“You already know, why ask?” Yin Gezhi replied irritably. “No, I’m stabilizing the palace’s morale.”

And what stabilization it was! Glancing at the palace servants still kneeling outside, Feng Yue clicked her tongue – they were so stabilized they dared not rise!

“What was that thing you were singing?” Dragging her toward the inner palace almost like a hostage, Yin Gezhi said expressionlessly, “With behavior like this, perhaps you should just stay in the palace instead of seeing General Yin and the others off.”

“How could that work?!” Feng Yue glared, immediately pulling away from him. “What’s wrong with my behavior?”

What’s wrong? This was hardly befitting an Empress – she was acting more like a common market shrew. If she appeared so unrefined before the court officials during the send-off, his desk would probably be filled with memorials criticizing her the next day.

“Don’t worry, your humble consort won’t cause any trouble!” Feng Yue promised, patting her chest. “If I do, you can just punish Guan Zhi!”

Guan Zhi, who had been caught in the crossfire while standing aside, couldn’t help but laugh helplessly: “Your Highness, why punish this servant?”

“His Majesty said if I make mistakes, punish Ling Shu,” Feng Yue turned to look at him. “But look at Ling Shu’s small frame – how could he withstand military punishment? Wouldn’t it fall to you anyway?”

That made sense. But why did something feel off? Especially seeing the Empress’s fearless expression made him feel uneasy.

Yin Gezhi shook his head, turned back to continue reading the memorials, and ignored her, though he was still worried inside.

However, unexpectedly, when it came time to make a public appearance, Feng Yue really could handle herself well.

Dressed in a ceremonial robe embroidered with golden and silver phoenixes, six gilded phoenix hairpins adorning her hair, eyebrows carefully painted, and lips touched with rouge, Feng Yue folded her hands before her and walked straight-backed beside him to the Willow Platform. The civil and military officials below watched, nodding slightly with respect in their eyes.

Yin Gezhi was somewhat surprised, glancing at her dignified and graceful manner, and couldn’t help asking quietly, “Which spirit has possessed my Empress?”

Raising her sleeve to partially cover her face, Feng Yue glared at him: “Your humble consort is trying to save face for you! Can’t the sarcastic remarks wait until we return?”

Lips curling slightly, Yin Gezhi nodded: “Very well.”

Thus, General Yin and the others watched in amazement as Feng Yue maintained perfectly standard ceremonial etiquette while standing beside the Emperor for half an hour. When the Emperor presented the battle flag, she respectfully received it and, with measured ceremonial steps and a slight nod, passed it to them.

“This departure marks the time for men to achieve merit and protect our country. I hope the generals will take care,” she raised her eyebrows, her gaze determined and showing martial spirit, unlike a palace lady but rather reminiscent of the true beauty from the battlefield years ago.

Deeply moved, Yin Xianzhong took the battle flag, knelt, and paid respects: “We thank Your Majesties for this great honor.”

Finally, he added quietly: “Take care, Your Highness.”

Feng Yue smiled and nodded, watching them rise, then stepped back five paces before turning and walking forward with dignity.

“Your people have all left,” Yin Gezhi observed, suddenly saying, “If I bully you in the future, you won’t have anywhere to complain.”

Looking at him in horror, Feng Yue’s eyes darted around, but maintaining her composure, she asked quietly: “Your Majesty, would it still be possible for your humble consort to leave with them now?”

“Too late,” he shook his head regretfully, then took her wrist and began the return to the palace.

Feng Yue was nervous the entire way, occasionally glancing at Yin Gezhi’s profile. They say an emperor’s thoughts are hard to fathom, his moods unpredictable – serving one is like serving a tiger! She had been living so carelessly lately. Had she unknowingly angered him, and now he was finally settling accounts?

Noticing the person whose wrist he held was trembling slightly, Yin Gezhi narrowed his eyes, his expression suddenly darkening: “You’re afraid?”

“Your Majesty,” Feng Yue swallowed, turning to look at him. “After what you said, how can your humble consort not be a little afraid?”

Meeting her serious gaze, Yin Gezhi fell silent, lowering his eyes in deep self-reflection.

Had he not shown his affection enough, always keeping things hidden, making her truly believe he would turn on her?

The Imperial Physician had said pregnant women shouldn’t experience extreme emotional fluctuations or face fears – perhaps his previous strategy needed to change.

After serious consideration for a long while, Yin Gezhi’s expression softened. When the carriage arrived, he got down and helped her down, asking gently: “What would you like for lunch?”

The fear in her eyes grew even greater than before. Feng Yue trembled as she got down from his embrace, stepping back two paces: “Whatever Your Majesty wishes to eat.”

“Why are you retreating?” Taking a step toward her, Yin Gezhi wanted to frown but held back, looking at her tenderly: “I’m not going to eat you.”

This expression, combined with those words, instantly gave Feng Yue the feeling of seeing a big bad wolf. She turned and called out: “Ling Shu!”

“My Lady?” Ling Shu came over to support her, looking completely confused.

“Let’s return to the palace!” Feng Yue said quietly, then looked up at Yin Gezhi with a forced smile: “Your Majesty, please dine by yourself. Your humble consort… your humble consort wants to return to check on things in the Central Palace.”

His heart sank, and Yin Gezhi narrowed his eyes, very much wanting to drag her into Dragon Fragrance Palace, but seeing her frightened appearance, he fell silent and waved his sleeve in irritation.

