Returning to the prince's estate from the palace, Prince Hui went to the Bamboo Courtyard, while Yao Huang continued to train Jinbao in the Ming'an Hall.
Jinbao had now learned to jump over the crossbar decently. They would wait for it to grow a bit bigger before raising the bar. Today, Yao Huang wanted to train its ability to find things. First, she let Jinbao sniff its favorite meaty bone, then hid the plate with the bone in the backyard study to see if Jinbao could find it.
Jinbao spun around Yao Huang, clearly thinking the meaty bone was still on its master.
Yao Huang sighed. Since arriving at Prince Hui's estate, the little guy had been eating better and better, living a life where food came right to its mouth, just like her. It had grown lazy. If it were still that starving little pup from Lingshan Town, it would have surely followed the scent long ago to find food to fill its belly.
With no other choice, Yao Huang took Jinbao to the study. Only then did Jinbao discover another place where the scent of meat was stronger than on its master, and it happily ran over to find it.
Yao Huang thought, take it slow, teach it a few more times, and Jinbao will understand that she is testing it.
Approaching noon, Prince Hui came to Ming'an Hall, and Yao Huang smilingly told him about Jinbao's little bit of progress.
Zhao Sui looked toward the door. Jinbao had already eaten early and was now lying by the door where it could bask in the sun, tilting its head and looking at them with its pitch-black eyes. Its golden fur had grown increasingly glossy and smooth under the princess's care.
Lunch ended amidst the princess's laughter. Zhao Sui read in the study for two quarters of an hour, and after two quarters of massage and wiping down, he headed to the backyard to rest for the afternoon.
Yao Huang lay on the bed. Because the couple's afternoon rests were mostly not very innocent, Yao Huang uncontrollably thought of the new tricks from last night.
On the eve of their wedding, Yao Huang had worried that she would have to do all the work since Prince Hui's body was not capable. Who would have expected that although Prince Hui's legs were crippled, he could rely on a pair of strong arms...
Yao Huang counted on her fingers. If the Arhat bed and the large wheelchair counted as one trick, it actually added up to a whole hand?
The sound of a wheelchair moving came from the outer room.
Yao Huang pulled up the quilt and turned to the inner side, her face blushing.
After Qingai retreated, Zhao Sui propped himself onto the bed. Looking at his legs hanging off the bed, Zhao Sui paused, then lifted his two legs up one by one.
Lying down properly, Zhao Sui took an object from his chest and reached out to place it on the princess's pillow where she could see it.
The pillows of the prince and princess were a matching set. Today's set had a light gold background; the prince's was embroidered with intertwined branch patterns, while the princess's had a few more peony flowers.
Yao Huang first saw Prince Hui's extended hand, and then saw a glowing green bracelet appear on her pillow. It was even greener than the green bracelet she had given Zheng Yuanzhen as a meeting gift, a rich and tender green, as if Prince Hui's green pigments had been diluted into thick water and frozen into a shell of ice. Even without shaking it, the deep green inside seemed to be flowing.
Yao Huang sat up abruptly, holding the green bracelet with both hands and examining it carefully, extremely fond of it: "To think Your Highness actually had such a treasure?"
Zhao Sui saw surprise in the princess's eyes, as well as a trace of suspicion, as if she were blaming him for knowing she liked jewelry but dragging it out until now to give her the treasure.
Zhao Sui explained: "I went to the jewelry shop this morning to pick it out."
The estate's storehouse did indeed have various treasures bestowed upon him by his royal father in the past, but he was not married then, so his royal father would not have rewarded him with women's jewelry or utensils.
Yao Huang was stunned, finally fixing all her gaze on Prince Hui's face: "Just this morning? Your Highness went to pick it out yourself?"
Zhao Sui tacitly agreed. The princess had said that a gift was only a gift if he picked it out himself.
Yao Huang understood. Prince Hui was afraid she would feel bad about the bracelet she gave away, so he specially compensated her with a better one. It should be better, right?
"How much silver was this one?" Yao Huang asked with feigned casualness while slipping the green bracelet onto her wrist.
