On the twenty-sixth day of the eighth month in the fourteenth year of Dali, Ying Gua was born in the Western Palace.

On the first day of the first month in the first year of Qiande, a general amnesty was declared, the era name was changed, and the realm was given the name of “Ping.”

The new capital was completed in the winter of the eleventh month of the second year of Qiande. Court officials submitted memorials requesting to change the name from Zhuzhou to Zhuyang, but the Emperor rejected this, maintaining the old name and forbidding further discussion.

In the spring of the second month of the third year of Qiande, an edict was issued announcing the relocation of the capital. The Eastern and Western Courts were to be merged at Zhuzhou, and imperial treasures were to be moved from the Suiyang and Yanping Palaces, leaving both former palaces as eastern and western traveling palaces.

On the twenty-sixth day of the third month, the Emperor visited the new palace in Zhuzhou. After all ceremonies were completed, a night banquet was held for court officials and military commanders. The Emperor personally drank with them and granted seven rounds of wine.

On the first day of the tenth month, the Prince of Ping submitted a memorial requesting that the Emperor’s eldest son, Gua, be named Crown Prince. Senior ministers of the court supported this proposal, and the Emperor approved. On the sixteenth day, Gua was formally invested as Crown Prince.

On the eighth day of the fifth month in summer of the eighth year of Qiande, recognizing the Crown Prince Gua’s intelligence and quick mind, the Emperor issued an edict seeking men of virtue and talent throughout the realm to serve as his tutors. Many court officials applied, but the Crown Prince firmly refused them all.

On the third day of the sixth month, under the pretext of a birthday banquet invitation, the Emperor summoned former minister Shen Wuchen and his family to the capital to temporarily reside in the palace guest quarters. On the sixth day, he ordered Crown Prince Gua to visit the quarters. Gua was pleased and willing to follow his guidance, so Shen Wuchen was appointed as the Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor.

On the eleventh day of the eighth month, an edict was issued for Shen Wuchen’s eldest son, Shen Zhishu, to enter the palace as Crown Prince Gua’s study companion.

In early spring of the fourteenth year of Qiande, the Emperor issued an edict to close unnecessary temples and monasteries in the four northern regions and ordered young monks and nuns to register in the household system. At that time, Zhang Yue, the deputy magistrate of Chongzhou Prefecture in Chao’an Northern Circuit, failed to implement the order, resulting in many unregistered young monks and nuns becoming homeless. Ying Gua personally handled the Chao’an monastic case.

In the spring of the eighteenth year of Qiande during the Great Ping Dynasty, Ying Gua and Di Nian met at the Western Garden of Suiyang.

In early spring of the twenty-fourth year of Qiande, several border states were opened for free trade between the two countries.

Shen Wuchen went to the Northern Circuit of Chao’an to serve as chief examiner.

The Crown Prince was to select a consort.

Ying Gua, Meng Tinghui, Shen Zhishu, and Yan Fuzhi first met at Bofeng Tower.

Ying Gua encountered Meng Tinghui again at an old temple.

Ying Gua went alone to the Qingzhou military camp, then traveled south to inspect dozens of frontier garrisons along the northern border. Upon returning to Chongzhou Prefecture, he went directly to the Pacification Commissioner’s Office of Chao’an Northern Circuit.

Meng Tinghui was disqualified because her policy essay criticized ineffective governance in the Northern Circuit of Chao’an, which deviated from the assigned topic. However, this led to Ying Gua graciously appointing her as the top candidate from the Northern Circuit of Chao’an for the women’s imperial examination.

On the eighth day of the fourth month in the twenty-fourth year of Qiande, Meng Tinghui arrived in the capital, stayed at Yitai Tower, and sent her calling card to Shen Zhili at the Bureau of Military Affairs.

On the eighteenth day of the fourth month in the twenty-fourth year of Qiande, the Ministry of Rites examination for women scholars began. Seven streets north of the Nanjue Gate Imperial Academy and east of the Ministry of Rites Examination Hall were placed under curfew.

