Yun Wan spoke to Emperor Jingxuan about the affairs of the Yun Family.

"Have they done something to anger Your Majesty?" she speculated.

After much thought, this seemed the only plausible explanation.

Holding his wife on his lap, fitting her snugly against him until their bodies melded seamlessly, Emperor Jingxuan's brows radiated satisfaction. His voice, thick with desire, carried a husky undertone.

"Their crime was offending my wife."

His scorching breath brushed against Yun Wan's skin, sending warmth flooding through her, her cheeks flushing crimson.

She pressed a finger to his lips, her eyes seductive as silk. "I'm being serious, Your Majesty. Don’t jest."

His broad, lean back slowly leaned down as his lips parted, effortlessly capturing her delicate finger between his teeth. He nibbled lightly, his words low and slightly muffled. "I am serious."

Displeased that her thoughts lingered on others, Emperor Jingxuan lifted his gaze slightly and asked softly, "How would my wife like to celebrate her birthday this year?"

Birthday?

Yun Wan froze.

Had he not mentioned it, she might have nearly forgotten—her birthday was in half a month.

"How to celebrate?" She shook her head slowly. "I don’t know."

She hadn’t properly celebrated her birthday in years. His sudden question left her at a loss.

Emperor Jingxuan brushed a kiss against her forehead. "How did my wife celebrate in the past?"

Her delicate brows furrowed slightly as Yun Wan searched her memories. "When my mother was alive, she would take me out of the estate on that day. She’d reserve a table at a restaurant with all my favorite dishes. After the meal, we’d stroll the streets, watch performances, and buy whatever I wanted as a gift."

The memory was beautiful—yet fleeting, so fleeting that Yun Wan sometimes wondered if it had truly happened or if it was just her imagination.

Lady Cen had been with her for too short a time. What Yun Wan remembered most vividly was her mother’s gentle voice and smile, and occasionally, her lonely silhouette sitting by the window.

"Later, in Yangzhou, my aunt would wake early on my birthday to make me a bowl of longevity noodles with two eggs and sprinkled scallions..."

At this recollection, her eyes brightened, a smile gracing her lips. "After eating, my uncle would carry me on his back and take my cousin out to buy me new clothes. Then we’d watch street performances, and in the evening, my aunt would prepare a feast to celebrate."

Those were among the few cherished memories Yun Wan guarded carefully in her heart, unwilling to let them fade.

As for her father, he had never been part of her birthdays.

Unconsciously, her voice and expression brimmed with nostalgia and happiness—something Emperor Jingxuan noted silently.

"It sounds carefree and beautiful. But this year, your birthday will be spent with me. I’ll celebrate it for you," he declared, his tone tender yet firm.

"Since my wife cannot decide, leave it to me. Agreed?"

Yun Wan nodded.

Emperor Jingxuan made up his mind. "I’ll invite your aunt to the palace, but not your cousin. He should stay home and focus on his studies, lest his exam results suffer."

He referred to her aunt and cousin so casually, though he was seven years older than her cousin.

...

Half a month passed in a flash. The capital grew colder, and the palace servants' first task each morning was sweeping away the snow from the paths.

After days of intermittent snowfall, the skies cleared on Yun Wan’s birthday, a rare winter sun casting its warmth.

The golden light soothed body and soul, and the palace—especially Qiyun Palace—buzzed with excitement. The servants' faces glowed with joy.

Today ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‍was Consort Yun’s birthday, and the entire court knew Emperor Jingxuan planned to celebrate it grandly at Chenxi Hall.

For days prior, lanterns and silk ribbons adorned every palace corridor leading to Chenxi Hall, alongside potted velvet flowers brought from outside the capital, lifelike in their beauty.

Inside the hall, meticulously cultivated blossoms filled the space, their vibrant colors illuminated by rows of luminous pearls from the East Sea, casting a dazzling glow.

At the beginning of the You hour, noblewomen from the capital arrived in orderly carriages, led by Princess Yongshou, who alighted at Zhenghua Gate.

Gazing at the festive decorations, one noblewoman sighed, "The palace hasn’t been this lively in so long."

Princess Yongshou smiled faintly. "This kind of festivity may become frequent from now on."

Her simple remark left the others pondering—was the princess hinting at something?

As the guests assembled and night fell, the banquet commenced.

At the appointed hour, Emperor Jingxuan, clad in imperial robes and a crown, appeared hand-in-hand with Yun Wan, resplendent in her ornate palace gown and golden hairpins.

Trailing behind them was little Sui, bathed, dressed, and polished like a celestial child, holding Jiang Fusheng’s hand as he followed closely.

Knowing it was his mother’s birthday celebration, the boy maintained perfect decorum, his soft face solemn—a contrast that endeared him to the noblewomen.

Seated in an inconspicuous yet not obscure spot, Lin Xiu’s eyes were fixed solely on Sui, her heart overflowing.

Even from a distance, one glance confirmed Sui was a beautiful child, resembling Yun Wan.

After the assembly hailed, "Long live His Majesty! Long live Her Highness!" Emperor Jingxuan bade them rise and led Yun Wan to their seats.

Sui sat at a lower table to the right, beside Pei Qian and the Third Prince, sharing a long table to keep him entertained.

Before the banquet officially began, Emperor Jingxuan gave Jiang Fusheng a look. Understanding immediately, the eunuch stepped forward and proclaimed:

"By the decree of Heaven and the Emperor’s mandate: Consort Yun, virtuous and graceful, gentle yet principled..."

The edict was densely packed with praise, listing dozens of laudatory phrases as if determined to exhaust every term describing feminine excellence. Jiang Fusheng’s voice grew hoarse, and the audience was stunned.

"...For her meritorious service in managing the inner court, she is hereby elevated to Consort of the First Rank, granted the title 'Zhao.' So it is decreed!"

Another lengthy list of rewards followed, so extensive it numbed the mind.

When the final word was read, Jiang Fusheng exhaled in relief.

Consort Zhao!

And with a special title!

Imperial Concubine Li’s hands clenched abruptly, her face visibly darkening. Her jeweled nails dug into the armrests.

"Zhao" signified radiance and hope—echoing the meaning of the Emperor’s own name, "Chang." The intention was unmistakable.

Yet she, after years in the palace and bearing the Crown Prince, had only been granted the title of Imperial Concubine. How could Yun Wan, merely by celebrating a birthday, rise to Consort with an honorary title?

Would there even be room for her in the palace now?

Consort Lu’s expression soured as well, especially under the subtle, mocking glances from those around her, as if ridiculing her past folly.

"Congratulations, Consort Zhao! May Your Highness remain forever youthful and joyous!"

Led by Princess Yongshou, the noblewomen offered their felicitations.

Yun Wan smiled. "Thank you all. Today is my birthday banquet—please, enjoy yourselves."

Emperor Jingxuan clapped. "Rewards for all!"

The noblewomen beamed, and the celebration began in earnest.

"Do you like this title, my wife? I chose it myself."

Having drunk, Emperor Jingxuan’s phoenix eyes gleamed brightly.

Yun Wan nodded, her eyes shimmering with quiet delight. "I do. Your Majesty has put much thought into it."

Chang and Zhao—eternal daylight and radiant moonlight—complemented each other perfectly.

She had assumed, at most, she might receive an additional title.