"Ayuan," Feng Yun held the child in front of her and patted him, "Go back now, there will be plenty of ti in the future."
The child rested his head against her and foolishly sniffed, taking in the scent of her body—
Sweet and soft, he was sure, this was the scent of his mother.
The tide of longing surged within him.
He cooed in his childish voice.
"If you were my mother, it would be great, if you were my mother, then I could see you every day..."
Feng Yun furrowed her brows, aware that such words were inappropriate, and gently rubbed his back.
"Ayuan must not talk nonsense; such words, if overheard, will bring trouble."
She feared being too stern, lest it displease the child and so she smiled again:
"There are many who love Ayuan, the Empress Dowager is kind and benevolent, she raised the Emperor herself, she is the person who cares about the Emperor the most in this world..."
"She’s not." Yuan Shangyi, chastised today by the Empress Dowager for failing to adhere to the ritual proprieties of the banquet, felt the detailed and burdenso etiquettes were suffocating, and this frustration extended to his feelings towards the Empress Dowager.
He frowned and said unhappily, "She doesn’t regard as her son; she only wants to be the Empress Dowager."
Feng Yun was alard and quickly interjected, "Ayuan, have you forgotten what I’ve said?"
Yuan Shangyi pouted, aware that his words were too harsh, and hung his head, his small body leaning softly against her, like a little infant.
"I just want you to be my mother..."
Feng Yun sighed.
One can choose anything in this world, but one can’t choose one’s mother.
"Be good, listen to , it’s ti to go back, don’t keep others waiting."
Yuan Shangyi nodded, but his hands clung tightly around her neck, his voice soft yet heart-wrenchingly tender.
"Madam, I want to go back to Huaxi. Will you take back to Huaxi?"
"Your Majesty..." Feng Yun sensed the child’s mood was not good tonight, and wanted to comfort him, but in this palace, where people were everywhere and one never knew whose eyes and ears were on them.
She could not stay long with the Emperor.
Nor could she let the Emperor say these things.
With a hardened heart, she unwrapped Yuan Shangyi’s hands from her neck, gazing into his eyes.
"Ayuan, I am not your mother, your mother is the Empress Dowager, and you must respect her and be a happy Young Emperor. Understand?"
After she spoke, she tenderly touched Yuan Shangyi’s head, turned around, and left decisively.
-
The banquet was not yet over, the great hall glimred with cups and lights, fragrances wafting and music weaving through the air.
At a glance, the hall was filled with nobles and distinguished guests, laughing amidst the glowing candles with a dizzy, drunken joy.
Feng Yun returned to her seat, and Pei Jue cast an attentive gaze at her.
She nodded slightly, smiling demurely.
Pei Jue asked, "Haven’t you eaten anything?"
Feng Yun humd, "I ate roasted at with fire cakes at Changzi Academy for lunch, it’s still sitting heavy on my chest, so I can’t really eat much now."
Pei Jue didn’t say much, rely nodding slightly.
Throughout the banquet, people frequently ca by to offer toasts and share flattering words.
Feng Yun had never known that Pei Jue could hold his liquor so well; he had shown face tonight, courteously sipping lightly in response to each visitor.
She had been seated for a long ti without seeing Yuan Shangyi return to his place and felt sowhat uneasy.
She turned her head to signal Xiaoman to co closer, "Go and check."
Xiaoman nodded silently and discreetly left.
Pei Jue looked at her again, a subtle trace of inquiry flitting across his expression, but he remained silent.
They both knew that at this banquet, countless people were watching her and Pei Jue, scrutinizing their words and expressions to make judgnts that could benefit themselves...
However, Feng Yun knew that no matter how much they watched, it was in vain.
She lived in Pei Jue’s close company and could not see through him; how could these people discern anything?
"Officer Lou toasts the Prince, wishing the Prince and Princess harmony like a pair of mandarin ducks, a quick blessing of a son, and a life of happiness and longevity."
Feng Yun was taken aback and slightly turned her head to look at Pei Jue, sparks of subtlety flickering in her eyes.
Pei Jue remained silent, his back ramrod straight, and his gaze was as cold as if he was looking through thick fog at Lou Ding.
The statent was not abrupt; it appeared as if Lou Ding, perhaps having drunk a few too many cups, was being a bit unrestrained in his comnts...
But in this grand hall, everyone was a wily fox.
There was nothing said without intent, and no one dared to speak carelessly...
"Thank you," Pei Jue showed no particular reaction, barely acknowledging with a lift of his cup and a sleeve gesture before drinking.
Lou Ding stretched his neck, draining his cup with gusto, and laughed heartily.
"Prince, tonight my daughter has accompanied to the palace to present a musical performance to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, and also hopes to receive the Prince’s guidance..."
As he spoke, he looked back.
By this ti, the stage had changed to a new perforr; a young woman with a graceful figure appeared. Her face half-hidden by a light veil, she gracefully walked to the center of the hall, bowing to everyone before sitting down beside the stage.
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