Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Exiting Chongren Lane, where Prince Hui's residence was located, one could see the majestic palace walls to the east, with their red walls and golden tiles, towering and imposing.

Prince Hui, due to his illness, traveled more slowly than a typical carriage, but it still only took fifteen minutes to reach the West Gate of the palace.

Unless there were state affairs, the royal family usually entered and exited through the palace gates, whichever was closer.

Once the carriage stopped, Yao Huang looked at Prince Hui and, seeing no objection from him, confidently approached the wheelchair, released the locking mechanism, and waited for Zhang Yue to open the carriage door from the outside. By then, Yao Huang had already pushed the wheelchair to the middle of the carriage.

Outside, Qing Ai brought the ramp to attach it, while Fei Quan, having removed his boots, stood on a clean blue silk mat ready to board the carriage. Upon seeing the situation inside, both were momentarily taken aback.

Just as Zhao Sui was about to let Fei Quan come up, he heard the light and cheerful voice of the princess consort from above: "I will push the prince out of the carriage; you just need to assist him from below."

Qing Ai and Fei Quan had been serving Prince Hui closely for over ten years. When Prince Hui was healthy, they dared to jest to amuse him, but after his misfortune, the entire household was tense. Although they did not regard Prince Hui as a monster due to their deep master-servant bond, they were extremely cautious and respectful, never speaking lightly.

The relaxed tone of the princess consort had not been heard in the entire residence for a year.

Qing Ai broke into a sweat—how could the princess consort dare?

Fei Quan's blood raced—he couldn't allow the princess consort to act carelessly; she might drop the prince!

Before the thought could settle, Fei Quan spoke up, with a respectful tone: "No need to trouble the princess consort; let this servant do it."

Yao Huang: "The carriage is too cramped; it would be too crowded if you came up. Qing Ai, position the ramp."

Qing Ai looked at the prince in the wheelchair.

Zhao Sui calmly observed the ramp in his hand.

Understanding the prince's tacit approval, Qing Ai lowered his eyes and set up the ramp. Fei Quan was forced to step aside to put on his boots, while the guard Zhang Yue stepped forward, ready to assist.

The ramp connecting the carriage to the ground was long and inclined, with decorative patterns etched into its surface to prevent slipping of boots or the wheelchair.

Qing Ai went up first, leaning over to firmly grip the wheelchair. In his view, the prince's hands gripped the armrests, the backs of his hands slightly taut.

As the wheelchair tilted, Zhao Sui, with his weak legs, had to use his arms to maintain balance, preventing himself from toppling forward or backward.

Seeing that both were ready, Yao Huang said, "Let's go."

Qing Ai immediately exerted his strength.

Yao Huang had intended to lift the wheelchair to ease Qing Ai's burden, but with Qing Ai's sudden force, the wheelchair didn't move down but instead shifted further into the carriage.

Yao Huang: "..."

Realizing his error, Qing Ai quickly adjusted his force.

The wheelchair finally began to move down. Feeling Qing Ai's strength, Yao Huang gradually reduced her effort to only sixty percent, allowing both her and Qing Ai to move smoothly.

The coordination was mutual. Realizing that the princess consort was not as fragile as he had thought, Qing Ai relaxed.

Zhao Sui couldn't see his princess consort, but he could see the bulging veins on Qing Ai's hands gradually returning to normal.

So, the princess consort was not naive and reckless, but confident and assured.

They smoothly got off the carriage, but the path ahead was not as simple as Yao Huang had imagined. From the West Gate to the central palace, there were many high and low thresholds and stone steps. At each of these points, Qing Ai and Fei Quan had to lift the wheelchair, and each time they did so, it highlighted Prince Hui's "inability" more prominently in front of the palace staff and his newlywed princess consort.

Yao Huang slightly lagged behind, watching Qing Ai and Fei Quan lift the wheelchair with their eyes downcast, trying to appear as if it were effortless, and looking at Prince Hui's expressionless face, she felt a twinge of unease.

It wasn’t about personal feelings; it was a natural sense of sympathy and compassion that an able-bodied person feels toward someone with physical disabilities.

Yet, even without the female physician’s advice, Yao Huang knew that Prince Hui needed such sympathy the least.

After returning to level ground, Yao Huang tried to ease the tension, taking out a handkerchief to wipe her forehead. “The weather is really warming up. I even started sweating just from walking this short distance.”

