Life in the harem was rather boring. Apart from following Feng Lin every day, Qi Yan had nothing to do.

Occasionally, he would stroll around the harem to see the various sights and "encounter" two concubines who came to say nice things. Qi Yan said he was used to it. However, except for the food, he kept all the things that the concubines used to curry favor with him in his wooden box, and recorded which lady from which palace gave them to him.

Qi Yan didn't think Feng Lin was unaware of the fact that the concubines were currying favor with him and giving him things. But Feng Lin never mentioned it, and it was obvious that he acquiesced to this behavior, so Qi Yan didn't tell Feng Lin.

There were some troubles in the court these days. The Hachi tribe from the Western Territory was invading. The barbarian army of tens of thousands set up camp under the Western Territory city, as if they were going to attack the city. Feng Lin was originally the land of Tianrui, but now he was facing a dangerous situation. Feng Lin was naturally worried.

Fortunately, there were brave and capable generals in the court who volunteered to guard the western border. Feng Lin immediately allocated a large army and food, waiting for a triumphant return.

"Your Majesty, have some tea, freshly brewed." Qi Yan took the tea handed over by the eunuch and placed it neatly on Feng Lin's desk.

Feng Lin responded and continued to review the memorials. There were many memorials accumulated in the past few days. The affairs of the western border were too urgent, and many trivial matters were suppressed, even the selection of talents was delayed. The Queen

Mother and the Empress had nothing to complain about. After all, they still focused on the affairs of the court. Would they urge the Emperor to select concubines if their homeland was not safe?

Feng Lin had not rested for a few days. The dark circles under his eyes made Qi Yan feel distressed. But who else could handle the affairs of the country if not Feng Lin?

After dismissing others, Qi Yan came to Feng Lin and pressed the back of his neck and shoulders for him.

"Your Majesty, just watch your own thing. I'll give you a massage. You can relax a little, right?"

Feng Lin did not refuse and chuckled, "You are the only one who understands me."

"Of course, I will serve Your Majesty for the rest of my life." Qi Yan said jokingly, and then he felt Feng Lin's hand holding the brush stiffen.

[Male protagonist's favorability towards Qi Yan +5, current favorability: 50]

Feng Lin was delighted, perhaps he was gradually awakening to some unknown emotional realm.

"...Qi Yan, you too..." Feng Lin hesitated for a long time, and finally said: "Now that I think about it, you have been with me for half of my life."

"Your Majesty is only twenty-six this year, and long live the emperor, it is still a long way from half a lifetime."

"Why are you talking so slickly to me here." Feng Lin was amused by him, paused for a while, and said: "You must always accompany me."

Whether it is 'I' or 'I', the confidant in my heart, I am afraid that you will be the only one in this life.

"Of course, I will always be with you." It was like a promise, burying a seed in the heart, waiting for many years, the branches and leaves are lush, and dazzling flowers bloom among the lush green leaves. The

good news from the Western Territory came one after another, Feng Lin was overjoyed, and immediately decided to celebrate with the whole country. Taking advantage of this time, the Queen Mother finally picked a time and let the selected beauties enter the Palace of Beauty.

On the day of the selection, Qi Yan was supposed to follow Feng Lin, but looking at the women who were about to enter the harem, Qi Yan was filled with emotion. Feeling a little jealous, he found a reason to let Xiao Anzi follow Feng Lin, and he quietly left.

This huge harem is like a bottomless cage, trapping everyone inside, and attracting more people to come, and once they come, they can't get out.

Qi Yan suddenly understood the meaning of living freely. Walking in the small garden not far from Chuxiu Palace, Qi Yan sighed and simply sat on the stone steps on one side, hanging his head and looking depressed.

The eunuch passing by saw the steward like this and didn't know what to say, so he pretended not to see anything and slipped away.

For a moment, Qi Yan was the only one in the small garden. He looked depressed, like a puppy abandoned by his owner.

"You are like this, it seems like someone bullied you." Suddenly, a familiar voice rang. Qi Yan raised his head suddenly, and was startled by Feng Lin's yellow and white gorgeous clothes, and knelt down quickly.

"Your Highness!"

"Get up, there's no one else here." Feng Lin helped him up: "Why are you sitting here? I can't find you."

"Well, I originally went to the toilet, and when I got here, I thought of sitting down and taking a rest."

"I haven't even rested, but you want to rest?" Feng Lin looked at him calmly, and Qi Yan blushed.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me..."

"Forget it. If you don't want to talk, I won't ask." Feng Lin concealed the slight disappointment in his heart: "The smell of rouge and powder made me upset, and it escaped under the name of Ru toilet."

Qi Yan was shocked when he heard it, and said: "Your Majesty, this is not allowed. How can the selection be interrupted?"

"Who said it was interrupted? Let them wait."

Feng Lin looked as if it was a matter of course. Qi Yan was choked back. Looking at him, he was speechless.

There was a silence between the two. Qi Yan felt something was wrong, and so did Feng Lin.

The spring breeze blew down the petals of unknown flowers. It should have been a season for thriving growth, but the ground was covered with apricot white.

"Your Majesty... have you chosen a concubine?"

"Except for the selected concubines, no other selections."

Qi Yan breathed a sigh of relief for no reason, and exhaled a long breath, which attracted Feng Lin's sidelong glance.

"Are you relieved?"

Feng Lin's sudden question made Qi Yan stunned. He looked at Feng Lin in a panic and waved his hands repeatedly: "What, what are you worried about..."

"I can see that you are full of worries and don't want to say it. You only feel relieved after hearing my answer. Is it related to the concubines?" Feng Lin speculated: "Qi Yan... Is there someone you like among the concubines?"

"No way!" What did Feng Lin guess? !

"Then what are you worried about?"

"I, I am worried..." Qi Yan didn't know how to start, and began to hesitate again.

He knew that Feng Lin would not use his status as the emperor to pressure him or force him to speak, so he could only give up in the end.

Feng Lin really did not ask too many questions, but turned around and said, "Why don't you follow me?"

Qi Yan no longer had anything to suppress in his heart, and followed him happily, saying a few nice words to flatter him, and letting Feng Lin tease and laugh.

I don't know if it was because of his impression or Feng Lin didn't mean to, anyway, except for the designated concubines, no other ones were put aside.

That night, Feng Lin summoned a concubine, the daughter of the Minister of War. In order to win over the emperor, she was also named a concubine on the second day, which made others jealous.

Qi Yan's mood was bad again. It can be seen that he became more and more silent, and even took care of Feng Lin, and it seemed that he was unable to do it.

"What happened to you these days?" That night, after helping Feng Lin to get dressed, he heard him ask in confusion.

Qi Yan shrank back and said, "Nothing..."

"Hide from me?" Feng Lin frowned, "Qi Yan, if there is something, you can talk to me."