Xie Jingxing had been gone for barely over ten days, yet time seemed to pass much slower without him. Though it was still the same Prince Rui's Estate, everything felt off in some indescribable way.
Some members of the Ink Feather Army remained behind as guards to protect the estate. Tie Yi had left with Xie Jingxing. As for Gao Yang, Ji Furen had no intention of letting Ji Yushu go—after all, he was the only heir of the Ji family. Yet Ji Yushu, ever the free spirit, left a letter behind and slipped into the departing army. By the time Ji Furen discovered this and wanted to chase after him, Ji Daren stopped her, saying, "Yushu has always been reckless and ignorant. It would do him good to temper his will."
Thus, in the vast city of Longye, almost everyone Shen Miao was close to seemed to have vanished overnight. Gao Yang was gone, and the Gao family sent one of his junior disciples to tend to Ye Hongguang, who remained in a deep slumber, still unconscious.
Luo Tan also seemed to have matured overnight, no longer spending her days idly wandering the streets or teasing cats and dogs. Occasionally, she would pause to inquire about the situation in Ming Qi. At first, Luo Tan was conflicted about the war between Great Coolness and Ming Qi, but Shen Miao told her everything that had happened in Ming Qi over the years—including Fu Xiuyi, Emperor Wenhui, and the suppression of the Luo and Shen families. The more she heard, the quieter Luo Tan became, until eventually, she said nothing at all.
Shen Miao didn’t try to persuade her. Some things would become clear in time—it was only a matter of when.
Life remained peaceful in Longye, with no signs of panic among the common folk. Perhaps they had great confidence in their departing soldiers, or perhaps they had grown so accustomed to years of prosperity that war held little meaning for them, and thus no fear.
Shen Miao now got along quite well with the noble ladies of Longye. This was partly due to her deliberate efforts to win them over, and the ladies were clever enough to reciprocate. With the Lu and Ye families—the greatest threats to the imperial family—now gone, Great Coolness was firmly under imperial rule. Prince Rui's Estate was part of the imperial clan, and Shen Miao was on good terms with Empress Xiande, so naturally, they were eager to curry favor.
Speaking of Empress Xiande, Shen Miao had been visiting her frequently in the palace these days. Shen Miao enjoyed conversing with her—Empress Xiande was an exceptionally talented woman, and Shen Miao’s own experience as an empress in her past life had broadened her perspective. The two of them discussed everything from ancient history to current affairs, and their opinions aligned surprisingly well. Empress Xiande also took a liking to her, and their conversations made time fly.
On this day, Shen Miao was preparing to leave for the palace to see Empress Xiande again.
As autumn deepened, the air grew colder. Uncle Tang brought in a bowl of lamb milk pudding. With Xie Jingxing gone, Uncle Tang had found himself with too much free time. Aside from occasionally handling matters for the shops at Shen Miao’s request, he mostly had nothing to do. So he busied himself with cooking, claiming, "If the master returns to find the mistress thin and haggard, he will surely blame this old servant. Better to prepare some nourishing dishes for the mistress to eat—it will be good for her health."
Jing Zhe remarked, "This lamb milk smells so fragrant."“Changing the household’s goat milk makes the soup sweeter,” Uncle Tang said. “Madam can have this bowl before heading to the palace—it’ll warm your heart and keep you from catching a chill on the way.” He glanced outside and added, “The weather has turned colder these past few days.”
Shen Miao smiled. “Thank you, Uncle Tang.” She picked up the bowl and took a sip.
But after just one sip, her stomach churned, and she nearly retched. She quickly set the bowl down, covering her mouth with a frown.
Gu Yu and Jing Zhe were startled. “What’s wrong, Madam?” Uncle Tang asked urgently.
Shen Miao shook her head. “Perhaps I caught a slight chill last night—the goat milk smells too pungent. I can’t stomach it right now, so I won’t drink it.”
“In that case,” Uncle Tang mused, “I’ll have the servants fetch some medicine later. Madam should skip the goat soup for now to avoid discomfort. The kitchen can prepare something lighter in the evening.”
Shen Miao nodded, then grabbed her cloak and said to Jing Zhe and Gu Yu, “Let’s go.”
Mo Qing and Cong Yang had already prepared the carriage outside. The two of them hadn’t followed Xie Jingxing to Ming Qi. Longye wasn’t entirely free of troubles either, and since they were highly skilled in martial arts—and Shen Miao found them quite useful—they stayed in Longye to carry out her orders.
Upon entering the palace, Xiande Huanghou was already waiting for her in Weiyang Palace and smiled. “You’re a bit late today.”
“There was a bit of a mishap before leaving,” Shen Miao replied with a smile, then asked, “Has His Majesty’s health improved these days?”
“Quite well. Yesterday, he even strolled in the gardens with me. But…” Xiande Huanghou gave a bitter smile. “Perhaps he was just deceiving me again. He always likes to hide things and never tells me anything.”
Shen Miao paused before consoling her. “His Majesty is only afraid of worrying you. He wants Your Majesty to be at ease—it’s because he cares for you.”
“Perhaps.” Xiande Huanghou chuckled. “Enough of that. I acquired some new tea leaves yesterday, and the kitchen also made osmanthus cakes. Ancient texts mention that scholars of past dynasties would infuse tea leaves into osmanthus cakes to enhance their fragrance, pairing them with tea—a delicacy called ‘tea food.’ I thought it sounded lovely, and since you were coming today, I had the imperial kitchen prepare some. If the Emperor finds out, he’ll surely laugh at me, so I had no choice but to shamelessly invite you.”
“Your Majesty flatters this humble subject’s wife too much,” Shen Miao said with a smile. “I come from a military family—always rough around the edges. I know nothing of such refined matters.”
“Oh, stop it,” Xiande Huanghou chided. “Even those self-proclaimed erudite scholars and ministers in Longye don’t have your breadth of knowledge. If you call yourself ‘rough,’ aren’t you mocking every civil official in the entire capital?” She handed Shen Miao a teacup. “Come, try it first. How is it?”
Xiande Huanghou loved brewing tea. She enjoyed watching the leaves swirl in the water—the temperature had to be just right, not a degree more or less. The timing had to be perfect too, and the choice of tea leaves, spring water, and honey was an art in itself. Despite being the Empress, she never seemed the least bit impatient with these meticulous details. Perhaps it was precisely this that tempered her into such a serene person. Shen Miao loved spending time with Xiande Huanghou because of her tranquil aura—it made one feel as though time flowed gently, unhurried and peaceful.Shen Miao said, "Obedience is better than politeness." She picked up the tea and took a sip. The tea was fragrant, rich with a slight bitterness, yet the aftertaste was sweet. Just as she was about to speak, she suddenly felt a wave of nausea. Her hand trembled, spilling half the cup, and she covered her mouth, retching dryly.
Empress Xiande was startled and quickly took the tea from her hand. Seeing Shen Miao's pale complexion, she asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
After the churning in her stomach subsided slightly, Shen Miao shook her head and replied, "It's nothing. My apologies, Your Majesty. I must have caught a chill recently—my stomach has been upset. Even when I left the house today, I..." Her voice abruptly cut off, and an incredulous expression crossed her face.
Empress Xiande was initially puzzled, but upon seeing Shen Miao's expression, she seemed to realize something and exclaimed in shock, "Could it be that you're...?"
Shen Miao clenched her fist briefly before releasing it and said, "This subject is unsure."
"Quick, summon the imperial physician!" Empress Xiande stood up excitedly and called for Tao Gugu, "Take my token and fetch the imperial physician at once!"
Shen Miao stared at the spilled tea on the table, her heart in turmoil.
She had been pregnant before, so whether her current condition could indicate pregnancy was hard to say. Since Xie Jingxing had only left a little over ten days ago and her monthly cycle had always been irregular, she hadn't paid it much mind, assuming it was just a chill. But now... thinking back, she realized her appetite had indeed been acting strangely lately.
Yet she still couldn't be certain.
Shen Miao's heart also raced with excitement. The word "child" felt so distant to her. She was afraid—afraid that if a child came into this world, they would have to face life's hardships and sorrows, and that she might not be omnipotent enough to protect them flawlessly. On the other hand, she yearned deeply for a child's arrival.
If it were true, it would be the greatest gift the heavens could bestow upon her in this lifetime.
The imperial physician arrived swiftly. Empress Xiande seemed even more excited than Shen Miao and immediately instructed him to take Shen Miao's pulse.
The white-bearded physician examined her pulse for a long while before standing up and bowing first to Shen Miao, then to Empress Xiande. With a smile, he announced, "Congratulations, Royal Consort. The pulse is smooth and rolling—a clear pregnancy pulse. Your Highness is likely over a month along. The royal household will soon welcome a new addition."
Shen Miao remained unconvinced and pressed, "Is it true?"
Empress Xiande, rarely seeing Shen Miao so bewildered, couldn't help but chuckle. Feigning seriousness, she said, "The Royal Consort asks if it's true. If you're mistaken, the punishment will be severe!"
The white-bearded physician laughed, "This old servant wouldn't dare lie. If Your Highness doubts, you may summon a few more physicians to confirm."
Though he meant it in jest, Shen Miao replied, "Good. Then I'll trouble you to summon a few more for examination."
This left the physician momentarily stunned.
Empress Xiande was thoroughly amused, realizing Shen Miao wouldn't believe it without repeated confirmation. However, when she herself had been pregnant, she had been just as doubtful. The thought darkened her gaze briefly before she quickly composed herself and said with a smile, "Then let it be as the Royal Consort says. Summon a few more physicians."Xiande Huanghou truly took great care of Shen Miao, indeed inviting several imperial physicians to examine her pulse. The results were unanimous—Shen Miao was indeed over a month pregnant.
What an incredible coincidence. Xie Jingxing had only just left barely over ten days ago, and now Shen Miao was with child. In a way, having a child meant she wouldn’t be as lonely in his absence—though it might also make her feel even lonelier.
Xiande Huanghou was overjoyed. In the entire imperial family, there were only the Yongle Emperor and Xie Jingxing, the two brothers. The Yongle Emperor had no children, and the Xie family had no younger generation. The child Shen Miao carried would be the first of the Xie family’s next generation. Xiande Huanghou immediately sent for the Yongle Emperor.
When the Yongle Emperor received the news, he was also somewhat incredulous. Xiande Huanghou smiled and said, “Just think—soon there’ll be a little boy or girl calling you ‘Imperial Uncle’ and me ‘Imperial Aunt.’ Doesn’t that sound delightful?”
“What’s so delightful about it?” The Yongle Emperor was still somewhat resistant. He had never particularly liked Shen Miao, especially since she had caused discord between him and Xie Jingxing. But the Yongle Emperor had never been able to sway Xie Jingxing’s decisions, and since he couldn’t do anything about his brother, he regarded Shen Miao with some resentment, as if she were a femme fatale.
“You,” Xiande Huanghou glanced at him, “this is a joyous occasion for the imperial family. If the Royal Consort could bear a few more children in the future, the royal residence would be lively and wonderful.” Her eyes held a trace of envy—clearly, Xiande Huanghou also adored children.
The longing in Xiande Huanghou’s words was obvious to anyone. Shen Miao paused for a moment, while a flicker of sorrow passed through the Yongle Emperor’s gaze. After a brief silence, he finally spoke, “Tonight, pack your belongings and move into the palace. This matter must not be disclosed—the palace can ensure your safety.”
Shen Miao was slightly taken aback.
Xiande Huanghou quickly added, “Indeed. Though Longye appears peaceful, at this critical moment, we cannot afford the slightest mishap. Moreover, this matter must remain confidential and not be known to outsiders. As for Jingxing’s side, we can send him a private message—”
“Empress,” Shen Miao suddenly interrupted, “this subject has a request.”
Xiande Huanghou said, “Speak.”
“Please keep this matter from His Highness for now,” she said. “He is currently on a campaign. If he learns of this, his mind will inevitably be burdened with concern. If someone with ill intentions exploits this, they may even find an opportunity to strike. It would be better to conceal it.”
Xiande Huanghou and the Yongle Emperor exchanged a glance. Xiande Huanghou said, “Your reasoning is sound. But Royal Consort, if you refuse to tell Jingxing, you will have to endure the joys and hardships of this child alone. Jingxing’s return is uncertain—you will have to bear a long period of solitude. This Empress has seen many women who, for various reasons, concealed their pregnancies, but the process was extremely trying. Can you endure such hardship?”
“This subject does not find it trying.” Shen Miao smiled faintly, her hands unconsciously resting on her abdomen. When she learned she was pregnant, she felt as though there was another little life breathing along with her—it was truly a wondrous thing. She said, “If the outcome is good, then the hardship along the way is worth it.”
“Good.” It was the Yongle Emperor who spoke this time. He looked at Shen Miao and said, “In that case, we won’t tell him.”Empress Xiande was about to say more when Shen Miao gave a slight nod to the Yongle Emperor and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"In that case, let it be so." Empress Xiande sighed. "However, starting tomorrow, you must move into the palace. I shall say I've asked you to stay in the palace to keep me company, lest those noble ladies keep bothering you every few days and delay your recovery."
This time, Shen Miao did not refuse. It was true—Prince Rui's Estate now had only her as the sole woman. Even with the protection of the Ink Feather Army guards, there would inevitably be those with ill intentions. On the contrary, due to the matters concerning the Lu and Ye families, the imperial family's prestige was now greater than ever. Staying in the palace would indeed be safer.
For the sake of the child in her womb, Shen Miao did not mind what happened to her.
Seeing her agreement, Empress Xiande immediately instructed Tao Gugu to prepare the nearest side hall to Weiyang Palace for Shen Miao to reside in.
Because of this interruption, it was already evening by the time they returned.
Uncle Tang finally breathed a sigh of relief when he saw her return. Luo Tan had also come back from outside and, upon hearing from Jing Zhe and Gu Yu about Shen Miao's pregnancy, was both shocked and delighted.
Uncle Tang was so overjoyed he didn't know what to say. Shen Miao told them not to inform Xie Jingxing, as it was a critical moment in the war and distracting him would be unwise. Uncle Tang nodded, though he still felt emotional, saying he would light incense for Empress Xiao so she too could know this good news.
Luo Tan was utterly amazed and wanted to touch Shen Miao's belly but didn't dare. Finally, she cautiously placed her hand on it, feeling for a long while before sighing in disappointment. "I don't feel any movement."
"It's only been a little over a month. How could there be any movement?" Shen Miao laughed.
"But," Luo Tan looked at her, "little cousin, won't you tell your parents either? They would surely be overjoyed if they knew."
Shen Miao thought for a moment before shaking her head. "Right now, Father, Mother, and Eldest Brother are also confronting Fu Xiuyi. At this time, I would only become their weakness. And with a child, they would be even more constrained. Besides, Jingxing will eventually reach Ming Qi and reunite with them. If they know, Jingxing will find out too."
After pondering for a while, Luo Tan also saw the logic in this. She said, "Even if they don't know, this aunt knows." She whispered, "Though I don't know if it'll be a little nephew or niece, just thinking about a tiny little bundle makes me so happy."
Luo Tan had been somewhat subdued these past days. Her naturally lively temperament had made the people of Prince Rui's Estate rather surprised. Now, she finally regained her usual vivacity.
"This is truly the happiest news in a long time," Uncle Tang said with a smile. "We ought to celebrate." He suddenly slapped his forehead. "I nearly forgot—we must pay attention to certain foods. The lady is nurturing her health now; nothing must go wrong. And those stair corners and door edges—we must wrap them with cloth."
He was practically beside himself with nervousness.
Shen Miao couldn't help but laugh. In her past life, when she was pregnant with Fu Ming and Wan Yu, she had never received such treatment. Even Consort Dong had only perfunctorily asked if she was unwell and sent some tonics. If not for the Shen family's concern, Shen Miao would have been left to fend for herself in the chaos.
Now, she was the calm one, while everyone in Prince Rui's Estate was in a flurry of anxiety.She smiled and said, "No need to trouble yourself. Uncle Tang, you should also prepare. Since I'm with child, the Empress has asked me to enter the palace. Leave some guards and a few others in the residence, but the important people should come with me to the palace."
Uncle Tang was taken aback for a moment, then seemed to understand Shen Miao's intention. He replied, "Very well, this old servant will make the arrangements right away."
"Cousin, should I go too?" Luo Tan asked.
"Of course you should."
"But I... don't understand palace etiquette. Wouldn't that be inappropriate?" Luo Tan inquired.
Shen Miao responded, "How could it be inappropriate? If you show off your martial arts skills a bit, everyone will know you're highly skilled and will be more wary of me, making me even safer. The safety of me and the child depends entirely on your protection."
"Cousin, don't tease me," Luo Tan said, blushing. "But you're right. Being together, two is always better than one. I'll go to the palace with you." She stood up. "I'll go pack first."
After Luo Tan left, Shen Miao stood up.
She hadn't expected to become pregnant at this time, yet it felt as though everything was predestined.
Pushing open the window, the autumn moon shone brightly, gradually nearing its full phase. In a few more days, it would be the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The Mid-Autumn Festival was a time for family reunions, yet she was separated from her loved ones. Xie Jingxing, Shen Xin—none of them were by her side. This year was destined to be a difficult one, but... Shen Miao touched her abdomen. Because of this child, because she was to become a mother again, she could still appreciate the moon's fullness.
Heaven was not forever cruel to a person. At least at this moment, fate was kind. It had granted Shen Miao a second life, a man she deeply loved, and a new life.
The past was behind her; this was an entirely different moonlight.
She whispered to the child in her womb, "Look, you and your father are gazing at the same moon."
...
Shen Miao moved into the palace.
Xiande Huanghou treated her extremely well, giving her a side hall near Weiyang Palace. Shen Miao continued to use her own servants, so there was no inconvenience. In ordinary times, Xiande Huanghou enjoyed chatting and brewing tea with Shen Miao. Luo Tan often joined them, and her lively personality endeared her to the Empress as well.
The days passed peacefully, with the only unexpected element being Ye Hongguang.
Ye Hongguang was also brought into the palace. After remaining unconscious for a long time, he unexpectedly woke up one day, but his mind had regressed to that of a three-year-old child, understanding nothing. The imperial physicians examined him and concluded that he had suffered such a severe shock that he had nearly lost his sanity.
With that, the Yongle Emperor couldn't be bothered to intervene. Keeping a fool didn't cost much in terms of resources. Ye Hongguang spent his days chasing crickets and butterflies in the garden, utterly carefree.
Sometimes, when Shen Miao saw his face, so similar to Fu Ming's, she felt that Ye Hongguang's life was just as tragic as Fu Ming's. Both had been born into unfortunate families, needlessly ruining their own lives.Empress Xiande noticed the somber look in Shen Miao's eyes and thought she was grieving for Ye Hongguang. She patted Shen Miao's hand and comforted her, saying, "There's no need to be sad. In truth, this might not be a bad thing. Now that the Ye family is gone, if he were conscious and learned of these events upon waking, his heart would surely be overwhelmed with sorrow. Even without hatred, he would undoubtedly be in unbearable pain. And the Emperor, in his actions, always uproots the source—he would never spare his life. As things stand now, though he has lost his wits, he no longer has to face those heartbreaking realities. Living forever like a carefree child—isn't that quite good?"
The Yongle Emperor had once suspected that Ye Hongguang was feigning madness, but after being examined by imperial physicians and placed under covert surveillance, it was confirmed that Ye Hongguang had indeed lost his wits. More importantly, his mobility was severely impaired due to his injuries, and his health continued to deteriorate. How long he would live, or how many years he had left, remained uncertain.
Perhaps Ye Hongguang’s plight reminded the Yongle Emperor of his own youth, when he had been afflicted with a severe poison and had no idea how much time he had left. It was this shared experience that stirred a rare sense of pity in the Yongle Emperor, sparing Ye Hongguang’s life.
