Seems like… she’s grown a little fond of him?

Xie Jin'yan raised an eyebrow and curved his lips. "So, what Shijie (senior apprentice sister) means is, you didn't like me before?"

His warm breath caressed her face, and with a sudden pull of his large hand, he drew her into his arms.

This time, Yu Qingwu didn't struggle. Her slender, white hands, like scallions, remained entwined around Xie Jin'yan's neck.

She didn't answer, only gazed at him silently. Her exquisite, vividly beautiful face, her alluring peach blossom eyes were full of affection, her watery pupils seeming to want to draw the man into their depths.

Suddenly, she cupped his face and kissed him, her arms winding around him like water snakes.

Xie Jin'yan was taken aback for a moment, but the next instant, he grasped Yu Qingwu's chin, turning the tables…

The warmth inside the pavilion gradually increased, and wisps of sandalwood incense permeated the air.

After who knows how long, Yu Qingwu finally regained her senses.

Xie Jin'yan reached out and pulled her into his embrace, his gaze sweeping over the crimson mark between her collarbones, a malicious smile playing on his lips. He pinched her waist, lowered his head, and looked at her gorgeous face, his voice hoarse. "Shijie is so proactive today. Are you perhaps afraid that I'll forget you?"

"Weren't you unafraid of death? Why are you going to such lengths to make me addicted to you? Are you that afraid I'll forget about saving you?"

He raised an eyebrow, his eyes, previously filled with worry and reproach, now held a deep smile.

This wasn't a question, but an affirmation.

Those dark, profound eyes revealed the sharp gaze of a hawk, causing Yu Qingwu's heart to waver. She avoided his gaze, lowered her eyes, and said softly, "Your Highness is overthinking it. I just thought I was about to die, and was a little reluctant to part with you."

"Reluctant to part with me?"

"I think you're reluctant to part with your life, aren't you?" Xie Jin'yan chuckled, his large hand moving from her chin to her head of dark, glossy hair.

His fingertips still held the heat of passion, and he threaded his fingers through her disheveled hair, his thin lips close to her ear, his voice low and husky. "Shijie, you can fool Father Emperor, but you can't fool me. Old Ning Wang is still alive and well. If Shijie dies now, you'll die with your eyes wide open."

Truly, nothing good comes from his mouth!

Yu Qingwu felt a twinge of resentment, hating that Xie Jin'yan was too clever. Every time she played a trick, he would see through it quickly.

However, Qingwu wasn't annoyed, nor did she deny it.

Since he had already seen through it, denying it would only seem affected.

She raised her head, wrapped her arms around Xie Jin'yan's neck again, and moved close to his ear, kissing it lightly, her breath carrying a charming sweetness as she asked him, "Then Your Highness, will you forget me?"

"That's hard to say."

"It depends on... how A'Wu performs." Xie Jin'yan embraced her, turned over, and drew the bed curtains closed again, his burning voice lingering in her ear.

Qingwu giggled charmingly and raised her hand to caress the bridge of his nose.

This time, there was an unprecedented sweetness and tenderness.

It caused Xie Jin'yan to seem to forget his main purpose, until the sky grew dark, he finally got up to leave.

As soon as Xie Jin'yan left, a female official walked in from outside the hall. It was Yu Mo, a female official from the Empress's palace.

She presented several sets of palace attire and undergarments, saying to Yu Qingwu, "Yu Liangdi (Consort Yu), these are clothes that the Empress has prepared for you. Considering that you didn't bring any changes of clothes, she prepared a few extra sets. Take a look and see if there's anything you like?"

Yu Qingwu was still wearing the outfit she had worn from the Crown Prince's residence this morning, a deep red, glamorous robe that made her appear elegant and radiant. However, the belt around her waist seemed to have been torn slightly, and a glance at her bitten lip made it difficult for people not to let their imaginations run wild.

A sharp glint flashed across Yu Mo's eyes, but her face remained calm as she bowed slightly to her side and said with a smile, "Yu Liangdi, this servant noticed that your clothes seem to be damaged. Why don't you take them off, and I'll take them and mend them for you?"

Hearing this, Yu Qingwu waved her hand and smiled, "There's no need. How could I trouble Lady Yu Mo with such a small matter?"

As she spoke, she picked out two sets of palace attire that were slightly plainer, and then picked out two sets of undergarments. Then, she waved to Yu Mo and said, "That's all. I don't go out much on weekdays, so I can't wear that many."

"Alright, if Yu Liangdi has anything else, please send a palace servant to tell me." Yu Mo pursed her lips and smiled, gave a slight bow, and withdrew from the inner hall.

However, as soon as she stepped out the door, the smile on her face suddenly changed. She handed the tray holding the clothes to the palace maid accompanying her, and then took out a handkerchief to wipe her hands.

Then, she straightened her back and returned to Fengzao Palace all the way.

Empress Zhou had just finished her evening meal. Seeing Yu Mo return, she raised her head and asked her, "Yu Mo, how is it? Is Consort Yu lacking anything?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Consort Yu isn't lacking anything."

"But there's something this servant doesn't know whether to say or not." Yu Mo's posture was respectful, but there was an unconcealable look of disgust and contempt in her eyes.

Empress Zhou saw it, but didn't expose it. She only replied in a serious but kind tone, "Yu Mo, you've grown up by my side since you were a child, and you can be considered an old member of the palace. Since you know that some things shouldn't be said, then don't say them."

Yu Mo was taken aback, as if she hadn't expected Empress Zhou to say that.

She bit her lip, unwilling to give up, and said, "Your Majesty, that Yu is really not a good match for His Highness."

"You don't know, but today, she actually entangled His Highness until evening before she was willing to let him leave."

Jealousy flashed in Yu Mo's eyes, with a hint of disgust. She snorted, "The sound was so loud that this servant could hear it outside the door. It's simply comparable to a prostitute in a brothel! Others say that her maternal grandmother was a woman from a brothel, and that she has bad blood in her bones. This servant didn't believe it, but after seeing it today, it really is... This servant doesn't know what to say! How can a woman who only knows how to entangle men and engage in bed affairs be worthy of being the Crown Princess."

"However, fortunately, she won't live for many more days now. Otherwise, who knows how she'll harm the Crown Prince in the future!"

"However, although she's going to die, she still let that Qiu Shiyi Niang (Eleventh Mistress Qiu) marry the First Prince before she died. Isn't that just adding trouble for our Crown Prince for no reason? That Qiu Shiyi Niang is still the daughter of Marquis Qiu after all. Although she made a mistake, the Qiu family still wins the hearts of the people! This fool, because of a moment of glory, has made the First Prince even more powerful. It's really infuriating!"

As Yu Mo spoke, anger surged on her face, but she didn't realize that Empress Zhou's face was becoming more and more gloomy.

Empress Zhou sat on the main seat, watching Yu Mo complain with cold eyes.

After she finished speaking, she sneered and asked, "Yu Mo, do you think you're very smart?"

Empress Zhou's voice, as cold as winter, startled Yu Mo. In an instant, fear rose in her eyes.

But she was still a little puzzled and unwilling, and stammered, "What does Your Majesty mean by this? This servant... doesn't understand."

"Don't understand?" Empress Zhou sneered, as if she had seen through something, and leisurely surveyed Yu Mo, saying, "Yu Mo, hide your shameful thoughts, do your duty, otherwise, you won't even know how you died at Yu Liangdi's hands one day."