Zhu Nanxian walked all the way to Xuanyuan Terrace. Tan Zhaolin was just helping Su Jin down from the carriage, carrying her on his back as he followed Liu Chaoming up to present himself.

She seemed to be sleeping peacefully. Even though the sounds of assembled officials and soldiers paying respects echoed throughout Chengtian Gate Tower, she appeared not to hear them at all.

Zhu Nanxian stood silently for a moment before saying: “Beloved ministers, rise.” He shifted his gaze to Hu Yuanjie and asked: “Is Minister Envoy seriously harmed?”

Hu Yuanjie said: “In response to Your Majesty, this envoy’s legs and feet are merely somewhat inconvenient. Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern.”

Zhu Nanxian nodded, glanced at Luo Songtang who had come with him, and said: “Minister Luo, settle both Minister Envoy Hu and Minister Su in Weiyang Palace, and order the Imperial Physicians to care for them well.”

“Yes.”

Zhu Nanxian continued: “Qin Sang, summon the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review to see me later. Order him to investigate clearly why there were explosives at White Screen Mountain and what caused the mountain collapse and rockfall. We must give the Annan envoy an explanation.”

“This subject receives your command.”

Only then did Zhu Nanxian look at Su Jin again. A breath held in his chest rose and fell several times but couldn’t settle, suffocating and stifling. He still tried to slow his tone as he asked: “Minister Liu, how is Minister Su?”

Liu Chaoming stepped forward with a bow: “In response to Your Majesty, Minister Su’s head wound was caused by striking the carriage wall when falling from the cliff. Later she was also grazed by falling rocks, causing her to remain unconscious. Earlier, this subject already asked Physician Fang, who said there is blood clotted in her brain. Once the stagnant blood disperses, she will naturally awaken. However, the time of awakening is uncertain—quickly, one or two days; slowly, a year or half a year.”

That breath held in his chest seemed unable to be exhaled anymore, dissolving into his blood, congealing into a mass of hazy red mist.

Zhu Nanxian’s face still showed no expression, yet he just stood there, not saying a word for a long while.

Today he wore plain white cloud-dragon robes. He wore no crown, his black hair all bound in a topknot with a jade dragon hairpin, a plain mourning headband tied across his forehead.

Yet even in this attire, he possessed considerable imperial dignity.

Not one person below made a sound. After a moment, it was still Hu Yuanjie who, being supported, stepped forward to say: “Your Majesty, this envoy and Minister Su fell off the cliff together. This envoy’s legs were injured, making it difficult to walk—it was Minister Su who supported this envoy while avoiding falling rocks. Afterward, we encountered Lord Liu. At that time, rain was falling in the mountains with mudslides and rock slides. Lord Liu was carrying this envoy on his back and couldn’t dodge in time. In that critical moment, it was still Minister Su who pushed Lord Liu aside, which is why she was grazed by falling rocks and fell unconscious. Ultimately, it was all to save this envoy and Lord Liu. Please, Your Majesty, do not reproach Minister Su—he fulfilled his duty with complete devotion.”

Hearing these words, Zhu Nanxian was quiet for a moment, hummed in acknowledgment to show he understood, then turned and returned in the direction of Minghua Palace.

After the assembled people finished paying respects, Liu Chaoming was about to return to the Imperial Censorate when Luo Songtang, pursuing from behind, said: “What are you going back to your office for? Come to Minghua Hall—there’s an important matter to discuss.”

Liu Chaoming frowned slightly: “What matter?”

Luo Songtang said: “Drafting the reign title.”

When a new emperor ascended, from the following month on, all matters should be conducted under the new emperor’s reign title. Speaking of drafting reign titles seemed simple, but Luo Songtang’s caution was not without reason.

In the past, when Zhu Jingyuan established his dynasty, the Ministry of Rites and the Hanlin Academy drafted over a hundred reign titles for him, none pleasing to his imperial heart. This matter was delayed for an entire month. Zhu Jingyuan, in his fury, nearly dismissed the Minister of Rites at that time. Later, it was Prime Minister Xie Xu who said: “Since you are the founding emperor, why not use characters from your name as the title—take the two characters Jingyuan.” Only then did this storm subside.

