Chapter 45: Enthroned for Love.

Chapter 45: Crowned by Love.

Things were bound to turn out this way.

From the moment Prince Duan decided to use love to ensnare Huo Ling and coax her into resignation, he had already lost the upper hand.

Although Huo Ling's injuries were not life-threatening, her act of abandoning her horse and falling was far too reckless. She still needed to recuperate properly to avoid any lasting effects.

She was confined to bed for six full days until all her abrasions had scabbed over and her chest tightness had eased, only then did Emperor Jingyuan permit her to leave the palace and get some sun.

During her recovery, Xu Shidu visited her twice, fearing she might be bored in bed. He kept her company with casual conversation and brought her little distractions to pass the time.

Even Princess Elder Ningxin came to visit Huo Ling once, bringing with her high-quality medicinal herbs.

But the one who stayed by Huo Ling's side the longest was unquestionably Emperor Jingyuan.

Apart from meeting with court officials, the emperor spent most of his time in Changlegong (Palace of Lasting Joy), only leaving after Huo Ling had taken her medicine and fallen asleep.

When he was in the palace, he didn’t just laze around with Huo Ling. He reviewed official documents when necessary, read books when he pleased, and chatted briefly with her in between.

Huo Ling teased him, "You say you’re keeping me company, but really, you just wanted a change of scenery."

Emperor Jingyuan set down the half-read book in his hand, his expression relaxed. "How about I take you outside for some sunshine?"

Honestly, Huo Ling quite liked Emperor Jingyuan’s way of life.

Recently, the land had been blessed with favorable weather, with no calamities, natural or otherwise, but that didn’t mean the court was without its troubles.

Yet, it was difficult for others to sense any urgency or frustration from Emperor Jingyuan. He had long passed the stage where court affairs would keep him up at night.

He ruled with quiet authority.

And this quiet strength stemmed from his power.

Huo Ling walked over to Emperor Jingyuan, took his hand, and the emperor rose with her gentle pull, taking a leisurely stroll with her through the grounds.

The grounds were filled with towering century-old trees. A summer breeze wove through the trees, its heat filtered out by the dense foliage, leaving only a refreshing coolness as it brushed against Huo Ling and Emperor Jingyuan.

Huo Ling suddenly sighed, "What a shame."

Emperor Jingyuan was puzzled. "What’s the shame?"

Huo Ling replied, "The grounds are so expansive, and there are still so many places I haven’t explored. Yet we must depart for the capital tomorrow."

The patchy shade of the trees fell upon Huo Ling. Emperor Jingyuan raised his hand as if to brush away the speck of sunlight on her face.

"This year is too late. Same time next year, I’ll bring you here again."

Huo Ling was pleasantly surprised. "But doesn’t Your Majesty dislike hunting?"

"It’s not that I dislike it," Emperor Jingyuan said. "I just find it troublesome."

One royal trip involved too much hassle. The journey alone took half a month.

Unless absolutely necessary, he truly had no patience for the fuss.

Huo Ling raised an eyebrow. "So suddenly it’s *not* trouble, Your Majesty?"

Emperor Jingyuan laughed and said to her, "You know the answer—why ask?"

Huo Ling shook his hand playfully. "I know, but I’d still love to hear it from Your Majesty."

Emperor Jingyuan replied, "Next time we visit, we’ll celebrate yours, not mine. My liking hunting isn’t important—what matters is that you do."

Huo Ling was surprised by Emperor Jingyuan’s words. She gave a small smile. "Then next year, Your Majesty has to help me brew some wine."

"Like Princess Jiale did—using palace flowers to make fine wine, burying them somewhere, and digging them up years later to drink together."

As they spoke, their laughter, mingling with the rising cicada chorus of midsummer, pulsed with life.

Huo Ling shot Emperor Jingyuan a glance, unsure if they should leave.

Emperor Jingyuan, however, said, "Shall we go take a look?"

Huo Ling hesitated. "They’re having fun. Wouldn’t we be interrupting?"

Emperor Jingyuan could guess what troubled her. Showing up with him now would look improper.

