Upon arriving here, they could hear the heartfelt thoughts of father and son, both of whom waited anxiously outside, finally witnessing the scene they had dreamed of day and night.

"Let’s go."

The Empress turned around and waved silently at them. Then she lightly stepped off the corridor, her footsteps brisk as she walked out of the palace gates.

Fu Zhen and Pei Zhan followed closely behind, only stopping when they had crossed the pathway and could no longer hear any sound from Qianqing Palace, whereupon the Empress turned to them with a smile:

"This is wonderful."

After saying this, as if it wasn’t enough, she repeated, "This is wonderful!"

Tears glimmered in her eyes as she took Fu Zhen’s hands: "This is wonderful!"

Fu Zhen felt her hands being tightly enveloped, feeling their strength and warmth, which influenced her whole being.

"Indeed, this is truly wonderful! I congratulate Your Majesty!"

Fu Zhen excitedly bowed.

The matter that had worried them for so long unexpectedly took a positive turn following a meeting between father and son. Matters that seemed contradictory and complex were resolved after each party laid everything on the table!

Isn’t such a result worth celebrating?

"Stand up quickly!" The Empress lifted her arm with strength, then declared in a resounding voice, "For this impasse to see such a turnaround, your contributions are indispensable.

"Rewards, there will certainly be great rewards for you!

"But at the moment, we have more important matters to attend to.

"The most difficult knot has been untied, and next we should address the most urgent issue, end the controversies and enshrine the Crown Prince!"

"Yes!"

Fu Zhen nodded deeply.

She glanced at Pei Zhan beside her: "Then let’s leave the palace first. There’s no need to disturb the Emperor for now, surely they’ll have much to say."

The Empress nodded: "I’ll have someone escort you out."

She then gestured for the eunuch behind her to follow.

Fu Zhen and Pei Zhan retraced their steps, and as they passed by Qianqing Palace, they saw it still brightly lit. Two lines of Palace Attendants, carrying tea and snacks, were entering the hall. The palace, once solemn and austere, changed tonight, as if warmth like firelight filled it.

Even the bright new moon hanging over them this late autumn October evening seemed to radiate warmth, gently comforting the world below.

Stepping through the gate to board the carriage, Fu Zhen and Pei Zhan exchanged smiles, an unexplainable feeling of lightness surrounding them. As the carriage rolled through the streets, the wheels crunching on the flagstone pavement, the sound became bright and melodious.

Earlier in the main hall, the candid words spoken by Yang Yi brought Fu Zhen the realization that this toughest matter was finally dealt with.

Seeing that the Emperor was not an inherently wicked person, as long as one of them took a step forward, how could there remain any impenetrable knots?

This was the result they had waited for a long time.

It was also the outcome everyone had been waiting for.

Perhaps there would still be regrets, when recalling a moment in the past some might be involuntarily moved, but it would eventually pass.

Because they had a common goal.

They all wished to dedicate their efforts to Great Zhou.

"Tomorrow will surely be a fine day," Fu Zhen said, pulling back the curtain and gazing at the clear sky above, her laughter as melodious as a selection of silver bells, "and the days after will all be blessed with bright sunshine!"

"Who says otherwise?"

Pei Zhan laughed brightly, "All clouds will pass, and they already have passed."

He reached out to embrace Fu Zhen’s shoulder: "So shall we. From now on, we should also focus on our own little life.

"What wishes do you have? Tell me them all. I will go through the list and accomplish each one with you, and help make them happen."

"Well, I have quite a lot of wishes!" Fu Zhen raised her chin, "Too many to count."

"No problem. Even if they are as many as the stars in the sky, I still have a lifetime to fulfill them."

"What if a lifetime isn’t enough?"

"Then two lifetimes, three lifetimes! For all eternity, I will give them all to you!"

Fu Zhen looked up at his face, tilted her head to lean on his shoulder, laughing heartily.

Outside the window, there was only the bright moon, and a few sparse stars.

In truth, did she have that many wishes?

She didn’t need that many wishes.

As long as everyone around her was well, with everyone healthy and safe, accompanying her into the prosperous era of Great Zhou, she would be content.