Changchun Palace.
When Consort Shu saw Yun Wan, she was momentarily stunned.
Back when her younger brother was alive, his wife had already been renowned for her striking beauty, eclipsing everyone around her. Even though her brother had passed away years ago, Yun Wan remained breathtakingly beautiful, radiant like peach blossoms and serene like moonlight, showing no trace of weariness or age.
Her attire was simple and understated, yet it couldn't conceal her ethereal charm. Perhaps due to her becoming a mother, her figure had changed from the slender and cool elegance of a few years ago to one that was now graceful and alluring, supple like a willow tree. Yun Wan now carried an added air of gentle brilliance and tender grace.
Consort Shu curved her lips into a smile and beckoned, “Mother, Sister-in-law, you’re here.”
The two women bowed in greeting, but Consort Shu stepped forward to assist the Old Madam, her face brimming with joy. “Mother, please rise. We’re family; there’s no need for such formalities.”
Consort Shu was the Old Madam’s biological daughter, and her appearance bore some resemblance to her mother. Her features were striking, and she was adorned in luxurious attire, her hair intertwined with pearls and jade. Years of being a consort in the palace had imbued her every gesture with regal elegance.
After exchanging pleasantries with the Old Madam, Consort Shu turned to Yun Wan with a faint smile before shifting her gaze to the boy at her side. Her expression brightened. “This must be Chang Sui. What a clever-looking child! Come here and let me take a closer look.”
It was Sui’s first time in the palace, but faced with the unfamiliar Consort Shu, he showed no timidity. He stepped forward and bowed. “Sui greets Consort Shu. May you be blessed with health and happiness.”
His small frame stood tall, like a fresh spring shoot sprouting after the rain. His imitation of adult manners amused and delighted Consort Shu, making her even more fond of him.
“Don’t call me Consort Shu—it sounds too formal. Quickly, call me Aunt instead,” she said, unconsciously softening her tone.
Sui’s childlike voice rang out, “Aunt.”
Consort Shu responded warmly, her heart brimming with joy. Taking his small hand in hers, she asked, “Can you read and write?”
Sui nodded. “I’ve already learned five hundred characters and can recite ‘Guidelines for Being a Good Disciple.’”
“Recite it for Aunt to hear.”
Sui cleared his throat and began reciting, swaying his head rhythmically as he spoke: “‘Guidelines for Being a Good Disciple, teachings of the sages…’”
He recited for a full quarter-hour without pause or error, clearly having memorized it thoroughly.
Consort Shu was very pleased with his fluent recitation, her smile deepening. She proceeded to ask him several more questions, all of which Sui answered one by one.
Consort Shu sighed with admiration, “I truly envy you, Sister-in-law. This child is absolutely delightful.”
Yun Wan curved her lips into a faint smile, though her eyes revealed a trace of pride she couldn’t hide.
The Old Madam laughed heartily. “Sui has been clever since he was little—just like your third brother.”
The death of her younger brother was also a regret for Consort Shu. She sighed softly, “Mother should have brought Chang Sui here sooner. If Hui’er had half this child’s cleverness, I’d be satisfied.”
The Old Madam’s expression turned serious. “You jest, Consort Shu. The Third Prince is exceptionally gifted—how could Sui compare? I’ve heard that just the other day, the emperor praised the Third Prince.”
Consort Shu smiled wryly. “Recently, Hui’er wrote an essay, and it happened to catch the emperor’s attention. He said it was well-written, with the style of a great scholar.”
But in truth, only those privy to palace affairs knew that during that period, the emperor had been in an exceptionally good mood and had praised all the princes and princesses. The Third Prince was not particularly distinguished.
Thinking of the Third Prince’s mediocre talents and then looking at the bright and capable Sui before her, Consort Shu felt a pang of melancholy.
If only she had a biological child, it would certainly be like Sui, wouldn't it?
No one knows a child better than their mother. The Old Madam noticed her regret and reached out to pat Consort Shu's hand in comfort.
Yun Wan's gaze shifted between the two, capturing Consort Shu's expression in her eyes.
It was no secret that the Third Prince was not Consort Shu's biological child but was born to a woman from the Xue family, who had entered the palace alongside Consort Shu. Due to her low family status, she was granted the title of a talent. After the Xue family woman passed away, Consort Shu pleaded with His Majesty to have the Third Prince registered under her name and personally raised him.
Meeting her gaze, Consort Shu adjusted her expression and said, "It's still my elder brother who has foresight. It is beneficial for Chang Sui to enter the Hongwen Institute, but I wonder what my sister-in-law thinks?"
