Qiyun Palace.
As soon as she stepped down from the imperial carriage, Sui abandoned Emperor Jingxuan and dashed into the main hall.
"Mother!"
Her cheerful call was the most delightful melody of autumn. Only in front of Yun Wan would Sui reveal her unrestrained side.
Yun Wan had been sewing shoes and socks for Sui. Hearing the commotion, she set aside her needlework and opened her arms to welcome her child.
Pinching the plump cheeks of her daughter, Yun Wan reluctantly let go and said softly, "Slow down next time. Your mother isn’t going anywhere."
"It’s been raining these past few days, and the steps are wet. Be careful not to slip."
Sui leaned against her knees and nodded vigorously. "Mm!"
Noticing the flush on Sui’s face, especially around her eyes, Yun Wan thought it might be from the wind. Worried, she touched the back of Sui’s neck—no sweat.
But when her hand accidentally brushed Sui’s bottom, the girl hissed and sucked in a sharp breath.
Yun Wan frowned. "What’s wrong?"
Sui pouted, unwilling to explain. "My bottom hurts."
The moment she heard this, Yun Wan grew anxious. "How did your bottom get hurt? Did you fall?"
Emperor Jingxuan, who had just stepped over the threshold, felt his heart sink.
Before he could speak, Sui glanced back at him, shook her head at Yun Wan, and sighed. "It’s nothing, Mother. His Majesty told me not to tell you."
"?"
A blatant confession.
In an instant, Emperor Jingxuan was torn between amusement and frustration. His raised foot hovered, unsure whether to step forward or retreat.
As he hesitated, Yun Wan turned to him, her face adorned with a serene smile. Softly, she asked, "Your Majesty, is there something that this humble consort is not permitted to know?"
Emperor Jingxuan stiffened. The moment his shoe touched the ground, he strode toward her and took a seat beside her. "Do not fret, my lady. Allow me to explain."
Yun Wan smiled sweetly, waiting for his explanation.
Though her expression was gentle, Emperor Jingxuan felt uneasy.
Clearing his throat, he briefly recounted the incident between the Crown Prince and Sui in the Hall of Diligent Governance.
After listening, Yun Wan remained silent, though the warmth in her smile visibly faded.
Emperor Jingxuan hurriedly added, "Do not worry, my lady. I have already made the Crown Prince apologize to Chang Sui and kneel in punishment for two hours. Tomorrow, he will come personally to apologize to you."
His gaze drifted to Sui, who was sprawled across Yun Wan’s lap with an innocent expression. He couldn’t help but suspect the girl had done this on purpose.
Sui blinked her guileless eyes.
She hadn’t told Mother anything—it was His Majesty who had volunteered the information.
Yun Wan stroked Sui’s smooth cheek and murmured, "Mm."
Emperor Jingxuan’s heart sank again.
What did "Mm" mean?
Then Yun Wan spoke. "This consort understands."
With that, she turned her attention back to Sui, her voice tender as water. "Let Mother see how bad the injury is."
She lifted Sui slightly and reached to pull up the hem of her thin robe.
Instinctively, Sui covered her bottom, her cheeks flushing pink. Shyly, she whispered, "Mother, I’m a big girl now..."
Big girls shouldn’t have their bottoms casually examined—especially since she was a young lady now.
Emperor Jingxuan clicked his tongue and interjected, "The imperial physician has already checked. No bones or tendons were harmed. There’s no need to worry, my lady."
Besides, the girl was bundled up thickly. A little tumble wouldn’t hurt.
Seeing her child’s embarrassment, Yun Wan relented. "Very well. Mother won’t look. But if anything feels uncomfortable, you must tell me."
"It still hurts a little... Can Mother rub it for me?"
Sui nestled into her embrace, indulging in uninhibited coquetry, finally acting her age.
Yun Wan naturally obliged, gently massaging the sore spot with her palm.
Emperor Jingxuan was displeased, but at this moment, he dared not say a word.
