Chapter 33: The Eastern Palace

Chapter 33: The Eastern Palace

But County Princess Kangning was too young to understand any of this—she simply liked Liu Yun.

Still, being called "aunt" felt rather bold, and Liu Yun found it hard to accept.

"Greetings to the Princess and the County Princess."

Even if she was to become the County Princess's future aunt, she was still an unmarried commoner, so she curtsied slightly to Princess Changyang and her daughter.

Her mother followed with a proper bow as well. Mother and daughter alike were calm and gracious, showing neither pride nor haste.

Princess Changyang said with a smile, "Don't stand on ceremony, future sister-in-law. We'll all be family soon."

Her brother had finally figured out how to land himself a wife—Changyang couldn't have been more pleased.

Hearing herself called "sister-in-law" so suddenly, Liu Yun blushed again and protested shyly, "The Princess is getting ahead of herself. Please, just call me Yunniang."

Princess Changyang waved her hand dismissively. "What does it matter? It's all but settled anyway. What harm is there in using it among ourselves? No need to be shy, sister-in-law."

Liu Yun couldn't argue with Princess Changyang, so she fell silent and let it go.

As they chatted, they walked together toward the Empress Dowager's Palace of Longevity.

Liu Yun held County Princess Kangning's soft, chubby little hand, her gaze landing on the plush fox in the girl's arms. She smiled and said to Princess Changyang, "The County Princess truly loves it—she even brings it with her when she goes out."

Princess Changyang nodded and laughed. "Indeed, she even sleeps with it. She absolutely adores it. Though for the first few days, Nian Nian kept insisting it wasn't her original one and threw a fit all afternoon."

Liu Yun laughed along, though she found it rather strange.

How could a fox change? The County Princess must have been imagining things.

Amid their laughter, the group stepped into the Palace of Longevity and was led by attendants into Empress Dowager He's private chambers.

Liu Yun couldn't help but feel nervous—especially when she spotted County Princess Rong'an beside the Empress Dowager. She worried the Empress Dowager might make things difficult for her for the sake of her grandniece.

Empress Dowager He was a thin, elderly woman. Though advanced in years, one could tell from her features that she had been quite beautiful in her youth.

Her eyesight was poor, so she had trouble making out faces.

She squinted, trying to make out the figures before her, but in the end, she couldn't.

"Which one is my grandson's betrothed?"

Liu Yun noticed that the imperial family all seemed to be jumping the gun.

Before she'd even married in, they were all calling her by various titles.

Though she felt embarrassed by the Empress Dowager calling her that, everyone knew who she meant. Liu Yun dared not delay and stepped forward quickly. "Your servant Liu Yun greets the Empress Dowager. Long live the Empress Dowager."

She finished her bow nervously, then waited quietly for the Empress Dowager's response.

She feared unkind words from Empress Dowager He.

Even with the Crown Prince backing her, she couldn't defy an elder like the Empress Dowager. She would simply have to grit her teeth and bear it.

"Come, step closer and let me take a good look at you."

Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager's voice was gentle, filled with the warmth of an elder toward the young.

This surprised Liu Yun and put her somewhat at ease.

She walked forward step by step until she stood before the Empress Dowager, who raised her hand.

Liu Yun's heart skipped a beat, but she obediently placed her hand in the Empress Dowager's.

The Empress Dowager's thin, withered fingers gently squeezed the back of Liu Yun's hand, then leaned in for a closer look. She chuckled warmly. "A lovely, fresh-faced child. Chengdao has good taste."

"Here, this is a gift from your grandmother. See if you like it."

A palace maid in blue approached with a brocade box. When opened, a colored glaze seven-jewel necklace lay within—one glance was enough to see it was precious and rare.

Liu Yun certainly wouldn't lie and say she didn't like it. She replied gladly, "Thank you, Empress Dowager. I'm truly delighted."

"Glad you like it, glad you like it..."

Like an ordinary old grandmother, Empress Dowager He said with a smile, her eyes full of kindness for the young.

County Princess Rong'an, however, was a different story. From time to time, she kept shooting envious glances at Liu Yun.

But whenever Liu Yun looked her way, Rong'an would compose herself and act as if nothing had happened at all.

