Xuan Ling put down the jade cup and said, "Yan Yan, I know what happened last night."

Sheng Xiyan curled her lips and said coquettishly, "Your Majesty knows that I will definitely come to see you before the morning court, right?"

Xuan Ling chuckled:

"Yes, I've been excited all night knowing you're coming. Look, do I have dark circles under my eyes?"

Sheng Xiyan gently stroked his lower eyelid with her fingers.

Xuan Ling paused, his tone becoming more dignified. "I intend to change Su Yu's death sentence to exile three thousand miles away. What do you think?"

Sheng Xiyan nodded: "I have no objection."

"That's fine, let the Queen Mother remember that this is your love."

Xuan Ling deliberately probed, "My dear, what are you going to do later?"

He longed for her to answer that she would stay and wait for him to come back, but Sheng Xiyan smiled and said, "I want to take a walk while returning to Guanju Palace."

Xuan Ling's heart sank, but he didn't show it on his face. He just asked softly, "What do you want to eat today?"

Sheng Xiyan tilted her head and thought for a moment, then said in a delicate voice, "I want to eat shredded chicken and golden sprout spring rolls."

Xuan Ling nodded: "I'll bring you lunch."

He took her hand and walked out of the Yangxin Palace together. He straightened her clothes and carefully reminded her: "Watch your step when you walk."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will."

After boarding the imperial carriage, Xuan Ling instructed Eunuch Fu: "After the morning court session, have Marquis Wu'an go to the imperial kitchen to prepare a spring dish with shredded chicken and golden sprouts."

Eunuch Fu secretly saw that the emperor looked unhappy and sighed in his heart:

In order to make the imperial concubine eat well, the emperor actually asked another man to cook for his beloved woman. How painful must our emperor feel.

After the morning court session, Xuan Ling returned to the Yangxin Palace, and Wu Yuanpan came to check on his pulse.

"How is the imperial concubine's pulse?"

Judge Wu replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, both the imperial concubine and the dragon fetus are in good health."

Xuan Ling pondered for a moment and then asked, "Why would a woman only want to eat food cooked by a certain person when she's pregnant?"

Judge Wu was stunned and hesitated, not daring to answer.

Xuan Ling said calmly, "Just say it."

Judge Wu said cautiously:

"Your Majesty, from a medical perspective, this is a deep-seated attachment... and unconditional love."

Xuan Ling's heart sank, and he felt a chill spreading in his chest. His heart was clenched and couldn't relax.

He should have guessed that Sheng Xiyan still remembered her past with Qi Yan and still relied on him.

In the imperial kitchen, Qi Yan meticulously prepared the shredded chicken and golden sprout spring dish, paying great attention to every step.

He had been deliberately making changes to the food he cooked these days, fearing that Sheng Xiyan would find out it was made by him, which would cause a conflict between her and Emperor Xuanwu.

That's right, Sheng Xiyan didn't notice it, and only praised the chef in the imperial kitchen for understanding her taste more and more.

For two consecutive days, Xuan Ling was depressed.

Late at night, I was playing the xiao alone in Sanchunhui. The tune was so sad that it made Eunuch Fu wipe away tears.

Love brings happiness, but also torture. Let’s ask ourselves – is this love necessary?

Eunuch Fu knelt down,

"Your Majesty, why don't you turn over the cards? Don't hold yourself back and hurt yourself. Have you forgotten that you became ill from depression and hurt your body? I beg you to take care of your body.

"As a servant, you are the emperor, and you should be generous to everyone and have many children. The ladies in the six palaces are all looking forward to receiving your favor. Why do you torture yourself? Alas..."

Xuan Ling grabbed a soft pillow and threw it at him, "You little slave, are you teaching me how to do things?"

"No, I dare not. If there is really no one in the palace who is satisfactory, how about the selection of concubines after the plague is over?"

Xuan Ling put down the xiao and fell into thoughts every night.

Although he seems to be in a strong position with Sheng Xiyan, he actually cannot live without Sheng Xiyan.

After a long time, he ordered:

"Tomorrow at noon, in Yijing Garden, let Concubine Min play the pipa and Concubine Cui play the guqin. Then bring the imperial concubine over to enjoy together. I want to relax."

Eunuch Fu nodded in agreement, but he felt helpless about the emperor's deep love.