The rod struck Director Sun without mercy, her anguished cries piercing the heavens as she wailed in despair.

Among the onlookers witnessing the punishment, some took pleasure in her suffering, others watched coldly, while a few couldn’t bear to look.

Fuling ordered, "Gag her mouth—no need to disturb everyone’s peace with her noise."

"Imperial Concubine Yun, I beg you to show some leniency."

At that moment, Imperial Concubine Li arrived belatedly at the entrance of the Directorate of Imperial Clothing, accompanied by a few other concubines.

Concubine Hui followed a few steps behind, entering the room and naturally positioning herself beside Yun Wan.

Yun Wan offered Concubine Hui a reassuring smile before turning her gaze to Imperial Concubine Li, her smile unwavering. "Your Highness has arrived."

Imperial Concubine Li wasted no time on pleasantries. "I heard Director Sun offended you and was subjected to corporal punishment. I had no choice but to come."

Yun Wan replied, "Your Highness is mistaken. She was not punished for offending me, but for violating palace regulations. If you have objections, you may take them up with the Palace Discipline Office."

"The evidence is irrefutable. Her public punishment serves as a warning to all—do not knowingly break the rules, lest they share Director Sun’s fate and regret it later."

Her words were flawlessly delivered, leaving Imperial Concubine Li inwardly seething. Maintaining a composed facade, she said in a conciliatory tone, "I understand Director Sun has erred in many ways, but she has worked diligently all these years. Could you not show some mercy?"

"Mercy?"

Concubine Hui couldn’t help but scoff, her tone laced with irony. "So she should be lightly reprimanded and allowed to continue working in the Directorate? Would the palace staff find that fair, Your Highness?"

Imperial Concubine Li frowned. "This is between Imperial Concubine Yun and myself. Concubine Hui, do not speak out of turn and stir trouble!"

Yun Wan remained unruffled, her gaze cool as she said, "Your Highness seems to have forgotten that Concubine Hui shares the duty of managing palace affairs with me."

At these words, Imperial Concubine Li’s expression visibly darkened.

Not wishing to provoke her further, Yun Wan spoke plainly, "Your Highness, why insist on keeping this woman?"

Imperial Concubine Li took a seat and replied slowly, "Though Director Sun has acted recklessly, it was I who indulged her. She is skilled—when I was with child, she crafted many delicate items for my unborn babe."

"Her thoughtfulness moved me, so I kept her. Since then, the Crown Prince’s clothing has been made by her hands—none can match her precision and comfort."

She looked at Yun Wan with a faint smile. "You must understand, a child’s skin is delicate. Once accustomed to a certain craftsmanship, it’s best not to change it. Let her remain in the Directorate as a low-ranking seamstress."

The reasoning sounded plausible, but how much of it was true?

Yun Wan seemed to hesitate, then sighed. "I understand Your Highness’s sentiment, but as the saying goes, the state has its laws, the family its rules—let alone the imperial palace."

She feigned helplessness. "Your request puts me in a difficult position, especially as this is my first time handling palace affairs."

Imperial Concubine Li’s expression darkened further. She didn’t particularly care about saving Director Sun, but everyone knew the woman was her subordinate.

To abandon her now would chill the hearts of others.

That was why she had braved the cold to argue with Yun Wan over a mere servant.

As the standoff continued, Concubine Zhang timidly interjected, "If both elder sisters find this troublesome, perhaps we could seek His Majesty’s guidance? After all, this matter involves the Crown Prince..."

Her words drew everyone’s attention.

Concubine Hui’s eyes brightened. "Concubine Zhang makes a fine suggestion. Shall we ask His Majesty to decide, Imperial Concubine Li?"

Imperial Concubine Li had no wish to involve Emperor Jingxuan and quickly dismissed the idea. "His Majesty is occupied with state affairs. Such a trivial matter shouldn’t—"

But it was too late. The imperial procession had already arrived outside.

"His Majesty approaches—!"

......

In the Hall of Diligent Governance, Father Yun, detained after the morning court session, stood uneasy.

Though the hall was warm as spring, he felt a chill under the Emperor’s oppressive, inscrutable presence.

"Do you know why I’ve kept you, Minister?" Emperor Jingxuan’s voice cut through the silence.

Father Yun bowed deeply. "This humble servant is ignorant. I beg Your Majesty’s enlightenment."

The Emperor remained silent, his piercing gaze alone like a boulder crushing Father Yun, leaving him breathless and drenched in sweat.

"Dare I ask... does it concern Imperial Concubine Yun?" he ventured shakily, then added hastily, "I have failed as a father. If my daughter has erred—"

Thud.

A ledger struck the ground before he could finish, silencing him instantly as he prostrated himself.

Emperor Jingxuan’s eyes darkened. "What a ‘fine’ father you are, preemptively condemning your own daughter before I’ve even spoken."

