“This Palace knew it — Imperial Father sides with Crown Prince Brother, and so does Imperial Grandfather. In your hearts, is there no place for This Palace?” Seeing that the Grand Emperor had no intention of helping him, Little Dough Ball began throwing a tantrum.

The Grand Emperor coaxed the unyielding Little Dough Ball. “Nonsense. In Imperial Grandfather’s heart, there is only you and Xiaoxiao — each of you occupies half.”

“Then why, when Brother told Imperial Grandfather not to help me, did Imperial Grandfather truly not help?” Little Dough Ball tilted his small neck and demanded.

“Xuan Yunyao!” Xuan Yuncheng frowned, his voice dropping slightly as he called out.

Little Dough Ball immediately stopped fussing. He obediently walked to the sandalwood chair and sat down, picked up his vermillion brush, and began writing earnestly.

The Grand Emperor clicked his tongue — his Xiaoxiao was still the capable one.

“If you throw another tantrum or speak such nonsense again, This Palace will have you locked in the ancestral hall. You may only come out once you have finished your coursework.” Xuan Yuncheng warned.

“Understood, Crown Prince Brother. This one dares not do so again.” Little Dough Ball raised his small hand and promised earnestly.

Xuan Yuncheng let out a low hum.

Little Dough Ball sheepishly lowered his small hand and dared not make any more trouble. He obediently wrote the lessons assigned by the Grand Tutor, for if he truly angered Crown Prince Brother, Crown Prince Brother would genuinely be cross with him and ignore him.

Imperial Father and Imperial Grandfather would never truly be angry with him.

——

Early spring, blazing summer, autumnal equinox, bitter winter — year after year, time flew like a white steed flashing past a gap. In the blink of an eye, another fifteen years had passed.

At twenty-five, Xuan Yuncheng welcomed his second child — his legitimate eldest princess. She was also the first granddaughter of Xuan Yanyu and Yan Yunning, who had been traveling outside. Upon receiving the news, the two of them rushed back to the capital at full gallop.

They had barely returned to the Prince Xuan’s palace when they heard a maidservant passing along news about their youngest son, who had just turned twenty — that he was boldly and openly pursuing the illegitimate granddaughter of the Minister of Rites, a young woman of his same age.

“Crate after crate of gold, silver, jewels, silk, and brocade from His Highness the Rui Prince’s residence has been sent to the Minister’s estate. He even drew his sword and danced in public just to earn Miss Qu’s smile, and had people lay a path of fresh flowers for her. Miss Qu was so moved that she threw herself into His Highness the Rui Prince’s arms and wept like rain on a pear blossom.”

“And then?” Yan Yunning stepped in front of the maidservants who were gossiping enthusiastically and asked with curiosity.

“And then — then His Majesty had someone lock His Highness the Rui Prince in the ancestral hall.” The maidservant, not at all aware of who had asked her, blurted it out.

“Why?” Yan Yunning raised an eyebrow.

“Because… the Empress Dowager.” The maidservant knelt on the ground in terror. “This servant greets the Grand Emperor and the Empress Dowager. This servant gossips about her masters — this servant deserves to be beaten.”

“We beg the Grand Emperor and the Empress Dowager to spare this servant.”

“This servant knows her wrongdoing.”

The two little maids knocked their heads to the ground, trembling.

“Never mind, all of you rise.” Yan Yunning smiled and waved her hand.

“These servants thank the Empress Dowager.”

“Continue. How did Xiaoxiao manage to lock Ruirui in the ancestral hall?”

“In reply to the Empress Dowager — His Highness the Rui Prince took the hairpin that His Majesty had commissioned craftsmen to make as a gift for the Xuan Empress Consort, and gave it to Miss Qu instead. When the Xuan Empress Consort gave birth to the little princess, His Majesty had intended to present it to her, only to discover it had long since been taken by His Highness the Rui Prince. In a fit of rage, His Majesty had His Highness the Rui Prince locked in the ancestral hall.”

“……” Yan Yunning’s lips twitched.

Xuan Yanyu’s mouth curved into a half-smile. “Serves him right.”

Yan Yunning: “……”

Before going to see her granddaughter, Yan Yunning decided to first visit her son in the ancestral hall — after all, once she laid eyes on her granddaughter, she would have no desire to look at her son anymore.

“This son greets Imperial Father and Imperial Mother.”

“Your grandson greets Imperial Grandfather and Imperial Grandmother.”

She had barely taken a step forward when Consort Li, smiling warmly, led a three-year-old little one over and curtsied in greeting.

