Su Wanwan pursed her lips, remained silent for a few moments, and finally said, "Yes."

Lu Xingjian stared at her for a while, took a sip of wine, and remained calm and composed.

"Gu Ziyu is witty and humorous; he would make a good husband."

"The Gu family has a strict family tradition, deep roots, and a thriving family, so it would be a good place for them to settle down."

"If you need me to investigate his background, I am happy to help."

"After all, we're friends, and I don't want you to marry the wrong person again and live a miserable life."

Su Wanwan paused slightly, feeling a bit ironic.

I never expected that he would contact her just to talk about this.

Lu Xingjian put down the wine pot in his hand, rested his elbows on his knees, leaned forward slightly, and looked at her with a serious expression.

It was as if they were completely thinking of her best interests.

"Think it over carefully."

Su Wanwan stared intently at his face, pondering whether his words were sincere or had another meaning.

However, she didn't see anything.

She said calmly, "There's no need for that. Ziyu and I have known each other since childhood. I trust him."

Lu Xingjian narrowed his eyes slightly, a cool smile curving his lips, and quietly clenched his fist.

The atmosphere inside the room was so quiet it was almost oppressive.

After a long silence, he simply said, "Whatever you say."

Su Wanwan spoke up: "This servant's leg ailment has not yet healed, and I am unable to fulfill the duties of a female official. I beg Your Majesty to allow this servant to leave the palace and return home."

Lu Xingjian frowned, glanced at her lightly, and said in a flat tone:

"I'm afraid it will take some time before the turmoil in the Xu family subsides. Staying in the palace to avoid the storm won't do you any harm."

Su Wanwan remained silent.

Since he had no intention of keeping her here for long, it was only a matter of time before he left the palace.

She doesn't need to rush.

Lu Xingjian stood up, said nothing more, and looked at her again. He walked straight past her, carrying the wine pot in his hand, and left her side with an elegant posture.

Su Wanwan turned her wheelchair herself and watched him leave the room, then she followed him out the door.

When she came in, she noticed that all the thresholds between the rooms were gone, which made it easier for her wheelchair to get in and out.

For some reason, her heart started pounding wildly.

The full moon in the sky was now completely covered by dark clouds, and the air was cool and carried the scent of dust.

The raindrops suddenly started falling, and then they fell more and more heavily.

Chief Steward Li looked at the sky and said:

"Your Majesty, the Empress is waiting for you to consummate your marriage at Kunning Palace. This rain is really inconvenient; why don't you wait a while before you leave?"

Lu Xingjian stood on the porch outside the door, watching the rain, and leisurely took a sip of wine:

"Um."

Su Wanwan stood inside the door, quietly watching his retreating figure.

I thought to myself, God really treats him well. Even his drinking movements are so calm and elegant, indescribably beautiful.

With such a husband, the Empress must have a very fulfilling life.

She herself felt somewhat embarrassed.

It's not easy for a wheelchair to cross a threshold or go down a step.

Su Wanwan had to speak up to remind him:

"Chief Steward Li, I should return to Ning Shou Palace now."

Could you arrange for someone to lend a hand?

Steward Li looked somewhat troubled and looked up at the sky:

"Oh, they've all finished their shifts. It's raining heavily right now, and it's not convenient for them to go back to Ning Shou Palace. Why don't you stay here?"

Su Wanwan's expression turned somewhat unpleasant, and she instinctively opened her mouth to refuse:

"Not suitable."

Lu Xingjian turned around and glanced at Su Wanwan before handing the wine pot to Steward Li.

"Go and fetch two umbrellas; I will escort her."

He then strode into the house and reached out to push the wheelchair.

Manager Li quickly gave Su Wanwan a meaningful look.

Su Wanwan's breath hitched, and her heart raced with panic.

If the palace staff saw the emperor escorting her back in the rain...

That would be terrible!

"Never mind, I'll just wait here until the rain stops before we talk about it."

Su Wanwan's eyes flickered for a few seconds before she finally gave in.

His eyes met Lu Xingjian's lowered dark eyes.

His face was expressionless; he was simply asking for her opinion very seriously.

Are you sure?

Su Wanwan awkwardly turned her gaze away: "Mm."

His hand casually rested on the armrest of her wheelchair, touching her hand.

Su Wanwan pulled her hand back.

Lu Xingjian paused for a moment, then stepped forward and grabbed her hand, refusing to let go no matter how much she struggled.

Su Wanwan's heart skipped a beat.

The two people, one standing and the other sitting in a wheelchair, neither moved nor looked at each other, but simply stared at the increasingly heavy rain outside the door.

The autumn rain is continuous, and the chill is gradually deepening.

His hands were large, warm, and moist.

His bones were well-defined, long and strong, and he tightly enveloped her hand.

She lowered her eyes, looking embarrassed at the hand she couldn't break free from, her face growing increasingly red.

Ambiguity lingers in the quiet night.

Because they were backlit, both of their faces were covered in shadow.

All I could hear was the heartbeat getting louder and louder.

Manager Li, with great insight, closed the door behind him.

Su Wanwan panicked even more and looked up at him:

"Let go!"

This time, when she struggled, he let go, but instead picked her up horizontally from the wheelchair and carried her slowly but powerfully into the room.

Su Wanwan's heart was pounding, and she was so flustered that she couldn't speak coherently:

"What, what are you going to do?"

Of course she knew what he wanted to do.

Ever since she discovered that there were no thresholds here, she had a guess in her mind.

She placed her hand against his chest, trying to create distance between them.

However, with her completely embraced by him, how much distance could there be between them?

The heat emanating from him kept seeping through his thin clothes.

It seemed to be melting her.

Lu Xingjian's voice was very soft, low above her head:

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