"Your servant, Rong Qing, has returned to report."

Rong Qing tried his best but still failed to return to the capital within the one-month deadline.

He could have just defeated them and left, but those remnants were cunning and difficult to deal with.

Rather than coming back to ask for a reward, he hoped that His Majesty's regime would be stable, so he stayed to completely wipe out the remnants of the bandits. He also cleared out several bandit dens along the way. By the time he came back, almost two months had passed.

Although I feel a little regretful that I cannot ask for a reward, it is enough that I am back and can continue to stay by His Majesty's side.

Xiao Li got down from his seat and helped Rong Qing up personally: "Thank you for your hard work."

Rong Qing stood up and said sternly, "As long as your majesty orders, I will not refuse even if it means death."

Xiao Li smiled and said, "Alright, you blockhead."

Rong Qing knew that he was a little unromantic, but he was not stupid. Maybe he could not get more benefits from His Majesty in this way, but this distance must be the most comfortable for him to get along with His Majesty.

Your Majesty will not be distressed, and he will always be by your side.

The best thing is to remain unchanged.

Seeing that he was exhausted, Xiao Li said, "Go wash up and come back to see me."

Xiao Li drove Rong Qing away, then turned around and ordered people to prepare wine and food to welcome Rong Qing.

Rong Qing had left the army and came back early on his own. The welcoming banquet had not been prepared yet, but since he had met them, there would naturally be wine and food.

Song Junzhan knew that Rong Qing was back, so he hurried over. Rong Qing had just changed his clothes and walked to the door.

Song Junzhan smiled and said, "Congratulations, General Rong, on your victorious return."

While speaking, he also took a special look at Rong Qing's pupils. Although he had received news a long time ago that Rong Qing's pupils had turned silver for some reason, it was still magical to see it with his own eyes. It was not just the color of his pupils that changed, his whole temperament seemed to be more noble.

Rong Qing nodded: "You are too polite, Prime Minister."

The two entered side by side. The food and drinks were already prepared, but there were only two seats.

Song Junzhan didn't react at first, and went up to greet Xiao Li, but when he came out and saw someone adding seats, he suddenly understood.

He probably shouldn't have come, but the position has been added...

The three of them sat down.

Rong Qing raised his glass to toast the empress. They drank and talked about the border affairs.

Rong Qing was talking about the battles in Yizhou after the Empress left. Although battle reports were sent back, written reports were never as clear as oral accounts.

Song Junzhan also read the battle report. He understood most of what Rong Qing said, but he couldn't get a word in.

It was as if there was an invisible wall separating the Empress and Rong Qing; they had a unique aura when getting along with each other.

He looked at the empress, her expression calm and her smile indifferent, no different from usual.

But Rong Qing, even though he was dull and calm enough, the tenderness and affection in his silver eyes could not be concealed.

It wasn't like this before.

Your Majesty and Rong Qing...

Song Junzhan was absent-minded and left the table first.

After coming out, he met Lou Yan and Yang Jun who was standing next to Lou Yan.

Judging from Yang Jun's appearance, he had obviously been interrogated.

Song Junzhan: "General Yang, Your Majesty and General Rong?"

No need to explain, everyone knows what he wants to ask.

Yang Jun helplessly spread his hands: "You two don't need to force me to ask, I don't know either."

"Your Majesty encountered sand bandits at the edge of the Northern Cang Desert. The bandits were no match for the Silver Armor Guards, but as luck would have it, quicksand appeared at the time. Your Majesty was in danger, and Rong Qing risked everything to save him. They were missing for nearly five days, and by the time we received the news, they had already appeared in Yizhou City."

"Only His Majesty and Rong Qing know what happened in between. Anyway, I don't dare to ask them."

Although he was curious about this matter, he did not have any obsession. Anyway, he knew that the relationship between Rong Qing and His Majesty had taken a step forward, which was enough.

He added in his heart: As a good brother, he stands with Rong Qing!

----

At night, in the emperor's bedroom.

A snow-white jade foot exerted great force and kicked the insatiable bastard out.

"That's enough~"

On the big bed, Xiao Li wrapped himself in a thin silk quilt and sat up on the pillow.

His skin was damp with sweat, and his hair was sticking to his cheeks.

Although she looked dissatisfied, she could not hide her charming and seductive nature.

She brushed her wet hair and lowered her eyes to look at someone who crawled over and hugged her waist.

"Tell me, what's the fuss?"

The voice was slightly hoarse, with an alluring and charming ending, but it did not allow for any objection.

If you have something to say, you should say it. If you mess with her, you deserve to be punished!

Lou Yan tightened his grip and said in a dull voice, "Your Majesty, having a servant is not enough. What do you like about Rong Qing?"

Forget about Song Junzhan, but why is there another Rong Qing?

This is vinegar.

Xiao Li raised his head and sneered in annoyance: "Why do you have to mention others when my mind is full of you?"

She does things based on her own preferences. At this moment, her body and mind are occupied by him, but he wants her to think about why she likes someone else?

There's something wrong with my brain.

Lou Yan froze. This was something he had not expected.

He stood up, embraced her in his arms again, looked down at her, there was a rekindled fire in his narrow eyes, and a greedy and insatiable desire on his seductive and evil face.

"Your Majesty is right. I have disturbed your pleasure. I come to atone for my sin."

Xiao Li wanted to slap him, but finally gave up, thinking it was a waste of energy.

After a night of pleasure, Lou Yan exhausted the empress's energy and stayed in the dragon bed with his ability.

At breakfast the next day, Song Junzhan and Rong Qing also came. Lou Yan sat closest to Xiao Li, looking very proud.

During the entire breakfast, the other two watched Lou Yan serve food to the empress and felt full without eating.

He ate it mechanically, bite by bite, like chewing wax.

Xiao Li pretended not to see anything and ate his meal without distraction.

She knew what they were thinking, but she wouldn't point it out.

Love is not government. It is impossible to treat everyone equally, and it is impossible to satisfy everyone.

She would not give them the marriage, children, or status they wanted, and similarly, she would not force anyone.

They are willing to get close to her, can touch her heart, and make something happen, and it is consensual.

If they couldn't accept it, they could just step back, take everything they had and leave, get married, have children, and live the life they wanted. She would never interfere, let alone hunt them down in a narrow-minded way.

In Xiao Li's heart, he was always certain that one day he would leave this world, perhaps in the distant future, or perhaps tomorrow.

She will not give birth to children in this world, nor will she leave behind too many emotions.

If she leaves, she will never come back, and these people still have to live and have their own lives, and she will not force them to remain chaste for her.

Life is long and you will meet many people. Any passionate emotion is just a part of life.

When you encounter it, follow your heart and enjoy it.

We left without any regrets and were happy.