They've already breached the palace, yet all they ask of me is an edict of self-reproach.

"Your Majesty, I am late in welcoming Your Majesty. Please forgive me."

Consort Chen arrived outside the palace and gracefully bowed to Zhao Ji, who was walking towards her.

"My beloved concubine, you may dispense with the formalities."

Zhao Ji stepped forward and gently supported Consort Chen, holding her fair and smooth hand, feeling a faint coolness enter his palm.

The coolness was peculiar, and Zhao Ji inexplicably felt a sense of exhilaration.

Consort Chen was surprised that Zhao Ji would suddenly hold her hand. Her delicate body trembled slightly, and a look of surprise flashed across her face before turning into a tender and sweet smile.

Zhao Ji's heart fluttered as he looked at the smile on Consort Chen's face.

Consort Chen and the Princess of Xiliang look so alike.

However, compared to the Princess of Xiliang, Consort Chen lacked a noble elegance that made people want to conquer her, as well as a mature and charming allure.

However, as a beautiful woman who brought ruin to the country, Consort Chen naturally had her own advantages.

That's the breath of youth...

Zhao Ji dismissed all the palace maids and eunuchs, and led Consort Chen by the hand into Chang Le Palace.

"Thanks to my beloved consort, I was able to resolve a major threat this time. I wonder what reward my beloved consort would like."

Zhao Ji spoke as he walked.

Although Zhao Ji came here with the intention of favoring Consort Chen, he couldn't just go straight to the point. So, Zhao Ji decided to talk to Consort Chen first and warm her heart.

When it comes to romantic matters, Zhao Ji has always preferred things to happen naturally.

The process of initiating a romantic and poetic experience is also a form of enjoyment.

In his previous life, Zhao Ji specialized in sleeping with other men's wives. He had been walking by the river for so long, and he only got his shoes wet once. The main reason for this was that it was a matter of mutual consent.

Consort Chen smiled faintly at Zhao Ji's praise, but she wasn't particularly happy inside.

"What torments me is never anything else, but the unrealistic expectations I hold in my heart..."

Consort Chen couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Mother was right; His Majesty had indeed come to discuss matters concerning Xiliang with her.

"It is an honor for me to share Your Majesty's burdens."

Consort Chen adopted a very humble attitude.

As for getting Zhao Ji to agree to let Li Qingguo stay in the capital, Consort Chen would not make a fool of herself by bringing it up with Zhao Ji at this moment.

"A merit is a merit. Since my beloved consort has helped me solve such a troublesome problem, I will naturally reward you well."

A meaningful, wicked smile appeared on Zhao Ji's face.

However, Consort Chen, who was in a bad mood, did not notice.

Consort Chen smiled slightly: "Your Majesty, I thank you."

"My beloved concubine hasn't even mentioned what reward she wants, yet she's already thanking me?"

Zhao Ji sensed that Consort Chen was acting strangely today, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Consort Chen realized she had been somewhat distracted and quickly tried to salvage the situation, saying, "As long as it's a gift from His Majesty, even if it's just grass, I'll love it."

Zhao Ji laughed and said with a double meaning, "Since my beloved concubine likes grass, then I will reward you with grass this time."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Consort Chen gave a soft "hmm," but felt a little strange.

Even if one is to bestow grass as a reward, shouldn't it be just one blade of grass? Why did Your Majesty have to mention grass?

However, Consort Chen was not in the mood to think about such trivial matters.

"Chen Qingluan, what are you thinking? Your mother is still in the side hall."

Consort Chen thought for a moment that it was actually a good thing that His Majesty wasn't here to favor her, since her mother was still in the palace.

"Has my beloved concubine just taken a bath?"

Consort Chen was lost in thought for a while when she heard Zhao Ji's question and then she came back to her senses.

At this moment, Zhao Ji had brought her to the warm pavilion where her mother, Li Qingguo, had just bathed. Next to the warm pavilion was her sleeping chamber.

