When Huan Cheng woke up, he clamored to see the Empress again. Jiang Wan had already prepared several excuses to refuse, but when she saw it was Rong Qing who came, she swallowed her words.
“Is the Nine Thousand Years here as well?”
“He is.”
“Quick! Qiaoqiao, help me see if this hairpin looks better or that one…”
Rong Qing: “…”
He waited for a long time before finally reminding, “Your Majesty, if you spend any more time choosing lip color, His Eminence will likely have already left for the Western Depot.”
“Alright, alright.” Jiang Wan emerged, looking completely different from the person who had intended to feign illness just moments before. Her clothes and jewelry had been changed at the fastest speed possible, and the spring-like radiance on her face could not be hidden even if she tried.
Rong Qing lowered his eyes, the corners of his mouth curling into an inscrutable, faint smile.
Jiang Wan noticed and coughed awkwardly, attempting to cover it up, “I’m sorry to have kept you waiting, Little Rongzi. I thought it only proper to be more meticulous when meeting the Emperor.”
Little Rongzi: “Yes, this servant understands.”
Jiang Wan: “…”
Hurrying all the way to Qian’an Hall, Jiang Wan still remembered to tidy her hair at the entrance before walking in with grace and poise.
Xie Changlin sat alone before the chessboard, not even lifting his eyes at the sound of footsteps.
Huan Cheng leaned against the bed, his expression grim.
Judging by this, the young Emperor had most likely been lectured yet again.
“Your humble consort greets Your Majesty.”
“Rise.” Huan Cheng looked at Xie Changlin, suppressing his displeasure, “Seal Keeper, the Empress Consort is here.”
Jiang Wan glanced sideways, obediently curving her lips, “Nine Thousand Years.”
Xie Changlin leisurely placed a chess piece, “His Majesty says you wish to see Jiang Wenshan.”
How could Huan Cheng fail to handle even such a small matter?!
“…Yes.”
Only then did he look at Jiang Wan, but he brought up another topic, “Has Her Majesty thoroughly learned all the palace rules?”
“…Naturally.”
“Then this servant will have someone deliver the Phoenix Seal to Eternal Joy Palace later. Her Majesty should study diligently how to manage the imperial harem.”
Jiang Wan: “…” What now? More studying?
She sighed in resignation, consoling herself that at least the Phoenix Seal was a good thing, “I will devote myself wholeheartedly to it.”
Xie Changlin nodded, “Then tomorrow, let Prime Minister Jiang enter the palace.”
“Thank you for your trouble, Nine Thousand Years.”
Seeing this, Huan Cheng pouted, “Does the Seal Keeper not have a chessboard in his palace? I wish to speak with the Empress Consort.”
He had grown bold—daring to dismiss Xie Changlin.
Though his tone was somewhat timid, even a bit humble.
Jiang Wan inwardly laughed at him but noticed that Xie Changlin had just placed the final chess piece.
After finishing, he lazily rested his hand on his leg, propping up his head. He glanced at Jiang Wan, then at Huan Cheng, “It is excellent that the Emperor and Empress Consort are on such harmonious terms.”
“If His Majesty faints again tonight, Her Majesty will have to take the initiative and serve him diligently.”
Jiang Wan: ??
This ‘serving’… she sensed a different meaning, and Xie Changlin’s gaze confirmed it.
Yes, he meant for her to take the initiative to consummate the marriage! Even if it meant ‘violating a corpse’!
Upon hearing this, Huan Cheng snorted coldly, “How could I possibly faint for three days in a row? The Seal Keeper must be hoping for my death.”
Xie Changlin clicked his tongue, “Before you die, at least put in some effort to leave an heir. Otherwise, this servant won’t even know who to replace you with as Emperor.”
He truly spoke of changing the Emperor as casually as changing a dish, leaving Huan Cheng pale with anger.
Then, in a rather good mood, Xie Changlin left.
Leaving behind this young Emperor and Empress Consort in an extremely foul mood.
Jiang Wan was thoroughly vexed and had no desire to keep up the charade with Huan Cheng. She subtly urged him to be more ambitious and stop bothering her.
