Second, gathering.

The sorrowful tears can no longer be restrained, surging forth uncontrollably.

I took a deep breath, filled with an indescribable sense of melancholy and confusion, and slowly stepped onto the stone steps. The higher I climbed, the faster my heart raced; the stone steps beneath my feet seemed to stretch endlessly, one after another. Just the thought of Liu Xiu being at the top of these layers of stone steps made it feel as if the air around me had been sucked away. After only a few steps, I felt a chill and weakness in my limbs, and my knees trembled to the point where I could no longer lift them.

At thirty, one should be established. What kind of person will Xiuer be with a beard...?

One should have a bit of confidence in oneself and also have a bit of confidence in Liu Xiu

Lihua

In addition to the Chief Attendant Fu Jun, there was also Li Tong, the Prince of Xiping from the Yuan Xuan Han Geng Shi Dynasty. After more than two years of not seeing each other, Li Tong appeared much older; his originally handsome face had matured and added a touch of weariness. Standing next to him, Liu Boji seemed like a bright young girl, reminiscent of her vibrant appearance when I first met her.

The corner of my eye caught a glimpse of those old ministers and generals, their faces etched with the passage of time, all revealing a hint of satisfaction. A smile played at the corners of my lips, and a wave of emotion stirred within my chest; it truly touched me that they still remembered me, that they still recalled those years of shared hardships and joys

What exactly is he gazing at after that shimmering jade? What is he exploring?

When the convoy arrived at Luoyang City, it was already the day before the Laba Festival, a time for large-scale rituals to drive away evil spirits, prevent epidemics, and worship ancestors and deities. During the Han Dynasty, the significance of the Laba Festival was far greater than that of New Year's Eve and the New Year, akin to the way modern Christians regard Christmas with much more importance than the Gregorian New Year.

Being tightly embraced by him, the solid and warm embrace is the resting place I have longed for, and I greedily wish to draw the familiar fragrance from him; however, what fills my nostrils is only the unique scent of the imperial robe.

The collision of pearls and jade produced a sound akin to shattering ice, and the coronation robe pierced my eyes. For a fleeting moment, I seemed to see the shadow of Liu Xuan, and I couldn't help but be startled, instinctively clenching my fists and tensing my entire body

As I watched Liu Huang and Liu Boji calling out "Long live" with a mix of excitement and reverence while kneeling on the ground, I was momentarily taken aback. My gaze was blankly directed at Liu Xiu, who was sitting upright on the dragon throne. I could not see his expression from afar, yet the slowly rising sense of unfamiliarity was gradually gnawing away at the familiarity etched in my heart. The memory of that always handsome and gentle figure with a warm smile was slowly being erased, making it impossible to overlap with the divine-like silhouette before me.

I let out a sorrowful smile, breathing slightly heavier: "Am I particularly unaccomplished?"

Feng Yi stared at me intently for a while, then suddenly let out a sigh of relief: "You haven't changed at all, just like before." He smiled kindly, yet there remained a trace of worry in his brows, as if he was forever troubled by certain matters, unable to truly let go.

My gaze fixed on his beard, I felt as if struck by lightning, my thoughts instantly racing back to that night of parting, when in the desperate and passionate entanglement, I had so longed to see him standing alive before me as he is now

After more than a year of not seeing him, his appearance, at first glance, seemed to have undergone a tremendous transformation. The originally refined and fair face now bore a few more traces of depth and dignity, and the reason for such a significant change was simply that he had grown a circle of facial hair on his lips

Is it her? I ask knowingly.

This can be considered a common human sentiment; had I not spent over a year in the Chang'an Changle Palace, accustomed to such opulent jewels and luxury, I would likely be so astonished at this moment that I would lose myself.

I turned my head away, the smile on my face frozen in place. Finally, I stepped laboriously onto the last step of the staircase, straightened my back, and stared at the deep, intimidating palace door with trepidation.

Stumbling, I got up from the ground, ignoring Liu Boji's anxious tugging behind the scenes. I pretended to be foolish, asking with a naive and dull smile like that of a village woman, "Your Majesty, what is the annual salary of a noble?"