Three days later, the examinees left the examination halls. Ancient Qin, the examination supervisor of the Ministry of Rites, locked the halls with relevant officials to grade the papers according to protocol. All matters of the Secretariat at court were handled by Right Chancellor Xu Ting.

On the fifth day of the fifth month, the results of the women’s imperial examination were announced. Meng Tinghui from Chao’an Northern Circuit ranked first and was declared the top candidate of this Ministry examination.

At dawn on the fifteenth day of the fifth month in the twenty-fourth year of Qiande, the palace examination was held with the topic: “Being a ruler is difficult; being an official is not easy.” Meng Tinghui discovered Ying Gua’s true identity.

Beginning at the fifth hour, the female examination candidates were granted an audience. During the ceremony, young Meng first teased young Gua.

On the twentieth day of the fifth month in the twenty-fourth year of Qiande, the palace examination results for women scholars were announced. Meng Tinghui from Chao’an Northern Circuit, who had already topped the capital examination, again ranked first, becoming the first woman to achieve the highest rank in all three levels of examinations since the establishment of the women’s imperial examination in the Great Ping Dynasty.

She was rewarded with an appointment to the Hanlin Academy as a Sixth-Rank Compiler, permitted to attend lectures in the Eastern Palace, tasked with compiling histories of previous dynasties, allowed access to observe Hanlin scholars drafting imperial edicts, and additionally granted a silver fish pouch.

Shen Zhili had Meng Tinghui serve in the Eastern Palace, where young Meng again teased young Gua. Young Gua assigned young Meng to work with Fang Huai on compiling histories of previous dynasties.

On the eighth day of the tenth month, during the annual Northern Garden Archery Contest, Di Nian appeared and repeatedly cast flirtatious glances at Shen Zhili. Young Meng encountered danger, and young Gua rescued her.

In the first year of Qiande, on the first day of the first month, all major prefectures and counties throughout the country suspended legal proceedings for three days.

In the capital, from the grand court assembly on New Year’s Day until the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day, the Emperor and the Prince of Ping made three formal outings.

Yan Fuzhi opened a new shop on Tiger South Street in Qingzhou but was exploited by Wang Qi’s subordinates.

Early on the sixteenth day of the first month, Yan Fuzhi and Shen Zhishu discussed the matter and allied.

In the second month, Shen Zhishu filed three major charges against Wang Qi, the Deputy Magistrate of Qingzhou. Ying Gua issued an edict for Wang Qi to return to the capital, temporarily appointing him to a position in the Imperial Stables while awaiting detailed investigation and resolution.

That night, young Meng drafted an edict with tactful and diplomatic wording, angering young Gua greatly. After an emotional exchange, young Gua escorted young Meng back to her residence.

The next day, Fang Huai recommended young Meng to fill a vacancy as Left Remonstrance Official in the Chancellery. When court officials discussed the matter of selecting a consort, the Prince of Ping became furious as young Gua refused to take a consort.

On the twenty-ninth day of the third month, during the Personnel Ministry’s spring assessment, Meng Tinghui attended a banquet at the Liao residence.

That evening, young Meng confessed her feelings.

The next day, young Gua sent young Meng a food box. Young Meng was attacked, but Di Nian saved her. Young Gua visited her, and they went to the night market together, sealing their relationship with a sweet kiss.

At the end of the fourth month in the twenty-fifth year of Qiande, Pan Congyun, the Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review, and Xue Pan, the Censor-in-Chief, charged Wang Qi with several crimes based on Meng Tinghui’s testimony, including defying the emperor, disregarding institutional rules, and allowing officials to harm the people. They requested Wang Qi be demoted and exiled to Cangzhou, which the Crown Prince approved.

In the early fifth month, Hanlin Scholar Fang Huai submitted a memorial exposing Wei Mingxian, the Deputy Director of the Imperial Stables, for concealing his mother’s death without reporting to the court, deeming it an unfilial and deceptive act. The Hanlin Academy requested deliberation, causing a surge of criticism throughout the realm. Subsequently, Court Censor Cao Jing impeached Wei Mingxian for great disrespect as an official and refusal to return home for mourning, requesting his dismissal and interrogation. All censorate officials jointly signed a memorial to impeach him. The Crown Prince immediately convened senior ministers of the two departments to discuss the matter, resulting in Wei Mingxian being stripped of all official positions and ordered to return home for mourning.

