She refused to marry.

Su Wanwan and her family had dinner and returned to Jinxiu Hall, which was already late afternoon.

As soon as I entered the room, I could smell the lingering scent of the Emperor.

Feeling troubled by the thoughts that had been swirling in his mind, he sat down in the courtyard.

"Chunhua, go open the windows. This room hasn't been well-ventilated in a long time."

"Yes." Chunhua walked up the steps.

Suddenly, the door to the room opened from the inside.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Chunhua hurriedly knelt down, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

"Get up. Didn't your young lady say she wanted to prepare a banquet today? Go and serve the food." Xiao Xuanjing strode out.

"Serve the meal?" Chunhua turned to look at her mistress. "Yes."

"Chunhua, go and get the sesame cakes." Su Wanwan looked at Feng Chenjun with his full head of silver hair, and thinking about what happened today, it was as if a thorn was piercing her heart.

"A sesame seed cake?" Xiao Xuanjing walked down the steps, slowly approached her, lifted her face, and gently kissed her.

"My husband turned down the Emperor's audience, the officials' invitation, and the family banquet today, all to be with you. My wife is heartless, making me eat nothing but flatbread?"

Su Wanwan raised her eyes, "Your Majesty is currently at the height of your power and should not be so casual."

"It's worth it for my wife." Xiao Xuanjing held her in his arms. "Tell me, what did I do to upset you?"

"No." Su Wanwan lowered her eyes.

Xiao Xuanjing gently stroked her cheek. "Little fox, you have a heavy heart, even more so today. Speak."

Su Wanwan took Xiao Xuanjing's hand and said, "When Your Majesty returns, you will surely be enjoying delicacies every day. This sesame seed cake is just to remind Your Majesty to remember the hardships you endured and appreciate the present, so that you will not forget your struggles when you are at your most glorious moment."

"The little fox has quite a bit of experience," Xiao Xuanjing said, putting his arm around her.

Chunhua placed the sesame seed cakes on the stone table in the courtyard, set out the bowls and chopsticks, and also brought a pot of good wine, placing it aside before leaving the courtyard and waiting at the gate.

Su Wanwan pulled Xiao Xuanjing to sit down. "Try it. This sesame seed cake is much better than the ones in the north. It's soft and fluffy, crispy on the outside and fragrant on the inside."

Xiao Xuanjing remained calm. "My lady is feeding me..."

Su Wanwan thought she had misheard.

"Feed her, Madam." Xiao Xuanjing pushed the plate towards her.

Su Wanwan bit her lip, suppressing a laugh, and held the sesame seed cake to the emperor's lips, saying, "Open your mouth."

Xiao Xuanjing leaned closer to her. "The Princess's residence is hosting a banquet in ten days. Invitations will be sent tomorrow. Su Xian has rendered meritorious service in the military, so the third branch of the family will also be coming."

"Are you openly forming cliques for personal gain?" Su Wanwan picked up the wine pot, thought for a while, then put it down, poured a cup of tea, and handed it over.

"Forming cliques for personal gain?" Xiao Xuanjing smiled. "After I left, the Crown Prince raided the mansions, and those connected to the Eldest Princess were all taken away, even imprisoned on various charges. At this moment, we need to appease their families."

"Is there any way to rescue them?" Su Wanwan's heart tightened. Fortunately, her father and third uncle hid quickly.

"Yes, in half a month, the major court officials will submit a memorial detailing the crimes of the Crown Prince's faction. I will uphold justice and ensure that nothing is overlooked. The Imperial Uncle will be detained, and the Empress will surely urge His Majesty to grant a general amnesty during the Mid-Autumn Festival. At that time, my men will naturally be released." Xiao Xuanjing frowned, his gaze falling on the tea.

"This is first-spring tea. Surely Your Majesty has tasted it before?" Su Wanwan tilted her head.

"Clear and sweet." Xiao Xuanjing's brow relaxed.

