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

Shen Qingruo spoke softly, voicing the obsession of two lifetimes:

"Your Majesty, if I were not now your concubine, but still your mistress, between Shen Jingyan and me, who would you favor?"

Shen Wangxi's hand, which was cupping her face, stiffened slightly. Looking at the stubbornness in her eyes, he knew that this issue was unavoidable.

But he didn't want to lie to her.

He paused for a moment, then spoke frankly: "After bringing you back from the palace walls, I did feel pity for you. Seeing you wronged made my heart ache."

"But in the end, he still can't compare to Ah-Yan."

Shen Qingruo lowered her long eyelashes, concealing her deep disappointment.

Shen Wangxi's heart tightened as he continued, "At that time, I thought I loved the Empress, so it was only natural that I favored her children more."

"But it wasn't until that night in the Taiji Hall, and every day and night I spent with you afterward, watching you laugh, watching you cry, watching you cling to me, watching you act coquettishly towards me, that I truly understood what it meant to be moved and what it meant to be deeply attached."

He called her name again, his voice hoarse, "Aruo."

"I can only try my best to make amends for what happened in the past."

"But I can tell you with certainty now that I love you more than the Empress."

Shen Qingruo raised her almond-shaped eyes.

He looked at her and continued, each word firm and resolute: "In the future, if you bear me a child, whether it be a prince or a princess, I will love him more than Ah Yan."

"If she is a good daughter like you, then she will be the future Crown Princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty. I will personally pave the way for her and clear away all obstacles."

"If it is a prince, then he is my rightful crown prince and the heir to the Great Zhou dynasty."

Shen Qingruo stared at him blankly, murmuring in disbelief, "Is it true?"

"A ruler's word is law." Shen Wangxi nodded solemnly, his gaze resolute.

Shen Qingruo suddenly reached out and hugged his waist tightly, nestling in his arms, and called out to him in a tearful voice, "Your Majesty..."

Shen Wangxi's heart softened, and he put his arm around her slender waist, patted her thin back, and felt the warmth in his arms.

After a while, he continued to whisper, "Privately, I do hope it's a little prince."

"Because I am so much older than you, if he were a prince, I could be more ruthless in training him, urging him to grow up quickly, secure his position as crown prince, and better protect you and safeguard this country in the future."

Shen Wangxi looked at the delicate girl in his arms and sighed silently: "But if it were a daughter as well-behaved as you, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to bear to part with her."

"Moreover, a woman's heart may not be set on that supreme position, and I am afraid of forcing her."

Shen Qingruo nestled quietly in his arms, listening to his rambling plans without uttering a sound.

He spoke of a beautiful future, and she seemed to be able to sense some of his sincerity at that moment.

But will it really go that smoothly?

Everything now is different from what it was in my previous life.

Shen Yinian, the carefree prince who has always remained outside the realm of power, may very well step back into the court at the empress's request.

He is already eighteen years old this year, and as the legitimate eldest son, once he enters the court, he will certainly have the support of veteran officials behind him.

Even if she does give birth to a little prince, a crying baby, how can she possibly defeat a young and vigorous prince?

Shen Wangxi would have to live a little longer for this to work.

At this moment, Shen Qingruo couldn't help but admire Xiao Jiu's foresight.