Love and Crown

When I hurriedly made my way to the Qianqing Palace, my clothes still in disarray, the grand hall was unusually silent—a stark contrast to the clamor of recent days.

The morning court session was in progress, and no one was allowed to enter or leave the palace freely. I could only stand inconspicuously behind a side door, straining to catch any hint of what was happening inside.

The suffocating silence, so still one could hear a pin drop, lingered for a while longer. Finally, Xiao Huan’s voice broke through. He cleared his throat lightly, his tone indifferent:

"Have you all considered it? Who will preside over the joint trial?"

Another stretch of silence. After a pause, someone stepped forward and answered calmly, "Your Majesty, this humble official Wu Qiying is willing to preside."

A third-ranking cabinet minister—still not weighty enough.

Qi Chengliang was a first-rank general with a noble title. By law, even the Five Military Commissions had no authority to arrest him before an imperial edict was issued. This time, though Qi Chengliang was said to be "escorted" back to the capital, it was actually his own choice to return to avoid suspicion. There were no prison carts or shackles—he even brought his deputy generals and attendants, no different from his usual returns for commendation.

Moreover, charges like corruption and dereliction of duty could be treated lightly or severely. As long as no actual military affairs were compromised, martial officials with real responsibilities usually got off with salary deductions or demotions.

But I didn’t believe this was the ultimate goal of whoever had stirred up this storm. Was it worth mobilizing nearly the entire civil bureaucracy just to demote a military officer? Qi Chengliang wasn’t so monstrous as to warrant universal condemnation, was he?

Just as I was pondering this, Xiao Huan spoke again from the throne, his voice cool:

"Approved. The Three Judicial Offices and the Five Military Commissions will conduct a joint trial. If no verdict is reported within ten days, I will personally preside over the trial in court."

This time, the court finally reacted. Several high-ranking officials stepped forward to receive the decree.

After a few more instructions from Xiao Huan, the court session was dismissed.

This assembly had been remarkably brief—barely over half a shichen—bringing an abrupt end to days of heated disputes. A far cry from the hours-long shouting matches Lian and I had endured in court.

The ministers knelt to see him off as Xiao Huan descended from the throne and exited through the side door. I remained hidden by the doorway, and the moment I saw his figure emerge from the hall, I nudged a nearby eunuch to shut the door behind him.

Dressed in full court regalia, Xiao Huan seemed startled by my swift arrival. He coughed lightly in surprise. "Cang Cang, you—"

I didn’t let him finish. Bending down, I scooped him up by the waist and strode off.

"Cang Cang? Cang Cang?" He called my name in astonishment, not daring to struggle, his tone caught between amusement and exasperation.

Even so, the weight of a grown man, compounded by the cumbersome court robes, made what should have been an easy walk leave me panting by the end.

Finally depositing him onto a cushioned chair outside the hall, I barely had time to speak before he smiled and asked, "What’s wrong, Cang Cang?"

How dare he ask me what was wrong? He must have been planning today’s grand assembly since yesterday morning. When he stood in the corridor with that impeachment memorial, I didn’t believe he had only read half—he’d probably gone over it countless times before flipping back to scrutinize it again when I happened upon him. In the afternoon, pretending to be at leisure, he accompanied me to Phoenix Come Pavilion, then urged me to sleep early—all while secretly plotting today’s affairs!

Fuming, I tipped my head up and ignored his question entirely. With a flick of my wrist, I pushed aside the white jade beads hanging before his face and crushed my lips against his.Ignoring the faint gasps from the eunuchs standing around the hall, I kissed him fiercely, almost biting his lips, until he coughed lightly from lack of breath. Only then did I release him, half-kneeling on the soft chair, one hand rubbing his back to help him catch his breath while the other gently massaged his chest.

His dark eyes glistened slightly from the kiss as he coughed and laughed. "Cang Cang... people could really see us here..."

"Shut up!" I had been lurking by the side door of the hall for so long, and my mood was already sour. I shot him a cold glare. "Keep talking, and I'll ravish you right here."

He obediently closed his mouth, though his expression still held suppressed laughter. Even as I held him and rubbed his chest, he occasionally coughed softly.

Who was the one who got up at dawn to attend court in the freezing cold? Serves him right!

Grumbling inwardly, I lowered my head and noticed my wrist was starting to ache from pressing against his chest.

A large, cool hand enveloped mine, and when I looked up, he was gazing at me quietly with a faint smile. "Cang Cang, I'm sorry."

Another half-hearted apology to brush things off! My eyes stung along with my wrist, but I kept glaring. "If you're really sorry, then take the initiative to strip for me tonight!"

"Hmm?" He raised a slender brow. "Not leaving it for you to tear off?"

"Let me clarify," I said seriously. "First, strip for me willingly, then put your clothes back on so I can rip them off!"

After returning to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the day resumed as usual. In the morning, he summoned ministers for discussions. If there was time at noon, we ate together. I spent my mornings at Jingyang Palace checking on the children's studies and handling miscellaneous palace affairs. After lunch, I went punctually to the Phoenix Come Pavilion. Everything felt like it had before he fell ill—except now, it was even more mundane and peaceful.

When I went to the western warm chamber to bid him farewell in the afternoon, I leaned down to kiss his forehead lightly. He lifted his head and watched me leave with a faint smile.

At the Phoenix Come Pavilion, the usual martial world affairs awaited—full of bravado and clashes. Though turbulent, these open conflicts were far more straightforward than the hidden daggers of the court.

Once matters were mostly settled, Mu Yan sat beside me with a teacup, chatting idly. His first words, however, were about Xiao Huan: "You and the White Pavilion Master aren't quite right, are you?"

I blinked, taken aback. "What do you mean, 'not right'?"

He gave me a sidelong glance. "Don't pretend you don't understand. Ever since the White Pavilion Master woke up from his collapse, you haven't even dared to raise your voice around him. How can you say nothing's wrong?"

His blunt words left me stunned. After a pause, I forced a smile. "It's not that bad. Maybe I'm still a bit shaken. I'll get over it in a few days."

"The White Pavilion Master's health is indeed hard not to worry about," he mused, cradling his cup. "Remember three years ago, when I got stabbed by the Hainan Sword Sect leader and delayed treatment, ending up bedridden for a month? Do you know what Zhong Lin did when she saw me? She punched my wound and took the three little troublemakers to the main hall, refusing to see me for two whole months. Scared me so much that now, before I fight anyone, I make sure they couldn't even scratch my pinky."I only knew that a few years ago, Zhong Lin had a huge fight with Mu Yan, so much so that Mu Yan sent several carrier pigeon messages to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in a single day out of desperation. I hadn’t realized it was because of that incident where Mu Yan got injured. I couldn’t help but laugh, "That really sounds like something Zhong Lin would do..."

"Sounds like something she would do, and also something you would have done eight years ago," Mu Yan said leisurely. "That’s why I said there’s something off between you and the White Pavilion Master."

