Shen Yanshui returned to Chengxin Hall in her sedan chair when the sun was already nearing noon.
The moment she stepped through the courtyard gate, she sensed that something was off.
Dongyi came forward to salute, but her footsteps were hesitant, and her eyes kept darting toward the main hall.
Catching the look out of the corner of her eye, Shen Yanshui paused.
Dongyi met her gaze, her eyes flickering. She quickly lowered them, looking so guilty that she hardly dared meet Shen Yanshui’s eyes.
Shen Yanshui: “...?”
She crossed the covered walkway and climbed the steps. Zheng Yuande, who was standing guard outside, saw her return and hurriedly bowed. Even his voice was lower than usual. “Greetings, Worthy Lady.”
Shen Yanshui nodded and entered the main hall. When she lifted the inner curtain, she immediately saw the Crown Prince seated on the daybed.
Cui Yu was dressed in a blue everyday robe, reclining against the daybed with a book in his hand. His brows and eyes were calm and composed.
A smile spread across her face as she walked toward him. “Your Highness, why are you back so early today? Have you had lunch yet?”
Cui Yu raised his eyes and glanced at her.
Then he lowered his gaze, returning his attention to the page.
Shen Yanshui: “...?”
She blinked, moved closer, and tilted her head to look up at his face from below.
Cui Yu kept his eyes lowered, his expression indifferent and his gaze fixed on the page. He did not move at all, as though a flower had bloomed on the book.
Shen Yanshui leaned even closer, nearly pressing herself against his face.
Cui Yu: “...” At last, he raised his eyes and glanced at her again.
Shen Yanshui blinked. “What’s wrong, Your Highness? Is something upsetting you?”
Cui Yu looked at her and finally spoke. His voice was flat, revealing no emotion. “Where did you go?”
Shen Yanshui froze. “I went to Qiyun Pavilion to visit Sister Xu. She developed a high fever last night, and I couldn’t put my mind at ease, so I asked an imperial physician to examine her...” She suddenly stopped.
After realizing what she had said, her face immediately turned sheepish, and her smile grew guilty.
“Your Highness...” She leaned closer to peer at him, then reached out and lightly tugged at his sleeve. “I know I was wrong. I won’t do it again.”
Cui Yu lowered his eyes to look at the hand tugging on his sleeve. He extended a finger... and pried his sleeve back from her grasp without saying a word.
Shen Yanshui: “...”
Oh no. She was finding this a little funny.
She hurriedly held back her laughter and put on a solemn expression. “Your Highness, rest assured. I know what I’m doing. When I visited Sister Xu today, I spoke to her from behind the curtain the entire time. The imperial physician was inside examining her, while I sat outside. I didn’t even enter the inner room...”
Hearing this, Cui Yu finally set down the book in his hand and looked at her.
His gaze rested on her face, and although his voice remained flat, it carried a hint of weight. “If you are worried about Second Miss Xu, you could simply send a few more imperial physicians to examine her. Why did you have to go there yourself? Or are you... more skilled in medicine than the imperial physicians?”
Second Miss Xu... Was she really that important? Important enough for Shen Yanshui to risk catching the illness just to visit her personally?
Shen Yanshui: “...”
This was the first time she had heard the Crown Prince use such pointed sarcasm. It was rather novel.
Still, she felt a little touched by his words.
After all, they did not know that she possessed a supernatural ability. Under the circumstances, it was only natural for him to be worried about her.
She nodded obediently again and again. “Your Highness is right. I was wrong. If there’s a next time, you may punish me however you wish.”
In any case, she had to show an earnest attitude when admitting fault. As for whether she would actually change... Well, she would consider each situation on its own.
But seeing that he remained unmoved, Shen Yanshui reached out and pressed down on his shoulder, pushing him backward onto the daybed. Then she lifted one leg and straddled him.
Cui Yu hurriedly caught her around the waist, his tone changing slightly. “A-Yan, don’t be reckless!”
Shen Yanshui paused and looked at him with an innocent, coquettish expression. “Your Highness, what were you thinking?” As she spoke, she lay down on top of him, wrapped her arms around his waist, buried her head in the crook of his neck, and rubbed against him.
Her voice was soft and sweet, with a playful, wheedling lilt. “I really know I was wrong. I won’t dare do it again, so please don’t be angry, Your Highness~” As she spoke, she lightly patted his chest.
Cui Yu let out a sigh of relief. Looking down at her fluffy head, he breathed in the faint, woody fragrance clinging to her. After she rubbed against him and coaxed him so sweetly, all his anger vanished.
He sighed inwardly.
But he still said nothing, simply allowing her to hold him.
A-Yan had always been glib, lavish with sweet words, and exceptionally good at taking advantage of an opening. If he let her off too easily, she would only become even more unruly in the future.
Seeing that he remained silent, Shen Yanshui did not mind. She continued hugging him and rubbing against him. Suddenly, she raised her head and kissed his pale, thin lips. Her eyes shining, she said, “Your Highness, why don’t I tell you a riddle joke?”
Cui Yu: “...”
