During the evening meal, a family of three sat around the table.

Such a scene was so rare that in Tie Ci’s memory, she could only vaguely recall having it once or twice before she was three years old.

She didn’t pay it much mind, because everyone was very self-aware, knowing that the life ordinary people could enjoy daily was something the imperial family was not entitled to have.

But if such a day truly came, the emotion it stirred was beyond words.

So much so that when Father Emperor and Mother Consort saw her personally carrying dishes in and sitting down, they both seemed somewhat dazed.

Perhaps no one had ever thought that in this lifetime, there would still be a time when the family could sit together around a table like ordinary commoners.

Tie Ci looked at the table and felt something was still lacking, so she ordered: “Change out the silver plates and golden cups, replace the trays with boxwood ones, and use ordinary porcelain bowls. Take away these damned hanging chain silver chopsticks – they’re exhausting to eat with.”

The items were quickly changed, and Tie Ci then ordered the removal of the bird’s nest with shredded duck and cabbage, milk-steamed mutton, duck strips with sea cucumber, and other delicacies sent by the imperial kitchen. She had the excess dining tables removed – the imperial family had many dining rules. At the Empress Dowager’s place, each meal required separate tables for dishes, pastries, porridge, and side dishes. Though Tie Yan favored simplicity, he had still set out two full tables of food, which Tie Ci ordered to be cleared away.

Tie Yan watched her give orders with a smile, while Consort Jing showed a look of alarm – if all the dishes were removed, what would they eat? Could the Crown Princess’s cooking be edible?

Fortunately, over the past year she had constantly instructed those around her and had learned some principles of proper conduct. Preparing herself to go hungry, she watched as Tie Ci placed a large pot of braised goose in the center, along with her stir-fried bamboo shoots with eggs and a dish of clear broth cabbage.

The table immediately took on the atmosphere of a farmhouse meal, matching perfectly with Father Emperor who wore only plain cloth and casual robes, except for Consort Jing who was elaborately dressed with jingling ornaments, creating some discord.

The Emperor looked at that table of simple dishes and laughed. Without waiting for the palace servants to arrange his chopsticks and serve him food, he began eating himself. As soon as he took a bite and chewed, his eyes lit up, making sounds of approval.

The Emperor and Consort Jing indeed praised the iron pot braised goose extensively.

“I never expected that after this trial, not only would your innate abilities awaken, but even your culinary skills would become outstanding. My daughter truly has heaven-sent talent!”

Nanny Qin nearby chimed in flatteringly: “Your Highness is modest, still saying her goose is only the second best in the world.”

Tie Yan stopped his chopsticks with interest, “Oh? Then whose cooking ranks first? Don’t tell me it’s that master of yours who seems capable of everything?”

“Not at all. I learned this culinary skill from… a friend.”

Consort Jing didn’t eat the goose – she respectfully declined all foods that required gnawing and biting, as that was too unrefined and would affect her image before the Emperor.

She ladled some broth to mix with rice, finding it mildly spicy and fragrant, very appetizing.

Her focus of attention was very fitting for her position: “A friend? Male or female?”

Tie Ci’s chopsticks trembled.

Tie Yan laughed, put down his chopsticks, and said to Consort Jing: “Why do you care about that? Male or female – does it matter?”

“Of course it matters,” Consort Jing argued. “The Crown Princess should select a husband and marry after her trial period. The previous betrothal was canceled, so now it’s time to seriously consider this matter.”

Tie Ci’s chopsticks trembled again.

With all the various affairs keeping her busy and running herself ragged, only now did she clearly remember that she and Murong Yi had originally been betrothed.

Then the foolish her had canceled it.

After canceling, wanting to renew it would be extremely difficult, after all, imperial marriages couldn’t be subject to criticism and mockery.

Not to mention the current situation with Liaodong.

Fate was truly playing tricks.

The goose in the pot suddenly didn’t smell as fragrant anymore.

Consort Jing asked her earnestly: “Your Highness, during these days of trials outside, have you found any suitable candidates? I heard that Young Master Rong has been following you all along, and that Young Master Qi also accompanied you to Xirong, didn’t he? What do you think…”

Tie Yan suddenly said: “Speaking of Qi Yuansi, when I previously summoned several ministers for discussion, Qi Ling’s expression was strange. When I spoke to him about the matter of ghost soldiers, he pleaded guilty and explained while also saying some odd things…”

“What odd things?” Tie Ci remembered Qi Ling had indeed been strange before.

