Chapter 11

Chapter 11

From a young age, Yao Huang had been influenced by her surroundings, imagining that a loving couple should be like her parents, where everything could be decided through mutual discussion, rather than one person making all the decisions and the other just following along.

So, when she felt she couldn't hold back her voice, she twisted her wrist, which was being held, and tried to negotiate, "Your Highness, could you release me?"

Zhao Sui paused, "Are you uncomfortable?"

Yao Huang was mortified; it was the opposite sensation that made her unable to restrain herself.

The rouge on her face diffused like a fine mist to the surrounding skin, clearly not showing any signs of resistance, so Zhao Sui continued.

Like a beast shaking a tree, the tender branches quivered in unison, and the oriole perched there let out a startled cry.

With her hands immobilized, Yao Huang could only bury her face in the pillow, "Please don't do this, they can hear outside."

It was only then that Zhao Sui understood her worry.

But being a prince, he had already stretched his patience to the limit by not venting his anger on his servants for the past six months. Did he really have to hide his actions with his lawfully wedded wife at night, worrying about what the maids might think?

Yao Huang's mention of it only stoked an inexplicable fury in Zhao Sui, which, in this moment, was all directed at Yao Huang.

Poor Yao Huang, who had just been whispering to A Ji that morning about being cautious in the future, now found herself helpless.

When the tempest subsided, Prince Hui's chin rested on the top of Yao Huang's head. She was entirely ensnared in his embrace, with his sturdy left arm behind her and his finally relaxed hand in front. With every breath, Yao Huang could feel the thick, hardened calluses on his palm.

Her upper body burned like a furnace, while her lower body was as cool as morning dew.

Yao Huang's heart was pounding, and she felt a faint dread for the six long nights that occurred every month. Prince Hui was too relentless at night, and Yao Huang worried she might not be able to endure it.

This man must have been restricted to his wheelchair during the day, using all the strength he had accumulated on her!

Suddenly, his hand brushed against her face.

Yao Huang stiffened, fearing he would repeat last night's behavior. Why else wouldn't he let go?

Zhao Sui felt her wet, heated face, still damp with tears.

Remembering her tearful appearance, Zhao Sui reminded her, "You asked for this."

He wanted to sleep, but she kept provoking him, so he couldn't be blamed for losing control.

If she didn't want to cry again, she should be more careful in the future. When it was time to be intimate, he would naturally be considerate of her young age and hold back.

Yao Huang bit her lip; it was indeed her own fault, rushing to seduce him to choose her so she wouldn't have to be a concubine to another prince.

"I know, I don't blame Your Highness. Crying doesn't mean I dislike it, please don't misunderstand."

An ambiguous 'Hmm' drifted down from above, and then he moved aside.

Yao Huang continued to tuck in her undergarments, secretly deciding to ask the embroidery room to make some soft towels for nighttime use, so as not to ruin her intimate clothes all the time.

After calling for water, they both wiped themselves and returned to bed. Yao Huang remembered the prince's earlier misunderstanding and hugged him again.

Indeed, the prince's broad shoulders and strong arms were quite comfortable to hold.

Now that they had truly consummated their marriage, she was a genuine princess consort, and it was only right for her to act as the mistress of the palace.

Zhao Sui: "...Not sleeping yet?"

In the quiet of the night, Yao Huang’s voice was soft: "I just want to hold you. I didn’t dare to talk to you during the day, and only now do I feel like you’re truly my husband."

Zhao Sui: "…I’m just not one for small talk. If you have something to say to me, you can speak up anytime. I won’t ignore you."

Yao Huang smiled: "I can see that. The prince may seem cold, but he’s actually quite kind."

Zhao Sui silently looked at the top of the tent.

Kind?

He’s had moments of throwing medicine and smashing bowls. She just hadn’t seen it, otherwise she would have become like Qing Ai and the others, not daring to say a word to him.

Prince Hui fell silent again. Yao Huang was concerned about an important matter in her heart, and she had to settle it tonight so she could prepare tomorrow.

Seizing the moment of closeness, Yao Huang rubbed against Prince Hui’s firm shoulder: "Prince, in common families, there’s a tradition of returning to the bride’s home three days after the wedding. Do princes also follow this tradition?"

None of the neighbors had ever had a princess, nor had any officials from the Ministry of Rites told her about these things. Yao Huang was truly clueless, and given Prince Hui’s limited mobility, she was even more worried.