But Ye Hongguang, now a fool, remained oblivious to the fact that his fate lay in the hands of the emperor. Having already brushed with death in the Palace of King Yama, he continued to laugh carefree every day.
However, not everyone in the world could live as innocently as Ye Hongguang, laughing without a care.
Two months later, Xie Jingxing arrived at the borders of Ming Qi and began engaging with its forces. Meanwhile, the Luo Family Army and the Shen Family Army converged at Hangu Pass, and the Qin army entered the pass.
With Qin and Ming Qi joining forces, they officially confronted the Great Coolness army led by Xie Jingxing.
War was merciless—once begun, it was not easily ended. Moreover, with two nations opposing one, the sides were evenly matched.
Every day, Shen Miao studied the military defense map she had previously memorized for Xie Jingxing. At first, nothing seemed amiss, but gradually, patterns began to emerge. Like chess pieces moving along a predetermined path, they were advancing step by step into the opponent’s carefully laid trap.
Shen Miao realized that, if her guess was correct, the military defense map had likely fallen into Fu Xiuyi’s hands.
The battles between Great Coolness and Qin-Ming swung back and forth, making it difficult to discern who held the upper hand. Unlike in his past life, Xie Jingxing did not sweep through the battlefield with overwhelming force—partly because, in his previous life, Qin and Ming Qi had not allied, and Great Coolness had first conquered Qin before destroying Ming Qi. But there was another reason: Shen Miao knew Xie Jingxing had altered his strategy. Like a cunning hunter, he was luring his prey into his trap.
A swift and decisive strike, without unnecessary entanglement—this was indeed the Xie family’s style.
Fu Xiuyi was taking the bait. While Shen Miao found this gratifying, she couldn’t help but admire Ye Mei’s methods. Though many things had changed, she still managed to win Fu Xiuyi’s favor, presenting him with the military defense map and securing his unwavering trust.
Sure enough, not long after, Xie Jingxing’s letter arrived in Great Coolness.
The letter detailed the situation in Ming Qi.
Emperor Wenhui had fallen gravely ill and passed away, with the ninth prince, Fu Xiuyi, ascending the throne. Upon his coronation, Fu Xiuyi swiftly allied with the Emperor of Qin, securing his support. Together, the two nations launched an offensive against the now-weakened Great Coolness. The other Ming Qi princes, including Prince Zhou and Jing Wang, had been imprisoned—Fu Xiuyi’s tactics in dealing with his own kin were as ruthless as ever.
The Shen family and the Luo family, along with other old aristocratic families once suppressed by Emperor Wenhui, openly rebelled. Within Ming Qi, they were branded as the "Rebellious Party," but the common people seemed unconvinced. The Shen family’s longstanding reputation for integrity was not so easily tarnished.
Xie Jingxing’s agents were secretly making contact with the Shen family. Before long, under the pretense of surrender, the Shen family would form an alliance with Xie Jingxing and officially defect to Great Coolness.At the end of the letter, Xie Jingxing had casually added a few lines—seemingly trivial gossip, as if merely an afterthought.
It was said that a royal scandal was currently circulating through Fixed Capital. A stunning beauty had arrived in the palace, a distant niece of a royal merchant, as fair as a celestial maiden, intelligent and understanding. The new emperor cherished her like a jewel, holding her in the palm of his hand, bestowing upon her the title Mei Furen. In just a short time, her influence far surpassed that of the other concubines in the harem.
Shen Miao closed the letter and smiled.
Luo Tan asked, "Little cousin, it's just a letter, isn't it? You've been turning it over and over, reading it for ages, and you've already laughed three times." Suddenly, she glanced elsewhere and exclaimed, "Ah! How did that cat climb up there? And so high?"
On a tree in the garden not far away, a black cat was scaling the trunk. The higher it climbed, the thinner the branches became, swaying precariously as if unable to bear the cat's weight—an extremely dangerous sight.
"The faster and higher one climbs, the harder and more painful the fall," Shen Miao said with a smile. "Let’s watch and see."
...
Another half a year passed.
Once war begins, it is not so easily stopped. This was especially true for the great conflict involving three nations. Today, smoke signals rose in one place; tomorrow, blades clashed in another. There were victories and defeats, advances and retreats. Qin State and Ming Qi were fighting this battle with their backs against the wall, and thus invested everything they had.
In comparison, the military force Great Coolness brought could even be considered meager.
Yet despite this, even with Ming Qi and Qin State joining forces, they failed to gain any advantage over Great Coolness. It was like a prolonged tug-of-war—Great Coolness wore them down unhurriedly, while the pace of Qin State and Ming Qi gradually began to falter.
Especially recently.
In earlier battles, big and small, Qin and Qi had often prevailed, particularly at the very beginning. They tasted victory almost every time, and though the gains were not substantial, they greatly boosted morale. The soldiers of Qin and Qi were brimming with confidence.
But as time passed, the two nations' advantages became less apparent. Though they still won some battles, signs of decline slowly emerged.
Then came Youzhou Thirteen Capitals.
Youzhou Thirteen Capitals lay at the tri-border of Ming Qi, Qin State, and Great Coolness. It had always been Qin State’s territory—a claim dating back to ancient times, even to the founding of the nation. For many years, Youzhou Thirteen Capitals had stood steadfast at the border, not because Great Coolness and Ming Qi had never coveted it, but because the terrain was complex, easy to defend and hard to attack. To conquer it would require tremendous effort, and one misstep could bring disaster upon themselves.
Such a tough nut to crack demanded not only ambition but also immense courage.
The Great Coolness army, led by Xie Jingxing, was about to launch an assault on Youzhou Thirteen Capitals. This battle was crucial—it could even determine the outcome of the entire war. If Xie Jingxing succeeded in taking Youzhou Thirteen Capitals, the conflict could be concluded in a much shorter time, and the downfall of Ming Qi and Qin State would follow swiftly and decisively.
Conversely, if Xie Jingxing failed to break through, Great Coolness’s forces would suffer heavy losses. Not only would they struggle to counter Ming Qi and Qin State, but even resisting their combined attacks would prove difficult.Thus, in this battle, whether it was Great Coolness, Ming Qi, or the Qin State, all had staked everything they had, almost gambling with their very lives.
While discussing this matter with Shen Miao, Empress Xiande also joked with her: "After all, the one leading the troops is your husband. How is it that you don’t seem the least bit nervous?"
Shen Miao smiled faintly. "This humble wife naturally has faith in His Highness." Xie Jingxing was truly cunning. The fact that Ye Mei’s false Military Defense Map had successfully reached Fu Xiuyi and was believed by him was certainly her doing, but Xie Jingxing’s role in it was no small matter.
In the early stages of the war, Xie Jingxing had deliberately alternated between minor wins and losses, allowing Fu Xiuyi to taste victory several times. In reality, those victories brought no substantial advantage to Ming Qi or the Qin State, yet they created an illusion that Qin and Qi were formidable.
Over time, Fu Xiuyi would grow increasingly trusting of the information Ye Mei provided. Even when Great Coolness later won a few battles, Fu Xiuyi would dismiss them as mere flukes. What he failed to notice was that the battles Xie Jingxing lost were over insignificant cities, while the few victories he secured were over strategically crucial locations. Upon closer inspection, these victories seemed to form a connected line, hinting at a subtle yet deliberate strategy of alliance and coordination.
However, Fu Xiuyi and the Emperor of Qin likely wouldn’t notice this, as their recent minor victories had emboldened them. The Great Coolness army appeared to be losing morale, and their attacks grew fiercer, as if they intended to crush their opponent in one decisive strike.
Thus, Fu Xiuyi placed immense importance on the Youzhou Thirteen Capitals. Based on the current state of the war and the Military Defense Map Shen Miao had drawn, it seemed Fu Xiuyi was cautiously deploying his forces according to that very map.
Nothing could be more delightful than this news. The more manpower and resources Fu Xiuyi invested in this, the greater his eventual downfall would be. Xie Jingxing was like a gambler’s seducer, first letting him win small sums, alternating wins and losses to make the gambler believe his luck and skill were unmatched. Then, when the gambler finally staked everything—his entire Shen family—Xie Jingxing would leisurely reel in the net, leaving the gambler utterly ruined, with nothing left to his name.
Fu Xiuyi was already taking the bait. As for the Emperor of Qin, he was more cautious than Fu Xiuyi and might have other plans for the Youzhou Thirteen Capitals. However, once Fu Xiuyi’s forces began to collapse, the fate of the Qin State would become irrelevant to Xie Jingxing. Like breaching a dam, once the first crack appeared, the rest would easily crumble.
Luo Tan reached out and gently placed her hand on Shen Miao’s belly, saying, "It’s a shame we can only receive news from the Youzhou Thirteen Capitals through messengers. But the little one is growing quickly."
Shen Miao lowered her gaze to her abdomen. Eight months had passed peacefully, as if nothing were amiss. Even amidst the smoke of war, she faced it all with serenity—not only because of her trust in her loved ones but also because she knew a tiny life was growing within her, sharing every moment of her journey.Because she had become a mother, she grew braver and stronger, shouldering responsibilities with a steadier heart.
While Shen Miao was speaking with Xiande Huanghou, Tao Gugu hurried in from outside. Though she seemed somewhat flustered, the joy on her face was impossible to conceal. She smiled and said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations, Royal Consort! News has just arrived from the court—a victory report from the Youzhou Thirteen Capitals! His Highness the Prince has triumphed!"
"Really?" Xiande Huanghou stood up abruptly. Normally composed, she now seemed slightly at a loss.
Tao Gugu nodded vigorously. "His Majesty is overjoyed and has declared a general amnesty."
"Heaven be praised!" Luo Tan clasped her hands together, murmuring softly.
The fall of the Youzhou Thirteen Capitals and the victory report signified something monumental—it meant this half-year-long campaign might soon come to an end. The soldiers could return home, and the chaotic world would finally be unified. The grand ambitions of empire might soon be realized.
Shen Miao gently touched her belly, feeling a surge of joy. She had always known Xie Jingxing would succeed.
Tao Gugu then turned to Shen Miao with a smile. "Royal Consort, don’t worry—His Highness the Prince also sent a letter. The messenger will deliver it to you shortly."
"How enviable," Xiande Huanghou teased Shen Miao. "No letters for His Majesty or me, only for his wife. What a waste of our sibling bond."
Luo Tan chimed in, "Exactly! He doesn’t spare a thought for others’ feelings."
"Don’t be disappointed, Miss Luo," Tao Gugu, perhaps buoyed by the good news, unusually continued the conversation. "There’s a letter for you too—it seems to be from the young master of the Gao family."
Luo Tan frowned in confusion. "Gao Yang? What would he write to me about?"
Shen Miao and Xiande Huanghou exchanged a glance and shook their heads with a smile.
The victory at the Youzhou Thirteen Capitals brought immense joy to all of Longye. The Yongle Emperor even hosted a grand palace banquet, a rare occurrence, making the occasion exceptionally lively.
Shen Miao did not attend the banquet.
First, her pregnancy had not been publicly announced. Though she had been staying in the palace, and rumors had circulated, Xiande Huanghou had shielded her well. Over time, public curiosity had waned. Second, a banquet setting was hardly suitable for her in her current condition—any mishap would be disastrous.
Besides, she was eager to return and read Xie Jingxing’s "letter from home."
Xie Jingxing’s letters had become scarce since the war intensified and tensions rose. Sending correspondence was likely difficult—it had been two months since his last letter.
Shen Miao unfolded the letter.
The contents were nothing extraordinary—mostly updates about his well-being, a self-satisfied boast about his achievements, and a scathing critique of Fu Xiuyi, whom he deemed worthless except for his skill in seizing the throne. He dismissed Fu Xiuyi’s governance as chaotic, claiming the Ming Qi court was in such disarray that it hardly required much attention.
Then he mentioned Mei Furen.It was said that Fu Xiuyi held Mei Furen in high regard, to the point where even the court of Ming Qi was abuzz with discussions. Previously, Mei Furen had only maneuvered within the harem, yet in just a few short months, she had gained unrestricted access to Fu Xiuyi’s imperial study. Fu Xiuyi seemed to regard her not merely as a beautiful woman but also as a lucky charm. Even several "victorious" battles were credited to Ye Mei’s influence.
Now, within the Ming Qi court, Ye Mei could command the wind and summon the rain, truly holding no one in her eyes except Fu Xiuyi. Fu Xiuyi indulged her—partly because he genuinely found her beautiful and clever, and partly, undoubtedly, because of her capabilities.
Yet when Xie Jingxing spoke of these matters, his words dripped with mockery, as if he considered Fu Xiuyi nothing more than a fool. He even arrogantly declared that everything was in place, waiting only for the other side to walk into the trap. After the victory in Youzhou Thirteen Capitals, he believed that even without his intervention, Ye Mei would likely be tortured to death by Fu Xiuyi in Fixed Capital. Fu Xiuyi was never a broad-minded man. Having once publicly praised Ye Mei as his "lucky charm" before the court, he would hardly let it slide when this very "lucky charm" caused him losses in a crucial battle.
Of course, Xie Jingxing had also arranged a little extra amusement—fabricating evidence that Ye Mei was a spy from Great Coolness, sent to Fixed Capital to approach Fu Xiuyi as a pawn. Fu Xiuyi, who could not tolerate betrayal, would naturally spare no effort in retaliation.
Reading Xie Jingxing’s handwriting, Shen Miao could almost picture him lazily chewing on his brush, his expression gloating.
She folded the letter but noticed something else inside the envelope. Shaking it, she turned it upside down, and two red beans tumbled out.
Red beans—symbols of deepest longing.
He refrained from writing words of yearning in the letter, yet insisted on using two red beans to prove he had not forgotten Shen Miao for a single moment. It was hard to say whether he was being pretentious or childish.
After a moment’s thought, Shen Miao took out a sachet from the side and carefully placed the two red beans inside.
"The fifth one," she murmured.
……
Ming Qi, Fixed Capital, the Imperial Palace.
In the gloomy dungeon, a heavy stench of blood permeated the air, mixed with other foul odors that made one nauseous.
At the deepest part of the prison, a woman sat naked on the ground. Her hands were shackled to the wall, her feet submerged in icy, filthy water teeming with plump rats that crawled over her feet and gnawed at her toes. Some toes were already mangled and bloody, the scent only driving the starving rats to bite harder.
Watching one’s own flesh being devoured by rats would unnerve even the bravest of men, let alone a woman. Yet this woman made no sound—not because she didn’t want to scream, but because her voice was nearly gone, and screaming would only invite worse torment.
This woman was none other than Ye Mei.
In just a few days, she had fallen from heaven into hell. Never had Ye Mei imagined she would endure such unbearable suffering—nor that Fu Xiuyi could be so utterly heartless.She only knew that the battle at Youzhou Thirteen Capitals had been lost, and in her heart, she already felt uneasy. Yet she believed that with her intelligence, things might not have reached the worst possible outcome—perhaps she could still stabilize Fu Xiuyi. But Fu Xiuyi gave her no chance. His cruelty was terrifying; he directly ordered Ye Mei to be seized in front of the imperial harem and thrown into the Dungeon.
Then, he subjected her to relentless torture until this very day, forcing her to reveal what other tasks Great Coolness had assigned her.
Ye Mei still didn’t understand what had happened. She hoped to explain. But this time, her beauty was no longer her weapon, because on the very first day in the Dungeon, Fu Xiuyi, in disgust, had someone brand her cheeks with a red-hot iron.
One of her eyes was even scorched in the process. Without medical treatment in the Dungeon, it was effectively blind.
Ye Mei had never been afraid before—not of desperate circumstances, nor of how dire the situation became. Even when trampled upon, she could thrive, resilient as wild grass. The only thing she feared was losing her beauty, for it was her one eternal weapon.
This weapon had never failed her. With it, she could survive in desperate situations, turn the tide of misfortune, step over those who trampled her, and live with effortless ease. But once her beauty was destroyed, she lost the bond she used to manipulate others, and everything became hopeless.
And indeed, she felt despair. She even lost her fighting spirit, thinking that no sound—not even the gnawing of rats on her toes—could change anything now.
A blind woman with branded cheeks—she could imagine how horrifying she must look. She could once tempt men to disregard their lives, for the world was never short of such fools. Flowers on a cliff’s edge were worth dying to pluck. But now, those flowers had turned into weeds—no, weeds covered in scabs. Who would risk their life to pick them now?
Fu Xiuyi was truly ruthless. After all those days entangled with Ye Mei, perhaps he had come to understand her ability to bewitch hearts. So he cut the knot once and for all, destroying her beauty and rendering her powerless.
Ye Mei hated him so much!
From outside came the sound of footsteps— tap, tap, tap —echoing clearly in the empty Dungeon.
With difficulty, she turned her neck, using her one remaining eye to look outside.
Fu Xiuyi stood there.
He said coldly, "Ye Mei, this is your last chance. Tell me everything you know."
"What does this concubine know?" Ye Mei asked. She still referred to herself as "this concubine," as if it could prove she was still Fu Xiuyi’s beloved consort, thriving in Ming Qi’s imperial harem.
Fu Xiuyi frowned in disgust, seemingly repulsed by her hideous appearance, and turned his head away. "I’ve investigated everything clearly. Since you’re a spy for Great Coolness, you must have a way to communicate with them!"
Ye Mei burst into laughter.
Her voice was hoarse, no longer the melodious sound of the past but instead grating and unpleasant. She didn’t know why Fu Xiuyi insisted she was a spy—perhaps he was just looking for a scapegoat for his own failures. He had misdeployed his troops, yet now he pinned all the blame on her.
She said, "Your Majesty refuses to believe anything this concubine says. So if this concubine were to reveal a method of communication, would Your Majesty believe it? Or would Your Majesty think this concubine is lying again?""Speak, and I shall grant you a whole corpse," Fu Xiuyi said coldly.
Ye Mei laughed. Her smile was ghastly now, resembling a vengeful spirit, yet she remained oblivious to it, even striking a coquettish pose. She replied, "Your Majesty drives a hard bargain. What kind of condition is granting a whole corpse? If Your Majesty were to promise me my life and find a way to heal the wounds on my face, I might consider telling you everything I know."
Fu Xiuyi chuckled instead of growing angry. "Those who betray me never live!"
"So Your Majesty decided to destroy me instead?" Ye Mei said, "I heard that Prince Rui's Consort once pined for Your Majesty relentlessly, chasing after you endlessly. Yet Your Majesty treated her with icy indifference, and it all came to nothing in the end."
By now, Fu Xiuyi had learned of Xie Jingxing's true identity, and naturally, Shen Miao's as well. The mention of Shen Miao darkened Fu Xiuyi's expression further. Throughout his life, he had been accustomed to controlling everything within his grasp. Yet Shen Miao had been the exception. He had thought to leverage her infatuation to secure the Shen family's allegiance, but she had slipped through his fingers. Not only had he failed to win the Shen family, but he had also been forced to take a far more convoluted path. Now, the Shen family stood firmly against him, causing him no small amount of frustration. Beyond that, Shen Miao's abandonment of him in favor of someone who appeared far superior was a public humiliation, a slap in the face to Fu Xiuyi before the entire realm. Fu Xiuyi was seething with rage, and Ye Mei's reminder only stabbed at his sorest wound.
"I once thought that Prince Rui's Consort was merely fortunate, born into a better station, and thus stumbled into her position as a royal consort, living a life envied by all. But now I see she was far cleverer than I imagined. Perhaps she knew all along that staying by Your Majesty's side—whether loyal or not—would only lead to one end: a miserable death," Ye Mei continued.
"Insolence!" Fu Xiuyi snapped.
"I lost to Your Majesty," Ye Mei said. "Not long ago, Your Majesty was entangled with me in passion and devotion. Yet now, you have personally reduced me to this state. Knowing full well how precious my beauty was to me, you made sure I suffered unbearably. But let me tell you this, Your Majesty—you are no better off than I am. You push all the blame onto me, thinking you can escape unscathed? Do you truly believe you will fare any better?"