"Fine. We’ll summon them to greet you later."

But they didn’t leave fast enough.

Their entourage made enough noise that palace attendants serving the princesses noticed their approach. Prompted by the attendants, the three children stopped their play.

Though only two years older, the Eldest Princess was the calmest. She handed her kite to an attendant and led the Second Princess and Ji Yuanwan to bow to Emperor Jingyuan.

Huo Ling dropped his hand, clasped hers, and stood rigidly proper.

Emperor Jingyuan shot her a teasing look but stayed silent.

The three children first bowed to Emperor Jingyuan, then stole glances at Huo Ling beside him, unsure how to address her.

Palace-raised children were sharper than most. Lately, many had whispered about the affairs between Huo Ling, Emperor Jingyuan, and Prince Duan, and the children had overheard much.

The Eldest Princess and Second Princess remained composed, but Ji Yuanwan’s chubby face twisted unhappily.

"Greetings to the Eldest Princess, Second Princess, and Young Master Ji."

Huo Ling bowed first, saving them the awkwardness.

The children returned the bow, calling her Xiang'an Commandery Lady.

Huo Ling flicked a glance at Emperor Jingyuan.

Emperor Jingyuan cleared his throat softly. "That’s enough. Go play. We’re leaving."

As Emperor Jingyuan and Huo Ling left, the Eldest Princess called her siblings to resume flying the kite.

The Second Princess skipped after her sister.

Ji Yuanwan lingered, his face crumpling once more.

Zhuang Mama, sent by the Princess Consort of Duan to care for Ji Yuanwan, noticed his unease at once and hurried over. "The princesses are flying kites. Won’t Young Master join them?"

Ji Yuanwan hesitated, then stayed silent even with her.

Softly, he whispered, "Mama... I want Mother."

After walking some distance, Huo Ling asked, "Why hasn't Your Majesty given titles to the two young princesses?"

According to Great Yan customs, princesses were typically granted fiefs and titles only when they came of age.

However, Emperor Jingyuan had only these two biological children. Making an exception here wouldn’t ruffle any feathers.

Emperor Jingyuan replied calmly, "Giving titles too early makes me fear the children won’t survive. Even Princess Jiale only received her formal title during her coming-of-age rites."

Huo Ling was taken aback, understanding his thoughts.

Over the years, Emperor Jingyuan had more children than just the Eldest Princess and the Second Princess. But those children had not lived past the age of three, left unrecorded in the imperial lineage, their birth order unacknowledged.

"It was my mistake to bring it up," Huo Ling said softly, gently clasping Emperor Jingyuan's hand. "Your Majesty has endured so much."

However painful the past was, it was now behind him. Emperor Jingyuan had endured many upheavals and hardships in his life, but since ascending the throne, this was the first time anyone had acknowledged his suffering.

Emperor Jingyuan chuckled. "What suffering have I endured?"

Servants followed at a distance, ensuring no one could overhear their conversation unless they raised their voices deliberately.

Huo Ling brushed aside a hibiscus branch blocking her path and stepped through the foliage.

Hearing his question, she turned back, studying him through the foliage.

"Your Majesty is radiant as the midday sun, in the prime of your life. Yet when you were grieving the loss of your children and your wife, those at court urged you to prioritize the greater good and pressured you to name an heir. Isn’t that enough suffering?"

Emperor Jingyuan froze.

The cicadas' chirping above jolted him from his reverie. He plucked a fully bloomed hibiscus flower, circled around the branch, and pinned it in her hair. "The court ministers have their own considerations."

Huo Ling scrunched her nose. "I don’t care about their considerations. If everything were left to their judgment, Your Majesty should just bar me from the palace altogether."

Emperor Jingyuan booped her nose. "What’s this now? Such talk about not entering the palace?"

Huo Ling said, "Right now, everyone hopes the Hereditary Prince will be adopted into Your Majesty’s line. To make this happen, Prince Duan, used to capital comforts, has stayed in Yanxi for over half a year."