Zhao Sui thought, it’s entirely up to the princes whether they follow it or not, or whether the wife’s family is worth the prince’s courtesy.

After his legs were crippled, Zhao Sui could refuse nine out of ten daily summons from his father. What wife’s family could compel him to visit?

Seeing him silent, Yao Huang’s heart sank, but she couldn’t resent him. The roads in Prince Hui’s mansion were all flat, but once outside, moving the wheelchair around was indeed troublesome.

Leaning against his shoulder, Yao Huang feigned nonchalance: "Not following it, right? Just as well. My parents are both rather unrefined, and I’m afraid they might offend the prince with their rudeness."

Zhao Sui remained silent.

Yao Huang realized she had said something to upset Prince Hui. Pretending to yawn, she said, "Well, it’s late. Let’s sleep."

She released him, turning to lie on her side. Her open eyes were full of worry. Without the visit back home, her parents wouldn’t see her. Surely they’d wonder how she was faring in the prince’s mansion?

Zhao Sui really didn’t want to go out, but he didn’t even skip the personal welcome, which could have been avoided, just to give the princess enough respect to make up for the neglect she’d experienced after the wedding. So he didn’t mind accompanying her one last time to complete all the formalities before and after the wedding.

"I’ll accompany you back home. Discuss the return gifts with Guo Shu. Including the future social interactions of the mansion with various places, all will be handled by you. No need to ask me."

Yao Huang turned to him in surprise: "Really? I mean the return visit…"

Zhao Sui: "Yes."

Yao Huang was so happy that she pounced over, lying on his chest and tightly hugging him: "You’re so kind. I thought you didn’t want to go."

Zhao Sui knew her earlier indifference had been an act.

"Alright, sleep."

Yao Huang was excited, with no sleepiness. She moved back to Prince Hui’s side, hugging him: "It’s only been dark for a little while. Are you really tired?"

Back when she shared a room with A Ji, sometimes they’d chat late into the night.

Zhao Sui: "…What if I don’t sleep?"

Yao Huang: "Would you like to hear about my family? You’ve seen our courtyard. It’s not as large as Ming An Hall, and of course, it can’t compare to the prince’s mansion. But among the sixth-rank officials in the capital, it’s quite good, especially for those young sixth-rank officials who came from other places. Many live in official residences and can’t afford houses."

"The centurions from out of town in the military camp have it worse. Many live directly in the camp, sending their salaries back to their parents and wives in their hometowns, or buying houses in small towns near the capital."

"My father was lucky, born into a local family in the capital. Otherwise, he couldn’t have afforded a house. My mother was also lucky. Other small-town girls could only marry people nearby, but she met my father, who went to town to buy wine during the market. Hehe, they both took a liking to each other, and soon my mother became the town’s envy—the wife of a capital official."

So, although Yao Zhenhu is inconspicuous among the capital officials, among the centurion colleagues he usually interacts with, the Yao family’s financial situation is top-notch. Yao Huang grew up living in the envy of those around her, her life quite satisfactory. Only when Li Qianhu’s family, Yao Zhenhu’s direct superior, came to visit would they put on airs.

Yao Huang spoke at length, finishing stories about her parents and brother before moving on to her maternal grandfather.

She didn’t say anything that required Zhao Sui’s input, so he simply listened until Yao Huang grew tired and drifted off beside him.

Sharing the same bed at night, by morning, the distance between them naturally increased, with one in a wheelchair and the other standing.

Prince Hui went to the front courtyard to change and wash, while the head maids came in to attend to the princess consort.

Lark had been on night watch last night, and as soon as Yao Huang glanced over, Lark’s ears flushed.

After tidying up, Yao Huang dismissed the others, keeping Lark alone to ask, "When you were by Noble Consort Du’s side, did you ever have night watch?"

Lark shook her head; night watch was the responsibility of the senior palace maids.

Yao Huang: "When the Emperor accompanied the Noble Consort, would she arrange for senior palace maids to be on night watch?"

Lark nodded; it was essential, or else the service would be inadequate.

Yao Huang understood that in the palace or wealthy households, they were unconcerned and unafraid of being overheard by maids.

Since it was a common practice, Yao Huang didn’t wish to deviate and continued to ask Lark, "Are there rules in the palace for senior palace maids regarding night watch?"

