Yao Huang had her own plans for managing the four maids sent by Imperial Consort Du. She told her parents and brother to carry on as they always had—after all, they couldn’t possibly live in their own home while being dictated to by a few maids.
After dinner, as the sky blazed with sunset hues, Yao Huang took Aji for a stroll in the backyard to aid digestion.
Aji, just fourteen and unable to keep her thoughts to herself, finally seized the chance to ask the question weighing most heavily on her mind: "Miss, when you marry, will you leave me here or take me with you to the prince’s mansion?"
The Yao household had only four servants, three of whom served Yao Huang and her mother. While her mother and elder sister handled chores like laundry, cooking, and cleaning, Aji had been assigned to Yao Huang from childhood, devoted solely to her care.
Had Yao Huang been marrying an ordinary man—or even someone like Li Tingwang, the son of a military officer—Aji would have been confident of accompanying her. But now that Yao Huang was to become a princess consort, with superior maids at her side, Aji feared she’d be left behind as an unsophisticated country girl, likely to embarrass her mistress in the refined setting of the prince’s household.
Yao Huang smiled. "What about you? Do you want to go to the prince’s mansion?"
Aji’s eyes reddened. "I do, and I don’t. I can’t bear to part from you, but I’m afraid I haven’t learned palace etiquette and might make mistakes there."
Yao Huang reassured her, "There’s still a month before the wedding. Huamei and the others can teach you."
The imperial selection had been held for the three princes, and the Ministry of Rites had long been preparing for the three weddings, with auspicious dates already chosen: Prince Hui’s ceremony was set for late April, Prince Qing’s for August, and Prince Kang, remarrying, would wed in early December.
Aji brightened. "So, I can go too?"
"Of course," Yao Huang said. "Huamei and the others are outsiders. You’re the only one truly loyal to me. I’ll need you to keep an eye on them."
Relieved, Aji vowed, "I won’t let them steal so much as a needle or thread from you!"
Yao Huang didn’t elaborate on the true meaning of "keeping an eye" but emphasized, "No matter how well they’ve mastered etiquette or what talents they have that you lack, as long as you do your duties well, you’ll always be my head maid. No one will outrank you. From now on, hold your head high around them—you may order them about, but they must never presume to command you. Don’t let them look down on you."
Aji, recalling Huamei’s arrogance—even daring to dictate when Yao Huang could nap—gritted her teeth. "Don’t worry, Miss. I held back before because their airs intimidated me, but if Huamei acts up again, I’ll slap her first!"
The idea was absurd. Yao Huang had never tolerated disrespect in her life—why should she start now, as a princess consort?
As twilight deepened into night, Yao Huang finally returned to the western wing.
Huamei and the other three maids came out to greet her.
Yao Huang instructed, "The kitchen is over there. There’s water in the pot—fetch it for washing up and retire early after you’re done."
Bailing, Chunyan, and Qiuchan stayed silent, but Huamei, seemingly having forgotten her earlier punishment, said deferentially, "Let us attend to you first, Miss."
Yao Huang glanced at Aji.
Bolstered, Aji scolded Huamei, "You again! Must you always talk back? Do as you’re told without fuss!"
Huamei’s chest heaved as she glared at Aji’s worn cloth shoes before forcing out, "This maid apologizes. It won’t happen again."
She was indeed wary of Yao Huang now—afraid this small-town girl, emboldened by her upcoming status, might punish her arbitrarily in her own home.
Huamei resolved to bide her time. Once Yao Huang married into the palace and faced Imperial Consort Du’s discipline during formal visits, she’d use the consort’s authority to put her in her place.
Yao Huang, seemingly unbothered by the defiance, smiled. "No matter. You’re just eager to serve, as Consort Du instructed. But since we’re not yet familiar, I’ll speak with each of you tomorrow and assign duties based on your skills."
With that, she headed to the northern chamber.
Aji fetched water from the kitchen, pointedly ignoring the four palace maids.
Huamei, noting her newfound confidence, whispered to Bailing, "Someone’s clearly backing her now. Are we really to take orders from a little maid?"
