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Yaohua Palace, the candlelight flickered.
Quan Minghe stood there silently, his gaze fixed on Shen Yuling, who was carried in by the female guards.
The female guards moved lightly, quickly placing Shen Yuling on the bed.
They hurriedly knelt down and began to report, “Your Majesty, Consort Shen was summoned by you tonight, but she refused to enter the palace no matter what. Bai Hua had no choice but to knock her unconscious. Please forgive her offense.”
Quan Minghe’s expression remained unchanged, as tranquil as a deep, still lake.
Since returning to the palace today, Li Ming had noticed that the Emperor hardly spoke.
His demeanor was as unyielding as a rock, unmoved by any circumstances.
Such an Emperor made him feel even more intimidated.
Not only was he cautious in his speech and actions, but he also instructed all the servants in Weiyang Palace to avoid any mistakes.
What had happened to the Emperor today in the palace?
And what was wrong with Consort Shen that she dared to defy the imperial decree and refuse to enter the palace, only to be knocked unconscious by the female guards before being brought in?
Quan Minghe waved his hand.
The female guards immediately retreated without a sound.
Li Ming, lost in his own thoughts, failed to notice his surroundings.
He instinctively followed the Emperor into the bedroom.
Sensing the movement behind him, Quan Minghe stopped and shot a cold glance over his shoulder.
Li Ming instantly broke out in a cold sweat.
“Your Majesty, this servant will withdraw now.”
Li Ming hastily said in a panic, then hurriedly retreated.
As he left, he made sure to dismiss everyone else who was serving nearby.
For a moment, the only ones left in the bedroom were Quan Minghe and Shen Yuling, who was still unconscious.
Quan Minghe walked to the bedside and stopped.
His tall figure cast a heavy shadow over the bed, enveloping Shen Yuling.
His dark eyes were deep and gloomy, his handsome features exuding a chilling presence.
It had only been a month since they last saw each other, and she had become audacious beyond belief!
Not only did she dare to be intimate with Feng Moheng in public, but she also dared to openly defy the imperial decree and refuse to enter the palace.
Quan Minghe’s expression was grim as he sat down by the bedside.
He stared at Shen Yuling, his gaze growing increasingly sinister and ruthless as time passed.
Slowly, he raised his hand.
His broad hand rested on Shen Yuling’s delicate, smooth cheek.
The gesture appeared gentle but carried an unspoken chill.
His hand slowly slid down, inch by inch, as if delicately feeling something or measuring something else.
Finally, it rested on her chin.
Quan Minghe’s tiger’s mouth tightened.
He directly clasped Shen Yuling’s neck, his action swift.
Quan Minghe’s eyes narrowed slightly, his long, narrow eyes filled with coldness and rage.
The pressure in his hand steadily increased.
He spoke softly, “You dare betray me. Have you considered the consequences?”
Instantly, Shen Yuling felt her breathing become difficult.
A suffocating feeling rushed over her, and her face flushed unnaturally.
She hadn’t fully recovered from her unconscious state and could only make faint “uh-huh” sounds from her throat.
Her voice was barely audible, even more helpless in the silent chamber.
Before long, the intense pain in her neck and the overwhelming sensation of not being able to breathe finally caused Shen Yuling to wake up.
She struggled to open her eyes, her eyes filled with fear and panic.
But at that moment, because her neck was held, she couldn’t speak.
She could only desperately use her hands to grasp Quan Minghe’s hand that was strangling her neck, hoping to break free from his grip.
Her once lively and beautiful fox-like eyes had lost their sparkle, replaced by utter terror.
Her pupils contracted sharply, unsure if it was due to the physical pain or her fear. Tears quickly gathered in her eyes, brimming with a tearful light that reflected Quan Minghe’s cold and ruthless face.
“Ugh…”
Shen Yuling forced out a broken and helpless sound from deep within her throat.
Quan Minghe’s thin lips pursed.
After a moment, he finally released his grip.
Shen Yuling recovered from the near-suffocating fear.
Her body uncontrollably trembled violently.
She abruptly sat up, instinctively trying to shrink back towards the inner side of the bed.
She just wanted to be as far away from the man who had almost killed her as possible.
But as soon as she moved, Quan Minghe tightly clasped her waist.
