Emperor Xuanwu felt a tight knot in his chest as he opened the letter brought back by the Dragon Shadow Guard. His own birthday was just over a month away. He hoped the contents might hint at her mysterious gift. Yet when he unfolded the paper, his expectations crumbled.
"Father Emperor, good afternoon. Your Daughter is well.
The estate is quiet and pleasant. The bowls here are interesting—much smaller than those in the palace. I ate five bowls yesterday over three meals and only felt eighty percent full. The palace chefs really outshine the ones here. The pork hock was not fully tender, and the fried ribs… it is hard to tell why, but they just taste off…"
As always, the letter detailed mundane matters—what she ate, how it tasted. She even teasingly asked whether her Imperial Father missed her, and suggested he might drop by the Eastern Palace to feed Fu Fu for her. But she never mentioned the rumored extraordinary birthday gift.
He almost laughed aloud at her coyness. A surprise? Of course he understood such games.
He set aside any thought of writing back in detail. Instead, with a flourish of his imperial brush in red ink, he appended five crisp words beneath her letter:
"Read and not passing through."
So she thought she was too precious to feed her own pet? Did she expect him to make a detour to her Eastern Palace?
He resealed the letter, tossed it back to the Dragon Shadow Guard, and at last looked up from his throne.
"Tell that brat not to slack off at the estate. Once finished, come straight back and work."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the guard replied with solemn respect and carried out the order that very day.
But of course, returning early would be out of the question.
As one of the first recipients of the smallpox vaccine—and bearing high status—Yun Shu would naturally be kept under extra observation by the court physicians at the estate.
More than half a month passed, and the local merchants' tax records had already been delivered to the capital. Since last year's astonishing eighteen million tael tax haul, the Ministry of Revenue had keenly taken charge of auditing business ledgers each year.
Now Minister Yan and his team were working overtime to verify the records—no need for Yun Shu to concern herself.
After another week or so, Yun Shu, working with Zheng Qiaozhang and Jiang Yuanbao, finally completed the birthday tribute for Emperor Xuanwu. The imperial physicians gave their approval. At last, they were free to leave the estate and return to the capital.
The carriage rattled through the snowy landscape. Yun Chuhuan pressed a small brazier to his chest, wrapped tightly in blankets, seated opposite Yun Shu, and sighed in relief.
"Finally we can go home!"
"As soon as we return, we'll be studying again in the academy hall," Yun Shu reminded him.
He set aside the storybook he'd snatched from her and raised a curious brow.
"I thought you might want to stay longer at the estate."
"No more studying does feel nice," Yun Chuhuan admitted with a rueful smile. "But being locked in a single room day after day? That feels like prison."
He sat up straighter, puffing with mock gravity.
"I'd rather return to the palace. At least there I'll have some freedom each day."
"Is that so?" Yun Shu replied dryly.
Yun Chuhuan grinned.
"You remember that line from one of your stories? Life is precious and love is priceless. But for freedom, one can forsake both."
He struck a dramatic pose. "I wholly agree with that."
"Really?" Yun Shu said, raising an eyebrow. "What if someone held a knife to your throat and said you must stay at the estate–or you die?"
He shrugged.
"I'd still choose the estate. I am not foolish."
"Very well."
Yun Shu smiled.
"If Father Emperor told you that if you stayed at the estate you'd never be allowed to marry, what would you choose then?"
He pounced on this as if no more thought were needed.
"Still the estate. I have it all figured out. When I eventually marry a princess consort, I will say the classic line: 'Woman, you are playing with fire.' And then, 'Ha, little thing, you are the first one to dare speak to Your Prince like that.' And finally, 'I, the Prince, permit you to like me.'"
He cast the lines with earnest childish drama, beaming as though he already saw the scene unfolding. He looked to Yun Shu expectantly.
"How was that, Fifth Elder Sister? Pretty impressive?"
Yun Shu stared at him for two long seconds. Then she chuckled and deliberately mimicked his tone, pronouncing each phrase.
"Life is precious and love is priceless. But for freedom, one can forsake both. You now fully believe this."
Yun Chuhuan looked sheepish.
"Well… I guess the estate isn't really that oppressive."
His face brightened, and he quickly changed topics.
"By the way, Fifth Elder Sister, did Father Emperor say he would personally come to the city gate to receive us?"
"He said someone from the court would meet us there. He didn't mention personally coming himself."
Yun Shu stopped him. Even teasing requires finesse and face-saving.
She explained, "We were away a long time. Rumors in the capital were already swirling. Having someone officially meet us at the city gate helps show the people we returned safely as a family."
"That's not bad!"
Yun Chuhuan waved his arms excitedly.
"I heard that only victorious generals usually get welcomed at the gate! I obviously won't be one of them, but this is our chance!"
He leaned forward, brimming with anticipation—until the carriage halted without warning.
A moment later, a guard peered in through the curtains and respectfully addressed Yun Shu.