Make up your mind
Before even sitting down, Li Yunyu picked up a piece of pear blossom cake and popped it into his mouth. "Eat slowly, child, no one's going to take it from you," Yunlan said, smiling as she watched Li Yunyu's mouth brimming with crumbs. "How have you been these past few days? I heard you've been going out of the palace quite often. Did you make some friends?" Li Yunyu remained silent for a moment, then swallowed the pear blossom cake and slowly replied, "I didn't make any friends, but I met a very good teacher." Yunlan nodded with satisfaction. According to the rules, princes should complete their coming-of-age ceremony at Lishan Academy, but her own child, lacking favor, couldn't attend. Furthermore, there wasn't a proper tutor in the palace. Hearing that Li Yunyu had met a teacher outside, she was very happy. "Is that so? If he is truly a good gentleman, you often leave the palace to visit him more often, but I don't know his name. Would you mind telling Mother?" Li Yunyu clenched his clothes, his heart filled with inner turmoil. He hadn't originally wanted to tell his mother about the succession struggle, but Tang Feng's words that day made a lot of sense. Now that he had taken this step, he couldn't keep looking back. "Mother... His name is Tang Feng, he's a former subordinate of Prince Duan." Yunlan looked at Li Yunyu, momentarily speechless, while Li Yunyu continued, "I've already... started participating in the succession struggle." Yunlan looked at her son's serious face, knowing that her child had always been stubborn, and once he made up his mind, no one could change it. She sighed, "You want to join Prince Cheng or Prince Yu's camp?"
"No..." Li Yunyu shook his head. "It's only for my own camp. I want him, for my brother who died unjustly, for my sister-in-law who lost both her and her unborn child, for everyone in the world." Yunlan remained outwardly calm, but inwardly worried for Li Yunyu. Once he chose the path of vying for the throne, he was constantly accompanied by danger, his life uncertain, and there was no turning back. No one knows a son better than his mother; Yunlan knew Li Yunyu's personality all too well—stubborn, inflexible, and unsure how to please. Yunlan looked out the window; the sky was overcast, threatening rain, and the oppressive atmosphere made it hard to breathe. "This is difficult."
"I know"
Hearing Li Yunyu's answer, Yunlan nodded gently, "Then go ahead and do it." Li Yunyu hadn't expected Yunlan not to stop him, but to agree so readily. "But Mother..." "Don't worry about me," Yunlan interrupted him, knowing what Li Yunyu wanted to say. "Whether you succeed or fail, Mother is already halfway to the grave. I've seen all the bloodshed and storms in the palace. I've always been indifferent to worldly affairs, but hiding here for the rest of my life isn't a solution... As long as we, mother and son, share life and death, what is there to fear?" Although the road ahead was dangerous, Yunlan didn't stop him, but instead firmly supported him. Although Yunlan was currently the least favored concubine of Emperor Yun, she could return to his side at any time if she wanted. Now that Li Yunyu had chosen to seize the throne, she would pave the way for him. Yunlan picked up her fan and gently waved it. "Mr. Tang, I've heard of him. Back then, when he was an envoy to the Qiang and Hu tribes, he signed the Ayi Harbor agreement for your elder brother, helping him become the crown prince. He's very talented. Your mother will naturally be at ease knowing you associate with him. However, don't do anything else yet; nothing is easy to do. You just need to deliver a letter to Mr. Tang. Yunyu, although your mother and Mr. Tang can help you, in the end, it's still you who will fight for the throne, and you will be the one to sit on it. You should think it through carefully."
Yunlan's letter was delivered to the Marquis's residence by Meng Lie. Tang Feng was quite surprised and asked, "I heard that Her Highness is usually indifferent to worldly affairs and doesn't compete or fight. How come you have news so quickly this time?" Meng Lie shook his head, "His Highness only asked me to deliver the letter. I don't know much else." Tang Feng opened the letter. The delicate handwriting read, "I understand your intentions, sir. I am willing to pave the way for my son. In the future, we will have close contact. Since it is inconvenient to meet in person, we will correspond by letter. I, Yunyu, am not talented, but I ask you to take care of me." Although the words were short, they were concise and to the point. Tang Feng already understood Yunlan's meaning. He burned the letter on a candle and then instructed Meng Lie, "Are there any people in your military camp with clean backgrounds who are also intelligent and quick-witted...?" After listening, Meng Lie thought for a moment, "This... I have to go back..." "Go ask him. What's wrong? Sir, you want to find someone to guard your home? Are you worried about your safety? Don't worry, you're marrying into the safest mansion in all of Xiling. The young marquis was awarded a title at the palace at fourteen and led troops into battle at sixteen, with countless military achievements. With him by your side, you won't be unsafe." Tang Feng sighed. This child was indeed not suited for vying for the throne. He had truly made a wise decision this time. "It's not that I'm looking for a bodyguard... it's for His Highness. As a prince, His Highness has no one to serve him. As a deputy general, you're busy with military affairs every day, running back and forth, which will delay important matters. So you need to find someone smart and with a clean background from the military camp... or anywhere else. Find several, I want to personally review them."
Although Meng Lie didn't know Tang Feng's intentions, he was, after all, the Ninth Prince's teacher, so his words were unlikely to be false. He could only obey the order and do as instructed. Yun Lan, having seen Li Yunyu off, sat in the courtyard picking flowers with a basket in hand. Seeing Su Xi beside her about to speak, she knew Su Xi had something to say. "Ask whatever you want. Our relationship as mistress and servant has been like sisters for many years. There's no need to hold back." Su Xi looked at the seemingly calm Yun Lan, somewhat worried. "Your Highness has hidden here for half your life. Isn't this a bit too risky?"
