Jing Zhe didn't think much of it, because he was just teasing her, and he believed that all his women possessed stunning beauty even without makeup.

But after Murong Xi finished speaking, she realized what she meant, looked up, and said with some dissatisfaction, "Is your makeup really ruined?"

"You weren't wearing makeup, so of course it's fake!"

"What if it melts?"

"..."

"What if it's spent?"

"..."

Seeing Jing Zhe remain silent, Murong Xi asked a third question.

"If it doesn't look good anymore, you'll just give up on it?"

"Forehead…"

Before Jing Zhe could even speak, Murong Xi interrupted him, saying, "Even if I'm no longer pretty, you can't abandon me!"

Women are sensitive, and Murong Xi is no exception. In addition, she had just opened up to Jing Zhe and was not very secure, which is why she was dissatisfied with these words.

He immediately laughed and said, "Just kidding. Besides, how could the dignified Empress Yueyao not be beautiful?"

But Murong Xi didn't appreciate it, and put her hands on her hips, saying, "I know I'm good-looking—but I'll get old someday! When I'm old and not good-looking anymore, will you leave me?"

"..."

Women's thought processes can be so amazing sometimes. Jing Zhe immediately assured him, "Absolutely not, I'm not the kind of person who only looks at appearances—what's with that expression? Am I wrong?"

Murong Xi glanced at him and was amused by his expression.

"If even one of your women wasn't pretty, I'd believe you—your second and fifth sisters, Princess Mo Chen, Zhang Xiaoyu and Xiang Rong, plus that Su Xiaoxiao, isn't any of them pretty?"

He was fine talking about other people, but when he heard about Su Xiaoxiao, Jing Zhe became a little dissatisfied. "Didn't I tell you? I have absolutely no relation to Su Xiaoxiao. We're enemies. I get angry just seeing her!"

"..."

Murong Xi pursed her lips, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

At this moment, Jing Zhe asked again, "Is the throne of empress easy to relinquish?"

"Just because it's not easy to give way, does that mean we can't give way?"

"..."

Murong Xi countered with a question.

Seeing Jing Zhe speechless, choked by her words—a stark contrast to his previous argumentative demeanor—Murong Xi felt a surge of emotion: Is this the benefit of being his woman? She can say a few words to him and he can't argue back. It feels good! She'll have to tease him more often from now on!

However, he still said, "Giving up the throne is both difficult and easy; it mainly depends on you."

"Look at me?"

Murong Xi nodded and said, "Yes, as long as you can ensure that the newspaper and the embassy can be successfully established in Yueyao, the cooperation between Anguo and Yueyao will spread among the people. The people of Yueyao will no longer have to pay grain to the barbarians of the Western Frontier. Everyone will be grateful to me then, and it shouldn't be difficult for me to give up the throne."

After thinking for a moment, Murong Xi added, "Moreover, I can have Chu Xia secretly spread the news that I gave up the throne to marry into Anguo. This is actually a way to strengthen cooperation with Anguo. I believe that no one will stop me then!"

Looking at Murong Xi, Jing Zhe took her hand.

"What I mean is, it might not be difficult for you to relinquish the throne, as you say, but what about yourself? Are you really willing to give up the throne that everyone desires?"

Murong Xi also gripped Jing Zhe's hand tightly, smiling sweetly, "Actually, you still don't understand me. I told you before, this throne isn't important to me. As long as the people of Yueyao Kingdom can live and work in peace, it doesn't matter if I don't become empress..."

Jing Zhe smiled and nodded, "Actually, I understand you and I guessed you would make this decision, I just wanted to confirm it again."

"Is that so?"

Murong Xi glanced at him. "So, all that intimacy with Zhang Xiaoyu in front of us was on purpose, right?"

"Yes... hiss~"

Jing Zhe could only utter one word before he was unable to speak again, because Murong Xi's soft little hand was now like a vise, fiercely pinching his waist.

Jing Zhe was never one to back down easily. "You dare pinch me? Then I'll—" The next moment, Jing Zhe leaned forward and kissed Murong Xi's lips directly. Murong Xi's mouth was still open, making it even easier for him to penetrate her.

Murong Xi stared wide-eyed, clearly not expecting Jing Zhe to be so shameless.

Since you started it with your words, it's okay for me to retaliate, right?

Murong Xi's cheeks flushed, her eyelids closed, and she began a shameless, passionate kiss with Jing Zhe...

...

The kiss was very pleasant; at least Jing Zhe was quite satisfied.

In the past, Murong Xi would either act like a block of wood and let him do as he pleased, or she would constantly resist and make him uncomfortable. But this time, she responded very gently and passionately, so he became bolder and used both his hands and mouth. He was only pushed away by the panting Murong Xi when his hands were about to tear open Murong Xi's clothes.

"no…"

Murong Xi gasped for breath, glanced at Jing Zhe, and said somewhat shyly, "Here...this won't do! It's too cold!"

Seeing Murong Xi's shy expression, Jing Zhe felt extremely satisfied.

If this place doesn't work, then going somewhere else shouldn't be a problem.

So Jing Zhe asked, "Are you hungry?"

Murong Xi shook her head: "I'm not hungry."

Are you thirsty?

"I'm not thirsty."

"..."

Seeing Jing Zhe's helpless expression, Murong Xi laughed and said, "I know what mischief you're up to! But we can't go back!"

Why not?

"Where do you think we can go after we go back?"

"Return to——"

After thinking it over, Jing Zhe realized that he really had nowhere to go.

Should we go to Wenxiangju?

Putting aside whether Zhang Xiaoyu will go there after she wakes up, even if she doesn't, as long as Chu Xia is there, neither of them would dare to make any rash moves. Then there's the newspaper office, where Su Mochen will most likely still be. Plus, there are many people working at the newspaper office, so even if he dared, Murong Xi would definitely not agree.

Murong Xi took his hand and said with a smile, "So, rather than having nowhere to stay after we go back, we might as well wander around outside the city."

Jing Zhe nodded, and the two of them continued riding their horses, talking as they slowly made their way back.

After confirming their relationship, the two had a lot to talk about, and the morning passed quickly as they walked and talked.

Although it was cold, the winter sun was still very strong, and after walking for so long, Jing Zhe was quite thirsty.

Are you thirsty?

"No…"

Murong Xi had only uttered two words when her stomach growled twice, much to her dismay, and her neck turned red.

"Haha, we've been walking for so long, I'm starving, let alone you! Let's go back and get some food!"

"don't want!"

Murong Xi immediately refused, saying that they had finally gotten out of the house and finally established their relationship, and she cherished every moment they spent together. How could she bear to leave?

————