Marrying the Crown Prince

Empress Chu slept soundly until the end of the night, and when she woke up again, Zhou Zhou was nowhere to be seen.

Of course, the important point is that this incident tells Empress Chu that she really shouldn't get up early casually and disrupt her life rhythm, otherwise she would have to spend the whole day catching up on sleep.

However, Empress Chu was not pleased that Zhou Zhou was told not to pay her respects for no reason.

Therefore, Empress Chu stipulated the time for paying respects, instructing Zhou Zhou to come and pay respects at the end of Chenshi (7-9 AM), just like the other concubines. Of course, the difference was that Zhou Zhou needed to come and pay respects every day, while the concubines in Emperor Chenze's harem only needed to come and pay respects on the first and fifteenth of each month.

Upon hearing this good news, Zhou Zhou smiled with satisfaction. With her slender, jade-like hand, she picked up a chess piece and gently placed it on the chessboard, saying, "Your Highness, it's your turn."

Li Ziyan was a little curious, but since Ruosong hadn't left yet, he didn't ask Zhou Zhou for the time being. Instead, he looked at Ruosong and said, "It's really a trouble for you to make the trip, Aunt."

Ruomsong hurriedly shook his head, curtsied, and said he dared not.

At this moment, Zhou Zhou finally looked up at her and said, "Aunt Ruosong, this is a small token of my appreciation for you to have some tea."

As soon as Zhou Zhou finished speaking, Ju Fang, who was standing to the side serving him, took out a purse from her bosom and handed it over.

Ruomatsu reluctantly put it away, saying, "Your Majesty, you...you can't do this."

Having accepted the gifts, Ruosong tactfully said, "The Empress has important matters to attend to, so this servant will take her leave now."

Zhou Zhou nodded in response, then looked at Ju Fang, "Could you see my aunt off for me?"

"Yes." Jufang curtsied and followed Ruomong out.

The person finally left, and Li Ziyan looked at her smiling face, his mood improving as well. "How did you manage to get Mother to relent?"

“This isn’t difficult.” Zhou Zhou rested her chin on one hand, looking at Li Ziyan with interest, while in the other hand she played with a chess piece, turning it back and forth in her hand.

"what for?"

"My mother and father were similar in temperament. Neither of them liked to get up early, and they both disliked being disturbed while sleeping. Of course, most importantly, neither of them liked to read."

"So?" Li Ziyan thought about how Zhou Zhou had been getting up before dawn these past few days and immediately understood, but he was still a little unsure. "You've been getting up so early these past few days to pay your respects to the Empress Dowager. Could it be that you've been sitting by the bedside, reading the Spring and Autumn Annals aloud?"

Zhou Zhou blinked and suddenly realized that what she had done these past few days was not excessive at all, and she could even be described as spoiling Empress Chu; on the other hand, her own son's tricks were more and more wicked than the last.

“Your Highness, I want to win her over, not make her despise me,” Zhou Zhou replied softly, placing a chess piece on the board. “Also, Your Highness, if you get distracted again, you’ll lose this game.”

Zhou Zhou was aware of Li Ziyan's kindness towards her, so unless she had no other choice, she still wanted to win over Empress Chu.

If I could get the Empress Chu to listen to me, that would be even better.

In this way, with Empress Chu by Emperor Chenze's side, she wouldn't be considered a hindrance, and Li Ziyan wouldn't be isolated and helpless in the harem. This way, the struggle for the throne would be even more foolproof.

Li Ziyan looked down at the chessboard and found that his black pieces were already surrounded by white pieces.

He reluctantly scrambled and scattered the chess pieces on the board, saying in a languid voice, "I won't play chess next time. Let's play something else."

In fact, Zhou Zhou's chess skills were not good, especially compared to Li Ziyan. The reason she won so easily this time was entirely because she was distracted while Li Ziyan was playing.

"Whatever Your Highness says goes." Zhou Zhou's gentle eyes were like the dawn, full of vitality and inclusiveness, captivating all who looked at him.

Now that they were married, Li Ziyan certainly wouldn't compromise himself, so he moved closer.

A handsome face loomed large before his eyes, and Zhou Zhou blinked.

Li Ziyan was very satisfied with Zhou Zhou's reaction. He smiled, his gaze gentle yet firm, and his breath, as sweet as orchids, tickled Zhou Zhou's face. "Zhou Zhou, you look really beautiful right now."

Confidence and strength are her most beautiful qualities.

The atmosphere instantly became ambiguous, and the dim candlelight became the perfect aphrodisiac.

Zhou Zhou, not to be outdone, moved forward as well. The two of them, nose to nose, their warm lips collided, soft and fiery, and the fire in their hearts was instantly ignited.

Li Ziyan's kisses deepened, and he reverently cupped Zhou Zhou's face in his hands, showering her lips with delicate, repeated kisses.

After an unknown amount of time, the two finally separated, both panting heavily.

Zhou Zhou swallowed hard, her eyes filled with seductive charm and tenderness.

She suddenly reached out, wrapped her arms around Li Ziyan's neck, pulled him down, took control, and kissed his fragrant lips.

As time went on, Zhou Zhou's hands became more unrestrained, slowly caressing his neck, and her lips no longer lingered in one spot, but began to slowly move downwards.

Finally, Zhou Zhou licked his Adam's apple.

Li Ziyan's Adam's apple bobbed, and she could clearly hear his panting.

Zhou Zhou laughed triumphantly, her voice charming and seductive, like a bewitching enchantress, "Your Highness, your heart is beating so fast."

As soon as she finished speaking, Li Ziyan stood up, leaned down, put his arm around Zhou Zhou's waist, and picked her up.

Zhou Zhou remained calm, wrapped her arms around his neck, tilted her head back, and fully cooperated, welcoming his gentleness and strength. She walked and kissed him as he moved, until they reached the bedside.

Li Ziyan stopped and gently brushed the strands of hair that had fallen across Zhou Zhou's face.

Zhou Zhou chuckled, nose to nose with his, their breaths mingling, their scents filling the air.

"Your Highness, is it alright?" Zhou Zhou asked.

She knew that Li Ziyan was health-conscious; but she didn't know how long Li Ziyan's abstinence from sex lasted, whether it was ten days or half a month.

Li Ziyan didn't answer, but kissed him again.

His actions speak for themselves.

Zhou Zhou raised her eyebrows and, following the force, fell onto the soft bedding.

His kisses deepened with each kiss, yet remained gentle, tender enough to touch the heart, allowing him to savor the unique sweetness of a young girl.

Dark clouds had gathered in the sky, and a muffled clap of thunder sounded, signaling that rain was imminent.

Summer rains are often accompanied by strong winds.

A breeze blew, dispelling the stuffy heat in the air and stirring the banana leaves in the yard, causing them to sway delicately from side to side.

Finally, the rain began to fall, dripping onto the banana leaves with a muffled sound; raindrops from the eaves gathered together and fell onto the stone steps with a tinkling sound.

The sounds of the wind, the rain, and the raindrops were like a beautiful melody, so pleasant to hear.

Zhou Zhou poked the cheek of the person next to him, "Your Highness, are you comfortable?"

Li Ziyan, with his eyes tightly closed, did not answer, but his slightly trembling eyelids and slowly reddening ear tips revealed his truest thoughts.

Zhou Zhou couldn't help but laugh, burying her face in Li Ziyan's neck, "Your Highness."

Her voice was soft and pleasant, and her warm breath tickled my neck.

Li Ziyan sighed silently, turned to the side, and put his arm around her waist. His voice was low, filled with affection and pity, "Zhouzhou, stop fooling around."