Chu Zhao and A-Le, along with Ding Dachui and his men, found themselves blocked at the entrance to the street.

Looking ahead, A-Le’s eyes widened: “Why is it so lively today?”

Chu Zhao hesitated: “Perhaps we should take another route.”

Although this was the main street leading to the imperial palace, the capital’s streets and alleys were a maze with many alternative paths.

A-Le nodded: “Yes, with so many people, if there’s any danger—”

Ding Dachui didn’t dare express doubt, nor did he dare mention that he was there to protect the Empress, nor remind A-Le that Dragon Guard soldiers were scouting ahead.

But someone else could voice objections.

“I’m here,” a female voice said disapprovingly. “What danger could there be?”

A-Le turned with a bright smile to a young woman standing nearby: “None at all! With Sister Xiaoman here, there’s no danger whatsoever.”

Xiaoman snorted.

Not long after they had entered the capital’s boundaries, Xiaoman had come to meet them. Since helping Old Bai capture Xiao Xun and delivering him to His Majesty, Xiaoman had returned to the capital with Chu Tang’s family.

“We’ve cleared the entire capital several times,” Xiaoman said. “I guarantee you could walk sideways through it and no one would bump into you.”

Chu Zhao laughed: “Yes, I know. With Xiaoman here, I could walk blindfolded and no one would bump into me.” She looked ahead. “I just meant there are so many people, I worried about inconveniencing others—”

“Stop dawdling,” Xiaoman urged. “Hurry up. You weren’t afraid of thousands of troops, so why fear a crowded street?”

Hearing this, Chu Zhao guessed what might be happening but simply nodded: “Alright, let’s lead our horses by hand.”

So everyone dismounted. Chu Zhao adjusted her veil, took her horse’s reins, and followed Xiaoman forward.

Just as they stepped onto the street, two half-grown children crouching in a corner suddenly lit fireworks that shot into the sky in broad daylight, startling people all around.

“The auspicious time has come!” the children shouted before laughing and disappearing into the crowd.

……

……

Deng Yi stood on the highest wall of the imperial city, watching a burst of fireworks in the distance.

“The auspicious time has arrived,” he said, then turned and walked away. As he descended the steps, he could hear the capital beginning to bubble like a boiling pot.

Though no longer standing on the wall, he still felt the festive atmosphere as eunuchs continuously brought him reports.

“The streets are more lively than New Year’s.”

“Not just compared to New Year’s these past two years—it’s more lively than many New Year’s celebrations of the past.”

“Mistress Wanqing’s dance is even more beautiful in the street than in the pavilion—ahem, I mean, dance is most beautiful when it can be appreciated by both refined and common folk.”

“Lucky to see it at all. The men I sent couldn’t even squeeze through the crowd.”

“But hearing pipa music while squeezed on the street was a first for me. When those four women started playing, I forgot I was on the street—I felt as if I were accompanying His Majesty on a military campaign—”

“Did they play the ‘Breaking Formation’ melody? The Four Charming Sisters sell their art to charm people, but they’ve never played such pieces before. Hearing it for the first time was truly moving.”

“Many refugees on the streets were crying, sighing.”

“But it’s better now. The fighting has ended, and the refugees will soon be sent back to their homes.”

“Walking along the market streets, I got covered in flowers. These women are getting carried away with their celebrations.”

Hearing this, Deng Yi raised his head to look outside. Beyond the tall palace gates, he seemed to envision the scene of flowers filling the streets.

There must be even more flowers than when His Majesty returned to the capital.

……

……

Chu Zhao finally made her way through the street to the intersection. She turned to look back and saw the entire street submerged in a sea of flowers.

Through this sea of flowers, she could still see the bustle on the street.

She saw a dancing girl whirling, standing on one leg atop a small round stool, swaying like a willow in the wind. Yet no matter how the wind blew or how her body moved, that foot remained firmly planted on the stool—

She saw four women with pipas, producing sounds of clashing weapons and galloping horses, then suddenly melting ice and snow, blooming spring flowers, and birds singing in chorus.

She saw screens set up where scholars wielded brushes and ink, displaying poems, essays, and paintings, all bearing her name.

She saw fire-breathing, knife-dancing, and monkey performances.

Looking up, she saw that windows along the street were all open, with women smiling and waving to her.

“Miss, Miss,” A-Le’s voice called again and again in her ear. “The capital’s spring is so lively! We never noticed before. We’ve been in the capital for too short a time.”

