In the eighth year of Da Wu Deyou, on the twenty-third day of the twelfth month, Empress Dowager Liu issued an imperial edict announcing Emperor Deyou’s death. She seized control of the court and attempted to install Prince Yu, Xiao Qianhong, as the young emperor.

In the ninth year of Deyou, on New Year’s Day, Empress Ling successfully staged a coup with borrowed forces from the Jurchen tribes beyond the borders. Empress Dowager Liu’s plot failed and she was imprisoned. Prince Chu, Xiao Qianqing, wielding Emperor Deyou’s secret decree, gained widespread support and became Prince Regent. History would record this as the “Guiyou Palace Coup.”

After the coup, Prince Chu demonstrated great virtue. In memory of Emperor Deyou, he decreed that during his regency, no new era name would be established. History would record this year as the “Ninth Year of Clear Government.”

In the tenth year of Deyou, the Emperor, who had been missing for over a year, returned to court. Prince Chu led all officials to welcome him at the Great Wu Gate, personally kneeling to return the Imperial Seal. The world praised his wisdom, calling it the “Tenth Year Restoration.”

After reclaiming the throne, Emperor Deyou devoted himself to governance, implementing reforms. Since the eighth year of Deyou, the empire had gradually recovered from disasters, wars, military revolts, and changes in rulership.

Now it is the twenty-third day of the seventh month in the eighteenth year of Deyou. During the tri-daily grand court session, the gilded and painted furnishings of Qianqing Palace appear dark and heavy after hours of sitting.

Behind the screen where I can only dimly see the shadows of court officials below the throne, I rest my chin on my hand against the armrest.

To my side and slightly forward, the grand imperial throne sits empty. Just right of the throne, on a temporarily placed large chair, sits a small figure.

As if unaffected by the empty throne, the officials below engage in heated discussion.

They enumerate the crimes of Wei Chengliang. That Wei Chengliang who guarded the frontier for over a decade, preventing the Jurchen from taking a single step into the Central Plains, repelling multiple Tartar invasions, pacifying the southwestern borders three times, and whose name still strikes fear into four neighboring states.

About ten days ago, Left Censor-in-Chief Li Yan of the Censorate submitted a memorial impeaching Wei Chengliang for embezzling military funds and supplies and delaying military intelligence, attaching what were claimed to be twelve pieces of definitive evidence. After this confidential memorial was held without release for five days, Li Yan’s second impeachment appeared on the imperial desk. In the three days that followed, from the thirteen investigating censors of the Censorate to the officials of the Six Offices, impeachment memorials piled up like a mountain on the Grand Secretariat’s desk.

Because they had received no response from the Emperor, these core imperial officials had impatiently condemned their former colleague as a traitor and villain.

Amidst the passionate debate, the small figure wrapped in imperial yellow robes before me shifted slightly. So slight that not only did none of the officials below notice, but even the Supervisor of Ceremonial Matters, Feng Wufu, standing at attention nearby, failed to perceive it. This Imperial Household Manager of twenty years, this important internal court official, stood with a slight stoop and lowered gaze, his figure suddenly appearing somewhat hunched.

I leaned forward slightly, keeping my voice very low: “Lian’er, are you tired?”

Seemingly surprised to hear someone speaking behind him, he hesitated briefly before shaking his head, then lowered it again, his voice coming very softly with a hint of complaint: “A bit annoyed.”

No wonder he’s impatient. An eight-year-old child, rising at dawn to prepare, then from the early morning hours sitting motionless in this hall for two hours, listening to such dry and tedious court proceedings – it would be hard not to be weary.

After a pause, I continued: “Do you remember what I told you before we came?”

He hesitated again, then nodded very slightly.

Though I knew he couldn’t see me, I still nodded gently: “Go ahead and do it.”

Though Lian’er’s temperament lacks steadiness, he has always been decisive. Having received permission, he didn’t mind the officials still chattering below, immediately waving his hand, his childish voice ringing clear: “We shall discuss this another day. The court is dismissed!”

“By command of His Highness, the discussion is postponed. The court is dismissed!” Feng Wufu proclaimed in a raised voice.

The court fell silent for a moment, until some official reacted first, kneeling to kowtow: “Long live the Crown Prince!”

“Long live the Crown Prince! Long, live!”

