Zhuang Shi finally waited for the Regent Prince to return and attended to his morning meal.

She was a close attendant of Grand Consort Zhuang and had followed the Grand Consort to reside by West Lake in Qiantang for these years. Having recently returned to Chang’an, Shu Shenhui told her she needn’t personally attend.

On this trip back to the capital, Zhuang Shi had learned from Zhang Bao that after Prince Qi became regent, he rarely had a proper morning meal at the mansion, almost always eating just a few bites before leaving. Hearing this broke her heart, so having the opportunity to serve his morning meal, how could she leave? She smiled and said, “Let me do it. Your Highness, please sit.”

Shu Shenhui washed his hands with water brought by a maidservant and asked casually: “Has the Princess eaten?”

“She finished earlier.”

He slowly exhaled, dried his hands, and went inside. Looking at the table full of food before him, he thought for a moment and smiled at Zhuang Shi: “The court advocates frugality, and I should lead by example among all officials. Since the Princess just arrived today, Nanny, your thoughtful consideration is appropriate. However, going forward, this isn’t necessary—she doesn’t seem to be someone who values empty ceremony.” He glanced toward the bedchamber direction: “When I’m at the mansion, don’t worry about me. Nanny, have people make what suits her taste—I’ll follow her preferences.”

Zhuang Shi smiled and agreed, then suddenly remembered something. After hesitating, she said quietly: “Your Highness, this morning I prepared that honey-glazed duck breast dish, and I noticed it quite suited the Princess’s taste…”

She stopped there.

The reason Zhuang Shi specifically mentioned this dish was because when she introduced it to the female general, she had described it simply—at most, it sounded more elegant than ordinary dishes. But in reality, it was far from simple. The meat came only from the tender breast of three-month-old white ducks, and these weren’t ordinary ducks. From the moment they hatched, they were fed only fragrant rice and tender brasenia, drinking sweet spring water. The fragrant rice and sweet spring water were manageable—not impossible to obtain—but tender brasenia was only produced in the south. So this dish from Grand Consort Zhuang’s former Wu-Yue palace, when brought to Chang’an, cost more than ten times its original price.

In earlier years, due to Grand Consort Zhuang, Emperor Wu had specially ordered tribute from the south to make this dish. Later, the Grand Consort said it was too extravagant and stopped using it, but the recipe spread outside the palace. Chang’an’s wealthy households competed to imitate it, considering it an honor to serve this dish to guests. To achieve authenticity, they spared no expense. Where there was demand, there was a market. Among Chang’an’s trades serving the wealthy and noble, naturally, some began this business, specializing in raising these white ducks. Now that spring hadn’t arrived in the south, tender brasenia was nowhere to be found. Chang’an had ducks raised on other tender greenhouse vegetables as substitutes, trying to achieve meat quality closest to the original taste. But even using local tender vegetables to raise the ducks, the price remained extremely high. Due to supply shortages, one duck cost fifty taels of silver—enough to feed an ordinary Chang’an household for one or two years.

Having made this dish this morning, Zhuang Shi felt it suited the female general’s taste well. But with the Regent Prince saying what he had, she mentioned it.

After speaking, she saw the Regent Prince’s gaze sweep over the food table. Not seeing the duck breast, he paused slightly, apparently understanding. He looked again toward the bedchamber direction, then back.

“If she likes it, have someone make it.”

“Yes.” Zhuang Shi replied with a smile.

Shu Shenhui glanced again at the sky outside, ate some food, rose, and hurried back to the bedchamber.

Jiang Hanyuan had already dressed in today’s ceremonial clothes to visit the ancestral temple. Seeing him enter, she nodded toward him, then turned her gaze away. Knowing he didn’t want to see her, she tactfully went outside first, standing on the steps before the bedchamber door, looking at the remaining snow in the courtyard. After a moment, footsteps sounded behind her.

He had also emerged. In crimson lower garments and pure-colored upper robes, with black sash and ceremonial accessories, from head to toe he was dignified. His impressive bearing need not be mentioned, and his expression was extremely solemn.

Passing by her side, he paused slightly and said, “Follow me,” then continued forward, eyes looking ahead. Compared to when he first faced her last night with a smile, he seemed like a different person entirely.

Jiang Hanyuan felt much more comfortable with him like this. How could she not know that from the first smile this man showed when extending his hand to help her down from the ceremonial carriage, it was all surface politeness?

She was certain of this because she had seen seventeen-year-old Lord Anle’s smile. When that youth smiled, his eyes held a brilliant light. She still remembered how he sat on horseback, slightly bowing his head, smiling as he looked down at her standing beside his horse. She seemed to see her reflection in his pupils.

