86: Chapter 86 Oh no! This emperor has fallen for him!

The bright sun of early spring shone down warmly. Outside the palace gates, Su Fan, dressed in a simple white robe with a carefree aura, held a pair of flower shears, gently trimming the withered branches.

The crabapple blossoms bloomed timidly, like shy young maidens.

Several palace maids stood waiting behind Su Fan, holding jade basins filled with clear water for washing hands. Others held brooms and dustpans, ready to sweep up any withered branches as soon as they fell.

Crabapple petals fell in a rustle. Su Fan watched the falling flowers and murmured, "Flowers are not flowers, mist is not mist... Sigh, life is truly impermanent..."

He thought to himself, life is truly like a dream, a bubble, a shadow; like mist and like lightning.

The beautiful things of the past have already become history, having existed only briefly. Now, they have vanished, beyond recovery, leaving only sighs and regrets...

That little girl who used to have a runny nose has grown up now.

Yet, the mountain of corpses and sea of blood she traversed meant she could never return to being that innocent little girl who used to follow him around like a tag-along.

"However... Yingzi, I will definitely heal the wounds in your heart. I am the only brother you have in this world, and I will protect you with my life..."

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but smile bitterly.

She was already the strongest person on the continent.

She probably didn't need his protection anymore, did she?

Then...

he would just have to love her well.

Empress Yan Yufei walked slowly out from under the palace veranda with her hands behind her back. Lifting her eyes, she caught sight of Su Fan, and a smile involuntarily tugged at the corners of her mouth... though she quickly suppressed it.

She mused to herself, what is wrong with me?

Whenever I see him, my mood inexplicably lifts...

I only liked his body; I never intended to fall for the person himself. Why does it seem like I'm becoming increasingly dependent on him? Why am I having these strange feelings...

No!

These feelings should absolutely not exist!!

Thinking this, Empress Yan Yufei strolled behind Su Fan and gave a light cough. "What are you doing?"

Hearing the voice behind him, Su Fan turned around and flashed a warm smile at Empress Yan Yufei. "Yufei, you're here. I'm just trimming the crabapple flowers..."

As he spoke, he wiped the sweat from his face.

After learning that she disliked the name "Yingzi," he had changed how he addressed her to "Yufei." Although she had scolded him time and again, forbidding him from calling her that, he continued to do so anyway.

His warm smile under the bright sun made Empress Yan Yufei's heart skip a beat for no reason.

She thought, oh no, I think I've actually started to like him!

"Have you written any new poems?"

"I still remember a few. What kind of poem would you like to hear?"

Su Fan handed the flower shears to the maid behind him and washed his hands in the jade basin.

Empress Yan Yufei's middle fingers intertwined behind her back. With a faint smile on her heroic face, she said, "Just recite a few lines for me."

Su Fan didn't see this little gesture of hers, but the palace maids behind her cautiously looked up and saw it, instantly revealing expressions of slight shock.

The Empress... she... it seems... she seems to be acting like a young girl?

The Empress, who was always mighty and domineering, was actually secretly playing with her fingers in front of this man?! If this were to get out, I'm afraid every powerhouse in the Empire would have their jaws drop in shock!?

Hearing that she wanted him to recite something, Su Fan tilted his head slightly and chanted: "Leaning against the high tower, the wind blows gently. Gazing into the distance, spring sorrow arises, dim and dark at the edge of the sky. In the glowing sunset over the grassy mist, who understands the unspoken thoughts of one leaning on the railing? I intend to drown my sorrows in wild intoxication, singing to the wine, but forced joy is tasteless. My clothes grow loose, yet I have no regrets; for her, I wither away."

Empress Yan Yufei was stunned, a complex look appearing in her phoenix eyes. "Is this... thinking of me?"

Su Fan was slightly taken aback. He had just recited a poem at random and hadn't expected her to be so moved. After thinking for a moment, he nodded. "I suppose so."

Immediately, his left cheek was cupped by a jade hand. Empress Yan Yufei's stunning face leaned in close to his, her eyes filled with a hint of tenderness...

"Oh no, you can't kiss me, don't kiss me!"

"I insist!"

"...Mmph, mmph, mmph..."

The palace maids all lowered their heads.

The Kunyu Palace was exceptionally quiet in the afternoon. On both sides of the chessboard, palace maids gently fanned the spring breeze with magnificent, colorful pheasant-feather fans.

Empress Yan Yufei stared at the chessboard with her phoenix eyes, her jade fingers gently pinching a white chess piece, but she didn't know where to place it...

She glanced at the Male Consort sitting opposite her, who was covering his mouth to stifle a laugh. She felt that this guy was up to no good, full of mischief, and she really wanted to shove his face onto the chessboard!

Seeing her gaze turn towards him, Su Fan immediately suppressed his laughter and put on a look of deep concentration, as if thinking about how to handle the game.

Empress Yan Yufei finally placed her piece...

Su Fan also placed his with confidence.

But soon, as they continued to play, they started arguing—

"Male Consort, did you cheat just now? I definitely didn't place my piece in that position!"

"Cheat, my foot! It's clearly because you're losing and want to go back on your word!"

"I don't care! You definitely cheated! I'm taking back my move!"

"Oh, oh, oh! Someone is being a sore loser!"

"That tone of yours is asking for a beating!"

"Hit me then! Go on, hit me!"

"..."

Subsequently, the palace maids saw Young Master Su Fans nickname being chased by the Empress...

The most bizarre part was that the Empress was holding a broom in her hand...

The spring rain fell in a continuous drizzle, moistening all things silently. Raindrops fell gently onto the glazed golden roofs of the palace, drifting down to land on the white marble steps, splashing like layers of broken jade.

Raindrops meandered down the palace walls, flowing in thin streams. Under the palace eaves, wind chimes swayed gently in the wind and rain, emitting crisp, faint sounds that interwove with the patter of rain, playing a cheerful and melodious tune.

Palace maids played various musical pieces, some holding lutes, others playing flutes.

Beside the imperial desk, the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone were neatly arranged. Su Fan was currently holding Empress Yan Yufei's hand, embracing her from behind, patiently teaching her the posture for holding the brush.

"Look, when writing the 'pie' stroke, start with a hidden or exposed tip, then move the brush downwards to the left, exerting force to the tip to create the point. The line should go from thick to thin, with a natural curve... that's how you write it beautifully..."

Feeling the warm chest pressed against her back, Empress Yan Yufei felt two flushes of red inexplicably rise to her face, and her breathing became somewhat ragged...

She mused to herself, damn it!

How could I have such a nervous moment!

He is only my Male Consort; why can't I stop myself from liking him...

"Focus!"

Su Fan tapped Empress Yan Yufei lightly on the head.

After a brief second of silence.

Empress Yan Yufei turned around slowly, her phoenix eyes glaring fiercely at him, grinding her teeth. "Male Consort! I think you don't want to live anymore!!"

Su Fan first put on a frightened expression, but then stuck out his tongue and made a funny face. "Hit me then! Go on, hit me!"

"Stand right there! Don't run!!"

Watching the scene of the Empress picking up the broom and chasing Young Master Su Fans nickname once again, all the palace maids and female guards couldn't help but burst into laughter.

The atmosphere inside the Kunyu Palace instantly became lively!

Under the cover of night, the palace lamps were extinguished.

From the room, the faint gasps of a man and a woman could be heard.

"Yufei, let's not do it tonight, okay?"

"I insist!"

"Really, let's not..."

"I insist!"

"..."

That night, the Empress's love surged wildly...