Chapter 70: Extra: The Mundane Life After Marriage

Chapter 70: Extra: The Mundane Life After Marriage

On the eve of the New Year, Ran Qinggu brought Ran Shang to the capital for the festivities.

With the New Year approaching, the purchases at the Prince's manor were substantial. Amidst buying goods for the holiday, Ran Qinggu accompanied Princess Ran Shang on a leisurely stroll through the streets.

In recent days, there weren't many major affairs in court. Shang Rongyu, after attending morning court sessions, would have someone check in at the Ministry of Justice and then rush to join Ran Qinggu for their shopping trips.

The princess warmly introduced Ran Shang to the customs and culture of the capital, to which Ran Shang politely responded, "It has been a long time since I've had a proper look around this city."

The princess smiled and inquired, "Oh? Has Lady Ran visited the capital before?"

Ran Shang chuckled, "I once stayed here for a few days. Back then, the streets looked different. I remember East Main Street was much narrower, lined with homes of commoners instead of shops. In summer, fruit trees would overhang the walls, and children would play under them, picking the heavy fruits."

The princess was surprised and laughed, "Really? I thought such scenes were only found in Jiang Nan."

Ran Shang nodded, her gaze lingering on the red bricks and green tiles, the eaves and sloping roofs, a momentary confusion crossing her eyes.

She remembered that right here, there were two courtyards separated by a narrow lane.

To the right was the residence of a high-ranking official in the capital, while to the left was the temporary home her family had rented.

That official's courtyard was exquisite, complete with pavilions, water features, trees, and birds.

Her family's courtyard, however, was merely a simple garden.

That year, the capital received ample rain. The pear tree in the official's courtyard stretched over the wall into her family's yard. In the narrow passage between the two courtyards, wide enough for only one person, some children sneaked in and climbed the wall to pick pears.

New to the capital and without friends, she curiously stood on a stool to watch from the wall. As soon as she stepped onto the wall, the children scattered, leaving behind many bruised pears.

On the other side of the wall, a charming girl also stood on a stool, looking at her.

Her clothes were adorned with intricate handcrafted patterns, the gold-threaded flowing lines exquisitely detailed. Her hair was simply styled with a bun, decorated with sparkling and precious ornaments. Her eyes were clear and innocent.

When she spoke, her voice was clear and lively, "Was it you who hit my family's fruit?"

Ran Shang was taken aback and quickly shook her head, "No, there was a group of kids hitting the fruit below. I just came to see what was happening."

The little girl glanced down at the wall, "Are you new here?"

Ran Shang nodded.

And so, they chatted on their stools for an entire afternoon.

The next day, they met again to climb over the wall.

The little girl brought Ran Shang pastries from her home. They stood on their stools, chatting about everything from distant flowers and birds to whether passersby were men or women...

Later, they secretly went out to play together.

The little girl would sneakily take Ran Shang to see her future husband, the only son of a noble household, a favorite of the Crown Prince. His smile was like a spring breeze, his eyes like the rising sun, full of vigor and spirit...

As he rode past them, his horse suddenly slowed down, as if time itself had slowed.

Once he was gone, Ran Shang said with a gentle smile, "He kept staring at you."

The girl suddenly realized, "What?"

At that moment, Ran Shang noticed that the girl's cheeks were flushed like evening clouds. She kept her head down, too shy to look up at the figure riding away...

It was right here, back then.

Tears unexpectedly welled up in Ran Shang's eyes.

Seeing Ran Shang's troubled expression, the princess asked in surprise, "Lady Ran, what's wrong?"

Ran Shang shook her head repeatedly, "Nothing, just got sand in my eye."

Turning her head, she saw a red jade hairpin in a gold shop that shone brilliantly...

She looked at Ran Qinggu, "Gu'er, that's your mother's..."

On the day of Qinggu's mother's wedding, she had personally crafted this hairpin.

She named it "Growing Old Together."

After the Qing family was investigated and their assets seized, this hairpin was also confiscated. She never expected to encounter it here today.

The princess nodded, "Since it's from the Marquis Dingbei's family, we should definitely go in and take a look."

A plump lady had already picked up the hairpin, examining it with disdain from all angles before tossing it aside, "This is worth eight hundred taels?"

