Autumn wind swept the red leaves. Though sunset came late, it was still the same beautiful scenery as before.

Mo Zi stood at the ship’s bow gazing at the Western Mountains, remembering when Yuan Cheng invited her to listen to the springs.

“The Yuan clan has been vindicated. The Emperor dispatched specialists to restore the spring tomb, establish a Loyalty and Righteousness Shrine, and build the Western Mountain Temple, with monks performing regular rituals and sweeping.” Yuan Cheng pointed. “See that? Those are the glazed tiles of the Great Hero Treasure Hall.”

At that moment, Mo Zi saw a flash of golden light and sighed. “It’s precisely because the Great Zhou Emperor values relationships that we can trust him and hold the three-nation meeting in the capital.”

“Valuing relationships is also his greatest weakness. When enemies surround him on all sides, it will blind his eyes, preventing him from seeing true danger.” Yuan Cheng’s political instincts were extremely sharp. Years ago, he had already exploited loopholes in Great Zhou’s officialdom, living like a fish in water through a period of peace. And it was precisely during that period that his love flourished.

“Will you remind him?” In Great Zhou’s officialdom, aside from a few upright individuals, factional cliques forming for private gain and officials shielding one another—including the Xiao family—had made power corruption extremely widespread.

“You think he doesn’t know?” Yuan Cheng gazed at the distant sunset. “Ice three feet thick doesn’t form in a single day. Since he can’t strike with ruthless force, he can only maneuver slowly, using one faction to balance another. But such expedient measures can only provide temporary relief without eliminating the root disease. Eventually, one faction will dominate tyrannically, causing the legal system to collapse. Then disasters will topple the Great Zhou dynasty one after another, and like Nande, there will emerge tyrant rulers, tyrant ministers, tyrant commoners.”

“Moreover, Great Zhou lacks successors.” After Xiao Mingrou’s unexpected miscarriage and the much-anticipated Imperial Consort Hui giving birth to a princess, Great Zhou had only one young prince. “Thinking about it now, the Emperor is not only a benevolent ruler but also quite restrained regarding women.” Was Emperor Zhou born at the wrong time?

“Compared to the rulers of Yuling and Nande, he’s truly not licentious and immoral. However, there’s an ancient Chinese saying: you didn’t kill Boren, but Boren died because of you. A benevolent ruler with kind ministers can maintain peace, but a benevolent ruler with wicked ministers destroys the nation’s foundation. Look at these fertile fields and abundant grain along the shore. Yet the farmers wear tattered rags, their faces showing misery—this is already a warning sign.” The Emperor rarely left the palace gates, and even when he did, it was with great pomp and circumstance. The area would be cleared in advance, so he couldn’t see such scenes.

Mo Zi sighed. This was something outsiders couldn’t help with.

The ship entered the official port. Seeing the brilliant yellow imperial carriage, they knew the Emperor had come personally to greet them.

Mo Zi found this somewhat strange. Looking at Yuan Cheng, who was gazing intently, she said, “I noticed long ago that the Emperor treats you with particular leniency. Don’t you think so?” A wanted criminal from Nande, the child of a Great Zhou traitor—not only did the Emperor spare Yuan Cheng from death, he even appointed him Imperial Academy Scholar. Though Hua Yi and the Qianniu Guard were said to be monitoring him, it seemed more like protection. Moreover, his official path was smooth—any small merit received great reward. Facing an assassination attempt, the Emperor unhesitatingly believed he was framed, more firmly than anyone else. Afterward, he sent reinforcement troops and hosted peace talks. Though circumstances played a role, it was also based on Yuan Cheng’s requests.

“Is there?” Yuan Cheng asked lightly, then answered ambiguously. “Good luck.”

“Perhaps after all the suffering comes sweetness.” Mo Zi smiled.

“Placed in a death trap, one survives.” Yuan Cheng looked at those familiar faces. “Mo Zi, do you remember I once said that turbulent times are an opportunity to wash away the past and start anew?”

“Mm, I remember.” Banners fluttered and drums sounded. Mo Zi watched the lively scene.

“Now we begin the harvest, wife.” Yuan Cheng raised his brows, eyes curving. “Our new life.”

