Nо оnе knеw how the Emреror would hаndle this mattеr. Аll thеу knеw wаs that the сouple was reunited, аnd аt this momеnt, theу fеlt аn unрreсеdеntеd sеnse оf fulfillment. As for thе рroblеms they might enсounter nеxt, theу сhоsе nоt tо dwеll on them fоr nоw, beсаusе worrуing would bе usеless—it would оnlу makе things worse and bring nо other benеfit.
Wаnwаn pullеd him into the baсkуаrd and реrsоnаllу fеtchеd а towеl for him tо wipe his fаcе. Whilе hе washеd uр, shе wаtched him from thе side, as if afraid he wоuld fly awaу in the blink of аn eуе, her gаze filled with deep affection.
He unbuttoned his collar to wash his neck, smiling somewhat shyly. "I haven’t cleaned up in four days, so I’m quite dirty. I actually arrived much earlier, but I encountered heavy rain in Baoding Prefecture, which delayed me for most of the day." As he spoke, he stood up and embraced her. "Were you waiting anxiously?"
She shook her head, then nodded. "I thought you would arrive yesterday, but you didn’t come even by midnight. I was afraid—afraid you had forgotten the agreed time and would never come."
He just smiled. "Silly talk. I had already prepared and wanted to set off earlier, but I was worried that if I missed you too urgently, I would rush day and night without rest. If you ended up staying in the capital for too short a time, the Emperor might be displeased, and that wouldn’t be good. This way is just right. I’ll go seek an audience with the Emperor at dawn tomorrow and take you back to Nanjing."
As he spoke, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness. Afraid that crying too much would upset him, she turned around and instructed Xiao You, "Where are the clothes prepared for the Prince? Bring them for him to change into." She then helped him sit down and asked if he was tired from the journey.
He said it was nothing. "Men aren’t like you girls. Our family’s children are tough, trained this way since childhood. It was the same during my previous trips to the capital—on the road, my mind was still preoccupied with matters in the Southern Garden. The only thing to do was to hurry, as delays on the road were the least worthwhile."
Wanwan remembered the winter solstice last year when he rushed thousands of miles to the capital, accompanied the Emperor in offering sacrifices to heaven and earth, and was even forced by her to stand in the wind and snow for two hours as punishment. Looking back now, she felt she had been unreasonable and was deeply ashamed of how she had treated him.
But she was too embarrassed to say it out loud. Instead, she crouched down and said, "Let me massage your legs for you."
Just as she was about to kneel, he helped her up. "You mustn’t do that. Don’t harm the child." As he spoke, he placed his hand on her belly. "From now on, you can’t run like you did earlier. It’s too dangerous. Remember?" Beneath her dress, a slight bulge was already visible. He touched it gently and whispered, "It’s growing well, but it’s pitiful—so small and already enduring such hardships. If not for this situation, you and your mother would both be by Ama’s side, and our family would be happy together. You wouldn’t have to go through all this fear and worry."
As he spoke to the child, Wanwan smiled. "I’ve already returned to visit my family, so the Emperor shouldn’t be able to find fault with us. Let’s pack up and leave the day after tomorrow."I hope it will be so, allowing them to return smoothly. In truth, The Emperor's decisions are not always wise; forcibly separating them is no different from pushing him to rebel. Several times, he has been unable to sleep at night, suddenly leaping up with the intention of immediately mobilizing troops. But what would be the consequence of acting without considering the outcome? It would give Prince Zhen'an and the Prince of Wusi the perfect opportunity, providing them with an excuse to unite and crush him in one fell swoop. To seize the world, one must consider both timing and circumstances. The bird that sticks its head out gets shot—why should he sacrifice himself to create an opportunity for others? So he must endure. Among the three princes, the one who can remain the most composed will be the one who laughs last.
But the word "endurance" is like a knife hanging over one's head, and this time he truly felt its pain. Wanwan was full of hope; he could not let her down, nor did he dare explain the situation to her. Whether he could take her back this time was still uncertain. That emperor, sometimes sharp and sometimes deranged—no one could truly grasp what was in his heart.
