For several days in a row, Yanshu had been full of anticipation.

This feeling was like the excitement of a fan about to meet their long-admired idol.

My goodness, he was the man who once moved the Empress Dowager's heart!

Especially after learning that Chancellor Qi had already departed from Langya, and the journey from Langya to the capital only took five or six days, she could almost be said to be counting down the days.

However... although the Empress Dowager's headaches had improved, she still frequently called Yanshu to talk and still liked to have her read storybooks.

Of course, she was still reading ones she had written herself...

Regarding this, the Empress Dowager explained to her, "My eyes have become a bit blurry, and these storybooks have such dense text. It's truly troublesome to read them, so it's better to hear you read them."

Yanshu could only smile and say, "Your Majesty is too kind. It's my honor to be able to entertain you. But... do you only read the Carefree Young Master's stories? Don't you read others? There are many other authors in the market as well."

The Empress Dowager replied, "Those people's writing is either too rigid or too unfair. Often it's two or three women fighting over one man, or a man having his way with multiple partners, marrying fairy-like concubines outside while having a virtuous wife serving him at home. Some even have stories of husbands disliking their wives' appearance and changing their heads! Why can't it be the man changing his body to please his wife? It always leaves one feeling unsatisfied. Only this Carefree Young Master can be said to write about poetic justice, repaying grudges and settling scores, making people feel good when they hear it."

Rarely hearing face-to-face feedback from a reader, Yanshu was deeply moved. So she had to work hard to suppress her embarrassment and earnestly read her own stories to the Empress Dowager.

I must say, as she read on, she got used to it and could even discover areas for improvement in her writing style and grammar, which was quite beneficial.

However, every time she finished a story, the Empress Dowager couldn't help but complain, "Why hasn't this person written anything new lately? I heard that before, there used to be a new story every few days, but now ten days or half a month pass without seeing one?"

Yanshu thought to herself, "I spend all day reviewing old works with you, where would I find time to ponder new ones?"

But outwardly, she could only say, "Perhaps recently everything has been peaceful, and the Imperial Guard hasn't discovered any new cases, so the writer doesn't have any new material."

The Empress Dowager nodded, "That's true. In that case, having no new stories could be considered good news. But without new stories to read, it always feels like something is missing. With such good writing skills, why not write some supernatural fiction?"

Yanshu's eyes lit up, "Your Majesty has a point."

—It seemed that nowadays there were quite a few people keeping mistresses, abandoning their wives, or being ungrateful, and after reading her stories, some always felt they were being alluded to. So there was vague criticism of her stories. Just imagine, if she wrote about fox spirits and ghosts, surely no one would complain, right?

Hmm, this was an idea worth considering and developing.

However... the main reason she couldn't write new stories at the moment was that her mind was full of curiosity about Chancellor Qi, to the extent that she couldn't focus for the time being.

Oh, that's right, it was already the seventh day. Shouldn't Chancellor Qi have arrived in the capital by now?

Thinking this, she secretly glanced at the Empress Dowager, wondering how the Empress Dowager still had the leisure to listen to her old stories. Could it be that she didn't know about this matter yet?

System, [That's right. After the incident with the sheep's milk pastry, and then suffering from her old ailment for several days, the Empress Dowager doesn't inquire about court affairs now. At most, she's thinking about when you might bear a child for the Emperor, so of course she doesn't know about this.]

Yanshu, "..."

Why bring up the matter of her bearing children...

What for? Is that something she can decide on her own?

But it's good that the Empress Dowager doesn't know now. If one day she unexpectedly meets him, wouldn't it be an even better surprise?

Just as she was thinking this, she saw palace maids bringing in tea and snacks.

The Empress Dowager said, "This is ejiao cake, jujube paste pastry, and wolfberry and longan tea. They're all good for nourishing blood, warming the womb. You should try some too."

Hmm, that ejiao cake was studded with black sesame seeds and walnut pieces. It looked crispy and fragrant. The jujube paste pastry had layers of flaky crust on the outside. Even before eating, a rich sweet aroma invaded her nostrils. The red date tea was also bright and clear, with a sweet jujube fragrance, very tempting.

