But the Second Prince had barely eaten a few bites before sweat began streaming down his temples, and his face flushed red.
He usually preferred mild food. Though the red-oil hotpot smelled delicious, it was a little too intense for him.
After gulping down several mouthfuls of tea, he managed to tamp down the heat a little. He didn’t dare eat much more from the spicy pot, and instead helped himself to a few bites of the milder dishes nearby.
His gaze swept around the table and finally settled on the clear broth pot in front of the Crown Prince.
The broth bubbled gently, sending up wisps of steam. It was clear, with a few red dates and goji berries floating in it. It looked quite plain, yet a fresh, savory aroma wafted from it.
The Second Prince’s eyes darted about. With a grin, he got to his feet. Without asking a servant to do it for him, he picked up a clean pair of chopsticks and took a slice of tripe from the table, making as if to dip it into the clear broth in front of the Crown Prince.
“Your Highness, may I try your clear broth pot too?”
Cui Yu glanced at him. “We’re family, Second Brother. Help yourself.”
The Second Prince beamed at that and dipped the tripe with even greater confidence, swishing it through the broth several times before lifting it out and popping it into his mouth.
The clear broth looked plain, but it was delicious. The tripe had soaked up the savory broth, and was tender and springy with every bite. It lacked the red-oil pot’s fierce heat, but had a rich, mellow flavor all its own. It was quite good, too.
“Your Highness, your clear broth pot is delicious as well.”
As he spoke, he alternated between the two pots: a few bites from the red-oil pot to satisfy his craving, then a few from the clear broth to cool his mouth.
The First Prince sat off to one side, drinking several cups of wine. The more he watched his younger brother making such a spectacle of himself, the more irritated he became.
He lifted his cup and took another swig, but his gaze kept drifting toward the red-oil hotpot.
Its aroma was overpowering, burrowing straight into his nose and making him itch with desire.
He hadn’t wanted to eat any.
But the smell kept wafting toward him, and as he watched his younger brother eat with such abandon, his annoyance gradually gave way to hunger.
He was already here… Wouldn’t refusing to eat be a slight to the Crown Prince?
Fine. He’d have one bite.
With a stony expression, the First Prince reluctantly picked up a slice of lamb, swished it through the red-oil pot, and put it in his mouth.
The moment the lamb touched his tongue, his eyes widened.
He chewed twice and swallowed. At once, he felt a wave of satisfaction spread through him, and his furrowed brow relaxed.
A servant saw him eating and hurried over to serve him. The First Prince frowned and impatiently waved him away.
By the time the servant had brought the food to him, he could have cooked and eaten it himself. Doing it himself was much faster.
The First Prince picked up his chopsticks and personally dipped a slice of tripe into the red-oil pot. He popped it into his mouth and chewed noisily, a look of satisfaction appearing on his face.
He ate quickly and helped himself without restraint, his chopsticks darting through the pot as he went from one bite to the next, unable to stop.
The Sixth Prince, seated beside him, ate with far more composure. He tried a few bites of the red-oil hotpot and was mildly surprised by its unusual flavor. Still, it was too spicy for his taste, so after a few bites he set it aside and turned to the other dishes prepared nearby.
He ate at an unhurried pace, a warm smile always on his face. Every so often, he would remark, “This fish is wonderfully tender,” without the slightest haste.
Cui Yu glanced at him, then looked away.
He had eaten late that morning and wasn’t very hungry. He only joined the others for a little, occasionally taking a bite from the clear broth pot and chewing slowly.
But the atmosphere at the table grew livelier by the minute.
With the First Prince joining in, the meal turned into a full-on feast.
The First Prince was always a hearty eater, and now that he’d discovered how good the hotpot was, he really let loose. His chopsticks flew as he dipped slice after slice into the red-oil pot. Sweat beaded on his forehead and his face grew red, and he had long since forgotten how reluctant he’d been at first.
The Second Prince was just as eager, alternating between the two pots without pause. His forehead stayed slick with sweat as he ate.
The plates of meat on the table emptied before their eyes.
There was only one slice of lamb left. Two pairs of chopsticks reached for it at once.
The First Prince was quicker. With a flick of his wrist, he snatched it away, dipped it neatly into the red-oil pot, and put it in his mouth. After two chews, he gave his younger brother a smug little raise of the brows.