Consort Chen glanced to the side; it seemed her mother had just slipped into her bedchamber.

However, thinking that Zhao Ji probably wouldn't be resting here tonight, Consort Chen breathed a sigh of relief.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I was just taking a bath, which is why I was unable to greet Your Majesty in time."

Consort Chen said somewhat guiltily.

"I see."

Zhao Ji nodded slightly, asked no further questions, and raised his hands.

Upon seeing Zhao Ji's actions, Consort Chen was stunned and remained speechless for a long while.

Zhao Ji, who was waiting for Consort Chen to help him change his clothes, turned to look at her when she didn't move for a while and asked curiously, "My dear consort, what's wrong? Help me change my clothes."

Zhao Ji had been cultivating all afternoon, and was covered in sweat while practicing his internal energy. His body felt sticky, so when he saw that there was hot water here, he decided to take a bath to avoid feeling uncomfortable during the romantic evening later.

"But……"

Consort Chen opened her mouth, but hesitated to speak.

Her mother, Li Qingguo, had just bathed inside, so how could Consort Chen allow Zhao Ji to bathe there?

This feeling was strange, making Consort Chen feel very uncomfortable.

After a moment of deliberation, Consort Chen finally came up with an excuse and said, "Your Majesty, I have just used this water. How dare I let Your Majesty use it again? If others find out, I will be accused of disrespecting Your Majesty and will be guilty of a thousand deaths."

Zhao Ji was taken aback, thinking to himself, "It's just taking a bath, why make such a big deal out of it?"

"There are no outsiders here, and besides, I don't care."

Zhao Ji was already itching to get down to business and just wanted to finish his bath as soon as possible.

If the eunuchs and palace maids were to prepare another bucket of hot water, it would probably take a lot of time.

"You don't care, but I do..." Consort Chen thought to herself. However, when she heard Zhao Ji say that he didn't mind the bathwater she had used, Consort Chen felt a strange emotion and a little pleased with herself.

"But... Your Majesty... this is against the rules..."

Consort Chen still wanted to try again.

It was really strange to have Zhao Ji wash with the same bathwater that Li Qingguo had used.

"Alright, there's no need for so many rules. I am the rule. I now order you to change my clothes."

Consort Chen was taken aback for a moment, then nodded: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I obey your decree."

His Majesty has already made his point so clearly. If she continues to make excuses, His Majesty might suspect that she is hiding someone in the palace.

My mother, Li Qingguo, is too sensitive about her identity as the Princess of Xiliang. If Zhao Ji finds out, it's fine if he doesn't pursue it, but if he does, those princes and ministers will definitely use it as an excuse to make trouble, and then my mother will be in danger.

Moreover, the emperor's words are imperial edicts. If she does not obey, it is considered defying the imperial decree and angering His Majesty. In the future, she will not have a good time in the harem and may even be banished to the cold palace.

Soon, with the help of Consort Chen, Zhao Ji removed his dragon robe and all his clothes.

"Your Majesty, it's... all done."

Consort Chen's face was now flushed red to her ears. Although she had been married to Zhao Ji for many years, Zhao Ji had been obsessed with cultivating Taoism and had never come to Chang Le Palace.

Therefore, Consort Chen had only heard the palace maids mention the symbol of men, but had never actually seen it.

"Why is my beloved concubine's face so red?"

Zhao Ji made a joke.

As a seasoned player in the dating scene, Zhao Ji naturally felt no shyness about these things; on the contrary, he had a desire to tease the other person.

"No way..."

Consort Chen turned her head away, not daring to look again.

She remembered her nanny saying that the more powerful a man's symbol is, the happier and more painful a woman will be during romantic moments.

Seeing Consort Chen's delicate and charming appearance, Zhao Ji's heart fluttered.

It seems the other party hasn't experienced the baptism of romance and beauty.

Zhao Ji was so experienced in seducing women that he knew that a woman's subconscious shyness could not be faked.

Zhao Ji stopped teasing Consort Chen and stepped into the bathtub.