Half a fried dough stick later, Muxue stopped, satisfied.
Rong'er, attending to her side, handed her a warm towel to wipe her hands. Behind her, two little maidservants carrying a basin of fragrant soap stepped forward a couple of paces.
By the time the consort, Dorji, arrived, Muxue had resumed her posture as a dignified princess.
Muxue had originally been a bit worried about sharing a table with someone she didn't know well, fearing they would have to exchange nonsensical pleasantries that would ruin her enjoyment of the food.
Fortunately, Dorji didn't say much. Perhaps it was a habit from the military, but he ate quickly, finishing in just a few bites.
After a moment's thought, Muxue said, "Consort, you seem to have a habit of morning exercise, and I might wake up a bit late. In the future, there is no need to wait to eat together. When you wish to summon a meal, just speak directly to the Imperial Kitchen."
Dorji glanced at her, feeling somewhat amused.
She clearly didn't want to face him every day at meals, yet she insisted on coming up with such a high-sounding excuse.
The way her eyes darted about with cleverness reminded him of a wild rabbit on the grasslands.
With a temperament like that, if one got too close, wouldn't she just leap up and bolt away?
He nodded. "Very well. I see that with me here, the Princess seems to eat less. That would be my fault. Rest assured, Princess, I will not cling to you all day."
As his words fell, he rose nimbly, cupped his hands in a salute toward Muxue, and walked out.
Muxue breathed a sigh of relief. Her upright posture immediately slumped, and she continued her breakfast in a very relaxed manner.
After finishing her meal, performing the Ancestor Worship and Incense Burning, and encouraging the two Steward Matrons to prepare diligently for the upcoming banquet, Muxue finally had time to patrol her small territory.
The princess's residence in the twilight held a different kind of tenderness.
The four-entry courtyard was divided into the east, middle, and west routes. There wasn't much to say about the main hall of the middle route; it was only used for major holidays and events. The east route consisted mostly of rooms, with a Council Hall at the very front, followed by a room dedicated to Ancestor Worship and Incense Burning, and then the Residential Compound, which was intended for future little masters but was currently vacant.
Muxue pondered over turning one of the rooms into a dedicated Study Room. She had brought many things from the palace—a full carriage of books, calligraphy, and paintings. They could be displayed here perfectly.
The courtyard of the west route had a partition wall and a Side Gate opened on the side to facilitate the consort's coming and going. If she wanted, she could simply close the Inner Gate of the west courtyard, effectively isolating the consort's living quarters completely. However, they were still newlyweds, after all; doing so would be a bit too much.
Further back was a Rear Garden, small and delicate, complete with flowing water, rockeries, and strange stones. Although it was winter and the flowers and plants were not lush, a green pine and a cypress tree provided some greenery for the season.
Muxue walked along the Patterned Bricks with light footsteps. She climbed the rockery and looked back at the entire residence from the height. It was now time to light the lamps, and everywhere the shadows of the lights reached was the territory of the princess's residence.
She watched quietly, her heart filled with joy.
This was her house, her home!
It turned out that walking in a house that belonged solely to herself felt so triumphant.
It was wonderful, truly wonderful.
Muxue walked around the princess's residence three times. Whenever she saw something she didn't like, she ordered people to change it.
The wooden furniture was too hard; prepare more cotton chair and back cushions—she wanted a soft feeling when she sat down. The interior of the Bedchamber was too old-fashioned; change to green Curtains, and the furniture should be lighter in color…
Even though she knew she wouldn't stay here forever, she was willing to take the trouble to change things into the style she liked.
It was strange; when she lived in the palace before, she never had such thoughts at all.
Recalling those days, she always felt they were like a handkerchief—a handkerchief dried indoors on a gloomy day, permeated by a damp vapor.
The Forbidden City was large, but for the individual, it was small.
In Yikun Palace alone, besides the primary mistress Yi Fei, there lived one Concubine, one Noble Lady, and two Attendants. Although they each had their own rooms, being under the same roof inevitably made things restrictive.
If she ordered something extra to eat or changed a piece of furniture today, most of the other ladies in the palace would know by tomorrow.
Muxue was someone with a very strong sense of boundaries and hated this feeling. She chose to do nothing and go with the flow so she wouldn't be noticed or discussed.
Now it was better. This large princess's residence was all hers, except for that small courtyard used by the consort.
Here, she was the boss. There were no parents or in-laws. Whatever she said went. How could she not be happy?
Over the next few days, Muxue completely let herself go, experiencing a leisurely joy akin to that after a major exam.
Mama Zhao had asked if she wanted to gather the servants for a lecture or the like, but she pushed it off, saying they would do it later.
She had just finished her "exams"; wasn't she allowed to relax for a couple of days?
Rest for a few days first, then talk later.
It was so comfortable that when she went to the palace for the Return Visit Ritual, even Yi Fei smiled upon seeing her. "Oh, haven't seen you for a few days, and Fourth Girl is truly radiant."
