The conversation in the hall came to an abrupt halt as everyone turned their gazes toward Xiao Yongjia, their eyes filled with nothing but envy.

Duchess Huaide laughed, “Celebrating a birthday and having the Empress personally leave the palace to offer congratulations—such honor, A’Ling, looking across the entire Southern Dynasty, you are the first and only one.”

Everyone chimed in their agreement.

Xiao Yongjia smiled faintly.

Luoshen sat nearby. Seeing that she seemed about to rise to greet the visitor, she immediately said, “A’Niang, your condition isn’t suitable for this. Let me go welcome A’Jie on your behalf.”

Luoshen went to the front hall and waited only a short while before Gao Yongrong arrived with her imperial retinue. Luoshen led a group of servants to kneel in greeting, but was quickly helped up by Gao Yongrong, who smiled warmly. First, she chided Luoshen for never visiting the palace to chat with her, then said that since this was family, she only wanted to hear her call her A’Jie.

Luoshen laughed, “A’Jie, A’Niang was just about to come greet you personally, but I stopped her. A’Jie won’t take offense, will you?”

“Today is Aunt’s birthday. I’ve come to celebrate and bring joy to her special day. Who cares about such formalities? Besides, Aunt’s condition isn’t convenient. Come now, don’t be so formal with A’Jie.”

Gao Yongrong intimately took Luoshen’s arm, chatting and laughing as they walked toward the inner chambers, soon reaching the banquet hall.

Xiao Yongjia had already come out with the other female guests to kneel in greeting.

Gao Yongrong quickly stepped forward and personally helped Xiao Yongjia to her feet.

Xiao Yongjia had already ordered someone to prepare a seat of honor for her and invited her to sit.

Gao Yongrong first guided Xiao Yongjia back to her seat, then took her own place, telling everyone to rise and dispense with formalities. She smiled, “I lost my mother at a young age and was blessed with Aunt’s care, treated better than her own daughter. Aunt is like my own mother. I only regret that I married far away in the past, and now I’m confined daily in the imperial palace, unable to fulfill my filial duties. Meeting Aunt’s joyous birthday today, I’ve come to celebrate and visit family. If my presence here makes everyone feel constrained, that would be my sin.”

Seeing the Empress had no airs about her and spoke with such respectful filial devotion, everyone became even more envious of Xiao Yongjia. Gradually relaxing, they smiled and echoed her words. Several palace attendants then brought forward the birthday gifts the Empress had carefully prepared—some precious, some rare. The two attendants at the front, one knelt holding a gold-painted red lacquer tray containing a pair of gold-inlaid ruyi scepters, while another carried a bird perch with a brilliantly colored clever-tongued parrot standing on it, a golden chain around its foot. After just a little coaxing, it opened its beak and said, “May the Eldest Princess have peace and prosperity!”

Everyone burst into laughter and lavish praise.

Xiao Yongjia laughed, “The Empress assists His Majesty in managing the six palaces while I’m merely celebrating a birthday—something that happens every year without fail. Originally, I was even too lazy to arrange today’s few tables, but feared you all would say I was putting on airs, so I invited everyone for some festivities. To trouble the Empress with such thoughtfulness truly makes me feel undeserving.”

Gao Yongrong smiled, “Aunt need not be so formal. Today is Aunt’s joyous day. Even if your niece prepared countless birthday gifts, it still wouldn’t be enough to express my sincere devotion to you.”

She rose and personally presented the pair of ruyi scepters.

“These ruyi scepters are merely ordinary objects, but they carry light gifts with heavy meaning. Your niece prepared them long ago, waiting for this auspicious day to present them.”

“May Aunt from now on have all her heart’s desires fulfilled, with years like today.”

She gazed at Xiao Yongjia with a joyful expression, speaking each word deliberately.

That evening, in the government offices at Tai City, Gao Qiao had not yet departed.

Today was Xiao Yongjia’s birthday. Several days ago, she had told him she didn’t want an elaborate celebration—just inviting a few family members to sit at home would suffice.

In the previous years when their marital relationship was poor, Xiao Yongjia had been extremely extravagant in daily life, and Gao Qiao could only watch without daring to criticize her. Seeing that her temperament had now completely changed—not only becoming gentle and lovely but also no longer particular about such daily luxuries—he was naturally pleased. When her birthday came, he had originally wanted to arrange something grand for her, but hadn’t expected her to suggest this approach herself.

