The next morning dawned clear and warm, with no trace of the previous night’s torrential rain.
Cui Cheng opened his eyes and lay there lazily, unwilling to get out of bed. He rubbed his temples. “Huh, my head doesn’t hurt at all.”
Yirong nudged him, pouting playfully. “Get up already. We still need to go wish Second Sister a happy birthday. Yesterday, when I brought the sobering-up soup, you were already asleep. It took me ages to feed it to you.”
Last night, she had sighed over the sleeping Cui Cheng, sitting by his side for a long while before giving up on the idea of shaking him awake to confess everything.
Cui Cheng flicked Yirong’s nose and chuckled softly. “Why didn’t you feed it to me mouth-to-mouth?”
Yirong’s face flushed crimson at his words. Seeing the maids who had brought in the washbasin stifling their laughter, she swatted at him in embarrassed annoyance.
Cui Cheng pretended to yelp in pain, then collapsed back onto the pillow, laughing nonstop. Yirong, fuming, tried to tug at his mouth, but he caught her hands and pulled her down onto his chest. The couple play-fought for a bit before finally having breakfast and heading to the main courtyard to pay their respects.
Today was the birthday of Second Miss Cui Youfan.
Madam Chen lacked the energy to raise these concubine-born daughters personally, but she had never treated them poorly. In past years, she had thrown grand birthday banquets, allowing the girls to invite their close friends from other noble households, with many ladies from families on good terms with Duke Qiao’s Mansion coming to offer congratulations.
However, Duke Qiao’s Mansion was the Previous Emperor’s in-laws, so it wasn’t appropriate to hold lavish banquets at this time. They had decided early on to keep the celebrations simple, just a lively gathering within the mansion for the young ladies.
During the morning respects, the brothers had all presented birthday gifts to Second Miss before leaving the mansion. Once most of the guests had departed, Second Miss winked at Yirong, drawing a smile from Madam Chen seated at the head of the hall.
Eldest Young Madam pursed her lips. She had worked tirelessly, overseeing the flower arrangements and kitchens every day to prepare this little birthday banquet for Second Miss, yet the girl showed no appreciation.
Dissatisfied, she glanced at Lu Yirong, only to catch Yirong looking her way. That soft, radiant face bore a gentle smile, leaving her momentarily stunned.
Yirong hadn’t missed Eldest Young Madam’s glare but couldn’t be bothered to respond. She had tried to befriend her at first, but Eldest Young Madam refused to drop her prejudices. After a few attempts, Yirong saw no point in fawning over her sister-in-law endlessly. She got along with those she clicked with and saw no need to force relationships with those whose temperaments clashed. After all, she was hardly short on good company.
The birthday banquet was set up in Madam Chen’s main courtyard. She had retired to her inner chamber early to rest, and Yirong followed, sitting by her bed and reading from a scroll of scriptures aloud.
At noon, hearing the commotion outside, Madam Chen said, “You go and have your meal too.”
Yirong had long since figured out Madam Chen’s temperament. If she left right away, her mother-in-law would be displeased. Instead, she needed to insist on staying to serve the meal. Only after Madam Chen urged her a second time, with Yirong expressing gratitude for her mother-in-law’s kindness, would Madam Chen be satisfied.
Gently, Yirong replied, “I’ll keep you company while you eat, Mother.”
Sure enough, a smile tugged at Madam Chen’s lips, and she patted Yirong’s hand.
They chatted for a while longer before Yirong stepped out. Two lively tables had been set up in the outer chamber, and several cousins from the western branch of the family had already arrived. The group ate until just past one in the afternoon before the young madams and the western branch guests dispersed.
Second Miss took Yirong’s hand and led her into the inner chamber with a grin. “Mother, lend me Sixth Sister-in-law for half the day to keep me company. With her watching over us, you’ll feel at ease, won’t you?”
Madam Chen had anticipated that the girls would gather for drinks, games, and orders well into the afternoon. She pointed at Second Miss with a smile and feigned anger. “Off with you, then. Don’t start acting up here.”
Mama Ding, at her side, escorted the two out, instructing, “Sixth Young Madam, please keep an eye on the young ladies. Don’t let them drink themselves silly—that wouldn’t do at all.”
Yirong smiled. “Tell Mother not to worry, Mama. I know what I’m doing.”
