Ci’er’s eyes were wide open as he looked at Jia Fu, waiting for his mother’s answer.

Jia Fu said, “The capital is very far from where we live. It takes many days of travel to get there. In the city, there is a great building with a roof made of glazed tiles. When the sun shines on it, it gleams brightly. The Emperor lives inside. He governs all people and affairs in the realm, unlike ordinary people. I must make clothes for his birthday. Your father…”

She faltered, still thinking about how to explain to her son when Ci’er’s eyes brightened: “I know! Father is worried about mother working too hard, that’s why he’s unhappy!”

To finish making that celebratory birthday garment, Jia Fu had stayed up for several nights, and Pei You’an was indeed concerned about her, making him even more displeased.

Ci’er was only three years old and usually didn’t talk much, but he was very intelligent. Jia Fu suspected that Pei You’an must have been like her son when he was little—not easily fooled. She was still puzzling over how to answer the question about his father’s displeasure when she heard her son provide his answer. Relieved, she was about to change the subject when footsteps sounded at the door, and Pei You’an entered.

Ci’er had been leaning against Jia Fu’s embrace, but seeing his father arrive, he quickly scrambled up and called out “Father.” Pei You’an nodded, sat down beside them, and asked about his morning training. Ci’er sat up straight, answering each question with his childish voice, his expression extremely serious as he gazed at his father.

Pei You’an said, “I just checked the archery target. Ci’er, you shot well, and it was more than twenty arrows. But since you’ve just started learning, you shouldn’t overdo it. Just focus on shooting twenty arrows each time, remember?”

Ci’er greatly admired his father. In this little boy’s eyes, this man was capable of everything, like a mountain one had to look up to. Receiving praise, his eyes showed delight as he nodded vigorously.

Pei You’an smiled, patted his son’s little head, and went to a bookshelf against the wall where he began leafing through a book.

Jia Fu pulled her son back and continued feeding him snacks. As she brought the spoon to his mouth, Ci’er took it in and swallowed. When his mother continued wanting to feed him, he seemed a bit embarrassed, secretly glancing at his father’s back before leaning close to Jia Fu’s ear and saying softly, “Mother, my hand doesn’t ache anymore. I’ll eat by myself. Father says I’m three years old now and should eat on my own…”

Jia Fu knew his hand was sore from archery practice, which was why she was feeding him herself. Seeing him finish speaking and reaching for the spoon, she had no choice but to hand it over.

Ci’er scooped up the small snacks from the bowl, eating large mouthfuls until nothing was left. Some juice stained the corners of his mouth, and Jia Fu wiped it for him.

Pei You’an came over and asked Cui Yinshui to take the child out.

Jia Fu knew he must have something to tell her, so she didn’t object. She helped Ci’er put on his shoes and added a thick little cape. She watched as Cui Yinshui took his hand and led him out, closing the door behind them. Only then did she turn around and complain, “Ci’er is only three years old, but look how you constrain him. When you come, he becomes like a little scholar. I was just feeding him, and he’s already afraid you’ll scold him! Is this how a father should act?”

Pei You’an smiled and sat down beside Jia Fu, lightly tapping her head with his book: “A doting mother spoils the child! It’s enough that you pamper him; I know what I’m doing.” Looking at the empty bowl that Ci’er had finished, he pulled her onto his lap. “I’m hungry too. You only have eyes for Ci’er and don’t care about me! I’ve been here for so long, and while you were busy feeding our son, you never once asked if I was hungry.”

Jia Fu glanced at him sideways, pushed him away, and said, “Yes, yes, yes, it’s my fault. Lord Pei, please wait. I’ll get you something to eat right away. If your hand is sore too, I suppose I could feed you as well…”

She tried to climb off his lap, but as she turned, he grasped her waist. She let out a yelp as she was laid horizontally on the beauty couch below.

Pei You’an pressed down on her.

“Your beauty is enough to feast upon. I’ll just eat you…”

Jia Fu was pinned beneath him. After struggling a few times, she yielded.

After a while, Pei You’an finally released her and mentioned an important matter. After the spring fair opened tomorrow, he would depart for the border inspection.