Fu Xiuyi's face turned ashen. No one would take kindly to such a curse, least of all him, who already despised Ye Mei to the bone. Her provocation now only stoked his fury further.
"You will meet no better fate. You are no match for them. The fact that Shen Miao chose Xie Jingxing over you proves that in her eyes, you were not even a fraction of his worth. So you see, though I am now left with nothing, a prisoner in chains, your downfall will be far worse than mine. You will lose. The Youzhou Thirteen Capitals are only the beginning. After that, you will be utterly defeated. The Ming Qi dynasty will crumble by your hand, and when that day comes, you will be nothing more than a ruler who led his kingdom to ruin! I wish upon you a crushing defeat in battle, for your Fu family's reign to end with you, never to rise again for a hundred generations!"
Fu Xiuyi glared at her coldly. "Are you finished? I have already given you your last chance."
Ye Mei exhaled deeply and fell silent.
A bitter resentment festered in her heart—she had never hated anyone as much as she hated Fu Xiuyi now. He had destroyed her beauty, and knowing she had no hope of recovery, she had poured out all her fury and hatred in her final moments. But after the momentary satisfaction, clarity returned. She had nearly forgotten what kind of man Fu Xiuyi was...
Yet it was too late for regrets. Besides, Fu Xiuyi had never been one to grant anyone a second chance. Pei Lang had cost him nothing, yet he had met a cruel fate. Now, having lost the Youzhou Thirteen Capitals because of Ye Mei and endured her curses, Fu Xiuyi would surely not let her die easily.He said, "Since you care so much about your appearance, I shall grant your wish."
Turning to the jailer beside him, he commanded, "Sever her limbs and fashion her into a Beauty Vase. Erect a stage in the eastern part of the city for thousands to admire."
"A spy of Great Coolness, so skilled in song and dance—I bestow upon you the fate of becoming an object of amusement, to remain beautiful for the rest of your life." With these words, he turned and strode away, ignoring the heart-wrenching screams behind him.
The Beauty Vase was a cruel amusement among the nobility of the previous dynasty. Beautiful women were selected and kept in households, kneeling in corners. When the master wished to spit or discard spoiled tea, he would pinch the woman’s chin, forcing her to catch and swallow the filth with her mouth—a living spittoon.
This practice treated humans as less than beasts, so brutal that the women seldom lived long. Eventually, the previous dynasty’s emperor abolished it.
Now, Fu Xiuyi was reviving this abolished torment for Ye Mei. A limbless Beauty Vase was the lowest form, stripped of beauty, leaving only horror.
The common people, terrified of such grotesquery, would surely scorn and revile it. For Ye Mei, who prized her vanity and appearance above life itself, this was a fate worse than death. To be degraded below even the commoners she despised, no longer considered human—Fu Xiuyi understood her well.
Thus, his punishment struck at her very core, hitting where it hurt most.
The once-renowned Mei Furen, revered and respected in the previous dynasty’s court, was no more. Her rise, fall, and demise were all too swift, leaving behind only the legend of her stunning beauty and her identity as a spy of Great Coolness.
But what of Fu Xiuyi?
Ye Mei’s curses continued to manifest.
Though he blamed her, the world still mocked him. As an emperor, he had been so ensnared by beauty that he failed to recognize a spy in his midst, leading to the defeat at Youzhou Thirteen Capitals. The title of "Tyrant" was spreading among the people.
The masses saw not the process—only the outcome.
Fu Xiuyi became a complete laughingstock. Worse yet, as many had predicted, Great Coolness, having seized Youzhou Thirteen Capitals, grew ever more formidable, winning victory after victory. Ming Qi suffered crushing defeats, as if their earlier triumphs had been mere illusions. The sheer might of Great Coolness was terrifying.
As misfortunes never come singly, Qin State now began to distance itself, seemingly ready to surrender to Great Coolness. With Great Coolness’s spearhead aimed squarely at Ming Qi, Fu Xiuyi was overwhelmed daily.
A total disaster.
...
The tides of war are ever-changing.
With Youzhou Thirteen Capitals as their stronghold, Great Coolness launched a counteroffensive. They avoided conflict with Qin State, targeting Ming Qi first.The Qin State indeed chose self-preservation when Great Liang launched its attack on Ming Qi, even sending envoys to negotiate, offering territorial concessions and reparations as compensation. Qin had always been militarily weak, and the prolonged warfare had drained its treasury. Taxes extracted from the people gradually stirred unrest among the populace.
Realizing the severity of the situation, Qin understood that territorial concessions and reparations were nothing compared to the threat of national annihilation.
For Ming Qi, Qin’s withdrawal at this critical moment was undoubtedly disastrous. Despite Fu Xiuyi’s attempts at both coercion and persuasion, Qin remained unmoved.
This, of course, was also Xie Jingxing’s doing. He had masterfully deceived the Emperor of Qin into believing that Great Liang had no spare resources to deal with Qin and was solely focused on conquering Ming Qi. His scheme was flawless.
Divide and conquer—this stratagem of sowing discord had been executed to perfection.
Soon, Great Liang’s army reached Ming Qi’s Fixed Capital.
Meanwhile, in Weiyang Palace of Longye, Xiande Huanghou was instructing palace maids to pour wine.
This was a "palace banquet," yet there were no civil or military officials, no imperial concubines—only Shen Miao, Luo Tan, the Yongle Emperor, and Xiande Huanghou. The Empress said, "Consider this a family feast, a celebration from afar for Jingxing’s triumph."
Once Xie Jingxing captured Fixed Capital, Ming Qi would be truly settled. Naturally, he would not spare Qin—to uproot the weeds, one must destroy the roots. Only by eliminating the threat entirely could lasting peace be achieved. Without Ming Qi’s support, Qin was already at the end of its strength. Xie Jingxing had prolonged the war precisely for this moment.
Before long, this long and brutal war would finally come to an end. Only then would true peace reign across the land, fulfilling everyone’s deepest wishes.
"Little cousin, drink this." Luo Tan placed a cup of plum juice before Shen Miao, resting her chin on her hand as she gazed at Shen Miao’s belly. "The imperial physician said you’ll likely give birth in about two months. I wonder if it’ll be a little nephew or niece."
Shen Miao lowered her eyes, a faint smile curling her lips. "It’s very quiet—probably a little girl."
"Not necessarily," Xiande Huanghou chuckled. "Some boys are quiet, and some girls are mischievous. But when Jingxing returns and finds out he’s become a father, who knows what kind of fuss he’ll make."
Shen Miao imagined the scene and couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on. If Xie Jingxing learned she had kept this from him for so long, he would undoubtedly throw a tantrum.
But… she would cross that bridge when she came to it.
Just then, the Yongle Emperor entered from outside.
Shen Miao had not met him often, and it seemed he still disliked her—his attitude toward her had never been warm. However, recently, because of her pregnancy, his demeanor had softened somewhat. Perhaps due to Xiande Huanghou’s persuasion, he occasionally sent over nourishing herbs.
Luo Tan, who was somewhat intimidated by the Yongle Emperor, immediately straightened her posture.
The four of them sat at the same table for the meal. Luo Tan was visibly uneasy, while Shen Miao remained composed. The Yongle Emperor was as aloof as ever, leaving Xiande Huanghou as the only one in high spirits. She said, "Jingxing has truly accomplished a great feat this time. When he returns victorious, he must be properly rewarded. I think granting the Royal Consort an honorary title would be fitting. Their household lacks nothing, so an honorary title would be a fine addition."The Yongle Emperor paused, then gave a noncommittal "Hmm."
Xiande Huanghou pressed further, "What do you think? Is it good?"
Shen Miao: "..."
How was she supposed to answer this? Saying "good" would clearly displease the Emperor. Saying "not good" would publicly embarrass the Empress. This imperial couple was truly amusing, presenting her with such a dilemma. Shen Miao smiled and said, "These matters should wait until His Highness returns before discussing."
"That's true," Xiande Huanghou nodded. "Perhaps he has other ideas." She then turned to Luo Tan. "As for Miss Luo here, once Gao Yang returns, how about I arrange a marriage for you two?"
Luo Tan nearly choked on the pastry in her mouth. Had it been anyone else, she would have retorted immediately, but since it was the Empress, she could only look pitifully at Shen Miao for help.
Suppressing a laugh, Shen Miao said, "Your Majesty, there's no need to rush these matters. Let's wait until Young Master Gao returns. He might have other plans too."
Luo Tan breathed a sigh of relief when Shen Miao spoke up for her, but then felt indignant after hearing the words. What kind of talk was this? As if Gao Yang would look down on her—a beautiful young lady, the precious daughter of the Luo family of Xiaochun City... Wait, why was she comparing herself? She didn't even have such intentions in the first place.
The Yongle Emperor glanced at Xiande Huanghou and said sternly, "Let's eat."
Xiande Huanghou chided him, "I said this is a family banquet. Be more relaxed—why so serious?"
Ever since Xie Jingxing's frequent reports of military victories, the court officials had mostly settled down, seemingly recognizing the young Emperor's ambition and capabilities. Though the Xie family only had these two brothers, neither was to be trifled with. One excelled at balancing court affairs, while the other was adept at expanding territories through conquest. With the court officials holding them in awe, the imperial court had become much quieter.
Even the memorials criticizing the Yongle Emperor for lacking an heir had dwindled to almost none recently.
Xiande Huanghou was enjoying this rare period of peace, and her relationship with the Yongle Emperor had undergone subtle changes. The once-reserved imperial couple was gradually becoming more like an ordinary married pair. The Yongle Emperor was a man of strong principles—in the past, Xiande Huanghou had always conducted herself with strict propriety. But lately, she occasionally indulged in capricious behavior, and the Emperor indulged her. Though not excessively, it was still a rare occurrence.
They say bystanders see most clearly. Shen Miao felt that the Yongle Emperor held genuine affection for Xiande Huanghou. It seemed everything was moving in a positive direction. Once Xie Jingxing returned, perhaps they could continue living happily like this for a long time.
Xiande Huanghou suddenly remembered something and added, "Tomorrow we'll dig up the two jars of snow-brewed wine I buried under the plum tree last year. They should be wonderfully fragrant by now. Your Majesty should come with me—we can bury this year's batch at the same time. The Royal Consort and Miss Luo should join us too. After we unearth them, we'll go to the Green Lake Pavilion in the evening to admire the lotus flowers and taste the snow-brewed wine."
Luo Tan, ever the glutton, happily agreed. Shen Miao nodded as well. The Yongle Emperor seemed somewhat resigned—Xiande Huanghou only showed such enthusiasm when it came to brewing tea or wine, becoming almost childlike in her excitement. But in the end, he nodded too. Seeing this, Xiande Huanghou looked thoroughly pleased and continued eating while sharing amusing stories with Shen Miao.The next day happened to be a sunny one. Summer arrived early in Longye, but fortunately, the mornings were still cool. Shen Miao and Luo Tan went early. Due to Shen Miao's pregnancy, she couldn’t help Empress Xiande with the digging. Luo Tan was too careless and might accidentally knock over stones, so the task fell to Empress Xiande and Tao Gugu.
The Yongle Emperor said, "Get up now. It’s not good to hurt your hands."
"Every year, it’s always been me and Tao Gugu who dig them up," Empress Xiande replied, her forehead glistening with sweat, yet she still smiled brightly. "Snowbrew must be dug out by hand to be truly fragrant. If Your Majesty ever feels inclined, you should try burying and digging it yourself someday—then you’ll understand the taste." As she spoke, she and Tao Gugu unearthed another jar.
Suddenly, the Yongle Emperor frowned. He paused, subtly pressing a hand to his chest.
Empress Xiande picked up one of the jars—small and adorable, easy to carry. She didn’t mind the dirt staining her clothes and held it up like a treasure, pulling out the stopper and bringing it under the emperor’s nose. "Your Majesty, take a whiff. Isn’t it fragrant?"
"Very fragrant," the Yongle Emperor replied, still frowning.
Empress Xiande looked at him. "Does Your Majesty not like it? Why that expression? Did it spoil?" She sniffed the wine herself, puzzled.
The Yongle Emperor smiled faintly and was about to speak when suddenly, his vision darkened. Staggering, he collapsed headfirst!
"Your Majesty!" Empress Xiande cried out in shock. The small jar of Snowbrew slipped from her hands, shattering on the ground with a loud thud. The wine mixed with the shards, releasing a rich, bittersweet aroma that lingered in the air.
"Quick, summon the imperial physician!" Shen Miao immediately ordered, though an ominous premonition flickered through her heart.
...
The curtains were drawn. Outside, the head of the Gao family had finally arrived.
This was Gao Yang’s grandfather, Gao Zhan.
The Gao family had practiced medicine for generations and held great renown in Longye. Among the younger generation, Gao Yang was the most skilled, yet he was restless and yearned for a career in court. Displeased with his stubbornness, the Gao family head eventually expelled him. Empress Dowager Jingxian, lamenting Gao Yang’s wasted talent, later arranged for him to go to Ming Qi, where he became close friends with Xie Jingxing and served by his side.
Years ago, it was Gao Zhan who had diagnosed the poison in the Yongle Emperor. Without his exceptional skill, the emperor would never have lived this long. The curse of dying before thirty-five had long passed, and those in the know considered it a miracle. But miracles were not so easily sustained.
Gao Zhan shook his head at Empress Xiande.
Tears immediately spilled from her eyes.
Luo Tan hadn’t come, but Shen Miao was present. Watching Empress Xiande weep, Shen Miao’s heart ached. The depth of Empress Xiande’s feelings for the Yongle Emperor was no secret, and the emperor was no unfeeling ruler. Their love, though restrained, was profound. Losing one would be a fatal blow to the other.
"Master," Empress Xiande choked back a sob, "how... how much longer can His Majesty hold on?"
Gao Zhan glanced toward the inner chamber and sighed deeply. "At most, one month."
"How can this be...?" Shen Miao murmured in shock."The Emperor's illness has been accumulating since his early years. Over the past year, the toxicity has invaded his internal organs, and he has been holding on purely by sheer willpower. One can imagine the immense suffering His Majesty has endured, but now he is at the end of his strength," said Gao Zhan. "I have been treating the Emperor since his childhood. He is a man of strong will, burdened with too much. Even now, he continues to push himself. If Your Majesty has any influence, I implore you to persuade him not to suffer so much in his final days. He has spent his entire life thinking of others; sometimes, he must be selfish for once." He then bowed solemnly to Empress Xiande. "In these remaining days, please stay by His Majesty's side and accompany him well."
After Gao Zhan left, Shen Miao wanted to comfort Empress Xiande but found herself at a loss for words.
When it comes to suffering, the comfort of others is often futile. Unless the knife falls on one's own flesh, the pain cannot be truly understood. People think a few light words of solace can dissolve all sorrow—but that is not the case.
Empress Xiande forced a faint smile and said, "You may go back first. This Empress... is perfectly fine."
Shen Miao said nothing more, only urging her to take care of her health before withdrawing.
Returning to her chamber, she couldn't help but caress her abdomen and open a sachet on the table.
The red beans inside still looked smooth and intact.
In this world, there are so many partings in life and death. Those who were laughing one moment may collapse the next. Heaven is too cruel, never granting people good fortune or luck in this life. The only thing one can truly rely on is oneself.
She would protect her loved ones—her beloved and her family.
...
Empress Xiande sat by the bedside where the Yongle Emperor had awakened.
Lost in thought, her delicate profile was gentle and serene, as if time had suddenly reversed, and everything had returned to its original state.
"Qingzhen," the Yongle Emperor called out.
Empress Xiande snapped out of her reverie and looked at him. "Your Majesty is awake. Do you feel any discomfort?"
"No," the Emperor shook his head.
After a moment of silence, the Yongle Emperor spoke again. "Qingzhen, my time is running short."
Empress Xiande gazed at him without a word.
"I..." He paused before continuing, "This winter, it seems I won’t be able to bury snow-brewed wine with you."
"Though one jar was broken, there is still another. If Your Majesty does not mind, on a cool day, we can go to the Emerald Lake Pavilion, and this humble consort would gladly share a drink with you. But the Royal Consort and the others won’t get any. The summer scenery at the Emerald Lake Pavilion is beautiful, and this year’s lotus blooms are especially splendid..." Empress Xiande rambled on as if she hadn’t heard the Emperor’s words.
"Qingzhen," the Yongle Emperor interrupted her. "I can’t accompany you anymore."
His face was pale, still as peerlessly handsome as before, but without the imperial dominance and sternness, he seemed more like a nobleman from some distinguished family—only much thinner, much wearier, and much sadder.
Empress Xiande turned her head away, and the Yongle Emperor could no longer see her expression. He only heard her voice, as if veiled by mist, hazy yet piercingly sorrowful. "Your Majesty has always been so unkind, unwilling to deceive me even once—not even once. But yes, this beautiful dream should end now."
After a moment’s hesitation, the Yongle Emperor replied, "I’m sorry.""Your Majesty need not apologize to me, nor is there anything to apologize for. I live my own life, which has nothing to do with Your Majesty," said Empress Xiande. "Just now, Mr. Gao came to see me and mentioned that Your Majesty has been struggling to endure for over a year. I would like to ask, why must you do this? What is the purpose of enduring such pain and hardship with such difficulty?"
"For Great Coolness," the Yongle Emperor said, "I wish to see Xie Yuan conquer the lands and protect Great Coolness. I wish to see the day when the empire is peaceful and prosperous. My mother’s wish—I hope to witness its fulfillment in my lifetime. But... my time is running short. I fear I may not live to see that day."
Xiande Huanghou remained silent for a long while before replying, "In that case, this subject understands."
"Qingzhen," the Yongle Emperor said, "you... should make some plans for yourself."
"What plans does Your Majesty wish for this subject to make?" Xiande Huanghou suddenly turned her head, tears glistening in her eyes. "Does Your Majesty wish for this subject to live an ordinary life under an assumed name? Or to spend the rest of my days in luxury within the palace? Or perhaps to remarry and find another good husband?"
With each word she spoke, the pain in the Yongle Emperor’s eyes deepened. His grip tightened imperceptibly on the blanket beneath him, yet his voice remained calm. "As long as it brings you joy."
Xiande Huanghou abruptly turned her face away, but the Yongle Emperor could see a large tear fall onto the back of her hand. When she spoke again, her voice was eerily composed. "This subject understands. Thank you, Your Majesty, for considering this matter so thoroughly. This subject will do as suggested. Your Majesty should instead consider how to draft the edict of succession. Some matters must be prepared for early."
She rose to her feet. "This subject has other matters to attend to and will take her leave now. Your Majesty, please rest well. When you have recovered, remember to share a pot of wine with this subject at the Emerald Lake Pavilion."
With that, she withdrew.
Xiande Huanghou rarely lost her temper, especially in recent days when her relationship with the Yongle Emperor had been harmonious, her demeanor gentle and warm every day. Yet even the softest water has its temper, and when angered, it turns to ice—stubborn enough to provoke frustration.
Yet one could not truly bring themselves to be angry with her.
After Xiande Huanghou left, the Yongle Emperor was seized by a violent coughing fit. He groped for the handkerchief beneath his pillow to wipe his mouth. Duke Deng, who had been standing nearby in attendance, hurried forward with warm water. "Your Majesty, please be careful."
"Duke Deng," the Yongle Emperor frowned, "have I made a mistake?" A rare trace of youthful confusion surfaced on his face, making Duke Deng’s nose sting with emotion.
