When I hurriedly rushed to Qianqing Palace with my clothes barely properly arranged, unlike the usual clamor of recent days, the main hall was eerily silent. A court session was in progress, and no one was allowed to freely enter or exit Qianqing Palace. I could only stand inconspicuously behind the side door, trying my best to understand what was happening inside.

The deathly silence, where even breathing could be heard clearly, continued for a while. Finally, Xiao Huan’s voice broke through. He gave a light cough, his tone indifferent: “My ministers, have you decided? Who will preside over the joint trial?”

Another period of silence followed before someone stepped forward and replied calmly: “I, Wu Qiying, am willing to preside.”

As the third-ranked Cabinet Minister, his standing was still insufficient.

Qi Chengliang was a first-rank Great General with a noble title. According to law, even the Five Commands Military Bureau had no authority to arrest him before an imperial edict was issued. This time when Qi Chengliang returned to the capital, though called an escort under arrest, it was his voluntary return to avoid suspicion. Far from chains and prison carts, he even brought his deputy generals and attendants – no different from his usual returns for duty reports and receiving rewards.

Moreover, for charges of corruption and dereliction of duty that could be either major or minor, as long as there was no real military negligence, military officials with actual duties usually got away with just salary reduction and demotion.

But I didn’t believe this was the final goal of whoever instigated this incident. Was it worth nearly the entire court’s civil officials making such a huge commotion just to demote a military official? Surely Qi Chengliang hadn’t committed crimes heinous enough to inspire universal outrage?

Just as I was thinking this, Xiao Huan spoke softly from the throne: “Minister Wu’s request is granted. The Three Judicial Offices and Five Commands Military Bureau will conduct a joint trial. If no result is reported after ten days, I will personally conduct the trial in court.”

This time, the officials below finally showed a reaction, with the heads of various departments stepping forward to receive the imperial order.

Afterward, Xiao Huan gave a few more instructions before dismissing the court.

This court session was remarkably brief, lasting barely more than half an hour. The disputes of recent days were cut short, a stark contrast to when Lian and I would argue for hours in court.

The ministers knelt to send off the Emperor as Xiao Huan descended from the throne and returned to the palace through the side door. I was still hiding by the doorway when I caught sight of him emerging from the main hall. I quickly pushed aside a nearby young eunuch to close the door.

Xiao Huan was in full court dress with a crown and pendants. He seemed surprised by how quickly I had arrived, giving a light cough: “Cangcang, you…”

Not letting him finish, I bent down, lifted him by the waist, and started walking.

“Cangcang? Cangcang?” He called out in surprise but dared not move, his tone caught between laughter and tears.

Despite being a man’s weight plus the cumbersome court robes, what should have been an easy few steps left me panting heavily.

Finally setting him down on a soft chair outside the hall, before I could speak, he smiled: “What’s wrong, Cangcang?”

He dares ask what’s wrong. Today’s grand court session – he must have been planning it since early yesterday. When he held that memorial of impeachment in the corridor, I don’t believe he only read half of it. He had probably read it countless times through and was going back to examine details when I happened upon him. In the afternoon, he pretended to be at leisure when going with me to Phoenix Pavilion, then urged me to sleep early upon return, all while secretly planning today’s events!

Feeling like giving a cold laugh, I threw my head back without answering his question, swept aside the white jade pendants hanging before his face, and silenced his mouth forcefully with my lips.

Ignoring the faint gasps of the eunuchs standing around the hall, I practically bit at his lips in my anger, kissing him until he couldn’t breathe and started coughing lightly. Only then did I release him, kneeling halfway on the soft chair, one hand rubbing his back to help him catch his breath, the other gently massaging his chest?

His black pupils were gleaming with moisture from my kiss as he coughed and smiled: “Cangcang… people might see us here…”

“Shut up!” Having stood sneaking around by the side door for so long, my mood was already poor. I shot him a cold look, “Keep talking and I’ll take you right here.”

He immediately fell silent, though his face still wore an expression of suppressed laughter. He let me hold him and rub his chest while still occasionally coughing softly.

Who was it that got up in the cold before dawn to attend court? Serves him right!

Cursing silently as I lowered my head, I suddenly felt my wrist growing sore where it rested on his chest.

A large hand, cool to the touch, grasped mine. Looking up again, he watched me quietly and smiled: “Cangcang, I’m sorry.”

Thinking he could just casually apologize and get away with it! With my eyes starting to ache along with my wrist, I continued glaring at him: “If you’re sorry, then tonight you’ll strip for me voluntarily!”

“Oh?” He raised a long eyebrow slightly, “Don’t you want to tear them off yourself?”

“Let me clarify,” I said seriously, “First strip voluntarily for me to watch, then put them back on for me to tear off!”

After returning to Yangxin Palace, the day proceeded as usual. In the morning he received ministers to discuss affairs, and if there was time at noon, we would eat together. I went to Jingyang Palace in the morning to check on the children’s studies and handle various palace matters, then promptly went to Phoenix Pavilion after lunch. Everything seemed to have returned to how it was before his illness, if there was any difference, it was that things were more trivial and peaceful.

When bidding him farewell in the Western Warm Chamber that afternoon, I bent down to place a light kiss on his forehead, and he raised his head with a faint smile to watch me leave.

At Phoenix Pavilion, it was the usual violent jianghu affairs. Though the disturbances were great, they were still more straightforward than the hidden daggers at court.

When most matters had been handled, Muyan sat beside me with a teacup for casual chat. His first casual words were about Xiao Huan: “Something’s off between you and White Palace Master, isn’t it?”

I was stunned upon hearing this, then said: “What’s off?”

He gave me a bland look: “Don’t tell me you don’t understand what I mean. Since White Palace Master woke up from his collapse, you don’t even dare speak loudly in front of him. How can you say nothing’s off?”

The barrage of words left me dazed for a moment before I smiled: “It’s not that serious, maybe I’m still a bit scared. It’ll pass in a few days.”

“White Palace Master’s health is indeed cause for worry,” he held his teacup. “Remember three years ago when I stabbed the Hainan Sword School’s master once, then dragged myself back without treatment and ended up bedridden for a whole month? Do you know what Zhong Lin did when she saw me? She punched my wound, then took three kids to headquarters and refused to see me for two whole months. Scared me so much that now before fighting anyone, I first make sure they couldn’t even hurt my little finger.”

I only knew that Zhong Lin had a big fight with Muyan a few years ago and that Muyan was so anxious he sent several pigeon messages to Yulong Snow Mountain daily. I didn’t know it was because of that injury incident. I couldn’t help laughing: “That sounds like something Zhong Lin would do…”

“Something she would do, and something you would have done eight years ago,” Muyan said slowly. “That’s why I say something’s off between you and White Palace Master.”

Eight years ago? Eight years ago if I had known he collapsed from overwork, what would I have done? I probably would have jumped up and cursed at him, maybe even refused to see him for months like Zhong Lin did, perhaps done other things in my rage and madness, but I certainly wouldn’t have been as calm as I am now.