Mama Ding smiled and said no more, watching as Second Miss affectionately linked arms with Sixth Young Madam and walked away.
They arrived at Second Miss’s Retain Fragrance Courtyard, where fruit wine and delicate pastries had already been laid out in the room. Yirong took out a bottle of scented powder she had made herself and handed it to Second Miss, whose eyes sparkled with anticipation. “Here you go—happy birthday to our Fan’er on this auspicious day.”
Second Miss beamed sweetly. “Thank you, Sixth Sister-in-law.”
She lit a bit and inhaled appreciatively. “What a fine, smooth fragrance—not cloying at all. Did you use aconite incense, agarwood, and rosewood?”
“And fumigation land incense, and clove incense…” Yirong listed them one by one. “Finally, it’s steeped in rose water and aged in a cellar for a month.”
Third Lady teased, “Every time Sixth Sister-in-law shares the recipe, we still can’t make it exactly the same. Is there some secret trick you’re holding back?”
Yirong nodded with a suppressed smile. “Yes, there is. Come closer—I’ll tell you alone.”
At that, Third Lady Youshu jumped up and hurried to Yirong’s side. “Sixth Sister-in-law, tell me quick!”
Yirong beckoned her closer and whispered in her ear, then burst out laughing. “There isn’t.”
“Sixth Sister-in-law, you liar!” Third Lady cried, chasing Yirong around the room.
The girls laughed and romped about before settling down. For these four young ladies in their teens, sipping fruit wine and playing the parlor games of noble daughters was a rare treat.
A while later, Yirong noticed that Fifth Miss, the youngest at just eleven, had flushed red. She had the wine cleared away and replaced with sour plum drink.
The conversation shifted as well. Second Miss said, “I’ve heard some big news lately.”
She put on a mysterious air, clearly waiting for someone to ask.
Third Lady prompted, “Sixth Sister-in-law, make her spill it. Even on her birthday, she’s being so coy.”
Yirong laughed. “Please, birthday girl, have mercy and tell us—if it’s just about making new clothes half a month early this year, I won’t stand for it.”
The other two sisters chimed in, and after milking the suspense, Second Miss finally spoke slowly. “His Majesty rejected the memorial requesting the selection of consorts. He said it would burden the people and waste resources—no selection this time.”
Yirong’s breath caught. Fourth Miss gasped in surprise. “Sixth Sister-in-law, are you all right?”
Yirong stared blankly down at her hand. She had crushed the white porcelain cup she was holding, brown sour plum drink spilling over her fingers.
Fortunately, she wasn’t cut or bleeding.
The four girls chattered all at once—one remarking, “Sixth Sister-in-law’s got some strength,” another asking if she was okay, and someone urging her to go wash up.
Shuilian supported her as they went out to wash her hands. Yirong’s heart plummeted, her vision going white as she leaned against Shuilian.
“Miss, Miss.” In her panic, Shuilian slipped back to her old form of address.
Yirong immersed her hand in the basin, gradually coming back to herself. She instructed, “Have someone check this batch of teaware. Even if my grip is strong, I shouldn’t be able to shatter it. It wouldn’t do if it ended up in front of Mother.”
She dried her hands, forced a smile, and returned to her seat. Second Miss was teasing Third Lady. “Why the disappointment?”
Though shy, Third Lady boldly replied, “What’s wrong with that? His Majesty may be ten years older than me, but what a hero he is. If he wanted me to enter the palace as his noble consort, I’d go willingly. Wouldn’t you?”
Fourth Miss laughed. “Why stop at noble consort, Third Sister? Why not Empress?”
“The Empress is probably one of His Majesty’s maternal cousins,” Second Miss mused. “Those twin sisters from Duke Miguo’s Mansion are his closest cousins. Both girls are sixteen and still unmarried. I’d say it’s almost certainly one of them.”
“Sixth Sister-in-law,” she turned to Yirong, “Pei Jingqi and Pei Jingwan from Duke Miguo’s Mansion—you’ve met them, right?”
Yirong curved her lips into a smile. “I remember. I saw them at the palace banquet.”
Though twin sisters, they didn’t look much alike. Pei Jingqi was like a water lily emerging from its pond, while Pei Jingwan bloomed like a vivid rose—both beauties to topple nations.
“I’d say it’s Pei Jingqi,” Third Lady opined. “She has the best temperament. His Majesty may skip the selection, but the realm still needs an Empress.”
