When Fuyi noticed the Empress looking at her with warmth and affection, she was a bit surprised. Who would have thought that Her Majesty would grow so fond of her after just a few meetings? Noticing the envious and resentful gazes in the crowd, Fuyi couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction. ‘Well, well, it’s not my fault now, isn’t it? I’m simply too charming~’
The onlookers saw Fuyi’s slight smirk and took deep breaths to keep their annoyance in check. Princess Kangyang, unable to hold back, muttered quietly, “She must have had at least three pots of tea this morning. Otherwise, how did she keep spouting nonsense after nonsense?”
Next to the old princess, Ning Wangfei remained silent, her gaze fixed on the smiling empress. The Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review had taken over, launching a thorough investigation into the case. The banquet hall appeared calm on the surface, but who knew how many people were involved behind the scenes?
The crowd respectfully bid farewell to the Empress as she boarded her phoenix carriage. Those who were acquainted headed towards their carriages in small groups, engaging in intense conversation.
“His Imperial Highness is coming of age this year, and the Empress treats Yun Fuyi with such affection. Could it be that she’s planning to…”
“Impossible! Absolutely impossible. Even if the Yun family is loyal and patriotic, and even if Yun Fuyi has earned credit for saving Her Majesty, there is no way such a good-for-nothing girl to become His Imperial Highness’s consort.”
“That’s true. Their Majesties have only one child. The future princess consort would have to be chosen with the utmost care.”
Back in her carriage, Fuyi lifted the window curtain for a quick glance outside, hesitated, and then lifted it again to smile at the person outside. “Please forgive this subject daughter, Your Imperial Highness. It’s quite difficult to curtsy from inside the carriage.”
The Prince, astride his horse and dressed in a green robe adorned with bamboo patterns, with his hair secured by an auspicious cloud and flying crane hairpin, looked like an ethereal being exiled to the mortal realm.
He glanced at her and gave a slight nod. “The mastermind behind this incident has yet to be uncovered. Please be extra cautious in the coming days, Miss Yun.”
“Thank you for the reminder, Your Imperial Highness. This subject daughter understands.” Fuyi was mischievous by nature, but she always maintained respect for someone like the Prince, who possessed both outstanding character and talent.
Sui Tingheng sat upright on his horse, looking ahead. “It’s only been two years since Father Emperor ascended the throne, and we have yet to uncover all the people who harbor rebellious minds. Fortunately, Miss Yun’s quick actions today spared Mother Empress from this disaster.”
“Her Majesty’s attendants are well-trained. Even if this subject daughter hadn’t intervened today, those peacocks might not have harmed her,” Fuyi remarked casually. “This kind of method to disfigure someone—I once saw it in the late Emperor’s inner palace.”
The late Emperor, indulgent and lecherous, had countless beauties in his inner palace. Those concubines did not hesitate to resort to every trick in order to compete for favor. One would have her face disfigured today, another would fall into the water tomorrow, and the day after, someone else might suffer a miscarriage. The inner palace during the previous reign was as chaotic as a wild jungle.
“Noble Consort Zeng was the most favored by the late Emperor during her lifetime, and she must have witnessed countless such methods. Sadly, this subject daughter heard that on the day of the late Emperor’s passing, a fire broke out in her palace, and she unfortunately perished in the flames. Otherwise, we might have been able to ask her a thing or two.” Fuyi smiled with a hint of regret. “I wonder if Ning Wang knew one or two things about his late mother’s tricks.”
Sui Tingheng gave her a long, deep look, and after a pause, he said, “Life and death are determined by fate. It’s beyond the ability of us mortals. Please don’t dwell on it, Miss Yun.”
“Your Imperial Highness is right.” Fuyi watched as Sui Tingheng rode off into the distance, slowly lowering the curtain.
“Miss,” Xiayu leaned in closer. “Did you really just pour Ning Wang dirty water like that?”
“What nonsense,” Fuyi pressed her fingertip against Xiayu’s forehead, gently pushing her back. “As the daughter of a court official, what I did is called being sincere and loyal, doing my best to ease the burden on the monarch.”
