The temperamental white moonlight is back, and the entire Marquis's family obediently calls him

Everyone hurried back to their seats and knelt down in worship.

The bustling garden fell silent instantly, and Lu Mingzhao could almost hear his own breathing.

"Rise, everyone. Today is a palace banquet, so please don't be too formal."

The emperor was fifty years old this year, and his voice sounded quite gentle and kind.

However, even after everyone stood up, Lu Mingzhao still didn't dare to raise his head.

Until the emperor's voice rang out again: "Which one of you is Lady Lu, wife of the Marquis of Zhongjing?"

Lu Mingzhao's heart skipped a beat.

Zhou Ningchuan had previously said that the emperor wanted to see her, which was why he had Zhou Ningchuan bring her into the palace, so she was mentally prepared.

But she didn't expect it to happen so suddenly!

She subconsciously looked at Zhou Ningchuan beside her, who had already stood up. He looked down at her, reached out his hand, and whispered, "Don't be afraid."

With her husband's encouragement, Lu Mingzhao felt much more at ease, took his hand, and walked forward with him.

"Your subject Zhou Ningchuan and your wife, Lady Lu, greet Your Majesty."

The two knelt down and spoke at the same time.

The emperor chuckled a few times: "I've often heard Ningchuan mention you, but you weren't in good health before, so I never got to see you."

"Are you feeling better now?"

Lu Mingzhao hurriedly replied, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am fully recovered."

"That's good. Ningchuan has been far away in the Northwest all these years, leaving you alone in the capital to take care of three children. It must have been really hard for you."

Lu Mingzhao guessed that the emperor was just saying that on the surface. After all, the absurd behavior of the time-traveling woman was common knowledge in the capital. If the emperor didn't know, he wouldn't have advised Zhou Ningchuan to get a divorce.

However, Lu Mingzhao still pretended to be deeply moved: "Thank you, Your Majesty. The Marquis is serving the country and the emperor on the border. It is my duty to take good care of everything at home so that the Marquis can be at ease and continue to be loyal."

"Excellent!" the emperor exclaimed, clapping his hands in praise.

The Empress, who was standing to the side, immediately smiled and said, "I feel very close to Madam Lu. Please accept these things as a gift."

The eunuch beside him then read out the names, and the palace servants presented a series of rewards.

Lu Mingzhao didn't understand everything either. She only vaguely heard something about "kingfisher feathers," "gold hairpin," and "ginseng and donkey-hide gelatin." She didn't remember the rest before it was over.

After the eunuch finished reading, she quickly followed her husband in expressing her gratitude.

The emperor then asked, "Where is He Ling?"

They considered it over and got up to return to their seats.

"How was it? Were you scared just now?"

Zhou Ningchuan asked in a low voice.

Lu Mingzhao: "It's alright, not as scary as I imagined."

They were really kind; they even gave them so many gifts.

When Zhou Ningchuan saw his wife lower her head to drink tea, his smile faded somewhat.

His wife didn't think much of it, but he could tell that the emperor's words had a hidden meaning.

He volunteered to defend the Northwest.

He led a large and impressive army out of the pass and spent seven years in the Northwest, where he cultivated a group of loyal and capable soldiers and generals.

His situation was something the royal family greatly feared, and he should not have been allowed to enter the capital without being summoned.

He returned to Beijing this time under the pretext of missing his family.

Several months passed in the blink of an eye, and he remained in the capital.

The emperor may not say it outright, but the military power he wields is so great that the emperor cannot help but be concerned.

Asking him to bring his wife into the palace was also a way to warn him and make him prepare to return to the Northwest sooner.

...But he couldn't let go of his wife, nor could he let go of his three children.

He wanted to take his wife away.

Although the Northwest is windy and dusty, it may not be as restrictive for a wife as it is in the capital.

The only thing holding the two of them together was their three children.

Zhou Shili has a bright future ahead of him and absolutely cannot leave the capital.

Zhou Shixu and Zhou Ming'an are still young. If they leave with them, it's not just that they might not be able to endure the hardships of the border, but they might never be able to return.

Moreover, the brother and sister were at a time when they needed their parents to make decisions for them.

One of the husband and wife had to stay in the capital to handle these matters.

Therefore, Zhou Ningchuan had no reason to leave with his wife under any circumstances.

If only... he could stay.

Zhou Ningchuan closed his eyes and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp.

After discovering that his wife had returned, he had been trying to find a way to stay in the capital, but as time went by, he still hadn't found a way or an opportunity.

Right now, he can't tell his wife about this, lest she also have to overthink it with him.

By the time Lu Mingzhao realized that Zhou Ningchuan had been drinking, he was already quite drunk.

Zhou Ningchuan was completely drunk. He stood up to change his clothes. Lu Mingzhao was worried about him, so she followed the servant and helped him walk for a while until he could not go any further.

She always felt that her husband was hiding something from her.

Otherwise, even on the happiest days, I've never seen my husband drink this much.

As she walked back, she pursed her lips, trying to figure out what she had forgotten, when suddenly she heard a familiar voice:

"Mrs. Lu, it's been a long time."

Lu Mingzhao: ...

She found it really amazing that Li Xuanzhou always managed to find her when she was alone.

She turned around and smiled politely, "Your Highness Prince Wei, I didn't see you at the banquet just now, I thought you weren't here."

Li Xuanzhou stood slouchingly, leaning against the moon gate, and chuckled, "Madam Lu's gaze was fixed on Marquis Zhongjing the whole time; how could she possibly notice me?"

"..."

Lu Mingzhao looked around to make sure no one was watching before continuing, "Your Highness Prince Wei, is there anything else? This place is not like Yunding Manor; there are too many people around, so it's not appropriate for us to talk like this."

Li Xuanzhou, however, didn't take it seriously: "I don't care."

"If anyone finds out, I'll say I've become entangled with Madam Lu."

Lu Mingzhao narrowed his eyes, his teeth clenched in anger.

Li Xuanzhou admired her prickly appearance for a while before his eyes crinkled into a smile: "Just kidding."

"I was ill a few days ago and didn't have the chance to invite Madam Lu to a gathering. Today I heard that Madam Lu is also going to the palace, and I finally managed to get out of bed. I'm determined to go to the palace and see Madam Lu."

"If Madam Lu knew about my perseverance, wouldn't she be even a little moved?"

Lu Mingzhao stepped forward: "I may not be moved, but I can take action."

Li Xuanzhou: "No."

He smiled and took a step back, but for some reason almost fell.

Lu Mingzhao belatedly glanced at him a few times and said, "You seem to have lost weight?"

Could it be that Li Xuanzhou was really sick?

Li Xuanzhou smiled and said, "I knew Madam Lu cared about me; she could even tell I'd lost weight."

"It's alright, I'm much better now."

Lu Mingzhao wanted to say something sarcastic, but after hearing this, she couldn't say anything more.

Li Xuanzhou, instead of taking advantage, feigned innocence, coughing weakly twice: "Madam Lu, do you know how I can feel better?"

"...What's wrong?"

Lu Mingzhao had a bad feeling; he felt that he wouldn't say anything nice.