novelraw Chapter 187
Chapter 187
Driven by a monarch’s competitive streak, Sui’s wish to ride on his father’s shoulders like a horse was finally fulfilled.
Not only that, Emperor Jingxuan even carried him for a full lap around the outside of the hall.
"Well? Are you satisfied now, brat?" he asked as he set Sui down.
Sui’s little face was flushed with excitement. He reached out and wrapped his arms around the Emperor's leg, his voice childish yet loud and clear. "Thank you, Imperial Father!"
"Imperial Father is even taller than Lord Lu. I can see so much further now!"
Emperor Jingxuan’s expression softened slightly. "It is good that you realize that."
Standing on the blue stone steps, Yun Wan watched the father and son duo, her expression a mix of profound tenderness. Her little Sui finally had a father’s love.
Yue Ya and Yue Jian exchanged a smile, silently hoping that the Third Master’s soul was not watching from heaven to witness this scene.
Two days later, it was Sui’s birthday. Qiyun Palace was once again a scene of bustling activity as rewards and gifts arrived in a steady stream.
"Who is Zhang Lian?"
Yun Wan looked at the name on the gift list and searched her memory, but she had no impression of such a person. She remembered that none of Sui’s classmates or friends shared that name.
A palace maid was combing Sui’s hair. Hearing her question, he turned his head and said, "He is a friend I made at the Hall of Supreme Harmony."
During the days he acted as a little tag-along at the morning court sessions, he had made several "friends across generations," and many had sent him gifts for the occasion.
Yun Wan became even more confused. What kind of friend would one make at the Hall of Supreme Harmony? Wasn't that the place where the court held its sessions?
It was Xiao Dezi, who knew the inside story, who explained with a smile, "Your Ladyship, Lord Zhang Lian is the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. He once wanted to take the Little Highness as his student, but the matter was dropped after the Little Highness refused."
Yun Wan was stunned. "The Vice Minister of Personnel? Then why is he sending a gift in the name of a friend?"
Influenced by his master and having learned through observation, Xiao Dezi’s expression took on a hint of profound wisdom. "He likely did it to be safe, so that no one could find fault with it."
After all, who stipulated that people with a large age gap couldn't be friends?
Yun Wan was speechless. She hadn't expected that after being a little tag-along for a few days, Sui had truly won over people’s hearts.
As for friends of his own age, besides Pei Qian and the Third Prince, two or three others had come, all of whom were classmates Sui was close with at the Hongwen Academy.
Upon learning of this, the Crown Prince smashed the inkstone on his desk. Ink splashed everywhere, staining the skirts of the palace maids.
Seeing this, the Crown Prince said with disgust, "All of you, get out!"
What did Qi Chengsui mean by this? He had invited everyone but him? This was simply a total lack of respect for his elders!
His face was dark with malice, completely forgetting the fact that when the palace servants had delivered the invitation that day, he had been in a foul mood and told them to get lost with their things.
The palace servants were already used to this. Hearing his command, they quickly cleaned the floor and withdrew.
A moment later, a servant knocked on the door, and a shrill voice reached the Crown Prince’s ears clearly: "Your Highness, my master requests your presence for a matter."
***
Qiyun Palace was exceptionally lively. The guest of honor was the little birthday boy, Sui, who was officially five years old today. Everyone who came was there to celebrate his birth.
This was the most bustling birthday Sui could remember, although he had only started formally celebrating them since he was three.
"Mother, I want to hear you play the zither."
Dressed in exquisite attire, Sui came before Yun Wan with an expectant look.
Before Yun Wan could respond, Emperor Jingxuan asked in surprise, "My lady knows how to play the zither?"
He had never seen her touch a zither in his daily life, nor had he heard the mother and son mention it.
Thinking of her own skills, Yun Wan said somewhat bashfully, "I only know one or two pieces, and I don't play them particularly well."
As soon as she spoke, Sui protested, "No! You play well! Mother's zither playing is the most beautiful to hear!"
