She roamed half a circle around the West Mountain before finally finding Nangong Che's cave.
Standing outside the cave, she hesitated for a moment before pushing the door open.
"Cough, cough, cough..." Nangong Che, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, suddenly coughed. He opened his eyes, looked at Su Ziyan, and his stern handsome face softened slightly. "Come in."
Su Ziyan looked up at Nangong Che. He was wearing a dark blue brocade robe, a gold-threaded dragon belt around his waist, his hair tied high, exuding an aura of imperial majesty and commanding presence.
"Your humble concubine pays her respects to Your Majesty." Su Ziyan curtsied slightly, her eyes lowered.
"Rise." Nangong Che glanced at her and then stood up.
Hearing this, Su Ziyan slowly straightened up, looking at him silently, her heart pounding. For some reason, she felt that Nangong Che was different today than he was last night. She couldn't pinpoint exactly what was different, perhaps it was his gaze, or perhaps the cold aura surrounding him had disappeared, making him seem much softer.
"I've prepared lunch, let's go eat together." Nangong Che took the lead, walking directly out of the cave.
Su Ziyan quickly followed, her mood inexplicably becoming nervous and excited. She hadn't shared lunch with him for a very, very long time.
Nangong Che was not an inflexible person; on the contrary, he was very understanding and particularly considerate. He knew Su Ziyan was shy, so he chose to accommodate her silently.
During the meal, Su Ziyan continuously served him food, and he ate it all without any complaint.
After they had eaten their fill, Su Ziyan took the initiative to clear the dishes.
"Your Majesty, I wish to leave the palace for a visit, may I?" Su Ziyan wiped the tableware clean and asked Nangong Che.
"Leave the palace? Where do you wish to go?" Nangong Che raised an eyebrow, looking at Su Ziyan.
Su Ziyan thought for a moment and replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, I wish to go to the West Mountain for an outing and to pray at the temple."
The West Mountain was a royal temple with abundant incense. She had heard people say that any fortune told there was bound to be accurate.
"Are you sure?" Nangong Che's sword-like eyebrows lifted, his deep and charming eyes flashing with intelligent brilliance.
"Yes, Your Majesty, may I?" Su Ziyan looked at Nangong Che cautiously, as this was her only excuse for sneaking out.
"Good, it is permitted." Nangong Che nodded, agreeing to Su Ziyan's request.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Su Ziyan was overjoyed and hugged Nangong Che playfully.
Seeing Su Ziyan's action, a flicker of surprise flashed in Nangong Che's eyes. This little girl was quite enthusiastic and unrestrained. However, she was rather lovely. If he hadn't already set his heart on someone else, he might have taken her into his harem.
"There's no need for thanks. You are my imperial concubine, and I cannot allow you to go out." A hint of danger flashed in Nangong Che's dark eyes. Did her performance just now indicate she had forgotten the events of four years ago, and was now trying to escape him?
Thinking of this, a wave of loss washed over Nangong Che. Had she really forgotten him?
Su Ziyan looked at Nangong Che with a bewildered expression, unsure of what to say. After all, he was the emperor, and she could not defy him. Yet, she wanted to go to the West Mountain, as she had promised him she would accompany him for an outing every three months.
"Your Majesty, you cannot restrict my freedom. Besides, I am not doing anything harmful; I just want to go out for a stroll." Su Ziyan pouted in protest, looking as if she were very wronged and he was not helping her.
Nangong Che frowned and pondered for a moment, then said, "I can have Eunuch Li accompany you."
"No, he needs to serve Your Majesty. It would be too tiring for him to go out with me." Su Ziyan shook her head and refused.
"Very well, then I will have several hidden guards protect you." Nangong Che mused for a moment before finally compromising.
Su Ziyan immediately beamed and rushed to hug Nangong Che, clinging to his arm and acting spoiled. "Your Majesty is so kind. I will serve Your Majesty well, make Your Majesty forever happy and healthy, and be Your Majesty's most loyal woman."
