Xie Yining approached, the dim palace lanterns illuminating his face. The guard on the right gasped sharply: “Pr… Prince Yong’an?”
The entire palace knew that Prince Yong’an was the beloved treasure of the Emperor and Empress.
Other princes only received their titles upon reaching adulthood, but this one before them had been granted a princely title at just one year old.
The reason was that since infancy, he had suffered from a severe illness. After divination, the state astrologer declared that his fate was flawed, and he was unlikely to live beyond his twentieth year.
All other princes’ titles followed the ancestral system of Da Yu, using single characters as the standard of honor. Only he was an exception, with the words “Yong’an” recorded in the Jade Register and Golden Book.
This clearly demonstrated the Emperor and Empress’ deep affection for him.
Consequently, he also enjoyed privileges that other princes and royal sons did not possess.
All other princes needed to present the Chi-patterned Jade Token and undergo verification by the Three Judicial Offices to enter the palace. Only Prince Yong’an was unrestricted by time of day or night, requiring no token or imperial decree, and could enter directly with just Imperial Visage Verification.
The guard hastily withdrew the cold iron spear tip, tugged at his colleague, and knelt heavily on the stone steps, his knees hitting hard. He hurriedly said, “This new recruit from the Imperial Guard is ignorant and failed to recognize Your Highness. I beg Your Highness to forgive the offense.”
“No matter. This prince has business to see Muhou.” Xie Yining adjusted his fox fur cloak.
The guard quickly opened the palace gate for him.
Xie Yining strode swiftly into the palace, heading straight for Weiyang Palace.
“Why has Little Stone come?” Empress Cui Ninghua asked, her eyes softening with a gentle smile at the sight of her youngest son.
Hearing this nickname, Xie Yining’s nose suddenly stung with emotion.
Since childhood, he had been frail, and the state astrologer had predicted he would not live past twenty. For his longevity and safety, his mother was willing to try any method.
Thus, upon hearing that common folk would give their children “humble names” to help them thrive, she gave him the childhood nickname “Stone.”
She hoped he would be as resilient as a stubborn rock, living a long life and enduring for a thousand years.
He used to think this name was unrefined and unfit for formal occasions. His elder brothers all had elegant courtesy names, while he was simply called Stone.
But now, having awakened from the dream and lived a second life, he realized this was his mother’s greatest wish and hope for him.
“Muhou, there is something I would like to ask for your help with.” Xie Yining sat down beside her.
“Oh? What is it? Is it difficult to handle?” Empress Cui was somewhat surprised.
This child had been doted on by her and the Emperor since he was young, getting whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. He had always spoken directly about his desires; this was the first time she had heard him use the word “ask” in such a manner.
Empress Cui began to wonder inwardly.
Could it be some decision that goes against ancestral traditions?
“Today, something has already spread throughout the capital…” Xie Yining recounted the matter concerning Yan Zhuxing.
As she listened, Empress Cui couldn’t help but frown.
“I never would have imagined that the Marquess of Dingyuan’s Wife was such a person. And that Dingyuan Marquis is truly despicable. If you have adopted someone, why would you mistreat them? Even if they are not your own flesh and blood, after raising them for over a decade, even a dog would develop affection. How can one be so heartless and ungrateful?”
“Exactly. So, Muhou, you must properly reward Miss Yan. She is so pitiful.” Xie Yining nodded in agreement.
Empress Cui glanced at him: “That’s odd. Why are you so concerned about that eldest daughter of the Yan family?”
She looked intently at her son, her eyes sparkling with excitement: “Could it be that you’ve taken a liking to her? Want her to be your princess consort?”
Xie Yining blurted out: “You’re overthinking it.”
He recalled Yan Zhuxing’s appearance and shook his head.
Her figure was like a bamboo strip—thin and small, resembling a bean sprout, as if a gust of wind could snap her in two.
Because he himself did not have long to live, he disliked people who looked as though they could perish at any moment.
But the thought that Yan Zhuxing’s fragility was entirely caused by the people of the Dingyuan Marquisate filled him with rage.
He decided to add one more item to his plan of repaying kindness—
Make sure Yan Zhuxing eats well and drinks well, nurture her until she becomes plump and radiant, and then find her a good family to marry into!
Let her live a life free from want, with ample food and clothing, and enjoy a long and healthy life—this would be worthy of her life-saving grace, which felt as though she had taken ten thousand arrows for him.