Ten days later, the Crown Prince promoted Meng Tinghui to Right Remonstrance Counselor and Direct Scholar of the Longtu Pavilion, a position of fourth rank, due to her timely memorial on Wang Qi’s case and her contributions in judicial investigation. The entire court was shocked by this news. Some submitted memorials arguing that the Crown Prince’s edict was hasty and requesting him to retract his decision, but the Crown Prince rejected all such appeals.

In the month before his ascension, a dramatic scene unfolded.

On the twenty-sixth day of the eighth month in the twenty-fifth year of Qiande, Ying Gua ascended the throne. Meng Tinghui served as the leading ceremonial official but suffered abdominal pain and fainted. Ying Gua demoted Meng Tinghui, stating: “I cannot help but investigate the negligence of Fang Huai, Zhang Ren, and Xue Peng as officials. Fang and Zhang are demoted to Attendant Scholars of the Hanlin Academy. Xue Peng’s talents are insufficient for the Historiographical Office; he is demoted from Censor-in-Chief to Drafter of Proclamations. Wang Qing has long been in the central government, unaware of people’s lives in outlying counties, and today at the grand ceremony spoke with senior ministers about not abandoning the Emperor Emeritus and the Prince of Ping. I understand your loyal intentions and permit you to retire to the western capital with those two, serving as Deputy Commissioner governing Suiyang. Minister Gu has for many years served the country with loyalty, truly a steadfast and worthy chancellor. Today he is appointed Commissioner of Military and State Affairs while retaining his positions as Left Deputy Director of the Department of State Affairs and Deputy Director of the Chancellery.” That night, he stayed at Meng’s residence.

In August, the Liuqi Grand Camp in the Northern Circuit of Chao’an mutinied.

In the first year of Jingxuan, Meng Tinghui resolved the mutiny at the grand camp.

On the ninth day of the first month, Meng Tinghui arrived in the capital.

On the tenth day of the first month, young Meng and young Gua enjoyed snow at West Mountain, shared sweet moments, and confessed their feelings.

On the eleventh day of the first month, Meng Tinghui was appointed Drafter of Proclamations and Judge of the Personnel Department’s Bureau of Appointments and Examinations Office for her role in pacifying Chao’an, and was awarded the golden purple.

In the early third month, young Meng submitted a “Memorial on Imperial Examinations,” proposing that women and men take the same imperial examination that year.

At the end of the third month, young Meng and young Gua watched archery, then went to Xihua Palace.

In the early fourth month, after the palace examination, Yin Qing appeared, giving young Meng private letters from Xu Ting and Hao Kuang, which young Meng used to bring down Xu Ting.

Little Di asked young Meng to act as a matchmaker.

On the night of the Double Seventh Festival, young Meng got drunk and was with young Gua at Meng’s residence in Xihua Palace.

On the twenty-sixth day of the eighth month, young Gua’s birthday, he first received congratulations from officials at the hall, then invited high ministers and close courtiers to a small fishing party in the palace gardens, where young Meng and young Gua used one fishing net together.

That day, Left Autumn Beauty appeared, becoming infatuated with young Meng. Gu Qin pressured young Meng to withdraw from the consort selection, and young Meng spread rumors about Gu Qin and Zhili having an affair.

Shen Zhishu returned to the capital, hosted a banquet, and Shen Zhili asked young Meng to intercede for him.

On the seventh day of the eleventh month, Di Nian and Shen Zhili married. Young Gua and young Meng had an intimate encounter in their carriage outside the back courtyard gate.

On the twenty-second day of the eleventh month in the first year of Jingxuan, the Emperor issued an edict halting the censorate’s impeachment of Left Deputy Director of the Department of State Affairs Gu Qin and transferred Court Censor Qiao Bo to Bing Prefecture as Palace Attendant; on the twenty-fifth, Left Deputy Grand Councilor Zhou Bi was appointed Right Deputy Director of the Department of State Affairs and Deputy Director of the Secretariat.