Liu Yun couldn't be bothered with her. She found the girl rather odd, so she simply remained quiet and demure, responding only when spoken to.

He Xiang could barely contain her feelings at that moment.

Seeing the Liu Yun she had once scorned become the Crown Prince's betrothed, beloved by her grand-aunt and Princess Changyang, she gritted her teeth in jealousy.

But times had changed. Liu Jiayunniang was now the Crown Prince's fiancée—no longer someone she could afford to offend.

And with Wen Yuzhu's fate as a warning, how could He Xiang dare to provoke her? It would be asking for trouble.

Remembering how even the Imperial Uncle had been reprimanded, and that Wen Yuzhu was currently doing penance at Yuzhen Temple, He Xiang calmed down considerably.

If someone with Wen Yuzhu's excellent family background—the Crown Prince's own cousin on his maternal side—had ended up like this, what would happen to someone like her?

After weighing the consequences, no matter how jealous or resentful He Xiang felt, she dared not show it openly. She simply stayed quietly to the side.

During the visit, when the Empress Dowager was amusing her great-granddaughter Kang Ning, she noticed the plush fox Liu Yun had sewn and casually praised her, making Liu Yun feel rather embarrassed.

Liu Yun was not talkative by nature and kept to herself, so most of the time she listened to others or simply responded when spoken to.

Fortunately, Princess Changyang was talkative enough to keep the Empress Dowager occupied, so the Empress Dowager didn't have a chance to pick on Liu Yun.

"Yu'er, when will your husband return? You can't keep living alone like this."

Consort Song Lan had been secretly dispatched to Jiangnan on an inspection three months ago, which was why Princess Changyang had been extremely bored these past few months.

Princess Changyang tweaked her daughter's cheek and smiled. "Soon. His letter said he should be back by the end of this month."

Speaking of her husband who had been away for so long, a look of longing crossed Princess Changyang's face. County Princess Kangning, meanwhile, shouted excitedly, "Papa's coming home soon!"

The room burst into laughter.

Just as Liu Yun was quietly listening, a eunuch announced from outside the hall.

"The Crown Prince has arrived!"

Everyone who had been chatting turned to look. A figure in deep purple strode in briskly and came to a stop before the Empress Dowager. He bowed slightly in a grandson's salute. "Grandson greets Grandmother. May Grandmother enjoy boundless blessings."

He must have come straight from the morning court session, his attire stiffly proper and solemn.

With a tall crown and long tassels, and a layer of black gauze over his robe, he seemed three shades more profound and serious than usual.

This was the first time Liu Yun had seen him since that frenzied, reckless kiss, and she couldn't help but let her gaze rest on those thin lips that had made her so restless.

How could such a thin pair of lips be so good at stirring up trouble?

Seeing her eldest grandson approach, Empress Dowager He's face crinkled into an even deeper smile. Like most grandmothers who dote on their grandchildren, she wanted to coax him into eating a bite or two of something.

Like the pastries right beside her.

But clearly, Xiao Hang wasn't fond of sweets, and he declined with a smile and a polite refusal.

"Chengdao, you rushed over in such a hurry—were you looking for your wife?"

Old folks love to tease the young ones, and even though this child was the Crown Prince, Empress Dowager He didn't let up.

This time she hit the mark, and as soon as the words left her mouth, she noticed her eldest grandson's expression turn unnatural.

She detected a hint of shyness in it.

She chuckled softly, with a rare touch of playfulness.

As for Liu Yun, she was so embarrassed she dared not lift her head.

The Empress Dowager really was too blunt with her words!

After paying his respects to his grandmother and setting the little niece who had sidled over beside her sister, Xiao Hang subconsciously glanced at the plush fox, then observed Liu Yun's expression.

Only after confirming there was nothing unusual did he put his mind at ease and walk toward the mother and daughter of the Liu family.

Instead of addressing his fiancée first, Xiao Hang gave a slight bow with clasped hands to Zhang Yuhua and said politely, "Mother-in-law."

Not just Liu Yun, but even Zhang Yuhua nearly lost her footing, and with a startled expression, she returned the greeting, "Your Highness need not be so formal."

Watching from the side, Liu Yun thought to herself that her mother must now understand how formidable this family was.

