The kitchen operated in two shifts, and the morning shift was already bustling with activity at the first crow of the rooster.
Xiao Hui took two deep breaths, warming her palms with her breath before looking up at the sky outside.
Dark clouds loomed overhead, as black as ink.
Lanterns were lit throughout the courtyards of the prince's residence, and the heavy snowfall, which had started yesterday, showed no signs of stopping. The snow had already piled up knee-deep.
Servants gathered in small groups, shoveling the thick snow into piles and carting it away in wheelbarrows.
The weather was bitterly cold, and the snow froze solid as soon as it touched the ground. There was no need to worry about slipping now, but when the snow melted, a layer of coal cinders would be spread to prevent falls.
For servants like them, slipping and falling was no big deal, but if any of the matrons or masters were to fall, they would inevitably face a beating.
Xiao Hui stood under the eaves for another quarter of an hour, waiting until the path to the rear courtyard was mostly cleared before setting off.
At this hour, only the lanterns at the front of Yu Zhu’s courtyard emitted a faint glow.
In winter, everyone grew lazy, and even Prince Jin was somewhat lax.
Normally, he would have been up by this time.
Battling the wind and snow along the way, Xiao Hui’s eyelashes were coated with a layer of frost.
Lan Xiang was waiting outside, and Xiao Hui’s stiff face could barely manage a smile.
Yet, no matter how lowly her origins, the lady of this courtyard was a proper official’s daughter, far above the status of servants like them.
Moreover, Prince Jin had stayed in her room for two consecutive nights. It was likely that she would hold sway until the new mistress entered the residence.
For both practical and personal reasons, Xiao Hui knew she had to curry favor.
Xiao Hui grinned and asked, “Sister Lan Xiang, have the masters not risen yet?”
Lan Xiang hummed in acknowledgment and took a bowl of ginger tea from the small food box she carried.
It had been kept warm over the stove, perfect for drinking after the journey.
Xiao Hui took the ginger tea and gulped it down. Instantly, she felt a warmth spreading in her belly, and her limbs grew more flexible.
She breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. It seemed Lady Yu was not a difficult mistress to serve.
“Has the master mentioned what she would like for breakfast today?”
Lan Xiang had only arrived yesterday and was unfamiliar with Yu Zhu’s preferences. However, she had heard from Lan Xi that Yu Zhu was not a picky eater. She was particularly fond of the wonton shops in the city.
After a moment’s thought, she said, “Prepare a bowl of wontons for the master, two sweet-filled pastries, and a cup of jasmine milk tea for her to cleanse her palate.”
Xiao Hui responded with an “Aye,” adding, “I’ll bring it over shortly.”
In the kitchen, “shortly” meant no more than three quarters of an hour. Combined with the time the masters needed to wash up, it would be just right.
Lan Xiang was about to inform Lan Xi that it was time to wake Prince Jin and Yu Zhu when she turned and noticed Lan Zhou standing close to the wall, her expression tense, clearly having been there for a long time.
Lan Xiang felt a surge of impatience, not for any particular reason. She believed Yu Zhu was a good mistress, but others did not share her view.
Instead of treating the rightful mistress with respect, they fawned over others.
They betrayed the courtyard’s affairs one by one, leaking information to outsiders.
Both of them had been trained by the head matron of the palace maids’ quarters when they were in the palace.
Newly recruited palace maids spent a year learning the rules before being selected by the head matrons of various palaces.
Those who offered bribes were assigned to serve favored imperial consorts. The downside was a lack of stability, but the occasional rewards could exceed half a year’s salary.
Those less fortunate were assigned to the residences of princes who had established their own households. Serving the mistresses in the rear courtyards meant less competition, but the scheming and intrigue were no less intense than in the palace.
Lan Xiang had never received much education, yet she understood the principle that a servant should not serve two masters. The most taboo thing was to be a fence-sitter, swaying between sides, betraying one's master for temporary gain.
As the old saying goes, honor and disgrace are shared. Even if Yu Zhu fell from grace, they might not be assigned to better positions. But if Yu Zhu had fortune on her side and remained prosperous, they would surely share in her wealth and status.
As she passed by Lan Zhou, she couldn't help but offer a reminder.
"You belong to this courtyard, not to Nanny Du."
Lan Zhou remained silent, shrinking back into the shadows.