But Zhu Jingyuan, this founding emperor, had already used his name as his title. For Zhu Nanxian, the second dynasty emperor, to show filial respect, he absolutely could not follow that precedent.

On the way to Minghua Hall with Luo Songtang, Liu Chaoming asked: “Who drafted this time’s reign titles?”

Luo Songtang said: “This old minister drafted one, Zou Liren drafted two, the Hanlin Academy produced five. Oh, and there’s that Shu Wenlan—yesterday after His Majesty passed away, before he went with you to White Screen Mountain, he entered the palace saying he felt somewhat better and also helped devise a reign title. Right now, there are nine proposals submitted in total.”

Liu Chaoming hummed in acknowledgment.

Luo Songtang glanced at him sideways and sighed: “Liu Yun, this old minister will speak frankly with you. Our current Majesty—nothing sits well with this old minister. For routine matters in my Ministry of Rites—such as diplomatic relations, selecting consorts, establishing an empress—whenever it reaches His Majesty, everything this old minister says is somehow wrong. Previously when Su Shiyu was around, he could help mediate and harmonize things. Now that Su Shiyu doesn’t know when he’ll wake, this old minister sees that His Majesty values you, and the relationship between you as sovereign and subject can truly be called harmonious. In a few days, this old minister must memorialize requesting His Majesty establish an empress. This old minister truly has no confidence in his heart. You are, after all, an imperial censor, a remonstrating official. How about this—you and this old minister submit this memorial together to His Majesty. You offer direct counsel, urging His Majesty to take a wife and establish an empress. What do you think?”

Liu Chaoming’s steps paused. He looked at him expressionlessly: “Minister Luo, you’d better remove the thread sewn on your mouth and tell His Majesty this matter yourself.”

As the two spoke, they had already reached Minghua Hall. Liu Dingliang and Gong Quan were already waiting inside. Luo Songtang strode several steps into the hall and gave Zhu Nanxian a deep bow: “Your Majesty, just now this old minister and Censor Liu discussed arrangements for settling the Annan envoy and Minister Su, falling behind a few steps. Please forgive this old minister, Your Majesty.”

“No harm done.” Zhu Nanxian said, then glanced at Liu Chaoming who was preparing to bow to him: “Minister Liu, no need for ceremony.”

Eunuch You beside him, seeing that four of the seven ministers had arrived, presented Luo Songtang’s memorial from earlier: “Please review it, Your Majesty.”

Zhu Nanxian opened the memorial and scanned it. His gaze suddenly paused on two characters.

“What does ‘Jin’an’ mean?” After a moment, Zhu Nanxian asked.

Luo Songtang said: “In response to Your Majesty, these two characters were drafted by Hanlin Scholar Shu Wenlan. The character Jin—the Book of Han’s Shuowen states: Jin means the sun rises and all things advance, taking the meaning of magnificent phenomena, auspicious energy streaming in thousands of lines. As for the character An—it means peace and prosperity. As the saying goes, the people live in peace and prosperity, the state is healthy and tranquil, the dynasty’s fortune—”

“Let’s settle on this one.” Before Luo Songtang finished, Zhu Nanxian spoke.

Having said this, he seemed to feel he had been too arbitrary, not having asked the ministers’ opinions. He raised his eyes to survey the room, his gaze settling on Liu Chaoming: “What does Lord Liu think?”

Liu Chaoming stood quietly for a long while before bowing: “Your Majesty, this subject also believes the two characters Jin’an are excellent.”

Zhu Nanxian said: “Good.” Then he picked up the vermillion brush, circled Jin’an, and handed it back to Eunuch You.

Luo Songtang was utterly dumbfounded.

Twenty-five years ago when establishing the reign title, he had been Vice Minister of Rites. At that time, Fengtian Hall could be described as complete chaos with chickens flying and dogs jumping. The assembled ministers each held their own views, debating for a full month. How was it that this time, establishing the reign title took less than a quarter-hour?

Luo Songtang couldn’t help asking: “Your Majesty, you mean this is settled?” He paused, then reminded: “Once the reign title is established, from now on years will be recorded as ‘Jin’an.’ Starting next month, it will no longer be the twenty-fifth year of Jingyuan, but the first year of Jin’an. You will also be called the Jin’an Emperor in the future.”

Zhu Nanxian nodded: “It’s settled.”

