Joy surged straight to the crown of his head.
‘The young lord’s origins are unusual.’
These seven short words were scrutinized and analyzed by Emperor Jingxuan one by one. The tiny note was pinched between his fingers, turned over and over, read again and again.
Though Xuan Liu’s handwriting was messy, resembling claw marks, in Emperor Jingxuan’s eyes, it had now become the most beautiful script in the world.
The note was brief—Xuan Liu had only stated the conclusion, and even the phrase ‘origins are unusual’ seemed deliberately vague.
Yet precisely because of this, it confirmed the emperor’s suspicions.
If the origins were ordinary, it would mean the boy Chang Sui was undoubtedly the son of that dead man from the Lu family—nothing more to say.
But if the origins were unusual? Unusual in what way? Other than the fact that his father was none other than himself, what else could it be?
Indeed, Chang Sui was his own flesh and blood!
In an instant, the usually stern, profound, and reticent emperor’s heart swelled with turbulent emotions. His delight surged like an endless river, unceasing.
This feeling was akin to the exhilaration he had felt when he first defeated the Northern Rong and reclaimed the first city occupied by foreign invaders. It was also reminiscent of the triumph he had experienced after slaying his elder brother, purging the rebels, and ascending the throne with the support of his ministers.
His wife had borne him a son!
“Hahaha—”
His clear, resonant laughter echoed through the night. Emperor Jingxuan stood tall and straight, hands clasped behind his back as he gazed at the moon. His sharp, profound features softened into a smile, his brow radiating sheer satisfaction.
His deep violet robe shimmered with hidden patterns, outlining his firm, straight back and slender waist. His wide sleeves billowed like clouds, swaying gently in the breeze.
A drowsy young eunuch keeping watch in the corner of the eaves was startled awake by the laughter, his sleepiness vanishing instantly as he hurriedly straightened his hat and resumed his duty.
Recognizing the laughter as His Majesty’s, he couldn’t help but wonder—what could the emperor possibly be laughing about in the middle of the night?
Jiang Fusheng hopped anxiously nearby, whispering a reminder, “Your Majesty, Her Majesty is still asleep.”
He phrased it as delicately as possible, hoping Emperor Jingxuan would stop laughing.
If he kept laughing, everyone would wake up.
If he kept laughing, by tomorrow, the entire palace—no, the entire imperial city—would know he had a son.
Of course, Jiang Fusheng was overjoyed to confirm that A’Sui was the emperor’s child.
But precisely because of this, he couldn’t act too out of the ordinary. After all, his loyalty lay with His Majesty, and since the young lord’s origins had yet to be publicly announced, it was best not to draw too much attention. He had to think of his young lord’s well-being.
He had to remain composed and not bring trouble upon his young lord.
The night was as dark as ink. Emperor Jingxuan burned the crumpled note in his hand before turning and striding back to the bedchamber.
Yun Wan was deep in sleep, half her body sprawled over a soft pillow. Her peaceful face was flushed, her porcelain-like cheeks rosy, and her silky black hair scattered across her neck and shoulders—a vision of beauty, like a painting.
With a sweep of his large hand, Emperor Jingxuan tossed the pillow aside and took its place.
Sensing the familiar warmth and scent, Yun Wan instinctively snuggled closer, sleeping even more soundly.
With the fragrant, soft jade of his wife in his arms, the emperor’s blood burned with restless excitement. His bright, piercing phoenix eyes traced every inch of her face, over and over, never tiring, never feeling the slightest hint of drowsiness.
His wife had borne him a child.
He was the father of his wife’s child.
Chang Sui was his seed.
……
This truth circled relentlessly in Emperor Jingxuan’s mind, growing more exhilarating the more he thought about it.
Too wired to sleep, the man cupped Yun Wan’s face and leaned down to kiss her.
Her lips, her cheeks, her ears, her eyelids…
He couldn’t get enough, like a man possessed by kissing.
