“Since Imperial Aunt doesn’t need to be escorted back, we shall take our leave.” Sui Tingheng walked to Fuyi’s side. “Fuyi, let’s go.”
“Thank you, Your Imperial Highness.” Fuyi smiled brightly and followed Sui Tingheng, her joyous mood evident from her light steps.
Ning Wang clasped his hands behind him. Only after Yun Fuyi and Sui Tingheng were out of sight did he turn to Lu Siyue. “Wangfei, if you plan to visit a place like this again, inform this Wang beforehand.”
“Thank you for your concern, Wangye. However, the next time you enter the palace to conduct your affairs or speak in your defense, do inform this consort in advance as well,” Lu Siyue replied with a faint smile. “It will put my mind at ease.”
“We are husband and wife. Our fates are intertwined; we share honor and disgrace. What is there to worry about?” Ning Wang grasped her wrist once more. “As a daughter of the Lu family, you should be more astute than this.”
Lu Siyue’s expression dimmed. Suddenly, a faint floral scent from the wreath on her head reached her nose. She slowly raised her hand to touch the wreath, her expression gradually calming. “This consort understands your care, Wangye.”
Ning Wang released her wrist, his expression slightly cold. “Who gave you the wreath?”
“Of course the winner of today’s match.” Lu Siyue smiled again. “Wangye, do you wish to play cuju to win a wreath for this consort?”
Ning Wang’s tone grew colder. “It’s just a wreath that will soon wither. If Wangfei likes it, this wang will have someone craft you a hairdress made from pure gold instead.”
Lu Siyue caressed the petals of the wreath. Flowers wither easily, but memories remain. This was the wreath Yun Fuyi had placed on her head, a gesture envied by the crowd.
…
“Did you really watch the match, Your Imperial Highness?” Fuyi asked as she sat in the carriage, massaging her legs. “Are you fond of cuju?”
Sui Tingheng looked at her knees. “When I was young, I couldn’t leave the manor freely. Before my father ascended the throne, I only visited a cuju field once, so I don’t know how to play.”
His tone was calm, but Fuyi detected a hint of sorrow.
“Playing cuju isn’t all that impressive. It’s unlike literary talents. How many people can match Your Imperial Highness’s literary and artistic talents?” Silently reprimanding herself for forgetting the hardships of Li Wang’s family, Fuyi fidgeted with her skirt. “Even this subject daughter’s elder brother doesn’t compare to Your Imperial Highness’s brilliance.”
‘Brother, I’m sorry! But His Highness looks so fragile right now. I have to cheer him up first!’”
“No, being skilled at cuju is remarkable. When you run across the field, everyone cheers for you,” Sui Tingheng said, his eyebrows softened with a hint of warmth and tenderness. “It’s a pity I don’t understand the rules of cuju. But I can see how dazzling you look when you score a goal.”
‘What a kind-hearted prince! Even in a moment of fragility, he still made an effort to praise me!’
‘It’s all my fault! Why did I have to bring up old, unpleasant memories?’
Feeling guilty, Fuyi immediately began to compliment Sui Tingheng on his talents, his paintings, his calligraphy, and even the outer robe he wore today.
“Thank you for your praise, Miss Yun,” Sui Tingheng said, glancing at his light-colored brocade robe. “I thought you might prefer…” Prefer men in brightly colored, extravagant robes.
“Prefer what?” Fuyi hadn’t caught the rest.
“It’s nothing.” Sui Tingheng changed the subject. “Did you like the horse sent to you yesterday?”
“That horse is magnificent. This subject daughter loves it very much,” Fuyi said, her lips curling into a smile at the mention of the horse. Even her knee-rubbing stopped. “How did Your Imperial Highness know I wanted a pure white horse?”
Sui Tingheng averted his gaze, avoiding direct eye contact. “I simply thought a white horse would suit Miss Yun. I didn’t know you specifically wanted one.”
“This subject daughter has wanted such a horse since I was fourteen, but pure white ones with no blemishes are hard to come by. None of the white horses in our family’s stables can compare to the beauty of the one Your Imperial Highness sent.” Fuyi beamed. “During the autumn hunt, I’ll definitely ride it and gallop across the hunting grounds.”
“I’m glad you like it, Miss Yun.” Sui Tingheng said, his eyes flickering toward Fuyi’s knees several times. “Did you injure your knees?”
“Ah?” Fuyi froze for a moment before nonchalantly shaking her head. “It’s nothing, just a bit sore from running too hard.”
As the carriage passed through the city gates, Fuyi accidentally brushed against the pouch at her waist. It was one of the rewards for the victor at the cuju game, embroidered with a golden motif of a cuju ball. In the capital, anyone who loved cuju would long to own such a pouch. She took it off, holding it in both hands and presented it to Sui Tingheng. “Your Imperial Highness gifted me such a fine horse, but this subject daughter has nothing to offer in return. Please accept this pouch.”
