All eyes in the hall instantly focused on this, and even the music seemed to soften.

Many of those present were aware of the immense favor Maggie enjoyed during her heyday.

One has to admire this woman's skill; she returned to the emperor's sight in an extremely dazzling manner.

Lu Xingjian looked down at her, his deep eyes revealing no emotion.

He slowly raised his hand and accepted the glass of wine.

The glass cups refracted a mesmerizing light under the palace lanterns.

He raised his cup, the sleeves of his dragon robe falling naturally, just covering his lips.

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, as if he had drunk it all.

He then casually handed the empty cup back to the eunuch standing beside him.

"The Ma family's horsemanship and archery are indeed exceptional." Lu Xingjian's voice was flat and emotionless, revealing no hint of praise or criticism.

Ma Ji's face blossomed into a bright smile, like a peony in full bloom: "Your Majesty flatters me; I am unworthy of such praise."

She bowed deeply once more, her eyes and brows radiating undisguised smugness, before gracefully withdrawing.

During the banquet, Lu Xingjian, citing his inability to hold his liquor, went to the "Chengrui Zhai," a quiet room specially set aside for the emperor deep in the West Garden, to rest for a while.

Inside Chengrui Studio, the underfloor heating system created a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Lu Xingjian dismissed all the servants and entered the inner room alone.

He did not lie down, but stood by the window with his hands behind his back, looking at the thin ice that had formed on the Taiye Pond outside the window.

Before long, extremely faint footsteps, tinged with hesitation, approached from afar and stopped outside the tightly closed palace doors.

Then, the door was carefully pushed open a crack.

Maggie's figure slipped in silently like a slippery fish, then quickly closed the door behind her.

The room was dimly lit, with only a palace lantern in the corner emitting a hazy glow.

Lu Xingjian chuckled softly.