After the somewhat scattered cheers faded, I waited no longer, rising with Lian’er to emerge from behind the screen and descend the throne platform via the steps below the throne.

In the majestic hall, officials in court robes knelt in orderly rows, their purple, blue, green and red official garments stretching densely all the way to the gloomy sky outside the hall.

This enormous assembly of officials remained silent, like a soundless cloud pressing down on an empty plain, quiet enough to suffocate.

Eight years. After eight years, some people had come and gone, some changes had occurred and matters had shifted, but the empire’s civil service corps still lined up punctually every day in the square outside Qianqing Gate, punctually met with the Emperor, punctually discussed affairs of state, punctually delivered memorials and proposals to the inner palace, and punctually executed issued decrees – like a precisely operating machine that never erred, effectively controlling this empire.

I had never liked these people.

My gaze lingering no longer, I turned to pass through the hall’s massive golden dragon pillars, heading with Lian’er toward the rear hall.

Eight years had indeed changed some things.

Five years ago, my father, then Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, citing diminished energy, had handed over affairs to Deputy Grand Secretary Yang Tingjie, a veteran official of three reigns in his sixties, and retired to his hometown.

Four years ago, Zhang Zhuduan, the Vice Minister of Personnel who had already distinguished himself in earlier debates on foreign affairs and tax reform, entered the Cabinet as a minister at age twenty-nine. He reached the pinnacle of power a year earlier than my father, who was considered an unparalleled talent for his rapid rise in imperial history.

Two years ago, another young Grand Secretary under thirty, Wu Qiying, the top imperial examination graduate of Deyou’s eleventh year, was also appointed to fill a vacancy in the Cabinet by imperial edict.

Whether created by circumstances or deliberately arranged, the core positions of power were increasingly occupied by young faces.

My contemplation ceased as we descended the steps of Qianqing Palace. Lian’er eagerly jumped down from the palanquin that had carried him from the hall, running to mine, remembering to watch his form of address: “Mother Empress, Mother Empress, take me home with you!”

I also signaled the palace servants to set down my palanquin, patting Lian’er’s head: “No, first go to Jingyang Palace for your lessons. Yan and Xiao Xie are both waiting for you there.”

Lian’er’s little face immediately fell, and he lowered his head to mumble something unwillingly.

I knew what he was thinking, and my heart softened for a moment, but I still reached out to pat his head again, my tone becoming firmer: “When I tell you to go, you go!”

Lian’er gave a slightly aggrieved “Oh” and climbed back into the palanquin.

I signaled them to take Lian’er’s palanquin directly to Jingyang Palace. The court session had dragged on too long, well past the time for the Grand Tutor to begin lessons. Lian’er had no time to change out of his court robes, and after the palanquin was carried away, a group of small eunuchs carrying replacement casual clothes trailed behind like a long tail.

Finally having sent Lian’er off, I also dismounted, dismissing the palanquin bearers and walking toward Yangxin Palace.

Past Yangxin Gate, what appeared before me was a small courtyard that had been renovated to be almost independent.

After returning to the palace in the tenth year of Deyou, since there would no longer be consorts residing in the rear palaces anyway, I simply had several surrounding walls knocked down, connecting Yangxin Palace with Yongshou Palace and Qixiang Palace behind it. Now Qixiang Palace had been converted into a garden, and Yongshou Palace was slightly renovated to house the children.

This courtyard was the place the children usually called “home.”

Walking straight through to the front hall, Jiaoxian came to meet me, smiling: “The Empress has returned.”

Xiaoshan had married outside the palace five years ago, and now Jiaoxian had replaced her as the Female Official of Yangxin Palace and Wardrobe Official, essentially the highest-ranking palace lady.

I smiled at her: “Am I back late? Has he risen…” The latter question remained unfinished. Because my quick steps had already brought me to the front hall’s entrance, through the open doors, I saw that person under the rear hall’s corridor.

He sat behind the vermillion railings, wearing white casual clothes with a lined cyan outer robe draped over his shoulders due to the gloomy weather. Deep purple embroidery showed at the sleeves and collar.

Hearing footsteps, he set down what he had been reading halfway through and looked up to smile in this direction.

The fragrance of flowers and medicinal herbs rushed to my nose in that instant, and the melancholy and irritation that had accumulated all morning suddenly vanished without a trace.

