{"id":2937,"date":"2026-04-19T00:21:37","date_gmt":"2026-04-19T00:21:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/song-of-yongan-15\/"},"modified":"2026-04-19T02:00:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T02:00:31","slug":"song-of-yongan-15","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/bn\/chapter\/song-of-yongan-15\/","title":{"rendered":"Song of Yong\u2019an 15"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter Fifteen

At court and in the palace, everything seemed to be going exceptionally smoothly.

Yet that line from the Lantern Festival kept circling in my mind: Di Renjie held great authority and influence. No matter how cunning Lai Junchen was, it would be difficult for him to bring Di Renjie down\u2014let alone on a charge as grave as treason. Still, I knew such matters had nothing to do with me. No matter how much I admired Di Renjie\u2019s integrity, I had no power to intervene. Even he himself could barely protect his own position\u2014what more could anyone else do?

A few days earlier, during the lunar eclipse, several of my uncles had tried to shift the blame onto the Crown Prince, but Di Renjie had defused the situation with just a few words. The Emperor then declared a general amnesty and changed the era name to Ruyi. Ruyi\u2026 if only things could truly go as one wished.

I saw the sun already high outside the window and felt too lazy to move. I idly fiddled with the unlit lotus lantern on my desk. When I grew bored of that, I picked up my brush to practice calligraphy. Before I knew it, half the day had passed. It wasn\u2019t until Wan\u2019er quietly approached from behind that I finally set the brush down and turned to look at her.

She smiled, picked up the half-cold tea from the table, and said, \u201cFirst, congratulations\u2014you\u2019ve grown another year older.\u201d

I replied, \u201cTime flies. In the blink of an eye, you\u2019ve returned from Luoyang.\u201d Since offering incense at Longmen Mountain, Wan\u2019er had remained in Luoyang and only returned after the great Buddha statue at Fengxian Temple was completed. I had heard yesterday that she had entered the palace, but I hadn\u2019t expected her to come see me so soon.

She picked up my practice sheet, examined it carefully, and said, \u201cThese characters resemble his style by about seventy percent. You\u2019d better switch to a different model for practice.\u201d

Her words were indirect, but I understood the warning. After a moment of silence, I nodded. \u201cAll right.\u201d

In truth, I had only been practicing casually, yet I had unconsciously followed his style.

She set down the teacup and continued, \u201cAt first, I thought you were cautious. But it seems what you\u2019ve learned in the palace these past two years has been lost by seventy or eighty percent.\u201d

Embarrassed, I crumpled the paper and tossed it aside. \u201cI know. I\u2019ll find another model tomorrow and start again.\u201d

She tapped the table lightly, then suddenly asked, \u201cAlthough he\u2019s been in the palace these past four months, he hasn\u2019t moved about much. You still haven\u2019t seen him, have you?\u201d

I nodded. \u201cI saw him once when he stayed outside the palace for two months. Since returning, I haven\u2019t seen him again.\u201d

From the cold of winter to the bloom of spring, though we were both in Daming Palace, we had never met. Aside from occasionally hearing his name from attendants, he felt distant, almost like a stranger.

Wan\u2019er waved her hand in front of my face and said softly, \u201cYou still don\u2019t understand your imperial grandaunt. She kept those imperial grandsons in the palace only to confine them and silence them. Only by doing so can people gradually forget the Li clan and remember that the Emperor\u2019s surname is Wu.\u201d

She sighed, her gaze distant. \u201cIf the Lis show too much brilliance, it only gives the old ministers hope\u2014and brings about their deaths.\u201d

Her words sent a chill through me. The more I thought about them, the colder I felt.

After a moment, she continued, \u201cBut judging from these past four months, he is clever. He knows to keep a low profile. By avoiding attention, he avoids fault.\u201d

I nodded, called for Yiping to pour more tea, and spoke with Wan\u2019er a bit longer about Fengxian Temple.

After she left, I found myself unable to calm my thoughts. I asked Yiping to accompany me for a walk in the Imperial Garden.

The sky was unusually clear, a deep, translucent blue. Along the path stretched clusters of qionghua blossoms, lush and abundant. These flowers had been transplanted from Guangling by Wu Chengsi. There were even rumors that Emperor Yang of Sui had once tried to transplant them, only for them to wither. Yet now they flourished within Daming Palace, pleasing the Emperor greatly.

I crouched down, immediately surrounded by their rich fragrance. Just as I was about to ask Yiping to pick some petals, a voice sounded behind me.

\u201cWhy are you admiring flowers like a thief?\u201d

Turning around, I saw several princes I hadn\u2019t seen in months. The one who spoke was Li Longji.

He looked at me and said, \u201cIf you like them, just pick them. Duke Zhou planted an entire garden\u2014he won\u2019t mind a few flowers.\u201d

It had been over half a year since we last met. He had grown taller, and only when I stood did I realize he could now meet my gaze.

