At the gates of the Hongwen Institute, Yun Wan sat inside her carriage, occasionally lifting the silk curtain to glance outside, searching for Sui’s figure.
She had promised Sui she would come to take him home, and ever since he left, she had been counting the days. That afternoon, after waking from her nap and calculating the time, Yun Wan had taken the carriage to wait for him.
Around her, the carriages of various noble families were parked, all there to pick up their children after their studies.
"Madam, the young masters are here!" Yue Ya, who had been keeping an eye on the surroundings, suddenly exclaimed excitedly.
When the time came, Lu Changze went to find Sui himself. The two packed their belongings to take home and made their way to the Huichang Gate together.
The moment Sui spotted his family’s carriage and Yue Ya standing beside it, his eyes lit up. He let go of Lu Changze’s hand and dashed forward eagerly, knowing his mother must be inside.
"Mother!"
He called out impatiently, scrambling up the carriage as soon as he reached it.
"Young master, be careful!" Yue Ya hurriedly steadied him before lifting him inside.
His little face was flushed from running, and Yun Wan pulled him into her arms, heart aching. "What’s the rush? I’m not going anywhere."
Sui panted, grinning brightly. "I just wanted to see you quickly!"
Yun Wan cupped his face, studying him carefully before remarking, "You’ve lost weight, and you’ve grown a little taller. Has studying been hard?"
The plumpness she had worked so hard to nurture had visibly diminished after just ten days at school.
But it was true that he had grown taller. Now, sitting beside Yun Wan, Sui’s height surpassed her shoulders—clear evidence of a growth spurt.
Sui shook his head, his phoenix eyes sparkling. "It’s not bad at all. The lecturers are interesting, and my classmates are nice. I don’t find it difficult."
"However..." He frowned, displeased. "Mother, the refreshing balm you gave me is gone."
Yun Wan reached out to pat his back, checking if his clothes were damp, and replied, "Used it all up? I’ll bring you a few more bottles when we get home."
Lately, she had been making the balm in her spare time and had already accumulated several bottles—enough to last Sui a long while.
But Sui said, "No, it was stolen."
"Stolen?" Yun Wan’s expression darkened as realization dawned. "Someone bullied you? Who was it?"
Before Sui could answer, Lu Changze, who had just entered the carriage, spoke for him. "It was Pei Qian, the heir of Duke Chengen’s household. He took our cousin’s things."
Lu Changze had heard whispers about Pei Qian bothering Sui over the past few days. On their way out, he had casually asked, and Sui had briefly recounted the incident that afternoon.
Pei Qian?
The surname Pei, combined with enrollment at the Hongwen Institute, could only mean one family in the capital—the prestigious Pei household.
Lu Changze added, "Aunt Yun, you may not know this, but Pei Qian is the only son of Princess Yongshou and Duke Chengen. He’s been thoroughly spoiled and has a domineering temperament."
Mentioning Pei Qian, his face twisted in disdain.
Lu Changze had no respect for such entitled brats who relied solely on their family’s status and favor.
With his father being Duke Chengen and his mother a princess, Pei Qian had every advantage in life. Yet instead of studying diligently, he had become a frivolous wastrel—truly a waste of heaven’s blessings.
Hearing that the boy had a bullying nature, Yun Wan grew even more anxious. She gripped Sui’s arm, pushing up his sleeve to check for any injuries.
"Did he hurt you? Show me where!"
Sui hugged her and shook his head. "He didn’t hurt me. He just took the balm you gave me, saying he wanted to try it."
Yun Wan frowned. "That’s still wrong. How could he just take something without asking?"
Lu Changze sighed. "Aunt Yun, don’t be too upset. Pei Qian has always been like this. At least he only took an item and didn’t harm our cousin. It’s not worth making a fuss over something so trivial—people would just laugh at us for being petty."
The words made Yun Wan frown, though she couldn’t outright disagree.
Holding Sui close, she muttered unhappily, "I’m sorry, Sui. I couldn’t protect you from this."
Sui comforted her. "It’s alright, Mother. I was just angry that he took something you gave me."
"Last time, I called him ‘Money-Loser Pei’ and made him storm off in a huff."
That time, he had done it on purpose—who asked Pei Qian to randomly test him?
Sui had a long memory for grudges.
Yun Wan tapped his nose. "You little troublemaker."
Though the matter with Pei Qian was minor, Yun Wan still intended to inform Old Madam Lu.
If nothing else, the old lady had a talent for making a scene when defending her family.
If something like this happened again, she wouldn’t stand by and watch Sui suffer.
However, before Yun Wan could bring it up, the Duke Chengen’s household sent someone the very next morning.
The visitor was the household’s steward, who was exceedingly polite. He explained his purpose:
"Old Madam, Madam Yun, our princess and the duke were deeply regretful upon learning that the young master had taken Young Master Sui’s belongings. They’ve sent me to apologize and hope for your forgiveness."
He placed a gift of apology on the table and continued, "The young master has already been reprimanded by his parents. The next time they meet, he will personally apologize to Young Master Sui. Rest assured, such an incident will not happen again."
His courteous attitude took Yun Wan by surprise.
Given how Pei Qian had been raised to snatch things without a second thought, she had assumed his parents would be much the same—unlikely to apologize, especially when one of them was a princess.
Yun Wan had heard that among all the married princesses, Princess Yongshou held the most favor with Emperor Jingxuan, owing to her mother’s past kindness to him.
The steward then produced a gilded invitation and handed it to Yun Wan with a smile.
"In a few days, it will be the princess’s birthday celebration. She has invited the most famous opera troupe from Yangzhou for a grand performance at the estate. She specifically instructed me to deliver this invitation to Madam Yun, hoping you will honor us with your presence."
The Lu family exchanged glances.
The apology from the Pei household was unexpected enough, but for Princess Yongshou to personally send an invitation to Yun Wan?
They were aware of the princess’s annual birthday banquet—a lavish affair attended by the most prominent noblewomen in the capital. For unmarried young ladies, it was a prime opportunity to gain recognition.
Catching the princess’s eye could open many doors in high society.
In the past, the Lu family had always received invitations, but they were addressed to Old Madam Lu, who decided which family members would attend.
Yun Wan had never been among them.
Accepting the invitation, Yun Wan replied politely, "Her Highness is too kind. I am unworthy of such an honor."
With his task complete, the steward bowed. "Then I shall take my leave to report back."
After the Duke Chengen’s household representatives departed, Concubine Zhong was the first to voice her displeasure.
Her tone was laced with sarcasm as she said, "Sister-in-law, the princess was merely being polite. Surely you don’t actually plan to go?"
Yun Wan tucked the invitation away. "Since the princess has invited me, of course I will attend."
Concubine Zhong sneered. "But you’re a widow!"
Yun Wan chuckled, casting a mocking glance at her. "So what? If you can go, why can’t I? Is there a law in Great Qi forbidding widows from attending banquets?"
Concubine Zhong gritted her teeth and said, "Mother, look how Third Sister-in-law starts flaunting just because she received an invitation!"
Before the old madam could respond, Yun Wan rose and said, "Mother, Second Sister-in-law, I have matters to attend to and will take my leave now."
With that, she smiled and walked away.