The Second Prince’s chopsticks hung in midair. Looking at his elder brother’s triumphant face, he couldn’t help laughing in disbelief.
And he thought he could compete with the Crown Prince?
As if!
The First Prince paid him no mind. He happily chewed and swallowed the last slice of lamb, then washed it down with a gulp of tea before finally setting down his chopsticks, thoroughly satisfied.
He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his belly, then suddenly sensed something was amiss.
Looking down, he realized that more than half the wine remained in his jug. After those first few cups, he’d been so busy eating that he hadn’t touched it again.
He’d been too preoccupied with the hotpot.
The First Prince stared at his cup for a moment, but in the end didn’t pick it up again. He leaned back, just about to let out a contented sigh, when he caught sight of his younger brother looking just as satisfied…
He suddenly felt a little embarrassed.
“Sit up properly.” As he spoke, he stretched out a leg and kicked him.
Second Prince: “...?” What was wrong with the Eldest Prince? He’d been no better himself a moment ago!
The servants filed in and cleared away the empty plates and bowls, then brought tea for everyone to rinse their mouths.
The princes rinsed their mouths and set down their cups. The servants brought out fresh tea.
Cui Yu suddenly looked at the Eldest Prince and asked, “Elder Brother, have you recovered from your illness?”
The First Prince’s expression darkened at once. He felt that fortune had truly conspired against him. It was infuriating!
He’d finally had a chance to make a good impression in front of his father and the court officials, only to fall ill at the worst possible time!
If he hadn’t been sick, he never would have lost.
His face stretched into a scowl. “Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Yesterday, Father had the Imperial Physicians examine me. I took two courses of medicine, and I’m almost recovered now.”
He had been ill for quite some time. If Father hadn’t confined him, leaving him unable to summon the Imperial Physicians and get treatment promptly, he wouldn’t have been laid up through yesterday’s contest.
And the physician his residence had hired—what sort of doctor was he? A complete quack!
Cui Yu’s eyes turned slightly cold.
How very convenient. An illness that could be cured with a course or two of medicine had dragged on for so long.
And now that the contest with the Eldest Prince of the Northern Rong was over, the illness… had vanished?
He lifted his eyes and casually glanced at the Sixth Prince, who was looking concerned and relieved.
Just then, Zheng Yuande came in from outside. He stopped before the Crown Prince and bowed respectfully as he reported, “Your Highness, the Imperial Physician has arrived and is waiting outside.”
At once, the Second Prince looked concerned. “Your Highness, why have you summoned an Imperial Physician again? Are you feeling unwell?”
Cui Yu lifted his teacup and said lightly, “It wasn’t for me. I summoned him to take Worthy Lady Shen’s pulse and check on her health.”
Hearing this, the Second Prince smiled. After exchanging a few more words, the three of them rose with great tact and took their leave together.
Cui Yu watched them depart, set down his teacup, and rose to walk outside.
He had just reached the courtyard when A-Yan came around from the other side, a round, plump watermelon cradled in her arms. She walked toward him with a bright smile.
When Shen Yanshui saw him, the smile on her face deepened. She hurried over and patted the watermelon in her arms. “Your Highness, I picked this one myself. It’s sure to be sweet. You must eat more later.”
Looking at her like this, a faint smile appeared in Cui Yu’s eyes. He nodded, reached out to take the watermelon from her, and handed it to Zheng Yuande, who was following behind him.
“Take it to the small kitchen and have it cut.”
Zheng Yuande hurried forward and accepted the heavy watermelon with both hands, holding it in his arms as he scrambled to steady it. He answered repeatedly, “Yes, Your Highness. I’ll take it there at once.”
With that, he did not hand it off to anyone else but carried the watermelon himself toward the small kitchen.
Cui Yu turned back and naturally took her hand, leading her toward the main hall.
The imperial physician had already been waiting there. When he saw the Crown Prince enter with Worthy Lady Shen by the hand, he quickly bowed in greeting.
Cui Yu took his seat in the place of honor, while Shen Yanshui sat beside him and placed her wrist on the pulse pillow.
The imperial physician stepped forward and carefully examined her pulse for some time. Only then did he withdraw his hand with a smile and rise to report his findings.
