After enjoying the autumn scenery outside the city for a whole day and having dinner at Wangxian Pavilion at dusk, Prince Hui and his wife finally returned to their royal estate.
From the moment they headed back to the city, Prince Hui had been sitting in the carriage. When the Princess Consort and Qingai pushed the prince down from the carriage, one from above and one from below, Chief Steward Guo Shu waited quietly by the side. It was not until the prince and princess entered the estate that Guo Shu bowed and said, "Your Highness, around a quarter to eleven in the morning, His Highness Prince Kang came with the young heir. He said he just wanted to drop by for a visit. Upon learning that you and the Princess Consort had gone out of the city, His Highness Prince Kang left."
Zhao Sui nodded, indicating he understood, and did not ask further.
Yao Huang thought about how she had been married to Prince Hui for so long yet had never seen Prince Kang visit. There was an eighty percent chance he had some business today, and the young heir was merely an excuse. However, since Prince Hui had been inseparable from her all day, he probably did not know the purpose of Prince Kang's visit either, so the couple did not bring the matter up again.
The next day was the first of the month, a day Emperor Yongchang was bound to hold court.
In the grand hall, the civil officials lined up on the left, and the military officials lined up on the right. Prince Kang and Prince Qing, the two royal princes, stood side by side about two paces in front of the civil officials.
Emperor Yongchang felt that although his eldest son was not particularly clever, his temperament was upright and loyal. Therefore, he assigned Prince Kang to serve in the Ministry of Revenue. This way, if there was any discrepancy with the funds, Prince Kang would definitely get to the bottom of it, which would somewhat deter the greed of some officials. His third son was skilled in both literary and martial arts, second only to his second son in talent, but far less steady. Thus, Emperor Yongchang placed Prince Qing in the Ministry of Rites, intending to first wear away the boy's frivolity and impatience.
The Noble Consort's fourth son was only thirteen, still wet behind the ears. Playful and restless, he did not look like he would amount to much. Emperor Yongchang's current considerations were focused on the two before him. He hoped that by the time he turned sixty, both his eldest and third sons would have made progress, allowing him to safely hand over the empire and court affairs to one of them.
After court was dismissed, Emperor Yongchang went to review memorials. Prince Kang naturally went to Cuiwei Palace to pay his respects to Consort Xian, as the first and fifth days of the month were his designated days to do so.
This time, Prince Kang mentioned his visit to Prince Hui's estate the previous day.
Consort Xian asked in surprise, "They went out of the city to ride horses?"
Prince Kang understood his mother's feelings, as he had been equally shocked upon hearing Guo Shu's words. "Yes, he went with Second Sister-in-law. He rode Jing Wu. Jing Wu is very intelligent; I presume it wouldn't throw Second Brother off."
Consort Xian smiled and said, "Lady Yao seems to have a lively and bright personality. It is a good thing she has managed to make your second brother more cheerful."
With no other new developments, Consort Xian instructed her son not to mention this to outsiders and then urged him to hurry to the Ministry of Revenue for his duties.
A couple of days later, Consort Xian summoned her grandson, the young heir, into the palace and held the little boy's hand to play in the Imperial Garden.
Consort Xian was forty-six this year. Even in her youth, she had not possessed breathtaking, one-in-a-million beauty, but rather won favor through her dignified and refined demeanor. Every year, several fresh, flower-like newcomers of sixteen or seventeen would enter the palace. Emperor Yongchang's gradually waning interest fell entirely on these newcomers. He basically only came to stay at Consort Xian's palace two nights a month, and that was purely for sleeping.
However, Emperor Yongchang doted on all three of his grandchildren from Prince Kang's estate, especially the legitimate young heir. Whenever Consort Xian summoned the young heir to the palace, as long as Emperor Yongchang was free, he would come over to tease his grandson or stay at Consort Xian's palace to have lunch with him.
"Imperial Grandfather!"
Seeing Emperor Yongchang, the young heir happily ran over, opening his two little arms.
Emperor Yongchang picked up his eldest imperial grandson and kissed the little guy on the cheek. "Oh, you have grown heavier again. Your imperial grandfather can hardly hold you."
The young heir replied, "That is because I have been a good boy and eating my meals lately. I clean my bowl every time."