Muxue just smiled. "Really?"
Yi Fei raised a hand to pinch her cheek. "Yes. It seems you and the consort are getting along well?"
It didn't actually have much to do with the consort, but it was hard to explain, so Muxue just nodded vaguely.
"In that case, I can feel a bit more at ease."
They chatted about personal matters and Yi Fei asked about the situation at the residence. Yi Fei got a general idea. She was happy for her, but also found it a bit funny.
This Fourth Girl was smart, but she was a bit lax. Before the wedding, she had studied seriously for many days and looked like she was going to strive for excellence, but now that her life was happy, she didn't mention managing the household or socializing at all.
However, for a princess, it wasn't a big deal. As long as she lived happily, it was fine.
When the time came, a female official came to remind them, and Muxue took her leave.
With Chinese New Year only a month away, they would meet in the palace again soon, so there was no sense of sorrow in parting.
The weather grew colder and colder. In the Bedchamber of the princess's residence, the Arhat Bed was covered with a thick layer of cushions plus a layer of white Wool Blanket, warm and soft. Muxue sat cross-legged on top with a cushion behind her waist. On the Small Kang Table, the Begonia Flower Patterned Box was filled with melon seeds, dried fruits, and preserves.
The Red Clay Small Stove was steaming. Rong'er stirred the milk tea in the Coarse Pottery Jar and asked, "Princess, are we really putting in sugar?"
"Put it in!" Muxue said indistinctly while taking a bite of a dried persimmon.
She had wanted to make Sweet Milk Tea for a long time. The Imperial Palace had always had the habit of drinking milk tea, but it was always Salty Milk Tea, the kind with a layer of oil floating on top. It wasn't that it tasted bad, but Muxue had drunk sweet milk tea before transmigrating. When eating it as a dessert or sweet soup, her sense of taste would stubbornly seek out that original feeling.
Receiving the order, Rong'er immediately put in two small pieces of Brown Sugar and also sprinkled in some Osmanthus Sauce.
The brown sugar slowly melted, the milk tea turned a deeper caramel color, and it emitted a floral fragrance.
With a cup of hot sweet osmanthus milk tea in hand, Muxue was incredibly content. She instructed Rong'er that next time, the Imperial Kitchen should use Cassava Flour to rub into Small Balls and simmer them in brown sugar to put in as Sweet Milk Tea Toppings.
Mama Zhao and Nanny Wu came in to report on matters. Muxue smilingly bestowed a cup of sweet milk tea on each of them.
"It's cold outside, isn't it? Have something hot first to warm your stomach."
The two thanked her. After tasting it, they spoke of official business.
Mama Zhao was in charge of the guest list. She said, "All the invitations have received replies. Except for Heshuo Kechun Princess, people from every other residence will come. The Kechun Princess's side said she thanks the Princess for her kindness, but she has been unwell lately and fears passing on her illness. However, she has prepared a congratulatory gift for you."
Muxue nodded. She never really remembered the names of these relatives, only vaguely recalling she was a Grand Aunt.
"Is her health poor?" Muxue asked casually. "Should we also send some Ginseng?"
Mama Zhao's expression was a bit strange. "That's not it. The Princess has always been like this; she hasn't gone out for a long time."
Beside her, Nanny Wu muttered in a low voice, "It's better if she doesn't come."
Muxue heard her and found it strange. "Why do you say that?"
After all these years together, Muxue understood her matron quite well. Although she was a bit petty, she was a good person and wouldn't speak ill of others without reason.
Nanny Wu lowered her voice. "It's just that you're a newlywed; it's a bad omen."
Seeing Muxue's still confused expression, she asked, "No, Princess, do you really have no impression of her?"
Muxue shook her head.
In the past, she didn't even bother to socialize with the ladies in the palace, let alone relatives outside the palace.
"She is the former Princess Jiànníng. Her title was changed later to Princess Kèchún," Nanny Wu reminded her.
Princess Jiànníng? The name sounded somewhat familiar, but Muxue still couldn't recall the specific person.
"The Princess is young, and the Princess rarely visits the palace, so it's normal not to remember," Mama Zhao said. "Actually, Nanny Wu has a point. The Princess likely thought so as well, which is why she declined."
She gave a low-voiced introduction.
Princess Kèchún was the daughter of Hong Taiji. By seniority, she was Emperor Kangxi's aunt and Muxue's Grand Aunt. During the Shunzhi Era, her elder brother made the decision to marry her to Wu Yingxiong, the son of the Prince Pingxi, Wu Sangui. During the Kangxi era, Prince Pingxi started a Rebellion, and the Princess's husband and son were both executed by Strangulation.
After the rebellion was suppressed, the Emperor changed the Princess's title, hoping she would have a new start. Princess Kèchún remained in her former princess's residence, but from then on, she lived in seclusion and rarely saw anyone.