Тhаt night wаs tumultuous, and реорlе passed thrоugh it in сhaos. Вy the timе Wаnwаn rеturnеd tо the Eldеst Princess Residencе, it wаs alrеadу раst midnight. Тhe аttеndаnts hurriеdlу madе the bed, warmеd thе mattrеss, and settled hеr down. Lying оn that largе stер-оut bеd, shе tоssed and turnеd, unаble tо fаll аsleеp. Еvеrything she hаd еxрeriencеd earlier rоllеd bеforе her eyеs likе whеels, аnd оnlу аftеr thе pаniс slowlу subsided, аs dawn begаn to brеаk, did shе manаgе tо сlose her еyes for a while.
Тhe sound of rаin pattеred inсеssantlу throughout the night, as if she had returned to the month before her eldest brother passed away—the sky was gray, with no sunlight in sight, nor any hope. She lay there, waking every quarter of an hour. There was no longer an Empress Dowager to serve, and in this Princess's Residence, she was the highest authority. If she couldn't get up, there was no need to force herself; she could heal in the warmth of the bedding, perhaps recovering more quickly.
The Eldest Princess Residence was built on Big Hat Lane, separated from Pearl Lake by Chengxian Street. Wanwan had never been so close to the bustling streets before. With her eyes closed, she could hear the conversations of passersby outside and the crisp jingling of bells on the harnesses of mules and horses.
A long, drawn-out voice accompanied by the rhythmic tapping of bamboo clappers drifted from afar, "Selling fermented glutinous rice wine—osmanthus fermented glutinous rice wine..." It was a distinct Wu dialect, soft and gentle even from a man's mouth.
Wanwan knew about fermented glutinous rice wine—it was sweet wine. The imperial consorts in the palace had a folk remedy: after boiling it, they would crack an egg into it, claiming it had the wondrous effect of enhancing one's bust. She had tasted it at Yin Lou's place—it was light, sweet, and delicious, especially with a flavor entirely different from regular wine. Unfortunately, her alcohol tolerance was too low. After drinking just a small cup, she slept for most of the day, truly unable to handle even a drop of alcohol.
The vendor's call drifted into her ears, and she could almost immediately smell it, the sweet fragrance even permeating her pillow.
There were many imperfections in her life, but the fact that she had come this far through marriage and settled here was something to be glad about. She listened quietly to the comings and goings outside, even distinguishing the sound of raindrops hitting the oilcloth. Wondering if the rain had grown heavier again, she realized someone had arrived under the corridor with an umbrella.
"Is she up yet?" It was Nanny Qin's voice from the second gate.
Xiao You said no, "Last night was chaotic until the fourth watch. She only just closed her eyes when dawn broke. Let her sleep a little longer."
"What should we do... Something has happened outside, and Her Highness needs to see it for herself."
Xiao You snorted with a laugh, "Is it more trouble from the Southern Garden Palace? Don’t think people are fools. Yesterday was a mess, and today they’re probably scheming to get closer. Do you still believe that, Nanny?"
Nanny Qin said it wasn’t, "The two young masters came to pay their respects to Her Highness. On their way across Pearl Bridge, the second young master’s horse was startled, throwing him into the river. The eldest young master jumped in to save him, and now both of them are soaked like drowned rats... In this weather, getting caught in the rain is enough to make one sick, let alone falling into the water. Thankfully, they’re both fine, but they’re so cold their teeth are chattering. When they came in, they looked pitiful. In my opinion, no matter what, they came to pay their respects to Her Highness. If something had gone wrong, it would be hard to explain to their side..."
Xiao You paused for a moment but still insisted, "What a coincidence in this world. I think someone must have given them advice."Nanny Qin absolutely did not agree, "If an adult used a scheme of feigning injury, that would be one thing. But these are seven or eight-year-old children; if things go wrong, they could lose their lives. Who would teach them such things! You, with your sharp tongue and heart of stone—if you ever have the fortune to marry and have children, I wonder if you'll still say the same!"