Her gaze held a hint of scrutiny.
Consort Shu had entered the palace many years before her brother married, so she wasn't very familiar with her younger sister-in-law.
She had initially thought that with Yun Wan's beauty, she would remarry after her brother's death, but it turned out unexpectedly.
Glancing at the white jade pear blossom hairpin on Yun Wan's head, Consort Shu understood. It seemed the rumors were true; Yun Wan still couldn't forget Feng Lan.
Consort Shu's expression softened slightly.
Yun Wan's attention was on Sui at that moment, and seeing Consort Shu's sharp long nails almost grazing his skin, her heart tightened slightly.
Upon hearing the words, she turned her eyes and spoke as if confiding, "Although I care deeply for the child, it is indeed a fortunate event for Sui to accompany the Third Prince and enter the Hongwen Institute. I agree with Your Highness and the Duke's decision."
Without a hint of emotion, she pulled Sui in front of her and whispered, "Sui, quickly thank Her Highness."
With a serious expression and a round face, Sui clasped his hands formally, "Chang Sui thanks Aunt Consort Shu."
"Look at this child..."
Everyone was amused by his address, and the atmosphere relaxed.
After having lunch at the Changchun Palace, the original plan was to let Consort Shu have a look at Sui and see what his temperament was like.
After meeting him, Consort Shu took a liking to Sui and decided to keep him for a day, saying that she would let the two cousins meet in the afternoon after the Third Prince finished his studies, so they wouldn't be strangers at the Hongwen Institute.
The Old Madam had no objections and was eager for her dear grandson to win the favor of both Consort Shu and the Third Prince.
Yun Wan was initially worried but realized that Sui was Consort Shu's direct nephew, and both emotionally and rationally, he would be well taken care of. She then explained the situation to Sui.
Sui didn't want to stay in the palace, but he understood that Consort Shu had the final say here, and he didn't want to cause trouble for his mother, so he agreed readily.
Family members of the consorts had a time limit for their visits to the palace. After lunch, they stayed for half an hour before the Old Madam and Yun Wan left the Changchun Palace.
The Old Madam, accustomed to a life of luxury, walked slowly, supported carefully by the palace maid Chun Tang.
Yun Wan walked on the Old Madam's right side. She wasn't a talkative person, and her relationship with the Old Madam wasn't close, so she remained quiet as she had been when they arrived.
On the other side, Chun Tang pondered slightly and spoke, "Old Madam—"
Suddenly, she caught sight of a distant carriage, and her expression changed dramatically.
"It's the imperial carriage."
When the emperor travels, idle people must yield.
Yun Wan and the Old Madam also saw the luxurious sedan chair carried by the palace people several yards away.
With carved dragon patterns and dragon heads attached, the palace staff were numerous, and the ceremonial procession was imposing.
Without a doubt, it was the emperor's entourage.
There was no avoiding it now. Chuntang led the two and, like the surrounding palace attendants, knelt down.
The imperial palanquin approached from a distance, and wherever it passed, all knelt in reverence, holding their breath in silence.
The procession came to a halt, stopping directly in front of Yun Wan and the Old Madam. Then, a commanding voice rang out from above:
"Lady Luxiao?"
Hearing her name so suddenly, the Old Madam was startled. Regaining her composure, she bowed deeply and said, "This humble servant, Lady Luxiao, greets Your Majesty."
Emperor Jingxuan said, "Old Madam, rise."
The Old Madam trembled as she stood, her voice quivering as she replied, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Emperor Jingxuan was dressed in his ceremonial robes, a crown upon his head, sitting high atop the dragon-adorned palanquin. His sharp, penetrating gaze swept over the crowd below, exuding an overwhelming sense of authority that made it difficult for anyone to breathe under its weight.
He spoke with a calm indifference: "Old Madam, did you just come from the Hall of Eternal Spring?"
Not understanding the emperor's intentions, the Old Madam replied cautiously, "In response to Your Majesty, yes. I entered the palace to visit Consort Shu. Her Ladyship graciously invited us to dine, and after the meal, not wishing to impose further, we took our leave."
The emperor gave a slight nod, his expression unreadable.
Retracting his gaze, he raised his hand, the wide sleeves of his robe adorned with golden dragon embroidery rippling with the motion.
Jiang Fusheng, the chief eunuch, immediately took the cue. With a flick of his whisk, he raised his voice and announced, "The procession shall proceed!"
The imperial palanquin began to move again, and a gentle spring breeze carried a faint, lingering fragrance through the air.
Emperor Jingxuan’s sharp eyes narrowed slightly. Suddenly, his voice rang out: "Halt!"