After denying it, fearing that Muhou might play matchmaker recklessly, he emphasized with a firmer tone: “Muhou, all you need to do is send her some rewards so that she can truly live like a young lady of the Marquis’s Mansion. I have no intention of marrying or having children, so please don’t meddle.”
Empress Cui, hearing that he had no plans to marry, poked his forehead and said, “You silly child, what kind of talk is that? Who doesn’t marry and have children? Muhou is still waiting to hold a grandchild.”
“Alright, alright. If I can live past twenty, I’ll listen to you and marry a princess consort, then give you a plump and healthy grandson,” Xie Yining said nonchalantly, spreading his hands.
Hearing this, Empress Cui’s eyes instantly reddened.
“Your father and I have done so much to ensure you survive. You mustn’t speak such discouraging words.”
“Alright, I won’t say it anymore,” Xie Yining quickly changed the subject.
Only after coaxing the Empress into a cheerful mood did he leave the palace and return to his own princely residence.
The Dingyuan Marquisate had caught fire the previous night, and the Dingyuan Marquis took advantage of the situation to claim illness and request leave, avoiding the morning court session to escape the Emperor’s reprimand.
Looking at his wife beside him, he said gravely, “Today, have someone tailor more clothes for that girl, and don’t neglect her meals. This way, Pei Mingjing won’t come knocking on our door again in a couple of days.”
A physician had been summoned the previous night, and Wen Rushuang now knew she hadn’t been poisoned.
At this point, she wished she could skin Yan Zhuxing alive and swallow her whole.
But she couldn’t defy the Marquis, so she spoke resentfully, “After all, this is just a family matter. What business does Pei Mingjing have interfering?”
“Before it reaches the Metropolitan Prefecture, it’s a family matter. Once it does, his interference becomes justified,” the Dingyuan Marquis said, his anger flaring at the mention of it.
“How have you been managing the household all this time? To let someone take the matter to the authorities—it’s utterly disgraceful to the Marquis’s Mansion.”
Wen Rushuang felt deeply wronged.
“I fainted at the time. If I had been conscious, there’s no way I would have let that wretched girl take a single step out of the Marquisate.”
“Fainting over such a trivial matter—do you still have any dignity as the lady of the Marquis’s Mansion?” The Dingyuan Marquis could neither beat nor scold Yan Zhuxing now, so he vented all his anger on others.
“If you’re truly so frail, perhaps it’s better to hand over the household management to Concubine Liu and Concubine Lin, lest you exhaust yourself.”
With a cold snort, he stood up and left Wen Rushuang where she was.
Wen Rushuang’s face flushed red with anger.
She had managed the household for years, and after just one mishap, the Marquis actually wanted to strip her of her authority. It was utterly outrageous!
“Bastard!” Wen Rushuang fumed, throwing a pillow to the ground.
The maids nearby didn’t dare to breathe loudly.
After a long while, Yan Mingyue arrived.
She said pitifully, “Mother, the fire last night burned so many of my clothes.”
“If it’s ruined, it’s ruined. Mother will have someone make you a new one right away.” Wen Rushuang’s expression softened slightly upon seeing her daughter.
Her daughter had been lost and then found again, having suffered so much hardship. She always felt she owed her a great deal.
“Thank you, Mother!” Yan Mingyue finally showed a hint of a smile.
“What about Sister? Should we also send someone to have clothes tailored for her?”
“Tailor what? Let her wait. I don’t believe that Pei Mingjing will come today.” Wen Rushuang’s face turned ashen at the mention of Yan Zhuxing’s name.
Hearing this, Yan Mingyue secretly rejoiced.
She added fuel to the fire, saying, “Sister is really something. You, her mother, fainted from anger, and she didn’t even come to see you. She was too busy complaining to Lord Pei, saying we treat her poorly. She doesn’t consider how unfilial she’s being, and how much it must pain you.”
Wen Rushuang’s anger was once again stirred by her words.
“That’s right. She’s unfilial, so why should I care for her? If she doesn’t come to me to apologize, then we’ll wait a couple more days to make her clothes. I want her to know that I’m still the one in charge of the Marquis’s Mansion’s inner quarters. Pei Mingjing can look after her for a while, but can he possibly look after her for a lifetime?”
The two of them leisurely dressed and groomed themselves, drinking tea in the room while waiting for the seamstresses from Jiuzhang Tang to arrive for measurements and tailoring.
Unexpectedly, before the seamstresses arrived, an imperial decree from the palace was delivered.