"The Crown Prince of Yunchuan has been living here for quite so ti."
Feng Yun received the news on the second day after Chunyu Yan’s departure.
She said nothing, nor did she seem affected by it.
The maids noticed that their mistress cherished her body even more than before, personally overseeing her daily als and even drafting so recipes to hand to the kitchen herself.
Granny Han was delighted at this sight, keeping a close watch on the cook as als were prepared for her.
Feng Yun did not disappoint. Her face beca rounder with each al, and her figure visibly grew more plump and curvaceous...
For ordinary people, weight gain rarely suits them.
Gaining weight ruins everything.
But to their surprise, Feng Yun grew more beautiful as she put on weight. There was an inexplicable softness about her now—gentle, warm, and amiable. It was as if her entire being basked in sunlight, her old sharp and decisive deanor no longer visible.
During her ti in Huaxi, Feng Yun exchanged letters with Xijing, though not frequently.
Xiaoman once sneaked a peek. The correspondence between her mistress and His Majesty was mutual, though the words within were mostly simple...
For a couple so affectionate, they wrote to each other with less intimacy than even Xiaoman shared with Zuo Zhong in their letters.
Xiaoman, being closest to Feng Yun, could sense her mistress’s changes most keenly...
But outsiders thought entirely differently.
At first, people speculated endlessly about Feng Yun’s reluctance to leave her residence.
Eventually, nearly everyone concluded—
Feng Shi Er Niang had fallen ill from grief.
Why?
Of course, it was because of the matter of her title.
She had been Pei Jue’s legitimate wife, destined to step up with her husband to glory. Who would have thought she’d be sent back to Huaxi by the current Emperor?
Pei Jue neither proclaid her as Empress nor dismissed her as his wife. Without even an honorary title, outsiders pitied her, let alone how much more she herself must have grieved.
Surely, she must have been overwheld with sorrow for such strange behavior to erge.
People thus understood Feng Yun’s actions, while the political situation within the Da Yong Imperial Court seed to warm significantly due to her departure and Pei Jue’s detached handling of the matter.
Within the court, entanglents were gradually resolved. Ultimately, the Emperor was still young, with an unquestionable authority. In handling the affair of Feng Shi Er Niang, he had already shown compromise, and the court officials dared not press him further.
Thus, matters of choosing an Empress or selecting consorts were no longer ntioned. They labored diligently, dedicating themselves to their duties day and night...
A new dynasty brought a new atmosphere.
Two months later, though autumn winds had yet to arrive, the signs of change under the new dynasty were already apparent.
The Three Provinces and Six Ministries each perford their duties; the heavens were clear, and order reigned...
With the court’s affairs now in smooth order, the exhausted officials finally relaxed, preparing to revisit old discussions. Yet, unexpectedly, Pei Jue spoke up first.
The mont he opened his mouth, it was to issue a direct decree.
"Since ancient tis, emperors inherit the mandate of heaven and govern the populace, always selecting auspicious lands to establish their capitals, ensuring stability for the dynasty and laying the foundation for a new era.
The old capital, though the place of Dragon Rise for previous generations, can no longer return to its forr grandeur.
Examining the trends of the world and reflecting on reforms throughout history, the selection of a capital must prioritize fertile lands, strategic strongholds, and extensive connectivity.
Andu, as the accompanying capital of the previous dynasty, boasts scenic mountains and rivers, an abundance of talent, with Jieqiu as its shield, the Changhe for protection, linked to the Cang Sea and extending to Jiu Mo. It aligns with the will of heaven, ets the harmony of n, and is further adorned with an unused Li Palace. It suits my intent perfectly.
Since my ascension, I have eradicated old abuses and pursued initiatives for the greater good. The advice of loyal ministers has always been welcod, but on this matter, my decision is firm and needs no further debate.
From the mont of this decree, the Astronomical Bureau must select an auspicious date for relocating the capital to Andu, for calming the people’s hearts and strengthening the foundation of the state, to establish the prosperity of Da Yong for generations to co.
Those who can offer plans and counsel will be generously rewarded.
Those who fail to align with my intent will face inevitable punishnt.
This proclamation is to be disseminated across the land. All subjects must be inford. So decreed!"
The court officials gathered in Chongzheng Hall, stunned and at a loss.
The imperial decree, spread across the four seas, shook the world to its core.
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