His words were so casual, yet so domineering, leaving her momentarily speechless as he held her close on horseback, galloping toward the northern gate of the inner city.

She knew deeply that she could not refuse him. No matter how exceptional his words or demands might be, no matter how puzzling they seemed, she had no strength to resist.

In front of others, she could remain composed, handling even the most difficult situations without panic. Yet whenever she met him, she seemed to lose her mind, rushing headlong into the fire.

On the night of the tenth day of the first lunar month, he openly took her riding through the streets and alleys of the capital, disregarding his imperial position and her status. Without even changing out of his dragon robe, he intended to leave the city for West Mountain. And she, knowing full well that his current behavior could be considered madness, was still willing to join him in this wild escapade.

Scattered bits of snow fell from the high branches along the street.

She felt a chill on her neck but did not shiver.

He yanked open his fur cloak, wrapping her firmly inside it. His right hand controlled the reins with a turn, increasing their speed. Her back pressed against his chest, the long-feathered cloak smooth and warm, carrying his scent, making her feel intoxicated yet somewhat uncomfortable.

The northern gate stood open, with people below holding red gauze lanterns with pearl strings, illuminating a path of blue-green stone.

The garrison troops had withdrawn, replaced by men from the Imperial City Guard. Seeing him approaching on horseback, they bowed in greeting. After his black steed dashed through the gate like an arrow in the wind, they straightened up to close the gate.

She was utterly astonished on horseback, her hands tightly gripping the saddle-bow as she struggled to turn her head to look at him. “Your Majesty?”

She had thought he was acting on impulse, taking her from the Meng residence right after returning from Jinming Tower. But everything just now clearly showed that he had planned it all.

He had been Crown Prince for eleven years. His loyal supporters in the various ministries were numerous. Now that he had ascended the throne, those loyal to him in the inner court grew ever more numerous. If he truly wished to conceal tonight’s excursion from the court officials, it would not be difficult.

The night wind swept across his brow and eyes, coating that pair of gleaming eyes with a layer of dark meaning. He gazed at her, his look increasingly unrestrained, burning like fire over her pink lips. Finally, he furrowed his brow, then suddenly cracked his whip again, urging the horse to move faster.

Snow covered the broad and narrow paths, and the night grew deeper.

It was thirty li west from the city, not a short journey. But he drove the horse fiercely, making the black steed gallop with all its might. By midnight, they reached the foot of West Mountain.

Atop West Mountain stood the Auspicious Cloud Temple.

In the past, the grand Western sacrifice ceremony was held at the Auspicious Cloud Temple on West Mountain every five years. Following the mountain path upward, one could soon see the temple’s eaves and beasts, with glazed green tiles gleaming even in the night.

She had only heard of the Auspicious Cloud Temple but never had the opportunity to see it. Previously, while assisting with the compilation of the previous dynasty’s history at the Hanlin Academy, she had read about the complex sacrificial rituals more than once, knowing this place held extreme importance for the imperial family. She never imagined that when he said he would take her to West Mountain to appreciate the snow, it would mean going directly to the Auspicious Cloud Temple.

In the mystifying night, the sound of hooves on snow was exceptionally clear.

The winding path ascended the entire mountain. His breath lingered by her ear, her heartbeat growing faster and faster. Finally, after turning around the last bend, she saw the wide expanse of stone bricks before the temple gate.

On either side of the temple gate stood two hundred pairs of red gauze lanterns with gold trim, a sight so magnificent it startled the heart.

The delicate flames flickered behind the red gauze, the light from two hundred pairs of lanterns reflecting the snow-covered distant mountains, creating a beauty both solemn and majestic.

Sitting before him, she was too overwhelmed to speak, her heart feeling as if it were floating in the clouds, unsure of where she was.

His hand slid up from her chest to gently pinch her chin, asking: “Is it beautiful?”

She nodded dazedly, unable to speak.

He laughed softly, then gave a short, deep command. His knees struck the horse’s belly, and the black steed moved toward the temple gate.

Her gaze remained fixed on the two hundred pairs of gold and red lanterns, her eyes filled with the bright white snow on the mountainside, feeling even the vast night sky had become brighter.

She had never known snow could be so beautiful.