“Your Highness, Worthy Lady Shen is in excellent health. Her pulse is calm and steady, and there is nothing amiss.”
The condition of Worthy Lady Shen’s pulse was the best he had ever seen in his life. She was so healthy that it was almost unbelievable…
Upon hearing this, Cui Yu and Shen Yanshui exchanged a glance, both secretly letting out a sigh of relief.
A relaxed smile appeared on Shen Yanshui’s face. She knew there was nothing wrong with her health, but she had truly been intimate with the Crown Prince the previous night. As a new mother, hearing the imperial physician say it himself naturally put her more at ease.
Cui Yu nodded. “Thank you for your trouble.”
The imperial physician quickly bowed. “You are too kind, Your Highness. It is this physician’s duty.”
Nanny Wang led the imperial physician away. Shen Yanshui turned to Cui Yu and smiled, her eyes curving as she was just about to speak. Out of the corner of her eye, however, she spotted Zheng Yuande entering with a large platter of sliced watermelon. She immediately said with a radiant smile, “Your Highness, hurry and taste the watermelon I picked…”
Time passed, and three to five days slipped by.
During those days, Cui Yu stayed in Chengxin Hall and went nowhere, quietly recuperating.
He applied the medicinal ointment every day, and the imperial physician came daily to take his pulse. Each time, he said that the Crown Prince’s injuries were healing much faster than expected. At this rate, he would be fully recovered in less than half a month.
Hearing this, Shen Yanshui smiled and nodded, instructing the small kitchen to prepare a variety of delicious foods that would also help his injuries heal.
Cui Yu allowed her to fuss over him.
Ever since the two of them had resumed their intimate life that day, they had been unable to resist each other every night. Because Shen Yanshui’s pregnancy was beginning to show, they had even tried a few different ways of being together…
As a result, Shen Yanshui’s already fair cheeks had grown even more radiant over the past few days. She looked languid and content, as though she had been thoroughly nourished.
After breakfast each day, one of them would recline on the couch and read a few pages while the other listened to stories. Sometimes they would walk slowly around the courtyard together to stretch their limbs.
The two of them spent their days quietly together, undisturbed by anyone. Their life was even more comfortable than before.
Several more days passed before Shen Yanshui gradually sensed that something was wrong.
Normally, although the Crown Prince was not exactly occupied with state affairs from dawn to dusk, he always had official business to attend to. Sometimes Zheng Yuande would come in to announce that an official had submitted a request to see him. At other times, Pingkang Emperor would summon him to discuss government affairs, or there would be some other minor matter to deal with. It was rare for him to go so many consecutive days without handling any official business at all.
At first, she had not thought much of it and assumed that the Crown Prince was simply taking the opportunity to recuperate properly.
But as the days passed, the uneasy feeling in her heart grew stronger and stronger. Only then did she gradually come to understand.
Pingkang Emperor was… using the excuse of the Crown Prince’s injuries to keep him away from political affairs?
Once she realized this, her brows drew together slightly, and she could not help secretly glancing at the Crown Prince.
During these days, the only people the Crown Prince had met, apart from Fang Zhengshan, the commander of the Eastern Palace’s imperial guards, seemed to be Great General Qi.
Cui Yu appeared to sense her gaze. When he looked up, he met her eyes, which were filled with worry.
He set down the book in his hand and reached out to her.
Shen Yanshui rose and sat down beside him. Cui Yu slipped an arm around her waist and drew her closer, lowering his eyes to look at her face. His voice held a faint smile.
“A-Yan, don’t worry. It will be fine after a while.”
“By the way, did you find anyone suitable in the booklet I gave you a few days ago?” Cui Yu asked, looking at her.
Meeting his eyes, Shen Yanshui thought that the Crown Prince must understand Pingkang Emperor’s unpredictable temperament and attitude far better than she did. The worry in her heart slowly subsided.
Seeing that he did not want her to worry, she smiled and said, “I did find a few promising candidates. But this isn’t about choosing a husband for myself. I was thinking, once we return to the Eastern Palace, could Your Highness let my mother bring Sixth Sister into the palace? I would like to hear what she has to say.”
At the words “choosing a husband for myself,” Cui Yu’s brows drew together slightly. He lowered his eyes to look at her clear, limpid gaze.
