The ceremonial cannons roared as the Wei Dynasty underwent its transition of power.

Guanzhi and Lingshu anxiously waited at the entrance of the Longxian Palace. Lingshu bounced up and down, muttering excitedly, “I’m so thrilled, so thrilled!”

“What are you so excited about?” Though equally excited himself, Guanzhi maintained his composure to display masculine dignity, saying, “It’s our masters being enthroned and crowned empress, not you.”

“Even if it’s not me, I’m still excited!” Lingshu clutched her chest, eyes sparkling as she said, “Just imagining Master and His Majesty standing side by side, wearing the dragon robe and phoenix dress as they slowly approach – my hands are shaking just thinking about it!”

The image appeared in Guanzhi’s mind, and he couldn’t help but swallow hard.

Who could have imagined these two would reach this point? Back when he was a hostage prince in Wu, how many people sighed that Yin Chenbi would never have a chance at the throne? And when the Guan family was executed, who could have predicted Guan Qingyue would escape with her life? The distance between these two wasn’t merely mountains and seas – there were the previous generation’s grievances and blood feuds!

If it had been any two people slightly more stubborn or entangled, today’s happy ending would never have happened. They had ten thousand reasons to make things difficult for each other and themselves, dragging those around them into the whirlpool of conflict, never finding peace.

Fortunately, it was them.

“They’re coming, they’re coming!” shouted a young eunuch outside. The palace servants began filing out. Guanzhi snapped back to attention, pulled Lingshu along, and followed them to kneel outside.

The imperial carriage approached slowly. Palace servants on both sides of the path knelt with bowed heads. The carriage stopped at the entrance of Longxian Palace. The chief eunuch led the cry, and everyone followed: “We welcome His Majesty the Emperor – ten thousand years! Her Majesty the Empress – a thousand years!”

“Enough.” Yin Gezhi’s voice was soft as he stepped down from the carriage and frowned at them. “Why such a ceremony even at the private palace? Everyone disperse.”

Guanzhi and Lingshu were startled, thinking from his tone that perhaps the two masters had quarreled, putting His Majesty in a bad mood. How could that be acceptable? They had just completed the coronation ceremony – how could they be fighting?

As the palace servants dispersed, the two hurriedly looked up to see Yin Gezhi carefully lifting someone from the imperial carriage, holding them in his arms as he headed toward the inner hall.

“Master?!” Lingshu was startled, forgetting all protocol as she rushed forward to ask, “What happened to Master? Did she faint?”

Shaking his head, Yin Gezhi said softly, “She was too excited last night and didn’t sleep at all. She’s too tired today – even the ceremonial cannons couldn’t wake her. Let’s not disturb her now; let her get some proper rest.”

Lingshu stood dumbfounded.

The dragon robe’s hem swayed gently as he walked, the pearls on the phoenix crown softly swinging. The ceremonial dress was as magnificent as she had imagined. Though the two weren’t walking side by side approaching slowly as she’d pictured, watching the new emperor’s back view somehow made her even more excited. Her hands wouldn’t stop shaking; she couldn’t calm down at all.

Grabbing Guanzhi’s sleeve beside her, Lingshu turned to look at him, countless emotions swirling in her eyes too choked up to speak.

Sighing, Guanzhi patted her head. “I know how you feel.”

Lingshu burst into tears with a “waaah!”

In the past, whenever she fell asleep at the table, Master would always carry her to bed and tuck her in. But she always fell asleep before Master, so many times when Master fell asleep at the table, she couldn’t even manage to cover her with a blanket. Lingshu had always felt guilty about this.

Now finally someone was here to cherish Master, worried about her getting cold or tired, gently carrying her and tucking her in so she could sleep peacefully… Tears welling up, Lingshu clasped her hands together and turned to make a deep bow to the heavens outside.

Good is rewarded and evil punished, karma comes full circle – thank Heaven for its mercy!

The heavy phoenix dress was removed, and the phoenix crown was taken off her head. Feng Yue was in a daze, feeling only the lightness of her body as she tried to burrow into the bedding!

Someone disapprovingly stopped her, pressing a warm cloth to her face to remove her heavy makeup, wiping from the corners of her eyes to her cheeks, while saying sternly, “The Imperial Physician said these aren’t good for your health. Just this once – don’t use them again in the future.”

Who was being so fussy? Slightly irritated, Feng Yue frowned and said, “My body isn’t yours to worry about!”

The hand wiping her face paused, followed by a cold snort. Then her face was scrubbed as if it were a washboard!

“Ow!” Raising her hands to block him, Feng Yue opened her eyes angrily to glare at him. “What are you doing?!”

Yin Gezhi looked down at her, jaw tense and expression displeased: “My hands aren’t yours to worry about!”

Feng Yue: “…” How unreasonable could this person be?

Caught between laughter and tears, but truly exhausted, she hugged his arm and said pitifully, “I just want to sleep…”

Her voice was soft and seemingly wronged. Yin Gezhi’s expression immediately softened. He removed her still-bound waistband and let her lie down comfortably. Finally standing up, he looked at her with apparent disdain: “Only you would sleep through such an important day.”

With that, he turned and walked out.

Feng Yue couldn’t care less. When tired, she slept. She turned over, wrapped herself in the blanket, and began snoring thunderously.

