The impeachment of the Crown Prince's faction was the answer Lu Yuanduo delivered to Yun Wan.
He even dragged the Cui family into the water, forcing them to stand completely opposite the Crown Prince's faction as enemies, nominally for the sake of the Third Prince.
Rarely, none of the several court ministers who usually remained neutral and were adept at smoothing things over and mediating stepped forward this time, let alone spoke up for the Crown Prince.
They all watched coldly from the sidelines.
Therefore, at the beginning of the New Year, the Crown Prince's faction, led by the Li family, was swamped with troubles. Even the atmosphere in Yaohua Palace was far from pleasant, being extremely desolate.
Imperial Consort Li was so worried she developed internal heat, with several canker sores appearing in her mouth, and was utterly vexed by a continuous stream of trivial matters.
Seeing the Crown Prince acting as if nothing was wrong made her even more furious, and she immediately launched into a reprimand:
"I told you to focus on your own duties, to be diligent in your daily studies, to spend more effort on your lessons, and not to provoke your two younger brothers again. Why didn't you listen?"
And on top of that, your actions weren't thorough enough, leaving evidence for others. Now everyone knows it was the Crown Prince who stirred trouble, driving a wedge between your two younger brothers.
In contrast, the Crown Prince, being scolded head-on, was unperturbed: "I merely spoke a few truths. If they decided to break off relations themselves, what does that have to do with me? Mother Consort, aren't you making a mountain out of a molehill?"
Doesn't this just prove that the relationship between Qi Chenghui and Qi Chengsui was hypocritical and inherently fragile to begin with?
"I'm making a mountain out of a molehill? For whose sake am I doing all this?"
Imperial Consort Li was practically infuriated by him. "For you! Your uncle is now being suppressed by the Lu and Cui families because of this. Are you satisfied with this outcome?"
"Although your father hasn't summoned you for questioning, it's entirely possible he has already become disappointed in you."
This was what Imperial Consort Li feared most. His Majesty was never a particularly doting father. If the same mistake was made the first time, he might personally admonish and urge correction.
But if it happened a second or third time, that was uncertain. No one knew when an imperial decree of condemnation might arrive, leaving no room for maneuver.
And her son actually thought it didn't matter.
Recalling Emperor Jingxuan's decisive and ruthless nature, a look of guilt and belated fear flashed across the Crown Prince's face.
"Mother Consort..."
He swallowed, his voice dry and hoarse: "Father... wouldn't truly cast me aside, would he?"
Seeing this, Imperial Consort Li's anger subsided slightly. She glanced at him sideways: "Now you're scared?"
The Crown Prince remained silent, deeply worried.
After all, he was her own child. Imperial Consort Li's heart softened, and she spoke earnestly: "You are the eldest son, but not the legitimate heir. Your position as Crown Prince and my own status and riches all depend on your father's favor. Later, you must proactively go to His Majesty and apologize."
"I wish I were the legitimate heir too. Isn't that because Mother Consort didn't try hard enough?" the Crown Prince muttered subconsciously.
Although his voice was low, every word clearly reached Imperial Consort Li's ears. Her expression instantly changed. "What did you say? Say that again!"
"Why couldn't Mother Consort strive harder to win Father's favor? Otherwise, the position of Empress would have been yours long ago!"
Then he would be the legitimate eldest son born of the Empress. What would there be left to fight for?
The Crown Prince had long harbored resentment. Provoked by her, he simply voiced his true thoughts.
Imperial Consort Li was so angry she laughed: "What do you mean by that? Are you blaming me?"
Crown Prince: "This son wouldn't dare."
His words said one thing, but the expression on his face said another.
A mother knows her son best. Imperial Consort Li felt a painful tightness in her chest from anger.
How did she give birth to such an ungrateful, disappointing wretch?
Did she not want to be Empress?
His Majesty had no intention of establishing an Empress, which was precisely why she needed to solidify her son's position as Crown Prince, striving for the day he would ascend the throne, when she would become Empress Dowager.
........
At the entrance to the side hall of Qiyun Palace.
"I'll say it one more time. If you don't come out, I'll have the door taken down."
Emperor Jingxuan spoke expressionlessly to the tightly shut door.
The palace attendants waiting nearby were already accustomed to this, for His Majesty had said these words many times already these past few days.
The young prince had had a falling out with the Third Prince and, feeling out of sorts, had shut himself in his room all day.
After he had been inside for a while, even without the Lady's instruction, His Majesty would personally come and threaten the young prince with 'breaking down the door'.
Sure enough, within a few breaths, the door creaked open from the inside, revealing a little face similar to his own, yet slightly downcast.
Emperor Jingxuan looked down at him with a cold smile. "Finally decided to come out?"
He blocked the doorway. Over eight chi tall, he stood like a lofty mountain, his eyebrows like sword blades, his gaze piercing, with a barely perceptible indulgence and doting hidden in the depths of his eyes.
Sui's neck grew tired from craning, so he simply stopped and said in a cocky tone, "Didn't you tell me to come out?"
