The days grew colder, and the new year arrived once more.

Last year during the twelfth month, there had been a palace upheaval—the Emperor fell ill, the Empress Dowager died, and the new year had been extraordinarily oppressive and gloomy.

This year, with Qi Shuo shouldering more than half the court affairs, Emperor Tai’an had ample time to recuperate properly. Not only had his vitality recovered considerably, but the treasury’s abundance and the Crown Prince’s steady competence made his mood better and better.

Emperor Tai’an couldn’t openly show this to others, but he didn’t need to restrain himself before Prince Jing. From time to time he would praise how steady and capable Shuo’er was.

Prince Jing smiled on the surface but cursed inwardly: Was Fourth Brother even human?

Before the New Year’s Eve family banquet, seeing Emperor Tai’an in good spirits, Noble Consort Zhuang tentatively asked: “Your Majesty, why not let the Little Prince meet his elder brother and sister-in-law?”

Until now, the Little Prince still had no name and hadn’t taken a single step outside Yungui Palace.

When the Little Prince was first born, he lived in Noble Consort Zhuang’s palace for a month. Noble Consort Zhuang’s household was empty, so she inevitably developed a bit of feeling for him. Later she occasionally visited Yungui Palace to see him, watching the Little Prince grow from only being able to nurse to walking unsteadily. Now he could already call her “Your Ladyship” with clear articulation, and that bit of feeling had grown to seven or eight parts.

People were like this—without feelings one could naturally turn a blind eye, but with feelings one couldn’t help planning for them.

In Noble Consort Zhuang’s eyes now, aside from the Little Prince’s body being different from ordinary people, he was good in every way. Being trapped so lonely in Yungui Palace was too pitiful.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Tai’an’s face darkened: “The Little Prince is frail. What if he goes out and catches a chill? Better he stays in Yungui Palace.”

Noble Consort Zhuang’s lips moved, but she tactfully didn’t persist. Settling for less, she said: “After this year, the Little Prince will be three years old. Constantly calling him ‘Little Prince’ isn’t quite appropriate either. Your Majesty, please bestow a name.”

Emperor Tai’an instinctively wanted to refuse, but seeing Noble Consort Zhuang’s earnest eyes, he swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue: “Let me think about it.”

“Then this consort thanks Your Majesty on the Little Prince’s behalf.” Noble Consort Zhuang smiled.

Two requests—if His Majesty could agree to one, it wouldn’t be in vain that the child had grown another year older.

Emperor Tai’an stared fixedly at Noble Consort Zhuang, his tone ambiguous: “My beloved consort is quite attentive to him.”

This past year, he hadn’t seen that child again. That child’s existence was, to him, a fear and humiliation he couldn’t speak of to outsiders.

If the world knew the imperial family had given birth to a prince with a tail, rumors that the nation’s imminent fall must produce demonic aberrations would surely arise.

Emperor Tai’an reaffirmed one thing once more: the fewer people who saw that child, the better.

At the family banquet, Qi Shuo also mentioned the Little Prince: “I wonder how my younger brother’s health is now.”

Worried Emperor Tai’an would immediately show displeasure, Noble Consort Zhuang hurriedly said: “The Little Prince is naturally frail and cannot withstand wind. In this kind of weather, it’s not good for him to go out.”

Qi Shuo smiled: “Having been in the palace so long, A’Hao and I haven’t seen our younger brother yet. Since he can’t go out, A’Hao and I will go see him later.”

Emperor Tai’an’s expression changed slightly as he said coolly: “The imperial physicians said he can’t withstand the cold or heat that strangers bring. Your having this intention is enough.”

Under the table, Lin Hao’s hand gently tugged at Qi Shuo.

Qi Shuo, as if not noticing Emperor Tai’an’s coldness, smiled and agreed.

After returning to the Eastern Palace, washing up, and lying down, Lin Hao turned on her side to look at Qi Shuo: “A’Shuo, I think the Little Prince’s situation isn’t as simple as being frail.”

Qi Shuo nodded: “I suspect as much too.”

“Then why did you keep bringing it up?”

Judging by His Majesty’s expression, he was clearly displeased.

“Other than Prince Liang, the Little Prince is Father Emperor’s only biological son, and the Little Prince lives in the palace. With our current status, we can’t avoid him. Testing the waters gives us some idea, so we won’t be completely unprepared later.”

