A rosewood table, dragon’s saliva incense—maid Zijuan gently placed the tray on the table, stealing glances at the man standing at the head of the room.

The man wore a brown python-patterned Hangzhou silk brocade robe, with twin pearls adorning his crown that were lustrous and eye-catching, giving him an extraordinary bearing. He was currently standing with his hands behind his back, staring at a silver bow hanging on the wall. Seeing him absorbed in thought, Zijuan found herself in a dilemma, unsure whether she should approach and interrupt him. She remembered that Deputy Steward Li had just hurried to report to the Young Marquis, wearing only a tense expression as he told her to serve carefully, but hadn’t explained this person’s identity. Judging by his magnificent attire, she knew a distinguished guest had arrived.

She waited a while longer, not daring to neglect the honored guest, so she poured a cup of tea and carefully offered it to him. But just as the man turned around, his robe sleeve swept against the teacup, which fell to the ground with a “bang” and shattered. Zijuan was so frightened she nearly cried, hurrying to kneel and beg forgiveness, but a pair of hands steadily supported her. Through her tears, she looked up to meet those gentle, deep eyes and heard him say in a warm voice, “The ground is full of fragments. Be careful not to cut your legs.”

Zijuan stared mesmerized at the face before her—clearly gentle and handsome features, yet possessing an innate nobility that made one feel he was high above, not to be offended in the slightest. She stood dazed for a long moment before coming to her senses, hurriedly crouching down to pick up the fragments while repeatedly apologizing. The man smiled slightly and continued gently, “Take your time. Be careful not to hurt your hands.”

Zijuan felt her face burning, not daring to look at him again as she lowered her head. She finally finished cleaning up the floor and was preparing to pour him another cup when Xiao Du had already entered. Seeing her appearance, he darkened his face and asked, “What are you being so flustered about?”

Zijuan’s face went white with fright, stammering as she tried to explain. Xiao Du had already impatiently waved his hand, saying, “Go out. Your services aren’t needed here anymore.”

Not daring to say another word, Zijuan fled the room as if escaping. Seeing her close the door, Xiao Du knelt on both knees before the man standing in the room, saying, “Your humble subject pays respects to Your Majesty.”

The man standing before him, Emperor Muwen Zhao Yan, frowned slightly, lifted his robes to sit in the nearby huanghuali round-back chair, and said with a hint of teasing, “Now that you’re married, your etiquette has become increasingly proper.”

Xiao Du stood up, smiling nonchalantly, “Speaking of which, I must thank Your Majesty. Otherwise, someone with my notorious reputation could never have married a young lady from the Left Chancellor’s residence.”

Zhao Yan also smiled, “Rest assured, I investigated for you. Although Xia Yuanxi is a concubine’s daughter, she has a gentle temperament and pure nature. I also bestowed upon her the title of County Princess, which should be worthy enough to match you, Marquis Xuanyuan.”

Xiao Du picked up the cup of tea on the table and handed it to Zhao Yan, saying, “Your Majesty’s visit today surely isn’t just to praise my new bride.”

Zhao Yan accepted the teacup and brought it to his lips, his smile deepening, “It’s been a long time since I’ve tasted the Biluochun tea from your estate. I truly missed it.” He paused, his expression gradually becoming serious, “A few days ago, according to reports from our spies stationed in Wu Kingdom, Wu secretly sent an envoy to the Murong tribe. Although we don’t know what they discussed, I fear the border regions will become restless again. If these two powers attack together this time, I wonder if the tens of thousands of soldiers of the Xiao Army at Yuhan Pass can withstand them.”

“Oh?” Xiao Du also frowned, but immediately relaxed and smiled, “Such important military intelligence should have Your Majesty quickly convening the Ministry of War and Ministry of Revenue to discuss countermeasures. Why trouble yourself to personally visit someone as useless as me, who has been idle for so long?”

Zhao Yan’s expression gradually turned cold, with anger rising, “I know you’ve always disliked coming to the palace, so I specially came to find you today. I didn’t expect you to still have this attitude. With great enemies about to invade and the border in precarious danger, the Xiao Army is now leaderless. Do you truly not care at all?”

Xiao Du remained relaxed, “I am myself, the Xiao Army is the Xiao Army. These matters have long had nothing to do with me.”

Zhao Yan stared at him for a long time, finally sighing, “Chong Jiang, you’ve changed.”

Xiao Du glanced at him and smiled, “Is that so? Perhaps it’s because the climate in the capital is more nourishing than that of the borderlands. I have good food and entertainment in the capital, and now a beautiful wife for company. I no longer wish to be concerned with those matters of fighting and killing.”

