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

Since the day Shen Qingruo took the initiative to go to Taiji Hall to find him, Shen Wangxi has been coming to Qingyi Hall more often, still avoiding everyone and coming quietly.

That afternoon, Shen Qingruo was frowning as she faced the zither, her fingertips plucking at a note she could never quite hit.

A warm, large hand suddenly covered her from behind, pressing on her slender fingers and guiding her to pluck the strings.

"Here, use a lighter touch." A cool voice rang in her ear.

Shen Qingruo was startled and turned around, meeting Shen Wangxi's deep eyes. "Your Majesty?"

She hurriedly tried to stand up, but he pressed her shoulder down.

"Sit down." He sat down beside her, very close, his arm almost around her, and took her hand again, patiently correcting her fingering, "Keep your wrist flat, use your fingertips."

He was too close, his cool aura enveloping her. A faint blush slowly rose on Shen Qingruo's fair face, her heart raced, and her fingertips trembled slightly, making the music even more out of tune.

Shen Wangxi noticed her nervousness, and his gaze fell on her reddened ear tips, causing his heart to soften for some reason.

He released his grip, stepped back slightly, and said in a calm tone, "Try it yourself again."

"Mmm." Shen Qingruo responded softly, lowered her head, and plucked the strings again according to the method he taught her. This time, the tone was indeed much clearer and more accurate.

She looked up at him, a hint of excitement in her eyes: "It seems right?"

Seeing her delight, Shen Wangxi nodded slightly: "That's right."

In the days that followed, he would sometimes have her read to him.

At first, it was the Book of Songs. Her voice was soft and sweet as she recited "Guan Guan Jujiu, on the islet in the river," which was quite melodious and pleasant to listen to.

Later, for some reason, he also brought the copy of "Zizhi Tongjian" that was on his desk with him.

Shen Qingruo frowned as she looked at the densely packed strategies for governing the country, and looked at him helplessly: "Your Majesty, I can't understand these."

"It's alright, just recite it." Shen Wangxi leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes to rest.

She would obediently read it aloud, and if she got stuck on a difficult part, she would ask him for help.

Shen Wangxi would then open her eyes and give her a brief explanation.

He explained things in a simple and easy-to-understand way. Shen Qingruo only vaguely understood, but she would always look at him with her clear eyes and say softly:

"Aruo still doesn't quite understand. His Majesty knows everything. He's amazing."

This girl regarded Shen Wangxi as omnipotent, which made him appreciate the charm of being a teacher.

However, whenever she read until her mouth was dry and she gently licked her red lips, Shen Wangxi's gaze would darken and her Adam's apple would involuntarily bob.

Besides studying, there was also playing chess.

He gave her the black jade chessboard, and every time he came over, he would drag her to play a few games with it.

Shen Qingruo's chess skills remained abysmal, completely lacking any strategy, and she would occasionally plead weakly, "Your Majesty, I think I'm going to lose, what should I do?"

Shen Wangxi didn't show it on his face, but in his heart he found her adorable.

He usually wouldn't respond to her, but when making a move, he would subtly give her a few steps back so that she wouldn't lose too badly.

Occasionally, when she bent down to study the moves of the game, the neckline of her long dress would open slightly, revealing her fair skin.

Shen Wangxi's gaze would uncontrollably linger on it, the image of the mottled marks he had left there flashing through his mind, his breathing became heavier, and he gripped the chess piece tightly between his fingers.

He had to expend a great deal of effort to suppress those alluring thoughts.

Besides that, what he found most irresistible was her mention of dancing.

One day, as she fiddled with the dance costume that Granny Yan had brought her, she looked up at him, her voice filled with anticipation:

"Your Majesty, Granny Yan said that Aruo's new dance is very beautiful. Would you like to see it?"

Shen Wangxi stood up almost immediately, nearly knocking over the teacup beside her.

"I remembered that there are still government affairs to attend to." His voice was tense as he turned and left, his steps hurried, almost as if he were fleeing.

Shen Qingruo watched his retreating figure, which was almost a hasty escape, and chuckled softly.

Xiao Jiu whispered in her mind, "See? I told you dancing was his Achilles' heel; he just couldn't handle it."

Shen Qingruo walked to the dressing mirror and looked at her reflection. She had already mastered the art of seduction, combining it with her "bright eyes" and "singing voice." From her bones to her form, every movement, every smile, exuded a captivating charm.

She could see that Shen Wangxi's gaze was growing increasingly somber.

Even just sitting quietly playing chess like today, she could feel his gaze upon her, so intense it made her body go weak.

He was just forcibly restraining himself.

Shen Qingruo casually turned her body to the side, struck a dance pose, and looked at her perfect waist and hip curves, a faint smile curving her lips.

It's okay, she has plenty of patience.