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“Your Imperial Highness, Yun Junjun has returned home.” Mo Wen returned to the inner hall of the prince’s palace and bowed deeply to Sui Tingheng. “However, there was a small incident at the palace gates.”
“What happened?” Sui Tingheng set down the letter in his hand and looked up.
Mo Wen recounted the events at the gates. When he mentioned how the maid had cursed Fuyi to death, Sui Tingheng’s hand tightened around the letter, crumpling the paper. “Nonsense!”
He stood abruptly. “Prepare my horse—”
“…No, let’s not.”
He closed his eyes, suppressing the surge of emotions within him. It took him quite a long moment to regain his composure, “Yun Junjun is kind-hearted and benevolent, deeply cherished by Mother Empress. Bestow her with two boxes of pearls, eight pairs of gold hairpins, ten bolts of tribute silk, one fine horse, and two excellent bows. For Minister Yun, grant two purple robes and two pairs of cloud-patterned boots. For Madam Yun, bestow a jade ruyi scepter and a box of aged ginseng. For the Yun family’s young master, present him a set of brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.”
“But Your Imperial Highness,” Mo Wen hesitated. “This bestowal might look excessive to others and could provoke criticism.”
“Minister Yun is a loyal subject to the throne, yet the former maid of Ning Wang’s birth mother dared to curse Miss Yun at the palace gates. As a younger generation, it is not my place to rebuke my elders, but I cannot stand by while a virtuous official is insulted.” Sui Tingheng’s expression remained cold. “Inform my aunt that one of the eunuchs who serves her husband has accused her of failing to properly manage her staff. She should be reminded not to let her servants grow so bold as to usurp their master.”
“Understood.”
“Didn’t Imperial Uncle mention wanting wine?” Sui Tingheng removed the jade pendant from his waist and tossed it onto the table. “Send him ten jars and let him enjoy them slowly once he recovers.”
As the sunlight began to wane, Sui Tingheng lowered his gaze to the jade pendant lying on the table.
A gentleman should be benevolent and never act on impulse, but sometimes, he doesn’t want to be a gentleman.
…
The news of the rewards bestowed upon the Yun family by the Prince quickly spread among the court officials, surprising many. His Imperial Highness was known for showing no favoritism toward any official, so why had he suddenly gifted so much?
After some investigation, it was revealed that the rewards were due to an incident at the palace gate, where a former maid of Ning Wang’s birth mother cursed Minister Yun’s daughter, claiming she should never have survived. Yet again, the Emperor’s family was cleaning up after Ning Wang’s mess.
Even those like Princess Kangyang, who disliked Yun Fuyi, began to suspect that the attack on the Yun family years ago had been orchestrated by Ning Wang’s faction.
“Some men,” Princess Kangyang remarked, shaking her head, “speak of love and loyalty while wiping out entire families, then have the audacity to blame women for disregarding past affections. No wonder the Yun family doesn’t seem eager to find a match for Yun Fuyi.”
“Ning Wang is strikingly handsome. It’s no wonder those palace women, confined within walls where most men are barred entry, are easily captivated by him. They’re quite pitiable.” Her daughter-in-law, Madam Liu, said as she massaged the princess’ legs. “Fortunately, Mother has brought up my husband well.”
Princess Kangyang beamed with pride. “The men in the Liu family may have their faults, but they are loyal to their wives. It’s a pity the Yun family doesn’t think highly of Zihe and refuses to marry Fuyi into our Liu family.”
Madam Liu stopped her massage altogether. “Zihe fancies Yun Fuyi?”
“Too much studying has muddled his brain, it seems,” Princess Kangyang said with a tut, shaking her head. “But Yun Fuyi clearly doesn’t care for him, even though he’s this year’s Zhuangyuan.”
“Why wouldn’t she?” Madam Liu pressed.
“She only remembers Shouchang saying he was a crybaby when he was little. That’s her sole impression of Zihe.” Both had grown up in the capital; if Yun Fuyi had any interest in Liu Zihe, she wouldn’t have forgotten what the boy looked like.
Madam Liu shrank back slightly. “Let’s keep this secret from Zihe’s mother.”
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law exchanged guilty looks, reaching a tacit agreement.
It wasn’t entirely their Shouchang’s fault, after all. Zihe had indeed been a crybaby when he was young. Shouchang was merely too honest for his own good!
…
Crash! At the entrance to the main courtyard of Ning Wang Manor, a wine jar smashed to the ground. Ning Wangfei walked into the courtyard, her expression calm as she stepped around the shards. “Greetings, Wangye.”
“Siyue.” Ning Wang emerged from his chambers and reached for her hand. She studied him closely, noting that no trace of anger was visible on his face, then spoke to the point, “This consort heard there was a eunuch who spoke out of turn in the palace yesterday?”
A eunuch standing at the gate lowered his head.
“According to the rules of Ning Wang Manor, a servant who couldn’t control his tongue shall be lashed thirty times,” Ning Wangfei said, withdrawing her hand from his grasp and pointing to the eunuch in the corner, “Take him away.”
“No, Wangfei, please show mercy! Wangye, save me!”
“Siyue…”
“Wangye,” Ning Wangfei interrupted Ning Wang, “This consort comes from the Lu family of Lingbei and doesn’t want to bear the reputation of failing to manage my household.” She let out a faint, enigmatic laugh. “That fine bamboo leaf green wine—hold it steady next time, Wangye. Don’t let it fall again and waste your nephew’s thoughtful gift.”
After dealing with the eunuch, Ning Wangfei changed into simpler attire and left the manor. From a distance, she spotted Yun Fuyi riding a magnificent snow-white horse, so dazzling that she couldn’t take her eyes off her.
“Greetings, Wangfei.” Fuyi dismounted and greeted Ning Wangfei with a polite curtsy.
“What a fine horse,” Ning Wangfei remarked. Though she didn’t know much about horses, it was clear this was no ordinary steed.
“It was a gift from His Imperial Highness yesterday,” Fuyi said, patting the horse’s neck. Seeing Ning Wangfei’s curiosity, she smiled. “Would you like to pet it?”
“May I?” Ning Wangfei hesitated, her interest piqued.
“Don’t be afraid.” Fuyi gently took her hand and guided it to stroke the horse’s head.
“It tickles,” Ning Wangfei said, her cheeks turning pink, her eyes and expression lighting up with joy.
“Would you like to ride it?” Fuyi leaned closer and whispered, “There’s a cuju match today. Shall we watch it together?”
Ning Wangfei’s rational mind told her this was inappropriate, but her head nodded honestly.
“Wangfei!” her servant girl exclaimed, her face pale. “You mustn’t, Wangfei…”
‘This is Yun Fuyi, the capital’s notorious troublemaker! She’ll lead you astray!’
But Fuyi had swung herself onto the horse, then bent down and pulled Ning Wangfei up behind her, wrapping an arm around her waist. “Don’t be afraid; we’ll ride slowly.”
“I’m not afraid,” Ning Wangfei said, gazing out at the distant view. She hadn’t realized how high it felt to sit on horseback.
“Then let’s go.” Fuyi gently patted the horse, and it began to move. Ning Wangfei stiffened immediately.
“Relax. If we do fall, I’ll be your cushion,” Fuyi reassured her, keeping her arms securely around Ning Wangfei. “I promise to keep you safe.”
“I trust you,” Ning Wangfei said softly, gradually easing as the horse moved forward.
“Wangfei!” The servant girl stomped her foot in frustration as she watched the infamous Yun Fuyi whisk her mistress. Spinning on her heels, she ran back to Ning Wang Manor.
“Something terrible has happened! Wangfei has been abducted by Miss Yun!”
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