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Following this incident, it was the Dragon Boat Festival, and the palace was bustling with activity. The emperor and empress remained silent, so the various recent upheavals seemed to abruptly disappear, temporarily set aside.
Naturally, the turmoil within the inner palace did not reach the ministers at court. After the Dragon Boat Festival holiday ended, Xu Dan returned to Qiongting and spent half a day organizing scrolls.
In the afternoon, as the sunlight dimmed slightly, he heard a long, drawn-out announcement echoing through the empty halls of the library.
“Respectfully wishing Her Majesty the Empress well.”
He hastily dropped the scroll in his hand and rushed to the front hall to pay respects, wanting to observe this empress who frequently appeared in rumors up close.
Today, the empress wore a true red jacket, her hair loosely tied up without any adornments or precious jewels; even her earrings lacked pearls or jade.
After Xu Dan performed three kowtows, he rose and stole a glance. His first realization wasn’t the dignified demeanor that matched her reputation, but rather the sudden awareness that she was still so youthful.
Women and wives of this age were often coquettish and charming. If married to a handsome and suitable husband, they would be even more graceful and blissful.
But the empress—the person envied by all women in the land—her brows didn’t reveal such gentle charm entirely. Slightly furrowed, they carried the indifference imbued by power, along with a hint of sorrow that didn’t match her aloofness.
It was rumored that the empress loved literature and often visited the library. However, Xu Dan hadn’t been there long enough to encounter her before, making this his first time.
The fragrance of roses wafted past him, still carrying that same sorrow. To his surprise, the sound of fabric rustling suddenly ceased as the empress stopped and looked at him, uncertainly asking, “Is this esteemed official Xu Boming, Xu Dan from Youzhou?”
Her attending eunuch answered quietly, and she smiled, “Today, I’ll trouble Official Xu to find some books for me.”
Xu Dan was flattered, responding and then rising. He dared not lift his head, merely leading the empress through the long corridors of the library to the second floor where books were stored.
His evasive gaze made Luo Wei curious, prompting her to ask, “Why doesn’t the official look up?”
Xu Dan honestly replied, “Your radiance is blinding; this humble servant dares not.”
Realizing his words might seem impolite, he wanted to kneel and apologize but thought it would only draw more attention, leaving him frozen in place. Luo Wei was amused by his words, saying, “No need, official, don’t be nervous.”
She walked ahead of him, her voice seemingly casual yet warm and serene, bringing joy to those who heard it: “Qiongting is grand, traditionally selecting only the top few scholars. After being posted elsewhere, they are summoned back to the capital to accumulate experience through writing edicts and scholarly work. Once qualified, they are promoted to the six ministries, ascend to prime minister, or handle military affairs—a smooth career path indeed. I remember, Official Xu, you were eleventh in the second class last year.”
Xu Dan responded, “Yes, when I received the imperial decree to enter Qiongting, I was quite surprised.”
Luo Wei glanced back at him. Beams of light filtered through tall wooden windows beside them, casting half of her face into shadow.
In this silence, Luo Wei slowly recited, “A guest guards the library, neither fire nor war can drive him away—Official Xu not only excelled in the spring examination but also received joint nominations from thirteen counties in Youzhou. Before setting off to the capital, during the northern border conflict, you were in Canglan County compiling histories for the thirteen counties, residing in Youzhou’s premier library. When战火 reached the library, everyone fled, but you alone held on, extinguishing fires and blocking soldiers, preserving all border documents. After the conflict, people praised you, writing those commendations. Did I say anything incorrect?”
Xu Dan listened in astonishment, murmuring, “Your Majesty speaks nothing but the truth.”
Luo Wei nodded, “I admire your pure-hearted dedication, which is why I requested a favor from His Majesty to promote you to Qiongting Library. Are you pleased with this place?”
The mingled scent of old books and roses made him slightly dizzy. Xu Dan knelt on the ground, suddenly realizing—when he was promoted to Qiongting, many lamented. He had assumed it was the emperor’s whim after reading the thirteen counties’ recommendation, given Youzhou’s remoteness, and the story of the “guest” was known to few.
Unexpectedly, someone had truly read his personal accounts!
