For the next few days, Jin Wang did not visit the rear courtyard again. When the women there saw that he had not returned to Qingya Courtyard, they assumed he had merely been seeking a bit of novelty, and the rear courtyard returned to its usual tranquility.
Bai Fei Wan, meanwhile, continued to nest in her small courtyard, practicing calligraphy, embroidering, and drawing design sketches. With the addition of a small kitchen, Zi Zhu also made her many delicious things to eat every day. Life was exceedingly comfortable, and it felt like she was back home in Qingyang County.
The only issue was that she still hadn’t figured out what to do with Xiaoqin and Xiaqiu. She was afraid that if she sent these two away, two more just like them would arrive. This matter had to be handled slowly.
In the front courtyard, Jin Wang had been focused on the paper-making experiment ever since leaving Qingya Courtyard. After several days of work, the paper was successfully produced.
Looking at the snow-white paper in his hand, Jin Wang was delighted. “To think we’ve truly created such a white paper. This is truly a great thing that will benefit the nation and its people. Bai Shiqie has rendered a great service this time.”
Jiang Shun also offered his congratulations from the side. “Indeed, Your Highness. This paper is truly, truly fine.”
Just then, the men who had been sent to investigate Bai Fei Wan happened to return.
Jin Wang held the information Ying Yi and his men had gathered. Bai Fei Wan’s background was simple, as was her family, which consisted of just her parents and four older brothers. Her parents on both sides had passed away, and her four brothers were two sets of twins.
The information confirmed that her neighbor had once worked in a paper mill, and she had gone to this neighbor to learn how to make paper. This set Jin Wang’s mind at ease.
“This Prince will now enter the palace to inform Father Emperor about the paper,” he said, heading outside.
Jiang Shun hurried to follow.
In the Imperial Palace, inside the imperial study, the Emperor wrote a few characters on the paper. Looking at the sheet in his hand, he said, “Not bad, not bad at all. This is truly fine paper.”
He walked over to Xiao Yuchen, clapped him on the shoulder, and laughed heartily. “Huai Jin, you truly are remarkable, to have developed such excellent paper. This is truly a deed that will benefit the nation and its people.”
The more the Emperor looked, the more pleased he became. This was his and Shu’er’s son, his favorite son.
“Father Emperor, this was not developed by your son.”
Hearing Huai Jin say he hadn’t developed it himself, the Emperor asked curiously, “Oh? Then who did?”
Huai Jin was the courtesy name the Emperor had given Jin Wang, and in private, he always called Xiao Yuchen by it.
“It was a consort from my mansion.”
Hearing that a consort had developed this paper, the Emperor was somewhat incredulous.
If he didn’t know that his son was not one to be swayed by beauty, the Emperor would have suspected he was saying this just to elevate the consort’s status.
“Oh? Then this consort is quite capable, to have created such fine paper. Zhen must reward her handsomely. Tell me what she desires; as long as it is not excessive, Zhen can grant it.”
“There is no need, Father Emperor. Your son has already rewarded her.”
“Your reward is your own. It doesn’t conflict with the reward Zhen gives her. For creating such fine paper, she deserves two rewards.”
“She herself said she does not want anyone to know the paper is connected to her.” For some reason, Jin Wang wanted Bai Fei Wan to leave a good impression on his Father Emperor.
This time, the Emperor’s interest was truly piqued. “Why? Is this not a good thing? Could there be some hidden reason?”
“I have already had someone investigate. There are no issues; she did indeed develop it. She said she is merely a consort and does not wish to stand out too much.”
Seeing that he had already investigated, it seemed he had been overthinking things. His son still had no interest in women, much less would he do such a thing for one.
“She is a rare, sensible one. Since she does not want the credit, then just reward her with some money in private.”
Xiao Yuchen bowed to the Emperor. “Your son thanks Father Emperor on her behalf.”
“She is your person, and she created this paper, so the credit will be yours. The subsequent production of the paper will also be entirely in your hands. You may take twenty percent of the profits.”
“Yes. Thank you, Father Emperor.”
“There is no need for such courtesy between us father and son. You haven’t gone to see your mother consort since entering the palace, have you? It’s almost time for the evening meal. Go and accompany her for dinner before you leave. Zhen still has matters to attend to and will go over later.”
“Very well. Your son takes his leave.” With that, he walked out.
It was already the hour of Xu when he returned to the Prince’s mansion. Jin Wang thought of the gold and silver jewelry the Emperor had bestowed upon Bai Fei Wan and considered delivering it to her, but he quickly dismissed the idea.
If he went over now, the people in the mansion would surely start troubling her again tomorrow. The last time she had served him in bed, they had called for water three times, and he heard that someone had gone to make trouble for her the very next day.
Seeing as she was behaving herself and had even generously handed over the secret paper recipe, he would protect her a little more.
