Chapter 3: Well Matched (in Marriage)

Jing Shao listened to that person’s breathing even out into long breaths, slowly he leaned over, and gently kissed his forehead. He wanted to hold him in his arms but was afraid of startling him awake, therefore he could only give up the idea. Lying in bed, he started to think about why he had suddenly been reborn back to the age of 19. At that time, he was undoubtedly holding Jun Qing in his embrace when he jumped off the cliff, afterwards, his vision had blacked out… He thought of it for a long time and couldn’t think of a reason, instead he began to think about what had happened during those 13 years.

In the 12th winter of the Hong Zhen Era he drove out the Xiongnu and returned victorious, the emperor was delighted so despite the fact that his two older brothers had yet to be conferred a title, the emperor made an exception and tilted him as Cheng Wang. At the time, there were a lot of discussions in the country. Rumors had it that the emperor was interested in making him the crown prince. Unexpectedly, just after that year, Empress Wu stated that their ancestors had never installed a prince as crown prince before they married, so she quickly made a match for him, the second son of Bei Wei Hou.

Both Jing Shao and the second prince was born to Empress Yuan. They were absolutely legitimate heirs to the throne. Empress Wu wanted him to marry a male wife and ruin his future, naturally he would refuse. He immediately flipped the table and went to see his imperial father, accusing Empress Wu of having ulterior motives. The next day, during morning court, the Emperor decreed that he was to be married on the 8th day of the third lunar month. He was not given the slightest chance to resist.

Since then, Cheng Wang who was once an obedient son, became an arrogant, unloved, abandoned child.

In the darkness, he smiled and laughed mockingly. This “discarded son” would return to the chessboard with his own agenda. This time it is hard to say who would and who would lose.

The next day, although they can wait until after the morning assembly to pay their respects to the Emperor and Empress, there were still a series of etiquette to follow, they would not be able to sleep for much longer.

“Your highnesses, it is time to get up,” a servant knocked on the door of the inner chamber.

“Wait outside,” Mu Han Zhang who was asleep, immediately woke up and lightly pushed Jing Shao, “Your highness, wake up.”

“Nnng,” Jing Shao mumbled in a daze, opening his eyes moments later to see a familiar face, the same face he woke up to everyday while in prison, “what happened?”

“It’s time to get up… I… would like to get down and wear pants first…” Mu Han Zhang licked his lips. Last night, this person forcefully demanded to apply medicine for him and then insisted on sleeping on the outside, therefore, he had been unable to get his pants.

“…..” Jing Shao took a moment to react, realizing that this was not a big prison, it was his wedding chamber, “Oh, I have been inattentive.” Responding to his newly wedded wife, who was asking for pants, Jing Shao immediately sat up and reached for the new pair of pants that was on the clothing rack, handing it over to him.

Mu Han Zhang took the pants but found that that person was still staring at him, he had no choice to put on his pants while still under the quilt.

There were no praises, as someone who had been at war throughout the year, it was difficult for him to express anything, Jing Shao could only awkwardly touch his nose.

“Congratulations to the prince and prince consort, we servants are blessed to greet you,” at the forefront of the group of servants that was kneeling in greeting was a plump servant, Duo Fu, the head steward of Cheng wangfu, smiling towards Mu Han Zhang in salute. Mu Han Zhang received the greeting and gifted him with a small embroidered pouch, “ Please get up, you’ve taken care of Jing Shao since his childhood, this is my consideration towards you.”

Duo Fu got up with a smile, allowing the rest of the servants to give their greetings, he now had a clear understand of the backing of this new prince consort, who only had two servants behind him.

Mu Han Zhang was not as polite this time, he received the full greeting ceremony and then rewarded each servant one jin of silver.

In his heart, Jing Shao nodded in approval, Jun Qing was indeed a part of the Bei Wei Hou household, even if he was the son of a concubine, he was nevertheless capable, despite not being very talkative.

Mu Han Zhang’s two servants also went to give their greetings to Jing Shao. Lan Xuan was stupidly dumbfounded and only managed to say, “this servant greets your highness” before stepping back. Lan Ting was timid, offering a “congratulations,” with a bowed head and a slightly trembling body.

