The two characters in “Purple Dawn” (Zichen) each represented imperial authority.

The Imperial Grandson was born in Purple Dawn Hall – before the Late Emperor, this had been the emperor’s palace. Emperor Youning had psychological barriers regarding the Late Emperor, and since ascending the throne had used the Hall of Diligent Government as his residence, turning Purple Dawn Hall into a place for receiving foreign envoys or holding palace banquets.

The Imperial Physician-in-Chief hadn’t predicted this would be Shen Xihe’s delivery date, but a woman’s labor was difficult to estimate precisely.

Xiao Junzhu’s birth caused everyone to have different thoughts. Emperor Youning immediately handed the child’s birth time and date to the Imperial Astronomers, who struggled to calculate for three days but found everything unclear – they couldn’t glimpse even a bit of heaven’s will.

“Your Majesty, forgive this subject’s incompetence,” the Chief Astronomer prostrated himself trembling before Emperor Youning.

Emperor Youning, looking extremely weary, sat in his dragon-carved chair, leaning to one side with a hand supporting his forehead, fingertips gently massaging: “Why?”

Few in the Astronomical Bureau were incompetent – there might be stronger and weaker ones, but none were mediocre. The Chief Astronomer especially was the bureau’s head official. While occasionally inaccurate, he was truly learned. This was the first time Emperor Youning had heard him say he could see nothing.

“Reporting to Your Majesty.” The Chief Astronomer chose his words carefully, not daring to deceive the emperor. “Such phenomena either mean the Imperial Grandson’s fate will be full of dramatic ups and downs, changing with circumstances. Or…”

The Chief Astronomer lowered his head further, forehead pressed against the cold, smooth floor, long silent. Emperor Youning grew somewhat impatient: “Or what?”

“Or… or…” The Chief Astronomer bit his teeth, “Or his nobility is beyond words, not permitting scrutiny.”

After speaking, the Chief Astronomer closed his eyes in despair, knowing his life might not last much longer.

The waiting time was long and torturous like being cut with a dull knife. In the great hall were only the Chief Astronomer and His Majesty, who remained silent for a long while.

Emperor Youning gazed out the window. The new year had begun with heavy snow, the gray heavens dropping scattered flakes. Occasionally when the cold wind blew, he would cough lightly a couple of times, his weary eyes long having lost their former spirit.

After an unknown time, when the Chief Astronomer’s legs had gone numb, Emperor Youning finally came to and waved his hand: “You may withdraw. Today’s words – We forbid any third person from knowing.”

The Chief Astronomer was overjoyed – as long as he kept his mouth shut, there was a way to survive!

The third-day celebration for the Imperial Grandson was held with great fanfare. Though Shen Xihe didn’t appear, the Empress Dowager often brought Xiao Changhong to visit Xiao Junzhu.

Xiao Changhong was only seven or eight, previously the youngest in the palace. Now there was someone both younger in age and lower in rank than him, which he seemed to find quite novel.

Moreover, this child was patient. Though Xiao Junzhu could only babble, he seemed able to understand, coordinating perfectly. When uncle and nephew met, they talked about everything, forgetting all around them.

It was in the company of Xiao Changhong and her son that Shen Xihe peacefully completed her month of confinement. Emperor Youning hadn’t made any moves during her confinement, leaving her with complex emotions.

Compared to the third-day celebration attended only by inner court ladies, the full-month celebration was ordered by Emperor Youning himself, with all civil and military officials present.

The palace hadn’t been this ostensibly joyous for a long time.

Just as the celebratory banquet was about to conclude, Shen Xihe, holding Xiao Junzhu, made a respectful bow to His Majesty: “Your Majesty, thanks to your grace and preferential treatment of this child, allowing me to give birth in the Eastern Palace. Now that I have safely brought the Imperial Grandson into the world, fulfilling my duty to the Crown Prince, I should no longer reside in the Eastern Palace. By sentiment, reason, and law, it is not appropriate. I request Your Majesty’s permission to take Junzhu and leave the palace.”

Whether Shen Xihe truly wanted to move out of the palace, no one knew. But her words were reasonable – with her current status, she really shouldn’t remain in the Eastern Palace with the child. Improper status leads to improper speech.

All fell silent, people looking at each other, no one speaking.

Shen Xihe stood straight with lowered eyes. After giving birth, she had lost some of her former coldness, her features seeming softer, but the tenacity and determination in her bones couldn’t be ignored.

Just as Emperor Youning was about to speak, his throat suddenly itched, and he began coughing violently.

Liu Sanzhi quickly handed him a silk handkerchief. Emperor Youning covered his mouth, his fits of coughing echoing through the hall like drums beating in many officials’ hearts, leaving them unsettled.

After a long while, Emperor Youning, face pale from coughing, finally controlled himself. He quickly put away the handkerchief, but many caught a glimpse of the bright red on it. Taking the teacup Liu Sanzhi offered, Emperor Youning took a sip and seemed to catch his breath: “Seven Lord is the legitimate heir. Since our ancestors, not distinguishing between legitimate and illegitimate has been the root of family and national calamity. Junzhu is the Seven Lord’s only blood, and by heaven’s will was born in Purple Dawn Hall. Today We shall issue an edict establishing him as Imperial Grandson.”

These words shocked everyone!

Including Shen Xihe – she hadn’t been using withdrawal as a strategy. She had already arranged everything necessary in the palace, and staying in the Eastern Palace would eventually draw criticism, especially from the censors. Rather than wait for others to speak, she had taken the initiative. She never imagined His Majesty would publicly establish Xiao Junzhu as Imperial Grandson.

With Xiao Junzhu becoming Imperial Grandson, being so young he naturally couldn’t be separated from his birth mother. Shen Xihe staying with him in the Eastern Palace became natural and legitimate.

“Have the Astronomical Bureau choose an auspicious date. The Six Departments and Twenty-four Offices shall coordinate with the Clan Court and Ministry of Rites to oversee the Imperial Grandson’s investiture ceremony,” Emperor Youning ordered directly, giving no one time to react.

This was a thunderbolt, stunning everyone’s minds blank. Even those as cunning as Cui Zheng couldn’t fathom His Majesty’s thoughts.

His Majesty held deep wariness toward the Shen family, yet had given Xiao Junzhu legitimate status.

Only those of shallow thought believed His Majesty, near death, had compromised with the forceful Shen Xihe.

Tao Zhuanxian stayed behind last. As the Crown Princess’s maternal grandfather, lingering a moment drew no criticism. When everyone else had left, he expressed his worry: “Youyou, you must be careful.”

“Grandfather need not worry. Youyou understands. The Tao family must remain neutral, not getting involved,” Shen Xihe earnestly advised Tao Zhuanxian.

Victory or defeat was uncertain. Though she had made thorough preparations, she still had to be vigilant. If the Tao family didn’t participate, even if she ultimately lost, though the Tao clan would inevitably be implicated, they could preserve the clan’s lives.

“Youyou…”

“Grandfather, you must heed my words, otherwise I will be distracted,” Shen Xihe firmly gripped Tao Zhuanxian’s hand.

Meeting her obsidian-like deep black unfathomable eyes, Tao Zhuanxian reluctantly agreed: “I know how to act.”

Smiling, Shen Xihe supported Tao Zhuanxian, personally seeing him out.

At the Eastern Palace gate, Tao Zhuanxian couldn’t help asking: “His Majesty’s actions today were truly unusual. Have you understood his intent?”

Having followed Emperor Youning for so many years, he thought he understood him somewhat, but couldn’t grasp the reason for Emperor Youning’s actions today.