After court, the Emperor went straight to Consort Yi’s quarters. Remembering the matter of the autumn hunt, he had someone send word to Lin Xiao, asking him to come to Yongshou Palace.

Just as Lin Xiao reached the palace gate, he heard Kangping’s excited call from behind him. “Eleventh Brother! Eleventh Brother!”

Lin Xiao turned to see Kangping and Xia Yuan coming from the far end of the corridor.

Showing not the slightest restraint, Kangping rushed up to Lin Xiao and tugged at his sleeve. “Eleventh Brother, Father has already agreed to let me bring my classmates from the academy along on the autumn hunt this time, and he said everyone can come — not limiting me to just two people like in past years!”

Lin Xiao frowned. His imperial uncle really did indulge Kangping’s whims. Bringing along a whole group of women who couldn’t so much as catch a chicken — how was anyone supposed to actually hunt? In name it was a hunt, but in truth it would amount to little more than an outing at Shouhuai Mountain.

“Oh, is that so,” he said flatly.

Kangping, knowing her Eleventh Brother rarely let any of the seven emotions and six desires show on his face, had no idea he disapproved at all, and went on excitedly, “This way I can travel with Father and Mother and not feel bored in the mountains. Oh, Eleventh Brother — isn’t A’Yao quite skilled? You should bring her along too. We can roast venison in the mountains, she’s sure to love it.”

At the mention of Qin Yao, Lin Xiao’s features softened at once, though he didn’t take up Kangping’s suggestion, only saying, “We’ll talk another day. The Emperor’s waiting inside for my report — I’ll go in first.”

Xia Yuan had by now also come up to Lin Xiao and made a graceful bow. “Eleventh Brother.”

Lin Xiao looked at Xia Yuan, privately astonished at the girl’s thick skin. He hadn’t expected that, after the incident at Duke Lu’s residence, she could not only patch things up with Kangping but also continue acting as if nothing had happened in front of him.

His gaze dropped, settling on her slender neck, and he said nothing for a long while.

Xia Yuan flushed and lowered her eyes shyly to the ground.

It took Lin Xiao a long moment to restrain the urge to seize that neck in his grip. He gave a mocking smile and turned to go into the palace.

Kangping’s heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled. Seeing her Eleventh Brother’s dark expression as he’d looked at Xia Yuan just now, she’d worried he might take his anger out on her too.

Seeing Lin Xiao go in, she hurried to follow behind.

Recalling the scene just now, Xia Yuan gradually came to her senses, the bashful look on her face replaced by a flicker of fear. She stood frozen in place, unable to move for a long time.

Yongshou Palace was lively indeed — not only were the Emperor and Consort Yi present, but the Crown Prince and Prince Wu were also there, chatting and joking together.

Princess Derong, too, had come into the palace early that morning and was warmly chatting away with the Emperor and Consort Yi about everyday matters.

Seeing Xia Yuan come slowly in, Prince Wu’s eyes lit up, and he strode forward to greet her. “A’Yuan, are you feeling better? I thought you wouldn’t come to the palace today — I was even planning to go visit you at the Wei Guogong residence later.”

Ever since the two of them had been betrothed, he’d grown far less guarded in his behavior, not only visiting the Wei Guogong residence often but also frequently expressing his concern for Xia Yuan in front of others.

Xia Yuan smiled softly and looked up at Prince Wu. “I’m much better now.” Her face plainly carried that bashful, half-spoken look of a girl meeting the one she had feelings for.

Prince Wu’s heart melted entirely. Looking at Xia Yuan, he said in a low voice, “Now that you’re better, I’ll finally be able to sleep well too. These past days, worrying over your illness, I haven’t been able to eat or sleep properly.”

Xia Yuan’s face reddened, and she turned her head aside, pouting playfully. “Seventh Brother, the Emperor and everyone are right here.”

Consort Yi had already burst out laughing. “A’Yuan, don’t be shy. Being so well-matched with Old Seventh — we’re nothing but happy for you both.”

A look of satisfaction crossed Derong’s face as well.

Playing along, Prince Wu walked up to the Emperor and bowed deeply, saying with a smile, “Your son thanks Father for granting the marriage between him and A’Yuan.”

The Emperor laughed heartily. “A granted marriage ought to make you happy — and not just you. I notice Weijin has been positively glowing these days too.”

Everyone’s eyes turned at once toward Lin Xiao.

Suddenly, an ill-timed clatter sounded from behind Consort Yi, shattering the harmonious mood.

Everyone turned to look and saw a delicate, timid-looking female official, her face full of panic, the gift ledger she’d been holding fallen to the floor for some reason.

Seeing everyone looking at her, the female official scrambled to pick the ledger back up, apologizing over and over. “Your Majesty, my lady, I’m so sorry — A’Yuan has been disrespectful.”

The Crown Prince, who had been discussing the autumn hunt with Kangping, tensed at the sight, quickly smoothing things over with a smile. “Such a pity Eleventh Brother came to the palace today on duty and couldn’t bring his sister-in-law along.”