Upon hearing this, Yunlan continued working without stopping. "I've been hiding for half my life, mostly for Yunyu. That child is straightforward by nature and not suited for scheming. I hid here hoping to protect Yunyu, but now the Crown Prince is unjustly dead, and the Imperial Concubine has committed suicide in despair. I can be patient, but Yunyu cannot. He's willing to ask Yunrui's former subordinates to assist him. He has this intention; how can I, as his mother, stop him? The Imperial Concubine has done great favors for both Yunyu and me. I have no reason to refuse to overturn the case. Tomorrow, choose some nicer jewelry for me to wear when I meet His Majesty. How can I dress so poorly?" Suxi knew Yunlan had made up her mind and didn't say anything more. "If Your Highness has truly made up your mind, then this servant dares not say anything more. I only hope that our Prince will be safe and sound."
One day, Emperor Yun was strolling in the Imperial Garden with Eunuch Feng when a refreshing medicinal fragrance wafted towards them. "Where is this medicinal scent coming from?" Emperor Yun looked around but saw no signs of medicinal herbs growing in the garden. Eunuch Feng looked up at the quiet path and quickly replied, "Passing through this path leads to Consort Yun's Misty Forest Garden. Consort Yun is skilled in medicine, so this fragrance is likely wafting from the pharmacy there." Hearing the name Yun Lan, Emperor Yun couldn't help but think of his late empress, who had passed away more than twenty years ago. After giving birth to the eldest princess, she had been frail and sickly, and melancholy. The palace had chosen a female physician to serve her personally, and the two were like sisters. Before her death, the late empress had instructed him to take good care of Consort Yun. He had once kept her by his side, but since giving birth to the prince, she had become indifferent to him. Now, counting the years, it had been more than ten years since they last met. Looking at the long path, Emperor Yun decided to once again visit the Misty Forest Garden.
Yunlan sat before her dressing table, meticulously applying her makeup. Her look was elegant and understated, not gaudy. Just as she finished putting on her earrings, she heard Eunuch Feng shout, "Consort Yun of Wulin Garden, come out to meet the Emperor!" Yunlan showed no surprise, lifted her skirt, and went out. After all, the medicinal fragrance was meant for fishing. The Emperor, looking at Wulin Garden, which hadn't changed in over a decade, was suddenly transported back to the past. "How have you been these past years?" he asked.
"Whether it's good or bad, it's still three meals a day. I've been doing it for over ten years, and I'm used to it." Yun Lan was frugal, and the furnishings in the palace were naturally very different from those of the other concubines who were usually elegant and luxurious. This immediately left Emperor Yun with a unique and good impression. Emperor Yun looked at Yun Lan kneeling on the ground, reached out his hand to her, and Yun Lan slowly placed her hand in Emperor Yun's hand and slowly got up. For Yunlan, the Emperor's visit was a rare opportunity, and she had to seize it. She stepped back to make way for him, saying, "Your Majesty must have come to the Imperial Garden to admire the flowers today. But the flowers bloom for a hundred days, yet they are the same every year; it's easy to get tired of them. Why don't you come in and see the flowers I've cultivated? Though they aren't peonies or azaleas, the wildflowers of the mountains have their own unique charm." Even without Yunlan's prompting, the Emperor could smell the distinctive fragrance. He took Yunlan's hand and led her into the front yard. The wildflowers were in full bloom, clearly showing Yunlan's diligent care. Yunlan knew that simply admiring the flowers wouldn't keep the Emperor there. Seeing his somber expression, she said, "Your Majesty, are you tired? Why don't we go inside and rest for a while? Wildflowers are different from famous flowers; their fragrance can travel for miles. Even though we can't see them from inside, smelling their fragrance is still a form of flower appreciation." The Emperor followed Yunlan into the house, then said wearily, "Coming here..." "Thinking of you reminds me of the days many years ago when you accompanied the late Empress to the Wooden Vine Pavilion to recuperate. Back then, you held Wuyou in your arms, sitting beside her, trying to cheer her up. I imagine your health had improved considerably then. Now so much time has passed, Qiao'er is gone, and Wuyou... is gone too," Yunlan said softly, supporting Emperor Yun's shoulder. "I am also deeply saddened by the Princess's passing. Please, Your Majesty, find peace. The late Empress was always understanding, and I'm sure she won't blame you for the Princess's situation. If Your Majesty is unwell or troubled, perhaps I could give you a massage." Emperor Yun nodded in agreement. Yunlan was an elder in the palace and knew much about what had happened back then. Because of Li Wuyou's death, Emperor Yun had been dreaming of the past these past few days. He dreamed of Li Wuyou as a child, of Su Qiao'er entrusting her child to him before she died, and of Su Zili, covered in blood, beating the wedding drums at his and Su Qiao'er's wedding. Yunlan slowly removed the Emperor's outer robe and handed it to Suxi beside her, instructing her, "Go and brew some tea to cool you down and soothe your nerves, and light some calming incense." She then helped the Emperor onto the bed, gently massaging his shoulders without speaking. The room was eerily quiet. Just as Yunlan thought the Emperor had fallen asleep and was about to cover him with a blanket, the Emperor called out to her, "Yun Yu is... a very loyal and affectionate child. It's just that his stubbornness is really unpleasant. He'll argue after a few words, so I've never given him a chance. But don't worry, he's still my son, and I'll take care of him."
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