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Murong Jing's kiss landed on Ye Xiaohan's silk, the scent of alcohol emanating from him spreading through the air, creating a heavy and damp illusion, as if something thick could only flow slowly.
The drunken kiss fell haphazardly on Ye Xiaohan's face, and suddenly, the warmth of the human body turned nauseating.
Murong Jing pressed down on Ye Xiaohan, fooling around for a while, but gradually sensed that something was off with the person beneath him; there was not a hint of struggle.
He halted his movements and looked down, only to see Ye Xiaohan's cold, piercing eyes, so frigid that his intoxication seemed to freeze instantly.
Instinctively, he pushed himself up, increasing the distance between them.
Ye Xiaohan did not struggle or react in any other way; she merely stared at him coldly.
After a moment of hesitation, Murong Jing reached out and untied the ribbon that had been wrapped around Ye Xiaohan's mouth.
As soon as Ye Xiaohan regained her freedom, she immediately said, "Murong Jing, if you force yourself on me, I won't be able to resist. But if you dare to touch me even a hair today, I swear that in this life, we will be irreconcilable!"
Each word she spoke was heavily emphasized, and Murong Jing had never seen such intense hatred in her eyes.
Under that gaze filled with animosity, Murong Jing felt a pang in his heart and released his hold on her.
"I..." Murong Jing's drunkenness had completely dissipated as he took a step back.
Ye Xiaohan quickly turned over and got up, her hand already reaching for the sedative hidden in her sleeve.
"Don't be afraid; I won't act recklessly again," Murong Jing raised his hand in a gesture of peace and stepped back. "I didn't mean it; please don't hate me."
"Get lost!" Ye Xiaohan spat out coldly.
Murong Jing lowered his eyes, paused for a moment, then turned and walked away.
As he disappeared from sight, Ye Xiaohan finally let out a sigh of relief, feeling as if all her strength had been drained during their earlier struggle.
After that, Murong Jing did not appear again, not even the next day.
If only he would just give up. Ye Xiaohan thought to herself.
This feeling of frustration did not last long before it was shattered by another piece of good news.
Gu Bei had arrived.
"Xiao Han!" Gu Bei grasped Ye Xiaohan's hand, scrutinizing her closely. Seeing her rosy complexion, which looked healthier than when they had hurriedly parted last time, he couldn't help but smile. "You seem to be doing well."
Ye Xiaohan returned the handshake and pulled him inside. "The journey must have been bumpy; you must be tired. Go rest for a bit, and later I'll take you out to explore."
Gu Bei's injuries had not fully healed yet, and with his eagerness to rush back, the recovery was even slower.
"You really don't know how to take care of yourself. I think since I met you, you've always had some injury or another," Ye Xiaohan said with a hint of reproach as she examined Gu Bei's wounds.
Gu Bei listened to her complaints with a smile; as long as Ye Xiaohan was by his side, he loved hearing anything she had to say.
"By the way, there's something I need to tell you." Ye Xiaohan recounted the encounter with Murong Jing to Gu Bei, only omitting the part about nearly being assaulted. She did this not out of malice, but simply to spare Gu Bei any unnecessary worry.
"From the behavior of the Third Prince, it seems he still has a strong desire for the throne," Ye Xiaohan expressed her concern. "If that's the case, he could become a significant obstacle for us in the future."
And indeed, a huge obstacle.
Gu Bei reassured her, "Don't worry. Our preparations have not been in vain; we will find a way to deal with it."
Even if they didn't have a plan, he wouldn't let Ye Xiaohan bear that burden.
"Alright," Ye Xiaohan replied, then added, "Let's not dwell on these troubling matters today. Why don't you tidy up a bit? I'll take you out for a stroll."
The two of them enjoyed their outing and returned home satisfied.
Perhaps it didn't matter where they went or what they did; what truly mattered was who was by their side.
After their day out, they returned home only to find an unexpected guest waiting for them.
The Empress was seated in the Main Hall, elegantly sipping tea and enjoying the snacks served by her attendants.
Ye Xiaohan and Gu Bei exchanged glances before stepping forward to pay their respects.
"We are here to greet Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager. May you be in good health," Gu Bei said respectfully.
The new emperor ascended the throne, and the Queen's status had changed; she was now the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager set down her teacup and waved her hand lightly. "No need for such formalities. I am no longer the so-called Empress Dowager," she said with a light laugh. "It's just that this title is hard to change all at once."
