Chapter 134: At Last, All Wishes Fulfilled

Night fell, slowly draping Weiyang Palace in a gentle veil; all around was still, the sound of dripping water audible.

Only a few palace lamps cast a soft, dim yellow glow, like a thin gauze, adding a dreamy haze to the quiet night.

Li Yan wore a light moon‑white nightgown; its sleeves floated like clouds, her ink‑black hair fell smoothly over her shoulders, like a curtain of black silk.

Her cheeks flushed with nervous shyness, a lovely crimson like the first peach blossoms of spring.

She stepped forward with light yet slightly trembling steps, slowly entering Liu Ju's bedchamber, each step feeling as if she trod on her own racing heart.

Liu Ju had long been waiting in the bedchamber; he had taken off his solemn daytime court robes that symbolized authority, and a dark long robe now made his posture straight as a pine, like the most steadfast peak in the night.

The moment Li Yan entered the bedchamber, Liu Ju's gaze instantly locked onto her.

In his eyes, the woman before him was no longer the decisive, vigorous media editor she was at work; now she bore a maiden's shyness and delicacy, like a flower bud trembling in a spring breeze, possessing a wholly moving charm.

Li Yan slightly lifted her head; her water‑like eyes met Liu Ju's without warning, and in an instant an electric current seemed to surge through her body. She flustered lowered her gaze, her long lashes fluttering like a startled butterfly.

Her heart pounded like a drum, and in her mind flashed a continual replay of every moment from when she first met Liu Ju to the present.

From their first meeting, to working together, and now…

In her view, Liu Ju was not only the exalted Son of Heaven, but also the guiding light that led her forward, the firmest reliance in her heart.

"Your Majesty…" she whispered, her voice trembling slightly from nerves, as if it flowed from the softest corner of her heart.

Liu Ju looked at her bashful expression, and a boundless tenderness welled up in his heart, like a spring breeze stirring ripples across a lake.

He stepped forward gently, his movements as tender as if fearing to startle a frightened fawn, then lightly lifted Li Yan's chin, his gaze soft as water: "No need to be so restrained; from now on you will stay in this palace and keep me company."

Liu Ju's voice was low and magnetic, like the gentlest spring breeze, lightly brushing over Li Yan's heart and gradually dispelling her tension and unease.

Li Yan's cheeks burned, as if she could feel her blood rushing swiftly beneath her skin.

She gathered her courage, looked once more at Liu Ju, her eyes full of deep affection and longing, a gaze that seemed able to melt the world: "Your Majesty, to be able to accompany you in this palace is my good fortune."

Liu Ju smiled, lightly taking Li Yan's hand; his broad, warm palms seemed able to grant her endless strength.

In Liu Ju's heart lay both a deep admiration for Li Yan's talent and boundless anticipation for this new affection.

They sat opposite each other, silent for a moment, yet the air seemed filled with a thousand unspoken words.

Now they cast aside their worldly identities and constraints; they were no longer emperor and subject, nor work partners, merely two lovers about to share a beautiful night.

……

The next day, Li Yan gathered the fallen red from the bed and gently served Liu Ju as he rose to prepare for morning court.

Liu Ju, having tasted the bliss, could not help but pull Li Yan into another night of spring.

Until the sun was high three poles, morning court was about to begin, and the Li Yan in his arms urged: "Your Majesty, we'll be late for work!"

Only then did Liu Ju realize, gazing at the beauty: "It is I who have been remiss, Yan'er; as a newlywed wife you should rest a few days."

Li Yan gave Liu Ju an annoyed, sideways glance, then shook her head: "Your Majesty, I too must go to work; there's much to do at the newspaper office."

Liu Ju stared, stunned.

Li Yan hastily said: "If Your Majesty does not want me to show my face in public, then I shall not go."

She thought, indeed there is no precedent for an emperor's woman to still go to work.

Liu Ju gently stroked Li Yan's lovely face, saying: "I will have someone arrange leave with your consort; once you have rested, pursue whatever dreams you wish—I am not a hidebound man and will support you."

Li Yan excitedly grabbed Liu Ju's hand and could not help but throw herself into his embrace again.

Early spring chill lingered; outside Chang'an City at the shipyard, cold wind laden with damp moisture howled wildly.

Liu Ju had just left morning court and came here to inspect the work.

He wore a dark long robe, standing tall and straight beside the shipyard, his deep gaze fixed on the vast shipbuilding workshop before him.

