Zhu Nanxian’s brow furrowed slightly. Thinking there was still some time before the hour of shen to discuss matters, he was about to have Luo Songtang wait outside the hall when Su Jin said: “Your Highness, Lord Luo seems to have other important matters to remonstrate about.”

Zhu Nanxian recalled that the Annan envoys had recently come to court, and the return envoy decided upon was Su Jin. Thinking the Ministry of Rites was urgently seeking him for this matter, he nodded and said: “Announce him.”

The inner attendant opened the hall doors wide. After Luo Songtang paid his respects, he didn’t speak first, but raised his eyelids to glance at Su Jin.

Zhu Nanxian took in his expression completely and said: “This palace heard from Vice Minister Su that Minister Luo has important matters to remonstrate about?”

Actually, before coming to Fengtian Hall, Luo Songtang had gone to the Ministry of Justice to find Su Jin, but the people there said Lord Su had already gone to see the Crown Prince one step ahead. Luo Songtang hadn’t understood the situation, but hearing Zhu Nanxian say this, he thought Su Jin had already guessed what he wanted to remonstrate about and had mentioned it to the Crown Prince first.

He couldn’t help but admire inwardly—no wonder Lord Su could rise from a prefect to vice minister in just two or three years. Setting aside her brilliant talent, just her ability to read expressions put old ministers like him to shame. At this rate, the position of Minister of Justice would surely be within reach soon.

“Reporting to the Crown Prince, Your Highness has just returned to the capital, taken charge of the Eastern Palace, and stabilized the court situation. This is truly a great fortune and blessing for the subjects and people of our Great Sui. However, there is still one matter of pressing urgency.” Luo Songtang paused, then performed a steady, balanced bow. “Your Highness should put the matter of establishing a consort on the agenda.”

Hearing this, Zhu Nanxian’s expression turned cold: “You came just to say this?”

Luo Songtang observed Zhu Nanxian from the corner of his eye, thinking to himself—isn’t this topic good? The major matters the Ministry of Rites handles are nothing more than imperial examinations, diplomatic relations, and ceremonies. Talking about establishing a consort is better than bringing up the diplomatic mission. Having Su Jin serve as envoy was already decided by Zhu Zhaowei. The Seventh Prince has only lost power now but isn’t dead. Bringing up the diplomatic mission—wouldn’t that offend people on all sides?

It was better to bring up establishing a consort. First, it showed the Ministry of Rites’ loyalty and care for the succeeding new ruler. Second, it offended no one and provoked no one. More importantly, Zhu Nanxian was already twenty-four years old. In the past, when he was just a prince, not marrying or taking concubines was one thing, but the heir apparent’s marriage and offspring concerned the dynastic succession and the state. This was genuinely a top priority matter for his Ministry of Rites to worry about.

“In response to the Crown Prince, after returning to the palace today, this subject specially drafted a list of candidates for consort selection that I wish to present for Your Highness’s review.” As Luo Songtang spoke, he glanced again at Su Jin, who stood below Zhu Nanxian, wanting to encourage her to help speak up as well. “Vice Minister Su happens to be here as well. Why not have her help Your Highness deliberate together?”

“Luo Songtang!” Zhu Nanxian rebuked. “This palace thought you had made progress, that you wanted to remonstrate and offer counsel for family, nation, and world affairs. That’s why I specially summoned you. I didn’t expect that what you’re bringing up is such a trivial, insignificant little matter.”

Luo Songtang looked completely bewildered, unable to understand how establishing a Crown Prince’s consort could be trivial and insignificant.

Despite this, he still lifted his robes and knelt on the ground. After kowtowing twice, he continued: “Your Highness doesn’t know—when you were fifteen, His Majesty said he would establish a consort for you. Unfortunately, the late Empress passed away, and you observed mourning for her for three years. Later, when you reached seventeen, His Majesty urged this old minister to select a consort for you. But as soon as you finished mourning, you went to lead troops in the northwest. A little over two years ago, when you returned from leading troops, His Majesty berated this old minister severely, telling me I absolutely must select a proper princess consort for you. Who knew that before this old minister could finish drafting the list of candidates, you went to establish your domain in Nanchang Prefecture.

“When you returned from Nanchang at the end of last year, His Majesty told this old minister that if I still couldn’t properly establish your consort, I should bring my head to see him. But then the matter with the late Crown Prince occurred. These years, this old minister has been scolded bloody by His Majesty over your consort selection matter. Now you are already the esteemed heir apparent, set to inherit the imperial throne, yet still remain alone without family. If His Majesty wakes and learns of this old minister’s inaction, I fear even cutting off ten of this subject’s heads wouldn’t be enough to appease His Majesty’s anger.”

