After refusing marriage, she was pampered by the prince who acted as a shield.

Chapter 268: The Empress Falls Ill

Li Jingyang felt even more heartache when he saw the guilt in Lin Rusi's eyes.

He stared silently at the scene before him. After a moment of silence, he had no choice but to give up and retreat outside the door.

Seeing this, Lin Rusi stopped looking at him and instead sat down on the edge of Su Xiangqing's bed, reaching out her hand.

He held Su Xiangqing's wrist and whispered, "Don't be afraid, I will always protect you."

Su Xiangqing nodded obediently, but there was still some fear in her eyes as she kept looking at the people around her.

It seems that he only trusts Lin Rusi, and therefore only allows her to get close.

Even when Ye Ruoruo tried to get close, she would avoid her. There was no other way but for Lin Rusi to personally treat the wounds.

However, she seems to enjoy it immensely.

It was also out of guilt in his heart that Su Xiangqing would not have been injured and lost her memory if it weren't for him.

Lin Rusi concealed the guilt in her eyes and stayed by Su Xiangqing's side almost day and night.

Outside the door.

"Your Highness, those assassins refuse to speak." Ye Qing said, but received no response.

He looked up and saw his master staring intently into the room.

He reeked of an exceptionally strong...smell of vinegar?

Ye Qing almost wondered if she was imagining things.

After a long while, Li Jingyang sighed softly and turned around: "Since you refuse to speak, do I need to teach you anything else?"

He sneered, his eyes filled with coldness and hostility.

For a moment, Ye Qing was also startled. He came to his senses in a daze and then spoke again: "Yes, subordinate understands."

With Lin Rusi's comfort, Su Xiangqing soon fell into a deep sleep after the medicine took effect.

Lin Rusi sat by the bed for a long time, her nails digging into her palms, before she suddenly came to her senses.

He let out a long sigh of relief and tiptoed out of the room.

As soon as she opened the door, she found Li Jingyang still waiting for her at the door.

Seeing this, Lin Rusi was not surprised.

"Your Highness, I want to stay by her side tonight," Lin Rusi said firmly, her eyes still a little red.

I don't know if it's because I cried too much or because I didn't get enough rest.

Li Jingyang's face stiffened, and his brows furrowed slightly, as if he were somewhat displeased.

But then, as if she had thought of something, she pursed her lips and said, "Fine, I've asked Wanxia and Wanqi to guard the door, and I've also asked the manor to prepare a room for Ye Ruoruo, so don't worry."

He reluctantly let bygones be bygones by the fact that Su Xiangqing had stolen his wife. If she hadn't been so afraid of him, Li Jingyang should have been extremely grateful.

"Hmm." Lin Rusi was a little absent-minded. Knowing that she was worried about Su Xiangqing, she naturally didn't stop her.

"Go ahead, if you're worried, then go ahead, but take good care of yourself." Li Jingyang patted her head helplessly and let her in.

Upon seeing Lin Rusi enter the room, Li Jingyang's previously gentle expression suddenly turned cold.

He left Lin Rusi's courtyard before coldly issuing the order.

"Ye Qing, send men to investigate and gather evidence. I will make them pay the price."

For a moment, the surrounding air seemed to freeze, and Ye Qing quickly agreed.

……

At this time, in the palace.

When news of the Empress's serious illness spread, the palace maids managed to escape and knelt before the Imperial Study.

A torrential downpour began, but the old woman remained motionless at the entrance of the Imperial Study.

After the emperor finished reviewing the memorial, he looked up.

The rain grew heavier, and he frowned as he saw the gray shadow at the entrance of the Imperial Study.

"Is that Gui, the old woman who serves the Empress, still kneeling outside?"

The emperor's voice was soft and slightly chilly. The eunuch went out to take a look and then returned to report.

"Yes, Granny Gui is still kneeling outside the hall. Does His Majesty wish to see her?"

The emperor snorted coldly, and after a long while, he waved his hand and said, "Very well, I will let her in, considering her sincere heart for her master."

"Yes, Granny Xuan Gui is here to see you."

Granny Gui breathed a sigh of relief and quickly walked in, kneeling down as well.

"Your Majesty, please go and see the Empress! She has realized her mistakes and has been praying every day to repent. Now she is ill, but there is not a single person in the vast palace who can treat her!"

Granny Gui spoke with heartfelt sincerity, and the Emperor sighed slightly, seemingly reluctant to speak.

Seeing that Granny Gui was in such a sorry state and her mental state was already abnormal, yet she still insisted on inviting the emperor over, the emperor listened for a long time and finally came to his senses.

"Since you've gone to such lengths for your master, I'll go with you and summon the imperial physician!"

"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty! Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty!"

Granny Gui kowtowed twice, and everyone rushed to the Empress's palace. Sure enough, the Empress had fallen ill; her face was flushed and she had a high fever.

Seeing that she didn't seem to be faking it, the emperor quickly reached out and tested her hand slightly, his expression suddenly changing.

She quickly withdrew her hand: "How could the fever be so high?! Where is the imperial physician?!"

The emperor questioned the emperor, his face showing some annoyance.

At that moment, the Empress slowly awoke and hurriedly tried to get up.

"Alright, since you're sick, just lie down." The emperor's expression softened considerably.

"Your Majesty, I am currently a criminal awaiting punishment. How can I not bow before you?" the Empress said anxiously.

“You made a mistake, and I will naturally punish you. However… since you are ill, I will not hold the past against you and let it go.”

"You've been punished enough, so get some rest."

The emperor summoned the imperial physician, and seeing the situation, Granny Gui spoke up at the opportune moment: "Your Majesty, the Empress's confinement order has not been lifted, and she is no longer in charge of the affairs of the inner palace. The people in the empress's palace do not respect the Empress at all. It is difficult to even find an imperial physician..."

"Enough! Granny Gui! Please don't take it to heart, Your Majesty. I did something wrong. I made a grave mistake in order to protect my brother. I deserve to be punished."

Seeing how pitiful she was, how could the emperor not know that the empress was putting on an act?

But now, the Empress has learned her lesson, and she is under house arrest.

Even the power in the harem has been handed over to the Imperial Concubine; these punishments are already sufficient.

Besides, his birthday is just a few days away, and a birthday banquet will be held three days later.

The emperor also did not want his empress to fall ill at this time.

If she is unable to attend, the royal family will lose face!

It's not impossible to stop the punishment here.

"That's enough. From today onwards, the punishment will be waived. Besides, it's my birthday in a few days. Take good care of yourself and get well soon."

The emperor's tone softened considerably, and upon seeing this, the empress quickly pretended to rise and offer a bow to the emperor.

"Alright, you should rest well. No need for formalities."

As soon as he finished speaking, Eunuch Su hurriedly entered and whispered a few words in the emperor's ear.

The emperor's expression changed slightly, and he slowly rose to his feet.