Before long, Qin Sang came to report that Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Zhang Shishan had arrived. Zhu Nanxian dismissed Luo Songtang and the others, only keeping Liu Chaoming to discuss the follow-up to the White Screen Mountain explosives case.

Luo Songtang withdrew from Minghua Palace, his mind churning with doubts. After pondering privately for a long while, he couldn’t help saying: “Hey, Old Gong, Old Liu, do you think this character Jin in ‘Jin’an’ has any other meaning?”

Gong Quan and Liu Dingliang exchanged glances, neither answering.

Luo Songtang continued: “Never mind distant matters—just speaking of when our Majesty was still the Thirteenth Prince, seven or eight years ago, when he raised his blade to cut down Zeng Youliang, wasn’t that for Su Shiyu’s sake?”

Gong Quan and Liu Dingliang said: “Old Luo, what are you talking about? This old minister doesn’t understand.”

Luo Songtang snorted: “You’re just pretending with me.” His gaze swept around and caught sight of a tall, jade-like figure striding rapidly toward them below Minghua Terrace. He quickly walked up: “Why are you only arriving now?”

This person was none other than Shen Xi, delayed by Ministry of Revenue affairs.

Upon seeing the three of them, Shen Xi said in surprise: “Wasn’t this about drafting the reign title?” He paused and asked: “What—it’s been decided so quickly already?”

Luo Songtang turned to look back at Gong Quan and Liu Dingliang. Seeing them both acting as if it was none of their business, he snorted again and pulled Shen Xi aside: “Let this old minister have you guess.” He took a draft copy of reign titles from his breast, the nine reign titles not yet circled with vermillion brush. “Which one do you think His Majesty chose?”

Shen Xi glanced at the draft: “Did His Majesty consult with anyone?”

“Only asked Liu Yun’s opinion.”

Chosen by Zhu Nanxian and Liu Yun together?

Shen Xi tapped his fingers on the two characters “Jin’an”: “Need you even guess?” Before Luo Songtang could ask, he curved his eyes in a smile and said cheerfully: “What, is Minister Luo testing me with this question? Do you want an explanation from me?”

Luo Songtang gave an embarrassed laugh: “This old minister is about to memorialize requesting His Majesty establish an empress in the next few days, isn’t he? If this old minister can understand the meaning clearly from you, Qingyue, and comprehend His Majesty’s intentions, wouldn’t it make this old minister’s work easier?” As he spoke, he lowered his voice and said quietly: “Qingyue, give this old minister a straight answer—does His Majesty truly have those feelings for Su Shiyu? This old minister doesn’t think His Majesty seems like someone with that inclination toward men.”

Shen Xi looked at him, fell silent for half a moment, took the paper from his hands and scanned it up and down again, then stuffed it back into his breast: “If you think it’s that meaning, then it’s that meaning.”

“Truly?”

Shen Xi smiled cheerfully again: “Don’t you know what kind of person His Majesty is? Can’t you see how he’s come this far? On your draft there’s only one ‘Jin’an.’ If you added several more like ‘Yue’an,’ ‘Min’an,’ ‘Lin’an,’ he might have hesitated for a moment.”

Luo Songtang said: “Oh, so you mean this old minister is overthinking.”

Shen Xi said mysteriously: “No, I also think it’s that meaning.”

Having said this, he smiled again, turned around, and walked back out toward the outside of Minghua Terrace.

Luo Songtang caught up a couple of steps: “Aren’t you going to Minghua Hall to see His Majesty?”

“The reign title has already been decided—what would I go for?” Shen Xi said. “Moreover, since it was decided as ‘Jin’an,’ rather than seeing His Majesty, I’d be better off using this time to go see Su Shiyu.”

Luo Songtang watched Shen Xi’s leisurely departing back. The thoughts that had been clear just moments ago were stirred by his joking and teasing into muddy water again. He took out the reign title draft from his breast and stared at it for a while, thinking with great regret: That’s right—when drafting reign titles originally, why didn’t this old minister think to ask Shen Qingyue’s opinion? Had he known this would happen, he should have drafted a hundred or eighty variations with “An”—not only should there be “Jin’an” and “Yue’an,” but also “Ling’an,” “Wan’an,” “Xin’an.” That way, he could conveniently settle the empress selection in a few days as well. Why would he need to worry?