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

Three poles in the sun.

After finishing court, Shen Wangxi intended to go to Qingyi Palace.

Just as she arrived at the entrance of the Golden Palace, she was stopped by Emerald, the head palace maid of the Pepper Chamber Palace who was waiting outside the palace.

"Your Majesty, the Empress has requested your approval. The specific details of the Princess's wedding still require your decision."

Shen Wangxi paused, for Ayan's marriage was indeed a major concern for him.

That was his daughter with Ayun, the child on whom he had placed great hopes.

He finally changed direction, "arranging the carriage for the Jiaofang Palace."

Inside the Jiaofang Palace, Ulan Yun had already prepared tea and snacks. When she saw him arrive, she smiled and personally greeted him.

"Your Majesty," she said gently, "please take a look at these princess residences and see which one suits Ayan's temperament best. Also, I have prepared a preliminary list of these dowries for you to review."

Shen Wangxi took the list, sat down beside her, and carefully flipped through it.

He took Shen Jingyan's marriage very seriously, personally selecting several well-located and high-standard mansions, and adding many rare antiques, fine silks and satins. His generous dowry even surpassed that of Shen Yinian, the carefree prince who had established his own mansion.

"This place is good. It's close to the palace, making it convenient for Ayan to come back and visit you often." He pointed to a spot on the map, his tone gentle.

Looking at his focused profile and the way he was carefully planning for his daughter, Wu Lanyun felt much of her unease dissipate.

His Majesty ultimately treated her and the children very well.

"Your Majesty has considered everything carefully," she replied softly, personally pouring him tea.

The two had lunch together, and the conversation mainly revolved around Shen Jingyan's marriage, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

However, Shen Wangxi would occasionally drift off into thought, her gaze sweeping out the window, wondering if A'Ruo in Qingyi Palace had woken up yet, or if she had eaten.

After lunch, the palace servants cleared away the bowls and plates. Wulan Yun personally carried a white jade stew pot and gracefully walked to Shen Wangxi's side.

"Your Majesty has been working hard lately, so I specially had a nourishing soup prepared. Please eat some while it's hot." She gently placed the stew pot in front of him and lifted the lid.

Shen Wangxi didn't think much of it and drank it down in a few gulps. Just as she was about to say a few more words to Wulan Yun about Ayan's marriage, she suddenly felt a surge of heat rising up, accompanied by a restless and eager feeling.

He frowned slightly and glanced subconsciously at the empty stew pot.

Shen Wangxi looked up at Wulan Yun, her gaze questioning, "What's in this soup?"

Wulan Yun felt a tightness in her chest under his gaze, her eyes flickered, and she stammered, "They are some highly nourishing medicinal herbs. Your Majesty was thinking of giving them to Your Majesty to help you recover."

"They also added some deer blood inside."

A tonic with deer blood added?

Shen Wangxi's face darkened instantly. He was a man raised on the grasslands; how could he not know the effects of deer blood? Ayun's actions clearly indicated that she thought he was powerless to do it.

A surge of anger and resentment welled up within him. He thought to himself, how could the Emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty be secretly using such a thing to nourish himself by his own wife?

As her body's reactions became increasingly uncontrollable, Shen Wangxi crossed her legs and adjusted her posture, using the cover of her wide robe.

He suppressed his anger and tried to keep his voice steady: "Ayun, I am in good health."

"You just caught a cold a while ago and haven't fully recovered yet. You need to rest. It's not what you think."

He looked at her and said admonishly, "You don't need to do these things anymore."

Looking at his calm expression, Wu Lanyun didn't believe it.

Your Majesty is such a valiant man. In the past, even when he was seriously injured in the desert, he recovered completely in a month. He has never been negligent in matters of the bedchamber since.

How could a mere cold wind make him so indifferent?

She thought he was just a man who cared about his image and refused to admit it, which only strengthened her resolve to secretly help him get better.

However, Ulan Yun lowered her head and obediently replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, I understand."

Shen Wangxi looked at her, who clearly hadn't listened, and felt a sense of helplessness.

In the past, he might have used his actions to prove that he had no problems and dispel her doubts.

But at this moment, Shen Wangxi's mind flashed back to Aruo's charming little face and her tearful confession last night, and her thoughts became complicated.

He was certain that he didn't want to use this method to prove to Wulan Yun that he was capable, just for the time being.