"Everyone knows I clash with Princess Consort of Duan and the Duke of Liu’s household. If I truly enter the palace, even if I do nothing, Princess Consort of Duan and the Duke of Liu’s family will suspect me, afraid I’d hurt the Hereditary Prince."

"Even an occasional harsh or angry word, if accidentally spread outside, becomes smoking gun for my scheming."

"If anything unfortunate were to happen to the Hereditary Prince in the future, I’d never wash my hands of suspicion, no matter how hard I tried."

Huo Ling clutched Emperor Jingyuan’s arm.

"Tell me, wouldn’t that be downright unfair?"

Though she spoke of not entering the palace, her grip said otherwise.

No matter how much Emperor Jingyuan pondered, her antics made him laugh.

But recalling the documents Commander of the Imperial Guard Zhan Ling had privately submitted to him a few days earlier, Emperor Jingyuan had to admit Huo Ling’s fears were justified.

Even the position of a secondary consort in Prince Duan’s household had made the Hereditary Prince of Duke of Liu watch her with hostility and stir up trouble behind the scenes.

What would happen after she entered the palace?

The Duke of Liu’s household would undoubtedly regard her as public enemy number one.

"A Ling."

Emperor Jingyuan gently stroked Huo Ling's long hair: "If you refuse to enter the palace because of outsiders' gossip, then I’d be the one truly wronged."

Huo Ling pursed her lips and smiled softly: "If Your Majesty puts it that way, I certainly couldn’t bear to let you feel wronged."

"But as the old saying goes, 'Three men make a tiger.'"

"If one person tells Your Majesty something, you wouldn’t believe it; if two people say it, you still wouldn’t. But could there come a time when, in Your Majesty’s heart, I too become a vile figure capable of harming a six- or seven-year-old child?"

"If that were truly the case, I’d rather never step foot in this palace and stay outside instead."

"When Your Majesty misses me, you can come out to see me and keep me company. If you forget about me, I’d be content with my leisure—reading books, playing chess, untouched by rumors and slander."

Though Emperor Jingyuan knew she was being deliberately provocative, he couldn’t help but sigh: "Do those courtiers and I share the same heart?"

Huo Ling shook her head: "No."

Emperor Jingyuan asked again: "And you?"

Huo Ling’s voice was soft and slow, yet resolute: "Your Majesty and I will always share the same heart."

Emperor Jingyuan said: "Then how could I ever side with them over you?"

Huo Ling smiled joyfully and looped her arms around Emperor Jingyuan’s neck: "Hearing Your Majesty say that, I fear nothing."

Emperor Jingyuan embraced her in turn: "What do you make of Yuanyuan, that boy?"

Huo Ling pondered and answered truthfully: "I’ve only met the eldest son twice and don’t know him well."

"But I imagine that as the legitimate eldest son of Prince Duan and Princess Consort of Duan, and having been taught by several court ministers after being chosen for the palace, he must be exceptionally gifted."

Emperor Jingyuan said: "I was once quite fond of that boy."

Huo Ling caught the key word in his words: *used to*.

Before the matter of succession arose, Ji Yuanwan was Emperor Jingyuan’s dear nephew. A clever, sensible, and well-behaved child naturally earned affection from his elders.

But after the succession dispute, Emperor Jingyuan felt a lingering unease in his heart.

This discomfort was not directed at Ji Yuanwan himself.

A six- or seven-year-old child, even with adult guidance, could hardly grasp power and the throne.

With Emperor Jingyuan’s temperament, he would never take his frustrations out on Ji Yuanwan, nor mistreat him. But to genuinely cherish the child as his own—unless Emperor Jingyuan stopped being an emperor and turned into a saint, such a thing was impossible.

Emperor Jingyuan continued: "If you and the boy get along, foster that. If not, it’s fine. The palace is vast, and you’ll rarely cross paths. Just keep up civilities."

Huo Ling sensed the instruction in his words.

He was teaching her how to treat Ji Yuanwan.

***

The day they left the retreat was another bright day.

Leaning on Wu Mo’s arm, Huo Ling boarded her carriage.

