In the study of the front courtyard, Jin Wang sat down at his desk, spread out the drawing paper he held, and examined it with a careful touch. The paper was fine, smooth, and bright—better than Xuan paper.
He looked at the artwork again. The lines were fluid, sketching out a vivid and lifelike image that seemed ready to leap off the page. The color palette was also well-conceived. Soft light projected onto the paper, adding a warm and dreamlike atmosphere to the scene. The play of light and shadow made the ordinary scenery exceptionally beautiful.
“Jiang Shun, come and look at this paper.”
Jiang Shun leaned in and gently stroked the paper. “Your Highness, this paper is of superior quality. This servant has never seen such fine paper before. It feels so delicate and smooth.”
Noticing the slight upward curl of the prince’s lips as he gazed at the painting, Jiang Shun added, “This servant also thinks Bai Zhuzi’s painting skills are excellent. It’s so realistic, one might mistake it for the small garden being moved into the study. No wonder that maid praised Bai Zhuzi so much. This servant thinks what the maid said was absolutely true.”
Hearing Jiang Shun’s words, the corners of Jin Wang’s mouth lifted a little more. “Praising her like that, did she give you some benefit?”
“Aiyo, Your Highness, you wrong this servant. This servant is speaking the truth.”
Remembering the scene in the garden earlier, he said with a smile, “You’d better not praise her to her face. She’s someone who can’t take a compliment. You saw how that maid praised her a few times today, and she completely lost her bearings. Judging by the way that maid’s praises just roll off her tongue, her master must be someone who likes to be complimented.”
Jiang Shun stood by his side, smiling without replying, and Jin Wang didn’t mind.
His fingers tapped intermittently on the desk. Thinking of the paper, he said, “Ying Yi, have someone investigate Consort Bai. Be thorough.”
“Have this painting mounted. Be careful not to damage it,” he said, handing the painting to Jiang Shun.
“Yes,” Jiang Shun stepped forward and carefully accepted the artwork.
Jin Wang continued to look over the memorials on his desk.
Finally finished with his work, Jin Wang stood up from his desk and stretched his neck. “What time is it now?”
“Your Highness, it is the beginning of youshi.”
“Perfect. Let’s go to Qingya Courtyard and dine with Consort Bai,” he said, and started walking out.
Jiang Shun hurried to follow.
Meanwhile, in Qingya Courtyard, Bai Fei Wan was lying on a chaise lounge in the courtyard, her eyes closed as she bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun. If not for the occasional flutter of the fan in her hand, one might have thought she was asleep.
When Ziyu returned with the food container, this was the scene she saw. The setting sun slanted across the person lying on the chaise lounge, a truly stunning sight.
She placed the dishes on the stone table in the courtyard. “Master, it’s time to eat.”
“Alright.” With that, she rose and walked to the stone table. Looking at the usual spread of green vegetables, Bai Fei Wan’s face turned even greener than the dishes on the table.
She pointed to one of the dishes. “Ziyu, take this for you all to eat.”
Ziyu didn’t object. She had grown accustomed to her master’s ways over the past two months. She took the dish to eat with Zi Zhu and the others.
Only then did Bai Fei Wan begin to eat slowly. After eating vegetarian food for so long, Bai Fei Wan lamented, “Alas, the depravity of it all. Forcing a perfectly good person to be a rabbit.” After saying this, she shoveled a large mouthful of rice into her mouth.
“Oh? This Prince was unaware you were so versatile. A little fairy in the morning, and a rabbit by evening.” Before the words had even faded, Jin Wang appeared at the courtyard gate.
Startled by the sudden appearance, Bai Fei Wan choked on a mouthful of rice. She hurriedly pounded her chest with one hand while reaching for the soup on the table with the other.
Seeing her state, Jin Wang also rushed forward to pat her back. “Are you alright?”
Finally recovering, Bai Fei Wan waved her hand. “I’m fine.” She had even forgotten her proper form of address, simply saying “I.”
Seeing that she was alright, Jin Wang said, “You’re a grown woman, yet you still manage to choke while eating.”
Bai Fei Wan really wanted to roll her eyes at him, but she didn’t dare. She feigned delight. “This consort was just so happy to see Your Highness that I…”
Hearing the voices outside, the few maids eating in a small side room hurried out and knelt. “Your servants greet Your Highness.”
“So happy? Didn’t I say this morning that I would come to see you?”
Bai Fei Wan said joyfully, “Yes, I’m very happy. I thought Your Highness was just being polite.”
“This Prince has no need to be polite with you.”
Bai Fei Wan understood the implication: her status wasn’t high enough to warrant the prince coaxing her with words.
“Yes, Your Highness is an upright gentleman and naturally keeps his word.”
Seeing that Jin Wang wasn’t angry, Bai Fei Wan tentatively said, “Your Highness, this consort’s maids are still kneeling.”
“You are rather kind-hearted,” Jin Wang glanced at Bai Fei Wan. Then he added, “All of you, rise.”