The attendant hurriedly picked up the hairpin with care, "Madam, that shows your lack of appreciation. This red jade is more than ten years old, carved from a single piece rather than fragments..."

The princess said calmly, "One thousand taels, I'll take it."

The attendant praised, "Only this madam truly appreciates its value."

The plump lady gave the elegant princess a cold glance, "You're really going to buy it? There are cracks in the jade."

The princess smiled and nodded, "For those who love jade, accepting cracks means accepting imperfections. Unlike gold, which can be melted and reshaped, jade's form determines its appearance for life."

The plump lady dismissed it with a look of disgust, "You must be crazy."

The princess presented the wrapped hairpin to Ran Shang, smiling warmly, "Consider this hairpin a gift from me to you, Lady."

Ran Shang looked at the hairpin.

She had named it "Growing Old Together," but now, it seemed, she was the only one who had grown old.

"The princess truly has a wealth of knowledge, setting an example for the women of Da Su." A woman in splendid purple attire descended from upstairs, her hair piled high in an elaborate coiffure adorned with intricate and precious gold headdresses.

Beside her was a graceful and beautiful woman, her eyes smiling, exuding charm in every gesture.

Ran Qinggu recognized them.

This was the wife and daughter of Hai Ge, the Censor-in-Chief.

Back when he disguised himself as a woman, following the princess, he had become acquainted with all the prominent ladies of Da Su, even mingling within their circle for quite some time. Everyone who met him praised his noble demeanor.

Hai Ge, a stern censor, was genuinely afraid of his wife.

As long as his wife didn't conflict with his principles as an official, she was the most important person in his life.

Madam Hai had no sons, only seven daughters, and she doted on this youngest daughter, Miss Xiao Qi, spoiling her in every way.

But this young lady had once harbored dreams of Shang Rongyu as her secret lover.

Initially, due to Li Feiluan's infatuation with Shang Rongyu, any noble lady who expressed affection for Shang Rongyu or made any subtle moves would be taught a harsh lesson by Li Feiluan. She would make these dreamy-eyed girls understand what dreams were worth pursuing and which ones weren't. If they dared to dream sweet dreams, they would have nightmares to follow.

Thus, the entire capital's nobility assumed that Li Feiluan would marry Shang Rongyu, and given her jealous nature, she would never tolerate Shang Rongyu taking concubines.

Therefore, after Ran Qinggu married into the capital, the noble ladies felt both joy and mockery.

Joy because Li Feiluan's wish was unfulfilled, and the one who married in was a first-born daughter from a humble family. This meant that if they became concubines to Shang Rongyu in the future, they wouldn't be bullied.

Mockery because Ran Qinggu, a mere commoner, had risen to the position of the prince's consort, a title that was far too grand for her.

After Ran Qinggu entered the prince's residence, the princess often took him to various noble gatherings to help him integrate into the circle of ladies.

At these gatherings, these madams would frequently approach Ran Qinggu, usually accompanied by their own daughters.

In their words, they hinted at offering their daughters to the prince as concubines, specifically seeking the opinion of the prince's favored consort.

Miss Hai Qi was among those who visited most frequently.

Madam Hai was almost ready to present her dowry before Ran Qinggu, asking him to count it.

Madam Hai descended gracefully from upstairs, smiling. "Princess, Lady Ran, there are still some rare treasures upstairs. Please see if there's anything you like; I'll gift them to you as a token of our meeting."

Downstairs were jewelry, while upstairs were decorative items, such as luminous pearls and jade ornaments...

Ran Shang smiled warmly. "Thank you, Madam. The pearl hairpin the princess gave me is enough."

Madam Hai looked at Shang Rongyu, smiling. "Daughter, quickly greet the princess and the prince."

Miss Hai Qi hurriedly bowed with a shy expression. "Greetings to the princess and the prince."

Madam Hai held the princess's hand affectionately. "It's been a while since I've seen the princess; I've missed you dearly."

The princess responded politely. "Indeed, it has been."

Madam Hai pushed her daughter forward to the princess. "My daughter also misses the princess very much. Oh, right, Princess Consort..."

She glanced at Ran Qinggu smugly. "Before you left the capital last year, I mentioned something to you. What do you think about it?"