Yet her voice was soft and sweet, and Huan Cheng, having just been provoked by Xie Changlin, was fired up without a second thought, determined to review memorials—and he insisted on dragging Jiang Wan along.
She excused herself, claiming women couldn’t interfere in politics, and made a quick escape.
Hmm…
After all, the memorials were all trivial matters, or one after another impeaching Xie Changlin. The important ones were all at the Ceremonial Directorate; no one would send them here.
On second thought, Huan Cheng was quite pitiful.
But Jiang Wan had no time to pity him; she should pity herself instead.
At noon, the Empress’s Seal was indeed delivered to Eternal Joy Palace, followed by a mountain of palace affairs—everything from the salaries of the harem, promotions and demotions of various positions, to even the lives of every person in the rear palace. She now had the authority to handle it all, matters even the emperor had little right to interfere with.
Jiang Wan suddenly began to envy Huan Cheng.
At least he wasn’t this busy.
Of course, Xie Changlin definitely had no reason to grant her authority for no reason. Jiang Wan didn’t want to dwell on it. Instead, what truly irked her was Xie Changlin’s attempt to pressure her into serving the emperor’s bed today!
So…
As dusk fell, Jiang Wan headed toward Qu Palace with Qiaoqiao.
Qiaoqiao had already helped her memorize the route, and they soon reached their destination.
“Your Highness, are you really going to see that Nine Thousand Years? Shouldn’t we wait until tomorrow when His Lordship enters the palace and discuss it with him first?” Qiaoqiao had been torn between hesitation and obedience the entire way.
It wasn’t that she doubted Jiang Wan’s decision, but she felt that Nine Thousand Years was unpredictable and slaughtered people like flies. What if Her Highness went inside…
Just thinking about it made her tremble with fear.
Jiang Wan patted her hand reassuringly, “Don’t be afraid.”
At worst, it was just death. Even if he wanted to kill her, he’d have to consider her father…
She wasn’t afraid! How could she pursue the one she loved without courage?
But fear aside, she was genuinely nervous!
After hiding and taking several deep breaths, she was startled into jumping by a sudden voice.
“Has Your Highness lost your way?”
Seeing it was Rong Qing, Jiang Wan patted her chest, pretending to be calm. “This consort wishes to see Nine Thousand Years.”
“This servant will announce you. Please follow me, Your Highness.”
Perhaps worried Jiang Wan couldn’t see the path clearly, he thoughtfully offered his wrist for her to hold.
Qu Palace didn’t appear particularly extravagant from the outside, but inside, it felt uniquely charming.
A two-story pavilion, its structure reminiscent of the Hall of Golden Chimes, with a somber color palette. It seemed warm in winter and cool in summer, with several peach trees in the courtyard—likely a comfortable place to live.
No palace maids were in sight; only eunuchs were working.
“Please wait a moment, Your Highness.”
Rong Qing went upstairs and soon returned. “Your Highness, please.”
Then he gently stopped Qiaoqiao, smiling faintly. “Sister, please rest in the side room for a while.”
Jiang Wan ascended the wooden stairs and saw Xie Changlin, who was lowering his head and writing something.
A gentle breeze swept through, lightly lifting his ink-black hair.
When those indifferent eyes swept over her, Jiang Wan felt her breath catch, overwhelmed once again by that flustered, pounding heartbeat.
After a long moment, she heard her own voice say, “Your Eminence, this consort has come… to offer herself for the night.”
Xie Changlin watched her quietly, his hand pausing in its motion.
After a moment, he lowered his head again but did not resume writing. Instead, he leisurely set down the brush, his tone still indifferent. “Your Highness must have heard—many women once tried to climb into this humble servant’s bed. Now, the grass on their graves stands three feet tall.”
Jiang Wan tilted her head, smiling innocently. “I’ve often heard that Your Eminence enjoys feeding corpses to dogs. Yet, it seems you are quite gentle toward women, having erected graves for them all.”
Then, her eyes seemed to sparkle with starlight. “Your Eminence, may I also receive such treatment?”
Perhaps it was because her voice, like a clear spring, gently seeped into Xie Changlin’s ears.
For the first time, he did not immediately order someone to die on the spot.
“That depends on Your Highness’s capabilities.”