Prince Qing's Manor.
Prince Qing stepped off the carriage, brushed aside the attendant who tried to hold an umbrella for him, and strode into the manor.
He wasn't as delicate as his Second Brother; a little snow didn't require an umbrella, it wasn't rain after all.
The young prince, clad in a sapphire-blue python robe, went straight to the Princess Consort's quarters. Seeing his beautiful cousin sitting warmly on the couch in the side room, Prince Qing untied his cloak and tossed it to a maid. Once the maid retreated with the cloak, he took off his boots, climbed onto the couch, and reached out to pull the serious-looking Zheng Yuanzhen into his arms, lowering his head to kiss her neck.
"Cold!" Zheng Yuanzhen complained in disgust.
Prince Qing laughed, "It'll warm up after I kiss you for a bit."
Being newlyweds and full of youthful vigor, Prince Qing pressed Zheng Yuanzhen directly onto the couch, enjoying a round of pleasure before dinner.
Afterward, looking at his cousin with her loose hair and blushing face, Prince Qing remembered how polite and distant she had been at this time last year. Now, she was willing to share such intimacy with him. Feeling immensely gratified, he continued to hold Zheng Yuanzhen tightly, refusing to let her tidy up.
Zheng Yuanzhen chided him gently, "It's almost time to eat. Hurry up and get up."
"No rush," Prince Qing said. "I like holding you like this. Stay and talk with me a little longer."
"Talk about what?"
Prince Qing thought for a moment, smiled, and played with a strand of her hair, saying, "Doesn't Second Brother use a wheelchair? A stiff wooden chair might be fine in other seasons, but sitting in it constantly during winter must be freezing. Second Sister-in-law is clever; she had a carpenter replace the seat with a cowhide cushion. It blends perfectly with the wheelchair and is both soft and warm to sit on."
Unable to picture it, Zheng Yuanzhen mocked lightly, "It's quite a feat for her to come up with so many ways to win Second Brother's favor."
Zheng Yuanzhen did not believe that the elegant and dignified Prince Hui could truly share mutual respect with the gluttonous and lazy daughter of a mere company commander. Therefore, if Yao Huang wanted to secure her position as Princess Consort Hui, she had to rack her brains to fight for Prince Hui's favor. Since Yao Huang knew nothing of music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, she could only work on his basic needs, food, drink, and entertainment.
Zheng Yuanzhen was a pampered princess, spoiled by her mother, the Grand Princess, since childhood. Even after marrying Prince Qing, he was always the one trying to coax her and make her happy. Deep down, Zheng Yuanzhen looked down on women who used gentle and considerate means as a lowly way to compete for favor.
Prince Qing understood his cousin's thoughts and smiled. "After all, she is not like you. And Second Brother has the temperament of a monk. If she doesn't put in the effort, she'd probably end up living like a widow."
Having no interest in Yao Huang's affairs, Zheng Yuanzhen asked him, "Second Brother has been working at the Ministry of Works for a month now. Has he intervened in any construction projects?"
Emperor Yongchang had gone to great lengths to alter the various palace gates. Although he later gave Prince Kang and Prince Qing reassurance, whenever Zheng Yuanzhen thought of Prince Hui's talents and Emperor Yongchang's partiality toward him, she felt uneasy. She was even more afraid that Prince Hui would shine at the Ministry of Works, shaking Emperor Yongchang's current thoughts on the succession.
Prince Qing naturally kept an eye on this and replied, "I heard he just stays shut in his office reading the construction files from last year, acting as if he plans to read them until the New Year. At court assemblies, he never takes the initiative to interfere in government affairs. In my opinion, Second Brother is afraid we'll suspect him, so he doesn't dare to compete anymore."
A prince born of a lowly dancer, without maternal family support, could only rely on his literary and martial talents. Second Brother had pretended to be patient and honest for over a decade, finally seizing an opportunity at the age of eighteen to establish military merits and leap to become their imperial father's favorite son. Unfortunately, Second Brother had bad luck and his legs were ruined. Like a crippled winged steed, he had no hope left. If Second Brother was smart enough, he should know not to overshadow his brothers anymore.
Zheng Yuanzhen stroked the back of Prince Qing's hand and whispered, "Let's hope so."
