You take on two husbands, I'll turn around and marry the tyrant and rule the world.

Lin Jingrui was taken aback.

Huixuanshi? Chu Nianci?

In every meeting, she spoke coldly and coldly, as if she wanted to draw a line between them.

That resolute demeanor had long since shattered any remaining thoughts in his heart. If it weren't for the lingering resentment and longing in his heart, he would have almost given up.

But now... she's actually asking to see him?

Could it be that he has suffered some injustice or hardship at the Emperor's side these past few days? Has he finally... regretted it?

The thought, like a spark falling into withered grass, ignited a fire in his heart.

A surge of intense, overwhelming joy rushed through him, making his heart tingle.

With a soft "snap," the tea lid slipped from his hand and shattered into pieces on the ground.

Without even glancing at it, he abruptly stood up and walked out, stepping on the broken porcelain shards. His steps were quick and hurried, and the hem of his clothes stirred up a gust of wind.

"Your Excellency, your cloak..." Xiao Dongzi called to him from behind.

Lin Jingrui acted as if he hadn't heard, and walked straight through the courtyard towards Shanglin Garden.

The upturned eaves of Kunning Palace were faintly visible among the shadows of the trees in the distance. He walked faster and faster, almost running.

The name in my heart burned over and over again: Nianci, Nianci... You've finally agreed to see me, you've finally forgiven me.

Lin Jingrui ran until he was out of breath. He encountered imperial guards along the way, but he didn't stop. After all, he was now a prince, and the guards didn't dare to stop him. So he ran straight to Kunning Palace without any hindrance.

He arrived only to find he was too early; the place was deserted and quiet, even the breeze was soft and gentle. He stood in the long corridor, the only way from the Hall of Mental Cultivation to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility; the concubines usually didn't come here.

The thin winter sunlight shone on the yellow roof of Kunning Palace, creating shimmering fragments of light.

He stood there calming his breathing, but his heart was beating faster and faster, not because of running, but because of the surging hope.

Nianci must still have him in her heart.

Otherwise, why would she have agreed to marry him in the first place?

She was the most filial daughter. He was her mother's son-in-law, and she must have remembered her mother's earnest expectations.

Now that she's suffering in His Majesty's palace, her family background must have led to her being ostracized.

Knowing they've turned back... does that mean they can still get back together?

The thought made his chest heat up, and his eyes reddened with excitement.

If Nian Cizhen brings up the idea of ​​driving Chu Shunqing away later, he will immediately agree and tell her that he has been deceived by Chu Shunqing.

During this time, he missed her more and more. Whenever he thought of her, he would think of the first time he saw her, her face as beautiful as a spring crabapple, her lips like flower buds, her shy and timid appearance.

As for Shunqing... she is, after all, the widow of my deceased brother. If she behaves obediently, I will let her rent another house in the capital. If she still does not obey, I will send her to the estate to be cared for. This can be considered as being more than kind and righteous.

Although Chu Nianci had been to the palace, she had not served the emperor and was still a virgin. Bringing her back would not be shameful, and the more she thought about it, the more appropriate it seemed.

If she returns, her generous dowry will naturally follow, ensuring her mother's medical expenses are covered and alleviating the financial difficulties the Earl's family has been facing recently.

Chu Nianci is skilled in administrative affairs and will surely manage both internal and external matters perfectly, allowing him to focus on running the Imperial Hospital with peace of mind and better assist the Empress...

As long as the Empress gives birth to a legitimate son and ascends the throne in the future, he will become the pillar of the nation and will no longer have to suffer from others' disdain.

The more he thought about it, the more pleased he felt. He paced back and forth, his thoughts drifting further and further away, almost vividly depicting all the smooth sailing scenarios that would follow.

As for what Chu Nianci experienced in the palace and why he suddenly changed... he wasn't without doubts, but those doubts were quickly overshadowed by the readily available benefits before him.

A gentle breeze rustled the eaves bells at the corner of the pavilion, giving them a soft tinkling sound, and the sound of rustling footsteps drifted from afar.

Lin Jingrui stopped and looked back at where he had come from, a smile unconsciously appearing on his lips.

A tall and slender figure appeared at the end of the stone path.

He straightened his clothes, his back ramrod straight, as if he could already see that pale purple figure running towards him, and he only needed to reach out his hand to catch all the thoughts he had lost and regained.

Thinking this, Lin Jingrui strode towards her, saying as he walked, "Nianci, you've finally arrived. I've been waiting so anxiously."

As Chu Nianci walked along, admiring the snowy scenery of Shanglin Garden, she had just arrived at the back garden of Kunning Palace when she subconsciously turned her head and her gaze suddenly met a pair of eager eyes.

Lin Jingrui was walking towards her.

He had a smile on his face, and his dark amber eyes shone brightly, almost overflowing with affection.

Chu Nianci's heart sank.

She instantly realized that this was extremely inappropriate... How could she possibly meet with another man, especially him?

The young palace maid who had led the way had already disappeared.

She immediately took a step back and turned to leave.

"Nian Ci!" Lin Jingrui strode forward and grabbed her wrist. "Didn't you send someone to call me here?"

Chu Nianci forcefully shook off his hand, her gaze quickly sweeping over the surroundings, her tone cold: "Lin Jingrui, this is Kunning Palace. Today is the day for the entire palace to pay homage. Virgins are not allowed to enter without an imperial edict. Your presence here suggests you've fallen into someone's trap. I don't care why you're here. If you don't want to get into trouble, turn back now, and I'll pretend I didn't see you."

