The exchange of pleasantries between ruler and subject ended quickly, and the Emperor got straight to the point.
“Great-Uncle, the Empress and I have only two children, Yanhuai and Yijian. As an elder, you must surely understand the difficulties of being a parent.”
The old prince, who had four sons and two daughters, remained silent. Because he had so many children, he had never spoiled them.
Of course, the Emperor did not particularly care whether he responded or not. He was the Son of Heaven, the supreme ruler of the realm, an emperor who had spent years consolidating complete control over the court. His courtesy was a matter of dignity, even a display of power, not softness.
“My beloved son Yanhuai was exceptionally gifted. He could speak by ten months of age and recite poetry at two.”
Speaking of those memories, pain crept into the Emperor’s voice. “If not for the Deposed Prince, he would never have suffered in the common world for so many years.”
A child of imperial blood, yet treated by a drunken madman like an abandoned stray, tormented, mocked, and bullied by children his own age.
Every time the Emperor thought of it, overwhelming guilt, anger, and heartache robbed him of both sleep and appetite.
“Your Majesty,” the old prince said with a bow, “the Deposed Prince acted against all reason and morality. Even Heaven could not bear to see father and son separated forever, and so it returned His Highness to your side. With Your Majesty’s protection and Heaven’s favor, the First Prince will surely fare better and better.”
“Thank you for the auspicious words, Great-Uncle.” A smile appeared on the Emperor’s face, and the Empress’s expression also softened.
“When children grow up, parents become both proud and worried,” the Emperor sighed. “Worried that they’ll suffer grievances outside. Surely Great-Uncle has experienced that concern as well?”
The old prince had never experienced such worries. He was a strict father. His children and grandchildren were more obedient than quails whenever they saw him.
“Yes,” the old prince replied, closing his eyes briefly. “My descendants are nowhere near as refined as the First Prince or as heroic as the Second Prince. They are hardly worth mentioning.”
As long as his eyes were closed, it didn’t count as telling lies with a straight face.
“Great-Uncle is too harsh on his descendants.” After offering a few polite remarks, the Emperor returned to praising his own children.
The old prince nodded along. You are the Emperor. Everything you say is correct.
“I recall that your eldest grandson is about the same age as Yanhuai?”
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern. Jinhong is three days older than the First Prince. He has excelled neither in literature nor martial arts and is still studying at the Hongwen Academy.”
Because their ages were so close, after the fire at the prince’s residence all those years ago, the old prince had deliberately kept Jinhong away from the Emperor. He had feared the Emperor might look at Jinhong, think of his own lost child, and become resentful.
People who had lost someone dear were not known for acting rationally.
“Since he has already passed twenty, let him enter the palace as a First-Rank Imperial Guard for some practical experience.”
The Emperor bestowed a favor upon the old prince. “Thank you, Your Majesty!”
The smile on the old prince’s face became genuinely heartfelt. A First-Rank Imperial Guard serving before the throne was an extremely prestigious appointment. It signified the Emperor’s trust and promised a bright future. He knew it. The Emperor had always been intelligent, capable, and appreciative of those who had helped him.
The old prince also knew exactly what the Emperor wanted to hear. So he lavishly praised both princes.
“The Deposed Prince may have been fierce in appearance, but he was weak at heart. He knew only how to commit evil, not how to conduct himself as a man. In front of His Highness the First Prince, he was nothing more than a gutter rat that didn’t even dare speak loudly.”
The old prince carefully observed the Emperor’s and Empress’s expressions. Only after seeing no sign of displeasure did he continue.
When he mentioned that Prince Ruining had brought a young lady to the Imperial Clan Court, both the Emperor and Empress reacted visibly.
The Emperor knew his eldest son had brought someone there. He had not known that the person was a young woman.
“The young lady was as beautiful as the moon and possessed an excellent disposition. Whenever His Highness was with her, he seemed noticeably happier.” The old prince noticed that Prince Ruining treated the girl differently and therefore showered her with praise before the imperial couple. “Her smile was innocent and charming. Seeing her, this old servant could not help but find her delightful.”
Whether the Emperor and Empress approved of the girl was secondary.
The important thing was not offending Prince Ruining. If Prince Ruining became unhappy, the Emperor was liable to become irrational. And the person who suffered in the end would still be him.
“Do you know which family’s daughter she is?” the Empress asked, unable to hide her excitement.
“This old servant is incompetent. I dared not pry into His Highness’s affairs or offend his friend, so I do not know her identity.”
The old prince was not foolish. If Prince Ruining had not told the Emperor and Empress himself, the old prince certainly would not reveal it.
