As they spoke, they arrived at the Grand Empress Dowager’s residence.

Having set aside the magnificent robes that symbolized her exalted status, and finally freed from the ever-present constraints of the palace, the Grand Empress Dowager’s spirits were more open and bright than they had ever been. She smiled more readily now — and in her manner, she was no different from the warm and benevolent matriarch of a great family.

She took the teacup and drank half a cup, then received a small box from a female official and passed it to Hua Zhi, her eyes warm as she looked upon the two of them — such a perfectly matched pair. “May you live in harmony and grow old together.”

“Thank you, Grandmother.”

After the two of them had performed their bow of gratitude, Gu Yanxi helped Ah Zhi to her feet. That natural, attentive care and the way he always held her close to heart moved the Grand Empress Dowager deeply. These two had fought for this day with their very lives — which was why everyone had, with one accord, turned a blind eye to the late Emperor’s dying decree, and no one had stood in the way.

The three of them moved to the dining table and sat, each in their place. They were all people of clear understanding — many things needed no explicit spelling out. From the moment she had been addressed as “Grandmother” rather than by her formal imperial title, it had become natural to interact as ordinary family, and without the distance that formal title would have imposed, a certain warmth and closeness had grown between them.

“Although His Majesty has been guided exceptionally well, he is still young, and at an age when he longs deeply for those close to him. Even as a daughter-in-law of the imperial family, there is no need at this juncture to trouble yourself with all those protocols.” The Grand Empress Dowager rose and took a few steps forward. “Not every dynasty produces a daughter-in-law with the abilities of a Grand Preceptor. You have earned the right to do things in your own way. This grandmother hopes you will carry on with the same confidence and assurance you have always had.”

Hua Zhi bent her knees in a bow, and responded with proper deference. Even without these words she would have acted accordingly — yet to be so protected and supported was nonetheless deeply warming.

The Grand Empress Dowager took her by the hand and sighed softly. “That child must also be uneasy in his heart — yet how can the one who sits upon the throne give voice to such things? You will still need to pay closer attention, and not let him feel distanced from you. After all, those he can feel at ease being close to are truly not many.”

“Yes.”

“You see things with great clarity — this old woman has no worries where you are concerned.” The old woman smiled again. “As for the palace, this old woman has no wish to return. Do not grow weary of having her make a long stay here.”

“It is precisely what Yanxi hopes for — that you will stay as long as you wish.” Hua Zhi glanced at her husband, who had not spoken but whose expression was soft and warm. “Now that you have finally left the palace, you need not confine yourself to the Prince’s estate either. On fine days, you might walk about the city and the surrounding countryside. There are several other residences as well — wherever you wish to go, you may go. And when we both find ourselves at leisure, even journeys to more distant places would be entirely possible.”

The Grand Empress Dowager, who had been confined all her life, felt a ripple stir in her eyes. Even just hearing these words filled her with longing. If the day truly came when this could be realized…

She bowed her head, blinked, and pressed that eager hope back down into her heart. The Grand Empress Dowager smiled and nodded. “Then this old woman must take good care of herself.”

“You shall surely be blessed with a long and prosperous life.”

The Grand Empress Dowager’s words stayed with Hua Zhi after all, and she paid closer attention once they were inside the palace making their ceremonial calls. And so she noticed: His Majesty’s smile was the same as always, his expression no different than usual — yet those glances he cast her way, half-concealed and half-apparent, always turning away the moment she looked back, were plainly a kind of probing. The young Emperor was uncertain whether his Grand Preceptor, now that she was married, would be any different from before.

That uncertainty made Hua Zhi feel a pang in her heart.

Her thoughts turned a few times, and the words came naturally. “Does Your Majesty still remember that this minister once sent you and Bolin into the common quarters of the city to inquire after market prices?”

His Majesty nodded. He remembered it well — that had been the very first experience of its kind in his life, and he would never forget it as long as he lived.

“Your Majesty must not underestimate such small matters. The rise and fall of prices are intimately linked to the lives of the common people, and from them one may also discern whether the harvest has been good or poor.” Hua Zhi smiled. “Your Majesty sits high in the halls of court — elevated, yes, with a broad view — yet this very elevation also places you at a distance from the common people. If someone were to stop your ears and cover your eyes, you would know only what they wished you to know. But if you have a clear understanding of all manner of market prices, then whether some region has suffered a natural disaster or a man-made calamity, whether the people’s lives are stable — all of this may perhaps be read from such signs. Who then could stop your ears, or cover your eyes?”

His Majesty’s eyes brightened with vivid astonishment. Could it be that what the Grand Preceptor was suggesting was…

“It would naturally be impossible to move about the common quarters as freely as before — Your Majesty’s safety is paramount above all else. Yet if on occasion you were to walk through those bustling streets of the marketplace, this minister believes the benefits would far outweigh the risks.”

