Su Wanwan asked in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty?"

Lu Xingjian whispered, "Don't move."

He carried her through the doorway and down the hallway, turning back and forth until they reached another room.

When Su Wanwan was put back on the bed, she was completely stunned and said anxiously and shyly:

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!"

Lu Xingjian pinned her beneath him, kissing her eyes and the tip of her nose repeatedly, his voice low and husky:

"What can't you do?"

"We can't sleep together anymore!"

Su Wanwan's eyes reddened, and she pushed his shoulders with both hands.

Lu Xingjian looked at her with a dark and dangerous gaze:

"We could never."

Tears rolled down Su Wanwan's cheeks, and her heart ached.

Their relationship was never permitted or blessed.

Not accepted by others, not tolerated by the world.

Lu Xingjian's hot breath hit her ear, and he asked, his breath unsteady:

"So what?"

Don't you want it?

His lips traveled down her face and neck, setting fire to her entire body.

Su Wanwan choked back tears in anguish and vehemently denied it.

"No, I don't want to!"

But his body was trembling with pleasure.

Even though she was resisting him, the two of them moved closer together, unleashing a long-suppressed desire.

Two people who have once been deeply in love will find their bodies involuntarily fluttering for each other.

Her slender body twisted in his arms, so soft, so beautiful and moving.

“Wanwan,” he whispered in her ear, his breath coming in short gasps as he gripped her hand tightly.

"You are mine."

"Don't leave me!"

Su Wanwan closed her eyes, tilted her head back, and cried as she said:

"no!"

I don't like you!

"I want to go home!"

Lu Xingjian held her tightly, his voice hoarse and his face contorted with suppressed pain.

But it was extremely domineering.

"You don't like it, not at all."

"So what? I still want you!"

...

The next day, when the sun was high in the sky, they still hadn't gotten up.

He kissed her lips and asked in a hoarse voice, "Does your leg still hurt? Should we call the imperial physician?"

He was very careful last night, but he was also worried that he might hurt her when he got carried away with his feelings.

The imperial physician's warning still made him somewhat worried.

Su Wanwan didn't even have the strength to move her fingers, her voice soft and shy:

"have no idea."

What kind of answer is that?

Lu Xingjian thought for a moment, "Then we should see the imperial physician."

Su Wanwan buried her face in the blanket, unsure how to face him.

We'll hide as long as we can.

He didn't go to the morning court session again today.

If people find out it's because the two of them were having an affair, she'll probably be called a femme fatale.

Lu Xingjian kissed the back of her fair neck.

He asked slowly, "Would you like to come to the Imperial Study with me today?"

Su Wanwan was stunned for a moment.

Lu Xingjian said, "Now that you are a maidservant in the Qianqing Palace, you should be on duty. You can't just eat for free."

Su Wanwan: "But you said you would take me home?"

What he said last night while we were doing errands startled her.

I need to confirm with him again this morning.

"You did well, and I'll send you home sooner." Lu Xingjian said calmly.

Su Wanwan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

What men say in bed is really just casual talk; there's no need to take it to heart.

The longer she stayed in the palace, the greater the danger she faced.

Given Lu Xingjian's current attitude of not wanting to conceal their relationship at all, neither Empress Dowager Zhang nor Empress Xia will let her off easily.

She needs to find a way to leave the palace as soon as possible to protect herself.

As for eliminating the Xia family, that will be discussed later.

Lu Xingjian pressed his lips against hers again, and only released them after a long while:

"If you behave well for one day, we will send you back a day earlier."

Su Wanwan looked into his eyes: "Do you mean what you say?"

“Hmm.” Lu Xingjian’s expression was serious.

Even if you're reluctant to leave, you'll still have to go.

Su Wanwan paused, then held out her finger, "Let's pinky swear."

She finally revealed a bit of her girlish charm.

Lu Xingjian raised an eyebrow and chuckled, then made a pinky promise with her: "Pinky promise, no take-backs, whoever does is a puppy."

Su Wanwan: "..."

She couldn't help but chuckle as she pictured Lu Xingjian barking like a dog.

While having breakfast, Lu Xingjian asked Steward Li to summon the imperial physician.

Seeing Su Wanwan eating with reluctance, like a bird pecking at food, he asked in a low voice:

"Not to your liking?"

There was a wide variety of breakfast options, including some food that had been specially bought from outside. The table was filled with food, most of which were Su Wanwan's favorites.

Su Wanwan shook her head listlessly.

Lu Xingjian gracefully ladled a bowl of soup and placed it in front of her:

"Finish it."

Because there were outsiders present, Su Wanwan didn't say anything and drank the whole bowl of soup.

Lu Xingjian ate his meal quietly, his gaze subtly fixed on her, a slight smile playing on his lips.

The imperial physician examined Su Wanwan's legs and finally said:

"The recovery is going well. Keep it up, and next month you can try walking a few steps."

This is good news.

After dinner, they went to the Imperial Study. Lu Xingjian walked in front, and Su Wanwan followed behind in her wheelchair.

After entering through the back door, there is a huge rosewood screen painted with magnificent landscapes and seas.

Su Wanwan turned her wheelchair herself and followed Lu Xingjian around the screen, her whole body tense up.

Two rows of red-robed cabinet ministers were already waiting in the Imperial Study, the scene solemn and dignified.

The cabinet was headed by Li Dongqian, who was in his sixties, followed by Jiao Fang, the vice minister who was over seventy, and Wang Ao, who was in his fifties.

The Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs also had several elderly eunuchs on its side.

Lu Xingjian walked calmly toward the imperial desk.

All the cabinet ministers knelt down in unison to pay their respects.

Lu Xingjian turned around and glanced at Su Wanwan, gesturing for her to follow.

Su Wanwan then came to her senses, turned her wheelchair and followed him to the imperial desk, her expression solemn.

After Lu Xingjian sat down, he said calmly, "My beloved ministers, please rise."

Su Wanwan braced herself and endured the gazes of these highly trusted officials.

Li Dongqian stepped forward first:

"This old minister is frail and ill, and once again earnestly requests to resign from office."

Lu Xingjian picked up a folded document from the table and handed it to Su Wanwan, indicating that she should give it to Li Dongqian.

"Grand Secretary Li has been a tutor for many years and his virtue and prestige have long been established. I rely on him deeply and he should not refuse again. I hereby issue an imperial edict to Li Dongqian, who is the Junior Tutor, Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, Minister of Personnel, and Grand Secretary of the Hall of Literary Glory, and shall be granted an additional rank in salary."

Su Wanwan turned her wheelchair and respectfully presented the memorial to Li Dongqian.

Next, Lu Xingjian added the titles of Junior Tutor and Grand Tutor to the other two Grand Secretaries, and rewarded the eunuchs of the Directorate of Ceremonial by appointing their fathers as Commanders of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Su Wanwan had mixed feelings.

It was a welcome development that the emperor granted these important officials several additional salaries.

But he allowed himself to show his face and get involved.

It's obvious they're carrying her on a sedan chair.

It was a silent declaration: Su Wanwan has my protection.

After the cabinet ministers left, Lu Xingjian asked her to grind ink beside the imperial desk.

The two were standing very close. He glanced at her and asked, "Tired?"