"This matter must not be spread, especially to the old madam."
After struggling to process the news from the palace, Lu Yuanduo rubbed his throbbing temples. One misfortune after another had left him sleepless for days, his eyes bloodshot and his face etched with exhaustion.
He dreaded to think of the chaos that would erupt in the Lu household if this news reached his mother.
But fate had other plans—
"What is it that this old woman isn’t allowed to hear?"
Tap, tap, tap. Old Madam Lu appeared, leaning heavily on her cane, her cloudy, sunken eyes glaring at her eldest son. "What are you hiding from me?"
Lu Yuanduo closed his eyes, a wave of helplessness washing over him.
He sighed inwardly—just his luck.
The attendant instinctively lowered his head and stepped aside.
Ever since returning from Qingyu Temple, the old madam had not only withered to skin and bones but had also grown increasingly temperamental and difficult to please.
Her piercing, shadowed gaze sent chills down one’s spine.
"Mother, why have you come yourself? If you needed anything, you could have sent a servant to summon me. I would have come to you at once."
Old Madam Lu scoffed, her tone sharp. "If I hadn’t come, how else would I have learned you’re keeping secrets from me?"
Her face was stern, her cheekbones prominent as she struck the ground with her cane. "Out with it—what’s going on?"
"This isn’t something you’d want to hear, and given your current health, I fear you may not be able to bear it."
Lu Yuanduo stated the facts plainly.
"Hmph!" The old madam’s voice was hoarse, still raspy from her lingering cold. "This old woman has weathered enough storms in her lifetime. There’s nothing I can’t handle. Speak plainly—I’ll judge for myself whether it’s good or bad!"
If she could endure the harsh conditions of Qingyu Temple, there was no hardship in this world she couldn’t overcome.
After a moment of silence, Lu Yuanduo replied impassively, "Chang Sui is not Third Brother’s child."
The old madam froze, then blurted out, "What nonsense are you spouting? If he’s not Feng Lan’s child, then whose is he?"
She narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing her eldest son. "Don’t tell me he’s yours?"
Lu Yuanduo’s face darkened instantly. "Mother, mind your words!"
He took a deep breath. "Chang Sui is His Majesty’s own child."
Clang! The cane clattered to the ground as the old madam’s face twisted in horror. "Impossible!"
Lu Yuanduo replied, "The Emperor himself has acknowledged it. By now, the news has spread throughout the capital."
"How could this be?" The old madam’s expression contorted with fury. "Yun Wan betrayed your third brother! She strayed from her marriage!"
Lu Yuanduo lowered his gaze, masking a flicker of sorrow. His voice turned icy. "If you wish to doom our entire family, go ahead and shout it from the rooftops. See whether we’re all imprisoned before you finish your sentence."
Even now, his mother refused to reflect on her own faults, instead blaming others. It seemed her time at Qingyu Temple had taught her nothing.
He turned away, unwilling to explain further.
The old madam stood frozen, muttering in disbelief, "No… it can’t be! I refuse to believe it—!"
Thud! She collapsed to the ground, her body convulsing, her mouth twisted, her eyes rolling back—unconscious.
"Madam!"
The attendant gasped. "My lord, the old madam—it looks like a stroke!"
Old Madam Lu had suffered a stroke!
Yet compared to the two major incidents in the palace, the news of her paralysis was insignificant.
......
As soon as the imperial carriage stopped, Sui scrambled out and dashed into his room, slamming the door shut behind him.
A clear signal—he wanted to be left alone.
Emperor Jingxuan rubbed his nose, nearly knocked by the door, and raised his hand to knock before hesitating.
Forcing his way in now might only make things worse.
Seeing this, Jiang Fusheng wiped his brow and cautiously advised, "Your Majesty, the young prince likely needs time to process this. Please give him a little more space."
The Emperor had never been patient with children, and Jiang Fusheng worried Sui’s behavior might be seen as defiance.
After all, if the Crown Prince or Third Prince had dared to shut the Emperor out like this, His Majesty would have ordered the door broken down by now.
Emperor Jingxuan shot him a displeased look. "Do you take me for a fool? I know that."
Jiang Fusheng nodded hastily. "Of course, of course. The young prince only acts this way because he cares for you."
Just then, a small, angry voice came from behind the door: "I don’t care at all!"
Emperor Jingxuan smirked.
Jiang Fusheng chuckled awkwardly and praised, "The young prince has sharp ears!"
At that moment, Yun Wan arrived, having rushed back from outside. She took in the sight of the Emperor standing barred at the door.
"Your Majesty."
Slightly out of breath from hurrying, her delicate face was flushed, her brows knit with worry.
Emperor Jingxuan immediately stepped forward. "My lady."
Noticing the chill in her fingers, he frowned deeply. "Why are your hands so cold?"
He turned and ordered, "Fetch a hand warmer at once!"
Distracted by her concerns, Yun Wan shook her head gently. "It’s nothing."
Her gaze drifted to the closed door, her worry deepening. "Is Sui alright? I heard he clashed with the Young Prince of Pingnan?"
She had been at Concubine Hui’s palace when word reached her, and she had rushed to Hongwen Institute.
But the distance between the inner palace and the institute was vast, and the carriers, cautious of the icy paths, had moved slowly. By the time she arrived, the commotion had already dispersed, forcing her to return.
Emperor Jingxuan cleared his throat and replied lightly, "Don’t fret, my lady. Our son is fine—just a couple of scratches. They’ve been treated. He didn’t lose the fight."
His quick, casual tone reassured her slightly.
"Then why…?"
Why was he being shut out?
Emperor Jingxuan sighed. "He knows."
Yun Wan paused, then understood. No wonder the palace servants had seemed even more deferential on her way back.
So everyone now knew Sui’s true parentage.
After a brief thought, she grasped why Sui refused to let anyone in.
Emperor Jingxuan pressed the hand warmer into her palms and gently smoothed her hair. "Go in and talk to him, my lady. He’ll listen to you."
Yun Wan nodded.
She knocked softly, her voice tender and coaxing. "Sui, my dear, it’s Mother."
"May I come in?"
When no reply came after a moment, she added playfully, "If you don’t answer, I’ll take it as a yes. I’m coming in now."
She pretended to push the door, making a faint creaking sound.
Emperor Jingxuan clicked his tongue. If the brat dared to keep his mother out, he’d have to step in as a strict father.
Fortunately, a small, hoarse voice soon answered from inside: "Mother can come in!"
"Everyone else—no!"
Emperor Jingxuan: "……" Who exactly was he referring to?
