Inside Qingli Palace.
Zhen Mi lay fast asleep on the bed, her eyes tightly closed, her face flushed, and her breathing slightly hurried.
Liu Xie sat silently beside the bed, gazing somewhat absently at her sleeping face, his thoughts unknown.
Beside him, Guo Nüwang reminded him softly, "Your Majesty, you have kept watch all night. You should go back and get some rest."
"This servant can watch over the noble lady here. You must put your imperial health first and not overexert yourself."
Liu Xie shook his head slightly. "It is all right."
Guo Nüwang could only say no more.
Holding Zhen Mi's somewhat feverish hand, Liu Xie looked at her with a complicated gaze and could not help sighing inwardly.
Of all the consorts in the imperial harem, Zhen Mi loved him the most deeply and shared the deepest bond with him, yet he truly owed her far too much in this regard.
That was also why he had repeatedly tolerated the Zhen Clan.
But he also knew that Zhen Mi did not want her family to become exceedingly illustrious. What she truly wanted was his affection.
Yet that was precisely what he found hardest to give her.
The imperial harem was a microcosm of court politics. Whether a consort enjoyed favor could directly affect the balance at court.
And others watched the Son of Heaven's every move. If he showed Zhen Mi extraordinary favor, many would begin guessing at his intentions.
Was he thinking of deposing the empress, for instance? Did he want to make Zhen Mi empress? Was he preparing to entrust the Zhen Clan with even greater responsibilities... and so on.
Certain balances would then be upset.
Thus, at times, although he knew what Zhen Mi wanted, he could not satisfy her. When she asked him