Chapter 12 Warmth

Yu Pin bowed respectfully to Consort Xian. “Your Highness need not see me off. This concubine takes her leave.”

Dressed in a light blue Manchu robe with a simple Twin Puffs hairstyle and minimal accessories—just a pair of earrings—she carried none of the airs befitting a consort. Consort Xian nodded, watching as Yu Pin stepped through the gates of Yikun Palace and gradually disappeared into the distance.

Once the figure had vanished, the smile on Consort Xian’s face faded. She turned to Rong Momo and said, “I thought she cared for nothing… but after bearing the Fifth Prince, everything changed.”

Ever since the Empress had visited the Hall of Heavenly Purity, she had been in a daze, listless and uninterested in anything. Rong Momo didn’t want to bring up the Fifth Prince, fearing it would upset the Empress further. She exchanged a glance with the senior palace maid Yuxi, who quickly caught on and curtsied. “Your Highness, the weather is lovely today. We maids were just thinking of playing shuttlecock to pass the time. Would Your Highness care to judge our game?”

It was indeed a bright, sunny day, and the suggestion lifted Consort Xian’s spirits. She smiled. “Very well.”

The courtyard soon echoed with the maids’ cheerful laughter. As she watched, Consort Xian finally realized she had been trapped in her own stubborn thoughts.

She sighed wistfully.

Meanwhile, Yu Pin walked along the long Palace Road, supported by Wenxin. The red walls and green tiles stood in striking contrast. As a consort, she was entitled to ride in a Sedan Chair, but Yu Pin preferred to keep a low profile. She always left early for morning greetings, walking like the lower-ranked noble ladies.

“Consort Xian actually refused,” Yu Pin murmured, her delicate face expressionless save for a slight narrowing of her almond-shaped eyes.

Yu Pin cared little for favor or status—her sole concern was her son, the Fifth Prince Yongqi. She dared not compare herself to Prince Duan, but deep down, she nurtured a sliver of hope.

She was of the Khorchin clan, and Yongqi was eligible to contend for that position…

Prince Duan was the undisputed heir apparent, but she wasn’t worried. Yongqi was ten years his junior—who could predict what the future held? The immediate priority was to win the Emperor’s favor. Yongqi had done well, earning daily praise from his tutors since starting his studies. The Emperor had taken notice, much to Yu Pin’s delight.

But then, an unexpected variable emerged.

The long-barren Empress had given birth to the Seventh Prince!

If Prince Duan was the towering mountain blocking Yongqi’s path, the birth of the Seventh Prince added another peak. Even if Prince Duan fell, the most likely successor would be the Seventh Prince Yongcong—not Yongqi.

Yu Pin could endure, and she would. But when the Congratulatory essay from the Grand Court Assembly reached her ears, she shattered a porcelain bowl in fury.

Was the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate truly so significant?

The Seventh Prince was barely a month old—how could those ministers already proclaim his brilliance?

Absurd!

Her heart ached for Yongqi.

After days of contemplation, Yu Pin visited Yikun Palace and said to Consort Xian, “Yongqi admires Your Highness greatly. If you wouldn’t mind, this concubine would bring him to visit occasionally…”

But Consort Xian had politely declined.

Yu Pin said nothing, though inwardly, she was stunned. Summer was approaching in the capital, and the warm breeze carried hints of heat, yet Yu Pin felt only a chilling weight.

Wenxin, aware of her mistress’s intentions, carefully supported her. “Consort Xian has grown cautious since her Confined Foot punishment. Perhaps you could try again another time?”

Yu Pin nodded faintly, lowering her eyes. “Investigate the Ula Nara family outside the palace. Find out what has happened recently…”

Princess Hejing was to be married next year, and for the past half month, she had been so busy that her feet barely touched the ground. The Empress Dowager had sent a matron to review etiquette with her, and the Khorchin tribe had also dispatched several maids to accompany her.

Finally finding some free time, Hejing entered the Palace of Eternal Spring with a pellet drum in one hand and a small cloth doll in the other. “Greetings, Imperial Mother. Has Yongcong woken up yet?”

The Empress, dressed in an elegant moon-white cheongsam with pearls embedded in her silver hairpin, exuded a gentle glow. In her arms, she held Yongcong, clad in red, who was happily clutching his mother’s lapel. The warmth between mother and son was intoxicating.

Hejing was spellbound.

For some reason, she felt the urge to cry. Sniffling, she forced a bright smile. “Imperial Mother, now that you have Yongcong, you’ve forgotten all about me! How unfair! What’s so great about a little brother? A daughter is your true little cotton-padded jacket!”

Yu Momo and Moyun burst into laughter. Yu Momo teased, “Your Highness, you don’t know—Prince Duan also says Her Majesty has forgotten him since Yongcong came along. And guess what the Emperor said? ‘Who told you to grow up? The Seventh Prince is far more adorable!’”

Hejing burst into laughter, almost picturing Yonglian’s scowling face.

The Empress shot Hejing a glance and said leisurely, “Don’t underestimate Yongcong just because he’s small—he holds grudges. Last time your Second Brother said he ate and slept like a little pig, Yongcong rewarded him with a stream of infant urine.”

Pausing, she couldn’t help but chuckle. “If you act so improperly in front of Sebuteng—”

Hejing’s pretty face flushed crimson, and she stomped her foot. “Imperial Mother!”

Yongcong happily blew a bubble, burying his little face in the Empress’s embrace and letting out a few babbles to hide the blush on his chubby cheeks.

It wasn’t his fault! He was an adult at heart, not a real child! But when Second Brother wouldn’t let go of him, Yongcong had accidentally—just accidentally—lost control. That was all…

The more Yongcong thought about it, the guiltier he felt. He certainly wouldn’t admit it was revenge.

Being reborn as Yongcong, he seemed to have become the beloved of all. For some reason, his mindset had grown increasingly youthful, his thoughts as lively as a real child’s, leading him to do childish things—like secretly getting back at Second Brother…

Yongcong didn’t mind. He loved this world.

Living a second life, the course of history had diverged greatly from his past. If he was careful and vigilant, he could surely avoid the smallpox that had once claimed him. With his elder brother leading the charge, he could blissfully laze around like a salted fish, coasting through life. When he grew up, he’d dabble in court affairs, run a small business, and spend his days counting his riches—a heavenly existence no amount of gold could buy!

Lost in his daydreams, Yongcong didn’t even notice when he was transferred into Hejing’s arms.

Hejing’s blush had faded, and she grinned as she poked Yongcong’s plump little hand, waving an exquisitely crafted pellet drum in front of him. His eyes followed the drum, darting left and right…

Delighted, Hejing turned to the Empress. “Yongcong really loves these little toys!”

Yu Momo watched her with a hesitant expression.

When she had tried to amuse the Seventh Prince with the drum, she’d been met with an utterly indifferent stare. Why was it different for Princess Hejing?

Truly, siblings shared a special bond, Yu Momo mused.

Yongcong felt like he was about to go cross-eyed. With great effort, he stretched out his hand to grab the Pellet Drum, desperately trying to push away the toy that was held too close to his face.  

“Good boy, Yongcong. Do you like the Pellet Drum? Big sister will hold it for you. Tomorrow, I’ll have Second Brother bring you a whole pile of them—you can play with whichever one you want!” Hejing said affectionately, still shoving the Pellet Drum even closer to Yongcong.  

“……” Cross-eyed and overwhelmed, Yongcong burst into tears.  

Author’s Note: Cross-eyed Yongcong: I hate this.