Mo Zi smiled knowingly. Indeed, Yuan Cheng and she returning to the capital with such status was probably something many hadn’t anticipated.

Liu Ning waited below the ship. Upon seeing Yuan Cheng and Mo Zi, his face bloomed with warmth as he hurried forward to pay respects. “Minister of Works, Madam, the journey must have been arduous.”

“Many thanks to Eunuch Liu for personally coming to guide us. We’ve troubled you.” Yuan Cheng nodded lightly. It wasn’t that he was putting on airs, but rather, representing Song territory this time, he had to be mindful of his status.

“I wouldn’t dare.” Liu Ning also observed full propriety. “Would the Minister of Works and Madam please follow me?”

Officials lined up on both sides. Most had seen Yuan Cheng and Mo Zi before. Seeing them again now, even if unwilling, they couldn’t help but admire inwardly.

Yuan Cheng wore an ivory-white jade crown with an elegant and noble black gold hairpin, dressed in purple-black brocade robes embroidered with golden cranes and silver pines. From his wide woven belt hung a purple-red ball that seemed to contain flowing five-colored light. Looking at Mo Zi, she wore sunrise eastern light pink robes and cloud-purple霞 peony skirt, also wearing only one ornament. In her hair was a peacock-blue peacock, half-fanned, with gold-threaded feathers and green gem tail that trembled slightly in the wind. Though their clothing wasn’t elaborate and their ornaments weren’t dazzling, as the two walked slowly forward, they matched the dignity of emperor and empress, making others dare not look directly.

Suddenly, those harboring contemptuous attitudes felt somewhat intimidated, especially when they saw the Emperor descend from the dragon throne.

“Minister of Works Yuan, meeting again after long separation—my heart is greatly joyful today.” The Emperor couldn’t stop smiling, patting Yuan Cheng’s shoulder.

“How has Your Majesty been recently?” Yuan Cheng inquired.

While the Emperor said he was well, he looked at Mo Zi. “Girl, you’ve changed the most—now a wife and a mother. I just wonder if that glib tongue is still as eloquent as before?”

Mo Zi smiled in reply. “Whether it’s the same as before, Mo Zi dares not say, but it’s gotten duller and more naggy.”

“Oh?” The Emperor was curious. “Dull in what way?”

“That can’t be said in front of so many people.” Mo Zi blinked.

The Emperor laughed heartily. “I see you’re still quite clever, girl. Tell me—do you want me to host an imperial banquet to welcome you, or are you thinking of some good food somewhere in the capital? Today, I’ll accommodate anything.”

All officials were shocked. Prince Li immediately advised, “Your Majesty’s body is worth ten thousand gold. We ministers are unprepared. How can we dine in restaurants outside the palace? It would be better to return to the palace.”

Having said this, he gave Yuan Cheng meaningful looks.

But Yuan Cheng only watched his own wife’s expressions, not uttering half a word.

Mo Zi watched the Emperor’s expression. When he silently mouthed the words “moon cake,” she coughed lightly. “If Your Majesty truly allows me to decide, I’d like to go to Wangqiu Tower.”

“Excellent! The host follows the guest’s wishes—let’s go to Wangqiu Tower.” Being an emperor wasn’t easy. Having heard about Wangqiu Tower for so long, today he finally had the chance to visit in person.

The ministers busily shouted that His Majesty should not.

“You all disperse. No need to follow. If you still have objections, write memorials and submit them.” The Emperor had Liu Ning prepare the carriages.

Actually, everything had been calculated in advance. Liu Ning summoned two ordinary horse carriages—the Emperor rode with Yuan Cheng in one, Mo Zi and Xiao Yi in another—leaving the officials looking at each other in bewilderment as they departed.

Xiao Yi was somewhat excited. “I thought we’d never return.”

“As long as Great Zhou and Song don’t fight, returning is still convenient.” Mo Zi lifted the curtain to look outside. “Why are there fewer people on the streets? Before, horse carriages moved very slowly here.”

Outside, Zan Jin explained, “Song territory encourages exiled people to return home. As long as someone or documents can verify identity, they can reclaim their former fields and houses, so many Yuling and Nande people have left Great Zhou.”

