The next morning, Yun Shu had no idea how Censor Zhou and the others managed to drag themselves to court, sneezing all the way, dressed in their crumpled official robes.
When she awoke, the rain outside was still coming down in torrents, as if some celestial being were up in the heavens, tipping giant basins of water onto the world below. Yun Shu found herself staring blankly at the dripping eaves beyond her window.
"Your Highness, why have you left the window open?"
Ting Xue entered carrying a basin of water for her morning routine. Seeing her mistress standing in front of the wide-open window, dressed only in a thin inner robe, she hurried over and gently pulled Yun Shu away.
"It's raining heavily outside. Look—Your Highness's robe is already damp in front. The season may be shifting toward summer, but even one careless moment is enough to catch a chill."
"It's just a bit of water."
Unbothered, Yun Shu took the fresh inner robe that Ting Xue fetched and stepped behind the screen to change on her own.
When she emerged, she stretched out her arms to let Ting Xue help her into a more elaborate outer gown. As Ting Xue arranged the layers of fabric, Yun Shu tilted her head slightly.
"I seem to recall Fufu's nest was set up in the rear courtyard, was it not?"
Fufu was the kitten she had brought back from Charity Courtyard. The poor creature had suffered horribly under Dou Jifei's hands even at such a young age. Yun Shu had given it the name 'Fufu,' wishing it a future filled with nothing but good fortune.
It had been over two months since she'd taken Fufu in. Between overseeing the spring examinations and supervising the riverbank repairs, she had barely had a moment to rest, leaving Ting Xue to care for the kitten in her place.
Its injured leg had healed enough to walk again two weeks ago. Yun Shu had originally arranged a spare room for it, but Ting Xue had mentioned that Fufu preferred sneaking into the rear courtyard rather than sleeping in the cozy nest. So Yun Shu had ordered a small, luxurious feline villa to be built out there.
Apparently, Fufu had taken quite a liking to it.
But now, with the rain pouring so heavily…
"Worry not, Your Highness," Ting Xue replied with a warm smile. "Last night, seeing the clouds grow darker and the rain unrelenting, I brought Fufu back into the hall. I even fed the little one this morning. It's smarter than most animals. It knew its little house could not compare to the comfort of the main hall during such a storm. Right now, it's playing quietly in the room Your Highness prepared for it."
Ting Xue's fondness for Fufu was evident, her entire face lit up when she spoke of the kitten.
"It seems this rain will not let up any time soon. Since Your Highness won't be leaving the palace today, perhaps a few restful days indoors with Fufu would be just as well."
"Indeed. There's no chance this storm will pass quickly."
Yun Shu sighed. After finishing her morning ablutions and breakfast, she took Ting Xue's suggestion to heart and went to play with Fufu.
She had done all she could to prepare for this heavy rainfall. What remained was beyond her control.
What she did not anticipate, however, was just how violent and relentless this storm would become.
On the seventh day of rain, as Yun Shu lounged in Fengyang Palace with milk tea in one hand and a cat in the other, Yun Chuhuan unexpectedly arrived, soaked from head to toe.
He entered and immediately saw his Fifth Elder Sister relaxing in comfort. She reclined on a couch, warm and dry, sipping milk tea and idly stroking Fufu's soft fur. Compared to his own soggy routine of studying in the Eastern Study Hall each day, it was enough to make his eyes sting.
"Fifth Sister, this is unfair! You don't even have official duties. Why doesn't Father Emperor make you go to the Academy Hall too?"
"Perhaps Father Emperor has no leisure to bother with me these days."
Yun Shu scratched Fufu's chin, then nodded at Ting Xue to bring her younger brother a cup of milk tea as well.
"But you—shouldn't you be in class right now? It's not your rest day. What brings you here all of a sudden?"
"Who knows? Maybe Grand Preceptor Ye finally decided the rain was too much to bother going out."
Yun Chuhuan scoffed. "I waited in the Eastern Academy Hall for more than three hours this morning. Grand Preceptor Ye never showed up. No one even came to deliver a message. I finally lost my patience and came here instead."
"Grand Preceptor Ye is not one to leave his students in the dark without reason."
Yun Shu frowned slightly.
"Did you send word to Father Emperor?"
"Before I came, I told a little eunuch to run the message over."
Yun Chuhuan nodded, though his expression turned puzzled.
"But what does it mean to 'release pigeons'? I haven't raised any pigeons."
Yun Shu stared at him, speechless.
"Never mind."
Since the Emperor had been informed, if there truly was a problem, he would handle it.
Yun Shu let out a tired breath and curled back up on her couch.
She could not explain it. From the moment she had awoken, she had felt oddly sluggish. Perhaps she had stayed up too late reading in the villa the night before… but she had also woken up late this morning.
Could it be that lounging around for days had made her too lethargic?
Mulling it over, Yun Shu gently set Fufu aside and slowly rose to her feet, thinking a bit of movement might do her good.
But the moment she stood, a familiar sensation she had not felt in a long time struck her sharply. Her expression shifted.
"Ting Xue!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Ting Xue had just stepped out but rushed back in at once upon hearing her name.
"What is Your Highness's command?"
"Come here."
Yun Shu waved her over and leaned in close, whispering something into Ting Xue's ear.
Whatever it was, Ting Xue froze in surprise before hurrying forward to support her mistress—yes, support, not merely guide. She helped Yun Shu out of the hall in a manner that seemed almost secretive.
Yun Chuhuan watched them leave with mounting suspicion.
What was going on?
Was there some secret he was not allowed to know?
He was still a prince, was he not? And yet they had left him here without even a word of explanation.
Annoyed and curious, Yun Chuhuan pouted and glanced over at Fufu, who now stood at the edge of the couch, hesitating.
The kitten clearly wanted to jump down but seemed frightened by the height. It gathered itself several times, only to lose nerve each time.
Yun Chuhuan gave a soft snort, walked over, and lifted the timid little creature. After giving it a quick once-over, he graciously bent down and placed it gently on the floor.
As he straightened, his eyes drifted back to the couch—and froze.
There, stark against the pale fabric, was a clear stain of blood.
His face blanched.
Without a word, Yun Chuhuan turned and bolted from Fengyang Palace.
By the time Yun Shu had changed clothes and returned, the side hall was empty.
"Where is the Sixth Prince?"
She raised a brow.
He had come all this way through the downpour and disappeared right before lunch? Not even a word of farewell? Not even trying to stay for a meal?
Unbelievable.