Nuannuan remained as busy as ever each day, bustling around her mother and father.
Though she didn’t quite understand the reason, she sensed that her mother had been unhappy these past few days.
So she used every trick in her book—sometimes breaking her favorite snacks in half and stuffing them into her mother’s mouth, other times imitating her aunt to cheer her mother up.
“Mother, smile, smiles are pretty.”
With Nuannuan by her side, Wei Qinghan’s worries did indeed lessen considerably.
On this day, Wei Qinghan brought Nuannuan to Xiao Yunheng’s room and was also chatting with Xiao Yunshu, who was nearby.
Fufeng hurried in, her expression tinged with nervousness.
“Shizi Fei, Junzhu, an imperial decree has arrived from the palace.”
Everyone turned their heads in unison.
“The Empress’s Phoenix Decree summons Shizi Fei and the young lady to enter the palace for an audience immediately.”
Wei Qinghan’s hand trembled, and her handkerchief nearly fell to the ground.
The Empress?
Why would the Empress suddenly want to see an insignificant person like her?
Especially at a time like this, when rumors were swirling.
Xiao Yunshu, standing nearby, was also stunned. Seeing her sister-in-law’s panic, she quickly grabbed her hand. “Sister-in-law, don’t panic. I’ll accompany you.”
“Junzhu, the Empress only summoned Shizi Fei and the young lady,” Fufeng added softly. “Right now, the Empress’s Phoenix Carriage is already waiting outside the Wangfu gates.”
“Phoenix Carriage?”
This time, Xiao Yunshu was truly shocked.
Even high-ranking ministers’ wives might not receive such an honor. Was the Empress’s move a blessing or a curse?
Her mind raced with calculations, but she knew imperial orders were not to be disobeyed.
“Nuannuan go, Nuannuan go with Mother,” Nuannuan suddenly looked up at her aunt and mother. “Empress good person, Brother Chen there.”
Wei Qinghan could see Xiao Yunshu’s concern and knew there was no way out. “Yun Shu, don’t worry. Even among the common people, I’ve heard that the Empress is kind-hearted. I think…”
“Sister-in-law, just go with peace of mind. I’ll wait for you outside the palace gates.”
After careful instructions, changing clothes, and freshening up, it was already half an hour later when Wei Qinghan and her daughter left the Wangfu gates.
Wei Qinghan’s heart was in turmoil, but she steadied herself as best she could and boarded the magnificent Phoenix Carriage with Nuannuan.
Not long after they left, in the room, Xiao Yunheng, lying on the bed, twitched the fingers resting at his side almost imperceptibly.
Then, all fell silent again.
The Phoenix Carriage moved slowly along the capital’s main street, drawing the attention of many commoners who stopped to watch.
Wei Qinghan nervously clutched her handkerchief, gently holding Nuannuan’s small hand, and could faintly hear the discussions outside the carriage.
“I heard it’s the Empress’s Phoenix Carriage summoning the Prince of Wu’an’s heir’s consort to the palace!”
“Entering the palace at a time like this—perhaps the palace has also heard the rumors spreading outside?”
“I’m afraid the Empress is calling her in to reprimand her! After all, her background is unclear…”
“Dare to gossip about the Wu’an Wangfu? Keep your voice down, unless you want to lose your head.”
…
These words pierced Wei Qinghan’s heart one by one, making her even more uneasy.
Nuannuan gently hugged her mother’s waist, her large, dark eyes fixed on her.
“Mother not afraid, Nuannuan protect Mother.”
Wei Qinghan’s heart softened at her daughter’s childish words. Not wanting to worry her, she pulled Nuannuan into her embrace. “Alright, with Nuannuan here, Mother isn’t afraid. Nuannuan, do you remember everything Auntie told you earlier?”
Nuannuan nodded eagerly. “Remember, be good, be proper.”
The carriage arrived at the palace gates, where Wei Qinghan was just helping Nuannuan alight when she noticed a figure dressed in apricot-yellow casual attire already waiting there.
“Brother Chen!”
Nuannuan, sharp-eyed, spotted Mo Yanchen immediately and broke free from her mother’s hand, dashing over with quick, light steps.
She threw her arms around Mo Yanchen without hesitation.
“Brother Chen, Nuannuan missed you.”
