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

When Shen Wangxi returned to the royal tent after finishing his military affairs, it was already afternoon.

The tent was quiet, and Shen Qingruo was curled up on the couch, seemingly asleep.

He walked over quietly, sat down by the couch, and gazed at her peaceful sleeping face, his heart softening.

Just as he was about to tuck the blanket around her, a faint, sweeter fragrance than usual wafted to his nose.

The aroma seems even more enticing.

He couldn't help but lean down, get close to her neck, and take a deep breath.

The fragrance, subtle and warm, seeped into his lungs, stirring something within him.

I originally just wanted to see her and smell her, but now I'm reluctant to leave.

His nose brushed lightly against the side of her neck.

Shen Qingruo was awakened by him; her long eyelashes trembled, and she opened her eyes.

Upon seeing it was him, she gave a soft hum: "Your Majesty, you're back?"

"Mmm." Shen Wangxi responded, lowering his head, originally intending only to lightly kiss her forehead.

But the lingering sweet fragrance made him change his mind.

His kiss slid down her nose and finally covered her delicate lips.

"Hmm..." She opened her eyes wide, somewhat surprised.

The kiss was initially gentle and tender.

But soon, it changed.

His hand involuntarily reached into the blanket and caressed her body.

"Your Majesty..." she protested weakly, her small hand pressed against his chest, but she had little strength.

Shen Wangxi stepped back slightly and looked at her.

Her eyes were glistening with tears, a result of being moved by his kiss.

He had never thought she could cry so beautifully, so beautifully that it made his heart flutter, even more so than when he was in love before.

"Aruo..." Shen Wangxi sighed. He had only wanted to hold her and say a few words, but now he had completely lost control.

He held her slender waist tightly, pressing her towards him, and whispered in her ear, "Aruo, you smell so good today..."

Her eyes were glazed over, and tears finally rolled down her cheeks, making her look even more pitiful: "Your Majesty, some..."

Her frail and helpless appearance only made him more unable to control himself.

He stared at her, pressed down on the back of her delicate knees, and then shifted his gaze to another spot. Because it was daytime, he could see it even more clearly and exclaimed in admiration, "So beautiful..."

"My Aruo, how can you be so beautiful?"

!

Aruo cried and sobbed.

!!!

Woo woo woo.

……

Three days later, the carriage swayed and rattled back to the capital.

Shen Wangxi frowned as he looked at Shen Qingruo, who was sleeping soundly with her head resting on his lap and her face flushed.

These past few days in the desert have been a rare period of relaxation for him, one of the few times he has had in many years.

There were no mountains of memorials, no palace intrigues, and certainly no expectant eyes of Wulan Yun.

Only he and Aruo, like any ordinary couple, rode horses, gazed at the stars, and slept in each other's arms.

He originally wanted to stay a few more days.

But this young girl took the initiative the other day to suggest that she wanted to return to the capital as soon as possible so that she could arrange for her mother Yun Wan's remains to be moved back to the Yun family ancestral grave.

The reasons were sound, and the filial piety was commendable; he had no room for objection whatsoever.

Thinking of this, Shen Wangxi lowered his head, looked at the peaceful sleeping face of the person in his arms, and couldn't help but reach out and gently pinch her soft cheek.

"Hmm..." Shen Qingruo was disturbed and groaned in dissatisfaction. Her long eyelashes fluttered as she slowly woke up.

She opened her eyes groggily and met his somewhat melancholy gaze.

"Your Majesty?" Her voice was hoarse from just waking up, soft and sweet. "What's wrong?"

Shen Wangxi withdrew her hand, her tone devoid of emotion: "It's nothing."

Shen Qingruo seemed oblivious to his gloom, rubbing against his legs to find a more comfortable position, her small hands playing with the jade pendant tassel at his waist, looking innocent and naive.

Seeing the girl's carefree attitude, Shen Wangxi felt even more troubled. Did she know that once she returned to the palace, although she was a Noble Consort, she was still a concubine and had to pay her respects to the Empress every morning and evening?

The thought of Aruo kneeling before the Empress filled him with unease.

She hadn't bowed to him in a long time, let alone knelt.

However, if she were exempted from paying her respects, the memorials from the officials in the court would likely rain down like snowflakes, accusing Consort Zhao of being arrogant and ignorant of etiquette.