“Even anger has to be careful now.” Muyan glanced at me sideways, put his cup on the table, and shook his head at me one last time before leaving, “Really not like you at all.”

I was stunned for a moment before letting out a “hmph” and laughing. This guy, coming to say such strange things out of nowhere, almost like he came specifically to mock me.

After laughing, I sat holding the teacup in a daze. Since there wasn’t much else to do, I was just wondering how to pass the remaining time when suddenly a disciple came running to report that a noble lady wanted to see me.

Finding it somewhat strange that a noble lady would come to Phoenix Pavilion, I still went to the front reception hall to meet her. As soon as I entered the hall I stopped, flipping through countless forms of address in my mind before choosing one: “Sister Wu.”

Hearing my voice, the richly dressed young woman who had been lost in thought by the window quickly turned around. Seeing me, she smiled, her graceful features unchanged from years ago: “Your Majesty the Empress.”

“That’s not how we address each other here,” I smiled, putting on a serious expression, “Here you should call me Palace Master Ling or Madam Ling.”

The visitor was Wu Liangming. After she left the palace to marry years ago, she had written me two letters about her recent situation, which I had replied to. We had exchanged letters in recent years as well. I knew her husband was an official who wasn’t often in the capital, and she probably knew about my situation too, because I always sent letters from within Phoenix Pavilion, so she might have figured out my presence here from the messenger boys who delivered the letters.

Hearing me say this, Wu Liangming paused briefly, then smiled, no longer addressing me as Your Majesty: “You’re still so playful.” Then she explained to me with a smile, “I originally wanted to visit the palace, but there are too many rules there,” she hesitated again, “and too many eyes and ears… So I boldly asked the messenger boy and found my way here. I didn’t expect you would be here.”

She wasn’t usually this polite in our letters. I had always felt Wu Liangming was different from Xing Yiyong and other palace women, her thoughts were much more pure and kind, otherwise I wouldn’t have maintained correspondence with her all these years. Smiling, I got straight to the point: “Sister Wu, did you come looking for me about something?”

Wu Liangming paused for a long time. When she raised her head again, her bright large eyes were somewhat red: “Your Majesty, please help my husband.” She took a deep breath, “My husband is the Marquis of Weiyuan.”

Marquis of Weiyuan Qi Chengliang? I remembered his original wife was an unremarkable middle-aged woman: “Sister Wu, you are… General Qi’s concubine?”

She quickly explained to me: “Both my lord and the lady treat me very well,” she said with a slightly bitter smile, “Although I came from the palace, my lord has never mentioned it, and has never treated me worse than the lady.”

Opening my mouth, I suddenly didn’t know what to say. Wu Liangming came from an official family, and with her outstanding beauty, if she hadn’t entered the palace back then, her husband would have been either a talented youth or from an illustrious family – she certainly wouldn’t have become someone’s concubine.

Seeing my awkwardness, Wu Liangming smiled: “Your Majesty need not mind. When I entered the palace back then, it was my parents who desired wealth and glory and willingly sent me in. I’ve never blamed you or His Majesty.” As she spoke, she suddenly stood up and bowed deeply to me: “I know my husband’s situation is very dangerous this time. I come today only to beg Your Majesty, for the sake of our past friendship, to help my husband escape this predicament.”

Since she put it that way, I had to stand up too and help her rise: “Back at Shanhai Pass, General Qi practically saved my life. Even without Sister Wu asking, I would do my best to help.”

Wu Liangming stood looking at me, undisguised gratitude and tears in her eyes: “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Not having seen each other for many years, Wu Liangming and I talked about many things, chatting for over an hour. What she said earlier about Qi Chengliang and his wife treating her well wasn’t false – the radiant glow and peaceful happiness on her face couldn’t be faked.

Throughout our long conversation, Wu Liangming never once mentioned Xiao Huan. In fact, in all our letters over the years, she had never asked a single word about Xiao Huan’s situation. That woman who once chased after Xiao Huan’s shadow and was willing to keep vigil for him seemed to have vanished without a trace.

Knowing to cherish the happiness before her eyes and not lingering in regret over what was lost – perhaps among all those clever, calculating women of those years, she was truly the wisest one.

After seeing Wu Liangming off, I looked up at the sky. Though it was still early, there wasn’t much left to do at the pavilion, so I returned to the palace ahead of schedule.

As I turned past the screen wall and walked into the small courtyard before the hall, I heard laughter coming from the Western Warm Chamber. While I was still wondering what was happening, Feng Wufu came to greet me, his usually smiling round face wearing a somewhat unnatural expression, being extraordinarily polite: “This servant greets Your Majesty the Empress. You’ve returned?”

“Yes,” I nodded and walked inside, “Who’s in there? Have Princess Ying and Commander Li returned?”

“Your Majesty, it’s…” Before Feng Wufu could finish, the door to the Western Warm Chamber opened.

A clear voice rang out from inside: “It’s settled then, Your Majesty, you must take me tomorrow!”

I had already reached the chamber’s doorway when I heard Xiao Huan’s voice, tinged with laughter: “No, I’ve already said I won’t have time tomorrow.”

I interjected with a smile: “Where are you going?”

“To see a grand opera!” The young woman in light pink clothing inside quickly replied, then suddenly jumped with a “Ya!” Turning to see me in casual dress, her large eyes blinked several times, “Are you… Her Majesty the Empress?”

“Do I not look like it?” I smiled at her.

“You do, you do,” she nodded repeatedly, sticking out her tongue, “Just a bit too young and beautiful…”

There’s not much satisfaction in being complimented by someone younger than yourself. I smiled, “What’s your name? You’re quite the smooth talker.”

“This is Minister Duan’s daughter from the Ministry of Rites,” Xiao Huan said, standing up from his table with a smile.

“My name is Jingxue, my father is a third-rank vice minister,” the young woman answered quickly, “I thought I would only see His Majesty today, but to think I’d meet Her Majesty the Empress too – it’s really worth it!”

“Duan Jingxue?” I smiled at her, “What a lovely name. Meeting His Majesty is one thing, but what’s so exciting about meeting me?”

“Of course, I had to meet Your Majesty!” Duan Jingxue said, puffing out her pink lips, “Only by meeting Your Majesty can I match the folk tales!”

“Oh? There are tales about me? What kind?” I asked.

Duan Jingxue looked at me, her large eyes darting about, glancing at Xiao Huan as she spoke: “Everyone says that Your Majesty and His Majesty share a deep love. Back then when His Majesty was framed by Empress Dowager Liu and lost in the jianghu, it was Your Majesty who desperately searched until finding him. The storytellers at Tianqiao still tell this tale every day!”

“Do they say I went through eighty-one trials before finally rescuing His Majesty?” I smiled.

“Yes, yes!” Duan Jingxue nodded vigorously, “How did Your Majesty know?”