At that moment, Qing Ai was in charge of pushing the wheelchair, while Fei Quan lingered two steps behind. Hearing this, he promptly gave the princess a meaningful look—you shouldn’t say “walk” in front of the prince!

Yao Huang, speaking to Prince Hui with her head down, didn’t catch his signal.

Zhao Sui glanced at Yao Huang’s fancy ceremonial outfit and then at her rosy cheeks, clearly from the sun’s warmth.

He simply said, “We’re nearly there.”

The palace is full of rules; some things you just have to put up with.

Yao Huang, however, noticed that Prince Hui’s face was unnaturally pale in the sunlight, a pallor from being kept out of the sun for too long.

Old people say that children need more sunlight to grow strong. Yao Huang didn’t know if there was any truth to that, but people look healthier with a bit of color in their cheeks.

Therefore, Yao Huang purposely stepped to the other side of Prince Hui to let him see more light.

She moved suddenly, and Qing Ai and Fei Quan’s gazes followed her for half a circle. Zhao Sui also wanted to know why she moved, but he didn’t ask.

With some effort, Prince Hui’s group finally arrived at the central palace.

Emperor Yongchang, Empress Zhou, and the three consorts were all there, including the First Princess and Second Princess, whom Yao Huang had briefly met the night before.

The newlywed couple had to offer three cups of tea: to Emperor Yongchang as the father, Empress Zhou as the mother, and Prince Hui’s foster mother, Noble Consort Du.

The perk of having multiple mothers-in-law was that Yao Huang received an extra gift. Empress Zhou gave her a ruby hairpin, and Noble Consort Du, as if to match, gave her a pair of ruby earrings. Although the gems on the two earrings combined were not as large as the one on the hairpin, Noble Consort Du’s gesture was generous enough. Yao Huang, having received the benefits, said “Mother Consort” in a sweet tone.

Virtuous Consort Liu and Gentle Consort Shen also gave gifts. Since they weren’t her mothers-in-law, their gifts were more ordinary: one was a green jade bracelet, and the other was a soft and delicate mutton-fat jade bracelet.

While thanking them, Yao Huang thought, why didn’t Emperor Yongchang appoint a few more consorts? With a few more bracelets, she could wear a new one every month for a year.

Everyone gathered together, exchanging pleasantries. Then, Emperor Yongchang had to attend to state affairs, and Empress Zhou asked Noble Consort Du to take the newlyweds to the Yikun Palace for a private chat.

In everyone’s eyes, Prince Hui had been raised by Noble Consort Du in the Yikun Palace since birth. Their bond was as strong as if they were biological mother and son, at least based on the care and upbringing Noble Consort Du showed toward Prince Hui.

On the way to the Yikun Palace, Noble Consort Du walked between the newlyweds. Knowing that Zhao Sui wasn’t interested in talking, she spoke only to Yao Huang: “Is this the maid you brought from your family?”

She was asking about A Ji, who was following behind.

Yao Huang replied, “Yes, A Ji has been by my side since she was four. I’m used to taking her wherever I go.”

Noble Consort Du said, “You’re very daring. Aren’t you afraid she’ll break the palace rules?”

Yao Huang smiled. “Don’t worry. I specifically had Thrush teach her for a whole month. Thrush is indeed from your side; she taught her exceptionally well.”

Noble Consort Du asked, “How are the four maids serving you?”

Yao Huang answered, “They’re doing well, each more capable than the last. With their help, I don’t have to worry about much.”

Noble Consort Du continued, “Chun Yan and Qiu Chan are both new. I specifically arranged for Thrush to go and train them for you. Thrush was originally my choice for a senior palace maid, just in time for Sui’er’s selection of a consort and marriage. I reluctantly gave her to you. Make good use of her, assist Sui’er in managing the affairs of the residence, and don’t make me worry.”

Yao Huang replied, “Yes.”

Arriving at the Yikun Palace, Noble Consort Du sipped flower tea while inquiring about Yao Huang’s family situation.

Yao Huang pretended not to notice the perfunctory and disdainful look in Noble Consort Du's eyes, answering whatever was asked.