Lan Xiang, receiving no response, knew this one was determined. She calculated that she must find a way to bring the matter to the attention of the head maid, Lan Xi.
If nothing went wrong, all would be well; but if something happened, none of the servants attending would escape blame.
Lan Xiang fetched hot water, in which two cloths were soaking.
"Sister Lan Xi, it's time to wake the mistress."
Lan Xi took the copper basin and instructed Lan Zhou and Lan Xiang to prepare together.
Lan Xiang pressed her lips together and said, "Sister, I can manage alone."
Lan Xi smiled. "What, are you competing for favor now?"
Lan Xiang shook her head. In this prince's residence, women vied for Prince Jin's affection, while servants competed for their mistress's favor. The struggles and rivalries never ceased, but in essence, they were all the same.
"The mistress may be naive, but we servants must be vigilant on her behalf." Lan Xiang slightly lifted her chin, gesturing toward Lan Zhou, who was lighting a lamp nearby. "Before entering this courtyard, the servants in the residence were divided into two factions. Nominally, Nanny Fu is in charge, but the rear courtyard has always been controlled by Nanny Du."
Lan Xi understood immediately and decided then not to involve Lan Zhou in internal affairs. She entered the room with Lan Xiang, drew back the bed curtains, and stood respectfully to the side.
"Mistress, mistress, it's time to rise."
Yu Zhu had already heard the commotion, but the bedding was so warm she couldn't bear to leave it.
Prince Jin beside her had long been awake, his hands wandering restlessly over her chest for some time. Seeing Yu Zhu still hadn't opened her eyes, he pinched her nose in annoyance.
"Still not awake? Aren't you hungry?"
Yesterday, the two had lost themselves in passion, unaware of the world, and had only eaten two pastries to fill their stomachs.
Truth be told, Yu Zhu had been hungry for a while.
With Prince Jin calling her, Yu Zhu couldn't continue pretending to be asleep. She opened her eyes and nuzzled against Prince Jin's chest.
The young girl's body was fragrant and soft, but Prince Jin's physique was no less pleasant to touch.
Look at these muscles—firm and springy to the touch, truly delightful.
Yu Zhu was slow-witted in some ways, timid in certain matters, yet surprisingly bold in others.
Prince Jin had touched her for so long; surely it wouldn't hurt to return the favor a little.
Her fingers wandered mischievously to Prince Jin's waist, her soft fingertips tracing circles on his firm abdomen.
Prince Jin caught her hand and said helplessly, "That tickles."
With that, he mimicked Yu Zhu's actions and began tickling her waist.
Yu Zhu's waist was all soft flesh, adorned with red marks from the previous night's passion.
Pleasant to touch, delightful to behold.
Yu Zhu giggled, squirming in Prince Jin's embrace.
"I was wrong, Your Highness! Yu Zhu knows she was wrong!"
Their eyes met. When Prince Jin's peach-blossom eyes softened, they could look upon even a dog with affection. His usually icy expression now held a hint of spring, enough to melt the frost on the branches.
"What were you wrong about?"
Yu Zhu was too embarrassed to look at him.
"I shouldn't have teased Your Highness."
Indeed, Prince Jin, thoroughly aroused by her teasing, waved for the servants to withdraw. His ensuing movements drew soft whimpers from Yu Zhu.
Outside, the world was a frozen expanse of ice and snow, while inside, passions blazed fiercely.
This bout of passion lasted a full hour.
Lan Xi was quite pleased in her heart. Sooner or later, new faces would enter the prince's mansion. How far Yu Zhu could go depended entirely on how deep her bond with Prince Jin grew during this time.
Both master and servant prayed silently in their hearts. They didn’t need a grand place in Prince Jin’s heart. Just a small corner, enough to ensure she could live comfortably without worry, would suffice.
As she dressed, Yu Zhu’s legs felt somewhat weak.
With her being the only one in the rear courtyard, Prince Jin had poured all his vigor into her.
There was also a sense of having tasted something addictive.
It was said that when royal princes first learned of such matters, they were guided by specially appointed instructing aunties.
They would select older palace maids for the task, separated by a thin gauze curtain. The instructing aunties would watch from just a few steps away, and not only that, they would also record the princes’ duration and state.
For those with weaker mental fortitude, such an experience could easily become a lifelong shadow.
