After his meal, Prince Jin picked up a book to study. Yu Zhu knew then that he would likely spend the entire day here.
The two of them went about their own affairs without disturbing each other.
Yu Zhu called for Xiao Quanzi and instructed him to gather some winter plum blossoms.
Xiao Quanzi obeyed promptly, returning swiftly with a bundle of the blossoms.
The tender yellow petals of the winter plum were delicate, turning translucent and oozing a bit of juice at the slightest touch.
"Master, what are these for?"
Yu Zhu was not particularly skilled at needlework, but her mother hailed from Suzhou, where craftsmanship was exceptionally refined. Her mother had never expected Yu Zhu to climb any social ladder, so her only requirement was that Yu Zhu could manage well enough.
Thus, Yu Zhu had learned from her mother how to dry fresh flowers and fill them into sachets.
It was a simplified version of a perfume pouch, but the technique of drying flowers was unique, and she had put some thought into it.
Others typically sewed pouches and filled them with simple fragrances.
Mostly herbs like mugwort, which carried a bitter scent. In summer, they served to repel insects and refresh the mind.
But this was winter, and using medicinal herbs would be a bit overpowering.
Prince Jin seemed rather stern, and Yu Zhu wasn’t sure if he would appreciate such girlish trinkets.
It didn’t matter if he didn’t. Yu Zhu simply wanted Prince Jin to know that she was thinking of him.
She settled before the table, first wiping the moisture from the winter plum blossoms.
Yu Zhu stole a glance at Prince Jin and saw that he wasn’t looking her way. Emboldened, she didn’t bother picking out the imperfect or damaged petals. Instead, she took a piece of half-burnt charcoal, placed a three-inch-high board around it, and wrapped the setup with cloth, leaving two palm-sized openings for ventilation. She then fanned it gently with a small fan, turning the petals over with a wooden stick every now and then.
The fragrance of the winter plum blossoms was released, filling the room with a rich floral scent.
Prince Jin lowered his eyelids, observing Yu Zhu’s focused demeanor.
She was making it for him.
The palace had everything, but Prince Jin found himself quite taken with such gestures.
That fellow only had these small means to repay his favor.
In the prince’s residence, within this tiny realm, Yu Zhu was entirely dependent on him.
Like dodder vines clinging to a great tree, fragile and helpless.
Prince Jin waited patiently to see what Yu Zhu would produce.
Yu Zhu calmly turned the petals over.
Though she appeared composed to others, Yu Zhu was inwardly puzzled. She had strictly followed her mother’s method, so why had the winter plum blossoms turned burnt?
They were blackened and stuck to the board, a pitiful sight.
This wouldn’t do.
Only Lan Zhou and Lan Xiang were in the room, so Yu Zhu didn’t panic. She pointed to the cooled tea and asked for a fresh cup.
Lan Zhou was about to step forward, but Lan Xiang beat her to it.
Carrying a celadon teacup, Lan Xiang pushed Lan Zhou aside without a word.
Once outside, Lan Xiang didn’t head to the side room for tea. Instead, she entered Lan Xi’s chamber.
"Sister, our master is troubled."
She glanced down and saw Lan Xi’s nimble fingers working, the winter plum blossoms shrunk into tiny clusters, devoid of excess moisture but with a richer fragrance.
"Sister’s hands are truly skillful. These flowers are dried so fragrantly."
Pleased by the praise, Lan Xi naturally felt gratified.
She breathed a sigh of relief and tucked the winter plum blossoms into her sleeve.
When Yu Zhu had done this task at home, it had always been a matter of luck. Succeeding six out of ten times was already an achievement. Not to mention in the prince’s residence, where the layout and atmosphere differed from home, making success even less likely.
Lan Xi approached Yu Zhu and discreetly poured the flowers from her sleeve into the mix. Yu Zhu immediately began sorting through them, selecting the best ones to fill the pouch.