Luo Wei walked towards the wooden shelves stacked with old books, saying, “Boming, no need to be alarmed. Promoting you was merely an appreciation of your loyal spirit, seeking a place for you to showcase your talents, not expecting repayment.”
The empress calling him by his courtesy name showed overt closeness. Xu Dan’s heart raced uncontrollably, unable to restrain himself from kneeling upright, “This humble servant... deeply thanks Your Majesty for recognizing my worth.”
With the new dynasty recently established and old ministers holding sway, the emperor’s authority was insufficient. Scholars selected through the spring examinations were scattered throughout the court, each governing independently. Without being promoted to Qiongting, he would have been like others, bowing and scraping to superiors, enduring years without a chance to rise.
Luo Wei picked up a book, just as Zhang Suwu brought her a chair, placing it by the window.
She casually sat down and asked, “Boming, after three months in Qiongting, have you considered your path as a minister?”
Her question was vague, but Xu Dan understood her meaning.
Upon entering the court, everyone made their own choices—to emulate the empress’s ancestors and aspire to be an imperial tutor, one should be dispatched early to gain experience and earn a clear reputation; to become a remonstrating official, diligently submitting memorials, always urging and setting an example for the emperor; to be a harsh official, wielding criminal law; to enter the Ministry of Revenue, focusing on livelihoods…
Or resolutely become a powerful minister, following the paths of Ye Tingyan and Yu Qiushi, solely guessing the emperor’s intentions and eliminating rivals, isolated yet achieving wealth and immense power effortlessly, except for poor reputation, everything else perfect.
There were also people like Chang Zhao, hiding among scholars, wavering stances, seemingly wanting to extricate themselves from the political arena, waiting for dust to settle before deciding.
However, Luo Wei heard an unexpected answer.
“This humble servant wishes to remain in the state to compile history.”
She slightly frowned, repeating it, then sighed, “Compiling history is arduous work, taking ten, twenty years. Aristocratic families can sustain it, but Boming, from humble origins, choosing this path might not even save money for marriage and children.”
Xu Dan bowed silently, “The path of history beckons, I willingly tread it.”
•
The path of history beckons, I willingly tread it.
Long after leaving the library, sitting on the bed in Gaoyang Terrace, Luo Wei was still lost in thought about this phrase.
Today, the censors again criticized the emperor for privately establishing the Vermilion Bird Office—since Song Lan founded this office, similar disputes never ceased.
The founding emperor of Dayuan once proclaimed no scholar-officials would be executed, yet there were instances of emperors ignoring advice and wantonly killing. Though Song Lan was young, in the eyes of officials, bypassing the three judicial offices to create a trusted institution was a dangerous sign.
Eunuchs causing political chaos, the Imperial Guard’s indiscriminate killings… surveillance, overstepping authority, violating laws, lessons not far behind. Yu Qiushi was also speculating about the emperor’s intention in establishing the Vermilion Bird and thus stayed out of it, leaving Song Lan to deal with the censorate alone.
Today, he was again entangled by remonstrating officials, likely unable to free himself for a while.
Therefore, Luo Wei came to Gaoyang Terrace early after leaving the library.
After Yanluo was captured, she and Ye Tingyan couldn’t find anyone to relay messages within the inner palace, so they agreed to use the library—if seasonal flowers were left by the second-floor window, it meant an invitation to meet.
Today, he left newly bloomed crepe myrtle flowers.
Luo Wei took the cluster of crepe myrtles and handed it to Zhang Suwu standing guard in the forest upon entering. Thinking of Xu Dan’s words, she pulled the deep blue bed curtains shut.
Thus, she sank into complete darkness.
Strangely, she found herself unbothered by this darkness—it even brought her some comfort.
Faint light flickered outside the bed curtains. Luo Wei waited longer, feeling drowsy.
Just as she felt herself about to fall asleep, a pale, slender hand reached over, pulling back the bed curtain in front of her.
Luo Wei raised her eyes; against the backlight, she couldn’t see the visitor’s face, only smelling a faint sandalwood scent.
She felt reassured and tugged at the person’s sleeve, pulling him down. Ye Tingyan, unprepared, fell beside her. The hand lifting the bed curtain withdrew, and the crepe myrtle snatched from her eunuch lightly floated under the bed, returning them to this dimly lit darkness.