Thirteen-year-old Jiang Hanyuan, with a soul growing in barren wilderness, was perhaps moved by the light in those eyes. She remembered it for a long time and still hasn’t forgotten to this day.

Unlike this current man, though his face bore a smile—warm and gentle—his eyes remained unmoved as still water.

This was much better. How he acted elsewhere was none of her concern. Facing her, if he didn’t want to smile, he needn’t force himself.

She silently followed, leaving the mansion together and boarding the ceremonial carriage waiting outside the main gate. With ceremonial guards before and behind following closely, they set off for the imperial palace.

During the carriage ride, the two sat side by side. He remained serious, sitting upright and proper. She wouldn’t initiate conversation either. They traveled in silence until reaching the ancestral temple in the southeastern part of the imperial palace.

Ceremonial officials and attendants were already in position, waiting. In the solemn atmosphere, Jiang Hanyuan followed the man beside her to pay respects at the temple—quite an ordeal. When they first emerged this morning, dawn was just breaking. By the time this finally ended, an hour had passed. The red sun was high, yet their duties weren’t finished—they still needed to enter the inner palace once more.

Given Shu Shenhui’s position, Jiang Hanyuan only needed to perform half-courtesy before Empress Dowager Lan, and being of the same generation, entering the palace wasn’t specifically to pay respects to the young Emperor or Empress Dowager Lan—there was no such protocol.

The person they needed to pay respects to was a consort from Emperor Wu’s reign—Consort Li, whose full title was Grand Imperial Consort Dunyi.

When Emperor Ming was just a few years old, his birth mother, the Empress, died of illness. He was raised by his maternal aunt, Consort Li. Consort Li was virtuous in character and the deceased Empress’s sister, so during Emperor Wu’s reign, apart from Lord Anle’s mother, Consort Li held the highest position in the rear palace. After Emperor Ming ascended the throne, except for the matter of title, he truly treated Consort Li with the ceremony due to an Empress Dowager. With Grand Consort Zhuang having long since retired to recuperate, Consort Li naturally held the highest position in the current palace, her status equivalent to a Grand Empress Dowager.

The Regent Prince’s relationship with Consort Li was also very close. Though he had been busy with myriad affairs these past two years, he still often visited the consort. Now, on the occasion of his wedding, bringing his new bride to the palace to pay respects was perfectly natural.

Consort Li’s daily residence was in Dunyi Palace, named after her title.

At this moment in the hall, the Grand Imperial Consort sat in the main seat, with Empress Dowager Lan, the Eldest Princess Nankang, and more than ten imperial family women of princess or equivalent rank attending her. Below Consort Li should have been Empress Dowager Lan, but the old Princess of Prince Xian had also entered the palace to attend today. Empress Dowager Lan insisted that the old Princess take the higher seat. The old Princess repeatedly declined, refusing to sit. With you declining and me insisting, they couldn’t settle it. Finally, Consort Li spoke, having palace attendants set up two seats side by side, left and right. Only then did the old Princess apologize and reluctantly sit.

Having finally arranged the seating, eunuchs outside also brought word that the Regent Prince and Princess had just finished temple worship and were coming to Dunyi Palace—they would arrive shortly. Suddenly everyone noticed something.

The seat reserved for the young Emperor was still empty!

The young Emperor hadn’t arrived yet!

Everyone looked at each other.

The young Emperor’s temperament in earlier years need not be mentioned—after all, he was just an ordinary prince then, without the strict upbringing required of a crown prince. Doing some improper things was acceptable. But now he was Emperor. The incident that occurred on the return journey from Empress Dowager Lan’s birthday celebration last autumn was truly unseemly. Not only was he criticized mercilessly by a group of censors, but Grand Tutor Ding was heartbroken. Even when the Empress Dowager intervened to console him, it was useless. He submitted three memorials to the Regent Prince, saying all fault lay with himself and that for the sake of Great Wei’s foundation, he dared not continue occupying the Grand Tutor position, requesting the Regent Prince to find another worthy teacher for the Emperor.

The Regent Prince was busy handling Prince Gao’s funeral affairs at the time and had to deal with this matter as well, extremely overwhelming. Finally, he visited three times to earnestly request, and only then did Grand Tutor Ding change his mind, settling the disturbance.

How long had it been since then?

The Eldest Princess turned toward Consort Li and asked with a smile: “Does the Grand Imperial Consort know where His Majesty has gone? The Regent Prince and Princess should arrive soon. If His Majesty isn’t present, it might be somewhat improper.”