Nangong Che curved his lips into a doting smile, reached out, and pinched her plump, tender cheek. He said in a gentle tone, "Go back and wait. I will send someone to escort you out of the palace later."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After Nangong Che left, Su Ziyan finally breathed a sigh of relief. This Emperor was much gentler than before, and she didn't feel any pressure. This feeling was not bad.
Lost in thought, Su Ziyan walked towards her sleeping quarters.
As she reached the entrance of her chambers, someone suddenly covered her mouth from behind, and she fainted. When she awoke, she found herself lying in a carriage, with Nangong Che and Xia Xueyi also lying beside her.
"Niang Niang, are you alright?" a maidservant anxiously asked.
"I'm fine." Su Ziyan smiled faintly, thinking to herself, Nangong Che is indeed cunning. He pretended to be unconscious. No wonder he agreed to her request so easily. It turns out he was setting a trap for her.
Xia Xueyi slowly sat up, glanced at Su Ziyan, and a mocking curve appeared on her lips. She detested Su Ziyan's hypocritical pretense more than anything in her life.
"Which of you two is the Empress?" Su Ziyan turned her head and asked the two maids.
The maids exchanged glances and then shook their heads.
Su Ziyan frowned. Had Nangong Che not yet announced her status? However, that made sense. The Emperor had always preferred to keep a low profile. He certainly wouldn't want people to know she was Su Ziyan, as she was merely a guise for him to appease the Empress.
Seeing the maids shake their heads, Su Ziyan immediately guessed that Nangong Che had not proclaimed her Empress, perhaps fearing misunderstanding.
"I am, she is impersonating." Su Ziyan pointed at Xia Xueyi and said. She disliked Xia Xueyi's arrogant demeanor, as if she were superior.
Xia Xueyi's face paled in shock upon hearing this. She stared at Su Ziyan with sharp eyes and snorted, "Heh, I never expected His Majesty to like your kind of woman. But you're lucky. His Majesty hasn't touched you."
Su Ziyan's lips twitched. This woman's imagination was too vivid. How could she not have touched her?
"You're thinking too much," Su Ziyan said calmly.
"Hmph!" Xia Xueyi glared at Su Ziyan haughtily, then leaned closer to Nangong Che, her boneless hands caressing his firm jawline.
Nangong Che narrowed his eyes, glanced at Su Ziyan, then grabbed Xia Xueyi's offending hand and said coldly, "Xia Xueyi, this is the imperial palace. If you dare to touch me, I will depose you!"
With that, he flung Xia Xueyi's hand away, stood up, and left the carriage. He needed some air.
Seeing this, Su Ziyan immediately lifted the curtain and chased after him.
"Your Majesty." Su Ziyan quickly ran in front of Nangong Che.
Nangong Che stopped and turned to look at Su Ziyan. "Empress, are you going out?"
"Yes, I want to go to West Mountain for a barbecue." Su Ziyan blinked her beautiful almond-shaped eyes. She truly wanted to go, not only because the West Mountain had beautiful scenery but also because she wanted to hone her cooking skills.
Upon hearing this, a hint of admiration flashed in Nangong Che's eyes. She was indeed different from other women, not only bold but also adventurous. Of course, he also liked this adventurous spirit.
"Good, I'll accompany you tonight." Nangong Che smiled charmingly.
"Your Majesty, you are willing to accompany this concubine? That's wonderful! With Your Majesty accompanying me tonight, I'm sure I'll have a great time. Your Majesty is so kind." Su Ziyan was extremely excited and couldn't help but kiss Nangong Che on the cheek, then playfully blinked her beautiful, pure eyes.
Nangong Che froze on the spot, having been kissed by Su Ziyan. He hadn't expected Su Ziyan to kiss him.
"Ahem..." Xia Xueyi's awkward cough came from the side.
Su Ziyan quickly stepped back a few paces, creating distance from Nangong Che. She hadn't intended to take advantage of him; she just wanted to express her inner joy.