The princess regretted it.

The Emperor took Concubine Chun's hand and walked to the table and sat down together. The Emperor looked at Concubine Chun with a gentle look in his eyes. Concubine Chun lowered her head slightly, her face very calm, and sat respectfully.

The atmosphere in the room was quiet and warm, the candlelight flickering. Changsun Hongze remained silent, simply looking at Concubine Chun by the candlelight. The flickering candlelight cast a flickering shadow on Concubine Chun's face, which danced across her delicate features like a spirit. Her eyes, illuminated by this light and shadow, appeared even deeper and more captivating. She lowered her head slightly, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, as if expressing her inner uneasiness and shyness. Changsun Hongze watched this scene quietly, as if a feather was playing with her heart, and his eyes grew darker and darker.

Concubine Chun felt a little at a loss when he looked at her like this. "Your Majesty, what important matter has brought you here so late at night?" Concubine Chun asked cautiously.

"Hmm?" After hearing Concubine Chun's words, Changsun Hongze raised his eyebrows and chuckled. "Why? I came to you, so I must have something important to tell you."

Concubine Chun was slightly startled, and quickly bowed and said, "I spoke out of turn, please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Changsun Hongze reached out and helped Concubine Chun up, saying softly, "Get up! Did my sudden arrival scare you?"

"I am naturally filled with surprise, not fear, that Your Majesty can come," Concubine Chun said softly.

This soft, gentle voice, with the distinct charm of a Jiangnan woman, had a unique charm to Changsun Hongze's ears. The gentle, melodious voice was like a spring breeze, gently caressing the heart, bringing a feeling of exceptional comfort and joy. Changsun Hongze narrowed his eyes slightly, gazing quietly at Concubine Chun, a surge of inexplicable emotion welling up in his heart.

He stood up, but before he could say anything, Concubine Chun had already stood up, thinking he was leaving again. Just as she was about to bow and see him off, she heard the emperor say, "Fuquan, bring some hot water."

Concubine Chun suddenly looked up, her pretty face full of surprise, and her movement to salute was stuck there.

Zhang Sun Hongze looked at her like this, feeling a bit amused and a bit unhappy. He looked at Concubine Chun with an indistinct expression on his face and said calmly, "Why? My beloved concubine, do you not welcome me?"

Concubine Chun hurriedly shook her head and said in panic, "Your Majesty, please forgive me! I have been looking forward to your coming day and night, but I can't believe that I have such an honor. I am terrified."

Chang Sun Hongze narrowed his eyes slightly and snorted softly, "Fearful? I think you can't wait for me to leave."

Concubine Chun knelt hurriedly, her voice trembling slightly, "Your Majesty, please calm down. I have absolutely no such intention. I am so happy that Your Majesty has come. How could I expect Your Majesty to leave?"

Zhang Sun Hongze looked at Concubine Chun kneeling on the ground, and the slight displeasure in his heart gradually dissipated. He reached out and helped Concubine Chun up, his tone softening a bit: "Forget it, get up. It's late, I will stay here tonight."

Concubine Chun stood up, lowered her eyes, tried to calm the trembling in her heart, and said obediently: "Yes. I will arrange it right away."

At this time, Gancao came in with hot water and carefully placed it aside. Concubine Chun turned to look at Gancao and said to her, "Gancao, go and prepare it. His Majesty will stay here tonight."

Licorice's pupils dilated slightly, then a look of joy filled his face. He bowed briskly and went to the inner chamber to tidy up. Eunuch Fuquan was about to step forward to help the Emperor wash, but he saw Concubine Chun had already spontaneously walked to the hot water, gently rolled up her sleeves, and twisted her brocade handkerchief. It seemed that she wanted to serve the Emperor herself. Seeing this, Eunuch Fuquan looked up at the Emperor. Changsun Hongze observed Concubine Chun's actions with a gentle gaze. Eunuch Fuquan understood and quietly retreated to the door to guard.

Gan Cao neatly made the bed and came out. Seeing her mistress diligently helping the emperor wash up, she quickly bowed to him and walked out of the room. She gently closed the door and stood beside Eunuch Fuquan.

"Eunuch, His Majesty will not leave tonight, right?" Gancao thought about it again and again, but still couldn't help but ask Fuquan quietly.

Fuquan was slightly taken aback by Gancao's question, then he chuckled and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty's thoughts are not something we can easily guess. But judging from His Majesty's appearance, I'm afraid he will rest here tonight. You just keep a close watch and make sure nothing goes wrong."

After hearing what Eunuch Fuquan said, Gancao was delighted and nodded quickly in response: "Don't worry, Eunuch, I will take good care of it." She thought to herself, I am really smart. I prepared extra hot water in the pot to warm it up. Maybe I will need it later.

The two stood quietly outside the door, listening to the occasional subtle noises from within. Soon, the candlelight inside went out. Fuquan glanced at Gancao and motioned for him to follow. The two of them consciously walked to a sheltered spot further away from the house. Eunuch Fuquan thought to himself, "It seems His Majesty has taken a shine to Concubine Chun." It seemed Concubine Chun would soon rise to prominence.

Licorice gathered her clothes together. Although she felt a little cold, her heart was warm. She was happy for her young mistress, hoping that she would always be favored by the emperor. If she could give birth to a child, then her master would have someone to rely on.

While Concubine Chun was a warm and beautiful woman, many parts of the palace were silent and deserted. Those palaces long without the Emperor's favor seemed like forgotten corners, filled with loneliness and helplessness. A cold night followed.