Noble Consort Du glanced at the seemingly meditative Prince Hui and sighed to Yao Huang, "You are indeed fortunate. Originally, Zhao Sui was destined for another good marriage, but unfortunately, fate was unkind, and he was injured on the battlefield. That's how you ended up with this great opportunity."

Yao Huang: "..."

The fifteen-year-old Second Princess coughed, kindly reminding her mother, "Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law are newlyweds. Why are you saying such disheartening things?"

Noble Consort Du annoyance said, "My mistake, Huang Huang, don't take it to heart. I just feel sorry for Zhao Sui, nothing more."

Yao Huang: "..."

She must be doing it on purpose, deliberately calling her "Huang Huang"!

It was said that when she was born, her parents had painstakingly chosen the name "Yao Huang" for her. In principle, "Yao Huang" carries the reputation of the king of peonies, and her parents hoped she would grow into a peony-like girl. The name was chosen with great affection and blessing. However, when it came to choosing a nickname, her parents realized that "Huang Huang" or "Ah Huang" sounded like names given to yellow dogs in ordinary households. In a stroke of inspiration, they decided to call her "Yao Yao."

From childhood, friends who were close to Yao Huang called her "Yao Yao," and only someone like Li Tingwang, who deliberately opposed her, would call her "Huang Huang."

Noble Consort Du did not hide her malice, but Yao Huang could not correct her on the nickname issue.

With a chuckle, the Second Princess couldn't help but laugh, looking at Yao Huang with an innocent and cheerful gaze, "Do your parents call you that too, Second Sister-in-law?"

Yao Huang smiled and replied, "Sometimes they call me Yao Yao, sometimes Huang Huang."

Mother and daughter wanted to see her flustered, but she refused to give them the satisfaction.

What's wrong with "Huang Huang"? Yellow is not only bright and vibrant but also a color that many royal families have endowed with a sense of nobility. As long as she didn't feel ashamed, "Huang Huang" could be a good name.

Zhao Sui suddenly said, "Your son is tired. If Mother has nothing else, Your Son and the Princess Consort will take our leave."

Noble Consort Du had no reason to stop him and asked her daughter to escort the couple out of Yikun Palace.

The Second Princess smilingly escorted the two outside. Before parting, she deliberately leaned close to Yao Huang's ear and whispered, "Second Sister-in-law must be curious about who Second Brother's original marriage was supposed to be with. I'll tell you, it was Zheng Yuanzhen, my future Third Sister-in-law."

Aunt Grand Princess Fucheng was ambitious. Three years ago, she had high hopes for Prince Hui and intended to marry her daughter to him as his Princess Consort, with the future goal of becoming Empress. However, just as Grand Princess Fucheng had broached the subject with her mother, war suddenly broke out on the border. Prince Hui led troops to the battlefield and returned disabled, completely losing his chance at the Eastern Palace.

Grand Princess Fucheng was no longer willing to marry her daughter to Prince Hui. Just as the Emperor decided to hold a selection of consorts, Grand Princess Fucheng took the opportunity to include her daughter in the selection.

This way, she could arrange for Gentle Consort Shen, the mother of Prince Qing, whom she now favored, to choose Zheng Yuanzhen, thus avoiding the awkwardness of unilaterally breaking the agreement.

Otherwise, why would a grand princess need to go through the selection process to marry a prince?

Yao Huang finally understood the meaning behind the exchanged glances between the Second Princess and Grand Princess Fucheng at last night's banquet.

.

On the way out of the palace, Yao Huang thought a lot.

The Emperor Yongchang's affection for his sister, Grand Princess Fucheng, had long been widely known among the people. It was said that when Grand Princess Fucheng recommended officials to Emperor Yongchang, he would seriously consider and even adopt her suggestions several times.

Thus, if Grand Princess Fucheng favored a certain prince to become the Crown Prince, her support would certainly carry significant weight with Emperor Yongchang.

Yao Huang looked at Prince Hui in the wheelchair.

Being a prince was already prestigious enough, but today Yao Huang learned that her husband, Prince Hui, had once had a strong chance of competing for the throne.

However, with the loss of his legs, he would remain a prince for the rest of his life.

Yao Huang didn't feel much regret; in fact, she thought it was more secure. With three other princes, they would inevitably engage in overt and covert struggles on the path to the throne. In the future, whichever one succeeded would likely seek revenge or punish the other two to some extent. Only Prince Hui, who had withdrawn from the competition early, would be the safest. The new Emperor might even go out of his way to show fraternal affection and take special care of Prince Hui.