Yirong nodded repeatedly. A marriage within the family—truly the perfect match.
In her memory, Pei Jingqi was a gentle and graceful beauty. With her entering the palace to keep him in check, the Emperor surely wouldn’t fixate on her anymore, would he?
She had only met the Emperor twice. Yirong couldn’t fathom what about her had captured his attention so stubbornly.
Once his whim passed and he enshrined Eldest Miss Pei as Empress, she could finally relax.
Yirong listened as they gossiped a bit more, then spoke up. “All right, enough about His Majesty. It’s fine to chat privately like this, but we mustn’t discuss it in front of others.”
Third Lady eyed her smiling face and teased, “You’re clearly enjoying it too, Sixth Sister-in-law.”
Just then, a maid lifted the crystal curtain and entered, standing at a distance to report, “Second Miss, Madam of Marquis Pingyang has arrived. Madam requests that you go keep her company.”
The girls’ bright laughter ceased at once, and they couldn’t help glancing at Yirong.
Yirong watched Second Miss leave, then smiled as if nothing had happened. “Let’s keep talking. If there’s anything you want to eat, just tell the servants to prepare it.”
–
After court, the Emperor went straight to the East Wing of Purple Chen Hall to convene several key ministers for discussions. He rewarded them with an imperial lunch before returning to his desk to continue reviewing memorials.
He had always possessed boundless energy, never suffered from insomnia, and had no need for afternoon naps.
The hall was utterly silent. As soon as the Emperor sat down, Gao Fuliang hesitated for a moment before stepping forward. “Your Majesty, Empress Dowager Zhaoyi sent a box by messenger.”
The Emperor didn’t look up. “Toss it.”
He paused, then smirked, halting his brush. “Bring it here.”
Gao Fuliang had half-expected as much. He waved for a young eunuch to present it, then placed the incense wood box—studded with red and green gems—reverently before the Emperor with both hands. Gao Fuliang carefully opened it.
Inside lay a single pouch embroidered with the patterns of fortune, prosperity, and longevity. The Emperor picked it up and examined it closely. The needlework was exquisite, the motifs lifelike. Clearly, the pouch had been made some time ago but had never been used.
This was something she had embroidered for Lady Cui before, and the Emperor quickly realized as much.
A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He instructed Gao Fuliang to put the item away and commanded, “Summon Prince Ning.”
Prince Ning was the Emperor’s younger half-brother, twenty-two years old. When the Emperor had gone to the Vast Sea Commandery, he too had been adopted by the Emperor of that time to a branch of the imperial clan that had fallen into extinction, earning him the title of Prince Ning.
The moment he received the summons, he hurried over from his prince’s mansion and sat waiting in the side hall outside the East Hall. In the past, he and his imperial brother had shared a very good relationship, but after so many years apart, he had no idea what the Emperor wanted with him.
Since ascending the throne, the Emperor had toiled from dawn until dusk without respite, never indulging in banquets or leisurely pursuits. The palace servants informed him that His Majesty was reviewing memorials in the East Hall and asked him to wait a moment. He had no choice but to sit there obediently.
In the late afternoon, the Emperor strode out, his expression giving nothing away.
Prince Ning grinned as he hurried forward to pay his respects. “Greetings, Imperial Brother.”
The Emperor smiled faintly. “Come with Zhen to the Western Garden for a ride.”
So it was just a outing for fun—Prince Ning breathed a sigh of relief.
The two of them changed into riding attire and galloped straight from the Palace City all the way to the Western Garden. The Western Garden was perpetually prepared for the Emperor’s hunts and horseback rides, with dense trees lining the riding paths. Sunlight filtered through the rustling leaves, casting intricate patterns of light across the Emperor’s strikingly handsome face.
Prince Ning laughed. “This younger brother remembers coming to the Western Garden as children. Imperial Brother was only eleven at the time, yet he brought down two eagles with a single arrow. Imperial Father was absolutely delighted and kept praising Imperial Brother as the pride of our house.”
The Emperor smiled slightly and chatted with Prince Ning about a few escapades from their childhood. Nostalgia filled Prince Ning’s face when he suddenly recalled his aunt’s instructions. He hurriedly said, “Imperial Brother, there’s something this younger brother isn’t sure whether to mention.”