Dinner was early, and when Yao Huang stepped out of the mist-shrouded bathing barrel, it was only a quarter past six in the evening.
The soft lamplight shone on the Princess Consort's face, flushed from the steam. Aside from the two rosy clouds on her cheeks, even her fair neck revealed a faint peach-pink hue.
While vigorously helping the Princess Consort wring her hair dry, Aji muttered softly, "The Princess Consort is so beautiful, yet the Prince can bear to stay away for several nights in a row. That's quite an impressive ability."
Yao Huang thought to herself that Prince Hui did indeed have an impressive ability, but it had nothing to do with whether he coveted her beauty. Rather, his ability lay in his extreme restraint, no matter what he desired.
With Emperor Yongchang, Prince Hui wanted an official assignment but was unwilling to ask.
With his beautiful Princess Consort, Prince Hui wanted to share her bed but insisted on waiting for their scheduled days, or until she took the initiative to push him over.
The former was because the father-son relationship between Prince Hui and Emperor Yongchang was not close enough. At least in Prince Hui's eyes, the emphasis in "Imperial Father" was on "Imperial," and he was bound by layers of rules. As for her side, Prince Hui was both reserved and thin-skinned; only after making her dizzy with passion could he completely let go.
Yao Huang had never dealt with a person of such a temperament before. However, since Prince Hui was a prince and also disabled, yet impeccable in every other aspect, Yao Huang couldn't be bothered to hold it against him.
The inner chamber, heated by the underfloor flues, was as warm as mid-spring. Yao Huang sat in the canopy bed with her semi-dry long hair draped over her shoulders, reading the storybook she had bought earlier that day.
After turning a few pages, there was some movement outside.
Yao Huang got out of bed, draped the cloak prepared nearby over her shoulders, and walked out while tying the knot. When she reached the main hall, Qingai had also pushed the wheelchair to the door. Sitting in the wheelchair, Prince Hui was actually wearing a crimson python robe with a jade belt around his waist. Coupled with his noble and solitary face, the first glance actually startled Yao Huang, making her inexplicably afraid that Prince Hui was here to punish her for something.
If the person who shared his bed felt this way, Bailing, who was keeping the night watch, was even more intimidated, keeping her head down and not daring to breathe loudly.
Zhao Sui glanced at the Princess Consort and explained, "I will depart directly from here tomorrow morning."
On days with morning court assemblies, he had to get up at the hour of the tiger. At that time, the Princess Consort would be dead to the world. Even if he wanted her to watch him put on his trousers, she wouldn't be able to open her eyes.
Yao Huang suddenly understood and asked on behalf of Bailing, "Will you also wash up here?"
If so, Bailing would need to prepare hot water in advance.
Zhao Sui shook his head.
Yao Huang then took over the wheelchair and pushed Prince Hui into the inner chamber.
In summer, they sweated a lot, and it was easy to wipe down after tossing about. When it got cold, they were too lazy to move, and the sweat wasn't as heavy. Yao Huang had prepared four towels in advance, two for each of them. They would simply wipe themselves at night and wash properly during the day.
After pushing Prince Hui to the bed, Yao Huang tactfully asked, "Shall I go put out the lights?"
Zhao Sui nodded.
Yao Huang cast another glance at the majestically dressed Prince Hui, then stepped out of the canopy bed. She lowered the outermost curtains to block Prince Hui's figure, extinguished the lamps one by one, and conveniently hung her untied cloak back on the rack.
She even pretended to take a walk to the washroom. By the time she came out, the sound of rustling clothes inside the bed had ceased.
Entering the curtains, her eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and Yao Huang discovered that Prince Hui was actually leaning against the head of the bed.
Just as Yao Huang was about to crawl over from the foot of the bed, she heard him say simply, "Come here."
Yao Huang sat beside him, close to the edge of the bed.
Zhao Sui reached out and lifted a strand of the Princess Consort's loose long hair. "Not dry yet?"
Yao Huang replied, "Yes, it doesn't dry as fast in winter."
Zhao Sui asked, "Then why wash it at night?"
Yao Huang glared at him, slightly lowered her head, and said, "I wanted to wash it in the morning, but after breakfast, seeing Your Highness missing the bamboo so much, I suddenly really missed my brother too. Plus, since I had just washed it yesterday, I just went out directly."
