Ding Zhaorong waited outside for a while, only hearing scolding and burning inside. After a long time, the little eunuch sent out to inquire came back to report, cautiously saying, "Your Highness, it's the young noble consort inside, wanting to burn... burn the dragon robe."

Ding Zhaorong was startled. The little eunuch dissuaded her in a low voice, "Your Highness, don't be angry. In this day and age, who is most favored in the palace? Not to mention it's the dragon robe, it was even personally ordered by the Emperor to set the fire..."

Ding Zhaorong tightly gripped her small handkerchief, "Is there no one to manage this lawless and unreasonable situation?!"

"Oh, Your Highness, you are in the prime of your youth and beauty. Why bother with a--" the little eunuch furtively looked around and lowered his voice, "--with a brain-damaged waste of a person?"

Just as they were talking, the palace servants guarding outside started calling out from afar, "The Emperor has arrived--!"

Ding Zhaorong abruptly stood up, tidied her appearance, and gracefully went forward to half-kneel. Several palace servants lined up, respectfully opening the door. The Qianwan Emperor entered with a solemn face, taking big strides.

"This humble servant welcomes Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live!"

The Qianwan Emperor sat down in the main seat, his expression gloomy. He asked coldly, "Zhaorong, what's the matter?"

Seeing his displeased expression, Ding Zhaorong didn't know why, but her heart sank.

There were many rumors in the palace about how the person in Qingzhen Palace went crazy. Some said mystical things, some said unspeakable things, and some doubted if the person was really crazy.

After pulling strings, spending silver, and having people inquire, it was said that the young noble consort could only lie in bed, unable to speak clearly, just eating and sleeping, not eating much, and not responding to medicine. It seemed he didn't have many days left.

Some also said this little beauty was born not liking that sort of thing, and the Emperor forced him too much. In the end, he didn't grasp the limit and forced him crazy all at once. Many people gloated, thinking how could an esteemed Emperor be interested in a brain-dead wooden beauty? It would just be a novelty for a couple of days. After some time, he would probably let go.

The Virtuous Consort also thought this way. When she said this to Ding Zhaorong, Ding Zhaorong just smiled and didn't agree.

The Virtuous Consort was just an inexperienced woman from a small family, while Ding Zhaorong was born into an aristocratic family with generations of imperial relatives. She understood the preferences of emperors too well. What did the Emperor care if you were smart or not? Even if you were the smartest and cleverest, if you weren't good-looking, he still wouldn't like you.

To the Emperor, a beauty was just a flower. He didn't care if this flower was crazy or foolish. As long as he looked pretty enough, that was enough for him.

Moreover, when Mingde was sane, he didn't like that sort of thing. Now that he was crazy and foolish, he became obedient instead. Perhaps the Emperor would be even more attentive compared to before.

She knew this was the easiest time to make a move. Any later, and the opportunity would pass. Besides, after the court session today, a familiar eunuch had rushed to inform her that the Emperor had publicly questioned Ding Huang in Zhengtai Palace, saying "It's all thanks to that good daughter of yours!" This meant that if she didn't express her stance now, the Emperor would use her as a scapegoat to make an example out of her.

She took a deep breath and forced a smile, "Your Majesty, this humble servant sought an audience this time for the matter of establishing a new Empress. The country cannot be without an Empress for a day. For this position of Mother of the Nation, this humble servant does have a good candidate in mind."

The Qianwan Emperor remained silent, waiting to see what she would say.

"This humble servant doesn't dare interfere with Your Majesty's harem affairs. I'm just voicing an opinion. If Your Majesty disagrees, feel free to punish this humble servant."

Ding Zhaorong stole a glance at the Qianwan Emperor's expression, only feeling that his face was as still as water, his emotions unreadable. She could only quickly lower her head, "...This humble servant thinks that Sister Virtuous Consort is virtuous and considerate of the Emperor's will. For such a long time, she has governed the palace in a way that no one above or below disobeys. If she were established as Empress, it could be said to be the hope of the whole nation..."

The Qianwan Emperor was a bit surprised.

Establishing the Virtuous Consort as Empress was something he had planned to do long ago. On one hand, it would suppress the idle chatter of the women in the harem. On the other hand, it was also convenient for him to deceive the world and make secret substitutions at any time. However, no matter who brought it up, it shouldn't have been Ding Zhaorong. Ding Huang's ambition to be the Nation's regent was truly known to all.

"Your Majesty," Ding Zhaorong said softly, "this humble servant has overstepped..."

"It's fine. I will consider what you said."

The Qianwan Emperor stood up, his tone unusually gentle, "If Zhaorong has no other matters, go back and rest in your own palace."

The intention to dismiss her was clearly overflowing in his words. Ding Zhaorong gritted her teeth and obediently said, "This humble servant takes her leave."

After being excited for a while, Mingde lay slanted on the reclining chair in front of the courtyard, looking sleepy. Seeing the Qianwan Emperor come, he shrank back a bit but didn't completely hide.

He seemed to know that only the Qianwan Emperor would bring him food and play with him. Even if he didn't accept it, he had to accept it. So his initial hostility had lessened quite a bit. At first, he would hide as soon as he saw the Emperor, like a mouse seeing a cat. Now, even face to face, he would only symbolically avoid him.

The Qianwan Emperor half-knelt beside the reclining chair and asked softly, "Was it fun?"

Mingde stared at him, a few traces of confusion appearing on his face, obviously not understanding what he meant by fun.

"Burning clothes, was it fun?"

Mingde thought for a bit and nodded.

"Tonight there will be a grand night banquet to entertain the Yuezhi envoys from the northern frontier. Do you want to come eat?"

Mingde was dazed for a moment, then gave a small yawn, turned over and ignored him. The imperial palace and capital that he had tried every means to escape from before, now he was drowsy all day and didn't even want to go out the door.

The Qianwan Emperor quietly stared at his thin shoulder and back for a very, very long time. The garden was in the height of spring, with grass growing, orioles flying, butterflies fluttering. Sunlight sprinkled on the clear spring, the gurgling like leaping gold dust. Mingde's hair flowed down like water, curling from his shoulders around his snow-white nape, slightly rising and falling with his breathing rhythm on his chest.

He had already fallen fast asleep.

"...Mingde," Li Ji asked in a low voice, his words almost drowned out by the gentle breeze, "...are you willing... to be my empress?..."