After finishing this long speech, Luo Songtang kowtowed three more times, then looked toward Su Jin with eyes full of expectation: “Lord Su came from the Hanlin Academy, spent half a lifetime studying the Confucian way, and deeply understands that the heir apparent’s offspring are the foundation of establishing the nation. Why don’t you explain this principle to His Highness?”

Su Jin hadn’t expected that this was the matter Luo Songtang wanted her help with.

Certainly, Lord Luo’s words were remonstrations of admonition, but after this half year of hardship and chaos, hanging by a thread between life and death, she had finally waited for him to return.

“This subject believes—” Su Jin paused, feeling she really couldn’t help with this. “Your Highness has just assumed the position of Eastern Palace master. In the court, many matters still await discussion. As for establishing a consort… postpone it.”

Luo Songtang looked at Su Jin with utter shock, unable to understand why she wouldn’t even urge the Crown Prince once.

Zhu Nanxian also glanced at Su Jin. The corners of his lips moved as he restrained himself from showing a smile. He nodded very solemnly: “Mm, postpone it.”

Before long, the hour of shen arrived. Zhu Nanxian hastily dismissed Luo Songtang, then ordered the ministry officials to enter Fengtian Hall to discuss matters.

Court affairs were complex and numerous. Many places throughout the realm were in turmoil. Fortunately, the Six Ministries and Imperial Censorate had each performed their duties over this past half year, coordinating and compiling major matters, so the threads could at least be sorted out.

Zhu Nanxian let everyone’s words pass through his mind once, then said: “According to all the ministers’ views, the reason the court situation is difficult to advance is that the crux lies in the Ministry of Revenue’s shortage of silver and grain. Therefore, the Ministry of Rites cannot conduct autumn ceremonies, the Ministry of Works cannot repair imperial temples, disaster relief funds and supplies for various regions cannot be distributed, and the Ministry of War, with military expenses exhausted, has difficulty conscripting and deploying troops.”

Bringing this up, Minister of War Gong Quan was full of resentment. He said: “In response to the Crown Prince, precisely so. Moreover, the ability to build ships and buy horses in the first half of this year, and for the Fourth Prince and Commander Qi to successfully deploy troops, all relied on former Vice Minister of Revenue Shen preparing for rainy days, saving up so much money and grain for the court. In all these years Lord Shen served in the Ministry of Revenue, he never shorted my Ministry of War’s military expenses. Now that he’s gone, my Ministry of War can’t even afford to maintain troops.”

Hearing these words, Right Vice Minister of Revenue Du Zhen felt very uncomfortable. In the past, he would certainly have argued well with Gong Quan for a few exchanges. But now that the Eastern Palace had changed hands—a new emperor, a new court—who didn’t know about the relationship between Zhu Nanxian and Shen Qingyue?

Du Zhen could only keep silent with a dark expression.

But Zhu Nanxian said: “We shouldn’t blame the Ministry of Revenue either. With wars erupting everywhere this year, even if Shen Qingyue were here, the situation probably wouldn’t be much better than today.” As he spoke, he thought again and changed the direction of his words. “Vice Minister Su, do you know how Qingyue’s injuries are?”

Su Jin said: “In response to Your Highness, I heard they’re not too serious. After resting a few days, he’ll be fine.”

Zhu Nanxian said “Mm,” pondered for a moment, then said: “Lord Du single-handedly supporting the Ministry of Revenue is already quite difficult. Though Shen Qingyue committed the crime of harboring, he has already received the severe punishment of fifty strokes of the rod. This time, transporting the horses, he also has merit, and can be considered to have made up for losses to the court—balancing merit with fault. This palace plans to summon Shen Qingyue to tomorrow’s court deliberation. Do the assembled ministers have any objections?”

Only officials of fourth rank and above could participate in court deliberations.

Everyone present was an old fox. They all knew what Zhu Nanxian intended by summoning Shen Qingyue to court deliberations without it needing to be stated clearly.

Shen Qingyue’s harboring crime had been punished too severely to begin with. Now the power over punishments was in Su Jin’s hands. Unless the Imperial Censorate wanted to manage this matter, no one would speak up to touch this bad luck.

Everyone’s gazes first swept over Su Jin, then over Liu Chaoming. Seeing that both remained silently standing, they immediately had their answer in their hearts and cupped their hands together: “Entirely as the Crown Prince decides.”

It was already approaching evening. After asking the Ministry of War a few more questions about the war situation in Northern Liang, thinking he still needed to go to Minghua Palace to keep vigil for Father Emperor through the first half of the night, Zhu Nanxian dismissed the Seven Ministers.

When the seven ministers had withdrawn to outside Fengtian Hall to pay their respects, he seemed to remember something and called out: “Lord Liu, please stay.”

