An Ning was seething with anger.

During their time in Mobei, both of them had injuries, and being in the military camp naturally precluded any conjugal activities. Later, they rushed back, and every day at the postal stations, after sitting in the carriage for so long, their backs ached and they hadn’t thought about those matters. Now, having finally returned to the Imperial Palace, and with a comfortable bed...

"Let’s go to Qiankun Hall!" An Ning suddenly rose from the soft couch and walked straight out of the hall.

The Palace Attendants quickly followed.

It was still early spring in Daxuan.

The nights were quite cold.

An Ning walked briskly, and when she arrived at Qiankun Hall, the lights were still ablaze, indicating that Xiao Jinxing had not yet retired for the night.

She walked directly into the main hall. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

In the main hall, Xiao Jinxing was still engrossed in reviewing memorandums.

Steward Ping was attending by the side.

Seeing the Empress, he hurried forward to pay his respects, "This servant greets Your Majesty."

Xiao Jinxing also put down his brush at that moment.

He looked up at An Ning, slightly surprised that she hadn’t yet slept at such a late hour.

"Why have you come so late?" Xiao Jinxing descended from the Dragon Throne.

He walked straight to An Ning.

He reached out to clasp her hand.

The coldness of her palm made him frown slightly, and naturally, he placed An Ning’s hand close to his lips to warm it.

"I waited for ages, and you still didn’t return, so I came on my own." An Ning felt a bit aggrieved.

In Mobei and on the journey back, they had been inseparable.

Now, upon returning to the Imperial Palace, they were forced to be apart, and the fact that he had not returned so late made her even more frustrated.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting." Xiao Jinxing’s lips curved slightly.

He took An Ning’s hand and led her out of the main hall.

"Steward Ping, organize the memorandums for me. I’ll review them tomorrow."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Xiao Jinxing held An Ning’s hand as they walked within the Imperial Palace.

The cold night wind blew by.

Xiao Jinxing tightened his grip on An Ning’s hand, pulling her into his embrace.

The Palace Attendants, seeing the affection between the Emperor and Empress, blushed slightly at the sight.

Since returning to the palace, the relationship between the Emperor and Empress had noticeably changed.

Previously, it always seemed that the Empress was indifferent towards the Emperor.

Now, the Empress was clearly much more proactive.

They reached Fengqi Palace together.

There, they were assisted with bathing by attendants.

Then they lay together in the same bed.

An Ning suddenly felt a bit nervous.

She couldn’t remember how long it had been since the last time, and her memory flashed to the time when Xiao Jinxing, in deliberate reprisal, made her serve him but left her hanging...

Recalling that scene made An Ning’s face turn even redder.

She curled her little finger, entwining it with Xiao Jinxing’s.

In that moment, it was clear that Xiao Jinxing’s fingers trembled slightly.

"Are you planning to just sleep like this?" An Ning’s voice was small.

Yet on a quiet night, it was heard clearly.

"So the Empress means..." Xiao Jinxing asked deliberately.

"To serve the bed." An Ning replied directly.

Xiao Jinxing’s heartbeat clearly accelerated.

Tonight, he hadn’t actually planned to come to Fengqi Palace. First, the piles of memorandums needed sorting, and he wanted to deal with them early. Second, he worried An Ning might be too tired after the journey. Besides, his own resolution would likely only last through tonight.

He hadn’t expected this.

An Ning was so proactive.

Since waking up from that moment of confusion, An Ning’s initiative these days had taken him by surprise.

"Let’s make the most of our time," An Ning boldly sat on Xiao Jinxing’s waist, "lest we’re interrupted midway..."

Xiao Jinxing couldn’t help but laugh.

He pulled her forcefully into his embrace, his lips next to her ear, "No rush, tonight I am all yours, to use as you will, for however long you wish..."