Chapter 36: I Didn’t Know the Crown Princess Was So Virtuous and Generous

Chapter 36: I Had No Idea the Crown Princess Was This Virtuous and Gracious

The jade bracelet was cool against her skin, its white surface dotted with red veins like red plum blossoms against snow—perfectly complementing Pei Yun's complexion. From its soft glow and delicate texture alone, Pei Yun could tell it was no ordinary piece. She arched her brows in surprise. "Your Highness, this is..."

"This is the reward I requested from His Majesty. A southwestern tribe presented it to him a few days ago. I originally intended to exchange the dagger for this bracelet to give to you, but His Majesty, considering I won in the end, granted me both."

The Crown Prince's tone was as calm as ever, but Pei Yun knew this was something the former Crown Prince would never have done.

Going out of his way to request this bracelet for her—was he... trying to please her?

But why would he want to please her?

Pei Yun nibbled her lower lip, unable to decipher his intentions for the moment. Still, since the Crown Prince had given it, she had no reason to refuse.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Li Zhangye gazed at the faint smile in Pei Yun's shimmering almond eyes and knew she genuinely liked it.

He relaxed a little, and only then did he take the handkerchief from her hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead and neck.

Though the Crown Prince and Crown Princess spoke softly, the noble ladies on the Starview Terrace today needed only to observe to understand what was happening, and many couldn't help but feel envious.

Hadn't everyone said the Crown Prince was indifferent to the Crown Princess? Yet today, he had specially gifted her this jade bracelet. Some rumors clearly weren’t true.

Even if—worst-case scenario—the Crown Prince still harbored feelings for his childhood sweetheart, Second Miss Shen, and held no affection for the Crown Princess, he still treated his lawful wife with such thoughtfulness and care. Whoever entered the Eastern Palace in the future would surely be blessed with such a gentle husband.

Many noblewomen stole glances at the Crown Prince, admiring his noble bearing and peerless beauty, and recalling his strength and valor on the arena—how could they not be smitten?

Meanwhile, Liu Meier, whose anger had somewhat subsided after the Imperial Guards' victory, now saw Pei Yun stealing the spotlight again and simmered with resentment. As she applied bruise ointment to Prince Yu, her hands grew rougher, making him wince. He looked at her with innocent confusion, only to be met with a fierce glare.

Prince Cheng was also watching. When he heard his normally reserved third brother request the jade bracelet from the Emperor during the rewards, he understood his intentions.

Who knew his usually taciturn third brother had finally learned how to please his wife?

He turned to Princess Consort Cheng and, seeing Cheng Siyuan also looking their way, vowed earnestly, "Yuan Yuan, tomorrow I’ll go train at the martial arena. Next time, I’ll win you a jade bracelet too."

Cheng Siyuan seemed touched but pouted, pointing at Prince Cheng's injuries and chiding, "I don’t need more jade bracelets. Your Highness should focus on recovering first."

After the arena contest, Emperor Qingzhen changed clothes and ascended the Starview Terrace, where a midday luncheon was held.

The luncheon ran late, and Chen'er, accustomed to napping at this hour, grew cranky. The nursemaid couldn't soothe him, so Pei Yun had to take him into her arms, rocking him until he finally drifted off.

Since the banquet was far from over, Pei Yun bid farewell to the Empress Dowager and Emperor Qingzhen, carrying Chen'er back to the Eastern Palace.

At eight months, and already quite hefty, Chen'er was already too heavy for Pei Yun to carry comfortably. Yet the moment she tried to hand him to the nursemaid, he began to fuss again. She had no choice but to endure, taking a shortcut through the imperial garden to return sooner.

By chance—or maybe not—the shortcut Pei Yun chose was the exact place Rong Jie'er had drowned in her past life.

Back then, she hadn’t paid much attention. But today, she deliberately slowed her steps, stopping to examine the area.

The well stood beside a covered corridor, not open on all sides but lined with a white wall adorned at intervals with carved lattice windows with floral designs—reportedly in the Jiangnan style.

One of these windows featured an interwoven diamond and crabapple motif positioned directly above the well.

Pei Yun frowned. Perhaps she was overthinking it, but the white wall and lattice windows seemed perfect for spying unnoticed—a prime spot for clandestine conversations.

Had Rong Jie'er’s fall into the well truly been an accident in her past life?

Her arms sore, Pei Yun adjusted Chen'er in her hold and, without another thought, she left.

Early the next morning, after breakfast, Imperial Physician Zheng arrived to take her pulse.

But Pei Yun knew all too well that there was likely more to it.

Since the Crown Prince's return to the capital, he had first been occupied with her brother's triumphant return, followed by the Empress Dowager's arrival at the palace. Moreover, Pei Yun had been on her monthly cycle during that time, so the two still hadn’t shared a bed.

After taking her pulse, Imperial Physician Zheng cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness is in good health. I will inform His Highness."

Pei Yun nodded, not pressing the matter further. Whether or when they would share a bed was not for her to decide.

She instructed Shu Yan to escort Imperial Physician Zheng out and was about to take Chen'er into the courtyard while the weather was still cool when a palace maid announced that someone from Cixiao Palace had arrived.