Mo Yanchen remained as aloof as ever but did not push her away, his tone still flat: “Mm, Nuannuan, it’s been a while.”
Then, he lifted his gaze to Wei Qinghan and actually gave a slight nod on his own initiative: “Shizi Fei.”
Fufeng hurriedly reminded her from the side. Startled, Wei Qinghan took Nuannuan’s hand and prepared to perform a formal bow: “Your subject, Madam Wei, pays respects to Huangzhangsun Dianxia.”
Mo Yanchen made a gesture to stop her, his eyes sweeping over Nuannuan before turning to the young eunuch standing nearby: “Summon the sedan chairs.”
Two exquisite small sedan chairs were carried over. Seeing this, Wei Qinghan waved her hands repeatedly.
“Your Highness, how can this be allowed? Your subject and my daughter may walk into the palace.”
Before coming, Yun Shu had mentioned that within the palace, only those with official rank were permitted to ride in sedan chairs.
Mo Yanchen glanced at Nuannuan, who was tugging at the hem of his robe.
“The distance from here to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager’s palace is not short. Shizi Fei may be able to walk, but Nuannuan is young and her legs are short—she cannot manage it.”
Though his words were blunt, they were merely stating a fact.
Wei Qinghan still wished to decline, but Mo Yanchen had already stepped toward the other sedan chair: “Let’s go.”
“Nuannuan goes with Brother Chen!”
Just as Wei Qinghan reached out, Nuannuan moved swiftly, slipping into the sedan chair ahead of Mo Yanchen.
Wei Qinghan felt her head spin.
Yet the expected anger did not come.
Mo Yanchen only paused briefly in his steps before naturally boarding the sedan chair.
Upon reaching Qiluan Palace, where the Empress resided, the atmosphere was far more relaxed than Wei Qinghan had imagined.
Inside the hall, the Empress sat in the main seat, while Chang Gongzhu Mo Zhiyun sat smiling to the side.
Wei Qinghan quickly led Nuannuan forward to perform a proper formal bow.
Nuannuan imitated her mother earnestly, her small body bending down like a round, plump little dumpling.
But as she stood up, her large eyes darted around and immediately landed on the smiling Chang Gongzhu nearby.
So she flashed a sweet smile in the direction of Chang Gongzhu, even revealing her gums, utterly adorable.
Chang Gongzhu, charmed by her smile, couldn’t help but laugh as well.
The Empress looked at her daughter with some surprise: “Mother remembers that you have never been fond of young children.”
Chang Gongzhu leaned closer to the Empress and lowered her voice: “Mother doesn’t know, but this little one is quite amusing. Last time at Zuoxiang Fu, she secretly called me ‘pretty sister’!”
As she said this, her tone carried a rare note of affection.
Seeing her daughter like this, the Empress shook her head with a smile and asked no more.
However, to Wei Qinghan’s anxious surprise, the Empress proceeded to ask only gentle, everyday questions.
For instance, she asked Wei Qinghan if she was accustomed to living in Wangfu, and what Nuannuan usually did.
Then, she praised Wei Qinghan for her hard work in caring for Shizi.
Later, she commended Xiao Yunheng for his remarkable achievements at a young age.
Finally, she praised Nuannuan for being as lovely as jade and snow, directly stating that Wei Qinghan had raised the child well.
…
The entire conversation was unusually harmonious, as if it were truly just an ordinary meeting between an elder and her juniors.
It was not until nearly lunchtime that the Empress finally allowed them to leave.
She also bestowed many gifts of palace silks, jewelry, and pastries.
Mo Yanchen escorted Nuannuan to the entrance of Qiluan Palace, then cleared his throat lightly: “There will be a small banquet in the palace in a couple of days. I’ll have Huang Gumu send an invitation for Yunshu Junzhu to bring you into the palace to play.”
“Great! Thank you, Brother Chen.” Upon hearing there would be fun activities, Nuannuan immediately habitually threw herself forward to hug him.
Mo Yanchen’s body stiffened momentarily, yet he still didn’t avoid her embrace, though the tips of his ears turned slightly red: “…Mhm.”
In the carriage on the return journey, Wei Qinghan held the deeply sleeping Nuannuan, her heart filled with confusion.
Had the Empress gone through such elaborate arrangements using the Phoenix Carriage to summon her into the palace, merely to exchange casual pleasantries and offer a few compliments?