Gu Ziyu and Su Wanwan finally saw them and went to greet them.

The Empress Dowager's smile was kind and gentle, carrying a hint of reproach and affection:

"Oh, it's Ziyu. You're working today on Mid-Autumn Festival too? Aren't you afraid your elders will scold you?"

Gu Ziyu gently supported Su Wanwan, his smile bright and sunny:

“I was worried that Sister Wanwan would be lonely in the palace, so I specially arranged for someone to take her shift.”

He felt somewhat grateful to the Empress Dowager.

If Renshou Palace hadn't released water, even one of his guards wouldn't have been able to see Sister Wanwan.

The Empress Dowager nodded: "She is a compassionate person."

Lu Xingjian's gaze first fell on Su Wanwan, and he asked in a calm tone:

"Can we walk now?"

Her face was slightly flushed, and fine beads of sweat glistened on the tip of her nose. Her eyes were as shimmering as spring water.

Very fresh and lively.

It reminded him of those intimate old times.

Su Wanwan was a little surprised.

It was quite unusual for him to strike up a conversation with me in front of everyone.

He's been staying at the Ning Shou Palace these past few days, and there hasn't been a single word from him, let alone a single appearance.

"I can't put any weight on my injured leg yet; I can only move a few steps with the help of crutches."

She gave a brief explanation, then added:

"Ziyu is worried that sitting for too long will make me even weaker."

Lu Xingjian then looked at Gu Ziyu.

Gu Ziyu possessed a natural ease and friendliness, and said with a smile:

"Your Majesty, rest assured, this humble servant will absolutely not let Sister Wanwan fall."

Lu Xingjian smiled slightly: "It would be a waste of your talents to trouble you with something like this."

The smile didn't reach his eyes; his eyes were completely cold.

"How could that be? After all, Wanwan is my fiancée. It's only right."

Su Wanwan glanced at Gu Ziyu with a complicated expression.

They hadn't even finished the engagement process when her father, Su Nan, rejected the marriage. How could she be his fiancée?

However, it was only after Gu Fang stepped forward and produced Xu Peng'an's letter that her reputation was salvaged, suggesting that Gu Ziyu had put in a lot of effort behind the scenes.

She was still very grateful to Gu Ziyu.

A cold glint flashed in Lu Xingjian's dark eyes as he ignored Gu Ziyu.

He said to Su Wanwan, "Last year during the archery and horsemanship review at the West Garden, Ziyu hit the target three times in a row and was awarded a gold belt. He is comparable to Zhang Mao, the Duke of Yingguo back then. It is a waste of his talent to be a bodyguard."

Su Wanwan paused, then gripped her cane tightly.

Once, during a secret rendezvous, Lu Xingjian hugged her and spun her around several times, burying his face in the crook of her neck and asking:

"You hit the bullseye five times in a row today, isn't that amazing?"

She didn't understand why at the time, only that he was unusually happy and excited, so she went along with him and praised him for being amazing.

As a result, he went crazy, becoming incredibly passionate and unrestrained, and even insisted on having her stay overnight.

It terrified her, and it took a lot of persuasion before she finally returned to Qingning Palace under the cover of night.

She would never dare to stay overnight away from home.

She felt a little guilty, as if she had spoiled his mood, and thought she would make up for him properly next time they met.

That was probably the closest she ever came to love with him.

For several days in a row, she was so absent-minded that she almost aroused suspicion.

However.

The next time they met, he was gently teaching Xia Xueyi how to paint, and the two of them were very close and intimate.

They were cold to her, not even giving her a second glance.

She felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head, and she almost burst into tears on the spot.

Looking back, I realize how naive I was to think that having sex could lead to feelings; it was utterly ridiculous.

Now, on this auspicious Mid-Autumn Festival, he has married Xia Xueyi, the woman he loves most, and is now the emperor with great power in his hands. He must be happier and more satisfied than when he won five consecutive awards back then, right?

Gu Ziyu's heart tightened.

Does Lu Xingjian not want him to be a palace guard?

If it's not appropriate, then it's not appropriate. If we can send him to a post outside the capital, and find a way to marry Wanwan before taking up his post, that would be like living the life of a god.

He smiled brightly and said, "Your Majesty is too kind. I will not disturb you any longer."

As he spoke, he helped Su Wanwan move to the side of the passageway.

Lu Xingjian's gaze fell on the hand that was supporting Su Wanwan, his face expressionless. "I have something to discuss with her."

Xia Xueyi's face finally crumbled, and she forced a smile as she said:

"Your Majesty is busy with many affairs of state. If there is anything in the inner palace, please give me your instructions."

She really didn't want Lu Xingjian and Su Wanwan to be alone together.

She felt an instinctive hostility towards Su Wanwan.

Lu Xingjian turned to look at her, his expression calm. "This has nothing to do with the Empress. Let's go."

Xia Xueyi's eyes were a little red, but she didn't want to let it go like that.

"Su Wanwan is a palace lady-in-waiting and should be under the Empress's jurisdiction. How could it be unrelated to me?"

Lu Xingjian paused, his eyes turning slightly cold, and a hint of indifference curving his thin lips.

"Does the Empress mean that I cannot interfere in matters of the inner palace?"

That's a bit dangerous.

Xia Xueyi stood frozen in place.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she didn't know how to answer for a moment.

He embarrassed her in front of everyone.

Do they really not see her as the Empress?

The Empress Dowager smoothed things over:

"The Empress manages the harem to share the Emperor's burdens, not to seize his power. Empress, don't get things backwards. Alright, I'm tired, I'll return to the palace now."

The underlying message to Xia Xueyi was quite clear.

Su Wanwan had been standing for quite a while and was almost at her limit.

The minor squabble between the Emperor and Empress was none of her concern. Her gaze merely swept over the Grand Empress Dowager, and she frowned slightly.

After they passed by, Gu Ziyu quickly helped her back into her wheelchair so she could rest.

The two looked up to admire the full moon in the sky.

"Sister Wanwan, I wonder if we'll be able to enjoy the Mid-Autumn Festival moon together again next year at this time?"

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!