Soon properly dressed, she arrived at the front courtyard where Steward Seventh Uncle, Su Wan, and Zhai Di were already waiting outside the residence gate.
Su Wan was nominally Su Jin’s adopted younger sister, but having already passed the age for leaving the household, she couldn’t ride in the same carriage as her elder brother.
Zhai Di said, “Later, after leaving Shen residence, we’ll still need to rush to the Imperial Censorate for the banquet. With all this back and forth, who knows what hour it will be when we return home. Tonight is Little New Year’s Eve—everyone should be reunited. Why not save one driver? Qiguang can drive my lord’s carriage.”
Seventh Uncle said, “Having Lord Zhai help count the congratulatory gifts already shows the failings of us servants. In this snowy weather of the twelfth month, how can we further trouble—”
Before he could finish, Su Jin raised a hand to stop him. She glanced at Su Wan and Zhai Di, recalling Tan Shi’s earlier admonishments, and said, “Let him.” She walked to the first carriage, lifted the curtain and entered, then instructed, “Seventh Uncle, I’ll trouble you to drive for me.”
This left Su Wan and Zhai Di standing by the snowy path.
Su Wan was momentarily at a loss. Zhai Di was stunned for a moment, but immediately understood Su Jin’s meaning. His somewhat refined eyes moved slightly as he took hold of the horse’s head and said to Su Wan, “Then please, Miss, board the carriage.”
A faint blush rose on Su Wan’s face as she silently bowed.
Shen residence was even livelier than Su residence. After all, it was a prestigious deep mansion that had been illustrious for decades. Though it had fallen for a time, in the Yongji Dynasty, not only had it produced a Duke, but also an Empress. Its honor was supreme, surpassing even the past. Today being Little New Year, if Shen Xi hadn’t declined visitors in advance, the threshold would likely have been trampled through.
As soon as Su Jin and Zhai Di arrived, Shen Liubo, who was guarding outside the residence gate, came forward. “Lord Su, Lord Zhai.” He directed servants to carry the congratulatory gifts inside while ushering the guests in. “Since Lord Su returned to the capital, you’ve been so busy you haven’t even had leisure to come to Shen residence for a bowl of tea. Today you’ve finally come once, yet I hear from the young master that my lord won’t even stay for dinner?”
Su Jin said, “Yes, the Imperial Censorate is hosting a banquet. I truly cannot spare the time. In a few days when the year’s end arrives and I’m free of official duties, I will certainly come again.”
Walking through corridors and pathways to the main hall, after paying respects to Shen Tuo and Shen Shi, Shen Xi said, “Shen Jun went to the imperial mausoleum early this morning. She’ll return just ahead of you. She has many matters to attend to, so right now she’s in the back courtyard changing clothes.”
Shen Jun had gone to the imperial mausoleum to visit Shen Jing. She wore mourning clothes, so changing out of them upon returning to the residence was reasonable. But Shen Xi was like this—unless he made one or two snide remarks about her, he couldn’t be satisfied.
Su Jin smiled and, accepting the tea Shen Liubo handed her, turned to ask Shen Tuo about his circumstances over the past two years.
Shen Tuo joked, “Suzhou and Yingtian Prefecture both border the Qinhuai River. Living in either place is actually no different. But one lives for peace of mind. Staying far from court, not asking about politics, not managing affairs, not adding trouble for you and little Xi—that is this old man’s greatest fortune.”
As they spoke, Shen Jun also arrived from the back courtyard. Her figure was graceful. The vermilion jacket she wore would surely appear voluptuous on an ordinary woman, but on her it was instead elegant and charming. Her picturesque brows and eyes glowed brilliantly, carrying three parts heroic spirit, like a tiger lily in full bloom.
Su Jin stepped forward to pay respects, hesitating about what protocol to follow. Officially, Shen Jun was the Empress of Great Sui, the supreme sovereign. But privately, she had long severed her emotional ties with Zhu Yushen and would only recognize Zhu Nanxian as emperor in this lifetime.
Shen Jun saw Su Jin’s hesitation and changed the subject. “Today I went to the imperial mausoleum to visit elder sister. I heard from former Eastern Palace attendants that before elder sister passed away, she had Thirteen invite you to the Eastern Palace to celebrate the New Year together?”
Su Jin said, “Yes. His Majesty Jin’an told this subject that every year’s end, the Eastern Palace would always close its doors and celebrate once on its own.”
They never invited outsiders. If they invited someone, it meant they recognized that person as family.
Shen Jing had regarded Zhu Nanxian as a close brother since childhood, caring for him attentively. When she was willing to invite Su Jin to the Eastern Palace that year, she must have wanted to acknowledge this younger sister-in-law.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t time.
Shen Jun nodded and had someone fetch a brocade box. Inside lay a jade bracelet, clear and lustrous, the finest of the finest.
“This was what elder sister personally gave me when I married,” Shen Jun said. “Now I have no use keeping it. Since elder sister had an affinity with you, consider this me passing it to you on her behalf.”
Handing the brocade box to Su Jin, she continued, “You and little Xi are close friends, and you’re also the person Thirteen trusts most. In my presence, you need not stand on ceremony. From now on, follow Thirteen’s example and call me Third Sister.”
Shen Jun’s words were veiled, but Su Jin immediately understood their deeper meaning. Her ears burned as she said softly, “Yes, thank you, Third Sister.”
After tea was finished, servants entered the hall, removing the pastries and refreshments that had been sitting for two hours and replacing them with fresher ones. Shen residence didn’t normally observe such niceties, but before Shen Jun returned to the capital, Shen Xi had sought permission from Zhu Yushen on her behalf—on this Little New Year’s Eve, Que Wu would bring Zhu Xuan and Zhu Jin to the residence. They could slight anyone, but not the two young princes.
