Wei Yi Di hastily arrived at the imperial study on his dragon carriage, while Xia Ying Shen was already standing at the entrance of the imperial study, gazing at the tall and majestic cypress trees that had turned yellow due to autumn.

  Wei Wei Emperor made an effort to appear unhurried, and calmly called out to him: "Has Xia Taishi arrived? Come in!" As he spoke, he strode into the imperial study with large steps.

  Xia Ying saw Weixi Emperor's hurried footsteps, slightly furrowed his brow, and quietly sighed as he followed him in.

  Su Yongwen hastily went forward to call the eunuchs who were waiting at the gate to keep a distance. He had been serving Emperor Weizong since before his ascension, and he had seen him favor countless women, but never had he seen him be so patient and sincere with anyone as he was with Xia Taishi.

  He was also surprised at the shocking and unconventional romance, but after all, he was just a slave serving by the emperor's side, and it wasn't his place to 'interfere' with his master's affairs. He had thought that the emperor would only be infatuated for a short while, and that in time, he would still prefer women with charm and beauty.

  But after all these years, the emperor's only lingering thought was of him alone.

  Even if the emperor cannot be truly open and honest with him, there is still a complicated entanglement between them due to the emperor's overbearing nature and possessive 'desire'.

  "Bang!" Wei Xun saw Xia Ying Shen enter, and with a wave of his hand, he heavily closed the door behind him, embracing him tightly, and sighed: "Ah Shen, I thought you wouldn't come looking for me again." After all, what he said before was so resolute.

  Xia Ying didn't push him away, but instead said in a calm tone, "I came to find you today because I have an important matter to discuss with you. I don't want Mengmeng to marry the prince."

  Even if he knew that Emperor Wei would not come to find him unless it was necessary, seeing him directly discuss official business as soon as they met still made him feel inexplicably disappointed.

  He also knew that Xia Ying would not say such things without reason, and couldn't help but feel a little suspicious: "Are you saying this because you're worried about Xiao Jiu and the Crown Prince falling out? You don't have to worry, I'll take care of it." Just as he couldn't bear for him to be troubled like that, even matters that required brainpower he would rather take on himself, despite knowing that Xia Ying was usually very clever.

  Xia Ying Shen was taken aback by his words, and immediately thought of the "turning against each other" in his mouth, and was even more puzzled: "What turning against each other? Could it be that the Ninth Prince is against Meng Meng..."

  Wei Ai saw that he didn't know what to say in his heart, but seeing him like this could only nod and tell everything, including Nan Jiu's confession.

  Xia Ying Shen listened, on the one hand proud of his daughter's charm, and on the other hand couldn't help but worry. Meng Meng used to have the prince in her heart, now that she had finally forgotten everything, he really didn't want his daughter to marry into the royal family!

  The emperor saw him frowning and knew what he was thinking, so he comforted him: "You don't have to worry, I will handle this matter well!" No matter what requirements he put forward, he would do his best to achieve them. Just because he couldn't bear to disappoint him, couldn't bear to see him frown.

  Xia Ying Shen looked up and met his warm, deep eyes, feeling a little embarrassed, she turned away and said: "A Su, between us... it's over, no matter how reluctant he is."

  "Wei Ai Di didn't want to hear him say those words, so he hastily interrupted: "We're fine, there's no problem! Ah Shen, I'm sorry, but I won't be able to let you stand alongside me and receive the admiration of the people. However, this won't become a reason for me to give up on you." He couldn't bear it, nor did he want to."

  Xia Ying could only shake her head in dismay at his determined look. "Forget it." Her own heart, which had wanted to separate from him, was no longer resolute. Now that she saw how tense he looked, she felt like she couldn't bear to say anything that would hurt him.

  Seeing him so intimidating, Emperor's 'reveal' a smiling face, the handsome face is full of silly smiles: "A Shen, never say goodbye again." Emotions need to be managed, not just one-sided dedication. He worries that one day, A Shen will silently disappear, leaving him alone and pitiful.

  Dividing line

  When Ye Feng arrived at the Wangyuan Garden, where the banquet was being held, with Qing Lian, he saw that the guests had already begun to chat among themselves. Many of them were big shots from the capital city, accompanied by their sons and colleagues in the official circle, discussing topics that seemed to be but not quite. On the other side sat the ladies and young misses of various aristocratic families, engaged in conversations that were full of mutual praise.

  She stood there for a moment, still dazed and unsure of where to go.

  "Third Miss, Eldest Miss is over there, I'll take you to her," a maid suddenly appeared and whispered.

  Following the direction of the woman's finger, she saw Yezi Su and three others surrounding a woman who was talking. Her looks were not particularly good, but she looked very elegant.

  Even her appearance was somewhat similar to that of Ye Ruxue. As soon as Ye Ruxue saw her, she knew it was the so-called Auntie Moon Huanniang.

  She didn't want to follow others, but now she doesn't fit in anywhere, so it had to be this way.

  Yuè Hòu saw Yè Rú Xī walking over and immediately smiled, beckoning her: "Is this Frost then? Come quickly and let Auntie take a good look! In my impression, you were still that obedient and sensible little girl!"

  Yè Zǐ Sū saw that after chasing and flattering Moon Consort for half a day, she was still lukewarm. But as soon as she saw Yè Rú Fāng, her expression changed to one of tender love. She couldn't help but feel stifled in her heart - what's so good about this fool? Is it because Moon Consort is now having a hard time that they don't take the other royal families seriously? They only acknowledge their own family after getting benefits? Why didn't they have such an attitude when asking for silver from the other royal families?

  Ye Wanwan shot a meaningful glance at Ye Ruxue, who was clearly out of it, before turning to Yu'er and smiling wryly, "Third Sister couldn't remember anything earlier, but Princess Yuer has a great memory for 'certain things'!"

  Yu'e's smile froze on her face as she listened to Ye Wanwan's words, although she was displeased in her heart, she also knew that she was now relying on the 'other' Wang Fu, and Shuang'er, even if she was the legitimate daughter, had long since passed away... She feared that she had suffered countless grievances in the mansion!

  With a smile on her face, she patted Ye Wanwan's hand: "You're just being childish, aren't you trying to compete with your third sister for favor? Aunt naturally treats all of you equally, it's just that she hasn't seen Shuang'er in many years, so she's being more affectionate towards her!"

  Although she said so, in her heart, she looked down on Ye Wan's identity as a concubine.

  Ye Wanwan just pretended not to see her hypocrisy and smiled, "Just now I didn't know what the Empress Dowager asked San Jiejie about?" She saw Ye Ruxue's distracted look and guessed that it was definitely not a good thing!

  Her face was pale as frost, and she didn't say a word.

  At this time, the maid beside Ye Wanwan leaned into her ear and whispered a few words. Ye Wanwan didn't react yet, but Ye Suhuan, who was sitting next to her, exclaimed: "What! Third sister! The Empress Dowager actually said you are unscrupulous?"