Xiayu clutched her forehead, muttering softly, “Well, I believe you, but whether His Imperial Highness does is another matter.”
Two hours later, Ning Wang was summoned to the palace. The Emperor treated him with great affection, not only bestowing a calligraphy scroll but also allowing him to take several attendants from the palace.
“Those attendants were left behind by Noble Consort Zeng, and Father Emperor generously sent them to Ning Wang Manor. If Imperial Uncle is reluctant to put them to use, son can only express regret on your behalf.” Sui Tingheng helped the Emperor organize the memorials on the desk. “Today, this son noticed Great Aunt Kangyang seemed to have put on more weight, which reminded me of a funny story.”
“Oh? What story is that?” The Emperor was intrigued. He wasn’t particularly close to Princess Kangyang and felt no guilt at all about hearing jokes at her expense.
Sui Tingheng stepped back. “A few days ago, her grandson had a run-in with the daughter of Minister Yun’s family. They argued, and he claimed that as your nephew, even Minister Yun had to show him respect.”
“He dares to speak like that about Minister Yun.” The Emperor scowled. “Aunt Kangyang has spoiled her descendants beyond repair.”
“But Miss Yun is very witty. She responded that since His Majesty cherishes the people as his children, she is one of your daughters, and as such, a daughter is closer than a nephew, so Cousin Liu should address her as elder sister.”
“She wasn’t wrong—after all, all the people under Heaven are my children,” the Emperor laughed heartily, stuffing a memorial into his son’s hands. When Sui Tingheng tried to return it, the Emperor pushed it back. “Is she the same Miss Yun who bravely subdued the peacocks today?”
“Yes, that’s her,” Sui Tingheng replied, a bit helpless. “Father Emperor, I am just a prince; I don’t have the authority to review memorials. If the courtiers find out, they might criticize me.”
“It’s only natural for a son to help his father. Who could have any objections?” The Emperor rolled up his sleeves with irritation. “If it weren’t for them saying that it’s inappropriate to establish a crown prince during the late emperor’s three years of mourning, you, Heng’er, would already be ruling the Eastern Palace.”1
“But…”
“You don’t need to persuade me. Your father knows what I’m doing.” The Emperor pretended not to notice his son’s discomfort. “Minister Yun’s daughter saved your mother today—this is a great merit in protecting the imperial family. What do you think would be a fitting reward?”
“This son remembers you once awarded Minister Yun the nominal title of Marquis Wenyong?” A nominal title held no land or income but signified the Emperor’s trust.
“Then should I grant his daughter a nominal title as well?” The Emperor rubbed his hands together. A nominal title was great—it didn’t cost any silver. “Let’s make her a Xiangjun…”2
“Since you’re not going to grant land, why not bestow the title of Junjun instead? It would better reflect your appreciation for her loyalty, Father Emperor.”3
The father and son spoke at the same time, and the Emperor, stunned, said after a long pause, “Heng’er, you’re unusually generous today.”
Sui Tingheng lowered his gaze. “She is different.”
“That’s true.” The Emperor nodded. “After all, she saved your mother. Junjun it is. It’s not as if we can’t afford it.” He then picked up a brush and began drafting the decree.
Watching the Emperor’s crooked handwriting, Sui Tingheng paused before speaking again. “Father Emperor, allow this son to write it for you.”
“Huh?!”
Weren’t you just saying that a prince doesn’t have the authority to handle these matters?
“Thanks to your wise words, Father,” Sui Tingheng snatched the vermilion brush from the Emperor’s hand, “Your son has changed his mind.”
The Emperor: “…”
Son, you sure are fickle today.
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Author’s Note:
Sui Tingheng: “The moon changes—why can’t I?”
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- Eastern Palace: The resident of the crown prince is always called Eastern Palace, regardless of its real name.
- Xiangjun: Lady of the Third Rank. Considered as part of the lowest tier of Chinese noble ranks.
- Junjun (郡君): Lady of the First Rank. A title usually granted to a daughter born to a secondary consort of a qinwang.
Lol, Methinks the Imperial Prince is a black bellied one. Hehehe