The pouch was made from the finest brocade, with golden threads forming the cuju embroidery pattern that shimmered brilliantly.
“Thank you, Miss Yun.” Sui Tingheng took the pouch and held it in his hand. The golden threads tickled his palm, the sensation reaching deep into his heart. “I like it very much.”
The carriage grew quiet. Fuyi leaned against the wall and closed her eyes to rest, though the occasional pain in her knees kept her from falling asleep.
After some time, the voice of the Jinwu Guards broke the silence. “Your Imperial Highness, we’ve arrived at the Yun Manor.”
Fuyi opened her eyes and saw Sui Tingheng already stepping out of the carriage. He lifted the curtain, preparing to help her down.
“Thank you, Your Imperial Highness.” Fuyi placed her hand on his arm and bent slightly as she stepped out of the carriage.
“Miss Yun, please rest well.” Sui Tingheng paused for a moment. “The day after tomorrow is your birthday. Do you have any plans?”
“Probably just gathering with a few friends to liven things up, nothing special.” Surprised that he remembered, Fuyi remarked, “It’s not a big deal.”
“I see.” Sui Tingheng nodded and returned to the carriage.
After seeing the prince off, Fuyi sneakily poked her head inside the gate. Only after confirming it was safe did she slip through. Unfortunately, barely a few steps had been taken when Liu Qiongzhi’s stern voice stopped her on her track.
“Yun Fuyi!”
When parents call their child by their full name, it usually means their patience has run out.
“Mother,” Fuyi immediately turned around, smiling ingratiatingly at Liu Qiongzhi. “Did you call me?”
“The palace attendants already sent the horse back, and yet you still weren’t home. Be honest, where have you been messing around?!” Liu Qiongzhi stormed over, noticing Fuyi’s attire, and angrily asked, “Did you sneak off to play cuju again?!”
Fuyi shrank her neck and dared not reply.
“Physician Liu told you long ago that your legs can’t handle excessive strain right now. Why won’t you listen?!” Liu Qiongzhi was both anxious and furious, raising her hand as if to hit Fuyi but hesitating because she couldn’t bear to. “You’re such a troublemaker!”
“Mother, please don’t be mad. I deliberately arrived late and only played half a match.” Seeing that Liu Qiongzhi was completely furious, Fuyi hurriedly explained, “If I hadn’t gone on the field, the Red Team would’ve lost.” If the Red Team lost, her friends would’ve been disappointed, and she wouldn’t have had the chance to provoke the son of the Censor-in-chief Zhang.
“Your daughter knows her limits, Mother. I wouldn’t risk my health.” Fuyi clung to her mother’s sleeve, playfully shaking it back and forth.
Looking at her daughter, who was trying so hard to act cute, Liu Qiongzhi felt a twinge of sadness. Her little girl was once a wild goose who soared freely in the skies, and it pained her to see her restrained like a caged sparrow. If not for the endless assassination attempts back then, her Fuyi wouldn’t have to endure pain on rainy days or tread carefully even while playing cuju.
“You’re such a handful,” Liu Qiongzhi muttered, suppressing her emotions. She grabbed Fuyi’s ear. “Now go soak in a medicinal bath. Tomorrow, I’ll have Physician Liu give you a few acupuncture treatments, so you don’t end up limping when you meet your good buddies the day after.”
“Thank you, Mother! I know you loved me best,” Fuyi grinned and hugged Liu Qiongzhi, nuzzling against her.
“Stay away from me. Don’t get me covered in dust,” Liu Qiongzhi said disdainfully, though her hands betrayed her as they gently wrapped around her daughter’s shoulders.
“Who’s there?” She suddenly raised her head, her sharp gaze directed at the partially open gate.
When she saw who was outside, Liu Qiongzhi was momentarily surprised. “Your Imperial Highness? This subject wife greets Your Imperial Highness.”
“Your Imperial Highness, didn’t you return to the palace?” Fuyi, noticing Sui Tingheng at the door, let go of Liu Qiongzhi’s arm and stepped forward to open the gate fully.
“Miss Yun’s knees seemed unwell. I remembered I had a bottle of ointment for pain relief in the carriage, so I wanted to bring it over.” Sui Tingheng’s voice was as soft as usual. His half-lowered eyelids cast shadows from his dense lashes, concealing the deep turbulence within his eyes.
Fuyi’s eyes darted back and forth between Sui Tingheng’s face and the bottle in his hand. ‘Did His Highness see her cowering before Mother just now?’
‘Too shameful!’
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Author’s Note:
When parents unleash the “calling your full name” move:
Fuyi: I’m mother’s most obedient little girl.
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