All he could do was hold her, letting her sit on his lap. She was so good to him, preparing his food and clothing like an ordinary wife. He hadn't slept for days, yet now he didn’t feel tired at all. He feared their time together was too short, and even sleep felt like a luxury he dared not indulge in.
They had originally agreed to share the Mid-Autumn feast together, but the table set in the courtyard remained untouched in the end. A small kang table was brought over, and after a simple meal, the two of them reclined on the Arhat couch by the window. The moon was large and round, hanging high in the sky, casting a restless light upon their hearts. Wanwan let him rest his head on her lap, gently stroking him as she would the two little squirrels.
"When we first married, I didn’t want to marry you at all," she said, looking down at him. "But now, I don’t regret it."
He hummed in response. "Why?"
She grinned, revealing a row of milky-white teeth. "Because in this world, aside from you, no one else is worthy of me. I often think, if I had married a different Imperial Consort, I wonder how things would be now..."
"Perhaps you’d be peacefully drinking wine with him, admiring the moon," he said somewhat despondently. "Without having to worry about being forcibly separated or enduring great storms. Wanwan, sometimes I regret it too—that I shouldn’t have been so determined to marry a princess. In the end, I’ve harmed you, leaving you alone in such sorrow."
But Wanwan didn’t like this. "Do you regret marrying me?"
He was about to argue, but she covered his eyes. "Alright, rest for a while. We have plenty of time to talk; there’s no need to rush."
He was truly exhausted, thinking he would rest just a little, but he ended up sleeping until dawn.
The night passed peacefully. The Silk-clad Guards reported the news to the Western Sea, but The Emperor was likely busy with his cultivation and paid no attention. Wanwan and he rose early to attend the audience, only to wait all morning in the Hall of Supreme Simplicity. It wasn’t until midday that Chongmao appeared, greeting them with a smile and inviting the Imperial Son-in-Law to Harmony Hall on the eastern shore for a talk.
Being summoned alone made Wanwan’s heart flutter with anxiety. She wanted to press Chongmao for answers, but he gave her a reassuring look, asking her to wait quietly here while he went and returned soon.Chongmao led him across the Nine-Arch Bridge, his demeanor appearing respectful. However, as the Emperor’s most trusted palace attendant, he had once tested the waters and found him difficult to bribe, so he had abandoned the idea. The journey passed in silence, and only after descending from the bridge did Chongmao speak: “Your Highness, take heed. His Majesty is in a foul mood today. Be careful not to anger him.”
Liangshi felt a vague sense of foreboding and clasped his hands in gratitude for the warning.
As they entered Harmony Hall, he had assumed that the Western Sea was where the Emperor practiced Taoism, and that the sovereign, who emphasized harmony between heaven and man, would be less imposing. Yet upon entering, he saw the Emperor seated upright in a Dragon Robe and Winged Virtue Crown, his expression stern and forbidding.
Startled, Liangshi lifted the hem of his robe and knelt. “Feudal Prince Yuwen Liangshi pays humble respects to Your Majesty.”
The Emperor did not grant him leave to rise. Instead, he descended from the throne and walked step by step to stand before him. The sight of the black ceremonial shoes embroidered with golden dragons entered his vision. Frowning, Liangshi lowered his head further. After a long moment, he heard the Emperor say, “Rise. The Imperial Consort is quite impatient, I hear. They say you reached the Eldest Princess Residence yesterday after only three or four days on the road?”
Bowing, Liangshi replied, “Yes. As Her Highness is with child, I grew restless in the Southern Garden and thus entered the capital without awaiting Your Majesty’s summons. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”
The Emperor sighed. “What is the greatest suffering in the world? Longing is the greatest suffering. I am not an unfeeling man. Your visit to Wanwan is a matter of marital affection. Moreover, when Wanwan was married, I granted you the privilege of entering the capital at will. I will not punish you today. However, as a feudal prince, rushing thousands of li has drawn unanimous censure from the Inner Cabinet. They accuse you of disregarding your sovereign and acting recklessly, which puts me in a difficult position. Next time, be more cautious. Though you are now my brother-in-law, charging ahead without regard risks losing propriety. If others bring complaints before me again, I may not be able to shield you.”