She was a second-rank palace maid from Yikun Palace—even noble ladies attending court banquets wouldn’t dare slight her! Imperial Consort Du’s orders were clear: she was to tame Yao Huang into an obedient Princess Hui.
Bailing, honest and dull-witted, had no secret orders from the consort. Caught between Huamei and the future princess, she stammered, unable to respond.
Huamei scoffed inwardly.
Aji returned with a copper kettle, brushing past them without a glance.
In the northern chamber, Yao Huang loosened her hair, rinsed her face, then sat on the kang’s edge to wash her feet in a basin.
Aji, scrubbing her mistress’s fair, delicate feet, murmured, "I couldn’t sleep well without you, Miss. When I went to my mother, her snoring gave me a headache."
No wonder her sister had flourished after marrying Gui—she’d escaped their mother’s thunderous snores.
Yao Huang chuckled. "I missed you too."
At four, she’d moved from her parents’ room to the western wing, first sharing with Qiaoniang, then with Aji from age seven. Their nightly chatter had been a cherished ritual.
Once Yao Huang settled under the covers, Aji hurriedly prepared for bed. Blowing out the lamp, she slipped into her own quilt beside Yao Huang and whispered, "While you were away, Young Master Li never once visited Brother Yao Lin. It’s proof—all those past visits were just to see you!"
Her sister had long claimed Li Tingwang fancied Yao Huang, but neither she nor Yao Huang believed it—until now.
Yao Huang’s mind conjured Li Tingwang’s tall, straight-backed figure and the teasing grin he’d worn even after she’d whacked him with a stick.
Had it been her, she’d have seethed if struck by someone she disliked. That he’d laughed… perhaps he truly cared?
Not that it mattered. "Whatever he thinks, I’m marrying Prince Hui now. Never mention him again—publicly or privately. He’s just my brother’s friend."
After a restful night, Yao Huang breakfasted with her family.
Afterward, Yao Zhenhu rode a mule to the eastern barracks, Yao Lin another to the military academy in the west, while Luo Jinhua took Qiaoniang to a silk shop. She needed fine fabrics for Yao Huang’s trousseau and two respectable pieces of jewelry for her future life as a princess.
Given the family's modest means, even if they dug up all the burial artifacts from the Yao ancestral graves, they still couldn’t scrape together a dowry befitting a princess consort. So, the couple decided not to stretch beyond their limits and simply did their best to buy their daughter as much as they could afford.
Huamei and the other three maids stood in the courtyard, awaiting Yao Huang’s orders.
But Yao Huang took Aji to the backyard instead. After about half an hour, Aji returned to the front courtyard. She glanced at the four maids and said to Chunyan, "The young mistress wants to speak with you. Come with me."
Chunyan panicked—why was she the first to be summoned?
Her heart pounding, she passed through the main hall and stepped over the threshold of the back door. When she lifted her gaze, she froze in shock.
There, the future princess consort was dressed in a simple cotton gown, sleeves rolled up, crouching in a vegetable patch. The tender green cabbage seedlings were barely half a finger’s height, and Yao Huang’s plump, fair forearm was exposed as her slender, elegant fingers deftly plucked out weeds.
This scene was familiar to Chunyan—it reminded her of life before entering the palace, when her grandmother, aunts, and sisters in the countryside often did the same.
But Yao Huang was the daughter of an official family, a future princess consort! How could this be?
Aji turned back. "Come on, why are you standing there?"
Chunyan quickly suppressed her surprise and followed Aji toward the vegetable patch.
A small stool was placed beside the patch. Yao Huang sat on it and looked at Chunyan’s nervous expression with a smile. "What’s wrong? Are you afraid of me?"
Chunyan shook her head repeatedly.
Yao Huang twirled a freshly plucked weed in her fingers and said casually, "No need to be afraid. I’m actually quite easygoing. As long as those around me do their duties well and don’t ruin my mood, we’ll get along fine. As for scolding or hitting—Aji has been with me for over a decade, and I’ve never once laid a hand on her."
Aji chimed in, "That’s right. The young mistress is the kindest—she’s never even scolded me."