While they were still bickering, Wanwan had already draped her clothes over her shoulders and come out.
"Where are they now? Are they alright?"
Nanny Qin said, "Steward Yu has arranged for them to rest in the front wing room and sent for a physician to examine them. Whether they're well or not, this servant doesn't know. I came here first to report."
Without waiting to hear more, she hurried to the front. No matter how unpleasant things were between her and Yuwen Liangshi, it had nothing to do with the children. The children had come to fulfill their filial duties. If anything truly happened to them, she would never forgive herself.
Outside the wing room, many people were waiting—some from the Eldest Princess Residence, others were the accompanying Goshiha. Seeing her arrive, they quickly made way, bowing to her one after another. She paid them no mind and entered the room to ask about the situation. Yu Xixia, with his sleeves hanging low, said, "Your Highness, rest assured. The two young masters were frightened and choked on some water, but for now, they are not seriously harmed. However, we must keep an eye on them. If they don't develop a fever by this afternoon, then it's nothing serious."
She breathed a sigh of relief, stepped forward, and gently patted the two children's heads, asking softly, "Are you in any pain? If you feel unwell anywhere, be sure to tell the physician."
Lanting shook his head, saying no, "Thank you, E'nie, for your concern."
Lan Zhou struggled to sit up and knelt on the bed to bow to her, "We came to pay our respects to E'nie, but we never expected this accident to happen, causing E'nie to worry about us instead. We deserve ten thousand deaths."
Seeing him act like a little adult, Wanwan felt both affection and pity. "That's not the way to put it. It's because you care for me that you came to see me in the rain. The roads were difficult, and an accident happened. How could I ever explain this to the Imperial Concubine! Thankfully, you're both safe. From now on, be more careful. If the wind and rain are heavy, there's no need to come. I know your filial hearts are enough."
But Lan Zhou was stubborn, "Ama taught us from a young age to uphold filial piety, to perform morning and evening salutations to our elders, not missing a single day. E'nie's care for us is our good fortune, but if we take advantage of E'nie's affection and act ungrateful, then we truly deserve death."
Seeing his brother, Lanting hurriedly imitated him, kneeling on the bed and saying, "We deserve death." Wanwan couldn't help but laugh. Children so young, taught to be so full of rules—it truly wasn't easy. She quickly comforted them, "Alright, alright, let's not talk about that for now. Lie down and warm yourselves up before we discuss anything else. You won't be going to school today. We must also send someone to report back and inform the Imperial Concubine that you're safe."
Lan Zhou glanced toward the door, where his personal attendant immediately burst into tears, "This servant will go. Young master, please rest well. But if the Old Imperial Consort Dowager finds out, she'll surely be terribly worried. Young master has had asthma since childhood. Last time, the old monk's Sea Recipe cured it, and he was told not to catch a cold for three years. Now look—two years of careful effort, all gone to waste. Who knows what will happen next."
Wanwan was shocked and turned to ask Lan Zhou, "Are you unwell? How do you have asthma?"
He smiled, "E'nie, don't listen to him making a fuss out of nothing. I do have wheezing illness. It was severe when I was very young, flaring up whenever the weather changed. But gradually, it's gotten much better..." As he spoke, he glared at the attendant, "Chang Bao, if you keep talking out of turn, see if I don't beat you!"Chang Bao rubbed his nose and murmured in agreement, taking two steps back before adding, "In any case, you mustn't catch a chill again. If the cold gets into your lungs, your life could be ruined. Remember what the old lady said."
Wanwan listened, thinking to herself that this was now a difficult situation. Such a fine child, yet with such an underlying illness. She hurriedly called for the physician to examine him again. The physician's opinion was that without an attack, it was hard to tell; they would have to wait until he started wheezing to prescribe the right treatment.