As the weather grew warmer, to prevent the Hu people from taking advantage of the spring warmth to raid, he would personally inspect the border defenses at this time every year. Under Longyu’s jurisdiction were several prefectures with winding and lengthy borders. A round trip would take at least half a month.

Indeed, when Jia Fu asked, she learned he wouldn’t return until the middle of next month. Though reluctant in her heart, she knew this was his duty. She asked him to return quickly and then went to prepare his traveling gear. Pei You’an didn’t go out again that day, remaining at home to accompany Jia Fu and their son.

In the evening, Pei You’an worked at his desk by lamplight while Jia Fu bathed Ci’er. She then brought the boy to the couch, took out a chess set, and played with him.

This chess set was Pei You’an’s gift for his son’s third birthday. It contained thirty-two pieces: two mounted generals, two lions, four horse-drawn war chariots, four horses, four camels, and sixteen seated figurines serving as soldiers. All were intricately carved from wood, lifelike, simulating two armies in battle. Ci’er loved it dearly, treasuring it greatly. After learning the rules from his father, he became obsessed, wanting to play every day. Sometimes he asked Jia Fu and Cui Yinshui to play with him; other times he set up the pieces alone, sitting for one or two hours at a time, not even eating unless Jia Fu interrupted him. At first, Jia Fu could beat him when they played, but recently it had become difficult. One moment of inattention, and she would lose.

After a while, a servant needed Jia Fu for something, and she was called away by Tan Xiang. She asked Pei You’an to take her place, instructing that if she didn’t return by mid-evening, he should put their son to bed.

Pei You’an set aside his documents, came over, climbed onto the couch, and sat opposite his son.

Because of his busy schedule, apart from the first couple of days when he made time to teach his son and play with him a few times, Pei You’an hadn’t accompanied him lately. Ci’er appeared somewhat excited, kneeling on the couch, his small body perfectly straight, his eyes seriously fixed on the chessboard, every bit the manner of a master player.

Pei You’an finished one game with his son. It was almost the time Jia Fu had mentioned, and he was about to tell him to go to bed when he saw the boy seemed unsatisfied, gazing at him expectantly. His heart softened, and he played another round with him. Halfway through, the former advisor named Yang, who now worked for Pei You’an, came to ask about something. Pei You’an put down the chess piece, told his son to wait, and went out. When he returned moments later, he found the boy had fallen asleep sprawled over the chess table, one small hand still tightly clutching the mounted general piece.

Pei You’an removed the chess piece from his son’s hand, picked him up, and carried him to the adjoining small bedroom. He placed his son on the bed, gently removed his outer clothes, and tucked him in. Just as he was about to leave, he heard a mumbled childish voice from behind: “I still want to play chess with Father, we haven’t finished—”

Pei You’an turned to see his son struggling to open his drowsy eyes, rubbing them as if wanting to get up. He quickly returned, lay down beside him, and gently patted his back: “Ci’er should sleep now. I remember where we left off in the game; I’ll finish it with you next time.”

Ci’er closed his eyes, but after a while, opened them again and said softly, “Father, don’t worry, I’ll stay with Mother.”

Pei You’an met his son’s bright eyes, and warmth slowly spread through his heart. He lowered his head and gently kissed his son’s forehead—before his son, he had always been reserved as a father. Since Ci’er could remember, he recalled only his mother frequently kissing his cheeks; his father had never kissed him. Tonight was truly the first time, and his heart couldn’t help feeling both joy and shyness. His little head rested against his father’s shoulder, perfectly still.

Pei You’an kissed his son’s forehead and said softly, “Your mother likes to cry. I’m entrusting her to you. When I’m not around, Ci’er must keep mother happy and not let her cry.”

Ci’er made a sound of agreement: “I will protect Mother and not let her cry.”

Pei You’an smiled, drew his son’s small body closer to him, and gently patted his back, coaxing: “Sleep now.”

Ci’er closed his eyes and gradually fell asleep in his father’s arms.

