Outside the curtains, fine rain fell continuously, marking the depths of autumn once again. The imperial carriage’s curtains were dampened by the rain as it rumbled through the deep alleyways. The light misty drizzle resembled cold tears, and the imperial gates loomed majestically in the distance, resembling a delicate ink painting with light strokes and pale colors, drawn with a gentle touch.

The carriage curtain was lifted, revealing a slender hand with fair and delicate finger bones, nails painted a deep red, and a purple gold cloisonné bracelet on the wrist that accentuated her jade-like skin.

“Princess Consort.”

An elderly palace servant knelt by the roadside and spoke softly to the slightly parted carriage curtain: “Imperial Physician Sun is inside taking pulses.”

The curtain moved, and a woman in light blue palace attire stepped down slowly from the carriage. She had clear features and a serene expression.

Two maids came forward from behind to hold umbrellas for her. A woman in her early thirties led a child of six or seven years. Though still young, the child had exceptionally handsome features. Upon seeing her, he grinned and said, “Mother, I’m done with my studies.”

Yu Shu smiled slightly and gently brushed the loose hair from the child’s forehead: “Come with Mother to see the Empress.”

The child frowned slightly, seeming somewhat reluctant, and pouted: “Can Yong wait for Mother here?”

“No,” Yu Shu said seriously, shaking her head: “Yong is a filial and kind child. The Empress is unwell, and you must be obedient.”

The child thought silently for a moment, then finally nodded reluctantly: “Very well then.”

Yet his expression still revealed a measure of unwillingness.

Four years ago, the Princess Imperial had offered her kingdom as dowry. At a time when Yan Bei’s eight hundred thousand troops were stationed outside the border, she had secured the status of a vassal state for the weakened Huai Song, which had suffered years of internal strife. She then left her warm homeland, traveling north by boat along the Red River, and finally entering the city of Zhen Huang. She and the other royal relatives had followed the Princess, leaving their homeland to settle in Zhen Huang.

The Great Xia Dynasty had fallen several years ago, and now the eighteen prefectures of Hong Chuan had been renamed “Yan.” The new Yan Emperor had renovated the state residence, expanding the Sacred Gold Palace on its original foundation, and had also established the Southeast Palace for the Huai Song Princess Imperial, allowing the Empress to participate in politics and manage the affairs of the Huai Song vassal state. Huai Song officials below the third rank could be appointed without imperial court approval, and the outer court even referred to the Southeast Palace as the “Little Court of Former Song.”

However, in recent years, as the Princess Imperial’s health deteriorated, the Southeast Palace had grown increasingly quiet.

Yu Shu’s father had once been an official of Huai Song. When they first submitted, he was still a pillar minister of the Southeast Palace, but over the years, the former Huai Song officials had gradually integrated into the imperial court. The Emperor’s inclusive policies had gradually eroded the wariness of these foreign ministers. Now, coming to this Southeast Palace, it was so quiet that one could hear the autumn cicadas in deep slumber.

“The Xuan Princess Consort has arrived.”

Cloud Aunty was now over sixty years old and had aged considerably in recent years, with a head full of silver hair and wrinkled skin. She approached with a smile, bent down to tease Prince Yong, and said with a smile: “Prince Yong is becoming more and more handsome. When he grows up, he will surely be as handsome as Prince Xuan.”

Cloud Aunty had followed the Empress for many years and held a high position in the palace. Even Yu Shu had always been extremely respectful toward her. She now smiled and asked, “Has Aunty been well recently?”

“Yes, yes, thanks to the Princess Consort’s blessing.”

“How is the Empress’s illness?”

“Ah, still the same.” Cloud Aunty sighed. Being advanced in age, she tended to ramble, saying to Yu Shu: “She eats very little and doesn’t like to take medicine. Such a grown person, still acting like a child.”

“Yong isn’t afraid of taking medicine!”

Prince Yong suddenly exclaimed loudly upon hearing this. Cloud Aunty laughed, stroked Prince Yong’s head and said with a smile: “Prince Yong is a true man. When you go in later, please persuade the Empress, alright?”

“The Empress has awakened and is asking who is outside.”

A palace attendant suddenly came out. Upon hearing this, Yu Shu quickly nodded to Cloud Aunty and led Prince Yong into Zhao Yang Hall.

Zhao Yang Hall remained unchanged—magnificent, but Yu Shu always felt it was too spacious, where even footsteps created echoes when walking.

The Empress was a person who enjoyed tranquility, with very few people around her. Even in this palace chamber, only a few servants were attending to her.

Two second-rank Hui ladies lifted the eastern pearl rain curtain for Yu Shu. Those bright pearls collided with each other, creating a crisp sound. Yu Shu led Prince Yong inside, knelt outside the warm chamber, and said softly: “Your servant pays respects to the Empress.”

After a while, a calm voice slowly sounded, with a hint of lingering breathlessness upon careful listening: “It’s Yu Shu, come in.”

The hall was somewhat cool. A marble screen carved with mountains and flowing water added a touch of serenity to the already spacious sleeping chamber. The Empress wore a bright yellow phoenix robe, reclining on her couch. Her hair was immaculately arranged, though she wore few ornaments—just a jade-green Lantian hairpin, with a fingernail-sized bloodstone adorning her brow.

