Shen Yanshui took in every change in the expressions of those present and merely smiled, not taking it to heart.
She was only a Shaoxun of the Crown Prince. Even if she entered the palace, she would not be allowed to bring along the maid who had served her since childhood.
Fortunately, before entering the palace, she had already managed to claw back from her legal mother part of the dowry that had originally been prepared for her.
Even without the Crown Prince’s favor, that fairly substantial sum of money should be enough to ensure she lived comfortably without worrying about food or drink.
After all, there were very few people in this world who could bring themselves to turn down money.
“Chunping, bring me writing materials.”
“Yes.”
Chunping moved swiftly and soon had an entire set of brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone laid out. It was clear that she knew the placement of everything in the room by heart.
Shen Yanshui turned to Quanfu and smiled. “Can you write?”
“Replying to Your Ladyship, I can write a little. It’s just that my handwriting is rather crude, and I fear it may offend your eyes.”
Shen Yanshui felt half her worries ease at once. After having him write a few characters for her to inspect, she realized he had been far too modest. He was well beyond merely being able to read and write.
After questioning him carefully, she learned that Quanfu had acquired his literacy because he had taken an old eunuch who had worked in the Zhaowen Library for over a decade as his adoptive father.
The reason he was now serving in the Eastern Palace was that his adoptive father had fallen ill some time ago. Thinking he might not have much time left, the old eunuch had asked Quanfu what he wanted to do and then called in a favor to have him assigned to work in the Eastern Palace.
Shen Yanshui understood.
She then instructed him to register and inventory everything in the room. Turning to Chunping, she said, “First, follow Quanfu and learn to read. The two of you will manage the storeroom together. From now on, whenever anything enters or leaves the storeroom, both of you must count and verify it, then sign for it.”
She did not expect there to be anything particularly valuable. At present, her most precious possessions were the two thousand taels in banknotes hidden on her person, along with some loose silver for daily expenses.
Still, some rules had to be established from the beginning.
The two of them hurriedly agreed. After Quanfu withdrew, Chunping brought over a cup of hot tea and asked respectfully, “My lady, shall I send someone to the kitchens to bring our meal?”
The wealthy and influential households of the Great Yong Dynasty generally ate three meals a day. The palace kitchens, however, operated according to set hours. One could not simply eat whenever one pleased unless one was willing to pay extra.
Shen Yanshui raised a hand and pushed open the window behind her. Daylight poured in, and the spring sunshine enveloped her, warming her from head to toe and making her feel somewhat languid.
She glanced at the sky outside and realized she was getting hungry. “Go and order the meal. Oh, and have them bring plenty of meat. Something sour and spicy to stimulate the appetite—not anything too bland. If it isn’t included in my allotted provisions, pay for it separately.”
Once she had eaten, she could look around the entire courtyard, take a walk to aid digestion, and then go to sleep. It was a perfect plan.
She was in the middle of imagining it when she noticed Chunping gazing at her with an expression that clearly said she wanted to speak but hesitated.
“What is it?”
Chunping bowed uncertainly. “Replying to Your Ladyship, today is the first day the new consorts have entered the Eastern Palace. If you eat something overly sour and spicy, and His Highness the Crown Prince happens to come by, you might lose some propriety in his presence…”
Not only did the palace maids and eunuchs serving their masters have to keep their clothes neat and ensure they had no unpleasant odors that might offend the noble masters and mistresses, but the consorts and lesser ladies of each palace also had to make sure they carried no strong or disagreeable scents whenever they were required to attend someone.
Shen Yanshui smiled. “There’s no need to worry. Everyone says His Highness the Crown Prince is exceptionally proper and attaches great importance to rules. I have two women ranked above me, after all. It won’t be my turn today.”
Not to mention her relationship with her elder legitimate sister.
She had heard that the Crown Prince’s maternal uncle, the General of Agile Cavalry, had recently clashed repeatedly with the civil officials at court. She guessed the Crown Prince’s mood had been poor lately. It would be best if he did not come.
After hearing this, Chunping thought it made sense and said no more. She went outside to give the orders. However, when instructing Dongyi, she paused to think, then added a few more reminders before finally handing her the money and telling her to collect the meal from the Eastern Palace kitchens together with Quanshou.
*
“Your Highness, it is already the hour of the Monkey. Shall I have the evening meal brought in?”
