Concubine Hui stiffened for a moment before reluctantly stepping inside.
She couldn’t resist adding, "Since you’ve sincerely invited me, I suppose I’ll grudgingly stay for a while."
"..."
The palace attendants cleared away the teacups used earlier by the Noble Consort and the Crown Prince, replacing them with fresh tea.
Yun Wan took a sip of the hot tea and asked, "What brings you to Qiyun Palace?"
Concubine Hui rolled her eyes. "Can’t I just wander around? The palace is vast, and I enjoy strolling wherever I please."
Her gaze swept the room before she casually remarked, "I heard the Noble Consort and the Crown Prince came personally to apologize to you?"
Yun Wan instantly understood her motive—she was here for the drama.
Thinking back, it made sense. Wherever there was gossip or spectacle, Concubine Hui was never far away.
As Emperor Jingxuan had once said, Concubine Hui was a master at stirring the pot, fanning flames without ever getting burned herself.
"They left not long ago."
At this, Concubine Hui’s face fell with disappointment.
She had hoped to witness the Noble Consort and the Crown Prince humbling themselves.
Pretending not to notice, Yun Wan changed the subject. "About what you said last time—I believe you."
"Hm? What are you talking about?" Still sulking, Concubine Hui was slow to react.
Yun Wan patiently explained, "Last time, you warned me to be careful around Concubine Zhang. I trust your judgment."
Concubine Hui hesitated. "Why bring this up now? Did you discover something?"
Yun Wan turned the question back on her. "That’s what I should ask you. Did she do something to make you wary?"
"Wary?" Concubine Hui scoffed. "Impossible. I just don’t like her, that’s all."
"Why not?"
After a pause, Concubine Hui studied Yun Wan for a long moment before relenting. "Well, since you’re the emperor’s favorite, I might as well tell you. But don’t go spreading this around."
"Of course," Yun Wan agreed readily.
Concubine Hui lowered her voice. "Do you remember Concubine Shen? The one whose face was ruined?"
Yun Wan remembered all too well—the helplessness and terror of that time were etched into her memory.
Concubine Hui dropped a bombshell: "Her disfigurement was connected to Concubine Zhang."
Yun Wan’s expression froze in shock.
Concubine Hui continued, "I stumbled upon this by accident. Later, when I thought about it, it was chilling. Logically, Concubine Shen’s rash looked severe, but with proper treatment, it should have healed over time."
So why had her face been permanently scarred?
Once, Concubine Hui had glimpsed Concubine Shen’s face—her cheeks were a ruined mess, the skin festering before crusting over into hideous, irreversible scars.
Yun Wan caught on immediately. "You’re saying Concubine Zhang tampered with her medicine?"
Concubine Hui nodded. "Her rank was low, and sharing quarters with the arrogant Concubine Shen meant constant friction. Life was hard enough as it was."
Even Concubine Hui herself had clashed with Concubine Shen in the past.
Anyone with eyes could see that the incident had been orchestrated to target Consort Shu, and the mastermind behind it was no mystery.
The Noble Consort would never have allowed Concubine Shen’s face to be truly ruined, and Concubine Shen would never have willingly disfigured herself to cooperate.
Yet in the end, her face was destroyed, her rank demoted, and she became the Noble Consort’s discarded pawn, banished to another palace—while Concubine Zhang emerged as the biggest beneficiary.
This wasn’t implausible. From Yun Wan’s interactions with Concubine Zhang, she had always struck her as meticulous—seemingly cautious, yet capable of striking decisively when needed.
"I understand. Thank you for telling me," Yun Wan said, filing the information away with a grateful nod.
Concubine Hui waved it off, visibly relieved to have shared the secret. "No need for thanks. Just don’t mention my name if anyone asks."
She wanted no trouble. Who knew if Concubine Zhang might slip her some poison next?
With that topic closed, the two moved on to lighter chatter.
As noon approached, Fuling entered. "Mistress, the young master has returned."
Before she could finish, Yun Wan spotted Sui.
"Mother."
He remembered Yun Wan’s warning and didn’t come barreling in.
Yun Wan was surprised. "Why are you back so soon, sweetheart?"
She had sent him off that morning, yet here he was, not even two hours later.
Sui asked eagerly, "Mother, Pei Qian said his father is taking him hunting in the outskirts in a few days. Can I go too?"
Hunting?
Yun Wan recalled Emperor Jingxuan mentioning it recently. The imperial hunting grounds were half a day’s journey from the palace, and the event would last three days.
She had no interest in hunting and didn’t want the hassle of travel, so she had declined.
But if Sui wanted to go, she wouldn’t stop him. "Of course. Go ask His Majesty if he’ll take you."
Sui nodded, already planning to seek out the emperor later.
"So this is your son?"
Concubine Hui, who had been watching their exchange, finally spoke up.
She studied Sui with curiosity, noting the round, well-shaped back of his head.
Yun Wan confirmed, introducing him. "This is Concubine Hui."
Sui turned and stood straight, greeting politely, "Good afternoon, Concubine Hui."
When she saw his face, Concubine Hui’s brow furrowed.
Was it her imagination, or did this child bear a faint resemblance to the emperor?
Yun Wan noticed her expression. "Is something wrong?"
Concubine Hui shook her head. "He’ll grow into a handsome man."
Sui blinked in confusion. "Mother, I don’t want to be pretty! I want to be tall and strong!"
Yun Wan chuckled. "Handsome doesn’t mean you can’t be tall and strong."
Sui considered this. "Like His Majesty?"
Under Concubine Hui’s teasing gaze, Yun Wan had no choice but to nod.
Sui exhaled in relief. "Then that’s fine."
Handsome and towering—that was the ideal.
At midday, when Emperor Jingxuan arrived for lunch, he readily agreed to Sui’s request to join the hunt.
"Are you truly not coming, my love?"
Yun Wan shook her head.
This trip might help father and son bond.
Emperor Jingxuan sighed but didn’t press her. The journey would be too taxing for her delicate health.
Sui peeled a shrimp and placed it in Yun Wan’s bowl. "Wait for me in the palace, Mother. I’ll bring you back a tiger!"
Before Yun Wan could respond, Emperor Jingxuan laughed. "With that little toy bow of yours? A tiger?"
Sui pouted. "What’s wrong with that, Your Majesty?"
Emperor Jingxuan clicked his tongue. "You’ll be lucky to catch a rabbit."
Insulted, Sui snatched the shrimp back from the emperor’s bowl.
"..."
Three days later, Emperor Jingxuan led the hunting party, escorted by the Imperial Guards, toward the outskirts.
Most of the attendees were men, though a few women joined, all clad in riding attire.
Sui rode in front of the emperor, bundled up tightly with only his bright, eager eyes visible.
"Move out!"
At the command, the grand procession departed the city.
With the two gone, Qiyun Palace fell into quiet.
Yun Wan passed the time in her incense chamber, thinking the days would pass quickly.
Two days later, as she stepped out of the chamber, she saw Fuling returning from outside, her face tense beneath the eaves.
Spotting Yun Wan, Fuling rushed over and whispered urgently:
"Your Highness, word from the imperial attendants—His Majesty has been injured!"