Eight years ago? If I had known back then that he had collapsed from overwork, what would I have done? Probably would have jumped up and scolded him. Maybe, like Zhong Lin, I’d have sulked and refused to see him for months. I might even have done something else in a fit of rage. But one thing’s for sure—I definitely wouldn’t have been as calm as I am now.

"Even getting angry has to be done cautiously," Mu Yan glanced at me sideways, placed the cup on the table, and shook her head at me one last time before leaving. "It’s really not like you at all."

I was stunned for a moment before letting out a scoffing laugh. This woman, spouting such nonsense out of nowhere—it’s like she came here just to mock me on purpose.

After laughing, I hugged my teacup and zoned out for a while. Since there was nothing else to do, I was just thinking about how to pass the time when suddenly a disciple came running to inform me that a noblewoman wanted to see me.

It was a bit odd why a noblewoman would come to Phoenix Come Pavilion, but I still went to the reception hall to greet her. The moment I stepped inside, I froze. Countless forms of address flashed through my mind before I settled on one: "Sister Wu."

Hearing my voice, the young, elegantly dressed woman who had been lost in thought by the window quickly turned around. Seeing me, she smiled, her graceful beauty unchanged from years past. "Your Majesty, the Empress."

"That’s not how you address me here," I said with a laugh, pretending to be serious. "Here, you should call me Pavilion Master Ling or Madame Ling."

The visitor was Wu Lianming. After she left the palace to marry, she had written me two letters updating me on her life, and I had replied. We’d kept in touch over the years through letters. I knew her husband was an official who wasn’t often in the capital, and she probably had some idea about my current situation too, since all my letters were sent from Phoenix Come Pavilion. She must have deduced my whereabouts from the messengers who delivered the letters over the years.

Hearing this, Wu Lianming paused briefly before smiling again, though she didn’t address me as "Your Majesty" anymore. "You’re still so playful." Then she explained with a smile, "I originally intended to visit you in the palace, but the rules there are just too cumbersome," she hesitated slightly, "and there are too many eyes and ears... So I took the liberty of asking the messenger and came here instead. I didn’t expect you to actually be here."

She wasn’t this formal in our usual correspondence. I’d always felt that Wu Lianming was different from Xing Yiyong and the other women in the palace—her nature was much simpler and kinder. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have kept writing to her all these years. Smiling, I got straight to the point: "Sister Wu, is there something you need from me?"

Wu Lianming hesitated for a long time before looking up again. Her bright, large eyes were actually a bit red. "Your Majesty, please help my husband." She took a deep breath. "My husband is the Marquis of Weiyuan."

Marquis of Weiyuan, Qi Chengliang? I remembered his original wife, the Imperial Order Lady, was a plain-looking middle-aged woman. "Sister Wu, are you... General Qi’s concubine?"She quickly explained to me, "My husband and his wife have both treated me very well." A slightly bashful smile appeared on her face as she continued, "Although I came from the palace, my husband has never mentioned it and has always treated me no differently than his wife."

I opened my mouth but suddenly didn’t know what to say. Wu Lianming was born into an official’s family and was exceptionally beautiful. If she hadn’t entered the palace back then, her husband would have undoubtedly been either a talented young man or someone from a prestigious family—she would never have become someone’s concubine.

Noticing my discomfort, Wu Lianming smiled gently. "Your Majesty, you needn’t worry. Back then, it was my parents who coveted wealth and voluntarily sent me into the palace. I’ve never blamed you or His Majesty." As she spoke, she suddenly stood up and bowed solemnly to me. "I know my husband’s current situation is very dangerous. Today, I’ve come only to beg Your Majesty, for the sake of our past bond, to help him escape this predicament."

Hearing her words, I had no choice but to stand as well, helping her up. "Back at Shanhai Pass, General Qi practically saved my life. Even without your request, I would do my best."

Wu Lianming rose and looked at me, her eyes brimming with undisguised gratitude and tears. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

After many years apart, Wu Lianming and I talked for a long time—over an hour. Her earlier claim that Qi Chengliang and his wife treated her well was no lie; the glow of contentment and peaceful happiness on her face couldn’t be faked.

Throughout our lengthy conversation, Wu Lianming never once mentioned Xiao Huan. In fact, in all our correspondence over the years, she had never asked a single word about him. The woman who had once chased after Xiao Huan’s shadow, willing to mourn for him, seemed to have vanished without a trace.

Perhaps, among all those clever and calculating women from back then, she was the truly wise one—knowing how to cherish the happiness before her and never clinging to what was lost.

After seeing Wu Lianming off, I glanced at the sky. Though it was still early, there was nothing left to do in the chamber, so I decided to return to the palace ahead of time.

As I turned past the screen wall and entered the small courtyard in front of the hall, I heard laughter and chatter coming from the western Warm Chamber. Just as I was wondering what was going on, Feng Wufu came forward to greet me. His usually cheerful, round face wore an uncharacteristically stiff expression, and he spoke with unusual formality: "This servant greets Her Majesty the Empress. You’ve returned?"

"Yes," I nodded, walking inside. "Who’s in there? Has Princess Ying and Commander Li returned?"

"Your Majesty, it’s—" Before Feng Wufu could finish, the door to the western Warm Chamber swung open.

A bright voice rang out from inside: "Promise me, Your Majesty! You’ll take me tomorrow!"

I had just reached the entrance when I heard Xiao Huan’s amused reply: "No, I told you—I won’t have time tomorrow."

Smiling, I chimed in, "Where are you going?"

"To see the opera!" The girl in pale pink robes inside answered swiftly before suddenly gasping and jumping up. Turning to see me in casual attire, her large eyes blinked rapidly. "You’re… Her Majesty the Empress?"

"Do I not look the part?" I chuckled.

"You do, you do!" She nodded repeatedly, even sticking out her tongue playfully. "It’s just that you’re so young and beautiful…"

Being complimented by someone younger didn’t feel like much of an achievement. I smiled. "What’s your name? You’re quite the smooth talker.""This is the daughter of Minister Duan from the Ministry of Rites," Xiao Huan stood up from the desk and said with a smile.

"My name is Jingxue, and my father is a third-rank vice minister," the young girl quickly interjected. "I thought I'd only get to see His Majesty today, but unexpectedly I even met Her Majesty the Empress. This is such a great bargain!"

"Duan Jingxue?" I smiled at her. "What a lovely name. Meeting His Majesty is one thing, but why are you so happy to see me?"

"Of course I must meet Her Majesty the Empress!" Duan Jingxue pouted her pink lips. "Only by seeing Her Majesty can I match you with the legends circulating among the people!"

"Oh? There are legends about me? What do they say?" I asked.