The garden was full of blooming orchids, their snow-white flowers scattered like stars across the ground, and at the other end, he smiled gently at me.

It was somewhat foolish – suddenly I couldn’t tell if we had been separated for just a few hours, or several hundred years.

Leaving Jiaoxian behind, I almost ran through the flower beds, jumped inside the railing, and embraced him through the heavy court robes.

Only after feeling his warmth in my arms did I remember something, looking up to demand: “Why did you get up so early? Why did you come out to sit here so early?”

He just smiled at me: “It’s almost noon…”

Only then did I realize that since that endless court session had ended, of course, it was nearly noon. Still righteously insistent: “Noon is still too early!” Then reaching to touch his cheek, “See, still cold as ice!”

He smiled, as always, not arguing with me, quietly resigned to hearing my continued criticism.

Taking a deep breath, ready to launch into all those reproaches about showing off and not knowing how to take care of himself always making others worry, but when the words reached my lips they suddenly fell silent.

Burying my head back in his collar, I smiled: “Let me hold you for a while, you’ll warm up soon.”

He said nothing, quietly reaching out to wrap his arms around my shoulders.

The body in my embrace was familiar, with a faint fragrance of agarwood from his sleeves.

This quiet moment of embrace was too beautiful to want to speak.

In truth, during the past eight years, there were few times when I had to worry about his health.

Eight years ago, pregnant with Lian’er, after finding him in Dai Yu City upon his return from the Southern Frontier, although I knew his body had been severely weakened during that year of wandering the jianghu and on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, after returning to the capital his health had remained good these past few years. Even when occasionally unwell, he always recovered after a few days. Additionally, with the children being born successively, much of my attention was diverted to the young ones.

That’s why this spring, despite being pregnant, I insisted on going to Jiangsu to handle a dispute between Fenglai Pavilion and the Suzhou-Zhejiang Merchants’ Association, forcing him to set aside state affairs to accompany me.

The journey, planned for at most ten days, was delayed to almost a month due to the birth of Ran’er and Can’er and other trivial matters. After returning from Jiangsu, although there were wet nurses to help, I was still overwhelmed by the little ones who were barely a month old, having to get up several times every night to comfort the two restless little ones.

And so, when the children finally grew a bit older and began bonding with their wet nurses, no longer requiring me to sleep beside them every night, just when I thought I could catch my breath and relax a little, that incident happened.

That day at the beginning of this month, we had each finished our busy day as usual. Finally having some time after putting the children to sleep, I specially went to the front hall to accompany him back to our chambers to rest.

Seeming surprised to see me there, he smiled but didn’t let me wait there for him, urging me to rest first.

I didn’t think much of it, checking on how the children were sleeping in the adjacent courtyard before returning to the front hall to continue waiting for him outside the warm chamber.

But after waiting until deep into the night with no sign of him emerging, I lost patience and ran in to snatch the memorial from his hands, forcing him to come with me.

He smiled at me somewhat apologetically, supporting himself on the table to stand, but before he could take a single step, without any warning or sound, he collapsed before me.

His face pale to the point of colorlessness, his breathing barely perceptible, his heartbeat so weak it was almost undetectable – when I rushed to hold him, my mind was almost completely blank. It was Feng Wufu, who rushed in hearing the commotion, maintained composure, and ordered someone to fetch Yang Tai, the current Medical Director of the Imperial Medical Academy.

He didn’t wake until the next afternoon, and his first act upon waking was to find me keeping watch by his bedside, smiling apologetically: “Cangcang, don’t worry.”

I had thought I would never cry in front of him again in this life, but when I saw my reflection in his eyes, tears still slid down unstoppably.

I had once sworn never to let him silently bear burdens alone again, yet for various reasons, it wasn’t until he collapsed that I learned from Feng Wufu that since returning from Jiangnan, his appetite had been poor for months, and he often stayed up late into the night unable to sleep.

At that moment, regardless of the many people around, I foolishly held him and broke down crying, unable to control my body’s trembling.

After he regained consciousness that day, Yang Tai repeatedly assured us it was merely excessive exhaustion and physical depletion, saying he just needed careful nurturing and rest, in the following days he still could barely eat anything, and his spirit was so weak he easily fell into sleep.

Only in recent days has his spirit improved somewhat, allowing him to rise in the afternoon, and no longer vomiting everything he eats as he did in the previous days.

