Yet speaking of Hu Yuanjie, due to his injured legs, he had been cooped up in Moon-Viewing Hall for half a month and was bored to distraction.

In his lifetime, he loved traveling most of all and was particularly fond of playing chess. Unfortunately, Secretary Jiang from the Ministry of Rites who usually kept him company in Moon-Viewing Hall had truly terrible chess skills—within half a quarter-hour, he would collapse into complete defeat. Meanwhile, those in court with superior chess skills were all entangled in official duties, and one couldn’t catch even a glimpse of them on ordinary days.

On this particular day, Hu Yuanjie was utterly bored and had set up a chess game on the small table, planning to play left hand against right hand, when he saw Secretary Jiang come running into the hall from outside, saying in a fluster: “Envoy Hu, Envoy Hu, His Majesty has come to visit you!”

Upon hearing this, Hu Yuanjie felt both surprised and honored.

This Emperor of Jin’an usually treated him with proper courtesy, yet spoke little. Moreover, being occupied with myriad state affairs, he was like a dragon—one glimpsed his head but never his tail. Now he was actually willing to condescend to visit him?

He had heard that Emperor Jin’an had previously led troops in the Northwest and governed a principality in Nanchang, so he must be well-traveled and knowledgeable. Discussing some interesting anecdotes with him would certainly dispel his boredom.

Hu Yuanjie said happily: “Bring this humble one’s walking stick, this humble one must go respectfully greet His Majesty!”

However, when Secretary Jiang helped Hu Yuanjie limp his way to the entrance of Moon-Viewing Hall, what they saw was instead Zhu Nanxian’s back as he turned toward Gardenia Hall. A nearby palace attendant said awkwardly: “Lord Envoy, His Majesty, he… seems to have come to visit Lord Su.”

Hu Yuanjie stood stunned for a moment, let out a heavy sigh, and leaning on his cane, walked back into the hall. After sitting disappointedly at the small table for a while, he rolled up his sleeves and was just preparing to continue playing against himself when Secretary Jiang came rushing into the hall again: “Envoy Hu, Lord Liu has come to visit you!”

Upon hearing this, Hu Yuanjie was delighted once more.

This Left Chief Censor treated him with thorough courtesy as well, yet spoke even less and was diligent in government affairs, working from dawn to dusk. Now he was actually willing to spare time from his busy schedule to see him?

He had heard that Liu Yun had served as censor for nearly ten years and had toured various regions on inspection, so he must be broadly knowledgeable. Discussing some interesting stories with him would certainly dispel his worries.

Hu Yuanjie said happily again: “Bring the walking stick from just now, this humble one must personally go greet Lord Liu!”

Secretary Jiang helped Hu Yuanjie limp his way to the entrance of Moon-Viewing Hall, and what they saw was actually Liu Chaoming’s back as he turned toward Gardenia Hall. A nearby palace attendant said awkwardly: “Lord Envoy, Lord Liu, he… also seems to have gone to visit Lord Su.”

Hu Yuanjie stood dumbfounded for a moment, let out a sorrowful sigh, and leaning on his cane, walked back into the hall. After sitting at the small table in a daze for a while, he rolled down his sleeves, planning to first pour himself a bowl of tea to calm his nerves, when Secretary Jiang once again came rushing busily into the hall: “Envoy Hu, Lord Shen has arrived!”

Upon hearing this, Hu Yuanjie first suppressed the joy that welled up naturally within him and asked cautiously: “Has he come to visit this humble one?”

Secretary Jiang said: “Lord Su already has His Majesty and Lord Liu there, Lord Shen must have come to see you, Lord Envoy!”

This Minister of Revenue usually wasn’t particularly taciturn, but recently he had been tied up with military supplies and expenses. Apart from coming daily to exchange a few words with Vice Minister Su, he was actually even busier than those other two.

He had heard that Shen Qingyue had been extraordinarily intelligent since childhood—at nine years old he could already open shops and conduct business, at twelve he entered the Hanlin Academy as an Attendant Reader, his strategic wisdom could match Liu Yun’s, and at seventeen his romantic reputation spread throughout the capital, with no fewer than a hundred women infatuated with him. If one could hear him tell just one or two romantic tales, it would truly be one of life’s great pleasures.

Hu Yuanjie said excitedly: “I needn’t greet others, but this Lord Shen, this humble one must personally welcome him!”

Secretary Jiang helped Hu Yuanjie limp his way to the entrance of Moon-Viewing Hall, and what they saw was Shen Xi floating gracefully toward Gardenia Hall. Even the nearby palace attendants felt ashamed on Secretary Jiang’s behalf for this series of “false military reports”: “Lord Envoy, Lord Shen, he… still went to visit Lord Su.”

