On the day she set off for Qingyuan Town, Su Tiyue didn't sleep in; instead, she got up early.

Liu Wan carefully checked everything she needed for the trip twice, making sure nothing was forgotten, before turning to Su Tiyue with a worried expression and saying, "Your Majesty, are you sure you don't want to take me with you? Three days isn't a short time..."

"This servant is worried about you."

Su Tiyue turned to comfort her, saying, "It's alright, Liuwan, I can manage on my own. Besides... isn't there the Emperor?"

"This time when we leave the palace, the Emperor and I don't plan to bring too many people. Too many people would be too conspicuous and make it uncomfortable to have fun."

Liu Wan pursed her lips: "Then you must take good care of yourself. I heard that the roads over there are mountainous and difficult to travel. If your body can't take it, ask the Emperor to stop and rest for a while before continuing."

"Yes, I know, Liu Wan, don't worry. I'm not a child anymore, I'll take good care of myself."

"Hmm." Liu Wan had been wondering why the Empress said she wanted to leave the palace to relax, but she had heard that Qingyuan Town was a remote and sparsely populated place.

I wonder what's fun there...

Why did the Empress choose that kind of place?

Liu Wan couldn't understand it.

Just then, Li Xun followed Xiao Heye in from outside.

Seeing that the things were packed, Li Xun waved his hand and had someone move the things to the carriage outside.

"Your Majesty, have you finished explaining everything in court?" Su Tiyue stepped forward, looking at him with a smile.

Xiao Heye: "Hmm, it seems there's nothing to explain. Beiliang has so many officials appointed by the court. If things fall into chaos just because I left the palace for a few days, what use are they?"

Su Tiyue nodded: "Your Majesty is wise! Whatever Your Majesty says is right..."

In fact, Su Tiyue knew in her heart that Xiao Heye would inevitably clash with those ministers because of this trip.

But Xiao Heye was used to being strong-willed and always did things his own way.

He loses interest after arguing with those old folks for a few minutes, and eventually uses his status to silence them.

This is Xiao Heye's consistent style.

Aside from being gentle with her, he can be incredibly fierce with others...

Xiao Heye clicked his tongue, ruffled the stray hairs on her head, and asked gently, "Can we set off now?"

Su Tiyue nodded and reached out to take his large hand.

Her slender, soft fingers slowly slipped between his fingers, and their fingers intertwined.

...

Inside the carriage, Su Tiyue looked Xiao Heye, who was dressed in plain clothes, up and down, and reminded him again, "Your Majesty, we must not let anyone discover our identities when we leave the palace this time."

"Hmm—" She tilted her head and thought for a moment, then said, "If anyone asks what our relationship is, I'll say you're my brother?"

"No." Xiao Heye decisively rejected this identity.

Although he likes Su Tiyue calling him brother, it doesn't mean he really wants to be the older brother.

"Then...?" Su Tiyue chuckled and deliberately said, "Why don't you just say you're a rich man's son and I'm your little maid?"

This identity is quite interesting.

The image of a cold, aloof young nobleman and his maidservant is exciting to hear.

Xiao Heye frowned. "What's wrong? Is Yue'er getting tired of being husband and wife and wants to try a different identity?"

Su Tiyue squinted and nodded.

Seeing her mischievous expression, Xiao Heye added, "You really want to be my little maid? Yue'er probably doesn't know yet, but I, this noble young master, am not easy to serve."

Su Tiyue: "Why are you so hard to please?"

Xiao Heye: "I have a bad temper. If you, little maid, don't serve people well, you'll inevitably get a beating from me."

Su Tiyue was shocked: "Ah...? You really hit me? We were just acting for others, it wasn't real..."

Xiao Heye: "I can't help it, I get into character very easily... Besides, my personal maid has to sleep with me."

Su Tiyue frowned, realizing that she seemed to be at a disadvantage. She had to serve him, get beaten, and sleep with him all at the same time!

This is outrageous! We've lost a fortune!

She pondered for a moment, then sheepishly changed her mind and said, "Fine, I'll just be your wife... so you won't always bully me."

Xiao Heye finally heard an answer that satisfied him, and his eyes lifted slightly: "That's right. Yue'er, wouldn't it be wonderful if you were my wife?"

As he spoke, his body drew closer and closer to her, Su Tiyue fearfully pushed against his chest with her hand: "...What, what do you want to do?"

"Does the moon know that last night your husband stayed up late studying and learned many new techniques?"

"Learn moves...? You think you don't know enough already?" Su Tiyue retreated in fear, but even the spacious carriage wasn't enough for her to hide in. After struggling for a moment, he grabbed her ankle and pulled her into his arms.

He said, "That's not enough. The more I know, the happier Yue'er will be... isn't that right?"

Su Tiyue muttered under her breath, "...Vulgar!"

Su Tiyue had always wondered why Xiao Heye always had so many ways to flirt with her.

So, Xiao Heye had been secretly practicing his skills all by himself?

This is so shocking to Su Tiyue!

Su Tiyue had lived in the palace for quite some time. She had only heard that the concubines, in order to win the emperor's favor and please him on his bed, would secretly rack their brains to learn seductive and alluring techniques.

How did it end up with her...?

It's the other way around.

This emperor, burning the midnight oil and studying diligently, what kind of books was he reading? Was it all so he could better serve her?!

It’s over!

Su Tiyue exclaimed inwardly.

It’s over!

Northern Liang is doomed!

To encounter such a lecherous and irresponsible ruler...

The Northern Liang dynasty is doomed!

A hundred years from now, people will surely curse Su Tiyue, calling her a vixen who bewitched the emperor.