Despite her irritation, Liu Yin put on a polite expression and thanked him before taking a deep breath and stepping into the inner hall.

The room was cool, with ice blocks placed around to combat the heat outside. Several palace maids stood nearby, and the round table was laden with an assortment of delicacies. A middle-aged man in a brown and gold dragon robe sat eating the dishes prepared by the eunuchs. His appearance was refined, but his indifferent expression carried a certain dignified authority. The atmosphere in the hall was formal and respectful.

“Your servant bows to His Majesty,” Liu Yin said as she respectfully performed a curtsy.

Hearing the sound, the middle-aged man glanced over out of the corner of his eye, and upon seeing her, a hint of amusement flickered across his face. “What’s this act you’re putting on?”

The Empress also noticed Liu Yin’s attire and frowned slightly. Normally, some playfulness could be overlooked, but this was in front of the Emperor. How could she address the issue of the Crown Princess now, when Liu Yin was acting so thoughtlessly?

Liu Yin lowered her head, looking shy and awkward. “I was just… playing hide and seek with the Sixth Princess…”

Of course, she couldn’t reveal the truth; she had to save face.

Upon hearing this, the other palace maids in the hall stifled their laughter, and the Emperor couldn’t help but shake his head and chuckle. Only the Empress sighed and reproached her. “You’re not a child anymore, yet you act like one. I asked you to keep company with Tong’er, and instead, you spend your days causing mischief with her.”

“Proper play is good for relieving stress, and as women, we study to refine our character, not to become top scholars. Why can’t we still have a little fun?” Liu Yin muttered under her breath.

The Empress was momentarily speechless, but the Emperor continued to laugh heartily, casting a curious glance at Liu Yin. “It’s been a few days, and you’ve certainly become more eloquent.”

“That’s all thanks to Master Shen’s excellent teaching,” Liu Yin replied seriously.

The Emperor seemed amused, chuckling more. It had only been a short time since he’d last seen her, but he felt like this girl had become much sharper. He wasn’t sure if it was really Master Shen’s teaching that had brought about the change.

The Empress shook her head helplessly. Seeing that the Emperor didn’t seem displeased, she also spoke seriously, “This girl has learned all sorts of nonsense; she hasn’t picked up anything useful, only how to focus on trivial matters.”

At this, the Emperor simply waved his hand, signaling for an additional set of utensils to be brought, his expression unchanged. “A lively woman is a good thing. Being too rigid is no fun. I think Liu Yin has a fine temperament.”

Liu Yin really didn’t want to stay for the meal, and at that moment, she didn’t even want to pick up her chopsticks. But she had to put on a good show, so she sat down at the round table with an expression of being flattered and honored.

The Empress, however, subtly placed some food into the Emperor’s bowl, then casually remarked, “Only the Emperor would think so. With Liu Yin’s temperament, I wonder if anyone would want to marry her in the future.”

Liu Yin tightened her grip on the chopsticks, her head lowered as she slowly picked at the rice, pretending she hadn’t heard anything.

The atmosphere in the hall seemed to shift. The Emperor, unhurriedly sipping his soup, glanced down and spoke calmly, “Liu Yin is so striking and carefree; how many noble young men must be admiring her? You just like to overthink things.”

The Empress’s fingers twitched slightly, and she looked at her niece, who was still eating. Unable to resist, she spoke again, “I just think—”

“Ah!”

Liu Yin suddenly looked up, as though she had just remembered something. Facing the gazes of the two of them, she immediately wore an expression of grievance and said, “Uncle, please don’t say that. I can’t bear it. Just now, Princess Mingyue and the Fifth Princess were insulting me, calling me shameless. I only argued with them a little, but they accused me of being disrespectful, not knowing my place!”

The Emperor furrowed his brows slightly. “Why?”

The Empress held back her words and gave her niece a thoughtful look, perhaps realizing she had always underestimated this girl.

“I changed into some clothes and was playing with the Sixth Princess in the Imperial Garden when Princess Mingyue and the others saw us. They said I was sneaking around and didn’t have the demeanor of a noble young lady. They also accused me of shamelessly pursuing the Crown Prince, and I got upset, so I argued with them but they said I was being disrespectful and ungrateful. How could I have won that argument on my own? So, I had no choice but to come to my aunt for help.” She pouted, her face filled with grievance.

After listening carefully, it became clear that Liu Yin was here to complain. The Emperor chuckled and, looking at the Empress, teased, “This Master Shen truly is impressive. Look at how well he’s taught this girl to be so sharp-tongued.”

Liu Yin took another bite of rice, her large eyes full of innocent grievance as she looked at the people opposite her. “This is called being eloquent.”

“Haha—” The Emperor couldn’t help but tap her on the forehead. “I think you’re just being sharp-tongued!”

The Empress, standing nearby, smiled awkwardly and then added with some dissatisfaction, “Liu Yin likes to spout nonsense. Your Majesty, please don’t take it to heart.”

Liu Yin lowered her head and continued eating. She knew that striking first was always better than being struck later. If she didn’t take this opportunity to press her advantage, when else would she?

Seemingly having eaten enough, the Emperor picked up the tea cup beside him, gently tapping the lid with his fingers. His expression turned slightly displeased. “Mingyue is always so unruly. She really does need to be properly disciplined. As for Rong’er, I’ll have the Empress take more care in guiding her.”

At this, he couldn’t help but look at the Empress with a serious expression. “You are the mistress of the harem, and Rong’er is also your child. If there’s anything wrong, you should discipline her directly, without worrying about the Concubine.”

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