Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

After a long while, Lingyan and Xiao Muyao seemed to slowly emerge from a warm and peaceful world.

Ling Yan first loosened her arms slightly, then gently raised her head to look at Xiao Muyao.

The moment their eyes met, it was as if countless emotions flowed through the air.

Her lips curled up slightly, revealing a gentle smile.

Xiao Muyao slowly lowered his arm, his gaze gentle and focused as he stared at Ling Yan, his eyes filled with deep affection and determination.

Those deep gazes were like an endless ocean, encompassing everything about Lingyan.

A gentle smile also appeared on his lips, a smile filled with doting affection.

Then Lingyan got down to business: "Based on what you just said about Father's attitude, I think there's a high chance this matter won't change."

Xiao Muyao nodded in agreement, saying, "You're right. Actually, Father's heart has already leaned towards me, but he just can't make the final decision yet. But I think he will make the decision sooner or later, so there's no need to worry."

Lingyan hummed in response, "It's good that you know what's going on."

Then she looked at him very seriously and instructed him: "Once Father Emperor makes this decision and accepts this matter, he will definitely not reveal that you cannot have children, otherwise the court will be in turmoil. However, we have not had any children for so many years. If it is not your problem, then it must be my problem. Therefore, Father Emperor will definitely put the responsibility on me. At that time, you must not disobey Father Emperor and disagree with this matter. Just agree."

Upon hearing Ling Yan's words, Xiao Muyao's face instantly darkened.

His eyes were full of determination and opposition as he said, "No! I will never let Father Emperor shift the blame onto you. How can I let you suffer this injustice?"

He gripped Lingyan's hand tightly and said in a firm tone, "I will not agree, even if it means defying my father."

At this moment, his gaze was piercing, revealing an unwavering determination.

Lingyan replied in a relaxed tone, "Don't be angry. This matter was caused by me. Your inability to have children is indeed because of me. So it's my fault, and there's nothing wrong with that!"

Seeing that he still disagreed, Lingyan continued, "Actually, in the past few years, whether in the court or among the common people, although no one says it, everyone must think it's my problem. It's just that Father and Mother have not made any move, so the ministers have not taken any action either. But everyone must know in their hearts that it is because I am infertile."

In ancient times, if a couple had no children, people would assume it was the woman's fault, that she was infertile.

However, they never considered that since the child is conceived by both husband and wife, how could the inability to have a child be solely the woman's problem?

Because they never think the man might have a problem with this.

Therefore, once such a thing happens, the woman will be condemned and vilified by everyone.

The man, however, was unaffected and not impacted at all.

Therefore, many people in the Great Zhao subconsciously feel that this matter must be Lingyan's fault.

I never thought that Xiao Muyao was the problem.

Because they simply wouldn't have that kind of understanding.

While this is indeed the case, it reflects a social phenomenon.

So if Xiao Muyao really told everyone that he was infertile, would everyone really believe it to be true?

They probably think this is just an excuse Xiao Muyao used to protect her.

Given the nature of the world, no one would believe it.

Thinking of this, Lingyan felt heartbroken for the plight of these poor women caught in the middle.

Although she doesn't mind this matter, these women must be very bothered and finding it very difficult to bear.

Seeing that Ling Yan's expression was very strange, Xiao Muyao hurriedly explained, "Yan'er, don't be angry with me. I really didn't want you to be criticized and gossiped about, that's why I disagreed."

Upon hearing this, Lingyan snapped out of her thoughts and chuckled, "I naturally understand your thoughts, but you should know what serious consequences this will bring if it is your fault. Moreover, I am the Crown Princess. Do people really dare to say that I am infertile and accuse me? No one would dare. So, Ayao, the big picture is more important."

Xiao Muyao listened to Ling Yan's words, his face full of struggle and pain.

His eyes were fixed on Ling Yan, and he noticed that her expression was so firm and so composed.

He lowered his head slightly, his hands clenched into fists.

He knew that Yan'er was right, and he also understood the importance of prioritizing the overall situation.

However, the thought of letting Lingyan bear this grievance alone made his heart ache as if it were being gnawed by a million ants.

After a long while, he slowly raised his head, tears glistening in his eyes: "Yan'er, I really don't want you to suffer."

His voice was hoarse and trembling, "But I also know that you are thinking about the bigger picture. Since you have made your decision, then I... I will listen to you."

Upon hearing that Xiao Muyao had finally agreed to the matter, a hint of relief flashed in Ling Yan's eyes.

She raised the corners of her mouth slightly, revealing a faint smile.

But Xiao Muyao's heart was filled with helplessness and pain at this moment.

But he also knew that at this moment, he had to make the right choice.

He looked at Ling Yan and secretly vowed in his heart: Since he cannot be made to bear this matter now, it will cause unrest in the entire Great Zhao and turmoil in the court.

Then, when he inherits the throne, he will no longer let Yan'er suffer such injustice.

…………

The triennial imperial examinations are just around the corner.

The capital city has been much busier than usual lately.

Today, Lingyan arranged to meet Yang Huan alone in a private room at a restaurant.

After the two arrived and took their seats,

Lingyan then looked at Yang Huan and tentatively asked, "What are your plans for the future? Do you intend to be a manager for the rest of your life?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Huan laughed nonchalantly and said, "There's nothing wrong with being a manager for life. I'm actually quite content with my current life."

Lingyan smiled and said, "Mere satisfaction is not what you want most. You still want to become an official in the court, don't you?"

Yang Huan chuckled softly upon hearing this, then said with a wry smile, "As expected, I couldn't hide it from the Crown Princess no matter how well I concealed it."

At this point, his eyes became even more determined than before, and he said, "To be honest, Your Highness, I am very satisfied with my life now. If I could continue like this for the rest of my life, there would be nothing wrong with it. However, since I was a child, I have wanted to serve Your Highness, enter the court as an official and assist Your Highness, because I have known since I was a child that he would be the emperor in the future. Later, as I grew up, I realized that it was good enough to keep my life, so how could I expect anything else?"

"So later I became the Crown Princess's person, and I no longer had to live in fear every day. I only needed to do what I was supposed to do every day and I lived a very comfortable life. Even though I could only be Wang Huanzhi, I later regained my identity and finally got rid of that big family. My life became more comfortable and carefree. I was very satisfied with this. But sometimes I still couldn't help but yearn for what it would be like if I were in the court now."

After he finished speaking, he said with a hint of self-deprecation, "Your Highness, do you think I'm being too greedy? Or too ungrateful?"