Li Tong exited the Directorate of Attendants and immediately ran into two clerks carrying scrolls. “Lord Li,” they greeted him with immediate smiles.

Though Li Tong had not been here long, his influence was growing rapidly. This was partly because he was the grandson of Grand Secretary Li, and partly because the Emperor seemed quite satisfied with him.

In the palace, influence was everything, and people were quick to gauge favor. However, Li Tong had not forgotten his status as the son of a concubine.

Accustomed to loss, whether of things gained or things never obtained, he approached his current standing with profound reverence and gratitude. He conducted himself diligently and respectfully, projecting an air of unpretentiousness and composure, much to the disappointment of his jealous siblings who waited only to see him stumble.

Li Tong returned their courtesies. “These are the defense maps sent by the Ministry of War, Lord.

Please submit them to His Majesty,” one clerk said, handing over the scrolls. The Ministry of War?

Li Tong’s heart stirred. He knew perfectly well what the Ministry had been preoccupied with lately.

“Are these the defense maps from the heir apparent of Marquis Dingxi?” he inquired. The clerks confirmed this with an affirmative nod.

“Didn’t His Majesty say it would take a month? How is it finished in just ten days?” Li Tong asked with a smile.

“The heir apparent didn't eat, drink, or sleep; he pushed himself to complete it,” the clerks chuckled, speaking highly of Chang Yuncheng. Chang Yuncheng was generous, straightforward, and well-liked.

More importantly, he was highly valued by the Emperor. Such acts of excellence always reflected well on those involved.

Li Tong smiled, further confirming Fan Yilin’s words in his mind: this man was indeed cunning, with a face that masked his true nature. “Just leave them here; I will send them up shortly,” he replied, still smiling.

The clerks offered their thanks, placed the scrolls happily on the table in the directorate office, and took their leave. When Chang Yuncheng learned the maps had been delivered, he breathed a sigh of relief.

He waited for the Emperor’s decree while simultaneously packing his bags. In truth, his luggage had been ready for days.

He almost wished he could wear the same clothes for several days straight so he wouldn’t even need to unpack, ready to leave the moment the Emperor gave his assent. But until nightfall the next day, there was still no word.

Knowing the Emperor as he did, this silence was unusual. Chang Yuncheng asked the clerks to inquire discreetly—was the work approved or not?

The Emperor needed to give a verdict. If it was good, he would depart immediately; if flawed, he would rush to revise it.

Meanwhile, the very scroll Chang Yuncheng was anxiously awaiting remained sitting on the table in the Directorate office. “Lord Li, should this be sent up?” someone asked.

Li Tong, already holding two other documents, turned when he heard the voice. “There are too many matters before His Majesty.

Let’s wait until tomorrow,” he stated. Tomorrow turned into the day after, until Li Tong made no further postponement because the Emperor himself personally requested it.

As Li Tong entered bearing the scroll, he saw a man standing in the grand hall. Because he was in the Emperor’s presence, Li Tong merely lowered his head and glanced up briefly.

Compared to the last time he saw this man at the tavern, he appeared noticeably haggard. Serves him right, Li Tong thought silently.

So this was the ex-husband of Madam Qi. Had he known that day at the tavern, he absolutely would have sided with Fan Yilin.

“This is the man, who abandoned Madam Qi at home for three years, only to return and immediately demand to take a new wife while discarding his current one. It was only thanks to Her Highness’s timely assistance that Madam Qi managed to secure a formal separation,” Fan Yilin said, his arm slung around Li Tong’s shoulder, speaking with righteous indignation.

“She is alone, without parents or kin. It is a miracle she possessed medical skills, otherwise, she would have had no path but death.

Tell me, shouldn't such a man be utterly reviled?” Should! Of course, he should!

Moreover, Madam Qi was his benefactor! A benefactor meant someone who had shown him kindness, demanding repayment in kind.

Her friends were his friends, and her enemies were his enemies! This Chang Yuncheng was Li Tong’s enemy.

