderment.
“The Emperor? At this late hour, where to?”
Shen Yuling’s voice was filled with disbelief and surprise.
Bai Hua furrowed her brows.
What was wrong with the master?
The Emperor summoned her; was there any need to ask?
Of course, it was to go to the palace to serve him at night.
“Master, of course, it’s to the palace. It’s already the hour of the dog; the Emperor must be waiting impatiently.”
Bai Hua patiently explained.
“What nonsense are you talking about! I am the princess; why would I go to the palace at this dark hour!”
Shen Yuling raised her voice slightly, sensing Bai Hua’s hidden meaning.
The princess’s reaction struck Bai Hua as even more strange.
“Master, are you defying the Emperor’s command?”
Bai Hua’s tone turned colder.
The hour was indeed late, and if the Emperor did not see the princess entering the palace, everyone in Ninglan Courtyard would likely suffer the consequences.
Yet Shen Yuling still resisted strongly, taking a few steps back.
Her expression was resolute. “I will not go!”
“You go out!”
“If you force me again, I will call for people!”
Shen Yuling glared at Bai Hua.
Bai Hua’s expression darkened immediately.
This was not something that could be taken lightly.
In a swift motion, Bai Hua suddenly moved.
With a precise hand chop, she struck Shen Yuling at the back of her neck.
Shen Yuling felt her vision darken, and her body went limp, collapsing to the ground.