After the morning court session, civil and military officials filed out of the Golden Hall in succession.

“General, General, please stay!”

An elderly eunuch approached with a bow, smilingly stopping Yu Yuan, “His Majesty has a verbal decree requesting General to proceed to the Heart-Nurturing Palace for a discussion.”

Yu Yuan suppressed his slight surprise, adjusted his official hat, and then strode with bold steps toward the Heart-Nurturing Palace.

After the attendant announced him, Yu Yuan entered the hall and kowtowed, only to discover that Minister Xue was also present, sitting on the left side leaning on a smooth purple sandalwood cane, nodding slightly to Yu Yuan in greeting.

The person grinding ink beside the Emperor was none other than the elusive Chief Eunuch, Cui An.

“Minister Yu, please rise.”

The Emperor had a seat brought, then said in a deep voice, “You two are both important pillars of the court, both civil and military. You have worked hard over these years, laboring day and night.”

Yu Yuan retreated to the side, understanding clearly that the Emperor’s summoning them was not for simple conversation.

Every word from a ruler falling upon his subjects was like a knife scraping against bone.

Yu Yuan composed his expression respectfully and said: “I am grateful that Your Majesty does not cast me aside. Eating the ruler’s salary and sharing his worries is this subject’s duty.”

The Emperor shook his head and said: “Last night, I dreamed that Minister Yu complained that the burden I gave was too heavy—both arranging the capital’s defenses and assisting the Court of Judicial Review in investigating cases—leaving no time to care for family… When I awoke, I felt deeply ashamed.”

Just as Yu Yuan was about to speak, he heard the Emperor give a long sigh, speaking mournfully: “Minister Yu is a military talent rarely seen in a century in our great Wei. If he is exhausted like this, I fear the people of the world would criticize me for treating a meritorious official harshly. Therefore, I have discussed with Minister Xue whether the Minister of Revenue and Eunuch Cui An could assist Minister Yu and share the miscellaneous duties?”

Hearing this, Yu Yuan suddenly raised his head.

How could he not understand that when the Emperor had a general, a civil official, and a eunuch jointly manage military affairs, it was named as sharing burdens but was relinquishing power?

“General Yu need not worry. Although I am a eunuch, in my youth I was of military background.”

Cui An spoke, narrowing his sinister eyes as he slowly said, “I have some understanding of military affairs.”

Upon hearing Cui An report his military background, Yu Yuan gave him a cold appraisal.

He did look somewhat familiar, though Yu Yuan truly couldn’t recall from which army he had come.

A man of military background becoming a eunuch could only mean that he had committed a grave mistake and was punished with castration.

Regardless, Yu Yuan despised such men.

He did not respond but instead turned to look at Minister Xue, not only because their families were on good terms, but more because this old man could determine the course of events with a single word.

Minister Xue rubbed the handle of his sandalwood cane, maintaining his silence throughout.

“It seems this matter of state is resolved. The family matters of both ministers should also be addressed.”

The Emperor laughed, standing up and saying, “I’ve heard that the Right Minister’s grandson is modest and virtuous, and Minister Yu’s youngest daughter is talented and beautiful. I would like to arrange a marriage to strengthen the ties between the two families. What do you think?”

Upon hearing this, Yu Yuan understood completely.

The Yu family had been dutiful for generations; the only thing recently worthy of such caution from the Emperor was the existence of the Seventh Prince.

The Emperor knew of the Yu family’s private dealings with the Seventh Prince, thus using this as a warning and suppression.

Atop the palace walls, thick clouds covered the sun, casting a floating shadow.

……

The Yu family had upright and harmonious family customs. Though Yu Huanchen had married and established his residence, he still brought his wife to the main residence for meals every day.

At the chen hour (7-9 AM), Yu Lingxi looked at the empty seat of honor and asked: “Where is Father?”

Yu Huanchen, who had just changed into casual clothes, was fastening his wristguards as he said: “After the morning court, the Emperor kept Father and Minister Xue behind, probably to discuss important matters.”

“Together?”

“Together.”

Hearing this, Yu Lingxi became thoughtful.

With the borders peaceful and no disasters or wars, what major issue could make the Emperor summon both civil and military ministers simultaneously?

