Chapter 9:

Chapter 9

He’s back already?

Pei Yun was taken aback.

She remembered that in her previous life, he had clearly returned to the Eastern Palace only in the afternoon. How had he arrived nearly two hours earlier this time?

At the mention of the “imperial edict,” everyone in the hall hurriedly rose to greet it. As they stepped into the courtyard, they indeed saw the Crown Prince striding forward with Chief Eunuch Fang Xi at his side.

Pei Yun followed behind, observing the Crown Prince halt before Noble Consort Gao and bow to each of the noble consorts in turn. She couldn’t help but discreetly examine her husband, whom she hadn’t laid eyes on for nearly three months.

The usual indigo robe accentuated his tall and upright figure, yet his face appeared weary. A shadow of unshaven stubble framed his lips, and dark circles lingered beneath his eyes. Though his innate elegance and nobility remained undiminished, he looked somewhat weary from travel, clearly having rushed back in haste.

Whether he had been in the same disheveled appearance in her previous life, Pei Yun didn’t know. When he had returned to the Eastern Palace then, she had been occupied elsewhere and only learned of his arrival upon returning to the hall—by which time he’d already retired to the bedchamber to change.

Just as she was lost in thought, those obsidian-dark eyes suddenly swept past the figures ahead and fixed directly upon her.

When their gazes met, Pei Yun simply dipped into a composed curtsy. Yet when she looked up again, she found the man still silently staring at her, his gaze profound. He gave a faint nod in acknowledgment but did not look away for a long while.

So long that Pei Yun began to wonder if he had something to say to her.

The notion drew a silent scoff from her.

What could he possibly say? Nothing more than the usual hollow formalities, no doubt.

“Has the Crown Prince just returned from Chaoyun Hall?”

At Noble Consort Gao’s inquiry, Li Zhangye finally withdrew his gaze. “Indeed. I have already reported to His Majesty with Second Brother regarding the completion of the Tan County embankment. I also took the liberty of bringing His Majesty’s scroll bestowing a name upon the child.”

With that, he turned slightly to glance at Fang Xi behind him.

Understanding the cue, Fang Xi bowed with a smile. “Your Highness, Crown Prince, and Crown Princess, please receive the edict.”

Hearing this, Pei Yun quickly stepped forward to stand beside the Crown Prince.

As the imperial edict was akin to the Emperor’s presence, the entire courtyard knelt in reverence.

Fang Xi unrolled the scroll and read its contents aloud.

The edict first announced the name personally chosen by His Majesty for the little imperial grandson, then heaped praise upon the Crown Prince for his achievements in overseeing the completion of the embankment.

Chen’er’s name remained unchanged. The difference this time, however, was that the rewards for the 100-day celebration were delivered alongside the imperial gifts bestowed in recognition of the Crown Prince’s successful mission.

A dozen or so red-lacquered sandalwood chests of varying sizes were carried in by palace attendants, filling nearly half the courtyard with dazzling gifts that left the guests gaping in astonishment.

Yet Pei Yun went quiet.

She still remembered that in her previous life, these two sets of rewards had been delivered separately. At the time, she had been unable to predict whether the Crown Prince would return. Under the guests’ prying stares, she had felt both irritated and uneasy—yet even so, she could do nothing but maintain a dignified and composed smile.

Though the gossip had dissipated once the Crown Prince returned in the afternoon, the sting of those moments remained fresh in her memory.

Fang Xi respectfully handed the edict to the Crown Prince and offered a few words of congratulation. Seizing the opportunity, Pei Yun politely invited him to stay for the feast.

Fang Xi naturally declined, stating he still had to report back to the palace. Pei Yun then instructed Shu Mo to escort him out, discreetly slipping him a gratuity along the way.

Shu Mo nodded in understanding.

The moment Fang Xi left, a willowy figure slipped forward, cozily looping her arm through the Crown Prince’s.

"Brother, did you bring any gifts for me from your trip to Tan County this time?"

Li Zhangye glanced at his lively younger sister and gave a low "Hmm." "Both you and Tang'er have gifts. They’ll be sent to your palaces after today’s banquet."

Hearing her name suddenly mentioned, Li Shutang, who had been hidden in the crowd, lifted her head and pursed her lips slightly, as if pleased.

Yet Li Shurui frowned in dissatisfaction. "No! I want to see them *now*. I must pick for myself—what if I don’t like what you’ve chosen? And for Ningchao too—you must have prepared something for her as well, right?"