Being someone who preferred modest ceremonies over lavish ones, and with his wife expressing such preferences, he no longer insisted otherwise. Today his heart had been preoccupied all day, wanting to return early to accompany her. As evening approached, he hastened to finish some matters and set the rest aside, dismissing his subordinates. Just as he was about to leave, Xiao Daocheng arrived with attendants carrying a stack of documents, saying he had business to discuss, so Gao Qiao had to stop.

Xiao Daocheng presented a roster, smiling, “This contains capable talents recommended from various regions. His Majesty has already reviewed and approved them all. Knowing that you’re very concerned about such matters, I’ve brought the roster for your review first. Knowing you’re busy, I’ve circled the most outstanding candidates. If you’re not at ease, you can personally examine them when you have time. If all is well, His Majesty will issue appointment edicts. His Majesty was quite moved, saying it’s entirely thanks to the Chancellor’s virtue that the court has today’s renewed and excellent atmosphere.”

After Lu Guang’s death and Xu Mi’s impeachment and virtual retirement, this upheaval had created many vacant positions in the court. These past days, following the traditional system of examination and recommendation, Xiao Daocheng had compiled this list of new official appointments for Gao Qiao’s review.

Among the positions requiring new appointments, several were in crucial departments like the Five Military Commands and Personnel Ministry, with considerable importance and high ranks.

Gao Qiao accepted it and glanced through, noting that most of the circled candidates were known to him—all regional governors of either reputation or capability. After browsing the complete list, he nodded, “I’ll review it tomorrow and memorialize His Majesty afterward.”

As he spoke, he suddenly thought of someone.

“Why isn’t Yang Xuan on the list?”

Xiao Daocheng shook his head, “I was just going to mention that to you. Such a pity. Though you summoned him repeatedly, he refuses to return to the capital. Today we just received word that he went to Xuan City to plead guilty. Not only did Xu Mi not blame him, he actually executed his son Xu Chuo, saying it was to comfort the spirits of those Northern Expedition soldiers who died.”

Gao Qiao was silent for a moment, then let out a long sigh, “General Yang clearly has great righteousness but unfortunate timing. Such a loyal and fierce person unable to serve the court—it truly pains the heart!”

Xiao Daocheng echoed with a few sighs, glanced at Gao Qiao, saw him looking at the sky outside, smiled, and presented another document, saying, “I know you’re anxious to return today to celebrate the Eldest Princess’s birthday, so I dare not detain you further. There’s just one final matter. These are the execution files for autumn executions. Please review them, Chancellor Gao. If all is in order, please memorialize His Majesty for the death warrants, and these prisoners will be executed then.” He ordered his attendant to present the documents.

This matter concerned human lives, so Gao Qiao always took it seriously. Whenever there were condemned prisoners, before reporting for execution orders, no matter how busy he was, he would personally review the files to prevent wrongful convictions. He nodded, flipped through the thick stack of documents before him, and said, “Leave them here. I’ll review them when I have time.”

Xiao Daocheng acknowledged this, then continued, “This batch of prisoners to be executed—I’ve reviewed all their files. Without exception, they are all extremely vicious criminals who deserve death. Only one case is special, so I wanted to mention it to you first, lest you think I’m abusing legal procedures.”

“Didn’t the court repeatedly decree that the Celestial Master sect must no longer remain in Jiankang conducting activities? Knowing this matter was of great importance and after your previous reminders, I’ve personally overseen it. Most of those people have now departed. Among them was a female sect leader, supposedly a Fragrance Master named Shao Yuniang. However, she defied orders and refused to leave. When arrested and imprisoned by officials, she remained stubbornly defiant, claiming falsely that she had already left the sect and stayed in Jiankang only to find an old friend. When asked who this friend was, she refused to say. Suspecting her of plotting rebellion, and wanting to deter those deluded followers still obsessed with the sect, I thought to kill the chicken to warn the monkeys and had this female sect leader thrown into death row to be executed this autumn along with the others.”

“I know Chancellor Gao has always valued human life highly and dare not act arbitrarily. I thought I should inform you first—whether to execute her or not is for you to decide.”

He pulled out one file from the stack and handed it to Gao Qiao.

Upon hearing this name, Gao Qiao’s expression flickered. He took the file and quickly flipped through it, scanning rapidly while suppressing the tremendous shock rising in his heart. Looking at Xiao Daocheng, he hesitated before asking, “This Shao Yuniang—what age is she? Where is she from?”

“Thirty-five or thirty-six, refuses to reveal her origins. But judging by her accent, she’s likely from north of the Yangtze. Supposedly she has a brother named Shao Fengzhi who was also a key member of the Celestial Master sect. That Shao Fengzhi was clever though—as soon as the court’s prohibition was issued, he vanished and should have left the capital early…”

Before Xiao Daocheng finished speaking, Gao Qiao was already stunned, staring at the file in his hands. Suddenly snapping back to awareness, he asked, “This Shao Yuniang—she’s now in death row?”