Lark understood the princess consort’s meaning and knelt down, saying, "Your Highness, be assured, whether in the palace or the prince’s residence, whether on night watch or at other times, we servants are not to discuss our masters’ private matters in private. Those who violate this will be punished according to the severity of their offense."

Yao Huang: "Understood, rise."

Lark was much more likable than Thrush, and Yao Huang quietly entrusted her with a task: to report immediately if she ever heard anyone speaking of her and the prince’s intimate affairs.

When Yao Huang took A Ji to the front courtyard, Thrush immediately called Lark aside and questioned her, "What did the princess consort say to you again?"

Lark was honest; in the Yikun Palace, she was at the bottom of the second-tier maids, and besides serving Noble Consort Du, she would quietly carry out whatever Thrush and others demanded.

She was habitually intimidated by Thrush and lowered her head, saying, "There was a strand of hair that was out of place, and the princess consort asked me to fix it."

Thrush didn’t believe it and warned, "Remember who your true master is. If you step out of line, the Noble Consort has ways to replace you."

Lark just kept her head down.

Without evidence, Thrush snorted and walked away.

.

In the front courtyard, perhaps observing the princess consort’s fondness for mangoes, the kitchen had sliced a plate of mangoes again this morning. Yao Huang ate with gusto and, after finishing, asked eagerly, "If you really don’t like it, can I eat as much as I want?"

Zhao Sui: "Go ahead, but eating too many mangoes can lead to overheating. Limit yourself to two or three a day."

Yao Huang: "How many mangoes were used to make this plate?"

Zhao Sui: "..."

Yao Huang understood that even the noble Prince Hui ate the fruit slices sent directly from the kitchen without knowing how many slices one mango could yield.

"I’ll ask the kitchen later."

After the meal, Zhao Sui returned to his secluded bamboo courtyard, while Yao Huang sat in the main hall and sent someone to summon Madam Gao from the kitchen.

Madam Gao arrived quickly, carrying a delicate small fruit basket containing four mangoes, each the size of an adult’s palm, with skins half green and half red.

Yao Huang took one out, turned it around, and pressed it slightly, leaving a slight indentation.

If peaches or apricots were this soft, they would either be overripe or rotten.

Madam Gao explained, "The honey mango is just right at this softness; any longer and it will spoil."

Yao Huang: "How many are left in the estate?"

Madam Gao: "These four were prepared to be sliced for the prince and princess consort today. There are seventeen more left in the ice cellar."

The emperor bestowed two baskets, but since there weren't many guests at the banquet, just over half a basket was used.

Yao Huang: "How long can the ones in the ice cellar last?"

Madam Gao: "Although they can last for five or six more days, the fresher the fruit, the better the taste."

Yao Huang: "Hmm, tomorrow I will return to my natal home. Prepare two baskets like the one you have, each with five honey mangoes."

Since the prince doesn't like them, she would get tired of eating them herself. It's perfect to give them to her parents and maternal grandfather's family to taste.

Madam Gao took the order and reminded, "This fruit is not easy to slice. Perhaps the princess consort could send a maid to learn, so she can serve tomorrow."

The five maidservants stood beside Yao Huang, and upon hearing this, A Ji's eyes lit up, eager to learn this skill.

Yao Huang, however, looked at Thrush and smiled, "You often serve by the empress's side, do you know how to slice honey mangoes?"

Thrush immediately replied, "These are kitchen duties; I have never learned."

Yao Huang: "Then it's perfect, you go and learn from Madam Gao. Tomorrow I will take you out."

Thrush neither wanted to slice any fruit nor was she particularly relieved that the princess consort was willing to entrust her with this task.

A Ji looked longingly at the princess consort; she also wanted to learn. The princess consort had told her to learn more and see more, as these were skills she didn't have before.

Yao Huang smiled, "You all go and watch the process. You can share the sliced honey mangoes with Madam Gao."

A Ji, Chun Yan, and Qiu Chan, who had never tasted such a tribute before, immediately salivated.

Thrush slightly raised her chin; honey mangoes were nothing, she used to get a few pieces every year when she served the empress!

Unfortunately, eating and slicing are entirely different matters. The honey mango is slippery inside once peeled. If you press too hard, the flesh will be crushed; if too light, the fruit will slip. It's a test of skill.

Despite Madam Gao repeatedly reminding Thrush to be careful, she still accidentally cut her hand. Just a light touch, and a line of blood beads appeared on her left index finger.

