Qin Yining’s red lips pressed slightly together, her heartbeat so rapid it seemed Pang Xiao, closest to her, might hear it. She struggled again – in this grand public setting, at such an important occasion, according to protocol she absolutely had to kneel to receive the imperial edict.

But Pang Xiao still held her with one hand, using just enough force not to hurt her while refusing to let go, firmly supporting her arm to prevent her movement, while his other hand took the imperial edict and placed it in her hands.

“Yining, across this vast realm of ten thousand li, will you walk alongside me as equals?”

Qin Yining’s eyes instantly contracted.

Pang Xiao, having just ascended the throne, still referred to himself as “I” when addressing her, his attitude toward her unchanged from before. He wouldn’t allow her to kneel before the ministers in a subordinate position to receive the edict, but instead granted her the privilege of walking alongside him as equals across the vast realm…

For a moment, Qin Yining experienced a complex mix of emotions, as if all her worries since entering the palace had become laughable.

Seeing her stunned expression, Pang Xiao took her hand and shook it gently. Just as he was about to speak, a censoring official stepped forward from among the court ministers and declared loudly: “Your Majesty, this minister feels this is improper! The Empress is merely a woman…”

Before he could finish speaking, Pang Xiao waved his hand dismissively. Though his face bore a smile, his voice rang with authority: “Have I neglected state affairs? Have I ignored the people’s suffering to pursue pleasure? Or have I listened to flatterers while distancing myself from worthy ministers?”

The censoring official was momentarily choked speechless, and the other ministers also looked shocked, probably having never seen an emperor directly confront a censoring official on his very first day of enthronement.

Before the official could respond, Pang Xiao continued: “Honest counsel is indeed good, and when I become incompetent in the future, I will humbly accept instruction. However, how I treat my empress is my family matter, unrelated to state affairs. Do not mention this again in the future.”

“Your Majesty, such favoritism toward the harem may be detrimental to the court! You must know that relatives of empresses causing political chaos has existed since ancient times!”

“Then wait until you see the Empress indulging her relatives in causing political chaos before coming to remonstrate.” Pang Xiao continued holding Qin Yining’s hand, declaring clearly: “I come from military ranks, and from beginning to end, I have had only one thought – to let the people of this realm live in peace, have food to eat, children able to attend school, and elderly with support. I won’t speak flowery words, only use swift and decisive methods to solve problems. The ministers gathered here today all consider the realm and people of Northern Ji wholeheartedly. I can understand your concerns, but the future is long – let us observe as we go.”

The current emperor’s firmness and his unabashed display of strength made everyone involuntarily think of the hundred thousand Huben Army stationed not far from the capital and the Pingnan Army in the south.

This was no soft-hearted ruler – he was an emperor who truly controlled military power and commanded the respect of all under heaven. Not only did the court ministers dare not harbor ulterior motives, but even as such thoughts barely formed, the hair on their backs stood on end. This was someone who could truly kill with just a glare!

The tenth year of Shengchang came to an end in the winter month. After experiencing the brief restoration of the Northern Ji realm, a new dynasty was finally established with the reign title “Xin” (New), and the coming year would be the first year of the Xin calendar.

After the empress investiture ceremony concluded, the court ministers dispersed. Qin Yining handed the empress’s golden册 and golden seal to Zi Yuan behind her and smiled at Pang Xiao: “I’ll return first.”

But Pang Xiao held her hand without releasing it, smiling: “No rush. Accompany me to the imperial study first.”

Qin Yining felt happy inside and understood Pang Xiao’s intentions, but still advised: “Rules should still be followed. This subject-consort cannot transgress the rules, and the Son of Heaven should also refer to himself as ‘zhen’ before this subject-consort.”

“The rules are set by me. For what reason did I originally decide to compete for this realm?”

Qin Yining was momentarily speechless.

Pang Xiao’s gaze was gentle as he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it, startling Qin Yining into immediately trying to withdraw her hand, though she couldn’t pull it free.

“Silly girl, it’s only been a few years – how could I possibly forget why I originally did this? I just wanted to grow old with you without obstruction, to let our family live safely and peacefully, no longer disturbed by others, so you and the children wouldn’t have to live in fear. Now that I’ve finally reached this position, should I not give you what I originally wanted to provide? Then what exactly was I working so hard for, taking on this exhausting and thankless job?”

Qin Yining lowered her eyes, her heart moved once again.

Pang Xiao looked down at her long eyelashes and smiled, reaching up to remove one of the large phoenix-mouth pearl hairpins inserted diagonally on either side of her coiffure, weighing it in his hand before frowning: “This heavy? Won’t it strain your neck? Why don’t you go back and change clothes first, then come back? I’ll wait for you.”

Qin Yining was speechless – his thoughtfulness made her both amused and helpless.

The attending palace servants were once again shocked into alertness.

Yesterday, Kunning Palace had sent away a palace maid, said to have harbored thoughts of seducing the emperor and thus brought disaster upon herself. Today’s empress investiture ceremony and the Son of Heaven’s every action demonstrated that Empress was the person the Son of Heaven held dearest to his heart. Offending the Son of Heaven was unacceptable, but offending the Empress was even more unacceptable! For these servants, what they should and shouldn’t do in their duties was now crystal clear.

Huzi had now become the commander of the imperial guards, while Tang Xiu was the commander of the Golden Scale Guards. Both stood not far away, and seeing that Pang Xiao’s treatment of Qin Yining remained unchanged, they couldn’t help but smile with relief.

The person they followed had never changed.

The furnishings in the imperial study had been completely renewed. Pang Xiao didn’t sit behind the desk but waited for Qin Yining to change into a bright red high-collared palace dress and arrive, then sat with her on the warm kang placed by the window. Xie Yue, Xu Weizhi, and other advisors who often stayed close to Pang Xiao, along with Huzi and Tang Xiu, all gathered here.

Everyone stepped forward to perform the grand ceremony: “We ministers pay respects to Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress.”

Pang Xiao smiled: “Rise. Please sit, gentlemen.”

Grand Eunuch Liu Anfu immediately led the eunuchs in efficiently serving hot tea and pastries, and also carefully presented a delicate brass hand-warmer wrapped in a golden brocade pouch, carefully handing it to the Empress.

Qin Yining smiled and nodded at him. Liu Anfu’s heart immediately soared with satisfaction as he led the eunuchs in withdrawing.

Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi exchanged glances. It seemed that after today, everyone would understand the Empress’s position clearly – they could forgo giving a hand-warmer to the Son of Heaven, but absolutely could not fail to give one to the Empress.

Pang Xiao smiled and said: “I’ve summoned you all today to discuss the disposition of the former dynasty’s prince, Zhou Lian. Outsiders don’t know, but behind closed doors we know that Zhou Lian is actually the former dynasty’s princess Zhou Xiaolian, whom the Empress previously rescued and who has stayed by the Empress’s side all these years.”

“Yes.” Everyone nodded.

Those close to Pang Xiao had all received rewards and titles. These advisors all held positions in the Six Ministries, all at third or fourth rank and above. For example, Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi had both entered the Ministry of Rites and were only one step away from joining the cabinet.

Therefore, when everyone spoke, they were not as casual as before, and their words were very cautious.

Someone said: “Replying to Your Majesty, this minister believes this former dynasty’s princess cannot be kept. Since she has already served as ‘the late emperor,’ it’s inevitable she might develop treacherous thoughts, and the inside story of the abdication affair truly cannot be known by outsiders.”