The winter night was swept by a bitter wind carrying snow, marking yet another year's cold season.
Inside and outside the imperial city, lanterns and decorations were displayed everywhere to celebrate the hundredth day of the empress giving birth to a daughter. The emperor had ordered all court officials of the fourth rank and above, along with their wives, to enter the palace for an audience and attend a banquet in the Hall of Preserved Harmony to offer congratulations.
Meng Tinghui, dressed in splendid attire, sat holding her daughter who had just reached her hundredth day. Her plump face glowed with health as she smiled, gazing at the officials and their wives in attendance.
Ying Gua’s joy at having a daughter was naturally unconcealed. Disregarding court decorum, he wrapped his arms around his wife and daughter, even neglecting to respond to toasts from the ministers.
The imperial daughter, named Ruo Tao, was born weighing eight jin. This tiny child naturally became the focus of the entire nation. Before she was even three days old, an edict was issued from the Inner Court, establishing the eldest imperial daughter as the crown prince of the state.
Contrary to expectations, the outer court officials did not oppose this proposal. It seemed they all hoped the emperor would swiftly establish an heir to reassure the people. Moreover, with the northern territories serving as the empress’s fief, they wished this act of naming a successor would permanently extinguish any rebellious intentions among the remnants of the previous dynasty.
More than half a year had passed since the northern conflict was pacified. The redistribution of surrendered territories, the reorganization of military and civilian populations, the dispatch of civil and military officials, and the division of troops to construct cities and fortresses had all gradually fallen into place. Even during her pregnancy, Meng Tinghui had not neglected the civil and military affairs of her fief, managing them for some time until Ying Gua forced her to step back and refrain from involvement.
After returning to the capital at the beginning of the year to escort the Northern Frontier emperor Xiang Deqian and his royal family, Di Nian had once again traveled to the northern border to oversee the three route pacification commissions. It was only after the Great Peace Imperial Army had fully occupied and subdued the entire Northern Frontier that he was summoned back to the capital. He was appointed as the General of the Left Golden Guard and concurrently served as the Commander of the Three Military Offices. Shen Zhili, owing to Di Nian’s achievements, was granted an honorary title, making her the most esteemed and honored female official in the court at that time.
Shen Zhishu had also been summoned back to the capital court three months prior. Recognized for his outstanding administrative performance as the Transport Commissioner of Chao’an, he was appointed as the Vice Minister of Revenue and Deputy Chief Administrator, thereby gaining a seat in the Hall of State Affairs, where he deliberated on court affairs as an equal among many senior officials.
As a result, the most exceptional young civil officials in the court were promoted to high positions, revitalizing the governance of the state’s bureaucracy. The factional strife and scheming that had once plagued the older, influential ministers became increasingly rare.
People said that with a wise ruler and a peaceful realm, the prosperous era of Jingxuan could truly unfold.
Laughter and conversation filled the banquet without interruption. Attendees, regardless of civil or military rank, sat intermingled, clinking glasses, toasting, and sharing joyful expressions.
Not long after the banquet began, a palace attendant quietly approached the seats of the female officials and their wives, whispering to Shen Zhili, "The cavalry demonstration at the training ground ran late. General Di rushed here as soon as he could and has just dismounted in front of the hall."
Shen Zhili nodded upon hearing this and discreetly slipped away from her seat, hurrying down the hall steps.
In the night, a figure clad in gleaming cold armor watched as a fluttering skirt rushed toward him from the front of the hall. He couldn’t help but smile, stretching out his arms to steady her, and said, "Don’t you see what kind of occasion this is? Aren’t you afraid someone might see you?"
Shen Zhili curved her red lips into a smile, tugged his arm, and led him inside, saying, "Haven’t you seen how the emperor treated the empress tonight? Did he care even a bit about decorum? What does my behavior matter in comparison?"
Di Nian’s warm, large hand enveloped her small one, and he gently pulled her back, saying, "I rushed here in such a hurry that I haven’t even changed out of my armor. Don’t drag me around and dirty your hands."She chuckled softly, "When have I ever said you were dirty?" Leaning closer, she added, "Tonight was the first time the court officials had the chance to see the Crown Princess in person. Her delicate features truly inspire affection—the way her dark eyes dart around when she opens them carries the same clever spark as the Empress. At just three months old, she already knows how to stare wide-eyed at the Shen family's boy, amusing all the courtiers. My sister-in-law even joked openly with the Empress, saying they should arrange a marriage alliance early."