Hugging him tighter, feeling the thinness of his body beneath his clothes, I finally loosened my grip slightly.

“Cangcang,” he called softly, amusement in his voice, “too tight.”

Relaxing my hands and taking a deep breath as I looked up, I glared at him: “You’ll have to endure it even if it’s too tight! Who said a male consort could complain?”

He smiled, sighing slightly with resignation: “Then tight it shall be…”

Unable to help smiling myself, I finally released my embrace, pulling at the cumbersome court robes bunched at my feet to sit beside him in the chair, and put on a stern face to ask in rapid succession: “After waking did you rest in bed a while longer? Did you drink the stomach-soothing soup before breakfast? Did you throw up after breakfast? Did you take your medicine on time? Did you secretly leave a lot of medicine again?”

“I did everything, ate breakfast well, didn’t throw up, and since being caught leaving medicine last time, I wouldn’t dare do that anymore…” he smiled gently, appearing ready to hear more of my nagging.

Long past being fooled by such diversions, I glared at him again, reaching for the stack of papers he had seemingly carelessly placed behind the chair, waving the thick memorial before his eyes: “So as soon as you had a bit of energy you came to look at these things?”

Coughing slightly in embarrassment, he glanced away: “Well, I saved up quite a bit of energy before coming to look.”

Unexpected such a lazy response from him, I was both annoyed and amused, holding up the stack of memorials, unable to maintain the stern expression I was trying to keep on my face.

While I was still stunned, he suddenly asked softly: “Did He Yi say anything in court this morning?”

Thinking back to that steady Minister of Justice, among the few who remained neutral during the entire morning court session, neither attacking Wei Chengliang nor defending him, He Yi was one of them.

Shaking my head, I answered: “He didn’t say anything.”

He nodded slightly, his words carrying no particular emotion: “The first impeachment coming from a third-rank Censor-in-Chief – such a formation is unprecedented since the founding of Da Wu.”

Wei Chengliang had only come under attack from the officials after his illness. Because of his weak condition, I had never dared tell him, but now it seemed he had noticed anyway.

I didn’t respond, quietly turning my head to look at him. His brows had just slightly furrowed, his pale thin lips forming a straight line.

Raising my fingers to slowly trace the line of his profile, I smiled silently: “Brother Xiao…”

“Mm?” Rare for him to be caught off guard, his thoughts interrupted, “Cangcang?”

“Nothing,” I smiled with narrowed eyes, “just suddenly feeling… my male consort is becoming more and more handsome, hardly looking like a father of five children…”

Stunned again for a moment, he finally smiled, his furrowed brow smoothing, nodding with casual agreement: “Is that so? I don’t look like one?”

“Mm, mm!” I nodded solemnly, then even more solemnly: “Quick, say I don’t look like a mother of five children either, let me be happy too.”

He laughed harder, shaking his head repeatedly: “You don’t, you don’t, Cangcang doesn’t look like one at all.”

Not quite satisfied with his answer, I emphasized: “Hmm? Don’t look like what?”

The dark clouds had dispersed, the sky gradually brightening, the snow-white orchids in the courtyard seeming to brighten bit by bit, even the narrow red corridor appearing to gradually brighten, and among all these bright things was a pair of bright deep eyes, smiling until misty, rippling with reflections of the clear sky.

This man who still smiled warmly at me after eight years of reunion was Xiao Huan.

I ate lunch together with Xiao Huan.

First, I forced him to drink a bowl of chicken and lotus root congee while holding the bowl, then threatened that if he needed to vomit he should do so quickly and not hold it in, which earned me his amused stare.

Knowing he was silently laughing at my inconsistency – how dare someone who had made themselves so thin have opinions? I glared fiercely back at him.

Then watching him furrow his brow and struggle to finish his medicine, resting a while before walking hand in hand to the children’s courtyard behind the hall.

It was break time now, and the little ones had just finished eating, those unwilling to nap running wild in the courtyard, all freezing in place when they saw us approach.

Xiao Xie, who had been digging for ants under the crabapple tree, was first to tear up, dropping her flower spade and running over to throw herself at Xiao Huan’s legs, her tender voice carrying a cry: “Father, Xiao Xie missed Father so much…”

Lian and Yan also ran over quickly, their bright black eyes misty with tears, looking at Xiao Huan but not throwing themselves at him like Xiao Xie had.

