After a few days of not seeing each other, Bai Su didn’t undergo significant changes, except that she seemed colder.

The fragrance around her was even stronger than before. It felt somewhat restless when she entered, and in the moment, she saw Duan Changchuan, the scent seemed to reach out towards him consciously.

The young man’s face turned pale, and he froze in place. As if aware that it had disturbed him, the scent retracted in an instant.

When he regained his composure, the person in front of him had become much gentler.

“How have you been in the Qing Lu Palace recently?” Duan Changchuan asked instinctively.

The other party seemed surprised that the first thing he said upon meeting was an inquiry. After a slight pause, she smiled, “Not bad.”

Duan Changchuan fell silent.

He thought that Bai Su might not be doing well, otherwise people wouldn’t completely avoid her when speaking ill of her behind her back.

A person without any background, or support from her maternal family. Originally had a hard time in the palace, and the emperor drove her out…

“Ah, let’s discuss the court matters first, and talk about other things after we are done.” Yun Xie intervened with a smile, noticing the awkwardness between the two.

Feng Yao also nodded, leading them to their seats.

After adjusting her robe, she kneeled on one knee and presented a memorial, “This morning, Miss Bai sent a message to Chang Le, who urgently called for Yi Man to deliver it to us. Yun Xie and I used the secret passages in the palace to bring Miss Bai here. We acted hastily without Your Majesty’s consent, which was a mistake on my part. Please punish me, Your Majesty.”

Yun Xie also knelt quickly, “Aunt, why competing with me for credit? I am the one in charge of the bureau.”

Duan Changchuan, “…”

While saying they wanted to take the credit, but actually wanted to take the blame on behalf of others, making him, the emperor, seem somewhat incompetent.

Bai Su, who had remained silent, spoke up at this moment, “It’s indeed wrong to act without Your Majesty’s consent, but I believe that His Majesty is a wise ruler who can distinguish between rewards and punishments. Since His Majesty hasn’t spoken yet, and you two are already vying for punishment. You seem to value personal feelings over His Majesty’s decision, how do you expect His Majesty to handle this?”

Her words subtly defended Duan Changchuan.

Yun Xie, kneeling behind Feng Yao, winked playfully at the young emperor.

Duan Changchuan, “…”

Perhaps his gaze seemed somewhat stagnant, so Feng Yao followed his line of sight and caught Yun Xie in the act.

She immediately scolded, “Yun Xie, behave properly in front of His Majesty. Show respect in both words and actions.”

The young man lowered his head immediately, suppressing his usual rogue demeanor and responding respectfully, “Yes.”

Indeed, one had to deal with one accordingly.

Suppressing a smile, Duan Changchuan pretended to be composed and said, “Let’s all stand up. You took the initiative to present the matter to the court through General Rong’s deputy, and this move was indeed a good move. I won’t blame you for it.”

Feng Yao stood up, returning to her seat.

“It was Miss Bai who overheard the conversation among the guards and speculated about the whole incident, then went to find Chang Le. If Miss Bai has anything to say, she can tell Your Majesty directly. But although there is Yi Man is covering it for Her Highness, there is Zhang Dehai who Your Majesty ordered to clean up the Qing Lu Hall. His deadline has not yet arrived, so it wouldn’t be good if discovered.”

Bai Su was surprised, “Zhang Dehai?”

Mentioning this name made Duan Changchuan hesitate. Seeing that he had something to say, Feng Yao fell silent.

After a while, Duan Changchuan spoke slowly, “There was a head eunuch by my father’s side named Zhao Chengfu… Zhao Chengfu’s disciple is Zhang Dehai. Although Zhao Gonggong^[1]赵公公: Eunuch Zhao; Gonggong was how people addressed the eunuchs in the palace back then wanted to accompany my father to ascend to the heavens, my father decreed that he must assist me to the best of his ability until I ascend to the throne. My mother is timid and stubborn, and Imperial Uncle eyes me covetously… Zhao Gonggong struggled in the palace for several years, eventually succumbing to illness, and passed away five years ago.”