Duan Jingxue glanced at me, her big eyes darting around before lingering on Xiao Huan again as she spoke: "Everyone says that Her Majesty the Empress and His Majesty share a deep love. Back when His Majesty was framed by Empress Dowager Liu and exiled to the Martial World, it was Her Majesty who risked everything to bring him back. There are even storytellers at Tianqiao Bridge who tell this tale daily!"

"Does it say I went through eighty-one hardships before finally rescuing His Majesty?" I laughed.

"Yes, yes!" Duan Jingxue nodded vigorously. "How did you know, Your Majesty?"

"Because I really did go through eighty-one hardships—passing through the Flaming Mountains, the Daughter Kingdom, and the Cobweb Cave," I said with a chuckle.

"But I think it was worth it," Duan Jingxue stuck out her tongue. "To bring His Majesty back, I'd willingly endure another eighty-one hardships!"

"Because he's the Emperor?" I smiled at her.

"No!" Her eyes widened instantly, as if shocked by the suggestion. "Whether His Majesty was the Emperor or not, it would absolutely be worth it!"

"Hmm," I grinned. "His Majesty's face is quite handsome, isn't it?"

"Uh..." Duan Jingxue choked on her words.

While I gradually drew Duan Jingxue into conversation, Xiao Huan had already come to stand beside me. Now he let out a soft laugh: "Alright, Cang Cang, stop teasing Jingxue."

Without hesitation, I turned and wrapped an arm around his waist: "When you have a beauty at home, you can't help but want to show him off a little."

He didn't pull away either, smiling as he placed a hand on my shoulder: "How was your day? Do you want to rest first?"

"Not more than you need it," I shot back with a glance.

Duan Jingxue suddenly let out a clear laugh, covering her mouth with one hand, her large eyes curving into crescents: "His Majesty and Her Majesty truly have a wonderful relationship." She lowered her hand and performed a graceful curtsy, her clever smile unchanged. "Jingxue has already bid farewell to His Majesty earlier. Now I take my leave from Her Majesty."

With that, she winked at me and added: "Oh, and Your Majesty—His Majesty really is very handsome. I forgot to answer earlier."

Her series of courtesies were executed with light, swift precision, and in the blink of an eye, she had retreated from the room.

I turned to look at Xiao Huan, who smiled and said: "Jingxue was let in by Wufu. Her father, Duan Qingsu, wants to send her into the imperial harem."

I couldn't stand these people who kept trying every day to expand Xiao Huan's harem. It's been five years since he issued that imperial edict vowing never to take concubines, yet they still wouldn't give up—admirable perseverance indeed.

"Ah..." I nodded. "I could tell. That fat Wufu had a guilty look when he saw me earlier, and he addressed me as 'Her Majesty' with exaggerated politeness. But we're not short on palace maids right now."

He laughed: "Cang Cang, you seem irritated today.""You noticed?" I raised my brows. "Was my hostility that obvious just now? More obvious than yours yesterday at One Water Courtyard?"

He chuckled lightly: "Just a little short?"

I nodded in satisfaction: "So you see, I'm still quite magnanimous."

After a pause, I turned to face him, looking up: "Brother Xiao, I'm very angry. This time you silently exhausted yourself to the point of fainting without telling me, and today you secretly attended court without my knowledge. I'm furious. So angry I want to tie you to the bed and scold you nonstop for a full day and night." Taking a deep breath while looking at him, I continued, "But I thought about it—doing that would give you a headache from listening and me a sore throat from yelling, so I'll let it go. But I'm still angry, really, really angry!"

Meeting my gaze, he smiled, the corners of his lips lifting: "I know." After a slight pause, still smiling, he added, "I'm sorry, Cang Cang."

As always, I couldn't resist his smile, so I mirrored his expression, then rose on my tiptoes, tilting my head up to kiss his lips.

He lowered his head, supporting my waist.

This was no longer the morning's kiss, dominated by frustration and punishment. My heartbeat quickened until it felt like it might burst from my chest, and my arms tightened around his neck.

I don't know how much time passed before my sleeve was suddenly tugged, and a voice sounded beside us: "Dad, Mom, you've been hugging for so long."

I nearly choked on my own saliva as Xiao Huan and I instantly pushed each other away.

One hand wiped my mouth to check for any lingering traces, while the other hastily straightened my slightly disheveled clothes. My breathing was still uneven: "Uh... Xiao Xie, who brought you here?" Glancing up, I saw Xiao Huan's flushed cheeks as he adjusted the jade crown I'd unconsciously mussed.

Never had parents looked more disheveled.

"Eunuch Wufu," Xiao Xie pointed toward the door, where Feng Wufu's head had barely appeared before quickly retreating.

That damned fat old man! He must have realized his scheme with Duan Jingxue was exposed and feared I'd settle accounts with him, so he brought Xiao Xie as a distraction.

Gnashing my teeth in frustration, I hissed through clenched teeth: "Brother Xiao, I think we should withhold Eunuch Feng's salary and rewards this month. After all, he has other people's silver coming his way..."

Xiao Huan cleared his throat lightly: "Two months."

Xiao Xie stood to the side, clutching an Eastern doll Feng Wufu had given him, pouting as he watched us: "Lashing out in embarrassment."

On the third day of Qi Chengliang, Marquis of Weiyuan, returning to the capital to await trial, a new impeachment was placed on the imperial desk. Unlike the lengthy accusations before, this one charged him with only one crime: privately maintaining troops.

According to the laws of our dynasty, border generals privately raising troops was equivalent to rebellion, punishable by extermination of nine generations.

The day after the impeachment was submitted, three Grand Secretariat Ministers and the presiding officials of the three ministries spent the entire day in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Rushing back to the palace from Phoenix Come Pavilion, I changed clothes and headed to the front hall, pushing open the door.

As expected, none of the empire's key officials gathered there since morning had left. Silence fell as I entered.

Walking through the crowd, I went straight to Xiao Huan, then turned to smile at the assembled ministers: "It's time for His Majesty to take his medicine. Would the esteemed ministers please step out for a moment?"

Imperial consorts were strictly forbidden from interfering in governance—an iron rule in the Forbidden Palace. This was the first time I'd ever barged into a ministerial deliberation.After a moment of silence, the person closest to the couch bowed and saluted, his voice steady and clear without the slightest waver: "Your Majesty, please take care of your imperial health." It was Zhang Zhuduan, the Second Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat.

Prompted by his reminder, the ministers bowed unevenly and slowly retreated from the hall.

Once they had all left, I turned back and smiled at Xiao Huan in the armchair: "Haven't taken your medicine all day? This is quite the way to avoid it."

Under the lamplight, his face looked somewhat pale as he gave a faint smile. "Indeed, no one would dare barge in here recklessly."

"Unfortunately, there's still me who dares to barge in." I waved my hand to disperse the stale air that had accumulated throughout the day and turned to leave. "Let Wufu send someone to open the windows and air out this room. Let's go."

He nodded with a smile, bracing one hand against the table but made no move to stand. Instead, he smiled at me. "Cang Cang, come help me up."

