On the road back to the palace, Tie Ci lifted the carriage curtain and saw that distant figure disappearing through the city gates.

Lan Xian had not agreed to follow her back to the imperial palace.

She said that back then, Miss had yearned for freedom and wanted to travel across mountains, rivers, and seas. Now that her mission was complete, she would go fulfill Miss’s wish.

When Tie Ci wanted to give her money, she refused. So Tie Ci gave her a letter of introduction, telling her that in her future travels across the world, if she was short of money, she could work at any of Gui Qizhai’s branches nationwide, and if she encountered difficulties, she could seek help directly. Lan Xian accepted it.

She shouldered her small bundle and strode out through the city gates. When crossing the drawbridge, she looked down at the dark surface of the moat.

Miss.

I waited in the slums for over a year.

Finally, His Majesty came here.

Finally, I spoke the words I wanted to say to her.

I believed she would come here eventually. This was the last place where Murong Yi had appeared, this was a place we had been to together.

You see, I guessed correctly.

His Majesty has always been someone warm-hearted and sentimental.

Lan Xian smiled, drawing a cherry blossom from the edge of her bundle.

Though it was still the winter month and cherry blossoms had not yet bloomed, this was cultivated in the palace greenhouse.

The greenhouse at Dianfang Studio in the palace had originally been quite large, but now, to cut expenses, more than half had been removed, leaving only one shed where they grew some vegetables. The only flowers were cherry blossoms and peach blossoms.

Today the cherry blossoms in the greenhouse had bloomed. When Tie Ci left the palace, she had specially brought a branch, originally intending to hold a memorial for Xiao Wenliu right there in the slums, but with her status, she couldn’t easily leave the city gates.

She happened to encounter Lan Xian, so she entrusted her to carry it out of the city.

The cherry blossom bloomed delicately, trembling in Lan Xian’s palm, as if a gust of wind would shatter it.

Lan Xian slowly opened her hand.

The cherry blossom branch rose with the wind, circling once above the moat, and the pale pink petals indeed scattered in an instant, falling onto the rippling waters of the moat.

Above the clear water surface, a scene of desolate fallen petals.

…

In the third month of the second year of Chongjiu, while northern snow had not yet melted, Emperor Chongjiu announced his intention to tour the south, with the main destination being that small city they had fought desperately to retain.

For these two years, that city had been under constant construction and expansion. Da Feng had invested countless money and effort into it, to the point where many in Da Qian mocked Murong Yi as an idiot, having fought tooth and nail to seize this territory, only for it not to belong entirely to him. That was one thing, but he also had to spend great sums building it—was he burning money because he had too much?

But soon the critics in Da Qian couldn’t laugh anymore, because Da Qian also joined the construction process. By the first month of the second year of Zhiming, the Emperor issued an edict allocating silver to this city for full-scale construction, relocating thirty thousand people from surrounding cities and convicts into the city, providing extremely generous support measures.

Since this small city was first built by the Da Feng Emperor, he seized the naming rights and personally wrote the two characters “Broken Mirror,” carving them on the city gates.

A very strange name that made the Da Qian people quite displeased.

What did “Broken Mirror” mean? Was he saying our Emperor had a broken mirror relationship with him?

That was a term used for married couples!

But the Da Qian Emperor said nothing about this, and no one else had the authority to change the city’s name, so this somewhat strange Broken Mirror City remained.

Murong Yi arrived at Broken Mirror City in early April and immediately saw the towering city walls that could rival those of Ru Zhou City. Below the walls, people were excavating a moat, and workers in different clothing worked on either side of the wall—those in black were Da Feng people, those in gray were Da Qian people, each managing a section of the wall with clear distinction.

Murong Yi maintained his old habit when traveling—grand processions with magnificent ceremonial displays, but he himself was not in the ornate palanquin, instead riding in an ordinary carriage, arriving first at the city gates.

He stood beneath the city wall, watching the bustling workers above. Because both countries had allocated funds generously and approached the matter seriously, each even sending imperial confidants, Da Feng’s supervisor was Zhao San, who had volunteered for this position and had been living and eating at the construction site for these two years.