Though Great Zhou had accepted refugees from both nations, their treatment ultimately differed from native common folk. Farmers couldn’t get good fields. Laborers doing physical work received half the wages. For things like imperial examinations, temporary household registration wasn’t accepted. Many Great Zhou people also treated refugees quite harshly and with discrimination, opposing them at every turn, triggering deep disputes and even causing deaths.

This was the difference between ideals and reality. Though Mo Zi had offered suggestions, they were only suggestions. Great Zhou’s court copied the form but not the spirit—it truly had nothing to do with her.

Xiao Yi didn’t care about these things. “I wonder if Miss is at the tower?”

Qiu Sanniang wasn’t at Wangqiu Tower.

She wasn’t there, but Cen Er was.

Cen Er was called out by Liu Ning. He didn’t stare at the Emperor in dragon robes, but when he looked at Mo Zi and Xiao Yi, he was so moved he couldn’t speak. “This isn’t a dream, is it?”

Xiao Yi smiled. “Want me to cut you with my sword?” If it hurts, it’s not a dream.

“What’s going on?” A lioness roared, the sound coming from the main gate, footsteps rushing urgently.

Mo Zi looked at Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi looked at Mo Zi. Both said simultaneously, “No way?”

A young woman in a green skirt, her beautiful face showing determination and fearlessness, checked whether Cen Er was unharmed while saying, “Wangqiu Tower’s reputation spreads far and wide. Customers come first. Please speak nicely. We’ll do our best to—” Seeing her husband was fine, she glanced at the “troublemakers,” then glanced again, then shrieked, “You… you… I’m not dreaming, am I?”

“Does this count as husband and wife in harmony?” Mo Zi looked at the young woman. “Lu Ju.”

Xiao Yi’s eyes wandered. “Well married—after all, fertile water shouldn’t flow to outsiders’ fields.”

Lu Ju’s face turned bright red. “Ptui! What nonsense. Am I plump?”

Cen Er chuckled continuously. “I courted her for years before Lu Ju nodded. You two just need to say congratulations.”

Mo Zi and Xiao Yi said congratulations in unison.

“Your Majesty, this is my little sister. May I speak with her for a while? You all eat first.” Mo Zi addressed the Emperor, who was watching the excitement.

Only then did Cen Er remember this distinguished guest. He hurriedly had Lu Ju kneel with him. Though nervous inside, his face remained composed, and he spoke with remarkable cleverness. “The main hall has many customers. This humble one will lead Your Majesty via the VIP passage. The maple leaves have turned red. The Autumn Pavilion offers a perfect view and is quite secluded. What do you think?”

The Emperor was quite pleased. “Girl, those with you all seem to have some talent. You chat—after all, your husband is with me, so I’m not afraid you’ll run away.”

Mo Zi looked at Yuan Cheng.

Yuan Cheng nodded with a smile.

Cen Er led them along the so-called VIP passage. Actually, it was just a side entrance, but one couldn’t say that to the Son of Heaven.

Lu Ju led Mo Zi and Xiao Yi to the residence diagonally across from Wangqiu Tower. The residence had three courtyards, front and back, with ponds and towers—very grand. There were quite a few servants and maids who called Lu Ju “Mistress” when they saw her.

Mo Zi smiled. “Impressive, truly impressive. After not seeing you for so long, you’ve become so grand. When you were desperately saving your private money, you said you wanted to be a proprietress. Who’d have thought idle talk would come true? Are your days good?”

Lu Ju’s eyes glimmered with tears of joy. “Good, so very good, truly good. You two are far away, so you don’t know yet. Manager Zhao—Zhao Liang—brought back three ships of goods. Everything sold like crazy. Didn’t we pool our shares? It’s multiplied twenty or thirty times.”

“I remember you contributed the most then.” Mo Zi calculated mentally. “A ten-thousand-tael household now, Mistress Cen.”

Lu Ju didn’t deny it. “Our mistress also gave me five thousand taels as dowry. She freed my father-in-law, eldest brother-in-law, and my husband. Mistress yielded seventy percent of Wangqiu Tower’s capital silver, filled by the Cen family as majority shareholders. Now she only collects year-end dividends.”

Qiu Sanniang had already flown high.

—