Ten days later, Meng Tinghui was appointed Imperial Attendant and Associate Commissioner of Military Affairs.

On the ninth day of the twelfth month, Di Nian was appointed Regular Great Master, General of the Left Palace Gate, and Commander of the Imperial Guards Cavalry, and sent to reorganize military garrisons in the three northern circuits of Chao’an, Jiangang, and Linhuai. Shen Zhishu, the Transport Commissioner of Chao’an Northern Circuit, accompanied him.

On the twentieth day of the twelfth month in the thirteenth year of Dali, General Zhenyun, Northern Military Campaign Commander Xie Mingyuan, captured Wuzhou, beheading over ten thousand enemies and capturing dozens of Central Wan military commanders and the Privy Council Secretary; on the twenty-first, Emperor Meng Yu of Central Wan surrendered. On the twenty-third, the Emperor visited Wuzhou twice, ordered officials and commanders to drink, and rewarded the armies accordingly.

On the twenty-fifth day of the first month in the fourteenth year of Dali, the Emperor hosted a banquet and archery contest at Yujin Garden, entertaining Meng Yu there and appointing him as Director of the Secretariat and Duke of Qin. Meng Yu’s sons and officials were granted titles accordingly… That night, Meng Yu died…

On the third day of the eleventh month in the third year of Qiande, the Emperor again granted titles to the sons of the late Duke of Qin, Meng Yu: Meng Hao, Meng Bo, and brothers Meng Jue and Meng Pu, relocating the four dukes and their families to the new capital at Zhuzhou and granting them residences accordingly… At that time, Meng Hao’s wife had scattered and his children were lost, Meng Bo was unmarried, and the sons of Meng Jue and Meng Pu were too young to understand matters; the Prince of Ping arranged wives and concubines for Hao and Bo, and had Jue and Pu’s sons enter the palace for an audience; all ministers praised the Prince of Ping for his kindness, and the Emperor also somewhat approved.

On the seventh day of the third month in the sixth year of Qiande, Duke of Zheng Meng Hao had a daughter. The Emperor personally visited his residence and bestowed upon his daughter the title of Lady of Qingtu County. Meng Hao’s entire household knelt in gratitude for this great honor, and a night banquet was held for court officials at the residence. During the banquet, some officials jokingly remarked that this girl was born into nobility and would enjoy wealth and status as she grew up. Meng Hao smiled but dared not accept such praise. When the Emperor heard this, he had the girl brought to him again and admired her clever appearance. He then jokingly told Meng Hao that he wished to make her the Crown Prince’s consort. Everyone took this seriously, and Meng Hao even requested the Emperor to bestow a name upon his daughter. However, the Prince of Ping had not arrived, and the Emperor, not feeling well, did not stay long before returning to the palace.

On the twenty-second day of the tenth month in the sixth year of Qiande, the Imperial City Office presented calligraphic works by Duke of Zheng Meng Hao and Duke of Han Meng Jue to the court. These works contained passages expressing nostalgia for their lost country and apparent desires for restoration. Upon seeing these, all officials were shocked into silence. The Emperor rose from his seat in anger and ordered the authorities to imprison Hao and Jue.

On the twenty-sixth day of the tenth month, the Prince of Ping, citing that the four Meng dukes still harbored rebellious intentions, executed almost all of their sons in their homes. Their crimes were announced to officials, provinces, and counties throughout the country, causing trembling fear across the realm.

On the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month in the first year of Jingxuan, three days before the New Year’s grand court assembly, Northern Jin envoys arrived at the guest quarters in the capital.

On the eighth day of the fourth month, Northern Jin mobilized their forces southward, with their vanguard aimed directly at Tingzhou, west of Mount Min in the Northern Circuit of Chao’an.

