"Rufeng, Rufeng, I'm sorry! Please don't ignore me!" An Yimo repeatedly apologized, "I really didn't mean to, besides, I was startled too that day! It's not that I didn't want to remind you, but the Emperor forbade me from speaking out. How could I dare to go against his orders? I could only step back. Can't you forgive me for my mistake? As an adult, please be understanding!"

With a plop and a giggle, An Yimo threw herself on the ground, finally succeeding in making Xiao Rufeng burst into laughter.

Watching An Yimo's playacting to please others, Xiao Rufeng couldn't actually hold back any longer. Regarding this matter, aside from his initial anger, after calming down and thinking about it, he realized he couldn't really blame An Yimo. If anyone is to blame, it's himself for being too unvigilant.

"You're smiling, you're smiling! You're not mad at me anymore, right?" An Yimo exclaimed excitedly.

"Alright, stop bouncing around and sit down!" Watching An Yimo obediently sit down at his command, Xiao Rufeng smiled with satisfaction. "Actually, I'm not angry at all!"

Ah! An Yimo exclaimed in an exaggerated manner, then suddenly realized and said, "I knew Ru Feng wouldn't be so petty."

In the following few days, Xiao Rufeng took a leave of absence, not thinking about anything else and focusing solely on recuperating from his injuries.

When the injury was almost healed, he returned to work. Life was about to return to normal, and that incident seemed like a small episode in his life. Xiao Rufeng also thought so, until one day the leader, Lu Zixuan, summoned him.

On the journey, silence prevailed.

"Come in! The Emperor is waiting for you!" It was not until they arrived at the study that Lu Zixuan spoke.

Watching the figure of Xiao Rufeng walking away, Lu Zixuan's mouth curled slightly. He liked Xiao Rufeng's attitude of not speaking about things that should not be said and not asking about things that should not be asked. He hoped that he and the emperor had not misunderstood him.

"I kneel before Your Majesty, may Your Majesty be blessed with golden tranquility!" After entering, Xiao Rufeng clapped his hands on his knees, knelt down on both knees, and lowered his gaze, speaking.

Xiao Rufeng!" Murong Junsheng put down the book in his hand and looked up, murmuring in a mix of confusion and affirmation.

"Yes!" Xiao Rufeng quickly responded.

"Get up!" Perhaps noticing that Xiao Rufeng seemed a bit nervous, Murong Junsheng added another sentence, "You don't have to be that nervous!"

Xiao Rufeng stood up, still with downcast eyes, behaving obediently and waiting for instructions.

"Do you want to make a name for yourself and serve the country?" Murong Junsheng, pleased with Xiao Rufeng's actions, asked softly.

In the instant that he heard these words, Xiao Rufeng's eyelids twitched slightly, and he looked at Murong Junsheng with a hint of excitement in his eyes. There was a flicker of inexplicable light, but it quickly subsided, and his eyes returned to calm once again.

Although it was just a moment, Mu Rong Junsheng, who had been constantly watching Xiao Rufeng, caught it. A trace of cunning flashed in his eyes, along with a hint of disdain. He knew that this low-born youth, with a single-minded ambition, desired to make a name for himself and shine brightly. Such individuals were the best to be bribed. As long as he offered them some sweet rewards, they would obediently serve him.

"Now tell me, are you willing to serve me?" Murong Junsheng stared at Xiao Rufeng with an unwavering gaze and asked in a confident tone.

"I am willing to serve His Majesty faithfully, and will dedicate myself to him, serving him tirelessly and repaying his kindness!" With a thud, Xiao Rufeng knelt down and solemnly made this promise.

Get up!" Murong Junsheng stood up from his seat, took a few quick steps, and helped Xiao Rufeng up. "Come here tomorrow at three in the morning," he said. "Don't alarm anyone. I will arrange for the guards to withdraw in advance. Be careful when you come, don't let anyone notice."

"Yes!" Xiao Rufeng replied softly. In his heart, he had many doubts, but he knew his place. If the Emperor didn't speak, he wouldn't ask. As long as he followed the Emperor's instructions, everything would be fine.

From this very moment on, their fates became closely intertwined, and love, hatred, and complex emotions intertwined in their hearts.