When Suzhen returned to the side hall—temporarily designated as her palace—Supervisor Guo hadn’t left yet, apparently somewhat worried. Suzhen smiled and shook her head. Only then did Supervisor Guo leave. Suzhen thought of something and called her back. Seeing that little Luzi, who had finished his shift, hadn’t immediately gone to rest, she called him in too and poured tea for both.

Though they knew she wasn’t particular about formalities, they were still shocked and repeatedly said “We couldn’t possibly.”

Suzhen had them sit down, then said, “Aunt Guo, I think I should find a day to speak with His Majesty about letting you focus solely on the Supervisor’s Bureau affairs and not need to come to my place anymore.”

Supervisor Guo was alarmed, “Your Majesty, is there something this servant did poorly?”

Suzhen shook her head, “Of course not. Rather, you’ve more or less seen or sensed that the Empress and I don’t get along well. Following me will cause you much trouble. The same goes for little Luzi. As for little Luzi, I should also request a transfer—”

Before she could finish, little Luzi was already anxiously waving his hands, “Master, please don’t say that. It’s this servant who hasn’t served you well enough. This servant was at fault in the previous incident.”

“Aunt Guo should return to the Supervisor’s Bureau. This servant will still remain.”

Seeing his determined attitude, Suzhen couldn’t refuse immediately. Supervisor Guo then lowered her head and replied, “Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, but if that were the case, this servant would be too sorry to Your Majesty. Like little Luzi, this servant will also remain here to serve.”

Seeing this, Suzhen sighed but didn’t refuse their kindness again. Only then did Supervisor Guo and Luzi leave. However, when she reached the door, Supervisor Guo hesitated and turned back.

Suzhen saw she seemed to have something urgent and had little Luzi go ahead while keeping her behind.

Supervisor Guo paused, closed the door tightly, then walked back into the room.

“Aunt, this is…” Suzhen couldn’t help but wonder.

Supervisor Guo’s eyes showed hesitation, appearing quite complex. After a long while, she leaned close to Suzhen’s ear, “Your Majesty, you must be careful of the Empress. She… already knows you’re not a virgin. This was… this servant personally examined you that day. This servant has wronged you.”

She originally hadn’t wanted to say anything. Even when Suzhen mentioned transfers, she had felt relieved. But now, by twist of fate, she was following Suzhen while Aluo had chosen Supervisor Xiao instead. This Consort Shu’s situation looked quite difficult, yet she could still think of others. Having been in the palace for years, she wasn’t soft-hearted, but being treated with sincerity at this moment, she couldn’t help but be moved and revealed her secret.

Hearing this, Suzhen’s heart pounded wildly. Li Zhaoting didn’t like her and might not pursue anything, but if Aluo used this as leverage and found some way to report it to the Empress Dowager, she’d be in serious trouble. An impure consort could face the penalty of three feet of white silk!

Supervisor Guo saw her face turn deathly pale and knew what she was thinking. She lowered her voice, “Your Majesty, this servant will certainly keep this secret, but I fear the Empress might use cinnabar or something as an excuse… or if His Majesty comes to… favor you, then… This servant is telling you this hoping you can prepare in advance.”

When Supervisor Guo left, she was still frowning deeply, looking troubled. She didn’t blame her—what this female official had done for Aluo before was just someone in the deep palace being unable to control her own fate. That she could warn her now was already quite good. But even if she could be on guard, when this matter came, there was really nowhere to defend against it! What should she do?! The palace wasn’t escaped yet, and now another troublesome matter arose. Damn that grinding little demon Gu Xiluo!

Central Palace bedchamber.

After Mei’er’s initial joy, thinking of something, she was puzzled again, “Master, since we know she’s already deflowered, why not directly report to His Majesty or the Empress Dowager? This way, we could avoid His Majesty and her…”

Aluo chuckled softly, “This would naturally work. But tell me, would this compare to the shock of His Majesty personally ‘discovering’ it? If he doesn’t turn over her tablet, we can think of other methods later!”

The next day, as Aluo predicted, after giving her the greatest respect and favor, Li Zhaoting indeed shared his rain and dew equally, going to other palaces.

He first went to Wei Wulei’s quarters.

This was within Aluo’s expectations, though also somewhat surprising. After all, Li Zhaoting had deeper feelings for Miaoyin, but Prime Minister Miao was ultimately from Wei state. He wouldn’t stay too long as a guest, and having given equal rank, he could certainly explain things when returning to Wei. Wei Chenghui was his most relied-upon minister. Thinking this way, it wasn’t strange after all.

