As the Seventh Prince grew older, Li Yuniang’s duties as his wet nurse became increasingly relaxed. In Yunhai Residence, she was practically half a mistress—all the young palace maids were under her charge, and even Eunuch Kang, the most trusted eunuch serving the Seventh Prince, held her in high regard.
Given the Seventh Prince’s age, Li Yuniang could have left the palace to return home and reunite with her family, but Consort Zhuang forbade it. Later, when Emperor Jiande became involved, it became even more difficult for Li Yuniang to leave the palace.
Her husband’s death had struck Li Yuniang hard, but after half a year of returning home to handle the funeral arrangements, she had buried her grief and longing deep in her heart. Now, in Yunhai Residence, she had to ensure the Seventh Prince’s daily routine proceeded as usual while also dividing her attention to care for her lively and active young daughter, Afu. With her energy thus divided, she had little time to dwell on the sorrow of losing her husband.
"Unless I take you there, you are not allowed to go to the main courtyard."
On Afu’s very first day in the palace, Li Yuniang had set this rule for her.
Three-year-old Afu obediently nodded.
Yet the more her mother forbade her from going to the main courtyard, the more Afu longed to play there and to see the Seventh Prince, whom she had only caught a glimpse of during the morning greetings.
Every day, Afu attempted to sneak into the main courtyard, and every time she failed. But these attempts and the thrill of being discovered became one of Afu’s joys—like a game of hide-and-seek. Each time she got a little closer to the main courtyard, each time she prolonged the moment before being caught by the palace maid Liu’er, Afu felt delighted.
On this day, rain fell—a steady, drizzling downpour. Since the Seventh Prince had not gone out, Li Yuniang remained in the main courtyard, ready to attend to His Highness at any moment, and assigned Liu’er to watch over Afu.
Liu’er, about fifteen or sixteen years old, was more than capable of looking after a three-year-old girl.
Afu behaved very obediently—until naptime. After pretending to sleep for a while, she quietly poked her head out from under the covers. Seeing Liu’er dozing off with her head on the table, Afu grinned, crept silently out of bed, and stuffed a pillow under the blankets to make it look like someone was still sleeping there.
With her disguise in place, Afu crawled barefoot to the floor and quietly slipped on her soft-soled embroidered shoes.
Just then, Liu’er shifted slightly.
Startled, Afu crouched down, only to realize Liu’er had merely changed her napping position without waking up. Seizing the opportunity, Afu tiptoed out quietly.
Afu was very familiar with her mother’s small side courtyard and knew exactly where the gate to the main courtyard was. She took the umbrella Liu’er had left under the eaves, glanced around, and stepped boldly into the rain.
The ground was slick and wet, and splashing rainwater dampened Afu’s shoes, cool and clammy against her skin. Yet she found it fun, deliberately stepping into the little puddles that had formed. Laughing and playing along the way, she soon reached the gate.
Hiding behind the wall, Afu peered into the main courtyard. Because of the rain, no one was moving about in the yard.
Reassured, Afu stepped into the main courtyard.
The Seventh Prince was in the study. Unable to sleep, he had come here, yet once inside, he felt restless and agitated, unable to focus on his books.
It was almost laughable: his mother, Consort Zhuang, exploited the wet nurse on one hand, yet resented the Emperor’s regard for her—and even disapproved of his own respect for the wet nurse. Whenever she had the chance, she would belittle the wet nurse in front of him, even hinting that there was some improper relationship between the wet nurse and the Emperor.
But no one knew better than the Seventh Prince what the Emperor actually did in Yunhai Residence.
Sometimes, when the Emperor visited, he would bestow gifts of food upon the wet nurse; other times, he would invite her to play chess. Initially, the Emperor did indeed make advances—Gradually, the emperor and the wet nurse developed a relationship that was more than formal yet not quite friendship. From an outsider's perspective, the Seventh Prince felt his father preferred conversing with the wet nurse, as Eunuch Kang often heard the emperor's hearty laughter from within.