Looking at the dreamy appearance of these two servants, the heart would quietly be unsatisfied. They looked inexperienced and incapable of taking care of someone, this would be rather troublesome.

Mu Han Zhang looked indifferently towards his two servants, looking into his eyes, Jing Shao was not able to take a glimpse of that person’s emotions. Before marriage, Madam Bei Wei Hou said that the servants around him were old and unfitting, so he was only allowed to bring these two small servants.

Jing Shao knit his brows into a frown, looking at what the two servants wore, it was very likely that that had only been serving at Mu Han Zhang’s side for less than a year, “Duo Fu, arrange for some capable servants to serve at the prince consort’s side, and also arrange for an imperial guard to accompany him.

“It was this servant who was negligent, I will handle it today.” Duo Fu apologized, thinking inwardly, because wang fei was a man, he was indeed allowed to have servants and imperial guards at his side, it was only that most husbands would overlook such matters. His highness being this attentive showed  that he genuinely cared for and kept the prince consort in his heart.

Mu Han Zhang heard this remark and his calm expression relaxed slightly, getting up to solute, “thank you, your highness.” Assigning him servants and imperial guards meant that his highness was allowing him to go outside. It was a really thoughtful gift.

Jing Shao saw the surprise in his eyes, and only felt pain in his heart. He reached out and helped him up, “this is what I should do, there is no need to thank me.”

Chapter 3 continued: Well Matched (in Marriage)

The day after the wedding, to greet the Emperor, the prince and princess consort are to wear court outfits. Jing Shao was now officially crowned as Cheng Wang and would naturally have a court outfit what was one grade higher than before. According to tradition, officials higher than rank three would wear the color purple, the emperor would wear a dark yellow, the crown prince would wear apricot, and other princes would wear a pale blue. Mu Han Zhang was conferred the titled of Tai Miao Qin Wang Fei, which meant that he was an official of the highest rank… Although that title was usually given to females, no matter what, he was a male, it would be too unsightly to have him dress in a female court outfit, so therefore he also wore a purple court outfit, the style similar to the robes of Jing Shao.

Mu Han Zhang was 20 years old this year and had already underwent the coming of age ceremony. Lan Ting quickly offered to help him fasten his zi jin crown in order to complete the court outfit. Although Jing Shao had yet to turn 20, he was after all, a prince, so he was allowed to wear a five clawed dragon crown. The zi jin crown was different from an ordinary crown, Lan Xuan who had never dealt with such a crown was unable to buckle it. Although she was anxious, she was not willing to ask for help, lest they say that she was uneducated and inexperienced, therefore losing the face of her young master.

Jing Shao glance at the little girl and stepped forward motioning her to give him the crown. He skillfully opened the zi jin buckle, “On the day after the wedding, it is proper to help your husband put on his crown.” In previous dynasties, there was a tradition in which the husband would gift his bride a yellow robe in order to comfort her and ease her worries about returning home to visit her paternal family. Nowadays, to do so was uncommon. Jing Shao only said so to give himself reasons to assist him.

“Your highness ?” Mu Han Zhang, who was originally sitting, was now standing, “How does it look?” Jing Shao did not answer, only carefully buckling it on him and then smoothing down the two golden ribbons softly, onto his hair.

Two equally attractive people stood together, one, elegant and refined, and the other grave and stern, Xi couldn’t help but praise, “Your highnesses standing together look perfectly well matched, like two pieces of jade.”

She had already seen this morning’s situation and realized that not only did his highness not hate the prince consort, but rather it seemed as if he liked him. Naturally, the clever Xi would not miss an opportunity to fond over his highness.

“Really?” Jing Shao, having heard what was said, held onto Mu Han Zhang’s waist and pulled him to stand in front of a full length mirror. The person next to him was slender, and half a head shorter than him. Jing Shao was rather content, “ Nn, truly well matched.”

