Though Qin Yining had accompanied Pang Xiao to this day, she had never thought about what wealth and honor she might gain in the future. From beginning to end, she had never considered becoming an empress. Rather than ascending to that lofty position and moving from one heart-stopping adventure to another world of scheming and intrigue, she would have preferred enjoying the leisure of horses grazing peacefully in southern pastures with Pang Xiao.

However, she had long understood that having reached this point, things were no longer up to their personal wishes. Moreover, what man didn’t harbor ambitions of holding power over the realm?

Now that all of Pang Xiao’s efforts had been rewarded, Qin Yining felt joy for him.

Along this journey, they had both sacrificed too much.

“Princess Consort, are you still in a daze?” Seeing Qin Yining lost in thought, Ji Yun couldn’t help but smile as she waved her hand before her eyes, whispering: “You should prepare yourself quickly.”

Qin Yining came back to her senses. “Have you already informed the Old Madam and the others?”

“Already told them.” Qin Yining called for Zi Yuan and the others to come help with arrangements, while she herself helped coax the children awake and had the wet nurses take them to change clothes. She whispered: “When the Old Madam heard this news, she immediately fainted from excitement, though she regained consciousness within moments. She laughed loudly several times in the courtyard and has already begun referring to herself as Empress Dowager.”

Qin Yining nodded, offering no comment on Yao Shi’s reaction.

By evening, the family had finished their preparations. Qin Huaiyuan, Nanny Sun, Zheng Shi, and others naturally accompanied them into the palace.

The palace had been thoroughly cleaned during this period. Qin Yining was directly arranged to stay in Kunning Palace, while Yao Shi’s group went to Ci’an Palace.

Previously, when Qin Yining had come to Kunning Palace, it was to pay respects to the Empress. Now, with people changed but circumstances remaining, Kunning Palace was still as before – ornate corridors, painted beams, and luxurious furnishings.

Moving into this entirely new place, Qin Yining couldn’t help but furrow her brow slightly. Even though she had accepted reality, the resistance in her heart couldn’t be completely set aside in a short time.

Qin Huaiyuan’s group were all settled in the side halls of Kunning Palace. The palace servants were extremely cautious, bowing as they worked quickly and efficiently, not daring to initiate conversation.

Once settled, Qin Huaiyuan, Nanny Sun, and Cao Yuqing went directly to the main hall.

Ji Yun, Bingtang, Zi Yuan, and Han Xiao were all bustling about directing the palace servants. Though the room was somewhat noisy, Qin Yining sat on the side seat next to the main position, her figure appearing thin and lonely.

Qin Huaiyuan paused in his steps, and Cao Yuqing also frowned with concern. Nanny Sun didn’t think so deeply, looking around with her eyes: “Yining, this palace is too large. I wonder if living here will feel lonely.”

Qin Yining was startled back to awareness by Nanny Sun’s voice and quickly smiled as she stood up, taking Nanny Sun’s hand: “Mother has come.” Seeing Qin Huaiyuan and Cao Yuqing, she bowed and said: “I was lost in thought just now and didn’t notice.”

The palace servants in the room immediately became tense, fearing that the new Empress who would “take office” tomorrow might blame them for not announcing the visitors promptly. They were currently in a state of nervous uncertainty, unable to gauge their new mistress’s temperament.

Qin Huaiyuan waved his hand and sat down casually across from Qin Yining: “We’re all family here. Why bother with those empty formalities?”

Qin Yining invited everyone to sit and had Ji Yun prepare hot tea.

“Where are the children?” Nanny Sun took a sip of tea and savored the taste: “Why does this palace tea seem to taste better than what we have at home?”

“The wet nurses are with them.” Qin Yining couldn’t help but smile: “That’s the tea we brought from the Prince’s mansion.”

Nanny Sun didn’t believe it and took another sip, smacking her lips: “Perhaps it’s because my mood is different. My daughter is going to become Empress, and as her mother, I’m delighted.”

Qin Yining smiled slightly: “What’s there to be delighted about?”

“You don’t understand. For a woman, isn’t this the highest glory in life?”

Qin Yining was momentarily stunned, then smiled gently. Nanny Sun was right – which woman in this world wouldn’t consider being Empress an honor? Women couldn’t escape the fate of marriage, and after marrying, they fought within the confines of inner courtyards. At most, they could only make decisions within their own household. Perhaps she truly was now someone to be envied.

Seeing Qin Yining’s low spirits, Qin Huaiyuan smiled and said: “Tomorrow is the abdication ceremony. Afterward, how do you plan to handle certain people and matters?”

Nanny Sun didn’t understand but knew they were discussing serious business, so she remained silent.

Qin Yining immediately understood whom Qin Huaiyuan was referring to.

After “Zhou Lian’s” abdication, what would become of this former dynasty’s prince?

Her jade-like fingertips lightly tapped the black lacquered paulownia table as Qin Yining’s mind slowly formed calculations.

The family had dinner together in Kunning Palace. Pang Xiao was likely busy and didn’t appear.

When evening lamps were lit, Qin Yining suddenly realized that being in the palace now meant the Emperor wouldn’t spend nights in consorts’ quarters. In the future, when the harem was filled, there would be many beauties of various types taking turns serving him. To see Pang Xiao, she would no longer be able to do so at any time – it would depend on whether he was free and willing.