“Because I did go through eighty-one trials, even passing through the Flaming Mountain, Women’s Kingdom, and Spider Cave,” I said with a smile.

“But I think it was worth it,” Duan Jingxue stuck out her tongue, “To rescue His Majesty, I’d be willing to go through another eighty-one trials!”

“Because he’s the Emperor?” I smiled at her.

“No!” She immediately widened her eyes, as if in disbelief, “Whether His Majesty was Emperor or not, it would be worth it!”

“Mm,” I smiled, “His Majesty is very handsome, isn’t he?”

“Uh…” Duan Jingxue was suddenly at a loss for words.

As I led Duan Jingxue along step by step in the conversation, Xiao Huan had already walked over to stand beside me. He let out a light laugh: “Alright, Cangcang, stop teasing Jingxue.”

I made no effort to hide anything, turning to wrap my arm around his waist: “When you have such a beauty at home, of course, you can’t help but show off a little.”

He didn’t move away either, smiling as he placed his hand on my shoulder: “How was everything today? Do you need to rest?”

“Not as much as you do,” I shot him a glance in retort.

Duan Jingxue suddenly broke into clear laughter, covering her mouth with one hand, her large eyes curving: “His Majesty and Your Majesty do have a wonderful relationship.” As she spoke, she lowered her hand and curtsied gracefully, her sweet smile unchanged, “Jingxue has already bid farewell to His Majesty, and now takes leave of Your Majesty.”

After speaking, she smiled at me with a wink: “Oh, and Your Majesty, His Majesty truly is very handsome – Jingxue forgot to answer earlier.”

Her etiquette was swift and light, yet perfectly proper, and in the blink of an eye, she had withdrawn.

I turned to look at Xiao Huan, and he smiled: “Wufu let Jingxue in. Her father Duan Qingsu wants to send her into the palace harem.”

I really can’t stand these people who constantly try to find ways to expand Xiao Huan’s harem. It’s been five years since he issued the edict never to take consorts, yet they still haven’t given up – their persistence is admirable.

“Ah…” I nodded, “I could tell. That fat Wufu had such a guilty expression when he saw me earlier, and was being exceptionally polite with ‘Your Majesty the Empress.’ Though we don’t need more palace maids right now.”

He laughed: “Cangcang, you’re in a temper today.”

“You noticed?” I raised my eyebrows, “Was my hostility that obvious earlier? More obvious than yours yesterday at Yishui Court?”

He chuckled lightly: “Maybe a bit less?”

I nodded in satisfaction: “So you see how magnanimous I am.”

After a pause, I turned to face him, looking up: “Brother Xiao, I’m very angry. This time you collapsed from exhaustion without telling me a word, and today you secretly attended court without telling me. I’m so angry I want to tie you to the bed and scold you for a day and night.” Looking at him, I took a deep breath, “But I thought about it – doing that would give you a headache, and my throat would hurt from all the scolding, so I’ll let it go. But I’m very angry, truly extremely angry!”

Looking back at me, he raised the corner of his mouth in a smile: “I know.” After a slight pause, still smiling, “I’m sorry, Cangcang.”

As always, I was helpless against his smile. I could only smile back, then rise on my tiptoes to kiss his lips.

He lowered his head, supporting my waist.

This wasn’t like the angry, punishing kiss from this morning. My heart gradually began beating so fast it felt like it would jump out of my chest, my arms tightening around his neck.

I don’t know how long passed before suddenly someone tugged at the hem of my clothes, and a voice spoke beside us: “Father, Mother, you’ve been hugging for a long time.”

We nearly choked on our saliva as we instantly pushed away from each other.

One hand checking if there was still saliva on my lips, the other hastily straightening my somewhat disheveled clothes, I was still breathing unsteadily: “Um… ah… Little Xie, who brought you here?” Looking up to see Xiao Huan’s flushed cheeks as he adjusted the jade crown I had unconsciously mussed.

There truly couldn’t be more awkward parents.

“Eunuch Wufu,” Little Xie pointed outside, where Feng Wufu only poked his head out before quickly withdrawing it.

That damned fat old man! He must have been afraid I’d settle accounts with him over the Duan Jingxue matter, so he brought Little Xie to save himself.

My teeth itched with hatred as I drew in a breath: “Brother Xiao, I think we should withhold all of Eunuch Feng’s salary and rewards this month since he’s collecting money from others anyway…”

Xiao Huan gave a light cough: “Make it two months.”

Little Xie stood to the side, holding a Japanese cloth doll Feng Wufu had given him, looking at us with pursed lips: “Take out your embarrassment as anger.”

On the third day of Marquis of Weiyuan Qi Chengliang’s return to the capital for trial, a new impeachment was placed on the imperial desk. Unlike the previous lengthy document, this impeachment listed only one charge against Qi Chengliang: privately maintaining troops.

According to dynastic law, frontier generals maintaining private armies was considered equivalent to treason, punishable by the execution of nine generations of the family.

The day after the impeachment was submitted, three Grand Secretaries and the presiding ministers of the Three Departments spent an entire day in Yangxin Palace.

Rushing back from Phoenix Pavilion, I changed clothes and hurried to the front hall, pushing open the door.

Sure enough, none of the empire’s senior officials who had gathered here since morning had left. When I entered, a sudden silence fell.

I walked straight through the crowd to Xiao Huan, then turned to smile at the room full of ministers: “His Majesty needs to take his medicine now. Would the honored ministers please withdraw for a moment?”

The imperial consorts were strictly forbidden from interfering in government affairs – this was an iron rule in the forbidden palace. This was my first time bursting in among ministers in discussion.

After a moment of silence, the person closest to the couch bowed, his quiet voice steady and clear, without a trace of disorder: “We pray Your Majesty takes care of your dragon body.” Zhang Zhuoduan, the Deputy Chief Grand Secretary.

Reminded by him, the ministers bowed unevenly and slowly withdrew.

After they had all left, I turned back to smile at Xiao Huan in his soft chair: “You haven’t taken your medicine all day? That’s quite a clever way to avoid it.”

His face was somewhat pale in the lamplight as he smiled faintly: “Indeed, here, no one would dare burst in.”

“Unfortunately there’s still me who dares to burst in,” I smiled, waving my hand to clear the stale air that had accumulated all day, turning to leave, “Have Wufu send someone to open the windows and air out the room. Let’s go.”

He smiled and nodded, putting one hand on the table, but didn’t stand up. Instead he smiled at me: “Cangcang, come help me up.”

I froze for a moment, realizing he couldn’t stand by himself. Before I could even think, I had already quickly stepped over the table to hold him: “Brother Xiao? Brother Xiao?”

“It’s nothing,” he hurried to explain, as if surprised by my strong reaction, “It’s nothing, Cangcang, don’t worry. I just sat too long, my legs are numb.”

His voice and heartbeat were still normal, his temperature was fine too – he really just had numb legs.

I didn’t answer, burying my head in his collar.

“Cangcang?” He hugged my shoulders, patting them lightly, and smiled again, “Really, it’s nothing.”