"Sure." A simple word struck my heart like a hammer, causing my shoulders to tremble slightly, and my limbs felt so stiff that I could hardly get up. My mind was hazy, recalling fragments of the past, forgetting how I managed to rise from the ground, and also forgetting who helped me move to the side.

Knowing that I should not care about such trivial matters, my rational mind clearly tells me that I should learn to disregard everything. Disregard Guo Shengtong, disregard Liu Qiang, and even disregard Liu Xiu. Without love, there can be no hate, and only then can I live freely and happily

"This jade hairpin is very suitable for you." Liu Huang selected a jade hairpin carved with a Pixiu and handed it to me, his smile carrying a sense of encouragement

In the past, the Liu family had six siblings, with their parents still alive, and the family was harmonious and warm. What a beautiful scene that must have been! In the blink of an eye, circumstances have changed, and now only one elder sister and one younger sister remain by Liu Xiu's side.

Is that so? He furrowed his brow slightly, "Otherwise, shall we have someone carry a palanquin here?"

At this moment, even Liu Huang ceased to smile: "Sister-in-law! I call you sister-in-law here, and you should understand the good intentions of an elder sister towards you. It is a natural principle for a man to have three wives and four concubines; according to the rules, you are the legitimate wife, while Guo is merely a secondary consort, and the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate is quite clear. However... Uncle Wen is now the Emperor, and for the past two years, you have remained at your maternal home in Xinye. You have no idea how much hardship he has endured in Hebei, truly a matter of life and death... During his most difficult times, he took in Guo, keeping her by his side in Handan's Wenming Hall, and then he had offspring. Sister-in-law, you should understand that with Uncle Wen's character, he is the kindest and most gentle person. Guo has accompanied him all the way from Handan to Luoyang; this alone is a testament to their bond..."

During the Han Dynasty, the titles of marquises were often named after counties. Liu Huang was conferred the title of Princess of Huyang, as Liu Mu Fan Xian's maternal family was from Huyang County, while Liu Bo Ji was titled Princess of Ningping

I could not struggle any longer and had no choice but to give up, reluctantly allowing him to hold me in his embrace

In the deep hall, a chilling coldness pervades the air. I exhale, and the hot white mist condenses at the edge of my lips. I straighten my back and stiffly step inside.

I tremble uncontrollably, biting my lip to stifle my cries, feeling a suffocating sense of frustration in my heart. I cannot help but pound my fists against his chest, sobbing, speechless and choked with emotion

Liu Xiu instructed Princess Huyang and Princess Ningping to take a detour to Yuyang to accompany me to Luoyang. In principle, this indicates that my status is regarded as equally important as that of these two sisters. However, the fiefs of both princesses were easily granted, while my identity remains ambiguous.

Do you know that my current state of anxiety and confusion is all due to him

Liu Xiu, seated above, did not respond, yet below erupted a muffled laughter; those who did not laugh were the old ministers well acquainted with my temperament. The eunuch reading the edict noticed the awkwardness of the situation and hurriedly descended from the high platform, lowering his voice with an implicit reprimand: "Noble ones possess golden seals and purple ribbons, yet their salaries do not exceed several tens of measures; how can there be such calculations?"

A chilling aura enveloped me, and I suddenly felt an ominous premonition. Within this heavily guarded southern palace, perhaps from the moment I stepped in, it was destined that I would bury my entire life here.

With my ten fingers clenched into a fist, I inhaled and exhaled: "But it is not the palace... it is a bit cold, these two legs cannot withstand the chill, I wonder if I can hold on until I reach the top."

I felt a slight shiver; I had long understood this principle, but to hear it come from Liu Boji's mouth left me astonished at her mature transformation

"Madam!" Amber exclaimed softly, quickly reaching out to support me

Liu Huang and Liu Boji exchanged glances, ultimately resigning themselves to transforming countless words into a single sigh

I stood still, staring intently at the shimmering light that swayed before me. Finally, with the sound of jade colliding, Liu Xiu rose from the couch and slowly descended the high steps, walking towards me step by step

As most of the people had left, I remained standing stiffly with my neck held high. The eunuch cautiously pushed the lacquer tray in his hand towards me, signaling me to quickly take the seal.