Zhao Yan was finally provoked to anger, suddenly slapping the table and standing up, pointing at the silver bow on the wall, “Do you still remember what Father Emperor said when he bestowed this silver bow upon you! Do you still remember our oath from that day!”

In Xiao Du’s frivolous eyes, there was finally some stirring. He closed his eyes, remembering that day when he had first achieved great victory, carrying his bow as they rode horses together in the suburbs of the capital. They had ridden all the way to the mountaintop, where he dismounted and solemnly performed the rites of subject to ruler. The other had laughingly helped him up, and then they had wrestled together. He still remembered pointing at the prosperous marketplace below the mountain, full of grand ambitions, saying, “Ming Cheng, when you one day rule the realm, I will help you guard this kingdom.”

He slowly opened his eyes, looking at this young emperor who had ruled for three years and already won the people’s hearts, only to discover that those youthful spirits and passionate memories had somehow become impossibly distant. So he put on that indifferent shallow smile again, “Wu Kingdom is merely at the end of its strength. Even if allied with the Murong tribe, they cannot create great waves. I believe the officers and soldiers of the Xiao Army, whether I’m there or not, can steadfastly guard the border and protect the homeland. Why must Your Majesty make things difficult for me again?”

Zhao Yan’s expression changed several times, finally showing a look of guilt as he sighed, “I know you still harbor resentment about the incident at Pingdu Pass. At that time, Xia Zheng, who delayed the supply shipments, was executed by me for the crime of delaying military affairs, despite pressure from the Empress Dowager. Isn’t this enough to make amends?”

Hearing this name, anger flashed in Xiao Du’s eyes as he said, “The one he wronged was the nearly ten thousand soldiers who died tragically at Pingdu Pass, not me, Xiao Du. Your Majesty sentenced him to death also for those loyal souls who died for the country—what does it have to do with me, Xiao Du?”

“You!” Seeing that he remained unmoved, Zhao Yan was so angry he couldn’t speak.

But Xiao Du said with a grin, “Your Majesty need not persuade me further. If Your Majesty truly remembers our past friendship and wishes to gamble a few rounds of backgammon with me or hunt in the suburbs, Xiao Du will certainly accompany you. As for those matters of military marches and troop deployments, I’ve long forgotten them. Even if I were forced onto the battlefield, I would be completely useless. It would be better to give the opportunity to those with great ambitions and courage.”

Zhao Yan shook his head helplessly, “Very well, if you insist on this, further words from me would be useless. How has Aunt been lately? Speaking of which, I haven’t visited her in a long time. Since I’m here today, I’ll go see her.”

Xiao Du’s smile faded slightly, “Mother’s health has never been good. It would be fine for Your Majesty to visit her.” So he led Zhao Yan out the door. Just as they reached the front of Madam Zhao’s room, they suddenly heard the sound of cups and plates being thrown to the ground, seemingly mixed with Madam Zhao’s weak questioning voice. Having never heard his mother lose her temper so severely, Xiao Du hurried inside, asking, “What’s wrong, Mother?”

Madam Zhao was sitting behind the table, her complexion somewhat pale, with Nanny Yu beside her patting her back to help her catch her breath. Below knelt a row of maids and older servants, two of whom were frantically picking up fragments from the floor. Seeing Xiao Du and the others enter, they hurried to bow toward them.

Seeing Zhao Yan enter behind them from the corner of her eye, Madam Zhao was greatly alarmed and stood to perform the proper courtesies. Zhao Yan quickly stepped forward to support her arm, saying, “Aunt, please dispense with ceremony. How has your health been lately? What matter has made you so angry?”

Madam Zhao lowered her head and was about to respond when she covered her mouth and coughed violently several times, appearing unable to catch her breath. Everyone in the room was startled. Xiao Du also hurried forward to help support her, but Madam Zhao waved him away, saying, “It’s nothing serious. You don’t need to worry. I’ll be fine after sitting for a moment.” Nanny Yu quickly came down to help Madam Zhao back to her seat, her eyes filled with tears as she advised, “The doctor specifically instructed that Madam must not become angry. Today has surely damaged her vital energy, and she must rest well.”

Zhao Yan frowned, “If it’s serious, shall I send an imperial physician from the palace to examine you?” Madam Zhao quickly shook her head, “It’s just some old ailments—why create such a fuss? It’s just that Your Majesty rarely visits, yet I cannot properly attend to you, which is truly…” As she spoke, she couldn’t help but begin to weep. Zhao Yan quickly said, “Why must Aunt say such things? I won’t disturb your rest. When you’ve recovered your health, I’ll come visit again.”

Madam Zhao nodded and said to Xiao Du, “Du’er, you go too. Don’t worry, Mother is fine. It’s just some blind servants, nothing more. I can handle it myself. See His Majesty off properly.” Xiao Du hesitated for a moment, then could only say, “Then Mother must rest well and not get angry again. If anything happens, have Nanny Yu come find me.”