At the beginning of the year, she invited the princess and the princess consort for a drink. During the banquet, she asked the princess how she felt about giving her daughter Hai Qi to Shang Rongyu as a concubine.

The princess told her to ask the prince and his consort, so she approached Ran Qinggu and subtly conveyed her intention. Ran Qinggu bowed to her, saying he would ask the prince's opinion when he returned.

But in her calculations, she never expected the princess consort to be a man.

Nor did she anticipate that the princess consort was the son of Marquis Dingbei, and that the prince loved him devotedly, becoming a legendary tale in the capital. This was likely the first male consort in history.

Male styles in Da Su were not uncommon, but they typically involved keeping young male companions.

The prince and princess consort might be the first pair to address each other as husband and wife in such a manner.

To her, this was good news.

Men couldn't bear children, so the prince would definitely need to take more concubines. That meant the conversation she had with Ran Qinggu earlier should now come into effect.

Shang Rongyu frowned. "What matter?"

Madam Hai feigned surprise. "Princess Consort, you didn't tell the prince? You clearly agreed to let Xiao Qi serve as the prince's concubine. You said you would inform the prince upon your return. Didn't you tell him?"

Shang Rongyu's tone was icy. "A concubine?"

Before leaving the capital, he and Ran Qinggu were inseparable, feeling as if three autumns had passed if they were apart for even an hour. How could Ran Qinggu have agreed to let another woman serve as his concubine?

Ran Qinggu felt a sense of foreboding.

This Madam Hai indeed asked him about giving Hai Qi to Shang Rongyu as a concubine.

At the time, the princess couldn't refuse Madam Hai in front of everyone, so she said that matters between the couple were beyond her authority.

When Madam Hai approached him, the Hai family and the prince's residence had always maintained friendly relations. Since the princess didn't want to offend this madam, how could he damage the relationship between the two families? Thus, he said he would ask the prince's opinion. He planned to find a good reason to decline in a few days, but unexpectedly, they were challenged by the second prince and forced to leave the capital soon after.

He never thought that now, Madam Hai would bring up the old matter again, assuming he had agreed.

Ran Qinggu tried to explain. "Prince, listen to me..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Shang Rongyu pulled him into his embrace, tightly hugging his waist.

Shang Rongyu smiled coldly, his voice icy. "Madam Hai, Qinggu told me. I forgot to reply to you. I once swore that in this life, there would only be Qinggu for me. If I were to take a concubine or become involved with another living person, may that living person be struck by lightning and die without a whole corpse. Miss Hai Qi is so young and beautiful, why would she want to throw her life away? Surely, you wouldn't want that for your daughter, right?"

Madam Hai's face turned unsightly, and she nodded. "In that case, let's put this matter aside."

Shang Rongyu tightly held Ran Qinggu in his arms, his voice barely escaping through clenched teeth: "Since that's the case, Mother, Aunt, we're going home."

Ran Qinggu was thus carried back by Shang Rongyu, who had his arm around her waist.

Back at the Prince's Mansion, Heir Lu Yunshen accompanied Princess Consort Ran Shang with a gentle smile throughout their meal. Then, still smiling, he left Zui Feng Pavilion. The moment he stepped out, his expression changed instantly. Under the dim glow of the lanterns, it turned cold and stern, like the darkness before a thunderstorm or the calm sea surface before a raging storm.

Due to the excessive number of servants holding lanterns, Ran Qinggu felt embarrassed to discuss such matters in front of them.

She silently followed Shang Rongyu until they returned to their room, where she explained, "Heir, this was actually a misunderstanding. What I meant was to come back and ask for your opinion..."

Shang Rongyu replied coldly, "I think we both need to take some time to cool off and think."

As he spoke, he grabbed a quilt and his pillow, then laid them on the small couch inside the room.

Ran Qinggu: "…"

Ran Qinggu stopped him, "Heir, listen to my explanation. I didn't actually want to agree to her, but given the situation at the time…"

Shang Rongyu, heartbroken and disappointed, said, "Regardless of the circumstances, you shouldn't have offered me up. I'm the one you love most. No matter what Lady Hai said, you should have immediately refused her with a firm 'no.' But what did you say? You even dared to discuss it with me? What were you thinking?"