Prince Hui, who had not been missing the bamboo at all, chose to remain silent. He grasped the Princess Consort's wrist and pulled her to sit in his lap.
This kind of darkness, and Prince Hui holding her in the darkness, were all familiar to Yao Huang.
But her breathing still grew erratic, and soon she began to whimper softly. She should have remembered long ago that if she starved Prince Hui too severely, she would be the one to suffer.
Her hair really dried very slowly. Yao Huang simply leaned on Prince Hui's shoulder to rest for a while. When Prince Hui had rested enough, he asked her to turn around.
Since neither could see the other clearly anyway, Yao Huang let him do as he pleased. By pure chance, it turned out to be an unexpectedly good method.
Yao Huang couldn't see Prince Hui, but she could see his two long legs that could no longer move on their own. How capable—his inner trousers were still on!
Yao Huang slapped him in embarrassment and annoyance.
Prince Hui paused for a moment and quickly decided to let the Princess Consort be. Rather than letting her scratch his shoulders and back where others might see, she could wreak havoc on his legs as she pleased.
With great difficulty, the Princess Consort's hair finally dried completely, but her legs had gone numb. She collapsed pitifully onto the quilt and bossed around the main culprit, Prince Hui, like a little eunuch. Wherever she pointed, he had to massage.
When the Princess Consort's legs were no longer numb, Prince Hui actually pressed down on her again.
Yao Huang: "...Aren't you afraid of missing tomorrow morning's court assembly, Your Highness?"
Zhao Sui: "I won't miss it."
Yao Huang: "As you wish. Anyway, I only owe you three nights. After this time, Your Highness cannot disturb my sleep again tonight."
Zhao Sui: "...I thought tonight was making up for the night of the thirteenth. As for when to make up for the sixteenth and nineteenth, that remains to be discussed."
Yao Huang: "..."
Yao Huang was very thirsty. Ignoring her weak limbs, she insisted on walking out of the curtains to pour herself a bowl of water.
Lying in bed, Zhao Sui saw the Princess Consort light a lamp with a fire starter and hold it close to check the water clock. He asked hoarsely, "What time is it?"
Yao Huang glanced at him and said, "A quarter to three in the morning. Your Highness only has two hours left to sleep."
Prince Hui, who had a rough idea in his mind: "...I can have your maid come in and report the time again."
Only then did Yao Huang tell the truth: "A little past ten at night. Your Highness should hurry and sleep; you can still sleep for six hours."
Perhaps because he had been starved for too long, Prince Hui only wanted more tonight and didn't intend to take her little life every single time.
Zhao Sui: "Pour me a bowl of water." The room was heated by the underfloor flues, making one easily thirsty.
Yao Huang set down the candlestick, first adjusted her hastily tied inner garments, and then poured water to bring to Prince Hui.
The dim light of the single lamp illuminated Prince Hui's slightly flushed handsome face, making him look even more elegant than usual after their intimacy. He took the tea bowl and drank slowly. Yao Huang sat on the edge of the bed, looked at the crimson python robe he had draped over the wheelchair, then glanced at Prince Hui and asked, "Your Highness has been wearing blue or cyan robes recently. What special occasion is tomorrow that you are dressed so dashingly?"
Zhao Sui was only thankful that he was drinking slowly. If he had tipped his head back and gulped it down like the Princess Consort just did, he would have definitely choked.
He looked at the clear water in the bowl, which he had only drunk half of, and explained, "Qingai brought it. I wear several sets in rotation, so it was bound to be this one's turn."
Yao Huang smiled. "Is that so? I thought Your Highness was deliberately dressing up for some little palace maid to see."
Zhao Sui: "...From the Duan Gate to the court assembly hall and then to the Ministry of Works, I will not encounter any palace maids."
After speaking, he finished the remaining water in a few gulps to prevent the Princess Consort from having more time to let her imagination run wild and ask nonsense.
Yao Huang took the tea bowl, her gaze circling Prince Hui's inner trousers. She sat up straight facing outward, then tilted her face to the other side and whispered, "Does Your Highness want to relieve yourself? If so, I'll push you in, and wait until I come out before you..."
