As night fell, Su Tiyue lay in bed, unable to fall asleep for a long time.

She pondered Li Xun's words carefully, thinking about them several times, and finally understood.

It seems that everything is traceable...

It seems there's still room for things to turn around.

*

The next morning.

After the morning court session, Xiao Heye accompanied the emperor to play chess in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The game was only halfway through, and the outcome was still undecided, when Su Tiyue unexpectedly delivered herself to their doorstep.

"I heard that Your Majesty is enjoying yourself here. Thinking that the weather is cold, I brewed a pot of hot tea so that Your Majesty can warm up." Su Tiyue slightly curtsied and then walked forward gracefully.

Qingwu followed behind her, carefully placed the tea that Tingyulou had brewed on the square table, and then silently retreated with her head down.

The vast Hall of Mental Cultivation was now empty except for the three of them.

The emperor turned and looked at her, unable to look away; she was so beautiful… truly stunning.

His little beauty is even more beautiful when she smiles.

"My dear consort, you're so thoughtful. I was just thirsty, and you came right away..." The emperor swallowed hard, his smile somewhat eerie.

In the past, Su Tiyue only felt fear and disgust when she saw this face... but now that she has seen it so often, she has gotten used to it.

She pursed her lips slightly and remained silent.

The table they played chess on was a square table. The emperor and Xiao Heye were on the left and right, respectively, while Su Tiyue sat between them. She propped her chin up and looked at the chess pieces on the board for a while.

I can't understand it at all...

Su Tiyue picked up the teacup on the table and poured a cup of tea for the emperor.

Then, she poured another cup for Xiao Heye and gently placed it in front of him.

"Your Majesty, please try the tea I brewed and see if it's good?" Su Tiyue leaned closer to the table, propping herself up with her left hand and looking at him with a smile.

Su Tiyue's gaze remained fixed on the emperor, her slightly forward-leaning body and her left hand blocking part of his view.

Xiao Heye glanced at the tea on the table but didn't touch it. He could even tell at a glance that the tea Su Tiyue had brewed was the one she had given him.

But he didn't want to drink it...

He stared intently at the chessboard, completely ignoring the two people in front of him.

But just then, Su Tiyue's restless right hand actually groped along the edge of the table and gently placed on the back of his hand.

Then, she bent her index finger and rubbed it repeatedly... tickling him until he felt a tingling sensation.

Su Tiyue's hands were warm, while his hands were icy cold...

The sudden touch caught Xiao Heye off guard. He turned his head slightly and glanced at Su Tiyue, only to find that she was still looking at the emperor, pretending to be nonchalant.

The person she was looking at was the emperor, but her restless little hand was flirting wildly with Xiao Heye.

Xiao Heye curled his lips, raised the teacup with his other hand, and took a small sip of tea.

Looking at Su Tiyue again, and at her fair and slender hand, a hint of playfulness and mockery appeared in his deep eyes.

How dare she? She actually dared to... stir up Xiao Heye's heartstrings in front of the emperor?