Chapter 248

Chapter 248

“So that’s how it is, Madam,” Ming Siran said languidly as he propped himself up.

Zhou Shengsheng couldn’t tell if it was her imagination, but she felt like he had emphasized the last two words a bit too much.

“Miss Shengsheng, my son hasn’t woken up yet. Could there be something wrong?” Liu Ai whispered cautiously.

Zhou Shengsheng recalled the instructions and reassured her, “Don’t worry, he’s just exhausted. He’ll wake up after a couple of days of rest.”

Liu Ai finally breathed a sigh of relief and handed her a small bundle.

“These are some of my old clothes. The fabric is rough, as we’re simple country folk. I hope you won’t mind.”

Only then did Zhou Shengsheng realize how tattered and dirty her own clothes were. She definitely needed a change.

“Auntie, is there somewhere nearby where I can bathe?” she asked, nervously twisting the hem of her clothes.

Liu Ai nodded. “Follow the path ahead, and you’ll find a lake. The water is shallow and clean.”

Zhou Shengsheng nodded and saw Liu Ai off.

Now, the room was empty except for her and the man she had just been forced to call her “husband.”

“Ahem, just so you know, we’re not actually married. Auntie misunderstood,” Zhou Shengsheng said softly, turning away and avoiding his gaze.

[Marrying you? I’d rather spend ten years scrubbing chamber pots in the Xinzhe Repository.]

“Does Madam think I’m a burden and that’s why you won’t acknowledge me?” The Xinzhe Repository? He remembered it was a place in the Zhu Kingdom’s palace. Was this woman from the Zhu Kingdom? What was her purpose in getting close to him?

Ming Siran had lied to Zhou Shengsheng. He remembered who he was, but his memories stopped when he was around sixteen or seventeen. However, his current tall and mature body clearly belonged to someone much older.

And what was Ming Siran like at sixteen or seventeen?

He was the type to play the fool, luring his enemies into his trap before slowly tormenting them to death.

Ming Siran’s robe hung open, revealing a well-defined chest. The bandages hinted at the abs beneath, and his face wore an expression of heartbreak. If Zhou Shengsheng hadn’t seen his earlier demeanor, she might have been swayed by his looks.

Sighing helplessly, Zhou Shengsheng dared not look at him. “Your Majesty, please stop joking around.”

[Oh no, I blurted that out in a panic. If this old emperor regains his memory, he’s definitely going to come after me. I wonder if I can knock him out again and make him lose his memory once more.]

Ming Siran’s hand tightened.

Old emperor?

Who?

Me?

Old?

He glanced uncertainly at his own slender, unblemished fingers, confirming there were no wrinkles or age spots, before finally relaxing.

“Your Majesty? If you’re calling me that, then I must be the emperor. And that makes you my empress,” he said, suppressing his murderous intent and forcing a gentle smile.

But Zhou Shengsheng’s expression was as if she’d seen a ghost. After carefully choosing her words, she explained, “You are the current emperor of the Yong Kingdom, named Ming Siran. We were on our way out of the Zhu Kingdom when we encountered bandits. You and I… accidentally fell off a cliff. We’re still within the borders of the Zhu Kingdom. Auntie said this place is officially called Moonlit Forest.”

[Stop smiling, your wrinkles are showing. I’ve got nothing left to give, and if I throw up now, I’ll starve to death. Since you’re so insistent, fine, but don’t blame me later when you remember everything. You’re the one who insisted.]

Feigning helplessness, Zhou Shengsheng clutched the bundle in her arms and said, “I’ll be right back,” before turning to leave. As she turned, she stuck out her tongue and made a gagging face.

Ming Siran’s smile froze for a moment.

His muscle memory reminded him that this body wasn’t used to smiling.

Feeling somewhat defeated, he lowered his head and lightly punched the bed. Was he really so terrifying as an emperor?

Leaving the Zhu Kingdom? This woman was also from the Zhu Kingdom.

Could she be a concubine gifted by the Zhu Kingdom’s emperor?

---Ah, the scene divider makes its appearance---

Following Liu Ai’s directions, Zhou Shengsheng quickly found the lake where she could bathe.

She was drenched in sweat, her entire body aching, especially her trembling legs. The soles of her feet were probably blistered.

Fortunately, the weather had been hot lately, so a cold bath wouldn’t hurt. Besides, Zhou Shengsheng’s body was strong and rarely fell ill.

After checking her surroundings, Zhou Shengsheng stood by the lake and slowly removed her clothes. She dipped her toes into the water and then waded in.

Her dark hair cascaded down to her waist. Although she was a palace maid, her skin was as fair and delicate as a young lady from a wealthy family who had been pampered in the inner chambers.

Just as she was enjoying her bath, Zhou Shengsheng suddenly heard the sound of a branch snapping behind her. Startled, she immediately submerged herself in the water.

The sky was growing darker, and she had swum quite far from the shore. Now that she was submerged, the person on the shore couldn’t see her clearly.

Recognizing the familiar figure, Zhou Shengsheng was furious but didn’t dare to show it. She could only mutter resentfully, “What are you doing here?” Her voice carried a hint of accusation.

[You pervert!]

Ming Siran’s fingers twitched, and he looked at her innocently. “Why didn’t you call me to join you for your bath, Madam?”

He even sounded a little aggrieved. Without waiting for Zhou Shengsheng to respond, he added, “I’m injured now, so I can only stand here and watch you.”

Zhou Shengsheng stared at him in disbelief. “If you’re watching me, how am I supposed to bathe?”

He took half a step back and sat on a relatively clean rock, propping his head up as he gazed at her in the water, his eyes narrowing slightly. “We’re husband and wife. What’s the problem?”

Taking a deep breath, Zhou Shengsheng reminded herself to stay calm and not break character.

“Well, if Your Majesty wants to watch, then watch. After all, I’m already yours,” she said, putting on a shy expression and slowly starting to rise from the water.

Ming Siran’s body stiffened. How could this woman be so shameless, casually exposing herself to a man?

What did she mean by “already yours”? Had he already touched her?

Ming Siran, who had always prided himself on his purity, couldn’t handle this. He shot to his feet, his handsome face flushed with embarrassment. The sudden movement tugged at his wound, and he turned away, both in pain and mortification, and hurried off.

His retreating figure even had a hint of fleeing in panic.

Zhou Shengsheng sighed in relief. She had known it would work.

Ming Siran might seem like a ladies’ man, but Zhou Shengsheng, who had read the original novel, knew the truth. He was all looks and no experience—a virgin with an emotional complex.

Even his white moonlight, Yu Yanyan, had been rejected by him just because she had been saved by a man when she almost fell, leading to unavoidable physical contact. The incident had disgusted Ming Siran so much that he never touched her again.

Even when the female lead appeared later, because she had been involved with other men, Ming Siran had to do a lot of mental work before he could let it go.

Speaking of the female lead, Zhou Shengsheng looked up and sighed deeply.

What was she going to do? This plot was as stubborn as ten horses pulling in different directions.

After getting dressed, Zhou Shengsheng packed up and prepared to head back.

Just then, she heard a strange noise in the distance.