“Your Majesty, here is the defense map you requested,” Li Tong murmured, keeping his head bowed. While petitions often involved subtle maneuvering—such as the placement of one document before or after another—Li Tong knew that sequence could determine life or death, success or failure.

Because of this, clerks holding minor posts were rarely offended; rather, people often tried to slip them silver. Grand Secretary Li had instructed him on these matters, but this was Li Tong’s first time practicing it, leaving him naturally apprehensive.

The Emperor said nothing, nor did Chang Yuncheng. Yet, Li Tong felt the man’s gaze fixed upon him, and the look was distinctly ill-intentioned… Naturally.

Though such matters were never spoken aloud, everyone understood the implications. “So you are Lord Li Tong,” Chang Yuncheng suddenly broke the silence.

In front of this man, he absolutely could not show fear—that would be a disgrace to Madam Qi! “Indeed, and you are the heir apparent of Marquis Dingxi,” Li Tong replied, straightening his posture with a smile.

Two eunuchs had already unfurled the scroll, and the Emperor rose and walked closer to examine it, appearing completely absorbed and deaf to their exchange. After they exchanged these few words, silence descended again.

Chang Yuncheng stared at Li Tong, while Zhou Maochun’s words echoed in his ears. He’s passable in looks… Passable where?

He wasn't even comparable to Wang Qian, not even the garrulous Hu San! He is very honest… He dared to use official duties for personal vendetta, suppressing my crucial documents!

A young man dares to do this—what will he attempt in a few more years! What eyesight did that old fool have!

Chang Yuncheng snorted and looked away. Li Tong, unwilling to concede the contest of wills, also gave a slight snort and shifted his gaze.

The hall was utterly silent. After the time it took for one stick of incense to burn, the Emperor finally finished reviewing the maps.

“Very good, excellent,” he said, turning around and rubbing his brow. Chang Yuncheng bowed low in salute.

“It is due to Your Majesty’s wise guidance,” he replied. The Emperor smiled, accepted the warm towel presented by a eunuch, and gently wiped his forehead and eyes while slowly pacing back toward his Dragon Throne.

“Alright, this matter is concluded. You may now—” he began.

This sentence had been awaited for so long that Chang Yuncheng’s body trembled almost imperceptibly. “Thank you, Your Majesty.

I request leave to return to Gansu,” he bowed deeply once more. The Emperor looked at him, tossed the towel to the eunuch, and smiled enigmatically, but finally nodded.

“Go then,” he said. Chang Yuncheng replied with ecstatic assent and slowly retreated.

The moment Chang Yuncheng stepped over the threshold, the Emperor suddenly laughed. “A wager?” he proposed.

Li Tong was momentarily stunned, but the surrounding eunuchs promptly answered with cheerful agreement. “Oh, wonderful!

We get to win Your Majesty’s silver again!” several chimed in playfully. “As if you ever win,” the Emperor chuckled, then looked at Li Tong.

“Are you in?” Though unsure of the exact nature of the bet, Li Tong quickly agreed. “However, I do not have much money, so I cannot place a large stake,” he stated honestly.

The Emperor was amused by his candor. “No money?

Ask your grandfather for some,” he laughed. “Minimum ten taels of silver.

I won't play for anything smaller.” The hall suddenly became lively. “The wager is: how many steps will the heir apparent of Marquis Dingxi take before he starts running,” the Emperor announced.

What kind of wager was this? Li Tong was baffled.

Who dared run around in the palace? “I’ll place my bet first: between five and ten steps,” the Emperor declared.

Immediately, the other eunuchs began placing their own bets, naturally ensuring their guesses were all different. “Between one hundred and two hundred steps,” Li Tong finally managed to throw in a random guess to join in.

The Emperor leaned on his hand, watching everyone bet with a lazy smile. Once finished, he sat up straight.

“Summon those waiting outside,” he commanded. A eunuch instantly relayed the message, and two others entered respectfully from the outer chamber.

“Tell me, after how many steps did the heir apparent of Marquis Dingxi begin to run?” the Emperor asked. The eunuchs paused, exchanging glances while keeping their heads bowed.

