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

October arrived in the blink of an eye, and the autumn chill deepened. A cool breeze wafted through the half-open window, bringing the delicate fragrance of osmanthus blossoms from the courtyard.

Inside Yilan Palace, Shen Qingruo, dressed only in a light, soft apricot-yellow silk dress, nestled lazily in Shen Wangxi's arms.

She had bare, snow-white feet, her small toes peeking out from under her skirt, unconsciously curling up and swaying gently. Her feet were flawless and beautiful.

Shen Wangxi was originally looking at a piece of mutton-fat jade pendant that she was playing with in her hand, but his gaze was unconsciously drawn to the swaying jade foot.

Her toes were rounded, and her nails had a faint pink tint; they were incredibly pretty as she swayed.

He stared intently, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly, and his large hand couldn't resist reaching out and grabbing the restless toe.

My palm touched something icy cold.

"Why is it so cold?" He frowned slightly, completely enveloping the small foot in his warm palms, gently rubbing it, trying to dispel the chill.

Shen Qingruo was startled by his sudden movement. He massaged and warmed the soles of her feet, making them both itchy and numb. She couldn't help but pull her feet away, letting out a soft moan, "Oh, Your Majesty, don't...it tickles..."

She tried to pull her foot back, but he held it even tighter.

"Don't move, Nuannuan." Shen Wangxi's voice was low and husky, his gaze falling on the jade-like foot he held in his palm.

Her feet were exceptionally beautiful, with fair and delicate insteps revealing pale blue veins, like a meticulously crafted masterpiece.

His eyes darkened, and he lowered his head to place a light kiss on the instep of her foot.

Shen Qingruo trembled, her toes curling up, her cheeks flushing crimson, her voice filled with embarrassment and anger: "Your Majesty! What are you doing?"

Shen Wangxi looked up at her flushed face and misty eyes, and instead of restraining himself, he chuckled softly.

He gently scraped the sole of her foot with his fingertips.

"Ah!" Shen Qingruo exclaimed in surprise, tickled, and shrank back, almost completely shrinking into his arms.

Her small hands pushed against his chest. "Your Majesty, stop it, Aruo is ticklish."

The more she hid, the more delicate and helpless she appeared, the more it fueled Shen Wangxi's anger.

He stopped teasing her feet and instead held her slender calves in his hands.

Her skirt was pulled up and slipped down a bit, revealing a section of her tender, lotus-root-like calves with snow-white skin.

Shen Qingruo sensed the change in his aura and the familiar darkness in his eyes. She knew something was wrong and tried to escape, but he held her slender waist with his iron arms and she couldn't move.

Her voice was weak and pleading, "Your Majesty, it's not dark yet."

Shen Wangxi leaned down, close to her ear, his voice terribly hoarse: "My A'Ruo is beautiful in every way."

……

An hour later, the air was still filled with the lingering fragrance of the past.

Shen Qingruo was breathing slightly, her delicate face buried in the soft pillow, only revealing half of her blushing profile.

Shen Wangxi leaned against the soft couch, his black nightgown casually draped over his shoulders, revealing his muscular chest.

He gently patted the smooth back of the woman in his arms, helping her calm her rapid breathing, his eyes filled with the languidness and gentleness of someone who had just finished eating.

It took Shen Qingruo quite a while to recover from the lingering dizziness.

Her long eyelashes trembled, and she slowly opened her misty eyes, glaring at the man beside her with a hint of accusation and grievance.

Shen Wangxi chuckled softly, reaching out to brush away the sweat-dampened strands of hair clinging to her cheek, his voice still hoarse from the aftermath: "What's wrong? Are you dissatisfied with how I served Your Highness?"

Shen Qingruo gave a soft snort, turned her face away, and didn't want to pay attention to him.

He looked like an annoyed cat.

Shen Wangxi was in a good mood and pulled her closer to him, changing the subject: "In October, there will be autumn hunting in the outskirts of the capital. How about I take you there to relax?"

Sure enough, the little girl's attention was immediately diverted.

She stirred slightly, tilting her head up to look at him, her watery eyes sparkling with tiny lights: "Really? Your Majesty is taking Aruo out of the palace again?"

"Hmm." Shen Wangxi looked into her almond-shaped eyes, his heart softening. "I'll take you to see the autumn scenery of the hunting grounds; it's more spacious than the palace."

"I'll have a few more smart everyday outfits made for you," he added, twirling a strand of her hair between his fingers. "Then, I'll take you horseback riding."

Shen Qingruo immediately nodded obediently, "Okay."

Seeing her happy expression, Shen Wangxi hesitated for a moment before speaking, "The Empress will stay in the palace to oversee matters during this autumn hunt; it will just be us."

"However, the ones in charge of organizing the hunting this time are Xiao Yu, the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo, and the Duke of Suguo."

"Therefore, Ah-yeon, as the Crown Princess, will also accompany you."

Shen Qingruo's eyes flickered slightly as she listened quietly.

Shen Wangxi tightened her arms, her voice softening further, with a hint of negotiation:

"Aruo, after Ayan got married, she and Xiao Yu lived a harmonious life together. I heard that she has also become much more tolerant of others."

"For the sake of me this autumn hunt, if she doesn't cause any more trouble, then you shouldn't clash with her either, okay?"

He looked down into her eyes and added:

"Of course, if she dares to upset you and you want to vent your anger, you can tell me, and I will teach her a lesson for you."

Shen Qingruo lowered her eyes and remained silent for a few moments.

Just when Shen Wangxi thought she was unhappy, she suddenly raised her face, her delicate lips slightly pouting, with a touch of coquettishness, and softly hummed:

"Hmph, the Eldest Princess? If His Majesty hadn't mentioned her, Aruo would have long forgotten that such a person even existed."

She buried her face in his chest again, nuzzled against him, and whined softly:

"Aruo only has His Majesty in her eyes and heart, how can she have room for anyone else? As long as she doesn't cause trouble for Aruo, Aruo can't be bothered with her."

Upon hearing this, Shen Wangxi was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter.

He lowered his head and kissed the top of her head, and the slight embarrassment he felt from mentioning Ayan dissipated.

His Aruo is just that simple and straightforward, with clear likes and dislikes.

I don't like things, and I find it too much trouble to even remember them.

"Good, my A'ruo is the most generous." Shen Wangxi hugged her tighter and echoed her praise.

As for whether Ayan had truly restrained herself, and whether his Aruo had truly forgotten, Shen Wangxi was unwilling to delve into those questions at the moment.

Although he cares about his daughter, he will stand by her side.