Being born to the founding emperor in his later years, she wasn’t very old, now only in her forties. Because she lived luxuriously, she appeared even younger, but her generational rank was extremely high, equivalent to Consort Li. They were aunt and sister-in-law. Since Consort Li wasn’t the legitimate wife, her attitude naturally wasn’t as respectful as others’, speaking casually.

Consort Li didn’t respond, only looking toward Empress Dowager Lan.

Empress Dowager Lan had been focused on declining seats with the old Princess of Prince Xian, leaving her son in the back of her mind. Only now did she discover he still hadn’t arrived!

The other princesses and consorts present could be overlooked, but her generational aunt, the Eldest Princess Nankang, was smiling as she looked at her, lips curved upward, clearly in good spirits.

Empress Dowager Lan knew she had always looked down on her, privately mocking her with others, calling her a lucky Empress Dowager who had picked up a bargain. Yet she had no way to deal with her.

Her status and position went without saying. The successor husband Emperor Wu chose for this imperial sister, Chen Heng, was also no ordinary person. Chen Heng’s grandfather was a founding minister who served Wei, rising to Grand Preceptor. Chen Heng himself was not only magnificently handsome but also not the type of idle noble son who relied on inherited honors for position. In his youth, he served as Emperor Wu’s personal guard commander. Later, due to merit, he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Guangping and ordered to marry Nankang. But for unknown reasons, he later fell from favor, was transferred out of the capital by Emperor Wu as if retired. Though those years were quiet, now he had gained the Regent Prince’s promotion, serving as Governor of Bingzhou—one of the empire’s important commanderies—a local official with real power. He was talented, skilled at managing people, military supplies, and provisions, called a talent like Xiao He. If the court launched northern campaigns in the future, clearly Jiang Zuwang would lead troops at the front while Chen Heng managed the rear—both indispensable. This also brought glory to the Eldest Princess Nankang’s reputation.

On such an occasion today, her son had caused another problem. Empress Dowager Lan felt extremely embarrassed but immediately acted as if nothing was wrong, covering for her son: “His Majesty said this morning he felt slightly unwell, so I told him to rest more. Perhaps this caused the delay.”

Consort Li, who had raised Emperor Ming to adulthood, naturally treasured the young Emperor like a jewel. She asked for details, very worried. The other princesses and consorts also showed concern. Empress Dowager Lan smiled reassuringly: “Grand Imperial Consort needn’t worry too much. I’m sure he’s better now. I’ll have someone check immediately.”

As she spoke, she caught sight of nearby Nankang from the corner of her eye, feeling that her expression was mocking. Her heart filled with hatred.

On the day of her birthday celebration last year, during the return journey, first because her carriage was in front, and second because she was lost in thought at the time, she was completely unaware of the situation behind. After that major scandal broke, Empress Dowager Lan sent her people to her son’s palace, ordering them to watch the young Emperor closely and report immediately if anything happened. At this moment, she couldn’t worry about enemies and rivals. After speaking, she turned and directed her gaze toward an old palace attendant waiting near the hall entrance. This old attendant was her person. Understanding her signal, he was about to leave to find the young Emperor when suddenly a group of people came bustling from outside the hall. Behind them were all palace attendants and young servants. The youth at the front wore a crown with hanging pearl strings, a robe with twelve emblems, and cloud-patterned red shoes—who else but the young Emperor?

He was seen rushing up the palace steps, causing the twelve strings of pearls on his crown to dance and tangle, the colored pearls pattering against his face. It must have hurt somewhat—he grimaced, rushed to the hall entrance in one breath, was about to step inside, but suddenly seemed to remember his proper imperial bearing. He forcibly stopped his foot mid-air, stood still, untangled the row of pearl strings that had twisted together before his eyes, adjusted the decorative ornaments at his waist, and only after everything returned to its original appearance did he place his hands behind his back, raise his head high, assume a serious expression, and stride into the hall with measured steps.

At this moment, the person Empress Dowager Lan least wanted to see was probably her son, yet he had suddenly appeared like this. Before even speaking with him, fearing she might reveal the truth, she hurriedly stood up, turned her back to everyone, shot her son a meaningful glance, signaling him not to speak and that she would speak for him.

But Shu Jian couldn’t receive his mother’s hint at all. Without even looking, he immediately said: “Grand Imperial Consort above! Mother above! I thought it was still early, so I went to the study to review lessons and lost track of time, arriving late. Please punish me, Grand Imperial Consort and Mother!” After speaking, he smiled and turned to the old Princess of Prince Xian, calling her “Great Imperial Grandmother,” then to the Eldest Princess, calling her “Great Imperial Aunt.”