Thus, before establishing his own mansion, Prince Jin had never been particularly enthusiastic about such matters.
Yu Zhu’s face was flushed with a rosy hue, and Lan Xi couldn’t help but giggle softly as she combed her hair.
Beneath the rabbit fur collar, faintly concealed, were ambiguous red marks.
Lan Xi whispered through gritted teeth, "His Highness truly dotes on you, miss."
Lan Xi thought to herself, how wonderful it would be if she could conceive a child during this time.
With a child, her mistress would have hope and status. She wouldn’t have to live in constant fear, worrying that this fleeting favor might vanish like smoke one day.
Yu Zhu gazed at her reflection in the mirror. In just a few short days, a subtle, unfamiliar allure had crept into the corners of her eyes and brows.
It didn’t look like her at all.
Yu Zhu wondered, wasn’t I still just a young girl?
Before she could ponder further, Prince Jin had already come to stand behind her.
On Yu Zhu’s snow-white neck were several red marks of varying depths. Prince Jin, somewhat entranced, gently stroked her neck with his palm.
Her gaze was fragile, warm, and deer-like.
It softened Prince Jin’s heart again and again.
After all, he was still just a youth, newly acquainted with the taste of desire, and it was only natural for him to develop a different kind of affection.
He even leaned down involuntarily, nuzzling Yu Zhu’s cheek.
It was an intimacy and fondness that even Prince Jin himself hadn’t noticed.
"It’s time for the meal."
Yu Zhu hummed in agreement, rising while holding onto Prince Jin’s sleeve.
Her submissive demeanor greatly satisfied Prince Jin’s masculine pride, and he couldn’t help but take her hand, interlacing their fingers.
Their affectionate appearance was no different from that of an ordinary young couple.
For a moment, Prince Jin even thought that spending a lifetime like this might not be so bad.
Breakfast had already been laid out on the table—tender wontons with thin wrappers and generous fillings. The pink minced meat filling was visible through the nearly transparent skins. The broth was made from chicken simmered overnight, with hearts of cabbage laid beneath, creating a flavor that was both fresh and sweet.
Yu Zhu had once thought the wontons from the shops on South Street were the pinnacle of perfection. Whenever she had pocket money, she would always spend six coins to savor them.
Sending the steaming hot wontons, broth and all, down into her belly, all her worries would vanish with a single bite.
But after tasting those from the prince’s mansion, Yu Zhu finally understood what true culinary delight was.
She had eaten two before remembering that Prince Jin was sitting beside her. Feeling embarrassed, she immediately scooped one up with a spoon and brought it to Prince Jin’s lips.
"Please, try one."
Prince Jin ate a few from her hand and found them truly delicious.
In truth, he had eaten such things countless times in the palace since childhood.
No matter how exquisite the food, when enjoyed from a young age, it loses its novelty. But looking at Yu Zhu, Prince Jin felt that even these ordinary wontons had gained a special flavor.
It stirred in him an urgent desire to bring all the rare delicacies Yu Zhu had never seen before right to her, letting her taste them to her heart’s content.
Yu Zhu looked up halfway through her meal and saw the winter plum blossoms blooming beautifully in the snow.
Lan Xi pushed open the window, and a chill breeze carrying the fragrance of plum blossoms swept into the room.
It was a bit cold, but refreshing nonetheless.
Yu Zhu gazed at the vast expanse of white snow, her heart filled with delight.
"Next year will be a bountiful harvest."
When winter snow blankets the fields three layers thick, one can sleep on steamed buns the following year.
Yu Zhu's father was a steward under the Grand Granary Supervisor, dealing with grain year after year. Growing up in such an environment, Yu Zhu knew that such heavy snow would freeze all the pests in the fields. The moisture would seep deep into the soil, reducing insect damage and ensuring the wheat seedlings grew strong.
Hearing her words, Prince Jin couldn't help but glance at her a few more times.
Most young ladies in Yudu were pampered and sheltered, unable to even distinguish the five grains.
He had assumed Yu Zhu was the same, but unexpectedly, she showed some insight in surprising areas.
Though she might be a bit rougher around the edges compared to refined young ladies, it would be utterly wrong to call her entirely uninteresting.
Prince Jin sat languidly on a nearby soft couch. Since the snow hadn't stopped, he decided not to go out today.
He might as well be merciful and keep Yu Zhu company.