Su Muxi looked at Ye Zeyu with a puzzled expression.

She saved the Empress Dowager back then, but the Emperor didn't even mention wanting to see her. Why does he want to see her now?

Ye Zeyu's slender fingers moved slightly as he tucked the stray hairs from Su Muxi's temples behind her ears.

"Father probably just wants to see us. Let's go together."

His calm voice and gentle gaze made Su Muxi feel at ease.

Yes, what's there to be afraid of if we go with Ye Ziyu?

No matter what, Ye Ziyu will protect her.

As she followed the eunuch into the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Su Muxi tensed up again when she caught a glimpse of the person standing next to the Emperor.

What's Qiao Xiuyuan doing here?

Qiao Xiuyuan may not hurt her, but he will hurt Ye Zeyu!

Just as they were about to reach the door, Su Muxi took his hand again.

This action elicited various thoughts from the crowd.

Ye Zeyu simply smiled gently and curled the corners of his lips at Su Muxi, but in his heart, he became wary of Qiao Xiuyuan.

Qiao Xiuyuan clenched his fist in secret, wishing he could chop off Ye Zeyu's hand.

Upon seeing the ugly birthmark on Su Muxi's face, the Emperor instantly lost interest. However, upon seeing their tightly clasped hands, he raised an eyebrow with interest and asked knowingly, "You are Su Muxi?"

Su Muxi hurriedly saw Ye Zeyu off and respectfully bowed to the Emperor.

Ye Zeyu followed closely behind.

"Alright, get up. Today I just want to see what my future daughter-in-law looks like. Don't be nervous."

The Emperor spoke in a gentle tone, with a smile, but Su Muxi dared not be careless in the slightest.

After all, serving a ruler is like serving a tiger; it's best to be careful.

"I am terrified. I should have come to thank Your Majesty for bestowing this marriage long ago. However, I am ugly and I was afraid of frightening Your Majesty. But today, I see that Your Majesty is protected by a dragon aura. I was just being paranoid. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

While belittling himself, he also took the opportunity to praise the emperor.

This made the emperor, who was already in a good mood, even happier.

"I finally understand why the Marquis of Anyang and the Prince of Yong'an both took a liking to you! Get up quickly, or they'll be heartbroken."

Upon hearing this, Ye Zeyu and Qiao Xiuyuan exchanged a glance.

Qiao Xiuyuan was the first to clasp his hands in a salute to Ye Zeyu, but the smile on his lips carried a deeper meaning.