A vein throbbed at Emperor Jingxuan's temple. He scooped Sui up and carried him out. "Enough talk. To the main hall."
Sui reacted calmly, wrapping his arms around his father's neck and adeptly adjusting to the most comfortable position.
Emperor Jingxuan glanced at him sideways and instructed, "Your mother has been worried sick about you these past few days. Don't be difficult with her later."
Sui looked at him strangely. "I would never be difficult with Mother."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingxuan gave a dry laugh. "Right. You only save your difficult side for me."
The more time he spent with him, the more deeply he understood a common trait of children this age: giving them an inch, they take a mile.
This kid Sui was usually more sensible and well-behaved than ordinary children, rarely getting angry. But once he was upset, his temper was just as stubborn, and he took it all out on his father.
He bounced the little bundle in his arms slightly and snorted lightly. "It's only because I am broad-minded and exceedingly patient. If it were any other ordinary father, you'd have gotten a spanking."
"Oh."
Sui replied listlessly.
In the main hall, Yun Wan was carefully checking the attendants' arrangements, ensuring nothing was missed.
As soon as Sui entered, he caught the sweet, soft, and glutinous aroma of pastries. He noticed the long rectangular table in the hall was laden with all sorts of snacks, fruits, and preserved fruits.
Additionally, there were cold and hot dishes yet to be prepared. The empty spaces on the floor were covered with thick carpets, strewn with toys and curios collected from outside the palace, clearly prepared for children.
Sui was puzzled. "Mother, what are you doing?"
Yun Wan sat down, took his little hand, and said with a smile, "I've invited the Third Prince and Young Master Pei to visit. As the young master of Qiyun Palace, remember to be a good host, alright?"
Hearing that the two were coming, a flicker of emotion passed through Sui's eyes, but then he put on a stern face and said, "I've cut ties with them. We're not friends anymore."
Stroking his stubborn little face, Yun Wan didn't argue. Instead, she went along with his words. "Even if you're not friends, you're still family. The Third Prince is your elder brother, and Young Master Pei is your cousin. Both are your elder brothers. Think of it as a younger brother hosting his elder brothers, alright?"
"Mother believes you can definitely shoulder this responsibility, right?"
Sui's face showed a hint of being persuaded. After a moment, he nodded. "...Alright."
A smile spread across Yun Wan's lips. "Besides, cutting ties doesn't mean you can't make up. It's better for everyone to sit down, explain things clearly, and make a rational decision than to end a relationship in a muddled way, isn't it?"
Sui understood the reasoning, but—
"Third Brother wronged me and didn't believe me. I don't want to make up." He clenched his fists, unhappy.
Yun Wan was instantly reminded of Emperor Jingxuan. This father and son were both resentful and concerned with saving face.
Her smile deepened, her gentle voice like a spring breeze melting the rain. "Even if you can't reconcile then, wouldn't you have tried your best?"
"Friendship needs to be maintained. How about being the one to take the first step today, my good boy? If the Third Prince refuses to make peace with you, then we'll let it be. At least there will be no regrets."
Yun Wan felt it would be a pity if Sui were to lose a close friend just because of a few provocative words from the Crown Prince.
If the disagreement had arisen when the children were older, it might be one thing. But now, in their early childhood when they are just forming memories, what seems trivial in the eyes of adults is a major event to them. It still needed to be handled with care and consideration.
Just as she was speaking, a palace attendant came to announce: "Your Highness, Princess Yongshou has arrived with the young heir."
Moments later, Princess Yongshou, dressed in magnificent robes, arrived with a beaming smile. The Pei Qian beside her looked a bit paler and sturdier than before the New Year, seeming to live a very comfortable life.
Upon entering the hall, Princess Yongshou released her son's hand and gave him a firm push forward without hesitation. "This boy has been giving me a headache at home these past few days. I'll trouble Your Highness and the young prince to look after him today."
Sui nodded, answering earnestly on Yun Wan's behalf: "You are too polite, Aunt Yongshou. I will take good care of Cousin Pei."
In front of outsiders, he was a well-mannered child.
Princess Yongshou was utterly charmed. She beckoned him over affectionately, saying, "What a good boy, come here and let your aunt give you a hug!"
Before she could reach Sui, Pei Qian stepped in first and gave him a bear hug. "Oh my heavens, I've missed you to death!"
He was strong, and Sui's little face turned red from being squeezed.
It was only after Princess Yongshou slapped her own son that Sui was rescued.
"Pah, pah! Don't talk about death anymore, or I'll give you a good thrashing!"
Princess Yongshou explained to Yun Wan with a helpless look: "This rascal has been acting strangely these past couple of days after listening to a few operas. I don't know where he picked up that way of speaking."
After being scolded, Pei Qian immediately changed his tune: "Then I've missed you to life!"
Sui adjusted his collar with an expressionless face. When finished, he looked up and stared at Pei Qian, calmly stating a cruel fact: "You seem to have gained weight."