“Things like thanking the Crown Princess for mediating, promising to handle things properly so as not to drag down the Crown Princess, saying Yuansi would certainly work hard and not disappoint the Crown Princess. In short, every sentence involved you, though there wasn’t really any problem with it. Perhaps I was overthinking.” Tie Yan smiled.

Tie Ci thought to herself how there was no problem – loyalty and goodwill should be directed toward the Emperor. To mention the heir in every sentence, in previous dynasties, would either indicate an intention to sow discord between the imperial family or stupidity. But Qi Ling didn’t seem to have such schemes nor such stupidity, so this attitude was indeed strange.

Obviously Tie Yan had thought of this too, and probed: “His tone made it sound like Qi Yuansi has an extraordinary friendship with you. Could it be that you two—”

“Absolutely not!” Tie Ci immediately said. “I made Qi Yuansi eat shit!”

Tie Yan: “…Pfft.”

“What about Rong Pu? I heard this young man has been of considerable assistance to you along the way…”

“A capable minister. Useful.” Tie Ci served food to Father Emperor. “You should eat more and worry less about these things.”

Tie Yan and Consort Jing exchanged glances, both seeing disappointment in each other’s eyes.

“Eat, eat.” Tie Yan served food to Tie Ci, and Consort Jing happened to serve her a goose leg as well. The two pairs of chopsticks collided in mid-air, and their gazes met. Consort Jing’s face reddened.

With two goose legs suspended in the air, Tie Ci laughed heartily and brought her bowl over to catch them, winking at Father Emperor. Tie Yan smiled somewhat awkwardly and simply served Consort Jing a piece of goose meat.

Consort Jing no longer found gnawing on the old goose improper, and shyly lowered her face to eat.

Tie Ci breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the marriage pressure had finally come to an end.

Who knew Tie Yan still wouldn’t let it go, asking again: “Really no one you fancy? Since you’ve returned, marriage matters will surely be brought up soon. Now that you’re no longer who you were before, I imagine those blind fools all want to come back, but I’m not pleased about it. I’d rather you choose someone you like.”

Tie Ci felt warmth in her heart.

Given the current situation of the Tie Dynasty, though there had been some improvement, political marriages would still be more beneficial for strengthening power. Whether allying with the leaders of the civil official faction or marrying into military noble families would be good choices. Father Emperor couldn’t possibly be unaware of this.

Yet he was still willing to let her choose someone she liked, wanting to give her as much happiness in life as possible.

After the warmth passed, came a faint sourness.

I do have someone I like.

But we’re no longer possible.

“This matter isn’t urgent. Now isn’t like a year ago when anyone who wanted to force me into early marriage could do so.” Tie Ci folded her silk napkin to wipe her mouth. “When the realm is not yet settled, how can one think of family?”

“You’re not a military general. Taking an imperial husband wouldn’t affect your court attendance and would allow you to bear heirs early, putting the ministers at ease.” Tie Yan still wouldn’t give up. “Or are you hesitating among those few? Why not take them all? If those sour scholars say you’re dissolute, I’ll scold them for you.”

Tie Ci: “…Old man, you should worry about giving me another little brother instead!”

At these words, Tie Yan immediately fell silent.

Tie Ci became somewhat aware that Father seemed quite sensitive about the matter of having sons.

Was it PTSD from too many sons dying before?

Looking at the sky, then at Consort Jing’s tender gaze toward Father Emperor across the table, it seemed like Mother wouldn’t be staying overnight tonight.

Tie Ci didn’t care. She had always been clear about what kind of person this mother of hers was. She might as well go back to sleep on the floor – it had been a while since she’d favored those little demons of hers.

She very decisively wiped her mouth and took her leave.

Behind her, Father was calling out, but she didn’t look back. As she stepped out the main door, she glanced back to see Father about to chase after her while Mother Consort was bashfully tugging at his sleeve.

Tie Ci chuckled and crossed the threshold.

Inside the hall, Tie Yan frowned at Consort Jing: “Ci’er has nowhere to sleep tonight. The other palace chambers aren’t suitable for casual stays. As her mother, won’t you keep her?”

Consort Jing belatedly understood, glanced at Tie Yan, and felt somewhat reluctant.

Tie Yan sighed, “Forget it.”

Even if he called Tie Ci back now, she wouldn’t come.

