Pei Qian and Sui had a falling-out.
It was a one-sided declaration.
Hands on his hips, he gave Sui a deep look before jumping off the small hill and stomping away in a huff.
Sui took off his little felt hat and scratched his head, recalling how the Emperor would act after angering his mother. He promptly scampered after Pei Qian.
"Pei Qian, I'm sorry!"
Hearing this, Pei Qian, who was marching ahead indignantly, snorted but gradually slowed his steps.
Sui, being small and short-legged, struggled to keep up, the wind slapping messily against his face, turning his chubby cheeks rosy.
Panting lightly, he said, "I'm sorry, Pei Qian! I shouldn’t have said you were... answering nature’s call!"
Pei Qian: ...
Now even angrier, he quickened his pace.
Sui sighed.
The adults watching this scene could only shake their heads in amusement.
Emperor Jingxuan stood tall in his black riding attire, his jet-black hair tied back with a gold-and-jade crown, paired with lightweight armor that accentuated his lean waist and broad shoulders. His imposing stature exuded majesty and authority.
Since stepping out of the carriage, he had held Yun Wan’s hand tightly, their contrasting black and crimson robes making them look like a perfect pair.
"That boy takes after his mother—his words are practically laced with poison," the Emperor remarked, tilting his chin slightly to reveal his sharp, chiseled features. His gaze lingered on the two children walking away, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Yun Wan shot him a sidelong glance, her tone ambiguous. "Are you implying my words are poisonous too?"
And yet he still kissed her?
His lips brushed her cheek as he squeezed her hand, his brow arching suggestively. "Even if they were, I’d savor every drop of that poison."
He loved kissing her.
And he would.
His breath, hot and heavy, fanned over Yun Wan’s face, turning her porcelain skin a delicate shade of pink—lovely, enchanting, utterly captivating.
His throat bobbed involuntarily, his eyes burning with desire.
If not for the presence of others and Yun Wan’s shyness, he would have kissed her right then.
Yun Wan glared at him reproachfully, her red lips parting to retort, but an approaching figure interrupted them. "Your Majesty, Lady Yun."
The arrival made Emperor Jingxuan’s brows furrow imperceptibly before his expression smoothed into one of regal indifference. "Duke Lu, what brings you here?"
Lu Yuanduo strode forward, feigning ignorance of the Emperor’s fleeting displeasure, and replied respectfully,
"My son and I were on our way back when we encountered Commander Wei. Seeing him with the children, I inquired further and learned of Your Majesty and Lady Yun’s presence here. As Sui’s uncle, I haven’t seen the boy in days, so I took the liberty of coming. I hope Your Majesty will forgive the intrusion."
That blabbermouth Wei Tong!
Emperor Jingxuan mentally added another black mark to Commander Wei’s record.
Meanwhile, the grinning Commander Wei, who had been laughing heartily in the distance, suddenly felt a chill down his spine. He glanced behind him but saw no one, leaving him puzzled.
His ten-year-old son, Wei Xun, observed, "Father, His Majesty looked at you twice just now."
Commander Wei puffed out his chest, brimming with pride. "That’s because your father is highly favored by His Majesty!"
Wei Xun: ...Was that really the case? He hadn’t noticed.
Emperor Jingxuan’s gaze flickered briefly to Lu Changze beside Lu Yuanduo before he replied coolly, "It’s no trouble. That boy Sui is clever and endearing—Duke Lu may look his fill."
But after looking at the boy, he’d better not look at the Emperor’s wife.
The words carried an odd undertone, but Lu Yuanduo dismissed it as overthinking.
His eyes, however, inevitably fell on their intertwined hands, his expression darkening momentarily.
Without the concealment of wide sleeves, a broad, wheat-colored hand effortlessly enveloped a slender, pale one, the veins on its back pronounced, exuding an undeniable dominance and strength.
Lowering his gaze to hide his despondency, Lu Yuanduo naturally nudged his son at his side. "Changze, why haven’t you greeted His Majesty and Her Ladyship?"
Though it wasn’t his first time in the Emperor’s presence, Lu Changze was still visibly nervous. Under his father’s prompting, he swallowed hard, clasped his hands in salute, and spoke in a stiff tone, "Changze pays his respects to His Majesty and Consort Yun. May Your Majesties enjoy boundless fortune and peace."
