Yan Xiu Jun secretly admired the owner of this painting, who was able to create such a lifelike portrait. He must have poured his heart and soul into it, and only then could he have captured the essence of the woman in the painting so vividly.

  She gazed slowly over, in front of a vermilion lacquer table, on which a red candle was burning, casting a faint candlelight. The majestic and cold emperor was holding a brush to paint on the rice paper with an air of dignity, his expression focused, his eyes gentle, which was quite different from his usual icy and chilly appearance.

  Standing beside his desk was the eunuch who served him, the Grand Chamberlain Luo Gonggong. Luo Gonggongs expression was stern as he held a palace lantern to light the way for him.

  It turned out that this was his secret place, no wonder those who came to spy on him all died in vain. As a high and mighty emperor, it was easy for him to kill a few people with a flick of his wrist. Yan Xikun thought about this and was so scared that she wanted to leave, but she was also very curious, who was the woman in the painting?

  Lu Gong gazed at his master, who was seriously painting at the moment, and let out a sigh. His master only had this expression when he was painting her, and could put down his cold disguise to reveal his true feelings. Unfortunately, people with feelings couldnt become family members.

  Looking out at the moonlight outside the window, it was already very late. Lord Luo couldnt help but speak up to remind him: "Your Majesty, its time, we should head back!"

  Chu Yixuan frowned impatiently, raised his head and said in a cold voice: "How can this slave be so annoying? I have my own judgment in my heart, no need for you to remind me!"

  "However, Your Majesty..., tomorrow mornings early court..."

  "I know, isnt it just discussing the selection of concubines with a few ministers? How annoying!" Chu Yixuans face showed disgust whenever the topic of selecting concubines was brought up. Whether it was the ministers or those women from deep within the palace, they all wanted to use the selection as an opportunity to climb higher and gain power and benefits for themselves.

  "This matter of selection is of great importance, I beg Your Majesty to treat it with caution!" Minister Luo advised sincerely.

  "Hmm..." Chu Yixuan hummed softly, not responding, and instead focused on painting seriously. Luo Gonggong shook his head secretly, while the respectful Marquis stood by with a solemn expression.

  Half a moment passed, Chu Yixuan finally put down the red pen in his hand, gently blew a few mouthfuls of air on the portrait on the rice paper, and gazed at the beauty in the portrait with a gentle expression, softly saying: "I miss you, I want to go see you immediately, but this period is really busy, after the selection is over, I will go see you!"

  Chu Yixuans confession shocked Yan Xijun, and a thought flashed through her mind: was the woman in the painting his lover? Why was it so difficult to see her even once, could it be that she wasnt in the palace?

  "Lu Zhong, hang up this painting!" Chu Yixuan turned his head towards Lu Zhong and nodded.

  "Yes," Luo Gonggong put down the palace lantern in his hand, carefully picked up the painting, and then hung it on the wall.

  Yan Xijun knew they were about to leave, so she thought of leaving first without letting them notice her. She retreated quietly, but with many mosquito nets around, she didnt notice and bumped into an incense burner.

  "Clang," in the silent room, the incense burner fell to the ground with a crisp and clear sound. Yan Xijun was startled and stared blankly at the incense burner on the floor, her slow reaction making her forget to escape.

  "Who!" A cold and stern voice rang out.

  Yan Xijun turned around to escape, but it was already too late. The bright yellow figure flashed in front of her instantly, and the dragon-embroidered robe was particularly dazzling.

  "Its you!" Chu Yixuan looked at the small face in front of him with surprise, and asked coldly: "How did you end up here?"

  "I...I...just happened to pass by." Yan Xijun replied in a trembling voice, her body shaking uncontrollably. She was doomed, he had discovered her, would he kill her?

  "Passing by? How long has it been? What have you heard?" Chu Yixuans hand grasped her throat, his eyes cold as a star, asking in one breath.

  "I... just arrived... didnt hear anything." Yan Xijun replied calmly, his throat still sore from being pinched.

  "Hmm, dare to lie to me? You wont be spared." Chu Yixuans pupils emitted a dangerous signal from the depths of his eyes, and with a fierce anger, he tightened his large hands mercilessly.

  Yan Xijun suddenly felt uncomfortable breathing, her small face gradually turned purple, and she looked at Chu Yixuan with a terrified expression, he really wanted her life.

  "Your Majesty, you cant do this! This is absolutely impermissible! She cannot be killed!" Luo Gonggong intervened, seeing his master about to give the order to kill.

  Chu Yixuan slightly raised an eyebrow: "Why cant we kill?"

  "Your Majesty, she is General Yans daughter and also the fourth sister of the Empress. If you were to kill her suddenly tonight, General Yan would definitely investigate this matter thoroughly, and the Empress would also pursue it relentlessly. This would be detrimental to Your Majesty."

  "Also," Chu Yixuan nodded, his hand relaxed and he let go of Yan Xijun.

  Yan Xijuns body was exhausted and fell to the ground, desperately gasping for air, almost suffocating from lack of oxygen.

  "For now, Ill spare your life," Chu Yixuan condescended to bend down and squat beside her, his expression cold and detached as he gazed at her: "Im not afraid of the people from your household, but rather, I think its more beneficial to keep you alive than to kill you."

  "Remember, whatever you see and hear tonight is just a dream. Forget everything when you leave, if you dare to leak out a single word, your head will roll!"

  Chu Yixuan suddenly stretched out his hand, gently stroking Yan Xikuns face, and coldly smiled: "A beauty as lovely as a flower, I really cant bear to kill her. However, if she offends my bottom line, I will show no mercy!"

  "I... I didnt see anything, didnt hear anything!"

  "Alright, remember this for me! This is our little secret, a secret that cant be told!" Chu Yixuan pinched her cheek, stood up and said to Luo Gonggong: "Luo Zhong, lets go!"

  Yan Xijun slowly got up not long after they left, her eyes met the woman in the painting, the womans mouth was slightly smiling as if staring at her, she suddenly felt terrified and hastily escaped.