An Accident

Yan Wanning stared in terror at the carriage hurtling toward her, frozen to the spot. At that critical moment, a powerful force pulled her into a broad, warm embrace and swiftly carried her out of the way of the runaway carriage.

The carriage had suddenly gone wild, throwing the street into chaos. Some people failed to dodge in time and were sent flying by the impact, while even those who got out of the way in time suffered scrapes. Cries rose one after another amid utter disorder.

Si Yunqi brought the still-shaken Yan Wanning to safety. After telling her to wait for him, he leaped onto the maddened horse and somehow brought it under control, just in time to save a child who had been scared witless beneath its hooves.

Cheers immediately erupted in the street. Paying them no mind, Si Yunqi returned to Yan Wanning, drew her into his arms, and comforted her softly. "Don't be afraid. Everything's all right now."

"Mm." Yan Wanning took a deep breath. She really had been frightened just now. As soon as he returned, she leaned her full weight against him. "Husband, let's go back. I'm tired."

"Mm. Shall I carry you back?"

Without waiting for her response, he picked her up, popped a sour plum into her mouth, and carried her through the crowd.

They stayed in Yucheng for three days and set out for the Capital early on the fourth. It took them only a day and a half to reach the Capital.

After having Yan Wanning escorted back to the Prince of Anbei's residence in the Capital, Si Yunqi mounted his horse and rode into the palace to see the emperor.

Eunuch Xi, who had been waiting outside Chengtian Hall for some time, bowed to Si Yunqi, his face nearly creased into a chrysanthemum with his smile. "Prince, you've finally come. His Majesty is waiting for you inside."

Si Yunqi gave a nod of acknowledgment. His expression cold and solemn, he walked into the hall at an unhurried pace in his brocade boots.

Inside, Emperor Jingyuan sat at the imperial desk in a bright yellow dragon robe, annotating the memorial in his hands. Emperor Jingyuan was in the prime of his life, but years of constant work had made him look considerably older than he was.

When he saw the cold-faced Si Yunqi enter, he put down the memorial and looked kindly at the tall, imposing man.

"This subject kowtows to Your Majesty."

"Rise." Emperor Jingyuan got up and approached him, studying him closely. He raised a hand to pat his shoulder and laughed. "Good lad! I haven't seen you in a few years, and you've grown much sturdier. Good, good."

The two moved to the tea room and sat down facing each other. Like an old father concerned for a child who had been away from home for a long time, Emperor Jingyuan asked, "Did everything go smoothly on the journey? Why didn't you bring your princess consort into the palace for me to meet?"

"Everything went smoothly." Si Yunqi paused in thought before saying, "The journey was tiring, and A Ning is frail, so I had her escorted back to the residence to rest. I will certainly bring her to meet Your Majesty and Her Majesty another day."

"Mm, you've thought things through. But there's no hurry. Since the Princess Consort of Anbei is unwell, wait until she has recovered before bringing her." Emperor Jingyuan smiled, then changed the subject. "With your quiet, taciturn nature, you haven't made the young lady feel wronged, have you?"

"Although the young lady has lost both her parents and her status is a little low, the empress chose her out of thousands for her character and beauty. She's more than a match for you. You mustn't bully her or make her feel wronged."

Because of the empress, Emperor Jingyuan knew a little about Yan Wanning and knew that she was an obedient, gentle woman. He said, "That girl has a soft nature. Don't let her down."

"A Ning is wonderful. I won't let her down." Si Yunqi bowed to Emperor Jingyuan. "I thank Your Majesty for bestowing this marriage."

Seeing how much Si Yunqi's expression softened when he mentioned Yan Wanning, Emperor Jingyuan grew even happier. "Then it seems I made the right match with this marriage."

"With your taciturn nature, if I hadn't bestowed this marriage, who knows what year or month you would finally have married? Now I can put that concern to rest."

Si Yunqi raised a hand to touch the tip of his nose, looking a little embarrassed.

The subject ended there. Afterward, the two discussed candidates for the Western Rong marriage alliance. Emperor Jingyuan pondered for a while, then asked, "What are your thoughts on the candidates for the marriage alliance?"

"None," Si Yunqi answered truthfully. He really had never considered the question, and he did not care whom the Western Rong princess would marry.

But the Western Rong princess's status was sensitive, and he understood that the emperor did not want any of the princes to marry her. Otherwise, the emperor had five sons, three of whom had yet to take a principal consort, so why had he spent so long choosing without reaching a decision?

Sure enough, Emperor Jingyuan said, "I intend to choose from among the imperial clansmen or the legitimate sons of the ministers. What do you think, Yunqi?"

Si Yunqi's expression was solemn, showing no sign of perfunctoriness as he said, "Your Majesty is wise."

The corner of Emperor Jingyuan's mouth twitched. Somewhat at a loss for words, he said, "Could you dare to be any more perfunctory?"

Si Yunxi's expression remained unchanged. "I wouldn't dare."

"All right. The crown prince will be here shortly. You haven't seen each other in a long time, so stay for a meal before leaving the palace."

"Yes."

The Prince of Anbei's residence

"Princess Consort, it's time to take your medicine," Xiao He said as she came in carrying the medicine to stabilize the pregnancy.

"Leave it there. I'll drink it in a while," Yan Wanning said.

"That won't do. His Highness said the Princess Consort must take the medicine on time, every time. I'm afraid the Prince will have something to say to you when he returns."

Hearing this, Yan Wanning obediently pinched her nose and finished the medicine, then immediately ate a sour plum to take away the bitterness.

Xiao He smiled at the sight and took the bowl away. No one had lived in the Prince of Anbei's residence for a long time, and there were still many places that needed tidying. She had to make sure the servants got everything in order quickly so that the two masters could live comfortably.