The cautious yet earnest voice of Zheng Yuande sounded outside the study of the Dunben Hall.
The doors and windows of the study were tightly shut, leaving the room somewhat dim.
A tall man with a straight back and refined, gentle features sat alone behind a rosewood desk, his face expressionless.
He wore a white jade crown and a dark robe with wide sleeves and a round collar, embroidered with subtle silver patterns. A leather belt encircled his waist. His features were scholarly and elegant, yet an aura of noble severity radiated from him, making anyone who looked at him feel intimidated.
“No need.” Cui Yu’s voice was calm as he lowered his eyes to the book before him.
Outside the study, Zheng Yuande was frantic with worry. He stamped his feet in agitation.
“Oh, how can that do, Your Highness? You haven’t eaten properly all day. I beg you, please have at least a little food. What will happen if you make yourself ill from hunger?
“If Her Majesty the Empress finds out, she certainly won’t let this servant off. Your Highness, please take pity on this servant and save me…”
Zheng Yuande’s voice carried a distinctly tearful note, making him sound especially pitiful.
“Too noisy.” Cui Yu furrowed his brows in annoyance.
Zheng Yuande immediately raised his chubby hands to cover his mouth, not daring to say another word.
Yet inwardly, he let out a heavy sigh. He knew His Highness was troubled because of His Majesty’s reprimand of the General of Agile Cavalry, which had ruined his appetite.
But no matter what the matter was, His Highness still had to eat at regular hours. How could this continue?
Just as he was worrying over it, his eyes suddenly lit up. He looked at the person approaching with undisguised anticipation.
“Miss Hongling, what brings you here? Has Her Highness the Crown Princess sent you to invite His Highness to dine with her?”
Hongling gave him a courteous curtsy and smiled. “Greetings, Eunuch Yuande. Her Highness has sent this servant to invite His Highness the Crown Prince to the Xifang Hall for dinner. She has something to discuss with him.”
Upon hearing this, Zheng Yuande smiled so broadly that his teeth nearly disappeared from view. He immediately went into the study to report to His Highness.
In the Xifang Hall, dishes were being arranged in an orderly fashion.
The Crown Princess asked, “Has the rain-before-the-grain Longjing His Highness prefers been brewed?”
“Replying to Your Highness, this servant prepared it some time ago.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the Crown Princess heard the familiar sounds announcing the Crown Prince’s arrival.
First came a series of quick, light footsteps. Only afterward did the steady, unhurried sound of his stride reach them.
The Crown Princess watched the tall, straight figure approaching her, as elegant as green bamboo, his features refined and scholarly. Pressing her lips into a smile, she stepped forward and curtsied.
“Your Highness, I pay my respects.”
Cui Yu’s expression remained tranquil. He raised a hand and gave a token gesture of support. “There is no need for formalities.” His deep, even voice revealed none of his emotions.
Seeing his calm, impassive face, the Crown Princess could not help feeling disappointed.
She naturally took the seat beside him. Cui Yu then turned his head toward her and asked, “Crown Princess, what was it you wished to discuss?”
At his courteous yet distant form of address, the smile on the Crown Princess’s face stiffened almost imperceptibly. It lasted only a moment before she returned to normal.
After three years, she had long since realized that although the Crown Prince possessed exceptionally refined and handsome features, he was truly cold and taciturn by nature.
He was not like this only with her; he treated the other women of the Eastern Palace the same way.
Even so, she had never been able to rid herself of a trace of unwillingness.
He was the Crown Prince, the heir to the empire, but he was also her husband. Why couldn’t he be a little more gentle and considerate with her?
Yet her expression remained composed and gracious. With a smile, she said softly, “There’s no need to hurry. The eunuch in charge of the kitchen told me that Your Highness hasn’t summoned a meal all day, and I was worried about your health. Why don’t you eat something first?”
At that, Cui Yu nodded.
Zheng Yuande, who had been waiting nearby, finally let out a sigh of relief when he saw the Crown Prince pick up his chopsticks.
It wasn’t long, however, before the Crown Prince put down his bowl and chopsticks after eating only a few mouthfuls and half a bowl of chicken congee.
Zheng Yuande: “…”
That wasn’t even enough to count as the two bites His Highness usually ate.