She stood there frowning, waved her hand, and dismissed everyone. A servant girl brought a porcelain stool, and she sat by the bed, asking them, "Why didn't you take a sedan chair when you came? Riding horses in such terrible weather—even wearing an oil-treated raincoat isn't enough."
Lanting grinned, revealing his toothless gums. "We brothers are real men! Only women ride in sedan chairs!"
Lan Zhou, annoyed by his rudeness, shot him a sharp look. Seeing this, Lanting fell silent and rolled over to the inner side of the bed.
It was Lan Zhou who spoke eloquently. "Today, for some reason, the wind was especially strong when we reached the bridge. Brother Ting got something in his eye, and since his archery and horsemanship aren't that good to begin with, he lost control of the reins. The five-colored horse stumbled and threw him off. Seeing the situation was critical, I didn't have time to think and jumped in after him. That's why both of us ended up in such a mess, embarrassing ourselves in front of E'nie. Please punish us, E'nie."
Of course, she had no way of knowing that Lanting's horse stumbling was because Lan Zhou had shot its leg. The two of them had been able to swim since childhood; with a single dive, they could easily gather a basketful of clams and snails from the riverbed. Although falling into the water at this time of year was a bit cold, without this pretext, it would have been difficult to stay at the Eldest Princess Residence. As for the asthma, that was entirely Chang Bao's fabrication. Lan Zhou was famously healthy and had never been sick since birth. Not to mention swimming in early spring—even diving into the river in the dead of winter was nothing to him.
He coughed twice appropriately, and Lanting behind him followed with a few hacking coughs. Wanwan panicked, turning to send someone off: "Quickly, prepare ginger soup for the two young masters to drive out the cold." She settled them into bed, saying, "Good children, you've really been through a lot. I didn't know earlier—it was only when Nurse Matron came to report that I heard you had fallen into the water. It truly frightened me. How could I punish such well-behaved children? Just rest now. Don't go back today, to avoid the strain of travel on your bodies."
Lan Zhou tapped on the bed board, symbolizing a kowtow of gratitude. "Ama is strict, but E'nie treats us sons well. I have another thought and would like to ask for E'nie's guidance."
Wanwan nodded. "Go ahead. Whatever it is, we can discuss it."
He licked his lips and said, "E'nie lives alone in the Princess's Residence. Although the palace guards are strict, it must still be lonely. Asking E'nie to return to the royal residence now might not be something E'nie would agree to. What I was thinking is that either I or Brother Ting could stay behind. On one hand, we could fulfill our filial duties in front of E'nie; on the other, we could represent Ama in supporting E'nie's household. It would also be a test for us sons."
Hearing him say all this, Wanwan was surprised by his clear reasoning. This child was only eight years old. Even if someone had deliberately taught him, he might not have remembered it all. Yet here he was, speaking every word with careful consideration. Even compared to the princes in the palace, he would certainly not fall short.Yuwen Liangshi might not be much of a person, but his offspring turned out well—truly, good bricks from a bad kiln. She smiled, gently stroking his forehead. "You've thought this through thoroughly. We can discuss this matter later. Right now, you need to rest well; nurturing your health is the most important thing. I just heard the boy mention something about a Sea Recipe. Should we have the ingredients prepared and take a couple more doses?"
He shook his head, his delicate little face bright with large, sparkling eyes, a golden ring gleaming around them—just like his father's.
"That recipe has long been gone. The monk said there was no need to keep it after finishing ten doses; naturally, I’d recover." With that, he smiled, revealing a pair of sharp little canine teeth. "E'nie, don’t worry about me. Your son is strong and healthy; this little hardship is nothing."
The girl truly had a kind heart. This Princess Royal was not as arrogant as he had imagined—no wonder Ama liked her so much. And her hand, soft and warm—he had never known a woman’s hand could be like this, resting on his forehead as lightly as a feather. It was a kind of serene tranquility cultivated only through the highest honor, so beautiful it couldn’t help but stir envy.
