After Chapter 154, you're not allowed to let him touch you, understand?
The Empress Dowager played for a while and then felt a bit tired, her hands aching from winning so much money.
Tao Hong helped the satisfied Empress Dowager to rest.
Only Shen Yulou and Consort Su remained in the room.
Consort Su was a little uneasy, her dewy eyes filled with both shyness and a hint of nervousness.
Shen Yulou asked gently, "Your Ladyship, has anyone been bullying you in the palace recently?"
Consort Su shook her head, a blush spreading across her face.
"Thanks to Lord Shen, I've been eating and sleeping well recently, and have even gained a lot of weight."
Shen Yulou smiled, "Then how do you plan to thank me?"
Consort Su bit her lip upon hearing this.
Gathering her courage, she stood up, walked over to Shen Yulou, stood on tiptoe, and quickly kissed Shen Yulou on the cheek.
"Is this okay?"
Although her face was red, she looked directly at Shen Yulou.
At this moment, her heart was pounding, and she enjoyed this wonderful feeling.
Shen Yulou touched his cheek, which still carried a lingering fragrance.
"Of course not enough."
"Then what does Lord Shen wish?"
Shen Yulou took her small hand; Consort Su did not refuse. She glanced back in the direction of the Empress Dowager's bedchamber, and seeing no one emerge, she felt a little relieved.
She thought Shen Yulou wanted to kiss her again, but to her surprise, Shen Yulou merely placed his fingers on her pulse.
"Your Ladyship, do you experience lower abdominal pain and chills for a few days each month?"
Consort Su's face grew even redder. Discussing such private matters with a man was truly difficult to speak about.
But since the other person was Shen Yulou, she felt it was alright.
She nodded gently.
Only those who suffer from dysmenorrhea truly know how terribly uncomfortable it is.
Shen Yulou immediately wrote down a prescription and handed it to her.
"Later, have the Imperial Medical Academy prepare the medicine according to this prescription. Take it on time, and it will help a lot."
Consort Su took the prescription, feeling a warmth in her heart, and her admiration for him instantly deepened.
She had originally thought Shen Yulou was only interested in her beauty and coveted her body.
However, Shen Yulou had not made any indecent advances; instead, he was concerned about her health.
Consort Su was exceptionally beautiful and had seen too many men driven by lust, but not a single one had genuinely cared for her.
Now, she had seen through the world and wanted to live a more enlightened life.
Her hands were already stained with blood, but there was still a pure place in her heart reserved for Shen Yulou.
Shen Yulou withdrew his hand and added another reminder.
"Your Ladyship, it's getting cold. Drink more hot water."
Consort Su's eyes reddened slightly.
"I understand. You... you also take care of yourself."
Looking at Consort Su's exquisite face, Shen Yulou swallowed, then extended a finger to lift her chin.
He kissed her.
Consort Su closed her eyes, as nervous as a little quail.
This taste was so sweet.
Shen Yulou sighed inwardly.
It was the same phrase, 'drink more hot water,' but coming from Li Hui's mouth, it sounded so blunt, practically wasting his guidance.
Why was the difference between people so vast?
...Late at night.
Shen Yulou, familiar with the route, slipped into Fengyi Palace.
The Noble Consort had already dismissed all her servants. Intoxicating incense burned in the bedchamber, and several delicate pastries were arranged on the table.
This setup was even grander than when the Emperor paid a visit.
"Lord Shen has arrived. Please try the pastries that this Consort made herself."
The Noble Consort's demeanor today was surprisingly gentle and polite.
She picked up a osmanthus cake, took a small bite herself first, and then offered it to Shen Yulou's mouth.
After all, her previous actions had not left a good impression on Shen Yulou.
She was afraid Shen Yulou would suspect her of poisoning him, so she ate a bite first.
Shen Yulou looked at her cautious manner and said with a half-smile.
"Didn't I tell you to look into my eyes when you eat?"
The Noble Consort was startled, "Even for this?"
A few seconds later, the Noble Consort's face instantly turned red.
Despite being teased by Shen Yulou, she dared not say anything.
Shen Yulou patted his thigh.
The Noble Consort understood, and after a moment of reserve, she obediently sat down, her red lips slightly parted, and passed the half-eaten pastry from her mouth to his.
After a moment of intimacy, the Noble Consort took out a stack of silver notes from under her pillow and slipped them into Shen Yulou's arms.
"Among all the princes, mine is the youngest. You must pay more attention to him, and this Consort will not treat you unfairly..."
Shen Yulou calmly accepted the silver notes and casually asked, "Has His Majesty summoned you for bedchambers recently?"
The Noble Consort quickly shook her head, "Never. This Consort has always claimed to be unwell, and the Office of Attendants has already withdrawn my nameplate."
Shen Yulou nodded with satisfaction, pinching her chin, his gaze carrying a hint of warning.
"Remember, you are not allowed to let him touch you, understand?"
The Noble Consort nodded obediently, her breath like orchids.
"It's late, Lord Shen. Let's rest early."
As she spoke, she actively began to undress Shen Yulou, serving him with exceptional zeal... Meanwhile, in Kunning Palace.
The Empress had coaxed Qionger to sleep, and looking at the stack of silver notes in her hand, she asked Bai Yu, "Is it appropriate to give it to him directly?"
Bai Yu said softly, "Your Ladyship, given your relationship with Lord Shen, there's probably no need for such a gesture."
"Alas," the Empress sighed, "even if for nothing else, it's good to add some food, clothing, and other necessities for Qionger at the Imperial Academy, lest the child suffer any grievances."
"Your Ladyship, rest assured, Lord Shen would never mistreat Her Royal Highness."
Bai Yu said, then added, "This servant has already gone to invite him; Lord Shen said he would come shortly."
No sooner had she spoken than Shen Yulou's figure appeared outside the hall.
As soon as he entered, he saw the silver notes in the Empress's hand.
"Your Ladyship, you called me here to give me money?"
The Empress was startled, and stood up, wanting to explain.
But Shen Yulou gave her no chance. His face immediately darkened, and he turned to leave.
"I never thought that the affection between you and I would also be measured by wealth! Farewell!"
"Hey!"
The Empress panicked. Without thinking, she chased after him and grabbed Shen Yulou's arm in the courtyard.
"Don't be angry, I didn't mean it like that..."
She explained urgently, her voice carrying a trace of panic she herself hadn't noticed, "I just feared Qionger would suffer grievances..."
Shen Yulou remained silent, his face still cold.
The Empress steeled her heart, hugged him tightly from behind, buried her face in his back, and apologized repeatedly.
"Don't leave, it was this Consort who was narrow-minded..."
Bai Yu watched quietly from the shadows, her heart also filled with complex emotions.
When had the high and mighty Empress, the mother of the realm, ever been so humble to a man?
Not even to the Emperor had she ever been like this.
Seeing that the time was right, Shen Yulou's expression finally softened.
He turned around, took the Empress's hand, his tone full of the deep affection of someone who had been hurt.
"I just care about you too much. I don't want our feelings to be defiled by these worldly things."
As he spoke, he smoothly slipped the stack of silver notes from the Empress's hand into his own embrace.
Then, he scooped the Empress up in a princess carry, lifting her cleanly and even gently bouncing her.
"You've lost weight. Haven't you been eating well recently?"
"Eat more in the future, remember?"
The Empress was overjoyed.
"This concubine remembers