Xiao Daocheng nodded, “Exactly…”

Gao Qiao set down the file and hurriedly strode out of the office, rushing straight to the prison. He gave the condemned prisoner’s name and was led directly to a cell holding female prisoners.

The prison was pitch black. In the narrow space too cramped for a person to lie straight, a corner was occupied by a waste bucket, reeking horribly. The floor was covered with scattered straw, flies buzzing about. A female prisoner huddled inside, clothes tattered, bearing torture wounds, motionless as if dead, her face obscured by disheveled hair.

The accompanying jailer said, “Chancellor Gao, this female prisoner is from the Celestial Master sect. She openly defied orders, refusing to leave. Prince Xin’an suspected her of other plots and had her thrown into death row. She’s been ill all this time, burning with fever and barely eating. This subordinate fears she’ll die here and was considering reporting…”

The female prisoner on the ground seemed startled awake by the jailer’s voice, groaned, and from her hair-covered mouth came a weak, hoarse whisper: “Wronged…”

The jailer glanced at Gao Qiao beside him.

His gaze was fixed intently on the female prisoner on the ground, his expression quite strange.

Over the years, this wasn’t his first time personally interrogating condemned prisoners in death row, so the jailer was accustomed to it. He sternly shouted, “Shao Yuniang! Do you know who this is? This is the current Minister of State Affairs, Chancellor Gao! You keep crying ‘wronged’ but won’t tell the truth—what grievance do you have?”

The female prisoner seemed stabbed by a needle, suddenly raising her head. Her tangled hair fell away, revealing half her face. Her eyes opened, looking at Gao Qiao outside the cell door.

Those eyes, which had shown no sign of life, suddenly seemed infused with something. They widened, staring at Gao Qiao for a moment. She struggled up from the ground, her throat making an inarticulate whimpering sound that seemed tearful—”Chancellor Gao”—then her eyes rolled back and she collapsed headfirst to the ground.

The jailer quickly opened the cell door, went to check her breathing, and patted her face several times. Seeing her eyes tightly closed and motionless, he hurried to say, “She seems to have fainted!”

Gao Qiao looked at the unconscious female prisoner on the ground, and in this moment, his inner shock was almost beyond words.

Though nearly twenty years had passed, when he saw her exposed face just now, he still recognized her.

It truly was the Shao Yuniang from back then!

He had always believed this Shao Yuniang had died long ago on the journey north. Never in his dreams would he have imagined she was alive. Not only alive, but had joined the Celestial Master sect and was now imprisoned in death row because of this identity, appearing before him again in such a manner!

“Chancellor Gao, what should we do?” the jailer asked.

Gao Qiao composed himself. “Move her to a clean place and quickly summon a physician!”

The jailer immediately made arrangements. A strong woman came and moved the unconscious Shao Yuniang to a better cell above. Soon a doctor arrived, examined her condition, and after the woman fed her some sugar water, she finally regained consciousness, slowly turning half her face to look at Gao Qiao, saying nothing but continuously shedding tears.

Years ago when Gao Qiao was injured during the Northern Expedition, the Shao siblings had come to deliver medicine and cared for him for some time—they had saved his life. Later, when Gao Qiao brought these siblings back to Jiankang, those incidents occurred. Moreover, it was precisely because of her unexpected death that directly caused the estrangement between him and Xiao Yongjia for over ten years.

One could say that in Gao Qiao’s life, Shao Yuniang’s presence wasn’t long—all told, not even a full year.

But the influence this woman had on his life was undeniably significant.

Even wanting to forget, Gao Qiao couldn’t erase the memory.

Someone he thought had died long ago suddenly appeared alive before him.

He was filled with mixed emotions, countless doubts accumulating in his heart. Seeing Shao Yuniang had awakened, he ordered everyone to leave the cell and asked, “Since you were still alive then, when I later sent people all along the river to search for you both, why did you never show yourself? And how did you join the Celestial Master sect?”

Shao Yuniang gazed at him in a daze, sobbing, “Langjun Gao, back then I acted foolishly out of admiration for you, doing that wrong thing. After you scolded me, I was immediately filled with shame and determined that once I found a suitable place to settle, I would go far away to avoid your disdain and the Eldest Princess’s resentment. Unexpectedly, before I could find anywhere to go, the Eldest Princess sent people who came aggressively to drive my brother and me back north. Since I was at fault first, I had no choice. That day we could only hastily depart for the ferry.”

