Having many handsome men means no worries; pampering them all keeps me in good spirits.

Jiang Qingyan, who was peeling an orange, suddenly sneezed. Her eyes darted around. Huh? Who was secretly cursing her behind her back?

"Old Wang, what time is it?" Jiang Qingyan asked towards the outside of the hall.

Eunuch Wang hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, it is already late afternoon. Should I serve dinner immediately?"

Jiang Qingyan nodded in satisfaction. "You understand me best, Eunuch Wang! I'm hungry, tell the imperial kitchen to hurry up!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I'll go right away!" Eunuch Wang scurried happily to the imperial kitchen, determined to become the person who understood the Emperor best!

After dinner, Jiang Qingyan lay in bed gazing out the window, her mind filled with countless thoughts… At this moment, she wondered what Mo Ting was doing, and whether his anger towards her had subsided even a little…

Just then, Ning Ruyu arrived, but today she... was very different...

She wore a pale purple gauze dress with a white gauze overlay, her jet-black hair tied up with a pale purple ribbon, revealing her exquisitely shaped neck and defined collarbones, exuding a pure yet alluring charm…

Jiang Qingyan nodded silently in her heart. This must be the legendary ceiling of pure desire!

Jiang Qingyan moved to the inside of the bed, patted the empty space, and smiled as she beckoned to Ning Ruyu, "Yu'er, come and get into bed. I've already warmed up the blankets!"

Ning Ruyu's lips twitched slightly, a hint of shyness appearing in her eyes. She then took off her outer robe and slowly lay down next to Jiang Qingyan.

Jiang Qingyan tucked the blanket around Ning Ruyu, kissed her forehead lightly, and then closed her eyes to go to sleep.

To everyone's surprise, Ning Ruyu suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist and then kissed her lips...

Ning Ruyu's lips gently traced across hers, as if expressing her boundless love. Although the kiss was somewhat awkward, it was also extremely affectionate.

Jiang Qingyan moved her head back slightly, parting their lips a little. She patted Ning Ruyu's head and said softly, "Yu'er, what's wrong? Aren't you sleepy? How about I tell you a story?"

Ning Ruyu pursed her lips and shook her head.

"Would Yu'er like to have a chat with me?" Jiang Qingyan asked softly.

Ning Ruyu looked up at her, her eyes seemingly holding a thousand words, yet she couldn't utter a sound.

Jiang Qingyan stroked her cheek and smiled gently, "Yu'er, tell me whatever's on your mind. If anyone bullies you, I will definitely stand up for you."

Ning Ruyu bit her lower lip and finally mustered up the courage to say, "Your Majesty, in fact... I have long admired Your Majesty."

Having said that, she loosened the sash at her waist and took off her light purple gauze skirt, leaving her only in a light purple lotus-patterned bodice...

Jiang Qingyan was shocked to hear this. She hadn't expected Ning Ruyu to express her feelings so suddenly, and she was at a loss for words.

She frequently dined at Qingliang Palace, her original intention being to seduce Ning Ruyu and use the opportunity to win over the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. But now that Ning Ruyu had taken the bait… she felt somewhat guilty…

Seeing Ning Ruyu's hand gripping the waistband's tie again, Jiang Qingyan quickly pulled her back, her voice tinged with panic, "Yu'er... I... don't want to... just chat under the covers today, is that alright?"

Ning Ruyu paused, looking up at Jiang Qingyan with a hint of confusion in her eyes. Why had the Emperor favored Xia Meier all night last night, yet refused to touch her even once? Was she really that bad?

Jiang Qingyan avoided her gaze and said softly, "I'm just a little tired, Yu'er, don't overthink it." After saying that, she pulled the quilt over them and covered them both up.

Ning Ruyu remained silent for a moment, then gently lay down. Although she felt somewhat disappointed, she understood that things should not be rushed. Since the Emperor was willing to summon her, it meant that the Emperor did not dislike her.

The two lay there quietly, neither speaking. Suddenly, Jiang Qingyan broke the silence: "Yu'er, do you know why I treat you so specially?"

Ning Ruyu's body trembled slightly. She had been waiting for this moment for a long time. She quickly turned to look at Jiang Qingyan and asked in a trembling voice, "Why?"

Jiang Qingyan took a deep breath and said slowly, "Because you are pure, obedient, and have no disloyalty to me, I feel very relaxed when I am with you."

Upon hearing this, Ning Ruyu burst into tears. She reached out and hugged Jiang Qingyan tightly, choking back sobs, "Your Majesty..."

Jiang Qingyan reached out and hugged her back, gently stroking her back, and comforted her, "Yu'er, don't cry. Just remember, whether you serve me in bed or not doesn't measure my heart. In any case, among all the beauties in the harem, I like you the most."

Ning Ruyu's heart trembled. The Emperor said... he liked her the most... She slightly curved her lips, feeling a sense of satisfaction. She buried her head in Jiang Qingyan's arms and gently closed her eyes.

Jiang Qingyan glanced down at Ning Ruyu in her arms and sighed inwardly. A beauty was in her arms, but it was a pity that she was not a man. Otherwise, she would definitely let her experience the joy of being a woman.

Speaking of which… she hadn’t even experienced the joys of being a woman herself! Suddenly thinking of Mo Ting, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of longing…

Meanwhile, Mo Ting lay in bed, his brows furrowed, unable to sleep. He desperately wanted to go to the Chaoyang Palace, drag the Emperor out of bed, and ask her directly whether her feelings for him were genuine or feigned…

The more he thought about it, the angrier and more frustrated he became, so he decided not to sleep at all. He got up, grabbed his sword, and ran to the backyard to practice...

The next day at dawn, as usual, Eunuch Wang woke Jiang Qingyan up manually, and then a palace maid came in to help her wash and dress.

Today, Ning Ruyu took the initiative to tie Jiang Qingyan's hair. She said that women outside the palace always tie their husbands' hair themselves, so if she stays overnight at Chaoyang Palace in the future, she will have to do this herself.

Jiang Qingyan did not refuse. As long as she was not allowed to have sex, she would agree to do whatever she wanted!

Upon arriving at the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Jiang Qingyan sat on the dragon throne and looked around. Suddenly, a smile appeared on her face. Lu Nian was also there today, staring straight at her.

Look at that little eye of hers, you can recognize her at a glance, this is Lu Nian.

Mo Ting, who was standing nearby, caught the look in their eyes, rolled his eyes at the two of them, then snorted coldly and turned his head away. Out of sight, out of mind!

Feeling a cold wind blow past her, Jiang Qingyan glanced at Mo Ting. Another night had passed, and her older brother was still angry! It seemed she really had to coax him properly today!

"Your Majesty, the former Southern Border Princess Gulimi has entered the palace today. I wonder what title should be bestowed upon her?" Minister Ning stepped forward and bowed.

Jiang Qingyan pondered for a moment and said, "Why not also bestow the title of Beauty?" After all, the ranks of women in the harem are just as easy to manage!

"But she is, after all, a former princess of the Southern Frontier. If her rank were the same as others, it might cause dissatisfaction among the people of the Southern Frontier!" Lord Ning continued.

Jiang Qingyan frowned. After all, Gulimi's father died indirectly because of her, so it was inevitable that she would harbor resentment. If she were to place Gulimi's rank above the other beauties in the harem, she might be difficult to control...