Not long ago, Yun Shu had come up with a new card game variant—four players divided into two-person teams.
Since Yun Shu and Cen Yiyi's card skills were far superior to Yun Chuhuan and Liu Ziming's, the latter two suffered several crushing defeats. Eventually, the teams changed: Yun Shu partnered with Yun Chuhuan, while Cen Yiyi and Liu Ziming formed the opposing side.
Yun Chuhuan enjoyed the feeling immensely—being carried to victory by Yun Shu without needing to think much himself, and somehow managing to beat Cen Yiyi's team over and over again.
But now, if Yun Shu wasn't going to play anymore… who could carry him to victory?
"What's so interesting about going to Father Emperor's place anyway?"
Yun Chuhuan tried to dissuade her.
"It's not as if anything important is happening that would require you to see Father Emperor!"
"Who says I don't have something important to discuss?"
Yun Shu picked up a piece of wilted radish with her chopsticks.
"Yesterday, the Eldest Prince of Bei Xiang said he wished to show his sincerity. But you all saw how that turned out.
Today, they've sent a mountain of apology gifts to my palace, claiming once again that they're showing their sincerity. Who knows what they're plotting this time?
Of course I have to go ask Father Emperor what's really going on."
"Apology gifts?"
In the past, Yun Chuhuan had no concept of money. But now that he only received ten thousand taels a month for spending, the words "apology gifts" immediately sparked his attention.
"Xiao Anzi, have any apology gifts been delivered to our palace?"
"Replying to the Sixth Prince, this servant hasn't heard anything of the sort."
Xiao Anzi, ever cautious, didn't outright say no—but Yun Chuhuan knew better.
Just as a palace maid from Fengyang Palace had come to inform Ting Xue of their delivery, if his own palace had received such gifts, someone would have come to tell Xiao Anzi.
If Xiao Anzi hadn't heard a thing, it could only mean one thing: the Bei Xiang delegation hadn't spared a thought for him.
"Outrageous!"
Infuriated at not receiving anything, Yun Chuhuan sprang to his feet.
"The Eldest Prince of Bei Xiang nearly fed me poisoned mushrooms yesterday!
Why should he send an apology to Fifth Sister but not to me?
Fifth Sister, after school today, I'm going with you to see Father Emperor!"
Yun Shu: "…"
Fine by her.
They were going to complain about Bei Xiang anyway. What did it matter who went along?
Frankly, she'd be more than happy to see Bei Xiang get scolded again.
That afternoon, Yun Shu made her way to the Imperial Study, moving through the halls with practiced ease.
Yun Chuhuan followed behind, his mind wholly preoccupied with one thing: how to tell Imperial Father exactly how large a compensation he wanted from the Bei Xiang envoys.
So preoccupied, in fact, that he completely forgot to pay attention to which foot Yun Shu used when she stepped over the threshold into the study.
Only when he stood before the door himself, one foot raised, did he suddenly recall the issue. His scalp tingled in panic. He wanted to ask Yun Shu quickly—but she had already passed into the inner chamber. There was no calling her back now.
What should he do?
Yun Chuhuan stood outside the door, hesitating with visible distress.
Li Dehai, who had been about to close the door behind the two of them, gave a quiet reminder when he noticed the delay.
"Your Highness, His Majesty is already waiting for you."
"Let this prince think for just a moment… Eunuch Li?"
Yun Chuhuan's eyes lit up with sudden hope.
"You must've seen which foot Fifth Sister used to enter the room, right?"
Li Dehai: "??"
Even someone as sharp as Li Dehai was momentarily stunned. But he quickly pieced together what Yun Chuhuan was asking.
On the one hand, he marveled at how naïve the Sixth Prince still was—even now, he hadn't realized that what truly mattered to His Majesty had never been about which foot stepped through the door.
On the other hand, Li Dehai bowed slightly, offering a tactful apology.
"Your Highness must forgive this servant. I was so focused on welcoming you both that I failed to pay attention to such details."
"How could you not watch!"
With his last hope dashed, Yun Chuhuan grumbled aloud.
But then he steeled himself, clenched both legs together, bent his knees slightly, and jumped clumsily over the threshold.
Afterward, he walked into the inner chamber with a great sense of relief, steps lightened.
"Your son greets Father Emperor!"
"What are you doing here?"
Just a moment ago, Emperor Xuanwu had been all warmth and gentleness toward Yun Shu. But the moment He saw Yun Chuhuan, His face immediately darkened.
He was reminded of the absurd birthday gift he had received the day before—a gift so outrageously nonsensical, it practically redefined the word "ridiculous."
He had been too busy to deal with this boy yesterday, and now the boy had come charging in on his own?
Emperor Xuanwu arched an eyebrow, His tone turning cold.
"You dawdled at the door for half a day—what were you fussing over?
Half the heat in this room has already escaped!"
"I was pondering the Bei Xiang envoy situation!"
Yun Chuhuan, while not the brightest, wasn't foolish enough to bring up the matter of left and right feet himself. Putting on his most innocent, ingratiating smile, he took a step closer.
"Father Emperor, why did the Bei Xiang envoys only send apology gifts to Fifth Sister but not to me?
That Eldest Prince even tried to feed me poisoned mushrooms yesterday!"
"The Eldest Prince of Bei Xiang did not know the mushrooms were poisonous. He ate them himself and is still unconscious. If you want compensation, you may ask him yourself once he wakes. If you manage to get anything from him, that will be your own skill."
Clearly seeing that Yun Chuhuan had come for nothing of importance, Emperor Xuanwu dismissed him with a few casual words, then turned back to instruct Yun Shu.
"In short, take what Bei Xiang offers if you wish. If you do not, then refuse. Whether or not you choose to forgive them is entirely up to you. This is a right We grant to you. You need not worry about anything else."
"Your daughter understands. Thank you, Father Emperor, for standing up for me!"
No wonder the Bei Xiang envoys had become so generous so suddenly.
So it was her father who had backed them into a corner.
Relieved that this wasn't another hidden scheme, Yun Shu felt much more at ease.
"Father Emperor," she asked with a grin, "may I write a piece for the Capital Weekly tomorrow?
It would be about how the Eldest Prince suffered mushroom poisoning during the palace banquet and began hallucinating."
"You want to publish that?"
Emperor Xuanwu's expression froze, clearly recalling certain… unpleasant memories. The corners of His mouth drew tight.
"I promise to mention only the Eldest Prince and the heir of Prince Lian. I won't reveal anything that shouldn't be said!"
Sensing His displeasure, Yun Shu hurried to add,
"Yesterday's banquet ended early. While the guests likely know what should and shouldn't be spoken of, those who weren't present may let their imaginations run wild.
If I make public the story about the Eldest Prince being poisoned and hallucinating, at least it will stop unnecessary speculation.
Besides, while that so-called 'Nanyue Mushroom' doesn't grow within our Tian Sheng borders—what if, someday, something similar does appear?
I remember that the book I read about the mushroom also listed a few others with similar properties.
If more people become aware of the risk, perhaps it could help prevent such incidents in the future."