Fahua Hall.
The midday sun was warm and cozy. The palace servants had all found their own spots to nap or slack off, leaving the entire hall in tranquil silence.
As usual, Nan Shu was copying scriptures in the bamboo grove. Feeling tired, she couldn’t be bothered to return to her chamber and decided to rest in the pavilion instead.
Her head leaned against the pillar, the sunlight bathing her fair complexion. Her long lashes cast faint shadows beneath her eyelids as she slept peacefully.
Sui An had come without Yuanbao. After wandering for quite some time, she finally found Nan Shu in the bamboo grove and immediately ran over.
Not wanting to disturb Nan Shu’s sleep, Sui An climbed onto the stone table, propped her chin in her hands, and lay facing her. Her round, bright eyes gazed at Nan Shu as if she could never get enough.
A five-year-old child didn’t understand the concept of life and death separation. She only knew that her father often said the person in the painting was her mother. But why, now that the person in the painting stood before her, did she not acknowledge her?
If she didn’t want to acknowledge her, so be it.
Sui An was easily content. As long as her mother had returned, it was enough. Even without acknowledgment, she would still be her mother.
Nan Shu was a light sleeper. After just a short while, she felt as if someone was watching her. Struggling against her drowsiness, she forced her eyes open.
The two of them, one big and one small, stared at each other.
“Pr… Princess Your Highness?”
Nan Shu almost thought she was dreaming. She rubbed her eyes, and when she opened them again, she saw Sui An smiling at her, revealing eight pearly white teeth.
“Your Highness, why are you here?” Now certain she wasn’t dreaming, Nan Shu hurriedly stood up.
Sui An pouted, her brows furrowing with grievance, and made a shushing gesture. “I sneaked out to play.”
“Your Highness came out alone?”
Sui An nodded, reaching out to grab Nan Shu’s hand. In her childish voice, she pleaded, “I don’t want to nap alone. Mother… will you stay with me?”
“Your Highness, you mustn’t call me that…”
Before she could finish, Sui An’s fair little face fell, her lips trembling as if she were about to cry.
Nan Shu’s heart ached instantly. “Then you mustn’t let others hear you.”
“Okay!” Sui An beamed with joy. “Then will you nap with me, Mother?”
How could Nan Shu possibly say no? But she still tried to reason with her, “Your Highness, if you’re out here alone, they’ll worry. Besides, it’s still cold despite the spring weather—you might catch a chill.”
Hearing this, Sui An threw herself into Nan Shu’s arms and hugged her. “Then I won’t be cold like this.”
Nan Shu: “……”
Sui An pulled Nan Shu to sit on the steps and bask in the sun, then nestled into her embrace, letting her hold her. Yet she still looked up at Nan Shu and suddenly asked, “Can I come see you often, Mother?”
Nan Shu’s heart melted completely, but she still waved her hand in refusal. “That won’t do, Your Highness. You have to attend the Imperial Study every day. If you neglect your studies to see me and someone finds out, I could be beheaded.”
“How about if you ever feel bored, you can come find me then?”
Nan Shu didn’t dare see Sui An too often, afraid of arousing that person’s suspicion.
Sui An looked dejected, pursing her lips and tugging at Nan Shu’s sleeve. Her long eyelashes fluttered, and then she hung her little head without a word.
Sui An had been taken from her shortly after birth. Nan Shu didn’t know how to interact with a child and felt utterly helpless seeing her so sad. “What if you come during the Imperial Study breaks?”
Sui An remained silent, her teary eyes brimming with grievance.
Nan Shu’s lips moved slightly as she bent down to meet her at eye level. “Alright then, but Your Highness must complete the assignments from the tutor before coming to play with me.”
Sui An instantly beamed, wrapping her arms around Nan Shu’s waist and nuzzling against her. “Okay!”
“Will Mother tell me a story?” Sui An pulled a storybook from her bosom and handed it to her.
“Alright.” Nan Shu’s voice caught slightly. When she was young, her own mother would tell her stories, yet she had never done so for her own daughter.
She thought, just this once—she would indulge just this once.
Nan Shu’s voice was gentle as Sui An quietly nestled in her embrace, listening attentively.
Worried she might catch cold, Nan Shu thought to fetch a cloak, but the moment Sui An sensed her movement, she urgently grabbed the hem of her garment.
“Mother, don’t go…”
“I won’t leave…” Nan Shu caressed her cheek, unable to tear her hand away.
Just then, Yuanbao’s voice sounded from nearby. “Your Highness? Are you here, Your Highness?”
Nan Shu patted Sui An’s back. “Eunuch Yuanbao has come looking for you.”
Sui An lifted her head from Nan Shu’s embrace, shooting a discreet, annoyed glance at the approaching Yuanbao before reluctantly standing up.
Yuanbao arrived breathless. “Your Highness, the tutor from the Imperial Study reported your absence from class. This servant was worried sick! His Majesty has been informed and has ordered you brought to Xuanzheng Hall.”
Nan Shu frowned slightly, kneeling before Sui An. “Why did you skip class?”
Sui An hung her head and mumbled, “I wanted to see you…”
A flicker of pain crossed Nan Shu’s eyes as she stroked Sui An’s cheek. “Next time, come during the Imperial Study’s break, alright? Your Highness must attend classes properly, or I shall feel uneasy.”
Sui An gave a soft “Mm” in response.
Yuanbao clicked his tongue in amazement—now Miss Nan’s words carried more weight than even His Majesty’s.
Xuanzheng Hall.
Yan Pingxiao sat on the elevated throne, gazing at Sui An’s eyes—identical to Shen Lan Shu’s—and softened his tone. “Why did you skip class?”
Sui An remained silent.
The two stood at an impasse until finally, the man on the throne let out a light sigh.
Yan Pingxiao could never bear to scold her.
Having lost her mother since childhood, Yan Pingxiao understood her longing for maternal affection—just as he, during his years in the northwest, had yearned for his own mother confined within the palace walls.
“Never mind, I won’t lecture you this time.”
“Father, can she come to Zhaohuadian?” Sui An looked up, her youthful face filled with anticipation.
Yan Pingxiao’s hands on his knees suddenly clenched. Though he couldn’t bring himself to reprimand Sui An for skipping class to see her, that didn’t mean he felt at ease having her near Sui An.
Pei Ji’s men had yet to retrieve the Daoist priest and hadn’t fully uncovered Nan Shu’s background. Such a person needed to be kept under close watch.
“No.”
Disappointment surfaced in Sui An’s eyes. “Why?”
Yan Pingxiao avoided answering and summoned Yuanbao and Chun Ming instead. “Take the princess back.”
Sui An pouted in grievance, turned away stubbornly, and trotted out on her short legs.
Yuanbao hurried after her while Chun Ming was detained. “From now on, stay by the princess’s side at all times. Report everything Nan Shu says to her directly to me.”
Chun Ming bowed her head. “Yes, this servant understands.” Though startled by the woman she’d seen today, her years of experience had taught her caution—she too feared someone might harm the princess.
She had promised Shen Lan Shu she would protect Sui An for life.