With this thought, the melancholy that had just dispersed from dining with family mysteriously returned. Her life in the harem hadn’t even begun, yet she already felt suffocated by its stifling atmosphere.

Palace lanterns hung high as Bingtang and Ji Yun brought silk lanterns.

The eunuchs and palace maids went outside the hall, leaving only three people inside.

The vast Kunning Palace was so quiet that the sound of the north wind howling past seemed audible. Qin Yining leaned against a bright red large pillow and patted the edge of the warm kang by the window.

“You both sit too. There are no outsiders here.”

Ji Yun and Bingtang exchanged glances. They initially wanted to decline, but as her personal attendants who understood Qin Yining best, how could they not comprehend her melancholy? To avoid making her more unhappy, they complied and sat sideways.

“Where are the children?”

“Princess Consort, the children all went to the Old Madam’s place. Boss Qiu didn’t bring Yan Ge’er inside, and Zhao Ge’er and Han Ge’er are missing their little brother Yan. They’ve been unhappy all day.”

The children’s situation relaxed Qin Yining’s brow somewhat: “Their relationship is very good.”

“Yes, His Highness and Young Master Mu have a good relationship, so naturally the boys and Yan Ge’er are close too.”

These few words livened the atmosphere a bit, and the air seemed less stagnant.

Qin Yining sighed, looking around at the unfamiliar environment, feeling somewhat dispirited after all.

“Prepare a bath. We’ll rest early tonight. There are things to do tomorrow.”

“Yes.” The two immediately went to instruct servants to prepare hot water.

After bathing, Qin Yining dried her long hair until half-dry, changed into snow-white night clothes, and walked toward the inner chamber.

Bingtang asked with some concern: “Princess Consort, aren’t you going to wait for His Highness?”

“He’s probably busy. No need to wait.” Qin Yining smiled, sat on the bed’s edge, and felt the warm hand-warmer in the bedding, saying with acceptance: “I should start getting used to it early. He’ll become increasingly busy in the future, and according to palace rules, there won’t be any ‘coming home to rest’ anymore. In the future, I can save myself the trouble of waiting for him to come home.”

Bingtang’s nose stung upon hearing this, and tears nearly fell.

The Princess Consort had sacrificed so much for His Highness along this journey, testing the boundaries between life and death several times, wandering before the gates of hell countless times. Was this deep palace loneliness all she would receive in return?

Just as she was about to speak, Ji Yun pulled her hand and shook her head.

After Qin Yining lay down and pulled up the covers herself, she smiled: “Once the major affairs are settled, I’ll help arrange your weddings. Previously, I thought about preparing mansions and dowries for you both, letting you marry in style. Then you’d return to my side as head maids, and the three of us would always be together. Now Huzi and Tang Xiu probably each have their own prospects. You two will be titled ladies in the future, only able to enter the palace when opportunities arise. Fortunately, this palace never lacks people…”

Bingtang’s tears finally fell as she rushed forward and grasped Qin Yining’s hand: “Miss, I… I won’t marry anyone. I’ll always stay with you. When there are more people in this palace, I’ll be here to care for your health. I can also research more colorless, odorless poisons that leave no trace. If anyone dares harbor ill intentions toward you, we’ll poison them to death!”

Qin Yining sat up, torn between tears and laughter, holding Bingtang’s hand: “You silly girl, if you refuse to marry because of this, won’t Huzi come hang himself at my door?”

Bingtang, crying sadly, choked upon hearing these words and nearly broke character.

Ji Yun lowered her head to wipe away tears: “I don’t want to be some official’s wife either. I just want to follow you.”

This deep palace loneliness in an entirely unfamiliar environment, where even the love she had always given wholeheartedly would change in nature – how helpless would Qin Yining be, trapped alone in this deep palace with no one trustworthy by her side?

Ji Yun sat on the other side of the canopy bed, placing her fair hand over Qin Yining and Bingtang’s clasped hands.

“Whether Tang Xiu is good or bad has nothing to do with me. He has his prospects, and I have my destination. In this world, having feelings doesn’t necessarily mean one must marry. Once married, everything can change. It’s better to keep everything at its most beautiful stage, giving each other good memories rather than ending up despising each other.”

Ji Yun smiled: “Miss, I’m serious. I won’t marry. I’ll stay with you from now on. I have martial arts skills – if anyone dares harbor crooked thoughts, I’ll kill them before Bingtang even needs to use poison!”

Bingtang nodded repeatedly: “Let Huzi hang himself if he wants to. That man seems carefree but is actually very calculating. I don’t believe he’d seek death over a mere woman. Men are just like that – it’s actually happiness not to marry for life. Miss, it’s settled then – we’ll both stay with you from now on.”

Qin Yining shook her head. She hadn’t originally intended to cry, but at this moment, she finally couldn’t hold back. As she lowered her eyes, several crystal drops fell onto her front garment.

“What nonsense are you talking? When I’m Empress and arrange marriages for you, can you disobey? Enough. Don’t think such foolish thoughts. Following me these past years, you’ve already delayed becoming old maids. I cannot make your lives incomplete. We won’t mention this again.”

“Miss…”

The three were talking in the bedchamber.

Beyond the wall at the entrance to the main hall, Pang Xiao stood with his hands behind his back. Behind him, the accompanying eunuchs and palace servants all knelt in two rows, trembling with fear.