“Brother Jun.”

In the spring of the thirty-third year of Yongchang, on the twenty-fourth day of the second month, Crown Prince Zhao Sui finished recuperating at his old residence and moved back to the Eastern Palace with his wife and child.

The next day at morning court, Emperor Yongchang, to celebrate the Crown Prince’s complete leg recovery, decreed a general amnesty throughout the realm and exempted all common people nationwide from taxes this year. The reason given was that heaven had bestowed blessings upon the Crown Prince, and Emperor Yongchang and the Crown Prince wished to share this blessing with the people of Great Qi.

The decree was also transmitted throughout all parts of the palace.

When the news arrived, Yao Huang was in the central palace. Tomorrow would be Jun’er’s first birthday, and Empress Zhou had specially summoned Yao Huang to explain the palace regulations for celebrating imperial princes’ and grandsons’ birthdays. What needed to be prepared would naturally be handled by the Ministry of Rites and palace attendants, but they as mistresses needed to understand in their hearts.

Since Empress Zhou was rarely willing to explain things to her in such detail, Yao Huang naturally studied very seriously.

After the messenger eunuch finished reporting Emperor Yongchang’s decree for a general amnesty, Empress Zhou saw Yao Huang looking dazed and dismissed the palace attendants serving beside her. She smiled and asked, “Is Yao Yao surprised that His Majesty is happy enough to grant a general amnesty?”

Previous dynasty emperors had granted general amnesties so frequently it reached once every two or three years. The emperors of the Great Qi Dynasty had not continued the previous dynasty’s practices—from the founding until now, there had only been fourteen amnesties, and this was Emperor Yongchang’s first amnesty in his thirty-three years on the throne.

Yao Huang shook her head. “Father Emperor dotes on the Crown Prince like the flesh of his heart. Your daughter-in-law learned this long ago. What surprises your daughter-in-law is the general amnesty—does it mean those criminals locked in prison can truly all be released?”

Empress Zhou: “No. First, there are the ten unpardonable crimes that emperors of all generations follow. Besides the ten crimes, the emperor can also independently list some offenses or punishments outside the amnesty to ensure that the most vicious criminals cannot escape justice and continue doing evil.”

Yao Huang felt relieved and then became happy for the poor common people who could have their taxes exempted this year.

Empress Zhou: “His Majesty is accumulating prestige and popular support for the Crown Prince. Previously, the Crown Prince was injured for too long, and the common people all knew Great Qi had established a disabled crown prince. If His Majesty had not opened this grace, today’s news of the Crown Prince’s recovery would be difficult to reach the ears of common people in remote areas. With this grace opened, common people throughout the realm all benefit from the Crown Prince’s recovery. Naturally, the people all know the Crown Prince of Great Qi has recovered and subsequently feel grateful for the grace the Crown Prince brought them.”

For the imperial family, exchanging one general amnesty for the Crown Prince’s prestige and popular support was extremely worthwhile.

Only then did Yao Huang understand Emperor Yongchang’s far-reaching intention.

Empress Zhou said gently, “You’re still young. Learn slowly.”

Yao Huang smiled. “Mother Empress is also still young. Your daughter-in-law learns a little from Mother Empress each year. The rest of the time, with Father Emperor and Mother Empress managing state and family affairs, it still won’t delay your daughter-in-law playing with the younger sisters.”

Empress Zhou could not help tapping this daughter-in-law’s nose.

At dusk, the Crown Prince returned to the Eastern Palace. After changing into regular clothes, he first accompanied Jun’er to play as usual.

Jun’er could learn to speak now, so Yao Huang did not chat with the Crown Prince about the amnesty in front of Jun’er. Only at night when just the couple lay in one quilt did Yao Huang lean in the Crown Prince’s embrace and say, “Tomorrow Jun’er celebrates his first birthday. I saw the guest list for those entering the palace includes Prince Qing and his wife. So is this like New Year’s Eve where Father Emperor specially granted them permission to attend palace celebrations, or does Father Emperor’s general amnesty also include lifting their three-year confinement punishment?”

Zhao Sui: “The general amnesty pardons imprisoned criminals. Father Emperor having Prince Qing close his doors in reflection is a private punishment—whether to pardon it still depends on how Father Emperor arranges things after tomorrow.”

What Yao Huang most wanted to ask was actually whether Princess Imperial Fucheng would have her imperial relative status restored due to this amnesty.

Zhao Sui: “No. The Princess Imperial being demoted to commoner status was to offset her crime of breaching the dikes. Now she has no criminal status, so she is also not among the list of imprisoned beneficiaries of the general amnesty.”

