The Emperor and his two consorts returned to the palace on the twenty-ninth.

Xie Yuzhang entered the palace the following day, but Li Gu again refused to see her. She stood there for a moment, gazing at the eaves of Zichen Palace, then went to visit Li Zhenzhen.

Li Zhenzhen had been outside the palace for half a month and looked remarkably well. Upon seeing Xie Yuzhang, she said, “That place is lovely — beautiful mountains and clear waters, and the air is wonderful too.”

Xie Yuzhang said, “Did Your Highness notice the many villas on the nearby mountains? The people of Yunjing love to build country estates there. For one thing, it is close to the Grand Xiang Temple, and for another, just beyond that lies the hunting grounds. Since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has not yet gone hunting there, has he?”

Li Zhenzhen complained, “What does he know about leisure? He buries himself in official business all day. Those of us in the inner palace are practically suffocating.”

Xie Yuzhang said, “His Majesty really shows no consideration for others.”

She smiled and added, “Then let me be the one to show consideration for the ladies. Just give me a little time.”

She went to see Deng Wanniang, who said, “The Noble Consort told me she intends to advise His Majesty again about selecting imperial consorts.”

Xie Yuzhang said, “Please do not say such things to me. These are matters I should neither hear nor ask about.”

Deng Wanniang said, “I am telling you precisely because of that.”

Xie Yuzhang sighed. “And what does Your Highness plan to do?”

Deng Wanniang said, “Nothing.”

Xie Yuzhang said, “That is hardly the conduct of a virtuous consort.”

Deng Wanniang said, “I never intended to be a virtuous consort.”

Xie Yuzhang said enviously, “How wonderful.”

Deng Wanniang said, “What is wonderful about it?”

Xie Yuzhang said, “To be able to do exactly as one pleases.”

Since the loss of her son, it was Deng Wanniang’s first smile. Yet within that smile, the old fullness and happiness were gone forever.

Cui Ying was now suffering from severe morning sickness and was not receiving visitors, so Xie Yuzhang left the palace directly.

Within two days, as expected, the Noble Consort petitioned the Emperor to hold a selection of imperial consorts. She even rallied Li Dang, Li Wu Lang, and Li Qi Lang — who were currently in the capital — to pressure Li Gu together.

When the Virtuous Consort learned of this, she too endured her physical discomfort and went to Zichen Palace to jointly petition.

For a time, both the Noble Consort and the Virtuous Consort earned excellent reputations, held up as models of virtuous consorts. In contrast, the Pure Consort, who remained completely unmoved, had a rather poor reputation among others, who said, “Even having lost her child, should she not think of the Emperor’s needs? Is the imperial succession not more important than anything else?”

The Deng family was deeply anxious. Consort Deng’s mother entered the palace three days in a row, and word spread that she and Consort Deng had quarreled.

On the fourth day, when she tried to enter the palace again, she was turned away. The palace guards had taken back her entrance token. From now on, if she wished to enter the palace, she would have to submit a request like any other outer-court noblewoman and await the approval of Noble Consort Li Zhenzhen.

Lady Deng was stunned. “She — how could she do this? I am her mother!”

“Please do not misunderstand, my Lady,” said Liang Chen, who had specially come to intercept her at the palace gates. “This is His Majesty’s intention.”

Lady Deng’s face turned ashen.

Yet who would think to blame the Emperor for his overbearing ways — not even sparing his own mother-in-law any face?

Everyone would only see it as Consort Deng’s doing, assuming that losing her child had twisted her temper to the point where she had fallen out with her own family. It was truly laughable.

When Xie Yuzhang went to Xie Family Village to visit Xie Baozhu, she said, “It is a good thing she does not care.”

Then added, “I truly envy her. The Deng family rendered service at the founding of the dynasty, and many of their sons hold official positions. No matter what the Emperor does to her, it amounts to little more than showing displeasure to her mother-in-law. The family itself is secure. She can be as willful as she pleases.”

Xie Baozhu said, “Zhuzhu, thank you.”

Xie Yuzhang said, “What kind of talk is that?”

Xie Baozhu said, “Among everyone surnamed Xie, there should at least be one person who knows everything you have done.”

Xie Yuzhang said, “Having you know, Elder Sister, is enough.”

