Ping Zhao Lu

But after a while, the person walked away.

Xu Zhouye sighed helplessly.

At this time, the eunuch hurried in to report: "Your Highness, the Emperor is here."

Upon hearing this news, Xu Zhouye immediately came back to his senses. He stood up, flicked his sleeves, and walked out of the palace to greet the emperor.

As soon as he reached the door, Xu Zhouye saw Chu Yunxiao's tall and straight figure standing in front of him.

Xu Zhouye was slightly startled, then a respectful look appeared on his face, and he was about to bow. However, just as he was about to bow, Chu Yunxiao raised his hand to stop him.

"Your Majesty, there's no need to be so polite." Chu Yunxiao's low voice came, carrying an unquestionable majesty.

Xu Zhouye raised his head and met Chu Yunxiao's gaze, sensing the depth and determination in his eyes. He smiled slightly and whispered, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Chu Yunxiao took his hand and walked into the palace together, "The Queen, is it time to have dinner?"

"Not yet." Xu Zhouye explained, "My brother came over just now and chatted for a while before leaving. I was just about to have dinner when Your Majesty came over."

Chu Yunxiao raised the corners of his mouth slightly, held his hand tightly, and slowly moved to the side of the couch and sat down, "Then I came at the perfect time."

Xu Zhouye smiled slightly, turned to the eunuch and said, "Hurry up and bring the meal."

The eunuch bowed in response.

"I heard that you handed the matter of the Empress Dowager's birthday to Concubine Xian?" Chu Yunxiao stared at him and asked in a deep voice.

"I'm not well-versed in such matters. In previous years, they were all handled by Consort Xian..." Xu Zhouye's face was solemn, as if he felt guilty. "If Your Majesty has sympathy for Consort Xian, I can also..."

Chu Yunxiao interrupted casually, "I was just asking casually." Why did you seem aggrieved?

Xu Zhouye was slightly startled, then lowered his head and said softly, "I also have a question."

Chu Yunxiao curled his lips, "Queen, please feel free to speak."

"Why did Your Majesty order the death of Ye... and send Yu'an away?" Xu Zhouye's eyelashes trembled slightly, and he asked the question even though he knew the answer.

Chu Yunxiao's expression changed slightly, and he chuckled after a moment: "Is the Queen testing me by this action?" His Queen is so smart, how could she not understand the deeper meaning of this.

"I didn't." Xu Zhouye immediately denied it.

"Oh?" Chu Yunxiao raised his eyebrows slightly: "Then... is the Queen trying to guess the Emperor's intentions?"

Xu Zhouye's expression suddenly changed. Before Chu Yunxiao could react, he quickly knelt down and pleaded guilty. "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I never meant that."

Chu Yunxiao frowned, stood up and helped him up, "What do you mean? I don't blame you."

Xu Zhouye pursed his lips and remained silent.

Chu Yunxiao had no choice but to give up and sighed, "She's spoiled by her favor."

Xu Zhouye raised his lips triumphantly and leaned into the emperor's arms. "I just want to hear it from your Majesty yourself. Do you agree?"

Chu Yunxiao looked down at the unruly person in his arms, and said with a smile, "I will obey the Queen."

Xu Zhouye's heart was moved, and he rubbed the emperor's chest lovingly.

Chu Yunxiao's Adam's apple rolled, and his gaze towards him became increasingly hot, as if the beautiful scenery of last night was still vivid in his mind.

At this moment, the palace servants came in one after another and brought up dishes.

Xu Zhouye had no choice but to move away from his arms reluctantly.

Chu Yunxiao took his hand and walked to the table and sat down. After the eunuchs tested the food for poison one by one, he started to eat.

The two of them put down their chopsticks after eating only three meals a day, and Xu Zhouye suggested going to the Imperial Garden to relax.

Chu Yunxiao naturally agreed and walked closely beside his queen all the way.

"The reason for executing Ye is, firstly, she was disrespectful to the Queen, and secondly, she's restless. Keeping her alive will only allow someone with ulterior motives to exploit her and cause further trouble." Chu Yunxiao spoke casually, "As for Rong Yu'an..." He paused, looking at the harmless-looking man beside him, and said succinctly, "He intends to murder the Queen, so he can't be let off easily."

Xu Zhouye frowned and asked, "Then how did Your Majesty know his thoughts?"