As they say, a ruler’s mind is hard to fathom. Yu Huanchen was also pondering this matter, frowning as he hurriedly ate two mouthfuls of rice before changing back into his official robes and leaving, not even having the mind to taste the red bean cake that Su Wan had personally made for him.

Looking at the untouched cake on the table, a flash of disappointment crossed Su Wan’s eyes.

Yu Lingxi knew that her sister-in-law, having just married into the family, needed companionship the most at this time, so she went over and said: “Sister-in-law’s bean cake smells so sweet and delicious, could you teach me how to make it?”

Su Wan also smiled, saying gently: “Of course.”

Red bean cake required simple ingredients but needed more ingenuity.

The red bean filling, cooked with sugar water, was wrapped in soft, delicious glutinous rice skin, and then pressed into the shape of peach blossoms using molds. The stamens were decorated with crushed salted egg yolks, creating a delicate pink and white peach blossom red bean cake.

Paired with osmanthus honey, Yu Lingxi tasted one, finding it a bit too sweet but very fragrant.

Su Wan used a handkerchief to clean the flour from her hands, smiling gently: “They say ‘wash hands to prepare soup.’ Is Suisui suddenly learning culinary skills because she has someone special in mind?”

Yu Lingxi’s heart, which had never dared to flutter in either lifetime, suddenly skipped a beat.

“It’s for Mother.”

She lowered her eyes with a slight smile, dividing the freshly made peach blossom red bean cakes into two portions and placing them in food boxes, “And one portion is for me.”

Su Wan blinked and smiled without speaking.

The path from the western residence back to the main residence passed through the mountain pool garden. Yu Lingxi immediately saw Ning Yin standing on the bridge over the lotus pond.

He was leisurely feeding koi fish, his knuckles appearing jade-white in the sunlight as he raised his hand.

He seemed to have rarely left the residence lately. Yu Lingxi knew that such calm and quiet was the stillness before a storm.

According to the timeline of her previous life, the time left for her and Ning Yin was not much.

As she was thinking, Ning Yin seemed to sense her presence and slowly turned around.

The sunlight was dazzling, and Yu Lingxi experienced a moment of daze as if the untouchable Regent from her previous life overlapped with Wei Qi before her—equally elegant, equally formidable.

Guards frequently passed at the junction between the two residences, and at such a critical time, Yu Lingxi didn’t want Ning Yin to attract too much attention.

She composed herself and instructed Hutao: “Take out the portion of red bean cake from the top and deliver it to Wei Qi.”

Hutao responded and went over with the food box.

After saying something, in less than a moment, Hutao returned with the food box untouched, pouting with a troubled face: “That Wei Qi said there was something wrong with the cakes and wouldn’t accept them.”

“Something wrong?”

Yu Lingxi frowned slightly; she had tasted them, and the flavor was fine.

What might be problematic were Ning Yin’s little thoughts.

Yu Lingxi pondered for a moment, then understood what he was aiming for.

“Hutao, take this portion of bean cake to Mother.”

After speaking, Yu Lingxi took out Ning Yin’s portion and placed the remaining cakes in a food box, handing it to Hutao.

Hutao glanced at Wei Qi, finally gave a curtsey, and obediently withdrew.

On the bridge, Ning Yin tossed all the remaining bait, glanced at Yu Lingxi, and walked toward the backyard chambers with his hands behind his back.

Hmph, Wei Qi’s interest wasn’t in the fish; he was luring her to take the bait.

Yu Lingxi made a small complaint in her heart, carrying Ning Yin’s portion of bean cake and following his footsteps past the moon gate into his chambers.

The summer sunlight was always bright, half dancing on the treetops, half reflected in Yu Lingxi’s eyes.

She placed the plate heavily on the table, her speech carrying a touch of harmless coquettishness: “May I ask, what’s wrong with these cakes?”

In her previous life, she had only managed to brew wine, make tea, embroider, and help undress; she had never personally made pastries in the kitchen.

Who would have thought that this cat-tongued little madman would not appreciate it?

Ning Yin sat by the table wiping his hands, looking at the plate of cakes covered with an orchid silk handkerchief. After a moment, he raised his eyes: “Not enough sugar.”

