In Yikun Palace, Empress Dong was drinking bird’s nest porridge. Upon hearing that Wen Wan had arrived, she immediately smiled and instructed Xiu Dong to bring her in.

Wen Wan bowed to greet her.

Dong Han granted her a seat, set down the small bowl, and looked at her with concern, "I heard the Commandery Princess took sick leave a few days ago—is there any discomfort?"

Wen Wan replied, "The weather has turned cold, and I caught a chill, but I’m just starting to recover."

Dong Han sighed, "The court is at a time when talents are crucial, and His Majesty needs someone like the Commandery Princess by his side. You must take good care of yourself."

Wen Wan could only smile along, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

Nian Chun, who was waiting by the side, glanced at Wen Wan covertly.

They intentionally kept the rumors from Her Majesty, but both she and Xiu Dong had heard that the Commandery Princess proposed to dissolve her alliance with Lord Emperor’s Tutor at the memorial hall for His Majesty. It was because of His Majesty’s favor for the Commandery Princess that he set a hundred-year precedent for the Commandery Princess to enter court as an official.

His Majesty is busy with state affairs and doesn’t often visit the back palace, yet he summons the Commandery Princess every few days. Alone in the Imperial Study Room, what else could they be doing?

Nian Chun felt very uncomfortable.

The Commandery Princess is already a married woman; how can she do such things?

Moreover, His Majesty—the Commandery Princess is the wife of his teacher. How can he act this way?

No wonder Her Majesty has conceived the Dragon Successor, yet His Majesty’s reaction remains indifferent. He truly loves this Commandery Princess.

The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved Nian Chun felt for Her Majesty.

The enchantress Wen Wan sensed Nian Chun’s resentful gaze as soon as she entered. Her expression remained calm, and her tea-drinking motions were leisurely and carefree.

As she drank, she suddenly started coughing.

Empress Dong’s expression changed slightly, "Aren’t you recovering? How could you still be coughing like this?"

She instructed Xiu Dong to summon the Imperial Physician.

Wen Wan waved her hand, "I honestly wanted to rest a few more days, but His Majesty urgently summoned me to the palace. It’s unnecessary to call the Imperial Physician; the mansion has prescribed a remedy, and I’ll take the medicine once I return."

Dong Han frowned slightly, "No matter how urgent His Majesty’s affairs are, he should consider the Commandery Princess’s health. I suspect he doesn’t know you haven’t fully recovered yet?"

Nian Chun huffed inwardly; summoning her before she’s recovered, how impatient is His Majesty!

"There might be some reason for that." Wen Wan nodded, "However, this urgent matter is real. Several days ago, His Majesty received a post from Bei Yan, stating that Emperor Yan will send a delegation to Chu Country to celebrate His Majesty’s birthday. Previously, His Majesty instructed you to keep it simple, but now with the Bei Yan delegation participating, it can’t remain simple; it must be more grandiose."

Dong Han was surprised that such a significant matter wasn’t conveyed directly by His Majesty but instead through the Commandery Princess. Yet she still nodded, "I understand."

Wen Wan suddenly sighed, "Organizing a grand event entails another considerable expense. Actually, His Majesty wishes for simplicity due to the Jiuli Clan; the Ministry of Revenue had to relinquish seventy percent of tax income, nearly impacting the National Treasury."

Dong Han said, "The Commandery Princess speaks rightly, but with the delegation coming from Bei Yan, we cannot neglect the envoy. During this period, I’ll try to reduce expenses from Yikun Palace and allocate this money for the Thousand Autumn Banquet, hoping to assist His Majesty."

"Your Majesty cannot!" Nian Chun exclaimed, "You are pregnant with the Dragon Successor and in need of nourishment and supplements—reducing expenses might affect the fetus."

"Indeed, Your Majesty," Wen Wan agreed, "The Thousand Autumn Banquet funding ought to be covered by the Ministry of Revenue. But with the National Treasury deficit amounting to tens of millions of silver, reducing your expenditures is insignificant and might affect the Dragon Successor, leading to losses outweighing gains!"

"Does the Commandery Princess have any good ideas?" Dong Han asked.

Wen Wan pretended to ponder briefly, "Actually, I think the Ministry of Revenue doesn’t need to relinquish seventy percent of tax. They piled their interests so high because they’re missing an influential figure to lead a marital alliance. The subordinates are all observing, hesitant to step forward; this urgency from the Ministry of Revenue was a desperate move."

Dong Han suddenly realized, "Indeed. The most influential person in Chu Country is none other than His Majesty. If he leads by example, taking a Jiuli Clan woman into the palace, the Ministry of Revenue wouldn’t need to allocate so much money; at most, a little would suffice without affecting the National Treasury."

Upon hearing this, Nian Chun and Xiu Dong exchanged a glance.

Nian Chun felt even more aggrieved; what kind of bad idea was the Commandery Princess suggesting? The Empress had just entered the palace, yet she was suggesting His Majesty take a concubine—intent on making Her Majesty look bad!

Wen Wan said, "His Majesty has a cold disposition; I fear he might refuse."

