A short night is hard to please! A stunningly handsome prince dotes on her exclusively.

With a snow-white brocade robe swaying gently, Yuan Huaixuan, his hair bound by a silver crown, walked slowly with his hands behind his back. His peerless face naturally exuded a noble and aloof aura. His dark eyes were cold and sharp, his long eyelashes trembled slightly, and his gaze seemed unapproachable. However, the moment his eyes met Xin Moyan's, a trace of tenderness flashed across them.

Xin Moyan quickly turned her face away. In just a few seconds, while others didn't notice, she clearly saw the man's eyes. The scene in the carriage yesterday suddenly flashed into her mind, and her face grew hotter and hotter, and her heart beat faster and faster involuntarily.

Seeing her avoidance of eye contact, her ears and cheeks suddenly flushed pink, he slightly raised his eyes and felt inexplicably pleased.

"Greetings, Your Majesty and Empress Dowager."

"Xuan'er, it's been many days since you came to the palace to see me. It's a rare occasion for our family to gather together today. Please take a seat."

Xin Mingwan sounded particularly happy and warm. Since the birthday banquet, she had been thinking about having a good chat with him, but she couldn't find a good opportunity.

"Your Highness, please excuse the formalities and take a seat!"

Yuan Huaijun spoke indifferently, his narrow phoenix eyes sweeping across the person before him as if trying to see right through him.

He nodded slightly, turned around and walked to a corner of the stage to sit down. From that direction, Xin Moyan could look directly at him if she looked up.

"Yan Yan, are you hot?"

"No...it's not hot!"

Hua Buyu frowned and asked with some concern, "Then why are you covered in sweat and your face is so red?"

"I'm fine!" Xin Moyan said somewhat unnaturally. It was really strange; the more she forced herself not to recall it, the more the scene kept replaying in her mind.

His eyes... his scent...

She picked up a handkerchief and wiped the thin layer of sweat from Xin Moyan's forehead. Why was her face even redder?

"Xin Moling, look at Yan Yan, doesn't her complexion look a little strange?"

Hua Buyu called out to the neighbor next door, and Xin Moling quickly leaned closer to take a look, her brows immediately furrowing.

"Yan'er, are you feeling unwell?"

"Brother, it's probably just a bit stuffy. Yan'er is fine now!" Xin Moyan quickly explained. She was really so weak-willed. It was just a kiss, what's so memorable about that!

"Yan Yan might be wearing too many clothes today. Xin Moling, go and borrow a fan from my partner."

Xin Moling didn't react immediately and asked curiously, "What did you just say?"

Hua Buyu shook her head in exasperation before pointing to Yuan Huaize on the other side and saying, "Him! Our partner. Borrow his flashy fan so I can fan Yan Yan to cool her down."

He nodded in sudden realization, then turned back and gave Qingque an instruction. Qingque immediately got up and went to Yuan Huaize's side.

"Mommy, let's have this one!"

Lou Xiaobao pointed at the pastries in front of him, smacked his lips, and looked incredibly cute, his mouth watering.

Xin Moyan smiled, completely charmed by Lou Xiaobao's adorable expressions. She gently fed Lou Xiaobao a piece of sweet cake, no longer dwelling on yesterday's scene.

"Our little one is so cute! Here, have some!"

Yuan Huaixue pouted and stared straight at Xin Moling next door. He was just turning his back to her, and she didn't know what he was talking about with that woman. Brother Ling had never treated any woman differently before.

"Your Highness, anger is bad for your health." A casual, teasing voice drifted from beside him. Lou Shenghan slowly poured himself a glass of wine, his smile particularly bright and wicked.

"When have I, the princess, ever been angry?"

"Oh? Then why are Princess Xiang's eyes red? It looks like she's about to cry again."

"You... Lou Shenghan, if you continue to ridicule this princess, believe me, I'll have my brother punish you by cutting your salary!"

Yuan Huaixue's face turned bright red. She didn't know where Lou Shenghan, with his foul mouth, had come from. He was always either cursing princes and ministers or loitering in the palace bullying people, yet her elder brother, the emperor, valued him highly.

"Hehehe~ Princess, are you unaware that the inner palace is not allowed to interfere in politics? No matter how much you impeach her, you won't be able to stir up any trouble."

Hearing this, Yuan Huaixue became even more furious. She turned around and glared fiercely at Lou Shenghan, who was all smiles. Then she suddenly remembered the gossip she had overheard while having tea with Consort Yun yesterday.

"Hmph~ This princess advises Prime Minister Lou not to be so quick to speak, but to be careful and not too arrogant and conceited, lest he lift a rock only to drop it on his own foot."

"What do you mean by that, Princess?" Lou Shenghan narrowed his eyes, curious about her words. He was indeed quite arrogant, but this little princess didn't seem like the type to give advice.

Yuan Huaixue didn't say anything, but gave him a sinister smile with ill intent.

Lou Shenghan's doubts deepened. Could it be that Princess Jiaen had been provoked by Xin Moling?

"His Highness Prince Lie has arrived! His Consort Lie has arrived!"

At the eunuch's shout, everyone's attention was instantly drawn to the steps to the side.

Two figures walked up, supporting each other. Yuan Huailie wore a dark green brocade robe with a mandarin duck sachet hanging from his waist, its ornaments jingling. His handsome and resolute face revealed the heroic spirit of a military general. Qin Wu, on the other hand, wore a light blue gossamer palace dress with lotus-patterned gauze. She was lightly made up, her face was as fair as a peach blossom, her eyes were gentle and tender, and her lips were always adorned with an elegant and considerate smile. She also had a hint of shyness and bashfulness as a newlywed. From a distance, they truly looked like a perfect match, a handsome man and a beautiful woman!

Yuan Huailie led Qin Wu up the steps one by one, stopping in front of Emperor Yuan and Empress Dowager.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects; Your Majesty, I pay my respects to Your Majesty."

Qin Wu calmly knelt on the ground and performed a standard and proper homage to the two most honored people above.

"Your Majesty, I, Qin Wu, pay my respects. May Your Majesty be well," she said, then turned and knelt before Xin Mingwan again. "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. May Your Majesty enjoy good health and longevity."

"Consort Qin, there's no need for such formalities. Please rise!"

Yuan Huaijun nodded, indicating that Yuan Huailie should help Qin Wu up first so they could speak.

Xin Mingwan's expression was kind and graceful as she softly smiled and said, "Rise, everyone. Miss Qin, you should now be called Consort. To be honest, this is the first time I have formally met you since you married into the Prince's Mansion. Lie'er is devoted to you. You should take good care of your husband in the future and strive to give birth to an heir for the royal family as soon as possible."

Qin Wu parted her lips slightly, a blush spreading across her fair and delicate face. Her voice was clear and melodious as she said charmingly, "Yes, Your Majesty, I will obey your teachings."

"Hehe~ Bring up the gifts that I have prepared."

Xin Mingwan raised her hand, signaling several palace servants to bring up a row of gifts. The head eunuch read out the names of each gift in order.

"A piece of blood-red coral from the deep sea; a quilt with a hundred sons bringing blessings and gold silk; a pair of pomegranate-flower gold hairpins with phoenixes in bloom; and five catties of blood-red swallow nest wrapped in vermilion from the Fallen God Mountain."

The series of names prompted everyone present to repeatedly praise the Empress Dowager's generosity and magnanimity.