Watching the emperor and empress display their mutual affection, even the most obtuse ministers present now completely understood the emperor’s intention in summoning them today.

The Son of Heaven had not called them to discuss how to handle the former dynasty’s prince, but rather was using this matter to tactfully let them know his attitude toward people and affairs related to the empress, giving them something to consider so they wouldn’t do unnecessary things in the future.

They had all followed Pang Xiao from early on and understood him to some degree, knowing he was someone with both an iron hand and a calculating mind, who also valued relationships and loyalty. Now thinking back on today’s events from beginning to end, the Son of Heaven had shown complete respect and protection toward the empress throughout.

It wasn’t that the former dynasty’s princess couldn’t be killed, but rather that she couldn’t be killed out of consideration for the empress’s feelings.

Just as Pang Xiao had said earlier, Zhou Xiaolian was someone the empress had rescued and kept by her side ever since. Yet they had just now been eager to show themselves, with some saying she should be killed directly, and others even suggesting the emperor should take Zhou Xiaolian into the harem.

Looking at the emperor’s attitude now, their eager attempts to show themselves clearly appeared extremely foolish.

The ministers understood, and naturally Qin Yining understood as well. From the empress coronation ceremony onward, Pang Xiao had been working hard to give her greater importance, using actual actions to tell everyone his attitude.

Qin Yining’s unease, pessimism, and the slight loneliness that had grown in her heart before entering the palace were now all cast aside. No matter what the future held, at least the Pang Xiao before her had not disappointed her.

The imperial edict for the bestowed marriages was quickly arranged by Grand Eunuch Liu Anfu with his people in the blink of an eye.

Huzi and Bingtang, Tang Xiu and Ji Yun all directly received their edicts.

Lian Xiaozhou had been arranged outside the palace, and even Qin Yining didn’t know her residence. Pang Xiao had only arranged for trusted people to go with Mu Jinghu to convey the meaning.

Lian Xiaozhou wore plain-colored dress and skirt. Upon hearing the content of the imperial edict, her face immediately flew with a layer of red clouds, lowering her head not daring to look at Fang Hailing standing beside her.

Fang Hailing was also completely tense with his head lowered, not knowing whether to receive the edict for a long while.

Mu Jinghu asked in confusion, “Are you unwilling?”

Fang Hailing raised his eyes, and after a long while shook his head: “No, no, it’s just, it’s just somewhat unexpected.”

“Unexpected?” Mu Jinghu was even more puzzled.

Fang Hailing spoke directly: “I had originally prepared to wander the world with her. Within three days, assassins would surely arrive. With her identity, how could those above tolerate her?”

Mu Jinghu chuckled and shook his head: “You’re overthinking it. From now on, you couple should just live peacefully in Tianji Valley, and simply not leave the valley unless necessary. Besides, the emperor and empress are not the kind of people you think they are. Your wife is the empress’s younger sister – how could the emperor send assassins?”

Fang Hailing still didn’t quite believe it.

But Lian Xiaozhou nodded: “Elder sister won’t harm me. Even if someone wants to kill me to eliminate future troubles, elder sister will protect me.”

“But your sister is ultimately just a woman,” Fang Hailing had a headache over Lian Xiaozhou’s naivety. “If the emperor issues an edict, what could she do?”

“The emperor dotes on elder sister and won’t go against her wishes. Moreover, if the emperor truly wanted to kill me, he could have secretly eliminated me when he obtained the Imperial Jade Seal. How could he have allowed me to eat and dress well by elder sister’s side for so many years?”

Mu Jinghu nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, and even Fang Hailing was somewhat speechless.

Indeed, even when Pang Xiao wasn’t emperor before, he was still a prince with capable subordinates. If he truly had the heart to take Lian Xiaozhou’s life, he had countless ways to secretly order someone to act, and could perfectly conceal it from Qin Yining. Not to mention anything else, through all the difficulties and dangers they had experienced, at life-and-death moments, having one or two people die around them wouldn’t be strange. If he feared it would be hard to explain to Qin Yining, he need only push all the blame onto enemies.

