Lan Zhou had been staying at the Grand Princess’s residence for about ten days, during which Wanwan had indeed personally cared for him. Building friendship between a child and a half-grown child wasn’t particularly difficult, so when he expressed filial devotion to her in front of the Yuwen clan relatives, she didn’t find anything improper about it.

However, her tacit acceptance appeared as a clear stance to others. The Dowager Consort smiled and said it was good. “Everyone doesn’t know – last time when Lan Zhou caught a cold, it was Grand Princess who looked after him. Despite her young age, having such a caring heart toward the younger generation is truly admirable. We Qi people have always had the custom of adopting and raising each other’s children. Since Lan Zhou has made this vow, and the mother and son are so compatible, seeing his sincere filial heart, Your Highness should accept him as an adopted son.”

Tonghuan was startled upon hearing this and looked up at her mistress with alarm, feeling that this old lady still favored her grandson. Recording the child under his legitimate mother’s name would make everything superior to his other brothers in the future. If the Grand Princess couldn’t bear a son, this young master would naturally become the heir apparent.

She then turned her gaze to Tala Shi. If it were an ordinary mother, seeing her son acknowledge someone else as mother right in front of her, how heartbroken she would be! But not her – she maintained the same humble expression on her small face, with hidden hope flickering in her eyes, fully approving of her son reaching for that high branch.

As for Wanwan, being a young lady, she didn’t think that deeply. Having grown up in the center of power, she had never competed for anything – her rightful status and position had never been diminished. Even if her future sons didn’t inherit the princely title, the court wouldn’t treat them poorly given their mother’s background, so she wasn’t particular about such matters. Since the Dowager Consort had already spoken, refusing wasn’t possible. Just as she was about to nod, she heard Yuwen Liangshi say there was no rush.

“Your Highness has just entered our family – there’s no reason to hastily burden her with sons. I know grandmother is eager for grandchildren and doesn’t want to say it directly, so she’s using this to remind us…” He looked affectionately at the person beside him. “Such matters can’t be rushed – they must be taken slowly. The custom of adopting children does exist, but only before the child turns three. The boy is grown now, and it’s not like he has no one to care for him. We Qi people aren’t that pampered – throw him onto the grasslands and he’d still grow up healthy and strong. So my meaning is that everything should remain as before. What he ought to show filial respect for shouldn’t become lax because of this.” He smiled warmly at Lan Zhou with a picture of paternal kindness and filial piety. “Lan Zhou, do you think what Father says makes sense?”

Lan Zhou was quite disappointed but still bowed respectfully. “Father speaks most correctly. Your son is not small anymore – I’ll be nine after the New Year, and there’s no precedent for adopting such a grown child. I know grandmother loves me, but grandmother has misunderstood grandson’s intentions. Grandson simply wants to show proper filial respect to grandmother and has no other extravagant hopes.”

Everyone exchanged pleasantries, but the atmosphere was somewhat awkward. To outsiders, it looked like the Prince was protecting the Grand Princess by going against the old Dowager Consort’s wishes.

The Dowager Consort remained quite composed. “Very well, I was just joining in the fun, indeed to urge you both along. As long as you understand in your hearts, that’s enough.” She laughed it off casually and took the opera program from the eunuch’s hands to look through. “The opening three acts are fixed by tradition – ‘Heavenly Official Bestows Blessings,’ ‘Hundred Longevity Pictures,’ and ‘Peach Garden Gathering.’ We’ve seen these so many times they’ve become tiresome. What else is there later… I’ll choose ‘Beating the Melon Garden.’ Please have the birthday celebrants choose one act, and the rest of us can discuss together. If we can’t finish during the day, there’s still the night. We’ll have evening lantern opera, eat lantern fruits, and have a thoroughly joyful celebration.”

Liangshi took the program and asked Wanwan to make the decision. He wasn’t well-versed in opera and often spent time drinking tea and chatting with his brothers to pass the time. Wanwan leaned over to look. She usually preferred Kunqu, but today’s program was all Beijing opera, so she was also confused and randomly selected “Famen Temple.”

The ladies were quickly absorbed by the opera, gathering together to discuss. Seeing that no one else seemed to be entering through the door, she rose and retreated to the garden with Tonghuan, changed into lighter clothing, and applied cold towels to thoroughly refresh her face.

“This weather!” She sat panting before the mirror. “At this time of year, Beijing is just warming up, but the south is unbearable – hot as summer.”