As she spoke, Shen Ningchao, standing nearby, stepped forward and curtsied to Li Zhangye, calling out somewhat shyly, "Dear Cousin Crown Prince."

Li Zhangye nodded in acknowledgment.

He had always been kind to his younger sisters, treating even his cousin Shen Ningchao with the same consideration. Seeming to find Li Shurui’s request not entirely unreasonable, he cast a glance at Chang Lu beside him.

As it happened, since Li Zhangye had rushed straight to the emperor upon returning to the palace and then hurried back to the Eastern Palace with the imperial gifts, Chang Lu had not yet had time to organize the luggage brought back from the trip. All the items were still mixed among the piles of imperial rewards in the courtyard.

Chang Lu signaled attendants to bring a few chests before Li Shurui.

Giddy, Li Shurui immediately began pulling Shen Ningchao along to pick through them.

While they were happily selecting, Pei Yun suddenly remembered something and turned sharply to look. The moment she moved, the man beside her followed her gaze into the crowd and then called out, "Tang'er, come and pick something for yourself as well."

Li Shutang, singled out by her elder brother, wore an expression of flustered surprise but hesitated, glancing at her mother before slowly stepping forward.

Li Shurui, of course, paid no mind to her younger sister, eagerly picking out the brocades she liked and having the palace maids set them aside. Shen Ningchao, however, courteously yielded her spot to Li Shutang, though the latter remained awkward in her elder sister’s presence and only chose what Li Shurui had passed over.

Fortunately, Chang Lu had bought fabrics in delicate colors suitable for young ladies, all of them quite lovely.

By custom, each was to receive four lengths of brocade, but Li Shurui had exacting standards and was picky. After selecting three, she found none of the remaining to her liking.

Her gaze drifted to a corner of the courtyard. She had noticed earlier, when Chang Lu ordered the chests brought out, that there was another identical one still untouched. Pointing, she asked, "Is that chest also filled with brocade from Tan County?"

Chang Lu looked over and hesitated. "Your Highness, it is indeed brocade from Tan County, but..."

Before he could finish, Li Shurui had already hitched her skirts and darted over, wasting no time prying open the chest.

At a glance, her face lit up with delight, but she immediately turned back with a pout. "Brother, how stingy of you! If you had such fine fabric, why hide it from me? This one is beautiful—it should be mine."

As she spoke, she lifted the length of brocade from the chest, and now everyone in the courtyard could see it.

*

Pei Yun recognized this fabric—in her past life, it had ended up in her private collection. The color was exceptionally unique, and she remembered it even had a poetic name: *Rain-Cleared Sky*. True to its name, the fabric resembled post-rain azure, pristine blue woven with silver threads that glistened like sunlight on rippling water.

Even Pei Yun, who was not particularly fond of blue-green hues, had been captivated by it at first sight back then.

The more Li Shurui looked at it, the more she adored it, even envisioning the style of dress she would make from it. Her third brother had always doted on her—he surely wouldn’t refuse her.

Yet just as she was certain of this, Li Zhangye spoke without hesitation, "Not that one. That chest..." He paused briefly, his gaze flickering subtly to the side, "...is all set aside for your sister-in-law."

His steely tone left the guests momentarily struck dumb, but no one was more shocked than Pei Yun herself.

She stared at the man beside her in disbelief, as if he’d grown a second head.

After all, in two lifetimes spanning thirteen years, she had never once received such favor from him.

She was puzzled, but a moment’s reflection revealed the likely reason: her griping when he last departed must’ve guilted him into deliberately preparing a chest for her this time.

Had this happened in the first two years of their marriage, Pei Yun might’ve swooned for quite some time. But having lived two lives, she no longer harbored the infatuations of a young girl. Her heart had long chilled, and thus, not a flicker of warmth stirred within her.

After all, what’s the point if he only does things after she reminds him?

And after all these years, everyone has long believed the Crown Prince harbors no affection for her. His words now would probably just confuse them.

Pei Yun was right—Li Shurui was among them.

After her initial shock, she could only wonder why her third brother, the Crown Prince, had suddenly taken an interest in his consort, even refusing her request because of it.

But since the Crown Prince had spoken so publicly, she couldn’t insist. Her eyes flickered, and an idea struck her. She hurried over to Pei Yun instead. "Third Sister-in-law, since you’ve gotten so many gifts today, surely you won’t mind parting with this bolt of brocade. Why not give it to me?"

