Ping Zhao Lu

Xu Zhouye galloped all the way, finally arriving at the palace just as dawn broke. The morning light filtered through the clouds, softly casting a shadow over Fengluan Palace, as if draping it with a golden veil.

Xu Zhouye secretly speculated that at this hour, the emperor must be discussing state affairs with his ministers in the Xuanzheng Hall. So, without delay, he headed straight for his own bedroom.

After entering the bedroom, Xu Zhouye came to the mirror and gently removed the veil and hairpin on his head. His inky black hair immediately cascaded down like a black waterfall. Afterwards, he carefully washed his hands, ready to relax his exhausted body and mind.

Then he called the palace servants and told them to prepare hot water for bathing.

The palace servants took the order and left, quickly getting busy.

After a long while, steaming hot soup was poured into the spacious soup pool. White petals floated on the water, emitting bursts of charming fragrance.

Xu Zhouye waved his hand to signal the palace servants to leave, and then began to undress alone.

When he took off his outer robe and was left with only the last thin piece of clothing, suddenly, a pair of strong and powerful hands with distinct joints hugged his waist from behind.

At the same time, a warm breath blew on his neck, and a low and magnetic voice sounded in his ears: "I am here to help the Queen bathe."

This sudden action made Xu Zhouye stunned for a moment, and his heartbeat involuntarily skipped a beat.

He turned around, looking at the newcomer with a hint of surprise, and asked doubtfully, "Your Majesty...shouldn't you be in the Xuanzheng Hall right now..."

Chu Yunxiao's lips curled up slightly, revealing a doting smile, but his hands did not stop moving. As he began to unbutton the person's clothes, he said, "The court meeting has been postponed today, so I'll take this opportunity to come and see my queen."

Before he could finish his words, the emperor had already unhesitatingly stripped Xu Zhouye's clothes, letting them fall to his feet. Then, Chu Yunxiao twisted her waist, allowing her eyes to meet his. After a moment, he leaned forward and precisely captured the lips he had longed for.

Chu Yunxiao's hands were not idle either.

He gently stretched out one of his hands, as if protecting a rare treasure, and held the hand of the person in his arms tightly, guiding Xu Zhouye's fingers and slowly unbuttoning the gorgeous clothes on his body.

As the clothes gradually opened, the emperor's muscular chest and tight abdominal muscles were faintly visible...

At the same time, their lips were still passionately intertwined, as if they had forgotten everything around them.

They were so immersed in the passionate kiss that they didn't notice the passage of time.

In the midst of this ecstatic kiss, their bodies involuntarily moved closer to the hot spring pool.

Finally, without realizing it, they both fell into the warm bath.

The water splashed up in all directions, as beautiful as a blooming flower.

However, they had no time to care about these things and just continued to linger with each other in the water.

The warmth of the pool water enveloped their bodies, making the sensation of skin against skin even more intense.

The emperor's arms tightly embraced Xu Zhouye's slender waist, pulling him closer to himself.

Xu Zhouye nestled in the emperor's arms like a docile kitten, panting, his cheeks flushed, his eyes blurred and full of love.

Inside the vast and tranquil Tangchi Palace, the only sounds were their rapid breathing, gentle moans, and the rippling sounds of the water...

An hour later.

Chu Yunxiao walked into the inner hall with his queen in his arms, feeling refreshed. He carefully placed her on the couch and meticulously covered her with a soft quilt.

At this time, Xu Zhouye was indeed extremely tired. He fell into a deep sleep almost as soon as he touched the pillow. Even his breathing became extremely steady and weak.

Chu Yunxiao looked at his peaceful sleeping face, his heart filled with pity and love.

He leaned over and placed a kiss on his smooth forehead very gently, as light as a feather falling.

Then he stood up and began to put on his clothes one by one with quick movements.

After a while, he put on his heavy court robes and looked majestic and solemn.

After everything was packed up, he took one last look at the sleeping Xu Zhouye, turned around and walked towards the Xuan Zheng Hall.

At the same time, at the city gate.

Minister of Rites Lu Guo led a group of officials who had been waiting here for a long time. They all had solemn expressions and upright postures, standing there like a row of straight green pines.

Chu Heyuan, who was at the front of the team, stared expressionlessly at the approaching troops in the distance.

As the distance got closer, the person leading the group could be clearly seen.

Wei Xian was wearing a majestic military uniform and riding a tall and majestic warhorse.

Due to being stationed at the border for many years, exposed to wind and sun, his originally handsome face looked a little rough and dark yellow, with a few strands of messy stubble on his chin.

However, the traces left by the years not only did not weaken his aura, but in fact made it stronger. There was also an unconcealable arrogance between his eyebrows.

When Wei Xian saw Minister Lu and other officials, his eyes narrowed slightly, and a barely perceptible hint of disdain flashed across the depths of his eyes.

It was as if these dignitaries were as insignificant as grass in his eyes. Then, as if he had not noticed the young prince standing beside him, he nimbly dismounted and strode towards Minister Lu.

Seeing this scene, Chu Heyuan's innocent little face immediately wrinkled into a ball, his little mouth pouted high, full of dissatisfaction.

Shi'an's face turned black.

His little prince is such a grown man standing here, but Wei Xian, on the other hand, has two eyes for breathing!

At this moment, Minister Lu's face changed drastically, a layer of fine beads of sweat instantly appeared on his forehead, and he felt even more panicked.

He quickly knelt before the young prince and said to Wei Xian in a trembling voice, "General Wei, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is here, how dare you be so disrespectful and intrusive!"

After hearing what Minister Lu said, Wei Xian and the people around him suddenly woke up and slowly shifted their gaze to the small body.

When they saw clearly that the legendary prince before them was actually just a young child, everyone's face showed a different expression. Some were surprised, some were confused, and some were hard to conceal contempt.

For Wei Xian, although he had heard of the prince's name, he had never seen his true face. Now that he saw him, he found that he was just a child, and he couldn't help but feel a little ridiculous.

However, no matter how much he looked down on the little prince in his heart, he still had to put in the necessary superficial efforts.

Wei Xian took a few steps back, then clasped his hands together, bent down deeply, and looked respectful.

However, beneath his seemingly sincere demeanor, his tone clearly carried a hint of arrogance. He began, "I and my men have been engaged in battles abroad for years, living on the battlefield for a long time. It has been a long time since we have set foot in the bustling Zhaojing City. Today, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to see the face of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. It is truly an honor for me. If I have offended you in any way, I hope Your Highness will forgive me and not blame us for being so uncouth!"