The evening meal was exceptionally sumptuous, all of Sui's favorites.
But perhaps because he had experienced too much today and received too much information, his appetite was poor. He only ate half a bowl of rice before returning to his room to wash up and sleep.
As for Emperor Jingxuan, he did not hear him call 'Father' again, which left him feeling dejected, unable to even concentrate on reading the memorials.
After Yun Wan finished bathing and dried her hair, she came to his side, carrying the scent of her bath. "Is Your Majesty still thinking about Sui?"
Emperor Jingxuan immediately tossed the memorial aside and pulled her into his embrace.
Beneath her crossed collar, glimpses of skin were faintly visible. His gaze darkened inch by inch, and without a word, he buried his face there, murmuring indistinctly, "Our son won't forgive Zhen, Zhen's heart aches."
Jade-like fingers threaded through his ink-black hair. Yun Wan lowered her head with a soft, teasing smile. "What shall we do then? Shall we summon the imperial physician for a look?"
Emperor Jingxuan looked up, his lips crimson, a roguish hint at the corner of his mouth. "My lady is Zhen's divine physician."
He grabbed Yun Wan's hand and guided it into his own collar, saying with feigned seriousness, "A rub from my lady will ease the pain."
Unfortunately, his lady was having her monthly courses, so he could only indulge lightly.
Yun Wan shot him a glare, but considering he was out of favor with their son, she still cooperatively rubbed his chest, feeling the firm pectoral muscle beneath her palm gradually grow tense and rigid.
Emperor Jingxuan: "And the arm, it's terribly sore."
Meeting her puzzled look, he clicked his tongue. "Our son has some heft to him."
Having held him with one arm for a long time at the Hongwen Institute and maintaining the same posture throughout, even the robust Emperor Jingxuan felt somewhat strained.
But compelled by the dignity of a father and an emperor, he had stubbornly persevered, and now only had a sore arm to show for it.
Yun Wan curved her lips into a gentle smile. "Sui is a child who is soft-hearted despite his tough talk. Your Majesty just needs to coax him patiently."
Enjoying his lady's ministrations, Emperor Jingxuan felt pleased. "He did well in his end-of-term exams. Zhen wants to reward him, but I wonder if our son will accept it?"
Having reigned for over a decade and been a father for more than a day or two, this was the first time Emperor Jingxuan felt such hesitation, afraid that a gift from him might be rejected by his son.
Yun Wan: "He will. This humble consort can see that Sui actually cares deeply for you in his heart."
If it were someone he didn't care about, Sui wouldn't be sulking like this.
Perhaps in Sui's heart, he had long regarded the man before him as half a father, which was why the revelation of the truth caused such inner conflict.
After a moment's consideration, she said leisurely, "Tomorrow, this humble consort will go to Concubine Hui's place. You spend more time with Sui, explain everything to him personally. He will understand your intentions."
Understanding that she was creating an opportunity for father and son to be together, Emperor Jingxuan took her hand and pressed it to his lips. "My lady truly pities Zhen."
Yun Wan sat in his lap, her fine brows slightly furrowed, a faint worry flickering in her eyes. "This humble consort heard you have imprisoned the Prince of Pingnan in the heavenly prison on suspicion of treason. Could the soldiers under his command... rise in rebellion?"
"They will not." Emperor Jingxuan stated decisively.
He gave a light, cold laugh, his gaze icy as frost. "If they rise, Guo Quan will undoubtedly die."
Now that the Prince of Pingnan's entire family was in the capital, those under his command absolutely dared not act rashly.
Any movement would only confirm the charge of Guo Quan's intent to rebel.
He picked up a strand of hair clinging to the side of her neck, his eyes dark and inscrutable. "Zhen is only detaining him for a few days, giving others a slight opportunity."
Because Guo Quan had no sons in his early years, he adopted many foster sons, each ambitious and troublesome masters.
Once Guo Quan encountered misfortune, those foster sons would naturally not sit idle. They had likely already begun harvesting his influence and carving up his power in the southern garrison.
Among them, were naturally Emperor Jingxuan's men.
Incidentally, this was also an opportunity to thoroughly investigate the Prince of Pingnan's mansion.
What kind of clean person could Guo Quan be, having raised a son like Guo Xiong?
........