Yanshu had been reading stories for half the day and was quite thirsty, so she began to taste the treats.

—Ahem, anyway, she wasn't allergic to cow's milk or sheep's milk, and the Empress Dowager didn't intend to harm her, so she dared to eat.

Seeing her eat so earnestly, the Empress Dowager felt pleased, but couldn't help sighing, "The Emperor used to love eating the snacks from my palace too..."

Only now he doesn't dare to eat them anymore...

Alas, if only I had known better, why did I resort to that trick?

But she heard Yanshu comfort her, "The Emperor must be too busy lately. I'm sure after some time, he'll have time to come and keep you company."

The Empress Dowager nodded slightly, but suddenly looked at her and said, "He would probably love to eat what you make."

Yanshu's face reddened, and she hurriedly said, "...This humble consort is clumsy and doesn't know how to make desserts."

That's right, she was a bit lazy and had always liked eating but not cooking since she was young. Otherwise, she wouldn't have made such an unsightly mess when she tried to make soup for the Emperor last time.

But the Empress Dowager smiled and said, "If you don't know how to make them, you can learn. We have time today, let them teach you."

Saying this, she immediately called over the cook who made desserts, "Teach the Imperial Consort Yanshu how to make desserts. It doesn't need to be too difficult, just a few of the Emperor's favorites will do."

The cook immediately agreed and came before Yanshu, "Please follow this servant to the dessert kitchen, Your Highness."

Yanshu, "..."

How come not only was she reading books, but now she had to learn to make desserts too???

...Was coming to the Palace of Benevolent Peace like attending a vocational school?

But since the Empress Dowager had spoken, she couldn't refuse. She could only say "alright" and followed along.

Behind her, the Empress Dowager nodded with a smile, thinking that this little Yanshu was quite interesting. Chatting with her was relaxing and didn't require much mental effort.

Meanwhile, Yanshu busied herself in the dessert kitchen with the cook for half the day, learning everything from making flaky pastry dough and fillings to kneading, wrapping, and baking to shape. After two hours, when the golden, fragrant chestnut pastries came out of the oven, they actually tasted quite good when eaten, giving her a sense of accomplishment.

Even the Empress Dowager graciously tasted a piece and praised her as a quick learner.

After all this busy work, it was already noon and time for lunch.

The Empress Dowager, feeling sorry for Yanshu who was sweating profusely in the dessert kitchen, asked her to stay for lunch.

Just as the palace servants were serving the dishes, they saw the supervisor of the Imperial Kitchen hurriedly approaching with people carrying several ice bowls. He reported with a smile, "Your Majesty, the Emperor is hosting a banquet in the Wenhua Hall today. He found these honeydew melon ice bowls quite delicious and specially ordered the kitchen to make a few more to send to you and Imperial Consort Yanshu."

Hearing this, Yanshu's eyes lit up — having ice bowls to eat when she was all sweaty, the Emperor was truly thoughtful.

The Empress Dowager, however, asked, "What kind of banquet is being held in the Wenhua Hall today?"

The Imperial Kitchen supervisor Wu Chun smiled and said, "In a few days, the Songhe Academy will reopen. The Ministry of Rites has invited famous teachers and great scholars from all over the country, and they have gathered in the palace today. This is a banquet for distinguished scholars hosted by the Emperor."

Hearing this, Yanshu secretly glanced at the Empress Dowager while eating her ice bowl, but saw that the Empress Dowager only nodded slightly, seemingly still not realizing the implications. She asked, "I didn't know about this event. Who all has come today?"

Supervisor Wu smiled and said, "Please forgive this servant's ignorance. There are over thirty participants in today's banquet, and I don't... recognize all of them. However, the most famous ones, such as Master Ji from Jinling City, Master Qi from Langya, Master Gu from Lanling, and Master Yu from Nanyang are all present."

As soon as he finished speaking, they saw a slight pause in the Empress Dowager's eyes.

Langya... Master Qi?