He immediately remembered the riddle joke from last time—“The mushroom made the orange die, and the orange had no choice but to die.” He could no longer keep up his cold expression. Unable to stop himself, he lightly patted her plump bottom and said in a low voice, “Don’t be so willful from now on.”
Shen Yanshui hurriedly nodded, then tipped up her smiling face and pursed her lips as she leaned over to kiss him several times in a row. “Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, mm-hmm! I’ll remember, Your Highness!”
Hearing the laughter and playful noise from inside, Zheng Yuande, Dongyi, Chunping, and the others serving outside all breathed a sigh of relief.
As for Nanny Wang, she smiled when she heard the commotion, as though she was not surprised in the least.
If she had not understood her mistress’s temperament, nor seen the Crown Prince’s attitude toward her, she would never have dared mention something so likely to offend her mistress.
*
For the next few days, Shen Yanshui obediently stayed in Chengxin Hall and did not go anywhere.
She was afraid that the moment she stepped outside, she would run into another juicy secret. One was already more than enough; any more and she would suffer indigestion. She did not ask how the Crown Prince intended to handle the matter. Since she had heard nothing about it over the past two days, she temporarily set it aside.
Chengxin Hall was quite spacious, and the scenery throughout the grounds was lovely. For the time being, there was more than enough to keep her entertained.
Over the past two days, she had invited Lady Zhang to stroll around with her. Shen Yanshui went fishing beside the small lake in Chengxin Hall while Lady Zhang painted nearby. The two of them had a wonderful time.
She also had Dongyi inquire about Sister Xu. After taking the medicine prescribed by the imperial physician and resting for several days, her fever had subsided. She was merely still somewhat weak and would recover fully after taking care of herself for a while.
Only then did Shen Yanshui set her mind at ease.
Each day, when Cui Yu returned from court discussions, he could see her basking in the sun and eating snacks with Lady Zhang in the courtyard, teasing cats and birds beneath the covered walkway, fishing, listening to people read popular storybooks aloud... She looked utterly carefree.
She certainly knew how to amuse herself. One Sister Xu had left, and now she had gained a Lady Zhang...
That afternoon, after finishing the government affairs at hand, Cui Yu raised his eyes toward the window.
Outside, Shen Yanshui was sitting unusually quietly in a reclining chair, doing needlework. She was completely absorbed in it, taking it very seriously.
Hmm... she had finally remembered the special outfit she had yet to make for the Crown Prince. Once the thought came to her, her imagination began to run wild.
“A-Yan.”
Shen Yanshui turned at the sound of his voice and saw him looking at her. She smiled brightly. “Your Highness? What is it?”
He glanced at what she was holding—a ribbon that was unmistakably styled for a man.
Without revealing anything, he quietly looked away and said with an impassive expression, “Would you like to go out for a walk?”
Shen Yanshui’s eyes lit up. “Your Highness, are you free this afternoon?”
Looking at her sparkling eyes, Cui Yu nodded.
Zheng Yuande, who was standing nearby, fell silent.
If he remembered correctly, the Crown Prince had clearly promised Great General Qi that morning that they would go horseback riding together that afternoon...
Seeing him nod, Shen Yanshui’s face immediately blossomed into a broad smile.
“That’s wonderful!” She happily wrapped her arms around his. “Your Highness, how about we have a barbecue this afternoon?”
Cui Yu raised an eyebrow. “Barbecue? You mean grilled meat?”
Shen Yanshui nodded repeatedly. “I’ve wanted to eat it for ages. But besides meat, we’ll need some vegetables too. I saw a lot of wild greens in several places around the outskirts of the imperial retreat. Why don’t we pick them ourselves?”
Wild greens that they picked themselves would surely taste even better.
Besides, ever since arriving at the imperial retreat, she had not gone out alone with the Crown Prince.
Looking at her eager expression, the corners of Cui Yu’s lips curved faintly. He nodded. “Very well.”
Shen Yanshui smiled brightly. “Your Highness, please wait a moment. I’ll go change.”
The outfit she was wearing was also casual, but the fabric was fine and the embroidery intricate. If she really went digging for wild greens in it, it would probably be snagged and torn before long.
That would be such a waste.
Cui Yu watched her retreating figure, a trace of amusement rising in his eyes.
A short while later, Shen Yanshui emerged from the inner room.
Cui Yu looked up and could not help feeling slightly surprised.
She was wearing a green palace maid’s uniform.
She had also removed all the ornaments from her hair, leaving only a pale green ribbon tied around it and trailing down her back. She looked fresh and unadorned, and she was carrying a bamboo basket in her hand.
Seeing him looking at her, Shen Yanshui smiled. “Your Highness, shall we go?”
She was wearing Chunping’s clothes. Their figures were about the same size, but around the chest... they were a little tight.
Cui Yu withdrew his gaze and nodded calmly. “Let’s go.”
Shen Yanshui hurried after him.
The two of them left Chengxin Hall and followed a flagstone path forward.
To gather wild greens, they had to go to the outskirts of the imperial retreat.
They walked through a stretch of maple woods and circled around a rocky hill. After roughly half an hour, the view suddenly opened up before them.
