In Deyang Palace, Liu Hong chatted with Lü Bu and others until dusk, completely unaware of their surroundings.

It wasn't until Xiao Hong, a female official from Chang Le Palace, arrived that Liu Hong remembered that today was the day he was supposed to have dinner with Dou Miao and Dong Shi.

Liu Hong looked at Xiao Hong and said with a smile, "Go and tell the Empress Dowager and the others to prepare more food. I will take Fengxian and the others with me in a while!"

"promise!"

Although surprised, Xiaohong didn't ask any further questions and immediately accepted the order and left.

"Your Majesty, we thank you for your great favor!"

Lü Bu, Gao Shun, and others hurriedly bowed to express their gratitude.

The fact that the emperor could invite them to dine with the empress dowager clearly showed that he treated them as his own family, which deeply moved them.

Lu Bu, on the other hand, was moved, but couldn't help thinking of Yan Jin and Lu Zhen who were left at the inn, and a hint of worry flashed in his eyes.

Liu Hong, who had been watching Lü Bu's movements closely, smiled slightly, then summoned a young eunuch and said with a laugh, "Go to the inn and bring Miss Yan and the others over. Be quick!"

"promise!"

The eunuch accepted the order and quickly ran outside.

"Your Majesty, I thank you!"

Upon seeing this, Lü Bu bowed again with a grateful expression.

"Oh, Fengxian, no need for such formalities!"

Liu Hong quickly helped Lü Bu up, looking at this future greatest warrior of the Han Dynasty with a smile in his eyes.

Afterwards, Liu Hong chatted happily with everyone again.

Inside the inn, as dusk fell and Lü Bu still hadn't returned, Yan Jin couldn't help but show a hint of worry on his face.

I'm hungry!

Meanwhile, Lü Zhen, who was standing to the side, rubbed her now-flat stomach, pouted, and looked at Yan Jin with a wronged expression.

Yan Jin walked over and hugged Lü Zhen in his arms: "Zhen'er, be good, let's wait for your brother to come back before we eat, okay?"

"good!!"

Lü Zhen nodded obediently.

Just then, a group of Imperial Guards escorted two carriages from the palace to the gate of the guesthouse. The eunuch next to the carriages did not dare to delay and quickly walked into the guesthouse, heading straight for the room where Yan Jin and Lü Zhen were.

Upon seeing the two women, the young eunuch politely bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.

"Miss Yan, Miss Lü, His Majesty has specially ordered me to invite you two to the palace to dine with General Lü and the others!"

"Okay!!"

Yan Jin nodded blankly, then boarded the carriage leading to the palace with Lü Zhen.

After entering the palace, the usually lively and carefree Lü Zhen became quiet and let the eunuch carry her all the way to Deyang Palace.

"This humble woman, Yan Jin, greets Your Majesty!"

"Greetings!"

Lu Zhen, standing to the side, also imitated Yan Jin by bowing and paying homage to Liu Hong.

"No need for formalities!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After bowing, Liu Hong looked at Lü Zhen with a smile.

Lu Zhen blinked her big, watery eyes and looked at Liu Hong with curiosity.

Looking at the porcelain doll-like Xiao Lü Zhen and recalling her pitiful background, Liu Hong felt an inexplicable surge of affection in his heart, and like Lü Bu, he instantly became a doting brother.

Suddenly, Liu Hong beckoned to Lü Zhen as if by magic, saying, "Zhen'er, come here, I'm coming here!"

"Um!"

Lü Zhen wasn't shy at all. She nodded her little head and then ran towards Liu Hong.

"Ouch! Slow down!"

Seeing this, Liu Hong smiled and stepped forward, picking Lü Zhen up in his arms.

This scene left Lü Bu, Gao Shun, and the others speechless.

None of them expected that the emperor, the most noble person in the entire world, would be just like them, so easily captivated by the lovely Lü Zhen.

Therefore, Liu Hong's actions not only did not affect his dignified image in the eyes of the people, but also added a touch of friendliness.

"Brother Emperor, it smells so good!"

Holding Liu Hong in his arms, Lü Zhen sniffed and tilted her head to look down, immediately spotting the sachet at Liu Hong's waist.

"Huh? Zhen'er's little nose is pretty sensitive, she can smell this?"

Liu Hong let out a soft "hmm," then chuckled and pinched Lü Zhen's little nose.

"Mmm, it smells delicious!"

Lü Zhen nodded, her little nose still twitching, as if she really liked the smell.

"Haha~ Although Zhen'er likes it, I can't give it to you. How about I ask for another one for Zhen'er in a few days?"

"good!!"

Lü Zhen nodded, her sweet voice making Liu Hong's heart flutter.

Lu Bu and the others, standing to the side, couldn't help but exchange bewildered glances as they watched the Emperor and Lu Zhen be so intimate.

"Alright, Zhen'er and the others have arrived. All of you, please come with me to have a meal!"

As he spoke, Liu Hong carried Lü Zhen out of the hall, and Lü Bu and the others quickly followed.

"Brother Emperor, what is that place for?"

"Oh, that's a garden, with lots of beautiful flowers!"

"Where?"

"There's a lotus pond there, and lots of beautiful fish in it!"

On the way to Changle Palace, Lü Zhen, who was being carried by Liu Hong, looked around curiously and kept asking questions.

Liu Hong, meanwhile, tirelessly answered Lü Zhen's various questions.

The palace maids and eunuchs attending to Lü Zhen looked at her with awe.

Soon, the group arrived at Chang Le Palace, and a young eunuch quickly approached Liu Hong's side.

"Your Majesty, please entrust the little princess to this servant!"

Because Lü Zhen had been calling the Emperor "brother" repeatedly, the eunuch naturally mistook her for a princess.

"All right!!"

Liu Hong nodded, then looked at Lü Zhen with affection and said with a smile, "Zhen'er, be a good girl when you go inside, okay?"

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