“What do you think is the matter with the Little Prince?” Lin Hao asked, propping her cheek.

Qi Shuo’s brows furrowed slightly, his tone not very certain: “Perhaps it’s not an ordinary illness, but some hidden affliction inconvenient for outsiders to know.”

“That’s very possible.” Lin Hao lay down properly, no longer discussing it, though deep doubts remained in her heart.

What hidden affliction could the Little Prince have that made His Majesty so secretive?

And would this affect her and A’Shuo?

Inside palace walls was different from elsewhere—a tiny ripple in the present could potentially become tremendous waves in the future. One couldn’t afford not to be careful.

Qi Shuo leaned over, his voice low but firm: “Don’t worry, I’m here.”

“Mm.”

The candlelight flickered, then gradually quieted.

Emperor Tai’an retired to Yuhe Palace. Seeing his expression was cool, Noble Consort Zhuang gently urged: “The Crown Prince also values brotherhood—”

“I know.” Emperor Tai’an clearly didn’t want to discuss it further. “Let’s rest.”

Noble Consort Zhuang steeled herself to speak: “The Little Prince—”

She knew His Majesty was in a bad mood right now, but if she missed this opportunity, who knew when the Little Prince would get a name.

“Just call him Qi An then.” Emperor Tai’an said casually and simply stood up to return to his sleeping chamber.

Noble Consort Zhuang, who had seen Emperor Tai’an to the palace gate, stood quietly for a moment. Knowing she had displeased His Majesty, she sighed so softly it was barely audible, then simply went to Yungui Palace.

On New Year’s Eve, lanterns and decorations were everywhere, and the lamps in palace attendants’ hands were almost unnecessary. But upon entering Yungui Palace, though many lanterns were lit, it inexplicably made one feel gloomy.

Looking at the palace attendants who bowed to her, Noble Consort Zhuang suddenly understood: it was because there were too few palace attendants here.

And this was something she couldn’t change.

“Your Ladyship—” The Little Prince, being held by his wet nurse, saw Noble Consort Zhuang arrive. He smiled and stretched out his hands, wanting to be held.

At first, Noble Consort Zhuang had been somewhat resistant to physical contact with the Little Prince, but after a year it had long become natural for her to pick him up.

Once in Noble Consort Zhuang’s arms, the Little Prince giggled and kept calling “Your Ladyship, Your Ladyship.”

Noble Consort Zhuang’s heart softened from his calling. She gently touched his cheek: “You have a name now. Your father emperor chose it. You’re called An’an. Isn’t that nice?”

This “An” might be His Majesty telling him to peacefully and obediently stay in Yungui Palace like a cage, but in her view, this was the “An” of “peace and safety”—a good name.

“An’an, An’an…” Noble Consort Zhuang called the Little Prince’s name, smiling as she played with him.

“An—An—” the Little Prince imitated in his baby voice.

The Little Prince was still young after all. He soon fell asleep. Noble Consort Zhuang personally placed New Year’s money by his pillow before departing.

In the blink of an eye, winter departed and spring arrived. In the Imperial Garden, a profusion of flowers bloomed, competing in beauty.

Since it was the first day of the month, Lin Hao went early to Yuhe Palace to pay respects to Noble Consort Zhuang.

Noble Consort Zhuang had a peaceful temperament, and Lin Hao was generous and straightforward. Over the past year, the two had gotten along quite pleasantly. They were chatting and laughing when an inner court attendant rushed in urgently.

“Your Ladyship, something terrible has happened! The Little Prince has had an accident!”

Noble Consort Zhuang shot to her feet, asking urgently: “What happened to the Little Prince?”

The one bringing the news was Little Guizi from Yungui Palace, his voice carrying a sob: “The Little Prince suddenly fell unconscious!”

Upon hearing this, Noble Consort Zhuang immediately strode outside, with several palace attendants hurrying after her.

Lin Hao hesitated slightly, then silently followed.

The already sparse palace attendants in Yungui Palace were all bustling around the Little Prince. Seeing Noble Consort Zhuang, as if finding their mainstay, they tearfully recounted how the Little Prince had fallen unconscious. No one even noticed Lin Hao.

It was Lin Hao’s first time seeing the Little Prince.