Chapter 7

By mid-December, the world outside was cloaked in silver; ice stretched for thousands of miles, the glazed tiles bore a thick blanket of snow, and the roads were icy and slick. The biting wind chilled to the bone, making it impossible to step outside at all.

Pei Yun, naturally sensitive to the cold and weakened by heavy bleeding during childbirth, felt her delicate hands turn icy unless she clutched a hand warmer. Shuyan took it upon herself to have the imperial kitchen prepare nourishing soups and dishes to replenish her qi and blood. Over several months, the lamb and goji berry soup, the slow-cooked venison stew, and the uplifted spirits all combined to restore Pei Yun’s complexion to a healthy rosy glow; even her once dull black hair regained a lustrous sheen.

Pei Yun understood now that her premature aging in her past life was largely due to needless worry. Having cast off those obsessions, her days had become serene and comfortable.

Seated on a warm couch, she watched little Chen’er, now three months old, lying flat and kicking his chubby limbs. One tiny bottom lifted and lowered as he persistently tried to roll over. Pei Yun smiled and encouraged him gently.

After several failed attempts, Chen’er suddenly flipped over with a soft thud, lifting his little head and gazing dizzily at his mother with big, round eyes. Pei Yun quickly clapped her hands and praised, “Chen’er is amazing.”

Like understanding the compliment, Li Chen grinned, curving his eyes into crescent moons, drooling as he uttered an indistinct babble.

When Shumo came in, she caught sight of this joyful mother-and-child scene and couldn’t help but smile sincerely. Over the past two months, everyone in the palace had noticed the changes in their lady. Whether dealing with the two imperial grandsons or the servants, her demeanor had softened, shedding much of its earlier sternness. She always wore a gentle smile.

At night, Shumo and Shuyan would talk quietly and sigh wistfully, saying it was as if they’d seen the young lady before her marriage again.

After watching for a moment, Shumo stepped forward and reported, “Your Highness, invitations have been sent out to all households.”

Pei Yun lifted Li Chen onto her lap, replying softly with a quiet “Hmm” and a “Thank you for your hard work,” then fell silent. Though no replies had come yet, she knew exactly who would attend little Chen’s hundredth-day banquet in a few days.

Several consorts, princesses, and princes from the harem would be present, but her imperial father-in-law, the emperor, would not attend, just as in her previous life.

He had missed the full month and hundred-day celebrations of the earlier grandsons too, sending only the eunuch steward Fang Xi with gifts. Chen’er would be no exception; her father-in-law was always impartial in such trivial matters.

As for the imperial relatives and aristocratic clans beyond the palace who received invitations, most dared not offend the crown prince’s household.

Seeing Pei Yun’s calm expression, Shumo didn’t know whether to feel relief or worry.

Relief, because with one prior experience hosting a hundred-day banquet, unlike the chaotic celebration for the eldest grandson, which required help from the former empress, this time Pei Yun had delegated everything clearly and efficiently, making the entire process remarkably smooth and orderly.

Yet worry lingered. With less than nine days until the little prince’s hundred-day celebration and still no word from His Highness the Crown Prince, Shumo and Shuyan privately fretted anxiously. How could Lady Pei remain so composed and unshaken?

After hesitating, Shumo finally broke the silence casually, “The little prince’s hundred-day celebration... Your Highness, shouldn’t His Highness have returned by now?”

Pei Yun knew what Shumo meant. Earlier, Jin’er had asked the same question. She had her own suspicions but gave an ambiguous answer then: “He should be back, in all likelihood.”

Now, she replied indifferently, “Perhaps.”

Shumo clenched her hands anxiously, knowing she could get no more from her lady. She comforted herself inwardly: the crown prince would surely return. After all, the hundred-day banquet was just days before the New Year.

No matter what, the crown prince would not miss the New Year.

If he did not return, with so many guests attending, how embarrassing it would be for Lady Pei to face it alone.

But Shumo’s worries extended beyond that.

She covertly lifted her eyes to study Pei Yun’s expression but could discern nothing. Yet in her anxious glance, she spotted the various colorful fabric scraps in the embroidered basket in the corner and sighed with relief. After all, even a scented sachet had been prepared as a gift for the crown prince—surely her lady’s anger had dissipated, then.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, in the rear residence of the Yuzhou Qinxian Prefecture Office...

