Chapter 412 Robust Imperial Husband Wan Ling Siran's heart was burning from her words, "I only need you." Before he could react, Zi Xi pulled him to sit on the simple soft couch covered with soft animal skin inside the tent.

She also sat down sideways, her arms still wrapped around his waist, almost leaning against him.

This intimate posture caused Ling Siran's heartbeat, which had just calmed down a little, to race again.

He was tall, much taller than her even when sitting, but now he was being held by her like a giant doll, not knowing where to put his hands and feet, his whole body tense.

Zi Xi felt his stiffness and couldn't help but chuckle. She looked up at his strong jawline and his ears, which were flushed with a suspicious blush, and deliberately tickled his firm waist with her fingertips.

"Fool."

"Those treasures and maps are to be presented to the Empress Dowager to enrich the national treasury and bring peace to the world."

Zi Xi's voice was tinged with laughter, lazy and affectionate.

She paused, withdrew her fingers that had been teasing him, and instead placed her palm on his chest.

These words are more impactful than any sweet talk.

Ling Siran looked down at the undisguised tenderness on her face.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and he awkwardly raised his uninjured arm, carefully embracing her in return.

The movements were so gentle, as if touching a rare treasure.

Zi Xi was extremely satisfied with his belated response, and a bright smile bloomed on her face.

She adjusted to a more comfortable position in his arms, pressed her cheek against his warm neck, took a deep breath of his clean scent, and tightened her grip on his hand that was intertwined with hers.

Ling Siran was initially a little stiff, but gradually, with her completely trusted embrace, her body slowly relaxed.

He felt the soft, fragrant body in his arms, and the warmth of her touch on his fingertips. An unprecedented sense of happiness and security enveloped him like a warm current.

Ling Siran tightened his arms slightly, holding her firmly in his embrace, his chin gently resting on the top of her head as he closed his eyes.

At this moment, fame, fortune, gossip, and all other things become distant and unimportant.

Only the woman in his arms was the most precious thing in Ling Siran's life.

Several months later, the Empress and her husband held a grand abdication ceremony at the Taiji Hall.

Looking at Zi Xi and Ling Siran beside her, the Empress and her husband exchanged a smile, their eyes filled with immense relief and contentment.

Their daughter spent more than a decade in seclusion, growing into a wise ruler capable of shouldering the responsibility of this vast empire.

Zi Xi ascended the throne as emperor and changed the era name to Shengshi.

After ascending the throne, with the support of Ling Siran, General Ling, and a group of insightful female officials who were impressed by Zi Xi's ideals, the new emperor promulgated a series of new policies that shook the court and the country.

The requirement that men must marry at the age of 22 and pay a hefty fine was abolished, and freedom of choice in marriage and love was encouraged.

Academies were established, allowing men to enroll and participate in the reformed, gender-neutral imperial examinations, with positions based on merit.

Enact laws to severely punish discrimination and abuse of men based on their fertility scores.

The system of publicly disclosing fertility values ​​will be gradually abolished.

These new policies have created ripples in many directions.

Despite obstruction from conservative forces, the policy was eventually implemented steadily thanks to Zi Xi's strong push, Ling Siran's military support, and the growing support from enlightened officials and citizens who benefited from the new policy.

The atmosphere in Feng Kingdom has been renewed, and more and more men are able to step out of their secluded chambers and display their talents.

A snowy night many years later.

In the familiar private room of Tingxuelou, the charcoal fire was burning brightly, making it as warm as spring.

Now dressed in casual clothes, Zi Xi, whose temperament was more composed, sat opposite Ling Siran by the window, who was still upright but with a more peaceful and gentle look in his eyes, watching the snowflakes falling softly outside.

Do you remember this place?

Zi Xi suddenly spoke, her voice carrying a hint of nostalgic laughter.

"I remember back then... Your Highness, would you like to enjoy this peaceful and prosperous era together?"

Ling Siran nodded, looking at her with gentle eyes.

"right."