Yet the fleeting years quietly steal away, exchanging all without a trace.

Zhanghua... Xu Guiyi pressed her legs tightly together, her calves trembling uncontrollably. Then Xiyue called out loudly, “Hey, Zhanghua belongs to Luan Prefecture! Miss... oh, no, Crown Princess...”

Yes, Zhanghua not only belonged to Luan Prefecture, but there was also the Zhenqing Temple there.

So that’s how it is... so that’s how it is... so... that’s how it is...

Xu Guiyi finally understood the desolate loneliness in Nangong Mingchen’s eyes.

No wonder he would say, “Your humble servant Nangong... Mingchen, Mingchen, Brother Mingchen... when will you come to see me?”

Six years ago, in the Zhenqing Temple, when a young girl was on the verge of death, her last words were, “Brother Mingchen... when will you come to see me?”

“...Three years ago, Marquis Gongmin passed away after a long illness. Before his death, he memorialized His Majesty, passing the marquisate to the son born of a concubine. In these past years, the new Marquis Gongmin has been highly valued by Noble Consort Nangong and Prince Ningdu, showing faint signs of becoming the future head of the family.”

“If the Phoenix Pool Lord, son of Princess Roujia, hadn’t died, perhaps it wouldn’t be his turn now. But now, in the entire Nangong clan, there’s only him left.”

Xu Guiyi came back to herself and said coldly, “With such solitary brilliance, isn’t he afraid of stirring up envy and hatred?”

Nanny Wu replied calmly, “That is precisely why Princess Roujia has been trying so hard to bear a son. The ladies of the Nangong family—be it the Princess Consort of Ningdu or the Marchioness Gongmin—all hope the Princess will give birth to a legitimate son, so he can inherit the prince’s title in the future.”

No one was willing for a son born to a concubine to uphold the family’s honor, for it would be too much of an embarrassment.

“Nanny, when Marquis Gongmin was recognized by his ancestral clan, was his mother's grave relocated?” Xu Guiyi asked suddenly.

Nanny Wu replied without hesitation, “No, it wasn’t. It’s said that Marquis Gongmin refused to let the Nangong family move his mother’s grave. When he first inherited the title, by the family’s customs, his mother’s memorial tablet should have been placed in the ancestral hall, and her grave moved to the family’s ancestral tombs. But he resolutely refused, saying he’d rather not have the title than allow the Nangong family to disturb his mother’s spirit. It caused quite a stir at the time.”

Xiyue scratched her ear, completely puzzled. “Why? Isn’t that a good thing? Even the tablets of concubines can’t enter the genealogy, let alone his mother, an outsider. To be welcomed into the ancestral hall should be something to rejoice at!”

Nanny Wu’s memory was truly sharp, for she quickly realized, “Crown Princess, I never mentioned that Marquis Gongmin’s mother had passed away, so how did you know?”

This time, not only did Nanny Wu’s gaze turn strange, but even Xiyue stared blankly at Xu Guiyi.

Xu Guiyi felt a jolt inside, but her tone remained cool. “I guessed. If his mother were still alive, how could they have drifted outside all those years? The Nangong family has never been lacking in clothes and food for a concubine.”

Nanny Wu fell silent, and Xiyue began to sigh. “How pitiful! Even more pitiful than me!”

Nanny Wu turned to look at Xiyue, face full of doubt.

Realizing what she had said, Xiyue hastily waved her hands. “Uh, I—I—it’s not that kind of pitiful, though it’s still quite pitiful, I suppose.”

Xu Guiyi spoke up to rescue her, “Xiyue lost her parents young and lived with her uncle’s family. She’s been with me since she was ten.”

After learning Xiyue’s background, Nanny Wu treated her almost like her own daughter.

In Yonghui Pavilion, Fu Lancheng and Shen Yu had just returned from outside.

“How strange. This time, His Majesty didn’t send Prince Qi to escort Princess Roujia to Mount Wutai, but sent Elder Brother Crown Prince instead,” Shen Yu remarked, rubbing his nose with his hand as he casually sat on a high-backed sandalwood chair.

Fu Lancheng sat at the zitan cloud-patterned desk, staring absently at a thick stack of memorials. “If you could guess my father’s intentions, you wouldn’t be sitting here; you’d be in the Tai’ning Palace every day,” he replied indifferently.

Shen Yu smiled at that, but his expression quickly turned grave. “But, Crown Prince, with the current state of the Nangong family, who knows if Uncle the Emperor will lean more toward Prince Qi. Over these years, Uncle the Emperor has done quite a lot to build up Prince Qi’s influence.”

Fu Lancheng’s brows, which had been tightly knit, slowly relaxed, and a wry smile appeared on his face. His tone was light. “And then? Replace me, let Prince Qi move into the Chenghua Palace? If that’s the case, haven’t I already vacated Chenghua Palace for him for many years?”

“Crown Prince!” Even as careless as he was, Shen Yu knew this was no laughing matter.

Fu Lancheng looked at Shen Yu and asked, “What’s wrong with letting Prince Qi be Crown Prince? If not for Mother and Uncle pressing me, I wouldn’t even want this position.”

Shen Yu fell silent for a moment. “Everyone says Prince Qi is virtuous and wise, but to me, he seems all too sanctimonious.”

Fu Lancheng laughed. “Don’t blame him; my father taught him, just as he taught me. I just didn’t listen.”

Shen Yu was even more puzzled. “Even so, someone has to be Crown Prince. If Prince Qi can, why can’t you? By family status, intelligence, talent, and imperial acumen, you surpass him in every way.”

As he spoke, Fu Lancheng idly rubbed a white porcelain candlestick with a blue fish-tail pattern on the desk, not responding.