It was a sunlit gentle slope, covered in lush green grass with a few scattered wildflowers blooming here and there. At the foot of the slope ran a small stream, its water murmuring as it flowed, clear enough to see straight to the bottom.
Shen Yanshui’s eyes lit up. “Your Highness, there are wild greens over there.”
Cui Yu followed the direction she pointed. All he saw was a patch of verdant plants that looked more or less identical.
His expression did not change. He merely gave a faint “Mm.”
Shen Yanshui had already crouched down and begun picking them with great enthusiasm.
“This is purslane.” She held up a plump sprig of wild greens and turned to smile at Cui Yu. “It clears heat, promotes urination, cools the blood, and detoxifies the body. Once we take it back, we can blanch it and serve it cold, or grill it. It’s delicious either way. It has a crisp texture with a slight sourness that really whets the appetite.”
Cui Yu lowered his eyes to the greens in her hand but said nothing.
Shen Yanshui pointed to another plant. “And this is lamb’s-quarter...”
She explained as she picked, her movements practiced and skillful.
After a while, she looked up and saw that Cui Yu was still standing there, upright and dignified as ever. She could not help laughing.
“Your Highness.” She rose and walked over, taking his hand and pulling him toward the patch of wild greens. “Would you like to try picking some too?”
Cui Yu was pulled down into a crouch by her. Looking at the greenery before him, he seemed unsure where to begin.
Shen Yanshui pointed to a clump of purslane in front of them. “Your Highness, pick this one. Pinch off the tender tips.”
Cui Yu glanced at her, then reached out and pinched off a tender tip from the clump, placing it in the bamboo basket she was carrying.
Shen Yanshui praised him. “Your Highness is so skilled. That’s exactly how you do it.”
Cui Yu’s expression remained calm as he continued pinching off the greens.
Seeing that he had gotten the hang of it, Shen Yanshui eagerly moved farther ahead.
“Your Highness, keep picking. I’ll go take a look over there.” She pointed toward the shade of a tree not far away. “It looks like there might be mushrooms there.”
There had been a light rain a few days earlier, followed by two sunny days. It was just the time of year when mushrooms sprang up after rain.
Cui Yu looked over and saw that she was already crouching beneath the tree, calling out in delight, “There really are mushrooms!”
The corners of his lips curved faintly. He looked away and continued picking the wild greens in front of him.
After picking several stalks, he frowned slightly. He examined the plant in his hand, then looked at another one growing beside it that appeared nearly identical, falling into deep thought.
A moment later, he confidently pinched off that plant as well and placed it in the basket Zheng Yuande was carrying.
Zheng Yuande: “...?”
He could not help looking back and forth between the plant and the Crown Prince.
Well... His Highness was wise and mighty. How could he possibly mistake a mere wild green?
He held the basket with even greater seriousness. These were no ordinary wild greens—they had been picked personally by the Crown Prince!
By the time Shen Yanshui had nearly swept the entire patch of mushrooms clean, she stood up contentedly and carried the basket overflowing with them back toward the others.
“Your Highness!” She called out from a distance, her smiling face tilted up. “I picked so many mushrooms!”
Cui Yu looked up at her. Seeing the radiant smile on her face, amusement rose in his eyes as well.
Shen Yanshui ran over. When she saw the basket beside him from a distance, she could not help exclaiming, “Wow! Your Highness picked so many!”
Zheng Yuande proudly raised his plump double chin. Their Crown Prince was indeed extraordinarily capable!
But when Shen Yanshui came closer and took a look, the smile on her face stiffened slightly.
Among the heap of lush green things, there were only a few wild greens.
The rest of the basket was filled with weeds.
Shen Yanshui: “...”
She looked up at the Crown Prince and saw him gazing at her with amusement in his eyes.
The words she had been about to say instantly dissolved on her tongue.
She thought to herself: His Highness is a member of the imperial family. How could he possibly know anything about wild greens? The fact that he was willing to accompany her here and pick them with his own hands was already remarkable.
How could she discourage him?
So she put on an enormous smile and showered him with unrestrained praise. “Your Highness is amazing. You picked so much! With all this, tonight’s barbecue is sure to be especially delicious. And it was all picked by Your Highness himself!”
Cui Yu looked at her. His expression remained calm, but the corners of his lips curved faintly upward.
Nearby, Chunping kept her head lowered, not daring to make a sound.
Seeing that it was getting late, Shen Yanshui began walking back.
But halfway there, the sound of approaching footsteps suddenly came from ahead, accompanied by a hearty voice.
“Your Highness!”
Shen Yanshui looked up and saw a tall, powerfully built man striding toward them.
He was dressed in a black fitted outfit embroidered with silver patterns. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and long-legged, with wheat-colored skin and deep, handsome features. A hint of carefree boldness shone between his brows and eyes, and he bore a striking resemblance to the Crown Prince—perhaps three parts alike.
However, compared with the Crown Prince’s refined elegance and aristocratic bearing, this man possessed far more rugged, heroic vigor.
