"Your Highness, this painting does indeed exist. It was stored many years ago, but we cannot immediately locate its entry in the registry. We beg your forgiveness—I shall summon assistance to search for it at once..."
The young eunuch spoke with utmost deference, not daring the slightest negligence. Yan Chi waved a casual hand. "No need. I shall browse casually. Though the 'Hundred Herb Compendium' is worth ten thousand gold, if it cannot be found, I shall simply select a few other paintings as substitutes."
The eunuch nodded repeatedly. "As you wish, as you wish..."
Yan Chi nodded in acknowledgment and continued, "Very well. Resume your search for the registry. I shall look around casually."
Browsing the archives naturally proved slower than consulting the registry. Upon hearing this, the eunuch promptly withdrew to search the records.
Once the eunuch departed, Yan Chi glanced at Bai Feng and immediately proceeded to one of the twelve archives of the Mysterious Pivot Pavilion. Though the collections of calligraphy and painting were vast as the Sea of Mist, they maintained meticulous order. One archive specifically housed the ink treasures of successive emperors—predominantly their own poetry, calligraphy, and paintings, alongside numerous copies. Particularly decades prior, Emperor Wen had excelled in the Path of brushwork, rumored to produce a painting every five days. Initially stored in the Imperial Study, they were later transferred to the Mysterious Pivot Pavilion when space grew scarce. After Emperor Wen's passing, the late emperor's works also became revered artifacts. Subsequent generations collected all such works to be stored in high archives, occasionally bestowing them as rewards upon officials.
Entering the archive crammed with scrolls and texts, Yan Chi frowned at the densely packed shelves. With no time to lose, he began searching immediately. The imperial works were organized by reign era. By comparison, Yan Huai's paintings were few, allowing Yan Chi to locate them swiftly. He unrolled them one by one for cursory inspection—mere landscapes, flora and fauna, and portraits, nothing remarkable. Recalling Qin Guan's words, he examined the signatures and seals with heightened attention, yet still found nothing unusual...
Being unskilled in painting and seal engraving, Yan Chi lacked nuanced discernment. Considering Consort Jin's expertise in this area, he decided it best to bring the paintings back to Prince Rui's royal residence for examination. However, removing Yan Huai's works required a plausible pretext. Lost in thought, he set down the paintings and moved toward the exit. At the doorway, he encountered Yan Li holding two scrolls. Yan Li grinned, "Seventh Brother, I haven't found the 'Hundred Herb Compendium,' but I did locate these two—'Gazing at the Moon Through the Ages' and 'Immortal by the River.' Do you like them? I shall request them from our grandmother as congratulatory gifts for you."
Yan Chi nodded. "Naturally, I like them."
Yan Li chuckled with satisfaction, handing the scrolls to his attendant Lu Yun. "Hold these. I shall speak with Grandmother shortly."
As Lu Yun accepted the paintings, Yan Chi—originally headed for the door—paused to study Lu Yun. Could this be the Fu Clan child who entered Prince Gong's residence? Yan Li likely never imagined the guard who grew up alongside him might be his own cousin...
Yan Chi averted his gaze, exiting the archive and returning to the servants' storage room. The eunuchs approached immediately upon seeing him. "Your Highness, what are your instructions?"Yan Chi said, "Searching place by place is too troublesome. Bring out the catalogs, I'll select a few paintings again. As long as they have good symbolism, that's fine."
Yan Li quickly responded, "Aren't we searching anymore, Seventh Brother? The 'Hundred Herbs Scroll' would indeed be more suitable."
Yan Chi shook his head, "It's too time-consuming..."
Yan Li nodded without further comment, idly sitting to the side drinking tea. Two young eunuchs promptly brought over about ten catalogs and set them down. "Your Highness, these are all here. Please take your time selecting, and we'll retrieve them for you later."
The paintings listed in the catalogs all indicated their storage locations, making selection from the catalogs indeed more convenient.
Yan Chi casually picked up two catalogs to examine but made no selections. It wasn't until the third catalog that he pointed out two paintings. Soon he switched to other catalogs, flipping through several without finding anything satisfactory. When Yan Chi reached for the bottommost catalog, the young eunuch hesitantly said, "Your Highness, these are the Emperor's calligraphy and paintings, you..."
Yan Chi slightly furrowed his brow, pondering briefly before saying, "I recall the Emperor hasn't bestowed any gifts yet. Wouldn't selecting two paintings save His Majesty the trouble?"
The eunuch, knowing Yan Chi was selecting gifts for his own wedding, immediately smiled and said, "Of course, of course, Your Highness may choose freely. These paintings have been stored for several years. His Majesty occasionally takes them to reward officials. Now that you and the princess are marrying, the Emperor will surely bestow whatever you select."
