She took a paired-bloom begonia hairpin from the jewelry box and said, “Replace the white jade hairpin.”
Seeing the brightly colored begonia hairpin, Manqiu hesitated and reminded her, “Princess Consort, Her Majesty the Empress prefers ladies with a gentle and delicate appearance.”
Wen Jinhe glanced back at Manqiu, her slender fingers brushing her own soft, flawless cheek. “This princess was born stunning. Even if I wore nothing but a simple peachwood pin, it still wouldn’t hide my unmatched beauty. Besides, what does it matter if the Empress dislikes it? As long as the Prince likes it, isn’t that enough?”
Manqiu lowered her gaze and quickly removed the jade hairpin, replacing it with the begonia hair ornament. “The Princess is right. It was my oversight.”
Mandong came in holding four types of pastries. “Princess Consort, breakfast is ready.”
Wen Jinhe tasted one piece of each of the four pastries, then said, “Too sweet. Tell the kitchen to reduce the sugar in future.”
Mandong: “Yes.”
Wen Jinhe stepped out of the room and looked at the ancient-style buildings around the courtyard.
Since she was here, she might as well settle down. After all, she was a princess consort now, and Li Junche seemed reasonably easy to get along with. She might as well live comfortably.
Li Junche, who had already waited at the gate for a quarter of an hour, was growing impatient. “Go check whether the Princess Consort is ready,” he ordered.
Just as he finished speaking, a figure in bright red appeared around the corner, walking straight toward him.
“Your Highness, a woman dresses for the one she wishes to please. Even waiting an hour is only natural.” Wen Jinhe wore a flowing floor-length gown of smoky-red mulberry silk embroidered with peonies, the peach-blossom mark between her brows adding even more charm.
Manqiu supported Wen Jinhe into the carriage.
Murong Nie stole a glance at his master—unable to read even a trace of expression.
Inside the carriage, Wen Jinhe and Li Junche sat on opposite sides.
Wen Jinhe lifted the curtain and peeked curiously at the streets outside. It was all so fresh to her, not much different from what she’d seen on television dramas.
“Prince, how long until we reach the palace?”
Li Junche opened his eyes and looked at her. “About half an hour.”
Wen Jinhe raised a brow. Not far at all. She looked at him again, his face serious. “Your Highness, why don’t you tell me whom we’ll be meeting?”
Li Junche asked, “You didn’t investigate the royal family of Northern Di before coming here?”
Wen Jinhe propped one elbow on the carriage couch and leaned close to his ear. “No one taught me, so naturally I didn’t do any homework.”
Her warm breath brushed the back of his ear, making him uncomfortable. His brows tightened. “We’ll be paying respects to my father the Emperor and the Empress in her palace. Princess Qinbao might also be there.”
“I have an elder brother and a younger brother. You have yet to meet my elder brother Li Yuheng. As for my third brother, Li Zhilin, you already saw him yesterday during the wedding-night teasing.”
Wen Jinhe rubbed her forehead, recalling it with mild annoyance. “Your Highness was too dazzling yesterday. My eyes didn’t have room for anyone else. All I remember is that the third prince’s voice sounded… rather frivolous.”
Li Junche turned his gaze away from her and out the window. “My third brother likes beautiful women.”
Wen Jinhe’s lips curved upward. “Your Highness also thinks I’m beautiful?”
The fingers resting on Li Junche’s knee twitched slightly. He simply shut his mouth and refused to respond. Where had this woman learned to speak so playfully?
Seeing the red tinge on his ears, Wen Jinhe smiled without speaking. Teasing a handsome man felt quite delightful!
The carriage reached the palace gates without delay.
A quarter-hour later, Li Junche stood up. “We must walk from here.”
Wen Jinhe got down from the carriage and extended her hand toward him, her eyes curved prettily.
Manqiu, who was stepping forward to help, quietly halted.
The eunuchs nearby lowered their heads, not daring to look.
