Seeing her like that, Zhu Man laughed. “The Crown Prince hasn’t even been decided yet. How do you know who the Emperor will ultimately appoint?”
Zhu Tianhui said, “In any case, it won’t be the Prince of Zhao. You’re so annoying; the Crown Princess definitely won’t like you either. Let’s see what you do then.”
Zhu Man gave an “Oh.” “So you came here today because you’ve set your sights on the Prince of Cheng? What? Want to be my sister-in-law?”
Zhu Tianhui’s face turned red, though it was unclear if it was from anger or embarrassment. “Zhu Man! Say that again!”
“I’ll say it if I want,” Zhu Man said nonchalantly. “The Prince of Cheng won’t be interested in an idiot like you. Give it up.”
“You…! Shut up!”
Zhu Man smiled playfully. “Didn’t you tell me to say it? Let me tell you further: Noble Consort Yu called me here today specifically to help her vet potential matches for the Prince of Cheng, to ensure he doesn’t marry someone like you. With me here, you’d better stop dreaming about impossible things.”
Zhu Tianhui was so angry her eyes turned red. Her mother had clearly said before that the Noble Consort definitely wouldn’t favor her foolish son, so Zhu Man’s life would surely be miserable after marrying into the Prince of Zhao’s manor. Meanwhile, their family could use this to latch onto the Noble Consort and eventually marry her into the Imperial Family as well. If the Prince of Cheng could ascend the throne, she would be an Empress; even if not, she would still be a Princess. Not to mention, the Prince of Cheng had a wealthy merchant for an uncle, so life would certainly be comfortable.
But after Zhu Man married in her place, not only did he not suffer, his life was actually very good! How could Noble Consort Yu truly care for a fool?
Zhu Man saw her expression change several times; he could guess what she was thinking without even trying. He couldn’t help but roll his eyes again. “Because Pan Hong’s mind is filthy, she thinks everyone else is just like her. You two learned from her and are just as annoying.”
“Zhu Man!” Zhu Tianxi shouted angrily. “You unfilial son! How can you speak of Mother like that!”
“My mother died long ago. What is Pan Hong supposed to be?” Zhu Man said. “If you want me to honor her, wait until she’s dead. When I go home to pay respects to the ancestors, I’ll stick a piece of incense in front of her memorial tablet as well.”
Zhu Tianxi was about to strike him upon hearing this. Seeing this, Zhu Man gave him a cold, sweeping glance. “Try touching me.”
Zhu Tianxi’s movement froze.
Zhu Man withdrew his gaze and said, “If not for your mother’s elaborate arrangements, how could someone of our family’s rank ever marry into the Imperial Family as a primary consort? The marriage is done now, and my life in the manor is better than you think. Even if you’re unhappy about it, you’ll just have to hold it in. If I ever see this disrespectful hand of yours extended again, I’ll twist it off.”
Zhu Tianxi knew that Zhu Man truly meant what he said. In the past, he had their father’s protection, but now Zhu Man was a Princess Consort and someone he couldn’t afford to provoke. Not daring to harass him further, a sour-faced Zhu Tianxi pulled Zhu Tianhui away.
Once the two had completely vanished, Zhu Man finally stood up to go find He Tianyun.
By this time, He Xiuxin and the others had returned and were speaking with Noble Consort Yu. Seeing him return, they stopped to greet him.
Seeing that his mood seemed much better, Noble Consort Yu asked, “Did you encounter something good?”
“Not really.” Zhu Man smiled and sat down beside He Tianyun. “What were you talking ab—”
Before he could finish his sentence, He Tianyun shoved a grape into his mouth. It was so sour his face distorted.
Seeing him like that, He Tianyun clapped his hands and laughed.
“He Tianyun!” Zhu Man shouted through gritted teeth.
He Tianyun plucked another grape for him.
Zhu Man turned his face away, refusing it.
He Tianyun then ate it himself. His face also distorted from the sourness, but after the grimace passed, he plucked another one to eat.
Zhu Man was puzzled. “Why give him such sour grapes?”
Noble Consort Yu said amusingly, “He said earlier he wanted to go find you. He was out for quite a while, didn’t find you, but brought back these grapes instead. I don’t know where he got them from.”
