Inside Zhao Yang Hall, there were only a few palace servants. They were wearing purple garments and tidying up the hall. As soon as they saw Emperor Chong Zhen entering the hall, they hurriedly saluted, "Greetings Your Majesty."

Emperor Chong Zhen looked around the hall. Not seeing Empress Chen, his expression became more solemn as he asked, "Where's the empress?"

One of the palace servants, Zi Zhu, said, "To respond to Your Majesty, the empress spoke to Princess Consort Jing for a while. She felt tired and she's currently resting in the heated room.

Emperor Chong Zhen nodded. He looked at the food on the small, vermillion-lacquered arhat table and casually asked, "Has Princess Consort Jing left?"

Zi Zhu replied, "Yes, she recently left. Prince Jing personally came here for Princess Consort Jing."

Emperor Chong Zhen didn't ask any more questions. He walked towards the heated room, "This emperor is going to see the empress."

Actually, it was slightly strange. For the past decade, Emperor Chong Zhen and Empress Chen's relationship had been at a deadlock. Every time they met, they would most likely argue and part on bad terms. Even so, Emperor Chong Zhen would still come to Zhao Yang Hall once a month. None of the palace servants knew why.

Zhao Yang Hall's palace servants were already used to their pattern of interacting with each other. This was why they weren't surprised that Emperor Chong Zhen would still insist on going to see Empress Chen today even though she was already asleep.

After Emperor Chong Zhen passed through the luo di zhao that was carved with joyful magpies, pushed open the doors, he looked towards the rosewood couch that was near a window and had decorative carvings. Empress Chen was lying down on the couch on her side. She was covered with a dark reddish purple blanket that was embroidered with dragons, phoenixes, and auspicious symbols. The precious hairpins and other hair accessories had been removed from her hair, so her silky black hair was piled up on the pillow. For no reason at all, it made him think of a phrase – hair as delicate and dense as clouds, neck as resplendent as jade.

(T/N: Luo di zhao is a ceiling to floor carved screen.)

Emperor Chong Zhen walked to the couch and looked at the woman lying down on it. He couldn't help sinking into contemplation.

He thought of the past, how they had fought together to conquer the world. She had been so bold and proud. Back then, she had seemed like an untamable little firecracker. If she wasn't happy with him, she would argue with him. Back then, he had told her that she was impossible to get along with. But in his heart, he would gladly endured any hardships for her and he was a glutton for punishment. No matter what she did, he could tolerate her little tantrums.

He remembered that there was one time when she had pulled her horse's reins and rode out of the camp when they couldn't come to an agreement. Even when night had fallen, she still didn't come back. At that time, it was a crucial juncture for the two armies. He was worried she had been kidnapped by their enemies and was in danger. He searched for her for the next two days like a headless chicken. He even risked the danger of going to the enemy camp to search for her.

Unexpectedly, she rushed out of the enemy camp on the third day with their enemy's severed head hanging on her horse. She proudly raised her chin and asked him, "Do you still think my plan isn't feasible?"

Even now, that scene still remained fresh in his memory. Her back had been facing the sun and she looked like a blossoming rose that was burning. Her beauty had dazzled his eyes.

Later, he had torn off her wings with his hands. He had forced her to give up her freedom and she could no longer soar through the battlefields. She could only become a canary in his cage. He knew that even now, she still wanted to go back. All these years, she had resented him and didn't want to be close to him. And so, the distance between them only increased as they kept walking farther away from each other.

Emperor Chong Zhen sat down on the couch. He gently stroked Empress Chen's cheek with his fingers and quietly said, "Wan Wan..."

Empress Chen's name was Chen Ru Fu. Because she had been the youngest daughter in her family, her nickname was Wan Wan. Back when their relationship hadn't been at a standstill, he would call her "Wan Wan" and she would call him "Older brother Zhi Qing." But now, that was only a long ago memory.

Empress Chen always slept lightly. Emperor Chong Zhen had only sat down for a short period of time when she started to furrow her eyebrows and wake up. When she saw Emperor Chong Zhen, her first reaction was freezing in surprise. But, her expression quickly returned to normal, "Your Majesty, why did you come here? This consort had already fallen asleep."

Without changing his expression, Chong Zhen withdrew his hand and said, "This emperor came to see how you were doing. You recently said you weren't feeling well. Are you feeling better now?"

Empress Chen curved the corners of her lips. He didn't know if she was smiling because she felt moved by his words or if she wanted to laugh at him for acting superfluous.

"It wasn't anything serious. Ah Luo accompanied this consort for a while. This consort has already mostly recovered."

The emperor nodded. For a time, he didn't have anything else to say.

Empress Chen sat up, pushed her dense, dark hair behind her shoulders, and looked at the emperor. "This consort wants to go to sleep. If there's nothing else, this consort will have people send you back."

She was openly asking him to leave. Emperor Chong Zhen felt as if a stone was clogging his heart up. It wouldn't go up or down. He couldn't describe the feeling that he was experiencing. He saw that Empress Chen was already changing into her sleeping clothes and expressionlessly said, "This emperor will be sleeping here tonight."

Empress Chen paused in washing her face for a moment. Soon after, she calmly took the towel that Zi Zhu had brought. As she dried her face, she said, "The entire harem belongs to Your Majesty. You have the freedom to go wherever you want." Then, she ordered Zi Zhu, "Bring over His Majesty's sleeping clothes and serve His Majesty with washing up and changing clothes."

Zi Zhu acknowledged her order and left.

Today was the last day of the year. After today, it would be the beginning of a new year. Right after Emperor Chong Zhen changed his clothes, he heard the crackling sounds of firecrackers from outside the hall. It continued for the time it would take to steep a pot of tea. It seemed that it was already the New Year.

