Chapter 71

Chapter 71

Prince Hui wanted to meet County Magistrate Xu but didn’t want to disrupt his official duties, so he chose the end of July when officials were on leave.

After delegating the major task of land reclamation, the "Liao family" still had to prepare for another move. They had to ask an intermediary to find a new location, prepare more medicine for some patients at the clinic, and take time to pack up the East and West courtyards. They also had to entertain neighbors who came to bid farewell. With all these trivial matters, it would take a few days, so the couple finally set their return date for the fifth day of the eighth month.

Regarding the fate of these two residences, the financially unburdened Prince Hui thought they could be kept for the next summer when he would accompany his wife for a retreat.

Yao Huang, on the other hand, said, "The town is lovely, but we’ve been here for nearly fifty days. Even the most beautiful scenery becomes tiresome. If we really want to go out for a summer retreat next year, we should find a new place so that every year we can enjoy fresh scenery and experience the local customs of different places. So, let’s sell these two houses to save the trouble of leaving someone to take care of them."

The houses, purchased at a high price, would surely sell at a loss now, especially after the neighbors’ scandal. But Yao Huang preferred to recoup most of the money spent on the houses rather than keep two residences they’d likely never use again.

Zhao Sui gazed into his wife’s sparkling eyes and knew she was serious about taking him to a new place every year for a summer retreat. It wouldn’t make sense to leave two vacant houses behind each time.

The houses were sold, but they could still remain on paper.

On the twenty-ninth day, Prince Hui painted two more pictures.

In the morning, Yao Huang spent some time sitting under the magnolia tree in the backyard, with fruits and tea on the small table. Jinbao, who had grown a bit, sat at her feet, watching her eat the fruits with an adorably clumsy look. Prince Hui even titled the painting: "Enjoying the Cool."

In the afternoon, Yao Huang went to the front courtyard after her nap and found Prince Hui sitting in the north hall, painting again. She approached and saw he was painting the view from his spot—the doors, windows, and the courtyard outside. The door frames, window frames, and paper were almost finished, while the courtyard was only sketched in simple outlines.

Yao Huang pulled up a chair next to Prince Hui, rested her chin in one hand, and smiled as she looked at the painting and then at him. "I can see how much you’re reluctant to leave this place."

Zhao Sui didn’t explain but kept painting a few more strokes before saying to the canvas, "This painting is titled 'Playing in the Rain.' It captures the day you stood at the door rinsing your wooden clogs with rainwater."

Yao Huang: "...It’s been so long, and you can still paint it?"

Zhao Sui: "The rain and the dress can be imagined, but to paint the person vividly, you’ll need to recreate the scene."

Yao Huang: "...So I’ll have to keep my foot raised until you finish painting?"

Zhao Sui, still looking at the canvas, said, "Once it’s done, you’ll like this one more than the previous three."

Yao Huang’s mind immediately flashed through the three paintings Prince Hui had given her so far. She liked them because, in Prince Hui’s brush, she looked beautiful in every one. That is to say, in Prince Hui’s eyes, her appearance rinsing the clogs was more beautiful than her sleeping on the arhat bed, standing on the bridge watching the water, or sitting under the tree playing with the dog.

Yao Huang couldn’t imagine it. She rinsed her clogs like that every year during the rain, always facing away from Prince Hui. How could that be beautiful?

But since she had nothing else to do, Yao Huang obliged by going to the backyard, taking off her shoes and socks, and putting on the wooden clogs. She then followed Prince Hui’s directions to bring a pot of cold water, placing the copper pot in a spot where Prince Hui couldn’t see it. When Prince Hui finished painting her back and dress and requested it, Yao Huang lifted the copper pot and poured water over her extended foot.

By dusk, Prince Hui asked her to spend some time with Jinbao and return in half an hour.

Yao Huang was also wary of seeing another faceless version of herself, so she headed to the West courtyard to watch Madam Gao cook and returned to the East courtyard when the time was almost up.

Prince Hui had already stopped painting. Yao Huang approached him and looked at the easel.

The painting now featured a dense rain scene. The princess in a red blouse and white skirt stood diagonally facing the hall, one hand resting on the door frame, her right foot in a wooden clog extended into the rain.

