The banquet in the hall was nearing its end, with guests gradually departing. Di Nian remained in the hall drinking and celebrating with his comrades, while Shen Zhili took the opportunity to withdraw and return to their new chamber.

This banquet differed from ordinary wedding feasts, and Shen Zhili had greeted guests without any shyness. Thus, even though Di Nian had very deftly prevented the traditional wedding chamber revelry earlier, no one had pressed the matter.

Outside the main hall, the maidservants who had come as part of her dowry were waiting. Seeing Shen Zhili emerge alone from a side door with her clothes slightly askew, they immediately approached her. “Young Miss.”

Hearing her still addressed by her old title from the Shen residence, Shen Zhili’s delicate eyebrows raised slightly, but she didn’t correct it. She only asked: “Where is Lord Meng?”

The maidservant lowered her head as they walked, saying softly: “Someone just reported that the Emperor took Lord Meng out through the back door of the residence, and the imperial carriage is still outside the residence, not yet departed.” She held a red gauze lantern, lighting the path for Shen Zhili, and cautiously added: “The household staff are uncertain what to do and dare not go to the back door. Does the Young Miss have any instructions?”

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhili frowned.

Though she might not know everything about the relationship between the Emperor and Meng Tinghui, she understood more than others. Meng Tinghui had not gone to the inner palace for dozens of consecutive days, obviously deliberately avoiding the Emperor. The Emperor’s visit to the Di residence tonight was intended to capture her.

The controversy over the Emperor’s edict abolishing the outer court’s right to deliberate on establishing an empress had not yet subsided, and even at tonight’s banquet, people were whispering about it. Though it appeared to be because of her on the surface, she knew that if the Emperor didn’t have someone in his heart, he would never have allowed the officials of the Bureau of Personnel to lose so much face.

Now that the Emperor had taken Meng Tinghui but hadn’t left, with the imperial carriage still outside the Di residence, though she wanted to pretend not to know, she had to provide some cover for the Emperor and Meng Tinghui.

Thinking this, Shen Zhili sighed lightly in her heart but instructed: “Lord Meng went to thank the Emperor for tonight’s rewards on my behalf. Have a servant tell the imperial attendants that the banquet has just ended, and the court officials’ carriages haven’t left yet. Please ask the imperial carriage to wait a while before returning to the palace.” After walking a few steps, she frowned slightly and added: “Don’t forget to also inform Meng residence’s servants waiting outside to drive out with the others and then return to wait at the back door.”

The maidservant acknowledged, then added: “All the gifts from guests these past few days have been recorded as per the Young Miss’s instructions. All the officials who received invitations came tonight, except for Minister Gu who claimed illness. Only after nightfall did the Gu residence send someone with a gift.”

They reached the bridal chamber, which was decorated in eye-catching red everywhere.

Shen Zhili lowered her eyelashes slightly, stopping at the steps. After someone pushed open the door, she asked: “What gift did the Gu residence send?”

The maidservant lit all the candles inside before answering: “It’s said to be a painting of peach blossoms drawn by Minister Gu himself. I didn’t look closely. Would the Young Miss like me to bring the painting now?”

Shen Zhili shook her head lightly, indicating it wasn’t necessary, then walked directly to the dressing table and began removing the flower crown and ornamental combs from her hair.

Di Nian hadn’t returned to the chamber, yet she had already begun removing her makeup. The maidservant opened her mouth behind her, but seeing the paleness of her cheeks in the mirror, swallowed her words.

The ivory comb was cool and smooth in her hand, which she gripped tightly.

The ceremonial cup-sharing before nightfall was performed for others to see. Unlike ordinary women, she had unveiled herself, changed her clothes, and gone to the main hall to welcome guests and await the Emperor’s arrival.

Now, in this room filled with festive red, deep in the night when passion should bloom, she sat alone before the mirror, allowing another man to linger in her thoughts.

Why did she need to see that painting?

Said to be peach blossoms, how could she not know which painting of peach blossoms it was?

Resenting the delayed spring, resenting the delayed spring, resenting the delayed spring…

She had thought only spring knew of spring affairs, but who knew he had known all along.

But this spring affection was in vain; he had never returned even a hint of affection.

His absence tonight was not to avoid suspicion, nor was it due to illness. From beginning to end, he had never harbored any feelings for her, and he would never love her in this lifetime.

Spring knew the peach blossoms knew, the painting knew, and she also knew.

But she had realized too late and persisted too long, believing with all her heart that persistence would be rewarded, not realizing it was merely self-deception.

She understood him.