Pei Yun watched Li Shurui quietly. In all her years of marriage into the Eastern Palace, this was the first time the princess had spoken to her in such a tone. She knew very well that this doted-on princess had always looked down on her.

Yet Li Shurui seemed utterly confident she wouldn’t refuse.

And not just her—everyone thought the same.

After all, the Crown Princess had always been exceedingly generous toward Princess Haoyue.

The crowd waited for Pei Yun to nod and grant Li Shurui her wish. But instead, the usually decisive Crown Princess remained silent for a long while, her eyes flickering with reluctance. Finally, she turned to the Crown Prince and curtsied, murmuring in a subdued tone, "This humble consort defers to Your Highness’s judgment."

Many of the women in the courtyard were taken aback. They hadn’t expected the Crown Princess to hesitate so visibly—she must’ve really treasured that brocade.

Li Shurui noticed too, but why would she care whether Pei Yun was willing? Since she had deferred to the Crown Prince, it was as good as consent.

She looked at Li Changye expectantly, but instead of nodding, he frowned slightly and glanced down at the quiet woman beside him, her eyes lowered. Only after a pause did he turn his gaze back.

"If you like this color and pattern, I can send someone to Tan County to find something similar for you."

Li Shurui’s smile vanished instantly.

It was as if thunder had struck right beside her, the sky itself collapsing. She’d already had a frustrating day, but to be thwarted repeatedly was beyond her expectations.

Her lips quivered, her eyes welling up. Moments later, she suddenly whirled toward Pei Yun, unable to hold back her fury any longer, blaming the one she saw as the cause of her problems.

"It’s all your fault! If you didn’t want to give it, you should’ve just said so! Why act so hesitant, like I’m forcing or bullying you? If not for you, Third Brother would never have refused me this brocade!"

The moment the words left her mouth, the courtyard fell deathly silent. Consort Zhen’s heart lurched, her face paling in horror. She knew better than anyone that despite the Crown Prince’s refined demeanor, indulging Rui Er didn’t mean he had no limits.

Sure enough, she watched as the Crown Prince’s gaze turned icy in an instant, sending a chill through everyone, even under the scorching sun.

"Li Shurui," he enunciated each word, "there’s a line even willfulness shouldn’t cross."

His tone was flat, but the low, frigid authority in his voice made Li Shurui shudder. She clammed up, hiding behind Consort Zhen, all her earlier arrogance gone.

She’d never seen Third Brother so frightening.

Consort Zhen hurriedly interceded, "Your Highness, please calm your anger. I’ve spoiled Rui Er—that’s why she’s so impudent. She meant no harm—"

No harm?

Pei Yun almost scoffed at that. If this had happened years ago, when Li Shurui was just seven or eight and humiliating her in public, one could still say she was young and easily influenced. But now, at thirteen, she knew full well what was proper. The only reason she kept disrespecting Pei Yun was because she held no respect for her.

"Apologize to your third brother right now," Consort Zhen urged, pulling Li Shurui forward.

Li Shurui hung her head, trembling. "Third Brother, Rui Er was wrong. I just wanted that brocade so badly..."

But halfway through, she was cut off coldly.

"Is it me you should be apologizing to?" Li Shurui’s voice died in her throat. She raised her eyes warily, only to find her usually doting third brother’s face as cold as still water, his gaze like a honed blade. Though his anger wasn’t overt, it felt as if he were skinning her alive, making her blood run cold.

She pinched her palm, then reluctantly turned to Pei Yun. "Third Imperial Sister-in-law, Rui Er..."

"Eldest Princess, there's no need for such formality. You merely spoke rashly in a fit of temper. Why should you apologize to me?"

Interrupted once more, Li Shurui looked up to see Pei Yun smiling at her, seemingly unfazed, yet her words left Li Shurui floundering in embarrassment, unable to regain her composure.

She clenched her teeth in frustration.

Truthfully, Li Shurui didn’t think she had said anything wrong. Wasn’t it the truth? Third Brother never gave Pei Yun a second glance. If she had just agreed straightforwardly earlier, none of this would have happened.

Naturally prideful and headstrong, Li Shurui, now silenced by Pei Yun, stubbornly clenched her lips rather than admit fault. All eyes were on her, and she had never felt such humiliation before.

"Enough. Today is the Third Imperial Grandson’s 100-day celebration. No more disruptions," Noble Consort Gao finally interjected coldly. "Consort Zhen, take Rui Er back. She is to be confined to her quarters for a month’s reflection—no going out!"

