The Emperor, with more men than women, made me his mistress.

"Okay! Remember to ask them to pick a lot for me later, I can eat a lot." Yue Li said happily as soon as she heard that she was going to pick peaches for her.

"Alright, have Fuquan keep an eye on things and have someone pick two baskets of the best ones." The Emperor had never heard anyone say that they could eat these things before, and he responded with a smile.

At the same time, he turned his gaze to Fuquan, who had followed him.

Fuquan had already overheard their conversation. When he saw the Emperor looking over, he immediately bowed and explained, "Your Majesty, Your Highness may not know this, but the peaches in this orchard will not be fully ripe until early August, when they will be at their crispest and sweetest."

As he spoke, he glanced at Yue Li, who looked regretful, and continued, "Actually, if you were to pick now, you could still find some that are edible, but they just won't be as sweet as they were back then."

Upon hearing this, Yue Li's face lit up with joy. For some reason, she hadn't noticed it before when she didn't see the peaches, but now, looking at the peaches hanging on the trees, she felt her mouth watering.

I just want to eat a peach.

So she didn't care that the peaches wouldn't be sweet in a while and immediately replied, "Then find a few people later to pick out some that are a little ripe for me. I don't need too many, just a small basket."

All she wants to do right now is satisfy her craving.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand." Fu Quan nodded repeatedly upon hearing Yue Li's words.

This is not difficult. We can just pick a dozen or twenty eunuchs and take them for a walk in the peach grove.

The Emperor observed Yue Li's reaction from the side. He planned to summon the head of the Imperial Household Department later to inquire which places had the most ripe fruit and to have the department buy more to send to Yue Li.

Because of this delay, it was quite late when the Emperor and Yue Li arrived at Shou Kang Palace.

"Greetings to the Empress Dowager."

"Greetings to the Empress Dowager."

After the two of them paid their respects to the Empress Dowager, who was seated at the head of the table, they took their seats on either side.

Looking at Yue Li, whose face was rosy and who was full of energy, the Empress Dowager smiled and said, "You don't need to worry about paying your respects to me. We don't do that anymore. It's better to look around the palace than to pay your respects to me. There are many beautiful places in the palace. When you have time, have the Emperor take you around to see them." She also wanted to cultivate their relationship and hopefully give her a great-grandson soon.

Yue Li had no idea what the Empress Dowager was implying; she simply thought the Empress Dowager was concerned about her.

Little did they know that the Empress Dowager was obsessed with having a grandson and a great-grandson.

So he laughed and said, "I was hoping to come and pay my respects to you earlier, but I'm used to sleeping in, and I have to sleep until noon every day, so I'm late."

"It's alright, you can sleep as long as you want. Being able to eat and sleep well is a blessing." Upon hearing Yue Li say that she would not get up until noon, the Empress Dowager immediately misunderstood and her wrinkles at the corners of her eyes deepened with laughter.

Yue Li: ……

Why did she feel that the Empress Dowager's smile had such a hidden meaning?

After spending some more time talking with the Empress Dowager in Shou Kang Palace, Yue Li took her leave.

"Since you're busy, then go back. Tomorrow is your wedding banquet with Chenyuan, and you'll be busy then," the Empress Dowager said considerately.

"Yes, I was thinking of going back later to check how everything is packed," Yue Li said.

"Alright, then go back. I won't keep you any longer."

When the Emperor and Yue Li left Shou Kang Palace, they saw Xiao Shuanzi next to Fu Quan, talking about something.

Upon seeing the two people emerge, Fuquan waved his hand, indicating that he understood.

Then he stepped forward and reported, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, the peaches that were just picked have been picked. Where should we put these peaches?"

At this moment, the Emperor also turned his gaze to Yue Li.

Yue Li thought for a moment and said, "I'll just put it in the carriage when I go back."

"So, Li'er, are you planning to go back now?" the Emperor asked from the side.

"Well, go back."

It's getting late, so there's no point in waiting any longer.

Although the Emperor was reluctant, he understood the reasoning behind it. So he looked at Fuquan, who had already stepped back, and said, "You are responsible for ensuring your master's safe return to his residence later, understand?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Fuquan replied immediately.

When the group arrived at the palace gate, Yue Li saw the peaches that had been picked for her. It wasn't just one basket; it was a huge basket!

However, looking at the round, plump peaches with red little mouths in the basket, Yue Li felt the fragrance of peaches instantly return to her nose.

Seeing that the emperor's carriage was no longer outside the palace, Yue Li instantly breathed a sigh of relief.

She had already planned that if the Emperor asked her to ride in his carriage back again, she would definitely refuse.

After all, that would be too high-profile.

Unexpectedly, the emperor was replaced ahead of schedule.

It's good that it's been changed; it saves me from having to shiver back and forth.

There were four carriages in total, with more than twenty palace guards protecting them.

"Why are there so many carriages?" Yue Li asked, looking at the basket of peaches being carried onto the carriage.

"The carriage in front is for you. The three carriages behind carry some fabrics, jewelry, and some novel ornaments that I selected for you this morning from the palace storeroom. Knowing you were going back today, I had them loaded onto the carriages in advance so you can take them with you," the Emperor explained.

These were all personally selected by him from the palace storeroom this morning before Yue Li got up. The fabrics were all fresh and delicate, and the jewelry was all new and stylish, all of which were very suitable for Yue Li to wear.

Yue Li: ……

Here we go again!

Another one who likes to give clothes and jewelry as gifts!

Yue Li felt a little helpless.

But looking at the already loaded carriage, she couldn't very well have everything unloaded now.

never mind!

He stepped onto the carriage using the footstools, sat inside, waved to the Emperor, and signaled that he could go back.

The carriage carrying Yue Li moved slowly, and the three carriages behind it immediately followed, with the guards diligently standing guard around the area.

Watching the departing convoy, the emperor turned and entered the palace gates.

Looking at the magnificent palace that had been built, the emperor felt a sense of emptiness for the first time.

He hadn't noticed it before Yue Li was around, but now, after only two days with her, he found the entire palace to be empty and desolate.

Just as the Emperor was walking towards the palace in a somewhat gloomy mood, Xiao Shuanzi, who was following behind him, reminded him, "Your Majesty, the head of the Hanlin Academy is still waiting for you in the Xuanzheng Hall."

This was what his master, Fuquan, instructed him to do before he left, saying that he should immediately report this matter to the emperor upon returning to the palace.

Although he didn't know why, Xiao Shuanzi did as he was told.

The emperor, who was lost in his own thoughts, forced himself to stay awake upon hearing this and said, "Yes, I understand."

With that, he turned and embarked on another path leading to the Xuanzheng Hall.

Xiao Shuanzi and a group of eunuchs immediately followed behind the emperor.