Yu Miaohua and Shen Sushang arrived at the official kiln, where the manager, having been forewarned of their visit, greeted them with a smile as warm and welcoming as the Maitreya Buddha, his attitude nothing short of cordial and eager.
"What kind of porcelain might the noble guests desire?"
Yu Miaohua thought for a moment before replying, "First, show us samples of different styles."
An official kiln like this surely had no shortage of samples. By examining them one by one, she was certain to find the most suitable one. After all, seeing was believing.
The manager pondered briefly before leading them to a room filled with porcelain of various designs.
This imperial kiln in the capital primarily produced porcelain for the royal household’s daily use, meaning it employed the most skilled artisans in the land. Every piece on display resembled a work of art.
Yet… while they were undeniably beautiful, none seemed to match the subdued elegance of her mother’s paintings. They lacked the necessary subtlety.
She then examined several white-glazed porcelain pieces. The pure, understated color would serve well as a base, but the shade leaned more toward an ivory yellow rather than the crisp white she preferred.
Hmm. Since this was a birthday gift for her mother, Yu Miaohua wanted it to be as perfect as possible.
"The finest porcelain isn’t found in this official kiln." A voice laced with defiance rang out. Yu Miaohua turned to see Pei Yuheng.
Compared to his usual opulent attire, the Prince of the First Rank’s son was dressed far more simply today. His jet-black hair was tied back with a red ribbon, accentuating his striking features. His purple robe bore minimal embroidery, adorned only with gold-threaded trim along the edges. At his waist hung a peony-shaped jade pendant. The lack of excessive ornamentation only served to highlight the captivating beauty of his face.
"Why has the Prince’s son come here?"
Shen Sushang, as if suddenly fascinated by a particular blue-and-white porcelain piece, stepped forward to pick it up, conveniently positioning himself between Yu Miaohua and Pei Yuheng—effectively blocking the latter’s gaze.
Pei Yuheng’s meticulously practiced smile froze on his face. Damn this Shen Sushang. Didn’t he know that interfering with romance warranted a good kick from a horse?
Just when Yu Miaohua had finally looked his way, this nuisance had to ruin the moment.
He took a step to the side—only for Shen Sushang to mirror the movement.
Pei Yuheng: "..."
Shen Sushang was definitely doing this on purpose.
Yu Miaohua observed the subtle tension between the two, puzzled.
[System, do these two have some kind of grudge?]
Her junior brother’s attitude was unmistakably hostile.
[Host, they’re definitely competing for your affection. Sobs This is the kind of romantic rivalry I, a diligent system, live for.]
[???]
Yu Miaohua couldn’t help but marvel at the system’s ability to interpret even the slightest interaction as romantic tension. Was this really a rivalry?
Since Shen Sushang was her junior brother and had spent days helping her replicate paintings, Yu Miaohua naturally sided with him.
Clearing her throat, she said, "Junior Brother, come take a look at this porcelain. I think this base would work well for the pine tree painting. What do you think?"
Shen Sushang withdrew his gaze and returned to her side—he hadn’t forgotten how the Prince’s family had aggressively confronted the Imperial Consort during the New Year. Though they had seemingly softened their stance in recent months, who knew if it was all an act? Hence, he instinctively stepped in.
"The color matches. It’s worth a try."
"Imperial Consort, the craftsmanship of this official kiln pales in comparison to my family’s private kiln. Why not visit mine instead?"
After previously crafting clay dolls, Pei Yuheng had found their colors prone to fading and lacking the vibrancy of porcelain. Determined to create porcelain dolls instead, he purchased a kiln and hired the finest artisans at great expense. When he learned that the Imperial Consort wished to commission a porcelain set for her mother’s birthday, Pei Yuheng saw his opportunity. After securing the Emperor’s permission, he rushed over—only to encounter the insufferable Shen Sushang.
If only he weren’t here…
Yu Miaohua wasn’t entirely satisfied with the official kiln’s work, so Pei Yuheng’s offer piqued her interest.
Noticing her hesitation, he pressed further, "I’ve brought some sweet white glaze pieces they fired recently."
His attendants promptly retrieved several sweet white glaze pieces from the carriage.
Ah!
Sweet white glaze!
Did this era already have such a thing?
Indeed, this glaze surpassed the official kiln’s white porcelain in every way—more lustrous, translucent, and pure in color.
As Yu Miaohua admired the piece, she grew increasingly tempted.
She glanced at Shen Sushang. "Shall we go take a look?"
Pei Yuheng interjected, "Minister Shen must have official duties to attend to. The Imperial Consort and I can manage alone."