Tonghuan applied rouge to her lips while saying, “When the weather gets hot, minds get muddled, so Empress Bu’s condition has also worsened. I broke into a cold sweat hearing the Dowager Consort’s earlier words, fearing you might not mind and casually agree. That Tala Shi is no simple woman – she’s one who’s willing to climb higher. Like mother, like son. The young master is so clever – hardly like an eight-year-old child! Sometimes when I look at him, I truly feel a chill, feeling like he has a child’s shell with an adult’s soul inside. His every move – if you say someone taught him, I wouldn’t believe it. Today’s words were clearly forcing you to acknowledge him as your son. Fortunately, the Prince spoke up in the end – he’s still on your side after all.”

She smiled slightly. “Don’t think so badly of the child. Children naturally want to be close to those they like. Tala Shi’s position is low – she’s not permitted to raise the child herself. The eldest prince was raised by the Dowager Consort, so he also envies others having a mother’s love.”

Tonghuan knew her mistress was kindhearted, but sometimes seeing people too simply wasn’t a good thing.

“I think Princess Zhou and Second Master are the most comfortable people in this residence. They don’t compete or fight, just live according to their own comfort. Such naturalness is truly rare.”

Wanwan stood up to arrange her hair. “Everyone has their own way of living. We can’t control others – just managing ourselves is enough.”

Xiao You poked her head in. “So tonight, is the Prince coming or not? Didn’t you two make up? If he doesn’t come and goes to those other concubines instead, what will we do?”

Wanwan’s face immediately reddened. “When will you little girl ever be quiet? I’d burn high incense for that. I should have known not to have Tonghuan bring you back – should have left you scrubbing chamber pots in the North Fifth Courtyard to see if you’d still have idle thoughts for such matters!”

Xiao You smiled bashfully. “Don’t say that – this servant is concerned for you. After all, you’re not the only one in the Prince’s residence. They all have young masters now, and the Prince naturally has some feelings for them.”

Hearing her say this, Wanwan truly felt somewhat desolate. But many things aren’t perfectly complete – it was already too late, and being late meant a lifetime. For instance, with the factory minister, it was beyond reach, and here, it ultimately wasn’t complete either. Perhaps her fate was just like this.

She couldn’t muster the energy to socialize with those unfamiliar wives, so she had Tonghuan go make excuses, saying she was tired and would watch the opera again in the evening. She lazily reclined on the peony couch, planning what to bring when going out. Unfortunately, she couldn’t ride horses – otherwise, galloping on horseback would save much time.

The front courtyard was bustling with activity. The drum beats from the opera stage were passionate and could be heard even here. She remained unmoved, just yawning. There was nothing remarkable about a princess putting on airs – accompanying throughout would actually be beneath her dignity. She napped in the afternoon and had a dream where Yuwen Liangshi gave her a piece of jade, but it was snatched away by Tala Shi midway. Her heart felt empty, and in anger, she considered returning to the Grand Princess’s residence. When she woke up and opened her eyes, her mind was still dwelling on it, then her chest felt painfully stifled, and it took a while to emerge from the dream.

“Am I going crazy!” she muttered to herself, not understanding how an unrelated person had entered her dreams.

Getting up, she shuffled in soft shoes to wash her face at the copper basin. The washstand faced the flower window, and before she could dry her face, she saw Yuwen Liangshi hurriedly passing by with someone. Because of the lake between them, she couldn’t see the expression in his eyes clearly, only feeling that the stone-blue robe embroidered with cluster flowers seemed more suitable for him. The Qi people had maintained their own customs for over two hundred years without being assimilated by the Xianbei – truly an iron will.

He walked very urgently, giving instructions as he went, and quickly entered the moon gate. Wanwan stood for a while, then turned to have someone arrange her hair. It was getting late, and she should make an appearance.

What was evening lantern opera? It was opera performed after dinner, with “wind-extinguishing” lanterns hung high on the stage, and performers singing, speaking, acting, and fighting under the lamplight – this was evening lantern opera. Usually, only close relatives and intimate friends watched this, and when enthusiasm arose, they would watch all night long. At midnight, the host would serve “lantern fruits” – wine, dishes, steamed foods, and noodles. Children especially loved such activities, not having to sleep and being able to play all night.

Everyone had taken their seats. On the birthday celebrant’s special day, he naturally couldn’t ask for leave and had to sit in attendance. Liangshi supported his chin with one hand, feeling very impatient with the stage’s melodious singing of “Our sworn brotherhood is truly rare, though different surnames, better than blood relatives.” After enduring this grinding performance for two cups of tea, seeing Wanwan approaching from the corridor, his spirits immediately lifted.

