Chapter 626: Chapter 626

When Fengyu entered the palace, she saw Second Mrs. Lin leading Lin Yunong out of the hall. The renovations of Changshou Palace were complete, and Fengyu had also furnished it. After Xie Xun returned to the palace, he moved into Changshou Palace. The palace adjacent to Changshou Palace became a council hall, where Xie Xun met ministers and handled affairs in the side hall.

The side hall was some distance from the main bedchamber and had a separate entrance. Xie Xun worked in the side hall of Changshou Palace without interfering with the bedchamber. Even when ministers came and went, they wouldn’t encounter Fengyu.

The Ministry of Rites voiced their objections to Xie Xun’s violation of ancestral tradition by insisting on living in the same palace as Fengyu, and the Rituals Bureau also suggested separating the Empress and Emperor into different palaces. However, Xie Xun dismissed all such recommendations.

Ancestral tradition—whose ancestors were those anyway? Certainly not the Xie family’s. Therefore, Xie Xun felt no obligation to adhere to them. The Rituals Bureau, left speechless and rebuffed, could only turn a blind eye.

Fengyu was heading to the side hall to see Xie Xun, and that’s when she ran into Second Mrs. Lin and Lin Yunong. Fengyu greeted Second Mrs. Lin with courtesy, and the latter returned the gesture. After exchanging brief pleasantries, Fengyu passed them and continued onward.

Lin Yunong commented, "The Empress investiture ceremony hasn’t even been held, and yet she boldly strolls through the palace. What kind of decorum is this?"

"This is a matter between the Emperor and Empress, keep your mouth shut," came the reply.

"Mother, but this really goes against customary norms."

Second Mrs. Lin was unwilling to continue the discussion and took Lin Yunong out of the palace. Fengyu gave no thought to the Lin family mother and daughter. She understood that Xie Jue and Xie Xun regarded the Lin family as their only kin, so she maintained surface-level propriety. Though Lin Yunong’s arrogance was evident, Fengyu didn’t mind—Lin Yunong was not a threat in her eyes.

Xie Xun had just concluded discussions with the cabinet and was taking an hour of rest. When Fengyu arrived, he was half-lying on a warming couch with his eyes closed, resting. Fengyu deliberately lightened her steps, yet Xie Xun remained alert. When she got closer, he took her hand and, effortlessly, lifted her into his arms, seating her on his lap. Fengyu’s face turned crimson as she protested, lightly pounding his chest, "Let me down, there are still people around!"

Qiuxiang and Chunlu were waiting outside the hall. Inside, despite Xie Xun resting, palace maids and eunuchs were still attending him. When Fengyu was swept into his arms, every maid and eunuch immediately lowered their heads to stare at their toes.

Xie Xun glanced at the line of palace maids and eunuchs, his gaze cool as he commanded, "Leave us!"

The eunuchs led the maids away in single file. Seeing Fengyu’s rosy complexion and vibrant countenance, Xie Xun felt reassured. He lightly touched her nose. "Is your health fully recovered?"

"If I weren’t fully recovered, would you have written me a letter asking me to enter the palace?"

"Of all the words in that long letter I wrote, which one said you should come? It’s Ayu who missed me and came of her own accord to keep me company."

"Yes, I missed you!" Fengyu said with a laugh and tears in her eyes. Xie Xun’s playful scheming, paired with his refusal to admit it, amused her. She did not expose him—the truth was, he seemed rather pitiable when he was alone in the palace.

"Today I finalized the date with the Ministry of Rites. By mid-November, we can have our wedding ceremony."

The wedding attire would be completed as scheduled, everything was ready.

At the mention of the wedding ceremony, Fengyu thought of her curse. Eighteen years old... This recent illness, where she lingered on her sickbed and nearly fell into an eternal slumber, had left her deeply unsettled. She couldn’t help but recall the curse that foretold her death before reaching eighteen—a prophecy she had almost believed. Her heart was heavy with sorrow and frustration.

She had seriously contemplated what her biggest regret would be if she truly couldn’t live past eighteen.

Perhaps it was that she hadn’t managed to marry Xie Xun.

She had yearned to wear the wedding garments and marry Xie Xun with great pomp and ceremony. The failed marriage at Marquis Zhenbei Mansion three years ago had left wounds too painful to bear, and she hoped for a new wedding to bring renewed hope to the Xie family.

She was greedier than that, dreaming of living to old age, bearing children, being surrounded by descendants, and eventually being buried with Xie Xun in the Imperial Mausoleum. These were her heart’s aspirations.

"Alright!" Fengyu readily agreed, fervently believing the curse to be false. Her health was improving, and she was determined to live past eighteen. "Before the wedding, aren’t we supposed to avoid meeting each other?"

"Only three days prior to the wedding—there’s still plenty of time." Xie Xun couldn’t bear the thought of not seeing her for an entire month. "The wedding is set for November 16th, an auspicious date."

Fengyu’s heart swelled with anticipation. She was finally going to marry Xie Xun.

"Your birthday is coming up too. How would you like to celebrate?" For the past three years, Xie Xun had missed Fengyu’s birthdays, and though he made up for them afterward, the regret lingered. This year would be different.

"The Commander and Han Ziqi should be arriving in the capital in a few days. Who knows what changes might occur? You still have negotiations to handle with Sannan, so don’t bother yourself with my birthday. My family will take care of it." Fengyu was considerate, knowing Xie Xun was already heavily occupied. Once the Commander and Han Ziqi arrived, his workload would only increase, leaving little time for her birthday arrangements.

Besides, his birthday hadn’t been celebrated either!

His first birthday after ascending the throne, which should have been celebrated grandly, was overshadowed by a major war. The preparations for the Emperor’s Longevity Festival were delayed due to his personal involvement in the battle. The Ministry of Rites hesitated about planning an elaborate event, fearing the Emperor might not return in time, which would lead to wasted resources. Fengyu had taken charge and postponed the arrangements, and now it was too late to prepare even if they wanted to. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on novel·fire·net

If the Emperor’s birthday wasn’t celebrated, then the soon-to-be Empress’s birthday certainly couldn’t be lavishly observed.

Xie Xun cared little for extravagant displays, prioritizing time spent together with Fengyu. October would undoubtedly be a busy month; unexpected events were likely to emerge, so her birthday might indeed be overlooked. Fengyu, being unassuming, didn’t mind. And seeing her disinterest in extravagance, Xie Xun didn’t insist.

"Then when I have some free time, I’ll take you to the treasury to pick out some treasures. The Yuwen family has stored plenty of rare treasures—you’ll surely like them!"

"Feeling superstitious?" Fengyu clicked her tongue. As one of the wealthiest people alive, she found little value in the Yuwen Royal Family’s antiques.

"People can be unlucky, but jewels are not. Don’t underestimate their vault—it contains centuries of accumulated artifacts, all fine treasures. Pick whatever you like—they’re all yours." Xie Xun had once skimmed through the treasury and, overwhelmed by its opulence, immediately thought that Ayu would love it.

Generations of emperors had collected countless gems, each priceless—exactly the kind of things Ayu adored.

As Xie Xun spoke, his hand grew a little mischievous, gently kneading her waist. He embraced Fengyu from behind, his gaze simmering with subtle desire before suddenly transitioning to a completely unrelated topic, "Ayu, let’s learn from the example of my elder brother and sister-in-law."