After acting reserved for a while and not waiting for Prince Hui to state a number, Yao Huang raised her eyes, observed Prince Hui's expression, and guessed: "Three hundred taels?"
She didn't believe the one Prince Hui gave her would be cheaper than the one she gave Zheng Yuanzhen.
Prince Hui shifted his gaze and kept his lips pressed together.
Yao Huang threw herself onto him, guessing face to face: "Too much? Two hundred taels?"
Zhao Sui lowered his eyes and said: "The bracelet weighs two taels, the price is a thousand taels of silver, plus a hundred taels of silver for craftsmanship."
Yao Huang: "..."
After a severe shock, Yao Huang quickly sat up straight, carefully took off the bracelet and placed it on the relatively soft pillow surface, knelt with her knees together, lowered her head and looked at it again and again, worrying: "Is it really worth this price? Could the shopkeeper have bullied Your Highness for not knowing how to bargain?"
Zhao Sui: "...This is the highest grade green gemstone, the current price is fifty silver per mace. It's an old shop in the capital, honest with all customers."
There were many nobles in the capital. Prince Hui was lucky to encounter this newly arrived bracelet, otherwise he might not have been able to buy it even with silver.
Since Prince Hui was so willing to spend money on her, Yao Huang was both happy and worried: "It's so precious, I wouldn't dare wear it out. What if I bump or knock it? I'd die of heartache."
Zhao Sui: "You can wear it only when attending banquets, and change to other bracelets when going out of the city to play."
He picked up the bracelet and put it back on the princess. The vibrant, dripping green gemstone bracelet set off the princess's wrist, making it look as white and smooth as fat, surpassing frost and snow in whiteness.
Prince Hui stared blankly for a moment, actually forgetting to let go of the princess's hand.
After admiring her beautiful hand wearing the green bracelet, Yao Huang realized that Prince Hui wasn't staring at the bracelet. Her face grew hot, and she took the initiative to burrow into his arms.
Because Prince Hui no longer resisted going out, Yao Huang decided to take him for a good stroll in the outskirts of the capital.
There was also some good scenery in the capital; it wasn't just the four major bustling commercial streets. Strolling one day and resting the next, in the blink of an eye it was the end of August.
Early in the morning, Yao Huang suggested: "Your Highness, shall we ride horses out of the city today to enjoy the autumn scenery?"
Riding in a carriage had the convenience of a carriage, while riding a horse had the joy and freedom of riding a horse.
Zhao Sui subconsciously avoided the princess's bright eyes. After he had grown accustomed to traveling in a wheelchair, riding a horse might seem like a clumsy cover-up.
However, this bit of concern was only fleeting. Whether sitting in a wheelchair or riding a horse, this was his own business and had nothing to do with others.
"Alright."
Yao Huang, of course, had thought of other arrangements as well: "We'll ride horses, and have two carriages follow behind, bringing pastries and tea water. That way, we can stroll outside for a whole day."
Zhao Sui nodded.
Orders were given before the meal, and after the meal, the fine horses, carriages, and other matters were all prepared. Yao Huang pushed Prince Hui to the first courtyard of the prince's estate. The accompanying guards in casual clothes were all waiting outside. On this side of the spirit wall, there were only the prince and princess, Qingai, Feiquan, and Prince Hui's mount, Jing Wu, obediently waiting here.
Yao Huang let go of the wheelchair and said to Prince Hui: "I'll go check the carriage first to see if we forgot to bring anything!"
Zhao Sui watched as the princess walked briskly around the spirit wall and out the main gate of the prince's estate.
Having been married for several months, Zhao Sui had long felt the princess's considerate care for his dignity. Just as she would not rashly turn around when he was putting on or taking off his trousers, just as now, when he needed Qingai and Feiquan to assist him onto the horse, she did not stay here to watch.
Qingai carried the prince on his back and came to the side of the lying Jing Wu. Feiquan helped lift the prince's legs over to sit astride the horse.
Once he was seated securely, Jing Wu stood up.
