Consort Shu fell ill that very night. When Yun Wan went to visit her the next day, the main hall of Changchun Palace was thick with the bitter scent of medicine.
Consort Shu lay on a daybed, clad in a simple underrobe, her face bare and weary, exhaustion lingering between her brows. The scene struck Yun Wan as familiar—after a moment’s thought, she realized it was much like how Old Madam had looked that day, frail and reclining on her couch.
With a concerned expression, Yun Wan offered her greetings. Perhaps due to her illness, Consort Shu responded indifferently, her bloodshot eyes fixed on Yun Wan. The gaze was complicated.
As Consort Shu looked at the woman before her, a sour taste rose in her heart.
Jet-black hair, snow-white skin, lips like cinnabar, a delicate nose, and brows like a painting—every movement Yun Wan made was so captivating it was hard to look away. No wonder such a beauty would pique a man’s interest.
Jealousy and disdain churned within Consort Shu, her emotions surging uncontrollably. Her expression darkened further.
Noticing the stare, Yun Wan felt a flicker of unease. With a puzzled look, she asked, "Why is Your Highness looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?"
Consort Shu suppressed her anger and forced a smile. "No, it’s just that you seem to glow more radiantly these days, making me look all the more haggard in comparison. I’m hardly fit to be seen."
Her tone was light, as if joking.
Yun Wan blinked, then replied gently, "Your Highness shouldn’t belittle yourself. You’re only slightly worn from illness, but your grace remains unmatched. How could I ever compare?"
Consort Shu’s lips twitched, but no smile came.
"How is everything at home? How is Mother’s health? Is she still strong?"
Yun Wan answered, "Your Highness need not worry. All is well at the estate, though when I returned, Mother was ill and seemed rather low-spirited." She paused, then added reassuringly, "But the physician has seen her. She should recover in a few days."
"That’s good..." Consort Shu murmured, then suddenly fixed her gaze on Yun Wan again. "Have you grown accustomed to life in the palace these days?"
The abrupt inquiry unsettled Yun Wan, especially since she sensed no sincerity behind it.
Choosing her words carefully, she replied, "Though it’s not as comfortable as home, I’ve adjusted well enough."
Seeing Yun Wan’s rosy complexion and radiant vitality only deepened Consort Shu’s bitterness. She longed to tear off all pretenses and humiliate her.
But she didn’t dare.
That jade ruyi scepter was the Emperor’s warning—she wasn’t permitted to act recklessly.
Emperor Jingxuan had always been strict, with no tolerance for missteps. Reflecting on everything that had happened recently, Consort Shu realized she had been a fool.
So many coincidences, one after another, all connected to Yun Wan.
And yet, she had been smugly oblivious, like a ridiculous clown.
Noticing the shifting emotions on Consort Shu’s face, Yun Wan said considerately, "Your Highness seems tired. I won’t impose any longer."
As she rose to leave, Consort Shu suddenly called out, "Wait!"
Under Yun Wan’s questioning gaze, she took a slow breath and said, "Yesterday, His Majesty gifted me a jade ruyi. I hadn’t yet thanked him before falling ill."
"Today, I had some fresh pastries prepared. Would you kindly deliver them to His Majesty on my behalf and convey my gratitude?"
Yun Wan’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. "This...?"
Consort Shu’s smile widened. "It’s just a small favor. Weren’t you going to the Emperor’s study today to inspect the incense tools anyway? Consider it a minor detour."
With the matter framed this way, Yun Wan could hardly refuse. She acquiesced.
Once Yun Wan left, Consort Shu’s expression twisted. She snatched a pillow and hurled it to the ground, venting her pent-up frustration.
Her personal matron entered and sighed at the sight. "Your Highness, why do this? You’re just giving Third Madam another chance to get close to His Majesty!"
She had always thought inviting Yun Wan—with that face of hers—into the palace was a terrible idea. Now her fears were coming true, and regret gnawed at her.
Consort Shu scoffed. "Do you think this was my decision?"
The Emperor’s intentions were glaringly obvious. What could a mere consort like her do to change his mind?
She had realized it was better to yield to the Emperor’s wishes than to oppose him and earn his displeasure.
At least this way, she might retain some favor in his eyes.
Otherwise, she’d end up like the one in Yaohua Palace.
