The Grand Empress Dowager put on her robe and rose, supporting her forehead with one hand, weakly saying: “Matron Zhai, is Shiyi Lang still here? Alas, why do I keep falling asleep and unable to wake up? Don’t put on that expression. Quickly help me up…”

Matron Zhai pressed her lips tightly closed and helped the Grand Empress Dowager walk to the window. She pointed dissatisfiedly at the figure in the opposite corridor: “Look, he hasn’t left yet. I don’t know if that medicinal decoction has boiled dry… Eh, isn’t that Shaoshang? Why is she hiding in the corner…”

The inner courtyard of Yong’an Palace was shaped like a concave character. The bottom was the main hall and main residence facing south from the north. However, these past days the Grand Empress Dowager had moved to the eastern inner chamber with better ventilation. Looking out the window, she could see Huo Buyi in the opposite corridor, and simultaneously saw the young woman shrinking behind the corner, tears about to fall as she gazed at the young man by the medicine furnace, hesitant to approach.

Standing by the window, the fresh warm wind carrying spring’s unique vigorous fragrance of flowers and grass gently caressed her face. The Grand Empress Dowager smiled: “Shaoshang has grown up. She’s taken too many wrong turns, brought too much suffering upon herself… Mm, I have my share of ‘credit’ in that too. Some things—if she hasn’t thought them through, she just hasn’t. With her impatient temperament, taking it slow is good. Matron Zhai, bring me the feathered cloak to wear. Today’s spring light is so lovely, I want to go out for a walk… ugh…”

Before she finished speaking, she softly collapsed. Matron Zhai was terrified, screaming in incomparable fear. Her shrill cries echoed through the inner courtyard. The young man and woman across heard the sound and flew over together.

…

The sensational case of “Yuan Pei Shielding an Assassin” finally came to a close.

Yuan Pei received the same punishment as Uncle Lou Yao—stripped of office and salary, sent back to his ancestral home to reflect in seclusion. However, the difference was that before Yuan Pei left, father and son both received an imperial audience with the Emperor.

After the audience, the Emperor first angrily scolded Yuan Pei for acting foolishly, completely lacking the proper conduct of an important court minister, truly deserving heavy punishment. Then his tone changed—the Emperor also expressed understanding of Yuan Pei’s loyalty to his sworn brother. If Huo Chong had also been deceived into wrongdoing—though his wise, decisive, god-like sworn brother could never possibly do such a thing—he too would find it difficult to decide.

Yuan Pei kowtowed repeatedly, expressing remorse.

Yuan Shen: …You’ve said everything, what else can others say?

Actually, Yuan Pei was unwilling to claim credit for Huo Buyi’s achievement. However, after hearing his son Yuan Shen’s persuasion that “if the truth comes out, the Yuan family’s guilt is minor, but you might harm Huo Buyi with a charge of ‘deceiving the sovereign,'” he restrained himself.

In the Emperor’s presence, Yuan Pei several times wanted to speak the truth, but each time the Emperor changed the subject. Thus Yuan Shen vaguely suspected the Emperor actually knew everything.

The remaining Yuan clan disciples who had requested resignation were basically retained in their original positions. However, Yuan Shen insisted on leaving the Secretariat, stating he would return to the Classics Study Platform to re-study, to clarify the principles of conduct and service, and better serve sovereign and father in the future.

Most troublesome was how to handle Fifth Cheng—he was indeed deceived, but he had indeed attacked Weng Junshu, and Weng Junshu had been exposed and shot because of him. Releasing him would not satisfy the Weng family; killing him seemed rather wasteful.

Fifth Cheng was fairly resolute, stating he would accept death by any means—execution by a thousand cuts or cutting in half at the waist, he would endure without frowning once. However, Old Ji saw he was straightforward, brave, and without scheming, and developed appreciation for his talent, so he took matters into his own hands.