She sat a while longer, speaking with him in a gentle, unhurried tone, without the slightest hint of condescension. She urged him to be obedient, not to leave the bed today, and to stay lying down with his brother, having food and drink brought to them. Perhaps this was the wisdom she had gathered over more than a decade: when sad, go to bed; when frightened, go to bed; when ill, even more so, go to bed. Nestling under the covers was the best remedy.
After she left, Lanting poked his head out. "Brother, this stepmother doesn’t seem too bad."
Lan Zhou shot him a glare. "What stepmother? By status, she’s even closer to us than our own mother."
"Status is just an empty shell, isn’t it? Anyway, I don’t think she’s better than my own mother. My mother suits my temperament; I’ll be filial to her in the future."
"And you won’t be filial to this one? The clan elders would drown you in their spit!"
Lanting rested the back of his head on his arm and crossed his legs. "No studying today, and we’re told to stay in bed—a blessing in disguise, isn’t it? It was just a bit cold when we fell into the water; I almost froze to death... Do you think she’ll let us stay?"
Lan Zhou furrowed his brows, weighing the matter. "It’s impossible for both of us to stay. After all, the Morning and Evening Salutations are required at the prince’s residence." After a moment’s thought, he added, "If only one can stay, it should be me."
Lanting asked why. "Didn’t Ama praise you as his right-hand man? If you stay at the Eldest Princess Residence, won’t you neglect military affairs?"
He was utterly exasperated with this brother. "What are you here for? All you do all day is ride a little bamboo stick and pretend to fight at Changban Slope. It’s time you served Ama properly. As for why I should stay, it’s because I’m cleverer than you and can help Ama from the sidelines. And you? All you think about is being filial to your own mother. Without the heart to be a dutiful son, don’t cause trouble here."
Lanting had nothing to say, muttering to himself, You just want to recognize the Princess Royal as your mother, don’t you? Closer to heaven, you’ll reach for the moon! But he didn’t dare say it aloud; saying it would earn him another beating, and it wouldn’t be worth it. For someone without much ambition, staying in the background was always the safest. Today, he had risked his life to keep his brother company and ended up in the water. From now on, there probably wouldn’t be any more trouble.Wanwan received a letter from the palace, written by the Emperor in the form of a family correspondence, enclosed in an envelope politely addressed "To My Imperial Sister Jun, For Her Personal Attention."
Pushing open a window, she leaned against the windowsill to read the letter. Outside, banana leaves rustled in the wind. Propping her chin in her hand, she read line by line: it had been over a month since she left the palace, and her brother missed her dearly. He reminisced about their carefree childhood in their parents' presence, while now the burden of the State and Altars weighed so heavily on him that he could scarcely breathe. The Empress had fallen ill, afflicted by some malevolent influence, her condition fluctuating between better and worse. A few days ago, she could no longer recognize anyone. Last time, she had her phoenix crown dismantled, ground all the pearls—large and small—into powder, and with extravagant generosity, distributed it among all the palace consorts, inviting them to use it on their faces. Sometimes she even lashed out; when he went to see her once, she brandished a peachwood sword and chased him all over the place—the Empress had become a mad warrior. He was deeply troubled now, uncertain of what to do in the future. Having enthroned an Empress, it was as if he had none at all. She could not even manage herself, let alone be expected to serve as a maternal model for the realm. Finally, he inquired after his younger sister's well-being: was she accustomed to the meals in the Southern Garden? Was the Imperial Consort treating her well? Enclosed were two chefs, personally sampled by him, whose culinary skills were exceptional.
Wanwan sat there for a long while, unable to gather her thoughts. Reflecting carefully, her nose tingled with sorrow. Yin Lou had gone mad, likely driven to insanity by her predicament. On the day of Wanwan's marriage of a princess, she had been perfectly fine, offering many words of comfort and advice. Yet when misfortune befell her own self, she could not see a way out. Scattered in separate places, each suffering in their own way, who could save whom? She had received no letters from Yin Lou, and could only glean indirect understanding from the Emperor's family correspondence, unable even to write words of comfort to her. As for the Emperor... this brother of hers was always full of surprises. Some sent gold or silver, but she had never heard of anyone sending two chefs from afar. To call him absurd seemed ungrateful, for he genuinely thought of her—only he could cater to her palate but could not attend to her happiness.