The palace servants inside had somehow cleaned up quietly and withdrawn.

Snow-white soft fingers crept up the Emperor’s chest, and Consort Jing’s voice carried an unconscious tenderness in the deep palace’s quiet night: “Your Majesty…”

Tie Yan didn’t move.

The soft fingers quietly explored inside the front of the dragon robe: “Your Majesty… I… I want to give Ci’er a little brother… She’s too lonely… and has no one to help her…”

Tie Yan suddenly brushed away her hand as if electrocuted.

Consort Jing stepped back, her face pale as snow, looking at the Emperor in shock.

“Ci’er has been lonely for over ten years without it affecting anything. As useless parents, not adding to her troubles is the last thing we can do.” Tie Yan said indifferently. “I don’t want you to always do foolish things that drag her down, nor do I want her to worry about you. These days I’ve given you some guidance, but it seems to have given you many inappropriate ideas. That’s my mistake.”

Consort Jing’s face turned deathly pale, confusion floating in her eyes again, obviously beginning to be unable to accept this.

She didn’t understand – His Majesty had been so good to her these past six months, the best in the palace, and His Majesty was in his prime years. Why would he completely give up thoughts of offspring? Was he afraid the children would be harmed? But now Ci’er had the ability to protect everyone.

Was it because she wasn’t good enough? Was he blaming her for not keeping Ci’er overnight? But he came to her palace infrequently, and tonight’s atmosphere was so warm – she wanted to cherish this opportunity. Where in this entire palace couldn’t Ci’er sleep? At worst, after His Majesty left, she would have brought Ci’er back anyway.

She had once knelt long at the palace gates for Ci’er’s sake. His Majesty had been very good to her during that time, which led to their current relationship. She was willing to sacrifice for Ci’er, these were just small matters – why did His Majesty need to be so particular about them…

Tie Yan looked at her with a headache, thinking that he had inadvertently heard this woman had injured her head as a child. Now it seemed that was likely true. She wasn’t bad-hearted and did love her daughter, but she never knew when she should do what.

He felt somewhat tired. Afraid that Consort Jing’s crying would make Tie Ci worry again, he softened his voice: “Don’t overthink it. Rest early. I still have official business to handle.”

He left hastily. Consort Jing collapsed on the couch crying. Nanny Qin entered silently and said: “Your Ladyship, it’s time to wash up.”

Consort Jing raised her eyes, cried to the point of being vacant, and said pitifully: “Why did His Majesty…”

“Your Ladyship shouldn’t think this way,” Nanny Qin said solemnly. “His Majesty has inner troubles and hasn’t been close to women for years. Now that the Crown Princess has grown up, His Majesty is even more devoted to court affairs, wanting only to work diligently to govern, making our Tie Dynasty glorious for ten thousand years. Your Ladyship shouldn’t disturb His Majesty with such matters.”

“Moreover, Your Ladyship is already first in the palace – this is His Majesty’s favor. Your Ladyship should treasure it and not create complications.”

“How can this be called creating complications? This is the great matter of continuing the imperial bloodline! The imperial family has only Ci’er left as heir. What if…”

“Your Ladyship!” Nanny Qin shouted sternly.

Consort Jing was startled and knew she had said the wrong thing. She pursed her lips and said nothing more.

Nanny Qin took a breath and said: “His Majesty values Your Ladyship, the Crown Princess is wise and filial – Your Ladyship should be grateful. If you harbor resentment over this, and people find out, what would His Majesty and the Crown Princess think?”

Consort Jing was frightened and hung her head, aggrieved and silent.

Nanny Qin glanced at her and sighed silently, somewhat understanding His Majesty and the Crown Princess’s headaches.

To say she didn’t know propriety or boundaries – she was just a simple person.

To say she was naive and simple – she had quite a few scheming thoughts, especially regarding romantic matters between men and women.

After all, she had nothing else to ponder.

How troubling.

Seeing her fall silent, Nanny Qin curtsied and went out to arrange her bath water.

Consort Jing turned over on the couch and felt something hard under the mattress. This was something she had picked up while strolling in the garden – a very exquisite spring book. Consort Jing knew such things weren’t allowed in the palace, but many concubines secretly kept a few copies. She didn’t know whose had been accidentally dropped.