Back then... wasn't that person the one who returned to Langya?

On the surface, she only nodded slightly and said, "I haven't paid attention to the literary world for so many years, I haven't heard of these names."

Yanshu quickly said, "I've heard they are all scholars with profound knowledge and quite renowned. The Emperor invited them to revitalize the Songhe Academy, and even intends to appoint one of them as the headmaster to oversee the academy in the future."

Tsk tsk, she could only say this much, otherwise it would arouse suspicion.

As she spoke, she quickly called out to the system, [Do you think the Empress Dowager has guessed?]

System, [Pretty much. The surname Qi is rare to begin with, and he's also from Langya. Besides, the Empress Dowager knows that after Qi Shuguang returned to Langya back then, he became a teacher.]

Hearing this, Yanshu nodded silently — give the Empress Dowager a little time, and she would definitely figure it out.

Wu Chun delivered the ice bowl and hurried back to attend the banquet, leaving Yanshu to accompany the Empress Dowager for lunch. After finishing, she took her leave and returned to her own Ganlu Palace.

As if obsessed with shipping a couple, she couldn't help but wonder if those two could meet.

After all, Chancellor Qi was an old official of the Empress Dowager's. Having been separated for over a decade, if he wanted to pay respects to the Empress Dowager on this rare visit to the palace, it would be understandable.

Though she knew the gulf between these two was hard to bridge, and the chances of a perfect ending like Madam Mu's were slim, surely they could at least meet once?

Thinking this, she began to wait for news from the system.

However, after waiting for half a day until dusk fell and even after finishing dinner, there was no word of the two meeting.

The system advised her, [Stop waiting and go to bed. That Chancellor Qi left the palace right after the lunch banquet today.]

Yanshu felt a bit disappointed, [Does he no longer have feelings for the Empress Dowager?]

The system replied, [This man has always been very cautious. Even when feelings first arose years ago, he suppressed them greatly. Whenever he saw the Empress Dowager, besides reporting on matters, he rarely said much else. It wasn't until later that he showed some verbal concern, mostly taking practical actions to protect the Empress Dowager. You could say his emotions were restrained by propriety. Now so many years have passed, and he doesn't know the Empress Dowager's feelings. More importantly, he's afraid of arousing the Emperor's suspicion and affecting the mother-son relationship, so of course he won't rush to meet her.]

Yanshu couldn't help but click her tongue. These two really should have met before marriage! What a pity!

But honestly, the more suppressed the feelings, the more irresistible they become. If this were written as a novel, it would be so poignant and touching!

Just as she was thinking this, she heard from outside, "His Majesty arrives..."

Yuwen Lan stepped into the hall, just in time to hear that sentence - [The more suppressed the feelings, the more irresistible they become.]

He was curious. What suppressed feelings? Could there be some new gossip?

Ahem, that's right, by now he had gotten used to calling it "gossip".

It had to be said, it was quite interesting.

He saw Yanshu come forward to curtsy, and he pulled her into his arms, asking, "Have you written a new story today? What kind of tale is it?"

But she replied, "Your humble servant hasn't had time to write these past few days."

In her heart though, she thought, [I'd love to write about the story of the Empress Dowager and Chancellor Qi, but would you allow it?]

Yuwen Lan: "..."

He really didn't want to allow it.

This involved the face of the royal family, and more importantly, the dignity of the late emperor. How could he easily accept it in his heart?

So when he saw Qi Shuguang today, he still felt somewhat... strange.

He had even thought that if Qi Shuguang proposed to visit the Empress Dowager today, he would definitely refuse and think less of him for it.

Fortunately, from beginning to end, Qi Shuguang didn't have this idea at all. Apart from reminiscing about revisiting old places and marveling at how he had grown up, expressing contentment at his governance of the country, there were no stray thoughts in his mind.

Regarding the Empress Dowager, there was only one comment. The gist was that she must have worked hard to raise him, an unrelated prince, so well.

...In fact, Yuwen Lan also understood the Empress Dowager's hard work.