On the seventeenth day of the fifth month, Song Zhirui led ten thousand troops into Tingzhou; on the nineteenth day, the Northern Jin army surrounding Tingzhou retreated to Mount Min; on the twenty-third day, Northern Jin reinforcements arrived, with three divisions combining forces north of Mount Min; on the twenty-seventh day, Song Zhirui led troops out of Tingzhou, cutting off the enemy’s supply route at Golden Gorge Pass. That night, Luo Bitao led troops to raid their camp from the north, setting fire to their granaries. On the first day of the sixth month, Han Peng from Linhuai Circuit led twenty-five thousand troops northward to surround Zizhou. On the fourth day of the sixth month, Di Nian’s army attacked the enemy’s main camp at Mount Min. The Northern Jin army, without supplies and with exhausted troops and horses, surrendered under a white flag; on the tenth day, Han Peng captured Zizhou. Di Nian then ordered Luo Bitao and Song Zhirui’s two divisions to move north and occupy the east and west of Golden Gorge Pass, appointing Han Peng as the lead punitive commissioner and ordering him to attack Xuzhou.

Young Meng learned about her background and wanted to go to the battlefield.

[Several war scenes omitted in between]

The Great Ping Emperor had departed from the northern capital on the twentieth day of the eighth month, personally commanding thirteen metropolitan military circuits totaling 130,000 troops.

“Since that is the case, then let Minister Gu handle it.” Ying Gua glanced at the unfolded memorial, his expression unchanged.

“Your servant obeys the imperial command,” Gu Qin responded, bowing his head and returning to the ranks of officials.

“I will be gone for more than a month, and court affairs cannot be delayed. You ministers must resolve all matters quickly.” Ying Gua’s middle finger was slightly curved, palm facing upward, gently tapping the table surface, one tap after another. Though soft, the sound echoed several times in the empty throne hall.

The hall doors blocked the daylight from outside. At this moment, no one else spoke, leaving only a cold solemnity in the chamber.

After a moment, Ying Gua said in a deep voice: “Court dismissed.” Then added, “Di Nian, stay.”

As the doors opened, light poured in. Just as everyone was withdrawing, a sweet, delicate female voice came from outside the hall.

“Father Emperor.”

First, a foot appeared at the edge of the door, tiny—less than half the size of a palm—looking slightly plump in its embroidered shoe. Then came another foot, followed by a pink hem, and soft, tender fingers grasping the door. A small face peered in as a three or four-year-old girl looked up at the figure on the imperial throne and softly called again, “Father Emperor.”

There was an imperial daughter named Hanguang.

Hearing this voice, Ying Gua’s lips immediately softened. He had intended to scold her for barging in recklessly, but couldn’t bring himself to do it. Raising his hand, he beckoned her, “Come here.”

Hanguang looked back at something before releasing her grip on the hall door and toddling in with unsteady steps.

After walking a few steps, she turned and extended her hand toward the hall entrance, “Brother Zhan.”

Di Zhan helplessly emerged from behind the door, standing outside the hall and bowing first, “Princess, please spare me.”

Since Princess Hanguang first met the eldest son of the Di family, she had been quite fond of playing with him, even more so than with her elder brother. This was widely known throughout the court. For a moment, no one knew what to do—leaving directly would be disrespectful, while standing back in the hall would be awkward, so they remained standing at the entrance.

Hanguang stubbornly turned back, laboriously taking the hand of Di Zhan, who was a head taller than her, and pulling him into the hall.

Di Nian, who had not yet left the hall, had not seen what happened at the door until Hanguang pulled Di Zhan to the front of the hall. “Zhan’er?” he exclaimed.

Di Zhan bowed to Ying Gua before turning to bow to Di Nian, “Father.”

Ying Gua relaxed against the chair back, looking leisurely at Hanguang. “What is it?”

Hanguang pouted her lips and knelt in imitation of adults, “Your daughter Hanguang comes to request an imperial decree.”

Such a small person, still unsteady on her feet, yet acting like an adult—it was heart-melting.

Ying Gua looked at her, his heart stirring, though his face remained calm as ever. He straightened his back away from the chair, supported his hands on the desk, and raised an eyebrow to ask, “What decree do you request?”

