Chapter 274 This world belongs to "us"

"I am your best... husband."

Lin Wanwan's affirmation, delivered with a smile, filled Xiao Che with satisfaction. He lingered with Lin Wanwan in the Imperial Study for the entire afternoon, only letting her return to Kunning Palace to rest as night fell.

However, late that night, just when Lin Wanwan thought Xiao Che would stay in the Imperial Study to handle state affairs, he dismissed all the palace servants and quietly came to the Kunning Palace's sleeping quarters alone.

He did not come with memorials as usual, nor did he show the slightest sign of his usual fatigue or languor. His expression was unusually serious, even solemn.

"Wanwan, come with me to the Imperial Study." His voice was deep and serious. "I have important matters to discuss with you."

Lin Wanwan's heart stirred slightly. From his expression, she immediately realized that what he wanted to discuss was no ordinary family matter. She nodded, asked no further questions, put on her coat, and followed him through the secret passage known only to the two of them, once again arriving at the Imperial Study late at night.

Inside the imperial study, the lights were on, yet it was completely silent.

Xiao Che did not walk towards the dragon table, but sat down at the tea table in the side hall where he usually discussed matters with his ministers, and personally poured Lin Wanwan a cup of hot tea.

"Try it, this is the newly arrived Junshan Silver Needle tea." He pushed the teacup in front of her, but his tone was not as relaxed as if he were tasting tea.

Lin Wanwan picked up her teacup. The rising steam blurred her vision, making it impossible for her to see the expression on the man's face opposite her. She took a small sip; the tea was fragrant and elegant, with a mellow aftertaste—truly a fine tea.

"Your Majesty summoned me here so late at night. What is the matter?" She put down her teacup and asked directly.

Xiao Che was silent for a moment, seemingly organizing his thoughts. His slender fingers tapped lightly on the table unconsciously, producing a very rhythmic sound.

"Wanwan," he finally spoke, his voice exceptionally clear in the quiet night, "today's court affairs were handled perfectly by you and me."

Lin Wanwan nodded, waiting for him to continue.

“But,” Xiao Che’s tone shifted, his eyes sharpening, “this kind of ‘secret code’ method is ultimately not a long-term solution.”

His gaze was calm as still water, yet it carried a clear-eyed understanding of everything.

"Today's matter is merely about compensation and money, which can still be resolved with clever schemes. But in the future, when it involves matters of national importance, the appointment and removal of officials, and changes in laws, each and every one of them will affect the very foundation of the nation. At that time, how can we communicate with each other over a cup of tea and three knocks?"

He pointed out the drawbacks of their unique collaborative model incisively.

“The efficiency is too low,” he concluded. “Moreover, all the civil and military officials in the court are shrewd. Once or twice, they might attribute it to my deep thoughts. But if it happens too often, one day someone will realize that there is not just a simple phoenix figure behind the beaded curtain. At that time, you and I will be put on the defensive.”

Lin Wanwan's heart sank slightly. What Xiao Che said was exactly what she had been vaguely worried about these past few days. Their tacit understanding was built on mutual trust, but it was also limited by space and form. This kind of "puppet" cooperation was ultimately a trick, not the right way.

"Then what should Your Majesty do?" Lin Wanwan asked.

Xiao Che did not answer immediately.

He stood up and walked behind the dragon-shaped desk that symbolized the highest power in the empire.

Lin Wanwan's gaze followed him.

He then took out a heavy object wrapped in bright yellow silk from a hidden compartment in the dragon-shaped table. He carried it back to the tea table and solemnly placed it in front of Lin Wanwan.

The moment the silk was untied, revealing what was inside, Lin Wanwan's breath caught in her throat!

That was a seal.

The entire piece is carved from the finest Hetian white jade, with the seal knob shaped like a phoenix spreading its wings in a magnificent pose. The jade is warm and lustrous, and the carving is exquisite, gleaming with a soft yet noble glow under candlelight.

Phoenix Jade Seal!

The Phoenix Seal represents the Empress's power and governs the six palaces!