On Da Qian’s side was Yang Yixiu. He had served as magistrate of Ziyang County and, during the Night of Chongming when the old Xiao family estate caused trouble, had made preparations in advance, promptly coordinating with surrounding cities to deploy troops that night, blocking the Xiao family guards who wanted to blow up dikes and destroy farmland again, and personally dispatched men to shoot and kill Fourth Master Xiao on the spot. It was also he who, when Yueli Academy was plagued with incidents, had substituted for Rong Pu to oversee academy affairs, allowing Rong Pu to rush to the capital.

Afterward, Tie Ci rewarded all those who had contributed that day, even promoting Fang Huai’an, who had poured mutton soup from the palace walls, by one rank. Yang Yixiu was also transferred to Broken Mirror City, appointed as supervisor to oversee the construction.

Now with Minister Gu and his son in the Ministry of Revenue, and the shrewd Yang Yixiu at Broken Mirror City, no one could think of lining their pockets or cutting corners.

Also because they were all acquaintances and the current relationship was delicate, somehow the two sides had started competing in their work.

Standing beneath the wall, Murong Yi personally witnessed the thin, wiry Yang Yixiu, looking like a monkey, personally carrying a large basket while distributing mutton sandwiches to the workers and shouting: “They built one more layer of brick wall than us today!”

The workers, gnawing on their bread, shouted in unison: “We’ll surpass them soon! We’ll surpass them soon!”

On the other side, the disheveled Zhao San was not to be outdone, distributing the locally beloved hu bread while shouting: “His Majesty is coming to inspect soon. At this crucial moment, can we let them catch up?”

The workers, chewing their hu bread, responded with voices that shook the mountains: “Absolutely not! Absolutely not!”

Murong Yi: “…”

This really wasn’t necessary.

The security at the city gates was very strict, checking travel permits from both sides, but scrutinizing martial artists carrying weapons even more thoroughly.

Murong Yi, along with Chazi and Mu Si, honestly waited in line. The carriage underwent inspection on another side. When it was almost his turn, the soldiers checking the carriage shouted: “Carrying crossbows!”

The soldiers checking travel permits immediately changed expression.

Just as Mu Si was about to speak, Murong Yi stepped forward first, saying: “Officer, it’s not any regulated crossbow, just a homemade self-defense item. You know how it is—traveling for business has many inconveniences…” As he spoke, his sleeve moved and a small piece of silver had slipped into the other’s sleeve.

The soldier paused, glancing at Murong Yi.

Murong Yi wore a mask and now appeared to be just an ordinary merchant.

The soldier hesitated slightly, remembering Supervisor Zhao San’s strict orders, but ultimately couldn’t resist the temptation of silver, quietly lowering his sleeve and waving his hand.

Murong Yi walked through with a smile on his lips.

Mu Si sighed inwardly.

After Murong Yi entered the city, he turned back to look at the queuing crowd at the gate and waved to Mu Si.

Mu Si produced an official token and called out: “Guards of Broken Mirror City Da Feng gate, listen to orders.”

The soldiers in the gate tunnel turned back in alarm.

Footsteps rushed urgently as Zhao San led men hurrying down from the city wall. Seeing Mu Si and the cloaked figure behind him, he was both surprised and delighted, quickly kneeling down.

“Your Majesty!”

With this shout, everyone was startled.

Murong Yi stood behind Mu Si, raised his hand without speaking, then returned to the carriage.

A slender, pale hand lifted the carriage curtain to welcome him inside.

The curtain fell, blocking everyone’s view.

Mu Si said coldly: “His Majesty orders: Broken Mirror City gate soldiers accepted bribes and privately allowed prohibited carriages into the city. Military status revoked, thirty lashes administered, then expelled from Broken Mirror City. All other soldiers from gate guards down are demoted one rank. Broken Mirror City Da Feng Chief Supervisor Zhao San, salary docked for three months.”

Everyone: “…”

A horse neighed loudly as that “prohibited carriage” entered the city under everyone’s gaze, acting as if no one else existed.

The Da Qian workers who had rushed down from the other city wall were also dumbfounded.

Was this even allowed?

Yang Yixiu rolled his eyes and thought for a long time, then said: “This is called… I heard His Majesty mention it… right, entrapment!”