Though sidelong glances darted her way, Huo Ling paid them no mind and went about her business as usual.

In the crowd, she caught sight of Cui Yuan, but he merely gave a distant nod and made no move to converse further.

Huo Ling smiled and nodded back at him.

To Huo Ling’s disappointment, after searching for a long time, she couldn’t find anyone from the households of the Duke of Liu or the Marquis of Wuwei. She wondered if they were deliberately avoiding her.

Eight days flew by, and the procession finally arrived at the capital.

Just before entering the city, Cui Hongyi sought out Huo Ling, bringing a message from Emperor Jingyuan: “His Majesty said that if Commandery Lady Huo isn’t too tired, she may accompany him to the palace. He wishes to show her something.”

Huo Ling nodded, but her mind was already racing.

What could His Majesty possibly want to show her?

The answer to that question soon became clear.

She stood in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, facing a wall-sized map—depicting all the territories of Great Yan—and she couldn’t hide her excitement.

“Your Majesty!”

“You look thrilled,” Emperor Jingyuan remarked, stepping closer.

Huo Ling nodded eagerly, her eyes alight as she looked at him.

Emperor Jingyuan loved the lively spark in her eyes and asked with a smile, “Why are you so happy?”

Huo Ling edged closer to the map. At the last moment, she pulled back and turned to seek Emperor Jingyuan’s permission. “Your Majesty... may I touch it?”

“Of course.”

Huo Ling steadied herself with a deep breath. Her eyes scanned the upper right corner until she found the tiny dot marking “Yong’an County.”

Rising on tiptoe, she reached out and let her fingertip rest on that small dot.

“At twelve, I’d once glimpsed a map of Great Yan in a nobleman’s residence.”

“It was only a fleeting look, so I didn’t have time to study the details. I only remembered where Yong’an County was… and where the capital was.”

From Yong’an County, she traced a slow path across the other towns of Western Yan.

Here, Western Yan spanned barely half a table’s width.

After outlining Western Yan, she slid her finger all the way to the capital.

On this map, the capital was the only spot marked in red, symbolizing its unshakable, singular importance.

Huo Ling studied it intently, committing every detail to memory. “The one I saw was smaller, incomplete compared to this.”

Emperor Jingyuan’s voice came from behind her. “Of course. This is Great Yan’s most comprehensive map.”

Huo Ling turned and smiled at him. “That was when I first grasped Great Yan’s true scale.”

Curious, she asked, “Your Majesty, this entire map is yours. When you first stood here and gazed upon it, what were you thinking?”

Emperor Jingyuan watched her, thinking she resembled a child who had stumbled upon a beloved toy. Since the toy wasn’t hers, no matter how much she adored it, she had to restrain herself and ask for his permission.

“I don’t recall. But standing here always reminds me of my duty.”

Huo Ling pondered his words and nodded. “As the Son of Heaven, you hold the realm—and its people’s hopes.”

"You regard all your subjects as your responsibility, so standing before the map, you feel the weight of your duty."

"As for me, I'm just one of your many subjects in your eyes. Standing before the map, I can only marvel at the vastness of Great Yan and admire its power. To live in such a dynasty, to be sheltered by a ruler like you—this is our good fortune."

Emperor Jingyuan chuckled at her words.

He stepped forward, plucked the small red flag marking "Luocheng" from the map, and placed it in Huo Ling's palm—as if sharing a toy that had once been his alone.

Huo Ling looked down at the red flag in her hand, taken aback.

Emperor Jingyuan corrected her: "You're not just another subject in my eyes."

Huo Ling lifted her gaze, locking eyes with Emperor Jingyuan.

"Above the imperial throne, where no one else belongs—if A Ling is curious about the view there, come share it with me."

Even though she had anticipated this moment and long awaited its arrival, when Huo Ling finally heard these words from Emperor Jingyuan, her eyes welled up immediately.

"Why the tears?" Emperor Jingyuan stroked her hair. "Did you not understand what I meant?"

Huo Ling clenched the flag, nodding and then shaking her head. "I want to hear you say it again."

