"Is there news from Yiyi?"
At the sound of those words, Yun Shu immediately put down the storybook in her hands and sat up straight.
"What did she say?"
"She asked me to give you this."
Yun Chuhuan slowly pulled a letter from his robes. His hand had barely reached halfway when Yun Shu snatched it impatiently.
"You couldn't have taken it out earlier?!"
Yun Chuhuan: "..."
Was he, her own brother, less important than a mere letter?
He gave a couple of disgruntled grunts, then quietly edged closer to Yun Shu, trying to sneak a peek at what Cen Yiyi had written.
But just as he tilted his head, Yun Shu pressed a single hand to his forehead and shoved him back.
"No peeking!"
"Fine! I didn't really want to know anyway."
Thwarted, Yun Chuhuan huffed and deliberately moved two steps away to show how totally uninterested he was.
Yun Shu ignored all his petty little reactions. Once she confirmed he wasn't looking, she opened the envelope and took out Cen Yiyi's letter.
The message inside was simple. Cen Yiyi explained that during the commotion at the restaurant, she had, from a distance, caught a brief glimpse of Tang Xinhua. Her condition had looked awful.
But at the time, Cen Yiyi had only just reunited with her grandfather after the incident with the Crown Prince, and couldn't break away to ask what had happened.
After receiving Yun Shu's summons the following day, she had immediately visited the Tang residence. By then, Tang Xinhua had already returned to normal.
Learning that she had been sent by Yun Shu, Tang Xinhua was worried and inquired after Yun Shu's wellbeing.
It was only then that Cen Yiyi discovered the true reason the princess had been confined and suspended from her lessons.
...Naturally, Cen Yiyi devoted a hundred characters or more to expressing her admiration and praise for Yun Shu.
Yun Shu, deeply pleased, accepted the flattery without protest. Turning the page, she found that Cen Yiyi had also mentioned Tang Xinhua had agreed to begin learning basic self-defense techniques with her.
And then—
"Hm?"
Yun Shu's smile abruptly froze as she raised her brows.
"What is it, what is it?"
Despite claiming he wasn't interested, Yun Chuhuan couldn't help noticing her change in expression. His prideful pretense collapsed instantly.
"What did Cen Yiyi write?"
"Nothing important," Yun Shu replied, then asked, "How much do you know about Third Brother?"
"The Third Prince? Why are you asking about him all of a sudden?"
Yun Chuhuan scratched his head, but then his expression turned alarmed.
"Did Cen Yiyi ask about him? She's still so young! She's not already thinking about becoming the Third Prince's consort, is she?!"
"It has nothing to do with her."
Yun Shu shot him a look. "Why are you panicking?"
"Of course I'm panicking!"
Yun Chuhuan practically leapt in place.
"Fifth Sister, you weren't there, but ever since the day you left the restaurant, Cen Yiyi has changed! She used to be so timid she'd cry just talking to me. Now she dares yell at me! She's completely out of control!
If she really becomes our sister-in-law... she'll probably roll up her sleeves and beat me someday!"
Yun Shu: "..."
Not bad. She liked the sound of that.
With a twitch of her lips, she grabbed a fistful of his collar and hauled the puffed-up brat back.
"Enough. Just tell me—what is Third Brother like? What's his character? And does he have any concubines or bedchamber attendants?"
"You—!"
At the mention of concubines, Yun Chuhuan nearly jumped out of his skin again.
Thankfully, Yun Shu's pointed stare stopped him just in time. Swallowing his outrage, he muttered resentfully,
"The Third Prince is... incapable."
"...?"
That was... explosive.
Could he really say something like that so casually?
Yun Shu was stunned.
"What do you mean, incapable?"
"He just is!"
Yun Chuhuan looked deeply aggrieved.
"It's not even a secret. I don't know why he's that way, but he is, and it's incurable!"
With those words, he didn't even stay for lunch. Huffing with indignation, he stormed out of Fengyang Palace.
Yun Shu: "??"
At first, she thought she was reading too much into it.
But judging by what Yun Chuhuan said... maybe she wasn't?
Surely not...
Yun Shu stroked her chin, falling into thought.
-
A few days later, New Year's Eve finally arrived.
Yun Shu's confinement was lifted.
Fengyang Palace had long been decorated with festive joy.
Dressed in a bright red gown, Yun Shu sat with regal poise in the main hall, handing out large red envelopes to the palace staff who came forward one by one with their New Year's greetings.
By the time the attendants all left, grinning from ear to ear with their heavy silver ingots in hand, Yun Shu finally stood up and, with Ting Xue in tow, made a beeline for Longxian Palace.
Even the emperor did not need to work during the New Year festivities.
It had been half a month since they last saw each other, but Yun Shu showed no sign of awkwardness. Cheerfully, she rushed forward.
"Your daughter wishes Father Emperor a joyful New Year, good health, a prosperous realm, and loyal hearts throughout the land. May Heaven bless Our Emperor with long life and boundless grace for all!"
Chanting her well-practiced blessings in a lively tone, Yun Shu held out both hands to Emperor Xuanwu, looking at him with hopeful eyes.
"Father Emperor, surely you've prepared an enormous red envelope for me, haven't you?"
"Very large indeed."
Emperor Xuanwu pressed a red-tasseled copper coin into her palm and, quite naturally, mimicked her shameless tone.
"There is no gift greater than Our imperial affection."
Yun Shu: "?"
The sovereign of the Tian Sheng Dynasty... how could he be so stingy?
Noticing Yun Chuhuan—who had arrived earlier—struggling to suppress laughter, his shoulders shaking, Yun Shu raised a brow.
"You look far too happy. How much did Father Emperor give you?"
"Way more than you, Fifth Sister!"
Yun Chuhuan lifted his chin proudly.
He always knew he was their father's favorite!
Never mind the usual punishments or the generous gifts Yun Shu received. When it came to New Year's, the truth revealed itself. Imperial Father had given him hundreds—no, thousands—of times more!
"Father Emperor!"
Seeing how smug Yun Chuhuan looked, Yun Shu—who hadn't cared much about the money at first—immediately felt wronged.
"You're playing favorites!"
"Hm."
Emperor Xuanwu remained calm and pointed at Yun Chuhuan.
"Show your Fifth Sister what We gave you."
"W-what's there to show?"
Moments ago, Yun Chuhuan had practically sprouted a tail in his delight. Now he instantly deflated, reluctantly pulling out a tiny pouch from his waist.