Qingai and Feiquan adjusted the small mechanisms connecting his riding boots to the stirrups. This ensured that even mild bumps wouldn't cause the prince's feet to slip, allowing him to look just like an able-bodied rider. It was an ingenious modification devised by the estate's craftsmen back when the prince had insisted on personally riding to Changshou Lane to welcome his bride.
Ordinary horses startled easily, but Jing Wu was a battle-hardened warhorse that had braved life and death alongside the prince. He would rather take an injury himself than let harm come to the master on his back.
Zhao Sui stroked Jing Wu's mane and gave the reins a gentle tug. Jing Wu began to walk forward.
Outside the gates of the princely estate, Yao Huang had also just mounted her horse. Seeing Prince Hui riding out, she smiled and urged her mount forward to ride beside him.
Since anyone could tell at a glance that Jing Wu and Ni Guang were magnificent steeds, the couple had not bothered to dress down in plain cotton today. As they arrived at the southern city gates and joined the queue to leave, some of the nearby commoners cast curious glances their way. Yao Huang was wearing a veiled hat to keep the dust off, obscuring her features, but the man beside her, who possessed the looks of an immortal...
Is that Prince Hui? When he marched off to war a few years back, I caught a glimpse of him from a distance.
Ah, but isn't Prince Hui... Can he really ride a horse? I'd be terrified he might suddenly fall off...
The speakers kept their voices low, but others nearby overheard. The whispers rippled outward through the crowd, and amid the buzzing murmurs, the name Prince Hui emerged with distinct clarity.
Zhao Sui had anticipated this. No one in Lingshan Town recognized him, but here in the capital, aside from the civil and military officials and royal relatives he might bump into, the commoners had seen him twice when he led the army out to war, and again when he rode through the streets to wed his princess consort. There were bound to be those with good memories.
Suddenly, his princess consort leaned a little closer to him. Even through her veil, Zhao Sui could feel her scrutinizing gaze.
Zhao Sui tightened his grip on the reins slightly, only to hear his wife tease, A handsome face draws too much attention. Perhaps next time we go out, I should prepare a veiled hat for you as well, My Lord?
Zhao Sui was speechless.
Watching the white veil gently flutter against her cheeks in the autumn breeze, Zhao Sui could not fathom the image of his own face draped in white silk, much less did he wish to try it.
Not a fan of white? Yao Huang quipped. Then I'll have Chunyan make you one with black netting.
...Let's move, Zhao Sui muttered.
Yao Huang looked ahead and noticed that the queue was finally moving.
When it was their turn to be inspected by the city guards, Yao Huang flashed the token of Prince Hui that she had kept handy.
The guard's expression changed drastically. He immediately dropped to his knees, taking the soldiers behind him down with him as they bowed to Prince Hui on horseback. Your humble servants pay their respects to Your Highness!
At ease, Zhao Sui said calmly. Carry on with your duties.
With that, he led his princess consort out of the city gates.
Yao Huang turned her head, catching the dumbfounded expressions of the nearby commoners and merchants who had just been whispering their suspicions about Prince Hui's identity.
Yao Huang smiled. She had done it on purpose. She wanted to flaunt his identity and force the city guards and commoners to get used to the fact that Prince Hui would be leaving his estate frequently. Once they grew accustomed to it, no one would make a fuss whenever he showed his face in public.
Retracting her gaze, Yao Huang pressed a kiss to the token in her hand through her white veil, then tucked it safely away into the saddlebag.
The sky was a cloudless blue, and the sun was not yet high.
Yao Huang hooked the front of her veil over the brim of her hat and looked at Prince Hui, who had been watching her all along. Would you like to try a canter, My Lord?
Zhao Sui didn't answer directly. You first.
Yao Huang glanced at Jing Wu, then urged Ni Guang forward to take the lead.
She didn't look back, but the thundering hooves of a galloping horse soon echoed behind her. A moment later, Jing Wu swept past her peripheral vision like a streak of black ink from the prince's brush, accelerating to a normal galloping speed. On the horse's back, Prince Hui's posture was steady and relaxed, showing no signs of strain.
Reassured, Yao Huang spurred her horse to catch up.
Ahead of them lay a straight official road bathed in the bright autumn sunlight, stretching out endlessly into the distance.