Shortly after, a guard from outside came to report, “Lord Shen, Third Miss, the carriages of the two young princes have reached the street corner.”
Shen Xi nodded. “Command people to welcome them. We’ll go over now.”
The hundred-some imperial guards accompanying Zhu Xuan and Zhu Jin formed ranks in succession along the long street. Just as Shen Xi reached the residence gate, he saw Zhu Xuan first step down from the carriage, then turn back to help Zhu Jin, leading his younger brother by five years to walk before Shen Jun, kneel, and bow. “Mother Empress.” Then he rose and bowed to Shen Xi, Su Jin, and Zhai Di. “Greetings to Lord Shen, Lord Su, Lord Zhai.”
This was protocol taught by palace tutors. Upon meeting those whose learning far exceeded one’s own, one could honor them with the courtesy due to teachers.
The three returned the courtesy, addressing him, “First Prince.”
Only then did a genuinely sincere smile bloom on Zhu Xuan’s slightly childish face as he threw himself into Shen Jun’s embrace, softly asking, “When did Mother return to the capital? This son has been looking forward to visiting you every day since before winter even arrived!”
Zhu Xuan was close to Shen Jun, but the same couldn’t be said for Zhu Jin behind him.
The Second Prince was too young. The year he was born happened to be the most turbulent time in the palace. Shen residence suffered disaster, Shen Xi fell into hardship, and Shen Jun had no choice but to abandon her newborn son and rush back to the capital. When he finally grew to three years old and was brought to the palace in a confused daze to become a legitimate prince, Shen Jun had already departed far from him.
Not yet seven years old, Zhu Jin looked at Shen Jun with a mixture of familiarity and strangeness. If not for the portrait of Mother Empress still kept in Father Emperor’s sleeping chambers, he would have nearly forgotten what his birth mother looked like.
Zhu Jin was somewhat shy with strangers and couldn’t help but retreat two steps. His boot heels bumped against the carriage wheel. Turning around, his small hand rested on the carriage shaft as he gazed at the wide-bodied, ornate-topped, silently stationary carriage and softly asked, “Father Emperor, won’t you come down to look as well?”
With these words, the previously somewhat bustling street before the residence gate instantly fell silent.
Shen Xi and Su Jin exchanged glances, then stepped forward together and bowed to the carriage. “Not knowing His Majesty had arrived, we subjects failed to welcome you from afar.”
The person inside the carriage seemed to pause in silence for a moment before finally lifting the curtain and emerging.
The shen hour was approaching—the sun was neither too early nor too late. Zhu Yushen wore no dragon robe today, only a black fitted garment with both sleeve cuffs tucked into iron wrist guards.
Seeing Shen Xi and Su Jin bow to the carriage, the assembled members of Shen residence still found it hard to believe His Majesty had personally arrived. Now seeing Zhu Yushen himself, they all hurriedly knelt to perform the kowtow.
Everyone, except Shen Jun.
With not a single person speaking, from when Zhu Yushen descended from the carriage to when Zhu Jin stepped forward to grasp his hand—though clearly just a brief moment, it felt infinitely prolonged and frozen. The cold wind that had been dispersed by festive cheer rolled back in waves, its chill seeping drop by drop as if to penetrate to the bone.
With the emperor’s arrival, even neighborhood streets and alleys transformed into court halls, and even the festive atmosphere vanished.
Shen Xi’s heart sank. He immediately excused himself from the bow and said cheerfully, “This subject was careless and nearly forgot that Que Wu is still on his way back to the capital and couldn’t make it in time to escort the two young princes to Shen residence. His Majesty cares greatly for them both and naturally wouldn’t feel at ease entrusting them to others.”
He turned back to instruct, “Uncle Liu, quickly prepare the main hall again and arrange fine wine and delicacies.” Then, stepping aside to clear a path, he bowed. “Your Majesty, please enter the residence.”
Hearing these words, Shen Liubo kowtowed to Zhu Yushen and led the servants to make arrangements.
Seeing the sage about to visit a subject’s residence, the commander of the imperial guards stationed on the long street immediately issued orders, leading his officers and soldiers to reform ranks.
Zhu Yushen swept a cool glance over the assembled members of Shen residence.
Perceptive as he was, it was too easy to see the fear, dread, and trepidation hidden behind these people’s eyes that seemed to feel honored.
Just like this residence that moments ago had been bustling and full of everyday human warmth—the instant he appeared, it seemed to freeze.
“No need. I won’t go in,” Zhu Yushen said.
Clear disappointment appeared on little Zhu Jin’s face as he softly called again, “Father Emperor.”
Zhu Yushen glanced at him, reached out to tousle his hair, and said, “Xuan’er, come here.”
Understanding, Zhu Xuan walked over in a few steps, took Zhu Jin’s hand, and said warmly, “Jin’er, tonight imperial elder brother, Mother Empress, and uncle will accompany you together. Is that good?”
Zhu Jin looked back at Zhu Yushen once more, his eyes glistening. But he was the imperial family’s Second Prince—he shouldn’t be so delicate. Lifting his chin, he nodded earnestly and replied, “Good.”
Seeing Zhu Jin’s obedience, Zhu Yushen smiled slightly, but this smile was extremely faint, almost invisible.
He said nothing more, turned around, and boarded the carriage to return to the palace.
Just then, Shen Jun suddenly said, “Fourth Brother, wait a moment.”