He had Fifth Cheng strip his upper body bare and carry sharp, heavy thorn branches on his back to the Weng residence on an unpeopled night to apologize. He said that if Lady Weng and the young master gave the word, he would immediately die without a second thought. But if they spared his life, whether imparting all his martial skills or assisting the young masters in their future official careers, he would give his full support.

Lady Weng had no strong opinion, but thought that since this person deliberately came when no one could see, he had no intention to threaten or beg for mercy—this showed integrity.

Young Master Weng and that old scholar had good judgment. They thought rather than killing this confused fool, keeping a useful person would benefit the family more in the future. So the next day, Young Master Weng submitted a memorial to the Emperor stating that grudges should be resolved rather than perpetuated. Since Fifth Cheng was deceived, the fault lay not with him—why needlessly create more killing?

This memorial was beautifully written, both discerning right from wrong and benevolently compassionate. From the Emperor to court and countryside, all praised the still-young Young Master Weng—truly gaining both reputation and benefit.

Thus, no one expected that this case that arrived with such fierce momentum would conclude with such a tender ending.

Outside the palace, gentle wind and fine rain; inside the palace, bitter wind and harsh rain.

Previously, to stop Shaoshang from constantly urging her to rest and eat, the Grand Empress Dowager had joked that her final days were near. But this time, it truly was the final days. From that day on, the Grand Empress Dowager had been unconscious for several days. Except for occasionally being able to hazily sip some broth, she couldn’t ingest anything else. Without hearing the bitter-faced physician’s report, Shaoshang knew this day had finally come.

During this time, the imperial princes and princesses came and went, but whenever Huo Buyi had free time, he came to Yong’an Palace to help. Watching Shaoshang feed the Grand Empress Dowager, wipe her body without rest, becoming exhausted and losing considerable weight, his heart ached terribly, but he never tried to stop her.

On the sixth day of unconsciousness, the Grand Empress Dowager suddenly awoke, and her mind was clear, her smile gentle.

“I want to see His Majesty. Shaoshang, help me go tell Cen Anzhi,” she said. Shaoshang’s heart jumped—was this a final burst of energy before death?

Since deposing the empress six years ago, though the Emperor had seen the Grand Empress Dowager from afar, he had never set foot in Yong’an Palace. Hearing the report now, he immediately knew the situation was grave. Not bothering about still discussing state affairs, he hurried over.

Entering the inner chamber and seeing the Grand Empress Dowager’s sunken cheeks, sallow and sickly, the Emperor couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with sorrow. He sat at the bedside and said softly: “What worries do you still have? Tell me, and I will accomplish it for you.”

The Grand Empress Dowager smiled faintly: “My whole life I’ve lived for others. The first half obeying mother and uncle, the second half caring for younger brother and children. At this moment, if I still speak for others, it would be too meaningless… I want to talk about myself, talk about Your Majesty.”

The Emperor listened silently, tears in his eyes.

Shaoshang quietly walked away, retreating behind the screen. Who knew she would see Empress Yue standing there, eyes red, wanting to go out but not daring.

The Grand Empress Dowager said: “As a child studying, I read that one day when the First Emperor went touring, carriages and canopies gathered like clouds, fine horses and stalwart men. When the High Emperor and the Chu Hegemon saw this, they deeply envied that grandeur—one said ‘a true man should be thus,’ the other said ‘I could replace him.’ Alas, these were people born to compete for the realm—but I knew Your Majesty was not like this. Your Majesty never envied others’ grandeur and power.”

The Emperor smiled through tears: “Since childhood, neighbors said I had no great ambitions, only thinking about the few acres of fields at our door.”

The Grand Empress Dowager smiled and shook her head: “Your Majesty has no lack of great ambition, but rather is content with the ordinary. The great capable ones in this world divide into two types: one like the High Emperor and Chu Hegemon, ambitious to change heaven and earth; and another type, like Your Majesty—though unmatched in civil and military strategy, you had no heart to compete for the realm.”

