Changchun Palace.
When Shu Fei saw Yun Wan, she was similarly taken aback.
When her younger brother was alive, his wife had already possessed remarkable beauty that outshone others. Unexpectedly, even after her brother’s passing for so many years, she remained breathtakingly beautiful—radiant as peach blossoms, pure as moonlight, without a trace of weariness.
Though dressed simply, her ethereal grace was undeniable. Perhaps due to motherhood, her figure was no longer as slender and delicate as years before; instead, it had become exquisitely graceful, willow-like, with an added soft glow and tenderness about Yun Wan.
Shu Fei curved her lips and beckoned: “Mother, sister-in-law, you’ve come.”
The two bowed in greeting, and Shu Fei stepped forward to support Old Madam, her face full of delight: “Mother, please rise quickly. Among family, we need not stand on such formalities.”
Shu Fei was Old Madam’s biological daughter, sharing some resemblance in features—both bright and striking. Adorned lavishly with hairpins and jewels, her years as an imperial consort had imbued her every movement with dignified elegance.
After exchanging pleasantries with Old Madam for a moment, Shu Fei gave Yun Wan a faint smile before turning her gaze to A Sui beside her, her expression brightening: “This must be Chang Sui! What a clever-looking child. Come, let this consort have a closer look!”
It was A Sui’s first time entering the palace, yet facing the unfamiliar Shu Fei, he showed no timidity. Stepping forward, he bowed: “Chang Sui pays respects to Consort Shu. May the Consort enjoy boundless happiness and peace.”
His small frame stood straight, like a tender bamboo shoot emerging after rain, imitating adult manners—a sight that struck Shu Fei as both remarkable and utterly endearing.
“Calling me ‘Consort’ is too distant. Quickly, call me Aunt,” she unconsciously softened her voice.
A Sui piped up in his childish voice: “Aunt.”
Shu Fei responded with a pleased “Yes,” her heart swelling with joy as she took his small hand and asked: “Can you read and write yet?”
A Sui nodded: “I’ve already learned five hundred characters and can recite ‘Standards for Being a Good Pupil and Child.'”
“Recite it for Aunt.”
A Sui cleared his throat and began reciting, swaying his head rhythmically: “Standards for Being a Good Pupil and Child, teachings of the sages…”
He recited continuously for a quarter-hour without pause or stumbling, clearly having memorized it thoroughly.
Shu Fei was greatly pleased with his fluent recitation, the smile in her eyes deepening. She then asked several more questions, all of which A Sui answered one by one.
Shu Fei sighed with admiration: “How I envy you, sister-in-law. This child is truly precious.”
Yun Wan curved her lips in a faint smile, though her eyes couldn’t conceal her pride.
Old Madam laughed heartily: “This child Sui Ge’er has been clever since infancy, just like your third brother.”
The loss of her younger brother remained a regret for Shu Fei. She sighed: “Mother, you should have brought Chang Sui sooner. If Hui’er had even half this child’s intelligence, I would be content.”
Old Madam adopted a serious expression: “Your Highness jests. The Third Prince is naturally brilliant—how could Sui Ge’er compare? I heard His Majesty praised the Third Prince just the other day.”
Shu Fei smiled wryly: “Some time ago, Hui’er wrote an essay that happened to catch His Majesty’s eye. He said it was quite good, possessing the style of a great Confucian scholar.”
But in truth, only those privy to palace affairs knew that during that period, the Emperor had been in high spirits, praising all the few princes and princesses—the Third Prince wasn’t particularly special.
Thinking of her mediocre Third Prince and seeing the bright, sensible A Sui before her, Shu Fei felt a pang of melancholy.
If only she had a child of her own—surely they would be like A Sui?
A mother knows her child best. Old Madam sensed her regret and reached out to pat Shu Fei’s hand in comfort.
Yun Wan’s gaze shifted between the two, taking in Shu Fei’s expression.
It was no secret that the Third Prince was not Shu Fei’s biological son, but rather the child of Miss Xue, who had entered the palace alongside Shu Fei and was granted the rank of Cairen (Talented Lady) due to her humble family background.
After Miss Xue’s passing, Shu Fei pleaded with the Emperor to have the Third Prince registered under her name, raising him as her own.
Meeting her gaze, Shu Fei composed her expression and said, “Elder Brother’s foresight is indeed remarkable. For Changsui to enter Hongwen Academy would be nothing but beneficial for him. However, I wonder what my sister-in-law thinks of this?”
Her eyes held a hint of scrutiny.
Shu Fei had been in the palace for many years before her younger brother married, so she was not very familiar with this sister-in-law.
