Emperor Jingxuan was about to indulge in some intimacy with his wife when noises from the courtyard outside interrupted them.
"Mother!"
Sui's clear, bright voice rang through the room, prompting Yun Wan to reflexively push the man in front of her away and hurriedly straighten her dress.
Caught off guard, Emperor Jingxuan was left sitting on the edge of the bed, his face dark with frustration.
"My lady," he called, watching as Yun Wan made to leave without a second thought, his jaw clenched tightly. He reached out and grabbed her wrist, preventing her from stepping away. His voice was low and dangerous as he asked, "Are you abandoning me now?"
The implication was unmistakable.
Yun Wan instinctively glanced at the prominent bulge beneath his robes and, without an ounce of guilt, retorted, "Sui is outside. He's just a child—it wouldn't be proper for him to see this. Your Majesty... Your Majesty should... take care of it yourself!"
With that, she stomped her foot, lifted her skirts, and rushed out.
The door clicked shut behind her. Emperor Jingxuan looked down at his throbbing arousal, his expression stormy.
What kind of farce was this?
Here he was, the mighty Emperor of Great Qi, sneaking around like some illicit lover—only to be left high and dry.
Outside, Yun Wan intercepted Sui before he could enter the room. Kneeling, she wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Sweetheart, what brings you here? Who escorted you?"
Sui had come all the way from Hongwen Institute, his fair, round face now flushed red from the sun, like a steamed bun dipped in fermented rice.
Tilting his head up to let her wipe his sweat, he explained in his childish voice, "There were no afternoon classes. I missed you, Mother, so I gave the palace attendant some silver to bring me here."
Once she finished drying his face, Yun Wan smoothed his collar and asked gently, "Have you eaten? If not, you can join me for lunch."
Sui shook his head. He had specifically come to share a meal with her, even turning down Pei Qian’s invitation without hesitation.
Just as Yun Wan was about to say more, the door creaked open, and Emperor Jingxuan stepped out with deliberate calm.
The sudden appearance of another person startled Sui. After a moment of confusion, his face twisted in alarm. "Your Majesty, why were you hiding in my mother’s room?!"
Emperor Jingxuan, still annoyed at the boy for interrupting his time with Yun Wan, gave him a cold look and scoffed, "I am the master of this palace. I go wherever I please."
Yun Wan’s lips twitched at his words, though she held back any retort.
"But..." Sui’s chubby face scrunched up in thought. Suddenly, his expression cleared, and he declared with conviction, "That’s not right!"
Emperor Jingxuan raised a brow. "Oh? What’s not right?"
Sui planted his hands on his hips and announced loudly, "Men and women must maintain propriety! A man can’t just barge into a woman’s room—it’s improper! Even Your Majesty shouldn’t!"
After all, even he had to knock and wait for permission before entering his mother’s chambers.
Emperor Jingxuan smirked, mimicking Sui’s stance by propping his own hands on his hips. Then, looking down at the audacious little boy, he clicked his tongue. "You dare lecture me? Who gave you the nerve?"
His expression darkened, the full weight of his imperial authority bearing down.
Sui immediately wilted. "I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I was wrong," he mumbled, staring up at the emperor’s chin.
Yun Wan wrapped an arm around him in comfort before turning to Emperor Jingxuan. "Your Majesty, Sui is still young and doesn’t know better. The fault lies with me for failing to teach him properly. He only meant to protect me. If punishment is due, let it fall on me instead."
She could tell Emperor Jingxuan wasn’t truly angry, but she still played her part.
Before the emperor could respond, Sui threw his arms around her. "No, Mother! I won’t let you take the blame!"
He turned back to Emperor Jingxuan, puffing out his chest with newfound bravery. "Your Majesty, I’ll accept any punishment—just don’t punish my mother!"
Touched beyond words, Yun Wan hugged him tightly, her eyes shimmering with emotion. "Oh, my sweet boy..."
Sui’s own eyes grew misty. "Mother..."
Emperor Jingxuan: "..."
Watching the two of them cling to each other, tears welling in their eyes, the emperor remained utterly expressionless.
With a dry chuckle, he remarked, "Should I build you two a stage for this performance?"
So now he was the villain.
Mother and son blinked, their ears turning pink with embarrassment.
After a long look at the pair—so alike in features—Emperor Jingxuan snorted. "I’m hungry. Let’s eat."
Clearly, he had overheard their earlier conversation and intended to stay for the meal.
Fuling, who had come to call Yun Wan for lunch, immediately stepped aside upon seeing Emperor Jingxuan at the forefront, wisely waiting outside.
Yun Wan instructed her to take Sui to wash his hands. Then, hesitating, she cast a discreet glance at the emperor.
Noticing her look, Emperor Jingxuan narrowed his eyes. "What are you staring at, my lady?"
Caught, Yun Wan offered a placating smile. "Your Majesty... are you... alright? Would you like to wash your hands as well?"
Understanding her roundabout implication, he scoffed. "Do you think I lack that much self-control?"
He had been uncomfortable, yes, but he would never act indecently in her chambers.
He had simply drowned his frustration with a cup of cold tea.
Yun Wan pressed her lips together. "If Your Majesty is truly suffering, perhaps a visit to the imperial harem would help. After all..."
"Prolonged restraint may harm the imperial health."
Especially since he was already past thirty.
She muttered the last part under her breath.
Emperor Jingxuan studied her lovely face, suspicion creeping into his tone. "What was that? Speak clearly."
Yun Wan smiled sweetly. "Your Majesty has worked hard."
......
During the meal, one of the dishes was poached shrimp. Sui eagerly rolled up his sleeves and meticulously peeled a whole shrimp.
Instead of eating it himself, he dipped it in sauce and held it out to Yun Wan. "Mother, have this."
Yun Wan adored shrimp, and ever since Sui was three, he had taken it upon himself to peel them for her whenever they were served.
He loved peeling shrimp!
And his mother loved eating the ones he peeled!
In just a year, Sui had mastered the art of shrimp-peeling.
Yun Wan took the offered shrimp and praised, "The shrimp my sweet boy peels are the most delicious in the world."
Sui grinned and grabbed another shrimp to peel.
Meanwhile, Yun Wan carefully picked out the crushed peanuts from his bowl—Sui couldn’t eat anything with peanuts, as they made his skin red and itchy.
Though the reaction wasn’t severe or life-threatening, she still took great care to remove every trace.
By the time she finished, Sui was still busy with his shrimp-peeling mission. Yun Wan fed him bites of his favorite dishes, which he happily accepted, opening his mouth wide each time.
Emperor Jingxuan, sitting to the side, felt thoroughly neglected.
This boy was not only picky, but he still needed to be fed at his age?
His lips curled in displeasure. "My lady, you really shouldn’t spoil him so much."
Just as he spoke, a portion of food landed in his bowl.
"This dish is quite tasty. Your Majesty should try it," Yun Wan said softly, her eyes warm and smiling.
Emperor Jingxuan froze, his heart pounding.
Sui blinked, then followed suit, placing a freshly peeled shrimp in the emperor’s bowl. "For you, Your Majesty," he chirped.
For the first time in his life, Emperor Jingxuan’s lips twitched upward—before he quickly schooled his expression back to neutrality.
"At least you know your place," he muttered.
