Now that they have been separated for many years and have met again, it is like dry wood meeting a raging fire.

However, once the heat and passion subside, it remains to be seen how much genuine affection existed between the two.

Zhou Lin had already married in Huainan. Although their marriage was not exactly harmonious, they treated each other with respect.

For him, love and romance were like fleeting clouds.

In the midst of chaos, all Zhou Lin sought was power.

...

Consort Wan had served the late emperor for many years, and now she had finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel. Her former lover had also returned to Yong'an, and her muddled days seemed to have a glimmer of hope.

"Your Highness, regardless of whether this succeeds or fails, please don't abandon me, okay? His Majesty is benevolent; the former Consort Ji has already been granted gold and released. Once she leaves this palace, she will be free..."

She nestled in Zhou Lin's arms, her voice alluring and seductive.

Zhou Lin hummed in agreement and said calmly, "You have always been close to the Empress Dowager. Keep a close eye on her for me these next few days, and inform me immediately if you hear any news."

Consort Wan rolled her eyes at him after hearing this, then reached out and gently pinched his groin, somewhat displeased: "You heartless bastard, we haven't seen each other for so long, and you don't even care how I've been all these years, or if I've missed you..."

"Why are you asking me to do things for you right from the start?"

Zhou Lin scoffed: "I'm not blind. You're perfectly fine, aren't you?"

Consort Wan: "Then tell me, how will you treat me after I leave the palace?"

He asked, "What? Don't you want to be Consort Wan anymore?"

"No, I only want to be with you now. Be my concubine, or any other woman I can be with in public... it doesn't matter. As long as I'm with you, I'm willing to do anything." Consort Wan leaned closer to him, her alluring red lips gently brushing against his cheek.

Zhou Lin smiled slightly, but didn't answer. He simply stroked her back gently with his hand...

Just like Yumeyuki-hime.

Her body was also covered with scars of varying depths.

These marks constantly remind Zhou Lin that Consort Wan once enjoyed the emperor's favor at his bedside.

To be honest, when Zhou Lin sees these disabilities on her body now, he doesn't feel heartache or sadness...

All I can do is despise it.

All that's left is disdain.

Whether someone loves you or not is actually quite obvious.

A person's mouth may lie, but their eyes and actions cannot lie.

When Zhou Lin casually moved his hand away from her skin, Consort Wan already sensed something was amiss.

But she was unwilling to give up, and she still wanted to try her best to win back Zhou Lin's feelings for her.

Even if time has passed and things have changed.

Before today, Consort Wan had even decided that she would stay obediently in the palace from now on, without thinking about anything or fighting for anything.

But when news of Zhou Lin's sudden return to the palace arrived, it was as if she had come back to life.

She didn't want to stay in this dark and gloomy palace, growing old, sick, and dying alone.

She recalled the happy and joyful days she had spent with Zhou Lin, and the vows they had made to each other back then.

One life, one love, one partner.

...

Consort Wan got up and pinned Zhou Lin down, gently pecking his lips with her own.

Beneath the soft brocade quilt, those alluring red lips slowly moved downwards...

It slid over his waist and then stopped.

...

After a long while, Zhou Lin frowned, his expression indifferent, and his dark eyes still showed disdain and dissatisfaction.

But he didn't push her away; he simply patted her head gently through the quilt...