The bright moon hangs high, beckoning him down from his pedestal.

In the evening, when Shen Wangxi stepped into the inner room, Shen Qingruo was reclining on a soft couch by the window, engrossed in reading a book.

Today she wore a lake-green belted long dress, which made her exposed wrists appear even whiter.

Shen Wangxi took a few steps closer, wanting to see what book she was reading so intently.

However, when he saw the words and contents on the book cover, he stopped in his tracks.

It wasn't some classic text, nor was it poetry or prose; it was a popular folk storybook with a cover depicting talented scholars and beautiful women, and the text inside was full of tender affection between lovers.

Shen Qingruo was deeply moved by what she saw, and the corners of her lips curved into a smile, displaying the charming innocence of a young girl in love.

Suddenly, she noticed the shadow, looked up in surprise, met his eyes, and hurriedly hid the storybook behind her back.

"Your Majesty!" She hurriedly tried to get off the bed and pay her respects, but Shen Wangxi stopped her by pressing down on her arm.

"Lie down." His voice was emotionless, but his gaze lingered on her blinking eyes. He found it amusing and, as if possessed, reached out and brushed a strand of dark hair away from her cheek with his fingertips.

Shen Qingruo was taken aback by the sudden intimacy. Her body stiffened slightly, and she looked up at him with her watery eyes, which were pure and alluring.

Shen Wangxi's heart skipped a beat when he met her gaze. He immediately withdrew his hand, looked away, turned and sat down on a chair nearby, asking in a casual tone, "What are you looking at?"

"It's nothing..." Shen Qingruo's voice was weak and guilty. She gripped the storybook behind her even tighter, her fair face showing a hint of shyness, which added to her charm.

Shen Wangxi didn't expose her. She simply picked up the tea that the palace servant had just served, took a sip, and suppressed the strange feeling in her heart.

The hall fell silent.

Shen Qingruo secretly raised her eyes and caught a glimpse of his profile, recalling the stories of talented scholars and beautiful women in traditional Chinese novels.

She bit her lip, as if gathering her courage, and spoke in a weak, coquettish voice:

"Your Majesty, I saw in those storybooks that all the talented women could play the zither, and the music was so beautiful. I want to learn too."

Upon hearing this, Shen Wangxi looked up at her and saw her gazing at her expectantly, her eyes filled with hope.

"If you want to learn, then learn." His tone was indulgent. "Tomorrow I will have someone send you a fine zither, and I will also find you a tutor."

Shen Qingruo's eyes lit up, as if they were filled with stars, and a sweet smile curved her lips: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

She seemed encouraged, tilting her little face closer to him, and continued her soft plea:

"And at the last birthday banquet, the dance that Granny Yan taught us, Aruo also thought it was very good. Staying in the palace every day is a bit boring, Aruo would like to continue learning with Granny Yan, is that alright?"

She blinked, her eyes filled with innocent reliance, as if saying: Please, Your Majesty~.

Shen Wangxi stared at her beautiful face and listened to her soft, sweet voice, finding it hard to refuse.

It's just Granny Yan; assigning her the position won't hurt.

He nodded: "Granted. I will have Granny Yan serve you closely from now on."

"Your Majesty is so kind..." Shen Qingruo said softly, her smile as beautiful as a flower.

Shen Wangxi was somewhat lost in thought; he rarely saw her happy.

The atmosphere was warm and affectionate. The man's gaze swept over her slender figure, and the thought that she still had to learn those graceful dances stirred a restlessness within him.

He restrained himself from looking away, stood up, and said, "You should rest well. I will come to see you another day."

"Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty," Shen Qingruo said obediently, bowing.

Only after Shen Wangxi's figure disappeared outside the hall did Shen Qingruo slowly straighten up, her innocent and carefree smile gradually fading.

She gently stroked the cover of the storybook on the couch.

Music, chess, calligraphy, painting, singing, and dancing—aren't these all ways for concubines to please the emperor?