81, In the same year, for the first time, I had a heart-to-heart talk with the Empress in the watchtower.

"Pour me some more wine..." Zhao Douan hugged the heavy, black lacquered wine jar, his hand knocking off the seal, and instantly, the fragrance of wine permeated the air.

When the Empress's sleeves had brushed past, an invisible force field had diffused, keeping the cold wind at bay.

And so, atop this "foremost viewing tower," tranquillity prevailed.

The starry sky above shone brilliantly, while thousands of household lights twinkled below.

Atop the barren and majestic "Emperor Tower," amidst the precious delicacies and fine wines, a lone man and a solitary woman... Zhao Douan suddenly realized:

Today's grandiose setting—with hundreds of palace attendants present, and even though those in the know mostly kept their mouths tightly shut—could hardly conceal whispers and rumors.

The late-night private meeting between Zhao Douan and the Empress... was undoubtedly going to significantly increase the verisimilitude of their scandalous rumors.

Is this your purpose as well, Zhenguan?