Yan Chi nodded. Yan Li leaned closer and asked, "Seventh Brother, why choose the Emperor's works?" He glanced meaningfully at the eunuch.
Understanding the hint, the eunuch retreated two steps. Yan Li immediately lowered his voice, "The Emperor's painting skills aren't particularly refined."
Yan Chi chuckled at this, "But wouldn't it be improper for the betrothal gifts to lack the Emperor's bestowed items?"
Yan Li thought for a moment before understanding. He then joined Yan Chi in examining the catalog. Soon Yan Li pointed at two works, "This 'Butterflies Love Flowers' and this 'Autumn Evening Ascent' are quite good. I remember this 'Autumn Evening Ascent' is a copy of Yuan Daqian's work. Yuan Daqian painted this depicting him and his wife gazing into the distance during the Autumn Eve Festival - both majestic and sentimental, perfect for wedding betrothal gifts."
Yan Chi had originally intended to casually select any two paintings. Now that Yan Li had helped choose, he naturally wouldn't refuse. Thus Yan Chi pointed out these two paintings for the eunuchs to retrieve. After selecting these, he chose two more, then sat waiting with Yan Li while the eunuchs went to fetch them.
Yan Li smiled and asked, "Seventh Brother, with your wedding approaching, do you feel joyful?"
Yan Chi looked at him with an ambiguous smile, "The Empress Dowager has been constantly worried about your marriage matters."
The teasing expression vanished from Yan Li's face as he snorted and lazily reclined in his chair. "My heart remains at Phoenix Perch Tower... Besides, everyone knows my temperament - which young lady in the capital would consider me? Any family with backbone wouldn't marry their daughter to me..."
Yan Li spoke with unapologetic confidence, showing no embarrassment. Yan Chi shook his head at this, "At least you're self-aware. But now that you've joined the Ministry of Personnel and started handling serious affairs, you're different from before. People aren't completely unwilling to accept you - you are, after all, a Great Zhou prince."
Yan Li sighed, "It's still quite difficult. I too wish to find someone I genuinely like..."Yan Chi had nothing to say. Though Yan Li appeared unrestrained and uninhibited, no one could force him if he didn't wish to comply. Yan Chi understood this well and didn't press further.
Soon after, a young eunuch presented six paintings. Yan Chi had Bai Feng take them and returned to the Longevity and Health Palace with Yan Li.
Yan Chi had left quickly and returned just as swiftly. By now, Qin Guan had already taken Yan Sui out to play and wasn't with the Empress Dowager.
Learning that Yan Chi hadn't found the "Hundred Herb Scroll," the Empress Dowager felt rather regretful. However, seeing him bring back six paintings at once, she teased with a laugh, "These six paintings are even more valuable than the single 'Hundred Herb Scroll.' Why did you pick two of the Emperor's paintings as well?"
Yan Li chuckled, "Seventh Brother wants the Emperor's rewards to lead the way."
The Empress Dowager laughed, "Then these two paintings are too modest. It's not yet the right time; when it comes, there will be more rewards."
Yan Chi seemed unconcerned, "It's fine, as long as the etiquette is fulfilled. Recently, she and Yue Ning have been buying paintings. With these, she won't have to worry for a while."
The Empress Dowager smiled helplessly, "No wonder you've taken an interest in paintings. So that's how it is. I know she bought paintings back then to show filial respect to me and the Eldest Princess. Now you're taking my things, giving them to her, and having her present them to me as a gesture? I haven't lost any treasures, yet I still have to acknowledge her kindness? You certainly have a clever scheme!"
Everyone in the room burst into laughter. Yan Chi remained unbothered by the teasing. The Empress Dowager felt that rewards shouldn't be limited to calligraphy and paintings, so she ordered Mammy Chen to select numerous treasures, all of which were bestowed upon Yan Chi that day. After rewarding Yan Chi, she thought it unfair to neglect Qin Guan and prepared a list of treasures to send to her. In this back-and-forth, the treasures the Empress Dowager had accumulated over the years flowed out like water, leaving Yan Li both pained and envious.
Seizing the opportunity, the Empress Dowager said, "You're envious? When you marry, I'll reward you just the same. You'd better hurry up. Your seventh brother sought his marriage himself. If you wait for your grandmother to arrange it, I can certainly handle that for you..."
Yan Li was terrified and quickly begged for mercy, "Please spare me for now, Grandmother. I still want to devote myself to filial piety for a few more years. I've heard that princess consorts are quite formidable after marriage. How would I have so much time to honor you then?"
The Empress Dowager cheerfully teased Yan Li, who skillfully deflected her remarks. Not long after, Qin Guan and Yan Sui returned. The moment Yan Li saw Yan Sui, he scooped him up and hurried outside, making a swift escape. Watching Yan Li's retreating figure, the Empress Dowager sighed, "Ah, he really is still a child."