Lin Jingrui was taken aback, his brows furrowing: "Someone set this up? I've never offended anyone..."

He stared at Chu Nianci, the initial joy in his eyes gradually replaced by suspicion. "Are you having second thoughts again, and that's why you made up this excuse to fool me?"

"I don't have time to argue with you about this!" Chu Nianci turned and left.

Lin Jingrui caught up with her and stopped her, a warm smile playing on his lips: "Now that you're here, why are you in such a hurry to leave?"

He lowered his voice, his tone tinged with a hint of persistent probing, "Tell me the truth... are you unhappy in the palace?"

Chu Nianci avoided his approaching gaze, feeling both anxious and annoyed.

The shadows of the trees in the distance trembled slightly. She dared not delay any longer and said coldly, "Get out of the way."

Lin Jingrui went even further, reaching out to touch her sleeve: "Nianci, are you trying to play me..."

Chu Nianci suddenly dodged to the side and ran away without looking back.

Seeing her resolute actions, Lin Jingrui felt he had been tricked again. His eyes gradually darkened and turned sinister. A surge of anger welled up in his heart, and he chased after her, grabbing her waist from behind...

Instantly, a delicate and fragrant scent of a young girl wafted into my nose.

During his recent intimate moments with Chu Shunqing, Chu Nianci's face was always on his mind, and he often had fantasies about her. Today, having her in his arms, the lustful fire in his heart was stirred up and burned brighter and brighter, almost becoming a wildfire.

He held the soft, fragrant body in his arms, gazing at her beautiful face, and a surge of desire rushed into his mind.

Amidst the tingling sensation, he suddenly felt a sense of bewilderment. He wasn't usually one to rush into things, so why was he feeling this way? In an instant, he remembered the cup of tea—the cup of tea that Xiao Dongzi had handed him…

He tried desperately to suppress his desire, but an unbearable burning lust remained.

So Lin Jingrui thought about it without any regard for the consequences.

I tried to reason with her, but she reacted this way, as if I couldn't reason with her. Since she wouldn't listen to my kind words and was so resolute towards me, it's impossible to get her to go back willingly, judging from her current state.

It would be better to get her first. Maybe once she's tasted the sweetness, she won't resist so much, and then we can ask His Majesty for a favor.

After all, he was his brother-in-law, so he figured the man wouldn't do anything to him.

In the blink of an eye, he felt a sharp pain in his wrist, followed by a resounding slap across his face. The ring on his hand grazed his cheek, and he felt a sharp, throbbing pain.

Lin Jingrui was hit and his body swayed to the side. Despite the stinging pain on his face, his eyes remained glazed over...

Chu Nianci saw that his eyes were glazed over and his face was flushed.

He had been drugged, and the golden needles in her hand quickly pierced several of his vital acupoints.

Lin Jingrui's eyes gradually cleared.

Just as Chu Nianci was about to turn and leave, a clear voice suddenly came from behind the holly bushes not far away: "Oh my, pretty little sister, listen... isn't there some noise over there?"

Before he finished speaking, two elegantly dressed women emerged from behind the tree.

The woman in the yellow shirt had her back to the pavilion and seemed not to have seen the situation clearly yet, but the girl in the red dress beside her had already seen the two people in the pavilion. She opened her mouth slightly in surprise and let out a high-pitched "Ah!"

The woman in yellow turned around at the sound; it was Consort Yu.

She and Consort Qiao were on their way to pay their respects to the Empress when they passed by this place. Knowing that their plan had succeeded, they pretended to have deliberately stumbled upon this scene.

The beautiful lady was stunned for a moment.

After a moment, Consort Yu was the first to regain her senses, her charming voice suddenly turning stern: "What are you all doing here!"

Chu Nianci's heart sank suddenly. Knowing that there was no way to escape at this moment, she could only stand still and lower her head without saying a word.

Lin Jingrui's face also turned pale, realizing that he had really been tricked. He gritted his teeth, covered his red face, and turned to leave.

"Stop." Consort Yu waved her hand lightly, and more than a dozen eunuchs and palace maids immediately surrounded them from all sides, blocking their way completely.

She walked slowly closer and saw that Lin Jingrui's face was flushed and he was covering his private parts. She was immediately ashamed and blushed, spat, turned away and scolded, "In broad daylight, Consort Hui dares to have a secret rendezvous with a man in this secluded place... This has truly broadened my horizons."

"Your Highness Consort Yu, please accept my greeting," Chu Nianci curtsied respectfully, "I was on my way to pay my respects to Her Majesty the Empress, and I just arrived here when I happened to meet this person. We didn't even exchange a single word, so how did it become a secret rendezvous with a man?"

"A chance encounter?" Consort Yu chuckled, her almond-shaped eyes, though seemingly concealing a sharp glint, held a piercing light. "What a coincidence, to 'accidentally' meet here. Who would believe that?"

"It must be because she's lonely in the palace that she's having an affair here," the pretty concubine sneered from the side.

Chu Nianci took a deep breath and sneered, "This Your Highness is truly wise. How did you know that I happened to be here committing adultery? Did you know all along?"

"You...you sharp-tongued, lowly servant girl," the pretty noblewoman scolded, looking at her lowly palace maid attire. "Your Highness, there's no need to waste your breath on such a lowly servant girl. Just send her to the Cautious Conduct Division and give her a beating, and she'll behave herself."

"Guards, tie her up for me!" Consort Yu said without further ado, "Send her to the Imperial Prison of the Inner Palace."