In her slumber, Yun Wan felt as if she were being licked by a large dog. The incessant disturbance made her instinctively dodge, and in her half-asleep state, she swung a hand out.
Slap.
Caught off guard, Emperor Jingxuan froze, then touched the spot on his jaw where she had struck him. It tingled slightly but didn’t hurt at all.
A smirk curled his lips as he took Yun Wan’s hand and pressed a kiss to her fingers.
……
He stayed awake the entire night, eyes open until dawn.
At the break of dawn, Emperor Jingxuan appeared in court as usual, full of vigor.
Today, His Majesty was in high spirits, and the morning court session proceeded more smoothly than ever.
After court, the emperor returned to Qiyun Palace, where Yun Wan still hadn’t woken. He sat quietly by her side, gazing at her sleeping face.
He could never get enough of looking at her.
Fuling and the others clearly sensed His Majesty’s unusually cheerful mood, though they couldn’t fathom why he kept staring at their mistress like a stone lion on the city walls.
Baffled, they chatted in the tea room—just as Jiang Fusheng appeared.
Fuling looked up and gasped. “Eunuch Jiang, your eyes—”
Yue Ya noticed the dark circles under Jiang Fusheng’s eyes and exclaimed in concern, “Eunuch Jiang, are you alright?”
Jiang Fusheng rubbed his face and waved a hand. “It’s nothing, just a sleepless night.”
Though his fair, plump face made the shadows under his eyes all the more obvious.
Seeing he was otherwise in good spirits, the two women relaxed slightly.
Yue Ya fetched him a stool, while Fuling poured him a cup of hot tea.
Since Emperor Jingxuan visited often, the senior palace maids had a decent rapport with Jiang Fusheng.
After sipping the warm tea, Jiang Fusheng sighed. “Counting the days, the young lord should be on break today.”
Fuling and Yue Ya nodded.
Jiang Fusheng: “By my estimate, barring any delays, he’ll be done at Hongwen Institute in a little over an hour. From there to Qiyun Palace should take less than half an hour.”
The two nodded again.
Jiang Fusheng: “After the journey, the young lord will surely be hungry. We should prepare some refreshments… though no tea—he’s still young, best not to drink too much. Something refreshing would be better.”
“With the weather turning cooler, something warming would be ideal. Ginger tea might be too heating, though—could cause irritation. Not good.”
Having muttered all this to himself, he shook his head and turned to the two women, who were staring blankly. “Oh, right—have you cleaned the side chamber daily? And aired out the young lord’s bedding?”
Fuling hesitated. “Y-yes, it’s been aired.”
Her answer earned an approving look from Eunuch Jiang. “The young lord must be exhausted from his studies. Who knows if he’s lost weight? We should instruct the imperial kitchens to prepare more of his favorite dishes…”
“……”
After his rambling, he drained the last of his tea and stood to leave.
Yue Ya and Fuling quickly stopped him, forcing smiles. “Eunuch Jiang, you should rest. We’ll take care of things.”
“Yes, you’ve worked hard. Please, take a break.”
If he did everything, what would be left for them to do?
……
Inside the bedchamber, Yun Wan noticed the man trailing her every step the moment she woke. His eyes, slightly bloodshot yet brimming with energy, made her suspicious.
“Your Majesty, what’s the matter? Why do you keep staring at me?”
“Because my wife is beautiful.”
Emperor Jingxuan delivered the compliment effortlessly.
Yun Wan’s suspicion only deepened as she studied him. “Your Majesty seems to be hiding something from me.”
The emperor chuckled.
Yun Wan’s heart skipped a beat. “What’s so amusing?”
Emperor Jingxuan’s lips curled. “That’s the question I should be asking you, my wife.”
“?”
Yun Wan was baffled.
“Wife.”
Emperor Jingxuan cupped her face, his tone laden with meaning.
“Who is Chang Sui’s father?”
