On the day of the Empress’s investiture ceremony, Beijing enjoyed a rare winter day with clear skies. Snow blanketed the imperial palace inside and out, with icicles hanging brilliantly from the corners of the halls.

Early in the morning, reports from the northern border arrived in the capital, stating that General Di Nian had led his troops across the river and captured several cities, taking Xiang Deqian and his clan members prisoner. The remaining Northern Jian army was terrified, with many surrendering their weapons. Less than ten prefectures north of the Northern Jian capital remained unconquered, and complete victory was imminent.

As soon as Shen Zhili entered the palace gates, she encountered palace servants reporting this news. They also informed her that Di Nian was personally escorting Xiang Deqian and his clan members back to the capital. The Emperor, recognizing Di Nian’s great achievements, had appointed him as the Left General of the Golden Guards, provisionally leading the Imperial Guard Command. An imperial decree for her appointment would soon be drafted by the outer court.

She stood stunned at the palace gates for a moment before breaking into a smile.

Just thinking about him riding through the snowy plains thousands of miles away made her heart tighten. She hadn’t expected him to capture Xiang Deqian so quickly, nor return to the capital so soon!

Her heart bloomed with joy as she walked forward, asking, “Has the Empress risen?”

The palace servant nodded, “She rose just after the fourth watch. His Majesty is currently in Xihua Palace, and no one dares disturb them. They say half an hour before the ceremony, someone will be sent to attend to the Empress.”

Shen Zhili paused, thought for a moment, then smiled again, saying, “That’s fine. Please lead me to a side hall where I can wait.”

In Xihua Palace, the curtains remained drawn, warmth filled the hall, and fragrance permeated the air.

She lay in bed, wrapped in brocade blankets, held in his embrace, her long hair entwined around both their shoulders, her face slightly flushed.

Since returning from the northern border, the affairs of state had crashed down upon them like a mountain. For several nights, he had slept in Ruisi Hall and hadn’t come to Xihua Palace.

Now that she had rightfully moved into Xihua Palace, he no longer sought every opportunity to be intimate with her as before. Following Imperial Physician Liu Dezhong’s advice, he insisted that she rest well in the palace and not stay up with him handling state affairs. To avoid disturbing her sleep, he would review memorials and then sleep in Ruisi Hall. Unable to persuade him otherwise, she complied, especially as she had been exhausted preparing for the investiture ceremony.

She had gone to bed early the previous night, unaware of when he had arrived in the late hours. Upon waking in the morning, she discovered herself pillowed on his arm. As soon as she stirred, he awoke and immediately embraced her tightly.

This was the fear of loss after having once lost—and wasn’t she the same?

Though knowing they would never again be separated in this life, they both feared the day when the other might no longer be by their side.

“Meng Tinghui,” he held her, his voice tinged with laziness. “Do you know how much I love you?”

Her ear bones trembled, and she instinctively thought he was sleep-talking. Turning to look, she saw his bright eyes gazing at her intently. She buried her head and whispered, “Mm.”

He laughed, holding her tighter, kissing her forehead, then her cheeks, while his large hand on her waist began to wander upward inappropriately.

She quickly stopped him, her face reddening as she said, “Wait a moment, there’s something I haven’t had the chance to tell you these past few days.”

He raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to speak.

She composed herself and said calmly, “A few days ago, Imperial Physician Liu Dezhong checked my pulse and said I’m with child.”

He remained silent for a long time, his expression unchanged, but his hand on her waist stiffened.

She smiled gently, taking his hand and moving it lower to rest on her abdomen. “For these first few months, for the child’s sake, you need to control that wild nature of yours, and not always just…”

He gently placed his palm on her abdomen, as if caressing a priceless treasure. After a long while, he propped himself up and lightly kissed her red lips, whispering, “I’m truly happy.”

She looked up, meeting his gaze filled with unconcealed affection. She knew that behind his seemingly calm words lay excitement and joy. To hear him directly express happiness was the most forthright expression of emotion she had ever heard from him.

His happiness wasn’t for the imperial lineage having an heir, but because this was their child—a child she willingly carried out of love for him.

He wanted to hold her tightly but feared hurting her with too much force. Instead, he kept her in his embrace, kissing her cheeks repeatedly. “Are you feeling uncomfortable?”

She shook her head, “Not yet. If I do feel unwell, I’ll call someone to look at me, so you needn’t worry.”

He ignored her words—she was his wife, how could he not be concerned for her wellbeing?

After a while, she smiled in his arms again and said softly, “I wonder if it’s a boy or a girl.” She widened her eyes, looking at him. “I want a boy who will surely be as handsome and intelligent as you, excelling in both civil and military arts.”

He also smiled, “I’d rather have a daughter who looks like you.”

She became displeased at once, frowning, “Whether it’s a boy or girl, they must not resemble me.”

He gently pinched her chin, “Why not?”

Meeting his eyes, deep as a cold abyss, she pursed her lips and said, “I’m not as good-looking as you. If the child resembles me, wouldn’t that be a shame?”

He laughed, “Only you would say such things!”

She nestled into his embrace, clinging to him like a spoiled child, saying nothing more.

