He truly did not understand.

Qi Qingchen’s ice-cold eyes fixed on Xuan Yanyu. “You have injured this Highness. This Highness demands an audience with His Majesty Prince Xuan — demands that His Majesty Prince Xuan provide this Highness with an explanation.”

He simply did not believe Prince Xuan would protect Xuan Yanyu and offend his father — after all, Xuanzhao and Qilan maintained a cordial surface.

Xuan Yanyu tilted his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over the eunuchs in attendance. “Go. Tell the Imperial Father that the Third Prince requests an audience to demand an explanation.”

“Your servant obeys.” The eunuch received his instructions and withdrew from the hall.

Qi Qingchen lowered his eyes slightly. Watching Xuan Yanyu’s unbothered manner, he estimated with considerable probability that he had been struck for nothing.

……

The eunuch hurried to the Empress of Xuan’s bedchamber and relayed the matter in detail to the attendants at the doors.

The attendant, not daring to delay, went at once to report.

In the main hall.

Under the Empress of Xuan’s gentle and soothing words, Prince Xuan’s mood had improved considerably, and he even found himself looking more favorably upon Yan Yunning.

“Your Majesty, Empress of Xuan, Crown Princess — your subordinate has something to report.” An abrupt voice sounded from outside the hall doors.

Prince Xuan’s brow furrowed. His fingers tapped lightly on the round table, and Chief Eunuch Feng relayed the imperial will as a summons: “Enter.”

The palace doors were pushed open. An attendant knelt in salute. “Your subordinate greets His Majesty, the Empress of Xuan, and the Crown Princess.”

“What is it?” The rare expression of gravity settled over Prince Xuan’s face.

“In reply to Your Majesty: His Highness the Crown Prince has injured the Third Prince of Qilan. The Third Prince of Qilan demands that Your Majesty provide him an explanation. His Highness the Crown Prince sent someone to inform you.”

The more the attendant spoke, the colder his back grew.

Prince Xuan’s temper flared once more. “I knew it! How did the Third Prince of Qilan provoke Yuner? How does one manage to injure someone over a simple meal?”

The attendant said, trembling, “Your Majesty, the Third Prince of Qilan called His Highness despicable.”

Prince Xuan’s imperial countenance changed in an instant. He rose abruptly to his feet and strode toward Taide Hall with a face full of dark storm clouds.

“Hurry and stop His Majesty.” The Empress of Xuan said helplessly.

Being called out on Yuner was far worse than being insulted himself.

“Your Highness, your subordinate… your subordinate does not dare.” The attendant knelt on the ground, shaking.

The Empress of Xuan: “……”

The Qi Qingchen waiting in the side hall of Taide Hall did not receive an explanation from Prince Xuan. Instead, he received a kick from the Emperor himself.

“Your… Your Majesty Prince Xuan — what is the meaning of this?” Qi Qingchen scrambled up from the floor in a wretched state.

Did he not care even the slightest about his father?

In the grand armchair, Xuan Yanyu — who had been feigning sleep — also became considerably more alert. The man narrowed his eyes slightly; his face carried the haze of mild intoxication, and his lips were flushed with the alluring red of a man half-drunk.

“Where exactly is this Crown Prince’s son despicable?” Prince Xuan forcibly suppressed his fury.

Even he himself had never resorted to that insult — on what grounds did this Prince of Qilan dare to use it?

The golden yellow dragon robe billowing in fury, Prince Xuan advanced toward him. Qi Qingchen swallowed. “Your… Your Majesty Prince Xuan — it is this Highness who spoke out of turn. My father even reminded this Highness before departure that one must observe proper conduct while in Xuanzhao.”

“This Highness had past dealings with His Highness the Crown Prince, and for a moment forgot Father’s instructions.”

He made deliberate emphasis on the Emperor of Qi.

“I ask you — why did you call this Crown Prince’s son despicable?” Prince Xuan radiated killing intent.

It was merely Qilan. He saw no reason to let his Yuner be insulted without cause.

Furthermore, if this Prince of Qilan dared to call Xuanzhao’s Crown Prince despicable, then he evidently held no regard for him as Prince Xuan or for Xuanzhao itself. Why should he endure it?

If he did endure it, would that not be openly placing himself beneath Qilan?

“Your Majesty Prince Xuan, this Highness will apologize to His Highness the Crown Prince.” Qi Qingchen read the situation clearly.

In Xuanzhao, he could only lower himself. He would wait until he returned to Qilan to exact his revenge — there was no hurry.

