Sheng Xiyan put the portraits into the box, which already contained a thick stack.

He smiled and said, "I painted the emperor's portrait to cultivate my Dao heart. There's no need to show it to him. Is the midnight snack ready?"

"Don't worry, my lord. I have installed it as you instructed."

Sheng Xiyan wanted to take advantage of the breakthrough in her relationship with Emperor Xuanwu and strike while the iron is hot to take the relationship to the next level before she could ask for permission to take the imperial examination on behalf of her elder brother.

Hua Xia accompanied her out with a palace lantern. In the yard, Mei Xiang and Aunt Zhang were pickling drunken shrimps.

"My dear, you have a plan for the sky and the earth. A few days ago, the small kitchen was only filled with rotten vegetable leaves and a few handfuls of rice. Now it is full, which is pleasing to the eye. Moreover, you have been promoted to a higher level. That's great."

Yes, everyone in the hall has a smile on their face now, even the general is more excited and happy.

This is probably the sense of abundance brought by a good life.

Sheng Xiyan said with a firm gaze: "I will definitely make sure everyone lives a good life."

In the Yangxin Palace, Xuan Ling read a few memorials and returned to the back hall to rest.

Eunuch Fu came in and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, Miss Sheng is here. Would you like to see her?"

Xuan Ling was a little surprised, "Let her in."

Sheng Xiyan was wearing a soft white gauze dress that gently covered her exquisite and graceful figure, revealing her natural charm and purity.

Xuan Ling waved, "Yan Yan, come here."

Sheng Xiyan put her arms together in front of her, and with her feet moving lightly and synchronously, she jumped in front of him.

Xuan Ling couldn't help laughing, Chun Shan smiled and asked, "Is Yan Yan dressed as the fairy Chang'e today?"

Sheng Xiyan placed her hands on his neck and shrilly said, "No, no, today I am dressed as a female ghost."

She pretended to pinch his neck, stuck out her tongue, rolled her eyes, and shook her head, looking cute and lovely.

Xuan Ling had never seen her so lively before, and he felt even happier. He sat beside the dragon couch and held her on his lap.

"I didn't expect you to come."

Sheng Xiyan put her arms around his neck and leaned against it, saying tenderly, "I was just trying my luck, but I didn't expect to actually see the emperor."

Xuan Ling was moved, kissed her forehead, and hugged her tighter in his arms.

Eunuch Fu came in carrying a food box, "Your Majesty, the midnight snack brought by Lady Sheng has been inspected and is safe to eat."

Xuan Ling was indeed a little hungry at this moment, "So Yanyan is here to feed me, let me see what delicious food you brought."

Sheng Xiyan took out six small dishes and introduced them, "I have prepared the spicy lotus duck, pickled fish breast, spicy vegetarian noodle soup, crystal soap, bean cake, and mung bean and licorice ice water that I promised the emperor a long time ago."

Xuan Ling picked up the jade dishes and tasted them one by one. Eunuch Fu was drooling beside him, but he did not forget to remind him, "Your Majesty, please use less spicy food to prevent your body from getting uncomfortable."

"Get out, you dog slave."

"Get out of here quickly, my servant." Eunuch Fu smiled and left the hall.

Sheng Xiyan sighed and said, "Your Majesty, these are all delicacies that must be found in folk night markets. It's a pity that the curfew starts too early."

Xuan Ling said, "That's easy. I'll issue an order to change the curfew from one watch to three. Is that okay?"

Sheng Xiyan said excitedly, "That's fantastic! Everyone can enjoy the night market without worries, eat and drink, and it can also boost the economy, increase tax revenue, and fill the national treasury, right?"

Xuan Ling touched her head and said, "It's rare that Yanyan has such a heart full of mountains and rivers. She is a gentleman among women."

She also praised the two spicy dishes, saying, "They are fragrant and spicy, but they don't cover up the freshness of the ingredients. They taste really good. Yanyan is thoughtful."

"Your Majesty, please drink some mung bean and licorice ice water to relieve the spiciness."

Sheng Xiyan scooped a spoonful of sugar water and fed it to his mouth. Xuan Ling raised his eyes to meet her gentle smile, and took a sip of the sweet ice drink, surrounded by a spontaneous sense of happiness.

He put down his clothes and pulled her into his arms.

He placed his big hand on the back of her neck and squeezed it gently. Without saying a word, Sheng Xiyan could feel that he was satisfied.

It turns out that the emperor also lacks love. Sheng Xiyan put her arms around him, leaned against his cheek, and the two of them sat quietly leaning against each other.

The agarwood in the gilded dragon incense burner is slowly rising.

"Your Majesty, will you teach me how to play the xiao?"

Xuan Ling tapped her nose and said lovingly, "You were sure you could tell it was me who was blowing it, so why didn't you respond?"

Sheng Xiyan held him and swayed him around, acting coquettishly. "How can I respond when I'm so embarrassed? But I've found comfort in the music Your Majesty played."

"Okay, since Yanyan wants to learn, I will teach her myself."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

On the dragon bed, he held her in his arms and patiently taught her, "Press your hand here and blow, listen to the sound in your ear..."

Sheng Xiyan blew two notes but couldn't get it right. "Why can't I play a clear sound?"

"Don't worry, try to adjust your breathing, let the Qi flow from your Dantian, and use clever strength..."

He held her hand and gave her careful guidance.

Finally, Sheng Xiyan blew out a rich and ethereal sound and said happily, "Your Majesty, I have blown it!"

When he turned his head, his cheek just happened to touch Xuan Ling's chin. Their eyes met brightly. The night was so quiet that they could hear each other's heartbeats.

The xiao in his hand slowly fell on Sheng Xiyan's legs.

He restrained himself and held her lips tightly, from a light touch to a passionate embrace.

Their breaths lingered and intertwined in each other's mouths.

He held her in his arms and slowly lay down, his eyes filled with lust, but he still tried his best to restrain himself.

What he wants is mutual understanding and he is willing to wait a little longer.

Sheng Xiyan rested her hand on his chin, scratched his neck, and whispered tentatively, "Your Majesty, I will."

"What will it be?"

Her pink fingertips gently twisted his collar and said softly, "When I entered the palace, the tutor taught me the rules for serving the emperor."

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