The Seventh Prince didn't know exactly how his father viewed the wet nurse. He only knew she had never attempted to seduce the emperor in any way.
Amid the sound of rain outside the window, another noise emerged. The Seventh Prince went to the window and pushed it open, discovering an additional umbrella in the courtyard.
The umbrella was held so low it resembled a large mushroom sprouting from the ground. As the "mushroom" moved, it suddenly lifted to reveal the exquisitely delicate face of a young girl.
The Seventh Prince smiled. The wet nurse had mentioned that Afu, being playful, kept trying to come to the main courtyard. She had warned him in advance, fearing she couldn't prevent it, asking for his forgiveness should Afu ever slip through.
The Seventh Prince didn't mind at all.
He watched Afu standing in the rain.
She hadn't noticed him yet, looking around as if uncertain which way to go.
The Seventh Prince cleared his throat softly.
Afu immediately turned toward the sound and saw an open window where the Seventh Prince stood dressed in white robes.
Afu liked the Seventh Prince - he was truly handsome and seemed very approachable.
But would he be angry about her coming here?
Afu felt somewhat apprehensive.
Seeing her standing motionless, waiting to gauge his reaction like a young deer encountering humans for the first time in the forest, the Seventh Prince smiled and beckoned to her.
Afu's eyes lit up. Holding the oversized umbrella, she made her way toward the study, her face hidden by the umbrella once more, transforming back into a moving mushroom.
The Seventh Prince went to the Hall adjacent to the study.
Eunuch Kang was sitting on a stool outside and immediately stood up when he saw his master emerge unexpectedly.
The Seventh Prince gestured that everything was fine and walked directly toward the entrance.
Just then, the adorable little mushroom climbed the steps and appeared at the doorway.
Eunuch Kang exclaimed in surprise, "Afu?"
Afu lowered her umbrella and looked somewhat timidly at the master and servant inside.
Only then did the Seventh Prince notice that Afu's shoes were almost completely soaked.
He immediately picked Afu up, removed her wet embroidered shoes and socks, then lifted the hem of his own robe to dry her feet. Knowing children were delicate, he worried any delay might cause Afu to catch cold.
Afu was already accustomed to adults caring for her, so she saw nothing unusual in the Seventh Prince's actions.
Eunuch Kang was too astonished to speak.
There were young princes in the palace around Afu's age - the Seventh Prince's half-brothers - yet he had always been cold and distant toward them. When had he ever shown them such care?
"Have the kitchen prepare a bowl of ginger soup," the Seventh Prince instructed casually.
Eunuch Kang hurried off to comply.
The Seventh Prince carried Afu into the study where there was a daybed. After settling her there, he checked her trouser legs - fortunately, they weren't wet.
He brought over a chair and sat facing Afu.
Afu supported herself with her hands on the daybed, her large eyes darting around as she curiously examined the room. It was so spacious, filled with row upon row of bookshelves.
The Seventh Prince watched her with a smile. When Afu finally turned her gaze to him, he asked gently, "Afu, why aren't you sleeping?"A-Fu found the Seventh Prince quite amiable and answered crisply, "Can't sleep."
Seventh Prince: "Where's Liu'er?"
A-Fu: "She's asleep. I came out to play."
Seventh Prince: "Looking for your mother?"
A-Fu shook her head: "Don't want Mother. Mother scolds me."
The Seventh Prince nearly laughed—could a wet nurse really be fierce? His own wet nurse had cared for him all these years without ever losing her temper at him.
"How does she scold you usually?" the Seventh Prince asked.
A-Fu thought for a moment, then stood on the daybed and began imitating her mother's scolding. Her little mouth recited adult admonishments with remarkable accuracy.
After her performance, A-Fu walked around the daybed and eventually came to the low table in the center, where two books lay. Kneeling beside it, she began fiddling with them.
