There was a small birthmark on the woman’s butterfly-shaped shoulder blade.
Yan Huaijin could no longer remember exactly when he had first seen it. He only vaguely recalled that, as a child, she had been upset over that birthmark for a long time, and no matter how much he tried to comfort her, nothing worked.
Thinking of that, he lowered his head and gently pressed a kiss against the birthmark.
Not long afterward, Yan Huaijin slowly woke.
The lingering fragrance from his dream still seemed to hover beneath his nose.
He threw back the quilt, immediately ordered water to be prepared, and went to bathe alone.
Thus, no one noticed that the tips of the Third Prince’s ears had turned scarlet.
…
In truth, Yan Huaijin wasn’t the only one who dreamed that night.
Pei Yunting also found herself within a dream.
Only, hers was entirely different from his.
Before her stretched embroidered curtains and strings of pearl beads shrouded in auspicious mist. Amid them stood a bride dressed in brilliant red wedding attire.
Pei Yunting studied her for quite some time.
Suddenly, she realized the bride’s figure looked strangely familiar.
Yet no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t make out her face.
She had no idea why she had dreamed of such a place.
Since she couldn’t escape it, she decided she might as well watch quietly and see what happened.
The night grew deep.
Within the bridal chamber, red candles flickered softly.
The bride’s youthful twin buns had been arranged into an elegant married woman’s coiffure.
The groom lay beside her beneath the mandarin duck wedding quilt.
Yet the two of them did nothing.
Instead, they simply lay together, quietly sharing intimate conversation.
Long ago, Pei Yunting had secretly listened as one of the palace matrons instructed a married Grand Princess about the matters of husband and wife on their wedding night.
Only today did she realize…
Not every man was the same.
Presumably, the groom treasured his young bride dearly.
That was why he treated her with such patience and tenderness.
A gifted gentleman and beautiful lady—
A match made in heaven.
Better to envy mandarin ducks than immortal beings.
She smiled softly.
Though she still couldn’t understand why she was witnessing this dream, she silently wished the bride and groom lifelong harmony, a happy marriage lasting a hundred years, and a love that would endure until old age.
The scene before her quickly blurred.
An instant later…
Everything went dark.
Pei Yunting gradually drifted into deep sleep.
…
The following morning, Yiner woke Pei Yunting.
After washing, dressing, and eating breakfast, she prepared to pay her respects to the family’s elders.
She had only just taken her seat when a servant entered to report,
“Second Miss, Her Majesty the Empress has summoned you to the palace today.”
She nodded to indicate she understood, then instructed someone to reward the palace matron who had delivered the message.
No one in the room seemed surprised.
Pei Yunting’s mother, Lin Shuyu, was the treasured daughter of Grand Tutor Lin and the famed Commandery Princess Yun’an. While still studying, she had become inseparable friends with the woman who was then the legitimate daughter of the Wei family—the current Empress.
When Lin Shuyu married into the Marquis of Zhen’an’s residence, the Empress had sent cartloads of gifts. She had even personally accompanied the then-Crown Prince, now Emperor Ren’an, on a visit to the Marquis’s residence, giving Lin Shuyu tremendous face.
At the same time, it served as a reminder to everyone that Lin Shuyu had the Empress’s backing and was not someone to be underestimated.
The Empress valued loyalty and friendship.
She and the Emperor enjoyed a harmonious marriage, treating each other with mutual respect.
Her maternal family had produced generations of loyal officials.
As such, her position within the palace was exceptionally secure.
Because of this relationship, Pei Yunting often accompanied her mother into the palace when she was young.
The Empress had genuinely doted on her.
She had even secured Pei Yunting a place to study alongside Yan Huaijin at the Hanlin Academy.
Although, with her own talent and family background, she likely could have entered in another two years regardless, Pei Yunting remained deeply grateful.
The only problem was…
Whenever she followed Yan Huaijin around the academy, the two of them constantly stirred up trouble.
They were complete little troublemakers.
Time and again, they infuriated the instructors until the old scholars’ beards practically stood on end.
Yet because of their identities, no one dared punish them directly.
Unable to endure it any longer, the teachers would report everything to the Empress.
Every single time, the loyal Yan Huaijin would shoulder all the blame himself, ensuring Pei Yunting escaped punishment entirely.
Thinking back on it now, she truly felt she had let down the Empress’s expectations.
After the younger generation finished paying their respects, everyone dispersed.
Pei Yunting needed to return to her courtyard to change clothes before entering the palace.
At the moment, she was walking beside her elder sister, Pei Yaosheng.
The Marquis of Zhen’an’s residence had three branches of the family.
Among them, the eldest branch had the largest number of children.
Marquis Pei Zhao’an and his wife Lin Shuyu had four children.
Their firstborns had been twins—a son and a daughter—who were Pei Yunting’s eldest brother and eldest sister.
Her second brother, Pei Zhonghan, had been born a year before her.
Pei Yunting herself was the youngest—and most cherished—child of the eldest branch.
Pei Zhao’an had neither concubines nor bedchamber maids.
The siblings had always shared an exceptionally close bond.
Even though their relationships with the other two branches of the family were merely cordial, they never forced closer ties.
Upon hearing that their youngest sister was entering the palace again, both eldest brother Pei Changfeng and second brother Pei Zhonghan came over.
Pei Zhonghan had an outgoing personality and loved teasing his little sister.
“So, it’s been quite a while since Wanwan went to the palace. Has His Highness the Third Prince really not come looking for you these past few days? That’s unusual.”