Taking a deep breath, I let go of him and crouched down to slowly massage his legs.

A cool palm gently stroked my head, and I looked up at him: “Feeling better? How long did you sit without moving to get numb legs!”

He looked down, smiling softly: “I forgot accidentally.”

I couldn’t help rolling my eyes: “How can you accidentally forget so much!” I complained while looking up to glare at him, “Don’t expect me to carry you today, you’re very heavy.”

He finally laughed: “Really very heavy?”

“Of course heavy, made my arms sore,” I nodded, then realized he was still laughing at me and glared at him again, “Don’t tell me you’ve gotten addicted to being carried by me.”

He quickly shook his head with a smile: “No, no, wouldn’t dare make the master’s arms sore every time…”

He’s become much more glib than before – I can barely keep up with him anymore. I could only glare: “Good that you know your master’s efforts.”

Still gently massaging his legs, Feng Wufu’s voice came from the door. Whenever he had nothing to feel guilty about, he would completely ignore me and address Xiao Huan directly: “Your Majesty, how shall we arrange for the ministers?”

I paused my hands and looked up at Xiao Huan. He smiled faintly: “Let them return for today.”

As Feng Wufu acknowledged the order and turned to leave, I stood up and called after him: “Wait.” I turned back to hug Xiao Huan once, then walked outside with Feng Wufu.

In the night, the ministers standing outside the hall had indistinct faces. Feng Wufu stepped forward and raised his voice: “By imperial command, the honored ministers may return to their residences for now.”

Watching them bow and withdraw, I spoke up: “Minister Zhang, please stay.”

The crowd noticeably paused before the others withdrew, leaving Zhang Zhuoduan standing still.

I waited until only the two of us remained in the courtyard before walking over slowly.

In the dim lamplight, the figure of this man who could now be called the most powerful minister in the empire was unclear as I stood before him.

Zhang Zhuoduan bowed but did not kneel: “This humble official Zhang Zhuoduan greets Your Majesty the Empress.”

“Minister Zhang,” I smiled, “How have you been lately?”

“Thank you for asking, Your Majesty. The weather is fine and clear, this humble official is well enough,” Zhang Zhuoduan kept his head lowered, his reply neither servile nor arrogant.

“I’m glad Minister Zhang is well,” I smiled, “I am a woman and don’t understand much about court affairs. But I recall that in the ancestral laws and fundamental principles of state, the way of being a minister has always been one of reverence and humility for thousands of years, isn’t that right, Scholar Zhang?”

Zhang Zhuoduan kept his head lowered, answering composedly: “Through twelve years of study and sixteen years at court, this humble official has not dared forget for a moment.”

“It’s good that Minister Zhang remembers,” I smiled, “I’ve detained Minister Zhang briefly, please return.”

“This humble official takes leave.” Bowing deeply until the end, his bearing remained strictly proper as he withdrew. This man who had become a Grand Secretary at age twenty-nine had never been taken lightly by anyone from the moment he entered the public eye.

From Qi Chengliang’s trial to his new impeachment, it was all manipulated by his hand.

Yang Tinghe had always relied on his seniority for authority; he wouldn’t take such a ruthless action that would lead to beheading and confiscation of property. His followers had only joined in the uproar earlier. The ones who truly pressed the issue repeatedly, landing lethal blows with seeming casualness, were Zhang Zhuoduan’s faction.

Turning in the deepening night, I walked back into Yangxin Palace.

Xiao Huan had already stood up and walked to the door. Seeing me, he smiled faintly: “Cangcang.”

I smiled too, walking over to take his hand.

What followed was routine – having dinner with the children, bathing, then rest.

Only after I leaned back against the headboard did Xiao Huan go to the Western Warm Chamber, not returning until nearly midnight hour.

I lay in bed reading leisure books while waiting for him, deliberately ignoring how poor his appetite had been at dinner.

Three days after the memorial impeaching Qi Chengliang for maintaining private troops was submitted, the Imperial Guards surrounded the Weiyuan Marquis’s residence in the capital. The decorated marquis was fitted with heavy chains and sent to the imperial prison.

On the fourth and fifth days that followed, officials in various court robes constantly shuttled outside Yangxin Palace’s doors.

The second time I burst in among the ministers in the discussion, Xiao Huan was coughing, one hand pressed to his chest as he coughed lightly from time to time, the other hand holding down the memorial before him as he listened to sentence by sentence to the Minister of Justice’s explanation.

I walked over to place the ginseng tea I was holding on the imperial desk, and withdrew without a word, smiling faintly.

That night I didn’t stay in the palace. After leaving Yangxin Palace’s doors, I changed clothes and went straight to Phoenix Pavilion.

I waited until around the hour of xu before leaving Phoenix Pavilion again.

In the second quarter of the xu hour that night, I sat in Zhang Zhuoduan’s bedroom in his residence, smiling slightly at him as he pushed open the door.

True to his reputation as one who had weathered great storms, after his expression changed slightly, he was still able to calmly tie up his plain robe that had already been loosened, and bow: “This humble official Zhang Zhuoduan greets Your Maj-“

Grabbing his collar and forcefully pushing him against the wall, I spoke word by word: “Minister Zhang, if anything happens to His Majesty, I will break every bone in your body one by one, and finally shatter your skull. You can test whether I dare or not.”

His headpiece lay shattered on the ground, his long hair disheveled over his shoulders, and Zhang Zhuoduan’s head pressed completely against the wall.

After a moment of silence, he suddenly smiled, a faint smile appearing on his proper, lean face, actually carrying a hint of mockery: “Is Your Majesty the Empress suggesting that I am coercing His Majesty?”

“I took advantage of His Majesty’s illness to instruct my followers to submit memorials impeaching the Marquis of Weiyuan; I pressed step by step until finally sending the Marquis to prison; I forced His Majesty to work through days and nights discussing affairs.” He no longer referred to himself as ‘this humble official,’ nor was there any deliberate respect in his speech as he smiled sardonically, “Such a minister, bullying his sovereign and dominating the court, deserves execution for his intentions.”

I looked at him and laughed coldly: “What? Are you saying you didn’t do these things?”

“I did them,” he admitted without denial, but then smiled again, “I just find it strange that when Your Majesty the Empress stands to protect His Majesty, not hesitating to enter a senior minister’s residence at night to threaten this insignificant person – did you consider whether the Imperial Guards would dare to storm into the Marquis of Weiyuan’s residence and arrest that meritorious lord who overshadowed his sovereign, if not for His Majesty’s edict?”

My fingers inadvertently loosened. I hadn’t considered it, hadn’t considered it might be Xiao Huan. Back then at Shanhai Pass, he had unhesitatingly entrusted his life to that taciturn military commander. He had personally promoted him, putting hundreds of thousands of troops under his command, never suspicious, always trusting. I hadn’t considered that it might be Xiao Huan wanting to condemn Qi Chengliang to death.

