The summoned Crown Prince couldn't help but shiver, his head—nearly drooping to his chest—forced to rise slowly.
His gaze met Emperor Jingxuan's piercing eyes, and his throat tightened for a moment before he managed, "Father..."
The moment he spoke, his imposing demeanor withered by half.
Imperial Concubine Li, seated to the lower right, narrowed her eyes in displeasure and immediately shot him a stern glare.
Remembering his mother's admonitions after the incident, the Crown Prince clenched his teeth, mustering his courage anew.
Under the watchful eyes of the court, his face—so resembling Imperial Concubine Li's—suddenly contorted with profound guilt and remorse. He prostrated himself before Emperor Jingxuan, kowtowing heavily.
"Father, this matter was entirely my fault. I acknowledge my wrongdoing and beg for your punishment!"
Consort Shu's expression shifted at the sight, and she hastily glanced at the Third Prince, signaling him frantically.
Fortunately, though the Third Prince was slow-witted, he was no fool. He followed suit, kowtowing and admitting, "Father, I too am at fault!"
The two leading princes had chosen to confess rather than shift blame and accuse each other, avoiding the spectacle of fraternal strife. This eased the tension in the room, suggesting the situation was salvageable.
In the eyes of the scholarly tutors, admitting one's faults was a virtue beyond measure.
Emperor Jingxuan's lips curled slightly, his phoenix eyes glinting with amusement. "So now you've learned brotherly harmony and mutual deference?"
"Then tell me—what exactly were your mistakes?"
Perhaps due to his even temper, or perhaps because the matter seemed trivial in the eyes of an emperor, Emperor Jingxuan had shown no trace of anger from start to finish.
The Crown Prince glanced at the Third Prince, took a deep breath, and declared, "I erred in forgetting my role as the elder brother and raising my hand against the Third Prince. I should not have publicly admonished him to restrain his appetite, knowing he is still young and growing, thus wounding his pride and hurting his feelings!"
"I also should not have retaliated when he struck me. As his elder brother and the heir apparent, I ought to cherish my siblings. My actions today were inexcusable, and I accept any punishment Father deems fit!"
His voice rang clear, his expression earnest and remorseful, his guilt palpable. After speaking, he even bowed deeply to the Third Prince. "Third Brother, today's fault lies entirely with me. I beg your forgiveness!"
His words were solemn and sincere—yet they only stoked the Third Prince's fury.
The Third Prince dodged the bow, glaring at him. "You're lying! That's not how it happened at all!"
The outburst drew frowns from several tutors.
While both princes were at fault, the Crown Prince's magnanimous acceptance of blame made the Third Prince's reaction seem rash and petty, his composure paling in comparison.
Consort Shu's expression darkened unpredictably.
Lu Yuanduo's face tightened slightly—the Third Prince was far too reckless.
Imperial Concubine Li's lips curved into a slow, disdainful smile.
How dare a lowborn prince like him compete with her Crown Prince?
Smoothing her robes, she turned tearful eyes toward Emperor Jingxuan. "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince's faults are mine to bear—I failed in guiding him. However..."
"He acted out of concern. The Imperial Physician has warned that the Third Prince's excessive indulgence in food harms his health."
Her implication was clear: the Crown Prince's well-intentioned advice had been met with ingratitude, a heartbreaking outcome.
Consort Shu immediately countered, her voice sharp. "Imperial Concubine Li, the Third Prince has always been robust. If he ate a little more than usual, how could you and the Crown Prince paint it as some grave failing?"
Imperial Concubine Li sighed. "You misunderstand, Sister. The Crown Prince only wished for the Third Prince's well-being."
Consort Shu scoffed. "Well-being? If he truly cared, why did he lay hands on his own brother?"
Imperial Concubine Li feigned sorrow. "Was it not the Third Prince who struck first?"
"......"
When gods clash, mortals suffer.
With the two high-ranking consorts locked in verbal combat, the officials—though divided in allegiance—knew better than to interfere.
Yun Wan was witnessing such a scene for the first time. Watching the noblewomen trade barbs, each word a dagger aimed at the heart, she silently acknowledged the truth of the saying: the harem was a battlefield of intrigue, where blades gleamed without drawing blood.
But this was none of her concern. Shaking off her thoughts, Yun Wan refocused on her son, Sui, her brow furrowing with worry.
How much longer would this drag on? How long must these children kneel?
As she studied him, she suddenly gasped. "Sui, you're hurt?"
Earlier, she hadn't had the chance to check. Now, as Sui turned his head toward the Third Prince, the scratches on his neck became glaringly visible.
Not just that—his palm bore a scrape, blood seeping through.
She kept her voice low, barely a whisper, but it still drew attention.
The interruption displeased Imperial Concubine Li, who shot a glare at the source—only to catch a glimpse of a woman's profile, her hair coiled in a simple bun as she crouched beside a child. One of the officials' wives, no doubt.
Before she could see more, Lu Yuanduo stepped forward, blocking the view. He bowed deeply to Emperor Jingxuan.
"Your Majesty, my young kinsman is injured. With the weather warming, untreated wounds may fester. He is the sole heir of my late younger brother. May I humbly request an Imperial Physician's aid?"
His explanation cleared the air—those puzzled by Yun Wan's identity now understood.
So this was the woman behind the famed Yunxiang incense that had taken the capital by storm: Third Lady Lu.
Many had expected a gaunt, grief-stricken widow, yet even in plain attire, her silhouette alone was enough to stir imagination and linger in memory.
Emperor Jingxuan flicked a glance. "Granted."
At the imperial command, the Imperial Physician crossed the hall to tend to Yun Wan and Sui.
The diagnosis was swift: the wounds looked alarming but were superficial. A simple dressing and regular changes would suffice.
"Thank you, Physician," Yun Wan murmured.
The Imperial Physician waved her off. "My duty, Madam."
As the physician worked, Yun Wan stared at the injuries, her heart aching as if slashed open, cold winds howling through the gash.
Her child, untouched by harm since birth, now bore such wounds—it nearly brought her to tears.
"Does it hurt?" She cradled his small hand, blowing gently.
Sui shook his head, his plump cheeks wobbling. "Don't worry, Mother. It doesn't hurt anymore."
Knowing he was comforting her, Yun Wan pressed a kiss to his forehead.
Their tender exchange did not go unnoticed.
The Imperial Physician worked efficiently, finishing the bandaging in moments.
From his throne, Emperor Jingxuan's voice cut through the silence. "Did you strike first?"
His gaze pinned the Third Prince.
The question drew Sui's attention—and Yun Wan's. They turned toward the scene.
Imperial Concubine Li and Consort Shu had been locked in a heated debate over who instigated the fight. Emperor Jingxuan's interjection silenced them both.
Imperial Concubine Li seethed inwardly. That wretched Consort Shu had nearly made her forget the Emperor's presence!
Consort Shu, of course, thought the same.
When Emperor Jingxuan posed the question, the Third Prince pressed his lips together and nodded. "It was I who struck first."
The incident had been witnessed by all, leaving no room for denial.
Consort Shu's expression stiffened. Collecting herself, she hastily explained, "Your Majesty, you know the Third Prince has always been gentle-natured—never once has he quarreled, let alone raised a hand against anyone! Surely the Crown Prince must have provoked him with harsh words, driving him to such desperation!"
Ignoring her, Emperor Jingxuan pressed further. "The reason?"
The Third Prince suddenly lifted his head, his round eyes glistening with tears. "Second Brother insulted me, mocking my weight and comparing me to a swine!"