Duke Deng had served the Yongle Emperor for many years—he had watched him grow up. The emperor’s current expression reminded him of long ago, when the Yongle Emperor, then still a young prince, had been poisoned by a favored consort of Emperor Xiaowu. Upon learning from the head of the Xiao family that he would not live past thirty-five, Empress Xiao had wept bitterly while holding the young prince. Back then, the Yongle Emperor, still a boy, had clumsily comforted Empress Xiao and asked Duke Deng in confusion, "Duke Deng, is my poisoning very serious?"
The gentle and refined crown prince had grown into an inscrutable emperor, yet even now, there came a day when he would ask those around him in confusion—had he done wrong?
Before Duke Deng could answer, the Yongle Emperor sighed again. "I envy Xie Yuan."
"Though both Xie Yuan and I have faced hardships, that boy is luckier than I am. If I could also live..." He did not finish his sentence.
Many things in this world end simply because of an "if."
Because there is no "if."
...
In ten days, Xie Jingxing captured Fixed Capital.
Fu Xiuyi, the emperor of Ming Qi, was shot dead by rebel forces atop the city Building.Speaking of which, it was truly laughable—Fu Xiuyi ended up as a fallen monarch. He had once declared with great ambition that he would stand or fall with Ming Qi, vowing to fight alongside his soldiers to the very end. As long as the Fixed Capital remained unbroken, he would still be the emperor of Ming Qi and never surrender to anyone.
Yet, at the final moment, he inexplicably changed his mind, attempting to flee in secret, perhaps harboring the delusion of making a comeback someday.
However, Fu Xiuyi had calculated everything but failed to account for human nature.
His advisors had seen through Ming Qi's dire situation far earlier than he had. When they discovered that Fu Xiuyi's pledge to perish with the enemy was merely a facade while he planned to escape, they were enraged.
In truth, Fu Xiuyi had only himself to blame. These advisors had been lured by him through wealth, favors, or beautiful women. Believing himself a patron of talent regardless of background, Fu Xiuyi had gathered a motley crew—bandits, mountain outlaws, even ruthless killers. These men had no concept of morality; they followed Fu Xiuyi solely for the riches and women he could provide, and the grand ambitions he promised.
Now that those ambitions lay in ruins and Fu Xiuyi sought to flee, how could they allow it?
The boldest and most ruthless among them devised a plan. They bound Fu Xiuyi atop the city Building, shot him dead with arrows, and then beheaded him, presenting his head to Xie Jingxing as a token of surrender, hoping to gain favor.
Throughout his life of scheming and ambition, Fu Xiuyi had never imagined such an end. He neither perished nobly with his kingdom nor escaped to plot a resurgence. Instead, like a common prisoner, he was executed in full view of the Fixed Capital's citizens by the very men he had lavishly bribed—his death reduced to a bargaining chip for his enemies.
In his final dazed moments, what he saw was the young man atop a warhorse before the army below the city walls. Holding the reins lazily, the man gazed at him with the same irreverent mockery as always, his eyes brimming with undisguised contempt.
But before Fu Xiuyi could ponder further, darkness claimed him.
His empire, his schemes, his ambitions—all ended abruptly in that moment. To his last breath, he couldn’t comprehend how, despite becoming emperor and meticulously planning his rise, he had ultimately fallen to an adversary he had once sought to eliminate from the start.
Perhaps the heavens were unjust. Perhaps luck had simply abandoned him.
That was why he lost.
Below the walls, Xie Jingxing clicked his tongue. "To scatter loyalty so thoroughly—Fu Xiuyi truly had a talent."
"Loyalty bought with gold and silver never lasts," Gao Yang remarked with a carefree laugh. "Let’s go! Into the city!"
"Oh," Ji Yushu added, "Rong Xin Princess and the Su family members have been rescued. They’re now—"
Xie Jingxing remained impassive. "Protect them. As for the rest, let them be."
...
When Shen Miao received the news, she stood frozen for a long time.
She hadn’t expected her nemesis from her past life to meet such a swift and decisive end. Yet, in hindsight, it all seemed inevitable.Fu Xiuyi had sown the seeds of evil early on, and one day he would inevitably reap their bitter harvest. Mei Furen, conspiring with the tiger, would ultimately be devoured by it. They were constantly scheming, trading gold, silver, and beauties for what they desired. Such hearts, seemingly omnipotent on the surface, could never endure.
Thus, Fu Xiuyi was eventually betrayed by his own advisors, and Mei Furen met her end at the hands of the very man who had once doted on her in her previous life.
Shen Miao had thought that learning of their fates would bring her immense satisfaction, yet now, she felt surprisingly indifferent. It was as though she had merely done what she was meant to do, no longer burdening herself with vengeance for the rest of her life.
Because, as she looked at her belly, she had something far more precious to cherish—the present.
Trapped in the shackles of hatred, the only one who could never break free was oneself. But Xie Jingxing and this child had finally pulled her out of that long nightmare. The longer one lived, the calmer the heart became. She had done all she could, fulfilling the last of her duties for Fu Ming and Wan Yu. Now, she would live her life well.
Luo Tan was outside admiring the flowers. "The lotus blossoms are truly beautiful, little cousin. Let’s take a walk later," she said.
Shen Miao nodded.
The lotus blossoms were indeed lovely. Empress Xiande had always loved them the most.
The Yongle Emperor’s health, however, was deteriorating day by day.
The edict of succession had already been discussed privately with the emperor’s trusted ministers. Yongle had not concealed his illness from them, and the ministers had quietly prepared for all eventualities. If the day came when the emperor never woke again, everything would proceed naturally. The edict would be proclaimed to the world, and upon Xie Jingxing’s triumphant return, the weight of all Great Coolness would await him.
Naturally, Yongle’s condition was kept from Xie Jingxing as well.
These matters were like heavy chains, and those who knew of them could hardly rejoice. Yet this was Yongle’s own choice.
Amidst it all, Empress Xiande appeared the most composed. Each day, she still brewed tea, read books, played chess, and practiced calligraphy. She exchanged casual words with Yongle, occasionally teasing Shen Miao. If one ignored the emperor’s increasingly pallid face, it might seem as though nothing had changed from before.
In Weiyang Palace, Empress Xiande gazed outside and said, "It rained lightly today. By nightfall, it will surely be very cool. There’s a small jar of snow-brewed wine I’ve been saving. Shall we drink it tonight, Your Majesty?"
Yongle, seated in his chair, glanced at her and chuckled. "A whole jar? Do you mean to get drunk?" His tone was gentle.
"If one could drink and never wake, who wouldn’t wish for it?" Empress Xiande murmured to herself before adding, "But a single jar won’t be enough to intoxicate me. My tolerance is quite strong. As a child, I often stole wine with my brothers in the manor."
Hearing this, Yongle showed rare amusement. "That doesn’t sound like something you’d do."
"What’s so surprising?" Empress Xiande replied with a hint of pride. "Drinking with my brothers, I never lost. Back then, my father even boasted he’d find a vintage strong enough to make me drunk with just one sip. He searched far and wide but never succeeded. Later, when I entered the palace, I dared not drink for fear of impropriety, so I stopped altogether.""One moment it's tea, the next it's wine." The Yongle Emperor sighed. "Your preferences are quite divergent."
"Tea keeps one sober, wine allows indulgence." Empress Xiande smiled. "So tonight, Your Majesty should also set aside formalities and indulge for once. This snow-brewed wine was personally made by your humble consort. Though it cannot compare to celestial nectar, it can still accompany romantic moments."
"Very well," the Yongle Emperor said. "This emperor will indulge with you once."
...
Late summer, with gentle night breezes. Ten li of emerald hues stretched across the lake, where lotus flowers stood gracefully upright. As the breeze passed, green ripples spread everywhere. Summers in Longye were long; even by late August, there was still no hint of coolness.
In the lakeside pavilion, a small jar of wine, some pastries, and two drinking bowls were arranged on the table.
The Yongle Emperor looked at the round drinking bowl before him and raised an eyebrow. "Using this?" When he made this expression—one that Xie Jingxing often favored—he bore a striking resemblance to Jingxing.
"Small sips would fail to capture the true flavor of this snow-brewed wine," Empress Xiande said with a smile. "Only by drinking heartily from such bowls can one taste its crisp sweetness."
"Is this how you usually drink?" The Yongle Emperor frowned. "Reckless."
"Well, I'm always drinking alone, with no one to see. Why bother with propriety?" Empress Xiande replied nonchalantly as she lifted the small wine jar to pour for the emperor.
The Yongle Emperor seemed about to say something but hesitated, giving the empress a deep look before falling silent.
Empress Xiande brewed snow wine every year, but this was the first time the Yongle Emperor had joined her. For so many years, she had boiled tea alone, brewed wine alone, watching flowers bloom and wither while living freely within the palace walls. She performed her duties as empress flawlessly, yet it nearly made people forget that she was still just a woman—one who could feel lonely, who often had no choice but to savor solitude alone, much like the faint bitterness of this wine.
Tao Gugu and Duke Deng stood far away, as if to leave this rare moment to the imperial couple. Empress Xiande handed the drinking bowl to the Yongle Emperor and said with a smile, "Whenever Jingxing attends palace banquets, he loves drinking from these bowls. Your Majesty always seemed envious, so tonight, with only your humble consort present, there's no need to restrain yourself. I won't laugh at any breach of decorum."
"Nonsense. What would I have to envy?" the Yongle Emperor retorted before picking up the bowl. He gave it a critical glance but still took a sip from the rim.
Seeing this, Empress Xiande couldn't help but laugh. "What is Your Majesty doing? You should follow my example." She lifted her bowl and drank with her head tilted back. Even this action, when performed by her, carried an effortless elegance that was pleasing to behold.
The Yongle Emperor coughed lightly. "Reckless." Yet his gaze followed the empress, softening noticeably.
Empress Xiande poured herself another bowl and said with a smile, "When I was young and studied history books with my father, I greatly admired those dashing heroes in the texts—those who cast aside conventions in turbulent times, bold and heroic, feasting on meat and wine with abandon, wandering freely across the land. I thought such a life was truly worth living in this world. I resolved then that I would marry such a hero—brew tea for him by day and share wine by night." As she spoke, her eyes sparkled, as if transported back to her youthful days, mischievously pestering her elder brother for a taste of wine.
"And then?" the Yongle Emperor asked."Later, I married Your Majesty," the Empress said. "Your Majesty wouldn't eat meat heartily or drink wine freely, hardly what one would call untrammeled and unrestrained, nor rough yet thoughtful. Instead, it was all rather cold and cheerless. I truly regretted it."
The Yongle Emperor narrowed his eyes at her. Two faint blushes gradually colored her cheeks—whether from drunkenness or not, he couldn't tell. He thought she must be drunk; the sober Xiande Huanghou would never utter such childish, critical words about him.
He said, "Didn't you claim to have a high tolerance for wine? Why are you acting drunk before me?"
"I am not drunk," Xiande Huanghou replied. "I wish I were. But all these years, I've had no choice but to remain sober."
The Yongle Emperor's smile faded.
"Marrying Your Majesty was truly my misfortune. For no good reason, I had to share my husband with countless other women. Even in noble households with concubines, the principal wife at least had children. I don't even have my own child—this marriage was hardly ideal." Xiande Huanghou laughed. "That's why I envy the Royal Consort. Her life isn't easy either, and she has many concerns, but she's luckier than me—she still has a choice. Jingxing treats her well, unlike Your Majesty, who is so heartless."
The Yongle Emperor fell silent for a long, long time—so long that the croaking of frogs in the pond and the chirping of cicadas in the willow trees became almost audible. Finally, he said, "You also had a choice. Qingzhen..."
"I never had a choice from the beginning," Xiande Huanghou interrupted him. "My heart was entirely devoted to Your Majesty. How could I spare any thought for other choices?"
The Yongle Emperor was taken aback. Before he could respond, Xiande Huanghou had already raised her wine bowl and drained the second serving in one gulp.
"Does Your Majesty see anything different in me?" Xiande Huanghou looked at him. "Do you also feel that choosing me in this lifetime was something you had no choice but to do?"
"Yes," the Yongle Emperor said after a pause. "You are excellent. You are the finest Empress Great Coolness has ever had—no one could have done better. Back then, my mother adored you, and I adored you too. You were wise, dignified, generous, and steady. The entire rear palace was well managed under your care. Choosing you was not a mistake."
Xiande Huanghou laughed—laughed until tears nearly spilled from her eyes. "So it's true," she said. "The choice Your Majesty had no choice but to make was 'Xiande Huanghou,' not 'Qingzhen.' I understand now." She gazed at the moon in the sky, her eyes shimmering with something crystalline. When she turned back, her expression had returned to its usual gentle composure. "The matter Your Majesty previously entrusted to me—I've considered it. I think Your Majesty is right. After all, it's my own life, and I must continue living it."
The Yongle Emperor stared at her, his throat tight. After a long moment, he managed to ask, "Has... the person been found?"
"Not yet," Xiande Huanghou replied with a faint smile. "But there's no need to rush. When the time truly comes, we'll let nature take its course."
The Yongle Emperor seemed at a loss for words.Empress Xiande raised her wine bowl and said, "This bowl of snow-brewed wine, I offer to Your Majesty. After so many years as husband and wife, it must be a bond cultivated in our past lives—whether a blessed or ill-fated one. Though these years haven’t been particularly wonderful for me, they certainly haven’t been terrible either. Thank you, Your Majesty."
The Yongle Emperor also raised his wine bowl, though upon closer inspection, one could see his fingers trembling slightly, as if he could barely hold it steady. Yet he concealed it masterfully, quickly covering it with his sleeve before draining the bowl in one go.
Drinking such a large bowl in one gulp was far from smooth or mellow. From his throat to his innards, it burned fiercely, a searing pain that made the bitterness rival life itself.
He watched as Empress Xiande stood up, smiling at him. "Actually, this jar of wine looked plentiful, but after sharing a few bowls with Your Majesty, it’s already empty. What a waste of such a fine evening, but no matter—there will be other nights. I’ve enjoyed drinking with Your Majesty today, so I’ll take a stroll outside now. Your Majesty should rest as well; the night is deep and the dew heavy—take care not to catch cold." With that, she departed gracefully.
Her departure was lighthearted, yet considering the words she had just spoken, it was unmistakably a farewell. Now that the farewell had been said and the farewell wine drunk, all that remained was this—step by step, leaving his world behind, never to return.
The Yongle Emperor turned to watch Empress Xiande’s retreating figure.
Her back disappeared into the long corridor, not once looking back, each step resolute.
A sudden pain gripped his heart, an indescribable ache spreading slowly from his core to his limbs. His heart pounded wildly, almost convulsing, leaving him breathless, unable to utter a complete sentence.
He collapsed from his seat!
Duke Deng, who had been waiting nearby, was startled by the sight and rushed over. Helping the Yongle Emperor up, he was alarmed to see the emperor’s face deathly pale, lips trembling uncontrollably. With a sense of urgency, he immediately called for the imperial physician and ordered guards to escort the emperor back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Empress Xiande walked through the night. As the wind blew, the wine she had consumed seemed to surge upward, the brief dizziness vanishing in an instant, leaving only an agonizing clarity.
She leaned against the railing by the pond, sighing wearily.
She knew her words today had been spoken in a fit of pique. Yet the uncertainty of how much longer the Yongle Emperor had to live filled her with dread. She wanted to avoid that outcome, refusing to see or hear it, stubbornly blocking her ears. But the emperor kept bringing it up, forcing her to confront what she wished to ignore.
Even the earth has its temper—how much more so a person.
Tao Gugu said, "Your Majesty, it’s cold outside. Let’s return for now."
Empress Xiande shook her head. Around her wrist was a string of prayer beads, obtained from a temple for the Yongle Emperor. Every night, she would recite sutras with those beads, pleading for heaven’s mercy, praying for a miracle.Each bead of the prayer beads was polished smooth and glossy, clearly indicating that Xiande Huanghou had worn them for many years. She glanced at the moon in the sky—it was bright and full. The war would soon reach its first anniversary. A year of waxing and waning moons, and everything was supposed to come to a good end. Just as the time to claim honors was near, she had recently found herself unable to stay composed, acting in ways unbecoming of her station.
She felt a deep self-disgust and turned to walk forward. Suddenly, a sharp snap rang out. Looking down, she saw the string of her prayer beads had broken at some point, scattering the beads across the ground, where they struck the floor with crisp, clear sounds.
How could the prayer beads have broken so abruptly?
"Tao Gugu..." Xiande Huanghou murmured, a sudden unease welling up in her heart. It felt as though someone had seized her chest, leaving her breathless for a moment.
"Your Majesty!" Tao Gugu was startled and hurried to support her. Empress Xiande waved her hand and somewhat flustered, knelt down herself, saying, "Quick, help me pick these up..."
Just as Tao Gugu knelt down, a young eunuch who always followed Duke Deng rushed over in a panic, his face filled with alarm, and said, "Your Majesty, the Emperor is unwell. Please go see him at once!"
Empress Xiande had just picked up a fallen prayer bead when she heard this. Her hand involuntarily loosened, and the bead spun along the ground before rolling straight into the pond. It disappeared into the water with a soft "plop," leaving not even a ripple behind, gone without a trace.
...
In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, eunuchs and palace maids knelt in a room filled with silence.
Duke Deng stood in a corner, head bowed, his expression deeply sorrowful.
As Empress Xiande entered, Gao Zhan was just coming out from inside. Seeing her, he shook his head.
Empress Xiande staggered, only managing to stay upright by holding onto Tao Gugu's hand.
After a long moment, she said, "All of you, leave us."
The Yongle Emperor on the bed also waved his hand.
Everyone in the room withdrew.
Empress Xiande stepped forward.
She walked extremely slowly, as if resisting an outcome she refused to believe. Yet she had no choice but to approach. When she reached the bedside, she half-knelt before it, gazing at the figure lying there.
The Yongle Emperor looked at her too, for a long while, then suddenly smiled. "It's just as well. Before I go, at least I've tasted the snow wine you brewed."
"Xingzhi..." Empress Xiande looked at him with tear-filled eyes.
She called him "Xingzhi," the Yongle Emperor's courtesy name, not "Your Majesty." Back when she was still a young girl, Empress Xiao had favored her and told her about Xie Chi's courtesy name. Empress Xiande had loved Xie Chi's name, thinking the man must be upright.
Though over the long years, he had also inflicted wounds on her that would never fade, Empress Xiande's heart still could not leave him.
Is life destined to have such a bond? This bond was never perfect, even a calamity. Yet as this calamity neared its end, she stubbornly refused to let go. Like a moth to flame, she would not release her grip until the very last moment.
"Qingzhen, I can't accompany you any longer," the Yongle Emperor said apologetically. "When you married me, you thought you'd be protected. In truth, all these years, you've gained nothing." He spoke slowly, pausing after each phrase as if it took great effort.
Empress Xiande said, "Don't speak anymore."
From the moment they became Emperor and Empress, one had referred to himself as "Zhen" and the other as "Chenqie." Only now, as life neared its end, facing a parting with no reunion to come, did they address each other as "you" and "I," like an ordinary couple.
He said, "Go live your own life. You're so good, you'll surely find happiness in the days to come. Marry another man, don't choose a selfish husband like me again. Find someone who will cherish and love you..."
Empress Xiande sobbed uncontrollably.
Suddenly, she felt her hand being grasped. The Yongle Emperor stared at her with burning eyes, gritting his teeth as he said, "But I can't accept it. I don't want... I'm too selfish. You're my woman, and I can't bear the thought of you with another."
Empress Xiande froze.“For this past year, I’ve struggled to live, hoping for a few more days—not because I wanted to see Xie Yuan reign over the world. The grand scheme of the empire has already been settled, and there’s nothing I can’t let go of. It’s just… I couldn’t bear to part…” He gasped with effort. “I couldn’t bear to part with you… Even if it was just a few more hours, a few more moments as your husband, it would have been enough.”