I had thought he was being coerced by Zhang Zhuoduan, constrained by those civil officials, anxiously pondering day and night, wanting to save Qi Chengliang but forced to make an unavoidable decision.

Perhaps I had looked at his gentle smile for too long, seeing his pale face and only thinking of protecting him behind me, forgetting that this man’s hands had once held supreme power over all under heaven.

In his first year ruling after our marriage, he maintained stability despite constant natural and human disasters. During that year in the jianghu, the Phoenix Pavilion he built still dominates the martial world today. At the beginning after his restoration, when court officials’ factions stood opposed, within less than a year they had all laid down their banners and returned to their proper places. In recent years, though undercurrents still surged among civil officials, redundant posts gradually decreased, governance improved, and customs grew more proper daily.

Seeming gentle and conservative, yet with an iron hand and severe actions. From beginning to end, no matter where, he had never been coerced by anyone.

“The one who wants Qi Chengliang’s head is His Majesty,” Zhang Zhuoduan said word by word, his smile growing cold, “I merely read His Majesty’s intentions, added fuel to the fire, resolved the sovereign’s concerns, nothing more.”

Slowly releasing my grip on Zhang Zhuoduan’s collar, I stepped back and smiled: “Minister Zhang, very calm, quick-witted, very good.”

He didn’t bother straightening his clothes but stood properly and stepped forward, smiling faintly: “Thank you for Your Majesty the Empress’s praise.”

“Minister Zhang is too polite.” I smoothed back the loose hair that had fallen over my face, stepping toward the door, “I’ve disturbed you greatly, but please remember, Minister Zhang, those words I spoke still hold.”

As my steps nearly reached the door, Zhang Zhuoduan’s voice came from behind. He still stood in place, his tone indifferent: “Your Majesty the Empress, do you know what I’ve admired most about His Majesty all these years?”

I stopped my steps and turned back: “May I ask Minister Zhang, what is it?”

“It is His Majesty’s devotion to you, Your Majesty the Empress.” He smiled faintly, “Following each other in life and death, sharing fortune and misfortune. I greatly admire His Majesty – even in choosing the object of his affection, he chose so perfectly fitting. If His Majesty had cherished anyone else back then instead of Your Majesty the Empress, I believe today’s empire would no longer exist. To serve such an enlightened sovereign is Zhang Zhuoduan’s fortune.”

Looking at him quietly, I suddenly broke into a smile: “Very interesting, Minister Zhang.” After a pause, I continued smiling, “Does the Scholar spend all day at home with nothing to do, just pondering about Zhang’s length and Li’s shortness? Oh right, let me ask – how many catties of cabbage can you get for one wen at the market today?”

With that, I turned and slammed his bedroom door.

Leaving Zhang Zhuoduan’s residence and passing through several closed palace gates, by the time I returned to Yangxin Palace it was already the third quarter of the hai hour.

Xiao Huan was still sitting under the lamp in the bedroom waiting for me, fresh from bathing, in a long robe that reached the ground, his black hair tied with a silk ribbon hanging over his chest.

Seeing me enter, he put down the memorial in his hand but didn’t ask why I was returning so late at night, just smiled: “Are you tired? Do you want to bathe? I had them keep some water warm.”

“We’ll talk about that later,” I said while walking over, unceremoniously sitting on his lap and tilting up his chin, “My beauty smells so good, this master of yours can hardly resist swallowing you whole.”

Every time I brought out this never-tiring “beauty” and “master” game, he would look amused. This time too he laughed lightly: “I’m honored, master, please help yourself.”

I half-playfully started pulling at his clothes: “Then your master won’t stand on ceremony…”

He was still smiling but pressed his chest and coughed lightly several times.

I quickly rubbed his chest: “What’s wrong? Is it serious?”

“It’s nothing,” he was still coughing lightly, smiling, “Just a bit tired.”

I glared at him: “If you’re tired why aren’t you resting quickly?”

As usual, he smiled faintly, listening to my scolding.

I forcibly pulled him to bed and made him sleep first. After bathing and returning to lie beside him, before sleep, Zhang Zhuoduan’s words flashed through my mind. I closed my eyes without asking anything.

Because the case of Marquis of Weiyuan Qi Chengliang’s corruption and private maintenance of troops was so major and implicated many people, it was decided that Xiao Huan would personally conduct the trial in court on the fourth day of the eighth month.

On the afternoon of the third day of the eighth month, I walked back to Yangxin Palace from Phoenix Pavilion.

Without any attendants, walking alone in the long silent corridor, I rarely encountered even palace maids or eunuchs. Under the slanting evening sun, the tall palace walls carried a coldness, silent and majestic.

Turning past the familiar screen wall before Yangxin Palace, with the court trial imminent, at this hour no longer ministers were shuttling back and forth. Standing in the somewhat empty courtyard, I once again heard clear laughter from inside the hall.

“Your Majesty the Empress…” Feng Wufu took a deep breath as he came to greet me.

I walked past him, across the courtyard, straight to the Warm Chamber, and pushed open the door.

Inside, Duan Jingxue sat with Xiao Huan on the soft couch, giggling as she played with a bamboo flute, still saying: “…Your Majesty really won’t teach me? Please teach me! Jingxue wants to learn!”

“Miss Duan,” I stood in the doorway, smiling at her, “Please return home.”

Duan Jingxue seemed to just notice me, sticking out her tongue as she jumped down from the couch, appearing somewhat panicked though her eyes still glanced at Xiao Huan: “Your Majesty the Empress…”

I continued smiling: “Please return home, Miss Duan.”

“Jingxue, go home now,” Xiao Huan supported himself on the table to stand, smiling at Duan Jingxue.

“Ah… I obey,” Duan Jingxue immediately curtsied with a sweet smile, then stood and waved the bamboo flute in her hand, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s gift,” she quickly covered her mouth, “No No, I mean Your Majesty’s bestowed gift.” She finished by quickly sticking out her tongue and glancing at me, “I beg forgiveness, Jingxue was improper.”

“It’s alright, you may withdraw,” Xiao Huan smiled and nodded to her.

Only then did she truly withdraw with a sweet smile, her light pink skirts fluttering with her quick steps.

I didn’t turn to watch her leave. I closed the door and walked over.

Smiling lightly at me, as if relieved, Xiao Huan supported himself on the table to sit down again: “Cangcang, how was the pavilion today?”

I turned my face away, paused for a moment, and didn’t answer his question: “Brother Xiao, why do you want to kill General Qi?”

After a long silence, he smiled, and when he spoke again, his voice was still gentle and steady: “Since Father Emperor implemented the volunteer recruitment system in his early reign, until now military garrisons everywhere have been falsely reporting numbers, wastefully draining the national treasury. This is a long-standing illness.”

“So you need to find a scapegoat to make an example of him, to reform the military system, is that right?” I looked at him, lifting the corner of my mouth slightly, “Looking throughout the court and country, there’s no one more suitable to make an example of than the illustrious and favored Qi Chengliang, is that right?”