I bowed. \u201cWhat a pleasant surprise to see the princes enjoying the flowers.\u201d

Li Chengqi nodded slightly, smiling faintly. Li Chengyi, however, grinned brightly. \u201cThanks to Duke Zhou\u2019s flowers, Her Imperial Grandmother graciously allowed us some fresh air.\u201d

I forced a smile, understanding the implication. \u201cQionghua and peonies are both treasures of the world. Since the princes have leisure, please enjoy them.\u201d

Li Longji stepped forward, plucked a blossom, and said, \u201cWe have plenty of leisure.\u201d

His words were even more direct.

Seeing the eunuchs nearby, I quickly said, \u201cIf the prince has time, why not help me pick some flowers? I was thinking of making tea with them.\u201d

\u201cTea?\u201d he asked, surprised.

I nodded. \u201cThe flowers, fruits, even the leaves can be used medicinally. They clear heat and detoxify\u2014perfect for spring.\u201d

He narrowed his eyes slightly. \u201cYour face looks fine today. The alcohol rash is gone. Why do you still need detoxifying tea?\u201d

I froze. \u201cHow do you know about that?\u201d

\u201cI asked Shen Qiu,\u201d he replied casually.

I didn\u2019t know whether to laugh or cry. Still, I answered, \u201cThe rash is better now. But spring dryness causes internal heat, so it\u2019s still beneficial.\u201d

He accepted this and began picking flowers.

Li Chengyi, having nothing better to do, started chatting with Yiping, making her blush deeply.

After a while, Li Longji and Li Chengyi began composing poetry on the spot.

I watched, amused, when Li Chengqi said softly beside me, \u201cSince you\u2019re enjoying it, why not join them?\u201d

I hesitated, then asked, \u201cWhy won\u2019t you join?\u201d

He smiled faintly. \u201cIt\u2019s rare to see him like this. I\u2019ll stay and talk with you.\u201d

My heart warmed.

After a pause, he lowered his voice. \u201cSomeone at court has once again proposed making Wu Chengsi the Crown Prince. Though the Empress Dowager has rejected it, she is beginning to waver.\u201d

My chest tightened. \u201cI understand.\u201d

\u201cFor you, this marriage is not simple,\u201d he continued.

Because my surname was Wu, marrying him would carry political implications. It was no longer just a matter of affection.

He looked at me, his gaze gentle. \u201cIf you don\u2019t understand, I would worry less.\u201d

I smiled faintly. \u201cNext year I\u2019ll only be thirteen. There\u2019s no need to rush.\u201d

He chuckled softly.

I had never heard him laugh before. My heart pounded, and I quickly moved away, joining Li Longji among the flowers.

When I glanced back, he was still standing there, smiling at me like the warmth of spring.

\u2014

That evening, Yiping and the palace maids sorted the petals, chatting happily.

I sat nearby, lost in thought, until someone announced Shen Qiu\u2019s arrival.

After Yiping left, Shen Qiu looked at me and said, \u201cThe princess looks perfectly healthy. I hardly know what to treat.\u201d

I asked, confused, \u201cWhen was I ill?\u201d

\u201cThe prince ordered me to come,\u201d he said dryly. \u201cSpring dryness and internal heat, was it?\u201d

I finally understood.

\u201cThen prescribe something,\u201d I said lightly.

He smirked. \u201cI\u2019ll give you a beauty-preserving formula, so you won\u2019t age before marriage.\u201d

I glared at him, used to his sharp tongue.

As he wrote, he glanced at my book. \u201cA good text\u2014but not quite suitable for your age.\u201d

\u201cHow do you know where it came from?\u201d I asked.

He smiled. \u201cHow could I not recognize the prince\u2019s handwriting?\u201d

Embarrassed, I said nothing.

After he left, Yiping entered with qionghua tea.

\u201cThe flowers are ready,\u201d she said. \u201cShall we send some to the princes?\u201d

I smiled teasingly. \u201cPlanning to deliver it personally to Prince Hengyang?\u201d

She blushed.

\u201cGo ahead,\u201d I said. \u201cSend some to Wan\u2019er and Wei Tuan\u2019er as well.\u201d

\u201cWhat reason should I give?\u201d she asked.

I thought for a moment. \u201cSay it\u2019s to celebrate the Emperor\u2019s new era name\u2014Ruyi. A wish for good fortune.\u201d

I could only hope that this era name would truly bring peace and prosperity to the palace.<\/p>","protected":false},"parent":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}}},"novel":[],"class_list":["post-2937","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/bn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/2937","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/bn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/bn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/bn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2937"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/bn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/2937\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3010,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/bn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/2937\/revisions\/3010"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/bn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2937"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"novel","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/bn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/novel?post=2937"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}