With this, everyone’s attention shifted back to Lin Xiao. The Emperor stroked his beard with a smile. “Weijin, from now on, when your wife has nothing to do at home, have her come visit the palace often. Kangping hasn’t yet married out, and the two of them are close in age — I’m sure they’ll have plenty to talk about. Consort Yi has always loved to laugh and chat too, so your wife won’t find it dull coming to play here.” Lin Xiao acknowledged the command.

Consort Yi’s thoughts, however, remained fixed on the way the Crown Prince had just stood up for Qin Yuan. She glanced thoughtfully at him before turning to speak gently to Qin Yuan. “A’Yuan, if you’re tired, go rest a while. You’ve been going through the gift ledger all morning — you really ought to take a break.”

Hearing this, the Crown Prince glanced at Qin Yuan without a flicker of expression, giving her a secret look.

Qin Yuan didn’t dare lift her head, only bending her knee in a curtsy to Consort Yi. “Thank you for your concern, my lady. Then A’Yuan will take her leave first.”

Lin Xiao had been quietly watching her every move, and only once she’d left the hall did he draw his gaze back, looking thoughtful.

Once Qin Yuan had gone, Consort Yi turned to the Emperor. “That child is good in every way, but her temperament really is rather timid — not like A’Yuan and Kangping, who have a more open, generous spirit. I suppose, having lost her mother so young, and with her father Marquis Qin devoted all these years to campaigns in the south, never once remarrying, she lacked a mother’s guidance, which is how she came to have such a disposition.”

The Emperor waved this off. “That’s exactly why I brought her into the palace, to be personally taught under you. Her father spent his whole life in battle, winning countless military honors, only to die young — I simply can’t bear to neglect his descendant.”

Consort Yi pressed her lips together in a smile. “I understand, Your Majesty. I would never fail the trust you’ve placed in me — I will see to her upbringing properly.”

The Crown Prince suddenly rose to take his leave. “Father, my lady — Tutor Fu is still waiting for me. A teacher deserves respect, and I dare not keep him waiting any longer. I’ll take my leave now.”

The Emperor looked at him fondly. “Go on then. Show the tutor that policy essay you wrote yesterday, and let him see which of the points I raised with you are still worth further discussion.”

The Crown Prince agreed with a smile.

Watching this, Prince Wu’s expression cooled slightly, and he lowered his eyes to drink his tea.

Watching the Crown Prince’s retreating figure, Consort Yi said to the Emperor, “These days, all the children in the palace have had their matches settled — except for the Crown Prince.”

Hearing this, Princess Derong chimed in with a smile. “Imperial Brother loves the Crown Prince the most — I’m sure you’ll pick him a young lady of only the very best family.”

The Emperor brushed his sleeve, took the teacup offered to him, and sipped, nodding. “The choice of the Crown Princess concerns the dignity of the state for years to come — selecting her is naturally something to be approached with the utmost care.”

Derong and Consort Yi hurried to agree. “Very wisely said. The Crown Prince hasn’t even come of age this year — there’s still plenty of time to choose a consort even next year.”

The Emperor smiled, his gaze growing distant and soft for a moment, before he finally set down his teacup.

The Crown Prince made his way to a secluded chamber in the palace, glancing carefully around to make sure no one was passing by, before pushing open one of the doors and slipping inside.

Qin Yuan was sitting by the window, silently shedding tears. Turning to see the Crown Prince enter, she quickly wiped her tears away and rose to greet him. “Your Highness.”

The Crown Prince pulled her into his arms with a look of tender concern, bowing his head to wipe away her tears himself. “What’s upsetting you again? Are you missing your parents?”

Qin Yuan shook her head in his arms. “Just now — just now I made another mistake.”

“Don’t be upset, A’Yuan.” The Crown Prince comforted her gently. “You’ve never been used to handling these sorts of chores — it’s only natural you can’t manage sometimes. Neither Consort Yi nor Father blamed you for it just now, did they? Don’t take it to heart.”

Qin Yuan shook her head. “It’s not that I’m afraid the Emperor and my lady will blame me. I just feel like I’m good for nothing — I can’t do anything right, and the more I try, the more mistakes I make.”

The Crown Prince held her tighter still. “You’re already good enough — there’s nothing about you that needs changing. And there’s something I want to tell you. I’ve begged Father many times, and he’s finally agreed — once your mourning period ends next year, he’ll name you as Crown Princess.”

A flicker passed through Qin Yuan’s eyes, and then, shy yet joyful, she looked up at the Crown Prince, asking timidly, “Truly?”

“When have I ever lied to you?” The Crown Prince laughed softly.

Qin Yuan buried her head back against the Crown Prince’s chest, saying with a smile, “Your Highness, you’re so good to me.”

“Still calling me ‘Your Highness’? Didn’t I tell you long ago to call me Youlang instead?”

Qin Yuan’s face flushed red. She bit her lip and said shyly, “Youlang.”

The Crown Prince’s throat moved, and he bowed his head to kiss those petal-soft pink lips.