"He's just a clown." Chu Yunxiao snorted coldly, "Only the Queen treats him like a treasure."

On his wedding night with the Queen, Rong Yu'an barged in untidyly dressed. How good could his character be?

Xu Zhouye lowered his head in shame, "It's because I didn't know people well..."

Chu Yunxiao squeezed his palm soothingly, "He has evil intentions."

Hearing this, Xu Zhouye's heart suddenly trembled. He raised his eyes and met Chu Yunxiao's gaze solemnly. "If, if there is another afterlife, can Your Majesty also see his ulterior motives?"

"Even if I live for several more lifetimes, this will still be the case." Chu Yunxiao said firmly, "If I can't even see through a single person, how can I remain in this high position safely?"

Xu Zhouye's eyes froze.

Therefore, Chu Yunxiao in his previous life should have already seen through Rong Yu'an's true face.

No wonder, every time he came into contact with Rong Yu'an, Chu Yunxiao would frown for no reason and even refuse to pay attention to him.

"What are you thinking about?" Chu Yunxiao gently scratched the tip of his nose with his finger.

Xu Zhouye lowered his eyes and said nonchalantly, "I was wondering, Your Majesty, with your keen eyesight, whether you can also recognize my intentions?"

Chu Yunxiao smiled faintly, leaned forward and whispered in his ear, his deep voice mixed with a hint of temptation: "Intentions? I can't tell what the Queen's intentions are..."

Chu Yunxiao paused for a moment, his eyelids drooping, his gaze sweeping across the faint marks on his neck, and said meaningfully, "My intentions towards the Queen are evident to all."

"..."

Xu Zhouye was speechless for a moment, with a look of surprise on his face, as if he was surprised and confused by the scene before him.

He couldn't help but wonder to himself: Why didn't I notice that Chu Yunxiao looked like this before?

Seeing that the other person was speechless due to the laughter, Chu Yunxiao's mouth curled up slightly, and a hint of pride and joy flashed in his eyes. He was in a good mood and continued to walk forward with Xu Zhouye by his hand.

After walking a few steps, a melodious music came and attracted their attention.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a woman in a pink dress dancing gracefully under the shade of a tree, with a maid beside her playing the piano to accompany her.

Her long sleeves fluttered in the air, her dance moves were light and graceful, as if she were a fairy, and her singing voice was clear and melodious, like the sound of nature.

As if she noticed someone approaching, the woman immediately stopped her movements. She quickly turned her head and looked at the group of people coming towards her, and the expression on her face instantly became more panic-stricken.

"Your Highness, I pay my respects to you, Your Majesty."

Chu Yunxiao's expression was extremely grim. He replied calmly, "Get up."

After hearing the order, the woman slowly stood up, but still did not dare to raise her head. She just stood there quietly with her head lowered.

Xu Zhouye glanced at the woman in pink with a meaningful look, then turned to look at Chu Yunxiao, with an elusive smile on his lips, and asked softly, "What do you think of this beautiful woman's dance, Your Majesty?"

Chu Yunxiao frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes, and he stared at Xu Zhouye seriously. After a moment of silence, he did not answer his question.

Xu Zhouye turned his head away in displeasure, saying to himself, "It's a scorching summer, the heat is unbearable. Your Majesty, please don't let Lady Liu down."

Chu Yunxiao's expression grew even darker, his voice low and cold: "Does the Queen hope that I will favor her?"

As soon as she said this, Lady Liu knelt down and said, "Serving Your Majesty is my duty. I dare not think too much about anything else."

It was obvious that Chu Yunxiao didn't want to hear her. His eyes were fixed on Xu Zhouye, trying to get some clues from him, but Xu Zhouye's face remained calm without a ripple. He even spoke calmly, "Your Majesty has so many beauties. You can favor whomever you want. I am powerless to stop you. If you can treat everyone equally, I will be happy for Your Majesty."

"Okay, then I will listen to the Queen." Chu Yunxiao let go of his hand expressionlessly, "Let Concubine Liu sleep with me tonight." After saying that, he left without looking back.

The warmth in his palm gradually dissipated, and Xu Zhouye couldn't help but tremble in his heart. He lowered his eyes and didn't want to look at the emperor's departing back.

"Your Highness, are you okay?" Qinghe walked forward to comfort him with concern.

Xu Zhouye shook his head slightly, "Let's go back to the palace."