The weather was warm, and she was dressed in a light ke-green gown, looking far more refreshed than she had when residing in the pace. Though she hadn’t gained weight, her improved complexion made her appear less thin.

  "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, this concubine greets you. Greetings to the Empress Dowager," Fu Meiren said respectfully.

  "Rise," Wumian replied gently. "You seem much better now. Are your foot and back fully healed?"

  "Many thanks for Your Majesty's concern. They are much better now. Only when I walk too fast does my ankle still ache a little. The imperial physician said that with a few more months of rest, I should be fine," Fu Meiren answered with a soft smile.

  “That’s good to hear. You should come out and walk more often. Seeing you well puts both His Majesty and me at ease,” Wumian said with a smile.

  Ying Qionglou gnced at her and nodded slightly. It was merely for the empress's sake that he nodded toward Fu Meiren; he felt nothing in particur.

  “Is everything well in the pace? I heard that Li Fei is pregnant. I was very pleased to hear it. It’s a joyous matter,” the Empress Dowager said with a smile.

  “Li Fei’s pregnancy is going well, as are those of Xu Liangyi and Li Liangyi. By the end of the year or early next year, Mother, you can look forward to holding more imperial grandchildren,” Wumian replied.

  “Good, good! I’ll be waiting,” the Empress Dowager ughed.

  “There’s one more matter,” Ying Qionglou said, bringing up the Eldest Prince. “This autumn, both the Eldest Princess and the Eldest Prince should undergo variotion. I pn to bring the Eldest Prince back to the pace. Proper care after the procedure cannot be neglected. The imperial physicians in the pace are more convenient than those here at the vil.”

  The Empress Dowager paused before replying, “Indeed… I hadn’t thought of that.”

  “His Majesty doesn’t have many sons. Bringing the Eldest Prince back will be good,” Wumian added with a smile. “The pace will feel livelier.”

  The Empress Dowager sighed softly. “You’re right… That child… It’s better to bring him back.”

  “How about this?” the Empress Dowager suggested. “Have him stay here with me for a few days. When it’s time to return to the pace, I can bring him back myself. What do you think?”

  Wumian thought to herself—it seemed the Empress Dowager wanted to observe or perhaps teach the Eldest Prince herself.

  It had been years since he st saw anyone from the pace. Whether the change would be good or bad was uncertain.

  Everyone knew that once the Eldest Prince returned to the pace for variotion, he would not be sent away again.

  “Mother is thoughtful,” Ying Qionglou said without objection. The Empress Dowager had been fond of the Eldest Prince in the past.

  “Well, let’s not speak of this today. Since you two have come, let’s have a proper lunch together. The parasol flowers may have fallen, but the lotus flowers are in full bloom right now. There are many white lotuses here, which are not as common as in the pace. Go have a look in the afternoon,” the Empress Dowager said.

  “Oh, I would like that. His Majesty is burdened with state affairs—if he’s tired, he can nap here at Mother’s vil while I go see the flowers,” Wumian replied.

  “No need. I’ll accompany you,” Ying Qionglou said.

  The Empress Dowager gnced at her son in mild surprise and smiled. “It’s always good when husband and wife are harmonious.”

  Clearly, the Empress Dowager was pleased to see them. After all, they were mother and son, and it had been some time since their st meeting. She was particurly warm and affectionate today.

  During lunch, she personally ordered the servants to add dishes and soup for the emperor.

  Ying Qionglou neither declined politely nor showed any sign of impatience. He was surprisingly patient and accommodating.

  Wumian couldn’t help but feel envious—not of the emperor being cared for, but of the Empress Dowager herself.

  Ah… it really did take being the Empress Dowager to wield such privilege.

  After lunch, they did not immediately go to admire the flowers. It was too hot, and after chatting a while longer, the Empress Dowager had them go rest for a bit.

  Wumian thought she might want to take a nap herself. It was summer, and the afternoons always made her feel drowsy.

