But Zhen Mi had matured considerably now, and was even comforting him instead. Could this be an outpouring of maternal instinct?
"Have I?"
Zhen Mi paused, not feeling that she had changed at all.
Liu Xie had only made an offhand remark and did not pursue the subject. Instead, he turned to Lü Lingqi. "My beloved consort, take Jue to your palace to rest for a while. I have something to discuss with Noble Lady Zhen."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Lü Lingqi nodded, picked up Liu Jue, and left Zhaoyang Hall.
The other palace attendants withdrew as well.
Only Liu Xie and Zhen Mi remained in the hall.
Zhen Mi's pretty face flushed scarlet. "Your Majesty, it is still daytime. Wouldn't this be a little improper...?"
Although she missed Liu Xie dearly too, being intimate in the palace in broad daylight seemed rather too hasty.
"What is wrong with having a few words?"
Liu Xie asked in puzzlement. Was there anything improper about talking during the day? He had never heard of such a rule in the palace.
"Huh?"
Zhen Mi froze, sounding somewhat incredulous. "You really, really mean talking?"
"What else? What did you think I meant, my beloved consort?"
"N-nothing..."
Zhen Mi's gaze wandered as she talked around the subject, but inwardly she felt a little disappointed.
Still, she quickly composed herself and asked, "What is it that Your Majesty needs to discuss with me privately, away from Sister Lü?"
Lü Lingqi and Liu Xie were deeply attached, and she got along well with Zhen Mi too. Logically, there should have been nothing the three of them needed to keep from one another.
"It is not that I want to keep her away."
Liu Xie shook his head. "I simply want to discuss this matter properly with you, because