She had originally intended to throw this thing away – His Majesty didn’t approach women, so what was the point of studying such things in the harem? But when she flipped through it, she discovered that the spring book had beautiful illustrations paired with stories and various legends, as well as beauty and adornment techniques and arts of seduction. It was actually quite worth reading, so she kept it.

Now she opened to a page and stared at the strange and varied positions inside, once again amazed at how people could arrange themselves in such ways.

The small text below described how this woman used lotus white jade cream day and night to nourish her skin, maintaining an ageless appearance with soft, supple flesh that made one feel “as if lying on clouds,” causing men to be unable to tear themselves away, experiencing ecstasy and death-like pleasure, enjoying long favor without decline…

Consort Jing thought aimlessly that everyone said His Majesty didn’t love feminine beauty, but she felt that wasn’t true. Surely after so many years of being oppressed by the Empress Dowager to the point of breathlessness, he had given up on such matters. Now that His Majesty could finally breathe easier, his mindset would gradually change. Whoever first understood His Majesty’s heart would surely become the person in His Majesty’s heart.

Who else could that person be but her?

After all, the Crown Princess was so accomplished now.

It was just that although His Majesty treated her better than others, when he looked at her his gaze was open and honest – not the way a man looks at a woman.

Consort Jing was only in her early thirties now, in her prime years. In the deep palace’s long lonely nights, her long-deprived body and mind struggled with fires of desire. Some unspeakable longings stirred restlessly like spring buds under frozen soil, constantly testing and trying to break through cracks for relief.

Was it because she wasn’t beautiful enough?

Perhaps His Majesty didn’t quite like her clear, refined type of appearance. She wasn’t white enough.

Perhaps she could try…

But whose book was this? And who possessed that lotus white jade cream?

Who in the palace could be considered to have enjoyed long-lasting favor? And who had skin like snow with ageless beauty?

She suddenly sat up abruptly.

The Empress Dowager!

This dynasty had no favored concubines, but going back one generation, Empress Xiao had once, with her snow-like skin, soft body, and exquisite dance skills, enjoyed supreme favor in the harem!

…

Tie Ci returned to Yuqiu Palace. The enormous palace naturally couldn’t be cleaned in a short time, so only the main hall was tidied up, along with a side hall that was cleared out and arranged with large communal beds for the staff of Ruixiang Hall to temporarily reside. This was also Dan Shuang’s idea – having everyone live together was safer and better for protecting their master.

Tie Ci went to look at her main hall with its elegant furnishings and complete amenities, but didn’t go sleep there. Instead, she went to the side hall where her little songbirds were helping each other cut their hair. Today’s group of arsonists had been too invested in their work. Though they had protected themselves, most of their hair had been burned. Now they sat at tables holding large scissors, pursing their lips as they helped their companions cut hair. The snip-snip sounds were constant, and the floor was covered with a layer of black hair like dark satin.

In this era, people valued hair as much as their heads, especially women, who carefully nurtured their black hair from birth and treasured it greatly. If hair was cut, it signified severing emotions and relationships, unless entering a nunnery. Now Tie Ci stood at the door, watching her little songbirds who had put away their usual playful demeanor, their expressions solemn, creating a very heavy atmosphere in the hall.

Though very reluctant, the girls were all quite decisive, urging companions who hesitated to hurry up and not let His Highness see. They finished in three or five snips, each becoming a bob-haired child. Looking at each other, someone giggled, and someone laughed then cried.

Tie Ci stood at the hall entrance, staring at that floor of black hair, thinking that each strand was like a mountain.

There were also the Qi family’s performance at the city gate, Di Yiwei who risked letting the Blood Cavalry follow directly behind her through the city gate, the Tian family who scattered their entire fortune, Xiao Wenliu who recklessly came to meet her, the acrobat troupe who performed at the city gate for days, and the young ladies of the capital who formed societies for spring outings.

These people who used every method to pave the way for her, stretching out the urgent time.

Looking at them, what reason was there to be dejected, what reason to retreat, what reason to think about romantic affairs?

Someone turned around and saw Tie Ci, crying out in surprise.

Tie Ci immediately switched to a face full of smiles, clicking her tongue and cupping her chin to examine them up and down, laughing: “This hairstyle that’s neither long nor short doesn’t look good. Might as well shave it all off. Going out with a row of shiny bald heads, from now on Ruixiang Hall will blind people’s eyes.”

The bob-haired girls laughingly rushed toward her together.

They knocked her down onto the large communal bed.

