Capital City restored its bustling atmosphere. The officials who had fled the capital gradually returned to their positions one by one. After reorganizing everything, someone went to the palace to respectfully request that the Emperor hold court. Li Huailin emerged from Hexi Palace, changed into dragon robes, carried several scrolls, and took his seat on the dragon throne.

“I have received the nurturing grace of the Late Emperor, enjoyed the care of the Grand Princess for many years, and ascended to the imperial throne. Yet I never expected to cause such great trouble, implicating the instability of Northern Wei’s territory and the unrest of the people under heaven. Last night I dreamed of the Late Emperor, who reproached me for being unworthy of being emperor. I, too, feel deeply ashamed, so today I wish to reveal to the world the imperial edict that the Late Emperor left behind in the past.”

Those standing below in the court hall, quite a few harbored considerable criticism toward this emperor. If not for Ziyang Jun, how could he possibly still be sitting up there? Moreover, Li Huailin had previously been obstinate and self-willed, favoring treacherous ministers and alienating virtuous ones, causing many ministers to harbor dissatisfaction. But upon suddenly hearing these words, everyone was shocked.

What imperial edict was left by the Late Emperor?

Li Huailin’s face was pale. Though still a teenager, white hairs had already appeared at his temples – a few strands tucked from his ears into the dragon crown. He stood up, received the testament from the hands of a nearby eunuch, waved his hand to dismiss him, then slowly unfolded it himself, reading word by word:

“I, with my meager virtue, have inherited the great enterprise of my ancestors, ruling over the world for barely over a year. Worrying and laboring day and night, I have consequently fallen ill, suddenly reaching the point of great decline. Death and life are the constant principles of day and night, the same path followed by past sages – why should this be cause for grief? Only the state and people must have a sovereign. My young son Huailin possesses a naturally benevolent and generous disposition, filial and fraternal, wise and enlightened. I have long expected great things from him, and all subjects and people rejoice. He should immediately assume the imperial throne to continue the divine lineage and govern the multitudes.”

“However, Huailin is ultimately not of my blood. The legitimate line of the Li family rests solely with Huaiyu. When Huailin reaches sixteen, he should yield the throne to Huaiyu’s son. Huaiyu is intelligent, benevolent, and filial, with virtue naturally formed. Though regrettably born as a daughter, she still possesses the ability to assist the state. With the young child ascending the throne, may all civil and military officials within and without work together in harmony to assist and protect the dynasty’s longevity – this would fulfill my aspirations completely.”

The deep voice resonated throughout the entire court hall. All the ministers were dumbfounded, all bewildered, and at a loss. Yet Li Huailin showed no intention of stopping, standing straight, grasping the aged scroll, standing upon the golden steps.

Jiang Xuanjin stood below, listening silently to every word he recited, his gaze falling on the qilin incense burner before the steps, watching the curling azure smoke rising from within.

“Do you feel you have wronged your Imperial Sister?” he asked after morning court ended, standing in the imperial study.

Li Huailin stood before him, lowering his eyes: “Does Jun Shang not find this question superfluous now?”

“No,” Jiang Xuanjin shook his head. “She cares very much about it.”

Li Huailin chuckled softly, his fingers repeatedly fidgeting with his sleeves. After hesitating for a long while, he finally stood up, walked to the bookshelf, and took down a box.

“This year and last year, Imperial Sister’s birthdays have both passed,” he pressed his lips together. “Please give this to her for me.”

Taking the box, Jiang Xuanjin was puzzled: “Your Majesty prepared this?”

“It’s a habit,” he said. “I originally thought she would die, so burning it for her would be fine. But she has a strong fate and won’t die, so I might as well deliver it into her hands.”

Didn’t he originally plan to kill her?

After a pause, he clenched his fist: “If Imperial Sister doesn’t want it, Jun Shang can just throw it away. It’s not worth much anyway.”

Weighing the box, finding it somewhat heavy, Jiang Xuanjin put it away and asked again: “Where do you plan to go?”

With the Late Emperor’s testament already issued, though there was still controversy in court, since he had voluntarily abdicated, he probably couldn’t continue living in Longyan Palace.

“Jun Shang need not worry,” Li Huailin said. “I have a place to go.”

When he said this, his eyes unexpectedly brightened somewhat, as if thinking of something warm, even the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

In the ninth month of the ninth year of Daxing, Emperor Qin revealed the Late Emperor’s testament, abdicating in favor of the son of Danyang Grand Princess. The court opinion was divided, stirring up new disputes. However, with Ziyang and Danyang’s armies positioned outside Capital City, the Grand Princess summoned the Marshal into court to report on military conditions. After the briefing was completed, the controversy immediately subsided. The Grand Astrologer selected an auspicious day for the enthronement, preparing to install the Grand Princess’s son as emperor.

But there was one problem: the court ministers hoped this child would bear the surname Li.

Li Huaiyu could well understand their thinking. After all, they couldn’t just casually change the surname of the Li imperial house. But how to explain this to Old Master Jiang? Her face wrinkled with worry as she tugged at Jiang Xuanjin’s sleeve: “Walk slower.”

Jiang Xuanjin looked back at her: “What are you afraid of?”

“Old Master loves little rascal so much, he’s still flipping through books to name him. Suddenly going to tell him the child should be surnamed Li – he’ll be furious!” The more Huaiyu thought about it, the more she shuddered. “He’s been holding both little ones while sleeping these past few days, never leaving their side!”