Zhu Man was also amused. Seeing him trying to hand over more fruit, he waved his hand. “Eat them yourself.” He then looked at the others. “What were you just talking about?”
“Talking about Tianye’s marriage,” Noble Consort Yu said. “There are a few young ladies whose family backgrounds and appearances are quite good, and their temperaments seem gentle. I’m preparing to have someone look into them.”
Hearing this, Zhu Man rubbed his nose a bit sheepishly. He seemed to have come to help as well, but in the end, they were already deciding and he hadn’t helped with anything.
Seeing this, Noble Consort Yu smiled. “You have already been a great help.”
Zhu Man noticed that when she said this, her gaze was on He Tianyun. He instantly understood and gave a helpless smile.
After sitting for a while longer, He Tianyun finally lost interest in his grapes and started fussing to go home. Since Zhu Man was also bored, they headed back together.
All along the way, He Tianyun was biting his hand. At first, Zhu Man didn’t pay it much mind, only later realizing he was feeling his teeth. He asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Gonna fall out.” He Tianyun opened his mouth toward him, showing his teeth, and pressed them with his finger.
Zhu Man looked and saw they weren’t wobbling. Confused, he asked, “Which one is falling out?”
“Just… gonna fall out.” He Tianyun said, pressing his teeth again.
Zhu Man thought for a moment and realized. Laughing, he said, “You’ve got a case of sour-teeth, haven’t you?”
“Sour-teeth?” He Tianyun looked at him in confusion.
“It means your teeth feel soft, like they’re going to fall out,” Zhu Man said helplessly. “Don’t worry about it; it’ll be fine later.”
“Oh,” He Tianyun responded, but he still couldn’t help wanting to touch them. Zhu Man could do nothing with him, so he quickly led him into the carriage and poured him a cup of tea to rinse his mouth.
Fortunately, once he was in the carriage, He Tianyun’s attention was no longer on his teeth. Instead, he poked his head out to look at the scenery. When he grew tired of looking, he turned back to talk to Zhu Man.
“Princess is very happy,” He Tianyun said.
Zhu Man glanced at him. “So you even know whether I’m happy or not?”
He Tianyun nodded, pointed at Zhu Man’s mouth, and said, “Smiled.”
So, Zhu Man curled his lips at him and said, “My mood is indeed good. My stepmother arranged this marriage originally intending to screw over my sister, but she failed. Now she doesn’t even dare to look for trouble with me. How could I not be happy?”
He Tianyun sat beside him, listening with a serious face.
Zhu Man continued, “For the sake of that, I won’t hold things against you. If you really are a fool, then fine; otherwise, you’d better act like one for the rest of your life.”
After finishing, he picked up his tea and drank.
He Tianyun reached out and pinched his cheek, secretly amused in his heart. Threatening him while saying he wouldn’t hold a grudge—what kind of unique forgiveness was this?
Zhu Man swatted his hand away and flicked the finger he had extended. “Stop being so touchy-feely. Go play by yourself.”
“Oh,” He Tianyun said, but he didn’t leave. Instead, he nudged closer to him, calling, “Princess, Princess.”
“Mm?”
He Tianyun leaned in with a grin and kissed him on the cheek, then pointed at himself.
Feeling helpless, Zhu Man also leaned in and kissed his forehead.
By the time the two returned home, it was already midday. Zhu Man didn’t have much of an appetite, so he just had someone prepare a little food before returning to the East Court.
Du Pingniang was currently in the room watering flowers. Seeing the two enter, she performed a greeting and asked with a smile, “Did the Prince and Princess have a good time?”
Zhu Man glanced at her but said nothing, only giving a nod without so much as a smile. He wasn’t fierce, but he appeared somewhat colder than usual.
Seeing this, Du Pingniang asked, “Did the Princess have a quarrel with the Prince?”
Zhu Man still shook his head. “What could I possibly quarrel with him about?”
Du Pingniang was confused. “Then the Prince must have made the Princess unhappy.”
Zhu Man still shook his head.
In truth, the moment he saw Du Pingniang, he thought of what had happened earlier and couldn’t help but wonder if she knew the truth and was also deceiving him. He knew these thoughts were somewhat unreasonable, but the moment he saw someone, that notion would spring up, and there was no stopping it.