When he reached Liu Yun, Xiao Hang opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he simply called her "Yunniang."

To be honest, Liu Yun had been afraid he might address her the way the Empress Dowager did.

But even just the two words "Yunniang" were enough to throw Liu Yun off.

This was the first time the Crown Prince had addressed her, and it felt strangely prickly.

Liu Yun executed a formal curtsy and murmured, "Your Highness."

Xiao Hang's gaze lingered for a few moments before he looked away.

Not long after, His Majesty arrived as well, and seeing the whole family gathered, the weariness of the morning audience eased considerably.

"Oh, is this my daughter-in-law, the Liu lass?"

Unexpectedly, the Emperor was also quick with his words, and to make matters worse, the Crown Prince gave a serious "Mm" in response, bantering back and forth in perfect harmony, leaving Liu Yun with a bright red face.

Seeing the whole family together, Empress Dowager He simply had everyone stay for a meal.

For Liu Yun, sharing a table with His Majesty was quite a novel experience.

At the very least, she could tell her father about it when she returned, and he'd be green with envy.

But the royal household had many dining rules, so Liu Yun ate sparingly, careful not to take too much food.

However, the Crown Prince sitting beside her noticed and served her several meat dishes.

"Eat more—you're too thin."

Her bowl was heaped to the brim, which reminded Liu Yun of something.

She immediately took a bite of the nearest dish with her chopsticks and, pretending to be thoughtful, placed it in the Crown Prince's bowl, saying earnestly and attentively, "Your Highness, please eat too."

Her parents had told her she should also serve the Crown Prince to show her care for her future husband, not just think about her own eating.

Liu Yun immediately followed suit.

But for some reason, after she placed that piece of lotus root in his bowl, the expressions of Princess Changyang and the others all turned strange.

Yet lotus root was so delicious, and the imperial chefs were skilled—it was cooked with a sour and spicy kick that she absolutely loved.

"What... what's wrong?"

She had a gut feeling she'd done something wrong, so she asked the Crown Prince in a timid voice.

Xiao Hang shifted his gaze from the lotus root, his look warm and gentle, and said, "Nothing."

Then, calmly and unhurriedly, he ate the lotus root, looking quite pleased with it.

Liu Yun felt reassured again.

What she didn't know was that Princess Changyang and the others were all laughing inwardly.

Sure enough, having a wife changes things—he wouldn't eat that dish even when coaxed as a child, but when his wife gave it to him, he ate it without hesitation.

You couldn't see a hint of reluctance.

Even Emperor Ning Dedi chuckled to himself and shook his head with a silent sigh.

Afterward, to show her thoughtfulness, Liu Yun served the Crown Prince a few more times.

Then, that inexplicable feeling of having done something wrong returned, but seeing the Crown Prince eat her offerings with a perfectly ordinary expression, Liu Yun figured she must be overthinking.

"Everyone, eat up! Eat well and stay healthy, and give me another great-grandson!"

Empress Dowager He, looking at the young couple, accidentally blurted out her inner hope, causing everyone at the table to wear varied expressions.

Liu Yun simply blushed and buried her head in her sweet soup, not daring to respond.

As for Xiao Hang, though his composure wavered slightly, he still answered seriously, "Grandmother, rest assured, this grandson understands."

The lunch passed pleasantly enough, and Empress Dowager He had the Crown Prince lead Liu Yun around the palace to aid digestion.

Liu Yun didn't refuse, lifting her skirt to follow the Crown Prince out of Wanshou Palace.

After all, they were destined to be husband and wife, so she should try to adapt to being with him.

But somehow, as they walked, she found herself at the entrance to the Eastern Palace.

Liu Yun's heart instinctively skipped a beat, and her first reaction was to look at the Crown Prince, Xiao Hang.

Unfamiliar with the palace routes, Liu Yun had relied entirely on the Crown Prince for guidance, and now that they were here, it was likely his intention.

Receiving Liu Yun's gaze, Xiao Hang showed not a hint of guilt and said openly, "Would you like to come sit with me for a while?"

Author's note:

That's all for now—I can't write any more. I feel so sleepy that I'm about to start rambling nonsense.