Only after a moment did he answer.
Shen Yanshui smiled brightly when he agreed, entirely unaware of the subtle shift in his expression. Suddenly, she curved her eyes and smiled. “Your Highness, didn’t you promise to teach me how to ride and shoot?”
Cui Yu paused slightly.
Shen Yanshui continued, her voice brimming with anticipation. “We’ll be returning to the palace in a few days, and it won’t be as convenient once we’re back there. Since Your Highness has some free time these days, why not teach me now?”
“Then, if we have the chance to go hunting next time, I can go with Your Highness. Whatever we hunt, we can bring it back and roast it together.”
Cui Yu looked at her bright, eager smile and did not refuse. He only glanced at her already rounded belly, his expression hesitant.
His brows furrowed slightly.
Seeing him look at her stomach, Shen Yanshui smiled and said, “Your Highness, don’t worry. I’m not going to jump around. I’ll only stand in place and draw the bow a few times. At most, I’ll be using my arms—it won’t affect my belly.”
“Besides, we’re giving the babies prenatal education. Once they’re born, perhaps they’ll both be little archery prodigies.”
At this, Cui Yu raised his brows slightly. He reached out and stroked her stomach, resting his palm over its gently rounded curve. In a low voice, he said, “The babies aren’t even four months old. Can they understand what we’re saying?”
Although Cui Yu had children, when they were young, each had been raised by their respective mothers. He only vaguely remembered that, after being born, they had all been thin and frail, doing nothing but cry. Even drinking milk had been difficult for them, let alone understanding what adults said.
But the two children still in A-Yan’s belly… they were so tiny. How could they possibly understand?
Seeing his expression, Shen Yanshui immediately gave a soft hum. “Your Highness, I’m not making this up. In another month, the babies should be able to move. Then you’ll know whether I was telling the truth.”
She had seen plenty of news stories in her former life. Sometimes, a baby’s umbilical cord would become wrapped around its neck, nearly suffocating it. The parents outside would be frantic, speaking to the baby in the womb again and again, asking it to unwrap itself. Later, when they went for another examination, the cord had actually come loose—and it had happened in more than one case.
Shen Yanshui spoke with such conviction that, although surprised, Cui Yu believed her to some extent. But if it was true… then the commotion he and A-Yan had made on these past few nights…
His expression changed slightly.
Never mind. He would call for the imperial physician later and ask.
Having made a mental note of it, he turned to Zheng Yuande and ordered, “Go get a light bow.”
Zheng Yuande had sharp ears and had already overheard most of their conversation. Upon hearing the Crown Prince’s order, he hurriedly answered, “Yes,” his face breaking into a smile as he swiftly withdrew.
Before long, he returned to the courtyard with several attendants, beaming as they carried three bows. “Your Highness, the bows are here.”
He respectfully presented all three.
They were lined up from largest to smallest, differing in weight and material.
One was a light bow, specially suited for women or beginners—its weight making it easy to handle. Another was an ordinary bow, suitable for adult men. And the last one was the heavy bow the Crown Prince had used several days ago when competing against the Prince of Northern Rong.
The Crown Prince was going to teach the Worthy Lady Shen archery? This clearly wasn’t really teaching her how to shoot. He was simply indulging her and having fun with her.
Naturally, he had to let the Worthy Lady Shen witness His Highness’s peerless archery skills.
The more Zheng Yuande thought about it, the more he felt that he had considered everything perfectly.
Cui Yu glanced at him.
Zheng Yuande’s plump, fair face immediately blossomed into an even wider smile.
“What are these…?” Shen Yanshui’s eyes lit up. She stepped forward and reached directly for the heavy bow.
The bow was lacquer-black and heavy in her hand. Its surface felt cool and smooth, while the taut bowstring exuded a sharp, powerful force.
Eager to try it, she gripped the bow and attempted to lift it.
She had barely raised it halfway when the bow suddenly seemed to grow heavier. It was even weightier than she had imagined. Unless she used her supernatural ability, the strength in her arms alone was nowhere near enough.
The bow began to sink.
Before Shen Yanshui could exert herself and steady it, the weight in her hands suddenly vanished.
