The autumn of the first year of Jingxuan was destined to be an eventful one.

The turmoil over establishing an empress had thrown the entire court into disarray, even causing the Emperor to postpone the already scheduled riding and archery ceremony until the spring of the following year. Minister Gu and Censor Qiao Bo, both implicated in this affair, had been impeached one after another, yet the Emperor delayed issuing an edict to resolve the matter. The position of Right Chancellor of the Bureau of Personnel had been vacant for a long time, and the Council of State was in such disarray that beautiful women could submit memorials. Even Minister Gu had claimed illness and remained at home for many days to avoid suspicion.

As Shen Zhili and Di Nian’s wedding day approached, the Emperor rewarded the Shen family with numerous treasures from the imperial storehouse and bestowed upon the couple a residence to the west of the imperial city as a special favor. Later, he appointed Shen Zhishu as Left Erudite and Transport Commissioner of the northern route of Chao’an and transferred Shen Zhili to the position of Deputy Director in the Reception Bureau of the Ministry of Rites.

Three days later, an unexpected edict came from the inner court: the Emperor abolished the outer court’s right to propose establishing an empress, forbidding court officials from inquiring into inner palace matters henceforth, and decreed that the system of consorts would be decided solely by the Emperor.

This immediately silenced the previously tumultuous court, like a stone thrown into still water with no sound of it hitting bottom.

Just as Shen Zhishu had anticipated, when the Emperor issued this edict at such a time, though no one in the court openly supported it, neither did any important minister remonstrate in opposition.

Before the court officials could carefully consider the matter, Shen Zhishu’s memorial supporting the imperial will was submitted directly, immediately making those officials skilled at deciphering imperial intentions understand: that the Emperor was warning the veteran officials that he was no longer the young Crown Prince who placed a stool in the inner council hall to listen to government affairs, and they should not presume to influence the Emperor’s thoughts by trading on their seniority.

If dismissing Prime Minister Xu Ting was not enough, then add to that the unresolved case of Minister Gu.

Who would dare oppose this edict at such a crucial moment?

Shen Zhishu’s memorial paved the way for those officials who wanted to support the imperial will but hesitated to be the first to submit a memorial. Subsequently, Left Minister Zhou Bi followed with his memorial, supporting Shen Zhishu’s proposal. Among the executives in the Council of State, all except the Minister of the Right Ye Shi submitted memorials to show their support for the imperial will.

Needless to say, Censor-in-Chief Liao Congkuan led the Censorate in completely reversing their stance, directly claiming that this court chaos originated from the Bureau of Personnel and that the Emperor’s abolition of the outer court’s right to advise on establishing an empress in the inner court was the correct principle.

From the eighth month of the twenty-fifth year of Qiande to the tenth month of the first year of Jingxuan, in just one year and two months since the Emperor’s ascension, he had managed to relocate the civil service examination to border provinces, revise the evaluation of officials in the Pacification and Transport Commissioner’s offices, shift from relying on veteran ministers to reorganizing border garrisons, dismiss old Prime Minister Xu Ting, and reform the system of establishing an empress—all transforming the court atmosphere without any visible display of anger.

Though not as ruthless and intimidating as Prince Ping had been in his time, the Emperor’s decisive actions without displaying imperial wrath were even more spine-chilling to the court officials.

Only now did the court officials truly understand that this young Emperor, carrying the blood of the two most powerful rulers in the realm, was by no means a ruler content to maintain the status quo. Those old ministers who had attempted to restrain the Emperor with old rules and precedents had made the wrong choice. Fortunately, their realization now was not too late.

On the seventh day of the eleventh month in the first year of Jingxuan, Shen Zhili and Di Nian’s wedding proceeded as scheduled, immediately overshadowing the court gossip. The common people of the capital also delighted in this, all saying that the Shen and Di families’ power at court would be unmatched henceforth.

That night, when the Emperor personally visited the Di residence to offer congratulations at the wedding banquet on behalf of the imperial family, it further convinced people that the marriage between Shen and Di was truly a match made in heaven.

With the elaborate daytime ceremonies completed, the lavishly decorated new Di residence appeared even more magnificent amid the sounds of the evening banquet. The musicians playing at the banquet were from the imperial music bureau in the capital, further demonstrating the Emperor’s extraordinary favor toward the newlyweds.

In the main hall, women with purple foreheads and yellow trim stood by with wine, while rows of black-lacquered qilin tables gleamed, seated with important civil and military officials from throughout the court. Delicacies covered the tables, wine fragrance filled the air, and every festive candle cast a red glow, giving the room a slightly intoxicated, exquisite atmosphere.

