"Since my lady wishes to see them, why don’t I issue an edict summoning them to the palace for a couple of days?"

Emperor Jingxuan stepped down from the couch and leaned beside her, speaking casually.

Yun Wan clutched the letter in her hand, her voice tinged with delight. "Is that possible?"

Glancing briefly at the contents of the letter, Emperor Jingxuan gave a slight nod. "Of course. It’s rare to see you so happy."

Even if it weren’t possible, he would make it so.

"Well then..." Yun Wan opened her mouth to agree but suddenly hesitated, shaking her head with a resigned sigh. "Never mind, it’s better not to."

"Cousin Yuanzhou’s imperial exams are approaching. Everything must be handled with caution—better to keep a low profile to avoid criticism and ensure fairness."

Reputation was of utmost importance for scholars preparing for the exams. If her cousin and aunt were summoned to the palace to see her, rumors might spread about them currying favor with the imperial family, which could unsettle her cousin’s focus and hinder his performance.

Her cousin had always been unlucky, and this examination was crucial. Yun Wan didn’t want to be the reason for any setbacks.

Emperor Jingxuan nodded without pressing further. "You make a fair point. What is your cousin’s name?"

Yun Wan replied, "His surname is Cen, given name Yuanzhou."

"Cen Yuanzhou." Emperor Jingxuan repeated the name casually, offering rare praise. "‘Braving the winds and waves, a ship sailing far’—it’s a fine name."

This was the first time she had heard him wax poetic about someone’s name. Yun Wan smiled. "That was precisely the meaning behind my grandfather’s choice. Your Majesty has excellent literary taste!"

His expression softened at her words, and Emperor Jingxuan cleared his throat lightly.

Yun Wan tensed with concern. "Is your wound hurting again?"

He shook his head and asked offhandedly, "Why haven’t you ever asked for my name?"

Yun Wan blinked in surprise, meeting his expectant gaze before obliging. "Then, what is Your Majesty’s name?"

Emperor Jingxuan stood with his hands behind his back, his posture regal as he answered with ease, "My surname is Qi, of the Xuan generation, with the given name Chang."

Qi Xuanchang?

Yun Wan silently repeated the name in her mind.

"Say it, my lady."

The man named Qi Xuanchang cleared his throat with exaggerated solemnity.

Yun Wan hesitated. "Is that allowed?"

To address an emperor by his personal name was a grave breach of etiquette.

Emperor Jingxuan gave a firm nod, his jawline resolute. "I grant you immunity."

"Qi... Qi Xuanchang?"

The first attempt was slightly awkward, her voice stumbling over the syllables. "‘Chang’ as in ‘eternal daylight,’ symbolizing enduring brightness and unimpeded clarity—a name with excellent meaning."

"I chose it myself." Emperor Jingxuan’s lips curved into a smirk, his pride unmistakable.

"The late emperor named me ‘Xuan Ying,’ hoping I would remain overshadowed by my elder brothers, living my life unseen, like a shadow hidden in darkness."

Recalling unpleasant memories, his brow darkened, a cold sneer playing on his lips. "I despised it, so I changed it."

In fact, one of his first acts upon ascending the throne had been to storm the ancestral temple with a blade, personally scratching out his old name from the imperial records and replacing it with the current one.

He had also taken the liberty of altering his brothers’ names to ‘Dog’ and ‘Swine,’ a testament to his loathing.

Yun Wan was momentarily stunned, though not entirely surprised—this was exactly the kind of thing he would do.

Sensing the heavy aura of resentment around him, she set aside the letter and gently wrapped her arms around his waist, careful to avoid his injury.

"If you dislike it, then so be it. You are the ruler of this nation—you may call yourself whatever you please."

The shadows in his eyes dissipated instantly, the icy edge in his expression melting like winter snow giving way to spring warmth.

He lowered his head, pressing light yet fervent kisses to her brows, the tip of her nose, and finally her lips, his breath hot and uneven against her skin.