"This matter doesn’t need the Commandery Princess’s worry; I will personally discuss it with His Majesty." Dong Han said, "His Majesty is a person who understands the bigger picture; he will likely consider it."

"Then I’ll leave this to Your Majesty."

After Wen Wan left, Nian Chun looked at Dong Han nervously, "Empress, how could you agree to let His Majesty take a concubine so soon? You currently..."

Dong Han glanced at her, "Allowing Jiuli Clan women to enter the palace is a significant matter concerning the court’s politics. As the Empress, how can I be willful and cause trouble rather than considering the bigger picture?"

"That’s true, but..." Nian Chun bit her lip. She had a feeling the Commandery Princess had ulterior motives.

If newcomers joined the palace at this time, and those women bore malicious intentions, what would happen if they harmed the Dragon Successor in the Empress’s womb?

Dong Han noticed Nian Chun’s worry, "Alright, I know your loyalty, but the Commandery Princess’s suggestion isn’t wrong. Solving the problem by allowing several Jiuli Clan women into the palace is a simple solution. If I’m unwilling and insist the Ministry of Revenue find a solution themselves, they would either increase taxes or scrape the people’s hard-earned savings to fill the National Treasury. If chaos ensues in the empire, I would become a sinner throughout history, and at that time, His Majesty might not even want to look at me."

Nian Chun was startled, then lowered her head, "The Empress’s foresight is commendable. I was short-sighted."

Using the excuse of delivering ginseng soup, Dong Han went to Qianqing Palace.

Zhao Xi was sitting in front of the writing desk, holding a vermillion pen with his right hand, eyes focused on the memorials, occasionally making annotations.

"Your Majesty," Dong Han approached, "I’ve come to bring you ginseng soup."

Zhao Xi gave a slight "hmm" and pointed to a corner of the writing desk, "Leave it there."

Dong Han set down the small bowl but didn’t leave immediately. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Zhao Xi looked up at her, "Does the Empress have other matters?"

"Earlier, the Commandery Princess visited my palace," Dong Han said, "The Commandery Princess casually mentioned the intermarriage with the Jiuli Clan. I heard that the Ministry of Revenue is troubled by this, and I have a suggestion."

"Oh?"

Zhao Xi stopped reviewing the documents and leaned back slightly.

"I believe, Your Majesty, you should lead by example and take a few Jiuli women into the palace. This way, whether Han people or Jiuli people, seeing the Imperial Family’s sincerity, even without being driven by interests, they would follow Your Majesty’s will voluntarily, and the implementation of the intermarriage policy would proceed smoothly."

Zhao Xi asked, "Did you come up with this, or did the Commandery Princess suggest it?"

Dong Han lowered her head, "Back then, the Commandery Princess said the intermarriage policy was hard to implement mainly because Chu Country lacked a highly influential person to take the lead. Hence, I thought of Your Majesty."

As she said these words, Dong Han felt uneasy. She believed no wife could truly be generous enough to willingly share the same husband with other women. Yet, as the Empress, she inherently bore the responsibility of assisting the Emperor. Her heart couldn’t be filled with selfish desires alone.

Zhao Xi’s gaze lingered on her abdomen for a moment before quickly withdrawing, lowering his long eyelashes, "I will consider your suggestion."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

...

Back at the Changning Marquis Mansion, Wen Wan couldn’t help but complain to Zhao Xunyin, "I have the title of a femme fatale, yet I don’t have any facade. It feels like His Majesty is intentionally setting me up. Fortunately, I’m quick-witted, otherwise, if this matter couldn’t be accomplished, who knows what His Majesty would have done to me!"

"What could he do to you? At most, he’d relieve you of your duties and let you go home for a good rest."

The mother and daughter sat at the round table. Zhao Xunyin served Wen Wan some rice and handed her chopsticks.

Wen Wan took the small bowl, "Umm," she said, "That’s not an option. My grand plan is not complete yet, and I can’t just go home and rest, or Third Son will be miserable."

...

Regarding the matter of sending Jiuli women to the capital, Wen Wan assumed Su Qing would have someone under him handle it. Unexpectedly, he personally came, under the pretense of celebrating His Majesty’s birthday, bringing along his wife and children.

Lin Xiaoyue had initially planned to never deal with Wen Wan again, but upon arriving in the capital, she immediately heard about Wen Wan’s separation from Song Wei. The more shocking news was that Wen Wan had separated from Song Wei for Emperor Xuanjing, and the Emperor favored her so much that he allowed her to become a female official, spending their days together...

Lin Xiaoyue could not stand it, "Fine, very fine indeed. I never knew her ambition was this great."

Once Su Qing settled those women at the post house, she had a carriage driven straight to the Changning Marquis Mansion.

Light snowflakes began to fall outside. Wen Wan wrapped herself tightly in a fox fur cloak, curled up on a small couch beside the stove, drowsily drifting to sleep.

At this moment, Yun Cai suddenly lifted the curtain and jumped inside, "Commandery Princess, something’s wrong! Madam Su is coming forcefully!"

Wen Wan didn’t immediately react, "Which Madam Su?"