The Emperor, however, was very satisfied with that answer. Yanhuai was his beloved son. Naturally, no one should intrude upon or offend him.
A respected elder in the household truly is a treasure. Just look at the old prince’s sense of propriety.
“Why did you go out today when the rain was so heavy?”
After dinner, Wen Yuxiu came to Yun Qiya’s room, pretending not to notice her daughter’s attempt to hide a storybook.
“Mother.” Yun Qiya immediately scampered behind her, kneading her shoulders as she tried to ingratiate herself.
“I had an agreement with a friend not to meet yesterday, but we never said anything about today. Since the rain was so heavy, I worried he might still be waiting for me, so I went to take a look.”
“And did you see him?” Wen Yuxiu’s shoulders quickly began to ache from the enthusiastic massage, so she hurriedly made Yun Qiya sit down. That sort of filial devotion was more than she could handle.
“I did.” Yun Qiya sighed. “This friend of mine doesn’t like talking, isn’t interested in games, and has an incredibly dull personality.”
“I remember you usually can’t get along with people like that.” Wen Yuxiu looked toward her daughter.
At that moment, Yun Qiya reached for a box of pastries. The delicately carved food box clearly didn’t originate in the marquis’s household.
“But he’s different.”
Seeing her mother’s gaze lingering on the pastry box, Yun Qiya pushed it toward her. “His personality may be quiet, but he’s very loyal. And he hates the Deposed Prince just like I do.”
The pastries inside had been shaped into all manner of flowers, with not a single design repeated. A chef capable of such craftsmanship was not someone an ordinary household could afford.
“He doesn’t really have any friends either. If I don’t spend time with him, then nobody will.”
Like someone presenting a treasure, Yun Qiya nudged the box closer to Wen Yuxiu. “These pastries were made by his family’s chef. Mother, try one.”
Wen Yuxiu selected a magnolia-shaped pastry. The moment she tasted it, she understood why her daughter liked it so much. “It really is quite good.”
“Right?” Yun Qiya quickly finished another beautiful pastry. “My little partner is handsome, too. And he always keeps his promises.”
“Does he keep his promises,” Wen Yuxiu asked, “or does he usually indulge you whenever you’re together?”
She knew her daughter well.
Yun Qiya looked sweet and carefree, but she was actually extremely opinionated. What she disliked most were arrogant men.
The Prefect of Linzhou’s son was both handsome and talented. He and Yun Qiya had once been on good terms. Later, however, he kept dragging her to poetry societies and literary gatherings. After that, her daughter gradually distanced herself from him.
The reason? She disliked other people interfering with her way of life. No matter how handsome or talented a man was, it made no difference. With such a domineering personality, she still regularly talked with her brother about finding someone wealthy to support them. Clearly, she wanted to eat soft rice while staying in charge.
“Mother, why are you shaking your head?” Yun Qiya grabbed another pastry.
“Nothing.” Wen Yuxiu was not fond of sweet pastries. After tasting one, she set the box aside. “How is the soft-rice plan progressing between you and your brother?”
“Not very smoothly.” Yun Qiya shook her head. “We’ve changed our minds.”
“Mhm.” Wen Yuxiu fought back a smile. “And what is the new plan?”
“Living off our elders is much easier.” Yun Qiya answered matter-of-factly.
“Tomorrow Father is delivering food to Eldest Uncle. I’m going to bring treats to my three elder brothers at the Imperial Academy.”
Marquis Chengping’s household was the greatest support she and her brother had. With both father and daughter working hard to maintain relations, their support would surely remain secure.
Throughout Great An, aside from the Hongwen Academy, the teachers at the Imperial Academy were regarded as the most learned scholars in the realm. Whether noble-born or common-born, all students studying there were required to obey the academy’s rules strictly. Many students attended the academy. Only in the afternoons were they free to leave and buy food from Ning’an Lane. At all other times, they ate in the academy kitchens. To the sons of noble families, however, the food there was merely average. As a result, doting elders often arranged for servants to deliver meals from home.
The Yun brothers had been raised under strict discipline since childhood. After entering the Imperial Academy, they ate and lived exactly like their fellow students and maintained a highly self-disciplined lifestyle. Whether among nobles or poor scholars, both brothers were well liked throughout the academy.
“Brother Mianzhou, Brother Jifan!” A student found the pair standing in line at the academy kitchens.
“Why are you still waiting here? Your younger sister brought food boxes for both of you. Hurry to the main gate and pick them up.”
Younger sister? The brothers looked at one another in confusion. They only had two older female cousins and one younger female cousin.