As a court official, Shen Zhili was naturally different from ordinary young ladies. Most guests tonight were either her father’s former students and subordinates or old friends and colleagues of her brother and herself. Therefore, there was no need to avoid them out of propriety. Since the beginning of the banquet, she had changed her attire and entered the hall to welcome the guests, showing not the slightest hint of a bride’s shyness.

As for Di Nian, he had quickly formed a boisterous group with his colleagues from the Privy Council and the Imperial Guard.

Although there were many people and various affairs to attend to, the scene of civil and military officials, veteran ministers, and rising talents all gathered together holding wine cups was rare. Thus, no one attending the wedding banquet tonight wanted to miss this rare opportunity, and social interactions were inevitable.

Among the crowd, only Meng Tinghui was reluctant to mingle, having left early to find a secluded spot in the flower corridor outside the hall to cool off.

She could not be happy like the others. Even pretending to be happy was extremely difficult for her.

Had Di Nian not repeatedly expressed gratitude to her and insisted that she attend the banquet today, she would have found an excuse to avoid Shen Zhili and Di Nian’s wedding.

Unexpectedly, she encountered Shen Zhishu drinking alone outside the hall.

Seeing her come out, Shen Zhishu raised his eyebrows slightly, with no smile on his face, merely clutching his wine cup and saying softly: “Lord Meng.”

She found it strange, not understanding why he would be like this on such a joyous day. But her own heart was not particularly happy at the moment, and she had no intention of meddling. Seeing that he had already occupied this spot, she turned to go back inside.

But he suddenly spoke from behind: “Now that I’ve returned to the capital, doesn’t Lord Meng want to ask about the eldest daughter of the Yan family?”

Meng Tinghui immediately stopped and turned back, examining him before frowning and saying: “Is Lord Shen drunk?”

Shen Zhishu leaned against a corridor pillar, his body slightly bent, his profile naturally exuding an unrestrained charm. His eyebrows relaxed and mouth turned up in a light smile: “She still frequently thinks of you in Chao’an, yet she’s unwilling to return to the capital with me to see how impressive Lord Meng’s official authority has become.”

Meng Tinghui, however slow, could hear his displeasure, and for a moment didn’t know what to say.

She knew very little about the relationship between Shen Zhishu and Yan Fuzhi, and now that Shen Zhishu had been appointed as Transport Commissioner of the northern route of Chao’an, she had even less ability to interfere in their affairs.

Moreover, from Shen Zhishu’s tone, it seemed that Fuzhi was wholeheartedly unwilling to develop feelings for him.

As she hesitated, unsure whether to leave, she suddenly heard the noise in the hall abruptly cease, replaced by the sound of people paying respects.

Shen Zhishu seemed to sober up instantly, rubbing his temple with his hand and peering inside before smiling again and saying: “The Emperor has arrived.” He glanced at Meng Tinghui’s expression, his eyebrows rising even higher. “What’s wrong? Did no one inform Lord Meng that the Emperor would come tonight?”

Meng Tinghui watched him grasp his wine cup and walk inside, while she remained standing by the corridor pillar, unwilling to move.

Standing thus, she could control her body but not her eyes.

With just one glance, all the layers of people faded into formlessness, and all the splendor in the world condensed upon that one person. As the light dispersed, only his soul-capturing eyes remained, deep and penetrating.

She missed him so much.

Though she could see him from afar during court sessions, it was nothing compared to the heart-trembling distance of just over ten paces away.

It had been too long since she had seen him this close, and she suddenly felt somewhat at a loss, so she simply stood still, fixing her gaze on him, indulging her heart’s desire to look her fill.

Fortunately, there were many people in the hall blocking her, and the corridor pillar beside her was wrapped with long vines, with delicate branches and leaves hanging down, concealing half her face.

Tonight was Shen and Di’s wedding, and even the Emperor could not outshine them. Therefore, he merely came to offer congratulations on behalf of the imperial family, briefly received the court officials’ respects, had someone present gifts with appropriate distinctions, and then departed with his light entourage.

It took no more than half a cup of tea’s time, and he hadn’t even glanced in her direction once. Perhaps he didn’t even know she was there.

The recent edict he had issued, reforming the system of establishing an empress, had truly made her feel anxious and guilty.

As she lowered her eyelashes in thought, she increasingly felt out of place and unconsciously moved back behind the corridor pillar. With that movement, she backed into a pair of arms.

Behind her ear came his slightly hoarse voice: “Meng Tinghui.”