Shen Xihe waited for Xiao Huayong at Yonghe Palace, but the news she received was that Xiao Huayong was resting in Xiao Junshu's bedchamber, keeping him company.
She couldn't help but smile faintly.
Early the next morning, Xiao Huayong arrived. After so many years, he once again styled her hair, his movements somewhat unpracticed.
Xiao Junshu also came early in the morning, and the family of three had breakfast together. Afterward, Xiao Huayong instructed Pearl and the others to prepare Shen Xihe's luggage.
"Luggage? Where are we going?" Shen Xihe glanced at Xiao Junshu, then fixed her gaze on Xiao Huayong.
They had already agreed not to leave Xiao Junshu before his wedding.
"Years ago, I promised to take you to the Heishui Tribe to see the eagles I raised." Xiao Huayong's eyes softened. "Every promise I made to you, as long as I draw breath, I will fulfill. Jinyuer is coming with us as well."
Shen Xihe thought it over. The court was stable now, with plenty of trusted officials in charge. Xiao Junshu could be away for a month or two without major issues.
Moreover, being confined within the imperial city, book knowledge alone felt shallow. It would be more beneficial for him to see the world firsthand, perhaps aiding him in becoming a wise and virtuous ruler.
When the Empress Dowager announced she would take the Emperor north to the eastern regions, there was considerable opposition in the court. Yet no one could stop her, as she held the real power.
In fact, due to this major event, the court hardly bothered to discuss the Empress Dowager's recent acquisition of a male favorite—finally succumbing to loneliness after all these years.
In this era of peace and prosperity, with few natural disasters, the people had been able to recuperate and thrive. As the imperial procession journeyed north, commoners lined the streets to welcome them, with colorful silks, flowers, and fine fabrics fluttering through the air.
This prompted local governments along the route to mobilize almost entirely, leaving not a single official in the yamen, all just to control the crowds.
However, the imperial carriage held neither the Emperor nor the Empress Dowager. Once outside the capital, Xiao Huayong had taken his wife and child and slipped away from the procession.
They traversed mountains overgrown with wild grass, crossed babbling streams flowing eastward, and climbed range upon range of towering peaks. They witnessed the true plight of the impoverished and ate the coarsest wild vegetable buns that scratched their throats...
Notably, along the way, they encountered an old acquaintance.
Colorful silks filled the sky, petals drifted like snow, and graceful dancers moved with elegance.
On the high platform, Bian Xianyi leaped into the air, the long silk at her waist striking a suspended floral cluster, scattering blossoms like a heavenly maiden, radiance shimmering in waves.
As she landed, her eyes casually swept the crowd, and she nearly lost her balance in shock, causing a stir among the spectators below.
Bian Xianyi had only just retreated backstage when Xiao Changyu personally approached Xiao Huayong and his family, leading the three of them to a private residence.
"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager..." When it came to bowing, he found himself at a loss for how to address Xiao Huayong, momentarily speechless.
Xiao Huayong didn't mind. "Sixth Brother, why stand on such ceremony? We are family—just call me Seventh Brother."
"I told you long ago that Yiran Pavilion was run by you two, but Huayong insisted on coming to see for himself." Seeing Xiao Changyu too intimidated to presume, Shen Xihe smoothed things over, patting Xiao Junshu's shoulder. "This is your Sixth Uncle."
"Sixth Uncle."
Xiao Changyu quickly stepped aside. "Your Majesty, you humble this commoner too much."
Xiao Changyu and Bian Xianyi were undoubtedly apprehensive. Ever since he helped Shen Xihe secure victory in the struggle for the throne, seven years had passed without any contact.
Yet the awe that Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong had instilled in the couple remained, undiminished to this day."Sixth Brother and Sister-in-Law, please don’t be reserved. We were merely passing by," Shen Xihe reassured them. "Over the years, Yiran Pavilion has taken in many abandoned infants and helped cleanse the reputation of the pleasure quarters. You two have contributed greatly to this."
Bian Xianyi had always loved dance. By chance, she encountered two former courtesans who had struggled after leaving their profession and remarrying. Moved by compassion, the three women—once equally renowned—founded Yiran Pavilion.