"Read it yourself."

Father Yun picked up the ledger, his heart sinking before he even opened it.

The ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‍first page sent shock, fury, and finally terror coursing through him.

The Emperor’s voice was icy. "Allowing your wife and kin to oppress commoners, seize fertile lands—Minister Yun, you wield quite the influence."

Father Yun kowtowed frantically. "Your Majesty, spare your wrath! I knew nothing of this!"

The Emperor scoffed. "‘Knew nothing’? She is your wife. Do you take me for a fool?"

"Have you grown too comfortable, or do you deliberately sabotage your daughter’s standing in the palace?"

"I would never! I swear!" Father Yun’s face was drenched in sweat, his official hat askew.

Emperor Jingxuan’s tone turned lethal. "Only for Imperial Concubine Yun’s sake have I suppressed this. Were the censors to petition tomorrow, should my consort suffer for your crimes?"

"As a father, you’ve failed utterly—favoring dross over your own flesh and blood. You disgrace the title!"

Had the man not been Yun Wan’s father, his words would have been harsher.

Father Yun, nearing fifty, flushed crimson under the scathing rebuke, his lips trembling.

When the Emperor deemed the lesson sufficient, he declared, "I grant you one chance."

"For Imperial Concubine Yun’s birthday, you will arrange celebrations befitting an imperial concubine’s rank. Any oversight..."

His smile was razor-sharp. "...and your position as Minister of Rites will find a worthier occupant."

"As for your household affairs—you have three days to resolve them to my satisfaction. Fail, and you will leave the capital."

His message was clear: the Yun family’s survival now hinged on their allegiance to Yun Wan.

Their fate rested in her hands.

"I... understand."

Father Yun seemed to age a decade in that instant.

Hunched and dazed, he left the palace. Upon returning home, he stared at the family plaque, his initial shock hardening into ruthlessness.

......

Emperor Jingxuan’s arrival plunged the Directorate of Imperial Clothing into silence.

"What is this commotion I hear from afar?" he demanded, striding forward as all fell quiet.

After reprimanding Father Yun, a palace attendant reported the incident at the Directorate of Imperial Clothing. Emperor Jingxuan decided to see for himself.

The room was warmed by a charcoal fire, and Yun Wan, upon entering, removed her fox-fur cloak, leaving only a thin padded jacket that made her appear delicate.

Emperor Jingxuan’s thick brows furrowed slightly. Without hesitation, he took off his own black fox cloak and draped it over her shoulders with an air of authority. "Put this on. Don’t catch a chill."

The others secretly rolled their eyes—how spoiled she was.

The mature, masculine scent enveloped her, and the thick cloak retained his body heat. The moment it settled on her, warmth seeped into her bones, banishing the winter’s bite.

Yun Wan adjusted the cloak, her snow-pale face nestling into the fluffy collar, her cheeks dusted with a faint blush. Her hair was adorned with two plum blossom hairpins, the contrast of her dark tresses against her fair skin outshining the winter snow.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, she made no attempt to hide her gesture, pressing a small hand warmer into Emperor Jingxuan’s grasp. "You mustn’t catch a chill either."

Her concern flowed like a warm current into the Emperor’s heart. Holding the delicate hand warmer, he felt a deep sense of comfort, the tension in his expression easing.

Even though he wasn’t cold at all—in fact, his back was damp with sweat.

"Only my beloved consort cares for me like this."

Imperial Concubine Li and the others: "......" Why hadn’t they thought of that?

Returning to the matter at hand, Yun Wan spoke softly, "This concubine was handling Director Sun’s case, but..."

She glanced toward Imperial Concubine Li, her delicate brows knitting slightly. "It seems there have been some... complications."

At this, Imperial Concubine Li and the others felt a pang of unease. Hadn’t they seen this scene play out before?

Emperor Jingxuan’s expression remained unreadable as he rubbed his jade thumb ring. "Director Sun? The one outside?"

He had noticed the person being restrained in the courtyard when he passed through the corridor earlier.

Yun Wan nodded. "A few days ago, this concubine mentioned the winter garments issue to Your Majesty."

At her reminder, Emperor Jingxuan’s eyes darkened. "So it was this insolent servant."

The term "insolent servant" made his stance clear. Imperial Concubine Li sensed trouble—their conversation revealed that Yun Wan had already briefed the Emperor, and it certainly wasn’t in Director Sun’s favor.

Having lost the advantage, she hurried to speak. "Your Majesty—"

Emperor Jingxuan cut her off. "Let Consort Yun speak first."

Imperial Concubine Li gritted her teeth in silent frustration.

Yun Wan continued in her gentle tone, "This concubine intended to have Director Sun beaten and then exiled to the Cold Palace, but Imperial Concubine Li disagreed, urging leniency."