“Chen’er, come to Imperial Grandfather.” Xuan Yanyu crouched down and opened his arms. Seeing this, Consort Li released the little one’s hand, and the child, grinning cheerfully, threw himself into Xuan Yanyu’s embrace.

Yan Yunning smiled and shook her head. The affection grandparents hold for grandchildren was playing out in full on Xuan Yanyu — she had never seen him so fond of Xiaoxiao and Ruirui when they were young.

“Smack.” The little one planted a kiss on Xuan Yanyu’s cheek and said in his soft, milky voice, “Imperial Grandfather, Chen’er missed you so much.”

“Imperial Grandfather missed Chen’er too.” Xuan Yanyu held the little one, reluctant to let go.

“Ahem, ahem.” Yan Yunning deliberately coughed twice lightly.

The three-year-old little one, sharp as a little spirit, leaned over and also planted a kiss on Yan Yunning’s cheek, not forgetting to add, “Chen’er missed Imperial Grandmother too.”

Yan Yunning’s smile deepened. “Imperial Grandmother missed Chen’er too.”

Behind them, Consort Li’s smile was radiant. Her son was His Majesty’s eldest child and was dearly loved by Imperial Father and Imperial Mother. The Xuan Empress Consort had given birth to a princess — the more she thought about it, the more the smile at the corners of her lips refused to be suppressed.

“My Lady, My Lady.” Seeing that the Grand Emperor had taken the eldest young master away and left with the Empress Dowager, a maidservant hastily reminded Consort Li.

Coming back to her senses, Consort Li quickly made her obeisance. “This concubine respectfully sends off Imperial Father and Imperial Mother.”

——

Ancestral Hall — Side Chamber.

Xuan Yunyao lay sprawled on a rush cushion, legs crossed and dangling, a blade of grass he had plucked from somewhere clenched between his teeth. He heaved a long sigh.

Ye’an, standing to one side, pressed his lips together — he truly did look exactly like the Grand Emperor in his youth.

“This Prince simply cannot figure it out. Wasn’t the ancestral hall meant as punishment for the Crown Prince? What is Imperial Brother locking This Prince in here for?” Xuan Yunyao propped his temple up with one hand, his manner rakish and irreverent. “Tsk. This Prince hasn’t even seen his little niece yet, and her father has already thrown This Prince in here.”

Ye’an pursed his lips. “Your Highness, you took the hairpin that His Majesty personally designed and had craftsmen spend half a month creating as a gift for the Xuan Empress Consort. His Majesty merely locked you in the ancestral hall — you ought to count your blessings.”

His Majesty had been furious beyond measure, yet could not very well ask Miss Qu to return it, so he could only teach His Highness a lesson.

“Oh, so Imperial Brother designed it himself? No wonder This Prince took a liking to it the moment he saw it — it looked absolutely stunning in Miss Qu’s hair.” Xuan Yunyao spat out the grass from his mouth and lazily let out a yawn. “This Prince is drowsy. Whenever Imperial Brother decides to release This Prince, wake This Prince then.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Subordinates pay their respects to the Grand Emperor and the Empress Dowager, and to the eldest young master.” From outside the chamber doors, the muffled sound of guards respectfully paying their respects drifted in.

Xuan Yunyao leapt up at once and knelt upright on the rush cushion.

Ye’an’s eye twitched at the sight.

In less than a quarter of an hour, Xuan Yanyu, carrying the little one, entered the side chamber together with Yan Yunning.

Ye’an clasped his hands and bowed in greeting.

“Imperial Uncle.” The little one blinked his eyes and tilted his head, looking at Xuan Yunyao.

Xuan Yunyao patted the little one’s head and looked at Xuan Yanyu and Yan Yunning, breaking into a grin that showed his teeth. “Imperial Father, Imperial Mother, you are back.”

His Imperial Father had raised Imperial Mother so well — she looked no older than twenty-five or twenty-six.

“Fond of the Minister of Rites’ granddaughter?” Yan Yunning asked with a smile.

“Hmm?”

Where did that rumor come from??

He had merely wanted to thank Miss Qu for kindly rescuing his beloved pet at the lantern festival. Miss Qu had told him that she was not favored in her household and that her legitimate elder sister constantly bullied her, which was why he had made a grand show of sending gifts — so that people would no longer dare look down on her.

Seeing Xuan Yunyao’s dazed expression, Xuan Yanyu’s face darkened. “We will not permit her to be your principal wife. Her status is insufficient.”