Luo Wei placed her hand on his shoulder, softly asking, “What did His Majesty ask you?”
That day, she hurriedly left the princess’s residence, too shocked by what she heard to pretend, only realizing later that Ye Tingyan was still beside her—Song Lan sent him to observe her interaction with Ning Le.
He began to suspect she knew the old matters, but like Yu Qiushi, dared not confirm. Thus, he deliberately let her meet Song Zhiyu.
If there were any issues in her conversation with Song Zhiyu, it would implicate not only herself but also endanger Song Zhiyu’s mother concubine still in the inner palace—later, Song Zhiyu confirmed Ye Tingyan was her “trusted advisor” before daring to speak freely.
But she left too hastily, forgetting to warn Ye Tingyan. What if he leaked a word or two to Song Lan…
Ye Tingyan also hugged her waist, pulling her closer, saying, “His Majesty asked if you and Princess Ning Le argued.”
Luo Wei’s heart tightened, “What did you say?”
Ye Tingyan replied, “Arguments naturally occurred. The princess was still resentful until the end about Master Gan choosing you over her. You parted ways unhappily. When drinking the poisoned wine I offered, the princess said, ‘Seeing her like this, I do not regret.’“
This was naturally something Song Zhiyu didn’t say.
He deliberately fabricated this statement to align with Song Lan’s thoughts, making him believe Song Zhiyu was still fixated on her rivalry with Luo Wei before dying.
With arguments and added wariness, naturally, nothing significant would be revealed.
He remembered seeing Song Lan relax visibly after his statement, his expression both relieved and somewhat regretful: “My sister is foolish, holding grudges against the empress for so many years.”
Hearing his words, Luo Wei also breathed a long sigh of relief, though her voice carried a trace of melancholy: “She... what else did she say?”
Ye Tingyan shook his head, “Nothing else. Your loss of composure, I did not report to His Majesty.”
That day, upon returning home, he repeatedly recalled Song Zhiyu’s unfinished words.
One was “I entrusted Su Xue.”
What was entrusted? Given their possible lack of discord, it was very likely something crucial to their lives, but she didn’t finish, and Luo Wei certainly wouldn’t tell him.
The other was “She already knows, she hasn’t.”
This baffled him. Sitting in the study all night, he deduced two possibilities.
First, she knew about Song Lan and Yu Qiushi’s plans but didn’t stop them.
It sounded like Song Zhiyu’s resentful accusation on her deathbed.
Second, she hasn’t betrayed you.
How mesmerizing those words were. Upon thinking of this, he startled himself. In the quiet night, he heard his heartbeat layer upon layer, as if urging him to believe this minuscule speculation.
But if so, how to interpret “she already knows”? If she hadn’t betrayed, shouldn’t it be “she doesn’t know” their plot?
Mind in disarray.
After leaving Biandu, he traveled north and south, meticulously planning his revenge, thoroughly investigating those involved and current officials’ backgrounds.
Who must be eliminated as enemies, who can be trusted as allies, who doesn’t need courting, who will be useful later, lured by wealth, power, shared ideals, or different-minded capable ministers… Returning to the capital for only three months, bit by bit, silently eroding Biandu’s political landscape, exhausting his heart, sleepless nights.
Yet doing these things, his mind remained so calm, without a ripple, handling them skillfully. Only her words in the study turned his heart into leaves swaying in the night breeze outside the window, rustling ceaselessly.
Hearing his words, Luo Wei seemed very satisfied, rarely initiating a kiss on his cheek—lately, her aversion to him seemed to diminish. Ye Tingyan noticed this change but couldn’t guess the reason.
“Lord Ye, His Majesty increasingly trusts you,” Luo Wei cooed near his ear, leaning too close, every pause audible, “The fake dragon case has no culprit, and the Ning Le matter was too hasty. The Grand Tutor knows you serve me, but lacks evidence, unable to act for now. If he regains his senses, who knows what trouble might arise. Why don’t we stop waiting?”
Ye Tingyan sensed the implication in her words, surprised, “Despite the ambiguous cases of late spring and fake dragon, it’s far from enough. You want to act now, on what grounds?”