The pouch was also sewn by Lan Xi, about the size of a palm. Yu Zhu whispered to Lan Xi, "Tomorrow, I'll really learn needlework properly."
She stuck out her tongue, holding the fragrant pouch as she went to find Prince Jin.
Lan Xi watched Yu Zhu's retreating figure. Her frame was petite; though she had some flesh on her, her waist and hips lacked the rounded fullness of a mature woman. Lan Xi was two years older than Yu Zhu and had already grown into a graceful young woman. As she looked at Yu Zhu now, she realized that despite being knowledgeable in worldly matters, Yu Zhu was still an innocent little girl.
She disliked needlework, loved to play and indulge in delicious food. She still maintained her habits from home, using a bit of coquettish charm to postpone her daily lessons again and again.
A sudden pang of worry struck Lan Xi—could her young mistress truly secure a place in the rear courtyard?
Yu Zhu knelt and crouched beside Prince Jin's feet, carefully offering the fragrant pouch.
Prince Jin tilted his head, hooking the pouch with his fingertip, somewhat amused.
"All this fuss over such an ugly little thing?"
"Mhm." Yu Zhu couldn't help feeling a bit uneasy. "It's not ugly. It's quite delicate."
Though Prince Jin said so, Yu Zhu noticed his actions—he shifted slightly to allow her to hang the pouch on his belt—and knew he wasn't displeased.
Its ugliness was only in comparison to the items he usually used; it wasn't that he disliked Yu Zhu's handiwork.
Yu Zhu breathed a sigh of relief and said, "It's not meant to be hung on the belt."
Prince Jin lowered his gaze, sweeping over Yu Zhu's snow-white little face, and couldn't resist reaching out to stroke it.
"Then where is it meant to be hung?"
Yu Zhu crawled up a few steps, just enough to lean against Prince Jin's chest.
She looked up to gauge his expression, and seeing that his demeanor hadn't changed, she mustered the courage to part his lapel and tuck the fragrant pouch into the hidden pocket inside his robe.
"This is meant to be carried close to the body."
In the palace, Prince Jin often saw imperial consorts sewing sachets; whichever consort the emperor favored would have her sachet hung on his belt. This way, palace servants could tell which lady was currently in favor.
But if it was kept close to the body, who would be able to see it? Wouldn't that render the effort pointless?
Prince Jin intended to remind Yu Zhu, "If you put it here, how will others know you made something for me?"
Yu Zhu was taken aback for a moment. Back at home, her mother had done the same.
Not only would the lingering fragrance surround the body when placed near the chest, but medical texts also spoke of nourishing the heart and protecting the meridians—placing the fragrant pouch near the chest carried this meaning.
"This is just fine, keeping it close to the heart."
Upon hearing this, Prince Jin's ears grew slightly warm. He assumed on his own that Yu Zhu didn't care about status or position, as long as he kept her in his heart.
This request was almost too simple.
Prince Jin set down his book, took Yu Zhu's hand, and guided her cool little fingers into his robe, feeling the hidden pocket sewn into his inner garment. He assured her, "This prince will certainly keep it safe and secure."
Yu Zhu nodded, her eyes curving into happy crescents.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
The two lingered affectionately for a while, unaware of the swirling thoughts among the servants waiting below.
Prince Jin had stayed in Yu Zhu's courtyard for two consecutive days, and it seemed he would remain today as well.
Clearly, he was quite fond of Mistress Yu.
Though the future was unpredictable, for now, Yu Zhu had undoubtedly secured her footing.
Serving a mistress with prospects, Lan Xiang felt her days held promise.
She had been standing under the eaves for a long time, holding a hand warmer. As soon as it grew slightly cool, a young maid from the outer courtyard would bring a new one to replace it.
This was Yu Zhu's instruction: since they weren't serving inside the room, and it was bitterly cold outside, keeping their hands warm was a small comfort.
Even the lowly maids in the outer courtyard had ginger tea to drink at all times.