Seeing that he wouldn’t take them, Yu Lingxi took a dish of osmanthus honey from the food box, poured it all over the red bean cakes, carefully pinched one with her slender fingers, and held it before Ning Yin: “This time, I guarantee it’s sweet enough.”

Ning Yin didn’t reach out to take it but instead leaned forward and took a bite.

The extreme sweetness spread from his tongue tip, flowing into his throat.

Ning Yin frowned, then realized: “Did the Young Lady make these pastries herself?”

Yu Lingxi placed the remaining half on the plate, suppressing a smile: “My first time cooking, does it meet Your Highness’s approval?”

Something in her words pleased Ning Yin, and his brows relaxed as he savored the overly sweet taste.

Then, half-narrowing his eyes, as if tasting some supreme delicacy of the world, he picked up the remaining cake and continued to savor it leisurely.

Ning Yin’s lips were pale, and the deep red bean filling against his lips was indescribably elegant and attractive.

Somehow, Yu Lingxi was reminded of that night on the Seventh Night Festival in the pavilion, when Ning Yin had also tasted her lips carefully as if savoring a cake…

The memory was like small bubbles, occasionally surfacing in her mind, disappearing with a pop, leaving only a circle of ripples.

Yu Lingxi patted her face to collect herself, reminding him: “These cakes are very sweet and can cause bloating, so it’s better to eat less.”

“The Young Lady’s first cooking has blessed me with good fortune. Such generosity cannot go unrewarded.”

As he spoke, Ning Yin picked up another red bean cake, “I’ll grant the Young Lady one request.”

Yu Lingxi thought for a moment, then said: “I hope that my family and Your Highness can all be well.”

When she first decided to shelter Ning Yin, it was only to ensure future protection for the Yu family.

Now, the weight of one person had been added to this bargaining chip.

Not the way of living from her previous life that destroyed heaven and self, but hoping he could live like ordinary people, in the warmth of the human world.

Perhaps because her eyes were too clean and sincere at that moment, Ning Yin was somewhat surprised, then smiled very slowly.

“That’s not how to make a request. The Young Lady’s answer is too vague; let’s be more specific.”

He finished the red bean cake and said slowly, “For instance, what power, what position…”

And for another instance, him.

Hearing this, Yu Lingxi just shook her head gently; those empty titles were never what she truly cared about.

What she truly cared about was already beside her, at this moment.

Ning Yin swallowed the last piece of cake, seeing that there was still no trace of greed or desire in Yu Lingxi’s eyes, and made a dissatisfied snort.

Yu Lingxi didn’t notice the deep meaning in his eyes; her gaze swept over the carving knife on the table that hadn’t been put away, and she asked curiously: “Have you been doing handicrafts recently?”

Ning Yin glanced at the carving knife, drank a sip of tea from his cup, and then said: “Just playing around. When it’s done, I’ll show it to the Young Lady.”

He mentioned “when” naturally, as if the near future would not be separation but a long reunion.

As she was reflecting on this, she heard Ning Yin say: “Since the Young Lady is here today, why not serve as a reference for my jade carving.”

“Reference?” Yu Lingxi blinked, not understanding his meaning.

“Sit properly.”

Ning Yin put down his cup, gesturing for Yu Lingxi to sit on the small couch.

Yu Lingxi was pressed onto the couch, instinctively sitting upright and properly, but then heard a very light sneer from above her head.

Ning Yin held her arm with one hand, and with the other hand against her waist, guided her to assume a posture of leaning sideways on the couch.

The warm palm pressing through the thin summer clothes against her skin made Yu Lingxi tense up a bit.

“Relax,” Ning Yin patted her waist lightly.

Yu Lingxi trembled, giving him a resentful glare.

Ning Yin laughed, smoothing the hem of her skirt.

The young woman’s brilliant skirt cascaded down, revealing her small shoetips.

Ning Yin examined the soft beauty of the lady leaning on the couch, his gaze lingering briefly on her simple hair, saying: “The Young Lady seems to rarely wear hairpins.”

His powers of observation had suddenly become meticulous lately.

Yu Lingxi touched her hair, saying wearily: “I haven’t found suitable hairpins. Gold pins are too gaudy, silver pins too plain; pearl flowers and hair ribbons are more convenient.”