Chapter 20: What Exactly Did the Crown Prince Come For?

Chapter 20: What Exactly Did the Prince Come For?

Chang Lu’s words were as clear as day—how could Pei Yun fail to understand?

Not only did she grasp it, but Shu Yan and Shu Mo did as well. The moment Chang Lu finished speaking, Shu Yan immediately chimed in proudly, "It must be our lady’s handiwork. No embroiderer in the palace could rival her skill."

Pei Yun nearly dropped her spoon.

She thought with a silent sigh—why was this girl making things harder for her?

She looked up and saw the Prince watching her quietly.

She realized then—he must have noticed the perfumed pouch she had tossed carelessly onto the corner of the daybed.

He likely assumed that since the children each had one, there must surely be one for him as well. Yet, given his temperament, he would never ask her directly. So, Chang Lu had thoughtfully spoken up on his behalf.

And in doing so, had given her an opening.

She truly appreciated this kindness, but the truth was, she had never embroidered a pouch for the Prince—hadn’t even considered it.

The one in her sewing basket, adorned with a bamboo motif, was meant for her elder brother, Pei Xuan.

Now, however, Pei Yun found herself cornered by these two considerate maids.

She couldn’t very well admit she hadn’t prepared one for the Prince.

After a moment’s thought, she smiled faintly and said, "I may be unskilled, but I did embroider one for Your Highness. I only hope it meets your standards."

Li Zhangye’s expression softened. "From Chen’er’s pouch, I can see your needlework is exquisite."

Pei Yun glanced at Shu Yan, who promptly went to fetch the pouch from the inner chamber with great enthusiasm.

As Pei Yun took it and prepared to present it to the Prince, he rose with Chen’er in his arms and turned slightly. "I’ll trouble you to tie it for me."

What a nuisance.

Suppressing her irritation, Pei Yun replied politely, "Of course," then leaned forward slightly to tie the pouch around his waist.

Truthfully, she wasn’t completely happy with this pouch—some of the bamboo leaves were slightly crooked. She had intended to make do with it, unwilling to embroider another, and thought it a shame to discard it.

Now, she might as well give this one to the Prince and embroider a new, prettier one for her brother.

Straightening up, she met the man’s dark eyes—but unlike their usual cool detachment, they held a hint of warmth.

She could tell the Prince was pleased.

But Pei Yun suspected it wasn’t because of the pouch. She dimly remembered that when she first married into the Eastern Palace, she had once gifted him a pouch. He had accepted it and worn it at his waist for some time.

Back then, she had been overjoyed. But as time passed, her feelings for him changed, and one day, she realized the pouch had disappeared from his belt.

By then, however, Pei Yun no longer cared. She assumed he must have lost interest in it and discarded it somewhere.

Whatever the reason for the Prince’s good mood, it was an opportunity for Pei Yun. Taking advantage of the moment, she said, "Your Highness, on the night of the Lantern Festival, there will be a lantern fair on South Street. Though I’ve lived in the capital for years, I’ve never seen it. I’d very much like to go."

Li Zhangye took the cloth tiger away from Chen’er as the child tried to stuff it into his mouth and looked at her. "That day, I’ll already be out of the palace. I’ll accompany you."

Most wives would be overjoyed by such consideration from their husband. But not Pei Yun.

He could go about his business—there was no need to bother with hers.

"Your Royal Highness, if you have important matters to attend to, please do not hesitate to go. Besides, that day, I won’t be alone. My younger sister has always loved visiting such lantern festivals, and..." Pei Yun paused tentatively, "and there’s also Second Princess and Jin'er..."

Li Zhangye nodded without hesitation. "Understood. I’ll have Chang Lu arrange everything. A carriage will be waiting outside the palace to take you all to the lantern festival."

Delighted, Pei Yun dipped into a curtsy, her eyes shimmering like starlight. She clasped her hands gracefully. "Thank you, Your Royal Highness."

For a fleeting moment, Li Zhangye seemed distant, but in the end, he merely gave a quiet "Mm" and lowered his gaze to the pouch at his waist, his lips pressing together almost imperceptibly.

