She refused to marry.

The following day, Su Wanwan went to the East Garden as promised.

As soon as she entered the princess's residence, a servant stepped forward and said, "Miss Su, the princess invites you."

Su Wanwan arrived at the warm pavilion and saw that there were many scrolls in the Princess's room.

The eldest princess held a portrait in her hand and nodded repeatedly.

"This humble woman greets Your Highness," Su Wanwan bowed.

"You've arrived." The princess lowered the portrait and waved to her. "Come here."

Su Wanwan moved over.

The eldest princess suddenly grabbed her hand and whispered gently, "Have you been in the East Garden all this time?"

"Yes, Your Highness," Su Wanwan replied softly.

"You're quite fortunate; anyone else would have thrown it away long ago." The princess pointed to the scroll beside her.

"Take these paintings to the East Garden and make sure His Majesty selects the person he is most satisfied with. The welcoming banquet is the day after tomorrow, and I must deliver the invitations today so that he can see them." The Princess patted her hand.

"Your Highness, I can only promise to deliver it; His Majesty may not even look at it," Su Wanwan said hesitantly.

In all these years, Feng Chenjun has never been near any woman.

He had no concubines or maids by his side, and even the maids who served him were specially selected.

Rumors circulated in the capital that he had homosexual tendencies, but she had observed that he treated Qingshan and the guards only as masters and servants, without any romantic involvement.

She once asked Qingshan, and Qingshan only said four words: "The lord disdains it."

What does he disdain? Women? Or women who offer themselves to him?

During this time, she heard some gossip from Xie Yunzhou: Feng Chenjun had a younger sister when he was a child, and the two were inseparable.

When the Eldest Princess and General Xiao had a falling out and separated, she threatened his younger sister's life, saying that if he didn't follow the Eldest Princess, his sister's life would be in danger. That's why he followed the Eldest Princess to the capital.

But that younger sister is long gone.

Moreover, that happened a very, very long time ago.

"Since His Majesty favors you so much, you can say a few more words, and he won't do anything to you. Go ahead, and I'll take responsibility for anything that happens to you." The Princess smiled. "If this matter is accomplished, you will be richly rewarded."

Su Wanwan's lips twitched. Having dealt with the Princess for so long, she had long since figured out the Princess's temperament. There was always a big reward, and there was more to that.

If this is not handled properly, there will be severe penalties!

He led two maids carrying picture albums into the East Garden.

The moment Feng Chenjun saw her, his gaze was still gentle and calm, but when he looked behind her, his gaze became noticeably darker.

She even threw the book aside and got up to go to the warm pavilion deep in the East Garden.

Su Wanwan stepped into the warm pavilion, where Feng Chenjun was already seated.

"Sit down." Xiao Xuanjing gave her a strange smile.

Su Wanwan had a bad feeling.

"Your Majesty, have you had breakfast today?" Su Wanwan walked in and sat down in front of Feng Chenjun.

"No." Xiao Xuanjing sat down, and the people at the door brought out the food and placed it on the table.

Su Wanwan sat down as well, and picked up her bowl and chopsticks. "Your Majesty, how has your appetite been lately? It's good to change things up once in a while."

Xiao Xuanjing glanced at the maid who had followed him, then slowly placed a dumpling in Su Wanwan's bowl, his tone unusually gentle, "Eat slowly."

"Hmm?" Su Wanwan raised her eyes warily, her gaze fixed on the dumplings the emperor had placed on her plate. "Your Majesty, I want to live a few more days."

"It's alright. I've said it before, I decide your fate." Xiao Xuanjing picked up the bowl and chopsticks, ladled some soup in front of her, and said in an even gentler tone than before, "Be careful not to choke."

Su Wanwan was so frightened that she sat up straight.

The princess's maids are here today. If they go back and say something inappropriate, causing the princess to misunderstand, it will be a big problem.