Fang Hailing set his mind at ease. Looking back at Lian Xiaozhou and seeing her rosy-cheeked appearance, his own face also reddened as he said stiffly: “Then let it be so.”

Mu Jinghu raised an eyebrow.

Lian Xiaozhou’s face grew even redder as she lowered her head: “Then let it be so.”

Mu Jinghu found it amusing to watch, remembering his own feelings when he had abducted Qiu Feishan back then. Combining that with what he now saw of these two people, he couldn’t help but feel emotional.

Everyone had found good homes – he should return home as well.

In Kunning Palace, relatives and friends from both the emperor and empress’s sides had all gathered together.

A round table was set in the center with dishes complete, and the two families sat around it together. The palace servants and attendants had already received instructions and withdrawn.

Qin Yining sat with Zhao Ge’er and Han Ge’er on her left and right. The wet nurses held the just-over-one-year-old Yun Jie’er and Xuan Ge’er in the back accompanying them.

Yao Chenggu and Madam Ma sat in the seats of honor, with Empress Dowager Yao on the left and Qin Huaiyuan with Sun Shi and Cao Yuqing on the right. Han Ge’er mischievously pulled at Qin Yining’s sleeve one moment, then reached to tug at the jade pendant on Cao Yuqing’s waist sash the next. Zhao Ge’er maintained a stern little face with a profound expression.

Pang Xiao picked up the wine pot to personally refill everyone’s cups.

“That we can have this day of reunion is entirely thanks to father-in-law’s care. Without father-in-law’s arrangements in Yiyue, when that urgent matter occurred, even if the family had gone there, we would have feared difficulty enduring.” Pang Xiao raised his cup with both hands: “Father-in-law, this son-in-law toasts you.”

Qin Huaiyuan smiled as he picked up his wine cup, rising to clink glasses with Pang Xiao. Pang Xiao quickly bowed, putting his attitude extremely low. Qin Huaiyuan respected his status as emperor, and he respected Qin Huaiyuan even more.

Seeing Pang Xiao being so respectful, Empress Dowager Yao felt displeased in her heart and coughed: “Aiya, we’re all family – why go to such lengths? Emperor, please sit quickly. Now that you’ve already become emperor, you should have the bearing of an emperor…”

Before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted by Madam Ma’s cough: “Even if Dafu has become emperor, is he no longer your son?”

“Mother, what are you saying?” Empress Dowager Yao felt somewhat embarrassed, adjusting the gold hairpin at the back of her head.

“Since he’s still your son even after becoming emperor, then is Dafu no longer the in-law’s son-in-law just because he became emperor? Stop bringing out those crooked thoughts of yours to cause trouble – it’s undignified.”

Empress Dowager Yao’s face turned alternately green and white. She hadn’t expected that even though she was now the Empress Dowager, Madam Ma would still act this way, not giving her any face in front of others.

Pang Xiao acted as if he hadn’t noticed Yao Shi’s expression, smiling as he said: “Father-in-law, mother-in-law, when circumstances were poor before, I always caused you to suffer. Now I can finally break free from those constraints and no longer live in fear. From now on I can fulfill my filial duties to all the elders. The palace has already sent people to renovate the mansion outside. In the coming days, please temporarily stay in the palace, and when the outside renovations are complete, the Qin family’s gates can be restored to glory.”

Sun Shi smiled and nodded without saying much, though there was some dimness between her brows.

Qin Huaiyuan looked at Qin Yining beside him, smiled slightly and said: “I understand the emperor’s kind intentions in my heart. But today at this family feast, I also happen to want to take leave of the emperor.”

