The afternoon sun was splendid. Li Qingmu rode his horse through the forest for a round, and only after breaking into a light sweat, did he return.

A few personal attendants followed behind him, among them were Yang Shiqi and Zhang Liulang. Now that he was the Emperor, he naturally had the authority to assign a few trusted aides to stay by his side.

"Whoa—"

The horse neighed and leisurely came to a halt, shaking its head and tail.

Li Qingmu casually swept his gaze across some people in the distance. Truly, it was just a casual glance, but for some reason, his pupils suddenly contracted!

A figure slowly walked away, that back... was so familiar!

He wondered if it was the sunlight dazzling his eyes, causing him to hallucinate, or if it was real?

He closed his eyes briefly, and upon reopening them, the figure had already disappeared.

"Yue’er..."

He softly murmured, his voice barely audible.

"Your Majesty, is there something amiss?"

Zhang Liulang rode forward and asked him quietly in his ear.

Li Qingmu simply shook his head: "Nothing, I’m just a bit tired. Let’s go back."

He turned his horse’s head and was met by someone ahead, it was Aunt Yin, Yin Li.

Li Qingmu’s gaze subtly shifted. He already knew this person; it was she who had fed him the drug in the dungeon, leading to a false death, and then staged the escape act.

This woman was definitely Rong Si’s confidant!

What did she come looking for him for?

Li Qingmu remained expressionless, just looked at her with profound eyes.

"Your Majesty, the Princess has asked you to come over!"

Perhaps because Yin Li held a high position beside Rong Si, she only offered a slight bow upon seeing Li Qingmu and conveyed the Princess’s message.

Li Qingmu said calmly, "I understand!"

...

Rong Si’s chamber was the most luxurious one in Beilu Palace, with opulent decorations everywhere, even the floor was inlaid with gold, silver, and jewels.

The central marble slab was hollowed out, laid with multicolored gems, and covered with a layer of transparent, flawless glaze, exuding a sense of luxurious magnificence.

Rong Si lay quietly above it, beneath her was a pristine, jade-like white fox fur that revealed no impurities. She wore a thin plain gauze frieze, delineating her enchanting and alluring figure. At first glance, she truly resembled a goddess from the heavens.

Princess Rong Si always seemed this beautiful, but not in a way that was bewitching, more so with a sense of grace and elegance.

Li Qingmu, upon entering, was momentarily lost in thought, confused as to whether this was indeed his mother?

But that feeling of deep connection was real.

He stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your son... greets Mother."

"Hmm, you’ve come!"

Rong Si slowly rose, smiling gently at Li Qingmu: "My son is growing more and more handsome, ah, did you find any women you fancy upon your outing?"

Li Qingmu’s expression was wooden: "No, I did not!"

Rong Si seemed a little disappointed at his response, sullenly saying, "You aren’t interested in Nianxi, granting her title but not your favor. I had hoped to hold a grandchild. You, child, told you to hunt to find someone you like, yet you claim none. How do you think that makes your mother feel?"

"..."

Li Qingmu was struck with disbelief, thinking, we already have someone here, yet you do not want them!

But such thoughts were only for his heart to scorn; on the surface, he said indifferently: "Mother, it is only the first day today; your son has not even seen many women!"

"Oh, that was my impatience!"

She smiled, a smile as warm as the blooming of spring, "I was shut away in the Imperial Palace for so long, felt suffocated, now being out here, the refreshing feeling is truly good."

"Tomorrow, your son will accompany you for hunting to relax!"

"Oh, really?"

Rong Si mildly smiled, appearing utterly at ease.

Li Qingmu internally scoffed, as if this were even a question?

Why did it feel like her demeanor had changed again?

"Is the State Preceptor around?"

He thought it necessary to seek the State Preceptor to understand the situation.

Previously, the State Preceptor mentioned there was an issue with their internal cultivation methods, prone to altering one’s temperament.

Rong Si had once lost her memory from cultivation deviation, becoming innocent and carefree, which had earned her the bored Emperor’s favor who watched the court’s harem concubines’ struggle and court power plays with disinterest.

Later, Rong Si regained her memory, resumed her aloof demeanor, returned to Daliang, reclaimed her position as Princess, and consolidated the court, nearly becoming the Empress.

Now, has her nature changed once more?

Li Qingmu was baffled, feeling a bit worried until he heard Rong Si laugh softly.

"My son, still cares about his mother! Do not worry, Mu’er, Mother’s power has increased in recent days, and many of the flaws have been mitigated, there won’t be such emotional upheavals as before."

"Son congratulates Mother."

"By the way, Mu’er knows there’s a hot spring pool at Beilu Palace, right?"

"The Guangqing Pool, you mean?"

Rong Si nodded slightly and rose slowly, pacing to Li Qingmu’s side, "Indeed, the Guangqing Pool is a large hot spring, right in the center is the Huajing Pool.

The surrounding area of the pool is paved with Cold Jade, while the water inside is much hotter than the surrounding pools, exerting mutual influence, thereby making the pool’s water exceedingly gentle. Bathing in this pool can prolong life, cure all ailments, and strengthen the body, but most importantly, it can increase one’s power!"

"Is it truly that amazing?"

Li Qingmu blinked, an innocent expression upon his face.

Before those in power, being innocent and obedient posed the least threat and was most likely to earn their favor, and Rong Si was very satisfied with this obedient son of hers.

She said: "Indeed, Mu’er can try the Huajing Pool tonight! By the way, should I summon some beautiful maidens to serve?"

"Uh, Mother, there’s no need. The allure of wine and women can lower one’s guard, what if someone wishes to harm me?"

Li Qingmu spoke casually, expecting Rong Si to pay it no mind, but unexpectedly, her expression changed!

She regarded Li Qingmu, her expression growing serious: "My son is quite right; though Daliang seems peaceful and prosperous, there are actually many threats. My father once faced an assassination attempt, though it failed, it was nonetheless shocking, my son must remain vigilant!"

Li Qingmu squinted his eyes, slightly astonished at heart.

Who dared to attempt assassination on Daliang’s Emperor?

But recalling his experiences in Shengjing City, it made sense.

Qi Yun had no idea how many assassination attempts he’d survived, yet each time followed, he emerged unscathed.

"What is Mu’er thinking about?"

Rong Si noticed Li Qingmu’s silence and asked curiously.

"Mother, your son is pondering who possesses such audacity to assassinate an Emperor?"

Rong Si: "These matters, you should not worry about for now, the pressing matter is to find a woman you truly love, and have a child for Mother to dote upon, can you do that?"

Li Qingmu clenched his fists.

Have a child? In this lifetime, beside Yue’er, he wished to have no children with anyone!

But he couldn’t show any sign of this and simply bowed, saying: "Yes!"