He looked at me quietly, finally smiled, and nodded: “Yes.”

A bone-deep coldness spread from within my body. Looking at him, I didn’t turn away my eyes but lifted the corner of my mouth again: “As long as it benefits the empire, you’ll do anything.”

“Wu Liangming came to see me a few days ago,” I continued, “You must have known early on that she’s now Qi Chengliang’s concubine. She begged me to help Qi Chengliang escape punishment, but I didn’t know how to help. If Qi Chengliang had been framed by that civil official faction, I could find ways to help him investigate the evidence and clear his name. If he had truly committed serious crimes, I could plead for mercy for him. But if the one who wants to condemn him is you, if the one who wants his life is you – I have no way to help him.”

“Because an emperor has no sentiment, I don’t know how to persuade an emperor whose heart is cold as iron and whose schemes run deep, to spare a chess piece he’s determined to use.” Looking up into his eyes, I paused, then continued: “Brother Xiao, I want to ask now – if you hadn’t met me back then, if the one chosen as empress had been another senior minister’s daughter, whose father similarly held great power, and marrying her would similarly best stabilize the political situation – would you have tried just as hard to like her, tried hard to cherish her, tried hard to make your relationship better? Just like all those things you did for me?”

Just for a moment, his eyes dark as the sea showed not a ripple of emotion as he spoke very softly: “I would.”

Stepping back, I don’t know if I was laughing coldly: “I’m sorry, Brother Xiao.” I exhaled, “I’ve already had Jiaoyan take the children to Phoenix Pavilion. I can’t stay by your side anymore.”

His expression seemed to falter for a moment as he suddenly reached out as if to grab my sleeve: “Cangcang…”

Avoiding his hand, I stepped back: “I won’t neglect their studies. I’ll have someone bring them to the palace in the mornings.”

With that I turned, not waiting for his response, and walked out of the Warm Chamber.

Outside the door, Feng Wufu was wiping sweat while watching me emerge. He immediately walked up, his round face somewhat awkward: “Your Majesty the Empress, it’s like this…”

Seeing that I just walked toward the exit, he hesitated, then suddenly changed expression: “Your Majesty the Empress!”

Ignoring him, I crossed the courtyard, following the path back, walking out of the forbidden palace in the setting sun.

The court trial on the fourth day of the eighth month became the largest case involving the most convicted officials since the beginning of the Deyou era.

Over thirty military officials of the fourth rank and above were imprisoned, nearly a hundred were demoted, and just in the capital’s thirty-six garrisons alone, almost ten thousand redundant positions and vacancies were cleared out. Marquis of Weiyuan Qi Chengliang was stripped of his title, his property confiscated, and in consideration of his many years of military service, he was spared execution but exiled to Liangzhou along with nine generations of his family.

Since leaving the palace on the third day of the eighth month, I never returned.

Living at Phoenix Pavilion for five days, Lian’er and Yan’er were fairly well-behaved and obedient, but Little Xie had been arguing with me for days about seeing her father, arguing so much that I would quickly dodge aside whenever I saw her.

That afternoon I was arguing with Muyan in Yishui Court about handling a batch of water-damaged silk goods when Su Qian entered, followed by a plump figure.

“Madam.” Feng Wufu’s expression was unpleasant. Upon entering he didn’t sit down but spoke directly: “I’ve come to request Madam return to the palace.”

Su Qian spoke indifferently from the side: “I could hardly stop the Chief Steward from entering.”

My head was already pounding with annoyance, and I couldn’t help but frown: “We’re busy here. Chief Steward please return, forgive me for not seeing you out.”

Feng Wufu seemed already furious and didn’t bother with propriety, bursting out: “Your Majesty the Empress has sulked enough! After all these years still so unreasonable! His Majesty’s health can’t take any more of your tormenting!”

Hearing such a barrage of scolding, my chest tightened. Not caring that Su Qian and Muyan were present, I suddenly stood up and laughed coldly: “I’m sorry, but I am still sulking. Please trouble the Chief Steward to go back and tell your master that next time he sends someone to make peace, there’s no need to play mind games with me, using his health as leverage!”

After these words, there was complete silence. Feng Wufu gaped in disbelief, his gaze at me containing not only shock and pain but also deep anger.

“Don’t say bad things about Father!” A clear child’s voice suddenly came from the doorway. Little Xie broke free from the hand holding her and rushed in front of me, her brows furrowed and nose slightly red as she shouted at me, “Don’t say bad things about Father!”

I was somewhat stunned and looked in the direction she had run from. Xiao Huan wore light cyan casual clothes as he said reproachfully in a soft voice: “Little Xie, you can’t speak to Mother like that.”

With reddened eyes, Little Xie pursed her lips. Her black eyes quickly moved away from my face as she turned and ran to Xiao Huan’s side, hugging his leg and burying her face. Xiao Huan gently patted her shoulder and looked up to smile at me: “Cangcang, have you been well these past days?”

“Not bad,” I responded, intending to use a normal tone but discovering it came out stiff and cold.

Xiao Huan smiled again: “Wufu came with me.” Then he fell silent as if waiting for me to speak.

Everyone in the room was silent.

“Palace Master Bai!” Muyan stood up smiling and clapping his hands, “We haven’t seen you these past days. Stay a while – after we finish these troublesome matters, we can have tea together?”

“Thank you,” Xiao Huan smiled too, but his gaze remained on my face.

I turned my head away and frowned at Muyan: “Talk less and think more about that shipload of silk!”

Muyan glared at me: “I think you need to grow more brains in that head of yours!”

“It’s not very convenient today,” Xiao Huan spoke up, interrupting what was about to become an argument between Muyan and me. He smiled at us all, “There are some matters I need to attend to. I’m truly sorry, we’ll have to make it another day.”

“Palace Master Bai, why so formal? You’re welcome anytime,” Muyan replied with a smile.

“I want to go back with Father,” Little Xie immediately tugged at Xiao Huan’s sleeve upon hearing he was leaving, “I want to go home with Father, I don’t want to be with Mother!”

“Be good, Little Xie.” Holding her hand and comforting her softly, Xiao Huan looked up at me as if seeking permission.

I nodded: “If you want to go with Father, then go.” Then added, “Remember to behave.”

Little Xie was already completely ignoring me. Without waiting for me to finish, she pulled at Xiao Huan’s sleeve to leave. Xiao Huan smiled at me: “I’ll bring Little Xie back tomorrow.”

I lifted the corner of my mouth in what passed for a smile and nodded again.

Little Xie pulled Xiao Huan out, with Feng Wufu following behind them. Since Xiao Huan had entered, the fat old man hadn’t looked my way once.

As the clear child’s voice and Xiao Huan’s soft replies grew distant, Su Qian crossed her arms and shook her head: “You went too far.”

“I said earlier, she needs to grow more brains in that head of hers,” Muyan snorted coldly from the side.