Pei You’an gazed at his son’s tender sleeping face, lost in thought for a moment, before coming to himself and quietly getting off the bed.

The next day, Pei You’an left the Military Governor’s residence with a squad of soldiers, departing from Suye City. He left Yang Yun and two other capable deputies to maintain order at the spring fair and protect the residence.

With her husband gone, not to return for many days, Jia Fu naturally felt reluctant to part. However, this wasn’t the first time, and thinking that half a month would pass quickly—especially with her son to care for—she soon dispelled the feelings of loss. The next day, she accompanied her son in their room practicing calligraphy. After finishing a sheet of paper, Cui Yinshui, who stood in attendance, praised the young master’s handwriting.

Three years ago, Jia Fu had only agreed to keep Cui Yinshui until spring. Later, when Ci’er was born, Pei You’an had been busy taking care of Jia Fu’s health and had no time to deal with Cui Yinshui. Cui Yinshui rushed to do everything, inside and out, serving them meticulously. When spring came, he begged to stay, almost to the point of demonstrating his sincerity through death. Jia Fu couldn’t bear to drive him away forcefully. Pei You’an couldn’t resist her, and with Cui Yinshui’s face as thick as a city wall, Pei You’an reluctantly turned a blind eye and allowed him to stay.

This eunuch was extremely attentive and took excellent care of Ci’er. Jia Fu could see that he genuinely cared for her son, and as time passed, she noticed no suspicious behavior from him. Gradually, she no longer prevented him from being close to her son. Now, three years had passed, and Cui Yinshui had become Ci’er’s attendant.

“Mother, it’s so lively outside. I’ve finished my writing, can I go out to play for a while?” Ci’er pleaded with Jia Fu.

Seeing her son looking at her eagerly, she thought that the city was only this bustling for half a month each year. For the rest of the year, outside the city was either a summer wilderness of yellow sand or a winter landscape of ice and snow. How could she refuse her son? She nodded in agreement.

Ci’er jumped down from his chair, hopping with joy. Cui Yinshui hurried to prepare the carriage. Jia Fu called for Tan Xiang, Mu Xiang, and Aunt Ding who had come to help, and they all happily changed their clothes at the news of going to the market. Since Yang Yun wasn’t at the residence today, Jia Fu called for two guards to accompany them. The group left the Military Governor’s residence and went to the market, stopping here and there, and buying many things. Jia Fu also took Ci’er to see a magic show. By noon, they had enjoyed themselves to the fullest and returned.

On the way back, Jia Fu sat with Ci’er in the carriage with Cui Yinshui beside them.

Ci’er was still full of excitement, especially about the magic show they had just watched. He couldn’t stop talking about it. Leaning against Jia Fu’s embrace, he said, “Mother, Cui Attendant says the markets in the capital are much more bustling than ours here, and they happen every day. He also says the magic shows there can conjure birds that fly in the sky and fish that swim in the water. Mother, when can we ask Father to take us to the capital? I want to see what the capital looks like.”

Jia Fu glanced at Cui Yinshui.

Cui Yinshui smiled sheepishly: “I just mentioned it casually, and the young master took it to heart…”

Jia Fu sat her son on her lap: “Someday, when your father has time, he’ll take you to the capital, alright?”

Ci’er’s eyes revealed his longing as he nodded, and the group returned to the Military Governor’s residence. After eating, Jia Fu felt somewhat tired from wandering for half the day. Seeing that Ci’er was still playing with toys bought at the market, showing no signs of sleepiness, she instructed Cui Yinshui to watch him play while she went back to her room and took a brief nap. She woke up after the hour of Wei and called out for Tan Xiang, who came in to help her comb her hair. Jia Fu noticed her strange expression, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated, so she asked what was wrong.

Tan Xiang said in a low voice, “In the afternoon, someone from the capital suddenly arrived at the residence—it’s Li Gonggong from the palace. I wanted to call Madam, but Li Gonggong wouldn’t let me, saying to let Madam rest. He’s still outside now.”

“Li Gonggong? Li Yuangui?” Jia Fu was startled.

“Yes. Cui Yinshui calls him godfather.”

