“This subject daughter greets Your Highness the Imperial Prince,” Fuyi made a formal bow and curtsied. Only someone of his status would travel with such a retinue of guards, and since there was only one person in the main imperial family whom she was unfamiliar with, this person must be the self-disciplined and refined imperial prince.
“No need for formalities, Miss Yun.”
Fuyi looked up to see a smile on the prince’s face. She hadn’t heard that this prince smiled often—could it be that he was in a good mood due to Ning Wang’s wedding?
‘Since when were Ning Wang and this prince on such good terms?’ Fuyi had no recollection of this, perhaps it had occurred during the three years she’d been away.
“Drinking alone is boring. When I saw Miss Yun passing by, I invited you without much thought. I hope you can forgive my boldness.” The prince spoke politely and gestured toward the table. “Please, have a seat.”
Fuyi curtsied again in gratitude. “It is my honor to be invited by Your Imperial Highness.”
The prince didn’t seem to be a talkative person. After they sat down, he spoke only a few times. When the dishes were served, Fuyi waited politely for him to lift his chopsticks before she picked up her own.
A maidservant poured her a cup of wine, and Fuyi caught a faint pear fragrance. Seeing her taking just a single sip, the silent prince finally spoke. “Is the wine not to your liking?”
“Unfortunately, my drinking capacity is not great. It’s a rare honor to share a table with Your Imperial Highness. As an imperial subject, I dare not lose composure before you,” Fuyi replied, pushing the cup slightly away. In an attempt to ease the atmosphere, she joked, “If Father found out, I’d be punished to copy calligraphy.”
“Drinking harms the body; it’s true that one shouldn’t overindulge. Someone come, bring Miss Yun some infused water instead,” the prince raised a finger slightly, and the servants quickly removed the wine and cups.
“This servant heard that Miss Yun enjoys peach blossom. Please try this and see if it suits your taste,” Mo Wen entered with a tray, offering her a cup of peach blossom water.
“Thank you.” Fuyi accepted the cup, and Mo Wen quickly replied, “I dare not.”
“Peach blossoms scatter far and wide, peaches hang heavy on the branch…”1 Fuyi recited as she took a sip of the water, trying to recall the next lines, but the rest of the poem unfortunately escaped her, so she gave up.
After she drank, Mo Wen cautiously asked, “Is there anything you’re dissatisfied with, Miss Yun?”
“Not at all,” Fuyi replied with a smile, finishing her cup. “Please don’t be so careful. Years ago, I was such an ignorant girl and picky about food. Now… those bad habits are long gone.”
Mo Wen glanced at the prince. Seeing His Highness remained silent, he made another bow and stepped aside.
The room fell quiet again. Fuyi glanced up at the prince, whose posture was impeccable—elegant and upright, without a single flaw. She poured him a cup of peach blossom water. “Your Imperial Highness, please try some as well.”
Mo Wen looked at the cup of sweet water and was about to speak up, but when he saw the prince reaching for it, he quickly lowered his head, making his presence unnoticed again.
The fragrance of peach blossoms filled the room, adding a hint of sweetness to the air.
After the table was cleared, Fuyi looked out the window and saw that the entirety of East Street could be seen from this vantage point. She squinted at the sunlight streaming in and smiled. “It’s rare to have such a sunny day in the cold of the first month. Thank you, Your Imperial Highness, for bringing me to such a fine spot.”
The noise from below grew louder as the wedding procession returned with the bride. Fuyi glanced outside casually and saw the groom Ning Wang, riding a tall horse in his wedding robes. Backlit by the sun, his expression was obscured in the glare.
“I’m usually busy in the palace and don’t come here often, but if you like, Miss Yun, you’re welcome to bring your friends here,” the prince said, raising his hand to block the blinding sunlight.
Mo Wen hurried forward to close most of the window. “The midday sun is quite harsh. Please be careful, Miss Yun, so your eyes don’t get hurt.”
Fuyi glanced at the prince’s face, noticing a faint flush on his otherwise pale skin—‘Could it be sunburn?’ she wondered.
As a true and qualified idler, Fuyi knew best when to play along and quickly responded, “Thank you for the reminder, Eunuch. The sunlight outside is indeed a bit dazzling.”
There was, of course, no shame in flattering the future crown prince. Even if Mo Wen had said the early spring sun was too hot, she would’ve gladly played along, claiming it was no wonder she had worked up a sweat.
‘Hold on, what’s his name again? Tingheng or Boheng?’
The sound of merriment gradually faded into the distance. The prince pushed open a window, allowing sunlight to once again bathe Fuyi. He looked at her, his voice calm and gentle, “It’s not a bad idea to soak up a bit more sun during the early spring.”
The warmth of the sun was so cozy that Fuyi couldn’t resist a smile. “You’re right, Your Imperial Highness.”
Mo Wen snuck a glance at Yun Fuyi. She really did live up to her reputation—the one who could make the late emperor laugh with ease. Her words changed as quickly as the wind.
“This subject daughter has disturbed Your Imperial Highness for too long. I must apologize.” Fuyi, guessing that the prince still had to attend Prince Ning’s wedding banquet in the evening, tactfully excused herself.
“You’ve hardly been a disturbance,” the prince replied, gazing at her. “Are you heading back to your residence, Miss Yun?”
“Yes, Your Imperial Highness. It is time for me to return.”
He nodded slowly, smoothing the creases in his sleeve before glancing out the window. “Mo Wen.”
“Yes, Your Imperial Highness.”
“Escort Miss Yun back home.”
“Thank you for your hospitality, Your Imperial Highness. Allow this subject daughter to take my leave.” Fuyi bowed and took two steps back. As she turned to leave, she caught a glimpse of the prince watching her.
Uncertain, she snuck another quick look. All good—no sign of displeasure or annoyance. Relieved, she stepped out of the restaurant.
As she left, the name of this prince suddenly came to mind: Sui, the imperial surname, and Tingheng, his courtesy name.2
Heng—meaning balance and justice. A good name that suited the person so well.
She glanced up at the window they had just occupied and saw a flash of silver and red fabric. “Yun Fuyi, is that really you?” A fat head suddenly popped out from a passing carriage. “You are here… to watch Ning Wang’s wedding?”
“Who are you?” Hearing the snide remark, Fuyi crossed her arms, not in any hurry to get into her carriage. She turned to Xiayu and said, “Xiayu, go to the yamen office and call a bailiff.”
The fat guy looked puzzled, confused by her response. He hadn’t even started mocking her yet, so why bring in the bailiff?
“It’s not easy for common people to raise livestock. We can’t just let it roam the streets. Better catch it and send it back where it belongs.”
‘What a great timing—someone delivers themselves right to my door!’
It took a long moment for the guy to realize he was being mocked. “Are you calling me a livestock?!”
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Author’s Note:
Fuyi: “There’s nothing shameful for an idler to flatter the imperial family. It’s called being tactful and considerate.”
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