Though she spoke this way, Ye Xiaohan and Gu Bei could not act recklessly. The two of them speculated in secret that the Empress Dowager had come for matters concerning the Third Prince.
Gu Bei thought it was about Murong Jing's attempt to usurp the position, but Ye Xiaohan considered more deeply, worrying that it was likely related to yesterday's events. She didn't want Gu Bei to know about this and become anxious, so she felt a bit flustered and tried to think of a way to send Gu Bei away.
Before Ye Xiaohan could come up with a plan, the Empress Dowager spoke up.
"General Gu, I haven't seen Miss Ye for quite some time. I would like to speak with her alone."
Even though Gu Bei was reluctant, he had no choice but to agree and stepped outside to wait.
Once Gu Bei left, Ye Xiaohan quietly awaited the Empress Dowager's words.
The Empress Dowager smiled slightly and said, "Miss Ye, you should know the purpose of my visit today."
"Yes," Ye Xiaohan replied, standing straight before her without any hint of subservience. "You have come for the Third Prince."
The Empress Dowager nodded. "Indeed, you are quite perceptive."
As for which matter concerning the Third Prince brought them together, both understood without needing to say more.
The Empress Dowager sighed and said, "The Prince acted rashly and offended Miss Ye. I have come today specifically to apologize."
"That..." Ye Xiaohan was somewhat surprised; she had thought the Empress Dowager had come to question her. "Your Majesty is being too kind. I do not deserve such consideration."
The Empress Dowager looked at the young woman before her, whose cheeks were a sweet rosy hue. Many years ago, she too had experienced such youthful days.
"Yesterday, the Prince returned and locked himself in his room, refusing to come out no matter how we urged him," the Empress Dowager said with a hint of concern. "In all these years, I have never seen him so distressed."
Ye Xiaohan remained silent. Even if Murong Jing's sorrow was due to her, it was ultimately his own doing, and she could not blame anyone else. As a victim, she felt no guilt for the situation.
The Empress Dowager did not hold Ye Xiaohan responsible; instead, she remarked, "Though I do not know what exactly happened between you two, it must undoubtedly be the Prince's fault."
"Your Majesty is overthinking it; I also have my shortcomings," Ye Xiaohan replied.
If she had been more vigilant from the start and disregarded him, she would not have brought trouble upon herself.
The Empress Dowager asked, "Do you think I am too indulgent with the two children?"
Indeed, it was almost pampering! Ye Xiaohan wanted to say this but held back. Since the situation had already occurred, what was needed now was to resolve the problem rather than exacerbate it.
Seeing her silence but sensing her displeasure, the Empress Dowager realized that her thoughts were as she had imagined.
However, she chose not to continue on that topic and instead reminisced about the past.
"The Empress Dowager entered the palace at the age of fourteen, spending half her life in this devouring palace." Her expression was somewhat dazed, as if she were reminiscing about her youthful days.
Ye Xiaohan felt a bit confused, not understanding why the Empress Dowager suddenly brought up this topic. She certainly did not think that they had become close enough to discuss such matters.
The Empress Dowager received no response but seemed unconcerned. It was as if she had been holding this matter in her heart and needed a place to express it.
"I had only been in the palace for a few years when Consort Shen entered." Ye Xiaohan had heard about what happened next; Consort Shen became the Emperor's beloved, cherished above all in the harem.
"I was still young then, and the thought of losing even the little affection I had from the Emperor felt like someone was carving out my heart with a knife."
Looking back now, it seemed laughable, but at that time, it was utterly heartbreaking.
"Although I hold the title of Queen, in the Emperor's heart, only Consort Shen is treasured." The Empress Dowager's lips curled into a smile that bore an uncanny resemblance to Murong Jing's: "My only advantage over Consort Shen is that I gave birth to the Prince before she did!"
Ye Xiaohan's heart jolted. In the harem, issues of offspring were of utmost concern to all concubines. A mother’s status rises with her children; those who ascend through their offspring never lose their standing.
However, Ye Xiaohan did not expect the Empress Dowager to admit this openly rather than keeping it shrouded in secrecy as was customary.
The Empress Dowager glanced at her, and the trace of sarcasm at the corner of her mouth did not fade; instead, it deepened.
"Indeed, just as you imagined, I have utilized this advantage."
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