A stir arose in my heart, and I turned to look at Feng Yi, who happened to be withdrawing his gaze from that corner at the same moment. Our eyes met, and the corner of his mouth twitched, revealing a hint of a bittersweet expression.

I... the shadowy concubine pays her respects to Your Majesty! Trembling, I ultimately could not bring myself to utter the humble term "this lowly concubine." Even though he is now the Emperor, and despite the need to demonstrate a woman's virtue, it would have been more appropriate for me to use the term "lowly" to express my humility.

Is it true that those who have become emperors all become accustomed to this imperial luxury

The officials who presented the gifts did not specify which were for the princess and which were for me. The treasures of gold, silver, and jade, along with silks and satins, were piled higher than a person, dazzling the eyes and simultaneously overwhelming me with a suffocating sense of breathlessness.

This couple does not communicate much in front of others, yet every time their eyes meet, they share a smile, exuding a calmness that carries a harmonious understanding, evoking warmth in those who witness it

Indeed ... indeed. ... I have ultimately overestimated him!

If you have no further matters, you may all withdraw. I... today wish to have a small gathering with the two princesses. " Speaking slowly, Liu Xiu on the throne appeared gentle.

I understand her intentions, yet I still shake my head in refusal. I have never liked wearing ornaments, finding such things cumbersome and heavy on my head. This was true in my youthful days, and it remains so even after becoming a wife. Nowadays, there is truly no need to dress up specifically to please anyone.

Upon meeting my gaze, the woman clearly flinched, then lowered her head and took a small step back, as if she wished to conceal herself even further

"Sister, I beg you..." Tears slid down from the corners of my eyes, silently splashing onto the back of my hand. I forced a smile, my lips trembling incessantly. "I appreciate your kindness, Lihua understands."

Although I have never coveted the crown of Liu Xiu's harem, my indifference does not mean he can also ignore it. He brought me to Luoyang and bestowed upon me a noble title with a salary of merely a few dozen measures, which is nothing short of a public slap in the face, a humiliation to me. Had I known this would be the case, I would have been better off staying in Chang'an, allowing the Red Eyebrows to burn, kill, and plunder.

Entering the Southern Palace from the Xuanwu Gate in the north, one passes through the Sima Gate, the Duan Gate, and the Quefei Gate, finally arriving at the main entrance of the Quefei Hall. Lifting the curtain of the carriage, one steps down and gazes up at the endless layers of steps, resembling an unending heavenly ladder, instilling a sense of awe. The towering Quefei Hall seems to stand amidst the clouds; even though one is already in front of the hall, there remains a feeling of detachment, as if it is something to be admired from a distance.

I do not have a clear identity, so along this journey, everyone, including Fu Jun, ambiguously refers to me as "madam." I am the wife he married during his impoverished days; if we follow the commoners' terminology, this title of "madam" implies "Madam Liu," referring to the wife of Liu Xiu. However, he is no longer an ordinary person. For the Emperor Jianwu, who now resides in the South Palace and is not merely a commoner in the city of Luoyang, this title of "madam" may simply represent one of the concubines among the three thousand palace women in the Yeting.

In order to meet their imperial brother, Liu Huang and Liu Boji both deliberately dressed up anew, and then joyfully stepped onto the welcoming carriage.

The gradually chaotic and heavy breathing finally shattered the serene and empty atmosphere of the hall, as Liu Huang and Liu Boji quietly wiped their tears, appearing deeply moved.

"Is your leg injury healed?" he asked with a smile while standing on the steps

I do not care about the queen's empty title; whether she is a queen or a lady holds little allure for me personally. What truly matters to me is Liu Xiu's attitude. What does he think now? How does he plan to arrange my situation? Or how will he address the situation of Guo Shengtong, who has already borne him children?

Someone in the hall let out a disrespectful chuckle, and I knelt rigidly on the ground, my lips tightly pressed together, with a bewildered expression on my face. All I could see was the shimmering light before me.