The man strode over and clasped his fists toward Cui Yu. “This subject pays his respects to His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Without waiting for Cui Yu to speak, he straightened and continued, “You rascal, you clearly promised to go horse racing with me this afternoon. I waited at the practice grounds for half an hour and didn’t see so much as your shadow! I never thought I’d find you here instead. What are you doing here?”
Cui Yu: “...”
He had forgotten to send word to his maternal uncle...
And Zheng Yuande hadn’t thought of it either!
He shot Zheng Yuande a glance.
Zheng Yuande’s chubby face immediately crumpled. “It’s this servant’s fault. I actually forgot both such important matters for a moment. I deserve to be punished! I beg Your Highness and Great General Qi for forgiveness.”
It wasn’t that he didn’t know how long His Highness intended to pick wild vegetables with Worthy Lady Shen. What if His Highness only planned to accompany Worthy Lady Shen for a while before going to find Great General Qi?
Qi Mingchuan waved a hand at his miserable expression. He was just about to speak when he noticed the pile of bright green things gathered in Zheng Yuande’s robes. His face filled with confusion.
“Why did you pick all these weeds? Are you taking them back to feed the horses?”
Shen Yanshui: “...!”
Before she could stop him, Great General Qi had already rattled off the entire question.
Shen Yanshui instinctively looked at the Crown Prince, only to find him glancing sideways at her as well. Meeting his ominous gaze, she immediately turned her head away and looked everywhere—the sky, the ground—anywhere but at him.
Oh dear, the sky really was so blue, and the ground really was so... ground-like.
Zheng Yuande’s eyes widened. “???”
“...” Cui Yu’s expression remained indifferent as he asked calmly, “Why is my maternal uncle here?” He swept his gaze over the surroundings. This place was clearly not near the courtyard where his uncle lived; in fact, it was much closer to the residence of the Marquis Xuanyi.
Qi Mingchuan said, “I was just taking a walk. Is that not allowed? It’s your fault for standing me up.”
Cui Yu narrowed his eyes as he studied his uncle’s guilty expression.
Listening to their exchange, Shen Yanshui took the opportunity to bow. “This concubine pays her respects to Great General Qi.”
Only then did Qi Mingchuan’s gaze fall upon her. This palace maid was as beautiful as a flower, so he had naturally noticed her long ago. He had merely assumed she was a little maid serving his nephew. Now, however...
He withdrew his gaze and looked at Cui Yu, raising his brows.
Cui Yu’s expression remained unchanged. “Uncle, this is Worthy Lady Shen.”
He then turned his head toward Shen Yanshui. “A-Yan, this is my uncle. You may simply call him Uncle.”
Qi Mingchuan was somewhat surprised that Cui Yu had asked this Worthy Lady Shen to call him Uncle.
So this was the Worthy Lady Shen who had sent their family grapes and peaches?
Although he had been confined to his residence recently, he had still kept up with the news from the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace. He knew that this Worthy Lady Shen was greatly favored by his Crown Prince nephew.
Qi Mingchuan straightened his expression. “Worthy Lady, there is no need for such formality.”
His solemnity lasted less than three seconds. He looked at Cui Yu and immediately broke into a mischievous grin. “You little rascal, so you skipped our engagement to go out with a beauty?”
As he spoke, his gaze fell once more upon the basket in Shen Yanshui’s hands, then shifted to the pile of weeds gathered in Zheng Yuande’s robes. Suddenly, he burst into hearty laughter.
“Hahahahahaha!” He laughed so hard that he bent forward and backward, showing the Crown Prince not the slightest bit of consideration. “You went picking wild vegetables with Worthy Lady Shen, didn’t you? Why did she pick proper food while you came back with a bundle of weeds? Who are you planning to feed them to?”
“...” Shen Yanshui pressed her lips together with all her strength, her face turning faintly red as she struggled to hold back her laughter.
Especially with someone beside her openly mocking the Crown Prince without the slightest restraint, laughing so outrageously—she found it incredibly difficult to keep herself composed.
Cui Yu watched as his maternal uncle’s laughter grew increasingly excessive. The tips of his ears gradually reddened. “Uncle!”
Unable to hold back any longer, he lifted his foot and kicked at him.
Qi Mingchuan was prepared. He nimbly dodged the kick.
“Hey!” After dodging, he laughed even more heartily. “You little rascal, are you angry from embarrassment? Hahahaha!”
Shen Yanshui could no longer hold it in. A soft “pfft” escaped her.
Cui Yu silently turned his head toward her.
Shen Yanshui hurriedly clamped her mouth shut, though her eyes curved into crescent moons.
Stupid mouth, stop laughing already!
Seeing her struggle to contain her amusement, a helpless look flashed through Cui Yu’s eyes. At the same time, he felt just a little embarrassed...
Qi Mingchuan looked from one of them to the other and laughed even more uproariously.
Shen Yanshui gave a light cough and quickly changed the subject.
She looked at Qi Mingchuan and smiled openly. “I have long heard of Great General Qi’s reputation. Seeing you today, I find it truly lives up to its name. His Highness and I were just planning to return and roast some meat together. Uncle, if you do not mind, would you care to join us?”