“When I first saw you, and later when you were summoned to the palace, it wasn’t actually my mother’s idea. From the very beginning, it was me. I told my mother that I thought you were wonderful. All these years, you thought I was satisfied with ‘Xiande Huanghou,’ but that wasn’t the case. I said anyone could be the Empress as long as they did well, but that wasn’t true. It was always you. Those words… were all lies to deceive you…”
Xiande Huanghou covered her mouth and asked, “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
The Yongle Emperor’s face grew even paler. His voice was so faint it was almost inaudible as he said, “It’s a pity my fate was poor, dragging you down for a lifetime…” He reached out as if to wipe away the tears on Xiande Huanghou’s face, but his hand dropped limply halfway through the motion.
His eyes closed.
Xiande Huanghou buried her face in the bedding, muffling her agonized sobs. She cried as if her heart were breaking, yet not a sound escaped outside. She smothered her cries in the thick quilts, wishing she could bury herself entirely—so she would never have to hear, see, blame, or think again.
The scented incense curled upward from the bronze burner, dispersing into the air. The room held only stifled, restrained weeping. Outside the window, the moon shone bright and tender, its fullness almost unreal.
After a long while, Xiande Huanghou stood up. She gently tucked the blankets around the Yongle Emperor and steadied his lips. Facing the mirror, she smoothed her hair, wiped away her tears, and slowly opened the door.
A room full of kneeling eunuchs and palace maids waited outside. Duke Deng stepped forward with a bow, and Xiande Huanghou spoke calmly, “The Emperor has passed.”
Duke Deng froze, then solemnly knelt and placed his horsetail whisk before him, kowtowing heavily several times.
Seeing this, the eunuchs and maids outside also knelt and kowtowed, their mournful cries echoing through the ninefold palace halls.
“The Emperor—has departed—”
…
Shen Miao looked at Xiande Huanghou, who was dressed in plain white mourning attire. Her expression remained gentle and composed, as though nothing could shake the tranquility in her heart.
After a brief period of unrest, the court eventually settled.
Before his death, the Yongle Emperor had arranged everything—the edict of succession, the potential upheavals in the court. Though some had stirred with ambition, the forces he had prepared were not mere decorations. Moreover, Xie Jingxing’s frequent victories had made it clear to all that the Yongle Emperor, having no sons, had long decided to pass the throne to his only blood-related brother.
There were whispers of doubt, but they gradually faded. Xie Jingxing’s demonstrated valor and the Yongle Emperor’s meticulous arrangements left the court as solid as a fortress. In this moment, not a single disturbance arose. Perhaps they all understood that once Prince Rui returned, he would bring not only victory but also the lands of Ming Qi and Qin State, unifying the war-torn world at last. Compared to that, the throne itself seemed insignificant.
Better to remain obedient and wait for the new Emperor’s triumphant return and ascension—there might even be rewards to share.The court was driven by interests, but what about the harem?
The women of the harem, having lost the sovereign they relied on for survival, were naturally at a loss. Some sought death in despair, but most were preoccupied with securing their futures. Among the Yongle Emperor's concubines, the majority were daughters of court officials—hardly any were chosen by his own initiative. Moreover, the Yongle Emperor was inherently indifferent; apart from his exceptional favor toward Lu Jing in the past, he had little interest in women. Thus, his relationships with these concubines could hardly be described as affectionate or intimate. After the Yongle Emperor's passing, these women actively sought help from their own families, hoping to find a better path for the latter half of their lives.
Empress Xiande handled everything calmly—issuing national mourning rites, arranging the emperor's burial in the imperial mausoleum. She demanded no one accompany him in death, as the Yongle Emperor had already entrusted his posthumous affairs to Duke Deng, and everything proceeded according to his wishes.
Shen Miao visited Empress Xiande at night. Since the Yongle Emperor's burial, the empress had appeared particularly composed. Tonight was the Mid-Autumn Festival, with a full moon hanging in the sky, yet she sat in Weiyang Palace, listening to a palace maid play the qin.
Shen Miao dismissed the musician, and only then did the empress notice her. Seeming utterly exhausted, she smiled faintly and said, "You've come."
"The weather is cold, Your Majesty should wear more layers. If you wish to listen to the qin, light the small stove to avoid catching a chill," Shen Miao advised.
Empress Xiande waved it off indifferently and pointed to the mooncakes on the table. "The imperial kitchen made these. I initially thought to send some to you, but then assumed they had already been delivered, so I didn’t bother."
Shen Miao smiled. "Your Majesty should have some too."
The empress shook her head. "I have no appetite."
The edict of succession had already been issued. Once Xie Jingxing returned to Longye, he would ascend the throne, and Shen Miao would then become the empress. Strictly speaking, addressing Empress Xiande in this manner was no longer appropriate, but neither of them paid it any mind.
"These past days, I’ve been thinking about the past," Empress Xiande said. "I thought I would gradually grow accustomed to the emperor’s passing—after all, it was a fact I had long known. But as time goes on, I find it harder to adjust. Every day, my heart feels hollow, as if something is missing. Royal Consort, did you feel the same after Jingxing left?"
Shen Miao was taken aback.
Longing? Of course there was. When someone is always before your eyes, their presence seems unremarkable—it’s only after separation that you realize what you’ve lost. Parting often clarifies many emotions. Yet... Shen Miao instinctively touched her abdomen. Perhaps because there was a little one growing inside her, these long, trying days didn’t feel quite so tedious.
"You and I are likely different," Empress Xiande continued without waiting for Shen Miao’s reply. "Back then, His Majesty didn’t know who you were and inquired about your past. Listening to it, I could tell you were a woman of resolve—you confronted the Ming Qi imperial family, protected the Shen family. From the beginning, you had your own plans. As for meeting Jingxing and marrying him, those were merely serendipitous turns of fate. Had you never encountered Jingxing, you would still have lived your own life, because your original goal was never to become someone’s wife.""But I am different." She gazed at the ruby on her long fingernail guard and said, "My family was wealthy and stable, untouched by the conflicts in the court, and I was born without worries. When I met the Emperor, I felt that the most important thing in life was to become his wife and walk through life hand in hand with him." Resting her elbow on her head, she spoke slowly, as if she might fall asleep at any moment, yet she continued.
"Perhaps it was because the first half of my life was too carefree that I never realized how difficult it could be to become someone's wife."
Shen Miao remained silent.
Xiande Huanghou had suffered too much. These days, she said nothing, but Shen Miao understood that feeling. Because speaking wouldn’t change anything, yet sometimes, it was still good to voice it out. That Xiande Huanghou was willing to speak now was at least better than keeping it all bottled up inside.
"With the Emperor gone, I don’t know what to do anymore. The women of the inner palace have all been dismissed. This palace used to be noisy and unbearable, but now it’s so cold and desolate, making one feel terribly lonely. I keep thinking, if only I had never met the Emperor. I’d rather be like you, fighting against the imperial family, carefully protecting the Shen family, than facing this inevitably tragic ending."
Her words were too bitter, too despairing. Shen Miao comforted her, "This subject’s wife is the same. In truth, no one’s life is always smooth and peaceful. From the moment I was born, aside from the care of my parents and elder brothers, there was never a moment when heaven granted me good fortune. I never dared to hope for such things, so in everything, I could only rely on myself. Meeting His Highness was my blessing, but even without him, no matter how difficult the road ahead, I would still walk it." After a pause, she added, "Empress, it’s the same for you. Even if the Emperor left first, you should still think of yourself and live for yourself. No matter how hard the road, walk it and see—this is what the Emperor would have wanted."
Xiande Huanghou was silent for a long time, so long that Shen Miao thought she hadn’t heard a word she’d said. Then, finally, she spoke, "Royal Consort, thank you."
"These truths you speak—I understand them all."
"But it’s just too hard, too hard."
That night, Shen Miao and Xiande Huanghou sat together for a long time. They spoke little, yet it felt as if they had said so very much.
After Shen Miao left, Xiande Huanghou sat alone in the palace for a long while.
It wasn’t until Tao Gugu came to urge her to rest that Xiande Huanghou finally rose. Only after personally seeing her wash up and retire to bed did Tao Gugu leave.
But once the door was closed, the figure on the bed sat up again.
She lit a lamp and rummaged through her drawers, pulling out not the grand robes of an empress, but a simple moon-white dress. She had always loved such clean, unadorned colors, but after becoming Empress, she could no longer wear such styles. If she wasn’t dressed exquisitely and grandly, she wouldn’t be able to "suppress" the other concubines.
She appeared dignified and composed, but in truth, she was just a quiet, introverted girl.
Dressed in simple attire, she sat before the mirror, lightly brushing her brows and applying a faint touch of rouge, suddenly looking remarkably charming.
She then took out paper and a brush from the drawer and began writing a letter. When finished, she placed it inside an envelope.
Finally, Xiande Huanghou reached into the very bottom of her cabinet and retrieved an exquisite jade box. A thin layer of dust had settled upon its surface.From the very beginning of her marriage to the Yongle Emperor, she had known about his illness. Marrying a man whose days were numbered required immense courage.
But she was the bravest young lady from the Imperial Chief Secretary's household, one who most admired heroes. The Yongle Emperor might not have been a hero—he played political games, curried favor, and was far from noble—yet Empress Xiande still felt that he was, in some way, her hero.
He had been from the start, and remained so until the end.
Inside the jade box lay a slender vial. She took it out and held it in her palm.
On the day of her marriage to the Yongle Emperor, Empress Xiande had prepared this vial for herself. Gazing at her reflection adorned in the phoenix crown and ceremonial robes, she had whispered: "Qingzhen, the heroes of the martial world are bold and decisive, valuing righteousness above all, daring to love and hate. Though you were born into an official family, you yearn for that world."
"If one day he departs this life, you must follow him, whether to the heavens or the underworld. This is your choice."
Over the years, Empress Xiande would take out the vial annually, only to feel relieved that it had never been used. Each year was a stolen moment of unexpected joy from the heavens.
Now, the time had finally come to use it.
She was timid—so timid that after Xie Chi's departure, she lacked the courage to face the remaining days alone.
Yet she was also bold—bold enough to have known from the start that this might be her fate, and still resolutely walked this path.
"Xingzhi, I'm coming to see you," she murmured softly, then drank the contents of the vial in one gulp.
The moon gradually emerged from behind the clouds, hanging high above the willow branches as if smiling down upon the sorrows and joys of the mortal world.
A perfection so poignant it brought tears.
...
Shen Miao slept restlessly that night, her dreams filled with indistinct clamor. She strained to discern the voices but could never quite make them out.
It wasn't until Jing Zhe woke her that Shen Miao noticed the bright daylight outside. As she sat up, her fingers brushed against her forehead—damp with cold sweat—and a sudden unease flickered through her heart.
Luo Tan rushed in, her eyes rimmed red. Looking at Shen Miao, she whispered, "The Empress... has passed away!"
The handkerchief Shen Miao had taken from Jing Zhe slipped from her fingers and fell to the ground with a soft thud.
...
In less than a month, both the Yongle Emperor and Empress Xiande had departed this world, plunging the empire into mourning.
The Yongle Emperor's passing was followed by Empress Xiande's sacrifice, a devotion that moved all who heard of it. Even the imperial concubines who had once schemed against each other in the palace came to pay their respects. During her time as Empress, Xiande had been benevolent and kind. Since the Yongle Emperor had never shown her particular favor, the favored consorts bore her no ill will. Some even sighed with regret upon hearing the news.
Empress Xiande's father remained composed throughout, as if he had long anticipated her decision. Though grieved, he accepted it without resistance.
Following imperial burial rites, Shen Miao arranged for Empress Xiande to be interred with the Yongle Emperor in the imperial mausoleum. Thus, this wise ruler and virtuous empress would forever remain in the annals of Great Coolness's history.
But what followed was a cascade of pressing matters.
With the Yongle Emperor gone, and now Empress Xiande too, who would govern the court? Though the Yongle Emperor had left an edict naming his successor, Xie Jingxing had yet to ascend the throne. Strictly speaking, it was premature to address Shen Miao as Empress. Yet the Yongle Emperor had no other siblings—Xie Jingxing was his only blood relation.No court remains entirely stable, especially when left leaderless.
The previously settled court was beginning to stir once more. There were always restless ministers, eager to seize any opportunity. Though they lacked the courage to act boldly, their ambitions made them unwilling to let this chance slip by.
Shen Miao asked Duke Deng, "Is the court in uproar now?"
Duke Deng replied, "Indeed. The court is currently pushing to elect someone to oversee affairs temporarily until His Highness the Prince returns to Longye, after which further decisions can be made."
"Outrageous." Shen Miao's lips curled. "Truly, those who covet the throne grow bolder by the day!"
Duke Deng fell silent.
For some reason, he always felt that this young Prince Rui's Consort carried an indescribable air about her—one that bore a striking resemblance to the late Empress Xiande, yet was even more sharp-edged. Normally, she appeared gentle and easygoing, never probing too deeply into matters. But the moment her expression turned cold, she became intimidating.
It was very much like Prince Rui, Xie Yuan.
Before the Yongle Emperor departed, he had instructed Duke Deng to assist Xie Jingxing upon his return. Having spent his entire life in the palace of Longye, Duke Deng was well-versed in many matters and could be of great help. Now, with Xie Jingxing still absent, Duke Deng naturally could not afford to be careless with Shen Miao's orders.
"Duke Deng, make the necessary preparations. I will go to the court," she said.
Duke Deng was taken aback. "My lady..."
"With the court in chaos, if rumors spread at this critical moment, Longye will inevitably fall into panic, and disorder breeds trouble. It's better for me to play the villain first. What others think doesn't matter—what's important is to quell these restless hearts."
"But," Duke Deng hesitated, glancing at Shen Miao's abdomen, "you are with child."
"Precisely because of this child, I can stabilize the court." Shen Miao smiled faintly. "Royal blood runs in its veins. No matter what schemes they may have, they must still consider their reputation. Though I am from Ming Qi, and they will surely use that against me, the child in my womb is of royal lineage. They wouldn't dare show me disrespect."
Duke Deng pondered for a moment before saying, "This may indeed bring temporary peace, but in doing so, Your Highness, your pregnancy will no longer remain a secret."
"I kept it hidden before only to avoid distracting His Highness on the battlefield. Now that the war is nearing its end, the outcome is settled, and victory is within reach, there's no need for secrecy anymore." Seeing Duke Deng still frowning, she added with a smile, "You're worried that the palace is unstable, and someone might try to harm me."
Duke Deng hastily bowed. "This servant will ensure the safety of Her Highness and the young heir!"
Shen Miao nodded. "I leave it to you."
Only after Duke Deng withdrew did Shen Miao exhale slowly, sitting back in her chair and gazing at the falling leaves outside the window.
Empress Xiande had left too abruptly, and the unresolved issues she left behind were now surfacing. The vast, lively palace of spring now felt desolate and cold, evoking a sense of abandonment. Yet Shen Miao knew this was far from over. Before Xie Jingxing's return, it was her duty to stabilize the turbulent court.
"Ever since you came into my womb, there hasn't been a single peaceful moment," Shen Miao murmured softly to her belly. "But everything will be alright."...
Five days later, the late emperor's edict of succession was publicly announced, causing an uproar throughout the court. Those who questioned it were presented with solid evidence by senior ministers. Before passing away, the Yongle Emperor had arranged everything meticulously. The officials were left speechless.
Some busybodies claimed that with no leader among the ministers, several officials should be elected to jointly oversee state affairs. However, this was rejected, as Prince Rui's Consort Shen Miao would temporarily handle court matters instead.
For a time, memorials were circulating everywhere, and rumors spread like wildfire, all claiming that Shen Miao was from Ming Qi and clearly a spy sent by Ming Qi, now attempting to seize power while the court was in disarray, revealing her treacherous ambitions.
This rumor spread quickly but was quelled just as swiftly, as Shen Miao appeared in the imperial court with her visibly pregnant belly. Moreover, Duke Deng, Tao Gugu, and others testified that Xiande Huanghou had brought Shen Miao into the palace precisely to protect the only remaining imperial bloodline.
With this child, the situation was nominally stabilized. Additionally, on the day Shen Miao emerged, she acted decisively and with subtle balance, thoroughly outmaneuvering the troublemakers. Her combination of kindness and authority gave people the impression that stirring up trouble at this time would only invite Xie Jingxing’s wrath upon his return.
Half out of fear of Shen Miao and half out of dread of Xie Jingxing, the turmoil quickly subsided.
But Shen Miao was far from idle.
She had taken on this responsibility and was determined to see it through. In recent days, she had been reviewing memorials. After the Yongle Emperor’s passing, many memorials had piled up, and with Xiande Huanghou’s death, the backlog had grown even higher. She read them one by one, sometimes late into the night.
Jing Zhe and the others worried for her but couldn’t persuade her to rest, so they could only keep her company.
Luo Tan, drowsily rubbing her eyes, asked, “Little cousin, why must you read them all yourself? If you don’t trust those officials, surely you can trust the late emperor’s confidants. Why not hand these memorials to them for review? Isn’t that better? Why exhaust yourself like this, especially now that you’re carrying a child?”
Shen Miao shook her head. “People’s hearts are fickle, and power must not be carelessly delegated. I’m not from Longye, and in such a short time, I can’t discern their true intentions. Nor can I predict whether complications will arise in the future. It’s better to handle these matters myself. If mistakes are made, they won’t be easily rectified.”
Perhaps the Yongle Emperor had once had trusted aides, but after his death and Xiande Huanghou’s passing, who could say whether these people might harbor ulterior motives? If this were Ming Qi, where Shen Miao understood the people, it would be different. But this was Longye—she hadn’t been here long, and it was impossible to fully grasp someone’s character in such a short time.
In the end, there was no one here she could trust wholeheartedly.
Duke Deng, who was also attending to her, nodded approvingly. Shen Miao had made bold declarations earlier, and Duke Deng had harbored doubts—what if it was all talk? Facing so many court officials, wouldn’t that disgrace the imperial family? Women were often seen as delicate, and while Xiande Huanghou had managed these tasks as Empress, Shen Miao had never done such things before. Staying up late like a man to review memorials and worry over the affairs of the realm seemed too demanding for her.
Fortunately, Shen Miao was doing quite well. Her handling of certain matters could even be described as impeccable. Though Duke Deng knew little of court affairs, he was adept at reading people. The court officials had initially opposed and doubted her, but recently their attitudes had softened. This meant Shen Miao wasn’t doing too poorly—otherwise, those who had been nitpicking from the start would have already found faults to exploit.Duke Deng felt somewhat relieved. If Shen Miao was such a person, she would be no less than Xiande Huanghou. Perhaps the Great Coolness's dynasty could truly flourish for generations, just as Empress Dowager Jingxian had hoped.
"This is still too exhausting," Luo Tan said. "But yesterday I overheard them discussing after court adjourned, saying how lucky you were that all your decisions turned out perfectly. Pfft," Luo Tan scoffed, "What luck? It's clearly real ability. Little cousin, is there anything you can't do? Even those messy memorials in the palace—you can handle them all. What else don't you know?"
Shen Miao rolled her eyes at her. "There's plenty I don't know."
"Like...?" Luo Tan eagerly pressed forward.
"Like how to be as nosy as you about everything."
Luo Tan pouted but then continued, "Anyway... the hardships are almost over. You're about to give birth soon, and brother-in-law is close to winning the war. By then, uncle and my father should come too, and our whole family will reunite. Thinking about it, all this current hardship is nothing."
Shen Miao smiled faintly. "Yes."
The current hardships would ultimately be worth it.
...
News of Xie Jingxing arrived soon after. Ming Qi had fallen, and with no hope for peace, the Emperor of Qin fled north in panic. Now, Great Coolness's troops were advancing toward the Qin State's capital. Once the capital was occupied, Xie Jingxing's forces would return to Great Coolness first.
In a sense, the war was already over. Now, all that remained was waiting for the triumphant return of the hero.
