The next day, at dawn, the sky was bright. After a day of rain, it finally stopped, yet Luonan City did not look fresh after the rain; instead, it was a scene of desolation. The ground was in ruins, the once flat streets filled with large holes, remaining bloodstains, while only the sky was washed a clear blue.

The air was still tainted with a subtle metallic scent of blood, and low cries could be heard throughout the city.

Yesterday’s chaos had affected many civilians.

But there’s no way to help it; it’s the sorrow of being common folk. The victors are already indulging themselves, and what they hope for is for the victors to quickly restore order and win the hearts of the people.

The battered Prime Minister’s Mansion, its gardens’ flowers, trees, and plants had long withered, turning a dull brown.

Inside the guest room, personal clothing was thrown around haphazardly, while splendid garments were draped over the rack beside them.

From within the curtains hanging down the four-poster bed, a tired and feeble complaint suddenly sounded: "Be gentle, you bastard, wasn’t last night enough..."

Even before a match, there’s warm-up; this jerk started before I even woke...

Xia Zhining shot Chen Mo a fierce glance, yet her arms involuntarily wrapped around Chen Mo’s neck.

Yue Ruyan was awakened by the noise, her clear and lustrous eyes slowly opened, following the direction of the sound, gazing at the two next to her. After a brief frown to herself, she propped herself up and, as if no one was around, stepped naked out of bed, found her own clothes, picked them up, and put them on, then calmly said, "There’s an early court session today, be mindful of the time."

"It won’t delay." Chen Mo gathered his thoughts, turned Xia Zhining’s body around, making her back face him.

...

Xia Zhining quickly pulled over the nearby quilt, burying her delicate head in it to prevent embarrassment.

Yue Ruyan picked up the personal clothes of Chen Mo and Xia Zhining, placed them on the headboard, then said, "I’ll go wash up first, you two hurry up."

"After you wash up, bring a basin of water in. Check if the kitchen has prepared morning meals, and randomly bring some to fill our stomachs." Chen Mo said in a deep voice.

Yue Ruyan nodded, then left the room.

Outside.

"Miss Nalan, good morning, what brings you here?" Yue Ruyan opened the door and saw Nalan Yiren in the courtyard, her eyes showing a bit of surprise.

"His Commander of the Personal Guard, Sun Meng, came earlier and happened to bump into me. There’s no one serving here temporarily, so I was asked to pass a message—there’s progress on last night’s investigation, and he sent a piece of clothing." Saying that, Nalan Yiren tossed the clothes to Yue Ruyan.

Yue Ruyan was stunned after hearing Nalan Yiren’s words, and even more so upon seeing the clothes thrown to her.

Because the clothes were an extravagant python robe of black and red, predominantly black brocade.

Yue Ruyan paused: "Where did this come from?"

Bear in mind, last night Chen Mo was conferred as King Wei. Though it was approved by Your Majesty verbally, it remained unmaterialized without a formal inauguration, which would only be effectuated after sealing with the Jade Seal and announcing it post the morning court session.

But this robe appeared as fast as an unofficial stroke of the pen; they acted faster than the husband.

"That I do not know, let him ask later." Nalan Yiren said with arms crossed.

"Thanks." Yue Ruyan nodded, then turned back into the room.

"What’s the matter?" Chen Mo, holding Ying Yue while Xia Zhining was almost at her limit under his relentless actions, overheard the conversation outside but couldn’t focus to understand fully.

"Look at this." Yue Ruyan tossed the python robe onto the bed.

Chen Mo and Xia Zhining were momentarily stunned upon seeing it, then promptly asked: "Where did it come from?"

Even an overnight timeframe is impossible to produce such a python robe.

"That I do not know, ask Sun Meng yourself later. Your subordinates are really eager, fearing this kingship might slip away." Yue Ruyan responded.

"Some people only rely on this sort of thing for their lifetime; I would be anxious too." Chen Mo suddenly straightened up and said.

Xia Zhining lay like limp mud on the bed, her beautiful eyes slightly closed.

Chen Mo picked up the python robe, finding it a bit small.

Yue Ruyan and Xia Zhining are not the serving kind, so Chen Mo himself wore the robe. After getting out of bed, he lightly slapped Xia Zhining’s rounded hips and said, "Get up; we have to attend the morning court session later."

"You bastard." Xia Zhining fiercely thumped the bed a few times, and after resting a bit, she struggled to get up.

With Yue Ruyan and Xia Zhining out of the room, Chen Mo wasn’t worried about Nalan Yiren’s misunderstanding and said: "Miss Nalan, let’s have a meal together later. If you’re interested, feel free to join the morning court session; I’ll give you a post."

Chen Mo’s offer wasn’t rash; given Nalan Yiren’s abilities with her identity as Saintess from the Poison King Valley, an external entity could easily hold an honorary post in the Great Song.

"Dinner is okay, but no need for a post, as long as King Wei doesn’t forget the promises made to me." Nalan Yiren replied.

"Rest assured, my words are always trustworthy."

...

After washing and eating breakfast, just as they stepped out of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, Sun Meng came to greet them: "Prince, today you look energized and dignified."

Sun Meng had changed from his eternal title of Marquis at this instant.

"You, you." Chen Mo chuckled and pointed at Sun Meng, continuing: "Tell me, how did this python robe come about?"

"Your Majesty sent someone. This python robe was crafted by the Textile Bureau in Celestial River back when it was still the Royal attire. This one has never been worn." Sun Meng explained.