Chun Yan and Qiu Chan nervously took two steps back, while Lark kindly went to help.

A Ji stared at the blood-stained honey mango flesh, thinking to herself that she would not eat that piece.

Thrush saw it clearly and angrily said, "I'm injured, A Ji, you come and take over."

A Ji was indeed eager, but wanting to slice and being ordered to are two different things. At least Thrush didn't have the right.

She stiffly retorted, "The princess consort wants you to learn. If you want to switch, go and tell the princess consort first."

A Ji had her mother and sister taking care of her in the Yao family. The master, mistress, young master, and young lady all treated her as half a child, never hitting or scolding her. But she had also seen other servants in the neighborhood being beaten to a pulp by their masters. She knew that real maids must respect their masters. Thrush, who looked down on the princess consort, didn't deserve sympathy even if her hand was cut off, let alone just a shallow cut!

Thrush was about to go, but as she took a step, she heard A Ji mutter, "I don't believe a maidservant from the empress's side could be so clumsy. You probably hurt yourself on purpose to avoid work."

Thrush: "..."

She wasn't clumsy, and she couldn't disgrace the empress!

Turning her steps, Thrush gritted her teeth, grabbed the slippery fruit, and continued slicing.

The senior maids went to the kitchen, and Yao Huang sent for the steward Guo Shu to discuss the replanting of the vegetable garden.

The vegetable garden of the Yao family was always plowed and furrowed by Yao Zhenhu and Yao Lin. As they worked ahead, Luo Jinhua casually scattered the seeds behind them. A few small vegetable plots required no help from Yao Huang, and the family chatted and laughed as they worked, purely for fun.

When Yao Huang felt the itch, she would pull a few weeds as a form of amusement. What she truly loved was the lush greenery of the vegetable beds and the joy of picking ripe vegetables and fruits herself. If she had to do everything from plowing to weeding alone, she would find it too tiresome.

Thus, for the half-acre of land in Prince Hui's residence, Yao Huang only needed to think and speak, leaving most of the physical labor to the household servants.

Upon learning that the prince had already agreed, Guo Shu immediately accepted the task. Plowing, furrowing, and planting were all straightforward tasks, but the grape trellis required hiring someone from a specialized grape-growing household to purchase the seedlings.

With money and manpower, the prince's residence acted swiftly. In the morning, they plowed the half-acre, formed the ridges, and prepared the beds. After the hottest hours of the afternoon passed, the grape seedlings were delivered to the prince's residence.

Yao Huang brought A Ji to supervise the work in the vegetable garden, mainly to see how the grape trellis was being set up. Yao Huang loved grapes, but the Yao family's small courtyard had no space to grow them, so they always bought them from outside.

Since the vegetable garden was too close to Prince Hui's secluded bamboo courtyard, the servants, following Guo Shu's instructions, worked in silence. Any questions were whispered to the steward.

Once the work was done, Guo Shu personally led the workers away, leaving behind a neatly arranged vegetable garden.

Yao Huang glanced at the bamboo courtyard and took A Ji on a detour back to the front.

As the sun set in the west, Qing Ai pushed Prince Hui out of the bamboo courtyard. When they reached the main path, Qing Ai glanced at the vegetable garden and then at the prince's unmoving head, not daring to say more, and headed south.

The senior maids took turns, and tonight Yao Huang assigned Thrush to keep watch.

After extinguishing the lamp, Yao Huang glanced at the empty wheelchair and then lay down next to Prince Hui, chatting, "The vegetable garden is ready. Did you come by to see it?"

Zhao Sui: "No."

Yao Huang: "Shall I accompany you to see it tomorrow morning? The grapevines are almost reaching the top of the trellis, and they look so green and lovely."

Zhao Sui remained indifferent.

Tomorrow was the day to return home, so Yao Huang needed to rest well. She didn't press Prince Hui further, hugged him, and they both fell asleep.

In the side room, Thrush, lying on the floor, listened intently for a long time, ensuring that the prince and princess didn't need her service. She thought of Prince Hui's legs and remembered his tall, straight figure when he used to pay respects at the Yikun Palace, a dream many palace maids dared not speak of.

With his legs crippled, some things were beyond his control, right?

If Prince Hui were still well, she would have envied Yao Huang's good fortune. But now, Prince Hui was like a half-rotten mango, and Thrush felt at peace.