The bright moon hangs high, beckoning him down from his pedestal.

The next morning, Shen Qingruo got up early.

She chose a light mauve belted long dress, the color of which was simple and elegant. Her black hair was half up and half down, adorned with a few small beaded flowers, and she wore no other accessories.

She looked elegant and delicate, with her head bowed and eyes lowered.

"Aruo, why are you going? Are you going to pay your respects to Wulan Yun?" Xiao Jiu muttered in her mind. "She even wanted to marry you off to someone else."

Shen Qingruo straightened her skirt in front of the mirror and said calmly, "The imperial decree of investiture was issued yesterday. If I don't show any respect to the Empress, it will seem like I don't know how to be worthy of her. Besides, being closer to her might increase your chances of success."

She meant to get Wulan Yun to speak and perform a dance.

Accompanied by two personal maids, Shen Qingruo arrived at the Empress's Jiaofang Palace.

After being informed, she was led inside. Inside the hall, Ulan Yun was sitting in the main seat, being served breakfast by palace maids.

Upon seeing Shen Qingruo enter, Wu Lanyun raised her eyes, somewhat surprised.

Shen Qingruo walked into the hall with proper etiquette, curtsied and performed a standard grand salute, her voice soft and gentle: "Qingruo greets Your Majesty the Empress. Yesterday, His Majesty issued an edict, which I was grateful for, but also felt apprehensive about, so I came to pay my respects to Your Majesty."

She kept her head down, adopting an extremely humble posture.

Looking at her like this, and remembering that she was no longer Shen Wangxi's bloodline, Wu Lanyun felt the thorn that had been stuck in her heart for more than ten years loosen up considerably.

She was just an orphan with an awkward status. Raising her in the palace wouldn't cost much in terms of food and rice, and it would also show off one's magnanimity.

"Get up." Wulan Yun's tone was relatively calm as she gestured for a maid to offer her a seat.

"It's good that you have the intention."

"Since His Majesty has issued the decree, you may stay here in peace. You can continue as before and there is no need to come and pay your respects."

This means drawing clear boundaries and not disturbing each other.

Shen Qingruo obediently replied, "Yes."

She sat down gently at the end of the table, her posture reserved, her hands neatly placed on her knees.

Wulan Yun continued eating, but her thoughts had already wandered far away.

In another month, it will be her first birthday celebration since the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty. It must be held in a grand and glorious manner to show the honor of her as the Empress and the love between the Emperor and Empress.

She personally oversaw and approved everything from song and dance performances and banquet arrangements to the court ladies' court audiences.

She casually raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping over Shen Qingruo sitting below. The young woman had a slender neck and a graceful figure.

Wu Lanyun's heart stirred, and she felt inexplicably dazed. Without thinking, a thought blurted out: "Speaking of which, next month will be my birthday."

"Although the palace has prepared music and dance, it always feels like something is missing. Qingruo, if your health allows, why don't you prepare a dance for my birthday banquet?"

"You're young and good-looking, you'll definitely look beautiful when you jump."

As soon as she said it, Wulan Yun was taken aback.

Having a meritorious official who was sent to a marriage alliance perform a dance at a state banquet seems somewhat improper and beneath his dignity.

But seeing Shen Qingruo's obedient appearance, she felt it didn't matter. It was just a fun program that could add some color to the birthday banquet, so it was making the most of the opportunity.

Changing her mind and withdrawing her order now would only make her seem petty.

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingruo quickly stood up, curtsied again, and said with a flattered expression, "If Your Majesty does not mind, Qingruo will do her best to live up to Your Majesty's expectations."

Seeing that Shen Qingruo agreed, Wulan Yun nodded casually: "Well then, you should prepare well. Just let the Imperial Household Department know if you need anything."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Shen Qingruo replied respectfully.

As they left Jiaofang Palace, Xiao Jiu excitedly spun around in Shen Qingruo's mind—it was done.

Shen Qingruo also smiled, and things went surprisingly smoothly.

Back in Qingyi Palace, she went to her desk, spread out a piece of paper, and planned to write a letter to Shen Wangxi, asking him not to come to see her for a month.

When they meet again, she wants to amaze him and escape the way he used to look at his daughter.

"Xiao Jiu, tell me, what should I say?" She picked up her pen and dipped it in ink.

"Tell her that Her Majesty the Empress has entrusted you with an important task, and that you need to concentrate on practicing. You should stay at home for a month and ask the dance instructors to guide you. Hope they will grant your request," Xiao Jiu suggested.

Shen Qingruo nodded, her handwriting neat and elegant.

After finishing writing, she sealed the letter and handed it to a palace maid: "Send it to the Taiji Hall and give it to Chief Steward Wu, asking him to forward it to my father."

The note was quickly passed to Shen Wangxi, who was reviewing memorials.

"A dance?" Shen Wangxi put down his vermilion brush, his brows furrowing slightly.

Why would A-Yun suddenly ask A-Ruo to dance? That child has just recovered from a serious illness and is still very weak.

"Princess Qingruo's letter also said that she would close her doors to visitors for a month and ask the matrons of the Imperial Music Academy to teach her so that she could practice diligently," Wu Tian added in a low voice.

A month of seclusion? Shen Wangxi tapped his fingertips on the imperial desk.

He had originally thought that since he had neglected her before and made her feel wronged, he should take advantage of his free time these next few days to visit her at Qingyi Palace and talk to her.

She, on the contrary, locked herself up first.

Is it because of A-Yun's request that we dare not neglect it?

The thought of her frail appearance and the hard work she had to put in to practice dancing made his heart tighten inexplicably.

But on second thought, the fact that Wulan Yun was willing to let her participate in the birthday banquet seemed to mean that she had accepted the child to some extent, which was a good thing.

He was pleased to see harmony in the harem.

"Granted." He finally spoke. "Give the order that all expenses for Qingyi Palace remain as usual, and ask the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) to send the best matrons there, so as not to tire her out."

"Yes." Steward Wu bowed and withdrew.