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

Inside the main hall of Yilan Palace, Shen Qingruo wore a light purple belted long dress, which made her skin look even whiter and her figure even more graceful.

She leaned lazily against the cushioned chair, her black hair held back by a simple jade hairpin, her features exquisite.

Xiao Yu followed Shen Jingyan into the hall, and his breath hitched when his eyes fell on the beautiful figure at the head of the table.

She was even more beautiful than when we first met, like a carefully nurtured flower in full bloom, captivating the heart and impossible to look away from at first glance.

He quickly lowered his eyes, concealing the amazement in them, cupped his hands in greeting, and maintained the respectful tone of a subject:

"Your subject Xiao Yu pays respects to Consort Zhao."

Shen Qingruo gave a soft "hmm," her gaze sweeping over him without lingering, and landing directly on Shen Jingyan, her voice soft and sweet: "Princess, please pay your respects."

Xiao Yu stood aside politely, but his eyes kept lingering on her out of the corner of his eye.

Those beautiful almond-shaped eyes, that elegant yet alluring temperament, a blend of purity and seduction, all captivated his heart.

Shen Jingyan took a deep breath and, following the rules that had been repeatedly corrected over the past few days, bent her knees and slowly knelt down, performing a standard grand bow.

Shen Qingruo gently tapped the armrest with her slender white fingers, glanced at it, and slowly said, "Not straight enough, start over."

Shen Jingyan bit her lip, enduring the humiliation, stood up, straightened her clothes again, and knelt down more slowly and precisely.

Seeing her being deliberately harassed like this, Xiao Yu felt no pity for Shen Jingyan whatsoever. Instead, he felt that whatever the high and mighty beauty did was perfectly justified.

Unfortunately, her gaze never lingered on him from beginning to end.

His heart skipped a beat, and he stepped forward, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, and spoke in a gentle voice:

"Your Highness, I apologize for my presumption. Her Highness the Eldest Princess's first bow was already standard; why is a second bow required? Is this perhaps a bit too strict?"

Shen Qingruo was feeling bored when she heard this and was slightly taken aback. She finally raised her eyes and looked directly at Xiao Yu, who was speaking below.

Xiao Yu felt her gaze fall on him, his heart skipped a beat, and he was indescribably excited, but he still maintained a calm and composed demeanor.

At the same time, Xiao Jiu's voice rang in Shen Qingruo's mind: "Aruo, Xiao Yu clearly likes you. He's deliberately trying to attract your attention."

Shen Qingruo lazily replied in her mind, "Mm."

Having seen a supreme ruler like Shen Wangxi, who was both scholarly and martial, and exceptionally handsome, Xiao Yu before her seemed utterly unremarkable in her eyes.

Shen Qingruo scrutinized him closely. His appearance was not as good as Shen Wangxi's, his figure was not as upright and powerful, not to mention his status and position. He was really not worthy of her attention.

She casually remarked, "It is not for Prince Xiao to judge how I teach the Princess to behave and conduct herself."

As soon as she finished speaking, she inadvertently caught sight of Shen Jingyan, who was looking at Xiao Yu with eyes full of emotion.

Shen Qingruo was taken aback.

Shen Jingyan didn't see through Xiao Yu's pretense at all? Did she really think he was standing up for her?

This piqued her interest.

A slight smile played on her lips, her tone carrying a hint of amusement:

"However, since the future prince consort has pleaded for me, I should give him some face. Princess, please rise."

Xiao Yu was secretly pleased and couldn't help but steal a glance at her, only to find that she had already looked away.

Shen Jingyan, feeling as if she had been granted a pardon, quickly thanked him and stood up, shyly standing next to Xiao Yu.

Looking at Shen Jingyan's blissful state, Shen Qingruo glanced at Xiao Yu's gaze that was still secretly following her, and found the scene absurd and ridiculous.

Afraid that she might burst out laughing, she waved her hand and said, "I'm tired. You may all leave."

Xiao Yu felt disappointed, but dared not show it, and could only respectfully say, "Your subject takes his leave."

Watching the two walk away hand in hand, Shen Qingruo gently shook her head.

One was hypocritical, the other was poor at judging people.