Could it be… Qiya?
The two brothers hurried out of the academy kitchens.
The other students were immediately curious and asked the messenger:
“So Brother Yun has a younger sister? Does she look like him?”
“I suppose there’s a slight resemblance around the eyes and brows,” the messenger replied, his cheeks reddening as his voice grew softer.
In truth, he hadn’t paid any attention to whether they looked alike. He had only thought that Miss Yun was extraordinarily beautiful. He had never seen such a pretty young lady before.
By the time the brothers reached the main gate, Yun Luoqing had already picked up his food box and was enthusiastically waving at them from afar.
“Little Sister!” Yun Mianzhou saw Yun Qiya struggling with two large food boxes while Yun Luoqing wasn’t helping at all. He immediately quickened his pace. “Why did you come here?”
“A few days ago, while playing in Ning’an Lane, I overheard some Imperial Academy students complaining that the academy food wasn’t very good, so I brought some tasty dishes for all of you.” Smiling brightly, Yun Qiya handed over the food boxes. “You’ve all been working hard on your studies.”
The brothers quickly accepted them. “It takes more than half an hour by carriage from the marquis’s residence to the academy,” they said. “We’ve already grown accustomed to the academy food. Don’t trouble yourself bringing meals again.”
Their father certainly wouldn’t approve.
“Being accustomed to it doesn’t mean you like it.” Yun Qiya patted her chest. “Don’t worry. I decided on this myself. Even if Eldest Uncle finds out, he can’t very well scold me.”
“Exactly, exactly!” Yun Luoqing nodded vigorously beside her.
“Eldest Uncle is strict with us, but he’s much gentler with Yaya. He’d never bear to scold her. Just eat.”
The brothers: “…”
Unable to reject their little sister’s thoughtfulness, the two solemnly reminded her to travel home safely. Only then did they allow themselves to be dragged away by the increasingly impatient Yun Luoqing. Their two cousins were practically replicas of their father. So proper it was frightening.
After returning to their quarters, the brothers opened the food boxes. To their surprise, the dishes inside were not identical. Each box contained that brother’s personal favorites.
The two exchanged glances. Then one of them laughed first. So this was the happiness of having a younger sister. No wonder some of their classmates were always bringing up their own sisters during idle conversation.
“Madam!” Nanny Yao hurried into the Eldest Madam’s courtyard.
“The kitchen steward just reported that Miss had the kitchen prepare many dishes favored by the two young masters and packed them into food boxes. Could she have gone to the Imperial Academy to deliver meals?”
The Eldest Madam suddenly understood.
“So that’s why Yaya asked Mianzhou and Jifan about their favorite foods the last time they came home from the academy.”
What mother didn’t feel sorry for her children? It was simply that her husband was strict with them, and she had never felt comfortable openly opposing him.
“Miss is thoughtful and close to you,” Nanny Yao said. “She probably cares for the two young masters as if they were her own brothers because she loves everyone connected to you.”
By now, Nanny Yao had long forgotten her former ambitions of household scheming. She never stopped praising Yun Qiya.
What second-branch young lady? She was clearly her mistress’s beloved niece.
“Blood is thicker than water. They’re cousins, but that’s not much different from being real siblings.” The Eldest Madam sighed, once again regretting that Yaya had not been born from her own womb.
“I’ve heard that Fuzhu Pavilion has received a new shipment of gemstones,” she said. “Prepare the carriage. I want to see if there are any suitable pieces of jewelry for Yaya.”
An aunt was practically another mother. And by that logic, Yaya was practically her daughter.
After delivering food to her cousins and strengthening her relationship with them, Yun Qiya was in an excellent mood. She decided to reward herself with a piece of jewelry from Fuzhu Pavilion.
He Lu was already accustomed to her young mistress finding excuses to reward herself every few days. At the mention of Fuzhu Pavilion, she simply instructed the coachman to change course without asking any questions.
“Oh, it’s you?” A young woman in a purple dress descended from the upper floor of the jewelry shop. Upon seeing Yun Qiya and her servants, she glanced upstairs before speaking.
“Why aren’t you with Miss Lu today, Miss Yun? About our previous misunderstanding, I hope you’ll forgive me.”
“You flatter me, County Princess.” Yun Qiya smiled. “I forgot about it long ago.”
The County Princess’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. Forgot about it?
You ran home and complained to your elders afterward. My father was impeached in court by Vice Minister Yun. Her father spent three days thinking about it and still couldn’t understand why the Vice Minister had suddenly targeted him. She had been too terrified to say a word. If her father discovered that she had caused the whole incident, she’d be finished.