He caught sight of a small stack of memorials on the desk and frowned, holding her as he advised, “Why are northern affairs still being sent to you? From now on, you needn’t concern yourself with such matters. Taking care of yourself is most important!”

Due to the matter of enfeoffment, many northern officials’ important affairs still required her decision. She had previously gained the following of many young talented officials at court, and with the newly conquered northern territories lacking capable officials, she had exceptionally promoted several promising young civil officials to important positions. The elder court officials could say nothing against it. With the surrender of the rebel army, matters such as reorganizing troops and building forts within the enfeoffed territories also required careful consideration. A few days ago, he had discussed some proposals with the officials of the Secretariat, waiting to review them with her after completing his current tasks. Who would have thought she would suddenly become pregnant?

Regardless, with the country’s turmoil settled and their hearts united, what affairs couldn’t they handle properly in the future? After all, this empire belonged to both him and her, and would eventually belong to the child in her womb. From now on, nothing and no one could separate them.

She acquiesced to his wishes, then said, “It’s already bright. You should call someone to help me with the ceremonial robes. If we’re late for court, what shall we do?”

Only then did he rise to dress, calling for servants to assist the Empress with her attire and grooming. He remained in the hall, watching as they helped her don the heavy ceremonial robes, arrange her high formal hairstyle, and apply light powder and red lipstick to her fair face.

Following his instructions, the imperial kitchen sent some food, and his ceremonial robes were brought. The servants assisted him in dressing right there in Xihua Palace.

Seeing him increasingly disregard propriety, she said embarrassedly, “On the day of the Empress’s investiture ceremony, shouldn’t you show some restraint?”

Seeing that her preparations were nearly complete, he brought a bowl of porridge to her, carefully spooning it to feed her. “The court session will be long, and you can no longer go without food and drink as before.”

She blushed as she swallowed a mouthful, whispering, “The palace servants are watching, you…”

He knew her habit of being extremely bold in private but extremely conscious of appearances before others. He smiled and said, “I want everyone to see.”

The surrounding palace maids all lowered their heads, suppressing smiles, not daring to speak out of turn.

When it was nearly time for the court session, a herald came to request, saying that all court officials were assembled in the Great Celebration Hall, respectfully awaiting His Majesty’s arrival.

According to protocol, he first entered the Great Celebration Hall, while Shen Zhili, who had been waiting in the side hall, came to accompany her. After the herald of the ceremonial insignia would announce them, she would accompany her to the hall.

The hall was extremely quiet. As she sat waiting, she began to feel nervous. Turning to look at Shen Zhili, she saw her face full of warm smiles, which calmed her heart somewhat.

Before long, the distant sound of court music celebrating the imperial phoenix could be heard from the palace halls. Then, the official from the Ministry of Rites acting as the herald of the ceremonial insignia came forward, knelt at the hall entrance, and announced, requesting the Empress’s imperial procession.

Shen Zhili then helped Meng Tinghui rise, slowly walking out of Xihua Palace, descending the steps to board the imperial palanquin, proceeding toward the steps of the Great Celebration Hall.

They disembarked from the palanquin at the east gate of the Great Celebration Hall, ascended the steps, and saw the yellow ceremonial staffs and canopies standing at the sides. Palace servants and attendants all bowed in greeting, while the silk music inside grew clearer and more pleasant.

He was waiting for her there, watching her ascend step by step, then smiling at her and extending his hand.

She slowly released Shen Zhili’s hand, feeling as if all nervousness had suddenly vanished. Calmly and confidently, she placed her hand in his large palm, her red lips curving into a beautiful smile as she gently smiled at him, following his steps inside.

The man beside her was handsome and dignified, his ceremonial robes exuding unique prestige and authority. The layers of dense black patterns on his robes complemented her own heavy, intricate deep blue ceremonial garment perfectly.

A perfect match.

This was the man she had loved with all her heart for a lifetime. This was her beloved with whom she would never part in life or death. This was the husband with whom she would share joys and sorrows, complement each other, and remain by each other’s side for her entire life.

For him, she had journeyed from the provincial women’s academy to the imperial court in the capital, rising from a favored official to high positions in two ministries. She had dismissed mediocre officials, controlled personnel appointments, reformed imperial examinations, established new political factions, and inspected military affairs… In court, she had schemed endlessly to clear his path forward. In the northern territories, she had risked her life for the peace of the empire’s people. For the sake of his glorious reputation, she had willingly taken all blame upon herself, without complaints or regrets.

Now, she could finally hold his hand, stand shoulder to shoulder with him, receive the court officials’ congratulations, and the people’s admiration, being his Empress for a lifetime.

As the east inner gate slowly closed behind them, the moment they entered the hall, the vast assembly of civil and military officials all knelt and kowtowed, their voices shouting “Long live the Emperor” resounding throughout the palace.

Dragon patterns danced on the golden pillars. He turned sideways to look back at her, his deep eyes filled with intense affection, his low voice slightly cold: “Have you ever feared how future historians will write about you?”

Only then did she shift her gaze from him, lowering her head with a slight smile, saying: “I only fear not achieving lasting fame, how could I fear eternal infamy… I wish only—long live my Emperor, long live, ten thousand years.”