Hu Yuanjie stood quietly for a moment, then wordlessly turned around. He looked at the boundless sky, then at the garden full of blooming evening primroses. Just as he was about to have someone hang an iron lock on the hall entrance and shut himself inside for a day to thoroughly reflect on whether there was something wrong with how he conducted himself among people, he heard Secretary Jiang stammering: “Envoy Hu, Minister Luo from the Ministry of Rites has come to Weiyang Palace.”

Hu Yuanjie said: “Oh, he must be going to visit Lord Su, right?”

Luo Songtang had already entered Moon-Viewing Hall. Hearing Hu Yuanjie’s self-deprecating words, he said: “How can the Envoy say such things? This old minister has come precisely to visit you.”

Being Minister of Rites, he naturally understood the foreign envoy’s preferences. After Hu Yuanjie invited him into the hall, he seated himself consciously at the small table, looked at the chess game, picked up a black piece and asked: “How is the Envoy’s leg injury healing?”

Hu Yuanjie, having just recovered from the series of blows, said very calmly: “With proper care, it will eventually heal.”

Luo Songtang placed his piece and said with a smile: “This old minister’s chess skills are poor. There are four people in court with the best chess skills: the Tenth Prince, Academician Shu, Minister Shen, and Vice Minister Su.”

Hu Yuanjie said in surprise: “Lord Liu isn’t among them?”

“Liu Yun is someone who, on ordinary days, deals only with official duties. I haven’t really seen him play.” Luo Songtang said, then made a sound of realization, “Now that the Envoy asks, this old minister recalls that when Liu Yun first entered the Imperial Censorate, he played against Marquis Wenyuan once and only lost to Marquis Wenyuan by half a stone.”

“Marquis Wenyuan has exquisite chess skills?”

“Far superior to the Tenth Prince.” Luo Songtang said, then laughed heartily, “However, now which of them is stronger or weaker is unknown. Since you love chess, in your free time you could seek them out for a game and see.”

Hu Yuanjie sighed: “This humble one would like to, but Minister Luo, of the several pillar ministers you just mentioned, Lord Shen, Lord Liu, oh, and adding His Majesty—they’ve all gone next door to see Lord Su.”

Luo Songtang was startled: “They’re all at Gardenia Hall?”

Hu Yuanjie finally voiced the confusion in his heart: “Minister Luo, tell me, is this humble envoy idling daily in Weiyang Palace somewhat annoying to people? After all, this humble envoy is neither dizzy nor unconscious. Should this humble envoy frequently visit the Imperial Censorate, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Justice, and also Fengtian Hall?”

Luo Songtang’s hand holding the chess piece paused, not answering this question.

Speaking of which, the Ministry of Rites oversaw auspicious ceremonies. When Zhu Nanxian was previously a prince, not taking a consort was already an offense. Now that he had become Emperor, the enthronement ceremony was approaching in early September, yet he still hadn’t established an Empress.

The first few times Luo Songtang wanted to discuss establishing the Empress with Zhu Nanxian, Zhu Nanxian made excuses about the imminent Northwest campaign and avoided seeing him. Earlier, when the Ministry of Revenue finally resolved the issue of Northwest military supplies and expenses and Zhu Xun successfully set out on campaign, Zhu Nanxian used preparing for the August autumn selection as a reason to postpone the matter of establishing an Empress again. Now that August was approaching, these past few days when Luo Songtang went to find Zhu Nanxian, Zhu Nanxian simply claimed illness, saying he had daily headaches and couldn’t spare the mental energy to deal with such trivial matters.

A new Emperor ascending the throne—and not a child Emperor either—yet the rear palace had not even an Empress, not even a single consort or concubine. This matter was simply unprecedented and unparalleled. Speaking grandly, this was the dereliction of duty of his entire Ministry of Rites. Even if they beheaded him, the Minister of Rites, he would deserve it.

Luo Songtang had always been cautious and prudent; he absolutely could not leave himself with such a huge vulnerability.

Hearing that Zhu Nanxian was currently at Gardenia Hall together with Liu Yun and Shen Qingyue, a plan suddenly formed in his mind. He thought: The saying goes—you can hide for a while but not forever. Your Majesty, you’ve brought this upon yourself; please don’t blame this old minister for trapping you.