Emperor Yongchang pinched the little guy's tender cheek. Looking ahead, he noticed that his eldest daughter-in-law, Chen Ying, who had not yet officially married into the family, was also present. He guessed that Consort Xian wanted to let the eldest daughter-in-law get close to the young heir ahead of time.
Emperor Yongchang walked over carrying the young heir.
Chen Ying curtsied in greeting. Having met Emperor Yongchang a few times alongside Consort Xian, she had lost the initial nervousness that once kept her from even lifting her eyes.
With a child present, the conversation naturally revolved around him.
Emperor Yongchang tested the young heir on his lessons and then said to Consort Xian, "Not bad. He is smarter than his father was at this age."
Consort Xian shot a glance toward her daughter-in-law and softly chided, "Little Ying is here. Your Majesty should save some face for Prince Kang."
Emperor Yongchang gave a soft snort.
Once Emperor Yongchang's initial excitement of doting on his grandson had passed, Consort Xian asked Chen Ying to take the young heir to see the chrysanthemums nearby. Then, she said to Emperor Yongchang, "Prince Hui has been growing more cheerful by the day. A couple of days ago, Prince Kang specially took the child to Prince Hui's estate, hoping to keep Prince Hui company and relieve his boredom. Unluckily, Prince Hui had actually gone out with his wife. Your Majesty, guess where the young couple went?"
Seeing Consort Xian smiling gently, Emperor Yongchang knew his second son and his wife must have done something amusing. He played along and guessed, "Strolling through the markets?"
Consort Xian replied, "Outside the city."
Emperor Yongchang asked, "Out of the city to enjoy the autumn scenery? Visiting a temple to burn incense?"
Consort Xian smiled and said, "Riding horses. They each had their own horse, and Prince Hui rode Jing Wu."
Jing Wu had found His Highness Prince Hui unconscious in a cave at the bottom of a cliff. This miraculous tale of a divine steed saving its master had long spread both inside and outside the palace.
Since it was Jing Wu, Emperor Yongchang's heart, which had leaped into his throat out of fear that his second son might fall off the horse, settled down. Following this, a blurred memory surfaced from the depths of his mind. Back when his second son was just a young man who had newly learned to ride, he had galloped several laps around the racecourse, showing a rare, high-spirited vigor fitting for a youth. What a pity that the moment he dismounted, his second son instantly reverted to being a joyless, angerless bookworm.
So his second son could still ride a horse.
Emperor Yongchang was very happy for his son. Riding a horse was good. At the very least, when sitting on horseback, his second son could see the same high views as before.
.
On the Double Ninth Festival in September, officials were given a day off. It just so happened to be a rest day for Prince Hui and his wife. Otherwise, going out on consecutive days would have been exhausting, especially for Prince Hui.
"I want to make a trip back to Changshou Alley. When Your Highness gets tired of reading, could you help me train Jinbao?"
After waking up early in the morning alongside Prince Hui, Yao Huang spoke while still carrying a trace of drowsiness.
Zhao Sui understood his wife's underlying meaning: she did not need him to accompany her on this trip back to her maiden home.
"Mm."
Qingai pushed Prince Hui away. Once the familiar sound of the wheelchair completely disappeared, Yao Huang shifted to lie flat on her back and let out a long breath.
Prince Hui was very handsome and highly elegant. Yao Huang was also happy to take Prince Hui out to play, allowing him to see the scenery and bustle of the capital that, surprisingly, a native-born resident of the capital had never seen.
But Yao Huang could honestly say that Prince Hui was absolutely not a good travel companion. It had nothing to do with his legs. Even if his legs were perfectly fine, it would be okay for Yao Huang to occasionally accompany Prince Hui out, but over a long period, it would give her a headache!
Prince Hui was merely willing to go out and move around; every outing plan was made by Yao Huang. At these times, Yao Huang had to ensure that Prince Hui could enjoy her arrangements. Therefore, she would secretly observe Prince Hui's expression, terrified that he might dislike the places she found worth visiting, which would mean making Prince Hui suffer the various inconveniences of traveling in a wheelchair for nothing.
But what kind of person was Prince Hui?
Even after shedding his aura of lifelessness, Prince Hui's emotions remained difficult to read. The amusements that made Yao Huang laugh out loud would only earn a slight twitch of his lips; the sights that made her crane her neck in curiosity would be met with an indifferent expression. Even when they went shopping, Yao Huang bought whatever she liked, while Prince Hui's gaze remained placid wherever it landed, leaving Yao Huang at a loss when she wanted to buy him a gift.