  They didn’t bother sleeping in separate rooms. The emperor and empress went to a side hall to rest together.

  Wumian only removed her heavy hair ornaments and outer robe.

  She really was tired. She fell asleep not long after lying down, even though the posture wasn’t the most comfortable.

  It was Ying Qionglou who woke her.

  “You can really sleep,” he said, seeing her bleary, sleepy eyes. He couldn’t help but be speechless—she had already napped in the carriage.

  “Mm… flower viewing, right? Got it.” Wumian sat up.

  By the time they arrived at the lotus pond, it was already te afternoon. It was still hot, but they couldn’t postpone much longer, as they needed to return to the pace.

  Wumian looked around. The pond here wasn’t rge compared to the one in the pace, which made the pool of white lotuses seem all the more lush and beautiful.

  “The te emperor truly had an eye for beauty. This vil is exquisitely designed,” Wumian sighed.

  “You have an eye for beauty as well,” Ying Qionglou said sincerely.

  This young empress of his—she really had a knack for enjoying life. He hadn’t noticed it before.

  “Next year, when we leave the capital to escape the summer heat, let’s come here,” Wumian suggested.

  “Didn’t we not come this year because the empress was too virtuous and unwilling? Otherwise, we would’ve stayed here already. You’d probably be tired of the scenery by now,” Ying Qionglou teased.

  “Your Majesty speaks so unfairly. For whom do you think I refrained from coming here?” Wumian huffed.

  “Oh? And for whom was it?” Ying Qionglou asked.

  “For the glory of Great Yin’s eternal legacy. For the continuation of the Ying imperial bloodline,” Wumian answered righteously.

  Of course, Ying Qionglou knew she was deliberately putting on airs.

  But… standing beside the lotus pond, with sunlight falling gently across her face, saying such noble-sounding words…

  It truly was extraordinary.

  The emperor smiled again. He hadn’t realized before how often he smiled when he was with his empress.

  He reached out and took her hand. “You are the most virtuous.”

  Wumian merely smiled back at him and turned her gaze back to the flowers.

  The two of them stood by the lotus pond, seriously admiring the flowers for quite a long time.

  Not until the heat became unbearable did they finally leave, and by then, it was time to return to the pace.

  The Empress Dowager did not try to keep them any longer. They bid her farewell and departed.

  As for Fu Meiren, since the Empress Dowager had said she would have her remain to serve, she would not be sent back to the pace just yet. In any case, they would all return in another month or so.

  That night, since they had visited the vil together, the emperor naturally stayed at Fengyi Pace to dine and spend the night.

  This caused a stir in the harem.

  Li Fei, upon hearing that His Majesty had visited the vil and then spent the night at Fengyi Pace upon returning, was visibly displeased.

  She barely touched her dinner, anxiety weighing on her.

  After all, the empress was not an aging, fading beauty—she was young and beautiful.

  What if His Majesty’s heart truly shifted toward the empress?

  And that night, Ying Qionglou slept soundly. He had been quite tired today.

  Wumian, however, having napped so well during the day, found herself utterly without sleepiness now.

  Hearing the steady breathing beside her, Wumian still couldn't fall asleep. The more she tossed and turned, the more annoyed she became.

  After flipping over yet again, she finally faced the emperor. She couldn't really see clearly in the dark, so she simply reached out blindly.

  With her eyes closed, she slipped her fair, soft hand under the emperor’s inner robe.

  It was a hot night, and Ying Qionglou hadn't bothered covering himself properly—the bnket only loosely draped over his legs and stomach.

  So there was nothing stopping Wumian as her hand slipped beneath the fabric.

  Mmm… The emperor's figure was truly something. His waist and abdomen were lean without an ounce of excess flesh, his chest and abdominal muscles firm and well-defined.

  For a time, she unabashedly indulged herself, caressing him. People often said that men were lustful, but truly, male beauty could be just as intoxicating. Wumian touched him like a parched person finding water, cherishing every moment.