This was truly the best news they had heard in a long time.
Only... Shen Miao sighed. Xie Jingxing must have already learned about the Yongle Emperor and Xiande Huanghou. Once he returned to Great Coolness and visited their tombs, who knew how he would feel? The last person in this world connected to him by blood was gone. From now on, he would truly be alone.
Well... perhaps not entirely alone. At least there were still Shen Miao and their child.
Tao Gugu smiled. "The Royal Consort's due date is estimated to be around the first of next month. There are still over ten days left, so everyone must be extra careful these days."
Luo Tan rubbed her hands excitedly. "I'm so happy! I just don't know if it'll be a little niece or nephew—it's killing me with curiosity! I bet it's a niece. She's been so well-behaved, not causing any fuss."
"Not necessarily," Tao Gugu said. "The Royal Consort's belly is pointed—it might be the Heir Apparent."
Shen Miao listened to their guesses with a smile, feeling a sense of peace she had never known before.
Once the child was born and Xie Jingxing returned, perhaps the hardships and chaos of this past year would finally come to an end. Better days would surely follow.
However, nothing in this world is ever perfect. Even if the ending is good, the path there is bound to be winding, filled with obstacles and challenges. It seems only fitting that great troubles arise at the last moment—as if to emphasize how precious a happy ending truly is, how hard-won happiness can be.
And just when Shen Miao thought she could proceed smoothly toward that happy ending, a great trouble arrived.
...
Autumn—clear skies, gentle breezes—a rare and beautiful day.Shen Miao sat by the courtyard edge, having finished reviewing the memorials unusually early today. Luo Tan had somehow found a kite somewhere, her childlike enthusiasm undiminished as she played joyfully with the palace maids. Shen Miao couldn't help but smile, infected by her laughter.
Just then, Duke Deng hurried in from outside, his expression unusually grave. Seeing Shen Miao, he gestured for her to move to the inner hall.
Recognizing that he had something important to say, Shen Miao allowed Jing Zhe to support her as they went inside. Once there, Duke Deng immediately said, "Royal Consort, it's terrible—the remnants of the Lu family are attacking the city!"
"Remnants of the Lu family?" Shen Miao frowned. "Weren't all members of the Lu family eradicated back in Ruyang?"
"Among the Lu remnants, the second young lady's husband was a military officer who had privately raised a group of soldiers. At the time, they weren't in Longye but in the outskirts, disguised as ordinary people. These individuals had connections with the Ye family. When the Ye family fell, Ye Maocai had given them a substantial sum of money. Now, fully equipped, they intend to attack the city and are already clashing with the city's defenders," Duke Deng explained.
Shen Miao's expression darkened. After a long pause, she said coldly, "A centipede dies but never falls down. The Lu and Ye families truly exhausted their minds to oppose the imperial family." She looked at Duke Deng. "They're coming for me, aren't they?"
Duke Deng wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Royal Consort..."
With the meager "remnant forces" the Lu and Ye families now possessed, they stood no chance against Xie Jingxing, who commanded a massive army. Their decision to attack now was merely to fulfill the dying wishes of Ye Maocai and Lu Zhengchun, seeking mutual destruction. Currently, Shen Miao was the only one in the palace who could make decisions, and she carried Xie Jingxing's child in her womb. Perhaps in their eyes, killing Shen Miao and the child would plunge Xie Jingxing into unbearable agony.
For Xie Jingxing, this was the ultimate revenge.
Was this the tactic of Ye Maocai and Lu Zhengchun? Even in death, they had to deliver one last spiteful blow.
"How many troops are in the city, and how many Imperial Guards are in the palace?" Shen Miao asked.
"The palace guards are sufficient to protect the Royal Consort, but those people have already begun slaughtering the commoners outside Longye. Once they enter the city, they will undoubtedly kill indiscriminately. These men are inherently cruel and blend into the populace. To deal with them, we would need to deploy a large force, leaving the palace vulnerable to infiltration."
Shen Miao frowned. "So, it's a choice between the palace and the people?"
Duke Deng fell silent. With the matter laid out so bluntly, he didn't know how to respond.
"Understood." Shen Miao nodded. "Deploy the Imperial Guards to protect the people first."
"Royal Consort!" Duke Deng was stunned. "You cannot disregard your own safety! If anything were to happen to you, how could this servant answer to His Highness the Prince?""It's not about disregarding my own life and death," Shen Miao said. "But do you really think those people are only outside the city? They must have already infiltrated within. All they aim to do is incite fear among the people. If the Imperial Guards only focus on protecting the palace now, a few words from them could easily stir the populace. Once the people’s hearts are unsettled, even the most fortified palace will crumble. Especially now that His Highness is about to return—we absolutely cannot afford any chaos." Seeing Duke Deng’s still disapproving expression, Shen Miao added, "Besides, I wouldn’t gamble with my life. Before His Highness left, he assigned me some of his men. They will protect me."
Some of the Ink Feather Army who had remained at Prince Rui's Estate later followed Shen Miao into the palace. She understood clearly that there was no longer any room for choice. Lu Zhengchun and Ye Maocai’s final move was like a deliberate attempt to disgust everyone. If Shen Miao only cared for her own safety and ignored the people’s plight, once this crisis passed, even if Xie Jingxing ascended the throne, he would be branded as selfish and cold-hearted. For a new emperor, the most crucial thing at the beginning of his reign is the people’s support. If he loses the hearts of the populace from the start, his foundation will never be stable.
For Xie Jingxing’s sake, she couldn’t let the Imperial Guards focus solely on the palace.
Seeing that she seemed to have made up her mind, Duke Deng stopped insisting and followed her instructions to make the arrangements.
Yet Shen Miao was not as composed as she appeared. She frowned tightly. If this had happened at any other time, it might have been manageable, but now, at this critical juncture—just as she was about to give birth—it was likely the rebellious remnants had seized this very opportunity.
No matter what, she had to protect the child in her womb.
Luo Tan rushed over upon hearing the news, equally anxious, and urged her, "Little cousin, why don’t you find a place to hide for now? We can wait until after the child is born to deal with this. The palace isn’t safe anymore—everyone knows you’re here, and so do those rebels. Once the palace guards are reduced, they’ll surely attack."
Shen Miao shook her head. "If I leave, by the next day, rumors will spread that I fled to save myself. The palace is like a battlefield. If I retreat first, the rebels will advance, and the royal authority will never recover."
"But—" Luo Tan tried to argue.
"There are no 'buts.' Just hold on a little longer. Xie Jingxing will be back soon," Shen Miao said. "We just need to endure this period."
As Shen Miao had predicted, by the very next day, rumors began spreading through the streets and alleys, claiming that Prince Rui's Consort had already fled with her own men, abandoning the people of Longye to their fate. With no one left in the Great Coolness court to take charge, the rebellious remnants were clashing with the city guards at Longye’s gates, and it was only a matter of time before they broke in, turning the city into a river of blood.
The people were kind, and kind hearts were the easiest to manipulate. Whether through words or actions, all they could rely on was the emperor’s protection. But now, hearing these rumors that the one who should be making decisions had already fled, they felt like fish on a chopping block, helpless against the slaughter.
Soon, curses against the heartless royals and Shen Miao’s cruelty filled the air. They condemned Xie Jingxing for caring only about his own achievements and ignoring the lives of Longye’s people, and they vilified Shen Miao for her lack of compassion, accusing her of abandoning the city.Shen Miao sat upright in the side seat of the Golden Luan Hall. Clad in a flowing purple-gold robe that shimmered with radiance, her hair styled in a formal palace bun, her youthful features surprisingly carried the weight of such solemn colors with ease. She declared, "To the palace walls."
The court ministers exchanged uneasy glances. One stepped forward and said, "Royal Consort, wouldn't this be too risky?" This was the same official who had previously opposed Shen Miao's regency most vehemently, though he had grown more subdued in recent days.
"Only by taking risks will the people believe we won't abandon them in times of crisis," she replied as she stood. Jing Zhe and Gu Yu quickly moved to support her, as her advanced pregnancy made walking somewhat difficult.
The so-called palace walls were more like a towering building. As Shen Miao led the officials up the structure, a crowd began gathering below, growing larger by the minute. Mo Qing stood ready with the Ink Feather Army, while the Imperial Guards were poised to thwart any potential assassins lurking in the shadows.
Some among the crowd recognized Shen Miao immediately, and cries of "It's the Royal Consort!" soon rang out.
Within moments, the area below the walls became so packed it seemed impassable—likely half of Longye's population had converged there. Shen Miao gazed down at them before speaking slowly but clearly.
"People of Longye, in recent days, rumors have spread unchecked. Remnants of the Lu clan and rebellious factions of the Ye family persist in their disturbances, even launching sudden attacks on Longye to sow chaos and confusion."
Her voice, neither too loud nor too soft, carried on the wind with a calming yet resolute tone that left no doubt about her determination.
"But do not believe these lies lightly. I swear in the name of Prince Rui's Consort: as long as these walls stand, I stand with them. Should they fall, I fall with them. I am with you, and I will fight alongside you!"
The crowd erupted in a mix of astonishment, skepticism, and belief.
"The warriors of Great Coolness battle abroad, while I remain in Longye as part of the Xie family. The glory of the Xies shall not fade, and neither shall I flee. Ours is an aristocratic family of generals—we breed no cowards. We may know defeat, but never retreat. And how could mere remnants hope to shake the foundations of our court? Preposterous!"
Her words rang out with quiet authority. The people looked up at this woman in her purple-gold robes, her chin slightly raised, and for a moment they seemed to glimpse the young prince campaigning abroad—equally bold, yet with the stature to match.
"So do not believe, do not spread rumors, do not fear, and do not falter."
"I shall remain right here in this palace. Let them come if they dare!"
Her purple cloak billowed dramatically in the wind, the banners behind her flying high.
After a moment of stunned silence, the crowd below burst into thunderous cheers that seemed to shake the very heavens.
Everyone loves victory. The people needed reassurance, but even more, they needed a bold declaration. With their ruler absent, this woman had shouldered the great responsibility with courage and resolve—earning both admiration and a sense of security.
Their support was overwhelming.
The civil and military officials standing behind her were visibly moved by the scene.
Such was the power of words. This woman knew exactly how to stir hearts, to ignite the most fervent passions within people until their blood boiled with conviction. And in doing so, she had unknowingly reinforced the gates of Longye's defenses.
Shen Miao turned and departed.
In the following days, the rumors in Longye quieted significantly. Even when troublemakers tried to stir dissent, the people would refute them immediately. After all, Shen Miao had personally ascended the palace walls during such perilous times and delivered such an inspiring speech. Once the people settled, the true power of unity became evident.However, the Lu Ye rebellious party intensified their attacks outside the city, displaying an almost frenzied determination.
Shen Miao was overwhelmed, juggling the daily memorials while arranging for the Imperial Guards to reinforce the city's defenses. Being pregnant, she found herself increasingly strained.
One morning, she had just risen early when Luo Tan rushed in. "Little cousin," she said, "someone's here to see you."
Shen Miao frowned. "Who?" In the palace, aside from brief exchanges with court officials during audiences, no one visited her specifically. In Longye, she had few close friends or relatives—those she cherished most were already within the palace walls.
"Let me help you out to see," Luo Tan offered.
Supporting Shen Miao, Luo Tan led her to the main hall, where a figure sat at the table while Jing Zhe poured tea. The visitor wore a fluttering blue robe, as aloof and composed as Shen Miao remembered.
"Master Pei?" Shen Miao exclaimed in surprise.
Pei Lang turned his head.
Nearly a year had passed since their parting—a year filled with too many events. Back then, Pei Lang's decision to leave had been, in some ways, the best choice. After all, with the memories of their past lives lingering, neither knew how to face the other.
Seeing Shen Miao, he smiled faintly. "I heard Longye is in peril, and the palace faces danger. Though I lack extraordinary skills, I can at least share some of the burden."
Shen Miao furrowed her brows, momentarily silent.
Pei Lang chuckled. "Don't overthink it. I'm from Ming Qi, so in Great Coolness, we're at least fellow countrymen. Besides, we once had a teacher-student relationship—it's not as if we're strangers. Consider this my effort to assist a neighbor."
His demeanor was calm, as though nothing had ever happened between them. Shen Miao studied him carefully, noting his composed expression, as if he had truly moved on from the past. A sense of relief washed over her.
For Shen Miao, those bygone days now felt distant. She cared more about the future, and Pei Lang's arrival could indeed alleviate many of her pressing concerns.
"I owe you another favor," she said. The last time, Pei Lang had taken a blade for her.
Pei Lang murmured, "Owe?" Then he smiled again. "It's good that you think so." Raising his gaze to meet hers, he added, "Let's not waste time. We should address Longye's most urgent matters now."
...
At present, Longye's most pressing issues were eliminating the remnants of the rebellious party and ensuring the safety of the city's inhabitants. The chaos of war had spawned endless memorials and court affairs. Managing all this alone was already a stretch for Shen Miao, especially in her condition and with her delivery imminent. The strain was simply too much.
After Pei Lang's arrival, her burden lightened somewhat.
Pei Lang had once been Fu Xiuyi's advisor, so he was well-versed in court affairs. Moreover, he possessed a natural talent for handling such matters with thoroughness and ease. Even though it was his first time navigating Great Coolness's court, he adapted effortlessly.
Yet one challenge remained: Longye's manpower was sufficient to protect the city's residents but inadequate to spare forces for suppressing the rebellious party without leaving gaps elsewhere. No one dared take such a risk, but the stalemate couldn't continue indefinitely."Delaying for another month or so, once Xie Jingxing returns, these Rebellious Party members can be wiped out," Shen Miao said to Pei Lang. "We just need to hold on until then."
Pei Lang was assisting with reviewing the memorials. Neither of them mentioned their past lives or anything remotely sensitive related to it, as if it were an unspoken understanding between them. Bringing it up wouldn't do any good—sometimes, feigning ignorance was the best way to get along.
When Pei Lang saw the simple-minded Ye Hongguang, he was stunned for quite a while, likely realizing how strikingly similar Ye Hongguang looked to Fu Ming. As a result, he treated Ye Hongguang with extra kindness, and Ye Hongguang, in turn, enjoyed playing with the patient Pei Lang.
"Even so," Pei Lang expressed some concern, "the Lu family's Rebellious Party also understands this logic. The city garrison reported the other day that the Lu family's rebels have been unusually inactive. When things deviate from the norm, there must be something sinister afoot. I can't shake the feeling they're preparing for something."
"No matter what they are preparing, our situation won't change in the slightest." Shen Miao sighed. "We initially thought the borders of Great Coolness were securely guarded. With Longye being impregnable, any movement would merely be mutual suspicion among court officials. Who knew the Lu family had another trick up their sleeve?"
"The Lu family harbors deep hatred for the imperial family. Knowing victory was hopeless, they still hid one last move at the final moment."
"That old traitor deserved his death." Shen Miao held the memorial in her hand but gazed out the window. "But Longye must not be lost. Not a single step can be yielded."
Luo Tan approached carrying a food basket, smiling. "You two have been reviewing memorials for so long—you must eat. Especially you, little cousin. You're not just one person now; there's a child too. Starving yourself and making my future niece or nephew go hungry—what kind of mother does that?" She took out pastries and soup from the basket. "Master Pei, have some too. I personally oversaw the kitchen preparing these—guaranteed to be absolutely safe!"
Luo Tan, with little to do in the palace these days, had turned her full attention to Shen Miao's unborn child. With so many hands in the palace, food required extreme caution—countless women had lost children to tainted meals. Luo Tan took to sitting by the imperial kitchens daily, watching every step of preparation, even with Tao Gugu, Jing Zhe, and Gu Yu around.
Shen Miao smiled faintly. "You've worked hard."
Pei Lang's gaze lingered on Shen Miao's rounded abdomen. Hesitating, he asked, "It should be... soon, right?"
"Hard to say for certain," Shen Miao replied. "But I feel it won't be long now." She caressed her belly, a fleeting tenderness in her eyes. "Born in such turbulent times—it's truly unfair to him."
"What turbulence?" Luo Tan interjected. "That's not right, little cousin. These are peaceful, prosperous times now. When your husband returns, this little one will have a victorious father, with the whole world celebrating their birth. Such honor isn't something everyone gets. How can you make such a blessing sound like misfortune?"
Shen Miao chuckled. "With such silver tongue, why not become a storyteller?"
Luo Tan preened. "If I took up storytelling, I'd undoubtedly be the best in the land."
Pei Lang, watching their banter, shook his head with a smile. "Once we get through this period, all will be well. Let's just hope the remnants of the Rebellious Party don't cause trouble now."
But heaven rarely complies with human wishes. Pei Lang's words proved ominously prophetic two days later.
At this critical juncture, not the slightest misstep could be afforded. Once Xie Jingxing returned and resolved Longye's crisis, both the Rebellious Party and traitors would vanish forever from Great Coolness's soil. With Ming Qi and Qin State gone, only Great Coolness would remain under Jingxing's rule, ushering in an era of prosperity.
Even if they fled to the ends of the earth, these people would remain like ants or stray dogs, forever restless.From the very beginning, they had no intention of leaving alive—otherwise, they wouldn’t have attacked Longye. But the premise was that killing Shen Miao and the child in her womb would make this desperate battle worth it. Now, as days passed without success in inciting the people or destabilizing the royal family, the rebels would grow desperate. They were eager to throw Longye into chaos, ensuring that when Xie Jingxing returned, he would face not only a ruined city but also the devastating blow of his wife and child’s deaths.
Two days later, they launched a frenzied attack on Longye.
Just as Pei Lang had speculated—when things are abnormal, there must be treachery—they had devised a meticulous plan. This plan was originally Lu Maocai’s arrangement for forcing the emperor’s abdication, but now, unexpectedly, it was being used against an empty imperial city.
Yet, as Shen Miao had said, no matter what, their situation would not change in the slightest.
In Lu Maocai’s original plan, the Lu family’s soldiers were to confront the Imperial Guards. Now, these remnants lacked the Lu family’s ferocity, and the Imperial Guards were fewer than during the Yongle Emperor’s reign, making it a stalemate.
Diverting the Imperial Guards to protect the civilians would leave the palace understaffed. Shen Miao’s situation was also perilous.
"Royal Consort, perhaps we should recall more people to the palace," Duke Deng suggested. "It would be safer to have more hands in the palace now."
"One or two more won’t make a difference, and too many would leave the outside undefended. Let it be," Shen Miao replied. "We just need to hold out tonight. The rebels also need to recuperate—if they fail to take the city tonight, their morale will plummet. Tonight is the most critical moment. Once we pass it, the rest will be easier."
Tao Gugu fretted, "But it’s still so worrying. And Royal Consort, is the child in your womb truly unharmed?"
Shen Miao instinctively touched her belly. Perhaps due to the bond between mother and child, she had felt the baby kicking and moving noticeably these past days, but tonight, it was unusually quiet. She smiled. "It must be asleep, knowing not to cause trouble now. It’s being very well-behaved."
Pei Lang said, "Since we’ve made our decision, we’ll hold our ground. But we must still prepare for the worst. If anything happens, have the Ink Feather Army rush here to escort you to safety. Though the palace must be defended, lives are still the most important. Even if the people learn you fled, they won’t blame you—you’d only do so at the last moment to protect the royal bloodline."
Shen Miao nodded. "That’s what I think too."
"Then let’s steel ourselves," Luo Tan declared. "Tonight is the most crucial night. We’re all in the palace together, and now more than ever, we must unite. There’s no hurdle we can’t overcome. We’ve endured nearly a year already—what’s there to fear from a few nameless rats?"
Luo Tan, raised by the Luo family, had an innate boldness and courage that only grew stronger in times of danger. Her words stirred the palace staff into a fervor, even the maids and eunuchs of Weiyang Palace kneeling and vowing to stand with the palace to the end.