Pei Yun frowned slightly. Though she had expected the Empress Dowager to be impatient, she hadn’t thought she would be unwilling to wait even a day.

It was Nanny Feng, who had served the Empress Dowager for many years. She directed the two palace maids behind her to set down over a dozen scrolls in their hands and said respectfully, "Your Highness, these are portraits of marriageable young women from the capital, specially selected by Her Majesty. Please take a look and see if any stand out to you. If you find them suitable, choose seven or eight so His Highness may also consider them."

Nanny Feng’s words, delivered on behalf of the Empress Dowager, were carefully worded, but the implication was unmistakable. By allowing Pei Yun to personally select the new additions to the Eastern Palace, the Empress Dowager was extending a major courtesy. If Pei Yun still refused, it would be seen as ingratitude.

Leaving aside the events of her past life, this Pei Yun knew better than to seem ungrateful. Since the Empress Dowager had put in so much effort, how could she possibly complain?

Pei Yun smiled in response. "I understand and will certainly handle the matter according to her wishes."

Nanny Feng gave Pei Yun a long look. Ever since their return to the palace, she had noticed that the Crown Princess seemed different from before.

At first, she couldn’t quite pinpoint the change, but now she realized—it was in her eyes.

The Crown Princess of the past had an empty, lifeless gaze. Though she had always been aloof and reticent, she would hesitate nervously when faced with matters.

But now, she lifted her chin and spoke to Nanny Feng with confidence.

Her eyes, once like a stagnant pool, had transformed into a sparkling lake—bright and lively. With life in her gaze, she seemed more vibrant than ever, radiant as a peony blooming in the spring breeze.

Nanny Feng found this version of Pei Yun much more to her liking. Life in the palace was tedious, and one had to find their footing. It seemed the Crown Princess had done just that.

She curtsied and withdrew with her attendants, leaving only one behind to introduce the young ladies in the portraits to Pei Yun.

Once Nanny Feng had left, Pei Yun opened the portraits and found many familiar faces among them.

Meng Qinzi, who had made a play for attention at Chen'er's 100-day celebration only to have her plans thwarted by Pei Qian, was also included.

But Pei Yun merely glanced at her portrait before instructing Shu Yan to set it aside.

Since the Empress Dowager had entrusted her with the selection, she would naturally choose those who were pliable and compliant—not troublemakers who would only bring her headaches.

Someone like Meng Qinzi, or Liu Meier for that matter—these young ladies from the capital’s three great families, each proud and arrogant, believing themselves superior—would never be chosen.

The three great families of the capital were the Shen family (the Crown Prince’s maternal relatives), the Liu family (Princess Consort Yu’s maiden family), and the Meng family (Meng Qinzi’s family).

Thanks to their contributions to the founding of the dynasty, the men of these families held prominent positions in court, some even ennobled or appointed as ministers, while their daughters married into powerful families or entered the palace as consorts. Over decades, their roots had grown deep, their influence in court immense and unshakable.

For instance, Liu Meier’s father was the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, with disciples spread throughout Great Zhao. Then there was Meng Qinzi’s uncle, the current head of the Meng family—not yet forty, he was the youngest Grand Secretary in Great Zhao’s history.

Thus, when the selection for Crown Princess had bypassed the most favored candidates from these three families and landed on Pei Yun, many had been baffled.

At the time, rumors circulated that Emperor Qingzhen wished to prevent excessive strife among the three families over the position. Some even claimed he intended to use this as a means to suppress their power.

But these theories lacked evidence—after all, the three families remained firmly entrenched in court, unchanged to this day.

Yet in her past life...

Heaven's whims are fickle, and human fortunes as uncertain as the skies—nothing in this world lasts forever. Pei Yun retracted her wandering thoughts and lowered her gaze.

The palace attendant left behind by Nanny Feng did not depart until late afternoon, ostensibly under the guise of helping but also carrying an air of surveillance. No doubt she would report back to *Cishou Palace* upon returning.

Before dinner, Pei Yun had initially intended to send Shu Mo to summon the Crown Prince. But as she glanced at the bracelet on her wrist, it seemed she suddenly understood something.

In her previous lifetime, the Empress Dowager had never openly proposed selecting consorts for the Crown Prince in front of others. But this time was different—the Crown Prince had not refused, likely knowing it was unavoidable. Since he would eventually have to go through with it, he had gifted her this jade bracelet as consolation.

Having accepted the bracelet, she felt it inappropriate to summon the Crown Prince herself. Instead, it would be better for her to make the trip to *Chenghua Palace*.

After dinner, Pei Yun lulled Chen'er to sleep and deliberately changed into a lotus-pink gown. She remembered the Crown Prince once mentioning that he preferred seeing her in such radiant colors.

The addition of new consorts to the Eastern Palace was, after all, a significant matter—she ought to treat it with due seriousness.

On the way to *Chenghua Palace*, Shu Yan and Shu Mo each carried their burdens—one holding a stack of portraits, the other a bowl of lotus seed soup freshly prepared by the imperial kitchen. Sharing uneasy looks, they couldn't fathom how their mistress could remain so cheerful when the Crown Prince's new consorts would soon compete for his favor.

