Emperor Jingxuan strode into Qiyun Palace, his dark golden robes billowing with an imposing and noble aura.
His gaze swept past the crowd and instantly locked onto Yun Wan, his eyes burning as he approached her step by step.
After days apart, his beloved seemed to have grown thinner.
His gaze was greedy and unrestrained, as if nothing else in the world existed.
Yun Wan curtsied in greeting, but he stopped her with a wave of his hand, clearing his throat with feigned restraint. "No need for formalities, my beloved consort."
He longed to reach out and help her up but forcefully restrained himself.
Maintaining an air of aloof dignity, Yun Wan smiled gently and asked, "What brings Your Majesty here today?"
She had assumed he wouldn’t come at all.
Emperor Jingxuan stood with his hands behind his back, his chin slightly raised, and replied indifferently, "We were merely taking a casual stroll and thought to stop by. We hope We are not disturbing you?"
Though his tone was casual, his dark eyes remained fixed intently on her.
Yun Wan found his words oddly familiar. She shook her head, a faint smile in her eyes. "Not at all."
Meanwhile, Concubine Hui, who had been completely ignored, quietly rose to her feet before her legs could go numb.
She stared at the two of them, gazing at each other with such tenderness as if they hadn’t met in centuries, and felt an unbearable discomfort, her skin prickling with goosebumps.
How utterly shameless, she grumbled inwardly.
Suddenly, she sensed a sharp gaze piercing her. Instinctively looking up, she met Emperor Jingxuan’s cold, scrutinizing eyes.
"What are you doing here?"
His tone was icy—nothing like the warmth he had shown Consort Yun.
Concubine Hui’s lips twitched, her expression deflated. "This humble concubine came to chat with Consort Yun out of boredom."
Emperor Jingxuan: "Finished?"
Concubine Hui opened her mouth, then nodded obediently. "Yes."
Emperor Jingxuan waved his hand dismissively. "Then return to your quarters. Do not wander idly."
Concubine Hui: "......"
Speechless, she stormed off in a huff.
The pointed tips of her embroidered shoes clacked loudly against the ground, but no one paid her any mind.
Meanwhile, those in the palace who had been gloating over Yun Wan’s misfortune were sorely disappointed upon hearing that Emperor Jingxuan had visited Qiyun Palace.
Standing outside any longer would be improper, so Yun Wan instructed the palace maids to move the items beneath the trees inside before leading Emperor Jingxuan into the hall.
She settled in a well-lit spot and resumed her needlework.
Emperor Jingxuan glanced casually at her, searching for a topic. "She didn’t trouble you, did she?"
She naturally referred to Concubine Hui.
Yun Wan replied, "No, Concubine Hui merely came to speak with me. She wanted to try the snow lotus nectar here, and I was about to have it prepared when you arrived."
Emperor Jingxuan gave a noncommittal hum. "What did she say?"
Yun Wan answered, "She said many things, but I’ve forgotten most of them."
Since she claimed not to remember, Emperor Jingxuan didn’t press further. As long as his beloved hadn’t been slighted, that was enough.
His eyes swept across the hall, assessing it with approval, though he mentally noted additions he could make. Casually, he asked, "Are you satisfied with this place, my beloved?"
Yun Wan, still focused on her needlework, replied without looking up, "I am very content. Thank you for your consideration."
Emperor Jingxuan’s brows furrowed slightly. "How have you been these past few days? Has anything troubled you?"
Could she still be upset with him? Is that why she’s so distant?
Yun Wan, absorbed in her task, failed to notice his concern and nodded. "I’ve been well. No troubles at all."
Then silence.
Emperor Jingxuan’s expression darkened. "Aren’t you going to ask how We have been?"
Yun Wan obliged, "How has Your Majesty been?"
"We—"
He was about to answer when he realized her tone was perfunctory—she hadn’t even glanced up, too engrossed in her sewing. A surge of frustration welled up inside him.
