The bright moon hangs high, beckoning him down from his pedestal.

Meanwhile, in the desert royal court.

Shen Wangxi was invited by the general stationed at the royal court to discuss military affairs.

The royal tent fell silent, with only Shen Qingruo remaining.

She leaned lazily against the soft couch covered with snow-white cashmere, her fingertips twirling a strand of her dark hair.

During those days in the desert, he doted on her rotten.

Even if she occasionally throws a little tantrum, he accepts it all, which only makes her more spoiled.

Shen Qingruo called out in her heart, "Xiao Jiu, is there anything happening in the capital?"

The ball of light immediately lit up and excitedly circled around in her mind: "Aruo, Shen Yinian has made a move. He went to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion."

Xiao Jiu projected the scene of Shen Yinian talking with the Duke of Zhenguo and his son, as well as the scene of Wulan Yun shedding tears in the Jiaofang Palace and Shen Jingyan being anxious and restless while under house arrest.

Shen Qingruo watched quietly, then let out a soft chuckle: "Heh."

"They must be having a real headache right now, right?" Her voice was soft and sweet, but tinged with a hint of mockery.

The ball of light drew closer: "Yes, Aruo, you pose quite a threat to them."

Shen Qingruo snorted: "When we return to the palace, I can't let this Consort Zhao be a mere figurehead."

"I will take back what they did to me, little by little."

Her gaze inadvertently fell once again on the portrait on the wall.

Ulan Yun is bright and passionate, just like the appearance of the grassland people.

Although Shen Wangxi was imposing, his features were too delicate, and his temperament was as cold as the moon, which was out of place with the ruggedness of the desert. Instead, he seemed more like a figure who had stepped out of a Central Plains ink painting.

Her doubts deepened. "Xiao Jiu, Shen Wangxi's appearance really doesn't resemble that of a desert person at all."

"Because he wasn't originally one." Xiao Jiu's aura flickered. "The ancestors of the Shen family were feudal lords in the Central Plains, with their fiefdom in Jiangnan."

"However, later, the Liang Emperor at the time became suspicious of them and found a pretext to expel the entire Shen family from the Central Plains territory."

"Is that so?" Shen Qingruo straightened up slightly.

"Yes," Xiao Jiu continued to explain, "Back then, the Shen family was forced to lead their army north into the desert."

"At that time, the desert was a chaotic place, with various tribes constantly fighting each other."

"I never expected that Shen Wangxi's grandfather and father were such ruthless characters. They relied on their skills and strength to unite the various tribes and establish themselves as kings, which led to the later flourishing Great Desert Royal Court."

Shen Qingruo nodded slowly: "I see. That's why he is proficient in all six arts of a gentleman: music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and music. It comes from a family with a long tradition of learning."

"That's right. And the Shen family, generation after generation, has never forgotten the idea of ​​going back to fight back."

"Of the current six ministers, three appear to be former officials of the previous dynasty, but in fact, their families secretly pledged allegiance to Shen Wangxi more than a decade ago."

"Otherwise, how do you think it would have been so easy for the Great Zhou to replace the Great Liang? It was all a carefully laid plan."

Shen Qingruo listened, feeling a pang of sadness.

Behind every change of imperial power lies the scheming and calculation of several generations.

Shen Wangxi and his father and brothers' scheming and cunning far surpassed her mere methods of vying for favor in the harem.

"In the end, we can't compete with the brains of these politicians," she sighed softly, with a hint of self-deprecation.

Steady footsteps could be heard outside the tent.

Shen Qingruo immediately composed herself and lazily lay back down on the soft couch, as if she had never moved.

Shen Wangxi lifted the curtain and entered, walking to the edge of the couch and sitting down naturally. She reached out and brushed a stray hair from her cheek: "Aren't you bored being alone?"

Shen Qingruo raised her watery eyes to look at him, and complained softly, "His Majesty has been gone for a long time."

"I have some things to take care of." He looked at her languid demeanor, his voice softening unconsciously. "Shall I take you horseback riding later?"

She gently kicked her calves, which were dangling over the edge of the bed, and said softly, "No, my legs are sore."

"Then I won't ride her." He readily agreed, bent down, picked her up, and placed her on his lap. "I'll rest with you."

She nestled in his arms, tilted her little face up, and suddenly stretched out her slender white finger to poke his hard chest.

"Hmm?" Shen Wangxi looked down at her, her eyes questioning.

"It's nothing." She withdrew her hand, a sly smile curving her lips, and said matter-of-factly, "I just suddenly wanted to poke His Majesty."

Shen Wangxi was taken aback by her childish behavior, then chuckled softly, her tone full of indulgence: "You're getting more and more spoiled."

"It's His Majesty's fault for spoiling her," she muttered matter-of-factly.

"Yes." Shen Wangxi admitted readily, lowered his head and placed a kiss on her hair, his voice certain, "I spoil her, I'm happy to."

Shen Qingruo found a more comfortable position in his arms, and a slight smile appeared on her lips where no one could see.

Spoiled? That's nothing.

Once back in the palace, she was determined to take advantage of his favor and cause a huge mess.