The Crown Prince stayed at Linlang Palace for lunch before departing. For over an hour, he hardly put down Chen'er, holding the child the entire time. When it was time to leave, Li Chen even clung to his robes, refusing to release him. It was only when Pei Yun stepped forward to take the child that he finally let go.

Standing inside the palace gates, she watched as the Crown Prince walked away. Only then did she lightly pat Chen'er’s bottom and chide with a smile, "You fickle little thing."

"After just a short while in his arms, you’re so quiet and well-behaved—already so fond of your father."

Pei Yun carried the child back inside, but moments later, she frowned and turned to look again. The Crown Prince’s figure had already disappeared into the distance.

In the end, she had forgotten to ask.

What had the Crown Prince come for today?

By the time the Lantern Festival arrived, Pei Yun had already invited Jin'er and Li Shutang to Linlang Palace early to enjoy yuanxiao.

Originally, there was supposed to be a banquet in the palace that day. However, her late mother-in-law, the previous empress, had championed frugality during her lifetime. During a severe drought in the south one year, she had persuaded Emperor Qingzhen to cancel extravagant banquets and allocate the resources to disaster relief. This tradition had persisted ever since.

After dinner, Sheng Xi arrived, announcing that the Crown Prince had ordered him to accompany the ladies to the lantern festival.

Once they passed through the palace gates and alighted from the carriage, the journey proceeded smoothly, taking them straight to South Street, where the lantern festival was being held.

Pei Yun had already sent word to the Duke’s residence in advance, inviting her younger sister Pei Wei to join them. Thus, as soon as they stepped out of the carriage, they saw a young woman waiting beneath a willow tree by the river, smiling as she hurried toward them.

"Elder Sister," Pei Wei said, linking arms with Pei Yun and complaining, "You took forever! Yan Yan and Second Sister have been waiting forever."

Hearing the mention of "Second Sister," Pei Yun looked up to see Pei Qian approaching gracefully. "Eldest Sister."

Pei Yun nodded, her smile fading slightly.

Li Jin also descended from the carriage, clasping his hands in greeting. "Second Aunt, Third Aunt."

Pei Wei responded cheerfully, then, as if sensing her sister’s displeasure, leaned in to whisper in Pei Yun’s ear, "Second Sister came today because she has something to say to you. Elder Sister, Second Sister isn’t like Second Aunt..."

Pei Yun could guess Pei Qian’s intentions but merely smiled and pulled Li Shutang forward. "Where are your manners? Greet Second Princess properly."

In the dim light, Pei Wei vaguely noticed another young woman stepping down from the carriage but couldn’t make out who it was. Upon Pei Yun’s prompting, she quickly stepped forward. "Your servant greets Her Highness, Second Princess."

Pei Qian also bowed slightly.

Li Shutang hurriedly helped Pei Wei up. "Third Miss, let’s dispense with formalities. We’re outside the palace—let’s be at ease."

Hearing this, Pei Wei truly relaxed. She gazed openly at Li Shutang, making the princess flush deeply under her gaze. "Third Miss, why are you looking at me like that?"

Pei Wei laughed. "I was just curious—since both Second Princess and First Princess are His Majesty’s daughters, how can their temperaments be so different?"

At these words, Li Shutang’s smile froze, thinking Pei Wei found her dull compared to her lively and charming elder sister.

But then, Pei Wei added, "Why is it that I like Second Princess so much more than First Princess?"

Pei Wei’s candor left Li Shutang speechless.

"First Princess and I are at odds, but I feel that Second Princess and I could grow quite close."

Pei Wei did not like Li Shurui, for she had once heard that conceited princess belittle her elder sister at a banquet. Too angry to let it slide, she retorted, and from then on, no noble family in the capital would risk inviting her to any banquet.

It was also because of this incident that her sister sent palace matrons to drill manners into her.

"Oh, you..."

Pei Yun helplessly tapped her younger sister’s forehead, then turned to Li Shutang. "I told you she’s impulsive, not as serene as you. Second Princess, please don’t take offense."

"Of course not." Li Shutang smiled at Pei Wei. "I also feel that Third Miss and I get along quite well."

"That’s wonderful. Today, let this unworthy one show Second Princess around the lantern festival properly." With that, Pei Wei grabbed Li Shutang’s hand without ceremony and led her inside.