Bending down to hold Xiao Xie and gently pat her shoulder, Xiao Huan softly consoled her.

I also bent down to stroke Xiao Xie’s cheek, pulling her from Xiao Huan into my arms, nodding to Lian and Yan: “Good, quickly go inside and find a comfortable place for your father to sit!”

The two little ones immediately ran obediently into the room.

Carrying Xiao Xie who was still sobbing against my shoulder, I went inside with Xiao Huan. Sure enough, Lian and Yan had already prepared the window-side couch, looking expectantly toward the doorway at us.

Setting Xiao Xie down and letting her pull Xiao Huan toward the couch, I couldn’t help complaining: “When I used to go away, it would also be ten or more days without seeing each other, how come I never saw such missing? This is too biased, isn’t it?”

Xiao Huan had already been pulled down onto the couch by Xiao Xie. Hearing my words, he looked up and smiled at me: “Cangcang…”

No matter how aggrieved I appeared now, the three little ones wouldn’t have time to notice me. I snorted and walked over to sit on the adjacent couch.

Over there, the three children had already climbed onto Xiao Huan’s legs, crowding together.

Since Xiao Huan fell ill this time, his spirit had been too weak to see the children, and they had been quite upset. So I had promised them that today after lunch, we would come see them together with Xiao Huan.

These years as the master of Fenglai Pavilion, when faced with matters requiring my presence, I would often leave the children to go out. But Xiao Huan, though busy with state affairs, would try his best to make time for them every day. Over time, the children didn’t cling to me much, instead particularly loving to stick close to Xiao Huan. Xiao Xie was especially dependent on her father – several times she had run to my and Xiao Huan’s room in the middle of the night with her pillow, insisting on sleeping with her father. The two of us had been sleeping just fine, then suddenly a little girl would forcefully insert herself between us, infuriating me though I could do nothing about it.

Not having seen their father for over ten days, the three children seemed to have endless things to say. There was constant giggling and chatter. Lian was talking about difficulties he’d encountered in his studies these past days, Yan somewhat shyly interjecting with new classical stories he had learned, while Xiao Xie tugged at Xiao Huan’s sleeve, sweetly reciting the newly learned “Song of Everlasting Regret” for him to hear.

I sat to the side watching them talk and play, resting my chin in my hand. Before long, Xiao Huan, who had seemed completely occupied by the children, looked up and smiled at me, then gently patted Yan: “That story Master Wu taught you about Emperor Taizong’s respect for the worthy and care for hawks, why don’t you tell it to your mother?”

Of the two children Lian and Yan, Lian was more lively while Yan was more well-behaved. Hearing Xiao Huan’s suggestion, Yan immediately crawled over from his knee, timidly tugging at my sleeve, his black eyes swimming as he looked at me: “Mother, will you listen to Yan tell a story too?”

Smiling and pinching his little cheek, I nodded: “Of course, Mother would love to hear Yan tell a story. I’m sure Yan tells them very well.”

Encouraged, Yan’s little face flushed with excitement as he began relating the classical tale of Tang Taizong’s respect for the worthy and care for hawks.

Our family of five chatted and laughed like this for about half an hour.

After settling the reluctant three children in their rooms for afternoon naps, we went to see Ran and Can with their wet nurses. The two tiny ones were teething, and having eaten their fill, lay with closed eyes blowing bubbles.

After making the rounds, by the time we finished seeing all the children and returned to Yangxin Palace, nearly an hour had passed.

Sitting down after returning to our chambers, I did nothing but recline on the couch watching Xiao Huan sip the freshly brewed ginseng tea one mouthful at a time.

After watching for a while, I finally made him set down his teacup, his smile somewhat helpless: “Cangcang… you’ve been watching since court ended…”

“If just looking could make you gain weight, I’d certainly look harder…” casually retorting, I moved closer, grabbed a cushion to put behind his back, then leaned against his shoulder myself, taking his hand in mine, “Brother Xiao, you’re worried about the court matters, aren’t you?”

He paused before smiling slightly: “Cangcang, you know the court politics these past few years haven’t been stable.”

I fell silent. Indeed, court politics these past few years hadn’t been as smooth and stable as they appeared. On the surface, the civil official group maintained its former state of multiple factions coexisting through compromise. In reality, due to increasingly large differences in interests and governance these past few years, along with the unusually rapid promotion of young officials, the original delicate balance had been broken. Led by the two most prestigious ministers of the Cabinet, two major forces had gradually split off, mockingly called by the common people the “Old Minister Faction” and “Young Minister Faction.”