Zhao Sui's entire body stiffened.
Yao Huang could guess his reserve and spoke in an even softer voice: Your Highness wouldn't be shy with me, would you? You didn't look shy at all just a moment ago. To put it crudely, I am more familiar with that part of you than I am with your face or hands. It is just relieving yourself, and I will not be watching beside you. Please do not treat me like an outsider. Getting comfortable and having a good night's sleep is what is important.
Zhao Sui suddenly really wished his Princess Consort would put out that lamp.
Yao Huang truly did not think this was anything to be embarrassed about. In the past, when traveling, the couple would resolve their needs in their respective carriages, and both were well aware of it; it was not as if they had to do it face-to-face.
Afraid that Prince Hui did not know the layout of her washroom, Yao Huang continued: There are already two stalls inside, one for you and one for me. With the windows open for ventilation and incense burning, it is perfectly clean. If Your Highness only needs to pass water, just sit a bit forward on the wheelchair and aim at the chamber pot, alright?
Zhao Sui: ...
Yao Huang placed the empty teacup to the side, slowly moved over, and then turned to hug Prince Hui's waist. Resting her head on his shoulder, she said: Tell me the truth, Your Highness, we have not been together for so many days. Did you miss me too?
Zhao Sui silently agreed.
Facing outward, Yao Huang could not see his expression and insisted he say it out loud: Did you miss me or not? If Your Highness does not say it, I will assume you did not.
Zhao Sui: ...I did.
It was not that they had to be together every night, but being separated for a dozen nights in a row was indeed something Zhao Sui was very unaccustomed to.
Yao Huang: I missed Your Highness too. Since we both missed each other, Your Highness should get used to getting up at night on my side sooner. This way, unless Your Highness is busy with official duties, we can sleep together every day from now on. Right, tonight Your Highness will have to make do with me pushing you over. Tomorrow I will bring over that ugly three-wheeled rattan chair of yours from the storehouse, so you can push yourself in when you get up at night. It will be even more convenient when Master Deng delivers the one with the large gold-plated wheels.
Zhao Sui: ...Alright.
Yao Huang was very happy. Holding the teacup in one hand, she put the Prince's python robe and jade belt outside with the other. Waiting for Prince Hui to move himself onto the wheelchair, Yao Huang then came over to push him.
High officials and nobles knew how to enjoy themselves best. Take Yao Huang for example; the washroom inside her bedchamber was actually larger than her boudoir at her maiden home. By the south window, there was a tall mirror, a washstand, and prepared water basins, buckets, and towels. Under the north window were two exquisitely crafted rosewood stalls. Brocade curtains hung at the entrance of each stall. Those who did not know better might think some precious treasures were hidden inside, but in fact, they were just two equally beautiful and elegantly crafted chamber pots.
Yao Huang pushed Prince Hui to his stall. Seeing that Prince Hui could open the bucket lid with its auspicious crane-neck handle just by reaching out, Yao Huang gracefully retreated.
She sat in front of the dressing table and picked up a comb to smooth out her long hair that Prince Hui had messed up. Faintly hearing some water sounds and imagining Prince Hui's movements, Yao Huang smiled and shook her head.
If Prince Hui did not call her, Yao Huang absolutely would not barge in. It was not until the sound of washing hands came from inside that Yao Huang walked over in surprise, only to see Prince Hui's wheelchair indeed parked in front of the washstand.
Zhao Sui looked straight ahead. From the corner of his eye, he could see the Princess Consort leaning against the side of the door, slowly combing her hair while laughing at him: Not bad, so Your Highness can also push a four-wheeled wheelchair around everywhere. No wonder you were so handy tossing me around.
Zhao Sui: ...It is getting late, let us sleep.
He put down the hand-drying towel, preparing to grip the push rims on the sides of the large gold wheels.
Yao Huang put away her joking and took control of the wheelchair before Prince Hui could.
After putting out the lamp and lying back on the bed, Yao Huang lay in Prince Hui's arms and confirmed: We do not need the rule of being together only on days ending in five, ten, three, or nine anymore?
Zhao Sui: Mhm.
The Princess Consort snickered: Does that mean I do not have to make up for those two nights I still owe Your Highness either?
Prince Hui then went silent once again.