“Father!” Qin Yining was greatly alarmed: “Why take leave? Now the world has stabilized, and we no longer need to worry about anyone framing us. In the future, your daughter can properly show filial piety to her parents. Wouldn’t a family reunion be wonderful? I’ve already had people tell Master Liao to prepare to go to Yiyue to bring back the Old Madam and Second Uncle and the others…”

“Sister Yi,” Qin Huaiyuan smiled gently, softly interrupting her words: “Now you’re already the empress and mother to four children – how can you still act like a child?”

These words weren’t reproach, but full of indulgence.

Qin Yining’s eyes immediately moistened.

Qin Huaiyuan smiled: “As I just said, you are the empress, so you must be a model for the world, assist your husband and teach your children, manage the six palaces, and be an example for all women under heaven. Standing in this position, you must bear constraints far more severe than before. One wrong step and countless pairs of eyes will be watching you closely – do you understand?”

“Your daughter… understands.” Qin Yining lowered her head.

Everyone at the table quietly watched Qin Huaiyuan.

Qin Huaiyuan smiled, his gaze both loving and determined: “From when you and the emperor first met until now, how many dangers have you weathered along the way? That you could survive and still maintain your feelings is your fortune – Heaven’s blessing upon you.”

Thinking of all the storms Qin Yining and Pang Xiao had weathered, everyone was moved. Sun Shi felt sorry for her daughter, lowering her head to wipe the corners of her eyes. Madam Ma also furrowed her brow with distress, and even Yao Shi showed unbearable expression.

“You couple have good feelings for each other – this is good fortune. Now the emperor has ascended the throne with everything renewed. Court duties have just been placed on his shoulders, the sharpness from the battlefield has not yet receded, and his subjects still hold him in awe. So what he does now, everyone dares not say much about.

“But as time passes, comfortable days will wear away people’s memories. When they gradually forget your sharpness and edge, any slight impropriety in the emperor’s actions will draw verbal and written attacks from the censors.”

“Father-in-law, I can handle all of this well!” Pang Xiao guaranteed with firm expression.

Qin Huaiyuan smiled and nodded: “I believe the emperor can handle it well. I also believe the emperor currently has affection for Sister Yi, feels indebted to her, has romantic feelings, and familial love too. But if it’s like this for one year, what about ten years later? Twenty or thirty years later?”

Pang Xiao’s expression immediately changed, his phoenix eyes full of anxiety.

But Qin Huaiyuan calmly smiled and waved his hand, indicating Pang Xiao should remain calm.

“Future court matters cannot be predicted by anyone. The emperor, as Son of Heaven, may avoid imperial consort selection for one year, but what about year after year in the future? Moreover, you and I both understand clearly that the most solid method for winning hearts and gaining court support is through marriage alliances. In the future, many things will inevitably happen that will force the emperor to have no choice but to broadly take in the harem. And as emperor, for continuing the imperial line, having three palaces and six courtyards is also natural. If the emperor doesn’t do this, there will be endless ministers offering advice.

“Sister Yi is my daughter. I know her temperament best. This child has been lonely since small, born in chaotic times, with very few people showing her genuine sincerity. So she especially treasures whatever feelings she can obtain, whether familial love, friendship, or romantic love.

“She has known the emperor for a long time and naturally entrusted her true heart. She’s an intelligent person, yet several times has put herself in dangerous situations for the emperor’s sake. Isn’t this emotional devotion genuine? Such feelings presumably cannot tolerate any impurity.”

“Father-in-law!”

“Your Majesty.” Qin Huaiyuan stood up, smiling: “The emperor’s guarantee – as a man, as one who understands political tactics, I can believe it, but I’m equally worried. One heart, one mind, one life, one world, one pair of people – this is not easy to achieve. Even if you can do it, external conditions will always bring pressure.

“Of course, with Sister Yi’s intelligence, even if she were a female prime minister her mind would be sufficient. So I also believe she could survive harem struggles. But being able to win doesn’t mean she won’t be hurt.”

“Father-in-law, I won’t let Sister Yi be hurt!”