Chapter 43: Imperial Aunt's Request

Tuan Tuan fidgeted with the small copper lamp in their hand: "So pretty."

Cheng Ru'an said: "Tuan Tuan, since it's already opened, give it to Eldest Princess for a look."

The maid, hearing that, hurried down the steps and came to the table in Ning Prince's Mansion.

Tuan Tuan shook their head.

Wei Qingcheng, seeing the situation, immediately spoke: "The Princess (Commandery) has claimed this item as her own; could it be that she won't even hand it to Eldest Princess for a look?"

Cheng Ru'an glared, their gaze as cold as a blade.

Wei Qingcheng snorted, turned their head aside, not daring to lock eyes with Princess Consort Ning.

Tuan Tuan's small hand kept feeling around the copper lamp, as if searching for something, yet finding no way.

Gu Wanqing forced down their inner resentment, sneered: "It's nothing more than that!"

As soon as the words fell, Tuan Tuan's eyes brightened, and they grasped the top and bottom of the copper lamp with both hands, twisting forcefully.

"Kak!" a light crack sounded, and the copper lamp split cleanly in two; Tuan Tuan carefully pulled the two ends outward, revealing a huge night‑glowing pearl as large as a pigeon egg.

They took out the night‑glowing pearl, lifted it high above their head: "Mother! Look!"

The pearl instantly burst into dazzling radiance, entirely different from an ordinary night‑glowing pearl.

Pure light passed through the outer shell, projecting outward, transforming into countless vivid birds and blossoms, even ethereal fairies dancing in exquisite light and shadow!

The entire great hall was enveloped in a dream‑like, illusory play of light.

Holding the night‑glowing pearl, Tuan Tuan stood at the center of the illumination, completely bathed in the light, their whole body sparkling translucent, as if they themselves were glowing.

Everyone, including Eldest Princess, stared dumbfounded, and for a long moment no one spoke.

Cheng Ru'an, though also delighted, felt a heavy unease rise; Tuan Tuan had shown too much brilliance today and the matter must be settled quickly: "Good Tuan Tuan, give it to Eldest Princess for a look, okay?"

"Mm‑mm!" Tuan Tuan withdrew their hand, cradling the pearl and trotting toward Eldest Princess.

According to Palace rules, offerings from subjects may not be approached directly and must be handed over by a maid.

Eldest Princess waved a hand, stopping the maid who was about to intervene: "No need, let her come forward."

Tuan Tuan ran to their side: "Eldest Princess! For you!"

Eldest Princess smiled and took it: "Tuan Tuan, how impressive! Let Imperial Aunt see; this pearl is so mysterious, what secret does it hold?"

A collective gasp rose; Eldest Princess had just called herself Tuan Tuan's aunt! Under imperial authority, everyone is first judged by lord‑subject relations, then by kinship; this title Imperial Aunt, more valuable than any reward, was supreme favor.

Tuan Tuan was confused: "Imperial Aunt?"

Eldest Princess nodded: "Yes, your surname is Xiao, mine is also Xiao; in terms of seniority, I am your paternal aunt, so naturally I am your Imperial Aunt!"

Tuan Tuan beamed and leapt into their arms: "Imperial Aunt!"

Eldest Princess's heart trembled at the address: "So obedient."

She held Tuan Tuan with one arm, raised the pearl before her eyes with the other, examining it closely.

After a moment, she smiled: "I see! The inner wall of this pearl is carved with countless blossoms, birds, and fairies; its light is extraordinarily brilliant, which explains this phenomenon—truly a masterpiece of ingenuity."

"Bring that copper lamp over."

The maid hurriedly complied, bringing the copper lamp as well; Eldest Princess handed both the pearl and the lamp to Tuan Tuan: "How did Tuan Tuan open it? Let Imperial Aunt have a look, okay?"

"Alright!" Tuan Tuan took the copper lamp, reinserted the pearl exactly as before, carefully located the mechanism, twisted, pressed, and "Kak!" the night‑glowing pearl locked back inside the copper lamp.

Eldest Princess gave the copper lamp to the maid: "Along with the earlier Xuanji Ruler, send them together to Prince Ning's carriage." Having said that, she stood up.

Everyone, seeing this, also hurried to stand.

"I am a little weary, you may go as you wish. Princess Consort Ning, please follow me." She took Tuan Tuan's small hand and walked toward the inner hall; Cheng Ru'an answered with a nod and followed.

"Respectfully escort Eldest Princess!" Everyone saluted, returned to their seats, and when Eldest Princess's figure vanished, the great hall instantly filled with clamor.

"Today was certainly not in vain! To witness these two rare treasures with my own eyes!"

"Indeed! Three lifetimes of luck! Truly three lifetimes of luck!"

"Princess Jiayou truly possesses extraordinary talent; at such a young age she managed to solve such a clever mechanism!"

"Who says otherwise! Take that Mysterious Iron Wood, who would think it must be smashed to reveal the night‑glowing pearl! This is no mere mechanism, it's a miracle!"

"They say the Great Hidden dwells in the world, and indeed this rare treasure is just the same!"

"Prince Ning's legitimate daughter seems no less than the capital's prized ladies!"

Only Wei Qingcheng and Gu Wanqing, mother and daughter, wore faces ashen, as if sitting on a bed of needles.

Cheng Ru'an followed Eldest Princess into the inner hall; Eldest Princess instructed: "Please be seated."

"Thank you, Eldest Princess." Cheng Ru'an pulled their daughter, bowed, and sat.

Eldest Princess had someone present a small box, her fingers gently stroking it: "Tuan Tuan, Imperial Aunt wishes you to open this; are you willing?"

Tuan Tuan opened their big eyes, blinking as they stared at the box in her hand.

Eldest Princess's expression grew somber, gently caressing the box: "However, Imperial Aunt cannot give it to you, because this is the thing I cherish most."

Cheng Ru'an, after hearing, understood a bit: "Could it be that this was left by the Crown Prince Consort?"

Eldest Princess's eyes glistened with tears, and she silently nodded.

"What kind of horse is a Crown Prince Consort? Mother?" Tuan Tuan didn't understand.

Cheng Ru'an sighed lightly: "The Crown Prince Consort is Eldest Princess's husband; Eldest Princess is your Imperial Aunt, so the Crown Prince Consort is naturally your Imperial Uncle."

"Then where is Imperial Uncle?" Tuan Tuan asked further; a child's curiosity knows no bounds.

Cheng Ru'an glanced at Eldest Princess, helplessly answered their daughter: "The general died after a hundred battles. Your Imperial Uncle, like your father, was a great general on the battlefield. Yet many years ago, he unfortunately perished on the field…"

She pulled her daughter into her arms: "This, then, is what he left behind; your Imperial Aunt wants you to help her open it. Tuan Tuan, try it, okay?"

Tuan Tuan understood; no wonder Imperial Aunt was so gloomy and unhappy, it was because of Imperial Uncle.

Eldest Princess's tears had already slid down her cheek; her voice trembled as she asked: "Tuan Tuan, will you help Imperial Aunt? I have consulted countless artisans, none could open it; after all these years I just want to see what he actually left behind."