“There is no need. Go and inform the Emperor of Qi, and let him say how this matter ought to be handled. If he cannot give this Crown Prince a satisfactory answer, the Third Prince will remain in Xuanzhao.”

The attendant nodded. “Your subordinate will inform the Emperor of Qi at once.”

Prince Xuan waved his hand and turned to look at Xuan Yanyu, his voice warm. “Let us go.”

“Your Majesty Prince Xuan?” Qi Qingchen panicked.

Remain in Xuanzhao?

Did that not imply that if his father’s response failed to satisfy Prince Xuan — it was tantamount to abandoning him?

And for his father to satisfy Prince Xuan, who knew what price would have to be paid.

Perhaps cities. Perhaps silver.

Xuan Yanyu rose leisurely from the sandalwood chair, cast a glance at Qi Qingchen’s darkened expression, and followed Prince Xuan out of Taide Hall.

Outside the hall, Yan Yunning stood supporting the Empress of Xuan as they waited.

“Mother Empress.” After offering his greeting, Xuan Yanyu walked to Yan Yunning’s side and leaned against her as though he could barely keep his footing.

Prince Xuan looked on at Xuan Yanyu without words, then beckoned to the Empress of Xuan. “Come with me.”

The Empress of Xuan tapped Xuan Yanyu on the forehead and lowered her voice. “A disgrace — letting the Third Prince of Qilan speak ill of you.”

Without waiting for Xuan Yanyu to retort, the Empress of Xuan quickened her pace to follow Prince Xuan.

Yan Yunning cleared her throat. In the space between breaths, she caught the clean, light scent of wine on the man. “Shall we return to the Crown Prince’s manor, or remain in the palace?”

Xuan Yanyu draped both arms over her shoulders and pressed his head against the curve of her neck, murmuring, “Back to the manor.”

“Stand up properly.” Yan Yunning chided softly.

“Mm.” A rasp threaded through the man’s voice.

The corners of Yan Yunning’s lips curved up. “Xuan Xixi, when you came out with the Imperial Father just now, you were clearly quite alert. How did you suddenly become drunk?”

He had only given a quiet “mm” without the slightest intention of standing up properly.

“Crown Princess, perhaps His Highness feared losing composure before His Majesty and held himself together by sheer willpower — which is why he appeared so spirited.” Ye’an said with a smile, picking up the thread.

Yan Yunning: “……”

Ye Chen: “……”

His Highness already feigning — and there was someone playing along with him.

“Xuan Xixi, are you planning to stand here forever? Not moving?” Yan Yunning tugged at the man’s dark hair.

Xuan Yanyu’s eyes were half-lidded as he hooked the corners of his lips up in a lazy smile. “Mm.”

“Mm?” Yan Yunning grabbed his ear and looked over at Ye Chen and Ye’an. “Keep your Highness company standing here. I am leaving the palace and going home.”

Ye’an tilted his head back toward the brilliant blue sky and remarked with feeling, “Crown Princess, look — how beautiful the clouds are today. Would you not care to admire them for a while?”

Ye Chen also lifted his gaze. Clear sky, blue expanse — with one lone, solitary cloud hanging in it. What exactly was there to admire?

“……” The corner of Yan Yunning’s mouth twitched. “Xuan Xixi, with a subordinate like Ye’an, you are truly blessed.”

“Crown Princess, you flatter me. To think for His Highness’s sake and act in accordance with His Highness’s wishes — that is simply this subordinate’s duty.” Ye’an said with a smile.

“……” Yan Yunning shifted her gaze languidly to Ye Chen. The latter was still gazing at the sky.

“His Highness the Crown Prince, Crown Princess.” A passing maidservant curtsied in greeting.

Yan Yunning let out a helpless sigh. “Xuan Xixi — if you do not mind being watched, can you at least spare me?”

The man finally deigned to lift his noble head. “Back to the manor.”

Yan Yunning pinched his nose. “Done feigning?”

Xuan Yanyu ran the tip of his tongue over his lips. “Back to the manor first.”

Yan Yunning looked at him in puzzlement. A moment ago he had been in no hurry whatsoever — and now he was suddenly eager to return?

……

The carriage came to a stop at the Crown Prince’s manor. Xuan Yanyu took Yan Yunning’s hand and pushed open the bedchamber doors.

The man’s blazing gaze fell upon Yan Yunning’s lovely face. Before she could react, a kiss descended.

The elegant outer robe slipped loose.