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

The imperial edict was issued yesterday, and the very next day officials from the Ministry of Works came to select palaces near the Taiji Hall to begin planning their expansion.

Shen Wangxi personally laid out the new palace blueprints in front of Shen Qingruo, put his arm around her slender waist, and pointed them out to her.

"Here." He pointed with his long, slender finger to the main hall in the center of the drawing. "From now on, it will be called Yilan Hall."

Shen Qingruo nestled in his arms, tilting her small face up with a questioning look in her eyes.

Shen Wangxi lowered his head, his nose brushing against her cheek, his voice tinged with laughter: "The character 'Yi' represents the ripples that stirred in my heart when I saw you, ripples that have never ceased."

"As for the orchid, it is naturally the noble, obedient, and fragrant orchid in my arms, Aruo."

Shen Qingruo blushed slightly at his straightforward words of love, buried her face in his chest, and refused to look up in embarrassment.

Shen Wangxi was in a great mood and continued pointing to the blueprints: "I have someone set aside a small garden next to it and build a pavilion, so you can practice dancing on your days."

"I'll also build you an indoor dance studio. If it's windy or rainy, I'll lay out a soft blanket so you won't get cold or tired."

He considered everything for her, and Shen Qingruo said softly, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I like it."

Shen Wangxi was satisfied and then gestured for Wu Tian to present a tray with three jade plaques on it, each engraved with the characters "宸", "昭", and "熙".

He slowly began, "And here are the titles I have prepared for you. Choose one you like."

Shen Qingruo's gaze swept across the page, and when it landed on the first character "Chen," she paused slightly.

Chen, the Purple Star, is of unparalleled nobility and has always been a synonym for emperors. How could it be bestowed upon the concubines of the harem?

She raised her watery eyes and looked at Shen Wangxi with some hesitation.

Shen Wangxi understood the concern in her eyes, but didn't care. He pointed to the character "Chen" with his fingertip: "I think this is the best."

Shen Qingruo gently shook her head, her slender fingertips passing over the character "Chen" and landing on the second jade tablet: "Aruo chooses this one, Zhao."

"Oh?" Shen Wangxi was somewhat surprised. He did indeed prefer the first one. "Why did you choose it? I think the character 'Chen' suits you better."

Shen Qingruo picked up the jade plaque engraved with the character "Zhao" and said in a sweet voice, "Because this character sounds better when pronounced."

"Moreover, 'Zhao' means sunlight, bright and warm. You were once the invincible, cold moon in the desert sky, in the hearts of the people. So, Aruo, let me be the warm sun in your heart, okay?"

Shen Wangxi was slightly taken aback, but then she understood.

He couldn't help but chuckle softly, reached out and cupped her small face, then lowered his head and kissed her delicate lips hard.

"Ah Ruo's little mouth is so good at sweet-talking people." He rested his forehead against hers, his tone full of doting and pleasure, "And yet, I fall for it."

Shen Qingruo was shy and punched him lightly.

Shen Wangxi took the jade pendant with the character "Zhao" on it, and wrapped his large hand around her small hand. "Whatever you say."

"From now on, you will be my Consort Zhao, the mistress of Yilan Palace."

-

Inside Jingyang Palace, Shen Jingyan was restless and uneasy.

For several days, things were calm at Qingyi Palace. There was no imperial decree of punishment, not even a word of reprimand.

On the contrary, a vacant palace garden closest to the Taiji Hall suddenly began a large-scale construction project, which was being repaired day and night. The commotion made her feel inexplicably uneasy.

"Bizhu!" She couldn't help but call out to her confidante again, "What's going on at Qingyi Palace, and that construction site next to Taiji Palace? Can't we get any information at all?"

Bizhu also looked troubled: "Your Highness, His Majesty has suddenly increased the number of people in Qingyi Palace, and now it's like an iron barrel; our people can't get close at all."

"The Ministry of Works is keeping its mouth shut about that newly started palace. They only say that His Majesty personally ordered it, and no one dares to discuss its specific purpose."

Shen Jingyan was so angry that she smashed a teacup.

This feeling of being kept in the dark and having no idea what the Emperor was up to was absolutely terrible!

Just then, Bizhu seemed to suddenly remember something and hesitated before speaking, "However, when I returned just now, I overheard two young medicine boys chatting idly in the corner..."

"What did you say?" Shen Jingyan immediately asked.

Bizhu lowered her voice, her face filled with surprise and uncertainty: "They said that the Imperial Physician drank too much while on night duty last night, and he pulled someone aside to complain, saying that he knew he wouldn't live much longer because he had learned a shocking secret."

"What secret?" Shen Jingyan's heart jumped.

Bizhu swallowed hard, her voice even softer: "He said that Princess Qingruo is pregnant."

"What?!" Shen Jingyan jumped up from her seat, her face pale. "Are you sure? Did you hear me clearly?"

"I heard it all clearly. Those two little medicine boys were even blaming each other, saying that the Imperial Physician was confused and how could he say such a death sentence in his drunkenness..." Bizhu was also terrified.

"This servant dared not linger and returned immediately."

-

Unbeknownst to Bizhu, shortly after she left from eavesdropping at the corner of the Imperial Hospital, the two young apprentices who had been assigned to the task suddenly looked at each other and scratched their heads.

Did I just say anything?

"No, right? Isn't it just a complaint that the Imperial Physician is making us organize old medical records again?"

Inside Qingyi Palace, Shen Qingruo leaned against the window, watching in her mind the scene of Bizhu running back to Jingyang Palace in a panic, and a smile appeared on her lips.

"Xiao Jiu, you did a great job."

Xiao Jiu blinked happily, "Now, let's see how our esteemed Princess will handle this."