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

As night deepened, only a few palace lanterns were lit inside the Taiji Hall.

Shen Wangxi sat behind the desk, with memorials spread out in front of him, but he couldn't concentrate on reading a single word.

He kept seeing Aruo leaning against the window, her eyes watery yet empty, and her light, airy words: "The palace walls seem even higher now, I can hardly breathe."

She wants to leave the palace? She wants to leave him?

He absolutely will not allow it.

"Wu Tian," he called out.

Wu Tian bowed and entered. "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"

"Bring the wine."

Wu Tian was taken aback for a moment, but didn't dare to ask any more questions. He quickly brought over the wine.

Shen Wangxi poured himself a drink, his cool and aloof features appearing even more distant in the candlelight. After a few drinks, the stifling feeling did not dissipate; instead, it became even more pronounced.

At this moment, a report came from outside the palace that Duke Qi Rui of Su State requested an audience.

Qi Rui and Shen Wangxi were about the same age. Qi Rui was a trusted confidant who had followed him for many years. He was very capable, but he was also known for his womanizing ways. He had many wives and concubines in his harem, but they rarely got along.

Qi Rui entered, bowed, and reported on the border military affairs. Seeing Shen Wangxi's displeased expression and the wine pot on the table, he smiled and said:

"Is Your Majesty troubled by something? If you don't mind, shall I have a few drinks with you?"

Shen Wangxi looked up at him, did not refuse, and pointed to the seat opposite.

Qi Rui sat down casually and poured himself a glass of wine.

After drinking together for a while, Shen Wangxi looked at Qi Rui and suddenly spoke:

"How do you manage to keep all the women in your household so well-behaved, so they don't cause any trouble, and so devoted to you?"

Upon hearing this, Qi Rui's eyes flashed with surprise, then he smiled knowingly: "Is Your Majesty troubled by love?"

He put down his wine glass. "It's actually quite simple. Just treat your wife with respect, and your concubines with wealth and status. It's all about catering to their preferences."

"Women, especially those who have feelings for you, can be easily won over as long as you give them what they truly want."

Shen Wangxi frowned even more deeply, interrupting him: "What if we don't know what she wants? Or what she wants that I can't give her?"

Qi Rui observed His Majesty's expression and vaguely guessed what was going on. The only thing that could make His Majesty so worried was probably the newly promoted Consort Zhao in Yilan Palace.

He leaned closer, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of mockery, "Your Majesty, you are the ruler of the world, and a great man of dragon-like bearing and phoenix-like beauty."

"When couples have disagreements, sometimes there's no need for formalities; there's a very direct way..."

Shen Wangxi looked up at him.

Qi Rui smiled ambiguously: "They quarrel at the head of the bed and make up at the foot of the bed."

"No matter how angry she is, if you put a little effort into the bedroom, she'll feel weak just thinking about you, and she won't have the energy to stay angry with you."

Shen Wangxi paused, his fingers gripping the wine glass. The image of Aruo beneath him flashed through his mind. His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, but his expression remained indifferent: "Her body is weak; it might not be feasible."

Qi Rui chuckled, his voice even lower: "Your Majesty, you've also been in the military camp. Those methods for dealing with... cough cough, those methods for making people happy don't necessarily have to be too forceful."

"Simply use your charm, music, and poetry on the person you cherish most, and she'll be completely subdued and melt into your arms."

"After doing this and that, the knot in my heart naturally dissipated."

Shen Wangxi remained silent, downing the wine in his glass in one gulp. His eyes were deep and unreadable.

Qi Rui knew he had already made his point, so he said no more. He drank two more cups with Qi Rui, then tactfully took his leave.

Silence returned to the hall.

Shen Wangxi drank a few more cups by herself, Qi Rui's words and Aruo's tearful little face echoing in her mind.

He suddenly stood up, his body swaying slightly from the alcohol, which startled Wu Tian, ​​who quickly stepped forward to help him.

Shen Wangxi's voice was slightly tipsy, "Prepare the carriage for Yilan Palace."