“Miss Yun’s attire today is rather plain and elegant.” The County Princess produced a gold hairpin.
“I heard that after your family returned to the capital, most of your estates and businesses have been managed by Madam Song, the Heir’s wife.”
Upstairs, the Eldest Madam had been about to call Yun Qiya over to choose some jewelry. Hearing those words, she froze.
Nanny Yao looked downstairs worriedly. She feared someone was trying to drive a wedge between Miss Yaya and the Eldest Madam. She wanted to speak, yet knew that interrupting now would only make matters more awkward.
Downstairs, the County Princess placed the gold hairpin into Yun Qiya’s hand. “This is my apology. I hope Miss Yun won’t dislike it.”
“Not at all, not at all.” Yun Qiya immediately took the hairpin and grinned brightly.
“So even Your Ladyship knows how capable my aunt is at managing a household?”
The County Princess stared in astonishment. That was not what she had meant. Her intention had been to remind Yun Qiya that the eldest branch now controlled the Yun family, while the second branch merely lived under their protection.
“Your Ladyship is not only generous and kindhearted, but also an excellent judge of character.” Yun Qiya grabbed the County Princess’s sleeve. “My aunt isn’t just good at managing the household. She’s beautiful too. She’s skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting…”
The County Princess tugged at her sleeve. It wouldn’t budge. This girl must eat very well every day. Otherwise, there’s no way she’d have this much brute strength.
“Look at this bracelet on my wrist. Isn’t it beautiful?”
County Princess Ling nodded blankly. It really was an exceptionally fine piece. But what did that have to do with anything?
“My aunt gave it to me.” Yun Qiya’s smile grew even more triumphant as she continued extolling her aunt’s virtues while tugging on the county princess.
By the end of it, County Princess Ling’s eyes had lost all sparkle. She could only nod mechanically.
Upstairs, the Eldest Madam’s heart had melted into a puddle. She had become so touched that she nearly forgot she had two sons.
Daughters really were better. Daughters were thoughtful.
County Princess Ling was bewildered. From a normal person’s perspective, the second branch couldn’t inherit the title and wouldn’t receive most of the family’s wealth. Shouldn’t they harbor some resentment toward the eldest branch? Madam Song was neither Yun Qiya’s father nor her mother. And Yun Qiya had no idea Madam Song was upstairs listening. Why praise her so sincerely?
Terrified that Yun Qiya might continue indefinitely, County Princess Ling reluctantly produced another gift, a gold ring. Only after handing it over could she finally pull her sleeve free and flee Fuzhu Pavilion. She swore to herself that she would stay far away from Yun Qiya in the future. There was something wrong with that girl’s head.
“Why is she running? I wasn’t finished praising my aunt yet.” Yun Qiya tossed the gold ring into the air and caught it, then sighed regretfully to He Lu.
“I suppose we’ll have to continue the conversation another time.”
Trying to drive a wedge between her and her family’s greatest pillar of support? Not a chance. Not even a mouse hole’s worth of a chance.
Her aunt wasn’t just an ordinary aunt. She was a golden, radiant, generous, thoughtful, golden-thigh-level aunt!
Outside Fuzhu Pavilion, the Empress, who had just come from Prince Ruining’s residence, adjusted the veil on her hat. So this was the Yun family’s granddaughter whom Yijian had mentioned. She truly was lovely. No, wait.
“Beautiful as the bright moon” had been the old prince’s description of some other young lady. Miss Yun’s beauty was different. She was lovely in a sweet, well-behaved way. The sort of granddaughter every grandmother dreamed of having.
The Empress stepped inside and drew a little closer. Only then did she realize that the girl’s eyes were her most captivating feature.
Bright. Lively. Filled with life. Even the hardest-hearted person would likely soften at the sight of those eyes.
“Yaya!” Unable to contain herself any longer, the Eldest Madam called from upstairs. “Come over here to me.”
“Aunt, what are you doing here?” Gathering up her skirts, Yun Qiya ran upstairs with light, cheerful steps, like an affectionate puppy rushing toward its favorite person.
So that county princess had mentioned her aunt because she was trying to stir up trouble. Hmph. As if that would work. She and her aunt had an excellent relationship.
Watching the young girl’s bouncing, carefree figure disappear upstairs, the Empress suddenly felt her heart skip a beat.
This is bad. If the Empress tried to steal a minister’s daughter, would the censors impeach her for it?
Author’s Note:
Empress: As far as aesthetics go… some traits are inherited after all. 😌