He stared at Chu Lianruo until she raised her eyes, shyly avoiding his gaze, and a hint of a smile appeared on the corner of his lips: "The concubine of King Feng is indeed beautiful."

  Xu Yang smiled slightly, without a hint of complacency, and instead maintained his previous nonchalant attitude, replying: "Not even comparable to half of the beauties in the imperial harem."

  Xu Rong's smile faded, and a hint of sarcasm flashed at the corner of his lips. As if he had thought of something, Xu Rong waved his hand behind him, and the little eunuch holding the swallow-shaped kite rushed forward. Xu Rong took the kite from him, examined it carefully, then raised his eyes to ask: "Is this your kite?"

  Chu Lian's face showed a faint pink flush, making her small face even more endearing. She curtsied and said: "Replying to Your Majesty, it was indeed the paper kite with the broken string that I had."

  Yingying's slender figure, weak and boneless, yet her movements were especially elegant. Xiurong gazed at her, his eyes filled with an even more repressed light. Xiurong smiled and handed the paper kite directly to Chulianruo's hands, laughing loudly: "Perhaps this swallow has discerning taste, finding the Emerald Bamboo Garden too small and desolate, wanting to fly around in my Imperial Flower Garden instead."

  He said, looking at Xuyang beside him with a profound meaning, and the smile on his face also had an inquiring tone: "What does Wang think of my words?"

  Chu Lian's eyes drooped, blocking the hatred in her eyes. Xiurong, you are indeed a suspicious and distrustful person. Because of your suspicions, you destroyed our General's Manor, causing over a hundred people to be beheaded overnight.

  Wang's lips curled up, seemingly smiling. He wasn't stupid and naturally couldn't help but hear the provocation in those words. Didn't he mean: "If your people disdain you and turn to rely on me, how would you feel?"

  Originally, in order to survive under the suspicious king's control, he had to conceal his edge and even spread rumors that he was a eunuch to ruin his reputation, all for the sake of finding an opportunity.

  Originally, having endured to this point, he should have catered to the emperor's will. However, when his gaze fell upon the purple-clad woman before him, a sudden sense of unease arose in Feng Wang's heart. Could it be that he really had to make her a sacrifice on his path to power? Thinking back to her actions in the carriage that day, which were completely devoid of guile, Xun Yang hesitated for a moment.

  After a pause, Wang finally spoke up: "Since there is a better scenery ahead, it's not worth lingering on."

  "Haha," Xu Rong laughed loudly: "A good thing that shouldn't be missed. King Fei is right, my imperial garden is already so beautiful, why bother with this small Emerald Bamboo Garden?"

  Xu Rong's gaze had been fixed on Chu Lianruo for a long time, and finally shifted to Chu Wanruo's face. Chu Wanruo had just played with the kite, and her face was also slightly flushed, seeing Xu Rong's gaze, she became even more shy and coy.

  Xu Rong's eyes sparkled, and upon comparison, this noblewoman was far inferior to the elegant and refined Concubine of King Yi. Nevertheless, Xu Rong still wore a smile on his face: "As the younger sister of the noblewoman, it is indeed proper for you to frequently enter the palace to accompany your elder sister." He turned to the eunuch beside him: "Since the noblewoman's sisters are so close, issue an edict to Concubine Yi of King Yi. If in the future she wishes to visit the noblewoman again, it will be much more convenient."