The third evening, he naturally went to Miaoyin’s place. Reportedly, he even gave many rewards, making up for being a day late.

…

This morning, when Li Zhaoting rose for court, Miaoyin served him in dressing and seemingly casually asked, “Where will Your Majesty go tonight?”

Li Zhaoting smiled, “Would it be good if I came here again?”

Miaoyin spat at him, “I don’t believe you. Tonight you’ll either go to the Central Palace or some other consort’s place.”

As she spoke, her face suddenly reddened slightly, “You think I’m that unsatisfied? You knew the Empress first, and she’s your heart’s love… Though I’m not the Central Palace, you let me spend the first night with you to spare my feelings. Even though in the palace’s eyes you went to Consort Wei’s place first, in my heart I was… happy.”

“I also told Father about it.” Her voice lowered, not without shyness.

Li Zhaoting smiled and pulled her into his arms, “My Miao’er is truly the best. It’s enough that you understand in your heart.”

Miaoyin was delighted and said softly, “Tonight, do you want to visit Consort Shu? She has no one in her palace—it’s not easy for her.”

“You don’t object?” Li Zhaoting’s gaze deepened slightly as he asked lightly.

Miaoyin smiled, “This consort naturally doesn’t object. This consort has already gained the greatest advantage. If the Empress and Consort Wei were to object, this consort would have to speak up for her.”

“To have such a wife, what more could a husband ask for?” Li Zhaoting smiled slightly, carried her back to bed, and tucked her in. Finally, he said, “I originally just wanted to better protect her life, and I don’t like her—what would be the point of going? But if I don’t go, the palace will inevitably look down on her. We’ll see.”

“Very well, everything is up to Your Majesty’s decision.”

Diligence was a habit Li Zhaoting had cultivated since childhood, especially now at the beginning of establishing new governance. Though local officials hadn’t been replaced wholesale, centralizing power was new.

With Quan Feitong’s assistance, many administrative issues had been put on the agenda these days, mainly to stabilize rule first.

Before ascending the throne, court documents had been transmitted to all provinces and commanderies, including announcing the central government’s roster and appeasing localities. At the same time, based on his understanding of local officials from two years of service, he rooted out over a dozen officials in key positions who were loyal to the previous dynasty’s Lian Yu, selecting and appointing new ones. He also sent troops to several major domestic provinces for security maintenance and to gauge public opinion. Those dissatisfied with the new government were secretly suppressed.

He also held secret discussions with Tingyu about harem affairs and previous dynasty politics. He knew well that Tingyu wasn’t a pedantic scholar. If Lian Yu hadn’t died, this teacher would certainly have supported Lian Yu. But now that matters were settled, he also discussed his governing principles with him. These actually originated from what he’d learned from this teacher in the past. Though the old gentleman was unwilling in his heart, he valued whether the court’s policies toward the common people were beneficial and stable. After hearing them, he finally agreed not to incite scholars throughout the realm who were devoted to the previous dynasty to cause trouble, and wouldn’t publicly comment on his proclamation to the people about restoring order.

Additionally, the military expenses needed by the three armies previously, though each had sources, all came from the national treasury or from the people. This was no light loss. How to fill this great deficit required careful coordination among scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants.

Military training was still necessary and couldn’t be taken lightly. Even though Zhou and Wei had formed marriage alliances, other countries were hard to predict. Furthermore, appointments to important court positions were also delicate matters. Wei Chenghui remained Grand Tutor and was promoted to head of military officials. He showed respect everywhere, but several deputy generals in Wei’s army were loyal to his father and him. He also promoted them separately as checks and balances. At the same time, he gave Chao Huang a position in the army—not high, making it difficult for him to rebel again. Wuqing remained commander of the Six Doors, and the Six Doors’ scope was expanded, adding two more layers of restraint on Wei. Among civil officials, Quan Feitong was first, but he restored Huang Zhongyue to his former ministerial rank and greatly increased his salary. Quan Feitong checked Wei Chenghui, and Huang Zhongyue could also give Quan some trouble—mutual balance.

Ten thousand men were transferred from the army to form the Imperial Guard, with Si Lanfeng as commander. Other former Prince Jin supporters included those led by Wei, those loyal to him, and those who watched both sides like the National Protector Wuliang. But the above arrangements gave him time to cultivate new forces absolutely loyal to him.