Though it hadn’t yet come to such a dire extremity.Shen Miao sat upright in the center of the grand hall. The hall was spacious—so spacious that it felt somewhat desolate. Pei Lang sat to one side reviewing memorials, while Shen Miao perused some documents sent by court officials at noon. As for Luo Tan, she had somehow found a set of Nine Interlocking Rings to fiddle with. Tao Gugu and Duke Deng stood nearby, occasionally reheating the tea. Everyone seemed occupied with their own tasks, making the scene appear quite busy.
This somewhat alleviated the tense atmosphere.
But only somewhat, as Imperial Guards kept reporting on the current situation in the city. The rebels were indeed ruthless, slaughtering civilians everywhere as if deliberately provoking the royal family, sowing panic at every turn. Fortunately, Shen Miao had dispatched most of the Imperial Guards and the city garrison, who were now locked in a fierce struggle with the Lu family forces, with neither side gaining the upper hand.
These rebels were cunning—some stirred unrest among the populace while others attempted to flank and attack the palace. The distant clashing of weapons and occasional shouts of soldiers could be heard outside, intermittently accompanied by the glow of flames. No one could remain truly calm under such circumstances.
It felt like a drawn bowstring—pulled taut one moment, relaxed the next, then stretched to its limit again. Every movement tugged at people's hearts, making it impossible to settle their nerves.
The night passed with excruciating slowness, so slow that even the wisps of incense smoke from the burner seemed to drift more languidly through the air, emitting a tranquil fragrance that nonetheless made hearts leap into throats.
As dawn's first light appeared, the commotion outside gradually subsided.
Duke Deng and Tao Gugu visibly relaxed.
The captain of the Imperial Guards entered and reported to Shen Miao, "Royal Consort, the Lu family rebels have retreated beyond the city walls, and the remaining insurgents within the city have been eliminated. The city garrison is now pacifying the citizens."
The crisis had passed.
Luo Tan stretched lazily. She had fiddled with the Nine Interlocking Rings all night without solving them—not due to lack of intelligence, but because her mind hadn't been on the puzzle at all. Yawning, she said with tired excitement, "Little cousin, now that the crisis is over and I've kept you company all night, I've contributed at least a little, haven't I?"
Shen Miao looked up. She appeared less exhausted than Luo Tan, though still visibly weary. Smiling, she said, "Everyone has worked hard. When His Highness returns, all contributions will be rewarded."
The guard captain also smiled. "The Royal Consort has worked hard too."
To remain composed during such critical moments, even staying awake in the palace throughout the night, was in some ways equivalent to fighting alongside them. For a woman to accomplish this was particularly admirable. Moreover, everyone had witnessed what kind of person Shen Miao had proven to be these days—without her leadership stabilizing Longye, the city would likely have descended into chaos.
Pei Lang also looked up from his memorials and gave Shen Miao a relieved smile.
Tao Gugu, most concerned about Shen Miao's health, urged, "Now that everything's settled, the Royal Consort should rest. Staying awake all night would exhaust anyone, let alone someone with child." She moved to support Shen Miao.
As Tao Gugu helped her up, Shen Miao had barely taken a step when she suddenly froze, feeling a heavy pull in her abdomen.Seeing this, Luo Tan said, "Your body must be stiff from sitting too long. Let me help you massage it. When people's legs go numb, it's always like this—even taking a step is difficult."
"No," Shen Miao forced herself to calm down and said, "First, help me call for a midwife."
Tao Gugu and Luo Tan were momentarily stunned, but Tao Gugu quickly snapped out of it. It was hard to tell whether she was more excited or alarmed as she exclaimed, "Quick! Fetch the two midwives from the palace!"
...
The midwives were the best in Longye, renowned far and wide for their skills. Even the most difficult births were trivial matters in their hands. To be thorough, Tao Gugu had brought two of them.
The elder of the two, Li Pozi, said, "Royal Consort, don’t be nervous. For women, childbirth is always a first-time experience. The first time is unfamiliar, the second time it becomes easier. Once you’ve done it once, you won’t be as scared later—it’ll go smoothly."
Liu Pozi, older than Li Pozi, scolded, "What nonsense are you spouting in front of Her Highness?" Then she turned to Shen Miao and remarked curiously, "But the Royal Consort seems remarkably composed. I’ve delivered countless babies, but this is the first time I’ve seen someone so calm."
Shen Miao was helped onto the bed. Her expression was serene, as if she didn’t care about the matter at all. From start to finish, she showed no signs of panic, making one almost think this wasn’t her first childbirth. But even women giving birth for the second time weren’t this relaxed.
In truth, Shen Miao knew she wasn’t as calm as she appeared. Her memories of childbirth dated back to a long time ago, when Fu Xiuyi had barely paid her any attention. The birth had been arduous, and she had carried her anxiety through it all.
But this child was coming into the world with everyone’s hopes and expectations. Whether it was Xie Jingxing and herself, the Xiande Empress and the Yongle Emperor, or the Shen family—once they learned she was pregnant, they would undoubtedly treasure this child dearly. The more precious something was, the more one feared it might shatter.
Anxiety breeds chaos. She forced herself to take deep breaths, in and out, casting aside the disordered thoughts in her mind.
"Royal Consort, sit up and eat something first," Li Pozi said, bringing over a bowl of red date soup with eggs. "You’ll need strength for the birth. It’ll still be a while before the baby comes."
Shen Miao took the bowl. Though she had little appetite, she forced herself to finish the entire serving.
"The Royal Consort isn’t the least bit fussy," Liu Pozi praised. "Most young wives have their little quirks, especially those from wealthy families—they’re even more particular. Some refuse to eat, saying they’re uncomfortable, only to end up too weak during labor, suffering for it. But the Royal Consort is very sensible. With this attitude, the birth will surely go smoothly."
Seeing Shen Miao’s gentle demeanor and her lack of disdain for their humble origins, the midwives spoke more freely, without excessive formality.
Shen Miao understood they were trying to distract her, to make the time pass faster. After all, the labor hadn’t even started yet.
Outside, Tao Gugu and the others waited anxiously. Luo Tan said, "My heart is pounding. I wonder if my little cousin will have a boy or a girl. After being curious for so long, we’ll finally have the answer.""Whether it's a young heir or a young princess, His Highness the Prince will surely be overjoyed and dote on them dearly upon his return," Tao Gugu said with a smile. "We just don’t know how long the wait will be."
Duke Deng also appeared somewhat nervous: "After all, this will be the first grandchild of the royal family. The Empress, His Majesty, and the late Empress Dowager in heaven would surely feel comforted."
If even they were like this, the people of Prince Rui's Estate were naturally even more anxious.
Even someone as usually stoic as Mo Qing looked flushed with suppressed excitement. Cong Yang was bouncing around incessantly, saying, "Before leaving, I made a bet with Tie Yi—I wagered all my savings that it would be a little princess. If I lose, I won’t even have money left for a wife."
Jing Zhe happened to hear this and scoffed, "I think it’ll be a young heir."
"Hey, why must it be a young heir?" Cong Yang retorted. "I say it’s a little princess."
"It’s a young heir!" Jing Zhe refused to back down.
"Stop arguing," Gu Yu mediated. "Isn’t this too much? Where’s Uncle Tang?"
Uncle Tang was in a corner, murmuring "Amitabha" under his breath while whispering, "May the ancestors of the Xiao family protect the Royal Consort and her child—whether son or daughter—and keep everyone safe..."
From morning until afternoon, and into the evening, Shen Miao finally began to give birth.
The midwife instructed the palace maids to prepare clean water, towels, sterilized scissors, and other necessities. Luo Tan wanted to go inside but was gently dissuaded by Tao Gugu. Tao Gugu and several maids entered, along with Jing Zhe and Gu Yu, to ensure no foul play occurred.
Shen Miao groaned softly on the bed.
She tried to endure it, but the waves of pain grew increasingly intense, until it became almost unbearable—worse than any physical pain she had suffered since her rebirth, as if someone were twisting scissors in her abdomen.
"Royal Consort, push harder! Use your strength!" Li Pozi urged. "I can see the child now!"
...
Outside, Pei Lang and the others felt as though time had slowed to a crawl.
Palace maids came and went with silver basins, the sight of blood inside them alarming. Luo Tan anxiously grabbed an elderly maid beside her and asked, "What’s happening? Why is there so much blood?"
The maid reassured her, "It’s normal for women to bleed during childbirth. Don’t worry."
Pei Lang’s thoughts, however, drifted far away.
In her past life, Fu Xiuyi had paid no attention to the births of Fu Ming and Wan Yu. At the time, he happened to pass by, and Fu Xiuyi had simply asked him to check on her behalf.
In a way, Pei Lang had accompanied Shen Miao through her childbirth in her previous life. Now, in this life, with Xie Jingxing absent, it was once again him by her side.
This was good, at least. At such a critical moment, she wasn’t alone. At least he had been there for her during this time.
Every moment stretched endlessly. After what felt like an eternity, a midwife’s exclamation came from inside: "It’s out! A young heir! Wait—there’s another!"
"Twins! Twins! The Royal Consort is truly blessed!"
Almost immediately afterward, a loud, clear cry of a newborn rang out.
Everyone was overjoyed; Luo Tan nearly fainted from excitement! But before they could even catch their breath, Li Pozi’s panicked voice sounded again: "Royal Consort, stay with us! Don’t fall asleep! Don’t sleep!"Pei Lang's heart tightened before he could react, when he heard Tao Gugu's sorrowful voice cry out, "Royal Consort, hold on!"
Luo Tan, impatient by nature, could no longer restrain her fear and rushed into the room. Pei Lang hesitated for a moment until Tao Gugu called, "Master Pei! Master Pei, come in!"
Pei Lang dashed inside. Shen Miao lay under the covers, her face deathly pale. She said to Liu Pozi and Li Pozi beside her, "It's alright... as long as the child is safe."
"Royal Consort..." Liu Pozi and Li Pozi wanted to say more but found themselves speechless.
"What on earth is going on?" Luo Tan was on the verge of tears. "What's wrong with little cousin? Why is she saying such things out of nowhere?"
"The Royal Consort's health has been frail for some time, and this pregnancy carried twins. She was overworked and distracted before the birth, and the pregnancy was unstable. Now her body is utterly exhausted, and she's lost too much blood..." Liu Pozi couldn't continue.
"This birth has been... so difficult. I... I think I may not make it. Cousin, when you see my parents and eldest brother, tell them... I failed in my filial duty, that I cannot care for them in their old age."
Luo Tan shook her head desperately. "Little cousin, these words shouldn't come from me. Don't talk nonsense—you'll be fine, alive and well to see Aunt and Uncle yourself. Saying such things is the real failure of filial duty. Stop it, stop it!" By the end, her voice was choked with sobs, nearly beyond control.
Shen Miao smiled helplessly, then turned her gaze to Pei Lang beside her.
Pei Lang looked dazed, his lips trembling slightly, a far cry from his usual calm and composed demeanor.
"No, you can hold on," he said. "I still owe you so much. You must live a long, healthy life, free from worries." He spoke as if forcing himself to believe something.
"Master Pei... you've long owed me nothing. If you truly wish to repay me... then promise me... to protect my child. May he grow up strong and healthy." She struggled to catch her breath, as if she had exhausted all her strength, and continued, "When you see Xie Jingxing... tell him I'm sorry. I couldn't wait any longer. Thank him... for always being willing to protect me, to tolerate me. To have been his wife... I... I was so happy..."
"Royal Consort!" Tao Gugu cried out.
"Let me see my child..." she murmured.
The two women hastily cleaned the babies, swaddled them, and brought them to Shen Miao's side. Tao Gugu said through tears, "They are two little Heirs Apparent, both strong and healthy."
Shen Miao's gaze lingered on the two infants. With great effort, she reached out a finger to trace the outlines of their brows and eyes, whispering, "When these two grow up... their features will surely be beautiful. Whether they take after their father or mother... Xie Jingxing and I... suffered so much. If the heavens are kind... they won't let them suffer the same."
Tao Gugu had already begun wiping away her tears.
Luo Tan turned her head away, using the back of her hand to brush her cheeks.
"I so wish... I could watch them grow up..." Her eyes remained fixed on the two children, filled with deep, profound longing—as if through their tiny faces, she could see someone thousands of miles away.
"I miss you so much..."
Her voice gradually faded.
Far away, in a grand tent thousands of miles distant, the young commander suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest. The agony spread from his core to every corner of his body, so intense that he involuntarily bent over. Gripping the edge of a table, he gasped for breath.Gao Yang lifted the tent flap and entered, startled by the sight before him. He quickly reached out to check Xie Jingxing's pulse, but after feeling it, he said in surprise, "There's nothing wrong. What's the matter with you?"
Xie Jingxing frowned suddenly and declared, "We attack Xunyang tomorrow."
"Why the sudden decision?" Gao Yang was taken aback.
"To end this quickly." Xie Jingxing turned and strode out.
...
Great Liang captured Xunyang of the Qin State, thus breaking the tripartite balance that had lasted over a hundred years, all thanks to the young Prince Rui. The contention among warlords came to an end, and the grand ambitions of empire ultimately fell to Great Liang.
The victor becomes king, the defeated a bandit. The Emperor of Qin fled in defeat, only to be annihilated midway. Now, there would only be an Emperor of Great Liang—no more Emperors of Ming Qi or Qin.
History remembers only the victors. Though the fate of a conquered people is sorrowful, if the old ruler was tyrannical and harsh while the new sovereign is benevolent and kind to the people, the hearts of the populace will inevitably lean toward the merciful side.
The common folk are no fools. Since ancient times, there has been a saying: "One good turn deserves another." A wise ruler will always find support wherever they go.
The soldiers of Great Liang were returning home.
Returning victorious was, after all, a glorious thing. Families with members who had served and survived naturally wore pride on their faces. Even those wrapped in horsehide, though mourned, were honored.
The people of Longye were nearly beside themselves with excitement, eagerly awaiting the triumphant army's return.
In contrast to the jubilant streets, the palace was eerily quiet.
Luo Tan sat in the courtyard, basking in the rare warmth of the autumn sun. Books were spread across the ground as Jing Zhe and Gu Yu aired them in the sunlight.
Watching them, Luo Tan chuckled and said, "Back in Xiaochun City, she always insisted on airing these books. I never understood it—books don’t spoil, so why bother? She was so particular about it. And yet, here I am now, doing it for her without being asked."
The man in the blue robe standing beside her remained silent.
Pei Lang seemed to have aged overnight. He went about his tasks in silence. Without Shen Miao’s orders, he could no longer review memorials. His days were spent idly reading, with nothing else to occupy him—a futile existence that appeared to torment him.
Not a trace of joy could be found in the palace.
Tao Gugu emerged, carrying two infants in her arms. Luo Tan quickly stood and took one.
"The young masters are both healthy," Tao Gugu said with a smile. "The wet nurses say they’re very well-behaved at night, never fussing."
A faint smile touched Luo Tan’s lips. "Such good temperaments—they must take after their mother." Her voice trailed off abruptly.
Pei Lang’s gaze lingered on the two children, his eyes dimming slightly.
"I can’t tell which is the elder and which is the younger," Luo Tan said, shifting the subject. "They look exactly alike now—what will we do when they grow up?"
Tao Gugu laughed. "It’s no trouble. Later, we can dress them differently to tell them apart. Besides, as they grow, their temperaments will differ, making it easy to distinguish them."
"But what shall we call them?" Luo Tan frowned. "Which is the elder, which is the younger? My little cousin didn’t even have time to name them..." She paused, then sighed ruefully. "I keep saying I won’t bring it up, yet here I am again. Never mind."
Seeing this, Tao Gugu opened her mouth to console her, but Gu Yu and Jing Zhe hurried in from outside.
"His Highness the Prince has returned!" Gu Yu announced.
"What?" Both Pei Lang and Luo Tan froze. By their calculations, Great Liang’s army shouldn’t have reached the capital for at least another month.
"The Prince rode ahead with a small contingent," Gu Yu said quietly. "But Madam..."
After a pause, Pei Lang murmured, "Let’s go and see."Xie Jingxing strode briskly into the palace. A mere year was enough to change too many things—both the Yongle Emperor and Empress Xiande had passed away, leaving the vast palace feeling much more desolate.
Duke Deng smiled and said, "Your Highness, perhaps you should visit the two young masters first. Tao Gugu and Miss Luo are playing with them."
Xie Jingxing frowned. "Where is Shen Miao?"
Before his words fully faded, Luo Tan and Tao Gugu emerged from behind the screen at the back of the hall, each holding a child, with Pei Lang following behind them.
The infants in their swaddling clothes had just woken up and were waving their chubby little hands energetically, their plump fingers looking especially adorable under the sunlight.
Xie Jingxing’s steps faltered.
"Where is Shen Miao?" he asked again, his voice slow and deliberate.
Pei Lang stepped forward and said softly, "Go and see her."
...
Gao Zhan stroked his entirely white beard and shook his head. "I have done everything in my power to preserve her life. Her body was already exhausted, but she clung fiercely to survival—perhaps due to some unresolved matter, unwilling to let go of her last breath. Using that final breath, I sealed her acupoints with golden needles and saved her life, but that is all I could do."
"Grandfather, what does that mean?" Gao Yang asked. Having left home many years ago, he had long been estranged from the Gao family after embarking on an official career that went against their principles. The word "grandfather" made Gao Zhan tremble slightly.
"It means she may sleep forever. Though she breathes and has a pulse, she may never wake, never open her eyes again. Or if she does wake..." He looked at Gao Yang. "Like the young master of the Ye family whom you treated, no one can predict what state she will be in."
In other words, if Shen Miao woke, she might become as mentally impaired as Ye Hongguang. But more likely, she would simply continue sleeping year after year, growing old without ever opening her eyes to see Xie Jingxing again.
"So she's..." Ji Yushu swallowed the words "living corpse." But even unspoken, everyone understood Gao Zhan’s meaning.
"In that case," Gao Zhan asked Xie Jingxing, "Your Highness, are you still willing to wait?"
"No matter how long," Xie Jingxing replied. "She kept her promise and waited for my return. What does it matter if I wait for her for a lifetime? Her life belongs to me—without my permission, even the King of Hell cannot take it." As he spoke, his expression was cold and severe, carrying the icy authority of the Yongle Emperor, yet still retaining his own wild arrogance, as if nothing in the world could sway him.
The others fell silent.
Shen Miao, her eyes closed, could not hear these words. She seemed to be sleeping peacefully. Luo Tan said, "Let’s leave. It’s good for her to rest for a while—she hasn’t had a proper break in this past year."
...
Xie Jingxing treated the twin infants with great care.
His long-time subordinates and friends were nearly stunned by his patience. It was often said that young fathers, though joyful at first, tended to resist childcare due to their natural lack of attentiveness.
But Xie Jingxing’s temperament had never been associated with "gentleness" or "patience."But he truly defied everyone's expectations by spending time with the two children every day. He personally attended to their needs without complaint, even nitpicking the wet nurses. A grown man fussing over every little detail. The two children only had milk names given by Xie Jingxing—one called "Chuyi" and the other "Shishi."
Everyone thought the names were too casual, but Xie Jingxing argued confidently, "The moon is fullest on the first and fifteenth days of the month. Besides, they're my sons—what I name them is none of your damn business. Get lost."
So everyone got lost.
But no matter how much he ignored other matters—whether it was naming the children or caring for infants—certain duties still had to be fulfilled.
The Yongle Emperor's abdication edict was known throughout the court. Now that the realm was at peace, Xie Jingxing was to ascend the throne. His coronation was inevitable, but what about the selection of an empress?
Who would it be?
Shen Miao was still bedridden—perhaps she would never wake, or perhaps she would awaken as a simpleton. No dynasty in history had ever had such an empress.