Qi Mingchuan raised his brows.
He looked at Cui Yu, his eyes filled with a hint of teasing.
Cui Yu took a deep breath and looked at him. “If you have nothing else to do, Uncle, then come along.”
Seeing how readily Cui Yu allowed Worthy Lady Shen to make the decision, Qi Mingchuan immediately became interested. With a laugh, he said, “Then I won’t stand on ceremony.”
*
Upon returning to Chengxin Hall, Shen Yanshui changed into a simple, close-sleeved top and skirt, then had Chunping summon Eunuch Lin.
When Eunuch Lin learned that his master was finally going to have barbecue, he immediately sprang into action.
Before they had even left for the imperial retreat, the master had instructed him to prepare everything needed for a barbecue. The grill, silver-wire charcoal, bamboo skewers, and several types of ground seasoning had all been packed into jars, sealed, and brought along.
He had kept everything ready these past few days, waiting for the master to suddenly take a fancy to barbecue. Now, at last, all his preparations had come in handy.
He hurriedly brought Shouzhong, Shouyi, and several nimble palace eunuchs and maids from the residence to set up the grill, light the charcoal, wash the vegetables, and cut the meat. In less than half an hour, everything was ready.
Besides the wild bamboo shoots and mushrooms Shen Yanshui had brought back, he carefully sorted through the “wild vegetables” the Crown Prince had picked as well. He selected the few edible leaves, washed them, threaded them onto skewers, and presented them along with the rest.
Shen Yanshui specifically instructed them to skewer the wild vegetables picked personally by the Crown Prince and mark them clearly. Then she thought of Lady Zhang.
Lady Zhang was actually a little reserved and cautious by nature. With Great General Qi present, even though he was the Crown Prince’s maternal uncle, she probably would not come.
Still, Shen Yanshui felt she ought to ask.
She sent Dongyi to invite her.
Before long, Dongyi returned with a maid in green robes behind her. It was Huixin, who served Lady Zhang.
Huixin stepped forward and bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Worthy Lady Shen. My mistress asked me to thank you for your kind invitation. However, she is feeling somewhat tired today and will not come disturb you. She says that she will personally apologize to you another day.”
Shen Yanshui smiled and nodded. “Tell her to get plenty of rest. Next time, Sister Zhang, Sister Xu, and I can have a meal together on our own. We’ll be staying at the imperial retreat for quite some time yet, so there will be plenty of opportunities.”
Only after seeing that Worthy Lady Shen was not angry did Huixin let out a sigh of relief. A genuine smile appeared on her face. “Yes, this servant will certainly pass your message on to our mistress. Thank you, Worthy Lady, for your consideration.”
With that, she withdrew respectfully.
Once outside Chengxin Hall, Huixin’s steps were light, but she could not help thinking about how the Crown Prince had summoned their mistress to accompany him to the imperial retreat. Yet after arriving, he had spent every day living with Worthy Lady Shen.
The Crown Prince had never even asked after their mistress, much less visited their courtyard.
If Worthy Lady Shen had not taken the initiative to invite their mistress to join her in various activities these past few days, the servants at the imperial retreat—who were all experts at reading the room—might already have begun fawning over those in favor and looking down on those who were not.
Huixin could not help sighing at the thought.
……
Eunuch Lin’s skill truly lived up to expectations. He had actually managed to pick out several edible wild greens from that heap of weeds and had strung them onto three skewers.
Shen Yanshui pointed at the skewers and cheerfully instructed Chunping, “Hurry and bring them over. I’ll grill them myself later.”
Chunping held back a laugh and nodded.
When Cui Yu and Qi Mingchuan came over from the study, they saw that she had already started grilling. She had a small barbecue rack in front of her, while several eunuchs were grilling on a slightly larger one nearby.
Shen Yanshui was sitting on a stool. She picked up several skewers of mushrooms and lamb, placed them on the grill, and brushed them with oil. They immediately began to sizzle.
Qi Mingchuan could not help staring in surprise. “Mushrooms can be grilled too?”
Hearing his voice, Shen Yanshui looked up and smiled at him. “Little Uncle, you may not know this, but grilled mushrooms are delicious. I like to have a mix of meat and vegetables. You and His Highness should try them later and see whether you like them.”
As she spoke, she picked up the skewered wild greens and several kinds of vegetables already available at the imperial retreat and placed them all on the grill. Her movements were extremely practiced.
Cui Yu watched her bustle about, a faint smile rising in his eyes. He then sat down beside her, picked up a few pieces of meat, and placed them on the grill.
Qi Mingchuan: “……”
Why did he suddenly feel as though his teeth were aching from all the sweetness?
He dropped himself onto the seat opposite them. His grilling skills were quite good, after all.
Before long, a rich fragrance wafted from the grill.
It was entirely different from the usual aroma of grilled meat. Along with the charred fragrance of fat came an indescribable spicy scent that drilled straight into their noses.
After grilling for a little longer, the meat skewers began to glisten with oil, while the vegetables were cooked to perfection. Only then did Shen Yanshui arrange the grilled food onto plates and personally carry them over.