It seemed the two maids in her courtyard ought to be replaced. Otherwise, it would be inconvenient for him to even visit her.
Thus, for the next several days, Jin Wang came to the rear courtyard. He first went to Consort Dong’s residence, then to the three secondary consorts’, and finally to Consort Chen’s and Consort Su’s before at last arriving at Bai Fei Wan’s courtyard.
When he reached Qingya Courtyard, Bai Fei Wan was playing on a swing. Seeing Jin Wang arrive, her eyes lit up, and she immediately got up to curtsy. “This servant greets Your Highness with a Qing An.”
Jin Wang stepped forward and took Bai Fei Wan’s hand. Looking at the radiant, smiling girl before him, he felt she had grown even more beautiful, possessing an even greater charm.
“This Prince recalls there was no swing here the last time I came. Continue playing; this Prince will push you.” So saying, he led Bai Fei Wan to the swing.
Bai Fei Wan sat back down on the swing and said happily, “Your Highness, you have such a good memory. This servant just had it installed. My family home used to have a swing too, so I had one put in the courtyard.”
Jin Wang pushed from behind, watching the happy person on the swing. She really was just a child, at an age where she loved to play. This was good. He only hoped she would remain this innocent and never change; if so, he would ensure she lived her life in peace.
Jin Wang thought he should still ask Bai Fei Wan’s opinion on replacing the two maids. “Have you thought about changing your two maids? I see that two of them do not seem to serve you with much dedication.”
Hearing this, Bai Fei Wan stopped the swing and turned her head back in surprise, her voice filled with delight. She had been wondering how she could possibly replace Xiaoqin and Xiaqiu. This was simply like someone delivering a pillow just as she was getting sleepy.
“Is Your Highness going to arrange for new maids for me?”
“You trust the people this Prince arranges for you so readily? Aren’t you afraid this Prince will be spying on you?”
Bai Fei Wan replied casually, “I’m not afraid. I don’t have any secrets that you can’t know.”
Hearing her say this, Jin Wang was very pleased. “Very well, then. This Prince will arrange for two people for you.”
Bai Fei Wan hesitated. “Then what reason should we use to replace them? We can’t just switch them out for no reason. The Wangfei will question me about it.”
“You don’t need to worry about that. I will handle it.”
Bai Fei Wan said sweetly, “Alright, alright! Thank you, Your Highness. You are so good to me.”
Jin Wang gently tapped her nose. “It’s good that you know. As long as you are a little more obedient, this Prince will be even better to you.”
“Mhm, mhm. This servant will definitely be obedient.”
“Father Emperor has rewarded you with some things. This Prince has brought them for you.” He gestured to Jiang Shun.
Jiang Shun quickly stepped forward and handed the box in his hands to Jin Wang.
When Bai Fei Wan heard that the Emperor had rewarded her, her first reaction was not joy, but worry. “Did Your Highness tell the Emperor?”
Jin Wang took the box, hearing the worry and fear in her voice. “Rest assured, Father Emperor’s reward was given in private. It’s just some money, nothing more. No one knows. This Prince thought that your small kitchen now requires money, so I accepted it on your behalf.
“This Prince knows what you want. This Prince promises you, as long as you are obedient, this Prince will protect you completely.”
Bai Fei Wan nodded vigorously. “Mhm, this servant will definitely be obedient. Thank you for the Emperor’s reward, and thank you, Your Highness.”
At the same time, Bai Fei Wan’s impression of Jin Wang improved considerably. He could have told the Emperor nothing, and since she herself had said she didn’t want anyone to know, he could have easily claimed her achievement as his own. But he had still told the truth.
Jin Wang gave a devilish smile. “Thanking this Prince? Then you’d better perform well tonight. How about we learn five knowledge points today?”
Thinking of that Fire Prevention Diagram, Bai Fei Wan’s face flushed red in an instant. She said in a delicate voice, “Your Highness~ Could you please return that book to this servant?”
“Haven’t you already finished reading it? Once this Prince has read it, we can study it together. That way, the impression will be deeper, and we can put what we’ve learned into practice.”
Noticing that the meal had been set out, he said, “Let’s go. Time to eat. After we eat, we can go and have our discussion.” With that, he pulled Bai Fei Wan toward the dining table.
Jin Wang watched as Bai Fei Wan put down her chopsticks after only a few bites. “You eat so little. Eat more, or you’ll have no energy later tonight.”
Bai Fei Wan said shyly, “Your Highness, this servant is full. I ate many desserts before you arrived. You should eat more too.”
Jin Wang gave her a mischievous look. “Don’t worry. This Prince will have plenty of energy even without eating.”
…Bai Fei Wan said no more.
That night, the two shared a great harmony of life. It was another day where Bai Fei Wan fainted from exhaustion.