“I intended to return north and thought that even if I died afterward, it would be my just deserts. Never did I imagine the Eldest Princess still wouldn’t let me go—she was determined to have me killed and sent people to pursue us. I was forced to jump into the river. By good fortune, my brother was skilled at swimming. After falling into the water, he protected me desperately. My brother and I grabbed a piece of driftwood and floated all night, narrowly escaping death before being rescued by a passing boat…”

She wept profusely.

“Langjun Gao, you already looked down on me, and the Eldest Princess hated me to the bone, determined to take my life. After I barely escaped alive, how could I dare show myself again…”

Gao Qiao waved his hand, interrupting her words, “You must not wrongly accuse anyone. Those who intercepted you had absolutely nothing to do with the Eldest Princess! She knew nothing of it. Those people were sent by Prince Yulin’s consort, Zhu Shi.”

Shao Yuniang was stunned, then cried, “Langjun Gao, did Zhu Shi personally confess to you that she sent people to kill me?”

Gao Qiao shook his head. “Even without personal confession, it’s the same.”

“Langjun Gao, I heard that Prince Yulin’s consort died long ago in a fire. With her dead, others could pin things she never did on her and she couldn’t prove her innocence. I’m not trying to speak ill of the Eldest Princess before you, but first, Zhu Shi and I were strangers with no grudge—why would she hate me so much as to want me dead? Second…”

She wiped her tears and said softly, “That day when I was being pursued, I personally heard the disguised bandits instructing their subordinates, saying the Eldest Princess had given orders that I must not be allowed to leave alive…”

“How dare you! You dare slander!”

Gao Qiao flew into a rage, scolding sternly.

Shao Yuniang shuddered, her face pale. She struggled to get up, kowtowing repeatedly, weeping, “If there’s half a lie in my words, may I die horribly! If Langjun Gao doesn’t want to hear this, I’ll never speak of it again. Originally, I was at fault first and deserved death—whoever sent people for my life, it’s all the same.”

Gao Qiao composed himself and slowly exhaled.

“Enough! How did you later join the Celestial Master sect, and why did you refuse to leave this time, leading to imprisonment?”

Shao Yuniang wept sadly.

“The boat master who rescued me that day was a leader in the Celestial Master sect. That’s how I joined the sect.”

“That leader coveted me from the start. How could a weak woman like me resist? Thinking that Langjun Gao looked down on me, the Eldest Princess wouldn’t allow me to exist in this world, and I had lost my virtue—how could I have the face to return and seek you? I could only endure humiliation and submit to him. Over these years, I was forced to do some wrong things. But I grew weary long ago and didn’t want to continue such a life. However, once in the sect, how could I easily escape? Last year, I was assigned to develop followers in Jingkou. Under orders, I even offended Li Mu. I had long regretted it and wanted to withdraw, but didn’t dare, fearing the sect would harm my brother and me. When the court ordered that Celestial Master sect members couldn’t remain in Jiankang, I secretly stayed behind, hoping to escape their control. Unexpectedly, I was caught by government officials who said I was plotting rebellion. After torture, they threw me into death row.”

“These days I’ve been beaten half to death and severely ill, without strength in my body. I thought I would just die in prison. I never expected to see Langjun Gao’s face again…”

Shao Yuniang wailed in grief, her whole body trembling, finally crying until she collapsed to the ground.

Gao Qiao watched, his mind in turmoil, suddenly remembering he had promised his wife to return early today. Composing himself, he said, “I understand. I’ll speak to people and have you removed from the execution list. Rest assured, recover your health here first. I have other matters to attend to.”

He turned to leave, but Shao Yuniang suddenly reached out and grabbed his leg. Seeing him look down, she quickly withdrew her hand and said timidly, “Langjun Gao, please, please don’t let the Eldest Princess know I’m still alive… Previously in Jingkou, I encountered her on the road. At the time I blocked her way—I wanted to yield, but I was sitting in a palanquin being pushed forward by followers behind me, beyond my control. The Eldest Princess was furious and nearly overturned my palanquin. I’m very afraid of her… She hates me to the bone… If she learns that the female Celestial Master that day was me, that I’m still alive…”

She seemed to recall the past, her face showing a trace of fear as she silently wept.

Gao Qiao frowned deeply and walked out.

The jailer was still waiting outside. Seeing Gao Qiao emerge, he hurried forward.

Gao Qiao instructed him to temporarily move the female prisoner inside to a cleaner women’s cell, have a doctor continue treating her, and take good care of her.