The next day, seeing Yun Wan about to leave, Sui didn't even have time to wash up. With his hair disheveled, he ran over and hugged her leg, lifting his little face to say, "Mother, I'll go out with you!"
Yun Wan reached out to steady him. "Mother is going to discuss serious matters with Lady Hui. What would you do there?"
After a moment of hesitation, Sui said, "Then I'll stay in the room and read."
Yun Wan shook her head seriously. "That won't do. It's a holiday now, you should rest and play properly, or you'll turn into a little bookworm."
Sui's face instantly fell.
Yun Wan coaxed gently, "Be good. Today, you go with your father. He has important things to tell you."
Sui glanced at Emperor Jingxuan at the door, met his hopeful gaze, and swiftly turned his head away.
Emperor Jingxuan couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Noticing his awkwardness, Yun Wan thought for a moment, then bent down and whispered something into Sui's ear.
Sui's eyes suddenly lit up.
He nodded to Yun Wan, turned towards Emperor Jingxuan, stopped before him, and raised his hand confidently, saying, "I'll go with you today!"
Emperor Jingxuan didn't take his hand, but instead directly bent down and picked him up.
His vision suddenly broadened, instantly capturing Sui's attention. He blinked, resting his chin on Emperor Jingxuan's shoulder.
“Remember to dress him warmly before going out. You can take layers off once inside.” Yun Wan didn’t forget to remind.
Emperor Jingxuan raised an eyebrow and said firmly, "My lady, rest assured. Zhen will take good care of him."
Seeing his solemn oath, Yun Wan felt even less assured.
But with Eunuch Jiang and the palace attendants around, it couldn't go too badly.
After Yun Wan left, Emperor Jingxuan carried Sui and turned back into the hall.
Attendants brought warm water and towels to wash Sui's face, then reapplied his medicine.
The brown ointment from the previous day had been replaced, at Sui's strong protest, with a slower-acting milky-white ointment. It turned transparent and colorless when applied, leaving his little face still looking handsome.
As attendants were changing Sui's clothes, Emperor Jingxuan stepped forward. "Zhen will do it."
The warm fleece undergarments were already on, only the belt remained to be tied.
Emperor Jingxuan took the black leather jade belt from the attendant, bent down, and squatted down. Sui lifted his arms, cooperating fully.
Some adults have no sense of moderation, tightening belts so hard that it makes children gasp.
Emperor Jingxuan, unaware of the severity, instructed, "Straighten your back, take a breath in."
Until Sui's voice drifted over, melancholic: "...I can't breathe."
An attendant nearby couldn't bear to look and whispered, "Y-Your Majesty, a child's belly is round. You c-can't pull it tight."
And it's solid, not something that can be sucked in with a couple of breaths.
The hand holding the belt froze. Emperor Jingxuan patted Sui's little belly. "...It is quite firm."
"."
Finally dressed, next came combing the hair.
As soon as Emperor Jingxuan took the comb, he pulled out two of Sui's hairs.
Hearing his son's pained gasp, he sheepishly returned the comb to the attendant.
Once fully dressed, Sui stood before Emperor Jingxuan, his face serious, and said word by word, "Although your technique was terrible, thank you anyway."
Emperor Jingxuan felt warmth in his chest, raising an eyebrow and asking, "Still unwilling to call me Father?"
Sui remained silent.
Emperor Jingxuan sighed and said no more. He picked him up again and walked out.
Sitting on his arm, gazing at his deep, resolute features, Sui lowered his eyes and murmured softly:
"...Thank you, Father."
His footsteps suddenly stopped. Emperor Jingxuan was overjoyed. "Zhen's good son!"
He lifted Sui and gave him a little bounce, startling the child into wrapping his arms tightly around his neck.
The attendants behind them exchanged smiles.
Emperor Jingxuan: "What did your mother just say to you?"
Sui shook her head, replying mysteriously, "That's our secret. I can't tell."
"Not even Father."
Mother had said that to become a good emperor, one must first learn how to handle state affairs. She told him to go and observe how His Majesty deals with them, to gain experience.
Sui thought this made perfect sense.
At the Hall of Diligent Governance, as soon as the father and son entered, Eunuch Jiang Fusheng hurried over to report:
"Your Majesty, several ministers request an audience."