Qi Mingchuan unconsciously sat up straighter. This aroma… It really was different from ordinary grilled meat.
Shen Yanshui first placed the three marked skewers of wild greens in the most conspicuous spot and said with a bright smile, “These three skewers are the wild greens His Highness picked himself. I specifically had them set aside and threaded onto skewers. We’ll each have one and give them a try.”
Cui Yu: “……”
Qi Mingchuan was stunned at first, then burst into laughter. “Wild greens picked personally by His Highness the Crown Prince? I certainly can’t miss out on those.”
He picked up one and took a bite. The smile on his face stiffened slightly. He lowered his head to examine the green skewer in his hand, chewed a couple more times, and nodded. “Mm… It actually tastes pretty good?”
Shen Yanshui also picked up a skewer and took a bite, her eyes curving into crescent moons. “Wild greens picked by His Highness naturally taste wonderful.”
Qi Mingchuan glanced at her, then at his clearly pleased nephew.
Tsk!
Cui Yu’s expression remained composed as he picked up the last skewer and took a bite.
The taste… Mm, it really was quite good. The rich, spicy seasoning covered most of the wild greens’ bitterness, giving them a distinctive flavor.
Seeing him eat it, Shen Yanshui’s smile grew even brighter. She hurriedly handed him a skewer of grilled lamb. “Your Highness, try this!”
Cui Yu accepted the skewer and took a bite. His brows lifted slightly.
The meat had been grilled to perfection—crispy on the outside and tender within. The fragrance of the fat burst across his tongue, followed at once by the rich, spicy aroma. The two flavors mingled with the meat’s savory fragrance.
It was delicious. It truly was different from the grilled meat he was used to.
Qi Mingchuan also picked up a skewer of meat and took a large bite. After chewing twice, he could not help asking, “What did you put in this? Ordinary grilled meat doesn’t have this flavor.”
Shen Yanshui smiled and pointed at a small porcelain jar nearby. “This. I call it cumin.”
Qi Mingchuan leaned over to look at the grayish-brown powder inside the jar and gave it a sniff.
“Cumin?” He repeated the unfamiliar name. “I’ve never heard of it.”
Cui Yu glanced at her and said mildly, “Is this what you said before—the seeds of Persian cumin, ground into powder?”
Shen Yanshui smiled and nodded. “Your Highness has an excellent memory. That’s exactly what it is.”
Qi Mingchuan looked somewhat astonished. “The seeds of Persian cumin can be ground into a powder and used as a spice?”
He knew of Persian cumin. He had heard that some of the smaller countries in the Western Regions often used it for bathing, religious ceremonies, and stewing meat. He had even tasted it once…
In any case, he had not been impressed by the flavor. In the Central Plains, it was generally used for… medicine?
Shen Yanshui smiled. “I heard that Hu merchants use it in food, so I was curious and decided to try it. I didn’t expect it to taste so good.”
Qi Mingchuan nodded, figuring that the difference probably lay in the cooking. How could the culinary skills of those small Western Regions countries compare with those of Great Yong?
The group continued grilling and chatting. When they had nearly finished eating, Cui Yu suddenly thought of something and brought up the hunt scheduled for three days later.
Shen Yanshui immediately turned toward him, her eyes shining. “A hunt? Can the ladies go and watch too?”
Cui Yu nodded. “Yes. In previous years, they always set up a viewing platform for the ladies.”
This hunt was not like the military exercises, displays of power, or assessments held during a formal campaign hunt. For the most part, it was merely an outing for the imperial relatives and scions of noble families to accompany the Emperor and help him relax. Naturally, the ladies were allowed to watch from the side.
Shen Yanshui’s eyes lit up at once. “Then will Your Highness participate?”
She had only heard that the Crown Prince had hunted a bear by himself when he was in his teens. She had never seen him do it with her own eyes…
In fact… she did not think she had ever even seen the Crown Prince practice martial arts.
Cui Yu looked at the anticipation in her eyes, and the smile in his own eyes faded slightly. Lowering his gaze, he said, “Not necessarily.”
Because all his father wanted was a steady, gentle, obedient, docile Crown Prince who did not prize martial prowess—a “benevolent ruler” in the making.
In the depths of his eyes, where no one could see, a trace of mockery surfaced.
Qi Mingchuan’s smile also faded somewhat.
Shen Yanshui suddenly realized what was going on. After all, when the Crown Prince had accomplished the feat of hunting a bear alone at the age of fourteen, not only had Emperor Pingkang failed to praise him, he had instead reprimanded him…
What an old bastard!
His Highness had been only fourteen years old! The boy was so outstanding—if the old man could not bring himself to praise him, fine, but how could he actually scold him? Hmph!
The more Shen Yanshui thought about it, the angrier she became.
Before entering the Eastern Palace, she had already known about it. But at that time, the Crown Prince had been nothing more than a symbol representing the heir to the throne. Although she had been somewhat surprised and impressed, and had thought the Emperor was being utterly unreasonable… that had been all.
Thinking about it now, however, he felt something in his heart that he could not quite put into words.