“Wen Yuan, grant her a seat.”

A first-rank Shu lady official came forward to seat Yu Shu. After expressing her gratitude and sitting down, Yu Shu heard the Empress ask: “How has everything been at home lately?”

Yu Shu respectfully replied: “All is well.”

“I heard the princes have new teachers. Is Yong still keeping up with his studies?”

“Yong is young, and his natural talents don’t match those of the other princes. However, I have engaged two tutors for him at home, and now he is barely managing to keep up.”

The Empress suddenly coughed slightly, her complexion somewhat sickly pale, and said: “You come from a scholarly family, so naturally you know how to educate children. But don’t be too anxious. Yong is still young, and children shouldn’t be pushed too hard.”

Afterward, the two engaged in casual conversation. Yu Shu’s relationship with the Empress had always been strange. Although on the surface, the Empress showed great favor towards their princely household, when speaking, there always seemed to be several layers of distance between them. Even though she brought her child to pay respects every few days, their conversations always revolved around the same few matters.

After chatting for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, suddenly three whip cracks sounded from outside. Yu Shu was startled and quickly stood up, pulling her son to his feet. The pearl curtain was lifted, and the Emperor, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe of dazzling color, strode in.

“Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor, long live, long, long live.”

“Yong pays respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor, long live, long, long live.”

The Emperor slightly raised his hand, his tone low and calm: “Rise.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor sat casually on the couch. The Empress, being ill, merely bowed slightly, then asked with a faint smile: “How is it that Your Majesty has time today?”

The Emperor said: “Imperial Physician Sun mentioned that you’ve been unwell recently, so I came to see you.”

“Your Majesty handles countless affairs of state yet still thinks of your servant’s health. I am truly unworthy.”

Yu Shu sat with her head lowered, listening to the formal, distant pleasantries between the Emperor and Empress, feeling somewhat uncomfortable. She remained silent, keeping her child by her side, pretending to be content listening.

After exchanging a few words with the Empress, the Emperor turned to her and asked: “How has everything been at home lately?”

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s blessing, all is well.”

“The princes have new teachers. Yong is young; is he keeping up with his studies?”

Yu Shu was slightly taken aback, thinking that they truly were husband and wife, and quickly nodded: “Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern. He is managing to keep up.”

The Emperor nodded and asked about a few other matters, then suddenly said to the court attendant Cao Qiu: “Bring that bow and arrow gifted from Falang. Yong will be eight years old after the New Year and should begin military studies. Xuan Mo loved wielding weapons, especially excelling in archery. Like father, like son—I believe Yong will not disappoint me.”

Cao Qiu immediately came forward with a bowed back, presenting a box. Yu Shu quickly rose to express gratitude but inwardly felt somewhat concerned. The Emperor said he had come to check on the Empress’s health, but why would he bring a bow and arrow? Did he know that she would bring Yong to the palace?

Over the years, the Emperor had indeed treated their princely household well. Various rewards had never been overlooked, without the slightest neglect due to the household lacking a male head. This had already caused many in the court and beyond to speculate privately. Moreover, whenever the Emperor spoke of Prince Xuan, he used a very familiar tone, yet to Yu Shu’s knowledge, the Emperor and Xuan Mo had never met.

For a moment, many thoughts flashed through her mind. Yu Shu accepted the box, and beside her, Yong seemed pleased, properly kowtowing twice and saying with a smile: “Your Majesty is so kind to Yong.”

The Emperor rarely showed a smile, but now rose and said: “I still have some state affairs to attend to and must leave for now. You stay here and keep the Empress company.”

With that, he departed amid everyone’s respectful send-off.

Once the Emperor left, the Empress began to cough, her spirit noticeably waning.

Wen Yuan inquired softly, then helped the Empress remove her outer garment and change into a plain sleeping robe. The Empress conversed intermittently with Yu Shu, and seeing that the Empress was tired, Yu Shu rose to take her leave. The Empress did not detain them, only instructing servants to give them prepared rewards before having court ladies escort them out of the palace.

In the long, narrow red alley, Yu Shu held Yong in the carriage as it moved slowly, autumn rain falling lightly on the curtains. Yu Shu’s thoughts were somewhat distracted. She considered carefully and realized that she had encountered the Emperor during her last few palace visits. Each time, the Emperor had gone to visit the Empress when they entered the palace. In fact, by custom, a widowed princess consort like herself should not meet with the Emperor.

She suddenly felt somewhat uneasy, recalling the Emperor’s expression when mentioning her husband today, and began to have doubts.

She suddenly opened the carriage door and asked Jiang Wu: “Jiang Wu, was His Highness very skilled in archery?”

Jiang Wu was slightly startled, not expecting her to suddenly bring this up, and quickly replied: “His Highness was naturally skilled in archery and horsemanship, but His Highness’s swordsmanship was most excellent, well-known throughout the capital at that time. As for archery, the Empress is also very skilled.”

Yu Shu frowned, a thought flashing through her mind, but it was gone so quickly that she couldn’t grasp it.

She nodded and closed the carriage door.