Being a Princess Consort was already a stroke of great fortune, and Yao Huang had no greater ambitions.

I wonder if missing out on the throne is as difficult for Prince Hui to accept as losing his ability to walk.

Sitting back in the carriage, Yao Huang couldn’t relax as easily as she had on the way here, especially since Noble Consort Du had just reopened Prince Hui’s old wounds. Her sarcastic remarks toward Yao Huang might have also embarrassed Prince Hui.

In the heavy silence, Yao Huang lowered her gaze, nervously playing with her fingertips.

Her cheeks were full, and when she lowered her head, they naturally puffed out a little, as if she were a little upset.

Zhao Sui glanced at her a few times before finally asking, "Why are you so down?"

Yao Huang looked up, confused, at Prince Hui.

Zhao Sui stared directly at her and asked, "Why are you upset?"

Yao Huang blinked and explained, "No, I was just nervous because you weren’t talking, so I didn’t dare say anything."

Zhao Sui: "I wasn’t talking on the way here either, but you were pretty bold then." And even acted boldly.

Though his eyes seemed dull, they were sharp and commanding when he stared at someone. Yao Huang had no choice but to answer cautiously, whispering, "Because of my family background and nickname, I’ve also damaged Your Highness’s dignity."

Zhao Sui was silent for a moment before saying, "I knew about your family background on the selection day. If it bothered me, I wouldn’t have chosen you."

"As for your nickname, I don’t think it’s funny at all."

Yao Huang understood—Prince Hui didn’t care about the two things Noble Consort Du scorned her for!

"Your Highness is so kind. Noble Consort Du was right about one thing—I must be lucky to have married you!"

Zhao Sui: "..."

He closed his eyes, no longer meeting her bright, sparkling gaze.

The fact that Prince Hui could comfort her meant he wasn’t affected himself. Yao Huang was completely at ease now and leaned closer to Prince Hui, whispering, "Your Highness, your relationship with Noble Consort Du isn’t very close, is it?"

Zhao Sui glanced at her: "Why do you say that?"

Yao Huang snorted: "Love me, love my family. If she truly cared for you, she would’ve been polite to me out of respect for you, instead of mocking me right away."

Zhao Sui: "...So what if it is?"

Yao Huang: "That depends on how you feel about it. If you want me to respect and defer to her, I’ll be a dutiful daughter-in-law. But if you can’t stand her behavior, I won’t take it lying down—I’ll stand up for myself when I need to."

Zhao Sui had already noticed last night that this girl was quite bold. She cooperated with him but wasn’t afraid of him, and now she dared to discuss Noble Consort Du so openly without finding it strange.

But after all, she was the Noble Consort, and she had plenty of ways to torment a daughter-in-law from a humble background.

"Endure what you can in small matters, but don’t push yourself to suffer needlessly. Always put your safety first."

It's not worth enduring physical pain just for the sake of pride.

Yao Huang smiled: "Don’t worry, Your Highness, I know my limits. But let’s agree on one thing—no matter who I argue with in the future, as long as I’m in the right, if it ever comes to you, you have to back me up. Otherwise, I’d rather swallow my pride than have you and others gang up on me, making me suffer both inside and out for nothing."

She didn’t have a powerful family to rely on; her confidence as a princess consort came entirely from Prince Hui. Only with unity between husband and wife could she stand tall.

Zhao Sui looked at her radiant face and suddenly doubted: "You wouldn’t dare to defy His Majesty, would you?"

Yao Huang was amused by him: "Of course not. Whatever His Majesty says, I’ll listen obediently."

Zhao Sui tilted his head and gave his assurance: "As long as you’re in the right, I’ll stand by you."

Yao Huang was so happy that she propped herself up on the wheelchair, quickly leaned over, and planted a kiss on Prince Hui’s cheek.

Zhao Sui gripped the armrest of the wheelchair with one hand and scolded in a low voice: "Don’t be disrespectful."

Yao Huang saw that he didn’t seem to like it at all—unlike how her father would beam with joy after her mother kissed him—and awkwardly sat back in her seat, muttering in her own defense: "I thought you’d like that. I won’t dare to do it again in the future."

Zhao Sui didn’t respond further.