The strength of his grip made it impossible for her to move even a fraction.
She was trapped in place, like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.
Quan Minghe leaned close to her face.
He curled his lips into a cold smile, but his eyes remained emotionless.
His gaze sent chills down Shen Yuling’s spine, making her scalp tingle.
“Where did Feng Moheng touch you?”
Tears streamed down Shen Yuling’s cheeks like broken beads.
She stammered, “You… you are… Your Majesty?”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying. Why… why am I here?!”
Her words were filled with panic.
She couldn’t understand why she was here or why she was subjected to such a terrifying question.
Quan Minghe’s pupils contracted.
He furrowed his brow.
He straightened up, looking down at Shen Yuling, who was huddled on the bed.
He asked again, “What’s wrong with you?”
His tone held a hint of inquiry.
Seeing that he had released his grip on her, Shen Yuling felt a sense of relief.
She scrambled towards a corner of the bed, curling her entire body into a ball.
She had a very bad feeling; it seemed like she had an unusual relationship with the Emperor.
But…
She was already married!
She was the princess of Lingyang County, a loving couple with her husband. How could she betray him!
Shen Yuling helplessly shook her head, as if trying to shake off the sudden horror from her mind.
Quan Minghe observed the visible distress in her eyes, as well as the…
Confusion!
His heart sank.
She… didn’t recognize him?
Quan Minghe wouldn’t believe she was pretending.
If she truly didn’t remember, then all the previous events could be explained.
He couldn’t help but clench his teeth.
Those useless fools!
He had arranged for so many people to be around her in the palace, yet not a single one noticed anything amiss!
Quan Minghe rose from the bed, his robes billowing as he left the bedroom.
“Li Ming!”
Quan Minghe’s voice was filled with unrestrained anger.
Li Ming, who was waiting outside the chamber, trembled and hastily pushed open the door, entering.
“Your Majesty.”
Li Ming lowered his head.
“Go investigate. Find out everything about Consort Shen this month, and report it to me. If you miss anything, you will be held responsible!”
Quan Minghe commanded coldly.
“Yes.”
Li Ming dared not be negligent in the slightest. He responded and quickly retreated, his steps hurried and frantic.
Quan Minghe suppressed his anger and re-entered the bedroom.
But as he reached out to lift the layers of bed curtains, he found the bed empty.
He stood at the bedside, momentarily frozen.
However, Quan Minghe had been practicing martial arts since childhood, possessing sharp ears and eyes.
What ordinary people might miss was not difficult for him.
He heard Shen Yuling’s heart beating rapidly, her breathing quickening with fear.
Following the source of the sound, he slowly walked towards it.
His footsteps were light, like a ghost in the darkness.
Shen Yuling was curled up in a corner, feeling increasingly terrified by the silent palace.
Quan Minghe walked past the exquisite yellow sandalwood mountain and water screen, a twelve-panel screen with five layers.
He continued forward, reaching out to lift the drooping curtain.
Shen Yuling, trembling, crouched in the corner, her arms wrapped tightly around herself.
Quan Minghe couldn’t believe that just a month ago, she had stood before him with a radiant smile, wishing him a happy birthday.
But a month later, she treated him like a stranger.
Such a change could not help but infuriate him!
“Get up.”
Quan Minghe’s voice came from above Shen Yuling’s head.
Shen Yuling didn’t even dare to lift her head; her body, which had been crouching, directly knelt down.
“Your Majesty, please spare me. I… I don’t remember what happened between us.”
“But my husband and I are deeply in love. I… I can’t betray my husband.”
Shen Yuling’s voice trembled visibly, her words filled with pleas.
Upon hearing this, Quan Minghe bent down.
He sneered.
He reached out and forcefully lifted Shen Yuling’s chin, forcing her to look directly into his eyes.
He said coldly, “Deeply in love? Should I help you recall how you came to be with me?”
At first, Shen Yuling didn’t understand the meaning behind his words.
She simply stared at him blankly.
But when she saw the playful yet cold glint in his eyes, she suddenly understood with disbelief.
She… she and the Emperor had already…
Shen Yuling shook her head frantically.
She muttered, “No, no, no… how is that possible? I am the princess… I wouldn’t… no…”