Fu Jun arranged for our group to stay outside the palace, and then he entered the palace to report back. Shortly after, a decree came from within the palace, stating that His Majesty the Emperor wished to summon us immediately, but not to the main hall. Liu Huang and Liu Boji, the two sisters, were extremely excited; as soon as the decree was issued, they began to busy themselves with grooming and dressing up.

Li Hua... a muted sigh, soft and lingering, he suddenly exerted force, pulling me into his embrace with great strength

He is ... ... my Xiuer

You ... ...

Noble! Shadow Noble! Is this the title he has prepared for me? Is it considered a recognition from him? What does it mean? ... Noble ...? ... What does it mean?

Liu Xiu is gentle and values emotions deeply; his dedication to protecting his family has been clear to me since the moment I first met him. After enduring hardships, he cherishes his family more than ever. Therefore, even before Liu Huang and Liu Boji arrived in Luoyang, Fu Jun had already taken Liu Xiu's edict to Nanyang.

Is Liu Xiu, who spends money like dirt, still the self-reliant and frugal man I once knew?

I have never considered such foolish questions; what I truly care about is only Liu Xiu's heart. Aside from that, I have no concern for how Guo Shengtong chooses to behave. If she is indeed so childish and ignorant as to openly come before me with such pettiness, then I can only feel fortunate for myself and pity Liu Xiu.

Feng Yi did not respond, merely lowering his eyelids in silence and bowing to invite me into the palace

If she is truly such a woman, I would regard her even less.

It is easy for me not to hate him, but to not love him... is very difficult, which is why I have never been able to reach a state of tranquility in my heart, viewing Guo Shengtong as if he were nothing.

Feng Yi made a gesture of invitation. I took a deep breath and was about to step into the hall when I suddenly felt a blinding light sweep past me. A casual glance revealed a slender figure standing under a corridor pillar at the western corner outside the hall. The person was quietly hidden under the eaves of the hall, making it difficult to discern her clothing or appearance; I could only vaguely make out that she was a petite woman. If it were not for the metallic headpiece she wore that emitted a glow, which just happened to flash across my eyes, it would have been truly difficult to notice her silent presence.

I trembled all over, almost bouncing off the ground, while Liu Huang pressed down hard on my hand, her wide sleeves cascading down to conceal her small movements

It felt as though I had been stabbed deeply in the heart, leaving me unable to utter a single word.

At the end of the first year of the Jianwu era, amidst a vast and silent expanse of snow, there was a large convoy of carriages and horses, hastily winding its way through the blizzard.

The Liu sisters have already ascended the steps slowly under the guidance of the little yellow gatekeeper. Seeing that I remained silent, Hu Po quietly reminded me: "Madam"

A look of astonishment crossed his face, accompanied by a faint bitter smile.

The tearful Third Sister-in-law does not resemble the enchanting Yin Ji Li Hua that I once admired and envied. Liu Boji placed one hand on my shoulder while using a handkerchief to wipe my tears with the other, whispering softly in my ear, "If she dares to bully you, with your skills, you certainly won't suffer losses. However, what Eldest Sister said is also very reasonable; sometimes, no matter how good your skills are, they cannot compare to having a clever mind."

During the first bow, I was relatively proper and meticulous, but this time my mind was somewhat hazy. While kneeling, I not only made frequent mistakes but also lost my balance when bending my knees, resulting in an awkward fall to one side

Amber shook her head vigorously, choking on her words and unable to speak

Those treasures and riches, luxurious beyond the imagination of ordinary people, left Liu Huang and Liu Boji awestruck by this heavenly gift that had fallen from the sky. In their excitement and surprise, they could do nothing but admire and praise it, rendered speechless and unable to utter anything further.

"Foolish child..." he murmured with a choked voice, reaching out to wipe away the tears on my face, "You are my wife, the wife of Liu Wenshu... To take a wife, one must deserve Yin Lihua; how could such a vow be spoken carelessly?"