However, this attack on Wei Chengliang seemed to eliminate the divide between the two factions. Li Yan, who submitted the first impeachment, was Zhang Zhuduan’s examination colleague, while those who later attacked most fiercely were mostly Yang Tingjie’s disciples. The people openly aligned with each faction were now quite clear, and their arguments in court had become routine, but if it had been just one faction’s mass attack, that would have been understandable. However, the unprecedented unity between these usually opposing factions left me unable to guess what these people were plotting.

Most annoying was, of all times, they chose to cause trouble now!

The thought made me angry, and I coldly snorted: “A bunch of troublemaking oppressors.”

He didn’t continue either, just smiled: “It’s still early, want to take a nap to catch up on sleep?”

“No need, it’s fine.” The mention reminded me, “Su Qian said to meet this afternoon at headquarters to discuss Caogang matters, I should head over soon.”

Standing as I spoke, I bent to take his arm: “Brother Xiao, come with me?”

He nodded with a smile: “Alright, I haven’t been over there in quite a while recently.”

“Then let’s go get some fresh air.” I smiled, “I’ll go prepare.”

These past years Xiao Huan often went to Fenglai Pavilion with me, since the road was quite close and easy to travel.

The carriage was quickly ready, carrying Xiao Huan and me out through Xuanwu Gate, soon turning into Fenglai Pavilion headquarters’ great courtyard, passing through gardens and buildings to finally stop before a waterside courtyard deep in the garden. Though this courtyard’s layout differed from the old Jinling headquarters, I had insisted on placing the master’s residence and office area near the lotus pond, naming it One Water Court. Su Qian and Mu Yan never stopped teasing me about this.

Just as we alighted from the carriage, I saw Su Qian already waiting at the courtyard entrance. She greeted me unceremoniously: “I thought you’d dawdle until dark before coming!” Then, seeing Xiao Huan supporting my waist behind me, her expression immediately changed as she bowed respectfully: “Su Qian pays respects to Master Bai.”

Xiao Huan smiled: “Little Qian, no need for such formality.”

Su Qian kept her head lowered, stepping aside: “Please enter, Master.”

That “Master” definitely wasn’t referring to me, and I rolled my eyes. Not just Su Qian and Mu Yan, but even those five who rarely visited headquarters – the whole group only knew how to curry favor with Xiao Huan. I was still the legitimate Master after all, yet the moment they saw Xiao Huan, they’d immediately ignore me.

Eight years ago, not long after returning from Dai Yu with Xiao Huan, before we could even hold the restoration ceremony, Su Qian had urgently summoned me to headquarters. Thinking it was some major issue, I rushed over in a panic, only to find the seven hall masters sitting in a row as soon as I entered, each wearing a serious expression, with just one thing to say: “We want to see Master Bai.”

What happened after meeting him was even more exaggerated – the seven of them stood in a line, bowing in perfect unison: “Master, we trust you’ve been well.” Not even glancing at me standing to the side.

Still secretly indignant about that past incident, my hand was suddenly taken, and looking up, Xiao Huan smiled gently at me, gesturing for me to enter with him.

As soon as we went in, we saw Mu Yan had long been waiting inside. Seeing us enter, Mu Yan came over to pay respects to Xiao Huan before addressing business matters with me.

It wasn’t a particularly complex matter – recently the Canal Guild Association had accused Fenglai Pavilion of encroaching on their business, privately detaining several of our cargo ships. Now Song Weixiao, stationed at the Jinling branch, had led disciples to negotiate, resulting in conflict between the two sides.

Though not a major issue, if it continued it would certainly harm relations between the guilds. Song Weixiao had reported to headquarters, seeking guidance on the next steps.

Su Qian advocated not showing weakness, and Mu Yan agreed, so the three of us decided to have Song Weixiao stand firm on principle and resolutely oppose them while notifying Nie Hanrong of the Hangzhou branch to lead disciples in preparing for possible escalation and support Song Weixiao in Jinling.