Pei Qian was dumbfounded: "Sturdy! I'm sturdy! Strong and sturdy!"
Sui ignored him and continued, stating an even more cruel fact: "You definitely haven't done the assignments given at the end of the term."
A sense of foreboding instantly washed over Pei Qian. Sure enough, the next moment, he heard Sui say nonchalantly, "I've finished mine."
In the past few days, he had channeled his grief and indignation into motivation, completing all his winter break homework in one go.
Little Pei Qian's pupils shattered in shock, his heart ashen.
He had channeled his grief and indignation into appetite instead.
Seeing her son's deflated look, Princess Yongshou laughed heartlessly.
Yun Wan felt both helpless and amused.
It was at this moment that the Third Prince arrived. Hearing the laughter inside the hall, he stopped at the doorway, hesitating to enter.
Yun Wan noticed him first. She stood up, walked over to him, and asked softly, "Chenghui, why are you standing here? Come in."
Meeting her gentle gaze, the Third Prince dug his fingernails into his palm and mumbled, "I was afraid of disturbing you."
Consort Lu would never have agreed to him coming. He had wrestled with it for a long time before finally sneaking over.
"How could you be a disturbance?" Yun Wan took his hand and encouraged him. "Since I invited you, how could it be a disturbance? Sui has mentioned you several times these past few days. Come on in."
Hearing that Sui had mentioned him, the Third Prince's expression brightened a little.
Yun Wan helped him take off his cloak and led him into the hall.
Third Prince: "Thank you, Mother Consort Yun."
"You're welcome."
Seeing the Third Prince, Sui called out with a hint of awkwardness, "Third Imperial Brother."
"Fourth Imperial Brother." The Third Prince also scratched his head somewhat sheepishly.
After exchanging greetings, the two just stood facing each other in silence.
Noticing the children's discomfort, Yun Wan exchanged a glance with Princess Yongshou and said, "We'll leave you to it here. Help yourselves to whatever you want to eat or play with. We'll step out for now."
With no adults around, the three children in the hall looked at each other.
Now it was Pei Qian's turn to watch the show.
He grabbed a handful of shelled melon seeds from the table and stood between the two, eating with great relish.
After a long while, Sui mustered up his courage and took the initiative: "Imperial Brother, shall we make up?"
"Okay."
The almost immediate reply made Sui freeze.
The Third Prince muttered softly, "I thought about what you said that day for a long time after I went back. I think you were right."
"I can't just do whatever others say. I should follow my own heart. Otherwise, what's the difference between me and a puppet in a puppet show?"
Voicing his innermost thoughts in front of a younger brother, his cheeks flushed slightly, clearly feeling a bit embarrassed.
Sui nodded. "Mm. You're not a puppet. You're my brother. And I've never lied to you."
Third Prince: "I know. You're so smart, and there's nothing about me worth lying to anyway."
Before, his mother had wanted him to compete with the Crown Prince. Now, she wanted him to compete with Sui. The Third Prince was actually aware of all this. But in truth, he didn't want to compete with anyone. He didn't like the feeling of being caught in the middle and pulled in different directions.
"I just want a life with enough to eat and drink. Mother and my maternal grandfather think I'm useless."
The Third Prince knew he was neither accomplished in literary nor martial arts and couldn't shoulder great responsibilities.
As soon as he said this, he was immediately refuted by Pei Qian: "How is that useless? Being born a prince makes you more accomplished than most people in the world!"
"If I were a prince, I'd swagger around every day!"
The Third Prince's eyes suddenly lit up: "Then let's swap!"
No matter how strict Aunt Yongshou and the Duke of Chengen were, they surely couldn't be as strict as his imperial father.
Pei Qian nodded, but then Emperor Jingxuan's unsmiling, stern, and awe-inspiring face instantly flashed in his mind. He shook his head hurriedly. "No, thanks!"
An uncle and a father are still different.
Being the Emperor's child is no easy task.
Having talked this far, Sui and the Third Prince had essentially rebuilt their friendship.
Sui turned and asked Pei Qian: "We've made up. Do you still want to break off our friendship?"
Pei Qian was taken aback: "Huh? Did we break off our friendship?"
He thought hard and seemed to recall something of the sort. He grinned. "Sorry, I forgot."
Sui / Third Prince: .........
At the entrance to the hall, seeing the three children letting bygones be bygones and becoming friendly again, Yun Wan smiled faintly.
A flicker of gratification passed through Emperor Jingxuan's eyes, and he did not stint on praise. "It's my lady who has the knack. You've worked hard, my lady."
Yun Wan gazed at the beaming Third Prince and sighed. "Chenghui is also a good child. Your Majesty is too strict with him. He's afraid of you."
Emperor Jingxuan gave a light snort. "He doesn't seem so afraid of me when he dozes off in class or gets the lowest grade on exams."
Not long after, news spread that the two young princes had buried the hatchet and shaken hands, which frequently drew sighs of relief and satisfaction from the ministers.
In contrast, the Crown Prince's reputation grew even worse.