Chunyan bowed. "Understood. This servant will do her utmost to serve without displeasing the young mistress."
Yao Huang nodded. "I assume you already know about my family’s situation. Now, tell me about yourself—starting from your hometown, when you entered the palace, up until Imperial Consort Du assigned you to me. Keep it concise."
Chunyan steadied herself and began recounting her story in a soft voice.
The palace regularly selected maids from common households, requiring only a clean background and decent appearance.
Born into a farming family, Chunyan entered the palace at thirteen. After half a year of training in etiquette, she was assigned to the Imperial Garment Workshop to learn needlework. This year, she was deemed ready for independent work—just in time for the imperial consorts to select maids as gifts for the future princess consort. Chunyan was chosen by Imperial Consort Du.
Yao Huang asked, "Can you make clothing?"
Chunyan replied, "Yes. I specialize in Su and Shu embroidery, mastering twenty-four stitching techniques. There are over thirty others I’m still refining."
Aji’s eyes widened slightly.
Yao Huang smiled. "Good. I have two bolts of fabric. Later, Aji will give them to you. Start by making a summer outfit for her—I’d like to see your skills firsthand."
Chunyan relaxed. At least she had a task now.
The second maid summoned was Qiuchan, who had trained in accounting in the palace. Yao Huang tested her with a few problems, and Qiuchan answered flawlessly. Naturally, she was assigned to manage household accounts.
Returning to the front courtyard, Qiuchan exhaled in relief, just as Chunyan had.
When Aji came to take Bailing away, Huamei interrogated Qiuchan again. Hearing that Qiuchan’s account matched Chunyan’s, she felt more confident.
But Bailing’s audience with Yao Huang lasted nearly half an hour—almost as long as Chunyan and Qiuchan’s combined.
When Aji escorted Bailing back, Huamei stared at her intently. Even without secrets, Bailing grew flustered under that gaze, avoiding eye contact several times. Only after Huamei disappeared through the back door did Bailing finally relax.
For Huamei, Yao Huang followed the same routine. Huamei answered tersely, and Yao Huang didn’t press further. "Bailing is skilled in hairstyling. What about you?"
Huamei feigned humility but couldn’t hide her pride. "This servant has no talent in needlework or handiwork, but my memory is sharp—I’ve mastered all court rituals and rules. In Yikun Palace, I assisted senior maids in managing affairs and disciplining servants. Her Highness often took me along on outings because I’m quick-witted. I can remember any palace maid or eunuch after meeting them just once."
Yao Huang smiled. "Her Highness is too kind, gifting me such a clever maid."
Huamei replied, "Prince Hui is Her Highness’s eldest son. With His Highness currently indisposed, Her Highness hopes you’ll swiftly take charge of the household after marriage. That’s why she specially assigned me to assist you."
Yao Huang nodded. "Her Highness is thoughtful. Very well—start by teaching Aji palace etiquette. By the time I marry into the prince’s household, I want her to appear as if she were raised in the palace."
Huamei stiffened.
Yao Huang added, "If you teach her well, she won’t embarrass me. Otherwise, if my maid makes a fool of herself, it’ll reflect poorly on Her Highness too."
Huamei clenched her teeth. "...Understood."
With Yao Huang’s arrangements, all four maids were kept busy. Chunyan devoted herself to sewing new clothes, Qiuchan assisted Luo Jinhua in recording congratulatory gifts from relatives and neighbors, Bailing creatively styled Yao Huang and her mother with their limited jewelry to appear more dignified, and Huamei grudgingly played etiquette tutor to Aji—though she couldn’t vent her frustrations, as Aji talked back, leaving Huamei at a disadvantage.
Yao Huang longed to go out for fresh air. After being confined in the palace for over a month, she was thoroughly stifled.
But guards sent by Prince Hui’s household stood watch outside the gate. If word got out that a bride-to-be was sneaking out, it might ruin Prince Hui’s impression of her.
Until she understood the prince’s temperament and preferences, Yao Huang dared not act recklessly.
Fortunately, the month before the wedding wasn’t idle.
