"Mother, those who achieve great things don’t fuss over trifles!"

Seeing Rong Si hesitating, Li Qingmu immediately said decisively.

Rong Si raised her head and touched his cheek with her hand, "My son, isn’t this unfair to you?"

Li Qingmu smiled lightly, "Mother, what are you saying? Women are just tools, like these lavish clothes that can be given away on a whim when in a good mood. What I want is her intelligence and a clean family background, not an ephemeral reputation!"

Rong Si gazed at her handsome son with a natural sense of pride that her son had finally grown up.

She nodded gently and squeezed Li Qingmu’s hand tightly, "Good! Although marriage is traditionally decided by elders, you are the Emperor, so you should make the decision yourself. However..."

Li Qingmu felt a sudden unease but maintained a submissive appearance, "Just say it, Mother?"

"You are the Emperor; you can’t have just one Empress and one concubine, right?"

Li Qingmu’s eyes moved, thinking of how those women recently showed hatred and venom when looking at Long Yue, a playful smile appeared, "So Mother means to have a few more concubines?"

Rong Si nodded with satisfaction.

"Alright, I’ll follow whatever Mother decides!"

"Your Majesty, Miss Wei has arrived."

At this moment, a guard reported from outside.

Rong Si glanced at Li Qingmu and said, "In that case, Mother will leave first, enjoy yourself."

"Farewell, Mother!"

Li Qingmu escorted Rong Si to the palace gate, where Long Yue happened to be passing by, and they exchanged glances.

Rong Si looked at Long Yue and immediately thought this girl was indeed beautiful, far surpassing Nianxi.

No wonder she could captivate the Emperor’s heart!

Long Yue wore a thin gauzy dress, with layered outerwear covering her graceful figure, but she still swayed like a fairy.

She hadn’t expected to meet Rong Si here, was momentarily stunned, then quickly bowed.

"Greetings, Princess!"

Rong Si gave her a light glance before leaving.

Only after Rong Si’s entourage had completely left did she dare to rise slowly and face a pair of deep eyes.

Li Qingmu silently looked at her, without any visible emotion in his eyes.

Yet, the fist hidden in his sleeve was tightly clenched, showing internal excitement.

This emotion he did not express, instead turning to walk deeper into the palace.

Long Yue hurriedly followed him.

The sky grew increasingly dim, while the palace was lit by candles, making it as bright as daylight.

Outside came the sound of footsteps fading away, and Long Yue suddenly understood why Li Qingmu had never wanted her inside the palace to help him. He was constantly under surveillance!

Only when with women was he free from observation.

Long Yue followed Li Qingmu into the inner hall.

The Emperor’s bedchamber was resplendent, supported by white jade pillars, forming a ceiling dazzling like stars. The finest Fire Fox Fur carpets were soft beneath one’s feet.

Upon entering, Long Yue admired the decor.

Li Qingmu softly asked, "Is it beautiful?"

"Yes, it’s beautiful, better than the palaces in Shengjing City. Such beauty, though, comes at the cost of the people’s labor and wealth."

Li Qingmu remained silent; it was the truth.

Daliang’s palace used so many decorations, consuming untold resources from the people.

In comparison, Dazhou seemed more simple.

Li Qingmu reached out, taking Long Yue inside, drawing down the curtains that isolated them.

Li Qingmu cradled her back with one hand, lifted her in a bridal carry, and walked towards the bed, gazing at her with deep affection, "Yue’er, tonight we’ll discuss passion, not politics."

Long Yue smiled at him, this man must have been suppressed for too long to be so impatient?

"Alright, A Mu, I will always stay by your side, um..."

As she spoke, her vivid lips were covered by his fervency.

The next morning, when Long Yue awoke, she felt sore all over, glaring at the man smiling beside the bed, she pouted and let out a soft snort, "Scoundrel!"

Li Qingmu smiled lightly, touching her petite body, he sighed softly, "Yue’er, having taken this step, there’s no turning back."

Long Yue’s big bright eyes searched him as she softly said, "I do not regret!" She paused then added, "Call me Wei Yunyan!"

Li Qingmu looked at her and suddenly asked, "What’s with your face? Why don’t you wear a Human Skin Mask?"

This always puzzled him; if not for the woman’s distinct features, he even doubted her.

Long Yue replied, "Remember Xue Mingzhu?"

Li Qingmu’s pupils shrank sharply, "The skin of the living dead? Yue’er, do you know what you are doing? That’s Evil Technique!"

Li Qingmu’s face turned darker, quite angry, vividly recalling the horrific state when Xue Mingzhu’s cheeks were torn away, truly hoping Yue’er does not become like her.

Long Yue shook her head, "I have no other choice! Besides, it’s fine, the master gave me an improved version of the living dead skin, at most..."

Her small mouth opened slightly, but choked back the words.

"At most what?"

The man persisted, needing the reason.

Long Yue considered and decided to tell the truth; this man is too clever for lies.

"If not restored within three years, it will never recover, A Mu..." She lifted her eyes with unusual emotion, "If that happens, would you care?"

Would he care?

Li Qingmu looked down at her, the delicate face smooth and jade-like, her cheeks slightly pink, making her even more bashful and cute...

Such a Yue’er, seems even more charming.

He chuckled softly, reached out and hugged her tightly, "I have said before, no matter what you become, I will not leave! I didn’t before, I won’t now, nor will I in the future."

Long Yue felt warmed hearing this, reaching her small arms to encircle his neck, both once again intimately drew close.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

At this moment, a knock came at the door.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty?"

Li Qingmu and Long Yue were enjoying their amorous moment, who was so insensitive to interrupt them?

Was this ruining the mood?

Li Qingmu was annoyed, reluctantly released the little woman beside him, rose to put on his wide robe, and went to the outer hall, coldly asked, "Who?"

The person knocking sensed the Emperor’s tone wasn’t favorable, gripped with unease, whispering to himself, a looming trouble.

He had just caused trouble!

The little eunuch fearfully said, "Your Majesty, it’s... someone from the Princess’s side..."

Princess?

Li Qingmu’s gaze narrowed, already knowing the answer but still asked, "Who?"

"It is... Aunt Zhi Jin."

Zhi Jin?

Li Qingmu’s lips curled with playful amusement, is this a jealousy quarrel coming?