Once the seed of doubt is planted in one's heart, it quickly grows into a towering tree.
Jiang Fusheng grew more and more excited the longer he looked at Sui—those similar features, the well-mannered and obedient disposition, the sharp wit... It couldn’t be more convincing.
Now that Sui was sickly and weak, it only deepened Jiang Fusheng’s pity and affection for the boy.
So when Pei Qian came to visit his ailing friend and rushed forward to hug the frail Sui, Jiang Fusheng nearly jumped in alarm from the sidelines.
"My dear young master, you’re too heavy—be careful not to hurt the little lord!"
Pei Qian was incredulous. "Am I heavy?"
Jiang Fusheng rubbed his nose awkwardly and forced a smile. "No, no, this servant misspoke. You’re just too... robust."
Pei Qian let it slide and sat by Sui’s bedside, pulling out a pouch full of snacks—all specially brought for his sick friend.
He peeled a salted peanut and held it to Sui’s lips. "Eat! The more you eat, the faster you’ll recover!"
Jiang Fusheng’s eyelid twitched violently. "Young Master Pei, the little lord can’t eat peanuts."
Sui nodded. "Right, the rash on my face came from eating peanuts."
Pei Qian was stunned.
"Lu Changsui, you poor thing! How tragic that you can’t even eat something as delicious as peanuts! You’re officially the unluckiest person in the world!"
"I hereby crown you the Number One Most Pitiful!"
Sui clutched his head in exasperation—this guy was so noisy.
Pei Qian rummaged through his pile of snacks and pulled out a piece of candy. "What about this pine nut candy? Surely you can eat this?"
Jiang Fusheng deadpanned, "That’s too heat-inducing. The little lord can’t have it for now either."
Pei Qian frowned. "Then what can he eat?"
"Medicine."
Sui: "I can take medicine."
"Ugh, what’s so good about medicine?" Pei Qian sighed dramatically, popping a candy into his own mouth and mumbling, "You’re making me feel bad for eating in front of you."
Jiang Fusheng: ...Yet you haven’t stopped.
When Yun Wan arrived, the two children were sprawled on the bed chatting.
Hearing the commotion, Pei Qian turned and called out, "Auntie Lu—wait, no."
He stared at Yun Wan, scratching his head in confusion. "Should I call you Auntie Yun, Consort Yun, or Auntie Yun the Emperor’s Wife?"
His mother had told him that Lu Changsui’s mother was now the Emperor’s consort, so by protocol, he should address her as "Consort Yun." But Pei Qian found that too distant and couldn’t decide what to say.
Emperor Jingxuan, who had entered just a step behind Yun Wan, gave him a sidelong glance. "Well?"
Pei Qian instantly had an epiphany. "Got it—Auntie Yun!"
"..."
......
As expected, before the formal apprenticeship ceremony, the red rashes on Sui’s body completely faded, and his fever subsided—his recovery was astonishingly swift.
Jiang Fusheng was both moved and thrilled. Such remarkable resilience was just like His Majesty!
Watching the now lively and energetic Sui, he felt his eyes grow moist with emotion.
Emperor Jingxuan shot him a cold look and warned under his breath, "Control that ridiculous expression of yours."
Jiang Fusheng dabbed at the corners of his eyes and sighed. "Your Majesty wouldn’t understand."
Emperor Jingxuan: ...No, he really didn’t.
This servant had grown far too bold.
......
Since ancient times, scholars have placed great importance on the ceremony of apprenticeship—only after the rites are completed does one officially become a disciple.
Thus, early in the morning, Sui bathed, burned incense, and dressed meticulously to ensure everything was proper before heading to Hongwen Institute.
Though Grand Scholar Xu had retired from official duties, he still served as a lecturer at Hongwen Institute, so the ceremony was held there.
Even though classes were in session, many sneaked out to secretly observe the event—after all, this was Grand Scholar Xu, revered by scholars across the land, taking on a disciple. And not just any disciple, but a four-year-old prodigy with a photographic memory. Everyone wanted to witness it.