Jiang Xuanjin smiled slightly: “You’re overthinking.”

Huaiyu stared: “How could I be overthinking? Which in-laws would tolerate children taking the mother’s surname? Especially a great household like the Jiang family.”

However, upon entering Hongyuan Garden, Huaiyu discovered she had indeed been overthinking.

Old Master had two cloth pouches hanging from his neck, with one little one stuffed in each pouch. He didn’t seem to feel any neck strain, patting the swaddling clothes with one hand while holding a brush with the other, writing something on the desk.

“Ah, you’ve come?” Old Master cheerfully put down his brush and picked up the paper from the desk. “Come quickly and see which name is best?”

The paper was half the size of a desktop, covered in small script – all names, without surnames added.

Jiang Xuanjin said, “There’s something I’d like to discuss with Father.”

“Ah, I know.” The Old Master waved his hand. “With such a commotion outside, am I deaf? Father heard it all. The older brother can be surnamed Li, that’s fine, but…” He turned to look at Li Huaiyu, hugging the little troublemaker tighter: “The girl must be surnamed Jiang, is that acceptable? I’ve already thought of the name – Suisui, from ‘There is a fox, so sleek, by those banks of the Qi.’ This character ‘sui’ is wonderful! Particularly wonderful! Listen to me…”

“Wait.” Seeing he was about to launch into a lengthy discourse, Huaiyu quickly stopped Old Master first. “You don’t mind little rascal being surnamed Li?”

Old Master pursed his lips: “Xuanjin explained that these two children were born when you risked your life. Our family neither took good care of you nor helped much. That you’re willing to bring the children back already makes this old man very happy. Moreover, this child is blessed, bearing the surname Li; he will rule over the world in the future. Under such grand circumstances, how can we quibble over surnames? They’re all my dear grandsons, regardless!”

Huaiyu was shocked, looking at him, then at Jiang Xuanjin.

Jiang Xuanjin wore a completely calm expression, with an “I knew it would be like this” look. Though Old Master loved children, he was very reasonable – as long as he could still hold the children, everything else was negotiable.

“You can rest assured, Old Master’s second son also has a boy surnamed Jiang.” Seeing her bewildered expression, Old Master even comforted her instead. “Though that concubine of the second son is petty and suspicious, unwilling to let this old man raise the child, that child also bears the Jiang surname and will inherit the Jiang family line. If you feel bad about it, when fate allows in the future, having two more won’t matter.”

Jiang Xuanjin’s face remained composed throughout. Though Old Master loved children, he was very understanding – as long as he could still hold them, everything else was negotiable.

“Alright,” Huaiyu clapped her hands. “These names sound lovely.”

Getting praised, Old Master became even happier, cheerfully holding both children while swaying back and forth by the desk: “Suisui, Fanchen, you finally have proper names. I’ll have Chong’er go out shortly to have two gold locks made.”

“Don’t!” Li Huaiyu quickly waved her hands, pointing at all the items filling the room and courtyard. “They’re still small and can’t use so many things. Wait until they’re a full year old before making arrangements.”

“You young people don’t understand these customs,” Old Master huffed. “Once children have names, they must wear gold locks for protection and good fortune. Have you two finished talking? If so, go out for a walk – don’t always stay cooped up in my room.”

Li Huaiyu was completely bewildered, being shooed out the door by Old Master along with Jiang Xuanjin, still somewhat dazed.

“What are you thinking about?” Jiang Xuanjin asked her.

Blinking, then blinking again, Huaiyu took his arm and sighed: “I’m thinking that Old Master is truly fair – he must have arranged for me to meet you as compensation.”

Jiang Xuanjin glanced at her: “Yesterday, you were bickering with me, saying meeting me was an ill-fated connection.”

“Hehe.” Guiltily looking away, Huaiyu said, “It’s an ill-fated connection, yes – the good connection gained after all bad karma is exhausted. Ill-fated connection for short!”

“Keep making things up.”

“The great Ziyang Jun, why argue with a little woman?” She pouted.

Stopping in his tracks, looking her up and down, Jiang Xuanjin found it hard to believe: “Little woman?”

If someone like her counted as a little woman, were there any scoundrels left in the world?

“Yiiiiing.”

“Shut up.”

Acting shamelessly like a scoundrel, Li Da-rogue clung to him, kissing and nuzzling: “In front of my husband, I’m just a little woman.”

Exasperated yet amused, Jiang Xuanjin couldn’t take it anymore and simply pulled her over, carrying her on his back.

Her eyes sparkling with mischief, Huaiyu grinned as she hooked her arms around his neck, swaying her legs: “Before, when I asked you to carry me, you refused. Now, why are you volunteering to carry me?”

Jiang Xuanjin paused, remembering long ago in the Jiang mansion’s garden, when her ankle was injured and she persistently begged him to carry her. He had kept a stern face, completely cold and indifferent.

With eyes shimmering like rippling water, Huaiyu laughed cheerfully as she hugged his neck, shaking her legs: “I like you very much now, so you can carry me however you want.”

“At that time, I didn’t like you this much,” Jiang Xuanjin said, the corners of his mouth slightly curved.

Now I like you very much, so you can carry me however you want.