By the time they finished eating, the sky had already darkened.

Lu Xiao and Shen Tang organized their team and returned to the palace to rest.

Lu Xiao laid out the blankets and lit some incense. A faint scent mixed with a touch of milk and floral fragrance filled the room, combined with the warm yellow light, creating a particularly romantic and intoxicating atmosphere.

"Ah Xiao, could you get me a nightgown~" The bathroom door opened a crack, and a slender, fair hand reached out, swaying lightly.

With Lu Xiao, Shen Tang always feels relaxed, not bothering to worry or prepare for anything, because he always arranges everything perfectly.

Lu Xiao managed the space like a small supermarket, with everything they could eat, drink, wear, and use. Since their marriage, this male even browsed fashion magazines often and bought her many beautiful clothes, more than she could wear.

He took out a blue tie-dye floral nightgown from the space and handed it to her at the door.

Shen Tang changed into the nightgown, came out of the bathroom, and spun around in front of him, "Does it look nice?"

"It looks nice." Lu Xiao’s eyes were gentle and smiling, generously praising her.

Like a little butterfly.

He picked up the hairdryer and helped her dry her wet hair. In no time, her long hair became smooth and fluffy.

Lying down on the bed, Shen Tang still didn’t feel sleepy.

She wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning softly in his embrace, engaging in idle talk, "Who do you think will win tomorrow’s match?"

Lu Xiao looked down at her, his voice laced with tiredness, "I’m not sure. As it stands, the most likely to succeed to the throne is the Second Prince, Tian Chen."

After all, the Second Prince’s strength and family background are apparent, second only to the Eldest Prince of those years. Though not outstanding, he is at least a qualified heir.

"However, Tian Chen’s maturity leaves much to be desired; he’s far from being a true ’King.’ His mother also sees this, which is why she set up this trial. If she truly favored him, she wouldn’t wait until now."

"Perhaps, in her heart, the ideal heir isn’t him."

Lu Xiao analyzed methodically, his deep voice flowing into Shen Tang’s ear like a cello, making her ears tingle slightly.

Shen Tang couldn’t help but swallow and looked up at him. The man was handsome and upright, with a sharply defined jawline, and his Adam’s apple slightly moved as he spoke, exuding a deadly allure!

She somehow blurted out, "...In the Sky King’s heart, the most suitable choice is you, right?"

Lu Xiao responded with a "Mm."

Shen Tang paused before asking, "Have you never thought about inheriting the throne?"

He answered candidly, "No."

"Why?" Shen Tang asked herself.

She had to admit the instinctual nature of humans, always seeking advantage and avoiding disadvantage, coveting power.

The Lu Family held a significant position in the Night Glow Empire, but compared to the Feudal Lords of the Yunding Empire, there was still a large gap.

Lu Xiao had clearly better choices, so why did he stay with the Lu Family?

Lu Xiao looked at her for a long while, gently stroking her fair cheek, softly chuckling and asking, "Does the Female Master think Shen Li and Jia Lan are happy sitting in that position?"

Shen Tang was caught off guard by his change of topic, then shook her head, "As for Shen Li... I can’t really say. To be honest, I still can’t see through him. Even if he loves someone deeply, trusts them completely, he would never fully open his heart."

"But I think he was born for that position. Whether forced or willingly, he probably wouldn’t give up the throne for anything else. As for Jia Lan..." she pondered, "I think he might not be happy."

"Jia Lan has never been interested in power; whether inheriting the throne or becoming a High Priest, it’s a burden for him... He probably wants to live freely," Shen Tang speculated.

Lu Xiao looked at her intently, gently saying, "The Female Master is right, everyone’s choices are different, and this is my choice."

The world is fair.

Where there is gain, there is loss.

To gain more, you are destined to lose more.

And he clearly cared more about what he might lose.

Shen Tang gazed up at him for a long while, suddenly sniffled and buried her face in his chest, gently tugging at his collar, "Ah Xiao, I love you."

The confession from a female was precious and sincere, and Lu Xiao only felt a soft warmth spread across his heart, like clusters of little fireworks blooming in the silent wilderness, stirring ripples in the lake of his heart.

His arms tightened instinctively, pulling her closer, and he lowered his head to kiss her forehead, his voice slightly hoarse, "I know."

Shen Tang also lifted her head and kissed his chin, asking sweetly, "What about you?"