After three rounds of drinks, Emperor Jingxuan personally lit a long-life lantern for Yun Wan.

In the Great Qi dynasty, the long-life lantern—also called the longevity lamp—is lit on one's birthday and placed in the prayer hall. Oil is replenished daily to ensure it never extinguishes until the next birthday, when a new lamp is lit to symbolize continuous blessings and longevity.

Witnessing this scene, many onlookers grew teary-eyed—some with envy, others with emotion.

Children, restless by nature, found the banquet entertaining only at first. As the adults enjoyed the dances, chatted, and socialized, the little ones began fidgeting in their seats.

Pei Qian was the first to grow restless, tugging Sui and the Third Prince off their stools to dart between the sprawling banquet tables.

When ladies at the feast tried to offer Sui treats, he politely declined.

......

Seeing firsthand the emperor’s affection for Yun Wan and her untroubled expression, Lin Xiu’s eyes reddened.

She wanted to wipe her tears in secret but feared drawing attention that might reflect poorly on Yun Wan, so she held them back.

Peering through the beaded curtain, she couldn’t clearly make out the emperor’s face, but his voice suggested a robust middle-aged man. Strangely, Lin Xiu felt a flicker of familiarity.

Lost in thought, she felt a nudge against her leg.

"Apologies, madam. I accidentally bumped into you—it wasn’t intentional. Please forgive me."

The banquet tables were too tall for Sui, leaving him at eye level with legs and skirts as he wandered aimlessly, eventually stumbling into someone.

After steadying himself, he quickly apologized.

Lin ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌‍Xiu straightened the child before her and gasped in delight upon recognizing him. "Little Sui?"

Sui looked up, puzzled. "You know me?"

Lin Xiu nodded, her face brightening. "Of course I do! I’m your auntie!"

Her voice softened, each word gentle, as if afraid of startling him.

"A-Auntie? The one from Yangzhou?"

Sui’s phoenix-like eyes widened in disbelief. He could hardly believe he’d run into his auntie here.

Lin Xiu nodded and reached to pat his head, but he dodged.

Her smile faltered—until Sui took two steps back, meticulously straightened his collar, hem, and sleeves, then clasped his hands in a formal bow.

"Greetings, Auntie. Your nephew Changsui pays his respects."

His earnest, overly mature demeanor made Lin Xiu burst into laughter.

Not wanting to embarrass him, she quickly composed herself and pulled him close, praising, "What a good boy, just like your mother."

Her eyes welled up again, glistening with tears.

If only her husband were here to see this.

Suddenly, a soft touch brushed her cheek. She looked down into Sui’s clear, worried eyes.

Standing on tiptoe, he patted her face and asked guiltily, "Did I hurt you, Auntie? Is that why you’re crying?"

Lin Xiu shook her head, smiling through her tears. "No, no. Auntie is just happy—overjoyed to finally meet you."

Sui’s face lit up with understanding. "Ah, ‘tears of joy’?"

"Yes! Exactly! You’re so clever." She caressed his head, her gaze tender, as if she couldn’t get enough of him.

"Why are you alone? Where are your attendants?"

Sui answered obediently, "My friends went outside to play in the snow. I didn’t want to go, so I told the servants not to follow."

At the mention of snow, Lin Xiu seized his hands, inspecting them sternly. "You made the right choice. Playing in the cold invites chills and frostbite."

Especially with the palace halls warmed by heated floors—stepping into the icy wind outside was a sure way to fall ill.

She added kindly, "If you like snow lions, next time I’ll have your uncle build some for you. He’s skilled and hardy—he’ll make them just how you like."

Sui tugged at the jade pendant around his neck. "Uncle gave me this peace knot. I love it! And the shoes you made—look!"

He lifted his hem to reveal finely crafted winter boots, the toes slightly upturned. "I’m wearing them today!"

Lin Xiu’s heart melted. "Oh, you sweet child! I’ll make you more every day if you’d like."

"No," Sui refused firmly. "Needlework strains your eyes. I don’t want Auntie’s eyes to suffer."

Though still a tiny bundle of youth, he spoke with such earnest concern that Lin Xiu glowed with pride.

"Alright, alright. Auntie will listen. I’ll keep my eyes healthy—I want to watch you grow up!"

Gently cupping his cheek, she murmured, "You look just like your mother. Like two peas in a pod."

Yet something else nagged at her—an uncanny familiarity.

Didn’t he slightly resemble that guard of Wan’s… what was his name? Wei something?

......

Midway through the banquet, Emperor Jingxuan led Yun Wan and the guests to the city walls for a spectacular fireworks display.

The brilliant, fleeting bursts lit up the sky in a dazzling spectacle.

The emperor pulled Yun Wan close, whispering by her ear, "Make a wish, my love."

She turned to meet his hopeful gaze and smiled.

As she closed her eyes to wish, the crowd below paused to admire the rare show.

Though the capital had a curfew, it was extended by an hour that night.

Palace servants distributed small bags of mixed grains, dried fruits, and candies—a token of shared fortune and nobility.

Among the guests, neither too near nor too far, Lin Xiu rubbed her eyes and glanced between Emperor Jingxuan and the child she held by the hand. Her heart lurched.

Good heavens… it couldn’t be, could it?

......

After the fireworks, Yun Wan and Emperor Jingxuan did not return to the Dawn Hall.

Hidden deep in the snow-laden bamboo forest stood a secluded two-story pavilion, where tender cries fluttered like birdsong.

The faint glow of a candle flickered, casting soft, blurred shadows against the papered windows—a vivid tableau of entwined figures.

Beads of sweat traced the emperor’s chiseled jaw before dripping onto Yun Wan’s flawless skin.

Gripping her waist, he murmured in a deep, velvety voice, "How does my lady feel tonight?"

The air was thick with heady fragrance, and Yun Wan gasped like a fish out of water.

Biting her lip, she managed a breathless reply: "P-Passable."

Emperor Jingxuan scoffed. "Just ‘passable’?"

He, on the other hand, was fervent and exhilarated.

This pavilion was where they’d first consummated their love—a place of profound significance.

He’d ordered it meticulously cleaned in preparation for tonight’s reunion.

Secluded and untouched, the bamboo grove amplified her responsiveness, spurring him to greater intensity.

"Compared to five years ago, which does my lady prefer?"

Exhausted, Yun Wan: "......"