-- -- -- -- -- --

Indeed, over the past two years, not only I, but everyone has been growing and changing in order to adapt to the environment

But he is Liu Xiu! No matter how he changes, he is still Liu Xiu! I cannot treat him with the same attitude I had towards Liu Xuan.

After Liu Boji married Li Tong, although she once held the title of Queen of the Pingxi King, in essence, it was merely a nominal position. She followed Li Tong through a life of hardship and turmoil, and her life as a queen was not as glorious as one might expect. As for Liu Huang, it goes without saying that she lived in a dilapidated house in Caiyang, taking care of her three nephews, Liu Zhang and the others. Her life was even more difficult, often struggling to make ends meet, and she frequently had to rely on the assistance of neighbors to get by.

The titles, ranks, and salaries of the imperial harem during the Han Dynasty are well-known to me. Below the Empress, the rank of a Zhaoyi is equivalent to that of a Chancellor or a Prince; a Jiefu holds a rank equivalent to that of a Senior Minister or a Marquis; a Ruan'e is on par with a Marquis of the Interior, with a salary of 2,000 shi; a Huahua has a rank equivalent to that of a Grand Minister, also with a salary of 2,000 shi; a Meiren holds a rank equivalent to that of a Junior Grand Minister, with a salary of 2,000 shi; an Eight Sons has a rank equivalent to that of a Central Attendant, with a salary of 1,000 shi; a Chongyi has a rank equivalent to that of a Left Attendant, with a salary of 1,000 shi; a Seven Sons has a rank equivalent to that of a Right Assistant, with a salary of 800 shi; a Liangren has a rank equivalent to that of a Left Assistant, with a salary of 800 shi; a Changshi has a rank equivalent to that of a Fifth Minister, with a salary of 600 shi; a Shaoshi has a rank equivalent to that of a Public Carriage, with a salary of 400 shi; the Five Officials receive a salary of 300 shi; the Shunchang receives a salary of 200 shi; even those ranked last, such as Wujuan, Gonghe, Yuling, Baolin, Baishi, Liangshi, and Yezhe, who are in the fourteenth rank, still receive a salary of 100 shi. Among the 3,000 individuals in the Han Dynasty's harem, those whose salaries are calculated in dou and hu are essentially the same as palace maids, referred to as "Upper Household Children" and "Middle Household Children."

A pang of pain struck my heart; Liu Boji truly lives up to her name. Every word and sentence is piercingly accurate, sharp as a knife, leaving me no room to feign ignorance.

Such a warm gaze suddenly ignited a warmth in my heart, as if a stimulant had been injected into my weary heart, and I couldn't help but smile.

My heart sank once again, and my chaotic mind suddenly became much clearer: "Your Majesty, this humble servant is a shadow concubine, and Your Majesty may call me Concubine Yin."

Liu Huang and Liu Boji gasped, my cheeks flushed bright red, and I angrily turned to leave. Suddenly, my right arm was tightly gripped; Liu Xiu had caught me from behind, applying immense strength, his fingers digging into my muscles with excruciating pain. I couldn't help but frown, the anger that had been suppressed for so long flared up fiercely, and I wished I could turn around and punch him down.

In the grand hall, the long corridor is lined with smooth green bricks, and the civil and military ministers stand solemnly on either side. The moment I stepped into the hall, a slight stir suddenly arose in the previously quiet space, with some individuals even rising from their soft seats, whispering among themselves.

The robe is newly tailored, the jewelry is either jade or gold, the talented individual has just checked into the inn, and the imperial gifts have been continuously sent over, filling an entire guest room.

Feng Yi slightly stepped aside: "Go ahead, he is waiting for you"

-- -- -- --

From this day forth, Yin Ji is granted the title of Noble Consort and is bestowed residence in the Western Palace

Liu Huang and Liu Boji immediately coordinated seamlessly to dodge to the side

I could only vaguely hear someone buzzing with many words in my ear. Then, Liu Boji suddenly tugged at my sleeve with all her might. Seeing that I remained unmoved, she and Liu Huang almost half-dragged and half-supported me to the front of the hall. The three of us knelt down together, and once again performed a series of elaborate bows and formalities.