The “quite a while” he referred to was only about ten days.
Recently, Pei Yunting had been completely absorbed in planning her grand scheme to make a fortune and hadn’t had time for such things.
Meanwhile, Yan Huaijin spent every day practicing horsemanship and archery, studying, completing the Emperor’s assignments, and recovering from his recent injuries.
Where would he find the time to visit her?
Rather…
He simply lacked the opportunity.
Lost in thought, Pei Yunting completely overlooked the fact that everyone around them tacitly acknowledged just how close she and Yan Huaijin were.
Before she could answer, Pei Yaosheng teasingly spoke first.
“Why are you so concerned about the Third Prince? Don’t tell me you want to become the Third Prince’s consort?”
Hearing that, Pei Zhonghan pretended to lunge at his sister.
Pei Yunting reacted quickly, pulling Pei Yaosheng away before he could catch her.
Hands on his hips, he complained indignantly,
“Wanwan always sides with Elder Sister!”
Then he turned toward Pei Changfeng.
“Big Brother…”
Half amused and half helpless, Pei Changfeng merely shook his head.
“I’m not helping you.”
“Father and Mother really have raised three children who refuse to grow up.”
The four siblings looked at one another and burst into laughter.
The atmosphere was warm and harmonious.
By contrast, the members of the second and third branches walking separately nearby appeared rather conspicuous.
From a distance, Pei Xuan of the second branch overheard them talking about the palace and the Third Prince.
A complicated expression flickered through her eyes before she quietly quickened her pace and left.
…
After finishing his morning training and paying his respects, Yan Huaijin changed clothes and accompanied the Empress for breakfast.
He had only just sat down when Aunt Jing entered to announce,
“Your Majesty, Second Miss Pei has arrived.”
“Pei Wanwan?”
Yan Huaijin lowered his head, continuing to drink his bird’s nest soup.
“Why is she coming to Kunning Palace so early?”
The Empress shot him a meaningful glance.
“A few days ago, weren’t you constantly complaining that she hadn’t come to visit you after you were injured? Now that she’s here, you’re acting reluctant instead.”
“I wasn’t.”
Yan Huaijin denied it without hesitation.
Naturally, he couldn’t tell his mother that he had already met Pei Yunting yesterday at Xiaoxiang House.
Nor could he admit they had secretly listened to an intimate encounter together…
Or that he’d gone on to have such an unspeakably romantic dream afterward.
“Enough.”
The Empress set down her chopsticks and dabbed the corner of her mouth.
“After I finish speaking with Wanwan, you’ll be practicing swordsmanship with the Commander of the Imperial Guards.”
“Have her come watch.”
“That child isn’t any less talented with the sword than you are.”
Not long afterward, Pei Yunting followed Aunt Jing into the hall and respectfully bowed to the Empress.
No matter how casual she might be in private, she never neglected proper etiquette.
Every movement she made was graceful, dignified, and perfectly composed.
After completing the formal salute and receiving permission to rise, she stood gracefully.
Even the tassels in her hair remained perfectly still.
Had the palace etiquette instructors seen her, they would have applauded in approval.
For once, however…
Yan Huaijin didn’t dare look directly at her.
He merely stole a glance at the top of her head while she was bowing.
The moment she straightened up, he silently withdrew his gaze.
For some reason…
The tips of his ears felt hot again.
To the Empress, this unusual behavior became rather intriguing.
After all, he was her own son.
She naturally noticed the subtle changes.
Her gaze drifted thoughtfully between the two of them before she calmly said,
“Huailin hasn’t finished breakfast yet.”
“Wanwan, come with me to the front hall first.”
“I have something to discuss with you.”
No one noticed Yan Huaijin staring absentmindedly at Pei Yunting’s slender retreating figure.
Nor did anyone know…
That the only thing filling his mind was the image from his dream—
Of himself kissing the birthmark on her back.
Palaces rose every five steps.
Pavilions stood every ten.
Each occupied its own terrain, connected by winding corridors and hidden designs.
Within the Forbidden City, wherever one looked, there were only red walls and green-tiled roofs.
Unlike the colorful liveliness outside the palace, the scenery gradually became monotonous the longer one looked.
Walking a respectful step behind the Empress, Pei Yunting withdrew her gaze.
Suddenly, the Empress asked in confusion,
“Did Huailin quarrel with you again?”
Pei Yunting paused for a moment before carefully recalling.
“No.”
“He’s always been this awkward.”
“Perhaps Your Majesty is simply overthinking it.”
Though she answered calmly, her thoughts involuntarily returned to everything she had seen and heard yesterday at Xiaoxiang House.
Her expression changed ever so slightly.
A moment later…
It became tranquil once more, as though nothing had happened.
After leaving the front hall, she noticed someone leaning casually against the doorway with folded arms, apparently waiting for someone.
Hearing her footsteps, he turned around.
The young man wore a dark crimson inner robe beneath a black narrow-sleeved outer garment.
His hair was fastened beneath a jade crown.
He was strikingly handsome and carried himself with effortless elegance.
He was the dream lover of countless noble young ladies throughout the capital.
She was looking at Yan Huaijin.
Yan Huaijin was also looking at her.
Such a tiny face…
Yet every feature seemed perfectly placed.
Peach blossom eyes.
A delicate little nose.
When he was young, he had often begged his mother to give him a little sister just like this.
Then…
The following winter…
He had met Pei Yunting.
Only when she finally stopped before him did Yan Huaijin slowly come back to his senses.
“Let’s go.”
“I’ll teach you swordsmanship.”