The dancers at Yiran Pavilion performed arts, not sold their bodies. The pavilion sheltered many girls who had been sold into servitude, offering an alternative path for women forced into prostitution.
Over the years, Yiran Pavilion expanded across the land. Xiao Changyu, a man of remarkable capability, protected the pavilion without relying on his imperial connections. Bian Xianyi lived the life she had always dreamed of, and many other women found new purpose through her efforts.
"We simply followed our hearts and do not deserve such praise from the Empress Dowager," Bian Xianyi replied. Though she sensed Shen Xihe’s goodwill, she remained tense.
Shen Xihe understood that the couple felt uneasy around her family and did not prolong the visit. Her appearance was not merely to praise them but to address their concerns. She had noticed Xiao Changyu and Bian Xianyi restraining themselves, likely fearing her suspicion—a lingering effect of the shocking Rouge Case during the late emperor’s reign. They worried that expanding their influence might invite disaster.
By appearing casually, Shen Xihe intended to convey her support: if they wished to continue expanding Yiran Pavilion, they had her blessing.
After bidding farewell to Xiao Changyu and his wife, Shen Xihe’s journey proceeded smoothly to the Heishui Region. They arrived on the same day as the imperial procession. The following day, she summoned officials from the three chief military commands—Heishui, Weishi, and Bohai—as well as governors from various prefectures in the northeast.
There, Shen Xihe encountered another old acquaintance.
You Wenjun, now a deputy protector, was granted a private audience with Shen Xihe.
Their last meeting had been after the palace coup, when You Wenjun, following Xiao Changying’s final wishes, requested to return home. Shen Xihe appointed her as a military advisor in the Weishi Protectorate.
Over eight years, You Wenjun had risen through her own merit from the lowest advisory position to deputy protector.
"Years have passed, and you’ve grown even more impressive," Shen Xihe remarked, admiring You Wenjun’s vibrant energy. Though her face had lost its delicate femininity, it now radiated a striking boldness. Shen Xihe felt genuine happiness for her.
"Thanks to Your Majesty’s grace," You Wenjun replied sincerely. Her achievements were partly due to her own abilities, but also to Shen Xihe’s decree sending her back and the stability under Shen Xihe’s firm control of the court. Only then had her path been so smooth.
In the past, she hadn’t understood why Xiao Changying had been so devoted to Shen Xihe that he would sacrifice his life. Over time, she came to realize that Shen Xihe possessed a commanding charisma that inspired loyalty.
Such women were rare in this world.
"Walk with me," Shen Xihe said, rising to her feet.
You Wenjun’s eyes flickered with understanding as she followed respectfully.
She knew this private audience was not for reminiscing. Her father was aging, and the position of chief protector was hereditary. For years, she had been locked in a covert struggle with her elder brother, the current protector, and the situation had reached a critical juncture.
Shen Xihe’s arrival at this moment would surely make her father carefully weigh his options—whether to align with the court or oppose it. The decision rested on a single thought.
Shen Xihe and You Wenjun walked to a high point in the grasslands. In the distance, herds of cattle and sheep grazed by the lake, eagles circled overhead, and leading them was Xiao Huayong’s gyrfalcon.He was teaching Xiao Junshu the art of falconry, and Xiao Junshu clearly showed great interest in it.
You Wenjun also spotted Xiao Huayong. She recognized that it was indeed Xiao Huayong, not the rumored male favorite who bore a striking resemblance to Emperor Mingzong.
"Congratulations, Empress Dowager, for holding the reins of power, achieving sweet success, and enjoying the bliss of family life," You Wenjun offered her heartfelt wishes.
The three great fulfillments in life—holding the reins of power, achieving sweet success, and enjoying the bliss of family life—each one was often a distant dream, yet Shen Xihe had attained them all.
Across the vast grasslands, father and son chased each other, immersed in harmonious joy.
Amidst the magnificent landscape and an unending era of prosperity, a splendid chapter for their family of three would continue to unfold.
OpenNovel