Shen Sushang was far too obstructive. It’d be best to send him away.
Suddenly, Yu Miaohua recalled a mission involving a secret rendezvous with Pei Yuheng, and her interest stirred.
[System, what’s the reward for the rendezvous mission with Pei Yuheng? Is it the glassmaking formula?]
[Yes, exactly! The glassmaking technique!! Host, you’ve changed—I’m so moved!]
[Then I’ll find a way to complete it. That way, I can commission a glass set for my mother next year!]
[...]
The palace intrigue system was speechless. Of course. The host was still the same host. If not for her mother’s birthday gift, she probably wouldn’t have bothered engaging with Pei Yuheng at all.
To Shen Sushang, she said, "Junior Brother, if you’re busy, I can manage on my own."
Pei Yuheng’s lips curled slightly—he knew his relentless efforts over the past six months had paid off. The Imperial Consort no longer regarded him with the initial disdain and wariness. She was even willing to be alone with him—though he conveniently ignored her entourage of guards and maids.
Shen Sushang fixed her with a steady gaze. "His Majesty ordered me to accompany you diligently, Consort. I dare not disobey."
[System, is Junior Brother upset? He’s even learned sarcasm now.]
[Ahhh, Host, you’re so dense! Scholar Shen is definitely jealous!]
Yu Miaohua doubted that was the reason. Still, she realized her earlier suggestion might have seemed dismissive, as if she were discarding him after use.
Hastily, she amended, "I just didn’t want to impose on your time. Since you don’t mind, I’ll continue relying on you."
The mission… she could find another opportunity. If she decided to use Pei Yuheng’s kiln, she could always visit multiple times under the pretext of inspecting the finished products.
Shen Sushang replied, "I don’t find it an imposition at all."
He sighed inwardly: Senior Sister is still too trusting. How can she grow so close to the Prince’s son?
Though the Prince’s household no longer posed a threat and appeared wholly submissive to the Emperor—who had shown them leniency—the future was unpredictable.
If the Prince’s household ever rebelled again and Senior Sister lost favor, today’s interactions could become ammunition against her.
[Ahhh, anything related to you is never an imposition. He’s utterly smitten!]
Yu Miaohua habitually ignored the system’s screaming and said to Pei Yuheng, "Then let’s go together."
Pei Yuheng was somewhat disappointed that he hadn’t managed to drive Shen Sushang away, but he didn’t want Yu Miaohua to develop a renewed dislike for him either. So, he didn’t continue his confrontation with Shen Sushang. Instead, he flashed Yu Miaohua a smile. "Your Highness, this way, please."
Usually, he carried himself with an air of arrogance, but now, with that smile, his brows relaxed, and the pride in his features blended with a youthful charm, creating an incredibly captivating aura. Yu Miaohua couldn’t help but steal a few more glances. With such beauty before her, looking wasn’t a crime.
She had to admit—the system had decent taste after all.
Pei Yuheng said, "They’ve recently come up with some new designs. If Your Highness likes them, you can order a few more sets. The porcelain styles in the palace are too vulgar—they don’t suit you."
Seeing how attentively Yu Miaohua listened, Pei Yuheng’s mood soared, and he automatically tuned out Shen Sushang’s presence.
But his good mood didn’t last long. At the entrance, he encountered another unwelcome guest.
Pei Yuheng stared at the tall, jade-like figure of the Crown Prince and blurted out, "What are you doing here?"
Pei Chiyan looked at Pei Yuheng and suppressed a sigh.
Now he understood the meaning behind his father’s enigmatic smile before he left.
He replied coolly, "If you can be here, why can’t I?"
"I happened to be in the mood to commission a set of porcelain, so I came to take a look."
Pei Yuheng forced a smile, his tone laced with sarcasm. "Your Highness can take your time looking around. We’ll be leaving now." He emphasized the word "here."
Yu Miaohua blinked innocently. "The Young Master said the porcelain at his place is better. I took a look, and it really is superior to the imperial kiln’s."
Then Pei Yuheng realized—Pei Chiyan was following them too!
Pei Yuheng took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to grind his teeth. "Didn’t Your Highness want to commission porcelain?"
Pei Chiyan remained composed, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "Since my cousin’s is better, I’ll pass on the imperial kiln’s. I’ve grown tired of their designs anyway."
Their gazes locked, mutual disdain flashing in their eyes. The tension between them thickened.
[Ahhh, this is the kind of battlefield I wanted to see! Tear each other apart, fight already!]