This evening, he reviewed memorials until late before finally putting down his vermillion brush and pinching his nose bridge. Xiao Si had been grinding ink beside him for half the day. Seeing this, he felt pardoned and mischievously smiled, clapping his hands. Soon the old eunuch entered carrying a tray.

“Your Majesty, which lady’s tablet would you like to turn over tonight?” The old fellow bowed respectfully and asked.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t control this mere harem, but Miaoyin’s reaction was within his expectations. If he went to Feng Suzhen’s place tonight and anyone was dissatisfied, Miaoyin speaking up would show magnanimity, making it difficult for others to say more—otherwise they’d seem petty. He also wouldn’t need to appease Aluo, who deeply hated Feng Suzhen. Li Zhaoting stroked the agate paperweight on his desk, slightly narrowing his eyes.

Just as he was reaching toward the tray, he suddenly remembered her expression that night—uninjured, unperturbed, smiling gracefully. His heart couldn’t help but flare with anger again. Seeing his long hesitation, the old eunuch quietly asked, “Your Majesty, should you turn over Consort Shu’s tablet tonight? Today this old servant encountered the Empress in the palace, and she said to be sure to tell Your Majesty that sharing rain and dew equally is important. Even if you visit her chambers less, she’s willing, only hoping for Your Majesty’s wellbeing.”

Wuqing was still busy with Lian Jie and the other’s affairs. Suzhen didn’t seek him out, fearing it would distract him. At this time, her detailed plan still wasn’t completely ready, so finding him would be useless. These past days, pressured again by the matter of her lost virginity, she intensified planning her prison break, walking around everywhere during the day and writing and drawing at night, almost sleepless, mapping palace passages and studying duty rosters for palace staff and guards.

Though exhausted by evening, she still wrote and drew at her table. This plan was extremely difficult—from how to quietly lead away the guards in front of Yu Concubine’s residence, to how to prevent palace staff from quickly discovering her disappearance, entering the secret passage, escaping the imperial city, blending into the capital’s populace, and then when Li Zhaoting discovered and locked down the capital, how to slip out through layers of soldiers searching… Timing, arrangements—every step absolutely couldn’t have the slightest error. If even one place went wrong and she was caught, it would certainly be a dead end! This time she was certain Li Zhaoting absolutely wouldn’t spare her.

But the more urgent, the more difficult it became. Finally, she bit her teeth and threw down her brush, rolling up the diagrams and storing them in a secret place in the room, to continue tomorrow.

Though it was a summer night, her body wasn’t what it used to be. She still felt somewhat cold, but the bathwater the palace maids had brought earlier still had faint warmth. She tested the temperature and found it acceptable—it saved them another trip. She undressed and stepped into the tub.

Heavy drowsiness struck. She unconsciously closed her eyes, her consciousness gradually fading.

…

When Li Zhaoting arrived at Suzhen’s palace, little Luzi and the palace maids were drinking and playing dice at the stone table in the courtyard. Seeing the emperor’s sudden arrival, they were both happy for their master and scared witless. Suzhen allowed them some entertainment to prevent boredom, but the stern emperor might not approve!

Just as Xiao Si was about to scold them, Li Zhaoting raised his hand to stop him. He had known that person in the room too long—it would be stranger if her people were overly serious. So be it!

Seeing they were pardoned, everyone was overjoyed and kowtowed in gratitude. Little Luzi ran over to knock on the door, “Master, master, His Majesty has come. Quickly come out to receive him.”

After a long while with no response, he was getting anxious when Li Zhaoting’s expression had already turned stern. He strode over and casually pushed open the door.

The scene inside left him stunned for quite a while. Seeing little Luzi and Xiao Si peering in, he finally entered the room and quickly closed the door, saying quietly, “I will spend the night at Consort Shu’s tonight. Liang Song—”

Liang Song was the old eunuch’s name. He paused, then said, “Have the Bureau of Ceremonies record it.”

“Yes.” Outside, the old eunuch quickly agreed. A moment later, he exclaimed in alarm, “This old servant deserves death—I forgot to have the servants go in to arrange and tidy up. Your Majesty, shall we go in now—”

Li Zhaoting glanced again into the room, his throat moving slightly as he suppressed his voice, “No need. Just pass that thing in to me.”

Update for the 2nd.