"Just as I said."
"He has always referred to your father as uncle since childhood, it would be inappropriate to change that now."
Fu Zhen then said, "My mother also feels unworthy of being called the elder sister of the Crown Prince, so why not—"
"Why not, let him regard your mother as his aunt." Before Fu Zhen could finish, the Empress interrupted with her decision, "Your maternal grandfather, Mr. Ning, once saved his life. He ought to acknowledge being two generations lower, equating him with your younger brother."
Fu Zhen was dumbfounded: Wouldn’t this make her and Yang Yi equals?
This resolved the issue of hierarchy, but wasn’t she benefitting from this situation?
"Isn’t this inappropriate?"
"It shall be as decided."
The Empress finalized with authority.
Fu Zhen could naturally say no more.
Recalling the Empress mentioning she had matters to discuss, she promptly asked, "May I know what instructions you have for summoning me to the palace, Your Majesty?"
The Empress’s expression turned solemn, her gaze fixed ahead for a moment: "Soon, I will meet King Yan. You will accompany me and wait outside."
Fu Zhen’s heart skipped. She had anticipated that after today’s events, the Empress might seek a confrontation with King Yan.
This matter had caught everyone off guard. It was one thing for the deposed Crown Prince to cause trouble, as he had a throne to inherit and had already established progeny. If Yang Yi returned to the palace to claim his position, a defeat for the deposed Crown Prince would mean losing a large faction.
King Yan was a sickly man, and the emperor would never choose him as the Crown Prince if there were other options. Moreover, he hadn’t married yet, and it was uncertain if he could have an heir, making it best for him to welcome his elder brother Yang Yi and peacefully remain as a leisurely prince. Given Yang Yi’s character, he would surely accommodate even a sickly younger brother. Yang Yi’s rule would benefit King Yan without harming him.
Yet King Yan still sowed discord before Yang Yi, undermining Yang Yi’s trust in the Empress. Though it merely cost seven years, who knows if Yang Yi would have returned to the capital to find Mrs. Ning if not for him?
In any case, having the Empress expose King Yan face to face was also one of Fu Zhen’s main objectives.
What she hadn’t expected was for the Empress to bring her along into the palace. Was it suitable for an outsider like her to be present at such a moment?
After contemplating, she cautiously asked, "Do you intend for me to confront His Highness King Yan?"
"If I wanted a confrontation, why would I bring you? Wouldn’t it be better to let Yi Yi meet him directly?" the Empress said, her gaze turning frosty, "Of course, Yi Yi wouldn’t engage in such matters himself. Yet, no matter his disdain, I must lay the facts bare. Otherwise, I lack the confidence to face him again."
At this point, the Empress pressed her lips tightly together.
Fu Zhen was highly suspicious but refrained from probing further.
The carriage swiftly entered the palace. From the gate, a sedan chair carried the two directly to Kunning Palace.
King Yan’s residence was on the east route, and after a brief rest in Kunning Palace, the Empress led Fu Zhen through a small gate and along a corridor to the outside of King Yan’s residence.
By this time, the night was deep. Most of the palace was darkened.
Yet lights were still shining in Prince Yan’s Palace.
Inside the slightly ajar palace doors, the lattice windows were open. The autumn breeze gently touched, lightly swaying the draperies. King Yan, with his hair unbound, lay slanted on a brocade couch, holding a volume of poetry but his eyes were fixed intently at the ground.
A eunuch softly entered with a bowl of medicinal soup, after a glance, he gently placed it on the small table beside him.
"Your Highness, it’s time for your medicine."
King Yan did not move, prompting the eunuch to urge him once more.
Only then did he lay the book aside, flexing his long-curved fingers, reaching them over the brazier to warm them.
"Why did Mother rest so early tonight?"
The eunuch bowed his head: "It is said that Her Majesty hasn’t been feeling well these past two days, so she retired early."
"And why has she been unwell these two days?"
The eunuch was momentarily speechless.
King Yan withdrew his gaze and looked at the ground again, saying, "I heard that lately, the wife of Pei Zhan has been entering the palace frequently, seeming to have some matters with Mother."
The eunuch nodded: "Indeed, the wife of General Pingxi has visited the palace more frequently recently. However, Your Majesty seems to favor her, perhaps merely calling her to the palace for companionship and conversation."
"But from what I’ve heard, Pei Zhan’s wife hardly sounds like someone who would merely provide entertainment." King Yan’s eyes glimmered, his youthful face showing slight absentmindedness, "I have a feeling there’s something else between them."
The eunuch, upon hearing this, began to ponder, and after a moment replied, "Even if there is something else, it shouldn’t matter. The Pei family holds a prominent position and is currently relied upon by the court. Naturally, there will be more interactions now."