Though the painting showed a glimpse of her profile, Yao Huang’s attention was first drawn to her right foot. The toes adorned with bright red nail polish were wet from the rain, making the polish look even more vibrant. The five toes were plump and round, and the foot, painted by Prince Hui, looked fair and full, with water droplets rolling down.

Yao Huang wanted to keep looking but feared Prince Hui would tease her for being mesmerized by her own foot. So she turned her gaze to her profile, which was hazy and only recognizable to those who knew her well.

Yao Huang deliberately asked, "The face is so unclear. What’s there to like?"

Zhao Sui didn’t argue with her.

That night, the princess, who had received two beautiful paintings, pushed Prince Hui back to the backyard.

Knowing Prince Hui had strong arms, Yao Huang, taking advantage of the moonless night and the darkness inside the curtains, held onto Prince Hui’s shoulders, turned onto her back, and silently pulled him toward her.

Zhao Sui was puzzled, but at such moments, the princess consort would not act recklessly. To avoid pressing down on her, Zhao Sui supported himself with his hands on either side of the princess consort.

His legs felt heavy, dragging down his waist like a sea creature pulling a drowning person into the depths.

Prince Hui hovered above, and Yao Huang moved slightly downward, her hands resting on his waistband.

Prince Hui's breathing grew heavier. He had also read the same novels as the princess consort, so he understood her intentions.

As the princess consort moved up, Zhao Sui said with difficulty, "Bold."

Burdened by his legs, he couldn’t hold on for long. Wasn’t she afraid he might get angry out of embarrassment?

Yao Huang, moving up and down, felt quite warm and was even scolded. She retorted resentfully, "I thought My Prince liked my feet."

Zhao Sui: "What does this have to do with your feet?"

Yao Huang bit her lip, touched his tense arm, and whispered, "Hold on, something even bolder is coming."

With that, she wrapped her arms around Prince Hui’s neck, and the feet that had once appeared in his paintings now stepped onto his back from above.

Though he was born into royalty, Yao Huang was determined to step on him that night.

She stepped on him several times, and Yao Huang, unable to help herself, slept in late. When she woke up, she was startled and called A Ji, asking, "Has any guest arrived at home?"

Today was the end of the month, the day County Magistrate Xu was scheduled to meet Prince Hui.

A Ji shook her head, "No, what guest?"

Yao Huang didn’t explain, quickly changed her clothes, skipped breakfast, and headed straight to the front courtyard.

Prince Hui was in the elegant hall near the study, sitting upright on a rattan chair, still holding a Buddhist scripture.

As Yao Huang approached the door, Prince Hui looked up.

The bright sunlight made Yao Huang’s face flush. The night, when faces were unclear, had made her bold, but with the dawn, that boldness shrank back. Prince Hui’s dignified face and calm eyes reminded her that she had initiated everything the previous night.

Yao Huang didn’t go further, hiding by the door and window, only allowing Prince Hui to see half of her body, and softly asked, "Has that person not arrived yet?"

Zhao Sui glanced at the embroidered shoes half-hidden under the princess consort’s skirt and calmly acknowledged.

Yao Huang touched the window paper, "Why is he so late?"

Zhao Sui: "I asked Li Dechun to take him to the mountain to see the medicinal fields first. If everything goes well, he should arrive around lunchtime."

It took time to travel from the county office, and going up and down the mountain also took time.

Yao Huang sighed in relief, "Then I’ll go have breakfast. When he arrives, I’ll hide inside and listen to your conversation."

Zhao Sui wanted to ask why the princess consort wanted to listen, but the hungry princess consort had already run off, leaving only the sound of her footsteps.

County Magistrate Xu, whose given name was Dongyang, had met Li Dechun the previous evening after finishing his official duties.

Xu Dongyang first heard of the Liao family scholar when the constables went to investigate the beating of the eldest son of the Qi family and briefly mentioned the Liao family’s two courtyards while introducing the neighbors. As it was unrelated to the case, Xu Dongyang didn’t pay much attention to the Liao family scholar. He truly remembered the Liao family scholar after seeing the birthday painting at the Qi family home. Xu Dongyang felt as if he had seen a divine being in the painting and thought of finding time to visit and exchange literary ideas.

When Li Dechun presented Prince Hui’s waist token, Xu Dongyang suddenly realized that the small town of Lingshui wasn’t full of hidden talents, but that a royal prince had concealed his identity and moved into the town.

