Netizen uploaded the second volume of Shan You Mu Xy Mu You Zhi Yi Er Si Di Guan

  "Empress Dowager, rest assured," Zhang Yan said with a smile, "Yan has a way to protect herself and will not be taken advantage of."

  "That's good." Lü Hou glanced at her with a complex gaze.

  She glanced at the sky outside the hall, although it was warm and sunny on this spring day, the midday sun was also scorching. If one stayed outside for too long, they would likely suffer. So she instructed, "A Yan, when you go out later, have Wu Niang get up."

  She agreed and bid farewell.

  Exiting the Longxin Hall, I saw sweat dripping from Lü Yi's forehead onto the ground. My heart softened slightly as I walked up to her and called out, "Wu Niang."

  "Long time no see."

  Lü Yi followed Zhang Yan on the covered walkway from Chang Le to Wei Yang, laughing and saying, "Yes, it's been a long time. Ah Yan - little sister."

  "Ah, no." She shook her head and chuckled, "Now you can't be called little sister. Ayao, now that you've become the empress, in terms of seniority, you're already my aunt."

  The carefree days of their youth were gone, and some estrangement had grown in the years they spent apart. After a while, Zhang Yan spoke again, "Ever since Fifth Daughter got married, she looks more haggard."

  "No way." Lü Yi stroked her temples in frustration, laughing, "After marrying, I finally understood how naive I was before. Only after experiencing the hardships of life and getting hurt did I realize my own ignorance. Sometimes when I look at myself in the mirror, it's as if past events were just a dream, and I've become like a dead fish with dull eyes." She gazed at Zhang Yan's beautiful and radiant face, unable to help but praise, "You don't resemble the Empress Dowager at all. You're still as lovely as before, untouched by the trials of life."

  Zhang Yan couldn't help but want to frown upon hearing this, it seemed normal at first, but after careful consideration, she felt a suffocating anxiety in her chest.

  "Wuniang didn't say she didn't love this palace, did she?" She couldn't understand Luyi's choice and asked, "Why come back by herself after walking out?"

  "Because," Lü Yi's eyes took on a hint of mockery, saying lightly, "I used all my strength to escape this palace, but found that apart from scheming and fighting in this palace, I actually don't know how to do anything. I've gotten used to the ups and downs, can't enjoy the ordinary, and want to take good care of Han Mo and live a peaceful life, but really can't be a virtuous wife. And the freedom that I desperately pursued before has instead become a constraint that makes me want to drown."

  "Your Majesty, don't you think it's ridiculous?" She stopped in front of the Weiyang East Gate, bowed her head and said with downcast eyes. "A common woman shouldn't enter the Weiyang Palace, I'll just leave now. Your Majesty, please take care."

  When entering the palace gate, Zhang Yan couldn't help but turn her head back on the imperial carriage. Looking at the figure with a hint of gray in his back view disappearing into the distance. She only felt a tightness in her heart.

  That girl who grew up with her in the Chang Le Palace, always wore yellow skirts and green dresses, smiling brightly like a butterfly flying in a field of rape flowers. She once abandoned almost everything she had with unwavering courage to fly out of the Chang Le Palace, just to pursue a liberation in her heart, only to find that it was not a paradise after all. Looking back on those years, she could no longer return.

  That Lü Wuniang who used to be so meticulous and yet never showed joy, how did she become like this today?

  Removing her makeup and looking at herself in the copper mirror with a slightly haggard expression, Zhang Yan suddenly felt a little scared.

  Will I ever become like Rui one day?

  Even if I exhaust all my efforts, but still cannot move Uncle's heart to pity me, must I really spend the rest of my life in vain within this bustling and desolate Weiyang Palace?

  No. Won't.

  Liu Ying's eyebrows and eyes appeared in her heart, faintly warm, making her heart warm up inch by inch.

  Her uncle would never let her end up in such a predicament.

  She knew how gentle and kind he was, always putting her in a soft place in his heart, enduring hardship for himself, and never letting her suffer.

  And so, from the start, she had never really worried about it.

  But she slammed the copper mirror shut with a bang.

  Zhang Yan, you really are somewhat despicable.