His Majesty was ten thousand times willing — but there was not a single court minister who would agree to it, he thought instinctively, and his gaze moved to the Regent Prince.

Gu Yanxi had no intention of opposing any decision of Ah Zhi’s. He also knew well what an extraordinary person the Emperor would become, raised according to her methods — and so without a moment’s hesitation, he nodded and said: “This minister concurs. Once Your Majesty understands these things, why would you fear being deceived by those beneath you?”

His Majesty was overjoyed. With the Regent Prince’s word, the matter was essentially settled. Even if such outings could only happen on occasion, at least the restlessness of being confined within the palace day after day was somewhat eased.

“This minister recalls that not far from Dazhuosi there is a marketplace.” Hua Zhi said this with a perfectly composed expression, as though it were the most ordinary thing. “Now that times of difficulty have passed and the seasons are fair and abundant, it would be most fitting for Your Majesty to visit that area — and while you are there, you could also stop at Dazhuosi to offer incense.”

Gu Yanxi barely managed to suppress a laugh. This was truly… she had gone around such a wide circle, and when all was said and done, it was still just that she could not bear to let the Emperor remain uneasy — she was finding ways to settle his heart.

Looking at the Emperor’s lips, which he was trying to keep flat but which kept curving upward, Gu Yanxi felt warmth in his eyes and in his heart. The person he had finally brought home as his wife — it was only after truly knowing her that one could understand how soft her heart was, and how deeply good she was to those she considered her own people.

And if simply watching from the sidelines already moved him like this, then the warmth that must be brimming within the Emperor’s heart at this moment — so full and overwhelming that it made his heart ache, that made his nose sting — was entirely understandable. Clutching a bosom full of happiness, the Emperor thought quietly to himself: how wonderful — the Grand Preceptor is still exactly the same as before!

Departing from the palace, the two of them went directly to Dazhuosi. Neither was the sort to make a great fuss, and they had not sent word ahead. It was only after the two of them had offered incense at the main hall that Master Boruo received word and came to meet them.

In the quiet chamber, Hua Zhi set down her teacup, took a box from Yingchun’s hands, placed it on the table, and opened it. The sandalwood beads lay nestled inside.

“Sheltered by the Buddha’s grace, I was helped across the threshold of life and death.”

Master Boruo bowed his head and looked at the box. He smiled and shook his head. “My Lady possesses this blessing by her own merit.”

Hua Zhi did not argue. She held no belief in spirits or deities, yet she carried within her a reverent awe — whether this had been mere coincidence or had truly been a protection woven by unseen forces, she was grateful for it. In this matter, she was very willing to believe that she, as a good person, had received a good reward.

Gu Yanxi took up the exchange. “We ask the Master to reconsecrate them.”

“It is only right.” Master Boruo closed the box and set it to one side. He raised his head, intoned a word of the Buddha’s name, and said: “In recent times, those seeking ordination at Dazhuosi have been increasing steadily. Our doors here are open to all — yet it is difficult for us to turn anyone away. If this has disturbed the peace of the Prince and his Lady, this humble monk begs your forgiveness.”

“Those seeking ordination have increased?” Hua Zhi was somewhat surprised. Were times so difficult now? Though the new Emperor had ascended the throne, no great upheaval had occurred — how was it that so many people were entering monastic life?

Master Boruo let out a sigh. “Were it not that Dazhuosi’s monks have always maintained a fixed number, neither growing nor diminishing, I fear the monks would outnumber the pilgrims by now.”

“Has the Master inquired as to why they wish to enter monastic life? Because they cannot make ends meet at home? And so on —” Hua Zhi suddenly stopped herself. Something had come to mind. “If I am not mistaken, shortly before the late Emperor passed, he issued a new decree stating that monks with ordination certificates could exempt their families from taxation.”

Master Boruo gave a bitter smile and nodded. For the monks, this was good news — yet once someone found a way to exploit it, even good news was liable to become bad news.

This was not, in fact, a decree unique to the current dynasty. Through history, many dynasties had extended special treatment to monks. As for who could compare with an emperor in their belief in spirits and the supernatural — Hua Zhi gave a cold inward laugh, though she let nothing show on her face. As a woman of the imperial family, at least this much face she would preserve for her own husband.

She raised her eyes to her husband. “This matter is neither too large nor too small. I rather think it would be perfectly suited for His Majesty to use as a training exercise.”

Gu Yanxi’s thoughts moved swiftly, and he nodded in agreement. “As my wife says — I will send word to inform His Majesty at once.”

Master Boruo’s gaze shifted back and forth between the two of them, and he had the inexplicable sense that his presence here was rather superfluous.

PS: I’m back — beginning to update the extra chapters now.