If someone falls from a fast-running horse, it could be disastrous—at best, severe injury; at worst, death!

Long Yue’s pony stepped into a sunken rabbit hole, breaking its hoof, and she fell off.

Just as she was about to hit the ground and shatter to pieces, a gust of wind suddenly blew by. When she opened her eyes again, Long Yue found herself lying in a familiar and warm embrace.

She curved her lips into a sweet smile, her eyes bent as she gazed into the dark eyes so close to her. Her two small hands reached out, grabbing his neck.

"You just can’t let me go!"

Long Yue said softly, with a hint of cheekiness in her words—no matter how much you pretend to be indifferent and heartless, in the end, you still can’t bear it!

Li Qingmu was silent.

Of course, he could not let her go; Da Liang Palace was fraught with danger. How could he bear for her to venture into danger?

Here, every step was perilous, possibly life-threatening. For him to brave it alone was one thing, but how could he implicate her?

Yet, this woman was too stubborn, once she decided on something, even ten oxen couldn’t pull her back!

Or perhaps, they were both stubborn people.

"A Mu, let me accompany you. No matter how difficult or painful it is, let me walk with you, okay? I can’t leave you, I really can’t! Rui’er is still waiting for us at home, I promised him before I left to bring his father back, A Mu..."

"Yue’er, stop, I... I promise you!"

Li Qingmu said in a hoarse voice, his hands involuntarily holding her tighter. Each word she spoke was like a sharp blade cutting through his heart, leaving it blood-soaked.

Aside from Long Yue, Rui’er was the softest spot in his heart. Whenever he thought of Rui’er standing at the palace gate, gazing toward Da Liang Palace, eagerly waiting for his parents’ return, he felt tortured!

He took a deep breath, feeling pain in both his heart and lungs!

Rui’er, Rui’er! Dad will surely come back, will surely bring your mom together!

He slowly closed his eyes, suppressing his inner weakness. When he opened them again, he wore his former cold and heartless look.

He released her and stood up before mounting the horse.

"Get on!"

He reached out his hand, his expression wooden and cold.

Long Yue pursed her lips, thinking this man really knew how to pretend. Even after laying it all out, he still acted so aloof—wasn’t it tiring?

But she soon understood why Li Qingmu had to act that way.

In the distance came frantic horse hooves and some chaos, probably worried the Emperor might have an accident!

Long Yue stood there for a while until she saw those people coming over. Then she reached out her hand to place it in Li Qingmu’s palm, and with a bit of force, he lifted her onto the horse and enclosed her in his embrace.

The empty embrace was filled with softness, Li Qingmu curved his lips into a satisfied smile, pulled the reins, and turned back.

In the distance, ministers and some royal nobles caught up and seeing Li Qingmu riding with Long Yue (Wei Yunyan), they were heavily shocked.

Some even desperately rubbed their eyes, wondering if there was something wrong with their vision, did they see wrong?

Yet, through teary eyes from rubbing, it was still two people, chest to back.

This?

The crowd exchanged looks, all displaying shock, this was truly something not seen before.

Especially Li Qingmu’s personal guards, previously, they personally dragged Long Yue out of Huajing Pool, and this Emperor clearly stated he didn’t fancy her?

Indeed, men are creatures who say one thing and mean another!

These guards grumbled internally, but dared not let a word of disagreement show on their faces, only respectfully saluted.

Li Qingmu looked indifferently at the ministers kneeling, lightly chuckled: "It’s getting late, time to return!"

Oh, it’s not even noon yet?

But no one dared question this. Everyone’s hearts were like mirrors, if the Emperor liked this woman, then what’s the first thing? Surely no need to say.

"Drive, drive!"

Long Yue followed Li Qingmu back to the palace area. Some women who didn’t join the hunting event gathered around small stone tables chatting, occasionally bursting into laughter.

Suddenly, a young lady’s guffaw cut off abruptly, her face turned terrified as she looked toward Long Yue.

Her small face reddened due to extreme emotions.

"Lan Zhi sister? Lan Zhi sister, what’s wrong?"

Wei Yundai was eating fresh cherries, sour and sweet, an indescribable taste, chatting on her disgraceful sister’s scandalous affairs, feeling great.

Especially this Lan Zhi sister, her father was the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, as the legitimate daughter in Minister Mansion, she thought she was highly cultured. She adored Rong Mu and hated Wei Yunyan using dirty means to entice him, thus relentlessly defaming Wei Yunyan!

She believed Wei Yunyan was a presumptuous fool, trying to lure the Emperor with such methods, and what happened? She was despised!

After this hunt, she would become the joke of the entire Shengjing City, nailed on the pillory, never to reincarnate!

But!

What did she just see?

The handsome and incomparable man on the black horse was none other than the Emperor she longed for!

But at this moment, embracing him was Wei Yunyan, that shameless woman!

A shameless slut!

Heavens, was she too stupid, or was this world insane?

Such a shameless woman like Wei Yunyan actually enticed the Emperor?

If she knew being flirtatious could get her ahead, why did she bother feigning restraint?

Zhou Lanxi was about to explode, Wei Yunyan’s way of advancing upturned her beliefs, so much that she couldn’t help but curse "hussy!"

Long Yue nestled in Li Qingmu’s warm and broad embrace, feeling content, she glanced ever so slightly, landing on Zhou Lanxi sitting by Wei Yundai.

By chance, she saw those three words she spoke.

"Hussy!"

Oh, was she insulting her?

Long Yue took a gentle smile.

"Whoosh—"

The horse stopped, Li Qingmu dismounted, extending his hand to help Long Yue down too.

He looked around, seeing those young ladies staring at Long Yue with eyes full of envy and resentment, as if they wished to shoot her into pieces!

Li Qingmu’s gaze narrowed, a cold glint flashed in his eyes, quickly hidden.

He glanced at Long Yue, said calmly: "Tonight... come to my bedchamber!"

Then he left like the wind, ignoring the near fuming rage from the crowd of women.

Visit the bedchamber...

What else could it mean? Serving him in bed!

Instantly, those women admiring Li Qingmu felt even more jealous of Long Yue.

Wei Yundai, of course, felt especially envious, jealous, and hateful thinking about Long Yue using such despicable means to cling to His Majesty.

She slowly walked forward, looked at Long Yue, mocked: "Sister, you really have some skills, huh?"