Seeing her interest in the books, the Seventh Prince came over and sat beside her. "Does A-Fu want to read?"
Unable to understand the text, A-Fu pushed the book toward him. "I'm still small. You tell me the story."
The content was too advanced for A-Fu, so the Seventh Prince deliberately simplified the narrative, sticking to the plot without delving into deeper meanings, ensuring it remained both comprehensible and engaging for her.
He told the story earnestly, and A-Fu listened with equal seriousness.
Eunuch Kang brought over some ginger soup, freshly brewed and chilled—just right for drinking now.
The Seventh Prince took the bowl and personally fed A-Fu with a spoon.
After one sip, A-Fu wrinkled her little nose. "It doesn't taste good."
The Seventh Prince chuckled. "A-Fu's feet got cold. Drinking this will keep you from getting sick. Otherwise, if you fall ill, you won't be able to run around and play."
A-Fu still refused to drink.
After a moment's thought, the Seventh Prince said, "If A-Fu finishes this bowl, I'll treat you to sweet red date cakes."
At that, A-Fu nearly drooled.
She obediently drank the soup.
Eunuch Kang went to fetch a plate of red date cakes.
A-Fu happily began eating.
The Seventh Prince said to Eunuch Kang, "Go inform the wet nurse, so she doesn't worry."
Eunuch Kang bowed and accepted the order.
Li Yu-niang was instructing two newly arrived palace maids when she heard her daughter had run off to the Seventh Prince's quarters. She hurried over to retrieve the child.
A-Fu didn't want to leave—it was rare for her to be out.
"I want His Highness to tell me stories," A-Fu said, barefoot as she darted behind the Seventh Prince, crouching down and hiding her face.
Li Yu-niang anxiously said, "Come down. I'll tell you a story."
A-Fu: "Mother's stories aren't as good."
The Seventh Prince smiled. "Wet Nurse, you may attend to your duties. I have nothing pressing at the moment. Once A-Fu has had her fill of fun, I'll have someone escort her back."
Knowing his gentle nature, Li Yu-niang still insisted, "Your Highness, please don't spoil her. If she isn't disciplined when young, she'll be harder to manage when older."
The Seventh Prince glanced at A-Fu behind him. "I find A-Fu very well-behaved. Wet Nurse, you needn't worry."
As he was her superior, Li Yu-niang had no choice but to take her leave.
Eunuch Kang followed her out and said quietly, "Don't fret. His Highness is in low spirits today. Telling stories to A-Fu is a welcome distraction."
Understanding, Li Yu-niang left reassured.
The Seventh Prince told stories to A-Fu for a long time. At first, A-Fu sat beside him, then she moved into his lap, and eventually, she fell asleep.
Clumsily, the Seventh Prince laid A-Fu on a pillow, initially afraid of waking her. Seeing the little girl sleeping soundly, he breathed a sigh of relief and gently covered her with a quilt.The rain pattered noisily, yet Afu slept soundly.
The Seventh Prince rose from his couch and walked to the desk. Though restless and unable to focus earlier, his mind suddenly cleared of all distractions. Glancing at Afu, who was deep in slumber, he opened a book and began to study with renewed concentration.
That evening, the Seventh Prince instructed Li Yuniang that Afu no longer needed to be restricted—she was free to roam anywhere within Yunhai Residence.
Afu soon explored every corner of Yunhai Residence, developing a particular fondness for two places: the small garden, where the Seventh Prince had a swing built specially for her, and his study. The study itself held little amusement, but Afu loved listening to the Seventh Prince tell her stories. Indulging her, unless swamped with duties, he would recount tales each evening—some from books, others spun from his own imagination.
Time slipped by unnoticed. When Afu turned six and the Seventh Prince sixteen, Emperor Jiande finally designated the Seventh Prince as Crown Prince.
From then on, the Seventh Prince moved into the Eastern Palace, accompanied by Li Yuniang and Afu.
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