Qu Shaoyu knew that the Empress Dowager's arrangement would save him a lot of trouble.

But he couldn't possibly agree; someone else already occupied his heart.

Moreover, they have already expressed their feelings for each other today.

We understand each other perfectly!

Even if they don't express their feelings for each other today, he will still secretly love her and would never agree to marry someone else.

Because he already had a white moonlight in his heart.

That was the person he had once secretly loved.

Qu Shaoyu turned to look at the Empress Dowager.

"Mother, please take good care of your health and don't worry about me. As for the Queen, I already have someone in mind."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager frowned slightly.

"You've chosen someone? Whose daughter is she?"

As he asked this question, he kept thinking about which minister in the court could rival the current Regent, who was at the height of his power.

After much thought... in the end, there was still no result.

Her gaze toward Qu Shaoyu carried a warning.

"Your Majesty, you should know that this is a special time, not a time for you to indulge in personal feelings."

Qu Shaoyu looked at her with a firm gaze mixed with a hint of displeasure.

"Mother, you don't need to worry about choosing an empress. Just stay in the palace and rest well."

"If you need anything, just let me know. I have other things to do and can't talk any more. I'll visit you again next time."

The Empress Dowager watched Qu Shaoyu's resolute back and sighed deeply.

He took out a jade pendant from his pocket and held it tightly in his hand.

"My late emperor! What should I do?"

Her answer was a quiet room and wisps of incense smoke rising from the incense burner.

Qu Shaoyu, sitting in the sedan chair, had a pale face.

He coughed frequently, covering his mouth, looking truly sickly.

The guards, palace servants, and eunuchs around them all acted as if it were nothing out of the ordinary.

After returning to his palace, he dismissed the palace servants and eunuchs who had been attending him.

Qu Shaoyu's complexion returned to normal at a speed visible to the naked eye.

There was no longer any gesture of covering one's mouth to cough, and there was no coughing sound at all.

Looking up in the palace, she searched for a while, but did not see the white figure she longed for.

Only then did he walk to the front of the painting and speak softly.

"Brother Qing, are you there?"

A moment later, Ning Qing's voice came from the painting.

"Um".

Qu Shaoyu's eyes lit up.

"Brother Qing, I haven't been inside the painting for so long, I miss it terribly, please let me in."

A flash of white light appeared on the scroll, and Qu Shaoyu, who was standing in front of it, disappeared from the spot.

When Qu Shaoyu opened his eyes, he saw Ning Qing, dressed in white, leaning against the chaise lounge, exuding a languid yet beautiful air.

His background was a cluster of flowers blooming in full glory, vying for attention.

There was also a hazy, empty space; everything was so beautiful it seemed unreal.

Qu Shaoyu was shocked and panicked.

He strode over, grabbed Ning Qing's hand, and held it tightly in his palm.

She called out urgently, "Brother Qing!"

Ning Qing looked puzzled, then stretched out two fingers and twirled a strand of his black hair that fell across his chest.

"What's wrong?".

Qu Shaoyu stared intently at her.

"Brother Qing, can I hug you?"

Ning Qing smiled and raised her eyebrows slightly.

Is my wife really this proactive? It's just... exactly what I wanted.

"It's not that I can't let you hug me, but..."

My gaze fell on his pink lips.

Qu Shaoyu understood and kissed Ning Qing on the cheek.

"Is it okay now?"