.Qin Luoyan was held in Fu Zimu's arms, her cheek pressed against his chest. She could hear his powerful heartbeat, thump, thump, each beat steady and calm, which also calmed her heart, making even th...She was still barefoot, her pant legs rolled up to below her knees. Although her legs were covered in mud and wouldn't give anyone any other ideas, in this highly moral society, it was still somewhat unacceptable.

Fu Zi Mo raised his head and glanced at the other people accompanying him. Those few hurriedly cupped their fists in salute and retreated.

Once they left, Fu Zimo scooped Qin Luoyan up horizontally and placed her on a nearby viewing stone. Qin Luoyan was puzzled by his actions, but saw him take out a piece of silk handkerchief from his bosom. With one hand holding her ankle, he began to wipe her with the handkerchief.

Under the sunlight, in the imperial garden, amidst the fragrant scent of flowers, he knelt before her, gently wiping her feet. If this were in modern times, such an action from a man would be enough to soften a woman's heart. But this was ancient China, an era of male dominance and female subservience.

"With the weather this cold, what are you doing out at the lotus pond Don't you want to catch a chill" Fu Zimu lowered his head, his hands still moving, but his words held a chill.

"Perhaps it was because of his actions, Qin Luoyan's heart softened, and her tone became gentler. “The Empress wishes to have lotus leaf porridge, so we must go pick the leaves. I can't disobey her orders, can I”

"She told you to die, and you're going to Don't you have a brain" Fu Zimu looked at her with a raised eyebrow, placing his already-dried foot on his leg and then gripping the other one, starting to wipe it.

Qin Luo'yan twitched the corners of her mouth, a touch of dejection in her eyes. "She's the Empress And I am what Even if she ordered me to die, could I still resist"

"I don't know when you became so obedient. When you were resisting me, weren't you very active" Fu Zimo gave her a white look and finished wiping her feet while speaking.

With the mud removed, her two feet rested on his legs, as smooth and white as lotus roots, gleaming even more beautifully in the sunlight.

Being stared at like that, Qin Luoyan felt a little embarrassed. She looked around and was relieved to see that there were only two palace maids picking lotus leaves in the pond nearby. However, those two palace maids were also sensible and deliberately walked to the farthest place.

She wanted to pull her legs back, but Fu Zimu grabbed her by the ankle. His big hand clasped her slender legs, and the heat from his palm spread to her already frozen calves, the sensation too obvious.

Such an atmosphere was a little awkward. Qin Luoyan always felt she should say something to ease the tension. She cleared her throat and casually asked, "By the way, Your Highness, why didn't you tell me that the Empress and your official wife are sisters"

Fu Zi Mo remained bowed, intently looking at her legs, a pair of large hands continuously rubbing against her calves. “What is there to say Whether it’s true or not, you are going to the Empress to learn etiquette anyway. And to be frank, it was just to give you one more day of anxiety, it wouldn't change anything. However… this King didn't expect that the Empress would actually dare treat you like this, does she really think this King is a mere ornament”

"Um..." Qin Luoyan felt it was best not to chime in on this question. She could only ask again, "Your Majesty and Xiao Changyue, no, I mean, your consort, have a good relationship"

Fu Zimuo seemed to be obsessed with her calves, his touch becoming addictive. He casually said, “That’s not necessarily true. You have to know that in this circle, there aren’t many genuine emotional relationships between people. It’s all about vested interests. Even the best of friends or family members can become enemies once their interests clash.”

Given how realistic this was, it made sense coming from Fu Zi Mo's mouth. However, why did Qin Luo Yan now find herself agreeing with him Had she just experienced too much and become more disappointed in humanity No! She thought of her master, her senior brothers, and Yi Sheng. Thinking of them, she felt that there were still people who valued relationships over profit.

It's just that Fu Zimu hasn't met someone like her before. Thinking about it this way, she suddenly felt a little sorry for him. Being in such a high position, perhaps he never had friends growing up. Maybe he was constantly planning and scheming, living his life amidst intrigues and calculations. Was he also tired and weary

So, he doesn't trust anyone Perhaps, in his eyes, people being the way he perceives them is normal.

"Are you pitying this King" The sharp Fu Zi Mo quickly caught her gaze filled with sympathy

"What about the Prince deserves my sympathy" Qin Luoyan countered, throwing the difficult question back at him.

Fu Zi Mo frowned, a hint of displeasure in his tone, "Alright, your feet are clean now, where's your shoe"

Qin Luo Yan raised her finger and pointed to a stone railing by the lotus pond in the distance. A pair of embroidered shoes were placed on the railing.

Fu Zi Mo placed her foot on the viewing stone, then got up and went to fetch her shoes before returning. Qin Luo Yan was about to reach out to take them, but he grabbed her foot and shoved it into the shoe instead.

"Uh..." Qin Luoyan was a little surprised, staring at him blankly.

“Well, I’m so gracious as to put shoes on you and you still don't appreciate it Didn't you say something about men and women being equal Considering that you're an ignorant woman from a remote mountain village, I'm just accommodating your customs.” Fu Zimo raised his eyebrows, seemingly unsatisfied that she was moved to tears.

Qin Luoyan swallowed nervously and gave a wry smile, "No, I'm very happy of course. I just wanted to remind Your Highness, you should wear socks before shoes..."

Fu Zi Mo was taken aback, his face darkened immediately and he turned to leave. He didn't look back, only coldly leaving a sentence, "This king will go to Yonghe Palace to wait for you first, put on your shoes and socks and hurry back."

"Leaving so eagerly" Qin Luo'yan pulled the corner of her mouth, feigning ignorance of the fleeting awkwardness on his face. Even a mighty Martial Proclaimation King could have embarrassed moments, she couldn't help but giggle and burst into laughter.

But just putting on shoes and socks couldn't possibly take that long, could it He actually ran off like that. Qin Luoyan helplessly shook her head, resigned to her fate, and put on her shoes and socks before chasing after him.

Fu Zimo hadn't walked too far. He had only left in a hurry just now because of the awkwardness. Now that the embarrassment had subsided, he slowed his pace. When Qin Luoyan caught up, he just glared at her, but then he grabbed her hand and led her forward.

The sun was about to move to the zenith, but it was a pity that it was winter. Even at noon, one could not ignore the biting cold.

Fu Zimu dragged Qin Luoyan's hand all the way into Yonghe Palace. Wherever they went, palace maids and eunuchs knelt down in a row. Seeing his grim expression, no one dared to step forward to stop him.

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(: b/23/23838/)s opportunity" Old Liu couldn't understand 。Qin Luoyan sneered, "Big names always make their appearance at the crucial moment. Why bother watching someone else's cold backside now" 。Don't worry, I've...