She smiled again and said, “Sister, your news is so well-informed — you even know about the consort selection. It must be that blabbermouth Li Qi who came to tip you off again.”

“My news here is scarce, and he often brings me word of things. Knowing more puts my heart at ease,” said Xie Baozhu. “His mouth is not that loose. He knows very well what can be said and what cannot.”

Xie Yuzhang said, “Clever fool that he is!”

A maidservant brought in a fruit platter.

Er’zhu had since returned home to be married. The two maidservants now serving Xie Baozhu had both been arranged by Li Weifeng.

Xie Yuzhang knew them, and knew they were Li Weifeng’s people. Yet she felt that what she and Xie Baozhu had just said about Li Weifeng was perfectly aboveboard — nothing that could not be said openly.

What she had not anticipated was that Li Weifeng’s mind was as sharp as a needle’s point.

At the outer residence of the Marquis of Beirong.

“Tsk!” said Li Weifeng. “To my face it is ‘Seventh Elder Brother,’ but behind my back it is ‘Li Qi.’ How two-faced of you, Xie Yongning!”

He planted his hands on his hips. “Then let you see just what this so-called ‘clever fool’ is capable of!”

And with that, he went into the palace.

Li Gu saw him and frowned. “Stop bothering me.”

Li Weifeng said, “What are you being so stubborn about? You won’t even agree to take more beauties and father more children. Look at me — I have ten beauties, and everyone envies me. Da Lang and Wu Lang have both recently taken new beauties and are working hard to follow my example. And look at Old Jiang — even going to war hasn’t slowed him down. He’s collected a whole string of foreign women.”

Li Gu said, “When he returns, I will deal with him.”

Li Weifeng burst out laughing. “If Old Jiang were the sort to leave a handle for you to grab onto, he wouldn’t be Old Jiang. He didn’t enjoy them at the front — sent them all straight back to his residence in the capital. By the time they arrived, Jiang’s wife had already stopped being angry, and she just tucked them away in the courtyard. Perfectly handled.”

Li Gu said, “I will deal with him all the same.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. I think you are simply pent up.” Li Weifeng said, “Shiyi, it is not as if you have never married or taken a concubine before. The boat has long since sailed, and she does not care whether it is five or ten. What is the point of this stubbornness?”

Li Gu said, “You do not understand.”

Li Weifeng said, “Even Master Mo said your sons are too few — the foundations are not stable, which could easily shake the national order.”

Li Gu said, “There are women in the inner palace. I will father children with them. There is no need to bring in new ones.”

Li Weifeng said, “Then go ahead and produce them for me to see.”

Li Gu said, “Why do you not produce any yourself?”

Li Weifeng planted his hands on his hips. “I simply will not. I have no imperial throne to pass on. In the future I will find my daughter a husband to marry into our household. Oh, issue an imperial decree — let my daughter’s son inherit my title.”

“Not permitted,” said Li Gu. “If the Marquis of Beirong has no son, the title is revoked.”

Li Weifeng hastily said, “Bah, bah, bah!”

“Enough, let us not speak of such gloomy matters.” He tucked his hands into his sleeves. “I have been spending time at the North Theater District these past few days, and everyone there holds a great deal of resentment toward Yongning.”

Li Gu had been reviewing memorials while speaking with Li Weifeng all along, but now his brush paused, and he finally raised his eyes. “What happened?”

“Ah, Yongning — she really knows how to enjoy life.” Li Weifeng said, “She went to the North Theater District and made a performer famous overnight. This man is called Huan Lang, and he truly became a sensation in a single day thanks to Yongning’s praise. Now everyone who goes to the North Theater District wants to see Huan Lang. But who would have thought — just these past two days, Yongning actually took this man into her own residence and kept him all to herself. As you can imagine, that has provoked considerable public outrage. Many people are cursing her for it.”

Li Gu furrowed his brow and said nothing.

Li Weifeng said, “She has always been someone who wins favor on all sides. Tsk — it seems she truly has a fondness for those with handsome looks.”

Li Gu said, “Stop talking nonsense.”

Li Weifeng said, “How am I talking nonsense? If you do not believe me, ask Mantou. Mantou went to see for himself!”