“I’ve been by Your Majesty’s side for decades. I know that in Your Majesty’s heart, you remain that upright young man who loved farming and reading. If not for the great chaos in the realm, if not for Your Majesty’s elder brother insisting on raising the banner of rebellion, I know—Your Majesty would have been willing to live peacefully in the countryside your whole life, then marry Sister Yue, have a few fine children, work at sunrise and rest at sunset, passing a plain life.”

The Emperor’s eyes filled with hot tears as he tightly gripped the Grand Empress Dowager’s hand: “She who knows me is Shenan.”

The Grand Empress Dowager extended her withered hand, gently caressing the Emperor’s face: “Your Majesty, you have not wronged me. You treated me with deep affection—I could never repay this in my lifetime. I dared not resist Uncle. Fortunately I met Your Majesty, such a benevolent, gentle, handsome young hero. Otherwise, even if it were some big-bellied, brutal, base person, I fear I would have married him anyway.”

“Your Majesty, meeting you was my life’s good fortune.”

“Shenan… I, I…” The Emperor wept, collapsing at the Grand Empress Dowager’s knees.

The Grand Empress Dowager struggled to lift the Emperor up. Their eyes met: “Your Majesty, in this life you have been worthy of the realm and state, worthy of meritorious officials and common people, even more worthy of me. Only Sister Yue—you have wronged her.”

The Emperor smiled through tears: “Didn’t you say today you wouldn’t speak of others? You still couldn’t help it?”

“Sister Yue and I have lived clearly demarcated lives for decades. She hardly counts as ‘others.'” The Grand Empress Dowager smiled helplessly, raised her head to look directly at the Emperor, and said earnestly: “Your Majesty, for me, whether it was Your Majesty or not back then, if Uncle wanted me to marry, I would ultimately have married. But Sister Yue is different. Whether Your Majesty is emperor or farmer, whether soaring to success or pastoral songs, the one she wanted to marry was only Your Majesty, this person.”

Behind the screen, Shaoshang turned her head to see Empress Yue tightly covering her mouth with a brocade handkerchief, tears rolling down.

“Your Majesty abandoned much for the realm’s peace. How is Sister Yue any different?” The Grand Empress Dowager struggled somewhat for breath. “Just because she’s bold and straightforward, frank and carefree, Your Majesty shouldn’t think she doesn’t take things to heart, has never been heartbroken. I know—the tears she shed in secret were only more than mine.”

The Emperor choked with emotion, unable to speak, only nodding forcefully.

The Grand Empress Dowager said weakly: “In the days to come, Your Majesty must treat Sister Yue well, as intimate as when you were still in the countryside, as if I had never come…”

Empress Yue could no longer endure. Like a gust of wind, she rushed from behind the screen and threw herself weeping at the Grand Empress Dowager’s bedside.

The Grand Empress Dowager stroked Empress Yue’s hair and said gently: “Originally I was going to ask for you too. You came yourself, saving Shaoshang another trip… Your Majesty, let me speak with Sister Yue.”

The Emperor nodded and walked out with unsteady steps.

Empress Yue raised her head, face full of tears: “Elder Sister, rest assured. As long as I live, I guarantee the Xuan clan will be safe.”

“Who’s counting on you?” The Grand Empress Dowager laughed breathlessly. “With Ziduan there, he’s steady and capable—I’m very reassured. Now I want to say something else.” She took a deep breath and said word by word: “Aheng, when the Prince of Donghai was assassinated at nineteen, I never suspected you.”

Empress Yue stared at her steadily: “I know. When Prince Xining died young all those years ago, I never suspected you either.”

The two gazed at each other for a long time, then smiled honestly together.

Empress Yue wiped tears and smiled: “I know your character, which is why I ignored those with ulterior motives and entrusted the children to your hands.”

The Grand Empress Dowager said: “I also knew you never suspected me, which is why I wasn’t afraid of outside gossip and dared thoroughly investigate the palace quarters to find those ghosts the previous dynasty left lurking.”

