Chapter 89: Envy

Chapter 89: Envy

Upon returning to the palace, Yuan Yingxue still couldn't shake off the memory of Zheng Tanhua's recommendation for Rong Mo. She seized an opportunity to subtly hint at her second brother, Yuan Zhen, about it. Yuan Zhen was somewhat impatient. "If he can't be of use to us, why bother with him?"

Yuan Yingxue replied, "We should still investigate. Think, Brother, even if we do nothing, will Father... when Crown Prince gains power, would he spare Mother or you and me?"

Yuan Zhen was speechless. He glanced at Yuan Yingxue. It seemed that his sister had grown up rapidly in the past two years, no longer as foolish as before.

He pressed his temples and teased her, "Why don't you talk to Mother? She has plenty of people to help."

Yuan Yingxue didn't hide her intentions. "Because I want to marry Zheng Tanhua, but Mother doesn't agree. Since he is working for the Crown Prince, I feel uneasy. I want to look into it."

Yuan Zhen responded, "..." He examined Yuan Yingxue more closely. "You want to marry Zheng Changyuan? He's quite a catch—talented, good-looking, and wealthy. The only downside is his womanizing ways, but he'd certainly be suitable for a princess. Why does Mother disagree?"

He quickly changed his train of thought and gave a cold smile. "Hmm, she wants to gain support from military officials. Zheng Changyuan's strength lies in his wealth, but he's a civil servant. Mother doesn't lack that kind of money."

Yuan Zhen looked at Yuan Yingxue curiously again. "So you think I'll definitely support you?"

Yuan Yingxue smiled. "Mother doesn't need money, but what about Second Brother? Now that you've established your own household, there must be times when you're short on funds, right? If my wish comes true, I'll naturally support you too."

Yuan Zhen scoffed softly, "How rare it is for Second Sister to still have concern for this discarded pawn. I assumed that Father Emperor and Mother Empress had given up on me; surely Sister should see the situation clearly too."

Yuan Yingxue replied, "The game of chess is not over; who knows whose hand the deer will fall into? Regardless, I am still a princess. Second Brother, in the past, I was naive and unaware that one must have value to negotiate. Now, if you aid me, I will naturally repay your favor in the future."

Looking at her with a smile, Yuan Zhen said, "Since Sister puts it that way, I will naturally look into it. However, Zheng Changyuan is not someone that anyone can control. I fear that Sister might lose both battle and marriage."

Yuan Yingxue smiled, radiating confidence, "Sincerity can move even the hardest of hearts. Just wait, Second Brother."

Yuan Zhen appreciated this royal pride and arrogance; he didn't outright refuse, considering it merely a small matter.

==========

In the quiet days that followed, Rong Bi devoted herself to cooking and recuperating at home, celebrating the New Year with her two elder brothers. With nothing much to do, she mainly oversaw their preparation of meals. Meanwhile, Yuan Zhen had arranged with her through a journal to switch souls every other day, all for the purpose of tutoring Rong Mo in scholarly pursuits.

He would visit every second day to review Rong Mo's essays and poetry, offering guidance and suggestions for improvement. Afterwards, he would take Yu Twelve and other guards out, occasionally to the residence of Marquis Cheng'en or back to the Princess's palace. He would also send people to purchase items for delivery to Princess Yi Yang in Jingbei through the protection of a courier agency. At times, he would present the princess's visiting card at the homes of high officials, conducting low-key but personally received visits.

Rong Bi knew that the crown prince must be engaged in some sort of preparation, accumulating strength and waiting for the right moment.

Although she was unsure what that moment might be, it was clear that her brother had greatly benefited from his tutelage. The frequent praise Rong Mo lavished on him and the increasingly fervent gaze he directed at Rong Bi each day were evidence of this. He even said before her, "If women were allowed to sit for the imperial examinations, my sister would surely display her talents."

Rong Bi thought to herself that the crown prince was the product of many renowned scholars' teachings, while her brother had only studied at a local school. Compared to other scholars from prestigious scholarly families, there was likely a gap in their knowledge. Hence, to receive personal instruction from the crown prince was indeed a stroke of luck.

Someone as proud as the Crown Prince could easily have won their favor by sending books, as Marquis Cheng'en did, or simply listed a few titles. Yet he took the trouble to patiently instruct her brother without showing any disdain for his mediocrity. This genuinely touched her.

In return, Rong Bi began experimenting with elaborate and innovative dishes and desserts in the palace, hoping that the Crown Prince would enjoy them upon his return. With scarce winter vegetables, she carefully prepared a rich sea cucumber and chicken soup, complemented by a stir-fry of winter melon, frozen tofu, and shrimp paste. The flavors were light, fresh, and aromatic.

Considering the festive winter season, she knew that dishes with chicken, duck, fish, mutton, and sea cucumber would be too heavy and greasy, especially without fresh fruits and vegetables. Thus, she requested milk to make cheese and yogurt, common fare in Jingbei that aids digestion. However, they were not popular in the capital due to their laborious preparation.

Of course, she followed protocol by sending a portion of these culinary creations to Yuan Zixu.

Yuan Zixu was in high spirits lately. When he tasted the dishes prepared by the Crown Prince himself, he found them surprisingly delightful. In particular, a green bean ice cake was refreshingly sweet and smooth, offering a contrasting texture to the hot steamed pastries from the imperial kitchen.

After consuming the elixir, he developed a craving for chilled treats. Finding them refreshingly delightful, he indulged in several servings. Accompanied by some delicate pastries, he sipped on icy sour yogurt, which further soothed his chest and brought a sense of clarity to his mind and vision. In the bliss of the moment, he jovially drank several cups of the cooling yogurt.