That evening, just after Cui Yu had finished washing up and climbed into bed, Shen Yanshui rolled into his arms. She hugged his lean waist, rested her cheek against his chest, and listened to his steady heartbeat. Then she lifted her eyes to meet his lowered gaze, her expression serious, with a faint anticipation of the future.
“Your Highness, after I give birth to the baby, shall we come back here next year? You can accompany me horseback hunting. I’ve never learned archery before. Will you teach me then?”
Shen Yanshui, who had never fired an arrow but had fired a gun—and hit the bull’s-eye every time: She was telling the absolute truth. She hadn’t added a single word of exaggeration.
Hearing the faint note of pity in her voice, Cui Yu was stunned for a moment. Then he lowered his eyes, his thick, long lashes casting a shadow beneath them.
The arm around her shoulders tightened slightly. His throat felt constricted, and his voice was husky when he answered, “All right.”
When had Shen Yanshui ever seen the Crown Prince looking so pitiful? Her heart immediately filled with indignation toward Emperor Pingkang, and she cursed him inwardly all over again.
She hurriedly stroked his back. “Your Highness, you mustn’t look down on me when the time comes…”
Cui Yu listened quietly as she murmured about their future together. A smile lingered in his eyes. Every now and then, he would answer in a rather downcast voice, and then he would see the tenderness and heartache in A-Yan’s eyes as she looked at him…
*
Three days later, the autumn hunt began as scheduled.
The weather was perfect. The sky was a clear blue, without a single cloud. The morning breeze carried the fresh scent of grass and trees from the mountain forests, leaving everyone refreshed.
The hunting grounds north of the imperial retreat had long since been prepared. It was a vast area where mountains and plains intermingled. Layer upon layer of emerald peaks stretched into the distance, while broad grasslands spread out nearby. A clear stream wound down from the mountains, dividing the entire hunting ground in two.
Just after the hour of Chen, the area beside the hunting grounds was already filled with fluttering banners and the booming of drums and horns.
The men gathered at the starting point on the eastern side. Emperor Pingkang wore bright yellow riding clothes, his hair bound beneath a golden crown. A royal longbow hung from his waist. Though he was already past fifty, his posture remained straight, and his face was ruddy with vitality. Mounted on his horse, he still possessed something of the heroic bearing of his youth.
The princes, imperial relatives, civil officials, and military commanders stood in orderly rows on either side. Hundreds of fine steeds neighed and pawed at the ground, creating a magnificent spectacle.
Emperor Pingkang looked around, clearly in high spirits. He accepted a long arrow from the eunuch beside him, nocked it, and drew the bowstring. His gaze fixed on a deer a hundred paces away.
The entire field fell silent.
The arrow shot through the air—
And missed.
The deer leaped in alarm at the sound. The arrow grazed its body and flew past, embedding itself in the tree behind it with a metallic hum.
Emperor Pingkang’s face darkened at once.
“What an excellent shot, Your Majesty!” the commander of the Imperial Guards was the first to call out. “The force behind that arrow was tremendous. Even though the deer dodged it, the wind from the arrow must have injured it!”
“Exactly, exactly,” the Minister of Revenue hurriedly chimed in. “From the way the deer was limping as it ran, it must have suffered a serious wound.”
A chorus of flattery rose around them.
Emperor Pingkang’s expression gradually eased. He lowered his bow and gave a self-mocking chuckle. “Enough. You needn’t try to cover for me. I’m getting old, and my eyesight isn’t what it used to be. A few years ago, I never would have let it escape that arrow.”
Everyone hurried to assure him that His Majesty was still in the prime of life.
Emperor Pingkang waved them off and turned his gaze toward the Crown Prince.
Cui Yu wore dark blue riding clothes. His figure was straight, his expression calm and composed.
Looking at him, a complicated emotion flickered through Emperor Pingkang’s eyes before vanishing. With a smile, he said, “The Crown Prince is young, and his horsemanship and archery have always been excellent. You must show your father what you can do later.”
Cui Yu’s expression did not change. He replied respectfully, “This son has neglected his martial training these past few years and is far inferior to Father in your younger days. My meager skills are hardly worth displaying before you.”
The smile on Emperor Pingkang’s face became more genuine. He nodded. “There’s no need for the Crown Prince to belittle himself. You are the heir apparent and should win the world through benevolence and virtue, not martial prowess. A ruler must love his people with benevolence and distinguish right from wrong with wisdom. As for horsemanship and archery, they are merely the finishing touch.”
Cui Yu lowered his head. “This son will remember Father’s teachings.”
The emperor nodded in satisfaction and swept his gaze across the crowd.
Several elderly ministers maintained their usual expressions, nodding repeatedly in agreement. Qi Mingchuan’s face remained impassive, though the hand gripping his reins tightened slightly.
The emperor quickly withdrew his gaze and looked toward the hunting grounds once more. “Today’s autumn hunt is a chance for all of you to give free rein to your abilities. Don’t hold back. I will be watching from here. Whoever takes first place shall receive a generous reward!”