“Elder Sister Shenan…” Empress Yue pressed her face into the Grand Empress Dowager’s thin, withered palm.

The Grand Empress Dowager gently patted her with her other hand: “I know, I know. If you were not you, I were not me, if we were just ordinary acquainted young sisters, how wonderful that would be…”

These two, with completely different temperaments and opposing positions, secretly admired each other and never suspected one another for decades.

Having said so much, the Grand Empress Dowager was obviously extremely fatigued. She leaned askew against the cushions and said with difficulty: “Shaoshang, where are you? Come quickly!”

Empress Yue noticed her gaze was unfocused, that she could barely see anymore. Her heart ached terribly.

Shaoshang quickly emerged from behind the screen and knelt at the bedside: “Your Majesty, I’m here. Please give your instructions.”

“Shaoshang, play a tune. I want to hear you play the flute. Let Empress Yue listen too. Oh yes, let His Majesty and the children all come in…” The Grand Empress Dowager gasped for breath.

Empress Yue was anxious. Without waiting for Shaoshang to go announce, she herself ran out clicking her heels to pull the Emperor in. Behind followed the silent princes and princesses. Huo Buyi was also among them.

Shaoshang tested the short flute a few times, then began to play slowly—the base melody was still that “Bamboo Branch Tune” that Madam Sang had taught her years ago. However, the latter half had been rearranged by Shaoshang. After the light, cheerful opening came the wistfulness of vicissitudes—listeners felt myriad emotions.

The Grand Empress Dowager gazed sightlessly into the void, murmuring with thread-like breath: “…Actually Father also loved playing the flute but could never play it well. Your Majesty, my body must be interred in the imperial mausoleum. Could you permit me to cut a lock of hair and have Shaoshang burn it to ash, take it back to the hillside where I lived in seclusion with Father in my youth, and scatter it on the wind? Since childhood I envied Father’s free and easy life, but my whole life I was never free, with everything decided by others.”

“I hope in my next life to meet a prosperous peaceful age, sparing me the suffering of upheaval. I hope in my next life my parents will be healthy and long-lived, sparing me the suffering of worry. I hope in my next life to compose poetry in youth, sing songs in the wild… Sister Yue, are my wishes too greedy?”

“Zikun, don’t always be so cautious and fearful. What of honor and disgrace? Living with an open heart brings longevity. Let Prince Huai’an care for Matron Zhai—he’s grown up now, I’m very gratified… Zicheng, I haven’t blamed you. You’re a good child. You’ve suffered greatly. You’ve always been filial to me and treated the Prince of Donghai very well.”

“Shaoshang, you’ve been burdened by me all these years. One last time, let me trouble you to make a trip…”

The woman on the bed ended her life amid the melodious, melancholy flute music. The imperial physician retrieved the down feather used to test the Grand Empress Dowager’s breath and knelt before the Emperor to report the result. The Emperor collapsed utterly, old tears streaming down. Empress Yue wept silently beside him.

The surrounding princes, princesses, palace maids, and eunuchs all cried out together, creating a thunderous sound.

Shaoshang stumbled out from the inner chamber. Like a lost child, she wandered aimlessly about.

In many people’s view, the Grand Empress Dowager was not a good elder. She was self-pitying and self-blaming, indulged in the past and neglected to discipline her children. But for Shaoshang, this was exactly the kind of irrational protection she wanted, the baseless trust.

This was the doting love she had yearned for but never received in her life.

From now on, there would never again be that gentle voice to repair her desolate, rough childhood, to tolerantly enfold her with all her flaws within her sleeves. Never again would anyone unconditionally shield her from wind and rain.

From now on, she had to hold herself up.

Finally, Huo Buyi found the girl crouched on the ground in a corner, weeping soundlessly and uncontrollably. His heart ached—she most hated crying in front of others, a habit unchanged to this day.