"Thwack."
A single strike of the ruler left Sui’s plump, pale palm instantly reddened.
Sui sucked in a sharp breath from the pain but obediently held out his hand again.
Yun Wan pressed her lips together, the ruler in her hand hesitating to fall a second time. With a stern expression, she asked, "Do you understand what you did wrong?"
Sui nodded.
"Then tell me—what was it?"
"I shouldn’t have hidden without reason, making Mother worry and causing everyone to search for me all day," Sui mumbled, lowering his head in guilt.
Yun Wan’s voice remained firm. "That’s only part of it. The most important thing is that you should never treat your own safety so carelessly."
"When children vanish without a trace, we adults immediately fear the worst—that you’ve been kidnapped by villains or met with some terrible accident."
Having spent over half a year in the palace, Yun Wan had heard plenty of such stories. The imperial palace was vast, and the disappearance of a eunuch or maid was hardly unusual.
During the late emperor’s reign, there had been many imperial children, and not a few had died young—drowning in lakes, falling from rockeries, tumbling into abandoned wells... Such tragedies could happen in an instant.
Though Yun Wan had appeared calm and composed the day before, inwardly, she had been tormented, terrified of hearing news that a small body had been dredged from some pond.
She gripped Sui’s shoulders firmly. "To your mother, nothing matters more than your life and safety. It’s always better to be cautious—what if something had happened to you? What would I have done?"
At the thought, her eyes reddened.
Seeing how much he had hurt his mother, Sui burst into tears. "I’m sorry, Mother! Please punish me again! I’ll never make you worry like this again..."
He stretched out both hands, offering them to Yun Wan.
Her nose stung with emotion, and she tossed the ruler aside, taking his punished hand and gently blowing on it. "No more. Hurting you hurts me too. This one strike was just to make you remember—never do this again. Even if you and your friends want to go somewhere, you must tell someone or leave a note. That way, everyone knows where you are. Understand?"
Sui nodded.
"And as for whatever secrets or conversations you share with your friends, I won’t pry. As long as you’re doing good, not harming others or yourselves, that’s all that matters."
Yun Wan didn’t want to stifle her child’s nature with excessive strictness, nor did she wish to interfere with his friendships. She knew that unless Sui went willingly, not even ten oxen could drag him away.
Sui wrapped his arms around her waist, moved and remorseful. "I’m sorry, Mother..."
"Enough crying now, or you’ll turn into a little mess," Yun Wan said, wiping his tears with a handkerchief.
"Tomorrow, write a letter of reflection, and we’ll consider this matter settled. Agreed?"
"Agreed."
......
Outside the hall, Emperor Jingxuan, who had lingered, remarked dryly, "My lady is still too soft-hearted."
A single strike of the ruler, and she couldn’t bear to continue.
Jiang Fusheng disagreed. "Your Majesty, the young master is still just a child."
Emperor Jingxuan scoffed. "At his age, if I made a mistake, I’d be beaten, forced to kneel in punishment, or confined to my quarters. This boy cries after one strike."
And he even knew how to play the victim, coaxing his mother with pitiful tears.
Truly, Yun Wan spoiled the boy too much. How would he ever grow into someone capable if this continued?
The root of the problem was clearly insufficient studies.
(Though, of course, the boy had a mother who doted on him—unlike His Majesty in his own childhood.)
Jiang Fusheng wisely kept that thought to himself.
Still, Emperor Jingxuan ordered, "Fetch some ointment. And have the imperial kitchen prepare dishes my lady favors."
"Since yesterday, she’s barely eaten a proper meal from worry. She’s grown thinner."
Jiang Fusheng: "..."
After dispatching the order, Jiang Fusheng returned with news. "Your Majesty, word has come from Changchun Palace—the Third Prince’s wet nurse has died suddenly. The two palace maids have also been found and sent to the Punishment Bureau."
"Sudden death" was merely a euphemism; everyone knew this was Consort Shu’s doing.
Emperor Jingxuan gave a cold hum. "Deal with them as the law dictates."
Jiang Fusheng hesitated. "And those apprehended yesterday...?"
Commander Wei’s search of the inner palace had turned up plenty of unsavory secrets, and those caught had confessed everything under pressure.
"Purge them according to regulations."
With that, Emperor Jingxuan strode back into the hall, his icy demeanor melting into tenderness.
"My lady."
Glancing at Sui, who had gone quiet in Yun Wan’s arms, he lowered his voice. "Asleep?"
Yun Wan nodded. "He cried himself out."
Emperor Jingxuan pinched Sui’s cheek, then unceremoniously hoisted him up. "This boy looks slight, but he’s solid. Carrying him will strain you—I’ll have someone take him to the side chamber."
Yun Wan watched nervously, but the palace maid who received Sui handled him with care.
With that matter settled, Yun Wan relaxed slightly. "Your Majesty, about the place they hid yesterday... what will you do with it?"
"Seal it off, naturally."
Noticing her hesitation, Emperor Jingxuan raised a brow. "Do you have another suggestion?"
Yun Wan nodded. "Perhaps leave it be? Though they’re young, children also need space for secrets and private talks with friends. Consider it a little haven for them."
Emperor Jingxuan frowned briefly before conceding. "A fair point."
Knowing Pei Qian’s mischievous nature, if this spot were closed off, the boy would likely find another "secret base" within days. Better to keep this known location under watch.
If anyone misbehaved again, they’d know exactly where to look.
"As for other such places, I’ll have them inspected and sealed—any nook or cranny where a child could hide."
......
Yaohua Palace.
Imperial Concubine Li was incredulous. "His Majesty just... let it go?"
After the uproar of the previous day—even her own palace had been searched—this was the result?
Her maid, Cai Die, soothed, "Perhaps His Majesty considered their youth and that no real harm was done. A reprimand was enough."
Imperial Concubine Li gave a bitter laugh. "And yet when the Crown Prince dozed off briefly during lessons, His Majesty summoned him for a scolding. What will the court officials think? How is the Crown Prince to maintain dignity?"
"To meet His Majesty’s expectations, the Crown Prince hasn’t left his study for two days. At this rate, his health will suffer."
Cai Die reassured, "Your Grace, patience. The Crown Prince is the future sovereign—naturally, His Majesty holds him to higher standards. As for the Third Prince... one day, he may rely on our prince’s mercy."
"Their idleness only highlights the Crown Prince’s diligence. His Majesty will recognize his efforts."
Imperial Concubine Li’s anger eased slightly. "You speak sense." Yet she still frowned. "But I can’t fathom His Majesty’s intentions."
Consort Shu had been demoted—stripped of her title, now merely "Consort Lu," and stripped of authority over the inner palace. Overnight, she had fallen from grace.
Yet she remained a consort, with a prince as her son and the Lu family’s backing. She still lived better than most. Those who disliked her could only mock in private.
In contrast, they were more concerned about who Emperor Jingxuan would entrust with the palace affairs authority seized from Consort Shu... and Consort Lu. Would it be returned to Imperial Concubine Li, or would someone else take over?
Yet, as they waited day after day, no decree from Emperor Jingxuan came.
