So what if she's my sister-in-law? You seduced me first.

Xie Xun has been very busy these past two days, leaving early and returning late, and Ning Yu's appetite is growing bigger every day, and she has become quite plump. Imperial physicians come to see her every day to take her pulse and treat her.

The original head aunt was transferred, and the new head aunt was more obedient and perceptive, but Ning Yu didn't like her because she would tell Xie Xun everything and forced her to drink a lot of nourishing soup every day.

"Next month is the ceremony for the Empress's investiture. My lady, you must take good care of your health so that you don't succumb to the fatigue of a single day."

The dark, murky medicine made Ning Yu want to vomit, so she pinched her nose and swallowed it in one gulp. The head maid immediately handed her a bowl of water to rinse her mouth.

She was leaving tomorrow, and if all went well, she wouldn't have to return to the prison that had held her there for months. Ning Yu breathed a heavy sigh of relief and looked out the window at the scenery.

He probably won't be coming back to sleep tonight; the prayer ceremony is tomorrow.

These past two days, she had already fallen asleep by the time Xie Xun returned to bed, and she was still asleep when he went to court in the morning. The two of them had barely seen each other. She hoped that he would be busy, even busier, when she left tomorrow.

The thought had barely crossed my mind when I heard the voice of a palace servant outside.

Xie Xun came to see her when he had some free time. She was already asleep when he came back every day, so he didn't want to wake her up. He figured she couldn't fall asleep again during lunch, so he came back around noon.

"Your Majesty." Ning Yu smiled and, slipping on her shoes, came over and hugged his neck.

Xie Xun grabbed her waist and lifted her up, asking her in a rather amused mood, "Changed your temper?"

He hinted that she used to have a bad temper, but Ning Yu didn't hold it against him. As long as she pleased him, he would treat her well.

Hearing this, she couldn't help but laugh at herself. From the time she was forced to fake her death after they met to now being imprisoned in Changxin Palace, she could only live comfortably by pleasing him. Her life or death depended entirely on his mood. If she displeased him, she would feel like she was walking on thin ice in the palace.

These days are finally coming to an end, and she is indeed in a good mood.

"I have a very good temper, as long as Your Majesty doesn't provoke me."

Xie Xun chuckled, "I've never seen anyone with a worse temper than you."

"That's right, who dares to throw a tantrum in front of him?" Ning Yu thought to herself. Looking at the table full of food in the dining room, she immediately dragged him to eat.

"Let's have a meal first. Your Majesty must be hungry after a long day."

Xie Xun was pulled down to sit by her. When he saw that she was about to sit on the stool next to him, he put his arm around her waist and made her sit on his lap.

Ning Yu paused, but didn't struggle. She didn't want to upset him, so she let him be.

A warm hand gently stroked her stomach. "Why is it still so flat?"

Hearing his words, Ning Yu couldn't help but recall how he always liked to stare at her belly when he slept at night. "It's still early in the pregnancy."

It would be best if she looked like her. He had never seen what Ning Yu looked like when she was a child. Thinking of this, he glanced at the woman lazily drinking soup in his arms. She probably wouldn't be well-behaved.

After the meal, Xie Xun took her to the high building of the sacrificial altar. Ning Yu was pinned against the railing by him, and he held her from behind as they looked down at the vast imperial city.

Have you ever been to Ximisha?

It is said that the beauties of Ximisha are all as beautiful as fairies. It is rumored that the white crows of Shangliang, the horses of Daxia, and the women of Ximisha are known as the three treasures of the world.

"My sister-in-law grew up in Kyoto, and her beauty is no less than that of Nishimisa."

A faint laugh seemed to come from the distant horizon, mingling with the voice of the man behind her. She shook her head, "I've never left the Great Xia."

"After I conquer Ximisha, shall I take you there?"

Ning Yu paused, noticing his gaze, and immediately smiled gently, "Okay."

Xie Xun pushed her forward, his tall figure completely enveloping her. He inhaled her scent and sighed, "If it weren't for the Elders' Council's interference back then, I would have taken down Ximisha long ago. Why would I have to wait until now?"

Ning Yu had no idea that Xie Xun had been on the battlefield; those deeds had long been buried by the yellow sand.

"Now no one can stop me. I can fight however I want."

His arms were tightly wrapped around her waist, his narrow eyes surveying the vast land of the Great Xia Dynasty with a terrifyingly greedy ambition.

Ning Yu was held tightly by him, and raised her hand to pat his arm comfortingly, "Your Majesty, it hurts."

Her soft, charming voice made Xie Xun feel completely comfortable, and he tilted his head to look at her.

Suddenly, memories of his days fighting in the frontier flashed through his mind. If he had met her back then, would he have taken her with him even when he was fighting?

He'd probably become famous throughout the land if he led a woman into battle, Xie Xun smirked as he stroked her delicate skin.

She's so young, how could he let her suffer the hardships of war? His women should be pampered and cherished.

His hands were calloused, and they tickled Ning Yu. She resisted the urge and snuggled closer to him.

She didn't know why Xie Xun would suddenly bring her here to talk about these things. Perhaps the elders were pressuring him not to fight in the north and south, but his ambitions didn't lie with the Great Xia. Now that no one could control him, he could defy public opinion and make his move.

Ning Yu wasn't sure if she understood him well, but she felt that Xie Xun was a born emperor who would one day leave a significant mark on history.

She disliked life in the palace, so the two were destined to be on different paths.

His heavy breathing trailed down her cheek as he forcefully turned her around, slamming her against the railing.

Before she could even gasp, he responded with a rough and intense kiss, his aggressive tongue plunging into her mouth and swirling wildly. The familiar kissing style made Ning Yu's slender fingers grip his arm tightly.

His strong, muscular arms were tightly wrapped around her waist, and the weight of his arms made it hard for her to breathe. She gasped for breath in pain.

"Ning Yu, accompany me to conquer the Central Plains. If I ever discover that you have any intention of escaping again, I will not hesitate to strangle you."

Ning Yu opened her eyes, her chest heaving and panting. She saw Xie Xun's still aloof and elegant face, but his eyes were filled with a frantic possessiveness and a chillingly gentle smile.

Is this a warning to her because she's been too well-behaved these past few days?

She hooked her arms around his neck and bit his lips hard. "That day will never come. I will always be with Your Majesty."

Of course, that day will never come. After tomorrow, the two will never see each other again.

The instant she stepped back, Xie Xun grabbed her by the neck, lifted her up, and sealed her lips with his again.

On the day of the prayer ceremony, Xie Xun left Changxin Palace early, and Ning Yu woke up after he left.

She watched the departing figure, lying on the couch for a long time. Only when the man's figure had disappeared from the main hall did she turn her gaze away and sit up.

She dismissed the palace servants and took out the prepared bundle, inside which were several boxes of gold, several sets of clothes, and some loose silver.

Yunshu came to pick her up at noon when all the palace servants were busy.

Ning Yu is now free to enter and leave Changxin Palace. She changed into some light clothes and said she wanted to go to the viewing tower to watch the grand ceremony, only letting the head maid accompany her.

After leaving Changxin Palace, Yunshu immediately knocked out the head maid and hid her in a nearby pavilion, handing her her bundle.

Ning Yu took the bundle and followed him to the treasure pavilion.