Though his shoulders remained stiff from injury, the rest of him was far from restrained.

Only when her lips were thoroughly kissed into a swollen blush did he pause for breath, murmuring, "If you won’t summon them to the palace, then pick a clear day to visit them outside instead."

Yun Wan had been considering the same.

Unfortunately, the heavens were uncooperative—for over ten days, autumn rains poured relentlessly, draping the capital in a dreary gray haze.

The only tangible effect was the biting chill that followed, a harbinger of the approaching winter.

Fortunately, Yun Wan had plenty of palace affairs to familiarize herself with, making the rainy days pass without tedium.

On the day of her departure, however, she found herself agonizing over her attire.

"Your Majesty, what do you think of this outfit for meeting my aunt and cousin?" She held up a honey-colored dress, seeking Emperor Jingxuan’s opinion.

His injury nearly healed, the emperor was idly flipping through a book nearby. At her question, he glanced over.

Before he could speak, Yun Wan shook her head, retracting the suggestion. "No, this one seems too plain."

She then picked up a coral-red pleated skirt. "How about this?"

"Too flashy, perhaps." She frowned, muttering to herself as she wrestled with indecision.

Emperor Jingxuan set the book aside, propping his chin on his hand as he studied her intently. "My lady is beautiful in anything she wears."

A faint pang of jealousy pricked his heart.

Was it really necessary to fuss so much over meeting that ill-fated cousin?

Yun Wan’s ears flushed pink, a small smile playing on her lips.

Nearby, Fuling and Yue Ya stifled giggles behind their sleeves—they were long accustomed to such scenes.

"In the end, I’ll wear this."

After much deliberation, Yun Wan settled on a silver-red dress embroidered with haitang blossoms, paired with a moon-white standing-collar jacket adorned with plump pearls along the cuffs and neckline. The ensemble was elegant yet radiant, perfectly suiting her noble bearing.

Her makeup was understated, enhancing her delicate features—her beauty was peerless, every glance and gesture brimming with enchanting grace.

After a long silence, Emperor Jingxuan suddenly declared, "I have no pressing matters today. I shall accompany you."

Yun Wan frowned. "But your injury hasn’t fully healed."

He waved a dismissive hand. "It’s no longer serious. The physician said yesterday that staying indoors too long hinders recovery, and moderate outings are beneficial. I find his reasoning sound."

His decision to leave the palace had nothing to do with anything else—purely medicinal.

Yun Wan sighed. "If you appear, my aunt and cousin will be terrified."

Emperor Jingxuan smirked. "No matter. I have a plan."

He summoned Jiang Fusheng, who entered carrying a fresh set of robes.

Yun Wan took one look and felt her eyelids twitch violently.

Unless she was mistaken, this was the uniform of the Imperial Guard commander—the same one Wei Tong wore.

Once dressed, Emperor Jingxuan stood tall, his bearing imposing. "Today, I am Wei Tong."

Yun Wan: "......"

As the carriage departed the palace, Yun Wan’s excitement grew, her heart fluttering with anticipation for the reunion.

Passing through Vermilion Bird Street, they encountered a squad of armed officers surrounding a residence, a crowd gathering to watch.

Peering through the carriage curtains, Yun Wan asked curiously, "What’s happening there?"

Emperor Jingxuan answered coolly, "They’re confiscating the property."

Yun Wan: "What crime did they commit?"

Emperor Jingxuan: "Colluding with foreign enemies, sending intelligence to the Rong people, and leaking my whereabouts."

Yun Wan stiffened. "You mean... your injury was caused by the Rong?"

"At least on the surface." His gaze darkened, hinting at deeper secrets.

In other words, there was more to the story.

Yun Wan didn’t press further.

Half an hour later, the carriage entered a quiet alley and halted before a modest estate.

Yun Wan leaped out eagerly and stepped forward to knock.