Do not let this brief respite be further delayed.

Although His Majesty had long since appointed a crown prince, everyone within and outside the court of Great Yi knew that there were two elder princes above the crown prince—one renowned for his kindness and decorum, the other for his literary and martial prowess. Both were more capable of upholding the dignity of the royal family than the noble legitimate son.

On this day, the second prince, Prince Zhao, was in the Tai Ning Palace accompanying the emperor in the art of tea brewing. Father and son conversed merrily.

With a warm smile, the emperor said, “Xuan’er, your skill in brewing tea improves by the day.” Such an indulgent expression he had given to his second son, Fu Tingxuan, and to his third son, Fu Jinning, but never to his fifth son, Fu Lanchen.

Prince Zhao smiled humbly. “It is all thanks to Your Majesty’s instruction. I still have much to learn.”

“You are too modest. Among your brothers, your skill at brewing tea is the finest—your father has watched it himself. However, in chess, it is your third brother who surpasses you.” The emperor’s praise was fair and impartial.

“Grand Tutor Cao has said that my third brother’s chess skills are the true heir to Your Majesty’s. Naturally, I am no match,” replied Prince Zhao, which pleased the emperor greatly.

The empress’s eldest legitimate son had passed away young, so the second prince, Zhao Tingxuan, was the emperor’s eldest surviving son by a concubine. He possessed the generosity of an elder brother and the obedience of a firstborn. Even if he fell short in matters of state, the emperor chose to overlook this flaw due to his admirable character.

“Your Majesty, Prince Qi has returned to the capital,” reported Yuan He, the chief eunuch of Tai Ning Palace, from behind the screen.

“Ah, see, we were just speaking of your third brother, and here he is,” the emperor said with a laugh, rising to his feet. Prince Zhao quickly set down his work and assisted at his side.

“As it is still early, there’s no rush. Go and tell Prince Qi that he may return to his residence to rest, and come to the palace later to report,” the emperor instructed cheerily.

“Yes, this old servant will convey your orders at once.” Yuan He answered with a smile and departed.

“Is the tea ready? Come, pour a cup for your father and let him taste it,” the emperor said affectionately to Prince Zhao.

Prince Zhao bowed and smiled. “At once, I shall prepare it for Your Majesty.”

Hearing of Prince Qi’s official return and seeing Prince Zhao’s gentle and dutiful demeanor, the emperor could not help but think: if only the crown prince had half their capability and sense.

The emperor, for a rare moment, spoke his mind: “Xuan’er, you are filial; Ning’er is capable. As long as you brothers remain united and set a good example for your younger siblings, your father will have no regrets.”

Prince Zhao, tidying away the tea set, paused briefly before responding with his usual docility, “We children still have much to learn from Your Majesty.”

The emperor smiled kindly and made a few more jokes.

In Yonghui Pavilion, Fu Lanchen had returned from the palace much earlier than usual after paying his respects, as Princess Cheng Hewei happened to come to greet him and asked, “Why is Your Highness back so soon today? Isn’t it usually after lunch that Her Majesty allows you to leave?”

Fu Lanchen sat down carelessly, a thoughtful look in his eyes. “Prince Qi returned to the capital today and entered the palace for affairs of state. I worried that if I left later, I’d be summoned to Tai Ning Palace, so I told Mother there was business in the Eastern Palace and left early.”

Cheng Hewei sighed inwardly, thinking this was not the attitude a crown prince ought to have. Yet she had long understood Fu Lanchen’s temperament and never provoked his displeasure. As she poured tea for him, she remarked, “I hear the case in Luan Prefecture went quite smoothly for Prince Qi on his return to the capital.”

Fu Lanchen replied indifferently, “Isn’t that to be expected? Prince Qi is highly capable—even my own Grand Tutor has praised him.” He seemed entirely unconcerned about the affairs in Jiangdong. In truth, he was.

Cheng Hewei sat nearby, several times wanting to speak but hesitating, holding back her words. Yet Fu Lanchen, perceiving her thoughts, opened the drawer beneath his desk and handed her a thick stack of letters.

“What is this…?” Cheng Hewei’s expression changed as she accepted them.

Contained within were the detailed records of Crown Princess Xu Guiyi’s life: her place and date of birth, childhood illnesses and remedies, every banquet attended, all meticulously chronicled.

“Hewei, once you’ve read these, you should let go of any thoughts you ought not to have,” Fu Lanchen said, uncharacteristically serious.

Cheng Hewei’s eyes reddened, her hand trembling slightly as she read. When she finished the last word and closed her eyes, she tried to steady her breath.

After a long silence, she sighed and wiped the corner of her eyes, then smiled, “I thought Your Highness had long transcended the world’s affairs and would not be deceived by outward appearances. Yet you, like me, sent someone to Luan Prefecture, all for a pair of similar eyes.”

She waved the thick bundle of letters as she spoke.

Had anyone else spoken so, Fu Lanchen would not have allowed them to sit safely in Yonghui Pavilion. But Cheng Hewei was different; she was his childhood companion.

He ignored her mockery and said solemnly, “I am already aware of the matter in Xin Prefecture.”

Cheng Hewei’s smile froze, and she clasped her hands reflexively.