Nor had she known it could be appreciated this way…

She wasn’t foolish. She knew these two hundred pairs of red gauze lanterns with gold trim couldn’t have been lit and placed here without reason—unless the temple guards knew he was coming tonight, there was no way they would have done such a thing.

How many things had he planned that she didn’t know about? How many more times would he surprise and delight her?

The horse stopped outside the temple door.

He dismounted swiftly, then quickly lifted her down from the horse’s back. He then removed the crane-feathered cloak from his shoulders and draped it over hers.

Someone from the temple heard them and came out. Seeing that he had arrived, they bowed respectfully, then led him into the temple and toward the interior.

She blushed slightly, her hands gripping the edge of the long cloak, secretly glancing at the official. However, she saw that the person appeared completely normal, seemingly not finding it strange that he had brought her here.

So she relaxed slightly, glancing at him from the corner of her eye, silently marveling at his extraordinary methods, wondering how he had managed to make all the officials along the way so submissive.

Behind the Auspicious Cloud Temple stood a hall, specifically built for the Emperor to change clothes and rest during Western sacrifices.

The guard led the two of them into the hall, bowed again, then closed the door and withdrew.

Inside, incense burners and warming stoves had been set up. The heat struck her face, which had been whipped by the cold wind all the way, immediately turning it rosy and dewy pink.

He lowered his eyes to look at her, his gaze flickering.

She voluntarily removed the long cloak, gently placing it aside, and said: “This place is an important sacrificial site. Your Majesty bringing this subject here tonight is truly beyond protocol.”

He raised his hand to brush aside the stray hair at her temple, his eyes half-closed. “When you entered the city at Liuqi County without permission, was that not against imperial orders?”

Her body stiffened, realizing he had finally come to hold her accountable for this matter. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, she said softly: “The circumstances were extraordinary then. This subject had no other choice.”

He pulled her into his embrace. “No other choice?” His tone was full of threatening intent, yet he lowered his head to kiss her forehead. “When have you ever had no choice? You are simply audacious, never having placed me in your eyes.”

She quickly raised her head, arguing: “This subject has never…”

Before she could finish, his lips came down, cutting off her words.

This kiss was heavy and fierce, instantly destroying what little consciousness she had left.

She unconsciously reached out to embrace him, eagerly responding to him, her delicate tongue lightly brushing against his lips. Her watery eyes half-closed, and after a long while, she finally moved away from him slightly, murmuring: “Your Majesty… this subject has also missed Your Majesty very much…”

His breathing was heavy as his hand came up to hold her face. He asked in a low voice: “Did you rest well at the residence today?”

She nodded instinctively, but before she could speak, she felt her body tilting as he lifted her, carrying her by the waist toward the back of the hall.

His eyes blazed like fire, his steps both large and quick. “Then it’s perfect to appreciate the snow tonight.”

She regained her senses slightly and asked in surprise: “Just now outside the temple…”

He kicked open the back door of the hall, raising an eyebrow and laughing softly. “The snow scenery of West Mountain is unparalleled in the world. What you saw earlier was nothing in comparison.”

As they exited the hall door, the cold air suddenly invaded. The night sky overhead was darkly limitless, but a misty vapor approached from not far away, carrying traces of warmth.

She struggled to get down and looked straight ahead to see a clear hot spring pool at the foot of the mountain. It was surrounded by mountains on three sides, with a path connecting to the hall on the fourth. Around the hot spring, the snow was half-melted, half-frozen, with ice crystals clear as crystal.

Fine snow was slowly falling from the sky, and the clear waves of the spring reflected light. Each tiny snowflake that drifted into the water scattered like flower stamens, beautifully intoxicating.

She slowly lowered her eyes, her voice trembling slightly as she spoke: “This place is so beautiful. What virtue or ability does this subject possess to deserve Your Majesty’s sentiment? Your Majesty doing this tonight is truly overwhelming this subject.”

He suddenly pulled her closer, leading her toward the hot spring. Fire flickered in his eyes, and his voice was hoarse: “If you feel overwhelmed, then remember my kindness to you.”

She bit her lip slightly, led by him to the edge of the pool. Looking at the warm spring water, she became increasingly aware of the hardness of his arm around her waist. She turned her body sideways, lowered her head, and placed her hands on his chest, gently unfastening his robe. She said softly: “Yes, this subject will remember Your Majesty’s kindness…”