Yao Huang said nothing more, only stroking the Crown Prince’s chest a few times.

Zhao Sui covered the Crown Princess’s hand and looked at her, asking, “You want her punishment lifted?”

Yao Huang directly glared at him. Was she a living Buddha? Would she actually hope that a princess imperial who wanted to frame her own husband and harm countless common people would successfully escape punishment unscathed?

That she had not laughed out loud upon just receiving the Crown Prince’s answer showed how kind she was.

From this glare, Zhao Sui sensed the Crown Princess’s feelings.

He directly pressed down on the Crown Princess’s lips.

Yao Huang smiled and raised her hands to embrace her Crown Prince, who appeared very good-tempered but actually would not be soft-hearted toward his wicked aunt either.

Although it was the Eastern Palace young prince’s first birthday celebration, Emperor Yongchang decreed that the ceremony be held in Qianyuan Hall for his little imperial grandson.

Never mind that among Emperor Yongchang’s grandchildren, Jun’er was the first to receive such favor—even adding Emperor Yongchang’s sons and daughters, Jun’er was the first among Emperor Yongchang’s descendants to celebrate his first birthday in Qianyuan Hall. Previous imperial princes and princesses had all held their first birthday ceremonies in their respective mother consorts’ palaces.

Outside the Western Luminous Gate, Prince Qing helped Zheng Yuanzhen down from the carriage. At the carriage behind them, the wet nurse had already placed Sanlang in a new stroller just delivered by Elegant Residence Workshop.

The Prince Qing couple both knew that Elegant Residence Workshop sending new strollers from time to time was following the Crown Princess’s oral decree.

The more it was grace given by the Crown Princess, the less Zheng Yuanzhen wanted to use it, but now their power was inferior to others. She had to use it to show her and Prince Qing’s gratitude toward the Eastern Palace.

On the way into the palace, the wet nurse pushed Sanlang walking beside the couple.

Sanlang’s last entry to the palace had been the New Year’s Eve banquet. Having had one experience going out, this time Sanlang’s eyes surveying his surroundings held less shyness with strangers and more curiosity.

Looking at his own beautiful son, Prince Qing thought of the first birthday ceremony the couple had held for their son alone some time ago, and a sourness welled up in his heart. That day, Father Emperor and Mother Consort had also bestowed a reward on Sanlang. Originally Prince Qing had been quite happy, but when he opened the name Father Emperor bestowed on Sanlang, Prince Qing felt as if Father Emperor had kicked him in the chest again.

Lian—Zhao Lian.

Elder Brother’s heir apparent was called Zhao Dun, and his common-born second son was called Zhao Jing. Although Jing did not have as good a meaning as Dun, it still sounded better than his own Sanlang’s Lian.

Father Emperor really—kicking him once was not enough. Today, Second Brother’s Jun’er’s first birthday would definitely be held magnificently, and Father Emperor would absolutely give Jun’er a good name. Making Second Brother happy would have been enough, yet Father Emperor insisted he come to the palace to force a smile.

Prince Qing dared to resent but not speak. Upon reaching Qianyuan Hall and seeing Father Emperor, he kowtowed more sincerely than Prince Kang.

Emperor Yongchang as usual held Sanlang in his embrace, smiling as he called “Brother Lian” several times.

Young children react to their own names, but when Emperor Yongchang called “Brother Lian,” there was only bewilderment in Sanlang’s eyes.

Emperor Yongchang looked meaningfully toward Third Son and his niece.

Cold sweat broke out on Prince Qing. Who would have thought Father Emperor was waiting for him here!

On the Eastern Palace’s joyous day, Emperor Yongchang did not lose his temper at Third Son. He only pinched Sanlang’s little hand and smiled, saying, “Those with overflowing talent should learn to restrain their sharp edges—this is called modest and affable. Those with shallow talent must especially learn to restrain the arrogance brought by status in order to learn others’ strengths. Imperial Grandfather gave you a good name. May you understand Imperial Grandfather’s expectations for you when you grow up.”

Prince Qing fearfully knelt down with Zheng Yuanzhen. “Father Emperor, rest assured. Your son will certainly teach Brother Lian well and absolutely will not let Brother Lian fail Father Emperor’s expectations.”

Emperor Yongchang could not be bothered with him. How many chances had he been given? This son was simply useless.

Yao Huang sat on Empress Zhou’s side. After hearing Emperor Yongchang’s explanation of the character “Lian,” she grew even more curious what name this emperor of restoration would bestow on her own Jun’er.

