"All may rise."
Emperor Jingxuan, clad in imperial robes, took his seat with an imposing demeanor, marking the official commencement of the palace banquet.
The melodies of strings and flutes filled the air as dancers twirled gracefully, their sleeves fluttering like wisps of cloud. The grand hall of Taihe Palace was alive with music and revelry, golden drums resonating in unison, the atmosphere vibrant and jubilant.
After several rounds of wine, Yun Wan, seated inconspicuously behind Consort Shu as a family attendant, paid little attention to the festivities. She nibbled on a few cold dishes before her gaze wandered, searching for the Lu family's seating area.
Though her position was humble, it did nothing to diminish the attention drawn by her extraordinary beauty and poise.
A noblewoman who had been puzzling over her identity for some time finally leaned over to inquire, "Who is that lady? I don’t recall seeing her in the palace before."
Someone chuckled in response, "She’s no imperial consort—that’s the Third Madam of the Lu family."
"So it’s her... With such an ethereal grace, she looks like a fairy stepped right out of a painting. Truly exquisite."
"She seems so young. Has the Yun Family never considered arranging a remarriage for her?"
Another onlooker couldn’t help but voice her curiosity.
At this, others scoffed. "That would require the Lu Family to release her first."
"The Lu matriarch isn’t one to be trifled with. And with Yun Wan’s birth mother long gone, who would dare make plans on her behalf?"
With the Lu Family unwilling to let her go and the Yun Family indifferent, devoid of any influential relatives to rely on, it seemed her fate was sealed—a widow’s life stretched endlessly before her.
A murmur of pity rippled through the crowd. "Such a waste of youth. Must she spend the rest of her days mourning before her late husband’s memorial tablet?"
"Who can say?"
Princess Yongshou, having overheard the conversation, arched a delicate brow. Not necessarily, she mused silently.
Had no one noticed how her imperial brother’s gaze clung to Yun Wan like glue?
Fortunately, the distance and the beaded curtain provided some concealment. Otherwise, the Emperor’s thoughts would be laid bare for all to see by tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Yun Wan, now the subject of whispered discussions, located the Lu family’s seats and leaned toward Consort Shu. "Your Grace, may I speak with the children, Changning and Sui?"
Consort Shu hesitated briefly before nodding. "Very well. But return within two quarters of an hour."
Yun Wan inclined her head in acknowledgment.
Keeping to the shadows, she followed a palace attendant along an inconspicuous path toward the Lu family’s section.
"Sui," she called softly, spotting the back of a small head in the distance.
Startled, Sui whirled around, his face lighting up with joy. "Mother!"
Yun Wan quickly pressed a finger to her lips. "Shh, not so loud."
Amid the sea of guests, she wished to avoid drawing attention.
Lu Changning beamed at the sight of her. "Aunt Yun! It’s been so long—you’ve grown even more beautiful!"
Yun Wan smiled. "What a sweet talker. And you’ve blossomed as well."
Indeed, the girl had transformed in just a month or two—her figure taller, the baby fat fading from her cheeks, replaced by the fresh radiance of adolescence.
Sui scooted aside to make room, and Yun Wan settled beside him. As she turned, her eyes met Lu Yuanduo’s.
With a polite smile, she greeted him. "Duke."
Lu Yuanduo studied her intently before murmuring, "You’ve lost weight."
Yun Wan paused briefly before replying lightly, "The summer heat spoiled my appetite."
His gaze lingered on her features. "By my calculations, the palace should soon release you."
His voice softened. "When you return to the estate, send word ahead. I’ll have your courtyard cleaned and prepared."
Yun Wan’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second. "You’re too kind, Duke. But the exact date depends on Her Grace’s arrangements."
Unaware of the undercurrents, Lu Yuanduo relaxed.
Clink.
Above them, a hard clatter rang out as a wine cup struck the golden nanmu table.
A young eunuch serving wine dropped to his knees in terror, fearing he had erred.
Emperor Jingxuan remained motionless, his eyes fixed on a distant point.
Draining his cup in one swift motion, he commanded coldly, "Refill it."
Relieved to escape reprimand—though not without a warning glare from Chief Eunuch Jiang Fusheng—the servant scrambled up to pour more wine.
The Emperor’s fingers tightened around his cup as he watched the two figures conversing below, his expression icy.
Glancing down at the table, he ordered abruptly, "Send the crab and pomegranates to Madam Yun."
Jiang Fusheng dared not mention that her table was already well-stocked. Bowing, he hurried to relay the command.
Yun Wan was in the midst of delicately extracting crabmeat with silver tools—a pleasure in itself, given the richness of August crabs. Beside her, Sui intermittently offered bites of other dishes from his spoon.
Just as she slid a portion of crab toward Sui’s bowl, a eunuch approached bearing a tray with two jade plates.
"Madam Yun, Young Master Lu, fresh crab meat and pomegranates for your enjoyment."
Surveying the delicacies—clearly not distributed to all—Yun Wan cast a questioning glance at the attendant.
The eunuch lowered his voice. "His Majesty advises moderation, as crab is cooling in nature."
The unspoken sender needed no clarification.
Yun Wan’s eyes flicked instinctively toward the throne, where Emperor Jingxuan’s dark, penetrating gaze awaited her.
Her breath hitched. She dropped her eyes hastily, veiling her reaction.
Noting her flustered evasion, the Emperor’s lips curved faintly, his mood lifting.
Below, Imperial Concubine Li, unusually subdued throughout the banquet, watched with a frosty smile.
What a fool Consort Shu is.
After all her scheming, she’d only paved the way for another.
Initially, Imperial Concubine Li had been baffled by her downfall. She’d taken pains to leave no traces in the Consort Shen affair, yet Emperor Jingxuan had stripped her of authority nonetheless.
Had he truly been championing Consort Shu?
But past skirmishes between them had never provoked his interference—so long as lines weren’t crossed, he remained aloof.
Why intervene now?
During her confinement at Yaohua Palace, Imperial Concubine Li had pieced together the truth: the Emperor’s wrath stemmed not from her targeting Consort Shu, but from implicating Yun Wan in Consort Shen’s downfall.
Of course!
Her lips curled in silent derision.
Shooting a glance at the oblivious Consort Shu, she wondered if the woman had yet sensed the anomaly.
Knowing her, even if she had, she’d be choking on suppressed fury.
Were circumstances different, Imperial Concubine Li would have relished asking: How does it feel to invite the wolf into your home?
Meanwhile, the unsuspecting Consort Shu checked the time and summoned Chun Tang. "Is everything ready?"
Chun Tang nodded. "All is prepared, Your Grace."
Consort Shu exhaled slightly, her tension easing.
Her eyes flicked toward Yun Wan. "Bring her back now."