“I’m reminded of that shot from back then,” Su Qian gestured forward with her finger, making a sound, “Bang!”

“Whoever says another word can be the pavilion master!” My head was about to explode as I slammed the table and shouted.

The two immediately fell silent, not saying another word.

Another busy afternoon followed, unchanged by Xiao Huan’s visit at noon.

That night I slept in a side room next to the water pavilion in Yishui Court. On the fifth night since moving to Phoenix Pavilion, I lay in bed staring blankly at the canopy before sleep. Perhaps because of Su Qian’s words that afternoon, I turned over today, looking at the furnishings in the darkness, remembering what happened that year in Jinling. He had lived for about a year in a bedroom with the same layout as this one in the Jinling Phoenix Pavilion. During that long year, for half of it, I didn’t know he was there, and for the other half, I never stayed in his bedroom for more than a quarter-hour.

Placing my hand on the cool sheets beside me, I gradually fell asleep without realizing it.

Little Xie returned the next afternoon with Lian and Yan.

She wore a lotus-leaf pleated dress in peach red, her hair in twin buns tied with two ribbons woven by the palace craftsmen, each ribbon end weighted with two pomegranate-red jewels. Her glancing eyes set off her small face like carved jade. Running in, she immediately showed off her new clothes to Little Fen with flying spirits.

In contrast, Yan seemed a bit listless, wandering alone to sit by a chair, propping her head up in apparent melancholy: “Little sister, did you sleep with Father last night?”

“Of course,” Little Xie’s eyes lifted proudly, “I said the room was stuffy and I wanted to see the stars. So Father carried me to the corridor to look at the stars. We even identified constellations, watching until bedtime.”

I had been looking through clan records on the side, but hearing this I couldn’t help interjecting: “It’s getting cold now, your father will catch a cold staying outside too long. Didn’t we say you should behave?”

“You don’t care about Father anyway, and you scold Father, so why do you care if he catches a cold?” Little Xie immediately retorted, pursing her lips without even looking at me.

A thousand wrongs, but yesterday’s angry words shouldn’t have been heard by this child. I immediately got a headache: “Alright, alright, I was wrong yesterday. I shouldn’t have spoken about your father that way, okay?”

Still huffing angrily, Little Xie coolly tossed her head, still ignoring me.

“Mother,” Lian, who had been quiet on the side, suddenly came over to stand beside me with an obedient smile, “Mother, are you tired today? Let Lian massage your shoulders.”

I smiled, putting down the clan records to stroke his head: “Alright, thank you Lian, you’re so thoughtful.”

Lian smiled lightly: “It’s no trouble.” He came closer to stand beside me, reaching out his small hands to massage my shoulders. His two nimble hands used appropriate pressure, slowly moving along the acupoints down to my arms and back again, immediately dispelling the fatigue from reading records earlier.

Nodding repeatedly in comfort, I smiled: “Lian is so good, doing this so well. When did you learn to massage shoulders?”

Still massaging unhurriedly with his head lowered, Lian answered: “I practiced a lot massaging Father, so I learned.”

I found this strange: “You’ve massaged Father’s shoulders? How come I’ve never seen it?”

“Always when Mother wasn’t there. Father’s shoulders have been hurting these past two years. When Lian saw Father in bad pain, I would secretly massage him,” Lian said while massaging, “Father said not to tell anyone.”

I couldn’t help but frown hearing this: “Besides his shoulder pain, are there other things Father asked you to keep from me?”

“Father waits for Mother to come back to sleep every day,” Before Lian could speak, Little Xie suddenly cut in, her clear voice full of discontent, “Every single day he waits for Mother. Only when Mother is very late and still hasn’t returned will Father sleep with me.”

Sometimes Phoenix Pavilion’s affairs were complex and would keep me busy until late at night. Although I would generally have Jiaoyan notify them in advance whether I was returning to the palace or not, there were still times when, even though I said I would return, I would end up staying at Phoenix Pavilion because going in and out of the palace was too much trouble. However, on days when I did return, no matter how late it was when I reached Yangxin Palace, I would always see Xiao Huan’s figure under the lamp. Because of this, I had scolded him countless times for not resting properly, just holding onto memorials to read. Each time he would just smile without answering.

Hearing Little Xie’s interjection, Yan’er couldn’t help but add: “Little sister, how old are you now, still always clinging to Father to sleep? Aren’t you embarrassed?”

Little Xie immediately retorted: “I love sleeping with Father, what can you do about it?”

Yan’er snorted lightly: “Nothing, but I can be embarrassed for you.”

Not having regularly cared for them before, I hadn’t noticed how annoying children could be. Seeing the two little ones about to start arguing again, I frowned with a headache: “Yan’er, be quiet! Is that how you talk to your sister? Little Xie, don’t talk back to your brother. Did the teacher assign homework today? Go do it quickly!”

Hearing this, Yan’er lowered his head without speaking and obediently climbed down from the chair, walking to the adjacent room. Little Xie followed behind, glancing at me before leaving: “Father never gets angry at us.” Then she tossed her head coolly and left.

I could only laugh and sigh in exasperation behind them. Lian’er’s hands were still massaging my shoulders with perfect pressure. I turned back to pat his head: “You go do your homework too, or you won’t finish by tonight.”

Obediently lowering his hands, Lian’er smiled gently and shook his head: “It’s alright. Compared to Father’s government affairs, Lian’s homework is already far less, it doesn’t take much effort.”

Lian’er had grown to have the same long eyebrows and dark eyes as his father. Even his smile was becoming more and more like Xiao Huan’s. I gently stroked his small face, looking at him with a smile: “Lian’er, you want to persuade Mother to return to the palace, don’t you?”

After a slight pause, he lowered his head, not denying it: “Mother, if Father did something wrong, you can be angry at Father, but being angry for too long isn’t good for Mother’s health. Lian worries too.”

Opening his mouth without asking anything or pointing out any of my faults, only advising me not to stay angry too long – this child’s sweetness was heartbreaking. I smiled again: “Mother won’t stay angry for long. Your father actually… hasn’t done anything wrong.” Finding myself at a loss for words, I could only hug his shoulders and ask, “Do you miss Father?”

Looking at me with bright black eyes, Lian’er nodded gently: “Mm.”

I ruffled his hair, smiling: “Go do your homework.”

Agreeing obediently, Lian’er also took his books and went next door.

Watching Lian’er’s figure disappear, I paused for a moment, then got up and walked outside Yishui Court, calling over a branch leader from Su Qian’s hall: “How is General Qi doing?”

He saluted and answered, his face solemn: “With our subordinates there, we’ll ensure the General’s safety.”

Since the court trial, Qi Chengliang had been held in the Imperial Guard’s prison, awaiting eventual exile.