Abruptly, he stood, his face icy. "Since Our presence is clearly unwelcome—"
"Finally done!"
Their voices overlapped.
Yun Wan’s delighted exclamation even drowned out his anger. She snipped the last thread, stood, and tugged at his sleeve, beaming. "Your Majesty, come see if this underrobe meets your liking!"
Emperor Jingxuan froze.
When he didn’t react, Yun Wan picked up the dark undergarment she had made, shook it out, and held it up for him to inspect. Softly, she sighed.
"Didn’t I promise to sew this for you myself? It took days, but it’s finally finished."
She then added with slight regret, "I had planned to embroider more patterns before sending it to you in a few days, but since you’re here now, why not try it on? If it doesn’t fit, I can make adjustments."
She chattered on, her eyes curved in warmth, her demeanor tender. Emperor Jingxuan stood dumbfounded, his earlier fury dissipating instantly.
"Oh, and what was it you were saying earlier? I didn’t quite catch it."
Yun Wan turned to him, puzzled.
Emperor Jingxuan stiffened. How could he possibly repeat his intention to leave now?
His lips parted slightly. "...It was nothing."
His gaze shifted to the garment in her hands. Disbelief tinged his voice as he asked, "You’ve been working on this for Us all these days?"
"Indeed."
Yun Wan nodded, holding the underrobe against him. "I wanted you to try it earlier, but you’ve been occupied in the Hall of Diligent Governance. I didn’t dare disturb you, so I made it slightly looser."
She tilted her head. "Hmm, it seems to fit quite well."
Emperor Jingxuan was both moved and remorseful.
Noticing his odd expression and silence, Yun Wan bit her lip uneasily. "Your Majesty, these past few days... have you been avoiding the Purple Dawn Palace because you’re still upset with me?"
"Of course not!" he protested hastily. "Do you take Us for a petty man? We let go of that matter long ago. In hindsight, your actions were understandable."
Yun Wan lowered her eyes, her voice subdued. "Then why haven’t you returned? I thought... you had grown tired of me. That my presence displeased you, so I moved to Qiyun Palace once it was restored, hoping to stay out of your way."
As she spoke, her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
It felt as if his chest had been torn open, letting in a cold, aching wind.
Emperor Jingxuan’s face twisted with regret. Gently, he cupped her face, his touch tender.
His throat bobbed as he spoke hoarsely, "We... have been occupied with court affairs."
"Those ministers—utterly incompetent! They’ve done nothing but add to Our troubles, forcing Us to review memorials late into the night. This morning was particularly vexing."
Yun Wan listened attentively. Emperor Jingxuan paused, then continued with exaggerated distress.
"You wouldn’t believe it—Wei Tong quarreled with his wife, and she kicked him out! The man had the audacity to come weep before Us, completely disregarding propriety!"
He shook his head in exasperation. "Still, as Our subject, We couldn’t just turn him away. We consoled him and let him stay the morning."
The story piqued Yun Wan’s curiosity. "Commander Wei is married?"
Relieved to see her tears gone, Emperor Jingxuan nodded. "His wife comes from a military family—fierce as a tiger. Though, to be fair, Wei Tong is no saint either. He’s constantly beaten at home and always threatens to divorce her."
Criticism laced his tone. "He’s in the wrong here. What couple doesn’t quarrel? If there’s an issue, they should talk it out. Resorting to divorce over every conflict is absurd. Don’t you agree, beloved?"
Yun Wan nodded, "Your Majesty speaks wisely. It was narrow-minded of me to assume you were still upset with me. I misunderstood you."
"You have a magnanimous heart, and I should strive to learn from you in the future."
She wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her cheek against his broad chest, and murmured softly.
Emperor Jingxuan grew even more remorseful. "It was I who wronged you, my lady."
His lady hadn’t sought him out because she had been sewing undergarments for him by hand, yet he had deeply misjudged her. He truly didn’t deserve her.
Such a wife was a blessing he was fortunate to have.
