Two streets away from here, in the Zhao residence, Wang Shi saw such a celestial phenomenon and couldn’t help but run to the ancestral hall to bring out the memorial tablets of Zhao Changyu and Zhao Zhi, letting them also see the unusual sight in the sky.

Just as she was about to sit down to watch the celestial phenomenon, she thought of something. After hesitating for a moment, she still instructed her servants, “Bring another altar table.”

She entered the ancestral hall and brought out Zhao Zhongyu’s memorial tablet as well, placing it on the altar table. Then, with bright shining eyes, she looked up at the increasingly visible dragon scales in midair. When the dragon head appeared, she almost knelt to pray for blessings, but Qinggu supported her, saying softly, “Madam, you cannot kneel. You are His Majesty’s mother.”

Wang Shi steadied herself, then glanced at the three memorial tablets beside her. Her back straight and filled with pride, she thought silently: Did you hear that? The emperor was born by me!

At the Princess’s mansion, Princess Hongnong and the prince consort were also watching the celestial phenomenon.

Fu Xuan spoke without reservation, directly exclaiming, “Heaven’s mandate is with her.”

The princess felt both joy and sorrow in her heart. Hearing this, a surge of anger went toward him. “Are you regretting not going to the enthronement ceremony?”

Fu Xuan shook his head. “Although such an enthronement ceremony is rarely seen in a hundred years, the ritual is onerous. It’s not worth regretting.”

As for the celestial phenomenon, under the same sky, he could see it here too, though seeing it at the altar would probably be more shocking, wouldn’t it?

Princess Hongnong became worried instead, asking, “If she invites us to reside in the palace, how should we decline?”

Although she had previously accepted that the young emperor abdicate to Zhao Hanzhang, and to prevent further chaos in the realm had followed Ji Yuan’s advice to stay behind closed doors, she was not very happy about it in her heart.

Zhao Hanzhang had already invited them once before, but she really didn’t want to enter the palace.

“I lived in the palace for many years and am thoroughly sick of it. I don’t want to enter the palace.”

Fu Xuan especially supported her. “Just say directly we’re not going.”

Seeing her expression, Fu Xuan immediately said, “I’ll handle this matter. You don’t need to worry about it.”

He was especially afraid she and her daughter-in-law would engage in false courtesy on one side and pretense on the other, ultimately making things worse and actually getting both of them into the rear palace.

Although he liked staying home, that didn’t mean he liked residing in the imperial palace.

Fu Xuan decided to personally talk with Fu Tinghan to resolve this matter.

Seeing that Princess Hongnong was still worried, Fu Xuan, for the sake of today’s household atmosphere, comforted her saying, “Don’t worry. When the new emperor is enthroned and confers the title of Empress Dowager, she’ll confer it on Madam Wang. Since she’ll be living in the palace, if we also move in, it won’t be convenient. I’ll talk with Tinghan and definitely be able to refuse.”

The princess: …

She frowned, her gaze severe as she looked at Fu Xuan. “Your son is going to live together with his mother-in-law. As his father, aren’t you worried he’ll be wronged?”

Fu Xuan was surprised. “How could he be wronged at his in-law’s place? Haven’t you seen how well Madam Wang treats him? All these years they’ve lived together. I see they get along very well. Tinghan is more at ease with her.”

Princess Hongnong’s attention was immediately diverted. “Are you saying I don’t treat him well?”

The couple had another argument. Seeing that the clouds in the sky had dispersed, they checked the time, estimated that the sacrificial ceremony was also over, and so each snorted and turned to leave separately.

After moving to the princess’s mansion, the couple had very tacitly divided up the courtyards to live separately.

Princess Hongnong lived in the main courtyard, while Fu Xuan chose a courtyard in the east to live in, near the corner gate for convenient coming and going.

If not for the fact that twenty-five days out of every month he was in his courtyard reading books, with only serving attendants beside him, Princess Hongnong would suspect he had other intentions.

Princess Hongnong huffed angrily back to the main courtyard. Ren Hui poured her tea. “The princess shouldn’t be angry with the prince consort. The young master’s spring and summer clothes were all sent by Madam Wang’s people. I heard that last year when the young master was dredging the Yellow River, Madam Wang specially made two pairs of boots to send, fearing the young master would freeze. Knowing that Second Master and the two young masters were there, she also sent them each a pair of boots.”