Remembering she had been eating, he then looked at the dishes on the table, and his face darkened. “Is this all you eat every day?”
Jiang Shun, watching from the side, felt his heart skip a beat. These stewards were truly courting death. No matter how out of favor Consort Bai was, she was still a master, not someone they could mistreat.
“No.”
Hearing this, Jin Wang’s expression softened slightly. But then he heard Bai Fei Wan continue, “There was another plate of green vegetables, which I gave to Ziyu and the others.”
Hearing Bai Fei Wan’s words, Jin Wang’s face grew even darker. He said nothing more, only instructing Jiang Shun, “Serve the meal.”
Bai Fei Wan watched the change in Jin Wang’s expression, inwardly blooming with joy. After eating greens for so long, it was time for him to help her seek justice. Outwardly, however, her face remained impassive.
“Has Your Highness not eaten yet?”
“No,” he said, sitting down at the stone table. “You sit as well.”
After they sat, they faced each other in silence. Fortunately, it wasn’t long before the food was brought over.
Looking at the dishes on the table—ah, so many dishes, and they looked so delicious.
Seeing the woman before him staring at the food with shining eyes, Jin Wang’s mood improved considerably.
“Add another set of bowl and chopsticks. You eat as well.” The first sentence was directed at Jiang Shun, the second at Bai Fei Wan.
“Does Your Highness need me to serve you food?”
Although she asked, she showed no intention of getting up.
“No need. Eat your food.”
“Yes, thank you, Your Highness.”
Eating these dishes, Bai Fei Wan felt as if she were in another lifetime. It was too delicious.
She suddenly felt that her past self had been too pretentious, always eating just a tiny bit at every meal. Now, seeing these dishes, she felt she could eat a whole cow.
In reality, however, after finishing one bowl of rice, Bai Fei Wan was already stuffed.
Seeing that Bai Fei Wan had stopped eating, Jin Wang also put down his chopsticks.
Noticing Jin Wang put down his chopsticks, she asked, “Is Your Highness not eating anymore?”
“Mm, I’m full.”
Bai Fei Wan saw that he hadn’t eaten much and thought to herself: He’s so tall but eats so little. No wonder he looks so thin.
Seeing her staring at him blankly, he said, “Accompany this Prince for a walk in the courtyard.” With that, he stood up and walked towards the garden.
“Oh, oh, alright.” She immediately got up and followed.
“How did you make that paper?”
Hearing Jin Wang’s question, Bai Fei Wan briefly explained the production steps.
“Does Your Highness intend to produce this paper?”
“Yes. The quality of this paper is good. This Prince wants to produce it on a large scale. What do you think?”
“Of course. It would be great to have this paper mass-produced. This consort will write down the method for you in a moment.”
Hearing Bai Fei Wan agree without a second thought, Jin Wang was slightly stunned. He then turned to face her.
Jin Wang had thought she would use this opportunity to negotiate terms with him. He had even prepared himself to obtain the method no matter what, but he hadn’t expected her to agree so directly.
Seeing her agree so readily, Jin Wang’s tone softened. “Rest assured, once the paper is in mass production, this Prince will inform my Imperial Father and request credit for you. The Emperor will reward you then.”
Hearing Jin Wang’s words, Bai Fei Wan quickly waved her hands. “Ah, no, you don’t have to. Please don’t tell the Emperor. This consort doesn’t want anyone to know that I provided the method.”
Jin Wang’s mind turned suspicious. Could it be that this wasn’t her own method, which is why she didn’t want anyone to know? At this thought, his voice grew colder as he asked, “Why?”
Sensing the change in Jin Wang’s tone, Bai Fei Wan’s voice turned melancholic. “When one’s own ability is not enough for self-preservation, the favor and rewards of a superior are both a blessing and a curse. This consort has no great ambitions. I only wish to live out my life peacefully and quietly in the Prince’s mansion.”
Jin Wang hadn’t expected this to be the reason. Both a blessing and a curse? Thinking of himself, he realized it was indeed so.
Looking at Bai Fei Wan at this moment, Jin Wang felt even more tenderly towards her. He stepped forward and took her hand. “Alright, this Prince understands. If you don’t want the Emperor’s reward, then tell me what you desire. This Prince will grant it.”
Hearing this, Bai Fei Wan tentatively asked, “Then, could this consort apply for a small kitchen for Qingya Courtyard?”
A consort of her rank was not permitted to have a small kitchen. But the benefits of producing the paper were many, and he couldn’t let her be at too much of a disadvantage. Thinking again of the meals she had been eating, he agreed to her request. “Alright.”
Seeing Jin Wang agree, Bai Fei Wan excitedly rushed forward and hugged him. “Really? Thank you, Your Highness! You are so good.”
Looking at the little figure who had taken the initiative to hug him, so happy over a small kitchen, he thought to himself that she was truly an easily satisfied person.
“Alright, it’s getting late. Let’s retire for the night,” he said, pulling Bai Fei Wan towards the bedroom.