Yan Chi comforted her, "There's no need to worry. Perhaps in a year or two, he'll change."
The Empress Dowager snorted, "I think he's just not serious. His mother doesn't discipline him either."
Mentioning Princess Consort Gong, Yan Chi naturally didn't dare to join the Empress Dowager in criticizing an elder and remained silent. The Empress Dowager sighed, "Never mind, never mind. Both mother and son have had their hardships. His mother was always detached by nature, and even more so now. We can't rely on her; we can only hope Yan Li grows up quickly on his own."
Outside the main hall, Yan Li held Yan Sui and asked, "Where did you go earlier? Did the princess consort buy this mechanical bird for you?"
Sitting in Yan Li's arms, Yan Sui was unusually relaxed and content, a faint smile on his lips. He nodded, "She bought it for me. We went to the Imperial Garden earlier."Yan Li laughed, "You and Qin Guan are really close. I see you're getting more and more attached to her these days."
Yan Sui muttered softly, "She's good to me."
Yan Li snorted, "Then who's better to you - me or her?"
Yan Sui seemed stumped by this question, hesitating slightly. Seeing this, Yan Li immediately reached out to tickle Yan Sui's armpits. The moment he was touched, Yan Sui couldn't help but burst into laughter, his small body squirming in Yan Li's embrace. The maids in the distance turned to look at the commotion.
"Both... both are good..."
"What? You have to choose one. You must pick one."
"You... you're better... you're better..."
Yan Sui was breathless from laughter, his little face flushed red. Only when he heard this did Yan Li stop. Panting heavily with a smile still on his face, Yan Sui caught the eye of Momma Su in the distance, who looked on approvingly. Qin Guan happened to be coming out of the main hall and overheard this, finding it both amusing and exasperating, thinking Yan Li truly acted like a child himself.
Momma Su quickly stepped forward, "Don't mind them, Princess. The prince is just playing with His Highness the Ninth Prince."
Qin Guan wouldn't take offense at such things. "I know. Our Prince Gong has a childlike nature too. But only he can play with Yan Sui like this - that's a good thing."
Although Qin Guan also played with Yan Sui, she wasn't as unrestrained as Yan Li. Yan Li was different - when he played, he became the king of children himself. And Yan Sui's withdrawn, autistic nature might precisely need this kind of influence.
Momma Su nodded, "Indeed, the prince and His Highness the Ninth Prince are truly fated. Even before, the prince was always the one who treated His Highness the best."
Qin Guan had heard this from Yan Sui himself, but she wanted to hear it from Momma Su too. She raised an eyebrow, "Before?"
Momma Su nodded, "Yes. At that time, this servant was still serving in Empress Dowager's palace. When Consort Jin brought His Highness the Ninth Prince over, they encountered the prince. The moment the prince saw His Highness, he started teasing him. After many such encounters, not only did His Highness not fear the prince, but he became very dependent on him. His Highness has never been much of a talker since childhood. Consort Jin has a quiet and gentle disposition - though she's very kind to His Highness, she maintains strict rules and high expectations. His Highness was actually somewhat afraid of Consort Jin."
This was new information to Qin Guan. She turned to look and saw Yan Sui sitting in Yan Li's arms, both wearing bright smiles. In that moment, Qin Guan suddenly noticed some resemblance in their features, and she couldn't help but marvel once again at the power of royal bloodlines.
Meanwhile, Yan Li was holding Yan Sui and teasing, "Then tell me, how exactly is Qin Guan good to you? How many of these little toys did I buy you before? Have you forgotten riding on my shoulders to fly kites? Have you forgotten the wooden wheeled cart I made for you to ride around?"
Yan Sui chuckled softly, "She... she's just very good to me..."
"Hey, you little ingrate! I think you've decided she's the best person in the world to you!"
Yan Sui played with the mechanical bird, his little head swaying back and forth, his short legs swinging slightly, all his defenses completely dropped. He suddenly murmured quietly, "She helps me hide things... and helps me raise little birds... and about Mother Consort's case..."Yan Sui spoke leisurely until he suddenly realized something was amiss and quickly stopped himself. Yan Li, lounging lazily against the carved rail behind him, snorted and said, "What? What else? Why aren't you speaking? What did she help you hide? How come you still haven't broken that habit of hiding things?"
Yan Sui snorted back, but hesitation flickered in his eyes. Yan Li had always been so good to him—could he really say it?
After a moment's thought, Yan Sui ultimately remembered Qin Guan's warning and didn't dare say more, murmuring quietly, "Those were all things my mother gave me."
Yan Li sighed and pinched Yan Sui's cheek. "Alright, what else do you want? I'll buy it for you next time. Do you want some candied hawthorn?"
Yan Sui's eyes lit up, and he began discussing in a low voice with Yan Li...
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