She went to the writing desk, ground ink, and picked up a brush, naturally reporting only good news and omitting troubles. She wrote that she had adapted well to the climate, and that she enjoyed the landscapes and bustling streets of Jiangnan. The Imperial Consort treated her exceedingly well, the Imperial Concubine was amiable and kind, and all was smooth for her, so the Emperor need not worry. Yin Lou found the position of Empress unbearable, and the Emperor should not persist unnecessarily; it was better to prioritize the greater situation and select another virtuous and wise candidate.
Tong Huan attended to the ink and brush by her side. Seeing her offer such counsel, she smiled and said, "Your Highness's heart truly carries the weight of the world at all times."
Wanwan set down the brush, quietly waiting for the ink to dry, and said gloomily, "Affections within the inner chambers are indeed significant, but compared to the State Altars, they are ultimately limited. Yin Lou was never meant to be Empress; ascending that throne was no blessing for her but rather a shackle. She has gone mad..." She gave a soft sob. "She was never a narrow-minded person. How could she have gone mad... Or perhaps she wishes to yield her position and is pretending intentionally."
Tong Huan pressed her lips together and remained silent. Often, she appeared overly perceptive—not that perceptiveness was bad, but when misapplied, it could wound both others and herself.
Sealing the letter, she had it sent out. As it contained only ordinary family talk, she did not fear interception or prying eyes. Just as she finished handling this matter, word came from the front that the eldest master was running a fever and seemed about to fall ill.
She rose immediately and hurried over, asking how the second master was. The servants below reported that the second master was doing fine, lively and energetic, having gone with others to pick Chinese toon.
"Has no one come from the Prince's residence?"Yu Xixia said, "The Old Imperial Consort Dowager asked me to relay a message: if Your Highness inquires, just say boys are tough and can withstand falls. As long as they aren’t dead, there’s no need to make a fuss."
Wanwan found it utterly unbelievable. "The old lady’s heart is truly too broad! A person fell from a bridge into the river, and she treats it as nothing?"
Tong Huan laughed. "It’s precisely because the old lady cares for you. Doing this shows her stance. After all, both young masters are born of concubines. If they were treated like treasures in front of you, wouldn’t that make it difficult for you to handle? Raising them like cats or dogs is entirely up to you. Knowing your kindness and generosity, you wouldn’t make things hard for the children. Naturally, they’ll let go on their end, lest you misunderstand and say the legal mother is difficult."
Hearing this, she faintly curled the corner of her lips. "The people of the Southern Garden Palace are indeed all shrewd calculators. To make me comfortable, they don’t even care about the children’s lives. I understand her intentions: with the two young masters leading the way, those behind can act more easily. Unfortunately, I won’t fall for that. Even if he comes, I’ll still keep him from entering."
After finishing her resentful words, she realized she had spoken too soon. Stepping into the side room, she found someone already by Lan Zhou’s bedside. He wore a stone-blue casual robe, a Phoenix Belt cinched at his waist, and the traveling python on his full-arm sleeve robe stood out fiercely. Standing there, he was as steadfast as a mountain.
Her heart trembled violently. Just as she thought to turn away, he took the lead and called out to her, bowing with clasped hands. "Lan Zhou is ill and shouldn’t be moved for now. I originally intended to summon Madam Tala to care for him, but I feared a lowly concubine might act improperly and offend Your Highness. After much thought, I decided it’s best for me to look after him personally. So, starting today, I must borrow a corner of Your Highness’s precious residence. I ask Your Highness to grant us this convenience and shelter us, father and son."
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