On the fourth day when they confiscated his property, in the vast Weiyuan Marquis residence, they could hardly find any excess wealth. Forget about the military funds mentioned in the impeachment – there wasn’t much left even of his original awarded salary. For a case that had been blown up over corruption, it was an enormous irony. Qi Chengliang’s reputation among the common people had always been high, and these days public opinion was boiling. They had practically equated Qi Chengliang to Yue Fei and Zhang Zhuoduan to Qin Hui. As for Xiao Huan, though they dared not point directly, in their allusions the people were already comparing him to the confused and weak Song Emperor Gaozong Zhao Gou.

Even many Phoenix Pavilion disciples were indignant about Qi Chengliang’s fate. Moreover, confined in that prison where cruel officials ran rampant, even the toughest man could be tortured beyond recognition. So from the fourth day onward, two branches under Su Qian’s hall had mobilized almost all their forces to ensure Qi Chengliang’s safety in prison.

At this point, this was all I could do for Qi Chengliang.

Nodding to him in approval, I asked: “How are General Qi’s family members in the Ministry of Justice prison?”

The branch leader said: “The jailers at the Ministry of Justice aren’t like those Imperial Guard hounds of the Emperor – no one is making things difficult for them.”

It is good to be jianghu people – daring to openly call the almighty Imperial Guards “hounds” right in the capital. I nodded: “That’s good then, thank you for your hard work.”

Having finished asking about this matter, I was about to return when Su Qian walked over, greeting me as soon as she saw me: “Many people in the pavilion are cursing the Emperor over Qi Chengliang’s matter now. Should we do something to resist this foolish ruler?”

Others were one thing, but she knew perfectly well who sat on that golden throne. Her words left me quite annoyed: “Do whatever you want, just don’t bother me!”

“Oh? Then I’ll tell the hall members to go ahead,” Su Qian seemed very excited, “It’s rare to have a corrupt ruler who wronged loyal ministers for us to fight against. We must make it lively.”

I couldn’t be bothered with her and just shook my head as I left.

Autumn was approaching, and matters of winter provisions were piling up. Days passed busily, and before I knew it, several more days had passed, bringing us to the Mid-Autumn Festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month.

The palace held an annual moon-viewing banquet. No matter how simple it was kept, there had to be wine and fireworks, and the Emperor and Empress had to attend.

As usual, I was busy at Yishui Court for half the day. Only after Su Qian and Muyan were dragged away to eat mooncakes did I hurriedly return to the palace.

Upon entering, I saw Jiaoyan looking extremely anxious: “Your Majesty, you’re finally back! I was so worried I thought I’d have to fly to the moon to find you!”

Knowing time was pressing, I didn’t joke with her but quickly changed clothes and came to the outer chamber.

Xiao Huan was already standing there waiting for me, wearing a white long robe with subtle cloud and dragon embroidery, his hair ornaments somewhat casual, jade crown tassels falling to his shoulders. Seeing me approach, he smiled: “Cangcang.”

I responded vaguely without looking at his face: “Let’s go.”

Hand in hand, we walked to Mirror Pool where the banquet was set. Across the pond where late lotuses still bloomed, royal relatives and noble families sat scattered around, creating a warm and lively scene under the bright lanterns.

It was meant to be a festive holiday banquet, so the guests weren’t very formal. After Xiao Huan appeared holding my hand, the attendees raised their cups and knelt to offer a few words of congratulation, then after rising began reciting poetry and solving riddles, playing games for entertainment, much the same as previous years.

These palace banquets were the most tedious to me. Sitting down and looking at a table full of dishes that were all shown with terrible taste, I picked at a few bites of prepared crab roe and couldn’t be bothered to eat more.

By Mid-Autumn, the weather had already turned cool. After sitting for just a short while, the night wind carried a hint of chill. What moon-viewing banquet – it was just torture. Better to end it early.

Just as I was thinking this, Xiao Huan suddenly smiled beside me and said: “Cangcang, want to solve a riddle?”

“Huh?” I was caught off guard and asked absently, “What riddle?”

He looked at me with a gentle smile: “It’s a seven-character regulated verse. Each line points to an ancient musical title – can you guess them?”

I immediately raised an eyebrow: “I’m not afraid to try!”

“Listen carefully then,” he smiled lightly, and recited the poem about remembering home morning and night, with references to Qinhuai River’s winding course, rain threads urging flower petals, moonlight disliking dark wine dust, long nights hearing broken water clocks, middle years carelessly exhausting the spirit, and thirty-six crows flying steadily, presumably to send off travelers at Zhangtai.

Indeed it was a somewhat difficult riddle – not only did one have to guess the answer each line pointed to, but also be familiar with ancient musical titles. However, such riddles often seem hard but are easier to solve because the range of possible answers is limited.

Immediately raising my eyebrow, I put on a confident air: “You think this kind of riddle can stump me!” Then I proceeded to solve each line: “Child of Midnight” for the first line about remembering home, “Song of Jinling” for the Qinhuai River reference, “Don’t Wash Red” for the rain and flowers, “Night Yellow” for the moonlight and wine dust, “Fifth Watch Bell” for the long night and water clock, “Music of No Worries” for the middle years, “Crow Produces Thirty-Six Children” for the crows, and “Breaking Willow Branches” for sending off travelers. After finishing, I said proudly, “I got them all right, didn’t I? Pretty impressive, right?”

He nodded with a smile: “Indeed impressive. I sincerely admire your skill.”

I nodded too: “But this riddle seems familiar, like I’ve seen it somewhere before. Maybe in that ‘Additional Lantern Riddles’ book by my bedside?”

He laughed lightly: “Is that so? What a coincidence – I seem to have read that book too.”

“You had time to read such leisure books,” I couldn’t help laughing too, glaring at him before my gaze finally settled on his face. Under the lanterns he smiled gently, his lips and eyebrows curved in soft arcs.

My heart suddenly skipped a beat – in this life, I’ve truly been defeated by my nature of being susceptible to beauty. Sighing, I reached out my hand, about to hold his, saying: “How about it? My books are better than your memorials, right…”

A sharp clash of metal suddenly rang out. Before I could determine which direction the sound came from, an urgent but steady voice called out: “Assassin! Protect His Majesty!”

Before the words finished, a cold glint flashed as a sudden projectile shot out from among the banquet seats, flying straight toward Xiao Huan.

With a clear “ding,” the lightning-fast projectile was intercepted by the long sword of an imperial guard protecting below the throne. Its remaining force unspent, it embedded itself in the long table before us, still quivering – it was half of a split short dagger.

Everything happened in an instant. The nobles at the banquet only now reacted, with terrified screams and the sounds of overturning tables and chairs as people hurriedly fled rising in waves, turning the brightly lit lotus pond into chaos.

The hand reaching toward Xiao Huan slowly withdrew as I looked at the half-dagger on the table.

On the still-trembling blade, in the cold blue glow of deadly poison, there was half of an exquisitely carved vermilion phoenix, head raised with wings spread – a cinnabar-dyed phoenix.

The symbol of Phoenix Pavilion.

Raising my head, I saw Xiao Huan move his gaze from the broken dagger, his face somewhat pale in the night. He smiled at me.