After the imperial decree for the marriage was issued, officials from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, taking into account the birth dates and times of Shen Hanshan and Zhao Chunhua, quickly selected an auspicious day and time. The wedding date was set for the seventh day of the seventh lunar month in early autumn.

Yun Chao, Imperial Study.

Upon learning this news, Yun Shu was so angry that he smashed the inkstone in the imperial study.

The attending eunuch Qin Han whispered a word of advice, “Your Majesty, you must take care of your health! Who would have thought that the eldest princess of Da Xuan would suddenly get married? But then again, no one has ever seen what this princess looks like; perhaps she is not as beautiful as one might expect?”

Yun Shu flung the memorials on his desk all over the floor with a loud crash.

"Qin Han! You fool! Was I after a beautiful woman?! I wanted the princess's dowry!"

Qin Han was terrified. He hurriedly glanced out the window, fearing that his words might reach the ears of the wrong people.

He whispered a warning, “Your Majesty, please be careful with your words! This old servant understands that the national treasury is empty and urgently needs funds to fill it.”

However, the eldest princess is now engaged to His Highness Prince Rui of Daxuan, and the matter is settled, with no room for change.

That Prince Rui was the only prince of a different surname in the Great Xuan Dynasty. He was appointed as a general at the age of twelve, and his military achievements were outstanding and his fame spread far and wide.

At the age of fourteen, he was even granted an immunity from death by the retired emperor of the Great Xuan Dynasty. If he went mad, even the emperor of the Great Xuan Dynasty couldn't stop him.

"We absolutely cannot fight over this marriage!" Qin Han earnestly advised.

He looked down at Yun Shu, who was sitting upright at his desk, with a headache. This emperor was quite famous.

Not long ago, Yun Shu had seized a minister's concubine.

He was truly afraid that His Majesty might lose his temper and steal the fiancée of Prince Rui of Da Xuan.

Yun Shu suddenly clutched his head tightly with both hands, his face contorted, unable to conceal his pain.

His brows were furrowed, as if he were in great pain.

"Your Majesty, has your headache flared up again?" Qin Han was startled upon seeing this and hurriedly turned to walk out the door.

"This old servant will go and brew you a pot of herbal tea to relieve your headache."

"Wait," Yun Shu called out weakly, "Has the tongue been delivered yet?"

Qin Han paused, turned around, and bowed his head to reply, "Your Majesty, this old servant was just about to report this matter to you."

Because of the marriage of the Princess of Da Xuan, the waterways leading to our Yun Dynasty will be blocked by Da Xuan ships until the seventh day of the seventh lunar month.

As for the tongue, they first sent a small jar, saying it was to express their apology and that they would not charge a penny.

As for the rest, they won't be able to set off for Yunchao until the eighth day of the seventh lunar month.

Yun Shu waved his hand, signaling him to step back.

He closed his eyes wearily, feeling extremely agitated.

Not long after, Qin Han walked in carrying a steaming cup of tea.

Yun Shu took the teacup and took a small sip.

The familiar aroma instantly filled my mouth, and the anxiety and pain in my heart slowly dissipated with the fragrance of the tea.

He closed his eyes, savoring this moment of tranquility.

After an unknown amount of time, Yun Shu slowly opened his eyes and realized that he had fallen asleep without realizing it.

He looked up at the window and saw only sparse stars, a bright moon in the sky, and the night as still as water.

He casually flipped through a few memorials, which were filled with flowery and empty rhetoric, all praising his wisdom and greatness.

Yun Shu gave a bitter smile, put down the memorial, and sighed softly, "Qin and Han dynasties, I originally thought that the throne of the emperor was the most leisurely in the world."

With a single decree, all officials submit; what can't be accomplished? I once thought that the throne was the dream of every man.

"I had three thousand beauties in my harem, to choose from as I pleased. But now it seems that the throne is not as easy as I thought..."

Qin Han stood with his hands at his sides, remaining silent.

He served two emperors, Yunling and Yunshu.

However, he found it difficult to associate Yun Shu with the word "emperor".

With the national treasury empty, Yun Shu had no choice but to tacitly approve of the concubines' business of selling official positions.

Then, through confiscation of property, the assets of the concubines' families were seized to fill the empty national treasury.

This move shocked the entire court, and no one dared to send their daughters into the deep palace anymore.

Now, in the Yun Dynasty's harem, only Empress Song Huaixi, Consort Cui Mi, and Consort Chen Fei remain. They have been in the palace for many years and are still safe and sound.

While Qin Han was still in a daze, Yun Shu suddenly put down the memorial in his hand and said to him, "Qin Han, you can approve these memorials for me today. I'm going to see Consort Mi."

Upon hearing this, Qin Han was startled and immediately knelt down, trembling as he said, "Your Majesty, this is inappropriate! What virtue or ability does this old servant possess to be allowed to review memorials on your behalf?!"

Yun Shu waved his hand impatiently and strode away, saying, "It's settled then! Don't bother me, you know my temper!"

Inside the imperial study, Qin Han watched Yun Shu's departing figure, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He secretly shed tears as he picked up his pen with trembling hands and painstakingly revised the memorial.

A moment later, a young eunuch quietly entered the imperial study and whispered in Qin Han's ear, "Godfather, there's news from the late Crown Prince. It's said he'll be coming to our Yun Dynasty this year."

Qin Han gestured for the eunuch to leave, then turned and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes with his long sleeve, choking out, "Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger... I don't know if my old bones can hold on until the day I can meet the late Crown Prince."

Wuhua Palace.

Cui Mi was leaning lazily against the bed.

She was completely naked, and her snow-white skin appeared even more alluring in the dim light. Her jet-black hair cascaded down her back casually, adding to her charm.

This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!