As a senior official of three reigns, loyal to the imperial family throughout his life, how could he watch the Emperor delay establishing an empress because of a favored official, inviting criticism from future historians? He wanted the Emperor to establish an empress, but in the court, besides her, who else could be praised by all officials as a candidate?

He was too forthright, so forthright that he thought her small affections had nothing to do with him, not knowing it would lead to the current outcome.

He was also too stubborn, stubborn enough to exhaust himself maintaining the imperial family’s reputation, not realizing the current Emperor was no ordinary ruler. What he could think of, how could the Emperor not?

And tonight, he used a painting to end their relationship—a clever move. Just like in the past, he still harbored protective feelings for her, not embarrassing her, yet making her completely sever these thoughts.

There was a slight stinging in her eyes, but she had no desire to shed tears.

Now that she understood everything, what was there to feel bad about?

The red tears of the festive candles on the table were scalding hot. She lightly touched a couple of drops, then turned to the maidservant and said: “Go to the front and ask when Colonel Di will return to the chamber. If he’s still being pressed to drink, tell him I’m feeling unwell, and ask those Imperial Guard officers to spare him tonight. I’ll apologize to them another day.”

The maidservant smiled with pursed lips, bowing her head and saying softly: “The Young Miss is truly considerate.” With that, she turned and left the room.

Shen Zhili sat quietly at the dressing table, waiting.

Before even a cup of tea’s time had passed, the maidservant knocked and entered again, looking somewhat awkward, and said to her: “When this servant went, she just met Colonel Di returning after dismissing the guests. He said he knows the Young Miss is tired today, so he will sleep in the western room tonight and not disturb the Young Miss.”

Though these words were spoken haltingly and with reserve, Shen Zhili understood them clearly.

She gently closed her eyes, thought for a moment, and then stood up, arranging her clothes and combing her hair. She instructed the maidservant to wait in the room, then walked out alone.

Taking light steps for over ten paces, passing through a hanging door, and pushing aside the loosely draped withered vines, she immediately saw the figure under the blue-tiled eaves to the west.

She stood still, leaning against the wall, watching him dispassionately.

Moonlight spread across the ground, stretching his shadow to appear thin and long.

Di Nian was sitting askew on the steps before the room, a long sword at his feet faintly gleaming with cold light, making him look even more desolate and lonely. He kept his head lowered, playing with some small object in his hand, his demeanor entirely devoid of the dashing and uninhibited manner he had displayed at the banquet.

After an unknown length of time, he finally bent his leg to stand up. As he picked up his sword and raised his head, he suddenly met Shen Zhili’s gaze watching him from afar, startling him.

Seeing her slowly walking toward him, Di Nian finally seemed to realize she had come looking for him. He hung the sword at his waist, slightly frowning as he said: “It’s so late, why aren’t you sleeping? Is something the matter?”

Shen Zhili stopped in front of him and said softly: “On our first night of marriage, do you intend to leave me alone in the bridal chamber?”

“I didn’t mean to…” Di Nian started with furrowed brows, but choked on his words, his frown deepening. “…I know you’re still attached to him, and I have no intention of forcing you. Don’t worry about me, go to sleep early.”

Shen Zhili gently lowered her eyelashes and noticed that what he had been playing with in his hand was just a small piece of peachwood. She raised an eyebrow and asked: “What is that?”

Di Nian quickly clutched it tightly and hid his hand behind his back, his expression somewhat unnatural. “Nothing.”

Shen Zhili lifted her eyes to look at him. “Since we are now married, if we sleep in separate rooms and this reaches the ears of court officials, what would they say?”

Di Nian understood her meaning and coldly said: “Who would dare say that the relationship between us is false? Rest assured, as long as I’m here, no one can bully you!”

Shen Zhili’s eyes suddenly moistened at the corners, but she managed a slight smile and said: “I’m not afraid of being bullied by others, but I don’t want to damage your reputation because of me. You’ve just received an important mission. Your task of reorganizing the three garrison troops on the northern border requires thunderous methods to succeed. How can you, at this juncture, give others something to gossip about? Though the words of the Censorate and Remonstrance Bureau may not be fearsome, how can we disappoint those in the Privy Council and Imperial Guard who vouched for our relationship? Your prestige in the military cannot be diminished in the slightest, and since I have married you, I understand these principles.”

Di Nian listened carefully, but his expression stiffened. “Even so, I don’t want you to feel wronged.”

Shen Zhili remained silent for a while, then suddenly reached out to touch his palm, saying softly: “But I don’t feel wronged at all.”