【3】

Though both royals were rather intimate with each other, it was still a fact that both were very responsible. Despite the occasional sign of affection from Wang Hai towards Meng Yue, both still did the paperwork with diligence and efficiency.

The Prince Consort dealt with the minor reports which he knew what the Emperor's answer would be to them, leaving the major problems such as the kingdom's security or anything related to the people to the Emperor. Sometimes giving his own opinion on what choice to be made.

It was already evening when the two stacks have now been reduced to only half. Seeing the obvious decrease in number of the reports, Wang Hai finally felt his shoulders relaxing and his hand no longer numb from all the writing. Meng Yue also felt relaxed after doing his portion, without a word, he had instinctively stood up and went over to massage his lover's shoulders.

Wang Hai let out a hum of satisfaction, the stiffness in his shoulders slowly going away. Once he was sure he was alright, he grabbed Meng Yue's hand and pulled him onto his lap, earning a small yelp of surprise. The Emperor didn't say anything but wrapped his arms around his waist, Meng Yue smiled at the gesture before taking Wang Hai's dominant hand and proceeded to massage it.

Wang Hai sighed and rested his chin on Meng Yue's shoulder. After a while, Meng Yue spoke up. "Do you want to take a walk in the garden?" A suggestion he made for the Emperor to stretched out his legs after sitting for almost half a day.

There was a moment of silence as the Emperor took that question into thought, then Meng Yue felt him shaking his head against his shoulder. "You will have to cover your face if we did."

"It's not as if we won't have the time for you to stare at my face."

"I don't stare!"

"Mhm."

Wang Hai felt his eyebrows furrowing at the nonchalant reply and he knew that Meng Yue did not believe him. Then again, he does stare so—

He will admit defeat this round.

[❄️❄️❄️]

"A-Hai, what did you think of Empress Ying?"

Both of them were now taking a leisurely stroll in the garden when Meng Yue asked the question, walking beside Wang Hai as the older shook his head at his view of the Empress.

"I doubted her family's loyalty as well as herself."

"Have they done something for you to question them?"

"Remember my brother, Wang Luo*?" The Emperor asked and the Prince Consort nodded. "Ying Yan Xin was supposed to be his spouse instead of mine."

Hearing the statement, it only took a short moment for Meng Yue to processed the information and for the pieces to click in together. His eyes widen and he dared not make such a daring assumption.

"So you're thinking that maybe she was involved in it?"

"I couldn't be sure if it was her or her family's choice but I do know she played her part in order to be the Empress today."

"Evidence?"

"The servant committed suicide after insisting it was only him who did it out of vengeance towards Wang Luo."

"And I was able to sensed her insincerity in being my Empress since she became the Crown Princess," Wang Hai further added and was stopped in his tracks when he felt Meng Yue hold his hand as an act of comfort.

"I'm sorry about Wang Luo, he was a great brother," He said as he remembered the Prince being a great brotherly figure to him as well when he had followed his father to the Forbidden City. "We shouldn't think of such saddening thoughts, A-Hai... Lets have dinner with Mother tonight?"

"Alright." Wang Hai agreed and he also knew that Meng Yue will help him in finding evidence to get rid of the Empress, thus he felt lucky to have met such a man.

[❄️❄️❄️]

Wang Luo was the sixth prince of the Yun Kingdom. Someone who wasn't interested in the throne not because he didn't want it but rather he knew of his capabilities and the reason behind his father's decision in choosing Wang Hai as the Crown Prince.

He was an older brother figure and someone who is soft and kind towards anyone. But luck was not on his side as he passed away due to an unknown disease.

[❄️❄️❄️]

The dinner went by normally, just the usual chatter between the mother and the son as they talked about the events in both the harem and the court, Meng Yue giving his own insight and thoughts on some matter. Even before he was Prince Consort, before he entered the palace, he had already helped the both of them on such matters, though more on the court affairs.

After wishing a good night to Empress Dowager, she was quick to shoo the two of them away, saying she did not wish to take away their alone time. Meng Yue ended up flushing a deep red while Wang Hai only let out two awkward coughs.

"Empress Mother is indeed Empress Mother," Meng Yue finally said after both of them have left her chambers, walking back towards the Jade Palace instead of sending him back to his chambers.

"What do you mean?"

"Even though she is an imperial woman, she knows her power which allows her to act so carefree," Meng Yue explained, "This is why she is capable of staying true to herself instead of being moulded."

"One of the many reasons why Father fell in love with her." Wang Hai agreed with a smile. "And also one of the many reasons why I fell for you."

"There goes that sweet talk of yours, did you learn that from Zhen-ge? Or was it Wang Yao?"

"I'm wounded to know that you think I'm incapable of seducing my own man." Wang Hai said in a mocked hurt tone, placing a hand on his heart that was finished off with a hurt look on his face.

"Bleh!" Even though Meng Yue was wearing the face veil, Wang Hai knew he was sticking out his tongue at him.

The Emperor could only sigh at the childish act before slipping his hand into Meng Yue's, intertwining them together.

[❄️❄️❄️]

As the night befall upon the Yun Kingdom, the Jade Palace have already fused out its candlelight, the palace engulfed by the darkness. In the chambers of the Emperor, Wang Hai and Meng Yue both had already changed into their sleeping robes.

Both laying side by side next to each other before the Emperor pulled the Prince Consort into his arms, resting his chin atop his head while the other snuggled against his chest.

"Tomorrow..." Wang Hai started and he could feel Meng Yue letting out what seemed to be a sigh.

"I know, it's the Selection."

"Will you be attending it?"

"It's part of my duty but the Empress was originally in charge. I will only give my agreement from behind the screen for the ones she had chosen." Meng Yue said before adding, "Though I may not be able to stop all...."

Wang Hai smiled a little at his husband's worries and quickly landed a small peck on his forehead. "At least you tried, we will handle it if anything were to happen. For now, get some rest. It will do you no good to stress about it now."