“Before Zhao Gonggong passed away, he urged Zhang Dehai and made him swear not to have any other intentions towards me…”

Speaking of these old stories, the young emperor’s voice became unsteady, and his hands beneath his sleeves turned into fists.

“Let me continue the rest,” Yun Xie smoothly took over, “Our Emperor was kind-hearted, he will not speak ill of others privately. I’m not a good person, so let me handle it.”

“This Zhang Dehai probably believed that with his master ascended, he would become the most powerful eunuch in the palace, constantly interfering with His Majesty in every matter. However, he doesn’t have much talent. He couldn’t even learn four or five-tenths of his master’s skills and was eager for achievements. In short, he has many problems. I encourage Your Majesty to distance himself from Zhang Dehai. Now, it has become the current situation.”

Although Yun Xie seemed to say a lot, he didn’t reveal the true core of the matter.

Bai Su could easily gather this information from any servants.

It was widely known that Zhang Dehai and Chang Le didn’t get along. Given that almost all imperial edicts are transmitted through Chang Le, it’s easy for anyone with a bit of observation to notice Zhang Dehai’s position before the emperor, especially in the person with high observant environment of the palace.

But of course, hearing from the servants was one thing, but having Duan Changchuan and Yun Xie personally spoke about was another. This was the emperor’s team, and this was the first branch of this information.

At this moment, if Bai Su wanted to take a stand, she should kneel immediately, swear allegiance to Duan Changchuan, and promise to be loyal to him.

Duan Changchuan had witnessed similar scenes many times before.

From Zhao Zhengfu do Zhang Dehai, Chang Le, Yi Man, and all the people in the court, even everyone in this room, all had done it in front of him

“I will swear to serve His Majesty to my death.”

“I will not fail the trust of His Majesty.”

“I am willing to die for His Majesty.”

Duan Changchuan looked at the person sitting next to him, at her plain clothes and her clean fingernails, and suddenly felt a bit tired of it.

“Bai Su, what do you want?” He spoke softly.

Whether she wanted status, protection, or something else, they could discuss it openly.

“If I say I don’t want anything, you won’t believe it, right?” She looked back at him, a light smile playing on her lips.

Duan Changchuan knew she always acted not according to common sense. He nodded cautiously.

The next moment, he heard her say, “Then, how about Your Majesty giving me a child?”

As the words fell, the entire room fell silent. Duan Changchuan hadn’t expected Bai Su to make such a request, and he couldn’t figure out how to respond.

As for Yun Xie, he was too shocked to recover.

After a long silence in the room with no response, the first voice that broke the silence surprisingly belonged to Feng Yao.

“Your Majesty, Feng Yao thinks it’s acceptable.”

Yun Xie choked on his own saliva and hurriedly dragged Feng Yao out, coughing, “Aunt, cough… Why am I coughing continuously? Please hurry, come out and help me see… Cough, cough, cough…”

Feng Yao replied, “What’s there to see? Aren’t you just coughing from being choked?”

Yun Xie, “You, cough… then you should come out too!”

Until the door closed, their conversation could still be heard, “Why did you deliberately drag me out? It’s the best for Bai Su to be pregnant with His Majesty’s child. It’s the best way to tie her to His Majesty.”

“That was a matter between the couple!”

“Couple? I’m talking about political matters. What does it have to do with being a couple? Miss Bai is an intelligent person. Tying her to our side is beneficial for both His Majesty and us… Oof^[2]mouth covered sound…”

“Aunt, pardon me, but… let’s go out first.”

Then the distant door creaked shut, and the entire courtyard returned to calm.

In the room, only Duan Changchuan and Bai Su remained.

The young man pursed his lips and discreetly glanced at the room, asking, “Do you really want me to… um, give you a child?”

Bai Su had just casually mentioned it.

Her differentiation was almost complete in these few days. Not to mention that she couldn’t conceive, as long as they were honest with each other, she would be exposed.