Ran Qinggu squatted beside the small couch and said, "Heir, at that time…"

Shang Rongyu covered his head with the quilt. "Sleep. Let's both calm down."

Ran Qinggu stared at Shang Rongyu for a long while before quietly saying, "Alright."

She stood up, walked to the candle stand, and glanced back at Shang Rongyu. The quilt covering his head remained motionless. After hesitating for a moment, she silently extinguished the light.

Before getting into bed, she asked again, "Shouldn't you come back to bed? Heir?"

There was no response.

He must have fallen asleep.

==

"He doesn't love me anymore. I don't believe in true love in this world anymore." Shang Rongyu angrily snatched the wine cup from Lu Yunshen's hand and drained it in one go.

Lu Yunshen, in high spirits, consoled him, "Brothers are always there for you, right? As I've always said, spouses are like dirt; there's no relationship without arguments. My parents even had a spat today. My father scolded me, and my mother did the same before returning to her family's home. In my opinion, it's better not to get married and just live alone…"

Shang Rongyu complained bitterly, "He only tucked me in eight times last night and didn't even kiss me once…"

Lu Yunshen: "…"

Shang Rongyu angrily said, "Men's hearts are as unpredictable as the depths of the ocean. I don't believe in true love in this world anymore. Even though we had that cold war last night, he should have comforted me this morning, right? But all he did was fill a bowl of porridge for me, peel some shrimp, and warm my sleeves before leaving. He didn't even say a single comforting word. He definitely doesn't love me anymore!"

Lu Yunshen: "…"

After finishing the last crab bun on the table, Shang Rongyu said indignantly, "Alright, I should go home now."

Lu Yunshen asked, "Didn't you say he doesn't love you anymore? Why are you going back?"

Shang Rongyu sighed to the heavens, "But I still love him."

Lu Yunshen exploded, "You just came here for a free meal, didn't you?"

Because his parents were arguing, he didn't want to return home for dinner. So, he ordered a table full of delicious meat dishes at Drunken Immortal Tower. Before he could start eating, Shang Rongyu had already devoured half of the good stuff. After finishing, he wiped his mouth and prepared to leave.

Amidst Lu Yunshen's curses, Shang Rongyu returned to the Prince's Mansion.

Seeing him back, Ran Qinggu asked gently, "Have you eaten dinner?"

Shang Rongyu replied sadly, "No, I have no appetite."

Ran Qinggu asked worriedly, "Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

Shang Rongyu said indifferently, "It's just that my heart feels heavy. Anyway, it's too late. Let's wash up and go to sleep early."

Ran Qinggu suggested, "Still, you should eat something. Should I ask the kitchen to prepare your favorite preserved sausage rice for you? Or is there anything else you'd like to eat?"

Shang Rongyu shook his head. "No, I can't eat anything."

Ran Qinggu hadn't expected Shang Rongyu to be so concerned about the incident.

After they got together, Shang Rongyu started paying attention to health preservation, reminding him to eat three meals a day. Yet, he himself broke the rules first by skipping dinner.

While Shang Rongyu lay on the small couch, closing his eyes to rest, Ran Qinggu sat on the couch and leaned over him. "Heir, after a night of cooling off, let's talk this through."

Hearing this, Shang Rongyu opened his eyes. "Alright."

Ran Qinggu explained, "At that time, I didn't actually agree to Lady Hai. I couldn't embarrass her in front of everyone either, since I was still dressed as a woman, the Heir's Consort. I couldn't damage the relationship between the Prince's Mansion and the Hai family. That's why I said I would give her an answer after asking you. I planned to privately send someone to the Hai residence a few days later to decline the offer. Unfortunately, before I could do so, we were forced to leave the capital, and Lady Hai misunderstood my intentions."

Shang Rongyu frowned. "Those troublemakers who love to stir up drama, what's wrong with embarrassing them? If you publicly embarrass someone, the rest won't dare to bring up such matters to you again. Moreover, am I not the one and only person for you? Didn't you feel any jealousy? Weren't you afraid that things might change and I would really take a concubine?"

Ran Qinggu smiled. "Because I know that the Heir wouldn't."

