Unlike autumn, when red leaves withered and green faded, in the depths of winter, aside from wintersweet, there were no other colors to admire.
When Wu Xian arrived, he saw Consort Mi smiling beneath the eaves from a distance. A peony bloomed brightly in her hair, making her look even more beautiful than the flower. Curious as to where anyone could find peonies at this time of year, he went closer for a look and realized this peony was not that kind of peony.
Consort Mi noticed his curious gaze.
She smiled and said, "Madam gave it to me today."
Wu Xian was surprised again. "You mean Madam?"
Where had Madam gotten it?
Only after asking did he remember that Wen Zhu had returned from Heyin yesterday and said that he'd brought back some New Year gifts for the women of the inner residence. He had specifically reported this to Wu Xian. When Wu Xian asked what they were, Xu Xie had only said, "flowers," so Wu Xian hadn't thought much of it.
Now that he saw one, it was quite exquisite.
The wind was strong at the entrance, and it wasn't a place to talk.
"Father!" His son, still groggy from sleep, heard the commotion and scrambled up. He ran over on his little legs, nearly throwing himself into Wu Xian's arms.
Wu Xian was stern with his two legitimate sons and often held them to high standards, but he wasn't so strict with his young concubine-born son. He spoiled him as he pleased. A person only had a few years of carefree childhood, so he lifted his son onto his lap.
"Have you finished what your teacher taught you today?"
"I have, Father. Are you going to test me?" the boy answered in a childish voice, looking somewhat