Cui Yu had reached out and taken the heavy bow from her, returning it to its place. “This bow doesn’t suit A-Yan. It’s too heavy.”
As he spoke, he selected the smallest of the three bows and held it out to her.
It was a delicate light bow, made from fine catalpa wood. Its bowstring was tightly strung, and its grip was wrapped in closely woven silk thread.
Shen Yanshui: “…”
Though this bow was quite attractive on its own, when compared with the heavy bow, it suddenly looked like a child’s toy.
“This is the bow I used when I was ten.” Cui Yu gazed at the bow in his hand, his expression softening slightly. “Try it, A-Yan. See if it feels right.”
Shen Yanshui looked surprised. “You used it when you were young?”
Cui Yu’s expression was calm. “Yes. My maternal grandfather had it made for me. It’s been kept in the storeroom here ever since.”
Hearing this, Shen Yanshui reached out and accepted it. The bow felt perfectly balanced in her hands—not too light and not too heavy.
She lowered her head to examine it more closely and discovered that the wood had acquired a warm, lustrous sheen. The grip was even smoother and more polished. At a glance, it was obvious that someone had used it for years, rubbing and caressing it countless times.
Without waiting for Zheng Yuande to give any orders, Wang Chun, Quanfu, and the others had already set up a target in the courtyard.
The target stood some distance away. Shen Yanshui estimated it to be three or four zhang, roughly ten-odd meters.
Cui Yu walked over and stopped behind Shen Yanshui.
He did not immediately begin teaching her how to shoot. Instead, he first took the bow from her and held it himself, demonstrating the correct way to grip it.
“The way of archery begins with one’s stance.” Cui Yu’s voice was unhurried, low, and warm. “Keep your feet shoulder-width apart. Turn your body sideways toward the target, and keep your weight balanced between both feet.”
As he spoke, he demonstrated.
He stood sideways, his posture straight as a pine. His left arm, holding the bow, extended slightly forward, while his right hand rested lightly against the string. Viewed from the side, his entire body formed a perfectly straight line from shoulder to foot.
Shen Yanshui watched without blinking.
Cui Yu relaxed his stance and handed the bow back to her.
Shen Yanshui imitated him, turning sideways and spreading her feet shoulder-width apart. She faced the target from the side, copying the Crown Prince’s posture.
Cui Yu walked behind her and raised a hand to correct her stance.
His hand settled on her shoulder and gently drew it back. “Relax your shoulder. Don’t hunch.”
Then he reached out and tapped the side of her waist. “Don’t lean backward.”
His voice sounded right beside her ear, low, warm, and magnetic, like a faint electric current running from the tip of her ear down her spine…
Cui Yu lowered his eyes to her trembling lashes and faintly reddened ears. The corners of his lips curved upward, and his voice dropped even lower.
Shen Yanshui felt his breath brush against her ear, warm and soft, making the roots of her ears tingle again…
Her thoughts swayed. Her fingers suddenly became uncooperative, and she failed to control the force with which she drew the string. The instant she released it—
The arrow shot away with a whoosh.
A moment later, a very soft laugh came from behind her—so faint that it could almost be called pleased.
She took a closer look.
The target was completely untouched. Not a single arrow had struck it.
She had missed entirely.
Shen Yanshui: “…”
Beauty really was dangerous!
She let out a huff, turned around, and drew a second arrow from the quiver.
She took a deep breath and recalled all the essentials the Crown Prince had just taught her: stance, grip, drawing the string, and aiming.
Turn sideways, lower the shoulders, tighten the abdomen…
Er, she couldn’t tighten it any further. Phew.
She raised her arm level, following the direction of the arrow shaft with her gaze and aiming at the bull’s-eye on the target in the distance.
Her heartbeat gradually steadied, and the warmth at the roots of her ears slowly faded.
Then she released the string.
The arrow flew from the bow with a short, crisp sound as it cut through the air.
With a soft thud, it buried itself firmly in the exact center of the bull’s-eye.
Shen Yanshui immediately turned to look at the Crown Prince, lifting her chin with undisguised pride.
Ahem. Though she did have the slight advantage of having used a gun in her former life, this was still her first time shooting a bow. She had absolutely nothing to feel guilty about.
Cui Yu looked at the arrow embedded in the bull’s-eye, genuinely surprised.
