294: A secret rendezvous place right under the Empress's nose

The farewell with Female Emperor Mu Qingning was tender and prolonged. The two embraced in the bedchamber, whispering their reluctance to part and their admonitions, and exchanging hopes for the future.

It wasn't until nearly noon that Li Shengyuan, under Qingning's reluctant gaze, left the bedchamber.

As soon as he stepped out of the bedchamber's confines and entered the palace path connecting to the outer court, he saw a familiar dark figure standing silently in the shadow of a corridor pillar.

It was Zixuan.

Her posture was straight, her gaze fixed forward, as if on a routine guard duty, but Li Shengyuan could feel that a trace of her attention remained on him, clearly having waited there for a long time.

Li Shengyuan's heart stirred slightly, but he showed no emotion on his face. He walked slowly forward, smiled faintly at her, and said in an ordinary, slightly polite tone:

"Commander Zixuan, what a coincidence. I'd like to go to the Xuanyi Guard Archives again to consult some dossiers on the customs of the Western Regions Demon Kingdom and ancient legends. I wonder if I could trouble the Commander to lead the way again?"

Upon hearing this, Zixuan turned around, her face bearing its usual coolness and professional demeanor.

She bowed slightly, her voice calm and unruffled: "If the Marquis has need, I shall naturally assist. Please follow your subordinate."

The two walked side by side, passing through layers of palace halls and buildings.

Along the way, Zixuan looked straight ahead, her steps steady, and Li Shengyuan's expression was also normal, occasionally asking one or two unimportant questions about palace affairs.

They maintained an appropriate distance, their words polite and distant.

Anyone observing them would only think it was a perfectly ordinary official interaction between Lord Li and the Xuanyi Guard Commander, never imagining the passionate embrace they had shared earlier in the Archives.

They arrived at the Xuanyi Guard Yamen in silence, passed through the strict guards, and once again stepped into the quiet corridor leading to the Archives.

The heavy Archives door was close at hand. Zixuan took out the key, skillfully unlocked the door, pushed it open, and stepped inside.

Li Shengyuan stepped into the familiar, dim space permeated with the scent of old ink and paper.

Behind him, the door closed directly with a soft "click," cutting off everything from the outside.

Almost the instant the door closed, Zixuan, who was half a step ahead, suddenly turned around!

The icy facade on her face melted away as abruptly as ice meeting scorching sun, replaced by a radiant expression mixed with fervent emotion and urgency.

Without the slightest hesitation, she threw herself into Li Shengyuan's arms like a swallow returning to its nest.

Her hands tightly clasped around his neck, she stood on tiptoe, and with an almost greedy longing, she actively kissed his lips.

The kiss came suddenly and passionately, a stark contrast to her cold demeanor on the palace path just moments ago.

Li Shengyuan could clearly feel the softness and slight coolness of her lips, and the undisguised longing and passion contained within them.

He paused for a moment, then relaxed, naturally embracing her slender yet strong waist, gently returning the kiss.

A faint fragrance from his recent intimacy with Female Emperor Mu Qingning seemed to still linger on him.

Now, it was covered by Zixuan's unique scent, intertwining into a subtle and stirring atmosphere.

After a long while, until both were a little breathless, Zixuan finally pulled back slightly.

Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes like water, and she looked up at him, her chest rising and falling gently.

Unbeknownst to them, this Xuanyi Guard Archives deep within the imperial palace had become their secret rendezvous spot right under the Female Emperor's nose... Li Shengyuan looked at the lingering passion in her eyes, raised a hand to gently caress her slightly warm cheek, and whispered:

"I have something to tell you."

Zixuan blinked, saying nothing, merely signaling him to continue with her eyes.

"I'm leaving the capital for a period of time, going to the Western Regions Demon Kingdom," Li Shengyuan stated directly.

Upon hearing the words "Western Regions Demon Kingdom," Zixuan's pupils contracted slightly, but she didn't exclaim or ask for the reason, as if she wasn't surprised that Li Shengyuan would venture into such a dangerous place.

She merely pursed her lips, and with almost no hesitation, immediately said:

"I will go to His Majesty right away to request a team of elite Xuanyi Guards to accompany you to the Western Regions!"

"I am most familiar with reconnaissance, stealth, and intelligence gathering. I will surely be able to assist you!"

Her tone was crisp and decisive, with the characteristic resoluteness of a Xuanyi Guard Commander, her eyes clear and firm, without the slightest pretense.

This unhesitating support and willingness to brave danger filled Li Shengyuan's heart with a warm current.

He knew that Zixuan's words were not out of duty, but from genuine concern for his safety and a desire to be by his side.

Li Shengyuan was touched. He held her hand, squeezed it gently, and shook his head with a faint smile: "I understand your intentions."

"But this journey to the west requires concealed movements and covert investigation. The more people there are, the easier it is to be exposed. Moreover..."

His tone carried immense confidence, yet also a hint of reassurance: "Though the Demon Realm is vast and filled with powerful individuals, those who can truly trouble me are few and far between."

"Going alone, I can come and go freely, and act more conveniently. If I bring you or others, I would have to be distracted with their care."

Zixuan looked at the undeniable resolve in his eyes and his world-dominating confidence, knowing that he spoke the truth.

She also understood that if she insisted on following, she might indeed become a burden... A flicker of disappointment crossed her eyes, but more so, understanding and helplessness.

She lowered her gaze, softly hummed "Mm," and whispered: "Then... you must be extremely careful. The Demon Realm is treacherous, unlike Great Qian."

"I will be," Li Shengyuan promised, pulling her back into his embrace.

Zixuan obediently nestled against his chest, her cheek pressed to his firm chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, her arms wrapped around his waist, unwilling to let go for a long time.

The Archives were silent, with only their intertwined heartbeats and breaths.

This separation, with its uncertain return and unknown path ahead, made the present warmth all the more precious.

She said nothing more, merely conveying her deepest concern through her physical closeness... Your Majesty clung to you all morning, and so will I!