Chapter 16
“Sheng Yanhuan, if you don’t want the child you’re carrying, I can help you. Why put yourself through all this?”
Sheng Yanhuan furrowed her brows slightly, not quite understanding.
She had many brothers and sisters, so she’d learned to read people’s expressions from a young age. It took her no time to realize that Qi Mohan was...
Worried about her?
Sheng Yanhuan’s eyes curved into a smile. So love was going well while her battles were going poorly. It wasn’t so bad, after all.
“I naturally want this child. But, Your Highness, are you concerned about me?”
She pushed back the covers, set her bare feet on the floor, and walked toward him one step at a time.
“Or are you blaming me?”
Sheng Yanhuan stopped three paces away from him—not too close, but not too far either.
Qi Mohan looked at her, his expression perfectly calm.
“What exactly are you trying to do?”
“What you want me to do.” Sheng Yanhuan tugged at his cloak with her fingertips, her voice soft. “Are you displeased, Your Highness?”
Qi Mohan’s lips twitched faintly, his deep eyes colder than the dead of night.
His gaze fell on her pale, colorless face. He raised a long finger and gently touched her chin.
His fingertip was icy, almost devoid of human warmth.
[Ding, Intimacy +2.]
Sheng Yanhuan lowered her eyes but didn’t stop him.
“Your Majesty, if you dare make another move, don’t blame me for showing no mercy.” Qi Mohan kept watching her, wanting to know how she would react.
Who would have thought she would smile sweetly? Her pale, colorless face seemed to bloom with a touch of rouge, as lovely as peach blossoms.
“All right. I’ll do as you say, Your Highness.”
Qi Mohan’s lashes trembled slightly as he lowered his eyes.
Her neatly trimmed toes were pink and adorable.
Sheng Yanhuan raised an eyebrow and let go of the edge of his robe.
“Your Highness, you should go now.”
Qi Mohan’s lips dipped. When he looked up, her slender, pale fingers were reaching toward his neck.
Acting on instinct, Qi Mohan took a step back.
Sheng Yanhuan pouted and lowered her hand.
“Fine. Go, then.”
She’d only wanted to raise their intimacy a little, but this man had not a shred of romantic sensibility.
Qi Mohan lowered his eyes to his collar and suddenly understood. His lips pressed into a thin line.
In the end, he left without saying another word.
She slept soundly that night.
The next morning.
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty, it’s time to get up for lunch.”
Sheng Yanhuan rolled over and hugged the covers, saying mildly, “Chunwan, the poison hasn’t completely left your system. You should rest more.”
A big red lump had risen on Chunwan’s forehead, but she looked well.
“This servant is fine. This servant doesn’t trust anyone else to look after you.”
Sheng Yanhuan sighed and finally abandoned the warm bed, sitting up.
“You had to suffer yesterday. I’m sorry you had to go through that.”
Chunwan smiled. “Your Majesty, there’s no need to apologize. It’s a shame Noble Consort Meng got away with it so easily!”
“All right, there’ll be plenty of chances to deal with her later. For now, let’s go attend the Emperor. We’ll go home later.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
At the mention of going home, Chunwan’s eyes crinkled into slits with delight.
The Sheng family was the best place she had ever lived.
After lunch, Head Physician Liu came to take her pulse and prescribe medicine. After taking it, Sheng Yanhuan went to wipe the Emperor’s face.
Nothing was more important than this.
Sheng Yanhuan’s lips curved faintly as she gently wiped the Emperor’s face.
To outsiders, they looked like a devoted couple.
Meng Siyu’s eyes darkened, and she bowed.
“Your Majesty.”
Sheng Yanhuan paused, then said coolly, “I didn’t expect you to come see the Emperor, Noble Consort Meng.”
“My aunt saw how consumed with worry I was and allowed me to visit His Majesty.” Meng Siyu smiled. “You must be tired too, Your Majesty. Let me help you.”
“All right.” Sheng Yanhuan raised an eyebrow and casually tossed her the poisoned handkerchief. “Take your time wiping.”
Meng Siyu caught the handkerchief, her expression darkening.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Sheng Yanhuan couldn’t be bothered to keep up the act with her and turned to leave.
“Your Majesty, the way she looked at you was terrifying.” Chunwan rubbed her arms, her skin already prickling with goosebumps.
“I know.” Sheng Yanhuan smiled. “If I didn’t act this way, how would she dare keep trying to harm me?”
Only by crossing the Empress Dowager’s line would Sheng Yanhuan have a chance to punish Meng Siyu.