"Your Majesty, please drink it yourself. I can do it myself." Su Wanwan got up, placed the soup in front of the emperor, and quickly ladled some soup for herself.

He then glanced sideways at the two women at the door, his arms already trembling slightly.

"Your Majesty, look, they must be tired from carrying it. Why don't you put it down for now?" Su Wanwan pleaded in a low voice.

"Okay, I'll do whatever you say." Xiao Xuanjing lowered his head and drank his soup.

Su Wanwan put away her chopsticks, goosebumps rising all over her body.

Feng Chenjun was so gentle today, she had to be extra careful.

"Go and put it on the desk," Su Wanwan instructed.

The two maids looked up at the same time, placed the scroll on the desk, and stood aside.

"Aren't you leaving yet?" Su Wanwan asked in a low voice.

"His Highness said that these scrolls are extremely precious, and each of the noble ladies only has one painting. He instructed us to take good care of them and not to damage them," the maid said, bowing.

Su Wanwan pursed her lips and asked the emperor in a low voice, "Your Majesty, please let me get through this ordeal first. From now on, serving you like a slave is all negotiable."

"To be treated like a beast of burden... how could I bear to do that?" Xiao Xuanjing curled the corners of his lips, gently put down the soup, picked up his chopsticks, and placed a piece of fish into her bowl.

Su Wanwan pleaded with her eyes, "Your Majesty, I truly cherish my life."

"It's alright, as long as you obey me, I can guarantee you a long and healthy life," Xiao Xuanjing said in a low voice.

Su Wanwan remained silent, lowering her head to eat. As long as she kept quiet, Feng Chenjun wouldn't act recklessly.

Unfortunately, she miscalculated.

Feng Chenjun served her food a full twelve times.

After finally finishing her meal, Su Wanwan quickly left the house and went out into the courtyard for some fresh air.

Xiao Xuanjing strolled out and walked beside her. "Let's go for a walk."

After saying that, he took her hand!

Su Wanwan stared wide-eyed in fear!

"Your Majesty! This is not right!" She tried to break free, but Feng Chenjun was very strong. The more she struggled, the more it hurt, so she simply let him hold her.

The two walked towards the Forget-Worry Pavilion.

Once everyone was alone, Su Wanwan said angrily, "A gentleman does not take what others love. Your Majesty, please have some self-respect."

Xiao Xuanjing released her hand, paused, and lowered his eyes slightly. "A gentleman does not force others to do things against their will."

"How could I refuse Your Highness's request? Besides, you're getting on in years, it's time for you to get married, so Your Highness can hold your grandchild soon..." Su Wanwan looked up and saw Feng Chenjun staring at her with a gloomy expression, and quickly covered her mouth.

"You should just find someone to marry," Xiao Xuanjing said, pacing forward.

"You don't need to worry, I've already found it," Su Wanwan said softly.

But it still reached Xiao Xuanjing's ears.

Xiao Xuanjing frowned slightly, feeling inexplicably annoyed.

He glanced back at her, then continued walking forward.

Su Wanwan didn't understand what he meant, and continued to mutter, "Her Highness the Princess cares a lot about His Majesty, which is obvious to everyone..." Before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted by Feng Chenjun.

"The person you're talking about, is it Lu Huai'an?" Xiao Xuanjing asked in a low voice.

Su Wanwan kept her mouth tightly shut.

Xiao Xuanjing is vengeful; if he's unhappy, he might make her unhappy too.

She didn't want Feng Chenjun to cause trouble for Lu Huai'an.

"Answer me," Xiao Xuanjing pressed.

"Yes," Su Wanwan replied.

"He lied to you, and you're willing to let him? You can't even make it public." Xiao Xuanjing's face grew increasingly grim.

"He had his reasons. He was demoted to his hometown and couldn't live like a normal person. I can understand why he lied to me about that," Su Wanwan said in a low voice.

Xiao Xuanjing frowned, his eyes growing darker.

Why does the little fox always fall into other people's traps?