Hanguang said with complete seriousness: “I beg Father Emperor to marry Brother Zhan to… no, that’s not right… to bestow… no, to wed him to your daughter.”

Di Nian looked down at Di Zhan in complete surprise. Di Zhan repeatedly shook his head and sighed. Gu Qin lightly coughed twice, while the others covered their mouths to hide their smiles.

“Hanguang wants to propose marriage when she can’t even speak clearly?” Ying Gua laughed softly, smoothing his robes as he stood up and walked down the steps.

“Mother Empress said women should be more proactive,” Hanguang touched her knees and whined to Ying Gua, “Father Emperor, Hanguang’s legs hurt.”

After saying this, she exaggeratedly blinked her eyes, as if truly about to cry from distress.

Ying Gua finally displayed his full affection, extending both arms toward her, “Come.”

With Father Emperor now present, she completely forgot the purpose of her visit. Hanguang unsteadily stood up and ran forward, throwing herself into Ying Gua’s arms, her tender lotus-root-like arms swinging.

Ying Gua bent down to pick her up, allowing her small hands to touch his face freely, his large palms not daring to grip too tightly, just loosely holding her.

After touching enough, Hanguang looked up and planted a loud kiss on Ying Gua’s left cheek, then rested her small head against his neck, nuzzling back and forth.

“Father Emperor is so handsome,” she added finally, “Mother Empress says so too.”

“Oh?” Ying Gua chuckled softly, stroking Hanguang’s hair and teasing her: “What did Mother Empress say?”

“Mother Empress says Father Emperor looks good everywhere,” Hanguang naturally didn’t understand the deeper meaning of “everywhere.”

A beautiful night, a carriage, one person advancing with bound hands, another retreating and begging.

She had said, “Your entire body is beautiful.”

“Then let’s go ask Mother Empress if your Brother Zhan is handsome.” Ying Gua carried Hanguang out of the hall, “Di Nian, we’ll discuss this when I return.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Mother Empress!” Before they even reached Xihua Palace, Hanguang was already calling out repeatedly from Ying Gua’s arms.

Hearing her daughter’s voice, Meng Tinghui came out to meet them, only to find that Hanguang was not alone.

“Weren’t you supposed to be discussing the capital’s defenses with Di Nian? Why have you returned so soon?” Pleasantly surprised, she went over and took hold of his robe, looking up at him.

“I’m bringing Hanguang back,” Ying Gua stared at her directly, as if examining her thoroughly after months of separation.

She curled her lips into a slight smile at him.

“Where’s brother?” Hanguang stretched her neck to peer into the hall, disappointed not to see her brother.

“Brother has gone to practice horseback riding. When Hanguang is a little older, his brother will take you along,” Ying Gua said gently.

After handing Hanguang to the nanny, Ying Gua’s large palm clasped Meng Tinghui’s hand, leading her into the inner chamber.

“Have you seen the imperial physician?” He embraced her tightly, kissing her mouth corners and lips carefully, gradually pushing his hot tongue between her lips, gently biting her tongue tip.

She was dazed by his kisses, answering vaguely, “The imperial physician said I’m not pregnant.”

“Then I can rest assured.” He was not content with his current advances and moved to kiss her earlobe during their intimate exchange, causing her to tremble all over as she pushed him away, “Your Majesty.”

He held her chin and raised his voice slightly, “Hmm?”

She suppressed her thoughts and said, “General Di is still waiting for Your Majesty.” Then she leaned close to his lips and whispered, “If Your Majesty hasn’t returned by late night, I’ll come to Ruisi Hall to find you.”

These words, accompanied by her deep and shallow breaths rising and falling, were utterly seductive.

If you come looking, how could I return early?

Ying Gua stared at her rosy neck, his arms tightening inch by inch, responding in a deep voice, “I’ll be waiting for you to come find me.”

“For this southern tour, Di Zhan will also come along.” Ying Gua pushed aside the map Di Nian had presented, dipped his brush in cinnabar to mark it, his head not lifting. The candle flame cast light from the west, making his profile sharply slanted.

Di Nian understood the deeper meaning of this—with him staying in the capital, the Emperor naturally needed a guarantee. Unable to refuse, he could only comply, “Yes.”