Yes, they hadn’t noticed before, and even during her ten years in the capital in her previous life, she hadn’t noticed either, Chu Zhao thought silently.

Ding Dachui and his men were completely stunned.

“I knew the capital was the most prosperous place in the world,” Ding Dachui couldn’t help murmuring.

But this prosperity exceeded even his imagination. Walking amidst such splendor, he nearly shed tears—perhaps because the heavenly beautiful dancer smiled at him, perhaps because the pipa music stirred melancholy feelings, or perhaps because the somersaulting monkey reminded him of the mountains—

“To walk through such prosperity is my honor, Ding Dachui’s honor. I haven’t lived in vain,” he murmured.

The street was so noisy that Chu Zhao’s ears rang. She couldn’t hear what everyone was saying, yet somehow she seemed to hear clearly.

“This young lady—” Women’s voices called from ahead.

Chu Zhao turned to look and saw a tea shop at the intersection with tables set out. More than a dozen young women were sitting or standing there, with Chu Tang among them, though she remained silent. The one speaking was Zhou Jiang.

“This young lady,” she said.

Chu Zhao was still wearing her veil.

These young women all pretended not to recognize her.

“We’ve brewed fresh tea,” Zhou Jiang continued. “Please try a cup.”

Chu Zhao smiled, walked over, and accepted the tea.

Ding Dachui felt he should intervene, but seeing Xiaoman’s reaction—Xiaoman had already joined the group of young women—even as a country person visiting the capital for the first time, he could guess what was happening.

The earlier festivities—he looked back—were all for the Empress.

“Young lady, what did you see just now?” Zhou Jiang asked as she handed the tea to Chu Zhao.

Chu Zhao took the tea, seeming not to have heard clearly: “What did I see?”

“Young lady, did you see songs and dances in a peaceful land?” Zhou Jiang asked.

Chu Zhao nodded: “I did.”

“Did you see human prosperity?” Zhou Jiang asked.

Chu Zhao nodded again: “I did.”

“Young lady, did you see people living in peace and contentment?” Zhou Jiang asked.

Chu Zhao nodded: “I did.”

Zhou Jiang smiled: “Thank you, young lady. We offer you this cup of tea.”

Chu Zhao said: “Thank you. It’s my honor.” She drank the tea in one gulp.

Zhou Jiang and the other girls also drank their tea in one gulp.

Chu Zhao removed her veil. By now, everyone was attracted by the festivities in the street, and no one was looking in their direction. She took her horse’s reins, mounted, looked once more at the prosperity on the street, smiled, and rode forward.

……

……

Today’s grand court assembly was different from other times. The hall was as noisy as a marketplace, and officials weren’t standing in their designated places. Some gathered in groups whispering, others leaned against pillars with their eyes closed, resting.

“How long has it been?” one official couldn’t help but ask again. “Why hasn’t His Majesty arrived yet?”

“His Majesty is rarely lazy,” another official said in a low voice, joking. “After New Year’s, growing a year older, he’s become less diligent.”

Except during the military campaign when he led the troops, the young Emperor had never delayed court sessions.

“It doesn’t matter whether His Majesty is here or not,” another official frowned impatiently. “The Imperial Tutor is here.”

But the Imperial Tutor wasn’t here today either; he had just asked everyone to wait a while.

Someone sneered: “What’s the Imperial Tutor busy with these days? Has he received more wealth and is organizing his accounts? The King of Zhongshan—no, the Pacification King—must have sent him quite a lot.”

“Maybe he didn’t even need to send anything,” another person said coldly. “Imperial Tutor Deng was elevated to his position with the King of Zhongshan’s money in the first place. Now it’s time to repay the favor.”

“So is the court still under the King of Zhongshan’s control?” someone sighed.

But he was immediately refuted: “That’s impossible. With His Majesty and Third Young Master Xie present, Deng Yi wouldn’t dare to control everything.”

There were hostile officials and indifferent ones as well.

“Just urge them to hurry up so we can finish court early,” an official yawned.

“Don’t rush. Let’s wait. It’s good news,” another official said softly.

This caught the attention of those resting nearby with closed eyes: “What good news?” “What private information?” “Where did it come from?”

Some joked, “Has Your Excellency connected with the Deng family or the Xie family? You’re well-informed now.”

That official smiled: “My information comes from my connection to my wife and daughter.”

What did that mean? Everyone was even more confused.

“Recently, they’ve been mysteriously talking about congratulating the Empress,” the official said in a low voice. “The Empress should be returning.”

