As they chatted, the conversation turned to Sui.

Lin Xiu said regretfully, "I wonder how tall Sui has grown. I’ve never even seen him."

Back when she learned Yun Wan was pregnant, she had felt both joy and worry—joy that Yun Wan would have a child to rely on, and that the Lu Family might treat her better for the child’s sake.

But she also worried, with Yun Wan’s husband gone, whether those caring for her would be neglectful, leaving her without support during the hardships of pregnancy.

Fortunately, everything had turned out well. From the letters, it seemed Sui was a well-behaved child.

Yangzhou was far from the capital. Even in the best season, the water route took a month to traverse, making travel inconvenient. Thus, Lin Xiu had never met Sui, though she never missed sending birthday gifts.

Mentioning her child softened Yun Wan’s expression. "It wasn’t convenient today—we came in a hurry. Next time, I’ll bring him to properly greet his maternal aunt and uncle."

Lin Xiu nodded, beaming. "That would be wonderful."

After a pause, she hesitantly asked, "I wonder who Sui takes after more in looks?"

"His eyes resemble his father’s. The rest is all his mother," came the answer before Yun Wan could speak—the child’s father couldn’t resist replying, even while maintaining his guise as a palace guard.

Cen Yuanzhou frowned deeply.

What was wrong with this man? No one had asked him, yet he jumped in to answer!

So lacking in propriety!

Lin Xiu sighed. "Taking after Wan is good. Wan was always such a pretty child—and I’m not just saying that as her aunt. She was the most beautiful little girl I’d ever seen. Back in Yangzhou, everyone in our alley wanted to take her home!"

"Big eyes, a small mouth, fair skin, chubby cheeks, and those little pigtails—she smiled at everyone, like a porcelain doll. No one could resist her."

She truly treated Yun Wan as her own daughter, her face alight with fond memories.

If not for the Yun family reclaiming her, Lin Xiu would have gladly raised Yun Wan herself.

As for the part about the eyes resembling the father? The maternal aunt deliberately ignored it.

Clearly, she held no goodwill toward the Lu Family.

Yun Wan flushed at the praise, especially with the imposter standing beside her. It felt like an embarrassing childhood story.

As for Emperor Jingxuan, he discreetly pricked up his ears, using Lin Xiu’s descriptions to imagine Yun Wan as a little girl.

Big eyes, fair skin, chubby with pigtails—how was she any different from the celestial maidens at the feet of Guanyin?

Time was short. After lunch, Yun Wan stayed at the Cen residence for a little over an hour before returning to the palace.

Before leaving, Lin Xiu brought out a bundle from her room and pressed it into Yun Wan’s hands. "I’ve never met Sui, so I don’t know how big he is now. These shoes are made for a boy of four or five."

"There’s another pair for you. The craftsmanship is rough—I hope you and your little one won’t mind."

Yun Wan looked down at the two pairs of exquisitely made shoes, their stitches fine and even, embroidered in the Suzhou style of Jiangnan. The soles were soft, no doubt from being kneaded by hand countless times.

No wonder her maternal aunt’s hands felt so much rougher than when Yun Wan was a child.

Her eyes welled up as she hugged Lin Xiu, her voice thick with emotion. "Don’t say such things, Aunt. How could we ever mind such a heartfelt gift?"

Lin Xiu patted her gently.

Yun Wan murmured, "Aunt, your health isn’t good. You shouldn’t tire yourself with such work. Let me hire two maids for you—they can keep you company when my cousin isn’t around."

Lin Xiu shook her head. "Your cousin offered the same, but I refused. With so few in the household, I might as well do what I can."

Yun Wan disagreed, "It's not that cold yet. When winter comes and the snow falls, even stepping out will be a hassle. I’d rather hire a couple of quick-handed, honest maids or elderly servants to assist you."

"This matter is settled. Maternal aunt, you’re not allowed to refuse," she declared firmly.

Afraid Lin Xiu might resist, Yun Wan feigned annoyance, her expression laced with a touch of playful petulance.

Lin Xiu waved her hand helplessly, "Alright, alright, Wan has the final say."

Only then did Yun Wan’s face brighten with a smile.

Emperor Jingxuan waited patiently nearby, his gaze fixed solely on Yun Wan.

When their conversation finally wound down, Yun Wan slowly boarded the carriage and began her journey back to the palace.

As the carriage departed Apricot Blossom Lane, the neighbors couldn’t resist prying. "Aunt Lin, was that young lady your relative?"

Lin Xiu nodded. "Yes, my niece. She’s already married and has a son."

The neighbor exclaimed enviously, "Judging by that carriage and the entourage, your niece married a high-ranking official! With a son-in-law like that to support you, you and your son will surely live comfortably from now on!"

Lin Xiu smiled faintly. "I’m content just knowing she visits me. As for support or not, don’t go spreading rumors. My son wouldn’t be able to handle such talk."

With that, she ignored the neighbor’s reaction and shut the door behind her.

The neighbor scoffed and muttered, "Putting on airs now. So what if you have a powerful relative? You still live in this tiny alley."

Once inside, Lin Xiu smacked her son on the shoulder. "What was wrong with you during dinner? Constantly making trouble—did Commander Wei offend you somehow?"

Cen Yuanzhou winced but defended himself, "Mother, that Wei fellow is all show and no substance! He has improper intentions toward Cousin. Didn’t you see how his eyes were practically glued to her? I was just being cautious!"

Lin Xiu gasped. "N-no, surely not?"

Cen Yuanzhou insisted, "Why not?"

Lin Xiu was stunned. "That man has some nerve! The capital is truly lawless!"

......

"This jade has good clarity," Emperor Jingxuan remarked in the carriage, eyeing the jade pendant in Yun Wan’s hand.

Yun Wan replied, "Cousin must have carved it himself."

She had retrieved it from the bottom of her bundle—a child’s peace pendant, likely a gift from Cen Yuanzhou to Sui.

Emperor Jingxuan paused. "Your cousin? Him?"

Hearing the disdain in his tone, Yun Wan frowned. "Your Majesty shouldn’t underestimate Cousin. He’s skilled not only in jade carving but also woodwork. He just appears a bit slow-witted."

This was Cen Yuanzhou’s deceptive facade. Back in their childhood in Yangzhou, he had often taken Yun Wan climbing trees to raid birds’ nests.

His delicate, scholarly appearance was nothing but a ruse.

Emperor Jingxuan smirked coldly. To him, the man didn’t seem slow-witted at all—his eyes were quite sharp when glaring.

With a cryptic hum, he remarked, "Madam certainly holds her cousin in high regard."

Sighing inwardly, Yun Wan tucked the pendant away. "Hasn’t Your Majesty received my care as well? Cousin has never gotten a single piece of clothing sewn by my hands."

That was true—Madam’s kindness to others was merely politeness.

Emperor Jingxuan’s expression softened.

Yun Wan added, "Thank you for arranging Maternal aunt’s stay in the capital, Your Majesty."

"Cousin didn’t mean to provoke you today. He mistook you for Commander Wei—please forgive him."

Emperor Jingxuan replied magnanimously, "This emperor doesn’t hold grudges against simpletons."

In fact, it only proved the Cen family genuinely cared for Madam.

At ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‍Qiyun Palace, Yun Wan spotted Sui sitting on the threshold from afar, his little face sulky.

When he saw them, he stomped over indignantly and whined, "Mother, where did you go? Why didn’t you take me?"

"And one more thing, Your Majesty, why are you wearing Commander Wei's clothes?"

Emperor Jingxuan: .