The auspicious time for the first birthday arrived. Emperor Yongchang personally placed Jun’er on the red silk spread with various auspicious objects.

Yao Huang had learned from her mother that when she celebrated her first birthday, she had grabbed a lacquered gold small bowl. The relatives around immediately praised her for having good fortune and surely being wealthy and noble in the future. It sounded like first birthdays were quite efficacious, but Yao Huang’s brother Yao Lin had grabbed a writing brush when celebrating his first birthday…

So Yao Huang did not much care what Jun’er grabbed. It was purely for holding a lively event. No matter what was grabbed from the red silk, a heap of praise could be spoken anyway.

Compared to her relaxed expression, Emperor Yongchang and the Crown Prince were both very solemn. Even Prince Kang and Prince Qing standing shoulder to shoulder not far away stared fixedly at Jun’er.

Very quickly, Jun’er grabbed a small wooden sword carved from golden thread nanmu. After grabbing it, he turned his head to look around. Seeing Mother Consort, Jun’er waved the small wooden sword and smiled.

Yao Huang: “…”

The surrounding imperial relatives had already begun praising profusely—for instance, that when Jun’er grew up, he would definitely have exceptional martial arts, be resolute and decisive, and so on.

Accompanied by Emperor Yongchang’s great laugh, everyone quickly quieted down.

At this time, Emperor Yongchang picked up Jun’er and said to the Crown Prince, “We only decided last night to name Jun’er as ‘Jun,’ hoping he will grow into pillar talent and an important instrument of the state in the future. Today Jun’er grabbed a sword, showing that this little fellow at such a young age is already of one mind with Us, telling Us he can bear Our high expectations!”

Second Son lived up to his name, elegant as beautiful jade, only his temperament was too compliant. He was pitiful as a child, and when grown, he did not even feel comfortable asking Father Emperor for two gold wheelchair wheels.

Emperor Yongchang hoped Jun’er could have a bit more daring competitive spirit than Second Son, so when choosing the name, he used the metal character to replace the refined bamboo character.

Zhao Sui respectfully expressed thanks.

Prince Qing looked with complex feelings toward the only one who could understand his current feelings—his cousin. But he saw Zheng Yuanzhen’s gaze actually fell on the Crown Prince’s legs.

Prince Qing: “…”

After using the midday feast in Qianyuan Hall, Jun’er’s first birthday ceremony officially ended.

From Qianyuan Hall to the Eastern Palace was not far. Zhao Sui directly carried Jun’er back.

Yao Huang followed beside them teasing the little fellow. “Imperial Grandfather bestowed you a name. From now on you’ll be called Brother Jun. Do you know?”

With Prince Qing and Sanlang’s example before them, Yao Huang would definitely have Jun’er quickly get used to the new name Brother Jun.

Jun’er could not remember that quickly. Yao Huang called it several more times. Calling and calling, Yao Huang suddenly laughed. Meeting the Crown Prince’s gaze looking over, Yao Huang said, “Brother Jun, Brother Jun—doesn’t it sound like ‘Handsome Brother’?”

Zhao Sui: “…”

Yao Huang: “Father Emperor chose such a good name. Our Brother Jun has such a handsome Father Prince—in the future he’ll definitely grow into a little handsome brother true to his name.”

The very handsome Crown Prince immediately looked straight ahead and slightly quickened his pace.

Having been busy all morning, Brother Jun was tired and was carried by the wet nurse to rest in the side room.

The Crown Prince couple went directly into the inner chamber of the back courtyard. Zhao Sui was standing before the washing stand washing his hands when suddenly the Crown Princess embraced him from behind, her face pressed against his back, calling “Handsome Brother” with both laughter and sweetness.

The Crown Prince’s entire body stiffened.

Yao Huang felt it. She peeked her head around and discovered that the elegant and reserved Crown Prince had actually been made to blush by her extremely vulgar form of address.

Yao Huang continued teasing him. “I didn’t call it wrong. Your Highness is extremely handsome to begin with.”

Zhao Sui silently pulled the Crown Princess to the front and helped her wipe her hands.

Yao Huang felt the guilt of having bullied an honest person and softly helped him with an idea. “Your Highness can call my milk name and be vulgar to me in return.”

If anyone called her “Little Flower” now, she would also be embarrassed to the point of scalp tingles.

Crown Prince could neither bear hearing “Handsome Brother” nor call out “Little Flower.”

His only way of retaliating against the Crown Princess was to make her sob incoherently in bed.