Going forward to meet her, everyone stood up. She smiled and gestured for everyone not to be formal, then sat down beside the Dowager Consort.

Daughters-in-law must sit next to their mothers-in-law – this was the rule in every household. He sat across a table with a sense of helpless longing. Seeing this, Second Brother and Fifth Brother at his table whispered together and couldn’t help laughing.

He noticed and asked them what they were laughing about while holding his teacup. Fifth Brother stroked his newly grown mustache, pointed at both ends, said to be in Tang style, twisted like water chestnuts.

“Third Brother, being a prince consort must be tiring, right? Those wedding affairs of yours have spread everywhere outside.”

His expression darkened. “How did they spread everywhere? The wedding went smoothly – what gossip could you possibly chew on!”

Fifth Brother clicked his tongue. “That business about being kicked out when you went to serve in the bedchamber – just ask around the clan, who doesn’t cover their mouth and snicker! Heavens, you say this world really doesn’t let men live! Being so eager, and she still doesn’t appreciate it. We men have nowhere to put our faces.”

The more he listened, the more wrong it sounded, and his face reddened with anger. “Which blind bastard is spreading such nonsense! Look at her – does she seem like such an unreasonable person? She knows about harmonious marriage – she calls me ‘my lord’ this and ‘my lord’ that when she sees me, and who knows how tender she is in private! And you two, hearing such nonsense, you should have slapped them. Instead, you coldly watch the joke and let people slander me like this. Is this how brothers should behave?”

Still talking about harmonious marriage – doesn’t saying that make your conscience hurt? Second Brother picked his teeth. “We’ve seen your length and shortness since childhood when we compared peeing – don’t talk that nonsense. Setting that aside, just talking about your hand warmer – you’ve been holding it for three months now. Even though the weather’s warming up, you still stuff it in your bedding at night. You’re a grown man – isn’t that embarrassing?”

Those two brothers laughed heartily without conscience, making the Prince who had inherited the title extremely embarrassed. Thinking that no one else had betrayed him, he turned to call Rong Bao. “You dog slave, did these words leak out from between your teeth?”

Rong Bao hunched over and protested his innocence loudly. “Master, please see clearly – how would this servant dare! This servant is famous for keeping secrets tight – my teeth don’t have such gaps.”

He was furious but feared drawing attention, so he lowered his voice. “Don’t play dumb with me. Besides you, who else would spill those secrets?”

Rong Bao rolled his ox eyes skyward. “This servant is thinking…”

“Think about your mother’s nonsense!” He aimed for the back of his head and delivered a slap. “Just wait – when this is over, you’ll get what’s coming to you. I’ll strip you naked and tie you to a flagpole, expose your incomplete parts for everyone to see!”

Fifth Brother called out “Good!” “I heard that eunuchs don’t stay quiet down there – come spring it’s like chives – if you don’t cut it for a long time, it sprouts.”

Rong Bao looked miserable and nearly knelt down. “Fifth Master, you can’t harm this servant like this. Originally it was you who tricked this servant into talking. This servant carelessly let something slip, and you promised to protect me, saying I’d be fine. How can you be like this now, not helping to plead for mercy but adding fuel to the fire!”

Fifth Brother pretended not to hear and just continued making trouble with Second Brother. Finally, when the Grand Princess over there heard the commotion and looked over, the Prince feared the matter would get out of hand and gritted his teeth while dismissing him.

The Yuwen men had no other virtues except brotherly unity. Though not born of the same mother, they came from the same vine and were raised together from childhood. They never left anyone behind whether climbing mountains or going to rivers. The old Prince had six sons and four daughters in his lifetime. Except for Fourth Brother who died at age seven, the rest were all strong and healthy. After he inherited the title, he didn’t become distant due to his changed status – things remained the same as before. This was greatly related to the old Prince’s teaching: brothers should be friendly, younger brothers respectful; when brothers are harmonious, filial piety lies within. Anyone who dared violate this could never step through this threshold again, so this harmony was carved into their blood and bones, continuing unchanged to this day.

The upbringing he received in childhood would be passed down when he became a father. Lan Zhou and Lan Ting brothers were like this now, and when the brotherhood expanded in the future, as long as he lived, these old rules would be passed down generation after generation. Between brothers, jokes were never taken seriously. They had even seen each other naked as children, so now encountering minor setbacks in marriage and having old secrets exposed, letting them laugh about it once – what harm could it do!