Emperor Jingyuan leaned close to her ear, without pretense or hesitation.

He stated a fact directly.

"A Ling, I want to make you my empress."

Huo Ling bit her lip. "Why?"

Emperor Jingyuan made her release her lip with his thumb. "I’ve told you before—I do not wish for turmoil in the harem."

Huo Ling asked, "If I become empress, will the harem remain peaceful?"

Emperor Jingyuan nodded. "Yes. With you as empress, I can still rule the harem fairly."

As an emperor, showing favor to his empress—wasn't that only natural?

Huo Ling blinked, and a tear escaped.

"Why are you crying again?" Emperor Jingyuan chuckled.

Huo Ling hastily wiped her tears. "Would you believe me, Your Majesty, if I said I’m not someone who cries easily?"

Emperor Jingyuan murmured, wiping her tears away before she could. "I believe you."

Huo Ling seemed to hesitate, as if suddenly remembering something.

"But—"

"There are no 'buts,'" Emperor Jingyuan cut her off. "Do you remember Consort Li?"

Huo Ling didn’t understand

why he had suddenly brought up Consort Li, but she nodded anyway.

Emperor Jingyuan said, "When I was young, I always thought my father deeply loved Consort Li. Yet until her death, she remained only Consort Li."

"If that's what passes for love, then love means nothing." Huo Ling embraced Emperor Jingyuan, pressing her face into his neck. "Then what is real love like?"

Emperor Jingyuan rested his hand on her long hair: "I've always cherished what you said when we first met."

"In this world, there is no such thing as should or shouldn't, only what one wishes to give and what one doesn't."

"If Empress He were still alive, I might have been in a difficult position. But now that the position of empress is vacant, since I love you, I wish to give you the highest honor."

Emperor Jingyuan spoke with casual finality: "Regarding the matter of adopting an heir, the ministers have already united to challenge my authority. In the matter of making you my empress, I will absolutely not allow anyone to challenge my authority again."

Having ruled for twenty years, with the empress's position vacant, if he wished to make the woman he loved his empress, she would unquestionably become his empress.

"Now I believe what you said—that you show favor only to me," Huo Ling said softly. "But your generosity still exceeds my expectations."

Emperor Jingyuan smiled: "I give you the position of empress not because I am generous, but because you are worthy."

Huo Ling clung to Emperor Jingyuan tighter.

Prince Duan professed love for her, said she deserved the best in the world, yet was only willing to offer her the status of a concubine.

He spoke of wanting her willing consent, yet sought to make her accept her fate through sweet words.

The emperor before her merely said he loved her, yet was willing to grant her wish, giving her the position of empress.

He sought not her submission—he wanted her willing heart.

Emperor Jingyuan kissed her temple lightly, waiting for her emotions to settle before saying, "Would it please you to see them? I have prepared two gifts for you."

"What gifts?" Huo Ling lifted her head from his embrace.

Emperor Jingyuan called out Li Man's name, and Li Man entered respectfully, bearing a tray.

On the tray lay a scroll.

Huo Ling glanced at the scroll, then turned to look at Emperor Jingyuan.

Emperor Jingyuan nodded to her, and understanding, Huo Ling picked up the scroll and slowly unrolled it.

Before her eyes appeared handwriting she recognized instantly.

The owner of this handwriting had personally copied for her the *Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River*. The lavish verses spoke of a ruler's longing for the goddess.

At the lower right corner of the scroll's end was the name of the copyist:

Ji Hehuai

Huo Ling lifted her gaze slowly to see Emperor Jingyuan untie the dragon-patterned jade pendant that never left his waist.

He held the pendant out to her, quoting a verse from the *Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River* with a smile: *"To declare my devotion, I offer this jade pendant as a token of my vow.* A Ling, this pendant and this scroll represent my proposal to you."

Huo Ling accepted the emperor's jade pendant with one hand while holding the small red flag in the other: "In the *Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River*, the mortal and the goddess could not be together. I am no goddess—merely a common woman by the Luo River."

"I shall remain at Your Majesty's side forever. We two shall be as one, as husband and wife."