“She did not once ask after Us?” Xuan Yanyu lowered his head slightly, his brow and eyes shadowed with gloom.

The guard stole a cautious glance at his own master, then carefully weighed his words before saying, “Your Highness, the Crown Princess may simply be a little tired from walking in the garden. Once she’s rested, she will surely come find you at the very first opportunity.”

The man pressed his thin lips firmly together, let his long lashes fall, and leaned back listlessly against the sandalwood chair — looking for all the world like an abandoned little pup.

The sky darkened little by little. As the hour for dinner approached with still no sign of Yan Yunning coming to the Hall of Resplendent Governance, Xuan Yanyu’s handsome face remained sunken and overcast. He rose and went to Qishan Hall.

The moment he stepped through the doors of the hall, Yan Yunning set down her golden chopsticks, did not so much as glance at Xuan Yanyu, went around him, and walked out of Qishan Hall.

Xuan Yanyu stared blankly after Yan Yunning’s retreating figure. When she had disappeared from sight entirely, he paused for a moment, then turned his head and cast a cold sweep of his gaze toward Ye Chen and Ye’an, who trailed behind him. “She’s angry?”

She had been serving food to Qiuci and wanting their child to acknowledge Qiuci as a godfather — and now she was the one who was angry?

Could it be she was deliberately throwing a fit — just to make him yield and agree to let their child acknowledge Qiuci as a godfather?

“Your High… Highness, it does seem that way,” Ye’an said stiffly, forcing himself to respond.

Wasn’t it rather obvious? His Highness had only just arrived and the Crown Princess had immediately left.

It was probably because she was upset that His Highness had walked out so abruptly in the afternoon.

Or perhaps not — the physician had said that pregnant women’s moods could suddenly turn strange.

Xuan Yanyu’s brow knitted tight. He left his dinner untouched and turned back to the Hall of Resplendent Governance.

——

The following morning.

After morning court ended, Xuan Yanyu was summoned to the imperial study by Prince Xuan.

“You haven’t slept well?” Prince Xuan handed Xuan Yanyu a cup of tea, looking at him with concern. “Why do you look so listless?”

He was completely deflated — he had never looked this way before. Even during morning court today, he had repeatedly drifted off in his thoughts.

“I’m fine. Does Father Emperor have something to say to me?” The man lowered his head, absently turning the teacup in his hands.

Prince Xuan leaned forward slightly, leveling his gaze with him, and asked with worry, “Are you feeling unwell somewhere? Shall We have the imperial physician come take a look?”

From childhood to now, he had never looked so drained.

Xuan Yanyu tugged his lips into a slight curl. “Nothing’s wrong. Father Emperor, if you have something to say, please say it quickly — if you don’t, I’ll be heading back to the residence.”

Prince Xuan’s eyes widened, then he said offhandedly, “After Yan Shiyao’s punishment has been carried out, send her back to Qilan.”

The man gave a flat “mm,” too weary to ask why Prince Xuan kept wanting to shield Yan Shiyao.

“Is there anything else?” Xuan Yanyu looked up at Prince Xuan.

Prince Xuan regarded him with a meaningful look, then unhurriedly made his way to the golden imperial throne and sat down. His expression grew composed and serious. “Qilan’s Emperor has sent his eldest legitimate princess to Xuanzhao. My son — what do you suppose he means by this?”

Xuan Yanyu considered for only a second before answering, “A peace overture?”

Prince Xuan skimmed his tea with a faint ripple, his tone dripping with mockery. “He had originally planned to use the Chancellor’s wife to hold leverage over Xuanzhao. Having found, over these many days, that Xuanzhao couldn’t care less, he lost his composure and sent his eldest legitimate princess here.”

Xuan Yanyu let out a soft derisive snort. “Afraid that Xuanzhao would take offense and Father Emperor would find some pretext to send troops against Qilan?”

“More or less.” Prince Xuan set down his teacup and said leisurely, “Qilan’s princess has already arrived in Xuanzhao. We have arranged for her to lodge at an inn. My son, how do you wish to handle this?”

“However Father Emperor wishes to handle it,” Xuan Yanyu said, utterly unmoved.

“My son — do you think Qilan’s Emperor’s move is motivated solely by a desire to show goodwill?”

Xuan Yanyu pinched the bridge of his nose with an irritated hand. “A marriage alliance?”

Only a marriage alliance could possibly improve relations between Xuanzhao and Qilan — and drive Qilan’s development along with it.

“Yanyu, this is actually favorable. If you marry Qilan’s eldest legitimate princess, it gives them some advantage on the surface. Once the princess bears a child, you can then slowly infiltrate the Qilan imperial family — and Xuanzhao will have rightful grounds to take over Qilan.” Prince Xuan spoke with open ambition.