As if granted a great amnesty, Feng Yue formally gripped her sleeves and practically ran away with Ling Shu, though maintaining the appearance of taking small, proper steps.

“My Lady?” Ling Shu couldn’t understand what was happening, asking while following: “What’s wrong?”

“Didn’t you notice something off about His Majesty?” Feng Yue said, still shaken. “How could he possibly speak so gently normally? There must be something wrong!”

Ling Shu was stunned, thought for a moment, and then sighed. Hadn’t she said it? She had advised His Majesty to treat her mistress well, but he wouldn’t listen, insisting on trying to train her – but was her mistress’s personality something that could be trained? He might end up dropping a stone on his foot.

Love is what least endures calculation.

“My Lady,” Ling Shu thought for a moment before asking, “How do you feel about His Majesty’s treatment of you?”

Feng Yue paused, considered, then said: “To be honest, I dare not make a definitive judgment. If you say he doesn’t treat me well, that’s impossible – I’m not a fool, of course, I can feel his kindness. But if you say he’s completely devoted to me, that’s not true either. He’s still like before, I can’t see through him, can’t know what he’s planning in his heart.”

Ling Shu blinked, saying innocently: “Those involved can’t see as clearly as observers. From this servant’s view, His Majesty isn’t planning anything regarding you – at most, he’s thinking about how to make you lower all your defenses. You feel you can’t see through him, but he probably feels the same about you.”

After all, having pulled someone back from the edge of death, Yin Gezhi naturally feared losing her and would exhaust every effort to keep her. Not enough time had passed since that major incident, and the barrier between them hadn’t completely disappeared. If Feng Yue was anxious, Yin Gezhi was probably even more so.

Several times while on night duty, Ling Shu had heard the Emperor stirring in the middle of the night, probably awakened by nightmares. Yin Gezhi would breathe quietly in the darkness, then look down at his deeply sleeping mistress for a long time. Those eyes reflecting the moonlight were unfathomable, their thoughts unknown.

The Emperor, who seemed so powerful and fearless, had developed a soft spot in his heart, and that spot still held an unremoved knife – the sight made one sigh.

Stopping her steps, Feng Yue turned to look at Ling Shu: “Why have you been increasingly speaking up for him lately?”

Blinking innocently, Ling Shu said: “My Lady, this servant only speaks the truth. His Majesty is truly having a hard time – you should show him some sympathy.”

Did Yin Gezhi need sympathy? Feng Yue didn’t understand. He looked like an eternally unmelting iceberg, never knowing fatigue or hunger, showing no expression, and never needing anyone’s help. By his side, she felt quite superfluous – after all, he could handle everything well by himself, not even needing to tell her anything.

However… thinking of his face that had grown somewhat thinner recently, Feng Yue narrowed her eyes, rubbed her chin thoughtfully, and said: “For lunch, let’s still stew a chicken, with some brain-nourishing herbs.”

With that, she turned and walked toward the Imperial Kitchen.

Yin Gezhi silently looked at the memorials. Wu Ze had arrived at some point and stood before him, saying seriously: “We lack military forces, and the troops recruited from the civilians cannot be sent to the border immediately. The State of Wu wishes to borrow grain from us – here is the memorial from the Three Offices.”

Taking the memorial and glancing at it, Yin Gezhi sneered: “Truly worthy of Prince Ye, not willing to suffer any loss. Ten thousand soldiers from Wei isn’t enough – he still wants grain.”

Wu Ze sighed: “The State of Zhao has temporarily ceased fighting to observe. This humble official feels that whether we win or lose this war against Song, Wei is already in dire straits.”

Win or lose, they would be severely weakened. Zhao would reap the benefits, directly taking over a dozen Wei cities from the north, and that would be the end of Wei.

“If they want to watch the tigers fight from the mountain, they’ll have to see if Wu agrees,” Drawing a brush, Yin Gezhi wrote while saying: “Send this letter to the Crown Prince of Wu. Also, send this report on Zhao’s autumn grain storage along with it.”

Startled, Wu Ze took the documents to look: “Zhao’s autumn grain storage report?”

“Zhao’s grain production has always been considerable, especially this year. Their court’s grain storage is three times that of Wei. Add to that this very convenient grain transport route, and Crown Prince Ye will give it serious consideration,” Yin Gezhi said. “Also, let the refugees from this year’s poor harvest areas into Lidu, maintain proper control, and distribute some rice porridge appropriately.”

“Yes!” Wu Ze responded dazedly, took the documents, and left. Only after stepping out of Dragon Fragrance Palace did he come to his senses.

How did His Majesty have Zhao’s autumn grain storage report?!

Somewhat tired, Yin Gezhi leaned back in his chair, gently rubbing his temples. A ruler must control the big picture to strategize effectively. Currently, he has inside sources in Wu, Zhao, Song, and other countries closely related to Wei. But the Song informants weren’t very useful – it would still be a hard battle. Not to mention Zhao’s covetous gaze and Wu’s not entirely good intentions. This situation of wolves surrounding a sheep wasn’t easy to resolve.

Just as his head was aching, he suddenly smelled the fragrance of chicken soup. Yin Gezhi slowly opened his eyes to see the door of Dragon Fragrance Palace open a crack, and a brightly smiling head poked in, instantly dispelling the gloom in the hall.

“Your Majesty, would you like some chicken?”