With the emperor having such an attitude, others’ anger had no outlet, and the matter passed.

Before long, the ministers suddenly discovered that Miss Xi’s visits to the palace had decreased.

They could no longer see the emperor and her appearing together in daily life.

The Ministry of Rites, which had already prepared for the empress investiture ceremony, was greatly puzzled and boldly went to test His Majesty’s intentions. The result was that His Majesty was even more surprised than they were, saying: “When did I ever say I would make Xi Yun an imperial consort?”

The Minister of Rites: …You never said it, but you acted it out. You’ve never shown favor to women before, yet suddenly bestowed such grace upon one woman – wasn’t this a signal?

“I merely appreciate Xi Yun’s character and find her congenial. If you really want to hold a grand ceremony, you could organize one for me to adopt an imperial sister, which would perfectly make up for my lack of siblings. While we’re at it, I’ll arrange a marriage for her – double happiness.”

The Ministry of Rites felt no joy at all.

When news spread outside the palace, the Xi residence immediately became desolate with few carriages and horses at the gates.

Inevitably, some young ladies who had previously been envious, jealous, and resentful began mocking Xi Yun intentionally or otherwise. Xi Yun remained completely composed about this, saying: “His Majesty likes me, and I like His Majesty, but what’s between us was never meant to be explained to you. You may all shut your mouths.”

When the court ministers heard this, they couldn’t help but feel regretful, all saying that this Miss Xi was unperturbed by honor or disgrace, both gentle and strong, with clear thinking – truly excellent material for an empress. His Majesty’s ability to notice her among a crowd of noble ladies showed good judgment and sufficient appreciation for her, but why couldn’t he just take her as consort?

When these discussions reached Murong Yi’s ears, he was playing with his fan at the time, making an iron fan fly up and down with silver light crisscrossing. Hearing this sentence, the silver light flashed in his hands then disappeared.

Of course he couldn’t.

Xi Yun was very, very good.

But he had seen a better girl.

It was like standing before green mountains after having seen the world’s most magnificent and endless mountain ranges; standing before fresh flowers after having seen the snow lotus standing alone at snowy peaks, transcendent and independent.

He had seen the best one in this human world, and from then on, his eyes held no other colors.

…

On New Year’s Eve of this year, Tie Ci held the customary grand banquet for ministers and received the wives of officials both inside and outside the court.

In Da Feng’s imperial palace, there was also a grand feast.

At the transition between old and new years, atop the two great halls, two emperors sat on high.

Their territories faced each other, each sitting north and facing south.

They raised their cups simultaneously.

Arms extended straight, gazes distant.

Toasting the multitude of beings below their seats.

Toasting these vast mountains and seas.

Toasting this mortal world of a hundred years.

Toasting that person… separated by mountains and seas, love and hate, gratitude and resentment, whom they wished to see but could never meet.

…

After the banquet, Tie Ci summoned several titled ladies inside to talk. They were all family members of close and important ministers.

Such opportunities were rare, after all she was a woman, yet also an emperor.

Among those present were several wives of Grand Secretaries, several wives of Ministers, but almost no imperial family members. The imperial bloodline was already sparse, and after Empress Dowager Xiao seized power, she had killed the remaining princes or sent them far away. Only Prince Zhao remained in the capital, but now Prince Zhao and his son had been directly executed for involvement in treason.

Tie Ci had issued an edict on the second day of her ascension to execute Prince Zhao and his son, completely disregarding some ministers’ wishes to preserve some imperial bloodline and maintain the emperor’s reputation.

Back then, before her father’s corpse in Chongming Palace, she had sworn that from then on, she would never again be soft-hearted toward anyone.

Therefore, at such New Year banquets, the imperial family appeared particularly withered, and the emperor appeared particularly lonely.

Although Tie Ci had ascended recently, she had already enjoyed distinguished reputation during her time as Crown Princess. Over the years, she had combined grace with authority, her orders flowed smoothly, and though dwelling in the deep palace, she knew the world’s advantages and disadvantages. Her governance was clear, all officials submitted to her, and her accumulated authority was very heavy.

Therefore, even though some ministers’ wives felt quite melancholy and wanted to get close, they dared not approach, making the meal quiet and dull.

Especially when some people recalled what happened at the former Crown Princess’s birthday banquet, remembering that day’s prosperity and bustle, gold powder scattered like scraps, precious stones strewn everywhere, remembering the peerless beauty dancing on drums that day, remembering that Old Madam Rong and Prince Zhao’s heir’s consort were still alive then, the atmosphere became even more depressing.

Only Old Madam Qi, when Tie Ci came to toast her, stood up and affectionately took her hand, saying: “Your Majesty, my disobedient grandson wrote saying he’s taken a liking to a girl in the Hanli Khan Desert and wants to marry her. His father absolutely disagrees, and the family has been in chaos lately.”

Tie Ci was startled, then smiled: “Yuansi has a girl he likes? How delightful and congratulatory.”