"On what grounds?"

Yun Wan glanced at Concubine Hui, who immediately understood and unleashed her talent for sarcasm.

"Imperial Concubine Li claimed that the Crown Prince has delicate skin and is accustomed only to Director Sun’s craftsmanship. She insisted no one else’s work would suit him—it must be Director Sun and no one else!"

"Is that so?" Emperor Jingxuan’s gaze shifted to Imperial Concubine Li, his expression unreadable.

Imperial Concubine Li glared at Concubine Hui. "This concubine did mention the Crown Prince’s preference, but never said it was impossible without her! Concubine Hui, stop twisting my words!"

"Oh? Did this concubine mishear?" Concubine Hui covered her mouth in exaggerated surprise. "But wasn’t that exactly what you implied—that it must be her and no one else? What’s the difference?"

"This concubine isn’t well-read, so please enlighten me, Imperial Concubine Li."

Imperial Concubine Li fumed. "You—!"

Emperor Jingxuan’s patience wore thin. Cutting off their bickering, he demanded, "Is Director Sun truly irreplaceable for the Crown Prince’s garments?"

Anxious, Imperial Concubine Li hurried to explain, "Your Majesty misunderstands. It’s simply that Director Sun is skilled, and her work is both elegant and comfortable. The Crown Prince has worn her clothes since childhood and finds others’ work difficult to adjust to."

As the imperial heir, the Crown Prince was precious, and she hoped to appeal to Emperor Jingxuan’s paternal instincts. Instead, his gaze turned icy, his voice stern.

"If he cannot adapt to fine silks, then my son is weaker than he should be. If the Crown Prince truly struggles, let him wear coarse hemp for a few months by my decree!"

"What kind of man is he if he can’t endure hardship? How can he understand the people’s suffering if he’s coddled like this?"

Imperial Concubine Li was stunned. How had clothing become a matter of the people’s welfare?

Yun Wan, however, understood. Emperor Jingxuan’s scars and his military past proved he wasn’t a prince raised in luxury. He valued the people’s hearts far more than finery.

Imperial Concubine Li had touched a nerve.

Seizing the moment, Concubine Hui struck again. "Your Majesty may not know, but Director Sun isn’t truly skilled—she rose by suppressing others and stealing Deputy Director Chen’s work to gain Imperial Concubine Li’s favor."

Covering her lips, she added sweetly, "Our Imperial Concubine Li was simply... misled."

Yun Wan gave her a faintly exasperated look before calmly recounting the full story, including Deputy Director Chen’s plight.

When she finished, Emperor Jingxuan glanced at Imperial Concubine Li, his tone heavy. "You were unaware of this?"

"This concubine..." Imperial Concubine Li stiffened before bowing her head in shame. "This concubine truly did not know."

Years ago, someone might have mentioned it in passing, but she had been preoccupied, and Director Sun had served her well. She’d dismissed it—until now.

Now, she realized she’d dug her own grave. And she’d tried to protect Director Sun, of all people.

But she had no choice but to swallow this humiliation. Otherwise, she’d be accused of shielding a corrupt servant.

"Foolish!"

Emperor Jingxuan couldn’t be bothered to determine if she was lying. His voice was cold as he decreed, "For deceiving her superiors and exploiting her subordinates, execute her by beating."

"The rest of the matter shall be handled by Consort Yun."

The onlookers shook their heads in pity. Director Sun might have kept her life if Imperial Concubine Li hadn’t interfered.

Now, she’d lost it.

......

Outside, a light snow began to fall. Yun Wan rode back to the palace with Emperor Jingxuan in the imperial palanquin. Along the way, a plum grove caught her eye.

Though it wasn’t yet midwinter, the plum blossoms hadn’t fully bloomed—only clusters of pale red buds adorned the branches. Yet even these were striking against the winter landscape.

A cold wind stirred, shaking snow from the branches and revealing more buds, like flickering flames in the icy expanse.

Though not at their peak, Yun Wan was mesmerized.

At her silent admiration, Emperor Jingxuan signaled for the palanquin to stop. He helped her down and led her to the grove. "If my lady likes them, shall we take a few branches back?"

Yun Wan hesitated, then shook her head. "It would be a shame to cut them before they bloom."

Emperor Jingxuan had no patience for poetic sentimentality. "The palace is warm—they might bloom once indoors."

If his lady wanted them, that was reason enough.

He clicked his tongue. "If they don’t bloom, they’re simply ungrateful."

Worst case, he’d transplant a few trees to her palace.

Seeing his insistence, Yun Wan relented, carefully plucking a few branches and shaking off the lingering snow.

The scenery was lovely, and with nothing urgent calling them back, the two strolled hand in hand through the snow.

Unnoticed behind them, three small figures with book bags slung over their shoulders crept along, mischief in their eyes.