*Chenghua Palace*

Sheng Xi, standing guard outside, gaped in surprise when he saw Pei Yun. When she asked, "Your Grace, is His Highness within?" he froze for a moment before hastily replying, "Your Grace, His Highness is in the study."

He hurried inside to announce her arrival and escorted her into the palace.

Pei Yun rarely visited the Crown Prince's study—the last time had been years ago, so long she could scarcely recall. Yet the moment she stepped inside, her gaze instinctively flickered toward the painting hanging on the eastern wall.

That very painting was the one Li Shurui had used to mock her during Chen'er's 100-day celebration—a work by the Crown Prince's late beloved, Shen Ningjia, the second daughter of the Shen family.

Pei Yun calmly averted her eyes and saw the Crown Prince set down his brush, rising to approach her.

She curtsied and took the tray from Shu Mo, placing it on the low table. "Your Highness, the summer heat stirs restlessness. This lotus seed soup was specially prepared by the imperial kitchen to clear heat and temper. Please partake."

The Crown Prince sat on the divan, a faint smile on his lips. "To what do I owe this soup delivery?"

Pei Yun seated herself opposite him, hesitating to broach the subject immediately. Instead, she smiled and touched the jade bracelet on her wrist.

Li Zhangye watched as her gaze dipped, her expression caught between words left unspoken. His eyes gleamed with quiet amusement.

From the moment she entered, he had noticed her radiant robes—the lotus-pink fabric accentuating her porcelain skin, her loveliness moon-bright.

Her rare visit, coupled with the deliberate gesture of bringing him soup, reminded him of their newlywed days. No doubt the bracelet’s work.

When the Empress Dowager had raised the matter of enlarging the Eastern Palace’s retinue during yesterday's banquet, she must have been displeased. Yet he could not openly defy his grandmother, nor did he wish her to sulk in jealousy—hence the jade bracelet as a pledge of reassurance.

It had served its purpose.

After a pause, Pei Yun finally spoke softly, "Your Highness, regarding what the Empress Dowager mentioned yesterday... I have given it careful thought..."

At this, Li Zhangye prepared to interject, to declare he would never take a consort—but then she continued, "I am barren, yet securing the succession is of utmost importance. All these years, I have neglected this duty..."

The smile faded from Li Zhangye's lips. His gaze flicked to the scrolls in Shu Yan's hands, and he cut in, icy.

"What else has the Crown Princess brought?"

Seeing his initiative, Pei Yun brightened inwardly—this saved her breath. But noting the small table was insufficient for displaying the portraits, she added, "Perhaps Your Highness would join me over there for a better view."

She rose and moved toward the broad writing desk, taking the scrolls from Shu Yan and placing them at the corner. She unrolled them in turn.

"These are the ones I selected today. If any catch Your Highness's eye, I shall request the Empress Dowager's decree. The Eastern Palace feels too empty—more ladies would liven the halls..."

Li Zhangye watched her impassively as she worked, her demeanor composed, even enthusiastic as she introduced each woman—their backgrounds, their talents.

It was as if she wasn’t selecting concubines for her own husband, but rather happily enlisting his help to pick out jewelry from a jewelry store.

Chang Lu observed the increasingly icy expression on the Crown Prince’s face, holding his breath, not daring to even exhale, silently wishing the Crown Princess would shut her mouth already.

Pei Yun had gone through three candidates before realizing the Crown Prince had not reacted at all. Just as she turned to ask for his opinion, a low laugh hissed near her ear.

“I had no idea the Crown Princess was so generous and accommodating.”

The laughter was chilling, causing Pei Yun to stiffen. She turned her head and only then noticed the fury in his expression.

“Out. All of you.”

At the barely concealed anger in the Crown Prince’s voice, Chang Lu hastily signaled to the others in the room, silently urging them to exit the study.

As soon as the doors shut, Pei Yun watched as the man advanced step by step. His eyes were dark and fathomless, like a frigid, bottomless abyss. The closer he came, the more suffocating the oppressive aura around him grew, until she was backed against the edge of the desk.

In her entire past life of thirteen years, Pei Yun had never seen the Crown Prince like this—at least not in front of her. He had always been calm and gentle, never raising his voice at her.

Yet now, he stared into her eyes and asked, word by word, “Did Grandmother force this?”

Pei Yun’s lips parted slightly. Though the Empress Dowager’s influence was indeed a factor, after a brief hesitation, she firmly replied, “No, it was my own decision.”

She had no reason to lie to him.

But the moment the words left her mouth, she watched as the scrolls went flying off the desk, scattering across the floor alongside brushes, inkstones, and books, smeared with ink stains.

Perhaps it was the first time she had ever seen the Crown Prince in such a rage. Before she could even process her shock, his hands gripped her waist, lifting and pinning her onto the desk.

She heard him laugh again, the sound laced with such icy scorn it made her skin crawl.

Gently, he caressed her cheek. “If the Crown Princess struggles to conceive, how could it ever be her fault? Clearly, I just need to put in more effort, isn’t that right?”