Taken aback, I realized he couldn't stand on his own. Before I could process the thought, I had already rushed around the table and embraced him. "Brother Xiao? Brother Xiao?"

"It's alright," he quickly reassured, seemingly surprised by my reaction. "It's nothing serious, Cang Cang. Just sat too long—my legs went numb."

His voice and heartbeat were normal, and his body temperature was fine. It really was just numbness.

I didn't respond, burying my face in the collar of his robe.

"Cang Cang?" He returned the embrace, lightly patting my shoulder before chuckling. "Really, it's nothing."

Taking a deep breath, I released him and knelt to gently massage his legs.

A cool hand lightly brushed over my head. I looked up at him. "Feeling better? How long have you been sitting without moving for your legs to go numb like this?"

He lowered his head with a soft laugh. "I... accidentally forgot."

I couldn't help rolling my eyes. "How could you 'accidentally forget' something like that!" Grumbling, I glared up at him. "Don't expect me to carry you today. You're heavy."

He finally let out a quiet laugh. "Am I really that heavy?"

"Of course! My arms still ache from last time." I nodded, then realized he was teasing me again and shot him another glare. "Don't tell me you've gotten addicted to being carried by me."

He hastily shook his head with a smile. "No, no, wouldn’t dare trouble Your Lordship to strain your arms every time..."

He was definitely much smoother with his words now—I could hardly keep up. All I could do was glare. "Good that you know how much effort it takes."

As I continued massaging his legs, Feng Wufu's voice came from the doorway. Whenever he had nothing to hide, he always ignored me outright, addressing Xiao Huan directly. "Your Majesty, how should the officials be accommodated?"

I paused and looked up at Xiao Huan. He smiled. "Let them return home for today."

As Feng Wufu turned to leave with the order, I stood and called out, "Wait." After giving Xiao Huan a quick hug, I followed Feng Wufu outside.

In the dim night, the ministers gathered outside the hall were barely distinguishable. Feng Wufu stepped forward and raised his voice. "By His Majesty's decree, all officials may return to their residences for now."

Watching them bow and retreat, I descended the steps and called out, "Minister Zhang, a moment please."

The crowd noticeably hesitated before the others withdrew, leaving Zhang Zhuduan standing alone.

Only when the courtyard held just the two of us did I approach slowly.

Under the faint lantern light, the figure of the man who could now be called the most powerful official in the empire was indistinct. I stopped before him.

Zhang Zhuduan bowed but did not kneel. "This humble official, Zhang Zhuduan, greets Her Majesty the Empress."

"Minister Zhang," I smiled. "How have you been lately?"

"Thanking Her Majesty, the skies are clear, and this humble official fares well." Zhang Zhuduan remained composed, his tone neither submissive nor overbearing."I'm relieved to hear Minister Zhang is doing well," I said with a smile. "As a woman, I don't fully understand court affairs. But I recall that throughout history, the way of a loyal minister has always been one of reverence and humility, isn't that right, Academician Zhang?"

Zhang Zhuduan remained bowing, responding calmly: "After twelve years of rigorous study and sixteen years in court, this humble official has never dared forget for even a moment."

"It's good that Minister Zhang remembers," I smiled. "I won't detain you further. You may go."

"Your servant takes his leave." Bowing deeply, he retreated with the same impeccable posture. This man who became a grand secretary at twenty-nine had never been underestimated since the moment he entered public view.

From Qi Chengliang's interrogation to subsequent impeachments—all were orchestrated by his hand.

Yang Tinghe, who always relied on his seniority, wouldn't resort to such ruthless measures as executions and confiscations. His followers merely joined the initial clamor. The true pressure, delivered with seemingly casual precision, came from Zhang Zhuduan's faction.

Turning in the deepening dusk, I walked back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Xiao Huan had already risen and come to the doorway. Seeing me, he smiled: "Cang Cang."

I smiled back and went to take his hand.

The evening followed its usual routine—dining with the children, bathing, then rest.

Except when I leaned against the headboard, Xiao Huan went to the western warm chamber again, not returning until nearly midnight.

I lay in bed reading trivial books, deliberately ignoring how little he'd eaten at dinner.

On the third day after the memorial accusing Qi Chengliang of raising troops was submitted, the Brocade Uniform Guard surrounded the Marquis of Weiyuan's residence in the capital. The highly decorated nobleman was shackled and taken to the Imperial Prison.

On the fourth and fifth days, officials in various court robes continuously streamed in and out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

When I barged in on the ministers' deliberations for the second time, Xiao Huan was coughing—one hand pressed to his chest between light coughs, the other holding down memorials as he listened intently to the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

I walked over and placed the ginseng tea I carried on the imperial desk, then withdrew without a word, smiling.

That night I didn't stay in the palace. After leaving the Hall of Mental Cultivation, I changed clothes and went straight to Phoenix Come Pavilion.

I emerged around 7-9 PM.

At approximately 7:30 PM, I sat in Zhang Zhuduan's bedroom. When he entered, I smiled slightly.

True to his experience, after only a slight change in expression, he calmly retied the loose belt of his plain robe and bowed: "Your servant Zhang Zhuduan pays his respects to the Emp—"

Grabbing his collar, I slammed him against the wall and spoke through clenched teeth: "Minister Zhang, if anything happens to His Majesty, I will break every bone in your body one by one, then smash your skull last. You may test whether I dare."

His hat crushed on the floor, hair disheveled over his shoulders, Zhang Zhuduan's head was pinned flush against the wall.

After a silence, he suddenly laughed. A faint, almost mocking smile appeared on his composed, gaunt face: "Is the Empress implying that I'm coercing His Majesty?""I took advantage of the Emperor's illness to instruct my subordinates to submit memorials impeaching Marquis Wei Yuan; I pressed step by step until Marquis Wei Yuan was imprisoned; I forced the Emperor to stay up all night, laboring over state affairs." He no longer referred to himself as "your humble servant," nor did he maintain deliberate respect in his speech. With a mocking smile, he said, "Such a subject, bullying his sovereign and dominating the court—his heart deserves execution."

I looked at him and sneered, "What? Didn't you do all these things?"

"I did," he admitted without hesitation, yet smiled again. "I just find it strange—when you, Empress, stood boldly before the Emperor, even venturing into a high-ranking official's residence at night to threaten someone as insignificant as myself, did you ever consider whether the Brocade Uniform Guard would dare storm Marquis Wei Yuan's residence and arrest that meritorious yet overbearing Marquis Qi without the Emperor's decree?"

My fingers loosened slightly. I hadn't thought of that—I hadn't considered it might be Xiao Huan. Back then, at the foot of Shanhai Pass, he had entrusted his life and family to that taciturn military officer without hesitation. He personally promoted him, placed hundreds of thousands of troops under his command, never doubting, always trusting. I hadn't imagined that if it were Xiao Huan who wanted Qi Chengliang dead.