Prince Qing turned her face toward him. "What are you worried about? Even if he wants to compete, sitting in a wheelchair and stuck in the Ministry of Works, how could he possibly win against me?"
When Second Brother established his merits, he was still young. Now he had grown up, and even if Second Brother's legs recovered, he wouldn't be afraid of him.
Prince Qing disliked the slight contempt toward him and the high regard for his Second Brother that his cousin's words revealed.
Zheng Yuanzhen smiled, "True, all Third Brother lacks is an opportunity to prove himself."
Prince Qing pressed her down and kissed her fiercely again before the couple finally got up to tidy themselves.
Walking to the dining table, Prince Qing looked at the two carved Huanghuali wood armchairs and said to Zheng Yuanzhen, "You know, Second Brother's cowhide chair is indeed comfortable. How about this: tomorrow I will go with you to Second Brother's place. I'll keep him company, and while you have tea with Second Sister-in-law, mention it to her. Ask her to make two armchairs for us. We can pay for them."
"I don't care for it. If you like it, go ask Second Brother for it yourself," Zheng Yuanzhen replied.
"Second Brother's legs are ruined, while I am perfectly fine. How could I have the nerve to ask him? It's much easier for you sisters-in-law to speak to each other."
"I have no personal relationship with the Yao woman. If she came to ask for my help, I would help, but I absolutely will not lower my head to her over two cowhide chairs."
"...Fine, your pride is precious, and mine is thick. Anyway, we will both go tomorrow, and I'll find a chance to ask Second Sister-in-law myself, alright?"
Just as Zheng Yuanzhen was about to refuse, Prince Qing said seriously, "Don't forget, although Imperial Father has given up on Second Brother, he pities him even more. Even Eldest Brother knows to visit once a month to show his concern. If we, as his younger brother and sister-in-law, always dismiss Second Brother, what will Imperial Father think of me?"
Brotherly affection and harmony among sisters-in-law were exactly what their imperial father expected to see from them.
Zheng Yuanzhen swallowed the refusal that had reached her lips.
At least until Prince Qing secured that position, she and Prince Qing indeed had to put on an act.
Prince Hui's Manor.
The inner room, heated by the underfloor flues, was as warm as spring. However, in the bed curtains that remained dark on this winter morning, Yao Huang was still awakened by the slight chill of Prince Hui's legs.
She tried to shrink back inside, but Prince Hui pinned her shoulders down firmly. Eventually, he leaned over and asked her to lift her leg.
Practice makes perfect in all things. By now, Prince Hui had learned to support his body weight with his elbows, which brought the two of them even closer together.
Yao Huang could have chosen not to cooperate, but right now, Prince Hui couldn't even move his hands. Whether he succeeded or not was entirely up to Yao Huang. If she really refused him, it would seem like she was bullying him for his disability.
So as long as Prince Hui assumed this posture, no matter how sleepy Yao Huang was, she had to let him have his way.
The faint light reflecting off the snow gradually filtered in through the window. Just before Yao Huang could clearly see Prince Hui's handsome face, he made her cry out one last time.
By the time Yao Huang mustered the strength to clean up, Prince Hui had already straightened his inner garments and sat up.
Yao Huang grabbed his wrist and forcefully pulled him back down.
The Princess Consort leaned halfway over, looking at him with an inquiring gaze. Her face was flushed deep red, and her eyes, having cried for a long time, were slightly swollen.
Zhao Sui closed his eyes.
Yao Huang snorted, "You dare to bully people, but don't dare to face it?"
Zhao Sui said, "It's still early, you can sleep a little longer."
Yao Huang replied, "The sky is already bright, what's there to sleep for."
Zhao Sui remained silent. He pulled the quilt over with his left hand, tucking it tightly around her shoulders.
Yao Huang peeked outside the bed curtains and said excitedly, "Let me accompany Your Highness to see the snow scenery in the back garden. It snowed all night, so it must look like a fairyland over there."
Yesterday, she had already instructed Eunuch Cao to tell the servants not to clear the snow on the paths in the back garden just yet.
Zhao Sui agreed.
Yao Huang finally let him go to the washroom. She put on her own clothes, wrapped herself in a cloak, and walked to the window. Opening the window, a bone-piercing chill immediately rushed in, carrying a few scattered snowflakes the size of salt grains.
Outside the window, it was a vast expanse of white, and the distant courtyard walls and roofs were all covered in white.