She had initially assumed that, given Yun Wan’s beauty, she would remarry after her brother’s death. Unexpectedly, that was not the case.
Catching a glimpse of the White Jade Pear Blossom Hairpin in Yun Wan’s hair from the corner of her eye, Shu Fei understood—it seemed the rumors were true. Yun Wan still could not forget Feng Lan in her heart.
Shu Fei’s expression softened slightly.
Yun Wan’s attention, however, was fixed on A Sui. Seeing Shu Fei’s sharp, long fingernails nearly graze his skin, her heart tightened slightly.
Hearing the question, she turned her gaze and replied as if confiding her deepest feelings, “Although this humble mother is deeply attached to her child, for A Sui to become the Study Companion to the Third Prince and enter Hongwen Academy is truly a fortunate opportunity. I support the decision made by Your Highness and the Duke.”
Subtly pulling A Sui in front of her, Yun Wan whispered, “A Sui, hurry and thank Her Highness.”
A Sui straightened his round, bun-like face and saluted earnestly with clasped hands, “Changsui thanks Aunt Shu Fei.”
“Look at this child…”
His address amused everyone, lightening the atmosphere.
After having lunch at Changchun Palace, the original plan had been to introduce A Sui to Shu Fei and let her assess his temperament.
However, after meeting him, Shu Fei took a great liking to A Sui and decided to keep him for the day. She suggested that he meet the Third Prince in the afternoon after the latter finished his studies, so the two cousins would not be strangers when they met at Hongwen Academy.
The Old Madam had no objections, hoping her beloved grandson would win the favor of both Shu Fei and the Third Prince.
Yun Wan was initially worried, but upon reflection, she reasoned that A Sui was Shu Fei’s own nephew, and it was only natural for her to take good care of him. Reassured, she explained the situation to A Sui.
A Sui did not want to stay in the palace, but he understood that Aunt Shu Fei was in charge here. Unwilling to cause trouble for his mother, he agreed readily.
There were time restrictions for the families of imperial consorts visiting the palace. After lunch, they stayed for half an hour before the Old Madam and Yun Wan left Changchun Palace.
Accustomed to a life of comfort, the Old Madam walked slowly, carefully supported by the palace maid Chun Tang.
Yun Wan walked on the Old Madam’s right. She was not a talkative person and was not close to the Old Madam, so she remained as quiet as when they had arrived.
On the other side, Chun Tang pondered for a moment before speaking, “Old Madam—”
Suddenly catching sight of a distant carriage procession, her face paled.
“It’s the Imperial Carriage.”
When the Son of Heaven traveled, all bystanders were to make way.
Yun Wan and the Old Madam also saw the luxurious palanquin carried by palace attendants several yards away.
Adorned with carved dragon patterns and dragon heads, accompanied by a large entourage and imposing ceremonial guards—it was unmistakably the Imperial Procession.
There was no time to avoid it. Chun Tang led the two women to kneel, just like the other palace attendants nearby.
The Imperial Carriage approached, and as it passed, everyone knelt in silence, holding their breath.
Then the procession halted, and the Imperial Carriage stopped right in front of Yun Wan and the Old Madam. A stern voice was heard from above:
“Old Madam Lu?””
Startled to hear her name, the Old Madam bowed again in trepidation, “This humble subject, Lu Xiao Shi, pays respects to Your Majesty.”
Jing Xuan Emperor: “Rise, Old Madam.”
The Old Madam rose unsteadily, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The Jing Xuan Emperor, clad in court robes and wearing the imperial crown, sat high upon the Dragon Carriage. His sharp eyes swept over the crowd with a slight downward glance, his commanding demeanor radiating such majesty that the aura of the Son of Heaven nearly suffocated those present.
He spoke indifferently, “Did Old Madam come from Changchun Palace?”
Uncertain of the Emperor’s intent, Old Madam replied cautiously, “Your Majesty is correct. This humble old woman entered the palace to visit Shu Fei. Her Grace insisted we stay for a meal, but we dared not overstay our welcome and took our leave afterward.”
The Jing Xuan Emperor nodded, his expression detached.
Withdrawing his gaze, he raised his hand, the golden dragon patterns on his wide sleeves shimmering as they moved.
The chief eunuch Jiang Fusheng, receiving the command, swung his horsetail whisk and shrilly announced, “Set forth!”
As the imperial carriage began moving, a spring breeze brushed past, carrying faint traces of delicate fragrance.
The Jing Xuan Emperor’s narrow eyes suddenly narrowed further, and he called out sharply, “Halt!”