I thought he was being coerced by Zhang Zhuduan, restrained by those civil officials, anxiously pondering day and night how to save Qi Chengliang, yet forced to make an unavoidable decision.

Perhaps I had gazed at his gentle smile for too long. Seeing the pallor on his face, I only thought of shielding him behind me, forgetting that these very hands had once shaped the world.

In the first year of his reign after the grand wedding, he stabilized the situation amidst constant natural and man-made disasters, quelling rebellions. During his year in the Martial World, the Phoenix Come Pavilion he built single-handedly still dominated the Martial World today. In the early days of his restoration, court factions glared at each other with hostility, yet within less than a year, they all retreated to their proper places. In recent years, though undercurrents still surged among civil officials, redundant positions gradually decreased, governance improved, and the political atmosphere grew more upright.

Seemingly mild and conservative, yet his methods were firm and his actions decisive. From beginning to end, no matter where he was, he had never been coerced by anyone.

"It was the Emperor who wanted Qi Chengliang's head," Zhang Zhuduan said word by word, his smile cooling. "I merely discerned the Emperor's intent, added momentum, and relieved his worries—nothing more."

Slowly releasing my grip on Zhang Zhuduan's collar, I took a step back and smiled. "Minister Zhang, very composed, quick-witted. Well done."

Without adjusting his robes, he stood straight and took a step forward, smiling faintly. "Thank you for your praise, Empress."

"Minister Zhang is too polite." I smoothed the disheveled hair that had fallen loose and prepared to leave. "I apologize for the disturbance, but please remember that my words still stand."

As I neared the door, Zhang Zhuduan's voice came from behind. He remained standing where he was, his tone calm. "Empress, do you know what I have admired most about the Emperor all these years?"

I stopped and turned back. "May I ask what it is, Minister Zhang?"

"His devotion to you, Empress." He smiled faintly. "Following each other through life and death, sharing fortune and misfortune. I deeply admire the Emperor—even in choosing the one he loves, he did so perfectly. Had His Majesty not fallen for you, Empress, but someone else, I believe the empire as it stands today would not exist. To serve under such a wise ruler is Zhang Zhuduan's good fortune."I watched him quietly before suddenly breaking into a smile. "How amusing, Minister Zhang." After a pause, I continued smiling, "Does the esteemed Academician have nothing better to do at home than gossip about every family's affairs? By the way, how much does a pound of cabbage cost in the market today?"

With that, I turned and slammed the door to his bedroom behind me.

After leaving Zhang Zhuduan's residence and passing through several tightly guarded palace gates, it was already a quarter past 9 p.m. when I returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Xiao Huan was still sitting by the lamp in the bedroom, waiting for me. Fresh from a bath, his long robe pooled on the floor, and his dark hair was tied loosely with a silk ribbon, cascading over his chest.

Seeing me enter, he set aside the memorial in his hands but didn’t ask why I had returned so late. Instead, he smiled and said, "Tired? Would you like to bathe? I asked them to keep water heated for you."

"Later," I said as I walked over and unceremoniously plopped onto his lap, tilting his chin up. "Such a fragrant beauty—I can hardly resist devouring you."

Every time I played this never-tiring game of "beauty" and "lord," he would look amused. Now, he chuckled softly. "The honor is mine, my lord. Please, help yourself."

I half-teasingly tugged at his clothes. "Then this lord won’t hold back..."

He was still laughing but pressed a hand to his chest and coughed lightly a few times.

I quickly rubbed his chest. "What’s wrong? Are you alright?"

"It’s nothing," he said between light coughs, still smiling. "Just a bit tired."

I glared at him. "If you're tired, why aren’t you resting?"

As usual, he simply smiled faintly and listened to my scolding.

I dragged him to bed and forced him to sleep first. After bathing, I lay down beside him. Just before sleep took me, Zhang Zhuduan’s words flashed through my mind, but I closed my eyes and asked nothing.

The case of Qi Chengliang, Marquis of Weiyuan, for embezzlement and privately raising troops was of such gravity and involved so many that it was decided Xiao Huan would personally preside over the trial in court on the fourth day of the eighth month.

On the afternoon of the third day of the eighth month, I walked back from the Phoenix Come Pavilion to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Without any attendants, I walked alone through the long, silent corridor, where even eunuchs and palace maids were scarce. Under the slanting rays of the setting sun, the towering palace walls stood cold and imposing, steeped in silence.

Turning past the familiar screen wall in front of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, I found the courtyard unusually empty—with the trial imminent, the usual bustle of ministers had already dispersed. Standing in the spacious courtyard, I once again heard bright laughter coming from inside the hall.

"Empress..." Feng Wufu took a deep breath and stepped forward to greet me.

I walked past him, crossed the courtyard, and went straight to the warm chamber, pushing the door open.

Inside, Duan Jingxue was sitting on the soft couch with Xiao Huan, giggling as she fiddled with a bamboo flute. "Your Majesty, won’t you really teach me? Please? I really want to learn!"

"Miss Duan," I said from the doorway, smiling at her. "Please return to your residence."

As if noticing me only then, Duan Jingxue stuck out her tongue and jumped down from the couch, feigning alarm—though her eyes still darted toward Xiao Huan. "Empress..."

I kept smiling. "Please return to your residence."

"Jingxue, go home," Xiao Huan said, rising from the table with a faint smile for her."Ah... as Your Majesty commands." Duan Jingxue immediately curtsied with a practiced smile, then stood up waving the bamboo flute in her hand. "Thank you for the gift, Your Majesty—" She quickly covered her mouth, "No no, I mean the imperial gift." With a quick tongue-clicking glance at me, she added, "My apologies, my apologies, Jingxue has been impolite."

"It's alright, you may withdraw." Xiao Huan smiled slightly and nodded to her.

Only then did she retreat with a sweet smile, the light pink hem of her skirt fluttering with her brisk steps.

Without turning to watch her leave, I closed the door and walked over.

Xiao Huan gave me a faint smile, as if relieved, then leaned against the table to sit down again: "Cang Cang, how was the pavilion today?"

I turned my face away, pausing before answering his question with another: "Brother Xiao, why did you have to kill General Qi?"

After a long silence, he finally smiled. When he spoke again, his voice remained gentle and composed: "Since the early years of my father's reign when the conscription system was implemented, military garrisons across the country have been falsifying reports, draining the national treasury. This chronic malady has persisted for too long."

"So you needed to make an example of someone, use him to reform the military system, is that it?" I looked at him, the corner of my mouth lifting slightly. "Search the entire court, and you couldn't find anyone more suitable than Qi Chengliang—a highly decorated general who also enjoyed imperial favor—to serve as that example, could you?"

He watched me quietly before finally smiling and nodding: "Yes."

A bone-chilling cold spread through my body. Keeping my eyes locked on his, I curled my lips again: "Anything that benefits the empire, no matter what it takes."

