"I only switched it because I didn't trust that flatbread made by the Eldest Prince."
Yun Shu offered a mild explanation, half-truth and half-lie.
"As for that 'Nanyue mushroom,' I think I read something about it in a book once."
Yun Chuhuan was far too reckless—if she told him the full truth, he might accidentally give the whole thing away. So Yun Shu simply offered a vague explanation.
"I remember it said that if cooked thoroughly while still fresh, the mushroom is harmless. But if it's not handled properly, it can be toxic."
"Toxic?!"
Yun Chuhuan cried out in alarm.
"Then... then will the Eldest Prince die?"
"Today's the Wanshou Festival! If he dies in the palace, wouldn't that be horribly inauspicious?"
"..."
His priorities were certainly... unique.
Yun Shu sighed helplessly.
"If he only ate a small amount and it wasn't too severely prepared, it likely won't be fatal."
"But there may be... unusual effects."
"Unusual effects?"
Yun Chuhuan's curiosity was clearly piqued.
"What kind of unusual?"
"Hard to say whether it'll happen or not."
Seeing that some courtiers were approaching from not far off, Yun Shu didn't want to explain further. She strolled forward at a leisurely pace and murmured,
"If anything does happen, you'll see it at the evening banquet."
Although the Empress had made certain hints in her invitations—subtle suggestions of matchmaking prospects for the Eldest Prince, the Third Prince, the Fourth Prince, and even Yun Shu herself—those who had been granted entry to the palace for the Wanshou Festival were all sons and daughters of prestigious noble families or high-ranking officials.
They had also heard of the promise Yun Shu had extracted from Emperor Xuanwu during the royal hunt.
Some of the young ladies might have envied Yun Shu for living so freely, unburdened by societal expectations, but the young men all kept a respectful distance from her.
It was no joke.
Yun Shu was a princess—not an empress.
They themselves were no ordinary commoners. Would it not be better to marry a proper wife of equal status, and take several charming concubines to delight the heart?
Why, then, would anyone give up such an idyllic, carefree life to become a prince consort, forever tied to one woman?
And if things went poorly... she could even write them a divorce decree and toss them out in disgrace.
They weren't foolish.
Thanks to that collective mindset—the reluctance to give up an entire forest for a single tree—Yun Shu managed to wander through the Imperial Garden all afternoon without encountering a single bothersome suitor.
In stark contrast stood the Eldest Prince, who was 'coincidentally' approached again and again by various noble young ladies.
Yun Shu counted at least ten herself.
Most of them only managed to remain at the Eldest Prince's side for a few moments before being sent away. Only one young woman in a pale pink gown, with delicate features and a soft, demure air, managed to stay with him nearly the entire time.
Judging by appearances, the position of Eldest Princess was likely to fall to her.
In modern times, Yun Shu had seen countless 'couples' across TV dramas and internet stories—some so romantic they made people swoon. But this kind of pairing? A girl shadowing the Eldest Prince's every step, constantly monitoring his moods, always responding swiftly to please him?
She found it deeply unappealing.
After a few cursory glances, she lost all interest—even too disinterested to gossip about who the girl might be.
As night fell, lanterns were lit.
After an entire afternoon of being dragged through the Imperial Garden, Yun Shu finally got to sit comfortably in a palace hall warmed by underfloor heating.
Emperor Xuanwu and the Empress had not yet entered. With no need to remain formally seated, the assembled guests relaxed a little. Once guided to their places by the palace attendants, they began drinking, chatting, and watching the performances.
As a princess, Yun Shu wasn't seated among the usual court ladies. Instead, her seat was closer to Emperor Xuanwu's own, beside Yun Chuhuan.
"Fifth Sister!"
Cen Yiyi and Liu Ziming had already returned to their families.
Yun Chuhuan, clearly bored, looked around and leaned in close to whisper,
"Why do I get the feeling that the Eldest Prince is totally fine? Doesn't look poisoned at all."
"Maybe it hasn't kicked in yet."
The Jian Shouqing mushroom didn't cause immediate symptoms, even when mishandled. There was always a delay before anything took effect.
Yun Shu pressed a palm lightly against Yun Chuhuan's head and gently pushed him back into his seat.
"Stop staring. It's too obvious."
"I'm not just staring at him! Besides, he's surrounded by other people too—it's not that obvious."
Yun Chuhuan grumbled under his breath, indignant.
He looked like he wanted to argue more, but before he could speak again, a sharp, high-pitched voice rang out from outside the hall—
"His Majesty the Emperor! Her Majesty the Empress!"
The previously lively hall fell instantly silent. Even Yun Shu, who was usually lax about formality, stood with the others, smoothing the creases from her robe before lowering herself in a graceful bow toward the figure in imperial yellow.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!"
"All may rise."
Emperor Xuanwu seemed to be in high spirits tonight. Even his voice carried a hint of cheer.
"Tonight is a celebration of long life. No need for restraint—enjoy yourselves."
At his words, the music and dancing resumed. The atmosphere turned festive once more, though voices were noticeably more subdued.
No one dared to truly relax in front of the Emperor.
No one, that is, except Yun Shu.
Even in the Imperial Study she never acted particularly formal—why would a banquet be any different?
The palace-trained dancers had all been handpicked for beauty and elegance. Once Emperor Xuanwu entered, their performance became even more refined and captivating.
Yun Shu's eyes sparkled as she watched the graceful figures—more intrigued than most of the eligible bachelors present.
Unfortunately, the dancing didn't last long.
Barely half an hour had passed when the dancers withdrew, trailing gauzy sleeves like flowing water.
It was time for the birthday gifts.
The Crown Prince was the first to rise from the Emperor's right.
Two young eunuchs carefully carried in a platform no more than a foot wide and long. Atop it sat something just barely larger than a man's fist, covered by a crimson cloth to conceal its form.
"That small thing needs two people to carry it?"
Yun Chuhuan leaned toward Yun Shu and whispered incredulously,
"One person could've brought it just fine!"
The base was so small their hands nearly touched. All that effort—just for show.
Wasn't it awkward?