In the mirror, Feng Xi Wu was clad in the Regent’s regal purple and gold python robe, his golden crown securing his hair. He exuded an air of supreme authority.
Lu Qing Wan wore a silver-red gown and a green ceremonial robe, her hair ornaments swaying. She was as beautiful as jade, with a captivating gaze.
The moment the two emerged from Wutong Yuan, they drew every eye. Li Jin, who had come to report, was momentarily stunned.
With visible effort, he diverted his gaze from the radiant Lu Qing Wan to his master. “Reporting to Your Highness, Li Qing has already taken men to fetch Lord Lu. As per your instructions, they are to enter the palace directly with your token. Physician Shen will accompany them. Unless summoned by His Majesty, no one is to disturb them.”
Feng Xi Wu nodded. “We depart as well.”
Lu Qing Wan’s attire was rather grand, slowing her pace. Supported by her maids Liang Xia and Ren Dong, she reached the carriage. A small bun of a child then rushed over like a cannonball.
He hugged her leg, his eyes sparkling as he showered her with praise. “Consort Mother is so beautiful today!”
“She is indeed beautiful, so stunning that our little prince’s tongue is tied!”
Lu Qing Wan, weighed down by her elaborate hair ornaments, found it inconvenient to bend. She offered a loving smile. “Hurry into the carriage, or you’ll be left behind and be miserable!”
The child was truly innocent. Hearing this, he climbed into the carriage without needing to be lifted, using both his hands and feet. He even extended his hand gallantly towards Lu Qing Wan. “Consort Mother, please come quickly!”
“Coming!”
Lu Qing Wan stepped onto the carriage using the stool. Feng Xi Wu also boarded from the other side. The child, being fair, declared, “Father is also very handsome today! Just as everyone says, Father and Mother are a match made in heaven. No one is more suited to each other than Father and Consort Mother!”
Feng Xi Wu’s mood soared upon hearing this, and he didn’t mind the child squeezing between them.
Lu Qing Wan also smiled. “Your mouth is so sweet so early in the morning. Have you perhaps smeared honey on it?”
The child chuckled merrily.
Lu Qing Wan was still concerned about Xie Shi Luan, but with the child in the carriage, she suppressed her questions. They finally arrived at Chong Hua Palace. As they entered, a group of people bowed, “Greetings to the Regent King, greetings to the Consort King!”
The carriage stopped, and everyone held their breath in anticipation. Then, they saw a small bun squeezed between the two. They quickly curtsied again, “Greetings to the Young Prince!”
The little bun, with a face bearing a slight resemblance to Feng Xi Wu’s, raised his hand with mock seriousness. “Rise!”
Lu Qing Wan couldn’t help but chuckle softly. The little bun cried out plaintively, “Consort Mother, you’re laughing at me~”
“Apologies, apologies. Consort Mother isn’t laughing at you, just marveling at how adorable our Yuan’er can be!” She spoke with utmost sincerity. “It’s a pity I can’t hold you properly today, otherwise, this mother would dote on our precious little prince!”
The little bun immediately stretched out his short arms and hugged Lu Qing Wan’s legs. “It’s okay. If Consort Mother can’t hug Yuan’er, Yuan’er can hug Consort Mother!”
No sooner had he spoken than the little bun was gently pulled away by his cheek.
“My Consort King, is it your place to hug her?”
“My Consort Mother, why can’t I hug her?” the little bun retorted indignantly.
Feng Xi Wu countered sharply, “This is my Consort King. If you want to hug someone, go hug your own wife!”
The little bun blinked his innocent, large eyes. “What is a wife? Can I eat it?”
“Of course…” Feng Xi Wu trailed off, his expression stiffening slightly. “In any case, you are already a young man. You cannot hug people casually, nor can you let others hug you. You’re such a big boy, asking for hugs, isn’t that embarrassing?”
…
The father and son were engaged in a spat, oblivious to the stares, which astonished everyone. Was this the same cold, ruthless, and deadly Regent King they knew? Had he been possessed?
After the initial shock, gazes filled with jealousy and dissatisfaction turned sharply towards Lu Qing Wan. How could an ugly, useless woman possibly deserve Feng Xi Wu to the point of quarreling with his own son over her?
However, as their eyes fell upon Lu Qing Wan’s face, they began to understand Feng Xi Wu. It had only been a little over a month since the Qixi Palace banquet, and there was no trace of the ugly, useless woman from before. On the contrary, her beauty could be described as unparalleled, and more importantly, her aura was one of confidence and composure. Standing before so many people, she showed no sign of being flustered. She was a completely different person from the timid, hunched-over ugly, useless woman of the past. Even though they had seen her at the Qixi Palace banquet, everyone couldn’t help but marvel, was this truly the ugly, useless Lu Qing Wan?
As everyone was contemplating this, someone approached Feng Xi Wu and whispered something in his ear. Feng Xi Wu then looked up at Lu Qing Wan and said, “I have something to attend to and will be gone for a moment. Find a place to rest, do as you please, and don’t worry about anything else.”
Lu Qing Wan nodded. “I understand. You go ahead and take care of your business.” She paused, then bent down and held Feng Xi Wu’s wrist. Seeing that the bracelet was still there, she let go.
Feng Xi Wu’s lips curved slightly. “Li Su, you stay here and accompany the Consort King.” With that, he left Chong Hua Palace amidst the suspicious glances of the crowd.
As soon as Feng Xi Wu departed, the crowd began to gossip openly. Lu Qing Wan ignored them and walked directly to her seat. Before she could settle, a bright figure rushed towards her. Li Su instinctively reached out to stop her, but the person halted abruptly. “This humble subject, Chi Yao Yao, greets the Regent King’s Consort and the Young Prince!” After speaking, she maintained her bowing posture and smiled charmingly at Lu Qing Wan.
The latter found it exasperating. “Aren’t you bored?”
“My mother said that propriety must be observed!” Chi Yao Yao stood up with a smile and darted to the seat opposite Lu Qing Wan. “You’re such a busy person! Ever since we parted at Fan She that day, you’ve been too busy to play with me every time I wanted to. So, you’ve spent all your time cultivating your relationship with the Regent King?” It was clear that Feng Xi Wu and the little bun’s playful exchange earlier had convinced everyone, including Chi Yao Yao, that their relationship was deeply affectionate and that Lu Qing Wan was greatly favored. However, only Chi Yao Yao dared to approach Lu Qing Wan and gossip at this moment.
“What relationship am I cultivating with him? You know what’s been happening these past few days. I don’t have that kind of leisure time.”
For a moment, her gossip had made her forget the important matter. Upon Lu Qing Wan’s words, Chi Yao Yao blushed sheepishly. “I did hear about Princess An Yang. I momentarily forgot. Are you alright these past few days?”
“I’m fine. My mother has been missing for so many years; I was mentally prepared.” Lu Qing Wan knew that countless eyes were watching her in the hall, so she carefully controlled her emotions and words. There was visible sorrow, but not to the point of losing control and giving them ammunition.
Chi Yao Yao, seeing her composed demeanor, forgot the comforting words she had prepared. In the end, she could only say dryly, “It’s good that you can think of it this way. I’m sure Princess An Yang wouldn’t want you to be too sad over her.”
Lu Qing Wan nodded gently. “I know.”