Do not assume the Emperor was always muddled; he was adept at the art of giving a slap followed by a sweet date. Liangshi replied, “Yes. I also feared drawing undue attention, which is why I brought only two attendants to the capital this time. Additionally, I had a memorial sent to the Directorate of Ceremonial. I wonder if Your Majesty has reviewed it?”
The Emperor clasped his hands behind his back and let out a long sigh. “The Directorate of Ceremonial… is in chaos at the moment. Xiao Duo’s fate is unknown, and the position of Seal Holder remains vacant—this is not a trivial matter… In your opinion, who would be suitable to fill the vacancy?”
This question was peculiar, and he understood clearly that he must not engage with it, lest it lead to unforeseen trouble.
Bowing deeply, he replied, “Your Majesty, forgive my ignorance. Stationed far away in Jinling, aside from a few encounters with Seal-holding Xiao, I am not well acquainted with the other Brush-holding officials of the Directorate of Ceremonial. Your Majesty asks for my view, but I truly cannot answer.”The Emperor laughed heartily, not taking it to heart. "Indeed, asking this puts you in a difficult position. Whether you recognize them is secondary; with the authority of the Directorate of Ceremonial Seal Holder in your hands, you are a cautious man and wouldn’t want to involve yourself in a lawsuit without cause." He paused briefly before continuing, "I am already aware of the situation regarding the disaster victims in the Huaining region. You handled it well, and the imperial court should reward you. However, the people are the people of Great Ye, and Jiangnan is the granary of Great Ye. How to provide relief still depends on your efforts. I won’t hide it from you—last year’s excessive rainfall flooded crops in many areas, leaving them with no harvest. This year, the granaries in the capital are stocked with old grain, and even the palace is no exception. Asking the imperial court to provide grain or silver is impossible; the treasury is empty, and there’s no way to raise funds. The Southern Garden is my right hand, and I still need you to share my burdens."
In short, the Emperor wanted to remain in power but shirk responsibility. This peaceful ruler enjoyed all the benefits while the entire world went hungry—a rather clever arrangement.
He hadn’t come to discuss the way out for Huaining; ultimately, it was all for Wanwan alone. After circling the topic from afar, he spoke slowly and deliberately, "I am fully aware of the difficulties the imperial court is facing at the moment. Whatever I can manage, I dare not trouble Your Majesty. I wonder how this year’s autumn harvest in Jiangnan will fare. If there is any surplus after deducting disaster relief grain, I will find a way to send some tribute grain to the capital to alleviate the urgent situation."
The Emperor was immediately delighted upon hearing this. "Jiangzhe, Henan, and northern Shaanxi are all the granaries of the realm. Unfortunately, the other two regions are in disarray, so we can only rely on your Southern Garden."
He acknowledged the remark and added, "I have come this time to escort Princess Chang back to the Southern Garden. As Her Highness is with child, the Imperial Concubine at home is deeply concerned day and night and insists that Her Highness stay by her side for closer care. If Your Majesty grants permission, I will depart with Her Highness tomorrow. We came by waterway and will return the same way, ensuring Her Highness is not inconvenienced."
Initially, the Emperor was pleased because the tribute grain issue had been resolved. However, as soon as he mentioned taking Wanwan back, his face darkened, and he firmly refused. "Enduring one journey of hardship is enough—how can there be a second! Although the waterway is better than the land route, you’ve seen for yourself that she hasn’t recovered much even after half a month in the capital. Another journey might be too much for her health. If you truly care for her, you must prioritize her safety. Why rush back to the Southern Garden? Wait until the child is born, and then you can come to welcome her."
He had long anticipated this outcome. This Emperor had no other talent but was exceptionally skilled at setting traps. What he truly wanted to detain wasn’t Wanwan—it was his child. If she wasn’t allowed to leave now, once the child was born and if it turned out to be the Heir Apparent, he would likely never let go.