“It’s true my third uncle erred, and since Her Majesty chose to help, it is only right that I marry into the Eastern Palace as an exchange,” she said, her voice cold as ice.

“With the bond between us, why did you not come to me, but went to my mother instead?” Fu Lanchen asked, puzzled.

Cheng Hewei suddenly laughed aloud. “Your Highness, since when has the Cheng family ever truly shared a bond with the Eastern Palace? All these years, the struggle between legitimate and secondary branches has grown fierce, and my fourth uncle has never spoken a word for the Eastern Palace. Have you forgotten?”

Fu Lanchen’s expression hardened. “Duke Cheng commands two hundred thousand troops at the northern border. His duty is to the people’s welfare—he should not taint himself with the corruption of imperial power.”

Cheng Hewei looked at him with a complicated expression. If she had not heard it herself, she would never have believed that the carefree crown prince could speak so earnestly of the people’s livelihood.

She rose and walked to the window, gazing out as the autumn wind rustled the yellowing leaves. She murmured, “Back then, I refused to marry the east wind, only for the autumn wind to mislead me in vain.”

That night, Fu Lanchen was urgently summoned to the palace. Meanwhile, Xu Guiyi was in the Chunhui Hall, quietly listening to Lu Zhirou play “Bamboo of Xiao Xiang” on the zither.

Outside, the moonlight was clear and bright; inside, the music resonated while candlelight flickered.

The hurried footsteps of Nanny Wu broke the tranquil night. She appeared from behind the screen, not yet steady, and exclaimed, “Your Highness, something terrible has happened! His Highness has been summoned to the palace!”

The music halted abruptly.

Lu Zhirou first looked to Xu Guiyi, who straightened as though to rise. Before Xiyue could step forward, Lu Zhirou hurried to Xu Guiyi’s side to support her down from the chaise.

“Is it that the Jiangdong case has reached a conclusion?” Xu Guiyi asked, her voice low.

Nanny Wu, hands clasped in her sleeves, speculated, “It seems so, but I don’t know why His Majesty suddenly summoned His Highness, and the message was delivered in person by Eunuch Yuan He. I made some inquiries—His Majesty appeared to be angry in Tai Ning Palace.”

Lu Zhirou involuntarily tightened her hold on Xu Guiyi’s arm. Since when had the crown prince ever known how to quell the emperor’s anger? Most of the time, not provoking it was already fortunate.

Xu Guiyi gently patted Lu Zhirou’s hand. “Don’t worry yet; nothing is certain. Perhaps His Majesty has other plans.”

Lu Zhirou realized she was gripping too tightly, quickly let go, and apologized, “Forgive me, Your Highness, I was out of line.”

She glanced at Nanny Wu and curtsied. “It is late; I shall return to Zhongnan Court and pay my respects again tomorrow.”

Xu Guiyi, sensing Nanny Wu had more to say, did not keep Lu Zhirou and merely instructed, “Very well. Take care on your way.”

Once Lu Zhirou had left, Nanny Wu stepped forward and handed Xu Guiyi an envelope, whispering, “Your Highness, this letter was sent by Her Majesty before Eunuch Yuan He arrived. It is for you.”

Xu Guiyi took it with suspicion and opened the envelope, as Nanny Wu continued, “The letter arrived in haste. No sooner had I received it than Eunuch Yuan He came. So… I feel uneasy.”

Xu Guiyi raised her hand, signaling Nanny Wu to let her read the letter before speaking further.

By the chaise, a pair of jade cloud-patterned palace lamps cast their bright light, projecting Xu Guiyi’s shadow onto the ivory-carved screen. The shadow was dim, her own face even more so.

Only Nanny Wu and Xiyue remained with Xu Guiyi—the matter was grave.

After reading, Xu Guiyi looked up at Nanny Wu, realizing that the empress in Changqiu Palace was likely even more anxious than Nanny Wu at this moment. What an attempt to steal a chicken, only to lose the rice.

She spoke coldly, “The Jiangdong case has gone smoothly. All the officials in Hong, Jing, Qing, and Qu prefectures who committed crimes are already in Prince Qi’s book of life and death. With such outstanding achievements, His Highness was likely summoned so the crown prince could learn from him.”

Xiyue did not understand, but Nanny Wu did. Whenever Prince Qi accomplished something, His Majesty loved to praise and reward him in front of the crown prince.

Hearing this, Nanny Wu felt relieved, until she noticed Xu Guiyi clenched the letter so tightly it nearly tore.

Her heart sank, mind racing—had she missed something important?

No, there was one missing. Nanny Wu’s voice trembled, “Aren’t there five counties in Jiangdong? What about Luan Prefecture?” Could trouble there mean disaster for the Eastern Palace and implicate the Yue family?

Xu Guiyi handed the crumpled letter back to Nanny Wu, her smile unreadable. “Don’t worry, Nanny. Luan Prefecture is fine.”

At last, Nanny Wu was truly relieved. Xiyue too let out a breath of relief.

“You may both go. I wish to rest,” Xu Guiyi said.

“Yes, Your Highness.” They withdrew beyond the screen.

Leaning against the chaise, Xu Guiyi felt as if her head would split from pain. This storm tonight was still confined to Tai Ning Palace, but by tomorrow, it might sweep across all of Guangling.

The empress, she thought, would likely be sleepless for quite some time.