“It will also be good company for Hanguang.” Ying Gua withdrew his gaze from the desk and picked up his brush, “Here and here, the imperial guards have been changed. Transfer people from your command.”

As a precaution, with the Emperor touring the south, the capital’s defenses needed to be completely reorganized, with imperial guards and sentries all newly deployed from the military.

Meng Tinghui waited outside the hall for half an hour before hearing footsteps from within. She straightened her collar, pushing the door open at just the right moment.

“General Di,” she smiled in greeting.

Di Nian was startled by her attire, feeling awkward and unsure how to address her. After a long pause, he finally said, “Empress,” then hastily withdrew.

The young palace servant closed the hall doors from the outside. She pressed her lips together and looked toward him.

Purple robe, jade belt, golden fish pouch. She wore the official attire he had bestowed upon her that year on West Mountain.

Her eyes gradually rippled with emotion.

“It’s late. I’ve come to find Your Majesty,” she said softly, seeing his silence.

“Mm.” His voice grew hoarse. Though his words fell, he still stood motionless at his original spot.

She frowned slightly, lifting her skirt as she approached, stopping half a step away from him. She raised both hands to hook around his neck, deliberately asking, “Your servant has come. What else does Your Majesty desire?”

He stared at her expressionlessly, looking at her sparkling eyes, her flushed cheeks, her full bosom that had become even more constrained after childbirth. Slowly, he removed her hands, clasped behind his neck, pulled them behind her, and controlled both wrists with one palm.

“Your Majesty.” She struggled slightly with seeming reluctance. When he increased his force, she gave up resistance and instead pressed her body against his.

His Adam’s apple bobbed. Without releasing her hands, he extended his other hand to grasp her waist, holding her tightly as he stepped backward toward the elevated imperial throne.

Her hands bound, she sat on his lap. He forced her to turn sideways to look down.

The candle shadows were layered, making it difficult to see, as if it were court session time with officials looking up at him, and at her.

Imagining such a scene, she squirmed uncomfortably.

With just one movement, he kissed her. His thin lips repeatedly pressed against her mouth, yet without deepening the kiss. Dissatisfied, she lightly bit his lip before releasing it.

He said in a low voice, “Daring to be so unrestrained on the imperial throne.”

She was unwilling to yield, shifting her buttocks slightly to sit closer to his waist and thighs, secretly using force to rub against him.

Knowing she had learned much, and that she used all she had learned to please him, he released her hands, allowing her to do as she pleased.

She gently pinched her wrists before finding her way to his waist, unhurriedly undoing his belt. After loosening it, she did not continue further but clung to his collar while slowly moving her lower body.

She spread her legs, sitting face to face.

“Is Your Majesty satisfied?” She leaned against his chest, her hands continuing their movements, pulling open his outer garment and middle robe, then removing his jade hairpin, breathing heavily as she kissed his left eye.

He did not answer, but his hand explored under her skirt, moving from her bare calf up to her thigh, stopping at the root of her thigh, his fingers sliding back and forth.

She understood what he wanted. Exposing his inner garment, she pressed her lips against it, slightly opening her mouth, her teeth starting from his chest and biting downward.

This gentle force only made the fire in his heart burn more fiercely, with undisguised desire layering his face, sparks of fire splashing in the depths of his eyes.

“You always like to bite?” His breathing was rough, yet he did not stop her.

She licked his abdomen with her tongue, pulling down his brocade trousers.

She lifted herself slightly, raised her waist, and slowly sat down, contracting her lower abdomen.

Her official attire remained intact while his robes were completely disheveled, their lower bodies joined, both faces wearing expressions of unsatisfied desire.

He looked at her up and down, swaying with heavy breaths, his arms locked around her waist, his head buried between her breasts seeking comfort.

Years ago, he had dressed her naked body piece by piece in these clothes.

This night, he peeled off the layers of formal attire one by one.

Summer cicadas chirped, warm breezes frequently passed, but in this one room, endless rain clouds and lingering summer heat corresponded with each other.