No matter how old Sui was, he would always be his mother’s biggest fan.
Amused and touched, Yun Wan gave his face a playful squeeze.
"I would also like to hear you play, my lady." Beside them, Emperor Jingxuan’s gaze was burning, filled with anticipation.
How could he not listen to his lady’s music?
Yun Wan smiled. "Very well, then I shall make a fool of myself. However, there is no zither in the storehouse."
That was not a problem. Emperor Jingxuan waved his hand. "Jiang Fusheng, have someone bring the Phoenix-Tail Scorched Zither from my private collection."
Soon, the palace servants brought the long zither and placed it under a tree in the front courtyard.
Spring had returned to the earth, and the withered trees were sprouting green buds, radiating vitality everywhere. Yun Wan sat behind the zither. After testing the strings a few times, a series of notes fell into everyone's ears.
At first, it was slightly stiff, but after a few breaths, it became increasingly smooth and pleasant.
Emperor Jingxuan was not well-versed in music—or rather, he had no talent for things like zithers or paintings. The decadent music at daily banquets never entered his ears, but listening to Yun Wan’s playing now, he felt an inexplicable sense of peace.
When the piece ended, he urged Yun Wan to play another for him. Helpless, she played a famous song of longing.
Looking at his clingy parents, Sui furrowed his little brows.
Wasn't today his birthday?
In the harem, the palace closest to Qiyun Palace was the residence of Consort Xian.
Hearing the faint, intermittent sound of a zither coming from the southeast, Consort Xian put down her embroidery, a faint smile on her lips.
"It has been a long time since such clear music has been heard in this palace."
A maid replied, "Your Ladyship, it seems to be coming from Qiyun Palace. I saw the servants carrying a zither over there from a distance earlier."
Consort Xian was not surprised at all. She turned to look out the window and murmured, "Nowadays, she is the only one in this entire palace who has the leisure and heart to play the zither."
The maid knew that the "she" her mistress referred to was the Noble Consort Zhao.
The Eldest Princess, who was practicing her calligraphy nearby, couldn't help but ask, "Imperial Mother, Imperial Father favors Noble Consort Zhao so much. Does he intend to make her the Empress?"
Consort Xian’s expression stiffened, then she said dismissively, "Silly child, that is not for you to ask. Your father's thoughts... who else can guess them accurately?"
"Then why didn't you let me go to celebrate the Fourth Brother's birthday?" The Eldest Princess was truly puzzled.
Logically, no matter which brother she was close to, it shouldn't affect her.
The smile faded from Consort Xian’s face, and her tone turned cold. "If you went, those two would become dissatisfied with us mother and daughter."
The Eldest Princess muttered, "But didn't the Third Brother go as well? As Imperial Father’s only eldest daughter, if I don't go, outsiders might say I don't care for my younger brother."
Consort Xian raised her voice. "As you said, you are your father’s eldest daughter, a person of noble blood. Why should you care about the opinions of others? I am doing this for your own good."
Meeting her mother’s stern gaze, the Eldest Princess’s lips trembled, and she dared not speak further.
Similarly, Consort Lu, who had also learned that the Third Prince had gone to Qiyun Palace, looked grim.
Ever since this son of hers found out she was not his biological mother, his attitude toward her had become visibly distant.
In the past, when she was angry, he would feel afraid and nervous, but what about now?
Whether it was her instructions, or her reprimands and warnings, the Third Prince let them go in one ear and out the other. Afterward, he would just eat or play, showing no ambition whatsoever.
What worried her most was that after the New Year, Emperor Jingxuan had issued a decree ordering the Third Prince to move to the Princes' Quarters, with specially appointed servants from the Emperor's own presence to look after his daily life.
In other words, Emperor Jingxuan had stripped Consort Lu of her right to raise the Third Prince.
This was her greatest fear now.
Consort Lu thought it over again and again before instructing Qiu Yue, "Go. Have someone tell Yun Wan that there is finally some news regarding the matter she wants to know."