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  “What is it? Is there dust on my face?” Wumian asked as she rubbed her cheek.

  Ying Qionglou just looked at her…

  “You really are…” — hopelessly unromantic.

  Wumian gave him a shy smile. What could she say? She didn’t particurly feel like pying along.

  But then again, being oblivious to flirtation was a kind of charm in itself.

  “Oh, right. I haven’t told Your Majesty yet,” she added. “When I went to Yining Pace today to pay respects, Guifei and the others were there. We talked about Hanliang Pace. The pce was damaged by fire, and it needs to be repaired. But since Li Fei’s pregnancy is still unstable, starting construction now would only disturb her. And it’s not something that can be fixed in a day or two.

  "But just leaving it as is—it’s unsightly. So I suggested putting up a thick curtain to block off the entrance for now. Once Li Fei’s condition stabilizes, they can fix it all at once in a day or two. Guifei will be in charge of it. I wasn’t sure if Your Majesty had been informed yet?”

  He likely hadn’t. After all, he’d been dining with a guest at midday, so Guifei probably hadn’t had the chance to report it.

  “You were thoughtful. That sounds like a good pn,” he said. Truthfully, he hadn’t given it much thought yet.

  “It’s just part of my duty. But there’s one more thing—I think Your Majesty may have overlooked it,” Wumian said.

  “Oh? What is it?”

  “Xu Liangyi—has it been some time since Your Majesty st visited her? She’s pregnant too and deserves some care. Just because her condition is stable and she doesn’t stir up trouble doesn’t mean she should be neglected.”

  She didn’t bother mentioning Li Liangyi. The Emperor clearly disliked her and wasn’t going to visit anyway.

  “That’s my oversight,” Ying Qionglou admitted. “How is Xu Liangyi doing?”

  He had been overwhelmed tely, and just when things had started to calm down, Li Fei kept having one issue after another. It was true he’d neglected others.

  “She’s very understanding. Never once compined. But I can’t help but feel sorry for her. Your Majesty should make time to visit. Whether it’s a prince or a princess, I believe her child will be born healthy and well,” Wumian said gently.

  “You’re always thinking of others. I’ll go see her soon,” he promised.

  “Good.” Wumian smiled at him.

  “The food at lunch was excellent,” Ying Qionglou said, settling into a seat. “So what’s the pn for dinner? And as for visiting anyone else—forget it for today. If I leave now, wouldn’t that be a bit cold?”

  “Then I will treat Your Majesty to a delicious meal,” Wumian said with a smile.

  Ying Qionglou reached out his hand, and Wumian pced hers in his palm.

  With her other hand resting on the edge of the table, she leaned into him slightly. “This is tiring, you know.”

  Ying Qionglou ughed. “Since when did I find you so delicate?”

  Because of her posture, Wumian’s head was tilted, and now she tilted it even more. “Maybe... Your Majesty simply never noticed me before?”

  “That was my fault,” he said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “I’ll be sure to look at you more closely from now on.”

  Wumian withdrew her hand. “Tired.”

  Ying Qionglou ughed again and said no more.

  Dinner was abundant, as always. The Emperor didn’t specifically praise any particur dish, but it was clear he especially enjoyed the stir-fried greens with mushrooms.

  Most consorts with access to their own kitchens came up with a few specialties that piqued the Emperor’s interest. However, Wumian had a way of adding thoughtful touches—fvors and ideas that weren’t yet common in the current culinary scene.

  That made her meals particurly memorable.

  After dinner, Ying Qionglou stayed in the study with Wumian to practice calligraphy. He was in the mood for it tonight and wrote with pleasure.

  At bedtime, Ying Qionglou nudged her to the innermost part of the bed.

  “You’ll sleep on the inside tonight, so you don’t fall off again.”

  Wumian: …

  Was that really necessary? Did they have to be pressed so tightly together?

  She reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Your Majesty is clearly up to no good.”

  “And how is Wumian so quick to accuse me of such thoughts?” he murmured, dipping his head to nuzzle her neck.

  Wumian didn’t hold back. She suddenly shoved him, caught him off guard, and pinned him down. “Is Your Majesty wrongly accused? That’s terrible. You’re always so guarded. But I’m not—I’m very upfront. I am up to no good.”

  As she spoke, she slipped open his inner robe.

  Ying Qionglou looked down at the mischievous woman in his arms, his heart stirring with anticipation despite his bemusement.

  Her hands, though small, were incredibly bold.

  Still, he quickly flipped her beneath him, deciding it was better if he took the lead.

  Wumian felt like she was floating and sinking all at once, a lone boat tossed at sea. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and, in a moment of passion, hooked her legs around his waist.

  As Empress, such behavior might be seen as improper by the world’s standards.

  But inside her own pace, under her own bed canopy—why not?

  If the Emperor thought her actions unseemly and chose never to visit again, then so be it.

  But clearly, Ying Qionglou wasn’t the type to enjoy a lifeless partner. When she responded eagerly or showed how much she wanted him, he was intensely aroused.

  And tonight… was no exception. Their passion was fierce and overwhelming.

  Afterward, Wumian turned to her side to rest, her pale back facing him. Ying Qionglou, also exhausted, lightly traced his fingers along her back. “Wumian, you’re quite passionate,” he said.

  “Mmm,” she murmured, eyes closed, barely acknowledging him.

  Ying Qionglou paused. Just moments ago, she was burning hot. And now she’s pretending I don’t exist?

  Annoyed, he pulled her into his arms.

  “Ah!” Wumian let out a squeak, quickly grabbing a robe to cover herself. It’s one thing to be naked in the moment… but after the fact, it’s just awkward.

  But her panicked scramble only made Ying Qionglou look at her strangely. His irritation fred again, and he pressed her down. “You still shy around me now?”

  Wumian rolled her eyes. Unlike you, I wasn’t raised being naked in front of servants.

  The second round left Wumian significantly more clingy, less energetic, and more demanding. She wanted attention but was reluctant to cooperate.

  Ying Qionglou was thoroughly worn out. If he was too forceful, she’d pout and say he was hurting her. But if he eased up, she’d stare at him with those big, misty eyes full of grievance. Her legs refused to behave—pulling and pressing—and her hands weren’t any better, constantly wandering.

  Eventually, he couldn’t take it anymore and pinned her hands down, pulling her tightly into his arms, no longer caring whether she acted coy or not.

  By the end, Ying Qionglou was drenched in sweat.

  It was a rare and intense experience. Afterward, he y on top of her for a long while, unmoving.

  Wumian was so warm she felt like she was about to combust. “It’s hot!”

  Only then did Ying Qionglou slowly roll off her. “Serves you right,” he muttered. That’s what you get for being a tease.

  Wumian had no idea what she’d done to provoke him. She ignored him and called for attendants.

  After being thoroughly wiped down and comfortably tucked into bed, drowsiness hit her like a wave.

  The next morning, Ying Qionglou was called awake. Turning to look back, he saw that his little Empress was sleeping quite peacefully today—no chaos, no kicking.

  Except that she had rolled over to press her backside snugly against him. Aside from that, she was angelically quiet.

  As he got out of bed and dressed, Ying Qionglou felt strangely annoyed.

  He reached over and gave her a light smack on the rear.

  Not hard, of course. Wumian only grunted, curled inward, and buried her head under the bnkets, continuing to sleep.

  It was still chilly in the early morning, so burrowing for a while longer wouldn’t make her too hot.

  Ying Qionglou smirked and walked out to the outer room.

  Today was court morning. He had to get up.

  How he envied the Empress.