After the Black Dragon Guards left, Emperor Jingxuan picked up a memorial, his frown deepening as he read.
These ministers were becoming increasingly useless—pages upon pages of flowery words without ever getting to the point.
Useless.
He dipped his vermilion brush and drew a bold cross over the document, sending it back for a rewrite, completely forgetting that just days ago he had praised the very same man for his eloquence and well-written memorials.
By the time he had finished reviewing most of the memorials, Emperor Jingxuan felt no relief—only growing irritation.
It was at this moment that Jiang Fusheng entered, carefully holding a yellow oil-paper package with a mix of reverence and ingratiating smiles. "Your Majesty, Fuling brought this."
Without looking up, the emperor replied impatiently, "What is it?"
Jiang Fusheng answered, "Crispy chestnut cakes."
The familiarity of the name made Emperor Jingxuan finally raise his head, signaling him to continue.
Jiang Fusheng explained with a smile, "Fuling mentioned that on her way back to the palace this afternoon, she passed by Wuxiangzhai. Lady Yun had her buy these chestnut cakes and even set some aside specifically for Your Majesty to try."
A glimmer of light flashed in Emperor Jingxuan’s eyes. "My wife saved these for me? Bring them here!"
Anticipating this reaction, Jiang Fusheng carefully presented the package.
Even before unwrapping it, the emperor caught the rich, sweet aroma, and his expression softened instantly.
Though his wife had heartlessly thrown away his archer’s ring, she still thought of him—why else would she have saved these chestnut cakes for him?
He knew these were her favorite treats. The fact that she willingly shared them with him now surely meant she still cared for him, didn’t it?
A faint smile tugged at the corners of Emperor Jingxuan’s lips.
He devoured the chestnut cakes in a few bites, washing them down with a large cup of tea before sighing in satisfaction. "Truly delicious—no wonder my wife loves them."
Setting down the teacup, he asked, "Did she say anything else?"
Jiang Fusheng replied, "Fuling mentioned that after Your Majesty left, Lady Yun sat alone for a long time, looking deeply upset."
Emperor Jingxuan instinctively stood and took two steps forward—only to stop and turn back.
Jiang Fusheng seized the moment to offer a way out. "Would Your Majesty like to return and see her?"
Struggle flickered in the emperor’s eyes before fading into cold resolve. "If my wife thinks I’m being unreasonable, why should I rush back to her?"
The mere thought of Yun Wan calling him unreasonable—all because of Lu Yuanduo—made his blood boil.
He had only asked a few more questions, and she had already lost patience. If he gave in now, where would that leave him in the future?
Jiang Fusheng ventured carefully, "Your Majesty, this servant dares to speak out of turn—though Lady Yun is at fault, perhaps—"
Before he could finish, Emperor Jingxuan glared at him furiously. "Perhaps what? Are you suggesting I’m also at fault?"
Jiang Fusheng hastily defended himself. "This servant wouldn’t dare! How could the Son of Heaven ever be wrong?"
"Your Majesty misunderstands! This servant only meant that while Lady Yun is at fault, Your Majesty’s anger is natural. But if Your Majesty were to show magnanimity and forgive her deception, wouldn’t that make Lady Yun feel even more indebted to Your Majesty’s generosity?"
Once a woman felt guilty toward a man, wouldn’t she naturally seek to make amends? And in doing so, wouldn’t genuine affection blossom?
Though Jiang Fusheng was a eunuch, he had seen plenty of romantic dramas and read enough novels to understand these things perfectly!
He had come to realize that in his thirty-odd years, Emperor Jingxuan hadn’t been indifferent to women—he simply hadn’t met the right one.
But now, with Lady Yun, the emperor had finally revealed his capacity for passionate love—and equally passionate anger.
Emperor Jingxuan calmed down, conceding that Jiang Fusheng had a point. He couldn’t afford to act like an impulsive young man.
Some men were already dead; others lived but were useless. They had no fate with his wife. But he—he was alive, and his bond with her was unbreakable.
By that alone, he had already won.
