The Emperor of Xiyun no longer watched An Jing eat the plums, but said to Su Chengyu, "Tomorrow, have the Crown Princess Consort come to Fenghua Palace to meet your royal sister-in-law."
"Yes," Su Chengyu responded.
An Jing stopped eating the plums in shock, "Imperial Father, that’s not appropriate... How can we trouble the Crown Princess Consort to visit Fenghua Palace to meet her daughter-in-law? It would be better if the daughter-in-law pays a visit to the Crown Princess Consort at the East Palace tomorrow."
"You’re not familiar with the palace, so let the Crown Princess Consort come to Fenghua Palace tomorrow," he paused, "Also, don’t talk of paying visits in the future. You are the Princess of Eternal Victory; I wouldn’t require you to pay respects, so who would dare to ask you? If they do, I won’t let them off!"
Upon hearing this, An Jing didn’t know what to say anymore. The Emperor of Xiyun’s favoritism, extending even to those connected to her, showed that his indulgence towards her husband was certainly beyond compare.
Xiao Changyi didn’t say anything but picked up the Green Jade Teapot on the table and added tea to the Emperor of Xiyun’s teacup.
"Yi Er..." The Emperor of Xiyun was pleasantly surprised.
Xiao Changyi behaved as if he hadn’t seen the surprised expression on the Emperor of Xiyun’s face, put down the teapot, and then, with an impassive countenance, picked up his own cup of tea and continued to drink at a leisurely pace.
The Emperor of Xiyun picked up his teacup, a wide smile on his face, holding it as if it were a treasure he couldn’t bear to drink from, yet also eager to drink, for it was tea his son Yi Er had poured for him. So, he took a tiny sip, and each time he did, he was as happy as a child.
Envious, Su Chengyu watched the Emperor of Xiyun cherish the teacup in his hands, poured by his Brother Yi, and after staring at it for a long while, he said to An Jing, "Royal sister-in-law, don’t be a stranger. We’re family, and as the elder sister-in-law, you are like a mother. It’s only proper for Wen Xian to come to see you."
The Crown Princess Consort, named Ning Wenxian, was the granddaughter of General Ning and the daughter of Tutor Ning, virtuous and dignified, with remarkable beauty and intelligence.
Ning Wenxian had already borne Su Chengyu a son and a daughter. Her son was Su Chengyu’s eldest legitimate son, both eldest and legitimate, which made her position as the Crown Princess Consort incredibly secure.
When An Jing heard Su Chengyu speak of the elder sister-in-law as a mother, she felt a shiver of disgust; Ning Wenxian was two years her senior...
After some casual conversation, Xiao Changyi and An Jing left Jun Palace, planning to return to Fenghua Palace. However, they hadn’t yet boarded their carriage when Su Chengyu caught up with them.
And Su Chengyu didn’t just catch up; he eagerly grabbed Xiao Changyi’s arm, "Brother Yi, I have something to talk to you about."
To emphasize the dignified behavior expected of the Crown Prince, Su Chengyu usually addressed Xiao Changyi formally as ’Imperial Brother,’ but in private, Su Chengyu would call him ’Brother Yi.’
At the mention of having a chat, Xiao Changyi felt a headache coming on, knowing that Su Chengyu was absolutely going to be a chatterbox again. He was just about to coldly tell Su Chengyu to go back where he came from when his wife lightly patted his hand, clearly signaling for him to agree.
After a moment of silence, Xiao Changyi reluctantly asked, "Where shall we talk?"
Su Chengyu immediately replied with glee, "In my study."
An Jing then smiled and said, "Husband, I’ll go back first then. You and Chengyu have a good talk."
Fearing that Xiao Changyi might change his mind and not come to the Capital, the Emperor of Xiyun had long before ordered Su Chengyu not to write to Xiao Changyi, worried that Su Chengyu’s usually thick letters would displease him and prevent him from visiting the Capital.
Su Chengyu had not written to his Brother Yi for a month and a half, and it was making him anxious. Now he would finally be able to talk at length with his Brother Yi about the significant and trivial events that had recently happened to him.