The steward beside him said with perspiration: “Is this… is this really the Da Feng Emperor? This style of conduct is too bizarre, isn’t it?”

Encountering such a ruler, the Da Feng people were truly pitiful.

“This is nothing,” Yang Yixiu rolled his eyes again. “This guy can do anything!”

He recalled certain someone’s great achievements and nodded heavily again, “That’s right, exactly like this!”

The steward looked at Yang Yixiu, “Supervisor, I heard you once studied with him, with His Majesty, so that…”

“The legends are all true.”

The steward let out a long, gossipy “oh.”

“But legends, after all, can only remain legends.” Yang Yixiu didn’t continue.

They were all former classmates. Even if he had never liked Murong Yi, watching the two of them reach this point, he couldn’t help feeling sad for His Majesty.

Though Yang Yixiu disliked Murong Yi, he had never thought him unsuitable for Tie Ci. He always felt that someone like His Majesty might need exactly this kind of unconventional person as a match to live more happily.

But what was the use of thinking about all that now?

Looking at that carriage earlier, there seemed to be a woman inside.

Was he bringing women along while touring? Sure enough, once he became emperor, he became dissolute!

Yang Yixiu snorted.

The Da Qian people craned their necks watching as that group of soldiers was very quickly removed from the gates, and soon a new team of soldiers came to replace them. This new batch appeared more tense and serious, inspecting so thoroughly they seemed ready to pinch even the soles of feet.

It was quite a sight to behold.

Meanwhile, Zhao San had already swept back up the city wall like a whirlwind to continue working.

“Faster! Even faster! Didn’t you see His Majesty has arrived!”

Yang Yixiu slapped his thigh hard, leaped onto the city wall, and shouted: “Comrades, get to work!”

“Don’t let those Da Feng white bears outdo us!”

“Haha, Da Qian weaklings can only shout with their mouths!”

“Screw your mother!”

“Screw your father!”

…

Shouting erupted across the city wall, reaching new heights.

Murong Yi’s prohibited carriage had already leisurely entered the city.

Inside the carriage, Xi Yun lifted the curtain, curiously observing this city. “This servant remembers this city was only built about a year ago, yet it already has such scale.”

“This is the East Market, where fine horses, iron implements, and precious objects will be sold in the future. It has granaries and the Pinghui Bureau for supplying grain and stabilizing prices. Broken Mirror City’s government offices and future official residences will also be concentrated here, though whether to further divide into separate residential districts for officials from both countries still needs negotiation with Da Qian.”

“Across this Mirror River, that area with flowering trees will be the future West Market, also where common people will gather. It will sell affordable miscellaneous goods, daily necessities, needles and thread. It will likely become the liveliest place in the future.”

Xi Yun looked at those still empty areas and thought for a moment, saying: “It will cost a lot of silver.”

Murong Yi smiled, knowing her thinking differed from ordinary women: “Silver? Just kill a few more corrupt officials and there will be plenty.”

Xi Yun said: “All the ministers say Your Majesty’s governance is harsh.”

“The common people don’t say that.”

“Isn’t Your Majesty afraid of losing the hearts of court and countryside?”

“You don’t understand this. Human hearts are greedy, and few don’t yearn for glory and wealth. Even knowing that glory brings danger and high positions face blades, they still rush forward one after another. Haven’t you heard ‘wealth and honor are sought in danger’?”

Xi Yun disagreed: “There are still those with noble character who don’t covet fame and profit, only seeking to benefit the people and share their ruler’s burdens.”

“Are you thinking of your father?” Murong Yi smiled. “Indeed, people like the Chief Minister don’t seek wealth. But they seek fame.”

“They seek eternal fame, historical renown, people’s praise, imperial favor.” Murong Yi said, “Isn’t this also greed?”

“Since they’re greedy, since they have desires, shouldn’t they pay some price?”

Xi Yun fell silent, finding herself speechless.

His Majesty the Emperor understood human nature deeply, seeing through people with penetrating insight, but this mentality was perhaps too cold and harsh.

Being his minister, one would eventually be worn down until one dared not develop any ulterior motives, wouldn’t they?

