"This is my new robe."

Facing the child's nonsensical question, Emperor Jingxuan gritted his teeth, emphasizing the word "new" with particular force. Otherwise, one might think he had stripped Wei Tong of his old clothes.

Sui let out an understanding "oh," nodding slightly. "So it's Your Majesty's new robe."

He didn’t seem too bothered, quickly turning to cling to Yun Wan’s hand, his little lips pouting. "A-Niang, where did you go? You still haven’t told me."

He had rushed to Qiyun Palace right after midday classes, only for Fuling to inform him that Yun Wan wasn’t there—neither was the Emperor. The disappointment weighed heavily on his young heart.

Sensing his unhappiness, Yun Wan led him inside the hall. Once seated, she explained, "A-Niang and His Majesty went out of the palace today."

She took a damp cloth from a palace maid, wiping her hands before gently cleaning Sui’s as well.

"Out of the palace?" Sui tilted his head, obediently rolling up his sleeves and offering his palms. "Where did you go?"

The warm, damp cloth glided over his chubby little hands. They weren’t dirty, but Yun Wan cleaned them meticulously, not missing a single crevice between his fingers.

"We went to visit your aunt and uncle. They traveled all the way from Yangzhou, and A-Niang finally got to see them."

Sui giggled as the cloth tickled his fingers, instinctively curling them. His expression turned blank for a moment. "Aunt and uncle from Yangzhou?"

Yun Wan nodded. "Yes. The little golden lock you wore as a child was their gift, remember? And the tiger-head shoes and hat—your aunt made those. Do you recall?"

Technically, he should address them as "great-aunt" and "cousin uncle," but Yun Wan found such titles too distant. To her, they were closer than blood relatives.

At her words, Sui’s face lit up. "I remember! A-Niang said Aunt and Uncle are very kind, and Aunt’s fish dishes are delicious!"

In the Lu household, Yun Wan rarely spoke of her Yangzhou relatives in public. But whenever gifts arrived from Yangzhou, she would share stories with Sui in private, leaving a deep impression on him.

"Did A-Niang get to eat Aunt’s fish today?" His eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Yun Wan chuckled at his eager expression. "I did. It was just as delicious as before. In a few days, A-Niang will take you out of the palace to meet them."

"I ate it too."

Emperor Jingxuan’s sudden interjection came as he wiped his own hands nearby.

Sui pouted and muttered an "oh."

He was the only one who hadn’t tasted it.

Yun Wan shot a displeased glance at the smug Emperor, who merely raised a brow, utterly unrepentant.

Unaware of the silent exchange between the adults, Sui quickly perked up again. "Will Aunt and Uncle like me?"

These distant relatives, whom he’d never met but who often sent him gifts, filled him with curiosity and excitement.

"Of course," Yun Wan replied without hesitation. "Today, they kept asking about you—how tall you’ve grown, if you’ve been eating well, whether your studies are too hard..."

A bright smile spread across Sui’s face. "I eat well, and my studies aren’t hard at all!"

He paused, then asked, "If Aunt and Uncle are here, does that mean Great-Uncle couldn’t come?"

Yun Wan hesitated. "...Yes, he couldn’t. But we’ll visit him another time."

"Sui understands," the child said innocently. "Great-Uncle has to guard our home in Yangzhou."

The simple words brought a sting to Yun Wan’s eyes.

Seeing his wife’s sorrow, Emperor Jingxuan stepped forward, lifting Sui by his feet and swiftly removing his shoes.

"Here, put these on." He pulled out a new pair from a bundle and slipped them onto Sui’s feet in one fluid motion.

Yun Wan swallowed the lump in her throat, meeting Sui’s bewildered gaze with a soft smile. "These shoes were made by your aunt. Try them on—see if they fit."

She then placed a jade pendant in his palm. "And this? Your uncle carved it for you—a peace charm. Do you like it?"

Sui’s ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‍eyes gleamed. "I love it!"

He stomped around the smooth floor in his new shoes, grinning from ear to ear. "They fit perfectly! Thank Aunt and Uncle for me!"

His cheeks flushed with joy, making him even more endearing.

Yun Wan smiled warmly. "Thank them in person next time. They’ll be even happier."

Sui nodded eagerly before marching up to Emperor Jingxuan, tilting his head. "Your Majesty, do you think I’ve grown taller?"

The Emperor looked down at the little boy clinging to his leg. "A bit. But you’ve still got a long way to go before you reach me."

Sui stood on his tiptoes, serious. "I’m still small. I’ll keep growing. But Your Majesty is already grown up, so you won’t get taller."

Emperor Jingxuan clicked his tongue.

Cheeky brat—already scheming to surpass him.

.........

Late into the night, the air in the chamber grew thick and warm.

Yun Wan pressed a hand against Emperor Jingxuan’s wandering fingers, her breath uneven. "Your Majesty’s injury hasn’t fully healed. You shouldn’t move recklessly."

"Then you move for me."

True to his word, the arm connected to his wounded shoulder remained still at his side, while the other tightened around her waist.

Seated in an armchair, his long legs slightly parted, he left Yun Wan no choice but to straddle him, trapped in the narrow space between his body and the chair.

His large, scorching palm splayed across the small of her back, providing support whenever her strength wavered.

Even so, restraint made every motion arduous. Yun Wan, mindful of his injury, moved with painstaking care.

Yet when their bodies finally locked into place, she found her anchor.

Her back arched momentarily before she buried her face into Emperor Jingxuan’s shoulder, biting down lightly.

A low groan rumbled in his chest, muscles tensing beneath her lips—yet his heart soared with satisfaction.

Under the moon’s silvery glow, Yun Wan trembled, attempting to pull away only for him to press her closer.

"Wait a little longer."

His voice was rough, laced with a magnetism that sent shivers down her spine.

Yun Wan lifted her gaze, puzzled.

Emperor Jingxuan captured her lower lip, murmuring against it, "Give me a little princess."

A daughter who resembled Yun Wan in her youth—one he would crown the most revered princess in the realm.

Yun Wan hesitated. "If Your Majesty wishes for a princess, why not spend more time with Princess Yongle?"

Princess Yongle, born of Consort Xian, was a quiet girl Yun Wan had only met twice.

"No." His tone brooked no argument. "I want ours."

The favoritism couldn’t be more blatant.

Yun Wan sighed. "Princess Yongle would be heartbroken if she heard this."

Emperor Jingxuan remained unmoved. "From birth, she has lived as the Great Princess of Qi, afforded every luxury. When she comes of age, she may choose her own consort and wed with the honors of a grand princess."

"Beyond that, I have nothing more to give."

He knew his detachment toward his children bordered on cruelty. Perhaps, in their infancy, he had once entertained thoughts of paternal warmth. But in those years, the empire’s foundations had been unstable, demanding his undivided attention.

By the time he looked up, his children had already grown—and learned to fear him.

"Sui would want a little sister too," he rasped, nuzzling her neck.

Yun Wan shot him a look. "Whether it’s a son or daughter isn’t for me to decide."

Emperor Jingxuan’s eyes gleamed, arms tightening around her. "Then I’ll just have to try harder."

Her lack of refusal was permission enough.

He pressed a kiss to her abdomen, delight bubbling in his chest. "Who knows? Maybe my little princess is already here."

"........."