Shang Rongyu's heart softened, and he said indifferently, "I understand your position. This time, I'll let it slide. From now on, you must firmly refuse such requests, understood? Don't be afraid of embarrassing others. If they truly cared about their dignity, they wouldn't have brought up such matters in front of you."

Ran Qinggu nodded. "Alright."

Shang Rongyu wrapped one arm around Ran Qinggu, pulling her closer, while using the other hand to cover her with a blanket. "Good, you've learned your lesson."

Ran Qinggu raised her eyebrows and smiled. "You didn't have dinner. Should I ask someone to prepare something for you?"

Shang Rongyu kissed her forehead and continued kissing her until he reached her lips. "You're enough for me."

"Cousin, are you there? Third Prince got you some local specialties from South City and asked me to deliver them to you. Don't worry, I avoided the Heir," Bai Yu knocked on the door loudly.

She had already found out that the Heir hadn't returned to the mansion yet, so she hurriedly came to deliver the items to her cousin under the cover of night.

Shang Rongyu, startled, switched from kissing Ran Qinggu to biting her.

Ran Qinggu gasped as he explained, "Heir, I didn't... uh... know about it."

Bai Yu had been knocking on the door for a while when it suddenly swung open from inside with a bang.

She saw Shang Rong holding a quilt and pillow with a grim face, while her cousin's hair was disheveled, his face flushed red, and his lips looked enticingly moist.

Bai Yu was speechless, stammering, "He... Heir?"

Shang Rong coldly said, "I've been back for a long time, but I just came straight in through the..."

After that, he took the quilt to the adjacent study room.

He realized that he wasn't the one Ran Qinggu loved the most; he had actually been secretly contacting the Third Prince behind his back...

Bai Yu: "..."

She cautiously asked Ran Qinggu, "Did you two have an argument?"

Ran Qinggu frowned, "When did I ever ask you to avoid the Heir?"

Bai Yu hurriedly handed him the local specialties that the Third Prince had brought back for Ran Qinggu, "Wasn't I just afraid of affecting your marital harmony? So I wanted to give you a heads up in advance. Whether you tell the Heir or not is up to you, but who knew he would return home without using the front door, instead coming in through the... Anyway, I've delivered the goods. I'm leaving. My mother is calling me back for dinner."

Bai Yu quickly made her escape, leaving Ran Qinggu to fret over the package.

He thought that Shang Rong definitely wouldn't want to see him tonight.

It seemed like they would need another night to cool off.

Shang Rong was also troubled.

Logically speaking, Ran Qinggu should be coming to explain himself and comfort him right now, allowing him to do as he pleased for a bit so that their marital life could remain harmonious and romantic. But he waited and waited until the moon was high above the willow trees, yet no one came.

Men were all big jerks, once they got what they wanted, they didn't care anymore.

He tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

He needed to leave the door open, otherwise, Qinggu wouldn't be able to come in if he wanted to cover him with a blanket in the middle of the night.

With that thought, Shang Rong got up and opened the door.

He needed to face outward, otherwise, Qinggu wouldn't be able to sneak a kiss if he wanted to in the middle of the night.

He hastily turned around to face outward...

He waited and waited, but Ran Qinggu didn't come.

The wind blew the door open, sending a howling chill into the room, making him shiver.

Ran Qinggu also couldn't fall asleep as he tossed and turned late into the night.

Why does it feel like the Heir's vinegar jar has been so easily tipped over these days?

Could it be that he hasn't been paying enough attention to him?

At this moment, a servant boy knocked on the door outside the room, "Her Highness, are you asleep? The Heir said the study is very cold and asked me to bring him a quilt."

Ran Qinggu hurriedly got up to open the door, "Come in."

Just as he picked up a large winter quilt, the servant boy was leaving with a small blanket in hand. Ran Qinggu called out to him, "So thin? Bring a larger one instead."

The servant boy held onto the small blanket, "The Heir specifically requested for this one. The Heir also said not to worry about him, Her Highness. Even if there's no charcoal fire in the study, no ground dragon lit, and the blanket is thin, he isn't afraid of the cold. Please don't worry about him, Her Highness, and he also said for Her Highness to rest early."

He couldn't quite understand the Heir either. With the howling wind and freezing temperatures outside, not only did he remove the charcoal fire from the study, but he didn't allow the ground dragon to be lit...