Yu Miaohua sighed—she just wanted to commission a set of porcelain! She even felt like sending a meme: "Stop fighting, take it to the dance studio if you must."
She said earnestly, "Maybe I should come back another time?"
Pei Chiyan smoothly changed the subject. "What kind of design does Your Highness have in mind?"
Yu Miaohua had brought along her sketches for reference. She pulled one out to show Pei Chiyan. "Just one set will do."
"Wait, no—better make it two."
That way, if one broke, there’d still be a backup.
She also showed Pei Chiyan the sweet white glaze Pei Yuheng had brought.
Pei Chiyan wasn’t surprised Yu Miaohua chose his—it truly was better than the imperial kiln’s.
Over the years, the imperial kiln had grown complacent, allowing other kilns to catch up in craftsmanship.
He could guess their reasoning—they probably thought intricate new designs would only mean more work and more room for error.
If they found the work troublesome, he could always assign them something simpler—like herding sheep in the countryside.
Yu Miaohua and Cuiwei rode in the same carriage—whenever she went out, she alternated between bringing Cuiwei or Qingluo. Though she trusted Hong Xing and the others as well, her most trusted attendants were still these two, who had accompanied her into the palace.
Next time, if it was somewhere less important, she might bring Hong Xing instead.
Pei Yuheng’s kiln was about half an hour away by carriage.
The roads in this era were far from the smooth highways of the modern world, especially in the outskirts. Even the official roads were riddled with potholes. At one point, the jolting was so bad Yu Miaohua nearly hit her head on the carriage ceiling.
Ugh, how she missed modern times.
By the time she stepped out of the carriage, Yu Miaohua felt like her soul had been rattled loose. Thankfully, Cuiwei had prepared dried plums in advance to stave off her motion sickness.
She glanced around—the kiln was larger than she’d imagined, with several stalls set up nearby. Vendors sold food, daily necessities—it was quite lively.
A little further away, there was also a paper mill. Compared to the paper mill, the kiln seemed almost petite.
Manager Song hurried out to greet them—he was a skilled artisan Pei Yuheng had personally recruited and only recognized Pei Yuheng. He bowed deeply to him.
As a commoner with some talent, he’d been fortunate enough to catch the eye of a noble. Now, he earned twenty taels a month, his children could attend school, his family had built a new house, and they could afford meat. In Manager Song’s eyes, Pei Yuheng, who had changed his family’s fate, was the greatest man alive.
Pei Yuheng said, "Pay your respects to the honored guests."
He didn’t reveal the Crown Prince’s identity—knowing Pei Chiyan’s temperament, he probably preferred to remain incognito.
Pei Chiyan gave a slight nod.
Manager Song flashed an ingratiating smile. "This lowly one greets the honored guests. To witness such noble bearing is the fortune of three lifetimes."
Pei Yuheng said, "Bring out the finest pieces you’ve fired recently for them to choose from."
Manager Song’s gaze lingered on Yu Miaohua for a split second before he quickly looked away—he doubted even the celestial maidens from folktales could compare to this noble lady’s beauty. When she looked at him, her eyes held none of the disdain landlords often carried—only curiosity, anticipation, and a hint of amusement.
There was something familiar about her face. But with such striking features, how could he have forgotten if he’d seen her before?
After a few steps, it hit him—he had seen her. The porcelain dolls the Young Master had commissioned bore a resemblance to her, especially the shape of her eyes and lips.
Could this be the Young Master’s betrothed?
Manager Song reconsidered—if she were, given how smitten the Young Master was, he would’ve introduced her outright.
Then she must be someone the Young Master secretly admired.
Who would’ve thought even someone of the Young Master’s status would pine in silence like an ordinary man, even going so far as to craft porcelain dolls in her likeness.
Manager Song decided he had to help the Young Master. How could the young lady know his feelings if he kept them hidden? Back when he was courting his wife, he’d won her over with wild boar meat he’d hunted himself.
He called for an artisan to help him fetch the porcelain—and made sure to include the dolls in the crate.
Since the kiln was dusty, Pei Yuheng naturally wouldn’t subject Yu Miaohua to it—though he couldn’t care less about the others.
They were led to a private room reserved for tea and discussions.
The tea served was a special blend Pei Yuheng had brought, the water drawn from a mountain spring. At the crack of dawn each day, craftsmen would carry wooden buckets up the mountain to fetch it.
Pei Yuheng tried his best to sound nonchalant as he showed off, "They fetch this water every day just so I can brew tea when I visit. They think well water isn’t good enough for me. I only come here occasionally, so most of the freshly drawn spring water goes to waste. I’ve told them not to bother, but they insist on doing it anyway."
