Another failed confession—Ji Bozhai couldn't understand why his usually nimble tongue would tangle itself into knots at times like this. Frustrated and tipsy, he slumped onto Mingyi's lap, his eyes reddening. "I'm no good with words."

"Your Majesty is too modest. If even you claim to be ineloquent, who in this world would dare call themselves silver-tongued?"

"But... but I just wanted to tell you—I truly love you. I'd give my life for you, buy scallion pancakes for you, be your Shield, and worship you as a goddess. We'd marry as equals, and I'd never fail you again. Yet this damned tongue of mine... I just can't say it right."

This man, known as the Tyrant, now lay in her arms, on the verge of tears.

Mingyi smiled softly, brushing her thumb over the corner of his eye. "It's alright. I heard you."

Ji Bozhai lifted his head in confusion, his gaze hazy with intoxication. "Heard what?"

"I heard Your Majesty proposing to me."

"Then... then will you accept?" He stared at her with hopeful eyes.

Mingyi's lips curved into a radiant smile, her eyes shimmering. She parted her cherry lips and uttered two words—but Ji Bozhai's head felt unbearably heavy, as if weighed down by a stone strapped to his forehead. Before he could discern what she said, his head drooped back down.

Bo Yuankui happened to be looking for Ji Bozhai for a drink when he spotted the emperor drunkenly sprawled across Mingyi's lap. He couldn't help but chuckle. "Even His Majesty has moments like this."

Mingyi steadied Ji Bozhai to keep him from sliding off, laughing lightly. "Don't you think His Majesty is utterly adorable like this, Lord Bo?"

Bo Yuankui: ?

Under the vast Azure Cloud, who in their right mind would call a tyrant adorable? Madness, truly.

Baffled, he watched as Mingyi gently patted the man in her arms, soothing him like a child—no reverence, no taking advantage of his state, only waiting for the banquet to end so she could take him home to rest.

"I remember you once told me the path you chose would be difficult, perhaps demanding a lifetime's effort," Xiuyun said, sitting beside Mingyi and studying her. "Yet in less than a decade, the world has found peace, the people thrive, and women can finally live as equals. So... what will you do now?"

Mingyi arched a brow. "Naturally, I'll ensure this golden age endures."

"And what of yourself?" Xiuyun glanced at the man in her arms.

Mingyi met her gaze deeply. "Next year, you'll dress my hair."

Only those blessed with marital happiness were chosen to prepare a bride's hair.

Xiuyun's eyes brightened as she patted Mingyi's hand. "Gladly."

Wed or not, as long as it brought her joy, it was a blessing.

Mingyi had once lived for her parents and her kingdom, then for the world. Now, at last, she could live for herself.

Tears welled in Xiuyun's eyes, but she refused to cry in front of her. Turning away, she sought out Zheng Tiao.

Zheng Tiao had been enjoying his wine when he noticed his wife's tearful eyes. Assuming he'd done something wrong, he hastily set down his cup and pulled her close. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing... I'm just happy."

"Happy, yet crying?" He dabbed her cheeks with his sleeve. "Don't cry. Leave the children to me tonight—you rest well. No more tears, alright?"

Raising children was exhausting, especially for a couple who preferred hands-on care, often waking at midnight to check on them. Sleep never came easy.Originally, they had agreed to take turns watching over the child one night each, but seeing Madam Xu in tears, Zheng Tiao felt utterly helpless. The only way he knew to comfort her was to take on an extra night of childcare.

Xiuyun fell silent.

She had actually been crying tears of joy, but now she felt there was no need to explain that to him.

Having a husband who might not know how to console but genuinely cared for her wasn’t so bad after all.

Madam Xu and Zhang Tai sat together, drinking cup after cup of wine.

Zhang Tai had initially thought Madam Xu was simply bold and unrestrained by nature, but noticing the sorrow in her eyes and how she kept glancing at the man beside her, she realized there was more to it.

Seated next to Madam Xu was Zhou Zihong, who usually avoided alcohol. But tonight, he needed courage to personally present the Jade Guanyin to Mingyi, so he downed two cups.

Bolstered by the wine, he rose, holding the ornate box, and approached Mingyi.

Madam Xu remained seated, watching his retreating figure.

She watched as he opened the brocade box containing the Jade Guanyin before Mingyi, his eyes filled with nervous anticipation as he awaited her reaction.

She saw Mingyi’s expression shift from delight to confusion, then to guilt and refusal.

She witnessed him close the box dejectedly and place it on the floor beside Mingyi’s table.

She observed him stumble back to his seat and drown his sorrows in more wine.

Madam Xu, now intoxicated, turned to Zhang Tai with a smile and asked, “What’s your husband like?”

At this, Zhang Tai had plenty to say. Her husband was also a merchant. They had started off on the wrong foot, but he was fiercely protective of her—rough around the edges, yet tender-hearted. On their wedding day, he had wept, refusing to let go after carrying her out of the Bridal Sedan.

But after sharing a few anecdotes, Zhang Tai paused and simply said, “He’s someone who loves me deeply.”

Once married, love should naturally follow. Why else would two people wed?

Madam Xu turned and, emboldened by the wine, patted Zhou Zihong’s shoulder. “Hey.”

“Hmm?” He glanced at her.

She smiled softly and whispered, “Let’s go back and draft a Divorce Agreement.”

His heart clenched. “Why?” he asked, his expression darkening.

“I think I’m quite a catch—virtuous, capable of managing a household, skilled in Artifact Crafting,” Madam Xu mused, clapping her hands. “I deserve to marry someone who loves me, not waste my years pining for you.”

The wine had emboldened them both. Her words slurred slightly as she laughed, radiant as a flower in bloom. “Young Master Song might be a rogue, but at least he knows not to marry another when his heart belongs to someone. You? You not only don’t know, but you also married me and broke my heart.”

She tapped her chest. “It hurts. In these seven years, apart from moments in bed, I’ve never once felt like I mattered to you.”

After a pause, she added with another laugh, “And even then, your heart might not have been with me. Who knows who you were thinking of?”

Though the surroundings were noisy, no one could hear her words. Yet such bluntness was too much. Zhou Zihong covered her mouth with his hand, his fingertips trembling inexplicably.

“You’re drunk,” he said. “Go sober up, and I’ll pretend you said none of this.”

Madam Xu shook her head. “No, we’re getting divorced. We’ll write the agreement as soon as we return.”

“I won’t write it.”

“Then I will.” She extended her hand. “I hated learning to write as a child. But for you, I practiced calligraphy day and night, hoping you’d look at me with admiration.”

“Now I understand—if someone loves you, they’ll cherish everything you do. If they don’t, nothing you do will ever matter to them.”"Fortunately, I truly learned how to write. Being able to draft my own Divorce Agreement counts as an achievement."