Her mother smelled lovely. Nestled against her, Sui let out a small yawn and began to grow drowsy.
A child’s energy came and went swiftly, unlike adults, whose stamina remained relatively constant—those with robust vitality stayed lively, while those lacking it dozed through every season.
Yun Wan rhythmically patted her back, lulling her as she had during infancy.
Sui’s eyes drifted shut, but her mind remained active. Suddenly, she opened them again and asked, "Mother, what does ‘fox spirit’ mean?"
Yun Wan froze. Her gaze lifted to the man beside her, cool and unreadable.
Emperor Jingxuan broke into a cold sweat.
Suddenly, he realized that Sui’s excellent memory wasn’t always a blessing.
Yet Yun Wan showed no intention of reprimanding him. Instead, she gently explained to Sui, "It’s not a nice term. Let’s forget it, alright?"
Sui obediently replied, "Oh." Then she pouted indignantly. "The Crown Prince said the study tools you made for me were ‘worthless junk’... Hmph!"
"They’re not worthless junk at all!"
Though she had shaken hands with the Crown Prince in reconciliation, that didn’t mean she forgave him.
Today, she was a little hypocrite.
Afraid the girl might spill more inconvenient truths, Emperor Jingxuan interjected, "My lady, it’s getting late. Shall I have someone escort Chang Sui back?"
Yun Wan: "This consort wishes to dine with Sui."
Emperor Jingxuan immediately backtracked. "Then let her stay. She can sleep in the side chamber and return tomorrow morning."
Yun Wan: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Emperor Jingxuan chuckled awkwardly. "No need for such formality, my lady."
But the formality didn’t end there. Throughout the meal, aside from the occasional exchange between mother and daughter, the atmosphere was eerily quiet.
Emperor Jingxuan ate alone in silence.
By the end of the hour of Xu, Yun Wan returned from the side chamber to find Emperor Jingxuan massaging his temples, seemingly in discomfort.
Frowning, she approached. "Your Majesty, what’s wrong?"
Emperor Jingxuan sighed. "The Crown Prince’s antics this afternoon aggravated me. It seems my old headache has returned."
Yun Wan studied him for a long moment before narrowing her eyes. "In that case, this consort will summon the imperial physician."
She turned to call for help, but Emperor Jingxuan caught her wrist and waved her off with feigned resilience. "No need."
"It will pass after a short rest."
Yun Wan nodded and headed toward the inner chamber.
Emperor Jingxuan was taken aback. "Where are you going, my lady?"
Yun Wan: "To bathe, naturally."
Emperor Jingxuan instinctively rose. "I shall accompany you!"
Yun Wan smiled. "Your Majesty’s headache is severe. You should rest. This consort prefers to bathe alone."
With that, she left him behind.
After her bath, Yun Wan went straight to bed, ready to sleep.
The forgotten Emperor Jingxuan stood silently for a moment before shuffling into the inner chamber. He washed hastily with the leftover bathwater, then shuffled back out.
Realizing Yun Wan was upset and unwilling to speak to him, Emperor Jingxuan, for once, refrained from making advances.
Though his lady showed no outward anger, her indifference was far more terrifying.
Most of the candles had been extinguished. After a while, the steady rhythm of Yun Wan’s breathing reached his ears. Lying on the outer side of the bed, Emperor Jingxuan tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
His lady was angry.
His lady wouldn’t even acknowledge him.
His lady was treating him with icy detachment.
When would her anger subside?
Wait—
A sudden recollection struck him—Wei Tong and Vice Minister Gao’s words:
"Any misunderstanding or rift between husband and wife must be resolved before the day ends. Otherwise, it becomes a grudge that lingers overnight."
A grudge!
Emperor Jingxuan bolted upright in alarm. Gently, he shook Yun Wan awake. "My lady, wake up."
"I have something important to say."
Yun Wan, who had just drifted off: "......"
She was livid.