Empress Chen was standing by the bed. When she turned her head to look at him, there wasn't the slightest emotion in her eyes. A long time later, she finally faintly smiled and said, "It's New Year again. This consort has ordered people to cook dumplings filled with winter bamboo shoots. Your Majesty, you should try some."

Emperor Chong Zhen didn't move. He was still thinking of her recent expression. Why did she look at him as if she didn't have any desire or expectations towards him and only had weariness left? Her indifference scared him witless.

After Emperor Chong Zhen ate the dumplings, he looked at Empress Chen again. He didn't see the expression from before.

The two of them respectively went to sleep without saying another word for the rest night.

~

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Wei Luo and Zhao Jie didn't go anywhere. It was bitterly cold outside. Wei Luo was wrapped in a fox fur cloak, holding a hand stove, and sitting on Zhao Jie's lap as she drowsily napped. Zhao Jie had one hand around her waist and his other hand was holding Meng Zi. He would occasionally flip a page.

(T/N: Meng Zi is a famous Confucianism book. It's a collection of anecdotes and conversations on topics in moral and political philosophy.)

Wei Luo suddenly heard a sweet, melodious sound. She curiously turned her head and saw that a box made of woven bamboo had been placed on the red sandalwood table with curved edges. The base of the box was very thick and the sound was coming from inside the box. There were even two vivid and lifelike skylarks perched on a branch inside the box. They chirped along with the music and their wings and eyes were also moving. Even the butterflies on the leaves also fluttered their wings. She could have almost been fooled into thinking they were real. Feeling very interested in this rare object, Wei Luo asked, "What's this?"

Seeing that she liked it, Zhao Jie smiled along with her and said, "It's a toy sent by the foreigners. It's called a musical box. It's for you."

Shortly after, the sound stopped and the skylarks also stopped moving. Wei Luo raised her head to request help from Zhao Jie. Zhao Jie turned the gear at the side of the box and the music started again.

Wei Luo stretched her hand out to touch the skylarks. "This is so interesting."

Zhao Jie stroked her head and said, "Many other objects were also added to the storeroom in addition to this item. If you like them, you can have them all."

Only a fool wouldn't accept gifts. Wei Luo naturally agreed. Soon after, she felt like there was something wrong. "Why are you giving me things without any reason?"

Zhao Jie smiled and he frankly asked, "Ah Luo, what happened to shoes you were going to make for me?"

Wei Luo only remembered this matter after he brought it up. She immediately jumped down from his lap and said, "Wait a second."

When they were going to Tian Chan Mountain, she had brought along the half-finished shoes with her. There wasn't much to do at the hot springs villa, so Wei Luo had finished Zhao Jie's shoes before half a month had passed. But, she hadn't taken it out to show him since he wouldn't be able to wear it right now.

She walked to a cabinet that was decoratively carved, took out the shoes that were on the top shelf, and walked back to Zhao Jie's side. "I made them according to the shoe pattern you gave me. It should be the right size. You can try them on."

Zhao Jie took the shoes and looked at them. The tops of the shoes were embroidered with a honeysuckle pattern. This style was a bit simple, but the stitches were finely done. A single glance showed that she had put forth a lot of effort to make this. Zhao Jie really liked the shoes, but he wasn't in a hurry to try them. He pulled Wei Luo's small hand over to carefully look at it. "How long did it take you to make this? Did you prick your hand while making them?"

Wei Luo cutely whined said, "Humph! You're asking this question now? This is my first time making shoes. It took me half a year and my fingertips have been poked to death. At the time, you were so busy with supervising the construction for the river channel that you weren't attentive towards me."

Zhao Jie kissed her cheek and said in a distress tone, "I was wrong. You only have to make this one pair of shoes. I can wear them for the rest of my life."

Actually, he had done his best to take care of her. At that time, Zhao Jie has been constantly traveling back and forth between the villa and the city. Whenever he had time, he would accompany her. When her fingertips bleed, Zhao Jie was the one that sucked the blood away. She was only saying these words because she wanted credit for her achievement.

Zhao Jie tried on the shoes. The size was right. It was just a bit thin and couldn't be worn right now. They would be very suitable to wear once it was spring.

Zhao Jie said with a smile, "The shoes made by Ah Luo are more comfortable than the ones made by other people."

Even though Wei Luo knew that he was only saying these words to make her happy, she still felt happy hearing them.

After lunch, Wei Luo thought of the two things she had asked him to do and asked about them.

Zhao Jie said, "I already had Zhu Geng send people to Guang Dong. If the horses are going as fast as possible, they'll be able to bring back Yang Zhen's news within a month."

He paused before mentioning the other matter, "As for Liuli's poisoning, the palace servants from fifteen years ago have already been released from working in the palace. It'll require effort to find them and it'll probably take some time."

Wei Luo asked, "Will you be able to find them?"

Zhao Jie said, "The palace keeps a register. It'll be possible to find them."

Wei Luo let go of her worries.

On the next day, Wei Luo and Zhao Jie woke up early and prepared to go to Duke Ying's residence to visit her family.

Because Wei Luo had been late in coming back to the capital by half a month, she had missed Wei Chang Yin and Liang Yu Rong's wedding. Liang Yu Rong had already married into Duke Ying's household three days ago.

*********************************

【Little Theater】

The residence's oldest cousin Wei Chang Yin has already married. Do you want to hear about Wei Chang Yin and Liang Yu Rong's interesting bedroom stories? Let's interview them ~

Author: May I ask, how was your wedding night resolved?

Yu Rong: If I have to describe it, then there's only six words.

Author: What six words?

Yu Rong: *stays silent*

Chang Yin: *lightly smiles* Came on top and helped herself.