Gao Chao made his arrangements with gusto, and Zhang Shihao, a smile on his face, stepped into the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"Zhang Rang, is that Consort Zou really as beautiful as you say?"

"Your Majesty, it is absolutely true. I, Zhang Rang, saw her with my own eyes. Congratulations, Your Majesty, for gaining such a beauty."

"Good, good, good. Only you, Zhang Rang, understand me."

As soon as Zhang Shihao entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Liu Hong's excited voice reached his ears.

"Shihao greets Your Majesty. I have not failed Your Majesty's trust; Consort Zou has safely entered the Imperial Palace!"

Zhang Shihao entered the main hall, interrupting the two men's conversation, and bowed to Liu Hong.

"Shihao has returned."

Seeing Zhang Shihao, Liu Hong's smile deepened, and he laughed heartily:

"Everyone is meritorious. You, Zhang Rang, are meritorious for recommending the beauty, and you, Shihao, are meritorious for safely escorting the beauty back to Luoyang."

"These are what Shihao should do."

Zhang Shihao quickly said.

"Come, come, let's go see the beauty together."

Liu Hong, after only a few words, immediately wanted to rush off to see Madam Zou.

"Your Majesty, please calm down, calm down. Zuo Feng is currently teaching Consort Zou some palace rules and how to serve Your Majesty. Your Majesty, there's no need to rush this moment."

"Let me inform Consort Zou to prepare for bed tonight, to bathe and change. Your Majesty, please give Consort Zou some time to mentally prepare. Otherwise, if Your Majesty is too hasty, it might leave a bad impression on Consort Zou."

Zhang Rang quickly pulled Liu Hong back, smiling ingratiatingly as he advised him.

"This... that's true, but the beauty is in the Imperial Harem, and I haven't seen her yet. My heart is itching."

Liu Hong, hearing Zhang Rang's words, did stop, but he still gritted his teeth and said:

"However, what you, Zhang Rang, said also makes sense. The beauty has just arrived in the Imperial Harem today. If I were to rush over directly, it would be rude to her. All right, then I'll wait until tonight. Go, first inform the beauty that I will be going to Ningxiang Hall tonight."

Liu Hong rubbed his hands, but he still suppressed the urge to rush over.

"Your Majesty, I, Zhang Rang, will now go and convey Your Majesty's decree to Consort Zou."

Watching Liu Hong still restrain himself, showing gentlemanly conduct, Zhang Rang was very satisfied.

Zhang Rang naturally eagerly hoped to see Consort Zou be favored by Liu Hong.

However, appropriately curbing Liu Hong, making him more tormented and impatient, had its benefits.

After all, what is obtained too easily is not easily cherished.

Making Liu Hong expend some emotion, endure some torment, would make him cherish Zou more, and even dote on Zou more. This is what he, Zhang Rang, wished to see.

Having served Liu Hong for many years, he, Zhang Rang, was very shrewd in this regard.

Under Liu Hong's urging, and under Zhang Shihao's slightly furrowed gaze, Zhang Rang left the Hall of Mental Cultivation and went to Ningxiang Hall, where Zou was, to convey the decree.

Soon, a piece of news from the Imperial Palace reached the ears of Empress He Lian, General He Jin, Yuan Feng, Yuan Kui, and others.

His Majesty will be sleeping in Ningxiang Hall tonight, and Consort Zou is to prepare to receive him!

Arriving in Luoyang that very day and being requested to serve in bed on the same day—this speed was unprecedented and further shocked Empress He Lian, General He Jin, Yuan Feng, Yuan Kui, and others.

Time passed by minute by minute. An afternoon, for some, flashed by.

But for others, it was exceptionally long and tormenting.

Ningxiang Hall!

"His Majesty will be sleeping in Ningxiang Hall tonight, and Consort Zou is to prepare to receive him!"

Before the dressing table, Zou Yu'er's features were exquisite and delicate, her face like peach blossoms.

She had just finished bathing.

"Alas, will it truly be like this from now on? Liu Hong..."