Taking a deep breath, Emperor Jingxuan smirked. "You’re right. But I’m still angry. If my wife comes to me tomorrow, I’ll return."
"......"
Jiang Fusheng knew when to stop. As much as he wanted the two to reconcile, he couldn’t forget his place—he was the emperor’s servant.
After a pause, he asked, "Where will Your Majesty rest tonight?"
The emperor shot him a sharp look. "Do you not see the mountain of state affairs still waiting?"
The implication was clear—he wouldn’t be sleeping.
Jiang Fusheng sighed inwardly.
It wasn’t that he pitied his master—but if the emperor didn’t sleep, neither could he.
......
The next day, Emperor Jingxuan waited eagerly for Yun Wan to come and apologize—only to be disappointed.
From dawn till dusk, there was no movement from Zichen Palace. Left with no choice, the emperor spent the night in the Hall of Diligent Governance.
The second day, the third day... Several days passed without any sign of Yun Wan. And today, he received the news that Qiyun Palace had been fully restored—and Yun Wan had moved back on her own.
The emperor’s mood darkened palpably. The palace servants treaded carefully, terrified that the slightest misstep might cost them their heads.
The ones suffering the most were Jiang Fusheng and the ministers.
Vice Minister Gao of the Ministry of Works sat in anxious silence. As noon approached, he could bear it no longer and pleaded, "Your Majesty, this humble official has agonized all morning but still cannot fathom what mistake I’ve made. Please enlighten me!"
"You’ve made no mistake," Emperor Jingxuan said abruptly.
Vice Minister Gao was even more bewildered.
If he hadn’t done anything wrong, why was he being kept here? He had been sitting idly all morning—his wife was probably growing impatient waiting for him.
Just as he was thinking this, the emperor’s voice came from above. "I hear Vice Minister Gao and his wife are deeply devoted. Last month, you welcomed a son?"
Vice Minister Gao blinked, then answered truthfully. "Indeed, Your Majesty. My wife and I grew up together, and our bond is strong. Last month, I took leave for her childbirth—a boy. I’m honored Your Majesty remembers."
Emperor Jingxuan gave a perfunctory, "Congratulations."
Vice Minister Gao grew even warier.
Was it his imagination, or did the emperor’s tone lack any genuine joy?
As he puzzled over this, Emperor Jingxuan glanced at him and asked casually, "Do you and your wife ever quarrel?"
"Ah..." Vice Minister Gao nodded. "Disagreements between husband and wife are natural. But it’s best to resolve them the same day—letting things fester overnight only harms the relationship."
Seeing the emperor listening, he couldn’t help but share more of his wisdom. "As the saying goes, some grudges grow worse with time. The same applies to marital harmony."
Commander Wei, standing nearby, nodded in agreement. His booming voice added, "Vice Minister Gao speaks wisely! If I upset my wife, I just let her punch me a few times to vent. No harm done!"
Emperor Jingxuan thought to himself—his wife would never resort to violence.
He shot Commander Wei a sidelong glance. "And if your wife is the one at fault?"
Commander Wei answered without hesitation, "How could my wife ever be at fault?"
"My wife is never wrong. Everything she does is for me, for our family. Ah, she works so hard..." His ears reddened as he spoke.
Emperor Jingxuan couldn’t stand it any longer. "Enough. Be quiet."
"Leave."
Had this man always been so loud?
Commander Wei scratched his head, baffled as to why His Majesty had been so irritable these past few days.
The others also left in confusion, unable to make sense of it.
Once the crowd dispersed, Jiang Fusheng, who had been waiting outside, entered the hall. "Your Majesty, Concubine Hui has gone to Qiyun Palace."
Emperor Jingxuan's brows suddenly furrowed. "What is she doing there?"
Before Jiang Fusheng could reply, the emperor wore a grave expression and declared,
"Concubine Hui has always been domineering and sharp-tongued. My lady will surely be bullied by her. I must go and see!"
With that, he vanished through the doorway.
Jiang Fusheng: ...