After the two had gone far, Nanny Yu dismissed all the weeping servants from the room and brought a cup of hot tea to Madam Zhao. After drinking the tea, Madam Zhao seemed to recover her breath and said coldly, “This matter—who was in charge of it? Bring her to me!”

So after a quarter hour, Yuanxi was inexplicably summoned to Madam Zhao’s room. Not knowing what had happened, she stood trembling in the room for quite a while before hearing Madam Zhao say coldly, “Were those workers brought by you?”

Yuanxi was startled, then realized she was referring to the workers renovating the ancestral hall and Buddhist hall. After hesitating for a moment, she nodded, “They were found by Concubine Wang, but everything was reported to me for confirmation beforehand, and only then were they allowed to begin work.”

Madam Zhao snorted coldly, “The Buddhist hall is a place for honoring deities and quiet cultivation. Who gave you permission to touch it at will!”

Yuanxi thought of what Concubine Wang had told her and answered honestly, “It was for the Dragon Boat Festival sacrifice. The Old Master ordered them to renovate both the ancestral hall and Buddhist hall together.”

Madam Zhao turned white with anger, “Very good. After just a few days in the house, you already know how to use the Old Master to pressure people?”

Yuanxi was startled, but being naturally inarticulate, she didn’t know how to defend herself for a moment, only anxiously sweating on her forehead. Seeing the situation turning bad, Rongqiao beside her quickly tried to smooth things over, “Madam, it’s not like that. Young Madam, she…”

“Silence!” Nanny Yu angrily scolded, “What kind of girl are you, so ignorant! When the madams are speaking, how dare you interrupt!”

Madam Zhao turned her gaze over, saying softly, “I find you somewhat familiar. Which quarters were you from before?”

Fear flashed intensely in Rongqiao’s eyes as she trembled, “I… I was from Concubine Wang’s quarters.”

Nanny Yu snorted coldly, “Coming from a servant’s quarters, naturally doesn’t understand rules. Without proper discipline and instruction, how can she serve Young Madam well?”

Rongqiao’s legs went weak with fright, quickly grabbing Yuanxi’s sleeve and looking at her with eyes about to cry for help. Yuanxi quickly said, “If you want to punish someone, punish me. Rongqiao is still young and doesn’t understand anything.”

Madam Zhao shook her head, “Nonsense. You are the Young Madam, of delicate status—how can you take punishment for a slave? Nanny Yu, take her down and give her a few slaps as a warning.”

Rongqiao stared with terrified eyes, not even having time to make a sound before being dragged out. Hearing the crying and shouting from the courtyard, Yuanxi felt completely cold, realizing for the first time how powerless she was. She heard Madam Zhao’s voice drift over coldly, “Whatever you’re planning to do, the Buddhist hall must not be touched! Otherwise, if the deities are offended, will you take responsibility?”

Yuanxi pressed her lips together, tightly gripping the handkerchief in her hand, finally gathering courage to say softly, “The renovation of the Buddhist hall was ordered by Father-in-law and relates to the important matter of the Dragon Boat Festival sacrifice. Yuanxi truly doesn’t dare make decisions on her own. I hope Mother-in-law will understand.”

“You!” Madam Zhao stared at those eyes that showed timidity yet yielded nothing, gripping the huanghuali table beside her tightly, and laughed coldly, “Very good. Du’er has truly married a fine daughter-in-law.” Nanny Yu quickly supported her, saying, “Madam, please take care of your health.”

Seeing Madam Zhao trembling with anger, Yuanxi’s hard-won resolve immediately diminished by half. She knew she shouldn’t have contradicted her mother-in-law like that, but what was done was done. She could only stand before Madam Zhao with a bitter expression and lowered head, feeling as if time had frozen and become unbearable.

Meanwhile, in Tianxiang Courtyard, Concubine Wang was holding silver scissors, carefully trimming a pot of peonies. A little maid beside her asked curiously, “This new bud is almost fully grown. Why not trim away the dead leaves above it? When they tangle together, it won’t look good.” Concubine Wang smiled, “What do you understand? It’s precisely by letting them tangle together and compete for nutrients that it’s good. If there weren’t these dead leaves entangling it, letting this new bud grow up, how could the flowers beside it bloom so brilliantly?”

The little maid listened with half understanding. At this moment, the senior maid Siqin ran in from the room. Concubine Wang quickly dismissed the little maid, and after hearing Siqin’s report, she put down the silver scissors in her hand and smiled triumphantly, “Has she finally lost her composure? I can’t wait to see what shameful secrets are hidden in that Buddhist hall of hers!”