The fool has become a spirit, and she can speak

Back then, Master Zhong and Wan Lianxing were both officials. Wan Lianxing was the Marquis of Wanxin in Dalang, and Master Zhong was the Assistant Minister of the Left. Wan Lianxing seemed glamorous and dazzling, but he had no real power. On the contrary, Master Zhong's minor position as Assistant Minister had some real power.

In just a few short years, their statuses have become vastly different. Master Zhong was convicted and exiled three thousand miles north, while Wan Lianxing became the ruler of a country.

Master Zhong lamented the injustice of fate. He had served Dalang diligently for decades, being extremely cautious and devoted to the cause, yet in the end, he was demoted and exiled on trumped-up charges. Meanwhile, Wan Lianxing, the traitor whom everyone wanted to kill, had become the revered emperor, whom Master Zhong had to kneel before and express his gratitude.

Time is so unfair; it leaves its mark on everyone's face, but Wan Lianxing's elegant demeanor remains unchanged. However, the extraordinary charm in his smile is different from his past flamboyance and arrogance. In its place is his refined manners, extraordinary bearing, and charm in every gesture.

Han Muran, who was beside Madam Wan, had forgotten the fine wine and alluring songs and dances on the table. At this moment, the only thing that could stir her heart was Wan Lianxing, who was in a high position.

Everyone says Wan Lianxing is as handsome as an immortal, and seeing him today, Han Muran knows it's true. At such a young age, she finally understands what it means to be unparalleled in the world, and what it means to be in the throes of first love. Her pride in her beauty pales in comparison to Wan Lianxing.

Her heart was in turmoil, her chest pounding wildly. She both longed for Wan Lianxing to glance at her, and feared being seen by him. Before seeing Wan Lianxing in person, she had been confident that she could make him unable to look away with just a glance. Now, that confident arrogance had vanished, replaced by insecurity. Yes, she was gradually losing confidence in her appearance, yet her desire for Wan Lianxing grew stronger, even impatient.

The first thing Zhong Siyu said to Wan Lianxing was, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for helping me bring my family back."

"Since the Empress is so heartbroken about my affairs, I will naturally keep her thoughts in mind as well."

Wan Lianxing's smile was enigmatic, his thoughts difficult to fathom. However, his words immediately reminded Zhong Siyu of Han Muran. Zhong Siyu's heart began to pound. In this situation, would Wan Lianxing disrespect her and cripple her in public?

Zhong Siyu was gentle yet firm. Not wanting to be embarrassed or put on the defensive, she steeled her resolve and asked Wan Lianxing in a gentle voice, "Does Your Majesty wish to allow Han Muran to take the seat?"

Zhong Siyu had tried her best to control her tone, but Wan Lianxing could still hear the barely perceptible tremor and tension in her voice. She was testing him. Wan Lianxing couldn't help but laugh, "Yu'er, is the Empress's position a hot potato? You're going to have to give up the Empress's position no matter what."

At this moment, Ge Dongqing looked up at the person in the high position and asked, "Brother, what are you and the Empress talking about? You seem so happy."

Ge Dongqing only saw Wan Lianxing smiling, but Zhong Siyu's face was anything but smiling. Everyone was looking at her and Xiang Wan Lianxing, and she looked embarrassed, still trying to figure out the emperor's intentions.

Wan Lianxing said with a smile, "My empress is too understanding. She is always thinking about choosing concubines for me."

Ge Dongqing's eyes darted around, and as soon as he shook the wine cup in his hand a couple of times, his eyes lit up. Then, his words flowed like a flower in full bloom, and he slowly recited: "Roots and lotus threads connect heaven and earth, lotus hearts within flowers depend on each other through bitterness. Red makeup and shimmering beauty may not lead to a bright future, but golden flowers bloom and the world knows."

"Good!" Wan Lianxing clapped and cheered unexpectedly. Ge Dongqing had recited no less than ten thousand poems in front of Wan Lianxing, and Wan Lianxing had applauded him in public many times, but very few of them had ever sincerely said "good." It was hard to tell whether this "good" came from Wan Lianxing's heart. But who could guess what was going on in this matter?

Everyone echoed the sentiment, clapping even harder than Wan Lianxing, and in an instant, the applause in the hall drowned out the drums and music.

Shang Xi clapped along with the crowd, tilted her head towards Cheng Feng, and whispered to him, "Uncle Ge's lotus root is so good, what's so special about it!"

Cheng Feng maintained a smile throughout: "Wife, if you can't even tell what's so good about it, then I'm just wasting my breath. People who know this will understand that Ge Dongqing is praising the Empress for finally gaining power after suffering hardships, but people who don't know this might think it's two dishes."

"Hehehe!"

Shang Xi covered her mouth with her fist, her shoulders heaving. Then she heard Ge Dongqing say, "Brother, you and the Empress are a match made in heaven. Your destiny must have been cultivated for countless lifetimes. The Empress is virtuous and beautiful, serene and dignified, graceful and elegant. Having such an Empress is a blessing for you, brother, and a blessing for the people!"

Wan Lianxing looked at his virtuous brother and said only one word: "Reward!"

As Ge Dongqing expressed his gratitude, Shang Xi exclaimed in amazement, "Cheng Feng, look at this! Why is Uncle Ge able to stay by the Emperor's side every day? He has such a silver tongue! If I were the Emperor, I would love to hear such kind words too! As the old saying goes, a kind word warms the heart for three winter months. Uncle Ge has probably melted my heart."

Cheng Feng suppressed a laugh and whispered to Shang Xi, "Uncle Ge is all talk. He usually makes Uncle's head ache when he recites poems to him, but today he praised him. I guess the poem was just right for Uncle."

Shang Xi asked Cheng Feng, "Everyone came with their wives, so why is Uncle Ge all alone? Isn't he the one who can't stand being alone? I heard that after Fu Liu, he took two more concubines."

Cheng Feng covered his face and lowered his voice, "Since Lu Si Niang remarried, he no longer has a wife in his household. Without Lu Si Niang's restraint, Uncle Ge can do whatever he wants. Look at Uncle Ge's complexion lately."

"You know what, Uncle Ge looks really good, and his back is straighter than before."

In an instant, drums and music resounded, and the dancers in the center of the field changed again. Wan Lianxing watched with great interest, while Zhong Siyu was preoccupied with her own thoughts.

Zhong Siyu whispered, "Your Majesty, why don't you invite Han Muran to sit next to you? She's been looking at you with such admiration."

That bold and greedy gaze made Zhong Siyu breathless.

Wan Lianxing glanced at his sister-in-law with a half-smile, "Is that an admiring look? It's clearly lustful towards me. Other women are eyeing your husband covetously, and you not only don't protect me, but you also want to send me into the lion's den. I've never seen such a heartless woman."

Zhong Siyu, who was being criticized, was both amused and exasperated. She turned to Wan Lianxing and asked, "Does Your Majesty not like Han Muran?"

"Who told you that I like Han Muran? Have you seen me even glance at her? It was you and my sister-in-law who forced this person on me. You never even asked what I thought. It's understandable that my sister-in-law is Han Muran's aunt, but what is the Empress's intention? Do you really have to share a husband with someone else?"