For a beginner, missing the target with the first arrow was perfectly normal. As for hitting the bull’s-eye with the second, even Cui Yu, who had practiced martial arts for so many years, had encountered very few people capable of it.
“A-Yan, try shooting a few more arrows,” Cui Yu said.
Shen Yanshui smiled, her eyes curving prettily, then turned around and drew another arrow from the quiver.
She nocked it, took aim at the bull’s-eye, and curled her fingers around the bowstring. Just as she was about to release it, her eyes shifted, and she secretly glanced at the Crown Prince from the corner of her eye.
Then, the hand holding the bow tilted ever so slightly—so slightly that it was almost imperceptible.
She released the string.
The arrow flew from the bow, grazed the edge of the target, and plunged into the grass behind it.
“Oh dear!” Shen Yanshui stared at the arrow that had missed the target, her brows knitting together in an expression of dismay. “How did I miss again?”
She turned to look at Cui Yu and blinked twice. “Your Highness, could you teach me again?”
Not forgetting to praise herself, she added, “Although I’m very clever, even the cleverest person still needs a good teacher to instruct her properly.”
Cui Yu was not surprised. He drew an arrow from the quiver and walked over to her.
He wrapped his arms around her from behind, his chest against her back. One hand covered the hand with which she held the bow, while the other grasped the hand that had drawn the string. Patiently, he went over all the same points he had explained earlier.
His voice was right beside her ear, low and deep, and he spoke with great seriousness.
Shen Yanshui turned her head slightly and looked at the face so close to hers.
The lines of his profile were cold and sharply defined, while the curve of his jaw was clean and smooth.
The longer she looked at him, the more her eyes curved, forming two crescent moons.
One taught while the other learned, and the two of them practiced archery in the courtyard for quite some time.
Shen Yanshui studied earnestly, and Cui Yu taught her with equal patience.
While they were practicing, Chunping suddenly stepped forward and respectfully reported, “Your Highness, Worthy Lady, Lady Zhang has arrived. She says she has come to visit Your Ladyship.”
Shen Yanshui was slightly taken aback. She immediately lowered the bow in her hands, a smile appearing on her face. “Quickly, invite Sister Zhang inside to sit.”
At the words “Lady Zhang,” Cui Yu’s brows drew together almost imperceptibly.
The two of them washed their hands and entered the main hall, where they took their seats.
Before long, Lady Zhang walked in from outside.
Today, she wore a pale-blue jacket, with two white jade hairpins in her hair. She was dressed more brightly than usual, which made her fair and lovely face appear even more beautiful.
Her maid, Huixin, followed behind her, carrying a fairly large embroidery basket.
The moment Shen Yanshui saw her, she smiled and went forward to greet her, taking her hand warmly. “What brings you here today, Sister Zhang?”
Lady Zhang pressed her lips together. Her smile seemed somewhat unnatural, as though she were feeling a little self-conscious.
Instead of answering Shen Yanshui, she turned toward the Crown Prince seated at the head of the room and respectfully bent at the waist.
“This concubine pays her respects to Your Highness,” she said in a gentle and proper voice.
Cui Yu raised his eyes to look at her. His voice was calm and emotionless. “Rise.”
As he spoke, he lowered his eyes and picked up the teacup beside him.
Only then did Lady Zhang straighten. She turned toward Shen Yanshui and said softly, “I had nothing to do at Lanxiu Pavilion, so I thought I would come and have a chat with Sister.”
As she spoke, she turned sideways and took several sets of clothes from the embroidery basket Huixin was carrying.
“I made these little garments for the two children over the past few days. I specifically asked Grandmother, and she said that newborns have delicate skin, so soft cotton would be better. That’s why I made several pieces out of cotton cloth as well.” Naturally, she had also made some out of silk.
There were quite a few pieces in all, including clothes for both boys and girls.
“Sister Zhang, your embroidery has become even more lively and exquisite,” Shen Yanshui praised sincerely.
Lady Zhang’s face flushed slightly, and she hurriedly waved her hands. Her tone held a hint of modesty. “Please, Sister, don’t praise me. I was only doing a bit of needlework to pass the time.”
Shen Yanshui led her to a guest seat and had Chunping prepare fresh tea. At the same time, she carefully examined each of the tiny garments.