Old Madam Qi looked at her, seeing she was genuinely happy, smiled inwardly, then said: “What use is his liking? That girl is a native of the Hanli Khan Desert, completely different from us. His father has been so angry he hasn’t slept well for days, clamoring to request leave from Your Majesty to go to the Hanli Khan Desert and drag that boy back.”

Tie Ci said: “Leave is impossible. The capital’s defense rests entirely on the Governor’s shoulders. Would he abandon my safety?”

Old Madam Qi’s smile deepened: “This subject’s wife guesses that if leave is denied, he’ll want to resign from the Hanli Khan Desert assignment on his son’s behalf.”

“Father and son serve in the same court, each governing independently. Only I require their loyalty – there’s no reason for proxy resignation,” Tie Ci said. “Old Madam, go back and tell Governor Qi that if Qi Yuansi resigns his assignment himself, I will consider it. Everything else is unnecessary.”

“This subject’s wife receives the decree.”

Tie Ci looked at Old Madam Qi: “What does Old Madam think of this matter?”

Old Madam Qi’s eyes narrowed slightly: “This subject’s wife, following my late husband, has also seen all the ups and downs of the human world. What I seek now is nothing more than household peace, harmonious descendants, and enjoying the beauty of this world.”

Tie Ci smiled: “Old Madam is wise. Since the girl could be chosen by Yuansi, she must have extraordinary qualities. If Governor Qi feels her status isn’t suitable for a match, that’s easily handled – I can grant her noble birth.”

“In that case, this subject’s wife thanks Your Majesty’s grace in advance.”

Tie Ci raised her cup to her with a smile. When she put down the cup, she heard Old Madam Qi say earnestly: “This subject’s wife’s prayers for Your Majesty are the same.”

Tie Ci’s hand paused briefly, then she smiled gracefully at her without answering and turned to walk to the next table.

Some things in this world cannot be achieved merely through prayer.

Just like praying to the moon every Mid-Autumn Festival for perpetual fullness, but that moon’s waxing and waning never follows human wishes.

Suddenly there was commotion outside the hall, then an attendant came in to report: “Your Majesty, the Ministry of Rites sends word that the Da Feng ruler has sent people with New Year gifts to the capital. The envoys are now waiting outside the hall for an audience.”

A hall full of people turned their gazes in unison.

They saw His Majesty the Emperor, who was toasting the wife of Marquis Duanyang, seemingly having heard nothing at all, very calmly drank the wine, holding the cup in one hand and the pot in the other, steadily placing them on the table, returning to the imperial seat, then saying: “Summon them.”

The ladies in the hall exchanged glances.

Da Feng was not a vassal state of Da Qian. Logically, such tribute presentation was lowering their stance, bringing considerable honor to Da Qian, and should have involved selecting a day for a formal court session with all ministers gathered to summon the envoys to the hall, taking the opportunity to display the superior nation’s bearing.

This swift audience, though also reasonable and equally displaying His Majesty’s indifferent great nation demeanor, somehow felt wrong.

Just then the banquet time had also arrived, and the titled ladies rose to take their leave.

Tie Ci sat on the imperial seat, suddenly appearing very tired, not rising either, only smiling and raising her hand slightly, ordering people to escort these ladies out of the palace.

Old Madam Qi surveyed the spacious great hall and suddenly said: “Your Majesty, the imperial kitchen’s cooking has become increasingly exquisite. This subject’s wife hasn’t eaten enough – could I receive dinner at Your Majesty’s place?”

The ladies looked at her in astonishment.

They’d never seen anyone who, after finishing lunch, would ask the emperor for dinner.

Tie Ci on the seat laughed: “Old Madam Qi jests. What’s good about the imperial kitchen’s warm-kept dishes? Wouldn’t it be better to go home and eat New Year’s Eve dinner with your children and grandchildren? If you truly like any dish, tell Chi Xue, and she’ll arrange to send it to the Qi residence later. Consider it my compensation for Qi Yuansi not being able to return for New Year.”

Old Madam Qi said: “Yuansi serves the country and is young – not returning for New Year is nothing. Suffering outside for a few years and doing his job well is what won’t disappoint Your Majesty’s trust in him.”

Tie Ci nodded: “With Old Madam and father and son Governor, the Qi family’s good days stretch far ahead.”

This was the emperor’s promise. Old Madam Qi thanked her again, while the other titled ladies felt both envious and jealous, thinking this old schemer really knew how to work things. With her clever tongue, she’d suppressed the Rong family’s young lady since childhood, and even in old age still knew how to bewitch hearts. His Majesty was now such an indifferent person, seeming to keep mountains and seas between herself and everyone, yet treated her especially differently.

Tie Ci sat above, seeing clearly those envious, jealous, and resentful gazes below, merely smiled.

What did they understand?

If the Qi family could be said to curry favor, it wasn’t through this smooth talking.

It was through that genuine heart that cared for and pitied her.

Saying the imperial kitchen was delicious, wanting another granted dinner – it was just because she feared that with both parents dead and Pingzong also out traveling to relax, she would spend New Year’s Eve alone in the palace, feeling desolate at the scene, wanting to accompany her.

