"Xuechen, what are you doing?"

Pei Rusong stood before the hall, solemn and composed, with an otherworldly air. Dressed in the green robe of a sixth-rank official, he was like a straight stalk of green bamboo. He replied, neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your immense grace, but this office was obtained without cause. Your subject dares not accept it."

"You!" The Emperor was taken aback, saying angrily, "You child, why are you so inflexible!"

From Attendant Official of the sixth rank to Secretary of the Secretariat of the fifth rank, from wearing a green robe to a crimson one—none of these were the most important aspects. What was truly significant was the concurrent title of 'Drafter of Edicts.' With this title, Pei Rusong could draft imperial edicts just like a Secretary of the Central Secretariat, always be by the Emperor's side for consultation, and participate in confidential matters. This was a prestigious and influential position that countless scholars tirelessly sought, and an essential step on the path to becoming a high minister.

The Emperor knew full well that being lenient with Grand Princess Chengyang was an act of favoritism, and that it was particularly unfair to Wen Chan. But he could only choose to appease and create balance. Could he really allow the imperial clan to turn against each other over such a trivial matter? By promoting Pei Rusong, he was covertly compensating Wen Chan. Both sides would benefit, and a superficial peace would be maintained, allowing the great ship of the Imperial Family to continue sailing smoothly forward.

But Pei Rusong was such a clever and tactful person; why did he have to be so stubborn at this very moment!

Pei Rusong performed a grand salute and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, please allow me to speak. Your subject is still young and my experience shallow. I have not made a single contribution since entering office. As a subject whose virtue is not worthy of the position, I would bring shame to the state. As the Prince Consort, it is proper that husband and wife are one body, sharing honor and disgrace. Your subject feels this is an injustice to the Princess."

"Although I have been blessed with profound imperial grace, I dare not accept this appointment. I implore Your Majesty to retract the order."

The Emperor did not dare lose his temper with Grand Princess Chengyang, but he had no such reservations with Pei Rusong. He slammed the table and raged, "When all is said and done, you just think We are partial to the Grand Princess and are crying foul for Ah Tan! The lot of you only know how to cause trouble for Us all day. Has any of you ever considered Our position? It's just a few house slaves. What does it matter whether they live or die? Is it worth making such a huge fuss?!"

Behind a pillar, Liang Jiang desperately tried to signal Pei Rusong with his eyes. Pei Rusong sighed softly and lowered his head, saying, "Please quell your anger, Your Majesty."

"Our mind is made up on this matter. Anyone who dares to say another word will be exiled for three years in place of those criminals!" the Emperor said sternly. "Get out! Come see Us again when you've thought it through!"

Pei Rusong: "...Your subject takes his leave."

Evening, at the Princess Manor.

"Oh my, isn't this our newly promoted Secretary of the Secretariat, Lord Pei," Wen Chan feigned surprise. "I even had the kitchen add a couple of dishes to celebrate your promotion. Look at that furrowed brow, did you run into some trouble?"

Pei Rusong silently sat down beside her and wrapped his arms around her from behind in a full embrace. Wen Chan burst out laughing, "Pei Xuechen, do you know what you're like right now?"

Pei Rusong replied sullenly, "A weak, helpless, dejected Little White Flower, beaten by the frost."

Wen Chan: "You don't have to be so practiced at saying that..."

Pei Rusong rested his forehead on her shoulder. "Then what is it?"

"A Virginia creeper." Wen Chan tugged his sleeve and said pointedly, "It changes from green to red, and then to purple... Though it's a bit clingy, the symbolism is very auspicious, perfect for royals and nobles like us."

Pei Rusong: "..."

Although he had been indirectly called clingy, Pei Rusong continued to hold her tightly, as if drawing great comfort from the action. His heart gradually calmed, and he sighed in a low voice, "Your Highness is truly well-informed."

"Naturally," Wen Chan said. "If it weren't for Young Master Pei's righteous and outspoken refusal of the position on the spot, I wouldn't have found out so quickly."

Slightly annoyed by her teasing, Pei Rusong looked up petulantly and kissed her cheek. "I've caused trouble for Your Highness."

"Not at all," Wen Chan skillfully reached back and rubbed the side of his face. "On the contrary, you've set the stage perfectly. It gives me the perfect opportunity to go before His Majesty tomorrow and play the part of a considerate, filial daughter. With such shining examples preceding me, Imperial Father will surely think I'm incredibly sensible."

In the afternoon, after driving Pei Rusong away, the Emperor was likely still upset and gave Liang Jiang a subtle hint. Liang Jiang, understanding his intent, immediately sent someone out of the palace with a message for Wen Chan, asking her to be sure to come to the palace the next day to relieve the Emperor's melancholy.

After coaxing the one at home, Wen Chan would have to go to the palace to coax the Emperor. Anyone who didn't know better would think she was the one who had committed the offense.