The ceremony had concluded. Given Wei’s critical situation, the officials hadn’t planned to give the new emperor time to rest, instead convening a meeting directly in the Imperial Study.

“Your Majesty, the Shi clan is about to be executed, leaving many official positions vacant.”

“Your Majesty, the diplomatic gifts for Wu have all been sent from Liidu. Wu’s envoys respectfully request Your Majesty to finalize the military deployment matter.”

“Your Majesty, the position of Grand Commander is crucial. Those promoted by former Prime Minister Shi are inadequate. Please provide guidance.”

The reports buzzed continuously in the Imperial Study – enough to drive any other emperor mad. But Yin Gezhi wasn’t rushed at all. He reviewed memorials while listening to them speak, waiting until they had finished. Only then did he close the memorial and wave to his side.

The Chief Eunuch respectfully placed twenty imperial edicts in the hands of the leading official, Qiao Tangjie.

“The court lacks people – better to use old talents than new ones. I have drafted orders to restore the positions of eight wrongfully exiled or imprisoned officials to fill the civil service vacancies. As for military officers, the names written on the other twelve edicts should be familiar to everyone.”

Twenty imperial edicts! These weren’t dumplings to be handed out so freely! Qiao Tangjie’s eyes widened, but he dared not speak his thoughts to Yin Gezhi. The court officials whispered among themselves, their faces showing trepidation.

“What’s wrong?” Yin Gezhi asked. “Is there something inappropriate?”

“Your Majesty,” After a moment’s thought, Qiao Tangjie spoke: “Perhaps we should issue them separately? Giving so many edicts at once might…”

“This is a time when we need talent.” Interrupting his concerns, Yin Gezhi said seriously, “These twenty edicts will let everyone in Wei know: I desperately seek capable people. As long as one’s character is upright, no matter their current situation, I am willing to respectfully request their service.”

Everyone’s hearts trembled, feeling a long-absent surge of passionate excitement!

“Our Emperor is wise!”

Qiao Tangjie called out shakily, thinking he truly didn’t understand His Majesty well enough – he needed to work harder at that!

Twenty imperial edicts were carried by swift horses out of the palace in all directions.

“By Heaven’s mandate,” rang out in various places as the edicts were unfolded and court officials announced in high voices: “The Emperor decrees…”

Yin Yanzhong knelt listening. Luo Hao also bowed his head in reverence. The news of Wei’s Emperor seeking talent grew wings, quickly flying throughout Liidu and to all corners of Wei.

In an instant, the court flourished. Men with scars still visible on their faces donned official robes and made three kowtows before the dragon throne. Qiao Tangjie watched with satisfaction, hearing the synchronized clanking of armor outside the hall.

The Emperor of Wei’s expression was gentle as he rose and descended the steps, leading the court officials to stand at the hall entrance to watch.

The famous generals who had vanished overnight in years past now approached in full armor, holding their helmets as they walked toward them.

“General… General Yin! Isn’t that General Yin?”

“Vice Commander Luo! The most valiant Luo Hao under General Guan’s command!”

“Even Lady Qiu is here… Where have they all been these years!”

The crowd watched in shock, discussing animatedly. Looking on, Qiao Tangjie seemed to suddenly understand something.

These people… they had all won countless battles under Guan Canghai’s command. That year, it was precisely because they suddenly disappeared that Wei had no one to lead its armies, suffering defeat after defeat. His Majesty’s insistence on reversing the Guan family’s case wasn’t without reason – how could the empire be revived without first warming the hearts of its officials?!

Watching the Emperor personally help up those who had bowed, Qiao Tangjie quietly wiped his eyes and looked to the heavens.

Great Wei… there was hope for revival!

Feng Yue, dressed as a eunuch, secretly watched from beside Yin Gezhi, her eyes also reddening. A soldier’s greatest desire is the chance to achieve merit and fame, to protect the people’s peaceful lives, and to prevent any loss of national territory. This group of veterans still had their chance. But she no longer did.

Just as she was lost in thought, the emperor beside her suddenly turned his head and said flatly, “Eunuch Wang, return to Longxian Palace and fetch a cloak for me.”

Quickly coming to her senses, Feng Yue lowered her head and responded in a falsetto: “Yes, Your Majesty.”

Yin Gezhi wouldn’t let her wander freely – she had only gained his permission to come watch after days of cajoling and threatening Eunuch Wang. Now she couldn’t risk being discovered, or he would surely mock her again!

Bowing, she headed toward Longxian Palace. She had seen what she came to see; better return and stay put properly to avoid his discovery and teasing.

However, upon entering Longxian Palace, Feng Yue was dumbfounded.

“Master.” Lingshu was pouring tea for some people and quickly waved her over. “Quick, we have guests.”

Many people sat in the main hall, but that wasn’t the main point. The point was, how did Lingshu know it was her return? Was her disguise that easy to see through?

Confused, she walked over. Just as she crossed the threshold, her vision brightened.

“This humble woman pays respects to the Empress!” A sea of colorful dresses knelt. Feng Yue was stunned, her gaze sweeping over them before landing on Madam Jin’s head: “What’s going on?”

“Boss… ah no, Your Majesty!” Madam Jin rose cheerfully, holding her hand and saying, “The weather is nice today, so I brought them to the palace to express gratitude.”

“Gratitude?” Feng Yue was very confused. Too many major events had happened recently, and she hadn’t had time to attend the Menghui House. What were they thanking her for now?