A moment later, there was movement behind the door, and it opened to reveal a gentle yet slightly aged face.

Seeing Yun Wan, the woman paused, her tone hesitant, "You are...?"

"Aunt!"

Gazing at the familiar yet unfamiliar face before her, Yun Wan burst into tears of joy.

At the sound of "Aunt," the woman's eyes instantly reddened, glistening with tears.

"Ah Wan! It's little Ah Wan!"

Lin Xiu, the aunt, embraced Yun Wan excitedly, tears streaming down her face. "Ah Wan, it's really you! Is Aunt dreaming?"

As she spoke, she pinched her thigh, and only when the pain registered did she snap out of it, overjoyed.

Yun Wan held her hands, feeling the rough calluses, and her nose tingled with emotion. "Aunt, it's not a dream. It's really me. We've finally reunited!"

The commotion drew the attention of the neighbors. A plump woman, Fat Auntie, stepped out from across the street, munching on melon seeds as she glanced at Yun Wan. "Auntie Lin, is this a relative of yours?"

Lin Xiu wiped her tears and smiled at Fat Auntie. "Yes, this is my niece, here to visit me!"

Fat Auntie clicked her tongue, her matchmaking instincts kicking in. She couldn't resist probing, "The girl is quite pretty, with a lovely figure. Is she married?"

Lin Xiu replied, "She is. Her child is already four."

Fat Auntie pressed, "Is her husband still alive?"

Lin Xiu broke into a sweat. "Y-yes, he is."

Fat Auntie sighed inwardly—what a shame. A girl with such looks and figure would be highly sought-after, even as a widow, in these streets.

Yun Wan glanced sideways and sure enough, a certain man's face had darkened like the bottom of a pot.

She quickly tugged at Lin Xiu. "Aunt, let's go inside first."

Otherwise, they’d truly become a spectacle for the neighbors.

And she feared a certain man might lose his temper.

Lin Xiu patted her forehead, beaming. "Oh, look at me, so caught up in the moment! Come in, come in! Your cousin went to buy groceries and will be back soon."

She pulled Yun Wan inside, only then noticing the man waiting by the carriage. "And this is...?"

Emperor Jingxuan curved his lips into a smile, his demeanor noble and composed. "Greetings, Aunt. My surname is Wei. I was tasked by His Majesty to escort Her Ladyship out of the palace and ensure her safety."

Tall, broad-shouldered, and strikingly handsome, his imposing presence made it clear he was no ordinary man.

Lin Xiu was stunned. Truly, the capital’s environment nurtures exceptional people—even a guard was this dashing and impressive.

She smiled warmly. "Commander Wei, please come in!"

The house was a modest two-courtyard residence. Upon entering, there was a small, tidy yard with rooms on either side and a central hall.

Lin Xiu led Yun Wan into the hall, then hurried to the kitchen to brew fine tea and fetch dried fruits.

Yun Wan pulled her back to sit. "Aunt, don’t trouble yourself. Your health isn’t strong—don’t overexert yourself."

Lin Xiu reassured her, "Ah Wan, don’t worry. After brushing with death, I’ve learned to let go. These past few years, I’ve actually felt stronger."

She held Yun Wan’s hands, studying her with both joy and sorrow in her eyes. "Ah Wan, I almost forgot you’re now a consort in the palace. I’ve heard the rules there are strict. I didn’t bow to you earlier—will that cause you trouble?"

Yun Wan shook her head gently. "No, don’t overthink it. Besides, this isn’t the palace. There’s no need for such formalities here."

"That’s a relief. I just don’t want to burden you."

Just then, there was noise in the yard. Lin Xiu looked out and smiled. "Your cousin is back."

A voice called out, "Mother, do we have guests?"

Cen Yuanzhou stepped in, carrying a fish, and froze when he saw Yun Wan.

"C-cousin?" he stammered, disbelief written across his face.

Yun Wan smiled warmly. "Cousin."

Cen Yuanzhou’s face lit up, and in his haste, he nearly tripped over the threshold.

Regaining his balance, he dropped the fish, straightened his clothes, and clasped his hands in a formal bow. "This commoner, Cen Yuanzhou, pays respects to Consort Yun. May Your Ladyship enjoy boundless blessings."

