As the shadow drew closer and was about to approach, Yan Xijun was terrified and retreated continuously until she reached the bookshelf. She felt a bit unsteady on her feet and immediately collapsed to the ground.

  "It was a woman," Chu Yixuan stepped closer, looking down at her with a cold hum: "Woman, youre really bold, sneaking into the study in the middle of the night, whats your purpose?"

  “………”

  Yan Xijun simply stared blankly at Chu Yixuan, her eyes lifeless, and her mind as empty as a sheet of white paper.

  "Who are you, exactly?" Chu Yixuan suddenly squatted down, his index finger lifting her chin. "Are you an assassin or a palace maid? Or perhaps one of my consorts?"

  As soon as he finished speaking, Chu Yixuans hand shot out like lightning towards the black cloth on Yan Xijuns face. The black cloth slowly fell away, revealing Yan Xijuns stunningly beautiful face, which was now deathly pale with fear.

  "Its you!" Chu Yixuan never expected that the person sneaking into the study would be her, and even more couldnt understand why she wanted to sneak into the study.

  "Your Majesty," Yan Xijuns eyes widened in terror as she stared at him, how did he find out her true identity?

  "Isnt this the Yan Chongyuan I appointed? Why did you come to the imperial study at midnight, what is your purpose?" Chu Yixuan asked coldly, his amber-colored eyes staring tightly at Yan Xiku, what does this woman want to do?

  "I... I... Your Majestys concubine couldnt sleep and was feeling bored, so she wanted to find some books in the imperial study to pass the time."

  Yan Xijun, under his piercing gaze, didnt dare to look him in the eye, and after thinking for a while with her head down, came up with such a simple excuse to parry his question.

  "Hmph, looking for a book?" Chu Yixuan let out a cold snort. How could he believe such an excuse? Besides, he never easily trusted people.

  He looked her up and down in her black clothes, "Even if the queen comes to find a book, why wear this outfit? Does the queen like to travel at night in black?"

  "I... your concubine... isnt it forbidden for the imperial consorts to approach the study? If I didnt dress like this, would I be able to enter the imperial study to find books?"

  Yan Xijun quickly replied, she raised her head and looked at Chu Yixuan calmly. Fortunately, he had previously set this rule, not allowing the imperial consorts to enter the imperial study, so even if he wanted to punish her for entering the study, she didnt have to worry about revealing her true purpose.

  "How dare you mention this rule?! It seems youre aware of it, so why are you still entering the study? Dont you fear being punished by Me?!"

  "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was momentarily confused and forgot about this rule at the time. I now know my mistake!"

  Yan Xijun hastily scrambled up and knelt on the ground in a neat and tidy manner, kowtowing to Chu Yixuan for mercy.

  "Hmph, Yan Chongyuan, you think Im too easy to deceive. What do you take me for?" Chu Yixuan sneered as he stood up, could he be so easily fooled with just any excuse?

  If he could be so easily deceived, would he still be that ruthless and heartless emperor?

  Look at her in this black outfit, shes obviously up to something shady, and it might have something to do with him. There must be someone behind her masterminding the whole thing.

  At this thought, Chu Yixuans eyes became even colder, "What is your purpose in coming here?"

  Listening to his icy interrogation, Yan Xijuns heart was uneasy and her pulse racing, but she still pretended to be calm and said: "I have no purpose, I just want to find a few books in the study room to read."

  "What a naughty woman, still not telling the truth. Compared to your sister who likes to lie, you need to learn more."

  "If you came looking for books, why dont you have a single book in your hand?"

  "Ive just arrived, and the Emperor is already here." Yan Xikun said with an unchanged expression, but he was very puzzled in his heart. Didnt he go to Fucheng Palace tonight? How did he come back to the Imperial Study again? Did Wenqin hear it wrong?

  Actually, Chu Yixuan had a habit. No matter whose palace he went to among the concubines, he never stayed overnight. No matter how late it was, he would return to his own Zhengyang Palace. Moreover, he never summoned any of the concubines to Zhengyang Palace, no matter how favored they were. None of them had ever spent the night in Zhengyang Palace.

  As usual, Chu Yixuan waited for several hours in the Fugui Palace tonight and left ruthlessly. When passing by the Yushufang, he walked towards it inexplicably.

  As he approached the study, through the half-closed wooden window, Chu Yixuans sharp black eyes suddenly caught sight of a dark shadow swaying inside.

  He was startled at first and thought it might be an assassin, but after a moments reflection, he felt that it was unlikely to be an assassin, perhaps just a bold thief.

  At the mere thought of this thief, Chu Yixuans anger flared up. Which audacious thief had eaten leopard gall and dared to break into the heavily guarded imperial palace, and even ventured into his study? For this, he decided that he would personally take care of this thief.

  He then sneaked into the study with eunuch Luo Gonggong, moved behind Hei Yings back and shouted loudly, and the previous scene reappeared.

  "Youre still stubborn! If you dont confess honestly, I wont be polite to you!" Chu Yixuan slapped off the black cloth on Yan Xikuns head, and a head of silky smooth hair fell over her shoulders. He ruthlessly stretched out his hand, grabbed a strand of her hair, and pulled it violently.

  A severe pain shot through her head, Yan Xiu Jun winced and frowned, stubbornly saying: "I dont understand what Your Majesty means. You want me to hand over everything, Ive said it all, why do you still press me so hard?"

  Chu Yixuan saw that she still refused to admit it, and once again increased his strength, pulling her hair. "Ill say it again, what did you intend to do by sneaking into the study tonight?"

  "I... Ive already made it clear!" Yan Xijuns eyes welled up with tears, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall.

  Looking at Yan Xijuns pitiful and touching appearance, Chu Yixuan suddenly remembered what Yan Hou had told him during the day, saying that she was willing to serve him in bed, and also asked him to go to her palace tomorrow night.

  He irritably loosened his large hands and sternly coldly snorted: "Scram!"

  Yan Xijun sprang up like a startled rabbit, stumbling and staggering as she fled out of the imperial study. She no longer had the mind to think about why he would let her off, being able to escape with her life was already a great fortune.

  Looking at the small back that was about to disappear, Chu Yixuan clenched his fists, "Yan Xijun, you wait, I will one day figure out your purpose!"