After a night of exertion, Yun Wan unsurprisingly slept until the sun was high in the sky.
Marital affairs truly are exhausting.
Staring at the embroidered canopy above the bed, Yun Wan sighed deeply from the bottom of her heart.
Only now did she realize there were so many positions—front, back, side—and speeds, fast, slow, or alternating between the two...
With Lu Fenglan, they had always been restrained, usually ending after just once, fearing that overindulgence would further weaken his already frail health.
She had assumed Emperor Jingxuan, being past thirty, would lack stamina—an age where common folk might even be grandfathers. The first time, he had been under the influence of drugs, and the second time, it was her. Both occasions were hazy in her memory, and given the circumstances, his roughness had been understandable.
But last night, Yun Wan truly grasped the difference a robust man could make.
She had felt like a dish in a wok, tossed and turned relentlessly.
Supporting her aching waist, Yun Wan wore a look of deep concern. If this continued unchecked, she might well suffer kidney deficiency before Emperor Jingxuan exhausted his own vitality.
Next time, she would have to discuss it with him properly—this couldn’t go on.
Even when plowing a field, one must consider whether the soil is being damaged or the ox overworked.
After resting for about a quarter of an hour, Yun Wan weakly propped herself up. Fortunately, the bedding beneath her was of the finest quality, its warmth soothing her sore muscles.
Noticing her movement, a palace maid quietly appeared, drawing back the curtains with lowered eyes and a respectful tone. "Good morning, Consort Yun. This servant will assist you with your morning ablutions."
Pausing mid-step, Yun Wan suddenly looked up. "What did you call me?"
"Consort Yun," the maid repeated.
Hearing the title, Yun Wan’s expression flickered with surprise.
Seeing her confusion, the maid explained, "Your Highness may not yet know, but this morning His Majesty issued an edict to the six palaces, conferring upon you the title of Consort Yun and granting you residence in Qiyun Palace."
"Consort Yun?" Yun Wan murmured. "Are you certain it wasn’t...?"
A lower rank, like Noble Lady Yun or Concubine Yun?
The maid nodded, helping her into embroidered slippers with a smile. "Absolutely certain. This servant wouldn’t dare lie. The imperial decree is waiting outside—if you doubt it, you may examine it yourself."
The maid marveled inwardly. Having served in the palace for ten years, this was the first time she had witnessed such an honor. To leap straight to the rank of consort! Other consorts, like the Noble Consort and the Virtuous Consort, had entered the palace as mere noble ladies.
It was well known that His Majesty was frugal with titles in the inner court. Only during major celebrations or auspicious events for the Great Qi would he grant promotions, and even then, only half a rank at a time.
It wasn’t until the birth of several imperial heirs that the palace saw consort-rank ladies, and even they had remained stagnant for years—hardly an incentive for ambitious competition.
Summoning the edict, Yun Wan scrutinized it repeatedly. It was indeed the rank of consort, far beyond her expectations.
Since the Mid-Autumn banquet, she had known her entry into the inner court was inevitable.
Throughout, she had never broached the subject of rank with Emperor Jingxuan—first, because she assumed she would start as a noble lady or beauty, at best a concubine; second, because she understood he had his own calculations. If he didn’t wish to grant it, her asking would be futile.
Yet here she was, holding an edict naming her consort.
But—
"Where is Qiyun Palace?"
Having spent months in the palace, Yun Wan was familiar with its layout, but this name rang no bells.
She distinctly remembered the last time the inner court had sent someone, Emperor Jingxuan had asked her to choose a residence, and she had picked 'Yongfu Palace.'
The maid’s smile deepened. "Replying to Your Highness, it was originally Yongfu Palace. His Majesty found the name too ordinary and personally renamed it 'Qiyun Palace.'"
Qiyun Palace—the name alone made it clear it was tied to Consort Yun, as though it had always been meant for her.
As the maid finished speaking, the other palace servants chimed in with congratulations. "Congratulations, Consort Yun! May Your Highness rejoice in this honor!"
Yun Wan lowered her gaze to the bold, sweeping calligraphy on the edict and smiled faintly.