First, seamstresses from the Imperial Garment Workshop came to take her measurements, rushing to complete her wedding gown and formal attire.
Next, the Ministry of Rites delivered betrothal gifts on behalf of the imperial family—first the initial proposal gifts, then the grand betrothal presents. These included pearl-and-jade coronets and leisure robes reserved for princess consorts, lavish seasonal attire, chests of gold, silver, jewels, silks, cosmetics, and practical yet festive items like livestock, grains, wine, tea, and pastries…
Box after box, chest after chest, filled every empty room in the Yao residence. After the guests left, Yao Huang spent five days cross-checking the gift list with the actual items. If not for Huamei and the others keeping watch, she’d have strewn the jewelry across her bed, waking up each morning bathed in their glittering splendor.
With days like these, even staying indoors felt utterly luxurious!
Time flew by in such comfort. Three days before the wedding, another envoy arrived—this time, a fifty-year-old court physician sent by Empress Zhou’s decree.
The Yao family respectfully welcomed the physician inside.
The kind-faced woman exchanged pleasantries with Yao Zhenhu and his wife before taking Yao Huang to her chambers alone. Two palace maids stood guard outside, ensuring no one—not even the four maids gifted by Imperial Consort Du—could eavesdrop.
Inside the room, the female physician gazed gently at Yao Huang. "With the grand ceremony approaching, this humble wife shall address you directly as Princess Consort."
Yao Huang nodded.
The physician continued, "There is no need for the Princess Consort to be nervous. Her Majesty sent me here primarily due to Prince Hui’s leg ailment. His Highness has limited mobility, and on the wedding night—as well as in your marital life—you will need to accommodate him to ensure harmony between husband and wife and avoid unnecessary difficulties."
Yao Huang replied sincerely, "I am grateful for Her Majesty’s kindness. Rest assured, I will learn diligently."
The physician placed a chair by the kang bed and sat down, mimicking the posture of someone with a leg disability. She instructed Yao Huang to assist her onto the bed and help her lie down.
Being her first attempt, Yao Huang was understandably unpracticed. It took her seven or eight tries before she managed it smoothly without causing the physician any discomfort.
The physician said softly, "His Highness is heavier than I am. When you assist him, you must use more strength."
This was all the guidance she could provide—anything further would require the Princess Consort to learn through experience.
Yao Huang glanced at her own arms and smiled. "It’s fine. I’m strong enough—I won’t let His Highness fall."
Her smile was bright and genuine, not forced in the slightest. The physician grew even more impressed with this future princess consort and proceeded to instruct Yao Huang on how to assist a groom with disabled legs in consummating the marriage, starting with undressing him—particularly removing his trousers.
When it came to the most crucial step, even Yao Huang, thick-skinned as she was, flushed crimson as she knelt before the physician, face-to-face at her waist.
The physician, however, remained composed, her demeanor purely professional. "If this can be accomplished, the Princess Consort need only care for His Highness properly afterward, and there will be nothing left to worry about."
Yao Huang shifted aside, glanced at the physician’s waist, and asked shyly, "Are there… techniques to ensure it will succeed?"
The physician sat up and moved closer to Yao Huang. "Since His Highness returned to the capital after his injury, his spirits have been low. The imperial physicians only dare to inquire about his legs, never anything more. Yet among men with leg disabilities, some can perform their marital duties normally, some require their wives’ assistance to succeed, and some… are entirely incapable."
"As for His Highness’s condition, the physicians dare not ask, and he would never bring it up unprompted."
Yao Huang fell silent.
The physician retrieved an item from her medical kit and taught Yao Huang methods and techniques to assist the groom.
Yao Huang: "…"
The physician advised sympathetically, "First, test His Highness’s disposition. If he permits it, you may attempt these methods. But if they prove ineffective—or if he shows no interest at all—you must not press the matter, lest you provoke his anger."
Yao Huang forced a composed nod.
With that, the physician’s task was complete. The specifics of Prince Hui’s condition would be for the Princess Consort to discover, and how their marital life unfolded would depend on her ability to overcome these challenges.
