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There’s no way the Empress knows what happened at Shu Yu Palace. At least, not yet. She’s probably just heard about my whereabouts from someone else and is curious.

Composing himself, he replied,

“Actually, the Third Princess wanted to help ease Your Majesty’s burden…”

“Oh?” The Empress’s elegant phoenix-shaped brows furrowed slightly, and her clear, dark eyes flashed with a hint of surprise.

Yang Yi went on to explain Wu Mingyue’s idea of earning money to lessen the Empress’s load, though he carefully left out certain details. As he finished, Wu Zhao’s cold and noble expression shifted, surprise flickering across her face before she shook her head with a trace of helplessness.

“This girl… she’s still such a child. She can fool around all she wants, but why must she drag you into her antics?”

Despite her reprimand, there was a faint trace of affection in her tone, softening her otherwise stoic expression.

Yang Yi thought to himself, She’s no child; she’s a grown woman, practically a beauty in her prime.

Instinctively, his gaze shifted to the Empress’s ample breasts, noting how her luxurious dragon robe, embroidered with Su brocade and gold thread, hugged her curves. The five-clawed golden dragon seemed almost three-dimensional, with the dragon’s head appearing strikingly lifelike.

This family has good genes, he thought.

Keeping his composure, Yang Yi said,

“Your Majesty, the Third Princess’s ideas may seem naive, but her care for you is genuine. Having such a caring and filial sister is truly enviable.”

Wu Zhao let out a light snort.

“That girl has been mischievous since childhood, and she’s not particularly bright. Who knows how many things she’s messed up? If she wants to ease my burden, I’d be grateful if she just stayed out of trouble. I’ll have to scold her later.”

Her voice was stern, but the underlying fondness was unmistakable.

“And you, as a high-ranking official, have no time to be playing along with her whims.”

Yang Yi was taken aback. Though Wu Zhao’s words were laced with affection, her imposing demeanor was daunting. No wonder the Third Princess rarely comes to Qianyuan Hall.

Shaking his head slightly, he spoke earnestly,

“Your Majesty, the Third Princess’s pure heart is a rare and precious thing. I once read a saying in a book… ‘With those close to you, do not speak in anger, do not speak in contradiction, and do not remain silent…’”

Wu Zhao was startled and fell into contemplative silence. Yang Yi’s words were simple on the surface, but their underlying message struck a chord.

After a brief pause, the Empress put on a mock-stern expression.

“So even you dare to lecture me now?”

Yang Yi was momentarily at a loss for words, but he knew her well enough to recognize the jest. Smiling, he quickly responded,

“I wouldn’t dare…”

Wu Zhao snorted softly, her tone lightening.

“Fine, fine. Since you don’t seem to mind, I won’t make an issue of it either. You may leave.”

Yang Yi couldn’t help but smile inwardly.

The Empress might be aloof, but she was clearly touched by his words. She just couldn’t bring herself to admit it. When she says she doesn’t care, it’s her way of agreeing.

Yang Yi hadn’t expected the usually high and mighty Empress to have such a side. Feeling touched, he respectfully took his leave.

After Yang Yi exited the hall, Shangguan Wan’er slowly stepped inside.

“Your Majesty…”

Wu Zhao glanced up.

“What is it?”

Shangguan Wan’er hesitated, unsure whether to share what she had just witnessed. However, since it involved the Third Princess and Yang Yi and wasn’t anything truly scandalous, she decided it was best to inform the Empress, especially as the Third Princess’s elder sister. After a brief moment of consideration, she recounted the scene she had witnessed at Shu Yu Palace.

Wu Zhao listened, momentarily stunned. Her expression shifted to something more complex, a hint of irony crossing her face as she shook her head.

“No wonder that guy was pushing for Wu Mingyue just now. So they’ve grown close… It seems  Wu Mingyue’s happiness is nearer than I thought.”

Shangguan Wan’er was taken aback. She hadn’t expected the Empress to be so open-minded. She had thought the Empress might harbor feelings for Yang Yi, but it seemed she had been mistaken.

Wu Zhao’s glassy eyes half-closed, her tone calm.

“I had initially thought about helping them, but it looks like they’ve developed feelings for each other on their own. In that case, let’s allow things to unfold naturally. When they finally confess to each other, I’ll support them. Wan’er, what do you think?”

Shangguan Wan’er instinctively wanted to praise the Empress’s wisdom, but she couldn’t ignore the sudden tightness in her chest. Instead, she said quietly,

“Wan’er believes that Lord Yang would be more suitable for Your Majesty…”

Wu Zhao’s gaze remained steady as she met Wan’er’s eyes.

“There’s no need to say such things in the future. If he and San Niang can be together, it’s perfect for me. Wu Mingyue will have someone she can rely on, and a capable man like him will remain loyal to my cause. It’s a win-win situation.”

Shangguan Wan’er pressed her lips together, remaining silent. Though the Empress’s words were logical, without a hint of emotion, Wan’er, who had been by Wu Zhao’s side since childhood, sensed an undercurrent of something amiss.

Wu Zhao suddenly felt a surge of irritation and waved her hand dismissively.

“You may leave.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Shangguan Wan’er said, bowing respectfully before retreating.

Left alone, Wu Zhao pondered for a moment before picking up the unfinished memorials on her desk. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm, golden glow on her cold and beautiful face. The light accentuated her delicate, pale skin, giving it a soft, jade-like luster.

Time passed, but Wu Zhao found herself unable to concentrate. Her normally sharp focus was clouded, and the words on the memorial seemed to blur. She tossed the document aside in frustration, furrowing her brow.

Why am I feeling this way?

She tried to dismiss her restlessness, telling herself it was just the terrible handwriting that made the reading unbearable. But deep down, she knew that wasn’t the real reason.