Heir Apparent, we are sorry. It’s not that we tried to cover for you, but under this Majesty, nothing can be concealed.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, he started running after seven steps,” one replied. The Emperor laughed heartily, slapping his Dragon Throne.

“Money, money, pay up!” he exclaimed. Li Tong left the hall still somewhat dazed, entirely unsure of what had just transpired.

Chang Yuncheng had acted inappropriately before the Emperor, yet His Majesty had foreseen it and was not angry. He shook his head.

Never mind, it’s not my business. Back in the main hall, quiet was restored.

The Emperor rested with his eyes closed and his legs crossed over the Dragon Throne, seemingly asleep. Cai Zhong directed two eunuchs in clearing the table laden with documents and memorials.

“I heard the two of them fought at the tavern?” the Emperor suddenly asked. Cai Zhong immediately turned and bowed.

“Yes, Your Majesty. The young pages overheard that as soon as the heir apparent entered the capital, young Lord Li and the Fan family’s child were dining at a tavern.

Somehow, things escalated, they started throwing things from upstairs, hitting the heir apparent, and ended up having a proper fight up there,” he reported. The Emperor laughed.

“What trivial nonsense. Truly boring,” he remarked.

“Look at this display of petty jealousy and tripping over one another.” “Your Majesty, should this old servant go and give young Lord Li a talking to?” Cai Zhong asked promptly. “Everyone must walk their own path; who is there to manage whom?

Don’t waste energy worrying about irrelevant things,” the Emperor waved his hand dismissively. Cai Zhong smiled in agreement.

“Is Chang Yuncheng’s mother ill again? Why is he in such a hurry?

And after speaking with Zhou Maochun, he rushed south with his men, not even taking time to bid me farewell,” the Emperor mused, changing his posture slightly. “I do not know about that,” Cai Zhong replied.

He did not add that he would investigate, understanding that sometimes the Emperor spoke merely to converse, not to demand answers—much like ordinary people, except the Emperor in this grand hall had no one with whom he could speak freely. Indeed, the Emperor did not ask him to investigate, instead leaning back with a relaxed ease.

“Regardless of the reason, at least that old annoyance has been drawn away, saving me from his incessant droning,” he chuckled. “Indeed.

Lord Zhou has become increasingly bothersome lately. As they say, old people are like children; once they get old, they truly become like kids,” Cai Zhong agreed.

The Emperor seemed intrigued by this observation. “I recall my own Imperial Grandmother saying the same thing about my Imperial Grandfather,” he said with a faint smile.

“Oh, how dearly beloved the Grand Ancestor and Empress Xiaoci were! They could discuss anything; they were as one person,” Cai Zhong responded warmly.

“It was quite difficult for my Imperial Grandfather to win the heart of my Imperial Grandmother back then,” the Emperor smiled. “But in this world, things that are rare and precious, no matter how hard to obtain, are always worth the effort.” The quiet conversation echoed through the vast hall, emphasizing its emptiness.

At this very moment, Chang Yuncheng, having bolted from the palace, vaulted onto his horse. “Order an immediate return to Mobei!

I’m leaving now; have the others follow!” he threw the instruction over his shoulder and galloped away wildly. The personal guards behind him scrambled in disarray, some to gather men and send messages, others to pursue Chang Yuncheng.

Chang Yuncheng was already out of sight. Yue Niang, Yue Niang, I am coming for you.

I! Have!

Finished!! A month late!!

Thank you all for waiting!! It’s terrifying; I’ve formed a habit of writing six thousand words a day!!

This past month, even while I’ve been burying my head in debt repayment, you all still voted for me with your tickets! This kindness is heavier than a mountain!

I remain silent, but I see everything!! I see the dozen or so tips every day!!

I see an Emperor-level patron almost every month!! I won’t be ashamed to admit it—watching the click charts, the bestseller lists, the various rankings!!

These undeniable figures sometimes bring tears to my eyes! What virtue have I earned, what virtue have I earned, I ask myself, pounding my chest, friends!

If I write poorly, who am I betraying!! I’ll say no more; I need to calm my emotions, I’ve lost composure.

RS