Transmigrated as the Stepmother of a Rebellious Heir

Over the recent period, Huang Bing occasionally brought over a plate or two of pastries, evidently fresh and distinct from those made in the Imperial Kitchen.

After trying them twice, Qi Yuan promoted Shu Wan to a noble, as if by doing so, he could define clear boundaries between them, maintaining only a transactional relationship.

"Where is the green card?" Qi Yuan suddenly spoke up.

"Right here," the eunuch hastily presented the harem's green card, "Your Majesty, are you still planning to visit Changning Palace tonight?"

Qi Yuan glanced at the little eunuch, "You seem eager to make decisions for Us."

The little eunuch, frightened out of his wits, quickly knelt down, "Your Majesty, forgive me, I spoke out of turn."

"Go to Zhongcui Palace."

"Yes."

Just as the eunuch was about to send the message, Qi Yuan stopped him, "No need to send a message."

"Yes."

The moon high in the sky, Shu Wan finally finished tidying up her things inside Zhongcui Palace.

She could now reside in her own palace, while Ning Yuan was still under the jurisdiction of Changning Palace. As the long night stretched on, boredom unexpectedly set in.

Shu Wan had a palace attendant move in a lounge chair into the courtyard and brewed a cup of tea. As she leisurely sipped tea and nibbled on pastries, she felt the fatigue from a whole day's work swept away.

"Rivers in spring are green as blue, spring's liveliness is distressing, causing one to lose sleep, and the spring rain fills the pond calling to the sleeping lotus…"

Shu Wan hummed softly to herself but stopped midway.

She turned her head and there stood Qi Yuan in a radiant yellow Dragon Robe, the epitome of nobility, silently watching her from the palace doorway.

Shu Wan quickly stood up and, rather unwillingly, knelt to Qi Yuan, "I pay my respects to Your Majesty."

Her kneeling seemed to pull Qi Yuan out from some sort of trance. He frowned slightly and entered the palace, "What song were you singing just now?"

"Spring Mountain."

Shu Wan answered and quietly shifted her knees. The courtyard's path was paved with bluestone, and kneeling on it was indeed quite uncomfortable.

But her movement didn't escape Qi Yuan's eyes. He was never one to go easy on others.

Yet at that moment, his gaze lingered on Shu Wan's knees several times before he finally relented, "Rise."

With the words spoken, Qi Yuan's brow furrowed slightly once again. That familiar feeling washed over him.

Shu Wan, the person, always gave an impression of blurring the lines between illusion and reality. One knew she was a facade and yet couldn't help but make exceptions for her.

"Yes."

Shu Wan stood up and stationed herself beside Qi Yuan.

"Sit down."

Since he had already made exceptions several times before, another wouldn't make a difference.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Shu Wan sat opposite Qi Yuan, poured him a cup of tea, and as the steam clouded around her features, Qi Yuan subconsciously called out, "Sister Xiao Wan."

Shu Wan paused, "Your Majesty?"

Qi Yuan clenched his fists, grinding his teeth, "You resemble My wife."

"I am aware, many have mentioned that to me before."

"But only in appearance," Qi Yuan's words seemed abundant that night, "She is a woman unique in this world, unparalleled by all others combined."

Shu Wan's heart stirred. She looked at Qi Yuan, draped in his magnificent Dragon Robe, yet his expression was utterly lonely, filled with clear nostalgia.

His gaze, deep with emotion, startled Shu Wan. In her past life, she had only met Qi Yuan once when she was six. When had he developed such feelings for her?

Regardless of Shu Wan's reaction, Qi Yuan continued, "She was a good person."

Shu Wan slightly pursed her lips, "I have heard."

Qi Yuan realized that he had lost some control that evening. He drank a sip of tea to suppress his feelings, "This tea you brewed is not bad."

"Thank Your Majesty for the compliment."

Qi Yuan sipped the tea. His expression remained calm, but his heart rarely fell into a struggle.

Since being named the Crown Prince, his decisions were resolute, seldom marked by hesitation.

But in that moment, he found himself caught in the struggle between staying and leaving.

Logic told him not to indulge in this false, fleeting solace, yet everything about the palace made him not want to leave.

A gentle breeze carried a green leaf to Shu Wan's shoulder.

Unaware as she prepared her tea, Shu Wan quickly looked up in response to the faint bamboo fragrance.

Qi Yuan was suddenly standing in front of her. A hand rested on her shoulder.

Before Shu Wan could speak, Qi Yuan withdrew his hand, holding a green leaf between his fingers like bamboo, "Rest now."

Qi Yuan walked into the palace, unconsciously clutching the leaf.

Let it be an illusion, even he couldn't resist such sweetness.

As Qi Yuan walked inside, Shu Wan followed suit.

Had it not been for his previous words, Shu Wan might have been anxious, fearing Qi Yuan would require her to serve him in bed.

But now, Shu Wan felt unafraid, believing Qi Yuan wouldn't.

Indeed, upon entering the palace, she found Qi Yuan had already removed his outer garments and was reclining at the head of the bed, reading a book.

It was a travelogue Shu Wan had picked up out of boredom.

Despite knowing Qi Yuan wouldn't demand her service in bed, Shu Wan was still at a loss where to sleep with him there on the bed.

Sensing Shu Wan standing motionless, Qi Yuan lifted his gaze, the dim light casting a glow on his noble features, his eyes unreadable, "Sleep on the soft couch."

"Yes."

Though referred to as a soft couch, Shu Wan regularly enjoyed resting on it during the day, and it was layered with thick bedding.

With an additional blanket in hand and shedding her outerwear, Shu Wan slipped into the covers.

Exhausted from organizing the palace the entire day, she yawned, ready to sleep, when Qi Yuan spoke again, "What places have you visited?"

"Your Majesty, I was born and raised in Shangnan County and have never left home."

"Hmm," Qi Yuan gave a nonchalant response, seemingly deep in thought as only the sound of pages turning could be heard.

Seeing no further questions from Qi Yuan, Shu Wan closed her eyes, prepared to sleep.

Suddenly, something occurred to her. She opened her eyes wide and turned her gaze toward Qi Yuan.

At the head of the bed, Qi Yuan was watching her intently, his eyes firmly fixed on her like that of a hawk, "Never left home? Your annotations suggest otherwise."