Once or twice was fine, but as time went on, Yao Huang felt exhausted. She couldn't help but miss her old playmates, a group of people chatting, laughing, and playing around without any reservations.
Fortunately, the weather was turning cold, giving her an excuse to reduce the number of times they went out.
Yao Huang also wondered, did Prince Hui prefer to stay in the manor reading, only going out occasionally?
But could he just read like this for the rest of his life? What if he ruined his eyes?
.
Over at Changshou Alley, the Yao family had no idea their daughter was coming back. Yao Lin had gone out early to meet friends, Yao Zhenhu was at the East Camp preparing for the Emperor's upcoming military inspection, and even Luo Jinhua was chatting with the neighbors. It was Madam Wu who sent Qiaoniang to call the Madam back.
Luo Jinhua hurried back and found her daughter sprawled out on the heated brick bed in the east room, limbs splayed in exhaustion.
Startled, Luo Jinhua asked, "What happened?"
Yao Huang groaned softly, "Mother, I'm so tired!"
Luo Jinhua: "...What did you do to get so tired?"
Yao Huang poured out her troubles to her mother: "When the Prince locked himself in the Bamboo Courtyard, I actually had an easy time, but I wanted to bring him back to life. Now that I've revived him, I definitely have to keep making his life interesting, right? But he's not a playful person at all. Constantly trying to find ways to force myself to keep him entertained is exhausting."
She patted her own head.
Luo Jinhua quickly held down her daughter's hand, afraid she would knock herself silly.
Taking off her shoes, Luo Jinhua sat cross-legged near her daughter's head and began to massage her forehead.
Her husband and son were not the type to use their brains; the father and son lived a carefree life of simple grudges and gratitude, relying entirely on her to worry about the trivial matters inside and outside the house. Her daughter could have married a young man from an ordinary family and lived an ordinary life after marriage, but alas...
Of course, Luo Jinhua had no dissatisfaction with her Prince son-in-law. For a prince to indulge her daughter so much was already a blessing for her daughter and the entire Yao family.
After thinking it over, Luo Jinhua said softly, "Ultimately, the Prince just has too much free time. If he had an official duty and left early and returned late, only able to accompany you in the evenings and on his days off, then you'd be complaining that he doesn't have enough days to take you out."
Distance makes the heart grow fonder, while constant closeness breeds contempt. This is true for parents and children, and equally true for husbands and wives. Otherwise, where did the saying 'a short parting is better than a new marriage' come from? Not seeing each other for a whole day is also a kind of short parting.
Yao Huang looked up at her mother, ideas bubbling up in her head one after another.
Official duties. What kind of duties could the Prince do? Would the Prince be willing to do them? Did the imperial court have any suitable positions for the Prince? Would Emperor Yongchang grant him one?
Following this, Yao Huang thought of Prince Hui's brilliant plan to reclaim land and plant Solomon's seal on Mount Ling, how he had seen through the hidden details of Squire Qi's death with just a few glances, and the military achievements he had established in the past.
He could do what a civil official with a Jinshi degree should do. As for military duties, the Prince simply couldn't kill enemies personally anymore, but he could still manage and train troops. Didn't Sun Bin command a massive army from a wheelchair to besiege Wei and rescue Zhao?
.
After having lunch with her mother, Yao Huang returned to Prince Hui's Manor feeling refreshed. She heard from Aji that Prince Hui had taken Jinbao to the Bamboo Courtyard to train him.
Yao Huang took a good afternoon rest and went to the Bamboo Courtyard at dusk to pick up Prince Hui.
Zhao Sui sat in his wheelchair, being pushed closer to the courtyard gate by Qingai.
Thinking of the increasingly unconcealable exhaustion on the Princess Consort's face over the past few days, Zhao Sui lowered his eyes. In truth, he didn't need the Princess Consort to accompany him out so frequently, nor did he need her to wrack her brains to talk to him, but he didn't know how to bring it up.
When the wheelchair moved past the cover of the courtyard wall, Zhao Sui looked toward the stone table.
Just as Prince Hui worried he would see the Princess Consort forcing a smile, she ran toward him with a beaming smile, her eyes bright and clear, just like the very first time she came to the Bamboo Courtyard to look for him.
