Xiao Luming ultimately left Xie Qianyun behind, flinging his sleeves as he went.

Xie Qianyun watched Xiao Luming’s departing figure, utterly puzzled.

This little emperor is truly hard to serve.

The next day.

Xie Qianyun practiced calligraphy with a look of utter hopelessness.

While practicing, Anqi arrived.

"Your humble servant greets the Empress." Anqi greeted with courtesy.

Xie Qianyun looked at Anqi’s gentle and graceful demeanor, truly recognizing Xiao Luming’s taste.

Which man wouldn’t appreciate such an enchanting woman?

Alas, she was not.

She hastily stood up, "Princess Anqi, no need for such courtesy, please come and sit."

Anqi gave a gentle smile and sat beside Xie Qianyun.

She glanced at the characters on Xie Qianyun’s table, slightly furrowing her brows.

These characters, even Youyou from back then wrote better.

Xie Qianyun naturally noticed Anqi’s gaze, and said helplessly, "The Emperor wants me to practice calligraphy every day."

"Luming would prefer women whose characters are written more neatly," Anqi said, "Once you’ve mastered it, the Emperor will surely like you."

"The Emperor won’t like me," Xie Qianyun retorted, murmuring.

Her tone carried a hint of complaint.

But she wasn’t complaining about the Emperor not liking her; she was complaining about having to practice calligraphy.

However, when Anqi heard this, she interpreted it as Xie Qianyun wanting the Emperor’s affection.

Anqi was still a bit surprised.

Previously she’d heard that Xie Qianyun didn’t want to marry Luming, her ambition was more inclined to becoming a General and defending the borders.

But then she reconsidered.

With Luming being so excellent, how could there be no women who liked him?

"Empress, as long as you are sincere with Luming, how could he not like you? You are so delightful," Anqi comforted.

Xie Qianyun certainly knew she looked quite good.

It was mainly because her parents looked good and she inherited that.

But is Xiao Luming someone who judges by appearance?!

He’s not.

He values both inner and outer qualities.

People with her kind of personality, Xiao Luming simply wouldn’t care for.

"It doesn’t matter," Xie Qianyun said indifferently, "In any case, entering the palace, I never thought about winning the Emperor’s favor. The Emperor doesn’t need to like anyone; he just needs to govern the country well."

Anqi frowned.

Was Xie Qianyun speaking out of anger or did she truly think this way?

"Empress, how can you have such thoughts? While Luming is noble as a ruler, tasked with national duty, state affairs should be his priority. Yet, a sage is also human, having emotions and desires. How can it be said the Emperor doesn’t need anyone’s affection? The Emperor’s feelings also need to be expressed and released. You should improve yourself to gain the Emperor’s favor, not give up just because the Emperor isn’t fond of you now. As you’re married to the Emperor and are the Empress, you must regard the Emperor as Heaven. Whatever the Emperor likes, you should adapt to it for him." Anqi’s voice was somewhat stern and a bit impassioned.

Xie Qianyun was dumbfounded as she listened.

She hadn’t expected such forceful words from the ordinarily gentle Anqi.

Yet she still felt.

That this viewpoint was wrong.

Though she couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong.

After all, as a woman, naturally one should regard her husband as Heaven, especially since her husband is the Emperor, whose status is naturally more formidable.

"Empress, forgive my rudeness if I offended in any way. I just hope for a better relationship between you and the Emperor," Anqi said after her speech, bowing to Xie Qianyun again, "I merely wish for a happier bond between you and the Emperor."

"Oh," Xie Qianyun replied.

She couldn’t quite say she was angry.

It simply felt like being slapped, then handed a candy.

"Empress, I know somewhat what kind of women Luming likes. If you don’t mind, I can share my insights," Anqi spoke earnestly.

"Can’t I decline?" Xie Qianyun asked cautiously.

Anqi’s expression visibly changed, "Can’t Empress be a bit more ambitious? For the Emperor, can’t you endure a bit of discomfort?"

Why should she endure discomfort?!

Her marriage to Xiao Luming is political; wouldn’t it suffice to live well separately, without needing any affection?!

"How about this," suddenly, an idea struck Xie Qianyun, "I’ll choose a concubine, and she can learn from Princess Anqi how to win the Emperor’s favor. After all, we’re all the Emperor’s women; whomever the Emperor entrusts his affection to doesn’t matter, does it?"