A measure of reputation was still necessary. If you married Qilan’s eldest legitimate princess, her child could make a bid for the throne, could he not?

And should the child prove incapable, the child’s father could help him take hold of power by lending a hand — that would be perfectly acceptable too.

Xuan Yanyu’s lashes dipped low. “I have no interest.”

Prince Xuan’s gaze darkened. “Is it that you have no interest — or that you don’t dare, because of Ningning?”

“Father Emperor may think whatever he likes. Did Father Emperor not say that in exchange for sparing Yan Shiyao’s life, you would no longer interfere in the matter of my secondary consort?”

Xuan Yanyu’s lips curved faintly. “If Father Emperor wishes to seize the opportunity to take over Qilan, why not marry Qilan’s eldest legitimate princess yourself.”

“You…” Prince Xuan ground his teeth in fury. “Xuan Yanyu, think this over carefully.”

The state oracle had said he could only have Yanyu as his one imperial son — what use would it be for him to marry her?

“There is nothing to think over. I decline. If Father Emperor wishes Qilan to become part of Xuanzhao right now, I can personally lead the troops to take it.” Xuan Yanyu’s expression was cold and impassive.

“Yanyu, not a single soldier need be harmed in order to take Qilan — and yet you, as Xuanzhao’s Crown Prince, want to lead troops into battle for the sake of your Crown Princess? Is that any way to act?” Prince Xuan said, his disappointment evident.

Xuan Yanyu’s lips held a faint smile. “Father Emperor, even if I must take wounds upon myself, I will do my utmost to ensure the soldiers are not harmed — to do my utmost to see them home safely.”

“Your utmost?” Prince Xuan let out a cold laugh. “And what good does your utmost do? Will Qilan’s soldiers go easy on you out of your utmost?”

“Father Emperor, casualties are unavoidable.” Xuan Yanyu replied with a light laugh. “What need is there to exploit a woman? You say I lack decency, Father Emperor — but is what you are doing any more decent?”

“Xuan Yanyu!” Prince Xuan roared. “Had your Father Emperor shown any decency, you would never have become Xuanzhao’s future Prince Xuan.”

A look of sudden understanding crossed Xuan Yanyu’s eyes. He understood what Father Emperor meant — if Father Emperor had been more proper and played by the rules, this throne would never have come to him, and naturally he could not have become Xuanzhao’s future Prince Xuan.

“Once you ascend the throne, the child you have with Ningning will be Xuanzhao’s next Prince Xuan — this much We will not meddle with. A child born of another woman, if you do not want him, We can raise and tend to him ourselves.”

“Father Emperor, I am unwilling.” Xuan Yanyu said plainly and calmly.

“Leave.” Prince Xuan pointed toward the palace doors, his disappointment in Xuan Yanyu at this moment truly profound.

There was clearly a far better strategy for taking over Qilan — so why cast it aside?

“Your son takes his leave.” Xuan Yanyu completed his respectful bow and withdrew slowly from the imperial study.

“Unfilial wretch.” The moment Xuan Yanyu departed, Prince Xuan swept all the memorials off the imperial desk in a fury.

The maids and eunuchs inside the inner chamber dropped to their knees across the floor in fright.

“Has the Crown Princess been summoned to the palace?” Prince Xuan glanced toward Eunuch Feng.

Eunuch Feng waved his hand, signaling the maids to gather up the memorials from the floor, then bent at the waist and approached the imperial presence. He poured fresh tea and said, “Your Majesty, the Crown Princess has entered the palace and should be arriving shortly.”

“Will she cross paths with Yanyu?” A shadow of calculation flickered in Prince Xuan’s eyes.

“Your Majesty, rest your mind — she will not.” Eunuch Feng smiled ingratiatingly.

The maids had only just finished tidying the memorials from the floor when Yan Yunning was led inside by the guard standing at the palace doors.

“Greetings, Father Emperor.” Yan Yunning dipped into a proper curtsy.

“Quickly, sit down.” Seeing Yan Yunning seated, Prince Xuan smiled and asked, “This morning when the imperial physician took your routine wellness pulse, was there anything unusual?”

“Father Emperor need not worry — all is well.” Yan Yunning smiled.

Prince Xuan expressed a few more words of concern, then moved on to state the purpose for which he had summoned Yan Yunning to the palace today.

“Ningning, just now after morning court, We spoke of this with Yanyu as well — We are considering having Yanyu take Qilan’s eldest legitimate princess as a wife.” Prince Xuan looked at Yan Yunning, a gentle and amiable smile resting at the corners of his mouth.