  He treats you well just because he takes advantage of you.

  He treats you well, but you're just taking advantage of him.

  Only then did he dare to be so reckless and force him into a desperate situation.

  It's okay. She thought drowsily, Uncle, later on, I will treat you twice as well. I will definitely make you feel happier than before.

  "Your Majesty." Hu Die lifted the curtain and came in to report, "At noon, Zhao entered to thank Your Majesty for the reward. Since you went to Chang Le Palace to accompany the Empress Dowager for a meal, he left afterwards."

  "I won't see her." She suddenly became a bit annoyed, those women who were always making trouble, it would be best if none of them came to visit. In a huff, she said, "If she comes again, I won't see her either." But then she calmed down and said, "Just tell her I'm not feeling well, that's why I won't see her. Hmm, in two days, send another gift over for me."

  If it weren't for her heartache, what else would she be afraid of in this Weiyang Palace and competing with those imperial consorts?

  In this era when the imperial system was first established and palace struggles were shrouded in mystery, which ignorant concubine could surpass her who had witnessed too many palace struggles in her past life? Not to mention that she stood independently above the inner palace with the emperor's favor.

  The harem is always a place of wind and rain, if she can be harmonious with Liu Ying, it's worth taking on the hatred and jealousy of all the palace people. But since she hasn't truly obtained Liu Ying yet, she doesn't want to pretend to bear the grievances and hardships of the palace people.

  Her eyebrows gradually turned cold and stern.

  On the second day of entering the palace, she had already made up her mind. After observing the character of each concubine in the harem, she picked out one of them and deliberately promoted her to be a target, taking the place of herself to bear the brunt of the storm.

  It's not that she had never felt guilty or soft-hearted, but this way of clearing herself was too unscrupulous. But Zhao also forced her to harden her heart.

  Don't blame me, Zhao Cong. The harem is a place of stormy weather, because we love the same man, we are originally enemies.

  Admit it, Zhang Yan, you're just venting your anger on me.

  A good man is one who is looked up to and revered for his entire life. It's a truly beautiful phrase.

  "When I think of you, noble sir, your warmth is like jade. In your humble abode, my heart's emotions are in disarray."

  "Think of a gentleman, loaded with sleep and loaded with excitement. Disgusted with good people. Refined and virtuous sounds."

  A good man is one who is looked up to and revered for his entire life. It's a truly beautiful phrase.

  In the spring of the fourth year, the Emperor discussed abolishing the "Hanging Laws" with his officials in court. One or two ministers spoke out against abolishing the laws lightly. However, the Emperor's intention was very firm. He asked Prime Minister Cao Shen, "In the past, Xiao He established the Nine Chapters Law, and did not abolish the Hanging Laws. As you have always respected Xiao He, do you think these Hanging Laws should be abolished?"

  Cao Shen's forehead was slightly sweaty. He bowed and said, "Qin Huang burned books and buried Confucians, later generations of knowledgeable scholars have mostly criticized him for it. The law of holding books should have been abolished long ago, but at the beginning of the great Han dynasty, Xiao Xiangguo was busy with many things and temporarily overlooked it."

  "It is indeed." Liu Ying nodded and said, "The former emperor and Xiao He were ordinary people after all, and over the years there have been many oversights. The Prime Minister should think carefully about making up for them, rather than just muddling along."

  Then the case of seizing books and laws was settled, and the dust finally settled.

  "The Book of Rites - The Meaning of the Capping Ceremony" says: "The beginning of propriety and righteousness lies in having a correct demeanor, harmonious facial expressions, and gentle speech, only then can propriety and righteousness be complete. With the ruler being upright, father and son being intimate, and elder and younger being harmonious, the ruler and minister being correct, father and son being affectionate, only then can propriety and righteousness be established.

  Therefore it is said: The capping ritual is the beginning of rituals. This is why in ancient times, sage kings valued the capping ritual.

  In the fourth year of Emperor Hui, the emperor turned twenty. In the third month of spring, Feng Chang chose an auspicious day, which was jiashen, to hold a capping ceremony for the emperor.

  Before marrying Yuanfu, she had to abstain from meat and bathe for a period of time. Afterwards, Liu Ying lived alone in the Xuan Shi Hall.