Luo Wei rested her chin on his shoulder—she liked this embrace position, more importantly, avoiding his face, inhaling the jasmine-scented air from his neck, softly saying, “Treason—what do you think?”
Ye Tingyan remained silent for a while, then slowly spoke in a peculiar tone, addressing her, “Your Majesty.”
Luo Wei was astonished, “Why suddenly call me Your Majesty?”
Ignoring her, Ye Tingyan continued in a rather serious tone, “Your Majesty has governed the court for three years; surely you understand the political situation. The Grand Tutor stands openly, backed by noble families. You operate covertly, supported by righteous scholars. This balance allows His Majesty to let go, letting you grasp power and contend fiercely.
“To challenge him, you must proceed gradually, regardless of his moves, stay patient. Make him lose value, threat, and reliance in His Majesty’s eyes. Dayuan’s chancellors change frequently. Without immense power, dismissal is just a word away. For both of you, striking isn’t hard; ensuring the blade won’t wound yourself is. Treason, such a grave charge, is risky. How can you ensure you leave no trace and emerge unscathed?”
Though spoken gently and calmly, like earnest advice, Luo Wei heard sharpness and coercion almost pressing. Ye Tingyan, hugging her waist, suddenly flipped her, pinning her beneath him.
Instinctively, Luo Wei wanted to resist but thought better and didn’t move, letting him look down at her, revealing a rare sneer: “Your Majesty, have you considered what I said?”
Considered countless times. From the start, she never intended to emerge unscathed.
Luo Wei exhaled, hands naturally dropping to her sides, a completely relaxed posture: “Considered, how could I not? I’m just suddenly tired, unwilling to tangle with him over these matters anymore. As for the future—Lord Ye worries too much. His Majesty is still my husband, known for ten years, married for four. The hall holds not only intrigue but also affection.”
Affection? She dared believe in Song Lan’s affection?
Ye Tingyan was momentarily infuriated, about to mock her when she continued, “Besides, isn’t there you? If implicated, Lord Ye would still protect me, right? Once the Grand Tutor falls, I can worry less. Lord Ye’s path to success becomes smoother. Our alliance was for this, wasn’t it?”
Reaching out to touch her face, he felt a surge of tender attachment, unable to utter another word.
Taking advantage of his distraction, Luo Wei suddenly rose, breaking free from his embrace.
She adjusted her disheveled hair, stepping off the bed: “Enough, I merely informed you today. It’s late; you may leave. We’ll discuss this later.”
Without a word, Ye Tingyan got off the bed, put on his official boots, and headed out. Turning back, he saw Luo Wei hadn’t followed but was searching the table in the hall, rummaging for a long time before finding an iron piece shaped like a flying swallow.
Seemingly fallen from some weapon, upon finding it, Luo Wei sighed in relief, “So it really fell here, fortunately...”
Noticing Ye Tingyan hadn’t left, she quickly hid it behind her back, but he instantly recognized whose it was, a surge of intense anger burning within: “You actually met him here?”
Suddenly, things became clear. Ye Tingyan sneered, muttering, “No wonder you wanted him back to the capital. You think with his protection, even if you frame the Grand Tutor with treason, His Majesty wouldn’t dare move against you, right?”
He suddenly recalled the map of Dayuan’s military defenses seen in the dark that day.
Luo Wei, unwilling to explain, said, “I don’t understand what you mean.”
“Your Majesty has too many close confidants,” Ye Tingyan glared at the object in Luo Wei’s hand, mocking, “Today’s exchange with Official Xu in the library, surely you’ve said similar to others? No wonder Your Majesty commands responses across the court. With such means to win hearts, why bother consulting me?”
Luo Wei trembled, her tone growing colder, “Lord Ye has plenty of eyes within the inner palace too.”
Taking a deep breath, she forced a smile, “Consulting you is because you’re most useful. Didn’t you say you wanted to be my most useful person? Were those all lies?”
“You—”
Ye Tingyan choked, angrily flicking his sleeves and leaving.
Luo Wei stood there for a while, suddenly finding it somewhat amusing.
When she first met him, she thought him cunning, almost otherworldly, languidly appearing as if nothing could catch him off guard.
Unexpectedly, after knowing him for only a short period, he repeatedly lost composure in front of her, making her increasingly puzzled.
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