Mu Han Zhang looked at the image in the mirror in a daze, he found that the cut on his lower lip was already seven to eight parts healed. At one glance, one wouldn’t be able to tell, unless one looked closely, one would only be able to see that was it of a pinkish color. Only when he heard the servants’ giggles did Mu Han Zhang show a reaction, noticing that his highness was still holding on to his waist, he quickly moved, “hurry, we should not be late.” Not waiting for him to reply, he walked out directly.

“Your highness, the prince consort is shy,” realizing the rudeness of her young master, Lan Ting quickly whispered a reason to Jing Shao.

“Hn, why can’t I see it?” Jing Shao said expressionlessly, looking at Jun Qing’s reddish ears from afar, he thought inwardly that it looked like blossoming flowers.

“Sister Zhi Xi, is his highness angry?” Lan Xuan, who was frightened by his highness’s cold tone of voice, asked anxiously.

Zhi Xi took a handkerchief and covered her lips, “His highness is constantly out fighting on the battlefield, he is really prestigious and dignified. Sooner or later you will understand.”

Heading to the palace, the two of them had to sit in a red curtained, eight person sedan, with all the movement, the pain in Mu Han Zhang’s lower back was really unbearable, he shifted uneasily.

“Is your waist uncomfortable? You can sit on me and I will give you a massage.” Naturally, Jing Shao noticed his uneasy movements. He reached out and took him into his arms, putting his hand on the person’s waist without waiting for the other’s consent. The body in his arms stiffened before slowly relaxing, he couldn’t help but hook his lips, “Later, no matter if the Empress praises you or rewards you, just accept it.”

He remembered that year, the Empress rewarded Mu Han Zhang with very expensive and precious things, making him believe that Mu Han Zhang and the Empress were on good terms. Naturally, he would be even more disgusted and annoyed with him. Thinking about it now, he was really naive at that time, the Empress’s reward was not unreasonable. No matter who it was, as long as the person he married was a man, the Empress would be joyful.

Mu Han Zhang looked up at him before nodding, “I understand.” He has also heard about the royal affairs. As the son of Empress Yuan, it was normal that he did not get along with Empress Wu. Right now, was this person comforting him? Thinking about it, his heart was slightly moved. Other than that bad night, after sobering up, this person was genuinely gentle and kind.

“In private, don’t address yourself like that. Hearing it is very strange.” Jing Shao kneaded one side, thinking,  this narrow waist was not at all like that of a woman’s, which seemed like it would snap with one pinch, rather, it was more like that of a leopard, lean and powerful.

The strength of the massage was perfect. Although he realized it was inappropriate, it was difficult to break away from, Mu Han Zhang was forced to feign ignorance while talking to him, “your highness should also be cautious when speaking to queen mother. It is enough to say a few words if you are interested in the topic.”

“Jun Qing, are you concerned about me?” Jing Shao heard this and couldn’t help but hook his lips, bowing his head to ask him.

Mu Han Zhang glared at him, “I am only advising you.” In the past, he had heard rumors that Cheng Wang was extremely irritable and short tempered, but he had never expected him to be frivolous like this.

“Haha…” Jing Shao saw him like this and only felt that it was cute, he couldn’t help but laugh.

The servants outside of the the sedan heard the laughter and gripped the handle harder. Dear heavens! Everyone in the capital knows that Cheng Wang married a prince consort, now he would be unable to inherit the kingdom, to still be able to laugh joyously like this, was he driven insane by the Empress?

Mu Han Zhang saw him still laughing and turned his head away to ignore him, but no matter which way he turn he would bump into Jing Shao’s strong and warm chest. His face reddened in embarrassment, it looked as if he was throwing himself into his embrace ! Like this, he began to struggle to get up.

“Okay, be good. I won’t laugh anymore.” Jing Shao said, not letting him go, he whispered, “ don’t cause a ruckus or else the servants will find out. “

“You…” As expected, Mu Han Zhang really stopped moving about, only glaring at him angrily.

[ Author has Something to Say ]

Empress Yuan was the Emperor’s first wife, and after she passed away he married another woman, who is the current Empress. In the Qing Dynasty, the eunuchs refer to themselves as “slaves”. Ahhh yesterday I received a lot of comments, so happy, I will continue to work hard ~

[ Bitter Black Rabbit Time ]