  On the first day of the new year, in the morning, Zhang Yan rushed to the Xuan Shi Hall as the empress, helping Liu Ying change her clothes. She looked up and asked, "Uncle, I don't know which noble guest you have invited to attend your coronation ceremony today?" Her voice was soft and melodious.

  About to hold the coronation ceremony, Liu Ying was also somewhat excited. Smiling and explaining: "The officials invited are Zhang Liang, Marquis of Liu."

  "Ah."

  Zhang Yan turned over and helped him tie his shirt, letting out a low cry.

  Zhang Liang, Marquis of Liu, was the most respected minister of Emperor Gaozu. After the establishment of the Han Dynasty, he excelled in his career and then retired with honor. He practiced Taoist arts at home, enjoying great prestige and reputation, making him a qualified person to preside over the coronation ceremony for the emperor.

  "Alright, A Yan," he patted her hand and instructed, "It's getting late, I should head to the High Temple now." Remembering how coldly he had treated her these past few days, his heart ached with regret, so he comforted her by saying, "When I return today, tonight we'll dine together in the Pepper Chamber Hall."

  "Mm." She smiled and let go, watching him get into the imperial carriage and leave from the Weiyang Palace.

  In the midst of the music, Liu Ying wore a pure white silk dress and sat on the throne, while Zhuo Nian recited the congratulatory words in a somewhat distant voice: "Depart from King You of Zhou's foolish ways, and follow the virtuous occupation. Reverently obey Heaven's mandate, and all six directions will be in harmony. Take your ancestors as examples, and forever have no limits. Cause Your Majesty to be close to the people, far from lust, in harmony with the times, benevolent with wealth, and fond of the worthy while entrusting them with ability."

  "I promise."

  Outside the temple, my mother is waiting for me, my sister is waiting for me, and Ah Yan, she is also waiting for me. They all regard me as a shield against wind and rain, even if it's just for them, I should strive to be a great king for all eternity.

  His elder cousin, the Crown Prince of Chu, Liu Yi, as a guest, walked up to him and bowed. Liu Ying's eyes did not glance sideways, slightly nodding his head, waiting for him to comb his hair when he could feel the ivory comb gently brushing through his hair.

  Xuan Yi had an official who personally went up the western steps, presenting the Heavenly Son's Xuan Crown. Marquis Zhang Liang took the crown and offered a blessing, saying, "On a lucky day in the first month, you will first wear the yuan robe. Abandon your youthful ambitions, follow your mature virtues, may your longevity be like a chess game, and may you receive great blessings." Then he gently placed the Xuan Crown on his own head.

  The one who spoke was wearing a black hat with red tassels, Liu Ying raised his head, his expression solemn.

  He then returned to the east house, where Chang Yu helped him change into a plain white robe with a black hat and knee covers, and wore black boots with a green sole. Everyone in the hall knelt down.

  This is the first addition.

  When he sat back on the throne, Liu Ying had someone take off the black hat from his head again, re-comb his hair, tie up his bun and insert a hairpin into it. Zhang Liang washed his hands, ascended to the hall and personally helped him put on the formal headdress, took over the leather cap from the official's hand and said: "On this auspicious day and hour, I present you with your attire. Respectfully, I offer you dignity and majesty, virtuous and cautious morality. May your eyebrows be long-lived for ten thousand years, forever receiving good fortune." He added the leather cap, and those who were praising him came forward to tie the leather strap under his chin for the Emperor. Liu Ying stood up, went back to the eastern house to change into plain clothes, tied a white knee-cover, wore white socks with black soles, which had pure white edges decorated with half an inch of embroidery, and came out to face south.

  The third addition is the noble Duke.

  Xuan Yi's small attendant, You Si, held a tray and walked forward, kneeling beside the emperor. He was very slender, and Liu Ying's eyes caught sight of his figure and posture, which were extremely familiar.

  He lifted his head and gave him a flattering smile.

  Liu Ying was startled all of a sudden.

  Meh, finished reading, thanks for reminding me to go back and vote with a pink ticket. Thanks!

  I've decided to go back and write sweetly to nurse my wounds.