Jia Fu’s heart skipped a beat, her whole body bristling.

She never imagined that with the Emperor’s birthday approaching, Li Yuangui would come to her at this time. She hurriedly asked about her son and learned that Cui Yinshui had taken Ci’er to the front hall. Anxious and confused, she immediately had Tan Xiang help her comb her hair, quickly changed clothes, and rushed to the front hall. Stepping inside, she indeed saw Li Yuangui standing there, dressed in ordinary clothes, bowing and talking to her son. She didn’t know what he was saying, but he looked very respectful, with Cui Yinshui attending beside him.

Seeing her son was still there, Jia Fu felt relieved and quickly called out. Ci’er turned his head, saw his mother, and ran over swiftly, grabbing Jia Fu’s hand and pointing at Li Yuangui: “Mother, he says he knows Father and you. He also says that Ci’er has an Imperial Grandfather who lives in the big house in the capital that Mother mentioned. Imperial Grandfather misses Ci’er very much and has fallen ill. He wants to take Ci’er to see Imperial Grandfather.”

“Mother, is what he says true? Does Ci’er have an Imperial Grandfather in the capital?”

Ci’er looked up at Jia Fu, questioning.

Jia Fu raised her head to see Li Yuangui walking toward her with a smile. She quickly embraced her son and retreated several steps. Suddenly noticing her son’s confused face, she realized he must have sensed her tension. Not wanting to frighten him, she collected herself, crouched down, and smiled: “Mother needs to talk with him for a moment. Ci’er, go back to our room with Auntie Tan Xiang first. Mother will come find you soon, alright?” She instructed Tan Xiang to take Ci’er away.

Ci’er nodded, looked back at Li Yuangui once more, and left, turning his head three times for every step.

“Li Gonggong, why have you come?” As soon as Ci’er was gone, Jia Fu dispensed with formalities, truly alarmed by what her son had just said, and asked directly.

Li Yuangui greeted Jia Fu respectfully and said, “Madam need not worry. The purpose of this servant’s visit is just as the young master mentioned. With His Majesty’s fiftieth birthday approaching, and him missing the young master greatly, he sent this servant to invite Madam to bring the young master to the capital. If convenient for Madam, could you depart today? Rest assured, all arrangements for the journey have been taken care of, with your and the young master’s comfort as the highest priority.”

Jia Fu glanced at Cui Yinshui, who hurriedly lowered his eyes, hanging his head, not daring to meet her gaze.

Jia Fu said, “I must inform Ci’er’s father.”

Li Yuangui became even more respectful in manner, bowing deeply: “Lord Pei has matters to attend to and likely cannot spare the time at present. Madam, please don’t worry. Once Lord Pei completes his border inspection, this servant will personally inform him of Madam and the young master’s whereabouts.”

Jia Fu understood perfectly.

Li Yuangui had calculated that Pei You’an would be away and had come directly to “invite” her and her son to the capital. Even if Pei You’an hadn’t happened to be going on border patrol, he would surely have found some way to have him sent elsewhere.

“Li Gonggong, Ci’er’s father is not here. I fear it’s not convenient for me and Ci’er to go to the capital,” Jia Fu stared at the chief eunuch opposite her.

Li Yuangui bowed again: “His Majesty truly misses the young master. Please don’t put this servant in a difficult position.”

The Emperor hadn’t instructed Li Yuangui to present an imperial edict directly, which, from his perspective, was perhaps courteous enough.

Jia Fu remained silent for a moment, then said, “I understand. Please make the arrangements, Gonggong.”

Li Yuangui sighed with relief, his face showing gratitude: “Thank you for your understanding, Madam.”

Jia Fu sat with Ci’er in the carriage, telling him that she would take him to the capital first, and when his father returned, he would follow.

Only then did Ci’er feel reassured. Hugging the chess box he had brought, he said, “Mother, when I meet Imperial Grandfather, I’ll teach him to play chess, and his illness will get better.”

Jia Fu looked at her son’s innocent eyes, suppressed the chaotic emotions welling up inside her, smiled faintly, and nodded.