Chang Lu was cleaning the soaked robes, shoes, and socks of his master, noticing the mud patches so thick they obscured the original colors of the garments. He lamented, “Your Highness, the dam’s completion has been inspected multiple times by the officials below. There should be no issues. Why do you risk the heavy snow to oversee the work personally from start to finish?”

Li Changye wiped his hands and face with a handkerchief, eyes never rising as he calmly replied, “Father sent me to supervise the project not just to remain indoors listening to reports and issuing orders. This concerns the livelihood of the people. It cannot be neglected.”

Chang Lu sighed inwardly, knowing his master’s meticulous nature, especially regarding state affairs, brooked no carelessness. Otherwise, he would not have braved wind and snow daily for months, even clad in straw raincoats and hats, to personally oversee the work until the dam’s final completion.

The diligent crown prince compelled Prince Yu and the officials to follow daily despite bitter complaints of the cold.

While his dedication as heir apparent was a blessing to the people, Chang Lu worried he might be so absorbed in state matters as to neglect family affairs. After pondering, he tactfully reminded, “Now that the dam is finished, Your Highness should return to the capital to report to His Majesty. Otherwise, you may not make it back in time for the little prince’s hundred-day banquet.”

Hearing this, Li Changye’s hand froze, his brows knitting tightly.

Seeing his master’s reaction, Chang Lu realized he had indeed forgotten. Chang Lu had remembered all along but hesitated to remind his busy master, thinking the dam was nearly done and all would be well.

He had not expected the “nearly” to be much slower than imagined. Fortunately, Qinxian was not too far from the capital, and a swift horse ride the next day would still make it in time.

Li Changye put down his handkerchief and looked at Chang Lu. “Earlier, I told you to prepare the things—are they all ready?”

Chang Lu answered, “Your servant has prepared everything as Your Highness instructed—all the finest brocades from Qinxian.”

He paused, then glanced quickly at Li Changye. “But your servant is not skilled in such matters. I am unsure if the fabrics chosen for the crown princess will please her. Should Your Highness inspect them personally and select them yourself?”

Li Changye had not intended to do so, but upon hearing this, he recalled the words Pei Yun had spoken months ago before leaving the capital.

She seemed displeased that he was not personally handling the gifts but had entrusted Chang Lu instead.

Yet Li Changye could not understand her anger or find fault in it. He admitted he did not understand women’s tastes and that the selections might not please her. If so, better to entrust the experienced Chang Lu.

Still, if she preferred he choose personally, it was no trouble.

He replied simply, “Bring them here.”

Chang Lu smiled, understanding his master’s meaning. “Yes, Your Highness.”

Soon, two attendants carried in wooden chests. The brocades were laid out for the crown prince’s inspection.

Li Changye scanned them back and forth, deliberating before selecting two in sparrow blue, one moon white, and one sky blue.

In his memory, his crown princess often wore shades of blue and green. These fabrics should suit her taste.

“Your Highness has excellent taste,” Chang Lu flattered. “When I went to purchase the brocades, I ran into Prince Yu, who also liked these pieces, especially the sky blue one. He wanted to use it for the princess of Prince Yu. Luckily, I was quicker and paid for it first, or Prince Yu might have bought it.”

Li Changye’s lips pressed thin. After a long pause, he looked steadily at Chang Lu and asked, “Did Prince Yu personally go to the shop to buy for his princess?”

Chang Lu fell silent briefly, puzzled by his master’s question. Considering the recent discord between the crown prince and crown princess, he smiled wryly and answered, “Yes. I suppose Prince Yu felt guilty after months away from the capital and wanted to buy this brocade as a gift for his princess. When she wears it at the banquet and mentions it, everyone will know Prince Yu dotes on her. That will honor her and make her happy.”

Li Changye raised his brows slightly, having never considered this angle.

His thoughts turned to Pei Yun.

If she wished for him to choose the gifts personally, did she harbor similar intentions?

Yet she was not one to seek the spotlight. She could not want to prove something to others.

Prove what?

His brows furrowed ever deeper.

Could it be that he appeared unkind to her?