However, it was a bad habit from an Alpha, and her desire to continue teasing him, especially after several days of intense gland activity.

“Yes, just like Feng Yao said earlier, giving me a child, would be good for both of us. What do you think?” she said with a smile.

This morning when Duan Changchuan was still in the court, Bai Su had already figured out that Yun Xie was the apparent friend of the young emperor, but he was the brain of the team. This Feng Yao was more extraordinary. After Bai Su raised questions, Feng Yao could respond with the same thoughts as her within a few seconds. Moreover, she was decisive, once she set her mind on something, she would carry it without any hesitation.

From Duan Changchuan’s recent performance, it was evident that Aunt Lin held great weight in his heart. If Feng Yao believed it was right, he would likely ponder over it, eventually agreeing. Moreover, considering the current situation…

Making her, the new empress, pregnant with a child would indeed be the right decision.

Sure enough, after Bai Su asked, the young man took a deep breath and said in a calm voice, “Follow me.”

He stood up and entered the inner bedroom.

“Chang Le, guard the door outside and don’t let anyone in, ” He announced through the window to the person outside.

Chang Le immediately responded from the courtyard, “Yes.”

Once Changle had left, the young man silently lowered the curtain, then turned back to look at Bai Su, “What are you waiting for? Come over.”

The young man’s face was hidden in the shadow of the curtain, making it unclear. However, from his silence and the melancholic tone, one could sense his reluctance.

A breeze seeped in through the window, causing the curtains to flutter.

The room was quiet, devoid of any sound.

Suddenly, Bai Su felt… she was too evil.

From beginning to end, she was excessively bad.

Although she considered it just a harmless joke, Duan Changchuan was from this era, reigning high but restrained at every turn.

Being blackmailed by a newly-wedded woman, demanding a child as a reward for her contributions… This might be the most humiliating moment for him since becoming the emperor.

She didn’t want this…

It wasn’t funny at all.

So, when the young man had already sat down at the edge of the bed and began to touch his collar, Bai Su took three steps forward, reaching out with a single hand to stop him.

She said with a deep voice, “Duan Changchuan, don’t do this. I was just joking.”

The young man lowered his head, and his arm dropped weakly. Nearly half of his face was concealed in the shadows.

He didn’t speak, and Bai Su sighed helplessly, “Don’t force yourself to do something you don’t like. Duan Changchuan, you are the emperor, and you have many ways to handle things. Don’t force yourself to do anything you don’t like.”

The young man took a deep breath, saying, “I… don’t have anything I like.”

His voice sounded lost.

He had lived in the palace since childhood, lost his beloved father, and shouldered the heavy responsibility of the entire realm at the age of six, navigating among various factions and individuals.

His mother who should have been a supported, turned out to be weak and timid.

Those who were supposed to assist him suddenly abandoned their duties. Those who once swore to be loyal changed their stances.

People said the deep palace was a prison for concubines, but for Duan Changchuan, it was the same.

So as he said he didn’t like anything…

“I want to be a wise ruler, protect my father’s legacy, and not let him down. In a hundred years, when we meet down there, he will… praise me.”

The young emperor, even though he had traversed these twelve years alone, what he desired the most was still a hug and praise from his father.

Bai Su squatted down, reaching out to touch his cheek. “Your father will. You are already a wise ruler now. You could adapt, you’re courageous, decisive, not arrogant, and able to distinguish right from wrong. You’re amazing.”

“Changchuan, you’re the best emperor I have ever seen.”

Trying her best to comfort him, Bai Su spoke to the point where the young man’s expression gradually warmed. Awkwardly tilting his head, he said, “You’re just coaxing me right. I am the only emperor you have ever seen.”

Bai Su curved her lips, making a sound that resembled a laugh, “That means I’m not lying, right?”

“You’re not lying, but you fool me.”

Bai Su pinched his cheek, “Well… I made a joke and almost made someone cry. Shouldn’t I coax you back?”

The young emperor blushed slightly, complaining softly, “Smooth talker.”