A crescent moon at the horizon was bright and luminous. The inner attendants, seeing the Crown Prince still had state affairs to discuss, entered the hall again to light several lamps. Liu Chaoming bowed to Zhu Nanxian in the deep hall: “What are Your Highness’s instructions?”

Zhu Nanxian considered for a moment and said: “Before today’s deliberations, this palace reviewed recent memorials. Only then did I learn that half of this year’s major matters were presided over and managed by you, my lord. You have worked hard.”

These words were sincere.

All the ministry officials were people of great talent, but among all the memorials, only Liu Chaoming’s were written most clearly and comprehensibly. No wonder when Su Jin was at the Imperial Censorate in the past, she always took him as her model in official matters.

Liu Chaoming said: “Your Highness is too kind. What this subject does is merely within the scope of duty.”

Zhu Nanxian continued: “This palace is new to managing state affairs and is not very adept at it. In some areas, there are still unclear and incomprehensible points. I fear I might delay major state affairs. In the future, I’ll still need to trouble you for much guidance.”

He knew his own inadequacies and openly admitted them, learning from others, thinking of the worthy and seeking to emulate them, without the slightest concealment.

Liu Chaoming raised his eyes to glance at Zhu Nanxian, then said: “A sincere heart is rare. Humble yet principled. If Your Highness has the heart to personally attend to all matters and govern diligently, then there’s no need to be overly hasty.”

Zhu Nanxian nodded once: “This palace understands. It’s already late. My lord should return to the Imperial Censorate first.”

Liu Chaoming responded and had just retreated to outside the hall when he suddenly heard Zhu Nanxian call out: “Liu Yun.”

He seemed to have a thousand considerations, but his eyes remained calm and steadfast as usual.

“Today… this palace actually saw it.” Zhu Nanxian said. As he spoke, he suddenly raised his hands and bowed to Liu Chaoming. “Today, and for all these many days—thank you, my lord.”

Zhu Nanxian didn’t specify what he was thanking him for, but the meaning was more than clear to both of them.

Thank you for today’s life-risking protection.

Thank you for these two or three years of silent protection of Su Shiyu.

Outside the hall was lonely moonlight. Inside the hall, the blazing firelight was like brilliant scorching sun.

Liu Chaoming stood at the intersection of moonlight and firelight, looking at this person who was completely different from himself. He was silent for a moment, then also folded his sleeves and returned Zhu Nanxian’s bow. Without saying much more, he turned and left.

The hour of xu had already passed. Because Zhu Nanxian needed to keep vigil for Zhu Jingyuan through the first half of the night, he hadn’t had time to eat. He took several memorials from the imperial desk and went to Minghua Palace.

When he emerged from the night vigil, it was already the hour of chou of the second day. Eunuch You from the Eastern Palace came with a lantern to meet him, saying: “Your Highness has just returned to the palace and is already working so hard. Why not rest for two hours nearby at Minghua Palace?”

Zhu Nanxian thought for a moment but said: “No need. This palace still has business and needs to go to the Ministry of Justice.”

Eunuch You hesitated for half a moment before responding, then couldn’t help saying: “No matter how good Your Highness’s constitution is, it can’t withstand being overworked like this. After tomorrow’s court deliberation, you absolutely must take a rest.”

Zhu Nanxian’s gaze had already fallen in the direction of the Ministry of Justice. Taking the wind lantern from Eunuch You’s hands, he responded: “This palace knows.”

To say he had business wasn’t quite accurate. Even the most urgent matters could be postponed slightly.

He just felt that having just returned to the palace, he hadn’t yet had a chance to properly speak even a few words with Su Jin. He really wanted to go see her.

Court affairs were numerous and complicated. Even late at night, all the ministries had their lamps lit. Wu Jizhi, the Ministry of Justice official on night duty, saw someone approaching from outside. Originally thinking it was someone from some office coming to inquire about matters, when he went to greet them, he discovered it was actually the Crown Prince himself. He hurriedly knelt to pay his respects.

Zhu Nanxian raised his hand to help him up nominally and asked: “Has Vice Minister Su rested yet?”

Wu Jizhi said: “In response to the Crown Prince, just a moment ago Lord Su was still organizing case files in her duty quarters. I don’t know if she has rested yet. This humble subject will go check for Your Highness.”

Zhu Nanxian shook his head: “No need.” In case she was sleeping and he disturbed her. “You may withdraw. This palace will go over myself.”

A lamp was still lit in Su Jin’s duty office. Zhu Nanxian gently pushed the door open and saw she was still sitting before a desk full of case files, but her whole body had fallen asleep propped up on her chin.

He fell silent for a moment, extinguished the wind lantern and left it outside, closed the door and entered the room. Knowing she was too tired and exhausted, he didn’t have the heart to wake her. He sat down on the chair opposite her and took from his chest a memorial he hadn’t finished reading earlier.