With the emperor present, Yun Wan accepted the courtesy before urging, "Cousin, please rise! This is your home—no need for such formalities."

Cen Yuanzhou nodded, then turned his gaze to the man whose presence was impossible to ignore.

Lin Xiu introduced, "This is Commander Wei, sent by His Majesty to escort Ah Wan."

"Commander Wei?" Cen Yuanzhou hesitated, studying the man’s extraordinary bearing. "Are you the Imperial Guard Commander, Commander Wei?"

Emperor Jingxuan gave a slight nod, tacitly confirming it.

He scrutinized the man before him—dressed in a faded blue robe, slender and bookish, like a frail chick that wouldn’t survive a single punch. His features were pleasant but paled in comparison to his own.

In short, the epitome of a delicate scholar.

No threat whatsoever.

The emperor, well-versed in his wife’s preferences, relaxed inwardly.

Cen Yuanzhou bowed respectfully. "An honor to meet you. This commoner, Cen Yuanzhou, greets Commander Wei."

He thought to himself, just as the rumors said—his cousin was deeply favored by the emperor, who even dispatched the Imperial Guard Commander to escort her.

Emperor Jingxuan replied mildly, "Brother Cen, no need for formalities."

Lin Xiu suddenly understood—a high-ranking official! No wonder he carried himself so imposingly.

Yun Wan voiced her confusion. "Aunt, in your last letter, you said Cousin came alone. How did you end up here too?"

Lin Xiu sighed. "It’s a long story. I hadn’t planned to come to the capital, but shortly after Yuanzhou left, the county magistrate arrived with a group, saying they were sent by a noble to bring me to the capital for a life of comfort."

"At first, I didn’t believe them, but the magistrate visited multiple times and showed official documents. The only ‘noble’ they could’ve meant was you, Ah Wan, so I took the leap and went with them."

"Funny enough, I traveled by boat, treated to good food and drink the whole way, without a hint of discomfort. I even arrived a day before Yuanzhou."

She frowned. "Ah Wan, from what you’re saying, it wasn’t you who arranged this?"

Yun Wan shook her head slowly. "No, it wasn’t me."

Lin Xiu was stunned. "Then who...?"

Yun ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‍Wan sighed. "It must have been His Majesty."

Only that man had such power.

Lin Xiu fell silent, then patted her hand and murmured, "His Majesty cares deeply for you."

Emperor Jingxuan straightened slightly at this, his eyes fixed intently on Yun Wan.

Yun Wan didn’t notice, but Cen Yuanzhou narrowed his eyes.

As noon approached, the Cen household didn’t have enough food prepared, so Cen Yuanzhou offered to order a meal from a nearby restaurant. Emperor Jingxuan stopped him.

"The dishes are ready. I’ll have them delivered."

Cen Yuanzhou hesitated. "This..."

Yun Wan gave him a reassuring nod, and he relented.

Once Emperor Jingxuan left, Cen Yuanzhou hesitated before speaking cautiously. "Cousin..."

Yun Wan prompted, "What is it, Cousin?"

Gritting his teeth, Cen Yuanzhou finally said, "This Commander Wei... he doesn’t seem trustworthy. I noticed him staring at you—it’s highly improper!"

His face flushed with indignation.

"You should keep your distance from him to avoid misunderstandings, especially with His Majesty. This concerns your safety—you mustn’t take it lightly. Next time you leave the palace, don’t let him escort you."

He had heard that Commander Wei Tong was already married with children. How dare such an unfaithful man still have the audacity to covet his cousin? Utterly shameless!

He believed his cousin should strike first—find an opportunity to report this man to the authorities, at least leaving a record with His Majesty to prevent any future repercussions for her.

Just as he was thinking this, Emperor Jingxuan stepped through the door: "......"

He had heard everything.

Noticing his arrival, Cen Yuanzhou immediately changed his tone: "Brother Wei, thank you for ensuring my cousin's safe journey. My humble home has little to offer, but I hope today's tea is to your liking."

Faced with his beaming, endlessly grateful smile, Emperor Jingxuan fell silent.

What a sly fellow—wearing two faces at once.