His address to Yun Wan came naturally, clearly a result of repeated reminders from his elders at home.
Emperor Jingxuan glanced at him, finding him far less pleasing to the eye than that Sui kid.
"No need for formalities."
Yun Wan, however, regarded him with gentle eyes and a warm smile. "Changze seems to have grown thinner, though he’s certainly taller now."
Lu Yuanduo responded with a faint smile, "Thank you for your concern, Your Ladyship. Children grow quickly. Changze has indeed shot up recently. We’re grateful for your attention."
A shadow flickered in Emperor Jingxuan’s eyes as he fixed his gaze on Lu Changze, suddenly intrigued. "You’ve grown taller, but have your studies progressed as well? Let me test you."
The group froze. Lu Changze stiffened, casting a desperate look at his father—only to find Lu Yuanduo avoiding his gaze.
Before he could react, Emperor Jingxuan had already begun his questioning. Lu Changze had no choice but to steel himself and answer.
Question after question followed until sweat beaded on Lu Changze’s forehead.
The Emperor’s imposing aura, the casual yet relentless examination, and the strain of dredging up answers from memory all weighed heavily on him, making his heart tremble.
Though he eventually managed to respond, his answers were halting, overly verbose, and lacked precision.
Emperor Jingxuan clicked his tongue. Still not as sharp as that Sui boy.
Watching Lu Changze’s face pale further, Yun Wan gently scratched his palm and interceded softly, "Your Majesty, the children are growing impatient. There will be time to test their studies another day."
She glanced toward the distance, where two youngsters, now reconciled, were waving and bouncing excitedly in their direction.
Following her gaze, Emperor Jingxuan finally relented and said no more.
Arriving at the stables, he asked offhandedly, "Have you picked a horse yet?"
Sui piped up, "Your Majesty, can I choose any pony here?"
Emperor Jingxuan gave a noncommittal hum. "Take your pick."
Sui’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Standing on tiptoe, he pointed at a small chestnut-colored foal. "Then may I have this one?"
A faint scoff escaped Emperor Jingxuan before Commander Wei burst into laughter. "The young master has excellent taste! This foal shares lineage with Your Majesty’s own Red Tempest—they’re practically cousins!"
Yun Wan nodded approvingly. "A beautiful little foal, full of spirit. It seems quite intelligent."
The attending stable hand beamed. "Your Ladyship is quite right. This one is the most perceptive of the lot, with a gentle temperament to boot."
The horses bred here were all descendants of the finest war steeds from the Western Regions, destined to grow into towering, majestic beasts in adulthood.
Such horses were not only intelligent but also proud and difficult to tame, often looking down their noses at people. Sui had managed to pick the rare foal among them—one of noble blood, keenly perceptive, and exceptionally mild-mannered.
The crowd murmured in agreement, oblivious to Emperor Jingxuan’s expression. After all, since he had personally brought the child here to choose, no one imagined he would refuse.
Emperor Jingxuan swept a glance over the chestnut foal and smirked.
Cheeky brat, playing tricks now.
He knew full well that with Yun Wan and the others present, refusal was out of the question.
Sui tucked her hands in, her bright eyes shimmering with hope and a hint of guilt, looking exceptionally endearing.
Emperor Jingxuan said, "Since you’ve picked one out, take it with you. From now on, it’s your responsibility to care for it."
He added coolly, "If you fail to take good care of it, I’ll take it back."
Sui beamed with joy. "Thank you, Your Majesty! I’ll take great care of it!"
Then she turned to the little foal and declared, "From now on, your name is Little Date."
Emperor Jingxuan: "........"
Having promised to teach Sui how to ride, Emperor Jingxuan had no intention of going back on his word.
So, after leading Little Date out of the stable, he lifted Sui onto the horse’s back with one swift motion, took hold of the reins, and guided her for a short ride.
Watching the two figures—one tall, one small—ride into the distance, Yun Wan’s expression softened.
"His Majesty treats Sui more dearly than his own child," a gentle, contemplative voice remarked from behind.