“Since Envoy Hu has injured legs and Weiyang Palace is some distance from Fengtian Hall and the various ministry offices, making movement inconvenient, if you wish to see His Majesty, Lord Liu, and Lord Shen, why not accompany this old minister to Gardenia Hall next door right now?”

Hu Yuanjie said hesitantly: “This—wouldn’t be quite proper, would it? They originally came to visit Lord Su. For this humble one to rush over and parade before their eyes like this, as if complaining they didn’t come visit this humble one—wouldn’t that seem somewhat shameless?”

Luo Songtang said: “No harm. This old minister just happens to have a great joyous matter to report to His Majesty. Since Envoy Hu is willing to accompany this old minister, you can report this great joyous news on my behalf.”

Hu Yuanjie asked curiously: “What joyous matter might it be?”

“It’s like this: these past two days, this old minister has already discussed with Consort Qi and Consort Yu, who manage the rear palace, and decided upon the candidate for Empress. I’m going to inform His Majesty that the imperial wedding is imminent.”

Hu Yuanjie said in astonishment: “This is such a momentous matter? If this humble envoy reports it on your behalf, I fear it will steal Minister Luo’s merit.”

Luo Songtang said: “What harm is there in that? When His Majesty rejoices, all the people rejoice together. When His Majesty is blessed, the state and its altars are blessed. When you see His Majesty shortly, just congratulate him.”

On the other side, Tan Zhaolin had just retrieved the birdcage from the Su residence and returned to the palace when he happened to run into Shen Xi, who was about to go see Su Jin.

Shen Xi glanced at the birdcage in his hands: “A’Fu has grown this big?”

Tan Zhaolin said: “Ain’t that the truth! When the Lord first brought it back, I still wondered what kind of bird this was—turns out it’s a white parrot that can mimic speech.”

As the two conversed, they had already reached the Gardenia Path. A palace attendant took the birdcage from Tan Zhaolin’s hands. Shen Xi stepped into Gardenia Hall and immediately encountered Zhu Nanxian and Liu Chaoming, who were silently watching him.

The atmosphere in the hall was indescribable.

Even someone as casual and carefree as Tan Zhaolin could sense an impenetrable awkwardness. He glanced at the expressions on Zhu Nanxian and Liu Chaoming’s faces and paid his respects with careful deference.

Yet the awkwardness wasn’t because they happened to come visit Su Jin at the same time, but because they had encountered Shen Qingyue at precisely this moment.

Shen Xi seemed extremely surprised: “What a coincidence!” He added, “All here to see Su Shiyu?” Pointing his fan toward the door of the inner room, he said, “Why not go in?”

Neither Zhu Nanxian nor Liu Chaoming spoke.

Shen Xi walked around them and went to push open the door to the inner room: “How about we take turns? Each person goes in for a quarter-hour? I’ll go last—which of you two wants to go first?”

Tan Zhaolin, kneeling on the ground, looked up somewhat puzzled and asked: “Lord Shen, why do you have to go last?”

Liu Chaoming was silent for a moment, then said to Zhu Nanxian: “Your Majesty, this minister still has urgent matters to handle at the Imperial Censorate. I take my leave first.”

Zhu Nanxian nodded: “Lord Liu, please go ahead.” He added, “Qin Sang, take the memorials and follow me back to Fengtian Hall. Summon Zeng Youliang and Ren Xuan from the Ministry of Personnel to see me.”

Shen Xi watched Zhu Nanxian and Liu Chaoming walk to the doorway, casually glanced into the inner room, and made a sound of surprise: “Huh? What happened to her?”

Both Liu Chaoming and Zhu Nanxian’s steps halted simultaneously.

Tan Zhaolin shuffled forward a few steps on his knees, craning his neck to look: “What happened to my Lord?”

“Looks like her hand moved.” Shen Xi said in surprise, looking at Zhu Nanxian, then at Liu Chaoming. “Is Su Shiyu about to wake up?”

Out of ten sentences from Shen Qingyue, nine couldn’t be trusted.

Both Zhu Nanxian and Liu Chaoming knew this principle well, yet when the phrase “Su Shiyu is about to wake up” was spoken, for a moment neither of them was in such a hurry to leave.

Yet Tan Zhaolin said disappointedly: “My Lord’s hands have already moved several times while sleeping. I asked Physician Fang, and he said it’s useless—only opening the eyes counts.”

“What do you know?” Shen Xi said, then smiled at Zhu Nanxian and Liu Chaoming with a grin. “Taking advantage of the White Dew holiday today, I specially went to inquire about several folk remedies. I heard they have miraculous effects on those who remain unconscious. Do you want to know what they are?”