The Empress? Several officials exchanged glances: “The Empress both served in her father’s stead in the military and faced the King of Zhongshan in battle, achieving great glory. If she’s returning, shouldn’t the court prepare in advance?”

Recently, there hadn’t been any news about this at all.

Yet these women in the inner chambers somehow knew the exact information?

“I believe they do know,” the official said quietly. “Today, my wife and daughter woke up earlier than I did for court. I didn’t even see them at breakfast. They said they were busy with important matters.”

The officials found this amusing but could relate.

“Recently, the women at home do seem quite busy.”

“Not just busy, they also seem to be spending quite a lot. It’s giving me a headache—”

As they were joking, Deng Yi walked in from outside. Seeing him, the noise in the hall instantly subsided.

“Imperial Tutor, when will His Majesty hold court?” an official asked.

“Court will begin shortly,” Deng Yi said. “Not just His Majesty, but the Empress has also entered the palace.”

The Empress has returned!

She has returned!

The hall immediately erupted in noise again.

……

……

“Sister—”

“Sister Chu—”

Xiao Yu had been standing on the steps. He had wanted to go outside the imperial city to welcome her, or even wait outside the capital—

Deng Yi and Eunuch Qi had both advised him that the Empress didn’t want a grand reception, and if His Majesty appeared, it would go against the Empress’s wishes.

So he had been waiting in the palace, and it seemed so slow. Although guards reported almost every quarter-hour—the Empress has entered the city, the Empress is on the main street, the Empress is watching performances, the Empress has reached the imperial city—

As she got closer, time seemed to move more slowly.

Finally, finally, he saw the girl’s figure.

She was alone, wearing plain cloth robes, approaching slowly.

Xiao Yu could no longer contain himself. He wouldn’t wait any longer. He rushed down the steps toward the girl.

Chu Zhao watched the child running from the distant palace like a flying swallow and couldn’t help but smile.

Stepping into this imperial city again, she originally had no particular feelings. Familiar? Not really. Strange? Not really either. Her heart had been calm—until she saw the running child.

This child, who shouldn’t have existed, whom she had saved with her own hands.

This was her world, her creation, her new life.

Chu Zhao quickened her pace toward the child.

Finally, they met. Chu Zhao reached out to lift Xiao Yu, but nearly stumbled the next moment.

“A-Yu,” she said, “you’ve grown taller and heavier. Sister can hardly lift you anymore.”

Xiao Yu hugged her waist tightly: “Then I’ll carry Sister.”

Of course, he couldn’t lift her either.

Chu Zhao laughed heartily.

Eunuch Qi, Old Bai, Xiaoman, and A-Le all hurried over from the side, watching this scene with smiles.

“Your Majesty,” Eunuch Qi said, “the Imperial Tutor and court officials are all waiting. Please proceed to court with the Empress.”

Chu Zhao was somewhat surprised: “Court hasn’t started yet?”

Xiao Yu looked up at her: “Sister, I told the Imperial Tutor that we must wait for your return to hold court together, and he agreed.”

Chu Zhao reached down to pinch his nose.

“Good,” she said. “Let’s go to court together.”

She looked down at her clothes.

“I have my court robes with me,” A-Le quickly said. However, they had been used in the border commandery, and with all the military campaigns, they hadn’t been washed and were wrinkled—

Chu Zhao smiled and waved her hand: “No need. I have traveled a long way and am eager to discuss the important matters of the border and Zhongshan Commanderies with everyone. I am the Empress, but also a general leading troops. There are no taboos in the military. I will attend court as I am.”

With that, she took Xiao Yu’s hand.

“Let’s go.”

……

……

The court music played as the officials, now standing in formation, looked ahead to see the figure of a woman who had been absent from court for a long time.

Her face showed the dust of travel, her traveling clothes unchanged, but compared to when she had first entered wearing the Empress’s court robes, she now shone even more brightly.

Like a sword that had weathered the elements but had also been polished to gleam.

Calculating the time, this girl’s absence from the imperial city wasn’t particularly long, yet during her absence, she had accomplished one thing after another, matters concerning the court, the safety of Great Xia, and the stability of the dynasty.

The daughter of Chu Lan, living up to the late Emperor’s trust, brave and intelligent, wielding a sword and riding a horse, protecting the imperial grandson, protecting the country, protecting the people.

This time, without waiting for Deng Yi’s announcement, the officials all bowed their heads.

“We welcome His Majesty and the Empress.”

Chu Zhao, holding Xiao Yu’s hand, looked over the court and smiled slightly: “Rise.”