Zhi Jin never imagined she could dine at the same table as Rong Mu.

She fantasized about it constantly, fantasizing about this moment, but she knew that such an opportunity was extremely rare.

But now, has it truly become a reality?

She couldn’t believe it and wondered if she was in a dream.

Until she saw the man across from her glance at her.

Zhi Jin felt she forgot how to breathe, her heart entirely captivated.

She saw him personally serve her some dishes, and instantly, the joy she felt was beyond words!

"Your Majesty!"

She said coyly, her voice enchanting, as she stepped forward gracefully to help Li Qingmu serve the dishes.

Li Qingmu silently watched her.

He still could not speak, but it was this quiet calmness that made people feel even more entranced.

Zhi Jin glanced at him from time to time, noticing he was also keeping an eye on her every move. Her small face swiftly reddened, and she shyly lowered her head.

Li Qingmu saw her lower her head, a teasing smile flashed in his eyes. He extended his hand and gently pressed down on her.

Zhi Jin’s delicate body trembled slightly.

She was so excited that her hand instinctively wanted to lift, trying to break free from him.

But Li Qingmu anticipated this, and with a reverse grip, he caught hold of her.

"Your Majesty, you..."

Zhi Jin’s little face reddened even more.

Li Qingmu smiled faintly and let go, continuing with his meal.

Zhi Jin suddenly felt very annoyed, recalling the subtle feeling when the man’s fingertip touched her small hand, and her heart felt ticklish.

He is definitely interested in me!

Zhi Jin thought to herself, a satisfied smile curled at her lips.

She unconsciously leaned closer to Li Qingmu.

But unexpectedly, someone barged in through the door.

"Aunt Zhi Jin!"

A cold voice suddenly rang out from behind, startling Zhi Jin so much that her hand trembled, and her chopsticks clattered to the ground.

She turned around, looking disgruntled, seeing it was Empress Nianxi, and she panicked instantly.

Princess Nianxi was raised and taught by Rong Si personally, clearly just a minister’s daughter, yet she was granted royal status, making her rank extremely noble.

Now, she has even become Empress!

Zhi Jin certainly couldn’t clash with Nianxi, and quickly curtsied, "This servant greets Her Majesty the Empress, may Your Majesty live long and prosper!"

"Hmph!" But in response, was merely Nianxi’s icy snort, as she coolly said, "Aunt Zhi Jin, why are you calling yourself a servant, shouldn’t you kneel and greet?"

Zhi Jin’s heart instantly tightened, was the Empress angry?

Though Zhi Jin was indeed a servant, she was a confidante to Rong Si, and in the past Nianxi treated her politely, so is she just showing off now?

Ha!

Zhi Jin let out a cold laugh inside, previously unable to vent her hatred towards Long Yue had already made her very resentful, now Nianxi’s provocation ignited her!

She gritted her teeth yet slowly knelt down, bowing grandly.

However, as she paid her respects, her eyes flickered with a venomous glow!

Once again, she felt her true enemies weren’t Ming Fei but Nianxi and Rong Si!

What does Ming Fei amount to? A Duke’s Mansion daughter of low birth, with no background, merely some beauty. Beauty fades with age, emperors grow bored, how long can she shine?

But power is everlasting.

Behind Nianxi stands Duke Zhen’s Mansion, like a tight clasp, strangling people. Surely even Your Majesty finds it troublesome?

Remembering Li Qingmu, though he made Nianxi Empress, seemed to have never touched her, instantly filled Zhi Jin with pleasure.

This Emperor would never touch a woman posing a threat to his authority, fearing accumulation of power.

Nianxi, you can only rely on your status to be smug!

Zhi Jin spitefully thought to herself.

"Rise!" a cool voice from above, Nianxi slowly approached Li Qingmu’s side, gazing at the two sets of bowls and chopsticks on the table, feeling very irritated.

She glanced around at the palace maids and eunuchs, sternly saying, "Withdraw! All of you!"

The palace maids and eunuchs hesitated, they were all placed by Rong Si, tasked to closely monitor Li Qingmu, were they to just leave?

But since the Empress commanded, they must go.

Everyone left, Zhi Jin was driven out by Nianxi’s unfriendly gaze, leaving Li Qingmu and Empress Nianxi alone in the bedchamber.

Nianxi looked at the man across from her, resembling jade and captivating, recalling how Zhi Jin had just leaned so close to him yet he showed no reaction, but when she wanted a wedding night with him, he outright coldly refused!

This man!

What exactly is going through his mind?

Ignoring noble herself, preferring those lowly despicable women?

That Wei Yunyan, an illegitimate daughter, capturing his heart, not only having marital relations, but even being bestowed the rank of Ming Fei. Then there’s this Zhi Jin, she’s merely a maid!

Resentment surged like tides within her, Nianxi watched the man continue dining, completely treating her as air, infuriated she stormed over and overturned his bowl.

"Clang!"

The silver bowl crashed to the ground, producing a crisp sound.

Li Qingmu slowly lifted his gaze, eyes flashing with a hint of anger!

He slowly rose, coldly staring at her.

Nianxi met his gaze, looking into those emotionless eyes, her heart felt like it was sliced into pieces, excruciating!

"Rong Mu, why? Why do you rather give love to those vulgar women but not to me? Why? Am I, Nianxi, so undeserving of your glance?"

Nianxi nearly roared these words, as she spoke, she waved her arms painfully, seemingly hoping to vent her inner suffering and anger.

However, Li Qingmu remained indifferent.

"Speak! Speak! Oh, I forgot, you can’t speak because of that woman’s excessive stimulation, can you? Hahaha... Rong Mu, you fool, a complete fool!"

The Empress daring to speak so to the Emperor? Is she courting death or courting death?

Nianxi finished speaking, even ready to be reprimanded or even expelled by him, yet the man merely glanced at her coldly, dipped his fingers in the broth, wrote a few words on the table.

She is more obedient than you!

Having finished writing, Li Qingmu walked away, hands clasped behind his back, leaving decisively and elegantly.

Nianxi stood there woodenly, staring blankly at the words on the table, only returning to her senses after the words evaporated and disappeared.

She is more obedient than you?

Haha, hahaha...

Who this "she" refers to, how could Nianxi not know?

Zhi Jin!

That vile woman!

She had just obediently stood by Li Qingmu’s side helping him serve dishes, that obedient demeanor indeed far surpassed hers!

"Li Qingmu!" Nianxi stared resentfully at Li Qingmu’s gradually receding figure, hoarsely said, "You’ve really changed from before!"

The previous him, so gentle and refined, treated his wife Long Yue so well? He was the one who was obedient, intelligent and compliant!

But now? He has become cold and ruthless!

Is it because power made him arrogant?

Nianxi bit her red lips tightly, eyes flickering with unusual brilliance.