But Shen Yu pressed on, “Neither Uncle’s family nor ours has ever feared the Nangong family’s attacks. Our only fear is... that you really don’t want this position and give it up yourself. Then all our efforts will become a joke.”

Fu Lancheng glanced coldly at him. “I’ve said it countless times over the years—I truly don’t want it. It’s you all who refuse to listen.”

Shen Yu stubbornly argued, “But Aunt the Empress has only you, her only son.” The Song family has only this one prince—there is no alternative.

Realizing his phrasing, Shen Yu quickly added, “Crown Prince, I didn’t mean it that way, I...”

Fu Lancheng instead laughed. “Sometimes, I wish Mother had two sons. Then none of us would have to be in this predicament.”

Shen Yu suddenly felt helpless and said with pity, “But Crown Prince, that thing you’ve always wanted to do—perhaps only by sitting in Uncle the Emperor’s seat could you accomplish it.”

Fu Lancheng finally looked up at Shen Yu, who continued, “For that, no matter what you offer in exchange, Prince Qi would never dare take the risk. In this world, only you would be willing to pay any price for it.”

Fu Lancheng’s gaze sharpened, fixing on the desk as he spoke every word deliberately: “But if I become Emperor only for that one thing... what then?”

Shen Yu’s expression was more solemn than ever. “Keep the empire stable, bless the people.”

Too many things had happened this autumn. The royal autumn hunt had at last turned into a winter hunt. Fu Lancheng had also finally grown used to having a Crown Princess in the Eastern Palace.

“Father has ordered me to personally escort Aunt to the Imperial Jue Temple on Mount Wutai for convalescence. We depart tomorrow.”

Xu Guiyi considered this; for Princess Roujia, it was indeed the safest arrangement for now.

“To recover at Imperial Jue Temple is better than grieving amid the memories in the Princess’s residence. Winter is nearly here, though—the journey will be cold, so take care.”

The two of them were standing on Yonghui Pavilion’s upper floor. Fu Lancheng gazed toward the distant mountains, his brows drawn together. “Five days from now is the winter hunt. I won’t be able to return to Guangling, so I’ll set out for Jiulong Mountain’s hunting grounds directly from Imperial Jue Temple. As for the Eastern Palace...”

For such a formal royal hunt, the Crown Princess would have to assist the Empress in organizing many matters. Xu Guiyi was new to these duties and found the adjustment difficult. Yet, so as not to distract Fu Lancheng, she never once complained. “As Crown Princess, the affairs of the Eastern Palace are my unshirkable duty. Your Highness need not be concerned.”

Fu Lancheng glanced at her, half mockingly. “If so, I’ll trouble you then, Crown Princess.” He still could not trust this unfamiliar southern woman, but having a Crown Princess presiding in the Eastern Palace seemed to grant him a little peace of mind.

Xu Guiyi curtsied, but did not immediately withdraw.

Fu Lancheng raised an eyebrow, hands behind his back. “Is there something else, Crown Princess?”

The sun was setting, its light gentle. Fu Lancheng fixed his gaze on his Crown Princess. She hesitated for a moment before stammering out, “Your Highness, a few days ago was your birthday. At the time... Aunt had her accident, and the Eastern Palace was in chaos, so I didn’t...” So this was what she meant to say.

Before coming to see Fu Lancheng, Xu Guiyi had rehearsed this many times, making sure her words flowed smoothly. Only then, carrying the Qiu family’s “Lone Moon Over the River at Pingjiang,” did she come to Yonghui Pavilion.

She intended to present him with the painting and wish him happiness for his birthday. But when actually faced with Fu Lancheng’s cold, stern face, her tongue grew clumsy.

Fu Lancheng’s expression darkened. “Aunt met with such misfortune, and you think I should be celebrating a birthday? Crown Princess, have you never heard of the Censor-in-Chief’s reputation?”

And what if I have? Xu Guiyi muttered inwardly, but dared not say it aloud.

Finally, she placed “Lone Moon Over the River at Pingjiang” before him and forced a smile. “I happened upon this painting and wish Your Highness a joyous birthday and all things as you desire.”

Silence.

Silence...

Still silence...

Xu Guiyi was so unnerved by his cold gaze that she began to feel chilled. Cautiously, she asked, “Does Your Highness not like it?”

Fu Lancheng remained silent. Xu Guiyi felt the chill seep into her bones. If he didn’t like it, perhaps she should just take it back and pretend none of this had happened.

But then—

“Trying to curry favor with me, hmm?” Fu Lancheng’s lips curled with a hint of mockery.

Isn’t it obvious? Must you ask?

Xu Guiyi immediately put on a fawning smile. Fu Lancheng’s scornful expression deepened. “The Crown Princess contradicted me so many times before, and now suddenly changes her tune. I’m really not used to it.” He deliberately drew out the last words.

Xu Guiyi calmed herself, recalling how the Empress smiled when she saw the Emperor. She copied that smile and said, “Such trivial matters between husband and wife—how rare that Your Highness should remember. I am honored.”

Sure enough, this worked. Fu Lancheng’s smile vanished, and his face darkened. “You had best visit the palace less often in the future. What have you been learning there?”

Xu Guiyi immediately deflated. “Your Highness is truly hard to please.”

Fu Lancheng’s tone was contemptuous. “With such little patience, you still want to curry favor with me?”

Xu Guiyi bristled, stepping forward to argue, “I...”

But he gave her no chance to explain, waving his hand. “You may go.” His tone permitted no refusal.

Suppressing her frustration, Xu Guiyi replied, “I take my leave.” Without another glance at Fu Lancheng, she turned and left Yonghui Pavilion—never noticing the soft sigh that followed her out.