His declaration immediately set the field ablaze with excitement. The princes, imperial relatives, and military commanders answered in unison, their voices echoing through the mountains and forests.
The horns sounded again. Drums thundered like rolling lightning, and the banners snapped in the wind overhead.
The hunt had officially begun.
Cui Yu urged his horse forward at an unhurried pace. He glanced at the Eighth Prince, who was shouting impatiently at the Seventh Prince some distance away. His expression turned cold. Remembering the news he had received the previous day, he followed them from a distance.
On the elevated platform nearby, Shen Yanshui sat beside the empress. Her eyes remained fixed on the Crown Prince’s figure until it gradually disappeared from sight. Only then did she lift her cup and take a slow sip of hot tea.
Her gaze drifted casually to the side, where she spotted He Wan. Seeing how perfectly natural He Wan looked, Shen Yanshui could not help clicking her tongue inwardly.
This woman truly had the nerve of a bear and the gall of a tiger!
Once this matter was discovered, she was unlikely to come to any good end. Her entire clan might even face a complete wipeout. Yet Shen Yanshui could not understand how He Wan was still able to remain so calm.
She was about to look away when she unexpectedly noticed that her elder sister was also watching…
He Wan?
Lady Shen was indeed looking at He Wan, the niece of Noble Consort Lan.
A trace of disdainful pity surfaced in her eyes.
He Wan had once flaunted her status and thrown her weight around in front of Lady Shen. But now…
Heh. She was nothing more than a grasshopper in autumn, and she would not be leaping around for much longer.
From her dream, Lady Shen had learned that the Seventh Prince would suffer severe injuries on the first day of the summer retreat and hunting trip. He would become trapped beneath a cliff in the hunting grounds and, because he did not receive timely treatment, would come close to losing his life.
Fortunately, Marquis Xuanyi, who was in charge of guarding the hunting grounds, would discover him in the end and save his life. However, the Seventh Prince’s left leg would be left permanently crippled, causing him to walk with a limp for the rest of his life.
And that would only be the beginning.
At tonight’s victory banquet, the Eighth Prince and He Wan, the Seventh Prince’s betrothed, would be caught in an illicit affair!
The Eighth Prince’s affair with his future sister-in-law would be exposed before all the civil and military officials. His reputation would be utterly ruined, while the Seventh Prince would lose all face. The imperial family would be humiliated as well.
Although the emperor would be furious, the Eighth Prince would ultimately be placed under house arrest, He Wan would be sentenced to death, and the He family would be implicated. Even Noble Consort Lan would lose her title and be demoted to Lady He.
Yet the Seventh Prince would gain nothing from it. A dignified prince had been cuckolded by his own fiancée. Though some people would sympathize with him, even more would look down on him.
Lady Shen had thought the matter would end there. But unexpectedly, two months later, on the journey back to the capital, Beauty Li would die of illness—and the Seventh Prince would not even get to see his mother one last time.
If the Empress had not spoken up twice, Beauty Li would likely have been buried in a hasty, perfunctory manner at His Majesty’s offhand command... She was a consort of honorable rank, yet she had nearly been denied even the honors due to her after death.
This only made her heart grow colder and strengthened her resolve.
Just as everyone was about to forget the matter, the Eighth Prince suddenly died from the poison six months later!
The Fourth Prince, who shared the same mother as the Eighth Prince, was also rendered impotent by an accident.
At that time, the Empress had only recently passed away. He Cairen had by then once again become Consort He. Upon learning that one of her sons was dead and the other crippled, she went completely mad and hysterically accused the Seventh Prince.
Although there was not the slightest evidence, His Majesty still questioned and reprimanded the Seventh Prince, taking his anger out on him.
In the end... the Seventh Prince attempted to kill his imperial father in open court!
Had it not been for the Imperial Guards, he would nearly have succeeded!
Emperor Pingkang personally hacked off the Seventh Prince’s head... According to the palace servants, he had even vented his fury by hacking the body until it was barely recognizable...
Then he had it thrown into a mass grave to be eaten by dogs.
Whenever she thought of what she had heard in her dream, her face would turn faintly pale despite herself. His Majesty was truly far too cold-hearted and harsh...
After a moment, she took a sip of tea and pulled her thoughts back.
Yesterday, she had found an opportunity to vaguely hint to the Sixth Prince about what would happen today.
So long as events unfolded as she had said, the Sixth Prince would naturally begin to rely on her. A relationship based on mutual benefit reassured her far more than any romantic feelings ever could.
Shen Yanshui was speaking with the Empress, but part of her attention remained on her legitimate elder sister. She could not help it—her sister’s expression today was simply too strange, making her glance over several times.
It was as though her sister were deliberately suppressing some anticipation and excitement that was about to burst forth. When she had looked at He Wan earlier, there had even been a trace of... pity, as well as disgust?
This made her unable to keep from wondering. Could it be that her sister knew something too?
Then she thought of the Seventh Prince she had seen earlier. He still looked exactly the same, and was even still standing beside the Eighth Prince...
She glanced once more at her sister’s expression, and her heart suddenly began to beat faster.
Could something happen at the hunting grounds today...?