Being his subject, however, one could receive the greatest tolerance and care. Thus he had indeed gained increasingly high support from the people. Wherever he went, whatever orders he issued, would immediately receive popular acclaim. But many of these benevolent policies and privileges actually came from his harsh treatment of officials.

This behavior gave Xi Yun a strange sense of discord, feeling it didn’t match Murong Yi’s character.

Yet she couldn’t understand why he would do this.

An emperor without ministerial support, ruling purely through intimidation, couldn’t sit securely on his throne. After all, those who ultimately controlled most power and resources were still the upper nobility.

When they felt they could no longer endure the high-pressure policies, Murong Yi would be in danger.

Did he want to constantly face rebellions from oppressed ministers?

Xi Yun couldn’t understand and knew she couldn’t ask, so she could only suppress this doubt and point to the vast empty lands, asking Murong Yi: “This city’s scale is larger than imagined, so what about those areas?”

Murong Yi pulled out a blueprint from his chest, saying enthusiastically: “I brought you here precisely because I heard you enjoy architectural arts. The layout of your residence was designed by yourself, especially the garden, which is praised by everyone. I have a blueprint here—I need to replicate all these buildings in the city without making them appear strange or chaotic.”

Xi Yun took the blueprint in amazement. The drawing showed many buildings—mountains, water, small villages, towers, brothels, small bridges with hanging flower garlands, even lakes with boats and islands, and peculiar Southern-style colored buildings where people lived upstairs and pigs were raised downstairs.

Overall, it combined Northern and Southern styles in a very eclectic manner.

Xi Yun studied it carefully for a long time. Having read “The Chronicles of Compassion” three times, she gradually understood the significance of this blueprint.

“These are… places you and His Majesty of Da Qian have experienced together?”

“Yes, look at that tower—it’s a replica of Cangsheng Tower. I once leaped from that tower, and she caught me…”

Murong Yi stopped, remembering the youth who had looked up and rushed toward him that day.

Remembering the warm, strong embrace he had fallen into.

Remembering Tie Ci’s wild run after catching him, her robes blown by wind covering his face, close enough to feel her sweet breath.

Remembering how she had kicked against a wall to absorb the impact, literally kicking a hole in the wall surface.

A faint smile appeared in his eyes.

Xi Yun watched him, also recalling the content from the later volumes of “The Chronicles of Compassion.” She had no romantic filter for the two emperors’ first official meeting—her only feeling was that it was somewhat amusing.

Their Majesty was so “delicate.”

While the Da Qian Emperor was like a mighty giant.

The two, each having changed gender, were still remarkably harmonious—it must be fate.

In Xi Yun’s heart, she couldn’t help but feel curiosity and longing for that legendary female emperor of Da Qian.

She couldn’t help saying: “Your Majesty expends enormous wealth building these, but who could understand?”

Murong Yi raised an eyebrow: “Why need unrelated people to understand? She understands, I understand—that’s enough.”

“But she can’t see it.”

Murong Yi fell silent. He gazed at those empty lands, but before his eyes slowly unfolded a painted scroll.

There was a seven-story tower with mechanisms inside and mysteries underground, golden bells hanging from the eaves, covered with birds in spring.

There was a curved arched bridge with countless flower garlands hanging from its body, and below the bridge, the sound of boats.

There was a small mountain village where Dongde’s back window faced the mountain cave, Aunt Li’s house had a cellar, and A Hei’s room had an inconspicuous loft.

There was a lavishly decorated brothel where a certain courtesan’s west-facing room had a window that could be jumped through into a hidden alley, and even the bed was hinged.

There was a boat on the lake where anyone who had worked as crew knew that beneath the innermost berth in the common quarters was a hidden compartment, and the ballast stone hold had a double bottom.

There were the colored buildings where the Mo clan usually lived—buildings that seemed transparent with nowhere to hide, but few knew that along the waterway leading to these buildings, those large trees on both sides were all fake and hollow.

…

These were their shared experiences along their journey.

These were small secrets that only he and she knew, seemingly unimportant.

Now he had brought them all here, replicated in this place, waiting for someday.

For forgotten old times to be reopened, for places they couldn’t return to, to be revisited.

…