"Wu Lianming came to see me a few days ago," I continued. "You probably already knew—she's now Qi Chengliang's concubine. She begged me to help him escape punishment, but I didn't know how. If Qi Chengliang had been framed by that faction of civil officials, I could have found evidence to clear his name. If he'd truly committed grave crimes, I could have pleaded for leniency. But when the one who wants him convicted is you, when the one who wants him dead is you... I had no way to help him."

"Because emperors are heartless. I don't know how to persuade a ruler with an iron heart and deep schemes to spare a pawn he's determined to use." Raising my head to meet his gaze, I paused before continuing: "Brother Xiao, what I want to ask now is—if you'd never met me, if another minister's daughter had been chosen as empress instead, one whose father also held great power, whose marriage would have equally stabilized the political situation... would you have tried just as hard to love her? To cherish her? To make your relationship work? Just like you did with me?"

Not a ripple disturbed the dark sea of his eyes. His answer came softly after barely a moment: "I would have."

I took a step back, unsure whether my expression showed a cold smile. "I'm sorry, Brother Xiao." I exhaled slowly. "I've already had Jiao Yan take the children to Phoenix Come Pavilion. I can't stay by your side any longer."

His expression seemed to waver momentarily as he suddenly reached out as if to grasp my sleeve: "Cang Cang..."

I avoided his hand and stepped back: "I won't neglect their studies. I'll have someone bring them to the palace each morning."

With that I turned and walked out of the warm chamber, not waiting to hear his response.Outside the door, Feng Wufu was wiping sweat from his brow. Seeing me emerge, he immediately stepped forward, his round face wearing an awkward expression. "Empress, it's like this..."

When he noticed I was simply walking past him, he froze momentarily before suddenly changing his expression. "Empress!"

Ignoring him, I crossed the courtyard and retraced my steps out of the Forbidden Palace beneath the setting sun.

The court trial on the fourth day of the eighth month had uncovered the largest corruption case since the beginning of the Virtuous Blessing era.

Over thirty military officials of the fourth rank or higher were imprisoned, nearly a hundred were demoted, and nearly ten thousand redundant positions were eliminated from the thirty-six garrisons in the capital region alone. Marquis of Weiyuan, Qi Chengliang, was stripped of his noble title and had his family property confiscated. In consideration of his years of military service, his death sentence was commuted, and he was exiled to Liangzhou along with his entire clan.

Since leaving the palace on the third day of the eighth month, I hadn't returned.

After staying at Phoenix Come Pavilion for five days, Lian and Yan had been relatively well-behaved, but Xiao Xie had been pestering me for days to see her father, to the point where I'd started avoiding her whenever possible.

That afternoon, while arguing with Mu Yan in One Water Courtyard over how to handle a shipment of water-damaged silk goods, Su Qian entered, followed by a plump figure.

"Madam." Feng Wufu's expression was grim as he stepped inside without sitting down. "I've come to request your return to the residence."

Su Qian remarked coolly from the side, "I could hardly stop the Chief Steward from entering."

Already irritated and headache-ridden, I couldn't help but frown. "We're busy here. Chief Steward, please excuse us—we won't see you out."

Feng Wufu seemed to have reached his limit. Casting aside propriety, he blurted out, "Your Majesty's tantrum has gone on long enough! After all these years, you're still as unreasonable as ever! His Majesty's health can't withstand your torment any longer!"

The sudden scathing rebuke made my chest tighten. Paying no heed to Su Qian and Mu Yan's presence, I stood up abruptly with a cold laugh. "My apologies, but I am indeed still throwing a tantrum. Kindly inform your master that next time he sends someone to mediate, there's no need to play mind games with me—nor to use his own health as a bargaining chip!"

Silence fell as soon as the words left my mouth. Feng Wufu's jaw dropped in disbelief, his gaze filled not only with shock and pain but also deep anger.

"Don't say bad things about Daddy!" A clear child's voice suddenly rang from the doorway. Xiao Xie broke free from the hand holding hers and rushed up to me, her brows furrowed and nose slightly red as she shouted, "Don't say bad things about Daddy!"

I was momentarily stunned. Following the direction she'd come from, I saw Xiao Huan dressed in plain light-blue robes, gently chiding her, "Xiao Xie, you mustn't speak to Mother that way."

Her eyes reddening, Xiao Xie pouted and abruptly averted her dark, wide-eyed gaze from me before running back to Xiao Huan's side, burying her face against his leg. As he patted her shoulder soothingly, he looked up and smiled at me. "Cang Cang, have you been well these days?"

"Quite well," I replied automatically, intending to sound casual but realizing too late how stiff and distant my tone was.

Xiao Huan smiled again. "Wufu came with me." Then he paused, as if waiting for me to speak.

The room fell silent once more.

"White Pavilion Master!" Mu Yan suddenly clapped his hands and stood up with a laugh. "We haven't seen you for days! Stay awhile—once we finish dealing with these tedious matters, we can all have tea together?"

"Thank you," Xiao Huan responded with a smile, though his gaze remained fixed on my face.I turned my head away and frowned at Mu Yan. "You should talk less and put more thought into that boatload of silk!"

Mu Yan glared at me. "I think you're the one who needs more brains in that head of yours!"

"It might not be very convenient today," Xiao Huan interjected, stopping the impending argument between me and Mu Yan. He smiled at us both. "There are still some matters I need to attend to. My apologies, but we'll have to reschedule."

"White Pavilion Master, there's no need to be so polite. You're welcome anytime," Mu Yan replied with a smile.

"I want to go back with Daddy," Xiao Xie immediately tugged at Xiao Huan's sleeve upon hearing he was leaving. "I want to go home with Daddy, not with Mommy!"

"Be good, Xiao Xie," Xiao Huan comforted her softly, then looked up at me as if seeking approval.

I nodded. "Go with your father if you want." Then I added, "Remember to behave."

Xiao Xie had already completely ignored me. Without waiting for me to finish, she tugged at Xiao Huan’s sleeve to leave. Xiao Huan smiled at me and said, “I’ll bring Xiao Xie back tomorrow.”

I curled my lips in a semblance of a smile and nodded.

Xiao Xie pulled Xiao Huan out, with Feng Wufu following behind them. Since Xiao Huan entered, the plump old man hadn’t spared me a single glance.

The crisp sound of the child’s voice and Xiao Huan’s low replies gradually faded. Su Qian crossed her arms and shook her head. “That’s too much.”

“I’ve always said she needs more brains in that head of hers,” Mu Yan sneered from the side.

“I was just thinking about that shot from back then,” Su Qian gestured forward with her fingers, even mimicking the sound, “Bang!”

“One more word from either of you, and you can take over as Pavilion Master!” My head was about to explode from their remarks, so I slammed the table and shouted.

The two immediately fell silent, not uttering another word.