It could be said that with Yu Zhu's generous nature, if she ever gained favor, those under her would only live better lives.
But in the inner courtyard, not everything could go as she wished.
Even now, with only Yu Zhu as the favored one, there were many eyes watching from behind.
Just waiting to drag Yu Zhu down.
As dinnertime approached, Lan Zhou came with a wooden expression to ask for instructions.
"Sister, I'm going to the kitchen."
Lan Xiang didn't respond. She couldn't afford to offend her, but leaving such a person in the courtyard was clearly not an option.
She could only guard against her meticulously.
"I'll go. You and Sister Lan Xi go attend to the mistress."
Lan Xiang walked to the outer courtyard, where Xiao Quanzi was directing several people to shovel snow.
By now, the snow had stopped falling. If the sun came out tomorrow, everything would be wet and messy, which would annoy the masters, so it had to be cleared early.
Xiao Quanzi had always been smooth-tongued. Seeing Lan Xiang's displeased expression, he hurried over.
"Who has upset my dear sister? I'll teach her a lesson!"
The two had known each other since their days in the palace. Seeing his playful manner, Lan Xiang's mood lightened slightly.
"What can you do?"
She glanced up and noticed an unfamiliar young maid waiting on the path. After a brief glance, the maid turned onto another trail and soon disappeared.
Xiao Quanzi nudged his chin toward her. "Is it that one?"
He was referring to Nanny Du, who was in charge of the inner courtyard's affairs.
Although Nanny Fu was responsible for personnel arrangements in the prince's household, the servants of the inner courtyard were only briefly reviewed by her before being handed over to Nanny Du for full training.
Before being assigned to Yu Zhu, Nanny Du had specifically called several maids for a talk, including Lan Zhou.
Lan Xiang was restless and anxious. She still hoped to distinguish herself under Yu Zhu—how could she let Lan Zhou report every detail to Nanny Du?
Xiao Quanzi saw through her thoughts and flashed a sly smile.
"Sister, don't worry. Leave this matter to me."
"You?" Lan Xiang widened her eyes. "What can you do?"
Xiao Quanzi hunched his back even lower. He was a eunuch, and the old eunuchs in the palace had taught him:
As eunuchs, they were neither men nor even fully human. They had to keep their tails tucked at all times, and their only purpose was to ease their masters' worries.
Over the years, he had grown accustomed to bowing his back and adopting a subservient posture.
Even before his youthful frame had fully developed, his back could no longer straighten.
"Sisters are too straightforward. Why must there always be a proper reason?"
As long as someone couldn't serve the mistress, wouldn't they be a useless servant?
He pursed his lips. "Sister, don't worry. Xiao Quanzi is here. Just put in a good word for me in front of Yu Shiqie in the future."
Lan Xiang continued walking slowly toward the kitchen. Without another word, the two had already reached an agreement.
Meanwhile, Nanny Du hadn't received any news from Lan Zhou.
She didn't know what method Yu Zhu had used to keep Prince Jin in her room for three days.
This prince had been known in the palace for his upright, solemn demeanor and his reticence.
He showed little interest in matters between men and women. Most princes had palace maids attending to them while still in the palace.
The empress thought he hadn't yet awakened to such matters. Although Prince Jin was only sixteen, now that he had established his own household, it was necessary for him to start a family.
If he was shy, they should find a quiet, obedient woman for Prince Jin to explore on his own.
That was why Yu Zhu had been chosen.
Obedient, timid, and straightforward—she was likely to become an unnoticed presence in the inner courtyard.
Yet clearly, the Empress had misjudged; this Yu Zhu possessed no shortage of seductive tricks.
Nanny Du dismissed the serving maids and couldn't help but ponder.
It was time to make early plans regarding this Yu Shiqie.
After some thought, she still picked up her brush and wrote a few lines, intending to send them out the next day under the pretext of making purchases.
To be delivered into the hands of the true mistress of the prince's mansion.