As the sun began to set, Sui Tingheng escorted Fuyi out of the palace. Walking side by side along the path, they occasionally passed flowering branches peeking over the red walls, prompting Fuyi to glance up in admiration.
“About Liu Zihe, whom Great Aunt Kangyang mentioned…” As Sui Tingheng’s gaze caught the sight of the Dongfeng Gate ahead, he slowly came to a stop. “If I had known earlier that he admired you, I would have given him a bit more encouragement last time at the cuju field.”
“Your Imperial Highness, please don’t overthink it,” Fuyi replied immediately. “This subject daughter isn’t familiar with Young Master Liu, and there is no possibility of anything between us in the future. Please do not treat anyone differently on my account.”
“So you are not familiar with him,” Sui Tingheng murmured, a faint smile appearing in his eyes. “That being the case, Liu Zhuangyuan was rather presumptuous—acting solely on his own desires, without considering your opinion.”
“This is a trivial matter. This subject daughter did not take it to heart.”
“Even if you don’t, that does not excuse his impertinence.” Sui Tingheng clasped one hand behind his back and continued walking. His posture was graceful as usual. “Someone who truly cherishes you would never put you in a difficult position. Liu Zhuangyuan is still young and does not yet understand how to be considerate.”
‘Young?’ Fuyi raised an eyebrow. ‘Isn’t Liu Zihe actually a year older than the prince?’
Still, she responded with a smile and a nod—whatever His Imperial Highness said was right; she wouldn’t argue.
By the time they reached the Dongfeng Gate, they spotted the Yun family’s carriage waiting outside. Sui Tingheng stopped. “Your carriage has arrived.”
“Thank you for your hospitality, Your Imperial Highness.” After bidding farewell, Fuyi stepped through the gate. Just before boarding the carriage, she glanced back to find the Crown Prince still standing there—tall and poised, exuding an air of regal elegance in his jade headdress and embroidered robes.
Briefly dazed, she entered the carriage and found Yun Zhaobai already inside.
“Brother…” Fuyi felt a bit guilty.
“It seems your trip went well.” Yun Zhaobai tossed the book in his hand onto the table. “Half an hour ago, officials from the Ministry of Rites came to our house to announce the decree—His Majesty has conferred upon you the title of Junzhu. What did you do?”
“I just did a little something, really insignificant.” Fuyi gestured with her fingers, showing a tiny gap. “Brother, don’t worry. I won’t act recklessly.”
“Fuyi, I only hope that you are well and safe.” Noticing his sister’s hair bun looked slightly flattened as if someone had pinched it, Yun Zhaobai pulled a wooden comb from the carriage drawer and gestured for her to sit in front of him.
“Brother, don’t worry. I wouldn’t gamble with my safety.” Fuyi obediently sat down.
Yun Zhaobai skillfully unraveled the bun and combed through her hair. “If you ever find yourself in a situation you cannot handle, remember to tell us.”
“I will.” Fuyi wrapped her arms around his arm. “Brother is the best.”
“Hey, sit still!” Yun Zhaobai steadied her before efficiently redoing her hair. “Every time you go out, you come back looking messy—just like when you were a child.”
“I’m not a child anymore! And my hair bun was flattened by His Majesty.” Fuyi muttered, then quickly recounted the story of how she met the emperor in childhood. Yun Zhaobai fell into a long silence before finally saying, “I remember when you came home as a child and told me that some grown-up had cried and thrown a tantrum to trick you out of half a pouch of sweets. I never expected that man to be His Majesty.”
For something so undignified, His Majesty had not only remembered it but had even mentioned it to his sister. Was it truly a sign of his fondness for Fuyi, or was he subtly demonstrating his trust in and regard for the Yun family?
His Majesty had been on the throne for only two years, and the court had yet entirely aligned with him. With remnants of old regime still lingered, he needed enough loyal supporters to solidify his power.
“No wonder His Majesty has granted you two noble titles in just a few months, and the Empress and Crown Prince treat you with such warmth.” Yun Zhaobai returned the comb to its case and gently held his sister’s head, admiring his handiwork. “His Majesty is a benevolent ruler and wise monarch. Just act naturally around him and don’t overthink it.”
“Brother, next year the court will hold an additional imperial examination. Will you participate?”
“It’s not the right time yet.” Yun Zhaobai adjusted her hairpin. “I am in no rush to enter the court. We shall wait a few more years.”
“Oh.” Fuyi nodded and did not press further.
Yun Zhaobai glanced at the pastries on the table. “These are all your favorites. Why aren’t you eating them?”
“I just had pastries at Chenxi Palace. I can’t eat anymore.” Fuyi pulled out a storybook, found a comfortable position, and lounged on the seat. “Brother, you eat them.”
‘Chenxi Palace…’ Yun Zhaobai picked up a piece of pastry and turned his head toward his sister, who was sprawled in the most unladylike posture. “Did His Imperial Highness escort you all the way to the Dongfeng Gate?”
Absorbed in her book, Fuyi merely responded with an absentminded nod.
Yun Zhaobai’s brow furrowed tighter as he tossed the pastry into his mouth. ‘Has the Crown Prince always been this considerate toward his subordinates?’
As the carriage passed by the Sifang Pavilion, loud, arrogant voices could be heard outside.
Fuyi tossed aside her book and glanced out the window.
“They’re people from Liyan Country,” Yun Zhaobai’s expression darkened.
During the late emperor’s reign, Liyan had repeatedly invaded the borders, yet rather than resisting, the late emperor had chosen to cede land and pay reparations. This emboldened Liyan further, making them increasingly insolent, to the point where they regarded themselves as superior to the Great Long.
Sifang Pavilion was designated for hosting foreign envoys and thus under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites. Seeing Liyan’s envoys barking orders at Great Long’s servants and commoners, Fuyi took a deep breath and stepped out of the carriage.
“You can’t even carry one chest properly! Do you have any idea how valuable the treasures inside are? Useless Long people…”
“If your chest is so precious, why don’t you carry it yourself?” Fuyi interjected just as she saw a Liyan envoy raising his whip to strike a Sifang Pavilion servant. She reached out and caught the whip midair. “Or does your king refuse to provide enough attendants for his envoys, leaving you with no choice but to beg Great Long’s people for assistance?”
“Who are you?” The Liyan envoy was a tall, burly man. Seeing a mere young woman daring to stop his whip, his arrogance and disdain were evident.
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