Yun Wan paused, the softness on her face fading.
Without turning to look at the person behind her, she continued gazing into the distance, her voice cool and detached: "How do you know His Majesty does not treat the two princes the same way?"
Lu Yuanduo stood at a measured distance, his gaze distant. "I cannot speak for the Crown Prince, but the Third Prince has never received such affection from his father."
In truth, he knew that even the Crown Prince had never been favored by Emperor Jingxuan to this extent—otherwise, the Third Prince would never have dared to contend for the throne.
Watching the man teaching Sui how to mount a horse, Yun Wan's eyes flickered slightly, her tone steady: "How His Majesty conducts himself is not for us to question."
She wondered if he knew about the Third Prince's secret meeting with the Cui family. Should she hint at it?
But then again, the palace had Lu family informants—perhaps Lu Yuanduo was simply turning a blind eye.
As she pondered, Lu Yuanduo spoke again: "But this is not a good thing for Sui."
A faint smile touched his brow as he added, "Though Sui does seem much livelier than before."
The boy now spoke with the carefree innocence of a child, smiling more often instead of acting like a solemn little adult.
Recognizing the implication in his words, Yun Wan's expression hardened. "What is the Duke trying to say?"
Resigned to her sharpness, Lu Yuanduo laid it out plainly: "Sui being favored by His Majesty is a blessing, but if the attention becomes excessive, he will become a target. That would be harmful to both him and you."
"Some in the court have already advised His Majesty against singling out one child for affection. If this continues, those who cannot touch you will inevitably turn their focus to Sui."
"Whether they flatter or disparage him, how long can a child so young endure it?" A cold glint flashed in his eyes.
As a consort in the inner palace, Yun Wan had not heard of this—Emperor Jingxuan had never mentioned it to her.
Still—
"What is His Majesty's stance?" she asked, turning her head slightly.
"What?" Lu Yuanduo was taken aback.
Yun Wan lowered her eyes. "When the court petitioned, how did His Majesty respond?"
"Naturally, he dismissed—"
Mid-sentence, Lu Yuanduo abruptly stopped, realizing something.
Seeing this, Yun Wan smiled faintly, though the warmth did not reach her eyes. "Duke, you have served in court for years. You should know His Majesty's temperament better than I do. His heart belongs to Great Qi, not to a mere woman like me."
Even if she held some place in his heart, it could never compare to the empire. She was not foolish enough to measure herself against the weight of the nation—it was pointless.
She understood the hierarchy of priorities. Surely Emperor Jingxuan did as well?
Rather than worrying about the court's opinions, she would focus on securing her own standing in the emperor's heart.
"There is no need for you to intimidate me with these warnings. If the matter had not reached my ears, it means it is not serious—just another political maneuver by the court."
Whenever the emperor acted in ways they deemed improper, the officials would voice their concerns. Regardless of the outcome, they would posture as righteous advisors. None were foolish enough to defy the emperor outright.
The emperor had few heirs. Did they expect him to expand the royal lineage while forbidding him from favoring the woman he loved? Was that not contradictory?
Lu Yuanduo frowned disapprovingly. "Sui is still a child of the Lu family—the only descendant of my third brother. The elders may use this as an excuse to keep him in the estate."
"He enjoys imperial favor because of you. But what if you bear... a royal child in the future? Where would that leave Sui? How would he find his footing?"
His position would become precarious, his achievements dismissed as mere products of his mother's influence—Consort Yun.
Though Lu Yuanduo was reluctant to admit it, the emperor was in his prime, and Yun Wan was healthy. It was only a matter of time before she bore another child.
So that was the real motive.
Yun Wan's expression turned icy, her voice distant and cold. "The Duke need not trouble himself with such concerns. Where I am, Sui will be."
"Sui is my child. I can devote myself to him wholeheartedly. Can the Lu family say the same?"
Her use of "this consort" made it clear she was furious.
Lu Yuanduo hesitated before replying earnestly, "Your Grace knows I have always regarded Sui as my own—"
"But he is not your own."
Yun Wan cut him off sharply, leaving Lu Yuanduo stunned.
......
"Your Majesty, what next?"
Perched atop the small chestnut horse, Sui sat as straight as he could, turning his head to ask.
The pony was still young and untrained, so Sui could only grip its glossy mane lightly, careful not to pull too hard and hurt it.
When no answer came, Sui grew puzzled.
He glanced back and whispered, "Your Majesty, are you looking at my mother?"
"Ah! Mother is talking with Uncle!"
Standing on the ground, Emperor Jingxuan—still taller than the mounted boy—glanced at him and retorted irritably, "Do you think I’m blind? Of course I see her."
Sui looked up at the emperor's stern face, noting the whip in his hand as if ready to strike him or the pony at any moment, and simply said, "Oh."
The emperor forcibly straightened Sui’s small frame and head, directing his gaze forward. "Focus on learning. Once you’re done, I still have to teach your mother. Don’t slow us down."
"I’m not! You’re the one not paying attention..." Sui muttered under his breath.
The grumble reached Emperor Jingxuan’s ears, earning the boy a sharp sidelong glare.
Defiant, Sui shouted "Giddy up!"—nearly cracking his voice—and the pony broke into a brisk trot.
Meanwhile, Yun Wan’s resolve was unshaken. "If the Lu family thinks they can take Sui from me, they are sorely mistaken."
After a long silence, Lu Yuanduo sighed. "I understand."
"I will persuade the elders. But Your Grace should also prepare for what may come."
Prepare for what may come.
Yun Wan’s expression darkened slightly.
Lu Yuanduo had inadvertently reminded her—Sui was now a coveted prize, and the Lu family sought to reclaim him for their own ambitions.
Once her thoughts settled, Yun Wan regained her composure.
Gazing at the distant mountains and layered palace roofs—grand and imposing—she murmured, "Instead of concerning yourself with me and Sui, Duke, perhaps you should pay more attention to the Third Prince. Lest your efforts end up benefiting someone else."
Lu Yuanduo frowned in suspicion. "Your Grace means...?"
Uninterested in whether his confusion was genuine, Yun Wan asked directly, "Is the Minister of Ceremonies, Lord Cui, the Third Prince’s maternal grandfather?"
"Yes."
"He was seen meeting privately with the Third Prince," she stated plainly.
Lu Yuanduo’s gaze froze. "Your Grace is suggesting—"
"What are my beloved consort and my loyal minister discussing so intently?"
A voice, laced with displeasure, sounded from above and behind them.