Since the Empress Dowager lost power, Xiao Che had taken back the phoenix seal and kept it personally. Now, he actually took it out.

An unbelievable guess welled up in Lin Wanwan's mind, and she suddenly raised her head to look at Xiao Che.

Xiao Che's expression was more solemn than ever before. He didn't stop there, but turned around again and returned to the dragon desk. This time, he took out another, larger seal from a more hidden compartment.

The Imperial Seal of the State!

The imperial seal represents the emperor's divine right of kings and supreme power!

Holding the Imperial Seal of the State in his hands, he walked step by step back to Lin Wanwan.

Then, under Lin Wanwan's shocked gaze, he placed the heavy Imperial Seal, which symbolized the entire Liang Dynasty, side by side with the Phoenix Jade Seal, which represented the Empress's authority.

Dragon and Phoenix, Heaven and Earth.

These two seals, representing the pinnacle of the empire's highest power, stood quietly and equally before her.

“Wanwan,” Xiao Che’s voice was deep and powerful, and he looked into her eyes as he uttered the proposal that was enough to overturn the entire political landscape of the Great Liang Dynasty.

"Starting tomorrow, all urgent memorials that are not of utmost urgency shall be sent to Kunning Palace first."

"You shall first review and categorize these reports, and offer your preliminary opinions. Then, submit your opinions along with the reports to me, and I will make the final decision."

boom!

Lin Wanwan's mind went blank with a buzz!

She understood every single word Xiao Che said, but when put together, they formed an unbelievable and crazy decision for her!

What... what does this mean?

This means that he is handing over half of the power to review memorials—a core power that emperors throughout history have held tightly to and never delegated to others—to her just like that?

This is not a regency behind the scenes; it goes much further and more thoroughly! This is... this is to formally elevate her from a "behind-the-scenes advisor" to a "joint decision-maker" of the empire!

"Xiao Che, have you gone mad?!" Lin Wanwan exclaimed in shock, "Do you know what this means? Never before in history has anything like this happened..."

“Never before in history has there been an empress of mine.” Xiao Che interrupted her, his eyes firm and unwavering, without the slightest hesitation.

He reached out and placed his hand on hers, which was resting on the table and trembling slightly with shock. His palm was warm and strong.

He looked into her eyes and, in an incredibly solemn tone, offered the most heartfelt explanation for his crazy decision.

"I will manage external affairs, and you will manage internal affairs."

"I rule the world, you determine the boundaries."

His voice, like the most solemn vow, echoed in the silent imperial study and also in Lin Wanwan's heart.

"Late night, this world,"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the jade seal and phoenix seal placed side by side, before finally settling on her face, uttering the final, poignant confession that left her utterly speechless.

“It belongs to ‘us’.”

This world belongs to "us".

It doesn't belong to "I" or "you," but to "us."

These three words are more passionate than any sweet talk, and more weighty than any vow. They represent a complete and unreserved trust and commitment that transcends love and the status of husband and wife.

He didn't just love her; he depended on her and needed her. He regarded her as his one and only soulmate, someone equal to him, someone with whom he could share the burdens of this vast land.

Looking at the man before her, at the unwavering seriousness in his eyes and the deep-seated trust in him, all the shock and disbelief in her heart finally transformed into an unprecedented and stirring surge of heroic ambition.

She knew that once Xiao Che's decision was implemented, it would bring about earth-shattering changes to this ancient empire.

She also knew that from this moment on, her fate would no longer be merely to be his empress and enjoy his favor and protection.

She will truly stand beside him as a writer, participating in the writing of this era's history.

She will no longer be the "prompter" hiding behind the beaded curtain, offering him advice.

She will be the true writer who stands shoulder to shoulder with him, facing together the vast land and the rise and fall of dynasties.

Lin Wanwan slowly and solemnly extended her other hand and gently placed it on the two seals placed side by side, symbolizing supreme power.

The cool touch of the jade instantly sobered her up.

She looked at Xiao Che, her eyes shining brighter than ever before.

“Okay,” she heard her own voice, clear and firm, “We, together.”