With that, he raised his voice and shouted, “Mantou! Mantou!”

Li Gu made no move to stop him.

Hu Jin heard the call and entered. “Your Majesty, please say something to him. We are all people of status now — it is not like before. Stop calling people by their nicknames at every turn. It is so undignified.”

“Alright, alright. Commander Hu, please come over — this Marquis has a matter he wishes to consult you on.” Li Weifeng said with exaggerated politeness.

Hu Jin broke out in goosebumps all over. His instincts told him there was danger ahead, and he was reluctant to come closer. He stood at a distance. “Speak then, Marquis of Beirong. This official is listening.”

Li Weifeng walked over and said, “Tell our Emperor — that Huan Lang from the North Theater District, is he not exceptionally handsome?”

Hu Jin held Li Weifeng’s gaze for a moment, then turned to the Emperor, who was frowning as he waited for an answer.

Hu Jin moved his lips to speak. Li Weifeng’s hand rose and came down firmly on his shoulder, gripping him like iron tongs, and smiled. “Just say whether he is or not.”

Hu Jin understood that this man was digging a pit for the Emperor.

Hu Jin thought for a moment and decided that as long as he told the truth, he would be fine. He nodded. “He is.”

Li Weifeng said, “You saw this with your own eyes, correct?”

Hu Jin said, “Yes. He performs seven shows a day and every single one is packed to capacity — not a seat to be found. Even getting a private box when I treated guests was no easy feat. It was Princess Yongning who lent me hers — there is always one reserved for her.”

Li Weifeng said, “And the ladies all adore him, do they not?”

Hu Jin said, “They have all gone mad — pulling off gold and silver hairpins and heaping them onto the stage. A pack of spendthrifts!”

Li Weifeng finally released his hand and clicked his tongue. “Women are like that — they love men with handsome faces. Our Yongning has always been the same way.”

Hearing the name “Yongning,” Hu Jin’s mind immediately cleared — he understood everything at once. He also tucked his hands into his sleeves and said with an air of perfect calm, “Who does not love someone with a handsome face? Huan Lang is truly good-looking.”

Li Weifeng was prone to idle talk, and Li Gu did not take everything he said at face value. But Hu Jin had never been one for careless words, and since becoming Commander of the Imperial Guards, he had grown even more guarded. Li Gu trusted him.

Besides, Xie Yuzhang… she did indeed have a fondness for those with handsome looks.

Li Gu glanced out the window. It was still broad daylight.

Li Gu said, “Fuchun, change my clothes for me. Hu Jin, change yours as well. Come with me.”

Li Weifeng was overjoyed. “I will come too—”

“Seventh Elder Brother.” Li Gu called out.

Li Weifeng answered, “Yes?”

Li Gu said, “It is not yet time to leave your post. Go back to the Ministry of War.”

Li Weifeng: “…”

Xie Yuzhang had barely heard her maidservant’s announcement when she was stunned.

“Who?” she asked in disbelief. “Who has come?”

The maidservant said nervously, “His Majesty.”

For the first time in all of heaven and earth, Li Gu had actually come to her residence! Was he not still angry with her — had he not been refusing to see her this entire time?

Xie Yuzhang was still in a daze when another maidservant came hurrying in, nearly at a run. “His Majesty is heading this way!”

Xie Yuzhang felt as though she were in a dream.

This was the inner courtyard — the main chamber! Had Li Gu lost his mind?

She had barely stepped down from the daybed when sounds could already be heard outside. Knowing how long Li Gu’s stride was, Xie Yuzhang quickly straightened her robe and went out to meet him.

That man stood on the steps of the front passage before the main chamber, gazing at her across the wide courtyard.

His gaze was sharp, his lips pressed tight, his bearing commanding without any trace of anger.

Not a single maidservant in the courtyard dared draw a full breath — living in Yunjing, who could not feel the fearsome power of imperial authority?

Xie Yuzhang went out to receive him, and the first thing her eyes took in was the young Emperor’s upright, commanding figure.

He stood with his hands clasped behind his back. The lean line of his waist and arms drew together into a beautifully symmetrical silhouette, conveying a sense of power.

The empty space between them, like the blank spaces in a painting, held nothing at all — yet it stirred the imagination without end.