Well, that was fine. But when he complained about being cold, he sent him back for a thin blanket, and after getting the blanket, he had him deliver such words to ensure the Heir's Consort rested early.

What was the point of all this?

Upon hearing this, Ran Qinggu's expression darkened, "In such cold weather, not lighting the ground dragon at night or the charcoal fire, what are you all good for?"

Seeing the Heir's Consort angry, the servant boy hastily knelt down, "I have no idea, Your Highness. The Heir said he needs to think clearly."

Ran Qinggu put on an outer robe and picked up a quilt, "I'll go take a look."

The servant boy nodded, "Yes, Your Highness."

Ran Qinggu carried the quilt into the study, which was indeed very cold. Shang Rongyu was lying sideways on the bed.

Opening his eyes to see Ran Qinggu, he frowned and asked, "Why are you here?"

Ran Qinggu draped the quilt over him, "To bring the Heir a quilt and to explain things clearly to the Heir."

Without any heating in the study, Ran Qinggu lay down fully clothed, "Move over a bit, there's no space left outside."

Shang Rongyu let out a "hmmph" and shifted over slightly.

Oh no, he moved too far, leaving a considerable distance between himself and Qinggu.

He pretended to be uncomfortable and inched closer to Ran Qinggu little by little.

As long as he wanted to, he would reach Ran Qinggu's side by daybreak.

There was nothing he, Shang Rongyu, could not accomplish.

Just as he was inching closer to Ran Qinggu quietly, Ran Qinggu reached out, wrapped her arms around his waist, and nestled into his chest, saying, "I had no knowledge of the matter regarding the Third Prince. Bai Yu said he wanted to avoid you for fear of affecting our relationship. I never intended to avoid you."

Shang Rongyu furrowed his brows, "Really?"

Ran Qinggu nodded, "I have no reason to lie to you."

Shang Rongyu: "Kiss me once, and I'll believe you."

Ran Qinggu leaned towards Shang Rongyu, almost reaching his lips, when Shang Rongyu couldn't wait any longer and pulled him into his arms, kissing him desperately.

Just as the two had hastily shed their clothes, two servants entered with charcoal fire, saying, "Heir, Young Master Lu came to the mansion earlier, claiming that you dined on an eighty taels feast at his expense last night. He asked for the money back, but since we didn't have it, we recorded the debt in the official account book and gave it to him."

Shang Rongyu: "Nonsense, that meal was only worth eighty taels, and I ate no more than forty."

Realizing something, he looked apologetic, "Qinggu, let me explain."

Ran Qinggu picked up his clothes, draped them over himself, and walked out, "No need. It's too cold here, I'm going back to my room."

He had genuinely thought that Shang Rongyu couldn't even eat dinner because of him, only to find out that he went to have a grand feast instead, making him worry for nothing.

Seeing the situation turn sour, the two servants quickly fled.

Shang Rongyu held onto Ran Qinggu and knelt on the bed, "I was wrong. I wasn't really angry; I just wanted you to comfort me."

Ran Qinggu, exasperated, exclaimed, "Heir!"

Shang Rongyu: "Didn't I admit I was wrong? Look, I've even prepared a washboard for myself. You don't have to prepare one for yourself. That's just how considerate I am."

He pulled out a flat washboard from under the bed.

As Ran Qinggu was about to say something, Shang Rongyu pulled him into his embrace, "In recent days, every time I came home, you hardly spoke to me. We mostly just ate and slept. The Empress said that over time, feelings can become dull, and life loses its freshness. That's why she and Consort Liu were so creative in their antics. I was afraid you'd get tired of me, so I wanted you to comfort me. Be good, give me a kiss."

Ran Qinggu: "Weren't you going to kneel on the washboard?"

Shang Rongyu drew Ran Qinggu closer, "Didn't you say you were cold? Let me warm you up."

Ran Qinggu pushed him away, "I'm going back to my room."

Shang Rongyu held him tighter, chuckling by Ran Qinggu's ear, "If you're cold, moving around will warm you up."

The author has something to say: This story is coming to an end here, and I truly can't bear to part with it. Thank you to all the little angels who have accompanied me along the way.

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