The afternoon was another busy one, unchanged by Xiao Huan’s midday visit.

At night, I slept in the side room of One Water Courtyard, adjacent to the Water Pavilion. Since moving to Phoenix Come Pavilion, this was the fifth night I lay in bed staring blankly at the canopy overhead. Perhaps it was because of Su Qian’s words earlier that day, but tonight I turned over and gazed at the furnishings in the dark, recalling the events of that year in Jinling. He had lived in Phoenix Come Pavilion’s bedroom there, identical in layout to this one, for a year. During that long year, I hadn’t known he was there for half of it, and in the other half, I had never lingered in his bedroom for more than a quarter of an hour.

Placing my hand on the slightly cool sheets beside me, I slowly drifted off to sleep without realizing it.

The next afternoon, Xiao Xie returned with Lian and Yan.

Dressed in a peach-red Lotus Leaf Skirt, her hair tied in twin buns adorned with two Inner Court Woven Ribbons, each ending with two pomegranate-red gemstones, her delicate features made her little face look like it was carved from jade. She ran into the room, beaming, eager to show Xiao Fen her new clothes.

In contrast, Yan seemed listless, slinking over to a chair and sitting down, propping his head up as if troubled. “Little sister, did you really sleep with Father last night?”

“Of course!” Xiao Xie lifted her chin proudly. “I said the room was stuffy and I wanted to see the stars. Father carried me to the corridor to look at them. We even identified constellations and stayed out until bedtime.”

I had been flipping through Records on the side but couldn’t help interjecting, “It’s chilly now. If your father stays outside too long, he’ll catch a cold. Didn’t I tell you to behave?”

“You don’t even care about Father, and you scolded him. Why do you care if he catches a cold?” Xiao Xie shot back immediately, pouting and refusing to even look at me.

Of all the mistakes, letting this child hear yesterday’s angry words was the worst. My head throbbed instantly. “Alright, alright, I was wrong yesterday. I shouldn’t have said that about your father, okay?”

Still huffing angrily, Xiao Xie tossed her head coolly, continuing to ignore me.

“Mother,” Lian, who had been silent until now, suddenly walked over and stood beside me, offering a sweet smile. “Are you tired today? Let Lian massage your shoulders.”

I smiled and set the Records aside, patting his head. “Sure, thank you, Lian. You’re so kind.”

Lian grinned lightly. “It’s no trouble.” He stepped closer and began kneading my shoulders with his small, nimble hands. His movements were just right in pressure, slowly working along the Acupoints down to my arms and back again. The fatigue from flipping through the Records earlier vanished in an instant.Nodding comfortably, I smiled, "Good boy, Lian. You're doing so well. When did you learn to massage shoulders?"

Continuing to knead unhurriedly, Lian replied, "I learned from massaging Dad's shoulders often."

This puzzled me. "You've massaged your father's shoulders? How come I never saw it?"

"Only when you weren't around. Dad's shoulders have been hurting these past two years. When I saw him in pain, I secretly massaged them for him," Lian explained as he worked. "Dad told me not to tell anyone."

Frowning involuntarily, I asked, "Besides his shoulder pain, has Dad asked you to keep anything else from me?"

"Dad waits for you to come back every night before sleeping," Xiao Xie suddenly chimed in before Lian could answer, her clear voice tinged with dissatisfaction. "Every single day, he waits for you. Only when you're very late does he sleep with me instead."

Sometimes, when Phoenix Come Pavilion's affairs kept me busy late into the night, even if I'd informed Jiao Yan in advance about returning to the palace, there were times when I'd ultimately stay at the pavilion to avoid the hassle of palace entry. Yet on the days I did return, no matter how late it was when I reached the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Xiao Huan would always be there, reading by lamplight. I'd scolded him countless times for neglecting rest, always buried in memorials, to which he'd only smile silently.

Hearing Xiao Xie's interjection, Yan couldn't resist adding, "Little sister, aren't you too old to still be clinging to Dad for bedtime? Aren't you ashamed?"

Xiao Xie immediately retorted, "I love sleeping with Daddy! What's it to you?"

Yan snorted lightly. "Nothing to me, but I can still be embarrassed for you."

Not having spent much time with them before, I hadn't realized how exhausting children could be. Seeing them about to argue again, I rubbed my temples. "Yan, hush! Is that any way to talk to your sister? Xiao Xie, no backtalk! Have you done today's homework? Go finish it!"

Yan immediately fell silent and obediently climbed down from his stool to head to the side room. Xiao Xie followed, but not before shooting me a glance. "Daddy never scolds us," she declared coolly before flouncing out.

Left both amused and exasperated, I turned back to Lian, whose hands continued their steady work on my shoulders. Stroking his head, I said, "You should go do your homework too, or you won't finish by bedtime."

Obediently stopping, Lian shook his head with a gentle smile. "It's alright. Compared to Dad's government work, my studies aren't much. They won't take long."

With his father's same elegant brows and dark eyes, even his smile was growing more like Xiao Huan's every day. Gently touching his cheek, I asked softly, "Lian, you're trying to persuade me to return to the palace, aren't you?"

After a slight pause, he lowered his head without denial. "Mother, if Dad did something wrong, it's fine to be angry with him. But staying angry too long isn't good for your health, and it worries me."

Not questioning my reasons or criticizing me, simply advising against prolonged anger—this child's thoughtfulness tugged at my heart. Smiling again, I said, "I won't stay angry too long. Actually... your father didn't really do anything wrong." Finding myself at a loss for words, I hugged his shoulders instead. "Missing him?"With his dark, bright eyes looking at me, Lian nodded softly, "Mm."

I ruffled his hair and smiled, "Go do your homework."

Obediently agreeing, Lian hugged his books and walked to the next room.

Watching his figure disappear, I paused for a moment before standing up and walking outside One Water Courtyard. I summoned a Branch Leader from Su Qian's hall: "How is General Qi faring?"

He clasped his fists in salute, his expression solemn. "With us here, we will ensure the general remains unharmed."

Since the trial in the Golden Luan Hall, Qi Chengliang had been imprisoned in the Brocade Uniform Guard's Imperial Prison, awaiting future exile.

On the fourth day of the month, when his household was raided, the vast Weiyuan Marquis Estate yielded surprisingly little wealth—far from the military funds mentioned in the impeachment, not even the original rewards and salaries remained. It was a bitter irony for a case that had blown up over allegations of embezzlement. Qi Chengliang had always held high prestige among the people, and these past few days, public outrage had surged, nearly likening him to Yue Fei and Zhang Zhuduan to Qin Hui. As for Xiao Huan, though no one dared to name him outright, in veiled references, the people had already begun comparing him to the weak and foolish Emperor Gaozong of Song.