Seeing how much she liked them, Lady Zhang’s smile grew more genuine. Then she took a neatly folded silk handkerchief from her sleeve and held it out.
“I embroidered this for you in my spare time. It isn’t anything valuable, so I hope you won’t find it too shabby.”
Shen Yanshui accepted it and unfolded it. Her eyes immediately lit up.
It was a lotus-pink silk handkerchief, made of fine, soft fabric. Delicate entwined lotus patterns had been embroidered at all four corners, making it exceptionally beautiful.
“Sister Zhang, you jest. This handkerchief is so beautifully embroidered—how could I possibly find fault with it?” If she took it back to the modern world, it could probably be donated to a museum.
The two women chatted for a while longer, and the smile on Lady Zhang’s face gradually became more natural.
“We’ll be returning to the palace in a few days. If you have time tomorrow, Sister Zhang, shall we take a stroll around the imperial residence together?”
Lady Zhang smiled and agreed.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Lady Zhang suddenly pressed her lips together. Her gaze paused, as though she were hesitating. Then she turned her head toward the Crown Prince seated at the head of the room.
Suddenly, she said softly, “I also made a set of clothes for Your Highness.”
As she spoke, she took them out of the embroidery basket.
There was a complete set, from sleepwear to an inner garment and then an outer robe—everything from the inside out.
The clothes were moon-white, embroidered with silver bamboo patterns. The bamboo stalks were slender, and the leaves sparse and graceful. The silver threads shimmered faintly against the moon-white fabric, understated yet carrying an elegant charm of their own.
They were clearly meant for everyday wear at home. With summer in full force, such pale colors were particularly suitable.
Shen Yanshui glanced at the clothes. The smile on her face did not change in the slightest. Still smiling, she reached toward the plate, picked up a small pastry, and took a slow bite.
Cui Yu lifted his eyes and let his gaze fall upon the garments. After one glance, he turned his head toward Zheng Yuande, as was customary.
Zheng Yuande understood at once. He immediately stepped forward, accepted the clothes with both hands, and respectfully withdrew to one side.
After handing the garments to Eunuch Zheng, Lady Zhang said nothing more and returned to her seat.
A brief silence suddenly descended over the main hall.
Lady Zhang abruptly felt rather uncomfortable…
She knew that what she had done today was not particularly dignified, but… they would soon be returning to the palace. If the Crown Prince did not visit her chambers even once while they were at the imperial residence, then after they returned to the palace…
She was afraid that she would never have a child of her own in this lifetime.
Shen Yanshui used a fork to spear a piece of watermelon and put it into her mouth. Her cheeks puffed out as she chewed slowly, as though she would not have room to speak for a while.
Cui Yu glanced at her. For some reason, a strange feeling suddenly arose in his heart.
A-Yan… why isn’t she saying anything?
Just as he was pondering this, Shen Yanshui swallowed the piece of watermelon, lifted her head, and resumed chatting with Lady Zhang with a smile.
Seeing this, Lady Zhang felt somewhat relieved. Sister Shen did not seem angry…
The two women continued talking and laughing, and the atmosphere appeared no different from usual.
It was nearly time for the evening meal before Lady Zhang finally rose and smiled as she bid them farewell. Yet before leaving, she looked toward the Crown Prince seated at the head of the room…
She pressed her lips together and hesitated for a moment before speaking softly, her voice gentle. “Your Highness, I have had little to occupy me these past few days, so I composed a few poems. I heard that Your Highness has some free time recently. Might I ask Your Highness to offer me a few words of guidance?”
Shen Yanshui stood to one side and glanced toward the sky outside without saying a word.
Cui Yu’s brows drew together slightly. His thin lips parted, and he was just about to speak when—
“Your Highness…” For some reason, the courage Lady Zhang had just mustered vanished completely beneath the Crown Prince’s single frown, and she grew timid again.
Without waiting for the Crown Prince’s response, she gave a small curtsy and said softly and hurriedly, “I shall not disturb Your Highness and Younger Sister any longer. I will take my leave first. Whenever Your Highness has the time, I shall await you.” With that, she turned and quickly withdrew with Huixin.
The sound of her footsteps gradually faded into the distance.
The main hall suddenly fell silent.
