Xuan Ling walked over and stood behind her, just a few feet away, "I'll let her go."

He took the book from her hand and placed it easily in the empty space, smelling the scent of tuberose blended with her body fragrance.

Sheng Xiyan thought he would walk away after putting it away, so she turned around suddenly, but he was still standing there motionless, causing her to bump into his chest.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I didn't mean it."

A peach-like blush appeared on her flustered white face, and her eyes were rippling, watery and charming.

Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and her soft-angled lips were as tender and juicy as rose petals.

Xuan Ling stared at her with his dark eyes. He forgot what to do for a moment and only felt his mouth was a little dry.

Sheng Xiyan's heart beat faster, as if time had stopped. Should she take the initiative to kiss the emperor?

Tuberose and ambergris blend perfectly in the small space, and Xuan Ling's ears are faintly red.

She tentatively said, "Your Majesty, I have finished packing and should go back. It is time for the general to wake up."

"good."

Did he agree? Sheng Xiyan quickened her pace to leave the palace, then returned to put away the porcelain cup. Eunuch Fu, observing her expression from the doorway, came in with a food box and helped her pack the utensils.

"Master Sheng, take care."

Looking back, there's something wrong with our emperor. He looks like he's lost in thought, unlike his usual majestic and stern self. What's that expression?

Hua Xia was waiting at the door. Seeing Sheng Xiyan, she took the lunch box and said, "My lady, are you feeling hot? Why is your face a little red?"

Sheng Xiyan touched her face and it was a little hot. The emperor's ears were red just now, he must be moved.

Hua Xia guessed that something must have happened and laughed secretly behind him.

This expression was the one she had before she got engaged to the Second Master.

The next day, at noon, in Zhongcui Palace.

The palace maid said, "Concubine Sheng is really good at showing off. She goes to the imperial kitchen every day to prepare medicinal food and send it to the Yangxin Palace."

Concubine Shu's eyes darkened as she glanced out the gauze window. Xuan Ling hadn't been to Zhongcui Palace for more than a month, and the atmosphere was desolate everywhere.

She ordered, "Pack up the pine nut and lily pastry that the kitchen just made. I'll take it to the Emperor. It's just in time for his afternoon tea."

"Yes, my lady."

At the entrance of the Yangxin Palace, Concubine Shu took out a jade plate of cakes from the food box.

Eunuch Fu said, "Your Majesty, please wait a moment. I will go in and report."

Inside the palace, "Your Majesty, Consort Shu is here to bring you some refreshments."

Xuan Ling said, "Let him in."

Concubine Shu came in with a jade dish in her hand and saw the woman in purple clothes tidying up at the dragon table, while Emperor Xuanwu was drinking soup on the soft couch.

"Long live the emperor."

She placed the jade dish in front of Xuan Ling and said softly, "The Emperor is enjoying a medicinal meal, which is perfect with this pine nut and lily pastry. It contains plum pork, egg yolk, and pine nuts, and it's crispy and fragrant."

Xuan Ling said nothing and continued to drink his soup.

Sheng Xiyan came out from the dragon table and bowed, saying, "Long live the Empress Shufei."

Concubine Shu pretended to be surprised and said, "Concubine Sheng is also here, I didn't see her."

Sheng Xiyan said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I have packed up and will go back first."

Xuan Ling nodded, and personally placed a set of soup bowls and handed them to her. Their fingers touched lightly, and Sheng Xiyan walked out the door.

Xuan Ling stood up and stretched. Concubine Shu said softly, "Your Majesty, your shoulders must be sore. Let me give you a massage. I've learned a new massage technique that can relax your muscles."

"It's okay. I'll have Concubine Sheng give me acupuncture tomorrow and she'll feel much better."

Concubine Shu felt jealous, but said with a smile, "I am most happy that Concubine Sheng has won the favor of the Emperor. Ayan will also be relieved if he knows this in the afterlife."

After hearing this, Emperor Xuanwu's face instantly showed annoyance. Concubine Shu saw a brocade handkerchief under the dragon table and bent down to pick it up.

The apricot-colored handkerchief carried a rich fragrance. Concubine Shu said, "This is Concubine Sheng's handkerchief. I still remember that Ah Yan once picked many tuberose flowers for her to make perfume. I didn't expect that she still retains this fragrance."