无翼乌工口里番无色无摭挡

However, as far as Jiang Ning knew, the only contraceptive method in the palace was for the woman to drink a bitter, contraceptive soup after the act.

Not to mention the reliability of that thing, whether it was harmful to a woman’s body, and it didn’t taste good at all.

Li Hongyuan was somewhat aroused, and when he heard her gentle, submissive words, he paused, “This is not something a harem woman would say.”

Almost all people believe that having more children brings more blessings, especially for the women in the harem, where children are their insurance and glory.

It was always fear of not having enough; how could there be too many?

The only reason Li Hongyuan could think of for her unwillingness to get pregnant was a single one.

That is, she didn’t like him, so she didn’t want to have his baby either.

Even though they already had Wenzan and Lingzi, the boy and girl twins, it was entirely due to the emperor’s calculations and had nothing to do with their own intentions.

So, having the two children was not Jiang Ning’s personal wish either.

She lowered her eyes: “Not all women like having children.”

Li Hongyuan supported himself with both hands on either side of her body, looking down at her, asking: “Do you dislike me that much?”

“How can that be?” Jiang Ning glanced at him.

He was as beautiful as a flower or a jade tree, with an unearthly beauty.

Regardless, his good looks alone made it impossible to dislike him.

She turned around, trying to escape from his restraint: “You might be overthinking it, how could I possibly dislike you?”

Without hesitation, Li Hongyuan pulled her back into his arms, forcing her to look at him: “You don’t dislike me, but you don’t love me either, do you?”

Jiang Ning felt uncomfortable all over, even suffocated, by his gaze. Thus, she couldn’t help but push him away, “Your Highness, if you want to talk, how about we sit down, have some tea, and talk slowly?”

“Discuss what? Why you don’t like me?”

“Your Highness, you said you’re not a person who acts on emotions.”

“Am I acting on emotions?” Li Hongyuan loosened his grip, straightened up his body, his voice cold and low, “I must have told you more than once that I like you.”

“…Indeed, you have.”

“What about you?” Li Hongyuan turned his head to look at her, “In your heart, do you like He Tang or Wenren Zong? I know that matters of the heart are about who came first and who followed, and He Tang has all the innocent memories of your childhood. But what about Wenren Zong? He’s known you for less time than I have. Why do you like him and not me? In what way am I inferior to Wenren Zong?”

Jiang Ning saw his serious expression, knowing she couldn’t just brush it off anymore, so she thought carefully and said: “Actually, I don’t like Wenren Zong as much as you think.”

“So, you still like him.”

“…I can’t say for sure.” Jiang Ning was a bit embarrassed.

She indeed quite admired Wenren Zong and had always thought of him.

But was that liking?

“What if I want to kill him?” Li Hongyuan stared at her.

“What can I do? Of course, I’ll stop it.” Jiang Ning frowned, feeling the conversation was heading in an undesirable direction, “Would you be satisfied if I said I hated Wenren Zong? He has already been exiled, he can’t come back in this life, and I can’t see him either. What kind of absurd jealousy are you harboring?”

Li Hongyuan sneered: “What if he comes back?”

Jiang Ning was taken aback: “What did you say? Wenren Zong will come back?”