He, too, hardened his resolve, determined to oppose this at all costs. If his subordinates found out, they would surely be shocked and think he had lost his senses for love, disregarding the bigger picture. But he couldn’t care less. He knew the Emperor still had use for him and wouldn’t harm him for now. If he could seize this opportunity, it would be like picking up a bargain—even if he lost all face, it would be worth it.
"Your Majesty, why not hear Her Highness’s opinion? My relationship with Her Highness is deep, and she needs me now more than ever. Leaving her alone in the capital is something I cannot bear."The Emperor’s eyes flashed with thunderous fury as he glared at him and said, “Prince of Nanyuan, do not forget your place. What do you mean by ‘alone’? Am I not a person? Is the Empress Dowager in the palace not a person? Wanwan was born and raised in the capital. It is not as if marrying you means she must forget her roots entirely. You say you will listen to her wishes, but I tell you, there is no need! I, as her brother, know her temperament best. She is gentle and easily swayed. If she reluctantly agrees and something goes wrong, can you bear the responsibility? Therefore, I forbid it. She is my only sister, and she must remain in the capital to give birth. As for other matters, we will discuss them later.”
With a single breath, he refused him outright. Liangshi grew anxious. Seeing the Emperor about to leave, he took two steps forward and said, “In that case, I humbly request to remain in the capital so that I may stay by my wife and child’s side. I beg Your Majesty’s permission.”
The Emperor turned back and gave him a cold look. “Liangshi, I never knew you were so sentimental. What would you do staying in the capital? What about the affairs of Nanyuan? There are many matters awaiting your attention. Focus on carrying out your duties for me. Wanwan is my own sister—do you fear I would mistreat her?”
To demand the horse run fast yet forbid it from grazing—this was the Emperor’s cunning plan. Although Liangshi had long been prepared, he was still stunned by his shamelessness. What more could one say to such a person? In anger, he raised his voice and said, “I beg Your Majesty to revoke your decree and grant this humble couple your grace.”
The Emperor flicked his sleeve and left without hesitation. Chongmao hurried to follow, glancing back after a few steps and whispering, “Your Majesty, the Prince of Nanyuan is stubborn. He is kneeling at the foot of the steps.”
Hearing this, the Emperor grew even more furious. “Let him kneel then! I want to see whether my decree is stronger or his knees are harder! Listen well—no one is to let him rise without my order. I will make him understand that kneeling down is easy, but standing up depends on my will. It would be for the best if he truly kneels himself to death there. I can find Wanwan another Imperial Consort—his son will not be left without a father.”
Chongmao murmured in agreement. “It looks like the weather is about to change. Shall we let him kneel in the rain?”
The Emperor paid no heed, clasping his hands behind his back as he headed toward Greenery Welcoming Hall.
Over on the other side, Wanwan waited for a long time without seeing Liangshi return, pacing anxiously.
“Could he have been invited to a banquet? Perhaps he stayed for a feast?” She turned to ask Yu Xixia, “Since when has the Emperor been so amiable? When did he and the Prince ever get along? I hope nothing has happened!”
Yu Xixia hesitated before replying, “They are likely discussing state affairs. Please remain calm, Your Highness. I will send someone to check.”
Autumn had already arrived before the Mid-Autumn Festival, but when the weather changed, there were still rumbles of thunder rolling from one end of the sky to the other. Wanwan stood on Celestial Street in front of Hall of Supreme Simplicity. A gust of wind swept by, carrying droplets of rain. She craned her neck to look into the distance as the palace attendant Yu Xixia had sent hurried up the long embankment, pressing down on his black gauze cap. Western Sea covered a vast area, with a large lake stretching from south to north. It would take quite some time to make the round trip.
Rain at this time of year came without warning, pouring down in the blink of an eye. When the attendant returned, he was drenched like a drowned rat, trembling as he pointed east. “The Imperial Son-in-Law is being punished by kneeling on Celestial Street in front of Harmony Hall. I do not know the reason. Your Highness, please go and see!”
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