The Grand Imperial Consort merely glanced slightly at Empress Dowager Lan, then nodded with a smile toward the young Emperor, beckoning him to sit near her. The old Princess praised His Majesty’s dedication to study, and all the others followed with praise, as if they had all forgotten what Empress Dowager Lan had said earlier.

Only the Eldest Princess Nankang glanced at the tight-faced Empress Dowager Lan and smiled: “His Majesty is indeed studious! Still reading tirelessly despite feeling unwell—Grand Tutor Ding would surely be deeply gratified to know this.”

Shu Jian had no idea of the underlying situation and said, bewildered: “Feeling unwell?”

The Eldest Princess smiled and waved her hand: “Great Imperial Aunt was just speaking casually. His Majesty should be fine—Great Imperial Aunt is relieved.”

Empress Dowager Lan suppressed her heart’s fury, forcing a smile as she interjected: “Perhaps His Majesty recovered later, so he went to the study and even forgot the time!” She glared at her son again.

The Eldest Princess chuckled softly. Though the sound was suppressed extremely low, in this spacious hall it remained clearly audible.

No matter how diplomatic Empress Dowager Lan was, she couldn’t handle this situation. Her complexion became extremely ugly.

Though the young Emperor had claimed he went to the imperial study and thus arrived late, everyone appeared calm on the surface, but inwardly believed he was lying, including his mother, Empress Dowager Lan, who thought her son had gone somewhere to fool around again and forgotten the time. However, this time, everyone was wrong in their assumptions. Shu Jian had indeed gone to the study to catch up on lessons. As for why he was so diligent, it was due to a small calculation in his heart.

He was naturally clever, having been completely unaware earlier but now seeing the Eldest Princess and his mother’s respective expressions, he knew these two women usually didn’t get along, acting like fighting cocks in a cockfighting arena behind the scenes. Connecting this to what had been said earlier, he roughly understood.

His mother must have made up excuses to save face when he arrived late, but then he appeared, and their stories didn’t match, drawing the Eldest Princess’s mockery.

Honestly, he neither liked the sharp, mean, and arrogant Great Imperial Aunt, the Eldest Princess Nankang, nor was he fond of the Empress Dowager constantly lecturing him day and night, being one way in public and another in private. Not wanting to deal with either woman, and being naturally somewhat proud, he didn’t care about misunderstandings. Let them misunderstand—he was too lazy to explain and simply played dumb to the end, saying nothing.

Consort Li looked toward the old Princess of Prince Xian beside her.

The old Princess knew the Eldest Princess usually didn’t even respect Consort Li, and Consort Li didn’t particularly care for her either. Having created such an awkward scene for no reason, never mind about Empress Dowager Lan, but this concerned the young Emperor’s dignity. Since she was being looked at, she needed to smooth things over. She had to speak up with a smile: “It’s good that His Majesty has returned. Please take your seat quickly—your Third Imperial Uncle and Aunt should arrive soon.”

The Eldest Princess still gave the old Princess of Prince Xian some face. Seeing her speak, she let the matter drop.

Shu Jian glanced toward the hall entrance and took his seat. Empress Dowager Lan steadied herself, suppressed her shame and anger, and slowly returned to her position. The other princesses and noble ladies naturally acted as if nothing had happened. Finally, this embarrassing scene passed. At this time, palace attendants outside also brought word.

The Regent Prince and Princess had arrived.

Immediately, everyone in the hall, except the three—the Grand Imperial Consort, Empress Dowager Lan, and the young Emperor—rose from their seats to greet them. Even the Eldest Princess couldn’t be an exception.

Only then did Empress Dowager Lan feel her chest’s oppression slightly ease. Hearing footsteps approaching from outside the hall, she looked up and saw two figures guided by palace ceremonial officials appearing outside the hall entrance.

From yesterday when the Regent Prince welcomed the female general, to the shocking scene outside the mansion gates, to the young Emperor leaving the palace overnight, and even the later events at Prince Gao’s mansion, Empress Dowager Lan in the deep palace had heard about everything.

Naturally, she had also learned from her attendants that the female general from the Jiang family didn’t seem to have the demon-like appearance of earlier rumors. But even so, when she saw her with her own eyes at this moment, Empress Dowager Lan still felt surprised.

She wasn’t the only one with this feeling.

Jiang Hanyuan’s clothing was similar to the man beside her—pure-colored silk inner garments with dark and crimson outer robes, with exquisite patterns embroidered at collar, shoulders, sleeves, and other places. Only his robes were primarily black with crimson secondary, while hers were the reverse—entirely crimson with black only at collar edges, sleeve openings, and waist decorations.