Li Junche hesitated briefly, then reached out.
Her palm was slender and dainty, but not soft—slightly roughened.
It must be because she had lived in the Cold Palace doing rough labor for many years.
After stepping down from the carriage, Wen Jinhe did not release Li Junche’s hand. Instead, she intertwined her fingers with his, her thumb gently rubbing against his knuckles.
Li Junche’s shoulders stiffened. He immediately pulled his hand away and placed it behind him, his pace quickening.
Entering Changle Palace, they saw a man and woman seated at the highest place.
The bright yellow garments were colors only the Emperor and Empress could wear.
“Your son greets Father Emperor and Mother Empress.”
“Your daughter-in-law greets Father Emperor and Mother Empress.”
The Emperor of Northern Di, Li Jingxing, said, “Rise.”
“Thank you, Father Emperor.”
The Empress looked at Wen Jinhe and smiled gently. “This princess from the Lin Yue Kingdom truly has fine looks. Standing with our Che’er, the two of you make a handsome couple.”
Wen Jinhe bent her knees slightly. “Thank you, Mother Empress, for the praise.”
The Emperor turned to Li Junche. “It seems you are not wronged by this marriage. Are you satisfied with this match?”
Li Junche cupped his hands. “Since it is a marriage decreed by Father Emperor, your son is very satisfied.”
When they departed, the Emperor and Empress bestowed Wen Jinhe several bolts of fine silk and gold and silver jewelry.
The Emperor then spoke softly to the Empress. “It seems Che’er still minds this marriage.”
The Empress comforted him gently. “Among the three princes, only the Second Prince has no official consort. This was a matter of necessity.”
Their attendant eunuch whispered from the side, “When they got off the carriage earlier, Prince Che personally helped the Princess Consort down. The two held hands. Their relationship seems quite good.”
“Is that so? That is… unusual.” Li Jingxing’s gaze grew complicated.
Walking together in the vast palace grounds, Wen Jinhe shot a sidelong glance at Li Junche.
Everyone in Northern Di knew what kind of background she had. A ‘handsome couple’? That remark practically lowered Li Junche’s worth.
Though she planned to live lazily in this era, she couldn’t remain ignorant. She still needed to gather information.
Upon returning to the Prince’s Residence, Li Junche went straight to the study.
Reclining on the couch, Wen Jinhe looked at Manqiu and Mandong and asked, “Among the three princes, is our Prince the least favored?”
Manqiu and Mandong instantly stiffened, unsure how to respond.
“Just tell the truth. I’m new to Northern Di. I should at least understand something.”
Manqiu bowed her head and said, “Our Prince has great military achievements and is highly respected in court. However, because his birth mother, Consort Yun, died early, he has no one supporting him in the palace.”
“The First Prince is the Empress’s legitimate son and naturally holds the highest status. The Third Prince is born of Noble Consort Zhang and is quite favored.”
Wen Jinhe asked, “And Princess Qinbao?”
Manqiu replied, “She is also born of the Empress and is the only princess of Northern Di.”
Wen Jinhe rested her chin on her hand. “Does your Prince have any concubines or secondary consorts?”
Li Junche looked old enough. It was unlikely he had never had a woman.
Manqiu quickly answered, “None. There has only been you, the Princess Consort, as the sole mistress of the residence.”
Wen Jinhe asked, “How old is the Prince this year?”
Mandong replied, “Twenty-six.”
In ancient times, reaching such an age without a wife or concubines was rare.
Judging from his physique, he certainly didn’t seem… incapable.
After lunch, Wen Jinhe summoned Butler Li.
“Butler Li,” she said as she lounged sideways on the couch, “arrange two guards for me—good at martial arts… and handsome.”
Cold sweat appeared on his forehead. Guards with good skills made sense—but handsome?
After leaving the courtyard, he paused at the gate, hesitating.
Then he headed to the study and knocked on the door.