Zhao Sui came out of the washroom after washing his hands, only to see the Princess Consort wrapped in a bright red cloak, leaning against the windowsill. She revealed only a flushed profile and a pair of delicate, jade-white feet half-exposed in white fox fur slippers.
Zhao Sui rolled his wheelchair behind the Princess Consort.
Hearing the noise, Yao Huang noticed he was only wearing his inner garments. She quickly closed the window to prevent him from catching a cold.
After a moment of tenderness, Yao Huang went into the inner room. By the time she came out, Prince Hui had already put on his outer robe. Since he had been staying in the backyard permanently, Qingai had delivered several sets of the Prince's casual wear and python robes. This morning, Prince Hui chose a tea-white brocade robe, looking as handsome as a jade-faced immortal from a storybook.
After breakfast, Yao Huang still wore that red satin cloak. She helped Prince Hui put on his ink-black cloak embroidered with golden auspicious clouds, and then personally pushed his wheelchair to the back garden.
The snow on the ground was about three fingers thick. Listening to the sound of the Princess Consort's footsteps crunching in the snow, Zhao Sui asked, Are your feet cold?
Yao Huang replied, Thanks to Your Highness, I am now wearing mink boots worth hundreds of taels of silver. They are warm on the inside and waterproof on the outside. I have only walked this short distance, and I am already feeling hot.
Zhao Sui: ...
The back garden was clad in silvery white; even the dark green bamboo forest was covered in a layer of snow.
Going around to the lakeside on the west, Yao Huang had a sudden idea and asked Prince Hui in the wheelchair, Has Your Highness ever ice skated?
Zhao Sui shook his head.
Yao Huang smiled and pointed at the solidly frozen lake surface, saying, Shall I push Your Highness onto the ice for a stroll? Rest assured, Your Highness, I have already taken Aji and the others skating on it many times; we will not fall in.
Prince Hui's heartbeat quickened slightly. Out of caution, he still wanted to call Qingai and Feiquan over first, just in case.
But the Princess Consort directly pushed him onto the ice.
Yao Huang first slowly pushed Prince Hui for a small half-circle on the ice. Once Prince Hui was convinced of the ice's solidity, Yao Huang reminded him to grip the armrests tightly, and then forcefully pushed the wheelchair forward.
The large golden wheels smoothly rolled out two long, thin tracks in the snow. The crisp, cold wind brushed past Prince Hui's ears. It was not until the wheelchair's speed slowed down that his heartbeat followed suit.
He turned the handrims, slowly turning the wheelchair to look behind him.
The Princess Consort stood thirty paces away, bending over to scoop up snow.
Zhao Sui watched as the Princess Consort, unafraid of the cold, directly used her bare hands to pack a fist-sized snowball. Standing straight, she gave him a radiant smile. Your Highness has never had a snowball fight either, right?
Zhao Sui: ...
Yao Huang: Catch!
She forcefully threw the snowball right at Prince Hui's face.
Zhao Sui really wanted to dodge, and he was capable of doing so; whether by leaning sideways or slightly turning the wheelchair, he had enough time. However, if the snowball missed, would the Princess Consort not have frozen her hands for nothing?
Zhao Sui closed his eyes.
The snowball hit his forehead neither too heavily nor too lightly, then fell into his lap.
Yao Huang: ...
Prince Hui, who had spent two or three years on the battlefield, actually could not dodge her snowball?
Oh no, with such an accurate hit, Prince Hui must be angry, right?
Yao Huang hurriedly ran over. While picking up the snowball and tossing it aside, she frantically used her handkerchief to wipe the crushed snow from the Prince's forehead. Looking at Prince Hui's downcast eyelashes, Yao Huang asked nervously, Why did Your Highness not dodge? Does it hurt?
Zhao Sui shook his head.
Prince Hui had no intention of pursuing the matter, but Yao Huang felt incredibly guilty. So she packed a new, even larger snowball and stuffed it into Prince Hui's hands. She stepped back about twenty paces, letting Prince Hui throw it at her once.
Zhao Sui looked at the Princess Consort, who was gazing at him with an expectant and encouraging expression, and then looked at the snowball in his hand. Ultimately, he did not throw it.
Let us build a snowman.
He could not bear to see the Princess Consort get hurt.