It seemed unlikely. The future was too long, and human hearts were fickle. Xie Jingxing might be unwavering in his devotion to Shen Miao now, but who could say what would happen in the years to come?
When Luo Tan heard the news, she was indignant. The Shen Family Army had returned with Great Coolness's forces but had not yet reached Longye, so they were unaware of Shen Miao's condition. As Shen Miao's only remaining relative, Luo Tan couldn't bear to see her suffer injustice. She was even more unwilling to accept that Shen Miao had given everything and received nothing in return.
She couldn't bring herself to scold Xie Jingxing—after all, he hadn't done anything wrong—so instead, she poured out all of Shen Miao's hardships over the past year. She spoke of how Shen Miao, heavily pregnant, had defended Longye, the palace, and the dignity of Great Coolness's imperial family in his stead. Countless times, in moments of crisis, despite the danger, Shen Miao had held firm. She hadn't needed to do any of it.
Xie Jingxing listened silently, then looked at Luo Tan with a faint, mocking smile. "So?"
Luo Tan didn't know what else to say. "So... just keep it in mind." Her heart was a mess—stifled, bitter, yet she didn't know how to ease it. As she hurried away, she bumped into someone. Looking up, she saw it was Gao Yang.
Gao Yang, puzzled, asked what was wrong. Luo Tan glared at him fiercely before walking off.
Xie Jingxing walked to the pondside, originally intending to drink tea, but in the end, he had Duke Deng remove the tea and bring a jug of wine instead.
By this pond, under the moonlit pavilion, Xiande Huanghou and the Yongle Emperor had once shared their final cup of snow-brewed wine. The world lamented the tragic fate of the devoted imperial couple, cruelly parted by heaven. On the surface, Xie Jingxing seemed far luckier than the Yongle Emperor—at least he was alive, and as long as he lived, anything was possible.
But what if Shen Miao never woke up? Would such a life lose all its joy? Xie Jingxing had never been overly passionate about the throne. If he lost the person by his side, leading a dull existence for the rest of his days—that would truly be a sorrowful thing.
Footsteps approached. Following the sound, he saw it was Pei Lang.
Pei Lang, noble and refined, a gentleman who seemed as though he had never touched alcohol in his life—the kind of man one would imagine as a solitary scholar, sipping tea and playing the zither amidst rustling bamboo. Yet he sat down opposite Xie Jingxing, found a wine cup for himself, and poured a drink.The jade wine cup emitted a faint glow under the moonlight, intoxicating even before the first sip.
Pei Lang said, "Tomorrow you will ascend the throne. Congratulations."
Xie Jingxing curled his lips into a smile, though it didn’t seem particularly joyful.
"And what about her?" Pei Lang cut straight to the point. "What are your plans?"
Xie Jingxing slowly turned his head, studying Pei Lang for a moment before replying, "Is Master Pei concerned?"
"I once shared a mentor-student bond with the Royal Consort," Pei Lang remained unfazed, speaking calmly. "Later, during the siege of the imperial city, we became comrades in hardship. I don’t wish to criticize or change anything—I’m merely curious."
"Oh?" Xie Jingxing lowered his head to take a sip of wine, his tone indifferent. "What do you think should be done?"
"The Royal Consort once mentioned that she harbored no greed for the position of Empress, nor any power or status. In fact, she found them burdensome. Yet if it was her responsibility, she would shoulder it. She isn’t someone with boundless compassion for the world, but she is willing to bear burdens for those who matter to her heart."
"Those who matter include her kin in the Shen family, the child in her womb, and you."
Pei Lang continued, "The Royal Consort said that her life has always been exceptionally harsh, as if Heaven treated her with undue severity. Looking back, it seems she never truly experienced good fortune. Thus, she never dared to hope for divine favor. The only wish she ever indulged in was for the safety and happiness of those she loved."
A faint flicker passed through Xie Jingxing’s eyes.
Pei Lang turned to look at him and smiled. "She never encountered good fortune. What others obtained effortlessly, she had to exhaust herself to attain. Even the smallest wishes were harder for her than for others. Now, when bitterness has finally turned sweet, before she could even taste the nectar, she fell into slumber. Heaven has indeed been unjust to her. Yet precisely because she never expected anything from others, she becomes all the more pitiable and admirable."
"Your Highness," Pei Lang raised his wine cup, smiling. "Now that your great undertaking is complete, the throne awaits, and the realm lies in your hands—perhaps beauties will follow in time. Still, I must remind you: do not let yourself regret." His voice softened. "If regret comes, there will be no chance to turn back in this lifetime. The torment of daily suffering would be unbearable."
Xie Jingxing regarded him thoughtfully. "Have you ever regretted?"
"Once. And I spent the rest of my life trying to make amends. Though I salvaged some, what was lost can never return." Pei Lang sighed.
The two fell silent. Just then, Tao Gugu hurried over. Seeing Xie Jingxing and Pei Lang drinking together, she spoke somewhat awkwardly, "Your Highness, the two young masters are crying incessantly. The nursemaids can’t soothe them no matter what. You should go and see."
Chuyi and Shishi, accustomed to being doted on by Xie Jingxing, had grown utterly spoiled. No one else could calm them—only Xie Jingxing’s presence worked. It was rather strange. Shen Miao’s temperament was exceedingly composed, never one to cause trouble, yet the two children she bore seemed like little debt collectors. Before, it had been manageable, but ever since Xie Jingxing returned, their tempers had "soared." Fortunately, Xie Jingxing had endless patience with them. Had it been any other young father, he might have long since thrown up his hands in frustration.Xie Jingxing stood up and said, "I'll go take a look." Suddenly remembering something, he turned to Pei Lang, staring at him intently. "You're quite an interesting person. However, thank you for the reminder." He drained the remaining wine in his cup and added, "I never do things I regret, nor do I make others regret. You're overthinking it."
As Xie Jingxing and Tao Gugu departed, Pei Lang watched their retreating figures, shaking his head with a self-deprecating smile. He murmured under his breath, "Overthinking?" His expression gradually turned bitter. "Truly, not leaving even a sliver of opportunity for others... how utterly ruthless..."
...
On the day Xie Jingxing ascended the throne, the skies were bright, the sun warm, and the breeze gentle.
His reign name was Xiaojing.
The nine-layered palace stood majestic and towering. In the Golden Luan Hall, dragons coiled fiercely in the air. Before him stood the officials, flanked by courtiers. The young emperor donned a golden dragon robe embroidered with peacock feathers, its hem meticulously adorned with golden thread forming intricate dragon patterns. The robe's edges were exquisitely detailed, radiating an awe-inspiring brilliance too dazzling to behold.
His features were peerlessly handsome, his crown perfectly poised, yet his eyes—those playful peach-blossom eyes—held a chilling sharpness, like the cold winds of October. None dared underestimate this young emperor. Though he was the youngest in Great Coolness's history to ascend the throne, he had truly borne the banners of war, swept across battlefields, and conquered both Qin State and Ming Qi as a military commander. In court, his cunning strategies left opponents in disarray.
The imperial decree of succession had been proclaimed, the jade seal of the realm now in his grasp. From this day forth, Great Coolness and the world welcomed a new ruler.
Yet, after the ceremonial rites, he unexpectedly stepped aside. The courtiers dared not raise their heads until the emperor's voice rang out: "The investiture of the Empress."
Everyone knew Prince Rui's Consort remained in an unawakening slumber. What kind of investiture was this? Puzzled, they lifted their eyes—only to see the young emperor cradling a woman in his arms, placing her with utmost reverence upon the empress's throne, his movements tender as though handling a priceless treasure.
Among the courtiers, aside from Gao Yang, Ji Yushu, and a few others, the rest wore expressions of shock. One stepped forward and protested, "Your Majesty, this is unacceptable!"
"Oh?" Emperor Xiaojing turned to him, his gaze shifting playfully. "Why is it unacceptable?"
"Your... consort remains unconscious. How can the mother of the nation be someone unaware?"
Never had any nation's Empress been one who never woke.
"Unacceptable?" Emperor Xiaojing seemed to be teasing him deliberately. "What if I insist?"
The courtier was a veteran, one even the Yongle Emperor had held in high regard. With apparent confidence, he retorted, "Does Your Majesty intend to leave the empress's seat vacant for her forever?"
The court erupted in murmurs.
An eternally slumbering figure occupying the empress's seat—even if only in name—carried profound implications. Should new consorts enter the palace in the future, as long as the empress's position remained filled, their children could never surpass Chuyi and Shishi in status.
Emperor Xiaojing chuckled softly, his laughter leaving the courtiers dumbfounded and the protesting official uneasy.
The emperor spoke: "A vacant empress's seat? My harem holds only one woman. How could it ever be vacant?"
The entire court was stunned.
"Your Majesty..." The old minister attempted to speak again."Minister Xu, I recall you have two young granddaughters in your household, now at the prime of their youth," Emperor Xiaojing remarked.
The man stiffened, his heart uneasy yet faintly stirring with secret delight—until the next moment when that delight vanished without a trace, as the emperor continued, "How about I betroth one of them to the former young General Song of Wuguan?"
That young General Song was promising and capable, but he had lost an eye in battle, rendering any future advancement impossible.
"Minister Xu" instantly turned ashen.
"I am not here to hear your opinions, nor your complaints. I am merely informing you of this decision." Seated upon the throne, he gazed down at his ministers with an imperious air. "I am the Son of Heaven, the master. If any of you have objections to my decrees, voice them. But if you dare to meddle in my harem or my private affairs, then I will," he paused, considering, "return the favor tenfold."
"Then don’t say I mismatched the couples," he said with a roguish smile, momentarily resembling the handsome youth who once lazily rode through the streets of Ming Qi. But now, all his sharp edges were sheathed, hidden beneath an ornate scabbard—though none dared test whether the blade within could slice through iron.
"Don’t believe me? Feel free to try," he added, his tone laced with mockery.
He hardly seemed like an emperor—neither solemn nor grave, yet far more dangerous than any before him, even rivaling the Yongle Emperor. The more indifferent he appeared, the more uneasy hearts trembled. Everyone knew Prince Rui was a cunning schemer; once he set his sights on someone, they wouldn’t even know how they died. Most crucially, he disregarded propriety and reputation entirely, fearing nothing. The courtiers were certain Emperor Xiaojing was capable of marrying a minister’s granddaughter to another minister’s younger brother, or betrothing a minister’s grandson to the cherished daughter of a political rival.
Mismatched marriages were one thing, but what truly terrified them was the underlying control. If that control happened to target their own families, they might not even realize how their lineage declined and vanished.
No one dared gamble their family’s fate.
So they resigned themselves—let Emperor Xiaojing indulge his whims while the honeymoon lasted. Perhaps in time, he would grow bored or become infatuated with a new beauty. After all, men loved fiercely when they loved, but once that love faded, it was truly gone. Why bother with fruitless resistance?
With this reasoning, the ministers eased their minds. Some even flattered him, praising the deep affection between Emperor Xiaojing and his consort as a tale for the ages.
Xie Jingxing observed their expressions coldly, as if peering through countless masks at the bustling world below. It was laughable, yet pitiable.
Then he knelt on one knee before Shen Miao.
A man’s pride lay beneath his knees—for an ordinary man, such an act would be shocking, let alone for one who was no ordinary man, but the emperor of Great Coolness, ruler of the realm. Yet here he was, kneeling with near reverence before a woman.Shen Miao was properly supported by him and seated upon the high throne. She had also been dressed in a magnificent palace gown by Tao Gugu and Jing Zhe, with fine gold dust sprinkled at the corners of her eyes, giving her an utterly domineering appearance. Clad in the resplendent Empress ceremonial robes, she closed her eyes, her long lashes casting shadows as if she had fallen into a deep slumber.
She was truly a beautiful and resilient woman. Gao Zhan had said that Shen Miao had unfinished wishes, which fueled her will to survive and allowed her to cling to her last breath, enabling Gao Zhan to save her life.
So, what was her final wish?
Was it to see Xie Jingxing one last time? To watch Chuyi and Shishi grow up? Or to bid farewell to Shen Xin and the others?
Xie Jingxing leaned down close to her ear and teased, "I've made you Empress. Won't you open your eyes to see?"
Shen Miao couldn't hear his words. She was lost in her own world of slumber, as if she intended to sleep like this forever—through an entire lifetime.
Xie Jingxing gazed at her and said, "I know you're tired. Sleep your fill, then wake up. Chuyi and Shishi are looking for their mother." He reached out, grasping Shen Miao's cold hand through her sleeve, and murmured, "I've missed you terribly."
The court officials watched silently as their young emperor performed these intimate acts. These were men who had spent years navigating the treacherous waters of court politics, where truth and deception blurred until even they could no longer discern their own hearts, let alone be moved by others. Moreover, Prince Rui had hardly been a virtuous man in the past—few among the assembled officials hadn't been schemed against by him, and they bore him deep grudges.
Yet at this moment, none could bring themselves to interrupt the scene. Through the tableau of emperor and woman, they seemed to glimpse shadows of their own youthful selves.
Everyone is capable of love—but whether that love can endure a lifetime is another matter. Because it's so difficult, many abandon it along the way. Those who reach the end are as rare as phoenix feathers.
Could Emperor Xiaojing be one of them?
Xie Jingxing adjusted the heavy empress's crown with care, placing it solemnly upon Shen Miao's head. His movements were tender yet dignified, as if he were placing something more than just the crown upon her.
He bent slightly and kissed her eyelids.
Time blurred, rushing backward to some distant day when he was still that reckless youth gallivanting through pleasure quarters, and she was meticulously scheming to protect the Shen family amidst the Ming Qi imperial court's machinations. He had asked then: "Shen Miao, do you want to be Empress?"
Who could have imagined that in the end, he would become emperor, and she would indeed become empress?
The twists and turns of fate had brought them full circle.
Behind the Golden Luan Hall, Luo Tan peeked out, covering her mouth as if caught between laughter and tears. "He really did make Little Cousin his empress..." she whispered. "She didn't misjudge him..."
Behind her, Pei Lang smiled faintly—an expression of relief, a touch of melancholy, but mostly contentment. "How wonderful," he said.
......
Spring blossoms weighed heavy on apricot branches, their petals scattering like snow in the breeze, carpeting the ground in fragrance. Birds chirped from the trees, filling the air with lively chatter.
Six months passed in the blink of an eye—so swiftly that one could scarcely grasp them.
For the people of Longye, these months had been exceptionally pleasant. Perhaps it was due to the pacification of Qin State and Ming Qi, or perhaps because the new emperor's thinking was fundamentally different. In any case, Emperor Xiaojing had proven himself a most capable ruler.
He was generous toward the common people, implementing new policies that won widespread acclaim. Rumors circulated that because the emperor had roamed among the populace in his youth and understood their hardships, he could always empathize with their needs.
Whatever the case, Emperor Xiaojing enjoyed immense popularity among his subjects.
Among court officials, however, the sentiment was less unanimous.
During the Yongle Emperor's reign, every action had to consider maintaining appearances. But Emperor Xiaojing was a law unto himself—lenient with the people yet strict with his ministers, showing no mercy. Even the most senior officials, who prided themselves on their experience, could gain no advantage before him.
More terrifyingly, he maintained perfect balance among all factions. His instincts were sharper than a rat's—not only could he detect the slightest movement, but even the most subtle intentions would be sniffed out. This left officials constantly suspecting spies in their households, conducting endless purges.
What dissatisfied the court most was that in these six months, Emperor Xiaojing had not taken a single concubine. The imperial harem contained only the perpetually slumbering Empress Shen.
This was truly baffling. At first, some thought he was merely keeping a promise out of guilt toward the empress. Even if the empress's position was unshakable, surely taking other women wouldn't be an issue? But as days turned to months with the imperial harem remaining barren, they realized this was no act.
Some suspected he'd backed himself into a corner with earlier declarations and couldn't now reverse course without losing face. "Thoughtfully," they sent their own daughters to charm him—only to have the emperor betroth them to their political rivals' sons the very next day. The court erupted.
Emperor Xiaojing's methods were undeniably ruthless. By betrothing women to rivals, he not only rid himself of unwanted advances but also maintained political balance while warning restless ministers—a triple victory. How wicked.
Gradually, officials stopped sending beauties to the emperor.
But rumors were inevitable. A vigorous young man with only an unconscious wife and no other women naturally raised suspicions of being a cut sleeve.
Yet when these rumors emerged, they changed nothing. So what if the emperor preferred men? He already had two sons to inherit the throne. Moreover, the cunning old fox would likely live for many years to come.
In short, the people were content, and the court was subdued.
The morning sunlight was particularly splendid as Tao Gugu brought the children to Xie Jingxing, asking worriedly, "Your Majesty, are you truly taking the young princes out... for an excursion?"
Xie Jingxing scooped up a child in each arm and stepped decisively into the carriage. "Mm."
Inside, Shen Miao slept on. Xie Jingxing gave her a pained look. "Six months of sleep—are you a pig?"
Chuyi and Shishi waved their tiny hands, curiously turning to look at Xie Jingxing, who called out, "Depart!"
Tie Yi resignedly flicked the reins. His master had become emperor, yet here he was—leader of the Ink Feather Army reduced to a coachman...
Xie Jingxing loved taking the children on outings, despite Duke Deng and Uncle Tang's strenuous objections. His martial prowess made him impossible to stop. He claimed exposing the children to nature while young would prevent them from being dazzled by worldly temptations later, helping them discern what they truly wanted.
In truth, it was probably just an excuse to take Shen Miao out to play.
The carriage stopped at Shade Mountain, where the foothills offered splendid scenery.
Xie Jingxing carried the children up while Mo Qing thoughtfully brought small jars of rice paste. Recently, Chuyi and Shishi had been learning to eat solid food—though the picky pair treated rice paste like some celestial ambrosia.
Presently, Tie Yi held Chuyi while Mo Qing carried Shishi as Xie Jingxing attempted to feed them. The boys kicked furiously, their little feet pounding chests painfully.
Xie Jingxing's temper flared. "Give them to me."
He found a large red cloth Jing Zhe used to tie food baskets and strapped Chuyi to his back, basket and all, while cradling Shishi to "force-feed" him rice paste.
Shishi wailed in protest. Xie Jingxing ordered the Ink Feather Army to stand back—he was determined to conquer these two little tyrants.
Here was the ruler of a nation, a child strapped to his back, another in his arms, adorned with a ridiculous red cloth, locked in a battle of wills while attempting to feed rice paste.
Even the hardened soldiers found the scene difficult to watch.
Shishi burst into loud sobs, which seemed to trigger Chuyi into matching wails. Then Xie Jingxing felt a sudden warmth spread across him.
Perfect. They'd peed on him.
Furious, he was about to scold the little rascals when Jing Zhe suddenly exclaimed, "Someone laughed!"
Everyone froze.
Jing Zhe pointed trembling at the carriage. "I heard it just now!"
Inside slept Shen Miao.
Silence blanketed the group.
The mountain breeze brushed gently against their faces, warm and ticklish, as if even the sunlight was stifling laughter.
In the stillness, they heard it clearly this time—someone was indeed laughing. Softly, familiarly, with affectionate warmth.
After what felt like an eternity, Xie Jingxing strode forward.
His hands trembled slightly, but he finally steeled himself to lift the carriage curtain.
The woman within looked up with gentle features, like a begonia freshly awakened. Though her voice carried sleep's languor, the excited glimmer in her eyes betrayed her true feelings.
She tilted her head slightly and smiled. "Long time no see, Young Marquis Xie."
－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－
Awooo, this is the grand finale of Poisonous Empress! My first attempt at an open-ended conclusion—feels pretty good!
Will add some extras later, like explanations for why Liangliang slept so long and some side character stories. But since it's crunch month at work, no fixed writing schedule lately, so extras will be posted every Saturday morning for consistency.
That's all! Mwah! (づ￣3￣)づ╭❤～
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