Inside the workshop, artisans bustled to and fro, their busy forms weaving a scene of industry; the sounds of heavy axes and work chants rose and fell, yet Liu Ju's brow furrowed slightly, his expression full of worry and thought.

He ignored the early spring chill, turning his gaze to the distant giant wooden platform just erected.

On the platform, artisans concentrated, carefully assembling a huge wooden model.

This is a reduced‑scale prototype of the hundred‑zhang ship built by Xu Wei and his team, a crucial step in testing shipbuilding technology.

Sunlight filtered through thick clouds, dappling the platform and casting alternating light and shadow among the massive components.

"Your Majesty, over here!" a clear shout broke the surrounding clamor.

Xu Wei hurried over, his expression rushed; his originally neat headwrap was slightly askew, his sleeves speckled with wood shavings, his whole person seeming covered in a thin layer of dust, evidence of his busyness and toil.

Liu Ju turned, looked at him, his gaze showing a bit of concern: "Xu Aiqing, you have worked hard."

"As a minister, I dare not be the slightest bit lax."

Xu Wei bowed slightly; though his tone was humble, his face showed urgency: "Your Majesty, I have a matter to report."

Liu Ju noticed his solemn expression, his heart tightened, and he promptly turned his attention to the wooden platform before him.

"Please look, Your Majesty." Xu Wei raised his hand, pointing to a massive timber at the platform's center.

It was a piece of pine carefully cut; its surface appeared smooth and even, yet in the sunlight it gave off a faint, unnatural pallor—like a moonlit lake, exuding an inexplicable eeriness.

Liu Ju narrowed his eyes, stepped closer, and examined it carefully.

"This…"

His brow tightened again, a sense of unease rising in his heart.

Such wood is indeed too light and its grain not tight enough; if used for shipbuilding, it would likely fail to withstand the surging waves of rivers, lakes, and seas.

Seeing Liu Ju frown, Xu Wei's heart grew heavier: "I share this worry; during recent tests I already found these timbers problematic."

"What problems?" Liu Ju's expression hardened as he demanded sharply.

He turned, his gaze like a torch fixed on Xu Wei.

"The wood lacks sufficient density, its annual rings are unevenly distributed, and its load‑bearing capacity is inadequate!"

Xu Wei spoke in a low voice full of worry and anxiety, continuing: "If such timber were used to build a large ship, it would not only impair speed but also endanger the soldiers' safety!"

Before his words finished, Liu Ju had already turned and walked away briskly.

Seeing this, Xu Wei hurried after him, saying: "Your Majesty, I have ordered the timber to be re‑harvested; this time I personally went to the forest to select the finest, guaranteeing every piece has undergone strict inspection!"

"Do you think this will solve the problem?" Liu Ju suddenly stopped, turned, and looked at him.

The wind lifted his robe sleeves, fluttering loudly.

Xu Wei felt an invisible pressure bearing down on him, but he still straightened his spine, not yielding at all.

"Your Majesty, this concerns the Han navy's elite troops. I dare not be lax in the slightest!"

Liu Ju stared at him for a moment, then broke into a faint smile and said, "Beloved official, your loyal courage deeply moves me."

Just then, Zhang Qian, Dongfang Shuo, and Wei Xiang hurried over after hearing the news.

Zhang Qian looked anxious, sweat still on his forehead from rushing, and said, "Your Majesty, I heard there's a problem with the timber; I am truly ashamed."

He spoke with self-reproach, his eyes full of guilt, saying, "I was in charge of material allocation, but failed to control the timber's quality; I am willing to bear the responsibility."

Dongfang Shuo shook his folding fan, his composure calm, and said, "Your Majesty, don't rush; this is not without solution. I believe that besides selecting new timber, we could also draw on popular wisdom, perhaps finding a way to improve it."

Wei Xiang also stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Works can increase manpower to screen the existing timber and simultaneously study how to strengthen it."

Liu Ju listened to everyone's words, his mind somewhat eased; he looked over the crowd, his expression firm, and said, "This matter is of great importance; I believe that all of you, my beloved officials, will work together to solve the problem and soon build an invincible navy for the Great Han."

Having said that, he turned and left.

In the depths of his mind, the giant ships of Zheng He's voyages to the Western Oceans would occasionally flash before him.

Where did the timber they used back then come from?