Last year at this time, she was seriously ill, muddled and confused, not knowing what day it was.

This year she had recovered, so that bone-deep loneliness would press before her eyes.

But actually it was nothing.

She had already tasted the world’s most bitter and painful experiences – what was there to fear from a little loneliness?

Actually, this morning Gu Xiaoxiao, Tian Wu, and Yang Yixiu who had returned to the capital to visit family had all submitted memorials requesting audiences.

Jian Xi, who was given leave, refused to go, saying she wanted to stay in the palace for New Year.

She had refused them all.

The world’s sufferings of resentment, meeting, parting, and separation – all these flavors must be tasted one by one by oneself.

Human warmth must not be coveted.

Old Madam Qi walked last. Before stepping over the threshold, she turned back for a glance.

She saw the emperor leaning against the imperial seat. The seat was wide while her figure was slender. The half-bright, half-dark light and shadows of the great hall enveloped her, making her appear even thinner, like a lonely and desolate shadow.

Old Madam Qi sighed softly.

At this time, the Da Feng envoys had already entered the hall, passing by this group of ladies. Everyone was surprised to discover that the leading Da Feng envoy was actually a woman.

Tie Ci was also somewhat surprised to see Chazi below the steps, not having expected it would be her.

Under the guidance of Ministry of Rites officials, Chazi presented the gift list and conveyed the Da Feng emperor’s greetings to the Da Qian emperor. From gifts to words, everything was proper and conventional.

Tie Ci remained noncommittal throughout, with all responses handled by the Minister of Rites.

Chazi had never heard the emperor speak and couldn’t help raising her head. She saw that high in the hall, the emperor still wore men’s clothing, not formal ceremonial robes, just a silver-white dark-embroidered dragon robe and white jade crown, sitting distantly at the far end of the great hall. She could only vaguely see a hazy snow-white face, like a faint and cold crescent moon hanging high in the unreachable firmament.

Chazi couldn’t help being somewhat entranced.

She remembered first seeing Tie Ci emerging from the Mei clan valley – bright as sun and moon, quiet as deep abyss, facing her stormy accusations. She remembered Tie Ci in Chongming Hall when the great change first occurred – blood at the corner of her lips, eyes full of bloodshot traces, the way she looked at Murong Yi making her heart feel as if it had suddenly been hollowed out despite her burning rage at the time.

Seeing her again now, both she and His Majesty had become people above the hall – lofty, indifferent, with no one ever again able to see their true expressions from behind pearl curtains and crowns.

The Da Qian emperor had always been steady and composed, like a tree, like a mountain.

But actually no one knew whether that tree suffered from wind and frost erosion, whether that mountain endured underground fire torment.

At this moment Chazi thought of Murong Yi and sighed deeply in her heart.

The gift presentation was complete. Ministry of Rites officials came to provide guidance. Chazi said: “Your Majesty, this foreign subject also has a gift for Your Majesty this time. Please allow this foreign subject another audience. This foreign subject will wait at the Interpreters’ Institute for Your Majesty’s summons.”

Tie Ci was silent for a while, then said: “The capital’s scenery is quite beautiful. If the special envoy has leisure, you might as well tour around more.”

Her meaning was obviously a refusal. Chazi didn’t mention this matter again, but said: “Your Majesty, this foreign subject has come from afar – won’t Your Majesty grant a banquet?”

Tie Ci was slightly startled.

Chazi said: “If Your Majesty is concerned, this foreign subject will receive the banquet right here at the steps before Your Majesty – how about that?”

Tie Ci paused, then said: “Grant the banquet.”

Below the great hall, an imperial feast was quickly set.

Ministry of Rites officials wanted to attend, but Tie Ci said: “Enough. It’s New Year’s Eve and the offices are sealed. I’d feel bad making you work overtime – go home for New Year.”

The officials had no choice but to withdraw.

Now almost no one in the entire court dared to defy Tie Ci’s decisions.

On one hand, it was because she was indeed clear-minded and wise; on the other hand, it was because Tie Ci’s prestige had reached its peak. After all, besides defending the capital that night, when the capital garrison’s fifty thousand troops had been completely annihilated within the city gates with heads piled like mountains and blood flowing like rivers, the new emperor, while displaying her magnanimity, had also used plenty of blood to tell everyone what true ruthlessness meant.

Only Chi Xue and a few other old hands from Ruixiang Hall remained in the hall to serve.

Tie Ci said: “Let Chi Xue accompany you to eat.”

Chazi shook her head: “Your Majesty, this foreign subject is now an envoy, and somewhat counts as Your Majesty’s old acquaintance. Since Your Majesty hasn’t eaten dinner yet, why not grant this foreign subject the honor of sharing a meal?”

Tie Ci was silent for a while, then ordered a banquet table brought and placed before herself, saying: “Please.”

“Thank Your Majesty.”

The two of them, one above in the hall and one below, faced each other eating New Year’s Eve dinner slowly.