When Yun Wan received the news, Emperor Jingxuan had already been escorted back to the palace by the Imperial Guards.
She rushed to the Zichen Hall, only to find the perimeter tightly guarded by soldiers, which deepened her unease.
If the emperor hadn’t been gravely injured, why would there be such a heavy presence?
As she stepped inside, the metallic tang of blood filled the air. Palace attendants hurried about, while several imperial physicians stood solemnly around the dragon bed.
Meanwhile, Sui was being held by Jiang Fusheng off to the side, his eyes red-rimmed, his clothes disheveled and stained with grass and dried, darkened blood.
Yun Wan’s legs nearly gave way. She immediately rushed over and pulled Sui into her arms, checking him over frantically.
"My precious, are you hurt anywhere?"
At the sight of Yun Wan, Sui’s restrained tears finally spilled over. He buried himself in her embrace, sobbing. "Mother, I’m not hurt. It’s His Majesty who’s injured... wuu... He was clawed by a wolf and lost so much blood..."
Despite being wise beyond his years, Sui was still just a child. Witnessing such a scene for the first time had shaken him deeply.
Yun Wan’s heart ached. She gently patted his back to soothe him. "Mother understands now. Don’t be afraid, I’m here. His Majesty is the Son of Heaven, blessed by the heavens. He will be fine."
Relieved that Sui was unharmed, she exhaled softly, murmuring reassurances.
After crying in his mother’s arms for a while, Sui’s tension gradually eased.
He lifted his head and began, "Mother, His Majesty was hurt because—"
Before he could finish, Jiang Fusheng interrupted, "Your Grace, may I have a word in private?"
His gaze met Yun Wan’s.
She paused, catching the unspoken meaning in his eyes, and nodded slightly.
In a side chamber, once they were alone, Yun Wan voiced her confusion. "Eunuch Jiang, please speak."
Jiang Fusheng lowered his voice. "Your Grace need not worry. His Majesty’s wounds may look severe, but they are not life-threatening. The current display is merely for outsiders. Please do not distress yourself to the point of harming your health."
Yun Wan’s expression shifted from surprise to relief. "Truly? But I saw attendants carrying out basins of blood..."
Jiang Fusheng explained, "That was from changing His Majesty’s bandages. The wounds were treated at the hunting grounds, but the journey back caused them to reopen slightly."
What he didn’t mention was that if the wolf’s claws had been venomous or if it had been summer, the deep gashes might have been far more dangerous.
Realizing Emperor Jingxuan must have his own plans, and that Jiang Fusheng’s disclosure was likely at his behest, Yun Wan felt a pang of complicated emotions.
Jiang Fusheng continued, "Additionally, the young master was about to say that His Majesty was injured because of him."
Yun Wan stiffened. "This..."
She looked down at Sui, who was still holding her hand obediently.
Sui nodded—he had indeed meant to say that. But how did Eunuch Jiang know?
Jiang Fusheng spoke softly, "There is some truth to it. The reason wolves appeared in the hunting grounds remains unclear. In that critical moment, His Majesty could have dodged, but doing so would have left Sui exposed to the wolf’s attack."
"Thus, His Majesty chose to take the blow rather than let the young master be harmed."
"However, outsiders are unaware of these details. His Majesty does not wish this to spread, and I trust Your Grace understands the implications."
Yun Wan understood perfectly.
Just as with the matter of the Crown Prince, he had kept her and Sui at a distance to minimize criticism.
Her heart clenched as she looked at Sui’s guilt-ridden, downcast expression.
Meanwhile, Jiang Fusheng crouched down to Sui’s level, his plump frame bending with effort. "Young Master, His Majesty’s injuries are the fault of the wolf. No one could have predicted it was playing dead, not even His Majesty. That’s why it managed to ambush him. This has nothing to do with you, understand?"
Sui’s head snapped up. "Really?"
Jiang Fusheng patted his head affectionately, smiling. "Yes. If you don’t believe me, you can ask His Majesty yourself when he wakes."
Sui: "Okay."
Jiang Fusheng’s smile widened. "So you must never repeat what you were about to say earlier. Otherwise, both you and Your Grace could face trouble. Do you understand?"
Sui, young as he was, grasped the gist but not the full complexity. He glanced up at Yun Wan, who gave him a reassuring nod, prompting him to reply, "I understand. Thank you, Eunuch Jiang."
Jiang Fusheng beamed. "Such a good boy. Shall I take you to change your clothes now?"
Sui was still in his hunting attire, once pristine but now crumpled, dusty, and bloodstained. His face, usually fair, was smudged like a little stray cat.
The palace maids had tried earlier to take him to freshen up, but Sui had stubbornly refused to leave until Emperor Jingxuan awoke, turning his sweet fragrance into something less pleasant.
Yun Wan pinched his ear lightly. "Go ahead. Mother will stay here with His Majesty. Be good and let Eunuch Jiang take you to bathe and change. Otherwise, when His Majesty wakes, he’ll see a dirty little Sui."
Sui shook his head vehemently, horrified at the thought.
He took Jiang Fusheng’s hand eagerly. "Eunuch Jiang, please take me to wash up!"
"Of course, of course."
Jiang Fusheng’s face crinkled into a smile, though as soon as they stepped out, his expression darkened with worry.
Yun Wan waited in the Zichen Hall for what felt like an eternity, until dusk fell and every candle in the hall was lit.
Finally, the imperial physicians announced, "Consort Yun, His Majesty is out of danger for now. We shall take our leave."
Yun Wan: "Thank you for your efforts. I will inform His Majesty when he wakes."
The physicians: "It is our duty. We dare not claim credit."
Once they left, the hall fell silent, leaving Yun Wan alone.
She rose and approached the bed, perching lightly at its edge as she gazed at the slumbering emperor.
His face was as pale as paper, yet it did nothing to diminish his striking handsomeness. He resembled a dormant lion—majestic and formidable, as if he might open his piercing eyes at any moment and awaken.
His robes were loosely draped, revealing the bandages on his shoulder, thickly wrapped and exuding the bitter scent of medicine mingled with blood. The fresh injury stood stark against older scars.
No doubt, another mark would soon join them.
Yun Wan lowered her eyes, her heart swelling with an indescribable ache.
Jiang Fusheng’s words echoed in her mind, stirring her deeply.
She had known Emperor Jingxuan adored Sui—indulged him, even. But she had never imagined he would willingly take a wound to shield him.
Those in power cherished their lives above all, especially in moments of peril.
According to Jiang Fusheng, the emperor had protected Sui so thoroughly that the boy emerged unscathed from the ordeal. Only genuine care could explain such selflessness.
Her fingers traced his brow, the bridge of his nose, his lips...
Softly, she murmured, "Your Majesty, when you wake, I will tell you myself who Sui’s father is."
"...It is me."
A weak, hoarse voice suddenly responded.