Xiao Xuanjing looked at his wife with a smile on his face, but his eyes flashed with calculation.

"Your Majesty, could you please stop looking at me..." Su Wanwan poured herself a cup guiltily.

I have a feeling this guy is planning something weird.

Xiao Xuanjing put down his teacup, took her hand in his, and asked, "Little fox, when can we drink the nuptial wine?"

Su Wanwan's face flushed instantly, and her chest pounded.

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Su Wanwan lowered her eyes.

Holy crap, isn't this guy way too direct?

There was no confession of love, no dates.

It wasn't even with her consent.

"We understand each other perfectly and have consummated our marriage, so why are you still so shy?" Xiao Xuanjing inhaled the fragrance of her hair, which soothed his heart and soul.

There was a loud crash outside the door; something broke.

Chunhua hurriedly said, "Miss, I brought some food. Would you like me to bring it in?"

"No need!" Su Wanwan hurriedly stopped her, turning to Feng Chenjun, "Don't talk nonsense, when did we ever share a bed?"

"Isn't it enough that your husband has been holding you while you sleep for over a month?" Xiao Xuanjing asked with great interest.

"Don't talk nonsense!" Su Wanwan pulled her hand away and covered Feng Chenjun's mouth, lowering her voice, "I was wrong."

"Madam, I will come to propose marriage after this matter is settled." Xiao Xuanjing pulled her hand down and placed it in his palm.

"Your Majesty, is there something missing between us?" Su Wanwan looked up.

"A date? In three days, we can put aside all the big and small matters and I'll take you out on a date tonight, okay?" Xiao Xuanjing said earnestly.

Su Wanwan looked at Feng Chenjun with a serious expression and her eyes flickered. "Um, Your Majesty, I..."

"I'll come to pick you up at this time tomorrow." Xiao Xuanjing pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead. "The cabinet still has matters to discuss, so I'll be leaving now. Get some rest."

Su Wanwan nodded, "I'll take you..."

"No need, Madam, please rest early." Xiao Xuanjing got up, walked a few steps to the wall, climbed over the courtyard wall, and disappeared.

Su Wanwan finally relaxed.

"Chunhua, come in and tidy up."

After entering the house and changing her clothes, she sat in front of the bronze mirror, removed her hairpin, and slowly combed her hair.

She hasn't thought about getting married, especially not to Feng Chenjun.

The eldest princess is a ruthless character. Even if she marries the emperor, her life will probably be even more difficult.

I still have to reluctantly give up this feeling and put it away.

But how could she refuse?

Thinking about this, I felt melancholy.

I put down the comb and sat in the chair, lost in thought.

If you send a man to make up an excuse, Feng Chenjun will utterly destroy that person.

A firm refusal is the least of Feng Chenjun's fears.

If she politely declines, Feng Chenjun will probably wait for her.

For now, it's safer to delay.

"Miss, would you like to take a bath?" Chunhua asked from outside.

"Um."

The next day.

Su Wanwan selected a dress made of the finest shimmering brocade and sent it to Jinse. The dress concealed her belly when worn as an outer robe, but it was immediately apparent when removed.

Today, Qiu Shi came to report that he made a point of mentioning to Young Master Jiang this morning when he passed by that Yue Lai Tea House had received new tea.

If nothing unexpected happens, I will definitely see her today.

The three of them tidied up.

"I'm going today, Nianxia. You must watch carefully. If you see Young Master Jiang, go up and pay your respects."

Young Master Jiang is concerned about your young lady and will surely come to see her. Jinse, it's up to you now.

"I'm at the tea shop across the street. If you need any assistance, just send someone to call me." Su Wanwan tightened Jinse's belt.

"Yes." Nianxia nodded.

"Your makeup could be a bit heavier," Su Wanwan said, looking at Jinse's face.

"He likes me just the way I am." Jinse looked at herself in the bronze mirror.