Chapter 215: First, a Stamp.

"This humble official greets Your Majesty."

Xie Wei, Xie Liuzheng’s father, had come to pay his respects, dressed in his official robes.

He now served in the Ministry of Rites and had been involved in arranging all of today’s festivities.

Xiao Yang looked over at him. "You may rise. This is a glorious day for our prosperous age, and I thank you all for your hard work."

Xie Wei rose. "It is Your Majesty’s wise rule that has brought about this prosperous era and created the magnificent spectacle we see today."

Xiao Yang’s gaze happened to fall upon Xie Liuzheng and Xiao Lv in the distance, holding hands as they strolled through the streets. ’That girl claims she doesn’t want to marry, but she and Xiao Lv are as thick as thieves. It’s gotten to the point where Xiao Lv is so anxious he’s offered to marry into the Xie family himself.’

But that was a matter for their two families. Xiao Yang had already shown her support for the Prince Jing Mansion, so there was no need for her to interfere any further.

Xiao Yang exchanged a few more words with Xie Wei, who then tactfully took his leave. Immediately after, other officials and their families came forward to pay their respects.

Xiao Yang received most of them, granting them a brief audience before dismissing them. That is, until Wu Taimei appeared with his wife.

Wu Taimei was tall and powerfully built. His wife, though tall and beautiful herself, looked almost petite beside him.

The two of them weren’t there to greet her; they were simply strolling through the streets, hand in hand.

His wife was pregnant, her baby bump already visible, and Wu Taimei hovered over her protectively, afraid someone might bump into her.

Wu Taimei must have said something to anger his wife, because she suddenly reached up and grabbed him by the ear.

He didn’t resist in the slightest, immediately lowering his head to placate her.

"What is Your Majesty looking at?"

Rong Yin came to Xiao Yang’s side.

Xiao Yang pointed. "Wu Taimei. He’s quite a character."

Rong Yin followed her gaze and saw the scene as well. A loving couple, truly an enviable sight.

His gaze returned to Xiao Yang’s face. ’I’ve been blessed with the favor of someone like Your Majesty,’ he thought. ’I have no need to envy anyone else.’

"BOOM!"

Fireworks burst in the sky, a riot of brilliant color. Rong Yin quietly took Your Majesty’s hand, sharing this moment on the night of the Lantern Festival.

The sky blazed with fireworks and the streets below bustled with life, but beneath the prosperity, deadly danger still lurked.

There were always die-hards looking to stir up trouble. Their goal was no longer to seize the throne—for now, at least, they lacked the power. But they couldn’t stand to see this era of peace and prosperity. Their families had been punished by the Emperor for their crimes, and now they sought revenge.

But the Little Emperor had long since arranged for people to guard against them. The moment they reared their heads, they were swiftly eliminated, unable to cause the slightest disturbance.

Xiao Ziling pulled out a handkerchief and slowly wiped the blood from her blade. The people behind her quickly dragged the corpse away. The bloodstains on the ground were cleaned up, and even the scent of blood was masked by the smell of fireworks. The next person to pass through the alley would have no idea that someone had just died there.

Xiao Yang didn’t set off to return to the Imperial Palace until the beginning of the Zi hour. At the front of her carriage was Li Wei, who had been guarding her the entire time.

He extended a hand to her. "Your Majesty, please be careful."

Xiao Yang glanced at him before lightly placing her hand in his, allowing him to help her into the carriage.

Once he was sure the Emperor was settled, Li Wei vaulted onto his horse. "Return to the palace."

The imperial procession returned to the palace, the journey unimpeded.

Xiao Yang had been through a long and tiring day. Lying in the gently swaying carriage, she couldn’t fight off the encroaching drowsiness and soon fell asleep.

She was still asleep when the carriage came to a stop inside the Imperial Palace.

A palace maid peeked inside and came back out. "Great General, Your Majesty has fallen asleep."

Li Wei lifted the curtain and stepped inside. He was greeted by the sight of the Little Emperor sprawled out asleep, her head tilted back against a pillow and her limbs spread wide in a most domineering fashion.

