However, when he thought of the small figure on the dragon bed behind him, his heart was filled with helplessness.

Earlier, how could he have known that Yue’er would come? So, to better control power, he merely uttered a few simple words to win over Rong Si’s confidante Zhi Jin.

The gap in status and position between them meant there would be no outcome, nor could there be any relationship. But even so, it couldn’t stop women’s madness over emotions!

During this time, Li Qingmu, utilizing the convenience provided by Zhi Jin, had already controlled part of the power. Not only did he transfer Zhang Liulang and Yang Shiqi to his side, but he also secretly gathered some trusted aides.

Power is like a rolling snowball; the most challenging part is getting it started. Once there is an initial point, the snowball will grow larger as it rolls.

According to his plan, as long as he had another five years, he could take all the power from Rong Si’s side into his own hands. At that time, he would return this power to the Little Emperor Rong Zhuo and be able to leave this place, returning to Dazhou.

Everything was well-planned, but unfortunately, the plan could not keep up with the changes.

He turned around and looked at the lazy person lying on the bed, then turned and walked out.

"Click—"

The palace gate opened, and Li Qingmu immediately saw the slightly pale face of Zhi Jin.

"Do you like her?"

Zhi Jin’s voice was not loud, and since it was at the palace gate, the people inside definitely couldn’t hear it, so she asked directly without any concealment.

Li Qingmu coldly replied, "No!"

"Since you don’t like her, why did you favor her?"

Zhi Jin’s voice trembled, filled with jealousy!

If she couldn’t have it, why should others? Why should a woman with a tarnished reputation have it?

At this moment, she actually hated her identity. Why was she Rong Si’s confidante?

If not, she could fight for this man like other women, but only she couldn’t!

Rong Si had always been wary of her son. Once she became his woman, her loyalty to Rong Si would be questioned.

Then she would become useless! 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Rong Si’s method of dealing with useless people had always been cruel, and Zhi Jin didn’t want to become that person. Not only would she not gain him, but she wouldn’t even survive.

Therefore, quietly watching him from the corner was the best way.

But she was really unwilling!

She spoke, meeting the man’s gaze, trying to see something in his eyes. Unfortunately, the man’s eyes were as calm as a well, with no emotion.

Zhi Jin gritted her teeth and directly rushed in.

Li Qingmu turned aside, his cold gaze following her steps onto the petite figure inside, his eyes slightly narrowing, and he followed too.

This was their first battle since deciding to join forces. If they couldn’t withstand this battle, there was no need to talk about the next ones.

Li Qingmu just followed slowly, without appearing too eager, which reassured the anxious Zhi Jin ahead slightly.

He said he didn’t like her, so maybe he really didn’t?

The distance between the inner hall and the outer hall wasn’t far. Once Zhi Jin entered, the first thing she saw was Long Yue lying lazily on the bed. Seeing her graceful, undulating body and a face that could cause the downfall of a nation, her eyes were almost spitting fire!

Zhi Jin stepped forward, looking down at her with a cold voice, "The lady of Wei State Duke Mansion indeed has great airs. The Emperor has risen, and you dare to linger on the bed. Is this an attempt to turn nature upside down and have a hen herald the dawn?"

Su Daji’s enchanting of the king and interference in state affairs was said to be "a hen heralding the dawn," a term that generally signifies the danger of national ruin, quite severe indeed.

If it were an ordinary woman, she would surely have been scared out of her wits, but Long Yue was worldly and wouldn’t be intimidated by a few words.

Her beautiful eyebrows arched slightly, and she leisurely turned over with a coquettish laugh, "Oh, really, then how does Aunt intend to deal with me?"

"Humph, naturally, you, this calamity-bringing enchantress, should be dragged out and beaten to death!"

Zhi Jin spoke with murderous intent, seeming determined to do away with Long Yue, but Long Yue just laughed, lifting her eyes to look at the nearby man feigning ignorance. She said sweetly, "Your Majesty, she’s heralding the dawn!"

Zhi Jin paused, not reacting for a moment. Only when she met Li Qingmu’s unfriendly gaze did she suddenly realize.

With a thud, she knelt on the ground and shouted hoarsely, "Your Majesty, don’t listen to this demoness’s nonsense. The slave... the slave has no such intention!"

Zhi Jin, who had followed Rong Si for so many years, deeply understood that power is not to be meddled with, not even a tiny bit!

Once you meddle, fathers and sons will turn hostile, brothers will fall out, and couples will disperse!

Being a servant of the imperial family has its perks: knowing when to advance or retreat, clearly understanding what you can and cannot touch. So Zhi Jin pleaded in terror.

Li Qingmu stepped forward, his gold-threaded soft boots landing before her.

He slightly bent down, extending his hand, "Stand up."

The man’s gaze remained as calm as a well, and one couldn’t fathom what he was thinking. Yet, those simple "stand up" words made Zhi Jin’s heart instantly warm.

She curved her lips into a satisfied and smug smile, looking up at this man with seductive eyes. She reached out her small hand, lightly placing it on his large hand, and stood up with him.

Li Qingmu withdrew his hand, saying, "Aunt always knows her limits and will naturally not act like a hen heralding the dawn. Aunt need not worry."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"As for you..." Li Qingmu looked at the woman lazily huddled on the bed, frowning, "This is inappropriate, get up at once?"

Long Yue pouted playfully, "As you command, Your Majesty, I shall rise immediately."

Long Yue got up, but her manner of rising was very alluring, truly like a seductive little enchantress, driving Zhi Jin to extreme annoyance.

This woman even respectfully saluted her, leaving Zhi Jin with no place to vent her anger, lest it made the emperor beside them think she was narrow-minded and petty, truly grieving her!

"Aunt Zhi Jin, has Mother called for me?"

Li Qingmu saw Long Yue first issuing a blow and then sweetening the deal, leaving Zhi Jin with no outlet for her anger. He secretly chuckled, but his face remained earnest, even expressionless as he asked.

Zhi Jin promptly replied, "Yes, the Princess is calling for you, Your Majesty!"

"Very well, Aunt, please lead the way!"

Zhi Jin smiled slightly, curtsied, and walked ahead.

Li Qingmu glanced back at Long Yue. The little woman gave him a charming smile, inexplicably calming his heart, and he turned to leave.

Long Yue watched him exit the sleeping quarters. Only when his figure was out of sight did she retract her smile.

She fiercely punched the dragon bed, fuming, "Scum, just how many women did you flirt with while I was away?"