Yu Miaohua had observed the attitude of the porcelain kiln workers toward Pei Yuheng along the way, and her impression of him had softened somewhat.
"It shows they genuinely admire and respect you, wanting to do something in return for your kindness."
Pei Yuheng felt a surge of delight: being good to these people had clearly paid off—Yu Miaohua seemed to appreciate it.
Pei Chiyan didn’t say anything, but he had to admit Pei Yuheng had done well in this regard.
After a while, Manager Song and a slightly plump craftsman arrived carrying a box.
Manager Song said, "Esteemed guests, take a look—these are some of the finest pieces from our kiln."
Then, with an expression of surprise, he turned to Yu Miaohua and remarked, "My lady, your likeness bears a resemblance to this porcelain doll."
"This doll was made under the Young Master’s orders. He practically lived at the kiln while overseeing these dolls, visiting multiple times a day. Once, dust even got into his eyes, leaving them red for days."
[Damn! Who would’ve thought Pei Yuheng had such a pure, romantic side? Bonus points—definitely giving him bonus points!]
Yu Miaohua glanced at Pei Yuheng and noticed his ears had turned red.
Pei Yuheng hadn’t expected Manager Song to bring out these dolls.
"Who told you to take these out? I was just idly passing the time making them," he said, though the heat in his cheeks spread uncontrollably. Even without a mirror, he knew exactly how flushed his face must be.
Pei Chiyan’s expression cooled: So Pei Yuheng really had designs on Yu Miaohua, going so far as to craft these dolls in secret. The next step would probably be sending them to her.
Did his father know about this?
Remembering that his father had even arranged for Pei Yuheng to come today, Pei Chiyan had little hope left for him.
He wouldn’t be surprised if their father secretly helped Pei Yuheng deliver gifts to her.
With a detached tone, he remarked, "I don’t see the resemblance. The only similarity is that they’re both young women."
Shen Sushang chimed in, "They don’t look alike at all. The nose, the eyes—completely different."
"Porcelain dolls like these are common enough. Who knew the Young Master had such a unique hobby?"
Pei Yuheng instinctively wanted to argue—if there was no resemblance, how could Manager Song have recognized it immediately? He had painstakingly painted every detail, capturing her essence perfectly.
At first glance, the dolls looked identical, but their expressions varied—some smiling, some pensive, some frowning…
He had even planned to make another batch, refining the clothing and hairstyles.
But before he could retort, Pei Yuheng suddenly came to his senses.
Yu Miaohua was the Emperor’s consort.
And they weren’t the only ones present—if rumors spread, it would damage her reputation.
When he and his father had written poems for her before, people assumed it was merely the Prince’s household mending relations, nothing more. But this was different.
Pressing his lips together, he finally said coldly, "Manager Song, your eyesight must be failing. These were just random sketches—they look nothing like her."
He knew Manager Song had likely noticed something and was trying to help. Though Pei Yuheng initially wanted to punish him for overstepping, considering his loyalty, he decided against it. He’d reprimand him privately later and dock his pay for a few days.
"Take these dolls away."
He almost ordered them destroyed, but they were his own careful creations—the very reason he’d established this kiln. In the end, he couldn’t bear to part with them.
Fine. He’d keep them for himself to admire in private.
[Ahhh! Even though they despise each other, for the sake of the host’s interests, they’ve made a united choice. This is too delicious! They’re both lying through their teeth for you! Congratulations, host, on unlocking the CG: "Making Three Rivals Set Aside Their Feud to Cooperate for You." Reward: one Life-Extending Pill.]
A Life-Extending Pill?
Yu Miaohua had originally planned to secretly exchange for one to give her mother on her birthday. Who knew today’s outing would unlock a new CG and earn her this reward? It saved her two thousand points—enough to check five more people’s lifespans.
Pei Chiyan and Shen Sushang’s actions were understandable—they were protective of her. But Pei Yuheng’s behavior was unexpected.
She had assumed he was the type to act on impulse, caring little for others’ well-being as long as he was happy.
[Pei Yuheng actually denied it. I’m starting to see him differently.]
[That’s love for you, host!]
Yu Miaohua’s gaze lingered on the departing porcelain dolls before she suddenly said, "Those dolls were quite beautiful."
Though she didn’t know why Pei Yuheng fancied her, she wouldn’t trample on his feelings—especially since the Life-Extending Pill was partly thanks to him. Consider it repayment for the two thousand points saved.
Pei Yuheng froze for a moment before a faint smile tugged at his lips.