The jailer understood. This female prisoner was either very important or had some past connection with Gao Qiao. Seeing that though middle-aged, she still retained her charm, he dared not ask questions and repeatedly agreed.

Gao Qiao left the death row and returned home with a heavy heart.

By now it was completely dark, and Xiao Yongjia’s birthday banquet was near its end.

Learning that Gao Yongrong had come and the other female guests were all family members, including the familiar Duchess, there was no need for avoidance. He hastily changed clothes, suppressing his troubled thoughts, and hurried to the banquet hall.

Luoshen knew her mother had been waiting for father, but when he didn’t return after a long wait, though mother showed nothing, she herself was truly anxious. Just as she was about to rise and check the front again, she suddenly saw her father’s figure appear outside the hall, coming this way. She hurried out to meet him, whispering reproachfully, “A’Ye! Today is A’Niang’s birthday. You promised to return early—how could you come back so late? A’Niang has been waiting for you!”

“A’Ye is wrong! A’Ye is wrong! Don’t be angry!”

Gao Qiao quickly apologized to his daughter in a low voice.

Luoshen glanced back at her mother, who was chatting and laughing with the nearby Duchess, then said softly with a smile, “I’m not angry. I just fear A’Niang is angry in her heart but won’t say so. After the guests leave, A’Ye must remember to properly apologize to A’Niang.”

Gao Qiao nodded and entered, stopping briefly.

Everyone inside saw him and looked over together.

Gao Qiao gave Gao Yongrong a simple bow and smiled at the women, “Today is A’Ling’s birthday. I should have returned early, but something came up at the office that detained me. Thank you all for coming to celebrate with her. She’s with child and cannot drink, so I’ll toast you all on her behalf.”

A nearby servant immediately presented him with a full cup. After Gao Qiao drank, everyone cheered approval.

Duchess Huaide wouldn’t let him off easily, demanding he drink another cup to toast Xiao Yongjia’s birthday. With everyone watching, Gao Qiao couldn’t lose face. Seeing Xiao Yongjia sitting there smiling at him, he thickened his old skin, offered birthday wishes, and drank again.

The hall burst into laughter.

The Duchess still wasn’t satisfied, saying that since he had even returned late on this day, he must drink another cup to show sincere repentance.

Gao Qiao readily agreed. The Duchess had someone bring a bowl-sized cup, poured wine into it with gurgling sounds until it was full, then presented it for Gao Qiao to drain.

The women understood and joined the teasing. Gao Qiao smiled while continuously glancing at Xiao Yongjia, sending pleading looks for help.

Xiao Yongjia was indeed somewhat annoyed with her husband. He had promised to return early, and being late was one thing, but no matter how busy, surely he could have sent word home. However, seeing him being tormented by the Duchess like this, guessing he had hurried back and likely hadn’t eaten dinner, having drunk two cups on an empty stomach already—if this large bowl went down too, his stomach might not handle it. She looked toward A’Ju nearby.

A’Ju understood and was about to help Gao Qiao out of his predicament when Gao Yongrong had already spoken first, smiling, “Today is Aunt’s birthday, and Uncle being late should indeed be punished. Only Uncle was detained by court affairs. If anyone should be punished, it should be His Majesty and myself. How about I drink this cup on Uncle’s behalf to appease Aunt’s anger? What do you all think?”

She picked up her own wine cup and smiled at everyone.

Seeing the Empress speak thus, the Duchess and the women let the matter go. Watching Gao Yongrong drink the wine, they cheered appreciatively.

Xiao Yongjia glanced at Gao Yongrong and smiled.

Gao Yongrong continued, “Aunt is heavy with child and must be tired. Let’s conclude tonight’s festivities here. Next time we have the opportunity, shall we gather again?”

The banquet had already gone on for some time. The women, seeing Gao Qiao had returned, were already inclined to take their leave. Hearing Gao Yongrong speak, they nodded, rose together, and told Xiao Yongjia not to see them out.

How could Xiao Yongjia be so presumptuous? Supported by her daughter’s arm, she personally saw the guests out.

Gao Yongrong repeatedly urged Xiao Yongjia to take good care of her health and reminded Luoshen to visit the palace often, saying she missed her greatly. Finally, she boarded the phoenix carriage waiting at the gate and departed.

Xiao Yongjia saw off the remaining guests and was helped back by her daughter. After just a few steps, she saw her husband coming out to meet them.

Gao Qiao told his daughter to go rest and personally took Xiao Yongjia’s arm, saying carefully, “A’Ling, you must be tired today. Let me help you back to your room.”