A few days later, the weather was splendid, and on this day, Yun Wan received the news that Sui had been exceptionally accepted as Elder Xu's final disciple. Her joy was so immense that the smile never left her face.
Unfortunately, today was also the day she was to leave the palace and return to the Lu Duke's residence. Yun Wan had no intention of bringing Sui along, lest something happen that might frighten him.
Seated before her dressing table, a palace maid was carefully applying makeup and styling her hair.
Unlike her usual preference for simple and understated attire, today Yun Wan wore powder and rouge, her delicate brows lightly traced, and a floral ornament adorned her forehead. The embroidered "Hundred Flowers" brocade dress accentuated her figure flawlessly, exuding both nobility and grace.
Gazing at her heavily made-up, lavishly dressed reflection in the mirror, Yun Wan was momentarily lost in thought.
It had been so long since she last adorned herself so extravagantly—perhaps five or six years? She couldn't quite remember, and now it left her feeling slightly uneasy.
Fuling, standing behind her, gasped in admiration, "Your Highness is truly a peerless beauty, as radiant as a celestial maiden!"
The dressing maid asked, "Your Highness, you're still missing a hairpin. Which one would you like to wear?"
Yun Wan glanced at the box filled with an array of hairpins—golden, jade-carved, each more exquisite than the last.
Her fingers trailed over them one by one until her gaze settled on a familiar white jade hairpin. Her hand paused.
After a brief glance, she was about to move past it when a large hand suddenly appeared, picking up a golden hairpin beside it before she could and handing it to the maid.
"This one is perfect, worthy of my lady."
Emperor Jingxuan had quietly appeared, standing resolutely behind Yun Wan.
The maid hesitated, glancing cautiously at Yun Wan for confirmation.
Through the mirror, Yun Wan saw it was a filigree hairpin inlaid with gemstones and a jade butterfly.
Crafted with the finest techniques—gold filigree, hammered butterflies, and intricate inlays—it featured kingfisher feathers as leaves, rubies as petals, golden threads as stamens, and pearls as accents. A jade butterfly rested atop a pomegranate flower, the hairpin exuding opulence and auspicious symbolism.
Yun Wan touched the overly ornate hairpin and, after a moment of silence, said nothing.
Fine, let it be conspicuous.
She nodded to the maid. "Put it on."
Once the hairpin was in place, her radiance seemed to multiply. Emperor Jingxuan's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "My lady is breathtaking. This is how you should always dress."
As for that plain white jade pear blossom hairpin—whether in name or appearance—it was nothing but an ill omen in his eyes.
Not that he demanded Yun Wan discard it, of course. Such restraint only highlighted his magnanimity as an emperor.
Knowing he was nitpicking again, Yun Wan couldn't help but retort with playful dissatisfaction, "Does that mean I’m not beautiful on ordinary days?"
She pouted, her expression charmingly petulant.
Emperor Jingxuan was momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter. "My lady is beautiful at all times, in every way!"
Leaning down, he gazed intently at her face, his expression softening. "Today is an exception. Next time, I shall paint your brows myself."
It was a tender ritual among commoner couples, and he intended to share it with his lady as well.
His eyes darkened with unspoken thoughts, but Yun Wan chose not to dwell on them.
She glanced at his court robes. "Aren’t you going to change, Your Majesty?"
Emperor Jingxuan sighed dramatically, lightly brushing her cheek. "I came to inform you that matters in court demand my attention today. I cannot accompany you on your journey out of the palace."
Yun Wan blinked, then visibly brightened. "It’s no trouble at all. Your Majesty’s duties must come first."
Emperor Jingxuan snorted. "You seem rather pleased—your smile is practically reaching the heavens."
Yun Wan touched her lips, feigning innocence. "Nonsense. Where?"
The coy glance she sent him sent his thoughts spiraling.
He pinched her cheek lightly before pulling away, his voice low. "Return early. And one more thing."
"Do not think of him."
The unspoken subject needed no clarification.
Yun Wan nodded hastily. "Understood."
When the time came, she boarded her palanquin, departing the Zichen Hall for the palace gates, where a carriage awaited.
At the Anhua Gate, an extravagant procession of carriages and attendants had long been prepared—a grand entourage befitting a noble consort’s departure. Undoubtedly, Emperor Jingxuan’s doing.
As Yun Wan stepped out of the palanquin, Jiang Fusheng appeared with a beaming smile. "Greetings to the Noble Consort Yun."
"Eunuch Jiang?"
Yun Wan stared at him in surprise.
Jiang Fusheng bowed. "This servant apologizes—did I startle Your Highness?"
Yun Wan shook her head. "No, but why are you...?"
Shouldn’t he be attending Emperor Jingxuan?
Jiang Fusheng explained, "By His Majesty’s orders, this servant is to escort you out of the palace in his stead."
Yun Wan sighed in resignation. "Then I shall trouble you, Eunuch Jiang."
Boarding the lavishly adorned carriage, the procession set off beyond the palace walls.
Upon the city ramparts, Emperor Jingxuan watched the entourage fade into the distance before turning toward the court.
Jiaotai Hall.
The preliminary court rituals concluded, Emperor Jingxuan noticed one official hesitating among the ministers. His sharp brows arched as he singled the man out. "Censor Wang, do you have an urgent memorial?"
The silver-haired Censor Wang took a deep breath, trembling as he stepped forward and bowed. "Your Majesty, indeed I do."
"Speak."
Might as well get it over with. Censor Wang shut his eyes and recited his rehearsed lines. "This humble servant has heard that Your Majesty has taken the Lu family’s widow, Lady Yun, into the palace and conferred upon her the title of Noble Consort Yun. This servant finds it highly improper!"
Emperor Jingxuan remained impassive. "How so?"
Censor Wang pressed on. "Your Majesty, Lady Yun was the wife of a Lu family member, a widow with a child. How could she enter the palace as a consort?"
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the assembly.
Emperor Jingxuan’s gaze turned icy, though his tone stayed calm. "Why not?"
Censor Wang stammered, "She—she was the wife of your subject! If the commoners learn that Your Majesty has taken a subject’s wife, it may tarnish your imperial dignity!"
Though his words were firm, his expression was strained.
Truthfully, he had no desire to meddle in the emperor’s private affairs—especially when he was mere months away from retirement. But his colleagues had descended upon him, insisting he admonish the emperor regarding the consort appointment. He had no choice!
Yet Emperor Jingxuan was no weak-willed ruler. Once his mind was set, who could sway him?
"A subject’s wife?" Emperor Jingxuan smirked, as if hearing a jest. "Lu San held no official post in my court. How, then, is Noble Consort Yun the wife of my subject?"
"If my imperial dignity can be so easily undermined, then it only proves that ill-intentioned individuals are spreading slander about Noble Consort Yun and me among the people. Such scheming hearts deserve execution."
The moment the word "execution" left his lips, the hall fell deathly silent.
Censor Wang swallowed hard and pressed on. "B-but before entering the palace, Noble Consort Yun was still a member of the Lu family! She and Lu San never formally dissolved their marriage!"
"Oh?" Emperor Jingxuan arched a brow, feigning confusion. "Yet I heard that after Lu San’s death, Noble Consort Yun wrote a letter of severance? That she remained in the Lu household only to raise her child, unwilling to leave the boy alone?"
"I believe this is the case. Vice Minister Yun, Duke Lu—this concerns your families. Would you care to enlighten the court?"
His tone was leisurely as his gaze swept toward the two men.
In an instant, all eyes turned to Vice Minister Yun and Lu Yuanduo, eager to hear their response.
