The disaster in Dengzhou drew the attention of the entire court and common people across the realm. Based on predictions from the Imperial Astronomers, His Majesty prepared for the worst, issuing decree after decree. With Prince Xiao Changyan and Prince Xiao Changgeng personally traveling to Dengzhou and staying there to share the people’s fate, their presence had a greatly calming effect, and the unrest gradually subsided.

After the public grievances settled, word spread throughout Dengzhou, as intended by His Majesty, that heaven-sent sweet rain might not come until the eighth month. Though this news left the drought-stricken people of Dengzhou feeling desperate, they had no choice but to accept it. Under the court’s series of relief and aid measures, those who could barely get by gradually accepted reality and even developed hope, eagerly anticipating the arrival of August’s rainfall.

Although concerned about Dengzhou, other important matters couldn’t be neglected because of it, such as the “Small Court Assembly” held every four years. The Small Court Assembly was a nickname for when various regional military governors were summoned to the capital for an imperial audience. They would report on their military affairs and border situations from nearby. The current dynasty was rare in valuing both civil and military affairs equally. While there was a Grand Court Assembly every year during festivals where all nations would come to pay tribute, the Small Court Assembly occurred every four years since frontier commanders couldn’t easily leave their posts. Rather than having all regions arrive simultaneously, they took turns each time.

It usually involved several circuits, with exceptions for Longyou and Hebei. Longyou Circuit encompassed the entire Northwest, while Hebei Circuit covered the entire Northeast, so these two regions alone had numerous commanders. This year happened to be Hebei Circuit’s turn for its various commanders to receive imperial summons to the capital.

The Northwest and Northeast, the two most vast territories on the left and right, had equally complex demographics. The difference was that after decades of the Shen family’s rule, the Northwest had become unified, turning into a thorn in His Majesty’s side. Meanwhile, the Northeast had been unified under Prince Xun the Elder, father of Xiao Changfeng, but Prince Xun chose to retire from politics and handed the Northeast to His Majesty’s administration.

The art of ruling lies in maintaining balance.

Hebei Circuit alone had over ten Protector-Generals’ and Protectorate offices, with the most powerful being the Shiwei Protector-General’s Office, Heishui Protector-General’s Office, Chanyu Protectorate, and Andong Protectorate. It was arguably the most politically complex region in the entire court, with countless secret schemes and intrigues. As long as matters didn’t surface publicly, His Majesty never intervened to stop them. Compared to the Northeast’s bloodied grounds, His Majesty disliked the Northwest’s growing prosperity and stability.

The two Protector-Generals and two Protectors didn’t come to the capital alone, bringing their most valued young generation – unmarried children of marriageable age. Living far from the court, they naturally sought to establish marriage alliances in the capital.

Shen Xihe arranged their accommodations and was thoroughly familiar with their personnel situations.

“His Majesty intends to betroth Protector-General You’s third daughter to Little Nine,” Xiao Huayong mentioned one day when he returned from court and saw Shen Xihe reading a travelogue about Hebei Circuit’s customs.

You Ling was the Shiwei Protector-General. The Shiwei Protector-General’s Office originated from the pacified Shiwei tribe, neighbors to the Khitan people. It was said their ancestors also had Khitan blood. The Shiwei region was a place of mixed ethnicities where various tribes coexisted. Their customs were even more fierce than the Northwest’s, and anyone who could maintain the position of Shiwei Protector-General was no ordinary person.

These people had just arrived today, and Shen Xihe hadn’t met them yet. She wasn’t interested in them either. Hearing Xiao Huayong’s words, she merely nodded slightly in acknowledgment before continuing to read her travelogue.

Xiao Huayong washed his hands and face, changed into comfortable casual clothes, and walked over to stand behind Shen Xihe. Glancing at what she was reading, he saw it was about the Heishui region and said, “If Youyou want to learn about Heishui, why not ask me?”

It would be much more interesting than reading books.

Shen Xihe couldn’t help but twitch her lips slightly and close the book as he suggested. She knew Xiao Huayong had been to Heishui – that’s where he’d obtained the gyrfalcon. He had stayed in Heishui for several months to catch it, learning about gyrfalcon habits and falconry from local people. Even with thorough preparation, it took over twenty days to subdue the gyrfalcon he’d set his sights on. According to Tian Yuan, he had several near-death experiences during that time.

“I was just casually reading some books when I had nothing else to do. Since I’ve been arranging accommodations for the Hebei Circuit’s Protectors and Protector-Generals these past few days, I happened to pick up this travelogue,” she explained. She hadn’t specifically sought to learn about Northeastern customs and traditions.

Without any particular goal in mind while browsing books, she had simply picked up one related to the people and matters she was currently dealing with, just to pass the time.

Although she now held power in the palace, being outside it meant she had fewer palace duties. Given her reputation for being difficult to approach and her junior status, the ladies of various families didn’t dare or need to seek her company. Shen Xihe enjoyed the peace, taking the opportunity to read her books.

“I misunderstood Youyou,” Xiao Huayong smiled gently. “I thought Youyou wanted to learn about the Northeast early.”

“Why would I need to learn about the Northeast?” Shen Xihe asked, then realized, “Planning seems rather premature…”

Xiao Huayong meant that she would one day rule the empire, whether as Empress or Empress Dowager. Either way, it would be natural for her to care about her realm then, so reading up now while she had time would prevent her from being overwhelmed when she eventually took charge.

“It’s not too early,” Xiao Huayong took a fan from Zhenzhu and gently fanned Shen Xihe. “Youyou should make plans from now so everything will come naturally later.”

Shen Xihe looked Xiao Huayong up and down: “Didn’t you say you would stay by my side? When you ascend the throne later, these matters will be yours to handle.”

She would only need to worry about state affairs if Xiao Huayong wasn’t around, or if they grew apart and governed separately. Otherwise, she preferred to remain unburdened.

“Of course, I’ll stay by your side,” Xiao Huayong held Shen Xihe’s hand while continuing to fan with the other, lowering his gentle gaze to look at her soft fingertips resting unresistingly in his palm. “But I want to share the dragon throne with you, Emperor and Empress ruling together. Occasionally when I’m unwell or want to be lazy, I can ask Youyou to review memorials for me…”

They didn’t need to wait until later. Even now, Xiao Huayong often brought the memorials assigned to him to discuss with Shen Xihe, and many of his responses reflected her ideas. If Shen Xihe weren’t just the Crown Princess now but rather the Empress, Xiao Huayong would likely hand the brush directly to her to write the responses herself.

Shen Xihe’s bright eyes gazed calmly at Xiao Huayong, who maintained his gentle smile.

After a moment, Shen Xihe sighed softly: “Beichen, you are a contradictory person.”

On one hand, he firmly stated he would stay with her and not let her become a widow.

On the other hand, he spared no effort in preparing her for a future without him, training her to become a qualified ruler…