Princess Hongnong’s expression froze.

Ren Hui then gently advised, “Princess, you and the young master are mother and son—birth mother and son. How could there be enmity between mother and child? If you show more concern for the young master, the mother-son bond will return.”

Princess Hongnong lowered her eyes. After a long while, she shook her head. “Forget it. Let it be. He’s no longer a small child who needs his mother. I also can’t learn to be a kind and gentle mother. Let’s just continue this lukewarm relationship.”

Princess Hongnong thought of something and sat up straight. “Go open the storeroom. Find some high-quality screens, porcelain, and fabrics. We’ll send them to the Prince of An later. He’s leaving the palace to establish his own household. Who knows how many people want to see him humiliated? We must help him maintain his dignity.”

Ren Hui sighed and lowered her head in acknowledgment, bowing as she withdrew.

The Prince of An stood before the great hall watching the cloud dragon in the sky slowly dissipate, leaving only a touch of purple and orange reflecting against several pale white clouds. He couldn’t help but exhale, trembling slightly as he steadied himself on Eunuch Dong’s hand and returned to the hall to sit and wait for the sacrificial ceremony to end.

Zhao Hanzhang watched as all the sacrificial items were completely burned. Only then was the Heaven-sacrifice complete.

The hundred officials knelt to respectfully see off Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan. Only after the two had left did they rise. There was still a palace banquet this evening, and they had to change out of their ceremonial robes, or else wearing this full set of clothing to the palace for dinner would exhaust them to death.

The hundred officials withdrew. Liu Kun immediately seized the opportunity to approach Tuoba Yilu, who was also looking for him.

The two brothers felt mixed emotions in their hearts. Liu Kun was a person with abundant feelings, and Tuoba Yilu was also an outgoing person. The two grasped hands, their eyes meeting, and immediately embraced each other.

Tuoba Yilu shed tears. “Second brother, save me!”

Liu Kun said, “Elder brother, you were foolish!”

After the two finished crying, Liu Kun immediately searched through the crowd. “Where is my worthy nephew?”

Tuoba Yilu said, “That rebellious son…”

“Elder brother, watch your words,” Liu Kun said. “To save you, your eldest son must come forward to plead for mercy. Only if he doesn’t hold grudges can this matter possibly be minimized or resolved.”

Tuoba Yilu naturally knew what he said was correct and remained silent.

Tuoba Liuxiu had already been led away.

Just when Liu Kun and Tuoba Yilu’s eyes met, a eunuch silently walked to his side and said in a low voice, “Crown Prince, His Majesty wishes to see you.”

Tuoba Liuxiu only glanced once at his father before turning and leaving with the eunuch.

Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan first returned to the rear hall, changed out of their ceremonial robes, then were to go to Deyang Hall. Lai Qing followed closely behind her, softly saying, “Your Majesty, His Highness the Prince of An is still waiting at Taiji Hall.”

Zhao Hanzhang was slightly stunned. After reacting, she said, “It’s getting late. You go to Taiji Hall to invite the Prince of An to rest in a side hall. After the evening banquet ends, then leave the palace.”

Lai Qing acknowledged the order.

Zhao Hanzhang turned to look at Fu Tinghan, wanting to speak but hesitating.

Fu Tinghan said, “You go ahead. I’ll arrange things for him and won’t let him be wronged. I’ll also pay attention to matters at the palace banquet and send people out of the palace to bring Mother and the princess and the others into the palace.”

Zhao Hanzhang felt relieved and nodded. “Good, then I’m off.”

As soon as she left, Ting He came in to report, “Young Master Zhao Cheng currently has no official position. Where should his seat be arranged?”

Fu Tinghan said, “That he’s willing to participate in the Heaven-sacrifice ceremony shows he’s already turned around. After being away for over half a year, he’s probably thought things through. Have him sit with He Xun.”

Ting He acknowledged the order.

Fu Tinghan first went to Taiji Hall to find the still obediently waiting Prince of An and brought him to a side hall to rest. “Your Highness has long resided in the palace and is familiar with the court. If there’s anything lacking, have Eunuch Dong instruct people to fetch it. No need to be polite.”

The Prince of An acknowledged.

—