...Especially after experiencing so many recent incidents in other families, he understood that everyone has selfish motives, and jealousy in particular is terrifying.

As the late emperor's principal wife, while he was the child born to the late emperor and another woman. To treat him so well truly counted as benevolent and loving.

So when he ate the delicious ice bowl today, he specially had some sent to the Empress Dowager.

Of course, it was also because that little glutton Yanshu was there, so it killed two birds with one stone.

But no matter what, between the Empress Dowager and Qi Shuguang... he still didn't want to accept it.

So to prevent her from overthinking, he quickly changed the subject, saying, "We intend to select a few of the renowned scholars who have come to the capital this time to oversee Songhe Academy, so they will stay in the capital longer. I hear many have brought their families. We plan to host their families in the palace to show sincerity. What do you think about supporting this?"

Hearing this, Yanshu was stunned.

Goodness, though she may seem busy writing stories, she was actually very socially anxious! Hosting a palace banquet, entertaining so many strangers, having to greet and chat with them, especially when they weren't even close to her age...

She shuddered and hurriedly said, "Your humble servant is lacking in talent and learning, and my status in the palace is not high. If I rashly host a palace banquet, I'm afraid it would invite gossip. Why not ask the Empress Dowager to take charge? If the Empress Dowager hosts, wouldn't it better show the court's esteem?"

Yuwen Lan considered this and nodded, "That's fine. We might as well invite the families of the Grand Tutor, Imperial Academy, and several scholars together. It would be more appropriate."

Yanshu nodded quickly, "Your Majesty's words are most wise."

Great, great! The more people, the livelier it gets, and the livelier it is, the more gossip there is!!!

She loved eating at banquets while consuming gossip the most!!!

Yuwen Lan: "..."

Always thinking about gossip.

However, seeing her cheeks flush and eyes brighten with excitement, he couldn't help but feel a stirring in his heart. He quickly wrapped his arms around her waist and brought her to the couch.

But before he could kiss her, he saw her suddenly put on a serious face and say, "No, Your Majesty drank alcohol today. I heard that drinking is bad for the child."

Yuwen Lan: "??? Where did you hear that?"

Could she be deceiving him?

Yanshu said earnestly, "Your humble servant heard Imperial Physician Jiang say so last time. Excessive drinking and indulgence in pleasure both affect one's offspring. So Your Majesty had better wait until tomorrow."

With that, she directly pulled up the blanket and went to sleep.

Yuwen Lan: "..."

He tried to negotiate, "We only drank a little..."

But she replied without turning her head, "Even a little is not allowed. For the sake of the imperial heir, Your Majesty should endure it."

In her heart though, she thought, [It's not easy to have a child. They must inherit their mother's intelligence to succeed!]

Yuwen Lan: "..."

Inherit her intelligence?

Perhaps it would be better to inherit more from him.

After a frustrating night's sleep, early the next morning, the Emperor got up and went to the front court.

Today, besides the morning court session, there would be a meeting of scholars and great masters in the Wenyuan Pavilion, mainly to discuss the curriculum for Songhe Academy.

He also planned to select someone from among these people... who could competently serve as the academy's headmaster, so he had to participate personally.

Meanwhile in the Palace of Benevolent Peace, the Empress Dowager had tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep. She simply got up early and went for a stroll in the imperial garden.

The Wenyuan Pavilion was in the imperial garden.

The sun had just risen, and birds were chirping in the branches.

The Empress Dowager had walked through the garden she had toured countless times before, picking a few newly bloomed lotus flowers, and was about to return.

At this moment, she saw a group of people approaching from afar.

Seeing her figure, the Grand Tutor who was leading quickly came forward and bowed, "Greetings to the Empress Dowager."

Seeing the Grand Tutor do so, the others also came forward to pay their respects, saying in unison, "Greetings to the Empress Dowager. We wish Your Highness good health and prosperity."

Among the crowd, only one figure remained tall and slender like bamboo, just as in years past.

The Empress Dowager nodded slightly to everyone.

Then, her gaze fell on him, and she took the initiative to say, "Chancellor Qi, it's been a long time."