"Isn't Your Highness angry at all?" Pei Rusong asked. "The Grand Princess attacked you before His Majesty, and His Majesty knew it was her fault, yet he would rather see you wronged. And then he gives me a promotion as compensation... What kind of gesture is that?"

Wen Chan clicked her tongue. "Listen to yourself, Lord Pei. Are you some greenhorn who just joined the court? Thunderous rage and gentle rain are all the sovereign's grace. You should accept whatever His Majesty gives you. How can you be so picky?"

Pei Rusong: "..."

"You spent too much time away, and you have a good relationship with Wen Zhuo. In our past life, you dared to be stubborn with him even after he became emperor, but you've never been able to figure out my Imperial Father," Wen Chan said. "My relationship with Wen Zhuo is more or less the same as Grand Princess Chengyang's with my Imperial Father. Imagine if Wen Zhuo's daughter got into a fight with me—do you think he'd take my side unfairly?"

Pei Rusong gave a faint smile. After a moment of careful thought, he replied, "If Your Highness were to forcibly seize commoners as slaves, the New Emperor... the Prince of Yan might not hold you accountable, but he wouldn't just let the offenders go either. He would probably harbor some resentment and gradually grow distant from you."

"Correct, but Imperial Father is different from Wen Zhuo. He is a monarch who has never experienced fratricidal struggles, so the principle of siding with reason over family doesn't apply to him. His trust in the imperial clan far surpasses his trust in his ministers," Wen Chan said. "Since ancient times, rulers have been suspicious, but he is an emperor who trusts others easily. This isn't a particularly good quality for a monarch, but it is precisely because of his trust that I have been able to rise step by step."

"Rather than arguing and sulking with His Majesty, it's better to proactively ease his worries. The greater the trust, the greater the power. Letting His Majesty 'govern by non-action'—isn't that what you ministers strive for your entire lives?"

Pei Rusong: "'Non-action' doesn't seem to mean that. What Your Highness is saying sounds more like you want to make him a figurehead..."

Wen Chan cleared her throat loudly, and Pei Rusong obediently shut his mouth.

"In any case, he is my Imperial Father after all. This little grievance is nothing. Besides—" She leaned back slightly, resting against Pei Rusong's shoulder, her voice suddenly becoming very soft, "In my past life, I died even before he did. I was only able to be a filial daughter to him for a few years. Now that I finally have the chance in this life, I... I still want to make him a little happier..."

For both Wen Chan and Pei Rusong, their second chance at life had begun only after they had already lost their mothers.

Pei Rusong silently tightened his embrace around her.

The next day.

Imperial Secretary Pei Luan looked Pei Rusong up and down, from head to toe, twice over, then asked suspiciously, "Wasn't angering His Majesty enough for you? Did the Princess kick you out too?"

Pei Rusong snorted. "...Nonsense. We're perfectly fine."

"Then what are you doing back here all of a sudden? It's not a holiday."

"I came to offer incense for my mother," Pei Rusong said expressionlessly. "And I stopped by to pay my respects to you, Father. If there is nothing else, I'll be leaving."

Pei Luan: "Stop."

He stood, wanting to ask Pei Rusong to stay, but found himself unable to speak. He circled his desk once, then nonchalantly sat back down and cleared his throat. "I heard that you refused an official appointment and were reprimanded by His Majesty. Tell me honestly, what is this all about?"

The Imperial Palace, in Chunxi Palace.

The moment the Emperor saw Wen Chan, his expression softened considerably. But then he remembered he was angry with Pei Rusong, so after she finished her salute, he asked in a mild tone, "Is Ah Tan here to plead for your Prince Consort?"

"Of course not," Wen Chan replied matter-of-factly. "I came to the palace simply to visit Imperial Father. Do I need an excuse for that? The Prince Consort was reprimanded by Imperial Father; that was his own fault to begin with, so there's no need to plead for him. It's fine. Pay him no mind. Just let him keep crying. The weather has been dry, so it'll save us the trouble of watering the flowers."

Emperor: "..."

He tried his best to restrain himself, forcing himself not to imagine the sight of Pei Rusong, the most handsome man in the imperial court, crying his eyes out at home. But in the end, he couldn't hold back and let out a snort of laughter.

As if remembering something, Wen Chan added, "When I left, he had gone to see Imperial Secretary Pei. I imagine the father and son are holding each other and weeping bitterly right about now."

"Stop it!" the Emperor chided with a laugh. "That's too mischievous! How can you gossip about a high minister of the court like that!"

"Imperial Secretary Pei is his father. It's only human nature to turn to one's own father when faced with a difficult matter. Your daughter is not gossiping about them," Wen Chan said with a faint smile. "Besides, between a father and son, what problem is there that cannot be talked through? It is simply something outsiders would never know."

Hearing this, the Emperor was taken aback. His smile faded, but his gaze softened completely.

"Oh, you..."