It was a very uninhibited posture, but the Little Emperor was blessed with such an exquisite face that even her ungraceful slumber only made her seem all the more endearing.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty?"

Li Wei called her name softly. When she didn’t stir after two attempts, he quietly moved closer and lifted her into his arms.

The Little Emperor was by no means a petite woman, but compared to him, she was indeed small. Holding her in his arms took no effort at all.

He bent down and carried her out of the carriage, intending to place her on the sedan chair so the Palace Attendants could carry the Emperor to Zichen Palace.

However, just as he was about to set her down, the sleep-addled Little Emperor suddenly threw her arms around his neck, burying her face in his shoulder.

Li Wei froze on the spot.

’Your Majesty is asleep,’ he thought. ’She isn’t aware of what she’s doing.’

’But I am.’

’Your Majesty hasn’t accepted me yet. I can’t be this close to her without her consent.’

A war raged in Li Wei’s mind as reason and emotion tore him apart. He held the Emperor with such restraint that the veins on his arms stood out.

"Great General?"

Li Wei looked at the palace maid beside him. "Bring Her Majesty’s cloak."

The palace maid understood immediately and hurried to wrap the cloak around the Emperor.

Li Wei held her securely in his embrace.

"I... will escort Her Majesty back."

’He couldn’t bear to put her down, and she had embraced him of her own accord. Just this once, he would allow himself to be greedy and carry her back himself.’

He had only taken a few steps, however, when Xiao Yang suddenly stirred. She shifted her head and mumbled, "Hold me a little higher. Your heartbeat is too loud."

’THUMP, THUMP, THUMP. It’s like thunder.’

Li Wei stopped breathing. He stood frozen on the spot and only managed to start walking again after a long moment.

’I woke Her Majesty,’ he thought in a panic. ’I shouldn’t have done that.’

’But Her Majesty is awake now, and she’s still letting me hold her...’

He had been tormented by the guilt of taking advantage of the situation, of secretly holding Your Majesty in his arms. But to his astonishment, she was already awake. And even though she was awake, she was still willing to let him hold her.

An immense joy washed over him like a sudden downpour on parched earth, instantly reviving his desperately dry heart.

He controlled his breathing and proceeded with even greater care, carrying the Emperor step by step toward the most venerated place in the Imperial Palace.

Li Wei stepped through the doors of Zichen Palace. He felt a light pat on his back, and only then did he bend down to gently set her on her feet.

"Your Majesty..."

He looked at her, his gaze scorching.

A trace of drowsiness still lingered on Xiao Yang’s face, but her eyes were clear.

Her gaze fell on Li Wei’s face. She knew what he wanted.

From before the New Year until now, more than half a month had passed. He hadn’t said a word, hadn’t made a move.

He was patient and respectful, yet the affection in his eyes burned for her as fiercely as ever.

’Li Wei is tall and his martial skill is unparalleled, but he might just be the most obedient and well-behaved of them all.’

’An incredibly powerful man, yet once he recognizes his master, he becomes an utterly loyal and completely obedient, loyal-hound type of man.’

"I ought to give you an answer."

Li Wei felt as if he already knew what her answer would be. But until it was spoken, he remained anxious. Even if the chance of rejection was one in ten thousand, he wouldn’t dare to relax until he heard her definitive reply.

"Your Majesty, please speak."

He held his breath, waiting.

"You..." Xiao Yang looked at him. "You are a good man. I admire you greatly."

Li Wei’s heart sank. A beginning like that was rarely followed by good news.

"I am indeed attracted to you, but I had not considered it before, so I need a little time."

Xiao Yang raised a hand and beckoned. Li Wei stepped forward and lowered his head, but then decided that wasn’t enough. He dropped to one knee, straightening his torso to look up at her.

Xiao Yang’s hand paused in mid-air. She had to admit, she was quite pleased by the gesture.

She leaned down, and her lips met his in a kiss.

"Consider that a down payment."