She refused to marry.

Su Wanwan was enjoying the breeze when she suddenly heard footsteps behind her pause, then quicken their pace.

She quickly turned around and saw Tantai Lin with a gloomy face, his hand poised to push her down. Seeing her dodge, Tantai Lin hurriedly and awkwardly put his hands behind his back, "Oh dear, what a pity, I was about to touch my sister-in-law's hair..."

Su Wanwan bowed, a sense of unease creeping into her heart; this person's intentions were not good.

"Your Highness, my husband has instructed that I must not meet with you in private. Farewell."

"Oh, really?" Tantai Lin raised an eyebrow. "Sigh, Feng Chen-jun is truly narrow-minded..."

Su Wanwan returned to the room and sat down on a stool, her heart pounding with fear. The only safest place now was by the Emperor's side.

"What's wrong? Why are you so pale?" Xiao Xuanjing came out from behind the screen and asked when he saw her pale face.

Su Wanwan looked up. "Tantai Lin, is he trustworthy?"

"What happened?" Xiao Xuanjing walked up behind her.

Su Wanwan thought about it. Tantai Lin could have easily killed her, poisoned her, or even just had any servant hold her down and take her life. Yet, he chose to push her into the water when no one was around, clearly because he didn't want Xiao Xuanjing to know.

So, this was aimed at her alone. She and Tantai Lin had just met and had no prior grudges, so why would they want to kill her?

Unable to figure out why, Su Wanwan also started to dislike Xiao Xuanjing.

"Little fox, are you still sulking?" Xiao Xuanjing lowered his eyes.

"If Tantai Lin tries to force a beautiful woman on you, you must accept it," Su Wanwan said after thinking for a long time.

"He dares..." Xiao Xuanjing's voice turned cold.

"I was saying if..." Su Wanwan emphasized.

"You went out to see Tantai Lin? What did he say?" Xiao Xuanjing's eyes narrowed, and he clenched his fists behind his back.

"He didn't say anything, he just thought I was in his way." Su Wanwan frowned.

"An eyesore?" Xiao Xuanjing frowned.

"Hmm..." Su Wanwan guessed.

"I have no interest." Xiao Xuanjing placed the belt in her hand, opened his arms, and gestured for her to tie it.

Su Wanwan glared at him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and tied them together.

Xiao Xuanjing lowered her eyes. Her small body had become even thinner. When she was in the capital, her face and chin were round, but now even her waist was thinner.

"Alright..." Su Wanwan fastened her belt and straightened up. Suddenly, her waist tightened, and she was pulled into Xiao Xuanjing's arms.

"Your Majesty, what are you doing?" Su Wanwan looked shyly at the servant at the door.

"When we get back to the capital, I'll make sure you're well-fed and round," Xiao Xuanjing said with a soft laugh, his eyes lowered.

Su Wanwan was stunned for a moment. Did His Majesty... acknowledge her as his wife?

"Your Majesty, let me make this clear: this title of husband and wife is just for show. Please don't take it seriously. I don't need Your Majesty to take responsibility." Su Wanwan's eyes darted away, her tone was soft, and she gently pried open Feng Chenjun's hands that were wrapped around her waist.

"I forgot that Madam has never cared about her reputation in the capital, so naturally she doesn't care."

Xiao Xuanjing was displeased and pressed on, "My reputation is not something to be trifled with. Since you've put on a show, it's a matter of reputation. Either you, Madam, repay me with your body, or I will repay you with my body... Madam, you choose."

Su Wanwan retreated repeatedly, while Feng Chenjun pressed closer and closer.

"My husband commands respect and power in the court, getting whatever he wants. What use is his reputation then?"

With nowhere to retreat, Su Wanwan braced her hands against the emperor's chest. His reputation—Fengchen Jun's reputation—was all built on power.

Does Lord Fengchen turn a blind eye to his mother's interference in court affairs and her exploitation of the people?

Xiao Xuanjing loosened his grip. "I couldn't understand the little fox, but it turns out the little fox couldn't understand itself."

The little fox used to keep the prince hanging on, but when he was within her grasp, she gave up. Now, even though I'm standing in front of her, she's still the same.

The little fox longed for freedom, yet it chose to stay in the capital, enjoying wealth and luxury. If the little fox truly loved freedom, it would have returned to Suzhou long ago to live a carefree life.

After all, with the Su family's wealth, they could at least ensure that they would have enough to eat and drink for three generations.

You love me, knowing full well I could kill you at any moment, yet you fearlessly come to see me time and again. You even dare to deliver provisions to the army… Your heart is clouded… Why don't you dare fight for the person you love?

Xiao Xuanjing gently tapped the little fox's forehead.

Su Wanwan bit her lip, tilted her head back and said, "I do like Your Majesty, and I yearn for Your Majesty every night, but that doesn't mean I want to have Your Majesty."

Xiao Xuanjing's gaze froze. What did she just say? He took a deep breath and tapped her on the forehead. "I really want the imperial physician to take a look at your brain."

"Gentlemen, the feast is ready," came the voice of a servant from the doorway.

Xiao Xuanjing took Su Wanwan's hand and followed the pageboy across the deck to the bow of the ship and into the cabin.

Su Wanwan raised her eyes, and they immediately lit up. The extravagance was no less than that of King Zhou of Shang, with a group of beautiful women sitting around Tantai Lin, their figures supple and graceful.

"Sit down," Tantai Lin waved her hand.

Su Wanwan followed behind Xiao Xuanjing and sat next to him. Two beauties came forward to pour wine for her, one of whom was so beautiful that she was breathtaking.

"Sister-in-law, this is a small gift for Feng Chenjun. You won't mind, will you?" Tantai Lin said with a meaningful look.

Su Wanwan smiled. "Your Highness means well, but His Majesty's health is weak, and he may not be able to enjoy this pleasure recently. Is that right, my husband?"

Xiao Xuanjing lowered his eyes, his fingertips tracing the back of the wine-serving beauty's hand. "Madam happens to need two maids to attend to her, what do you say?"

The beauty put down her wine, swayed her hips as she walked up to the prince, and playfully pushed him away. "Your Highness... how can I be a servant?"

Tantai Lin stroked the beauty's chin. "Alright, stop fooling around. A beauty like you can't be a maid..."

"Lord Fengchen, I heard you're all alone in the capital. Where did she come from? I tried, she doesn't know any martial arts, how did she escape with you?" Tantai Lin looked at Su Wanwan meaningfully.

"Her affairs are none of your concern." Xiao Xuanjing lowered his head, cut off a piece of meat, and chewed it. The meat was perfectly tender, only a chef from the Princess's residence could achieve such delicate texture. Someone from the capital must have arrived.

"Did your mother contact you? Who did she send?" Xiao Xuanjing reached for the wine.

Su Wanwan reacted quickly and gently pressed down, "I'm not feeling well, I haven't seen a doctor yet."

"You truly have a brilliant mind. That person will be here soon." Tantai Lin looked towards the door.

"Your Highness, the guests have arrived," someone said at the door.

"Come in."

Xiao Xuanjing looked at the person who had come, his heart tightened, and he slowly stood up.