Li Shurui paled, not daring to speak further, and obediently followed her mother, Consort Zhen. But before leaving, she threw Pei Yun a venomous look as she passed by.

Pei Yun knew she had thoroughly offended this spoiled princess. But so be it. In the past, her constant yielding had only emboldened further slights. Now, she might as well burn the bridges entirely.

Besides, she was not one to forget a slight. Li Shurui had humiliated her countless times in this life and the last. It was only fair to let her get a taste of her own medicine.

The sudden commotion left the courtyard tense. The guests shared uneasy looks, surprised by how fiercely the Crown Prince had defended his consort.

Pei Yun, however, wasn’t surprised. Li Shurui’s disrespect toward her, the Crown Princess, was ultimately disrespect toward the Crown Prince himself. His defense was less for her sake than for his own standing.

"Don’t trouble yourself over Rui Er’s tantrum."

Lost in thought, Pei Yun heard his familiar voice beside her.

She looked up with a faint smile. "The midday feast is about to start. Your Highness ought to freshen up at Chenghua Hall first."

Avoiding a direct response, Li Zhangye studied her for a moment before saying, "Then I entrust the ladies to you, Crown Princess."

Pei Yun curtsied. "Of course."

Satisfied, Li Zhangye nodded slightly and left.

As his figure receded, Pei Yun’s smile faded. Pleading the chill, she ushered the ladies indoors.

Sitting down, the day’s chaos finally reminded her of another matter—her grandmother’s party had yet to arrive.

She scanned the room and noticed the missing figure in the corner. A flicker of concern arose—had they missed their cue?

Strange. Her grandmother had been so eager for Pei Qian to enter the Eastern Palace. Why the delay?

Just then, a palace maid announced the arrival of Madam Pei and her entourage.

Soon, Madam Pei entered the hall, supported by Zhou Shi, her mother, though her face was uncharacteristically stern.

The cause soon revealed itself—Pei Qian, trailing behind, was half-carried by Wang Shi, limping noticeably.

Zhou Shi explained, "Qian Er slipped on ice shortly after entering the palace, spraining her ankle. The pain was severe, and she couldn’t stand for a while, hence the delay."

A sprain? How… fortuitous.

Pei Yun observed Pei Qian—her eyes red from crying, her new dress soiled and damp from the fall.

"Qian Er has been terribly careless," Wang Shi fretted, her brow furrowed. She turned anxiously to Pei Yun. "Yun—Your Highness, we heard His Highness has returned. Is there still time...?"

Understanding her meaning, Pei Yun gestured for Shu Yan to lean in and whispered instructions. Baffled but compliant, Shu Yan nodded.

She then turned to Pei Qian and said, "Younger sister, your dress is soiled. Go to my room and change first, then have your injured foot treated."

Upon hearing this, Madam Pei's previously cold and sullen expression brightened considerably.

Pei Qian murmured a "Thank you, elder sister" and allowed Shu Yan to help her out, though she kept frowning deeply, perhaps due to the severe pain in her foot.

Pei Yun took a sip of tea, remembering what happened in her previous life.

In her past life, during this time, while she was busy with the banquet arrangements, a small incident happened that she only heard about later.

A young noble lady had followed closely behind the Crown Prince after he returned from changing clothes. Later, someone from the Crown Prince's palace even returned a lost jade pendant to her.

The matter itself was trivial, but the young noble lady's evasive responses when questioned inevitably sparked speculation.

Although nothing ultimately happened, this behavior was a public insult to Pei Yun.

This was one of the incidents that had greatly displeased her during the 100-Day Celebration in her past life.

But in this life, Pei Yun had gotten an idea from it. Thus, during her visit home, she suggested to her grandmother that Pei Qian copy the noble lady's actions precisely.

Her reasoning was that this would allow the Crown Prince to become acquainted with Pei Qian in advance and make it easier for others to assume some connection between them.

This would then make it smoother for Pei Qian's eventual entry into the palace.

Madam Pei and Wang Shi were shocked but, having never considered Pei Yun's dignity in the first place, saw no reason to refuse. Little did they know, she had tampered with the plan.

Pei Yun lightly twisted the jade bracelet on her wrist, a faint smile playing on her lips.

She wondered what amusing scene would unfold when those two like-minded individuals ran into each other at the entrance of Chenghua Palace...