I stood there in tears, wondering if Guo Shengtong would make things difficult for me

With my eyes closed, I dozed off, my head swaying left and right with the jolting of the cart. For these past few days, I have remained in a state of confusion. In fact, some truths are not too difficult to ponder deeply, yet subconsciously, I am unwilling to delve into them. Since the subconscious has suggested that I leave everything to him to handle, then I shall do so. I believe he can manage it ten times better than I can. His confidence indicates that things have not developed too badly. Since the subconscious has suggested that I leave everything to him to handle, then I shall do so. I believe he can manage it ten times better than I can. His confidence indicates that things have not developed too badly.

I smiled awkwardly, perhaps this smile in their eyes was worse than crying

The ministers exchanged glances, and then in unison expressed their agreement, holding the jade tablet in their hands as they filed out of the hall.

I am his woman ... ? ... one of them, a minuscule part among the three thousand beauties in the courtyard, is this my life positioning from now on ? Is this the value I have fought desperately and struggled to regain ?

"The Audience of the Yin Clan of Xinye"

That is all

Hmm. I smiled weakly, and the tension in my heart was suddenly swept away. Looking at that beautiful face, which resembled that of a woman, my eyes began to feel sore and swollen

"Do as you wish." Liu Huang's face was filled with worry, "Once you enter the palace, if that Guo family gives you trouble, you must not act impulsively. This place is not like Nanyang back in the day..."

"What kind of talk is that?" I said with a smile as I stepped forward, "It's not like I'm so old that I can't even walk... When I truly get old and can't climb these dozens of stone steps anymore, it won't be too late to use it then." I smiled slightly, not forgetting to tease, "However, you will need it before I do."

"Third Sister-in-law." Liu Boji, upon seeing this, put down the clothes she was trying on and frowned in displeasure, "You are to be summoned to the palace shortly; do you intend to meet my third brother looking like this? Are you not aware that everyone speaks of Guo Shengtong as young and beautiful, enchanting and graceful? In such a listless state, do you think my third brother will feel any pity or guilt upon seeing you?"

I raised my head again, yet the palace was not within reach. The bright sunlight poured down delicately, and the white snow on the roof emitted a dazzling light. I instinctively raised my hand to shield my eyes. The sparse sunlight trickled through my fingers, flickering and stimulating my eyes. A shadow descended from above. The sunlight overhead was obscured, and the air around me seemed to grow colder. Wrapped in the shadow, I slowly lowered my hand.

However, wanting and doing are two different matters, and rationality and sensibility are also completely different things—the distinction lies in the absence of love

I blinked, raised my head proudly, and how could Liu Huang's little strength restrain me? With a gentle tug, I shook off her hand.

I struggled desperately, while he exerted all his strength to bind me, preventing my escape. In my anger, I raised my foot to step on his bare foot, yet he still did not let go, allowing me to stomp haphazardly on the back of his foot.

Do not speak any further. I choked up, my chest felt as if it were about to explode. At that time, I set out north with Liu Xiu under the name of the Yin Yi, and apart from those generals who traveled to Hebei with me, others were unaware of the situation.

The Chamberlain took the opportunity to push the lacquer tray a little closer. In a moment of anger, I raised my hand and overturned the tray. With a loud crash, the tray flew far away, and the golden seal with the purple ribbon nearly struck the Chamberlain directly on the nose.

I coldly smiled and turned back once more; in the blink of an eye, there was no one left in the corner, and the shadow of the bronze talisman against evil cast on the ground was magnified countless times, resembling a ferocious beast devoured by darkness, baring its blood-filled maw.

At the end of the corridor is the Dragon Court throne, where Liu Xiu, dressed in a dark ceremonial robe, sits majestically. The jade tassels obscure his face, and the pearls shimmer, yet they silently block my view. My eyes sting, and a strong wave of acidity surges in my chest; I suddenly feel an overwhelming urge to weep freely at this moment of reunion. However, I am also acutely aware that today, in this court, I cannot afford any lapse in my words or demeanor.