Under the focused gazes around her, she entered and stood steadily, her expression serene, showing not the slightest shyness or constraint that a new bride should have. Her figure was completely motionless. It gave the feeling that even if wild sand and massive waves came crashing, her footing couldn’t be shaken even slightly. She and her dignified, noble, deep red became one entity, like sky meeting sea, mountain meeting river—perfectly complementary, as it should be.

Usually, whether in court or elsewhere, wherever the Regent Prince was present, he would inevitably be the focus of attention. But today at this moment, no one looked at him anymore. All at once, every gaze in that instant fell upon the female general beside him.

For a time, no one in the hall spoke until the Regent Prince’s voice broke the silence.

He brought his new bride to pay respects to Consort Li on the main seat.

The consort lived up to her title—virtuous and benevolent, wearing a loving smile. She told them to dispense with ceremony, then immediately expressed concern about the assassination attempt the previous night. The Regent Prince said: “Just ignorant criminals who don’t know their place. I’m unharmed—Grand Imperial Consort needn’t worry.” The consort denounced the rebels and urged him to be more careful in the future. The Regent Prince agreed to everything.

The Grand Imperial Consort studied Jiang Hanyuan for a moment, then smiled at the old Princess of Prince Xian: “Last year when the Regent Prince came to visit this old woman, I thought he still hadn’t married and feared that being constantly busy with state affairs might delay his life’s great matter, so I offered some advice. Only then did I learn that the Regent Prince admired the female general of the Jiang family. Now his wishes have finally come true—truly a match made in heaven. We elders can set aside our worries and be at peace.”

The old Princess also smiled in agreement: “The Grand Imperial Consort speaks truly. When Prince Xian returned to the capital this time, he privately praised the Princess endlessly to me, saying the Princess’s military reputation spreads far and wide, and that border city soldiers and civilians all respect her when her name is mentioned. Hearing this, I looked forward to meeting soon—”

The old Princess’s gaze fell upon Jiang Hanyuan’s face as she nodded: “Seeing her today, I believe it even more. What does it mean for women to be equal to men? It should be like General Changning! That our Great Wei has such loyal ministers and good generals as General Jiang and his daughter is truly a blessing for our nation!”

The Grand Imperial Consort praised her for speaking well. The rest looked at the female general and nodded with smiles, praise flowing continuously in harmonious unity.

Jiang Hanyuan bowed: “I dare not accept such mistaken praise from the Grand Imperial Consort and Princess of Prince Xian.” After speaking, she turned toward Empress Dowager Lan.

Empress Dowager Lan’s attitude was very warm as she offered conventional pleasantries: “The Emperor has not yet taken personal control of government. Since his ascension, everything has relied entirely on the Regent Prince’s assistance. From today, besides gaining another elder, we add an excellent teacher. The Princess is a general of our dynasty—if His Majesty could also receive the Princess’s guidance in archery, horsemanship, and martial arts in the future, wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

After Empress Dowager Lan finished speaking, everyone smiled and agreed, except the young Emperor, who remained expressionless.

Though not yet of age and still far from personal rule, he was the Emperor. Jiang Hanyuan also bowed to him. She saw him completely different from last night—sitting perfectly straight, eyes looking straight ahead, accepting her bow.

After the formal greetings concluded, given her position, the next step was for everyone to pay respects to her. The first would be the Eldest Princess Nankang. When the ceremonial official finished speaking, the Regent Princess’s gaze fixed steadily on the Eldest Princess’s face. The ceremonial official spoke again, repeating the instruction, but she remained completely unresponsive. At this point, the official seemed to sense something and dared not speak rashly again.

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly turned cold, becoming silent once more.

The Eldest Princess had been smiling, but gradually her smile became somewhat forced. After a moment, she avoided the female general’s gaze and turned instead to the Regent Prince beside the female general, naturally expecting him to say something. Unexpectedly, the Regent Prince’s expression remained calm, as if he were an outsider, and he didn’t speak to resolve the situation.

Years ago, when the newly widowed Eldest Princess changed course midway to her fief and summoned Jiang Zuwang to escort her, resulting in Jiang Zuwang losing his wife—though this was quickly suppressed, sealed tight, and many years had passed so that outsiders knew nothing—how could those who could enter Dunyi Palace today not know?

Though everyone found the female general’s reaction to the Eldest Princess unexpected, it was still reasonable. However, these princesses and noble ladies never imagined that the Regent Prince would also turn a blind eye to this scene, unwilling to say even one word to smooth things over, indulging the female general to this extent and making his aunt unable to save face in public.