Even many disciples of Phoenix Come Pavilion were indignant over Qi Chengliang's plight. Moreover, locked in that Imperial Prison where cruel officials ran rampant, even the toughest man would be tortured beyond recognition. So, from the fourth day onward, two branches under Su Qian's hall had mobilized nearly all their strength to ensure Qi Chengliang's safety in prison.

At this point, this was all I could do for Qi Chengliang.

Nodding at him in approval, I asked, "What about General Qi's family in the Ministry of Justice's prison?"

The Branch Leader replied, "The jailers in the Ministry of Justice aren't like those imperial hounds of the Brocade Uniform Guard. No one is giving them trouble."

Truly, it was good to be part of the Martial World—even in the capital, they dared openly call the overbearing Brocade Uniform Guard "hounds." I nodded. "That's good. You've worked hard."

Just as I finished asking about this and was about to return, Su Qian walked toward me. Spotting me, she greeted, "Many in the pavilion are cursing the emperor over Qi Chengliang's case. Should we do something to rebel against this tyrant?"

Others might not know, but she was well aware of who sat on the Golden Luan Hall's throne. Her words instantly soured my mood. "Do whatever you want. Don’t bother me with it!"

"Ah? Then I’ll go ahead and order the hall members to act," Su Qian said, seeming quite excited. "It's rare to have a tyrannical ruler who wrongs loyal officials to rally against. We must make this lively."

I couldn’t be bothered to respond and shook my head as I walked away.

Autumn was approaching, and preparations for winter supplies piled up before me. Busy every day, time slipped by unnoticed, and soon it was already the Mid-Autumn Festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month.

The palace held its annual moon-viewing banquet. No matter how simply it was arranged, wine and fireworks were a must, and the emperor and empress had to attend.

As usual, I spent half the day busy in One Water Courtyard. Only after Su Qian and Mu Yan had been dragged off to eat mooncakes did I hurry back to the palace.

Upon entering, I saw Jiao Yan looking anxious. "Empress, you’re finally back! I was so worried I nearly flew to the moon to fetch you!"

Knowing time was tight, I didn’t joke with her and quickly changed clothes before stepping into the outer chamber.Xiao Huan was already waiting for me there, dressed in a white robe adorned with Cloud Dragon Hidden Embroidery, his hair casually styled with a jade crown, its tassels cascading over his shoulders. Seeing me approach, he smiled and said, "Cang Cang."

I mumbled a vague response, avoiding his gaze. "Let's go."

Arm in arm, we walked to Mirror Pond where the banquet was set. Across the pond, where late-blooming lotuses still floated, the gathered royal relatives and noble families mingled under the bright lanterns, creating a lively and harmonious scene.

It was meant to be a festive celebration, so the guests were relaxed and informal. After Xiao Huan and I made our entrance, the attendees raised their cups, knelt, and offered a few congratulatory words before rising to engage in poetry recitals, riddle-solving, and other amusements—much like previous years.

For me, such palace banquets were the epitome of boredom. After sitting down, I picked at a few dishes of elaborately presented but tasteless food, barely touching the crab roe before losing interest.

By mid-autumn, the weather had already turned chilly, and the evening breeze carried a hint of cold. What was supposed to be a moon-viewing feast felt more like an ordeal. The sooner it ended, the better.

Just as I was thinking this, Xiao Huan suddenly chuckled beside me and asked, "Cang Cang, would you like to solve a lantern riddle?"

"Huh?" I was caught off guard and replied absentmindedly, "What riddle?"

He smiled lightly at me. "It's a seven-character regulated verse. Each line hints at an ancient Yuefu title. Can you guess them?"

I raised an eyebrow at once. "Bring it on. Do you think I’m afraid?"

"Listen carefully," he said with a soft laugh. "'Remembering my home from dawn to dusk, / The winding Qinhuai River skirts fragrant shores. / Raindrops must not hasten falling petals, / Moonlight disdains to dim the dusty wine. / Through the long night, distant sounds of the water clock, / In middle age, composing verse to ease the weary soul. / Thirty-six crows fly steadily in pairs, / They must see the traveler off at Zhangtai.'"

It was indeed a challenging riddle—not only did each line hint at a different answer, but it also required familiarity with ancient Yuefu titles. However, such riddles often seemed difficult at first glance but were easier to solve because the possible answers were limited.

I immediately raised my chin confidently. "You think this can stump me? 'Remembering my home from dawn to dusk'—that's 'Midnight Song.' 'The winding Qinhuai River skirts fragrant shores'—'Song of Jinling.' 'Raindrops must not hasten falling petals'—'Don’t Wash the Red.' 'Moonlight disdains to dim the dusty wine'—'Yellow at Night.' 'Through the long night, distant sounds of the water clock'—'Fifth Watch Bell.' 'In middle age, composing verse to ease the weary soul'—'Joy of No Sorrow.' 'Thirty-six crows fly steadily in pairs'—'Crow Gives Birth to Nine Young.' 'They must see the traveler off at Zhangtai'—'Breaking the Willow Branch.'" I finished triumphantly. "Did I get it all right? Pretty impressive, huh?"

He nodded with a smile. "Truly impressive. I’m thoroughly convinced."

I nodded back. "But this riddle feels familiar. I think I’ve seen it somewhere before—maybe in that book 'Additional Lantern Riddles' by my bedside?"

He chuckled softly. "Oh? What a coincidence. I think I’ve read that book too."

"You actually had time to flip through such trivial books?" I couldn’t help but laugh, shooting him a glare. Then, my gaze finally settled on his face. Under the lantern light, he smiled faintly, the corners of his lips and brows curving into gentle arcs.

My heart skipped two beats. I was truly doomed by my fondness for beauty. Sighing, I reached out to take his hand and said, "Well? My books are more interesting than your memorials, aren’t they?"A sharp clang of metal against metal suddenly rang out. Before anyone could discern its direction, a voice, urgent yet composed, called out, "Assassins! Protect His Majesty!"

Before the words had fully faded, a cold glint flashed—a hidden weapon shot unexpectedly from the banquet tables, streaking straight toward Xiao Huan.

With a crisp clink , the weapon, swift as a shooting star, was intercepted by the sword of an Imperial Bodyguard stationed below the Imperial Throne. The force unspent, it embedded itself into the long table before us, quivering incessantly—half of a cleaved dagger.

All of this happened in an instant. Only then did the nobles at the banquet react, their terrified screams and the clamor of overturned tables and chairs in their frantic escape rising one after another. The brightly lit lotus pondside descended into chaos.

Slowly retracting the hand I had extended toward Xiao Huan, I stared at the broken blade on the table.

On the ceaselessly trembling edge of the dagger, within the cold blue glow of a lethal poison, was half of an exquisitely carved vermilion phoenix—its head raised, wings spread, dyed in cinnabar red.

The emblem of the Phoenix Come Pavilion.

Lifting my gaze, I saw Xiao Huan shift his eyes away from the broken dagger. His face appeared somewhat pale in the night's darkness, and he offered me a faint smile.