After sitting for a while, Zhu Man suddenly stood up and began packing things.
Du Pingniang was startled. “What is the matter with the Princess?”
“Nothing,” Zhu Man said. “It just occurred to me that since the West Court is vacant, it’s time for me to move back there.”
Du Pingniang’s expression changed upon hearing this. She quickly said, “If the Princess is truly angry with the Prince, just scold him. Why think of leaving?”
Zhu Man looked at her strangely. “I lived in the West Court originally. I’m just moving back now.”
“That may be so,” Du Pingniang said hesitantly, “but the Princess has spent more days living here.”
Zhu Man: “…” He hadn’t lived in the Prince’s manor for that long in total, had he?
Seeing that he didn’t speak, Du Pingniang continued to persuade him: “The West Court is secluded with few people; living there certainly won’t be as comfortable as the East Court. The Princess should stay here.”
Zhu Man opened his mouth, wanting to say something more, but Du Pingniang came forward with another round of persuasion, effectively blocking all his words. Zhu Man was forced to give up, though he remained somewhat gloomy.
Seeing him like this, Du Pingniang said softly, “If the Princess feels bored, why not go out for a stroll?”
“What is there to see?” Zhu Man sighed. “Although this manor is large, there are only a few places one can go.” Especially to avoid He Tianyun getting hurt while playing, many places in the manor lacked decorations. If not for the beautifully tended flowers and plants, it would look bare at a glance.
Du Pingniang smiled and said, “There is a lantern festival in the city these few days. The Princess could go and see.”
Zhu Man’s eyes lit up. “That’s fine too. I haven’t been for a long time.”
Du Pingniang found this a bit strange. “Did the Princess not go before? This kind of lantern festival should be what young people like most. The Prince goes every time.”
Zhu Man rubbed his cheek a bit awkwardly and said, “When I was very young, my sister was almost snatched away by a kidnapper. Since then, I haven’t dared to take her to crowded places. If she isn’t going, it wouldn’t be right for me to go…”
Du Pingniang frowned. “Was no one following?”
Zhu Man curled his lip. “We sneaked out.”
Du Pingniang sighed. “Then I will send word over there. If the young miss wants to go, have the guards follow; she won’t get lost.”
Zhu Man’s eyes immediately crinkled into a smile, and he nodded. “I want to go see her tomorrow.”
“We have to enter the palace tomorrow,” Du Pingniang said. “How about we tell the Consort and arrange another seat?”
Zhu Man shook his head. “She’s shy and doesn’t like those kinds of crowded occasions. I’ll go over in the morning, have lunch with her, and come back. It’ll be fine.”
Du Pingniang nodded. “Then will the young miss be going home tomorrow night, or…?”
“I don’t know.” Zhu Man thought for a moment. “I don’t want her to go back. Ever since Grandmother left, the reunion dinners at home have been miserably unpleasant.”
Du Pingniang thought for a moment and said hesitantly, “I recall the Princess’s grandmother isn’t…”
“She’s still around,” Zhu Man explained. “My father and eldest uncle had a falling out and split the family. They originally agreed to support her together, with her living at each place for two months. But my grandmother doesn’t like my stepmother; after staying twice, she stopped coming.”
Du Pingniang understood and, after some thought, said, “Why not send the young miss to the Old Lady’s place?”
Zhu Man shook his head. “Forget it. On such a rare good day, I won’t go and disturb my eldest uncle’s family.”
Du Pingniang then said, “Then we can also have Jingxin go over. On such a day, it’s always more comfortable to have someone familiar around.”
Zhu Man thought that since Chun Cao was here and Jingxin likely wouldn’t follow him into the palace anyway, he nodded. “I’ll tell him later.”
As soon as he finished speaking, He Tianyun came running in from outside, cradling two large pumpkins. He placed them in front of Zhu Man with a thump.
Zhu Man looked at him in confusion.
He Tianyun didn’t answer. He ran to the dressing table, took some rouge from Zhu Man’s cosmetic box, and returned to start smearing it onto the pumpkins.
Zhu Man was even more confused.
But He Tianyun was smearing quite happily. After a while, perhaps feeling the color was too plain, he went and got some ink to smear on top.