The moon was bright tonight.

“This Empress greets Your Majesty!” The empress curtsied elegantly.

“What have you visited this Emperor for, Empress?” Yang Shaolun asked in a cool, steady voice.

The empress looked up at him. “Your Majesty knows how late it is. Why haven’t you retired to bed?”

“This Emperor has state affairs to tend to,” Yang Shaolun responded in an aloof tone. “Please return if you have nothing important to say, Empress. This Emperor has no time to humor you!”

“This Empress was entrusted to take care of Your Majesty,” the empress said worriedly. “Would Your Majesty please allow this Empress to fulfil the promise?”

Yang Shaolun had been going over reports and discussing state affairs with officials day and night. Meanwhile, Lin Haihai had been paying visits to the Blackhill Village and treating the old general’s vision in the General Residence during the day, and then helping at the plantation during the night. Or she would go on an investigation with Wangchen with no one privy to what she was looking into.

The sixth prince had gotten into the habit of waiting for her at the hospital, often until late at night. Then they would walk their way back to the Prince Residence, but they never exchanged even a ...