Di Nian raised an eyebrow and quickened his pace. "It's frustrating to think about. We've spent so little time together that there's still no news from your belly, letting that Shen boy snatch such a prime opportunity right under our noses!"
Shen Zhili blushed and scoffed, "How do you know my first child would be a boy? I'd rather have a daughter to match with a prince."
Di Nian looked surprised. "Does that mean the Empress is with child again?"
Shen Zhili nodded, lowering her voice. "Just look at how the Emperor dotes on her. It's no surprise she's pregnant again, with the Crown Princess only three months old."
Di Nian grinned. "That's just as well. It'll keep the court officials from gossiping."
Chatting and laughing, they entered the hall just as the Emperor and Empress were offering the third round of wine. They took their seats and raised their cups in celebration with the other officials. Noticing Di Nian's arrival, Shen Zhishu picked up his cup and came over to exchange a few words.
Meng Tinghui, being pregnant again, felt weary from sitting too long. She handed her daughter to the wet nurse and moved to the women's section, engaging in light conversation.
After everyone praised the Crown Princess's beauty and rare intelligence, they offered her a seat, allowing her to inquire about recent happenings across the kingdom.
When the topic turned to the new officials' achievements in the Northern Frontier fief, Zuo Qiurong softly spoke up from the side, "Your Majesty, I have a request."
Meng Tinghui smiled. "Speak freely."
She bowed her head. "I wish to be transferred to Huaiyuan Road."
Understanding her meaning, Meng Tinghui thought for a moment before replying gently, "I'll note your request tonight and we'll discuss it later, alright?"
Zuo Qiurong nodded. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Shen Zhili couldn't help teasing, "Minister Zuo is truly a devoted soul. It's been over half a year since Official Yin was transferred to the Northern Frontier surrendered territories, yet you still hold him in your heart."
"What's wrong with devotion?" Yan Fuzhi leisurely poured a cup of wine for her. "If not for Her Majesty's years of steadfast devotion, how could she have attained such honor and favor today?"
Several ladies nearby laughed in agreement, nodding along.
Meng Tinghui flushed slightly and glanced at Yan Fuzhi. "You're so adored among the noblewomen now that you even dare to tease me."
Everyone covered their mouths with laughter. Yan Fuzhi smiled brightly, repeatedly saying "I wouldn't dare" and "I am guilty," adding that the Crown Princess was so endearing she had drunk a few extra cups, making them all more uninhibited.
Hearing this, Meng Tinghui's lips curved into a faint smile. She looked up to check on her daughter, only to find her no longer in the wet nurse's arms. Scanning the room, she saw that he had taken her again, surrounded by courtiers vying to play with her.
Gazing at his broad, upright back, her heart stirred once more. Being with him made time slip away like flowing sand—how could it feel like no time had passed, yet their daughter was already born and she carried his child within her again?Lost in thought, she was startled when he suddenly glanced back, his gaze profound yet fervent, piercing deep into her eyes. The slight curve of his thin lips and his striking handsomeness made her lose her composure instantly.
No matter how many years passed, her heart still fluttered for him just as it had when they first met.
Outsiders believed that while they supported and relied on each other, they also served as mutual constraints. Her vast fief in the north spanned thousands of miles, and most of the newly appointed officials and generals were her trusted confidants, further solidifying her position as empress. This forced him to show her exclusive favor in the inner court, never daring to neglect her. Meanwhile, in the court and the military, he wielded immense influence, backed by the important officials in the capital and the unyielding Great Peace Imperial Army. Even if she had intended to rebel, his formidable authority would have thwarted any such plans.
Yet how could outsiders understand that not all love in this world is so complicated? Regardless of how others perceived them, only she and he were the pair who truly understood and cherished each other, fully aware of how hard-won their love and companionship were.
In this lifetime, their love for each other was already insufficient; how could they waste time scheming against one another?
Moreover, from beginning to end, they had never plotted against, betrayed, or resented each other.
With these thoughts, she couldn’t help but rise and walk toward him. Smiling, she accepted the court officials’ congratulations before standing by his side, gently stroking their daughter’s cheek.
He gazed at their swaddled daughter, her plump, pink face utterly adorable, her sparkling black eyes reminiscent of her mother in her youth. Leaning close to her ear, he whispered softly, “Did you know? I once teased you just like this when you were a baby in swaddling clothes.”
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