The Empress was stunned. She hadn’t even said a few words, and the Emperor had already dismissed her?

"Your Majesty?"

"You may leave!"

The Emperor picked up the memorial to the throne on the table, engrossed in reading it, showing no interest in paying further attention to the Empress.

The Empress hesitated, finally leaving with tears in her eyes, her head hung low and looking utterly desolate.

As soon as the Empress left, the Emperor put down the memorial and said to the Little Eunuch beside him, "Xiao Shunzi, later, go to the War Prince’s Mansion and invite the War Prince to the banquet at the palace on the fifteenth of this month."

The Little Eunuch was puzzled and asked, "Your Majesty, what banquet is on the fifteenth of this month?"

The Emperor glared and said, "Why do you need to know so much? Just go and inform him."

"Yes."

The Little Eunuch lowered his head, not daring to say another word.

War Prince’s Mansion.

Hearing that the Emperor was going to execute the Fourth Prince, Long Rui wasn’t surprised. The Emperor had always been selfish. Abandoning the Fourth Prince for his own reputation was nothing unusual.

"Prince, have a shrimp. The steward just bought them today; they are big and fresh, looking very delightful." Xuexue was about to reach for a shrimp to peel it.

Long Rui stopped her, saying, "My dear, don’t move. Sit properly and let your husband serve you."

He took a large shrimp from the plate, each one as thick as two fingers, and began to peel it.

These shrimps were bought early in the morning by the steward, who went to the market specifically for them. Such large shrimps are not available every day; it depends on luck.

Long Rui knew Xuexue liked eating shrimp, so he specifically instructed the steward to keep an eye out. Today, he managed to buy such large shrimps, making the steward very happy. He boiled a big plate and made a small dish of sauce to dip them in.

After peeling a shrimp, Long Rui dipped it in the sauce and brought it to Xuexue’s lips, gently saying, "My dear, have a taste and see if it’s good?"

"Alright!"

Xuexue sweetly agreed, opened her small mouth to take a bite, chewed a bit, and smiled, "Hmm, Prince, it’s really delicious."

Long Yue’s eyes carried a warm hint: "Really?"

Xuexue nodded, "Yes, it’s really delicious."

Long Rui suddenly leaned close to her ear and whispered, "I’ll give you more tonight."

Xuexue blushed immediately, and while eating the shrimp, she started to choke: "Cough, cough...!"

Long Rui reached out, gently patting her back, and said tenderly, "My dear, don’t rush. Eat slowly. I’m not going to compete with you."

Xuexue glared at him. Who said it was about the shrimp? She was startled by his sudden suggestiveness.

"You’re so annoying."

Xuexue finally managed to catch her breath, glared at him again, and didn’t speak further, focusing on her meal.

"My dear."

"What?" 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Don’t just eat rice, have some vegetables! Don’t you like big shrimps? I’ll peel them for you."

"No need, Prince, you eat by yourself. I’ve had enough." Eating two shrimp and being teased by Long Rui, Xuexue felt she couldn’t handle it. In front of so many people, Long Rui might not care, but she still wanted to save face!

The maids and servant boys around were covering their mouths, quietly laughing.

"What are you laughing at? Go on, off you go. This prince and my dear don’t need your service." Long Rui waved at the servants standing nearby, dismissing them.

"Yes, this maid will take her leave."

The maids left one after another.

Xuexue pouted in displeasure, saying, "Prince, what are you doing?"

Every time they were together, Long Rui would dismiss the servants, causing everyone in the War Prince’s Mansion to tease her, saying they were too in love, unable to endure even a little separation.