Tie Ci took the opportunity to stay on the communal bed, rolling around wildly with her harem, pinching this one’s bottom saying it didn’t feel right anymore, pinching that one’s chest saying she must have silicone implants. The hall filled with giggling and laughing. As they played, outer robes went flying, laughing voices continued, boots flew out too, clothing and hairpins were scattered all over the floor, rouge and powder filled the hall with fragrance, making it look exactly like a painting of the Crown Prince’s dissolute wandering and debauchery.

The kind that would make censors risk their lives crying while impeaching.

After playing for a while, the girls’ melancholy mood about losing their hair disappeared. Everyone was tired, and the hall quickly quieted down. Someone drowsily pushed Tie Ci to go sleep in her own bed, but Tie Ci’s bottom was dead weight on the somewhat hard communal bed, embracing left and right: “I’m not leaving. Today I shall favor someone one, two, three, four, five, six times.”

Someone blew out the candles. In the darkness came the sound of stifled laughter. Most of Ruixiang Hall’s people had followed Tie Ci for over ten years, practically growing up together, sleeping and sitting in the same place since childhood. In private there wasn’t much master-servant distinction. Someone giggled: “Usually Dan Shuang and Chi Xue monopolize our master. Today they’ll be jealous to death.”

Someone half-asleep murmured drowsily: “His Highness mixed with Dan Shuang and Chi Xue outside for a year, it’s time to properly accompany us.”

Someone said affectionately: “Look at Dan Shuang’s bitter expression – she probably didn’t get any benefits either. Your Highness, there must be a dog outside.”

“Ah, seduced by some outside vixen? Your Highness, quickly tell us who it is!”

“Tch—” Tie Ci’s lazy voice: “I clearly possess an entire forest, so why would I hang myself from a single tree? What are you all thinking?”

The girls giggled and laughed, mixed with murmured dream talk.

Soon the dream talk and light snoring became a continuous sound as the tired girls all fell asleep.

Only Tie Ci remained awake, sleeping in the center with one person’s leg across hers, another’s body on her stomach, hands behind her head, gazing faintly at the flying dragons and dancing phoenixes carved in the ceiling above.

At the doorway, Dan Shuang leaned against the door frame. She had been standing there for a long time and seemed prepared to stand much longer.

Much later, she moved away ghost-like and soundless, walking in the dark corridor, blowing on her fire folder to light the lamp stand in her hand.

A point of yellowish lamplight slowly wound its way through the vast, deep palace halls.

…

In the Great Qian Imperial Palace, the whole family was reunited, with the imperial father and daughter laughing and talking harmoniously at the small table.

Thousands of miles away in Liaodong’s Ruzhou Royal Palace, a banquet table was also set.

The banquet was held at Resting Heart Courtyard, in Consort Baoxiang’s quarters.

After the Great King returned some days ago, he had been recuperating and hadn’t summoned any concubines, rarely seeing ministers. The war with Liang Shiyi continued, but the defeat at Great Qian’s Yongping had become a secret no one dared mention, while what happened when the Great King returned north was an even more absolute secret no one dared inquire about. Everyone only knew that five princes had accompanied the Great King to observe the battle, and then not one of them had been able to return.

Including the eldest prince who was rumored to have been killed by Liang Shiyi, the Murong family had lost six princes in a short period, all the most promising heirs.

Eighteen princes, more than half withered away in a single year.

This matter was too terrifying, like a heavy cloud pressing down on the royal palace. Even the Queen didn’t dare step foot in the Great King’s sleeping quarters or ask a single extra question.

The only good news was that after returning to the palace, the Great King’s health gradually improved. After all, the Liaodong Royal Palace had the world’s strongest physicians.

Under these circumstances, every move the Great King made after his recovery drew everyone’s attention.

Especially the first command, which might very well relate to the future succession, was the focus of all attention.

Under these circumstances, the first order that came from the Great King’s sleeping quarters made all of Ruzhou prick up their ears.

The Great King wanted to host a family banquet.

Normal enough – returning from a distant journey and recovering from injury and illness, it was proper to strengthen bonds with wives and children.

But at this time when heirs were dying one after another, this family banquet could convey many important signals, such as where it would be held, which concubine would host it, and which princes would be invited first.

This was very important, relating to the Great King’s inner choice and everyone’s future allegiances.

As a result, when Eunuch Chang led people toward Resting Heart Courtyard, everyone was dumbfounded.