After all, what did she have to fear from a powerless woman?
Her real priority was ensuring the Third Prince worked hard and didn’t fall behind the Second Prince. That was what truly mattered!
......
Chun Tang brought the pastries and handed them to Yun Wan, her demeanor noticeably cooler than before. "This is troublesome for you. I have other duties, so I won’t see you out."
Yun Wan signaled for Fuling to take the food box and set off for the Emperor’s quarters while the sun was still mild.
Emperor Jingxuan usually rested in Zichen Palace but handled court affairs and received ministers in the Hall of Diligent Governance.
When Yun Wan arrived, the Emperor was in the middle of an audience with officials.
She considered leaving the pastries with a eunuch to deliver later, but the attendant hesitated, repeatedly declining and urging her to present them personally.
Just as she was at a loss, several robed officials emerged from the hall. They nodded politely and stepped aside—except for one, who froze, his gaze burning with emotion.
At the sight of him, Yun Wan’s expression turned icy. She averted her eyes, pretending not to notice.
Vice Minister Yun stiffened, only snapping out of it when a colleague asked what was wrong.
He shook his head distractedly.
The colleague remarked idly, "I wonder which concubine we just saw, to be granted the privilege of attending His Majesty."
Vice Minister Yun’s face paled. "Don’t speak nonsense! That was no concubine!"
His colleague raised a curious brow. "You know her?"
Vice Minister Yun opened his mouth but couldn’t bring himself to explain Yun Wan’s identity. In the end, he stormed off in silence.
Running into her father had soured Yun Wan’s mood.
Fortunately, the discomfort didn’t last long. Jiang Fusheng emerged, beaming as he personally escorted her inside.
The moment she stepped into the hall, Yun Wan caught the familiar scent of the incense she had blended.
Passing the screen, she saw Emperor Jingxuan seated behind his desk, clad in a dragon-embroidered robe, his presence imposing and awe-inspiring.
Noticing Yun Wan from the corner of his eye, he set down his brush and beckoned her closer. "Madam."
"What brings you here so suddenly?"
Yun Wan approached softly and placed the food box on an empty spot. "Consort Shu mentioned you gifted her a jade ruyi. She fell ill and couldn’t come herself, so she asked me to bring you some pastries."
Emperor Jingxuan nodded, pleased that Consort Shu had at least some sense.
He had little interest in the pastries. Instead, he asked, "Did you just see your father?"
"Yes." Her voice was cool, devoid of any warmth.
Meeting the Emperor’s probing gaze, Yun Wan feigned nonchalance. "To be honest, my father and I... don’t get along. We haven’t seen each other in years."
How ironic that he still recognized her as his daughter.
She thought this with detachment.
The Emperor studied her for a long moment before his lips curved into a faint smile. "What a coincidence. When the late Emperor was alive, my relationship with him was also strained."
Yun Wan froze. Was this something she was supposed to hear?
Emperor Jingxuan smiled, though the warmth didn't reach his eyes. "When I was seven, my father favored my Eldest Prince and Second Prince. Once, the Second Prince played a cruel trick on me but ended up falling into the Taiye Pond himself. When he woke up, he falsely accused me of pushing him in—right in front of Father."
"Not only did Father believe him, but he also punished me by making me kneel outside for half a month. That was one of the rare moments in my life when I felt true resentment."
His dark eyes fixed on Yun Wan as he added, half-jokingly, "Had you been in the palace back then, Madam, you might have seen me scorched under the blazing sun, utterly humiliated."
A flicker of surprise crossed Yun Wan's expression, and she parted her lips slightly, momentarily at a loss for words.
Though he spoke with detachment, the fragments of his story still conveyed the fury, bitterness, and disillusionment of his childhood.
Emperor Jingxuan tilted his head and chuckled softly. "No need to pity me, Madam. In fact, I should thank my Second Prince. He made me see my father’s favoritism clearly—and early."
Yun Wan’s heart stirred, and she suddenly asked, "Your Majesty, was the eighteenth year of Yuanping when you were seven?"
Emperor Jingxuan nodded. "Indeed."
After a glance at him, Yun Wan murmured under her breath, "I believe... I wasn’t even born that year."
Which meant there was no chance she could have witnessed his punishment in the palace.
Emperor Jingxuan: ...