The ritual washing, the kowtow, the presentation of the six ceremonial gifts, the offering of tea and words of instruction—each step proceeded flawlessly under the master of ceremonies’ guidance.
When Grand Scholar Xu pressed a cinnabar dot between Sui’s brows to signify the opening of wisdom and had him formally address him as "teacher," Yun Wan’s eyes suddenly burned with unshed tears.
Noticing this, Emperor Jingxuan teased, "Why is my lady crying?"
Yun Wan replied softly, "These are tears of joy."
Because in that moment, Yun Wan suddenly realized—her Sui had grown up.
Not in age or stature, but in this single day, he had stepped into a new chapter of his life.
From now on, he would have a revered teacher, a new guide in his journey. There would be things Yun Wan, as his mother, couldn’t teach or explain—but his teacher could.
Her Sui, her child... his future would only grow brighter. This was the joy of a mother’s heart.
"Your Majesty, thank you."
Yun Wan knew—if not for this man who held the power of life and death in his hands, her Sui would never have had the chance to meet Grand Scholar Xu, let alone become his student.
To him, it might have been just a word. But to her, it was an immeasurable blessing.
How could Yun Wan, whose heart was not made of stone, remain unmoved?
Emperor Jingxuan was pleased but still told her, "Silly woman, this isn’t solely my doing. The credit lies with the child you raised—he proved himself worthy."
Yun Wan froze, her eyes shimmering with light.
She gazed up at him and murmured, "Your Majesty, I truly am grateful... so very, very grateful..."
Yun Wan was not one for grand displays of emotion, yet at this moment, the sincerity in her eyes burned like molten lava—scorching, overwhelming, as if it could consume everything in its path.
Unable to resist, Emperor Jingxuan pulled her into his arms, their wildly beating hearts slowly syncing as they pressed close.
Jiang Fusheng sighed inwardly.
Thankfully, the area was shielded—no one knew their majesties were present. Otherwise, such public affection would be scandalous! It might even tarnish the young lord’s reputation.
Indeed, in just two short days, the seed of suspicion buried in Jiang Fusheng’s heart had grown into a towering, unshakable tree.
Among the spectators below, someone sighed in admiration, "This child will surely achieve greatness one day!"
With a favored consort for a mother, a grand scholar for a teacher, noble relatives, a deceased father, a prodigious memory, and an emperor who treated him like a son—what could possibly hold him back?
"If it were me, I’d achieve just as much."
The words slipped out unintentionally, drawing sharp glances from those nearby.
"Shh, keep your voice down," his friend warned.
The man quickly covered his mouth, glancing around nervously.
He feared the Emperor’s spies might be lurking somewhere, watching his every move.
Under the long eaves, the Crown Prince’s study companion fumed, "Your Highness, Grand Scholar Xu must be blind! How could he take that milk-drinking brat Lu Changsui as his disciple? He’s stealing your spotlight!"
The Crown Prince scoffed. "So what? I am the Crown Prince."
His uncle had told him—the empire would one day be his.
Lu Changsui’s mother was nothing but a shameless woman who seduced the Emperor, bewitching him into doting on her son.
Once she fell from favor, there would be plenty of people eager to put Lu Changsui in his place.
As for Grand Scholar Xu—a pretentious old man unworthy of being his teacher.
The Crown Prince thought this, refusing to acknowledge the jealousy festering in his heart.
At Hongwen Institute, parents traditionally did not attend apprenticeship ceremonies—lest the occasion devolve into a gathering for currying favor with the powerful.
Yet Duke Chengen and his wife, summoned by their son, hid behind a curtain, watching the ceremony unfold.
Princess Yongshou clicked her tongue in amazement, thinking to herself that her imperial brother had truly gone to great lengths for the sake of beauty.
She shook her head helplessly and remarked leisurely, "Imperial brother is like an old house on fire—"
"Who are you calling old?"
A stern, displeased voice came from behind.
