Two jars of wine were displayed on the table in the Zhaoyang Palace, their exteriors wiped clean, as if they had never spent five years buried in the soil. As the seal was broken, the rich fragrance of the wine filled the air. Fuyi carefully examined the jars over and over, then whispered to Sui Tingheng, “Your Imperial Highness, please summon two imperial physicians for a poison check.”
Seeing Sui Tingheng’s puzzled look, she explained, “Although this subject daughter personally buried the wine years ago, I am not the only one who knows there is wine under the peach tree.” Lately, she had been constantly at odds with Sui Ruijing. Being the vengeful person that he was, he might have poisoned the wine in retaliation.
“Alright.” Sui Tingheng’s gaze flickered over the two wine jars before instructing one of his attendants to call for the physicians. He then invited Fuyi to join him for tea in the courtyard.
The Empress was already seated in the courtyard. Noticing them step out, she examined the palace dress Fuyi had just changed into and nodded with a satisfied smile. “That outfit suits you well.”
“It’s because Your Majesty has a good eye,” Fuyi responded with a smile. Knowing the Empress disliked excessive formalities, she sat directly beside her and said, “Otherwise, how would you have chosen this dress for me?”
The Empress, amused, rewarded her with several sets of clothes and jewelry.
Watching the two women engrossed in conversation as if he had ceased to exist, Sui Tingheng showed no displeasure. He sipped his tea quietly, occasionally glancing at them.
“It’s rare for you to keep me company this long. Your Father Emperor will also join us before lunch,” the Empress, finally addressing her son, said after a while. “It’s good to take a break and enjoy the scenery. Don’t stay cooped up with your books all day; you’re too young to turn into an old scholar.”
Just then, a voice rang from the gate, announcing the Emperor’s arrival. Fuyi stood up, preparing to curtsy, but the Emperor’s hearty laughter reached her ears first. “No need for formalities, Fuyi. Zhen once held you in my arms when you were little.”
It seemed every elder had such a phrase. Fuyi secretly raised her head and stole a glance at the Emperor. Despite being clad in a simple black court robe, his tall frame exuded authority—so different from the showy attire so favored by the late Emperor.
After the Emperor took his seat, he noticed Fuyi still standing. “Sit down,” he said with a chuckle. “The first time Zhen saw you, you were quite bold.”
“Your Majesty, this subject daughter has always been timid,” Fuyi replied, sitting gracefully. At the same time, she quickly wracked her brain—‘When had I met the Emperor when I was little?’
“Perhaps, as they say, a newborn calf fears no tiger. I was a bit mischievous as a child.” Her tone, while exuding familiarity, retained its politeness.
“And are you afraid now?”
“No, this subject daughter still isn’t afraid of fierce tigers,” she said with a smile, “but Your Majesty is the true dragon who shelters all under heaven. As your subject, I naturally hold you in great esteem and admiration.”
Pleased by her witty remarks, the Emperor was delighted. Flowery language bored him, but straightforward admiration suited him just fine.
’As expected of Minister Yun’s daughter—beautiful and eloquent!’
“Heard that a few days ago, you told that chubby boy from the Liu family that you were one of Zhen’s children?” The Emperor laughed heartily.
Even though her ‘feat’ reached the Emperor’s ears, Fuyi was not panicked. She had a thick skin, and judging by the Emperor’s expression, he didn’t seem displeased. She bowed her head, pretending to look embarrassed. “This subject daughter was out of line and made a fool of myself before Your Majesty.”
‘Who has such a big mouth, spreading this story to His Majesty?’
“Don’t worry, you were right. All subjects are indeed my children.” After some small talk, the Emperor turned the conversation to Fuyi’s fall from the cliff. “How did you survive that fall three years ago?” Surviving a fall like that was the sort of miraculous feat usually only achieved by the protagonists of storybooks.
The Empress immediately pinched his side. ‘Why are you bringing back a little girl’s traumatic memories?!’
The smile on the Emperor’s face twitched. ‘Don’t pinch, don’t pinch! I’m not the only one curious about this!’
“Actually, this subject daughter isn’t quite sure. After falling off the cliff, I lost consciousness,” Fuyi didn’t mind recounting this incident. “It seemed like this subject daughter was having a long dream, as if numerous people were speaking beside me, calling my name. Then, I felt as if I was passing through a dark tunnel and saw many people kneeling and kowtowing.”
“No wonder,” the Emperor said with a mysterious look. “Perhaps the ancestors of the Yun and Liu families were kowtowing to the lord of the underworld, begging him to spare your life.”
“Your Majesty,” the Empress said through gritted teeth, “it’s called a blessing from the ancestors.”
“Same thing,” the Emperor waved dismissively. “Children blessed by their ancestors are truly fortunate.”
As he spoke, he reached for a plate of pastries, only to find the space before him empty. His eyes widened—his ‘filial’ son had moved all the plates away! Just as he was about to snatch them back, the plate that had his favorite pastry was pushed in front of Yun Fuyi by Sui Tingheng.
‘What an unfilial son!’ The Emperor fell silent. As the monarch, he certainly couldn’t argue with a young girl over food. But that didn’t mean he didn’t feel a sense of injustice!
“Lunch is still half an hour away, Miss Yun, so please have some pastries to tide you over,” Sui Tingheng said, taking out a handkerchief to wipe his hands as he gave his father a slight smile. “Father Emperor, did you come so early because there’s no pressing state matter, or have you finished reviewing memorials?”
“Oh,” the Emperor snatched a plate from in front of his son. “Just had an argument with some old courtiers. Zhen barely said a few words, and they were already gasping and clutching their chests like they were on their last breath. Zhen feared they might faint in the imperial study, so Zhen came here to avoid them.”
Fuyi’s eyes widened—‘Is this something I’m allowed to hear?!’
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