Early the next morning, Li Qingmu used the excuse of delivering food to visit Qianyang Palace again and brought Rong Zhuo some paper and a piece of Songyan ink.

This kind of ink was supposed to be ground with an inkstone, but given the special circumstances, such formalities were dispensed with; a bit of water would suffice to write on the rice paper.

The written characters weren’t pretty this way, but as long as they were legible, they served their purpose.

Thus, when Li Qingmu visited Rong Zhuo for the third time, Rong Zhuo secretly handed him a stack of paper.

Feeling the thick stack of paper inside his sleeve, Li Qingmu’s heart sank. It seemed that State Preceptor You Su was indeed not a simple character; perhaps there really was some hidden agenda?

Back in the study, Li Qingmu dismissed his attendants and carefully examined these papers.

After reading them, he was utterly shocked!

It was so obvious, he should have realized sooner. Otherwise, how could he explain the constant conflicts over the years between Qixing Pavilion and the Rong Imperial Family?

So that’s how it was, so that’s how it was!

All the mysteries unraveled seamlessly with this information!

However, there was one thing perplexing Li Qingmu: since Rong Zhuo knew about State Preceptor You Su’s background, didn’t Rong Si know as well?

Why did she still seem so enamored with him?

Her father’s death and even her own assassination attempts were all connected to You Su, so why did she continue to protect him like this?

What hidden secret was wrapped up in all this?

"Your Majesty, Lady Ming Fei requests an audience!"

Just as Li Qingmu was deep in thought, Chen Liu entered to announce.

The little wife came?

Li Qingmu’s eyes softened a bit, and he nodded slightly, "To the front!"

In the main hall, Li Qingmu saw Long Yue, the young woman was leisurely reclining on a chaise, gently fanning herself with a round fan, a plate of pastries beside her, occasionally sipping from a teacup filled with clear tea.

This little scene was indeed quite relaxed and comfortable!

"Ahem ahem!"

Li Qingmu deliberately coughed twice, prompting Long Yue to quickly rise and pay her respects.

"No need, my beloved concubine!"

A pregnant woman should be pampered even more, so Li Qingmu dispensed with her formalities.

"What brings my beloved concubine here to see me?"

Long Yue gave a little glare at him, this man sure knew how to call her "beloved concubine" smoothly, hah!

"It’s quite boring in the palace, I wish to go out for a walk, might Your Majesty grant this?"

Li Qingmu narrowed his eyes, out of the palace? What was she thinking?

What would happen if, as a pregnant woman, she were to get hurt outside and suffer a miscarriage?

"No!"

Li Qingmu refused directly.

Long Yue discreetly pinched the man and glared, "Why can’t I go out for some air?"

"Can’t you relax in the back garden?" Li Qingmu thought the young woman was being unreasonable, but when he saw her bright, clear eyes, he was slightly taken aback.

The young woman’s eyes were expressive, and a single glance was enough to know her thoughts.

After so many years as a couple, sometimes all it took was a look—there was a tacit understanding.

"Do you really want to go out for some air?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, please allow me!"

The exchange of glances between the couple was something no outsider could interpret, yet the facade needed to be kept, and a bit of coquetry would make it easier for him to concede.

Li Qingmu pretended to reluctantly agree.

"Since you wish to go out, you can’t go alone, and besides, things have been too tense recently. I’ll accompany you in a few days." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Long Yue looked at him in "surprise," exclaiming, "Your Majesty, isn’t this inappropriate?"

"What is inappropriate? You are my woman, and with the dragon heir in your womb, it’s only right I accompany you to relax!"

"Your Majesty, I... am overwhelmed!"

"It’s decided then, Chen Liu, make the preparations!"

"Yes, this servant will do so at once."

Thus, the Emperor decided on a discreet outing from the palace.

Rong Si, upon learning of this, immediately went to Changming Palace to inquire about the reason.

"This is foolish! Concubines going out of the palace is already taboo, and now she is with child. If anything happens, it would be two deaths! Mu’er, how can you be so careless and let her act so recklessly?"

Rong Si roared, very angry, believing Li Qingmu was too rash and reckless.

"Mother, precisely because of this, I plan to go with her to ensure her safety."

"Mu’er, as Emperor, you should prioritize state affairs! Pretend today’s conversation never happened, and don’t think about it again! Chen Liu, keep an eye on the Emperor, don’t let him act on a whim!"

Rong Si finished speaking and gave Li Qingmu no chance to argue, directly ordering someone to watch him and not allow him to leave the palace.

Chen Liu glanced at Li Qingmu and then slightly bowed his head, "Yes, this loyal servant will keep a close eye on Your Majesty."

Li Qingmu gazed at Rong Si’s departing figure, his eyes slightly narrowed.

Was this house arrest?

It was akin to being confined!

He returned to his chamber frustrated and threw a glass cup from the table to the ground.

"Crash!"

The glass cup shattered, pieces scattering everywhere.

"Calm yourself, Your Majesty!"

Chen Liu hurried to apologize and persuade him.

"Calm myself?" Li Qingmu sneered, "How do you expect me to calm myself? I merely found the palace dull and wished to go out with my beloved concubine to relax, and yet I can’t? Do you see me as a caged canary?"

"Thud, please calm yourself, Your Majesty!"

Li Qingmu shouted angrily, and Chen Liu knelt down to beg for forgiveness.

"Chen Liu! I ask you, who is your master?"

"Your Majesty, of course it is you! The reason this servant heeded the orders of the Princess is that what she said was correct, although Lady Ming Fei has passed the risky first trimester, caution is still advisable, Your Majesty can leave the palace, but at least wait until her child is born?"

Chen Liu pleaded sincerely, "Your Majesty, every word I speak is true, from the bottom of my heart!"

Li Qingmu knew, of course.

But he had to leave!

He needed to investigate some matters, and the palace was full of Rong Si’s spies, and some of the State Preceptor’s spies too, making it difficult for him to look into anything without being controlled.

He was the Emperor!

The Son of Heaven!

Above millions, his word should be unquestionable!

Yet now, he didn’t even have a bit of freedom?

Could he not even step outside?

Only now did Li Qingmu realize how much he longed for power, how desperately he needed it!

He tightened his fist; indeed, he could explain to Rong Si, but doing so would alert the enemy.

For now, he needed to come up with a way, at the very least, a reason to persuade Rong Si!

"I understand!"

He said coldly, his gaze sweeping over Chen Liu, "I’m going to Fengming Palace, you won’t stop me, right?"

"This..."

Chen Liu touched his forehead, covered in sweat, the Emperor’s words were rather critical.

This was about being upset over what happened a moment ago!

"Your Majesty, spare me, if you say so, this servant deserves a thousand deaths!"

"Oh, why are you still alive then?"

Uh...

The harsh words made Chen Liu question whether he heard correctly.

This Emperor, was he really so unrestrained?

Was he even considering tearing down all pretenses?

"Eunuch Chen, some things are best left unsaid!"

He said coldly, turning and leaving the chamber.