The Eldest Princess’s complexion now matched Empress Dowager Lan’s earlier expression.

The breath of resentment still held in Empress Dowager Lan’s heart was finally completely expelled, and her mood greatly improved.

The Regent Prince’s eagerness to win over the Jiang family was so intense that not only did he seek their daughter as wife, but to win her favor, he could set aside even his own aunt’s dignity.

“I dare not receive the Eldest Princess’s courtesy.”

Finally, everyone heard a sentence from the female general. At last, this matter was over. After speaking, she turned her face and swept her gaze over the remaining group of princesses and noble ladies who still hadn’t recovered from the previous scene, telling them all that courtesies were unnecessary.

“I grew up in the borderlands and am accustomed to roughness. I don’t understand etiquette—if there are any improprieties, I hope for your understanding.”

Her expression remained composed. After speaking, she turned to look at the Regent Prince.

Shu Shenhui, who had seemed to disappear beside her, now emerged and again gave thanks to the Grand Imperial Consort.

This wasn’t like an ordinary family’s new daughter-in-law paying respects to in-laws. After completing the ceremonies and briefly exchanging a few words, it naturally concluded. The two left the palace to return to the mansion. Here in the palace, activities continued. The young Emperor stayed beside the Grand Imperial Consort and the old Princess of Prince Xian to charm them for a while, then claimed he needed to review lessons to prepare for Grand Tutor Ding’s questions and left the Grand Imperial Consort’s quarters, hurrying away.

As usual, a string of people followed behind him. He walked quickly along the palace road with his head down, contemplating his affairs, when he suddenly heard a voice behind him: “Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager requests Your Majesty!” He stopped and turned to see that the Empress Dowager had also come up. He had no choice but to stop and wait for the Empress Dowager’s procession to approach before going forward to pay respects.

Empress Dowager Lan glared at her son: “Come with me!”

The young Emperor reluctantly followed to the Empress Dowager’s residence at Tiyi Palace. Once inside, the Empress Dowager ordered everyone to withdraw. When only the young Emperor remained, her expression immediately darkened as she scolded sternly: “What’s wrong with you? How many times have I told you? This morning you made me lose face again! Haven’t you learned from last time’s lesson? Just what will it take for you to remember? You can’t lie properly, and you can’t even read my expressions?”

Shu Jian retorted: “Where I went this morning—ask your people who watch me and you’ll know! I was just a bit late, but I didn’t miss anything. What’s the harm? I know what I’m doing! It’s your fault for making things up!”

Empress Dowager Lan became even angrier: “Fine! Your Majesty’s wings have grown hard! So it’s all my fault? Why do I cover for you? Isn’t it because your ridiculous behavior invites criticism? Do you know how those people mock me behind my back? Are you trying to anger me to death?”

Empress Dowager Lan hadn’t been favored by Emperor Ming in her early years. After bearing a son and discovering he was quite intelligent as he grew, she tried every means to curry favor through her son, but the boy had never submitted to her control since childhood. Shu Jian naturally had long experience dealing with such scenes—he simply closed his mouth and said nothing.

After scolding her son alone for a while, Empress Dowager Lan found it pointless. Seeing his completely indifferent attitude and thinking that though he’d been on the throne for a year or two, she still hadn’t established proper maternal authority, she became ruthless, pointing at her son: “Your Majesty! Don’t forget—you are the Emperor of this Great Wei! If you continue like this, when will you ever take personal control?”

The Empress Dowager’s heart ached, her eyes reddened, and she choked up: “Why can’t you understand my painstaking efforts? I’m doing this all for you…”

Shu Jian muttered: “You’re doing it to lord over others…”

“What did you say?” Empress Dowager Lan immediately flew into another rage.

“Nothing…” Shu Jian began drifting away mentally again.

Empress Dowager Lan glared at her son for a moment, understanding that he was different now, growing older. Finally, she forcibly suppressed her anger, her expression softening as she changed tactics to coax: “Forget it. If you went to the study to work hard, that’s good. Mother shouldn’t have scolded you. But next time in such situations, you absolutely mustn’t be late again!”

She paused, lowering her voice extremely: “Jian’er, remember—right now you only bear the title of Emperor. If you make any mistake and those people seize upon it, it becomes a disturbance. You must remain constantly alert. In your actions and words, you can’t let people find fault. When you take personal control in the future and hold real power, then everything will be up to you! Not just small matters like this morning—life and death decisions will all be in your hands! Jian’er, don’t you want that day to come soon?”

Shu Jian responded with casual agreement: “I understand. If Mother is finished with her lesson, your son takes his leave.” He then walked away.