"...His Majesty has gone to great lengths."
The autumn sky was crisp and clear, the golden sun hanging high, its brilliance grand yet not as scorching as summer’s heat.
Somewhere in the palace, osmanthus trees were in full bloom, their fragrance carried by the wind even to the distant Zichen Hall.
After noon, Fuling was discussing with Yun Wan the idea of picking some osmanthus blossoms to send to the imperial kitchens for osmanthus cakes and honey-infused osmanthus tea when a servant entered and announced:
"Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence in the front hall once you’ve awakened."
...
In the front hall, Emperor Jingxuan sat upright on an ornately carved chair, brush in hand, engrossed in writing.
The moment Yun Wan entered, he sensed her presence and straightened, beckoning her over.
When she approached, he naturally wrapped an arm around her waist, patting his sturdy thigh. "Sit here, my lady."
Glancing around the empty hall, Yun Wan obliged, settling onto his lap.
Noting her cautious demeanor, Emperor Jingxuan smirked, adjusting her to sit more securely.
Her waist still ached, so she leaned into him slightly, using him as support as she asked softly, "Why has Your Majesty summoned this humble one?"
Emperor Jingxuan massaged her waist with controlled pressure, then kissed the top of her head. "You’ve seen the edict?"
Yun Wan nodded.
Gazing down at her, he murmured, "How does my lady feel? Are you pleased?"
Yun Wan parted her lips. "...Pleased."
"But this may provoke discontent among the other consorts."
Her voice was soft, the trailing tone lazy, like a drowsy white cat yawning in his arms.
Emperor Jingxuan brushed a strand of hair from her temple, unconcerned. "Let them be discontent. As long as you and I are satisfied, that’s all that matters."
Yun Wan frowned, hesitating, a faint worry lingering between her brows.
Sighing inwardly, Emperor Jingxuan called for Jiang Fusheng and issued a cold command. "Spread the word: if anyone has complaints, let them bring them directly to me."
With that, who would dare voice dissent? To question Yun Wan’s rank was to question the emperor himself—a single sentence silencing all opposition.
"After much deliberation, I concluded 'Yun' was the most fitting title, so I saw no need to change it."
As for titles like 'Dignified,' 'Obedient,' 'Virtuous,' or 'Respectful,' none, in his eyes, could compare to the elegance of her surname.
Yun Wan wasn’t particularly concerned about the title. Her gaze drifted to several identical scrolls on the desk.
Following her line of sight, Emperor Jingxuan smiled. "Do you know what these are, my lady?"
He pointed to the opening lines of one scroll. Yun Wan focused and froze. "A... divorce decree?"
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
Reading further, the content was brief, reiterating a single message:
Yun Wan and Lu Fenglan were no longer bound in matrimony, free to marry as they pleased.
In other words, Yun Wan and Lu Fenglan were no longer husband and wife. She was no longer a widow of the Lu family, no longer obliged to mourn a so-called departed spouse.
Staring at the fluid calligraphy of those few lines, Yun Wan felt a pang in her heart, her expression dazed.
Strangely, she felt no trace of reluctance—only relief, as though a heavy burden had suddenly lightened.
Seeing her remain silent, Emperor Jingxuan parted his lips and spoke: "The document has already been prepared. All you need to do, madam, is press your seal upon it. After this, you will no longer have any ties to the Lu family."
To be precise, it meant that Madam and that deceased Lu Fenglan would no longer be bound in name as husband and wife—let alone any obligation to mourn for him.
From now on, if she were to mourn anyone, it should be for him alone.
He unfurled the silk parchment and added leisurely, "I’ve prepared three copies. One for you to keep... No, on second thought, it’s better if I hold onto it."
Lest Madam someday glimpsed Lu Fenglan’s name on the annulment papers and began reminiscing.
"As for the other two, one will be sent to the Lu family, and the other..."
Emperor Jingxuan paused, then asked Yun Wan, "Would Madam prefer that I have it burned for Lu Fenglan myself, or should I let his family handle the rites?"
Yun Wan: "........."