Indeed, the three brothers began to worry together.

“Women are troublesome, harder than training soldiers,” Second Brother said. “After all, she’s your own woman – you can’t really discipline her properly…”

Fifth Brother’s thinking was very direct. “Good woman or bad woman, just grab her and get on the bed.”

Liangshi glared at him. “What kind of person do you take her for? Is this a bed you can just get on whenever you want?”

Fifth Brother shrugged. “Then what to do? Too bad Sixth Brother can’t come back – otherwise he’s an expert. Ask him and he’d definitely have ideas.”

Second Brother crossed his arms and pondered for a long time. “Aren’t you going to Huaining? Once you’re there sharing hardships for two days, you’ll have everything.”

Fifth Brother immediately perked up. “How so? Second Brother, what brilliant plan do you have?”

“What brilliant plan? A woman is a woman – no matter how high her status, she can’t live without a man. Once in Huaining, look around and see nothing but disaster victims – that spirit will be long gone. If you encounter some bandits and stage a heroic rescue, just wait – your good days will come.”

Upon hearing this, he immediately shook his head. “Don’t use such despicable tricks on her.”

“Then what? Let you keep sleeping with a hand warmer every night?” Second Brother was about to laugh again. “You’re such a person – you look good on the surface, but who knew you’d be such a coward in private! Since she’s in your house, she’s your person. What are you afraid of!”

They didn’t understand – it wasn’t fear at all, but reluctance to let her suffer. A perfectly good princess, if she fell into others’ hands and got hurt, what would he do? Those ruffians of theirs – what did they know about cherishing beauty and tenderness? Coming up with such ideas was simply stirring up trouble.

He leaned back in his chair, slowly stroking his chin. “Let’s just let nature take its course. Last time she found out about the Buyin Pavilion affair and was angry with me. Only yesterday did she finally give me a smile…”

“We know,” Fifth Brother said. “You’ve gone all out – accompanying someone to fly kites. I wonder what else you won’t do. Sooner or later you’ll be washing her feet.”

Liangshi stared wide-eyed. “What’s wrong with washing feet? I’d be happy to.”

The two brothers said a series of “alright”s. The old Prince’s virtue of loving his wife like life clearly hadn’t been inherited by them, so his passionate devotion was completely incomprehensible to them.

Here they were worrying about the Huaining trip when they saw Shucun approaching from far down the corridor. He immediately straightened up alertly, and Second Brother and Fifth Brother also frowned, guessing there was probably news again.

Shucun came forward, lifted his robe and knelt down, kowtowing four times. “Master, ten thousand years of life! This servant has only just arrived and begs master to forgive this servant’s negligence.”

He raised his hand slightly. “Get up. You’re on duty for me – can’t worry about such things. Speak – is there news from the capital?”

Shucun stood up, dropped his sleeves and straightened his legs with a serious expression, then greeted Second Master and Fifth Master, then stepped forward and said in a low voice, “The Empress has died. Last night the corner tower caught fire. Because of the high location, water buckets couldn’t effectively fight the fire, and it burned for three full hours before stopping. When the Embroidered Uniform Guard went up to look, the Empress and her attending maids had all become charcoal. The Emperor has already ordered funeral arrangements. The obituary notice is on the way and should arrive in about two days.”

The three brothers were stunned for a moment. Fifth Brother said, “That was quite fast. This Empress Bu was only crowned a few months ago, went mad so quickly, then died so quickly.”

Liangshi asked Shucun, “Burned beyond recognition – how could they confirm the Empress was inside?”

Shucun replied, “Director Xiao was leaning against the city wall base, couldn’t even stand up – how could it be false?”

He leaned back in his chair with a cold smile. “That old fox would reveal such obvious traces – it makes one even more disbelieving. When even the corpse can’t be recognized, clearly the dead person definitely wasn’t Empress Bu. Mark my words – Xiao Duo is probably planning to escape like a cicada shedding its shell. His Majesty has become a motherless child this time, lost an arm, and now only has the Cabinet to rely on. His immortality project will probably have to be shelved.”

Second Brother grunted agreement. “Aren’t you worried? If Xiao Duo abandons his post, we’ll have to reconsider our plans.”

He slowly shook his head. “If he can really leave and never return in this lifetime, that wouldn’t be a bad thing either. This person is hard to subdue – there’s simply no way to use him for my purposes. If he arranges his own ending, it saves me the trouble of using force.” As he spoke, he shifted his gaze to look at that person under the lamplight. “This way… there’s finally an explanation, and everything will get better.”