Seeing this, the Crown Princess promptly set down her chopsticks as well. Cui Yu glanced at her. “I had some pastries in the study earlier, so I’m not hungry now. You needn’t worry about me.”
The Crown Princess dabbed at the corner of her mouth and smiled. “Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness. I’m already full as well.”
Cui Yu glanced at her but said nothing more.
After rinsing their mouths, the two of them took their seats on a luohan couch in the eastern warm chamber, with a rosewood tea table between them. The Crown Princess personally brewed a cup of tea. Her fingers were long and slender, and her nails were painted in layers of dazzling crimson.
“This is the pre-Qingming Longjing tea newly delivered by the Imperial Food Bureau this year. Would Your Highness care to try it?”
Cui Yu raised his hand and accepted the cup. After taking a small sip, he said, “Not bad.”
The Crown Princess smiled. “I’m glad Your Highness likes it.”
Just then, Qinghe came to report that the young prince had awakened and was fussing to see the Crown Princess.
The Crown Princess turned toward the Crown Prince and said with a smile, “Quickly, bring Zhang’er here.”
Before long, Qinghe entered with the wet nurse, who was carrying the young prince.
After paying their respects, the wet nurse did not dare raise her head. With the utmost deference, she handed the child to the Crown Princess, who had reached out to take him.
The Crown Princess held the child and chatted merrily as she teased him for the Crown Prince to see.
This was Cui Yu’s only son, as well as his eldest legitimate son, so naturally Cui Yu valued him greatly. At the sight of the child before him, his expression softened unconsciously.
The boy was only a little over two by traditional reckoning, and he had been frail and frequently ill since birth. Even now, one glance was enough to tell that he was thin and not particularly robust.
He still looked as though he had only just awakened, and Cui Yu’s brows instinctively drew together.
After watching him for a while, he asked about the child’s health in recent days.
The Crown Princess handed the child back to the wet nurse, then replied with a loving smile, “Your Highness needn’t worry. With Physician Zhang attending to him, Zhang’er’s health has already improved considerably. He will certainly grow up safe and healthy.”
The slight furrow between Cui Yu’s brows eased.
Seeing this, the Crown Princess smiled again and told him a few amusing stories about the child’s recent antics. However, the Crown Prince merely listened without saying anything further, and the smile at the corners of her lips gradually faltered. Her fingers tightened around the silk handkerchief hidden in her sleeve.
After a moment, she changed the subject. “I specifically invited Your Highness here today to discuss the matter of the palace women newly bestowed by Imperial Father.”
Cui Yu raised his eyes to look at her.
The Crown Princess continued, “All four younger sisters were personally inspected and approved by Imperial Father, and they have now all been settled in their residences.”
“Lady Zhang has been placed in the main hall of Bamboo Fragrance Residence, while Lady Wu has been assigned to the main hall of Begonia Courtyard.”
After saying this, the Crown Princess asked with a smile, “May I ask where Your Highness intends to spend the night?”
Cui Yu set down the teacup in his hand and turned to look at her. His voice was calm and emotionless. “There are four of them, are there not? What of the other two?”
The Crown Princess was slightly taken aback. Looking at his expression, she smiled and replied gently, “The other one, Lady Shen, is the daughter of the Duke of Loyalty and Righteousness. She has been placed together with Lady Liu in the eastern and western side chambers of Lotus Heart Court.”
The Crown Prince suddenly asked, “What does the Crown Princess think of… Lady Shen?”
His abrupt question left the Crown Princess stunned for a moment. Then, without meaning to, she recalled Lady Shen’s beautiful face—one so unforgettable that anyone who saw it would have difficulty looking away.
She frowned instinctively. Had the Crown Prince met Lady Shen? Otherwise, why would he suddenly bring her up?
After a pause, she replied with a smile, “Lady Shen comes from a family of nobility. Her father and brothers are all military men, and she is a daughter born of a concubine, so the rules in her family were inevitably somewhat lax. Although she has learned some proper etiquette since entering the palace, it has only been a short while, and there are still shortcomings in her words and behavior.”
“I was thinking of disciplining her a little before allowing her to attend upon Your Highness.”
Cui Yu’s brows drew together almost imperceptibly. His cold phoenix eyes swept over her. A moment later, he rose calmly and said, “There’s no need. Lady Shen will do.”