The decision took barely a quarter-hour to reach. After finishing, I sighed in relief and turned to look at Xiao Huan. He had sat in a nearby chair upon entering, having barely taken two sips of the freshly served ginseng tea. He smiled at me: “Little Fen just gestured that some excellent fruit just arrived, want to try some?”

Little Fen was still the same mute serving girl who had served at One Water Court back in Jinling. She had come along when headquarters moved. I walked over to smile at him, nodding and smiling at Little Fen who still hadn’t left the room: “Sure, bring some over.”

After handing over the position of Master to me years ago, though he would still come to headquarters with me, Xiao Huan seemed to appear only as the current Master’s family member. Even though we often didn’t avoid discussing issues in front of him, he never offered any opinions on my decisions or methods. At first, I would unconsciously watch his expression, afraid I had done something wrong. Later, seeing him quietly reading alone or arranging chess positions from manuals, his face not only showing no reaction but making it uncertain whether he was even listening to us, I gradually became more at ease.

That’s why I had suggested he come with me to Fenglai Pavilion this afternoon – if he stayed in the palace, no matter how much I opposed or scolded, he would definitely secretly read those memorials piled high on his desk. Better to bring him here where he could truly relax.

Little Fen quickly brought up two plates of exquisitely preserved peaches and bayberries. I sat drinking tea with Xiao Huan for a while before running to the adjacent study to handle some official documents.

Though Su Qian handled most matters, I had still accumulated some business these past days staying in the palace. After hurriedly reviewing and approving documents, a disciple came to report that Master Yiwei of the Qingcheng Sect had come to visit. I quickly rose to welcome him at the entrance, exchanged pleasantries, only to discover Yiwei had merely come to fence with Mu Yan, so I immediately turned to call Mu Yan and left them to it.

Just as I thought I could catch my breath, there was another report that the Chief Escort from Tongzhou’s Golden Dragon Escort Agency had arrived, sending me running to the entrance again to receive him.

This Chief Escort Zheng of Golden Dragon seemed to find Tongzhou too dull, making trips to the capital every few days, inevitably stopping by Fenglai Pavilion – he came here more readily than returning to his own agency.

I had accompanied him for countless cups of tea, each time left dizzy by his endless boasting about matters from all corners of the world. But since I happened to be here, I couldn’t avoid seeing him, so I reluctantly invited him to the study, only to find Xiao Huan sitting in the central chair, leisurely reading.

Before I could speak, Chief Escort Zheng had already exclaimed in shock, as if seeing a ghost: “Bai… Bai, Bai Chifan!”

Xiao Huan remained calm, not looking up, while I cleared my throat: “Chief Escort Zheng, please do not directly address our former Master’s name.”

Chief Escort Zheng finally realized his impropriety, though his voice hadn’t recovered, constantly glancing at Xiao Huan: “My apologies, my apologies…”

I smiled: “It’s fine, it’s fine.” Then walking to stand before Xiao Huan and taking his hand, “I’m sorry for startling you, Chief Escort. This is my husband – his appearance somewhat resembles our Master Bai, which might cause confusion.”

Chief Escort Zheng finally seemed to calm slightly: “I see.”

I bent to embrace Xiao Huan’s shoulders, speaking to him softly: “Brother Xiao, are you tired? Would you like to go back and rest?” Then looking up to smile at our guest, “My apologies, Chief Escort Zheng, my husband isn’t well and cannot keep you company.”

Zheng stammered wordlessly.

Xiao Huan stood, slightly bowing his head to smile at him: “Chief Escort Zheng Yangwu, please excuse me.” Ignoring the other’s suddenly widened eyes, he walked toward the inner chamber.

This was Chief Escort Zheng’s shortest visit to Fenglai Pavilion ever – he only drank one cup of tea before hurriedly taking his leave, repeatedly declining my offer to see him to the door.

After seeing Zheng Yangwu, I returned to the inner chamber giggling, throwing myself onto Xiao Huan as he sat on the couch: “Brother Xiao, thank you for helping me chase away that annoying fellow!”

He set down his book, smiling at me: “Oh? You’ve never seemed impatient all this time – I thought you didn’t mind him.”

Speaking of which, because no one had ever seen me appear with a husband, these past two years several single or widowed martial arts leaders had frequently visited Fenglai Pavilion to chat idly with me. Even I, dense as I was, had begun to sense something amiss. It was difficult to dodge and deflect without directly telling them to get lost. Then somehow it started – I would lead a sect master in, only to find Xiao Huan sitting inside. That day, that sect master’s mouth gaped wide enough to fit an egg, and he never visited again.