Maybe he wouldn’t dock Manager Song’s pay after all.
At least Yu Miaohua had seen the dolls.
She really was a kind person.
His eyes flicked toward Pei Chiyan and Shen Sushang—if not for their presence, she might have accepted them.
Yu Miaohua picked up a sweet white-glazed porcelain piece, slightly different from the others—whiter, more refined.
And this one, resembling celadon, was even more flawless than the imperial kiln’s work, without a single blemish.
Compared to these, the official kilns were downright shoddy.
"I want this one—and this one too!"
Her mother’s birthday gifts would be custom-made here!
...
In Qiongming Palace.
Princess Chu Yunxia of Liang made yet another mistake in her calligraphy.
Frustrated, she tore the page to shreds.
The summer heat was growing unbearable, making her increasingly restless. Errors kept creeping into her scripture transcriptions—each mistake meant starting over. The Emperor had even assigned a matron to supervise her, leaving no chance for her maids to forge the work.
And this torment would last another month and a half.
Fine. She’d rest for now and resume at night—at least it was cooler then.
Glancing at the ice basins in the room, she frowned. "Wu, bring out two more."
Wu whispered, "Princess, we’ve already used this month’s ice ration. We must wait three more days for the next allocation."
Her heart ached—back in Liang, her princess had never endured such indignity. Ice basins had been plentiful whenever she wished.
But in the Great Qi’s imperial harem, she was merely a concubine under house arrest. The palace stewards wouldn’t short her rations, but neither would they grant extras—no matter how much silver was offered.
Chu Yunxia’s lips trembled, pressed so tightly they nearly bled.
It’s all Yu Miaohua’s fault! If it weren’t for her petty jealousy, if she hadn’t poisoned the Emperor’s ears with just a few words, Chu Yunxia would never have been confined to her quarters. With her beauty and status as the Princess of Daliang, she could have easily won the Emperor’s favor—perhaps even secured the title of Imperial Consort by now.
Never had she imagined a day when she’d run short of ice.
And yet, she couldn’t even complain. Throwing a tantrum would only worsen the Emperor’s opinion of her.
As a titled Noble Consort, Yu Miaohua surely had no such worries. The Emperor probably couldn’t wait to lay all the treasures of the world at her feet.
With a faint sigh, Chu Yunxia said, “The study is too stifling. Let’s move to the inner chamber.”
At least there, the old matron wouldn’t follow her. That woman only cared about supervising her scripture copying.
Once inside, Wu picked up a fan and began cooling her.
“Sister Wu, someone has sent fruits,” Chang Ru announced as she entered.
Wu stepped out to check. The delivery came from outside the palace—not just fruits, but also several kinds of Daliang pastries.
Gifts from foreign envoys always passed through palace inspections before reaching her.
In truth, these deliveries were merely a cover for passing messages.
Sure enough, Wu found a slip of paper hidden inside one of the pastries.
The note read: Noble Consort Yu visited the imperial kiln today with Shen Sushang. Our people will continue monitoring and relay further updates.
Wu quietly relayed the news to Chu Yunxia.
Chu Yunxia frowned in disgust. “How bold of her.”
To dare meet Shen Sushang alone in broad daylight! If only their rendezvous had taken place within the palace…
This time, she wouldn’t act rashly. Instead, she’d wait patiently for Noble Consort Yu to grow even more reckless. When the time came, she’d give those lovebirds the push they deserved.
Half an hour later, the Daliang envoys, concerned their princess might lack ice, sent a fresh supply.
Chu Yunxia soon learned that Pei Yuheng, the Prince of Feng’s heir, had joined the outing.
She knew of Pei Yuheng’s infatuation with Yu Miaohua. Surely Yu Miaohua wouldn’t be brazen enough to entertain two men at once?
Unless… perhaps she was using one as a decoy to conceal her true feelings.
So, who was it? Shen Sushang or Pei Yuheng? Surely she couldn’t desire both—could she?
What a greedy woman.
Disgust warred with an unexpected pang of envy in Chu Yunxia’s heart.
Another hour passed before the Daliang envoys delivered a batch of fine silks.
Wu’s expression turned complicated. “Princess, there’s another addition.”
Chu Yunxia was numb by now. “Who else?”
“The Crown Prince has joined them. They all went to a porcelain kiln under Pei Yuheng’s name.”
Chu Yunxia was stunned. Since when was the Crown Prince involved in this?
This was madness! Which of these three men was Yu Miaohua truly meeting?
Who, exactly, was she supposed to catch in the act?
Princess: Ugh. I hate this. And yet… I’m so jealous.