“Stop!”

Shu Jian turned back.

Empress Dowager Lan approached her son with an expression of disappointment, again lowering her voice.

“The court now intends to rely heavily on Jiang Zuwang. You saw this morning how your Third Imperial Uncle shows great tolerance toward the Jiang daughter. Even when she was so rude and disrespectful, he acted as if nothing happened. Be clever in the future—besides your Third Imperial Uncle, get close to the Jiang family’s female general, too. It can only benefit you.”

The young Emperor gave a vague affirmative response.

The Empress Dowager watched her son’s departing figure with furrowed brow. Her wet nurse, an old palace woman from her maternal family, entered to attend her changing clothes and consoled: “Empress Dowager, please don’t worry. His Majesty is extraordinarily intelligent and will surely come to understand your painstaking efforts.”

Empress Dowager Lan sighed, sat down, and supported her forehead with her hand: “Just now over there, both my temples were throbbing with anger.”

The old palace woman hurried to massage them gently: “The Empress Dowager’s precious body brings eternal blessings—please don’t harm your health with anger. His Majesty is destined to be a true dragon, naturally. It’s just that his temperament hasn’t settled yet. This old slave has a humble opinion—His Majesty will be fourteen after spring. Though the imperial wedding is still early, finding a suitable person and arranging the betrothal first wouldn’t be impossible. This way, His Majesty might sense his growing years and early comprehend the Empress Dowager’s deep loving care for him.”

Empress Dowager Lan closed her eyes: “Your words aren’t entirely unreasonable. Previously, all sorts of troubles came at me chaotically, but now the court seems stable. I’ll consider this matter further.”

The old palace woman agreed and continued massaging her head, suddenly remembering news she’d heard: “Empress Dowager, this old slave heard that Minister Wen has recently been selecting marriage prospects for his sister, with suitors like clouds!”

Empress Dowager Lan kept her eyes closed, asking casually: “Which families are they?”

“The prominent ones include three or four families—reportedly Duke Dingguo’s mansion, Marquis Cao’s mansion, Duke Pinggao’s mansion…” The old palace woman recited a string of names.

These families mostly shared one characteristic—though certainly noble, they were mostly old aristocrats who had held power in earlier years, but whose descendants were now undistinguished due to various reasons. In Chang’an city, filled with new nobility, they had only empty names left.

Empress Dowager Lan’s lips moved: “All declining households.”

The old palace woman agreed: “Exactly—their calculations are shrewd.”

The old palace woman said this because Miss Wen had emerged from mourning a year ago, yet Minister Wen only now thought of marrying off his sister, reportedly at the Regent Prince’s direction. Presumably, he now wished to distance himself to marry the female general as consort. As for the Wen family or whoever would marry Miss Wen in the future, even if not for Miss Wen herself, out of old affection for the deceased Grand Tutor, the Regent Prince would surely show consideration. Thus, the “declining households” in Empress Dowager Lan’s words competed to marry Miss Wen.

“Do you know which family the Wens favor?”

The old palace woman’s massage felt good, and Empress Dowager Lan felt much more comfortable. Still closing her eyes, she asked again.

“They should favor the son of the Zhou family—Internal History Upper Scholar Zhou. These days, the women of both families have been frequently visiting each other.”

The Zhou family had a County Earl title through ancestry, but their official positions weren’t prominent, equivalent to Minister Wen’s current rank. Another similarity was that both families were distinguished scholarly households of noble standing.

Empress Dowager Lan made a sound through her nose: “At least the Wen family’s minds are still clear. Rather than allying with those families of empty appearances, it’s better to find a quiet household and behave honestly. Relying on old affections, they might gain some benefits in the future.”

“Exactly. But this old slave also heard that besides those families, reportedly even the Eldest Princess has gotten involved.”

“Her?”

Empress Dowager Lan suddenly opened her eyes, turning her head sharply, causing the step-shake ornaments on her phoenix hairpin to flutter wildly.

“Yes!” The old palace woman nodded: “This old slave heard that the Eldest Princess also seems to want to arrange this marriage for her son.”

Empress Dowager Lan couldn’t hide her surprise: “Why would she get involved too? For what purpose?” Her previously calmed brow furrowed tightly again.

Empress Dowager Lan’s surprise stemmed from a past situation.

Last autumn’s birthday celebration—after the day’s events, the Empress Dowager deliberately kept Wen Wan alone, intending to create opportunities for intimacy between the Regent Prince and her. Her reason for doing this was that since Prince Qi became regent, the question of who would become Princess had been a topic secretly watched by court officials. Many wanted to intervene, with the most active being the Eldest Princess Nankang.