After this happened two or three times, rumors began spreading outside that the current Fenglai Pavilion Master kept a male favorite who strongly resembled the late former Master Bai Chifan.

I burst out laughing: “My beauty, I’ve been waiting for you to get jealous,” I said, sitting up and narrowing my eyes, lifting his chin with one hand, “Has my beauty knocked over the vinegar jar? Come, let your lord properly comfort you…”

He didn’t pull away, slightly raising an eyebrow: “My lord, it seems someone is watching.”

I quickly looked back to see Mu Yan standing in the doorway rolling his eyes helplessly: “Listen, you two Masters, if you want to flirt please return to your Yangxin Palace – people still need to come and go here.”

Maintaining my position half-sprawled over Xiao Huan, I retorted unceremoniously: “Don’t you understand ‘don’t look at what’s improper’? When you see a married couple being intimate, you should immediately turn and leave, pretending you saw nothing!”

Mu Yan continued rolling his eyes, clicking his tongue at me: “You act so proper in front of others, how are you still so unrestrained in private? You’re a mother of five children – I don’t know where these years have gone with you.”

“Aren’t you a father of three? I don’t see you having matured much these years either,” I glanced at him, “What are you doing here? Out with it!”

“Nothing much, just reporting that I’ve dealt with Yiwei,” he smiled quite smugly, “That’s the eighth challenger I’ve defeated this year – how about that? I’m quite impressive as Fenglai Pavilion’s current top fighter, aren’t I?”

Mocking me for never having any challengers despite being Fenglai Pavilion’s Master, I coldly snorted: “It’s just sparring – fine, we know you’re the fighting king!”

Mu Yan immediately launched into his usual lengthy discourse about how martial arts matches were not mere fighting but rather fighting’s highest, most wondrous state, completely incomparable, and so on.

I huffed and interrupted from the side, the two of us arguing happily back and forth until Xiao Huan finally had to smile and intervene to stop us.

The half-day at Fenglai Pavilion passed thus, partly busy and partly leisurely.

We hurried back to Yangxin Palace to have dinner with the children. Though they had seen him at noon, the little ones were still delighted, chattering endlessly with Xiao Huan after the meal.

Having finally soothed and sent them off, it was already getting late.

He smiled, reaching to embrace my shoulders: “Want to go to bed early?”

If he hadn’t mentioned it it would have been fine, but now that he had, I realized how tired I was from rising early at dawn and bustling about all day. I grinned, turning to hug his waist: “Brother Xiao, I want to sleep with you.”

He chuckled softly: “Alright, though my inner robe ties are rather tight today – should I loosen them first?”

He was teasing me again about how I always unconsciously try to undress him in my sleep! Who knows when he started becoming so fond of teasing me… I shot him a fierce look: “No need, I’m used to undoing them.”

Getting into bed and holding him as I drifted off to meet Zhou Gong, true to form, in my hazy state I had already undone his inner robe and pressed my face directly against his chest.

A trivial, ordinary day ended amid the faint fragrance of agarwood.

Surrounding my body was the mild warmth of his embrace. With him beside me, I always slept very soundly. After falling deeply asleep, I seemed to hear some slight sounds but paid no attention.

Sleeping until the next day, in my drowsy state, I seemed to hear the morning court bell – but today wasn’t supposed to be a grand court day, why would there be bells?

As I became more alert, I realized that though the bedding was neatly arranged, Xiao Huan had disappeared at some point.

Propping myself up to sit, Jiaoxian’s voice came from beside the bed: “Has the Empress awakened? His Majesty instructed me to wait here for you – it’s still early, would you like to sleep a bit more?”

Throwing back the covers and jumping out of bed, I asked: “Where is His Majesty? When did he leave?”

“His Majesty went to court,” Jiaoxian answered, “Before dawn this morning he summoned the Imperial Guard to notify all officials of a grand court session.”

I snatched the clothes Jiaoxian had prepared for me from her hands, hastily putting them on, my head spinning in confusion.

What was Xiao Huan suddenly summoning officials for at this hour?

Wei Chengliang! A chill ran through my body making me shudder – I suddenly understood. Wei Chengliang had been scheduled to be escorted to the capital last night.