In truth, it was due to the internal heat caused by the elixir he consumed that left him frequently feeling parched. This sour yogurt is known for its ability to dispel heat toxins, alleviate thirst, and relieve internal heat, soothing the fiery aftermath of the pill's effects. Thus, it brought him a sense of relief and comfort.

Yuan Zixu, however, was unaware that this was merely Rong Bi's fortunate mistake. He was utterly intrigued and inquired about the process, learning that the ice cake was made by combining the milk used by the Crown Prince to create a creamy cheese, which was then mixed with mung bean flour. The sour cheese was also a byproduct of the same process, its method rather intricate. He chuckled, saying, "There's some ingenuity in this. The dishes made by the Crown Prince do suit my palate better than those from the Imperial Kitchen – back when Muhua was still a young lady, she too enjoyed exploring peculiar recipes."

Li Dongfu chuckled softly. "This old servant has heard that Your Highness has started learning to cook, specifically the Pearl Buns that the late Empress used to make. There's a saying in our countryside: 'One must be of the same family to enter the same gate.' It seems that Your Highness's and the late Empress's tastes were inherently similar to those of His Majesty."

Yuan Zixu recalled the pearl dumplings too, and said with a smile, "It seems our predestined relationship still holds true, doesn't it?" Although he tried to resist, he couldn't help but believe that the Crown Prince was indeed his son from their previous lives. Moreover, the fact that the future king, as the nation's heir, personally prepared such a delicate dessert for him greatly inflated his ego. He laughed and said, "The Crown Prince's filial piety is commendable. Reward him."

The Emperor's favor had once again fallen upon the Hanyuan Palace, causing Empress Luo to burst into another fit of rage. She complained to Yuan Yixue, "I truly can't understand what's gotten into him. He's actually taking his cultivation seriously every day. A crown prince behaving like a woman, cooking to please others, adopting such concubine-like actions. The Emperor takes it all so seriously!"

Yuan Yixue mused, "Have you heard anything from Daoist Chong Xiao?"

Empress Luo sneered. "He's still locked up, and we don't know if he's alive or dead. I have no idea what the Emperor is thinking now... He even wants me to find a secondary consort for the crown prince. Haha... In the past few days, I've met with several noble ladies, trying to feel them out indirectly. Almost all of them avoid the topic, as if they're afraid of it. It's not like I haven't tried."

Yuan Yixue poured a cup of tea for Empress Luo and smiled. "Mother, I actually have someone in mind."

Empress Luo was unenthusiastic and didn't put much faith in her usually unreliable daughter. "Oh? Which family's daughter? In truth, it won't make a difference. The crown prince will be on guard against anyone I choose, just look at how he treated those beauties I sent before. This time would be another futile effort."

Yuan Yixue spoke slowly, "Does Mother remember the stunning beauty you once bestowed upon the crown prince? Her surname is Rong, and she was incredibly beautiful."

Empress Luo naturally recalled, "Yes, she was truly a beauty of exceptional caliber. But wasn't she taken away by Princess Yi Yang? They siblings have always been wary of me. Such a pity for her looks."

But Yuan Yixue said, "Mother, did you know that this Rong beauty followed Elder Sister when she married to Jingbei? I've heard that during battles, she led troops herself and gained significant military merits, earning the favor of Princess Yi Yang. Now, even her two brothers have promising futures. One is an instructor in the imperial guards, while the other has passed the provincial examinations and is preparing for the metropolitan examination this year."

Empress Luo replied, "I'm aware of that. Being an instructor in the imperial guards, he must have connections with Duke Song. The old Duke Song has shown some kindness towards his former daughter-in-law. As for the one who passed the provincial exams, I had your second brother try to instigate something a while ago, but it didn't work."

She looked at Yuan Yixue and said, "Are you suggesting that this Rong beauty should become the crown prince's secondary consort? She's in Jingbei, and who knows if the King of Jingbei has already taken her in. Besides, Princess Yi Yang wouldn't agree. Even if we could persuade the Emperor to issue an edict, she could easily say the beauty is ill and unable to come, or even claim she's dead. What can we do then? A distant solution can't quench an urgent thirst. Forget it."

A gentle smile graced Yuan Yixue's face. "Who said she's in Jingbei? Mother must have overlooked the news about Young Master Rong. The two Rong brothers returned to the capital and purchased a residence. Moreover, the guards from Princess's manor have also been settled nearby."

"Consort Rong, on the other hand, had long since secretly entered the capital unnoticed. In recent days, she not only made frequent visits to the Marquis Cheng'en's residence alongside her brothers but also had free access to the Princess's palace, where she could summon its guards at will. Often seen dressed in men's attire, she ventured outside using the Princess's authority, using the palace's credentials to socialize with high-ranking officials and managing the affairs of the Princess's estate."

Recalling the breathtakingly beautiful and resolute lady, with her exquisite features, riding elegantly on horseback earlier that day, a faint tinge of envy flashed across her face.

With great effort, she learned that Zheng Tanhua was to visit the capital's outskirts to pay respects at a temple today. She deliberately secured the vegetarian restaurant opposite the temple early, intending to alleviate her longing by observing him from above. Yet, she witnessed the usually arrogant Zheng Tanhua, who seemed indifferent to all, riding alongside a magnificently dressed young man in furs. They galloped on the temple's rear mountain, with Zheng Tanhua's gaze never leaving the youth's side for an instant, displaying his unwavering focus and respect.

The young man possessed an arrogant gaze and carried himself with a poised, elegant demeanor. His every glance brimmed with authority, and he mounted and dismounted his horse with a crisp, resolute grace. To the common observer, he might have passed as merely a young nobleman of fine breeding. However, she recognized at once that face, as pure and striking as the branches of a snow-laden plum tree.