Imperial Study, within the hall.
A man clad in imperial dragon robes sat upright before the dragon-carved desk, holding a brush as he reviewed the memorial in his hand. He set down the document and looked up at the approaching figure, speaking lightly, “You’ve arrived.”
Mo Qingchen bowed in greeting, “Your Majesty.”
“Take a seat.” Mo Hongqi then inquired, “I heard you went to the Empress Dowager’s palace earlier with Yun’er, and you even carried her.”
“Yes.” Mo Qingchen offered no explanation and answered truthfully.
Mo Hongqi let out a deep sigh. “It’s truly rare to see you like this. It’s good. Yun’er is a fine child. That matter between her and Mo Heng did wound her heart.”
Hearing this, Mo Qingchen recalled the little girl’s various displays in front of him. “Your Majesty, I believe she may be far less fragile than others perceive. The Protectorate Duke’s Residence has not pursued the matter further. Since it’s already in the past, Your Majesty need not trouble yourself over it.”
Mo Hongqi studied his younger brother and couldn’t help but laugh. “Is that so? It seems you understand Yun’er quite well. Do you like her?”
Caught off guard by the question, Mo Qingchen hesitated, unsure how to respond.
“It appears there is some interest. In the past, you would have rejected such notions outright.” Mo Hongqi then seemed to notice something. “That jade pendant the Empress Dowager gave you—you’ve always worn it close. Why is it missing today?”
“I gave it to her.” Mo Qingchen did not conceal the truth and answered directly.
“Her? Yun’er?” Mo Hongqi laughed heartily. “Over these years, you’ve been assisting me in handling some delicate matters discreetly. Although the Empress Dowager doesn’t mention it to your face, she often brings it up with me. It seems there’s no need to worry now.”
“Your Majesty jests. She helped me with a matter, and coincidentally, she said she liked the jade, so I gave it to her.”
Of course, Mo Qingchen did not elaborate, as he had not mentioned his internal injuries to His Majesty.
“Helped you? And you gave her the jade pendant from the Empress Dowager? That was given to her by the late Emperor. Her intention was for you to give it to your future Princess Consort. Besides, with your capabilities, what could a delicate girl like Yun’er possibly help you with?”
“Your Majesty…”
“Yun’er is a likable girl. She and Mo Heng were not meant to be. If you have such intentions, then seize the opportunity properly. But if not, do not lead her on. Understood?”
Mo Qingchen did not respond directly. Did he like her?
Perhaps it was merely her unexpectedly captivating behavior that drew him in. After a moment’s pause, he changed the subject and asked, “Your Majesty summoned me to the palace today. May I ask the reason?”
“Originally, it was nothing urgent. With Duke Shen guarding the southern border, the Southern Chu have been relatively subdued these past two years, and the southern frontier has been peaceful. However, excessive tranquility is itself abnormal. I received a routine memorial from Duke Shen, and he also mentioned this. He is sending his legitimate son, Shen Ye, back to the capital to report on his duties. When the time comes, I may need you to personally go to Southern Chu. Only you can set my mind at ease.”
“Yes, I understand.”
With that settled, Mo Hongqi shifted the topic. “You rarely come to the palace. Coincidentally, the Empress is hosting a Hundred Flowers Banquet in the imperial garden today. Why not join me and take a look?”
“The Hundred Flowers Banquet—Her Majesty the Empress has invited noble ladies from the Imperial Capital. My presence might be somewhat inappropriate.”
“You accompany me there, how could it be inappropriate? Yun’er is also there. Are you sure you don’t want to go?” Mo Hongqi glanced at Mo Qingchen, rose from the dragon desk, and simply said, “Let’s go, to the Imperial Garden.”
…
At this moment, in the Imperial Garden.
Ye Yun had been chatting with the Empress Dowager in the Palace of Everlasting Joy for a while. Calculating the time, she headed over here, originally thinking it was still early. Who would have thought it would be so lively at this moment? Moreover, the Empress had already arrived at the seats set up over there.
She walked straight over, stepped forward, and performed a curtsy. “Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress.”
Su Yuning gave Ye Yun a “gentle” smile. “Yun’er is here. I was just wondering why I hadn’t seen you.”
Seeing the insincere smile on this person’s face, Ye Yun casually replied, “I entered the palace, so I went to pay respects to the Empress Dowager first. Although the engagement with the Crown Prince has been dissolved, and the Protectorate Duke’s Residence and the Eastern Palace did not form a marriage alliance, that was merely a private matter between me and the Crown Prince, unrelated to anything else. How could I not come without reason when Your Majesty invited me?”
“It puts my mind at ease that Yun’er can let go of those matters.”
“Matters of affection cannot be forced, Your Majesty. You may rest assured. The Crown Prince and I share the same sentiment—we are both pleased about the dissolution of the engagement.”
“Very well then!” Su Yuning said this, but Ye Yun’s words clearly indicated that the Protectorate Duke’s Residence and the Eastern Palace had no private connections. “In that case, Yun’er, go mingle with the other young ladies. For today’s Hundred Flowers Banquet, I have prepared some interesting amusements.”
“Yes.”
After Ye Yun turned and stepped away, the noble consort Liu Li, seated in the lower seat to Su Yuning’s left, set down her wine cup and said with a laugh, “Your Majesty, this Miss Ye is truly a remarkable person. It has been some time since I last saw her, and she has grown even more beautiful and captivating. Just one glance at her makes one find her utterly delightful. No wonder the Empress Dowager and the Emperor dote on her so. How could anyone not cherish such a delicate young girl?”
Su Yuning said coldly, “Consort, if you have something to say, speak plainly. There’s no need to beat around the bush.”
“Miss Ye is perfect in every way, except for her delicate health. What’s more important is the Protectorate Duke’s Residence. It’s just a pity…” Liu Li paused slightly before continuing, “But then again, it might not be a pity. What the Crown Prince does not desire may have already caught the eye of someone else.”
“What do you mean?”
“That jade pendant at Miss Ye’s waist is quite eye-catching. Did Your Majesty not see it?”
Su Yuning had, of course, seen it but hadn’t thought much of it. With Liu Li’s reminder, that jade pendant was…
Noticing the change in expression on the seat above her, Liu Li curled her lips into a cold smile, then picked up the wine in front of her and drank. Previously, she had thought that if the Crown Prince truly married Ye Yun and gained the full support of the Protectorate Duke’s Residence, her own son would have little chance no matter what he desired. But now, nothing was certain.
After paying her respects to the Empress, Ye Yun had no intention of mingling and simply took a seat over there. No sooner had she sat down than she saw a group of people approaching her, led once again by Su WanYing.
Su WanYing looked at Ye Yun and said coldly, “I thought you wouldn’t show up, especially since you just…”
“Whether I show up or not is none of your damn business.”
“You!” Su WanYing gritted her teeth. “Today’s Flower Banquet was specially arranged by Her Majesty the Empress, who invited all the noble young ladies of the capital and prepared generous rewards. Everyone is showcasing their talents—I wonder what you’ve prepared? Oh, I nearly forgot. Miss Ye, you’re so delicate and frail, merely maintaining your health is difficult enough. How could you possibly find time to learn anything else? Whatever energy you have must be spent on futile endeavors.”
The surrounding crowd joined Su WanYing in mocking Ye Yun.
Just as Ye Yun was about to speak, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind her: “Her affairs are none of your concern!”