A Sui nibbled carefully on the chestnut cake in his hand, yet crumbs still scattered all over his palm.
Yun Wan took out a clean handkerchief to wipe the corners of his mouth and his hands, gently reminding him, “Don’t eat too much, or you’ll have indigestion.”
“Okay, Mother!” A Sui nodded vigorously, looking utterly obedient.
Yun Wan felt a pang of unease in her heart.
Suddenly, a warm touch brushed her cheek—A Sui had placed his clean hand gently on her face. “Mother, don’t you want me to go to Hongwen Academy?”
Yun Wan looked up abruptly, her expression startled.
A Sui took off his shoes and climbed onto the couch, kneeling beside Yun Wan and leaning against her. “I overheard you and Uncle earlier. Uncle wants to send me to Hongwen Academy, like Cousin Changze, but you don’t want me to go.”
Surprised by his perceptiveness, Yun Wan stroked the back of his full head and sighed. “A Sui, do you know what Hongwen Academy is?”
A Sui shook his head, his hands resting limply. “But I’ve heard that students at Hongwen Academy can enter the Hidden Library! It houses the most extensive collection of books in all of Da Qi!”
At the mention of the “Hidden Library,” his eyes lit up instantly.
Yun Wan’s heart stirred, recognizing the longing in his eyes. A Sui had always loved reading—sometimes so absorbed that he lost track of time, a true little bookworm.
Her original resolve wavered slightly. Worried, she asked, “The children at Hongwen Academy are all from noble and royal families. They have different temperaments—aren’t you afraid?”
“Why should I be afraid?”
A Sui blinked and tilted his head, as if puzzled.
His gaze was pure and clear, without a trace of fear or timidity—composed and open.
It felt as if something struck her heart. Yun Wan suddenly understood: “I was nearly trapped by my own fears.”
Her resistance to A Sui attending Hongwen Academy stemmed solely from worry that his origins might be questioned.
But wouldn’t such behavior only arouse more suspicion?
Besides, five years had passed peacefully—didn’t that mean no one knew about that matter? That she alone held the secret?
So what was she afraid of?
With this realization, Yun Wan felt as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
She had nearly trapped herself in a dead end, unable to break free. Now that she had figured it out, she felt entirely at ease.
Hugging A Sui tightly, Yun Wan said cheerfully, “I’ve thought it through. Since attending Hongwen Academy will benefit you greatly, we’ll go!”
Noticing his mother’s change of heart, A Sui beamed with joy and shared, “I like the essays written by Scholar Xu.”
“You can understand them?” Yun Wan asked in surprise.
Scholar Xu, a renowned Confucian scholar of the court, was celebrated for his “peerless essays.” She had read a few herself.
A Sui nodded, then shook his head. “Some parts I understand, some I don’t. It would be wonderful if I could seek his guidance in person someday.”
Proud of his intelligence, Yun Wan tapped his nose and smiled. “When you enter Hongwen Academy, you might get the chance. He might even become your teacher.”
“Really?”
“Of course. Have I ever lied to you?”
“…”
In the evening, someone from Cixin Hall came to relay instructions, reminding Yun Wan to prepare for their palace visit in two days and delivering two sets of clothing—one large, one small.
The palace had numerous rules and etiquette. Yun Wan spent the entire afternoon explaining key points to A Sui. As for other concerns, she wasn’t too worried—with the Old Madam present, she and her son would have little need to take the lead.
Two days later, shortly after the rooster’s crow, the head maid from the elderly madam’s side came to hurry them along. Yun Wan rose to bathe and prepare herself.
After having a bowl of bird’s nest soup to settle her stomach, Yun Wan changed into the mother-of-pearl dark pattern carved silk dress sent by the elderly madam, topped with a soft smoke luo gauze shirt.
While doing her hair, Yue Jian asked, “Madam, shall I style your hair into a Lingyun bun today?”
Yun Wan nodded, “No need for excessive hair ornaments. Just use that pear blossom hairpin.”
Yue Jian paused briefly before understanding.
The pear blossom hairpin was personally carved by the Third Master from jade material he selected himself when he was alive. Madam would wear it occasionally when going out or during important occasions. Over time, everyone in the manor came to understand the significance of this hairpin.
They all said Madam and the Third Master shared a deep affection.
After styling the bun, Yue Jian found the pear blossom hairpin and fastened it in Yun Wan’s hair, then selected two exquisite and elegant velvet flowers as accents.
Approaching Chen hour, A Sui also woke up.
Still young and not yet of age to tie his hair or wear a crown, he simply tied his hair into a horn knot with a ribbon and changed into his newly made indigo dianthus silk round-neck robe. With the pouch made by Yun Wan tied at his waist, he appeared tall and spirited.
When the time was about right, Yun Wan led A Sui to the main gate, where the elderly madam had not yet arrived.
The two waited in the carriage for approximately a quarter of an hour before the elderly madam arrived. The carriage slowly set off toward the imperial palace, its wheels leaving clear tracks on the stone-paved road.
Passing through the bustling streets from Duke Lu Manor, the carriage arrived at the imperial city’s Xihua Gate after one shichen.
Carriages were not permitted within the palace grounds. The party descended from the carriage and met those who had come to greet them.
“This humble maid pays respects to the elderly madam, Third Madam, and young master Changsui.”
Chun Tang, the head palace maid serving Shu Fei, greeted them with a smiling face, her eyes showing admiration when they fell upon Yun Wan.
After several years apart, this Third Madam had grown even more beautiful.
Not to mention her exquisitely refined features that resembled an immortal’s, just her snow-white, delicate skin without the slightest flaw was already rare.
Coupled with her elegant demeanor and graceful figure, she would undoubtedly stand out as uniquely beautiful even among the cloud-like beauties of the inner palace. One couldn’t tell at all that she was a widow who had already given birth.
As for this young master, perhaps taking after his mother, he was as exquisitely lovely as a jade snow doll, pleasing to the eye at first glance.
Yun Wan stood beside the elderly madam holding A Sui’s hand, offering Chun Tang a slight smile in response.
Seeing someone from Shu Fei’s side, the elderly madam beamed with joy: “How are you, Miss Chun Tang? Have Her Highness and His Highness been well recently?”
Chun Tang stepped forward to support the elderly madam, smiling as she said, “Set your heart at ease, elderly madam. Her Highness and the Third Prince are both well. These past few days, upon learning of your visit to the palace, Her Highness was so delighted she ate two extra bowls of rice.”
The elderly madam patted her hand, relieved: “That’s good to hear.”
Shu Fei was the elderly madam’s only biological daughter, the eldest daughter of the Lu Family. Since entering the palace at fifteen, thirteen years had passed.
Since her youngest son’s passing, she had constantly worried about her daughter in the palace, fearing she might be having difficulties.
The imperial palace was heavily guarded, with sentries every ten steps. Entering Xihua Gate and walking along the long corridor, an overwhelming sense of majesty pressed upon them, causing the entire party to unconsciously tense up.
Yun Wan quietly followed behind the elderly madam without interrupting, her expression serene.
It had been five years since her last visit to the palace.
Though she appeared calm, Yun Wan’s heart raced violently, a faint layer of cold sweat moistening her palms.
Suddenly, she felt a tickling sensation in her palm.
Yun Wan tilted her head and saw A Sui slip a handkerchief into her palm. The tightly wound string in her heart suddenly loosened.
She gave him a reassuring smile.
By mid-morning, the group finally arrived at Changchun Palace.