Since Prince Hui wanted him to go to the mountain first, Xu Dongyang suppressed his excitement and stayed in the county for the night. Early in the morning, he followed Li Dechun on horseback to Lingshan Town, passing through without entering.

In the mountains, Xu Dongyang not only saw the four plots of medicinal fields cultivated by Dr. Li but also inspected several nearby mountain peaks with him.

The farmland available to the common people is limited and must be used for growing grain. Even if they can devise a way to plant Huang Jing in their fields, they will face suppression from the authorities. Moreover, Huang Jing takes five years to mature and command a good price. If the people use their land to grow medicinal herbs, how will they feed themselves and pay their land taxes during these five years?

Ling Mountain, a renowned peak in the Central Plains, is protected by the authorities, who prohibit logging and land reclamation. However, Huang Jing grows under the forest, preserving the forest while enabling the people to cultivate and sell medicinal herbs. Prince Hui's strategy is not only feasible but also a benevolent policy that will benefit the surrounding people for generations to come!

The mountain path was difficult, but County Magistrate Xu grew more invigorated as he trekked. He followed Dr. Li around until noon, nibbling on dry provisions as he descended the mountain to meet Prince Hui. He ate beforehand to spare the prince the trouble of offering him lunch.

The two entered from the west courtyard, and Qing Ai went ahead to announce their arrival to the prince.

Zhao Sui glanced at the princess who had been waiting there.

Yao Huang smiled and retreated into the inner chamber.

Qing Ai, familiar with such occurrences, went to the west courtyard to escort the guests.

Not long after, Yao Huang hid behind the curtain and watched her prince sitting upright in the main seat. She saw County Magistrate Xu, dressed in plain clothes, kneel down upon entering and pay his respects to Prince Hui with utmost reverence.

Yao Huang felt a slight tremor in her heart.

The prince had always been indulgent with her, and there were few attendants around him. The longer Yao Huang was married to the prince, the less reverence she felt toward him. Only now did she realize once again how noble the prince's status truly was.

Zhao Sui: "Rise."

Xu Dongyang stood up, his eyes respectfully lowered.

Zhao Sui: "What do you think of the strategy of reclaiming land to grow medicinal herbs?"

Xu Dongyang, having been reminded by Dr. Li and Qing Ai, knew that His Highness Prince Hui disliked flattery and simply said, "Your humble servant believes this strategy is viable."

Zhao Sui: "If I entrust this to you, can you handle it?"

Xu Dongyang: "Your humble servant will exert every effort."

Zhao Sui: "This strategy is labor-intensive and will take five or six years to show results. If things do not go as planned and there is little gain, you will not only lack political accomplishments but may also face impeachment for squandering resources and burdening the people."

Xu Dongyang smiled: "As an official, one must be willing to do practical things for the people and the court to achieve political merit. Indecision will only result in inaction. Your Highness, rest assured, your humble servant would rather toil for years and fail than remain idle and witness the people of Ling Mountain languish in poverty despite their abundant resources."

Zhao Sui: "In that case, I will entrust this matter to you. Whether you petition the court or consult with friends and family, there is no need to mention me."

Xu Dongyang glanced up, startled.

Zhao Sui waved his hand: "You are dismissed."

Xu Dongyang glanced at the wheelchair supporting Prince Hui, lifted his robe, knelt down again, kowtowed, and then withdrew.

Perhaps Prince Hui no longer remembered, but he was a scholar in the twenty-fifth year of Yongchang. At the Qionglin Banquet that year, he had seen the eighteen-year-old Prince Hui from afar, tall and imposing, with the grace of a dragon and the elegance of a phoenix.

A prince who excelled in both scholarship and martial arts, even with his legs crippled, still cared for the people. With his own legs intact and having received the prince's guidance, he was naturally willing to go through fire and water without hesitation.

After Xu Dongyang left, Yao Huang came out from the inner room, smiling at Prince Hui.

Zhao Sui: "...What are you laughing at?"

At this moment, Prince Hui was sitting on a more suitable elm wheelchair for receiving guests, sturdy enough for Yao Huang to sit on his lap with ease. She encircled his neck with her arms and murmured, "I can't quite explain it, but I just felt that the prince looked even more handsome just now."

Zhao Sui: "..."

You came all this way, only to end up gazing at him?