Her husband, Marquis Guangping Chen Heng, had a niece whom she always wanted to marry to the Regent Prince. How could Empress Dowager Lan allow her scheme to succeed? She focused on Miss Wen, who had a childhood affection with the Regent Prince. For two years, she showed care everywhere, trying her best to curry favor, just short of adopting her as goddaughter. She frequently summoned her to the palace, deliberately creating opportunities for the two, planning that even if Wen Wan couldn’t become Princess, making her a side consort would place one of her people beside the Regent Prince, which would be very useful.

Later results proved both sides came up empty. However, as long as the Eldest Princess’s scheme didn’t succeed, for Empress Dowager Lan, it was a victory.

She thought this matter was over, but unexpectedly, the Eldest Princess wanted to interfere in this too. What was she planning?

The old palace woman saw her furrowed brow and consoled: “With the Eldest Princess’s son, how could the Wen family agree to the marriage?”

The Eldest Princess had no children with her current husband, Chen Heng. She only had one son from her first husband, called “Foolish Prince” behind his back. He earned this nickname because his natural intelligence was somewhat inferior to normal people.

Simply put, he wasn’t very bright, yet due to his mother’s status, he received a prince’s title early on. Followed by a crowd of flatterers, he spent his days racing horses and parading through streets without a proper occupation, nearly being praised as Chang’an’s premier noble young master.

Empress Dowager Lan frowned: “If she uses her position to pressure, and the Regent Prince, to avoid offending the Jiang daughter and maintain distance, lets it be, the matter becomes difficult to predict.”

The old palace woman recalled this morning’s scene in Dunyi Palace, where the Regent Prince acted like a protective escort beside the female general. She suddenly felt the Empress Dowager’s words weren’t unreasonable and agreed.

Empress Dowager Lan pondered and instructed: “His Majesty’s matter can wait. Keep close watch on this affair for me.”

Outside the palace, the Regent Prince and Princess’s procession passed along the road, returning to the mansion.

Unlike the morning departure when streets were empty and open, this was now a busy time with heavy traffic. Passing through the market district, the front needed guards to clear the way, greatly slowing their speed. Passersby, seeing the procession emerge from the palace direction, inevitably took extra looks. Word quickly spread that this convoy seemed to be the newly wedded Regent Prince and the dynasty’s famous female general. Everyone was extremely curious. Porters set down their loads, mule drivers stopped roadside, and pedestrians paused to watch. Soon, traffic was blocked, and order was chaotic. One troublemaker even argued with someone over being stepped on, making the mansion guards responsible for today’s protection secretly nervous, fearing another incident like last night. Guard Captain Wang Ren secretly ordered the formation to close ranks and speed through.

Shu Shenhui heard the commotion outside, lifted a corner of his window curtain to look, then let it fall, blocking the noise again. Turning back, he glanced at the woman sitting beside him.

She had been tense when first leaving the palace, but after traveling some distance, she appeared better now, though still saying nothing. Despite the tumult outside, it seemed completely unrelated to her. She only gazed forward as if concentrating, immersed in her world.

He hesitated, and after the carriage passed through the market and things grew quieter outside, he turned to face her determined profile and broke the silence: “Lady Jiang, regarding your mother’s early death many years ago, I’ve also heard something of it. Everything was our imperial family’s fault, and I feel deeply guilty.”

She remained unmoved, not even blinking: “When the ruler demands a subject’s death, the subject cannot refuse to die. How much more so for just this. Your Highness speaks too seriously.”

Shu Shenhui paused: “I know that saying more now is useless, and I cannot make any compensation. The only thing I can do is, should there be an opportunity in the future, I wish to go pay respects to my mother-in-law to express my apologies. These are my sincere words.”

“What does it have to do with Your Highness? What wrong would Your Highness apologize for?”

Shu Shenhui paused again: “Since you and I are husband and wife, in the future, even in my capacity as your husband, I should make that journey.”

Hearing this, she slowly turned her face, her gaze falling on his face as if studying him.

Looking at this way, Shu Shenhui felt she seemed to be probing him, and suddenly thought of last night.

Could it be that his mention of “husband” caused her inner contempt?

A wave of secret shame and dejection struck. Shu Shenhui’s back burned as he forced casualness: “Why do you look at me like this?”

“I thank Your Highness on behalf of my late mother,” she spoke slowly.

“As for future matters, we’ll speak of them in the future.”

Jiang Hanyuan calmly withdrew her gaze and turned back.

For the rest of the journey, the man remained silent and the woman quiet as they returned to the mansion.