Li Jin stood to the side, looking awkwardly out of place. Having grown up in the palace, this was his first time attending the lantern festival outside. He had only ever heard his younger brother, Li Qian, describe how lively and fun it was.

He had always longed to see it but never dared to ask his mother.

Unexpectedly, his mother had surprised him by bringing him here.

Seeing Li Jin’s eyes light up as he stared ahead but hesitating to move, Pei Yun understood. "Shall we go see the beautiful lanterns and all kinds of snacks up ahead, Mother and son?"

Li Jin nodded vigorously and followed Pei Yun.

Pei Qian walked silently at the back until Pei Wei remembered and pulled her forward.

The group gathered around a lantern stall, taking their time to pick. In the end, they bought three lanterns—Pei Wei chose a rabbit lantern, Li Shutang a crabapple blossom lantern, and Li Jin a tiger-head lantern. Pei Qian didn’t pick any.

Clutching their lanterns, the three laughed and played under the riot of colorful lights, while Pei Yun watched quietly. To her, regardless of seniority, the three before her were still just children.

They ought to be carefree like this.

Sheng Xi remained by Pei Yun’s side. Estimating the time, he leaned in and whispered, "Your Highness, His Highness said that once he finishes his business, he will come here to meet you. He should be arriving soon."

Pei Yun’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. "His Highness is buried in official duties. Even if he doesn’t come, it’s—"

Mid-sentence, she abruptly stopped speaking and halted her steps. Not far away, a man in a sapphire-blue robe, his hair tied with a jade crown, stood among the crowd like a rare jewel among stones—impossible to miss.

Perhaps sensing the intensity of her gaze, he looked past the people before him and locked eyes with her.

The person he had been speaking to also turned to look. When Pei Yun recognized one of them, she went rigid.

"Mother, it’s Father... Father." Li Jin was the first to recognize him. His voice drew the attention of the others.

While Pei Yun was still frozen, she saw the Crown Prince striding toward her, with Shen Ningchao following behind. When the Crown Prince stopped, Shen Ningchao bowed respectfully to Pei Yun.

"My respects, Sister-in-law, Second Miss."

Given the crowd, she couldn’t casually reveal Pei Yun’s identity.

Pei Yun forced a smile. "Fancy meeting you here, Sixth Miss, and... Nanny Sheng."

The elderly nanny beside Shen Ningchao dipped in a shallow curtsy. "It’s been a long time, Madam."

After bowing, she raised her head and met Pei Yun’s gaze. Though a servant, her eyes were defiantly level—cold and sharp.

Not that anyone would dare question her. Even the Crown Prince treated her with respect.

After all, Nanny Sheng was the foster mother of the Late Empress Xiaoren and had served the late empress for close on forty years.

After the late empress passed, the Crown Prince had wanted to gift her an estate in the outskirts of the capital for her retirement, but Nanny Sheng refused. Instead, she requested to remain in the capital, under the Shen roof, to attend to Sixth Miss.

Even after so many years had passed, the sight of Nanny Sheng still sent an inexplicable dread creeping through Pei Yun’s bones.

After all, it was this very Nanny Sheng who had been sent to Cangzhou to drill Pei Yun in courtly manners when the imperial decree of marriage was issued.

Perhaps it was the change in mindset after living through two lifetimes, but some things from the past gradually became clearer in Pei Yun's heart.

During her time in Cangzhou, Nanny Sheng's excessive harshness toward her might not have been just about duty. Looking back now, the insecurity Pei Yun felt toward that Second Miss Shen, Shen Ningjia, had initially been instilled by this old nanny.

She remembered those days most vividly for Nanny Sheng's constant frowns and sighs, and the phrase she heard most often: "Not even a fraction as good as Second Miss Shen."

Pei Yun became certain Nanny Sheng despised her!

Her behavior felt like payback for Shen Ningjia, as if Pei Yun had stolen the Crown Prince away.

Yet, to this day, Pei Yun couldn't understand—when she was betrothed, Shen Ningjia had already been dead for two years, and her entry into the Eastern Palace had been an inescapable royal decree.

Why would Nanny Sheng even have it out for her?