Lin Zhuo stared deeply at her. His gaze made Ruan Mianmian’s heart pound wildly in her chest. Just as she began to feel flustered, he suddenly smiled. His fingers, which had paused, resumed their slow, deliberate motion, untying the fastenings of her robe. His voice was calm, unhurried.
“There’s nothing uncertain about it. You’re a clever woman, and I believe in your intelligence.”
This man…
Ruan Mianmian couldn’t help but bare her little tiger teeth in frustration. Wherever his fingers brushed her skin, a faint tingling followed, making her curse her own weakness as a shameless face-lover. But after a moment’s thought, she snorted inwardly: What good is my purity anyway? A man this handsome—sleeping with him once is earning interest on beauty itself. Live for today, sleep for tonight. Tomorrow’s problems can wait for tomorrow!
“What’s this? Have you accepted your fate?”
He raised an eyebrow and paused his hands again.
Ruan Mianmian lowered her head, voice soft and pitiful. “Yes. I’m just a weak woman, with no foundation, depending on Your Highness to save my mother and brother. What choice do I have but to accept it?”
Enough with the hesitation, she thought. You stirred up all this fire—now you’re going to hit the brakes? Believe it or not, I’ll make the first move!
Lin Zhuo couldn’t help laughing. The image of that little fox from earlier—the one with wedding cake crumbs at her lips—flashed through his mind. This same little fox, pretending to be docile, was now sitting in his arms. Adorable. He bent down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
Ruan Mianmian wasn’t slow to catch the warmth hidden in that kiss. Feeling encouraged, she immediately grew bolder. Her mind spun quickly, calculations clicking away like an abacus.
“Your Highness, don’t forget our agreement. No—tomorrow, I’m writing it down on paper. Just in case you go back on your word.”
“Heh. If I ever went back on my word, you’d be lucky! You want a written contract? Fine, write whatever you want. You think I have no one else?”
“Your Highness, I have a severe cleanliness obsession. Since you’re sharing my bed tonight, I expect you to restrain yourself from… touching any other woman in the future.”
“Isn’t that a bit excessive? Do you realize, just for saying that, I could divorce you tomorrow?”
“Then how about this: if you do touch another woman, don’t come near me again. Don’t worry, I won’t resent you. After all—mmm… mmmph…”
“I think you’d better keep quiet,” Lin Zhuo murmured against her lips. “It’s our wedding night. Can you focus, for once? Can you?”
The next morning, Lin Zhuo took Ruan Mianmian into the palace to pay their respects to the Emperor and Empress.
Royal etiquette was much the same as among commoners, only far more tedious—but the red envelopes were much heavier.
Kneeling, Ruan Mianmian accepted hers with both hands. Discreetly, she weighed it in her palms and felt the corners of her lips lift even higher.
She passed it to Fangcao behind her, and just then heard the Empress turn to the Emperor. “Your Majesty, state affairs have kept you busy, and the southern provinces are suffering from disaster. I know sitting here must make you restless. Why not return to the Imperial Study? The ministers must be waiting for your guidance.”
The Emperor’s eyes briefly lingered on Ruan Mianmian. The Empress smiled. “They’re all family here. Who would dare blame you for tending to your duties? Mianmian’s temperament is the gentlest—you needn’t worry.”
That’s right, Ruan Mianmian thought inwardly. He’s the Emperor—who would dare complain? Besides, this red envelope is quite heavy. I’m very satisfied. Go on, Your Majesty, get back to work.
“Very well,” the Emperor said, nodding. He rose to leave, but at the doorway, the Empress added pleasantly, “Your Majesty, this is important court business. Since all the princes are present, don’t let Zhuo’er slack off just because he’s newly married. Take him along—it will give us womenfolk a chance to speak privately.”
Lin Zhuo smiled wryly. “Mother, with me here, all I do is listen to your teachings. How is it that my presence keeps you from talking freely?”
The Emperor chuckled. “Enough, you rascal. Must you argue about everything? Learn some tact—come along.”
When father and son had left, the other consorts also excused themselves. The Empress kept only Consort Li by her side. Both women turned to Ruan Mianmian with gentle smiles.
The Empress asked about the wedding festivities, with Consort Li occasionally adding a comment or two. Ruan Mianmian answered each question politely and smoothly, leaving the Empress quite satisfied.
Turning to Consort Li, the Empress said, “They seem quite harmonious. I can rest easy now. Well? The daughter-in-law I chose for your son isn’t bad, is she?”
Consort Li laughed sweetly. “Your Majesty jests. Isn’t Zhuo’er also your son? How could you call her my daughter-in-law alone? If you didn’t see him as your own, would you have married such a fine girl from your family into our house?”
The words pleased the Empress, who nodded with a smile. “You always know how to speak to my heart. Truly, my niece’s fate is precious beyond measure. If not for the harmony between you, Zhuo’er, and her, I could never have parted with her. But from now on, Zhuo’er must treat her well—otherwise, I won’t stand for it.”
Consort Li quickly agreed with several gracious words.
Ruan Mianmian, head bowed, said nothing, though her inner thoughts were less composed: Oh, spare me, Your Majesty. Consort Li’s probably fuming beneath that smile. If the roles were reversed, would you let your own son call another woman ‘Mother’? And now you’re bragging about it? How did this woman survive palace intrigue with that level of emotional intelligence? Did my dear aunt get a ‘plot-armor heroine’ script, and the Emperor just happens to like her brand of “authentic, outspoken charm”?
The Empress chatted a while longer before finally instructing, “Take Mianmian to Chuxiu Palace, show her around. You’re her mother-in-law now—it’s only right you help her settle in.”
Consort Li smiled. “Your Majesty, in Kunning Palace, she’s surrounded by attendants. Does she still need me to guide her?”
“I’m stingy,” the Empress replied with a chuckle. “I treasure those who care for me. Don’t I have the right to spare them some trouble?”
The two women laughed together, and after a few more pleasantries, Consort Li led Ruan Mianmian out of Kunning Palace.
The last time Ruan Mianmian had entered the palace, she had been tense and preoccupied, with Madam Chang hovering nearby—she hadn’t even noticed the scenery. Now, with everything settled and her position secure, she was finally free to look around openly.
It was early spring, the beginning of February. Everywhere she looked were bare branches and clouds of lingering winter chill. Give it another month or two, she thought, and those willows along the paths will sprout fresh green, peach and apricot blossoms will bud, and that must be a river in the distance… with a nine-arched bridge spanning it. Add a few palace maids strolling under light rain, and it would be a perfect Spring Palace painting.
As she admired the view, Consort Li said warmly, “It’s still late winter—nothing much to see now. When spring is in full bloom, the palace will be bright with flowers. Come then, and you’ll see how lively it can be.”
“Even early spring has its beauty,” Ruan Mianmian said with a cheerful smile. “I’ll come every few days to pay my respects to Mother Consort. What kind of pastries do you like? I’m rather good at making them—I’ll bring you some next time.”
Consort Li’s heart softened. “You’re too thoughtful, child.” She looked kindly at Ruan Mianmian. Unlike the Empress, this girl’s demeanor was gentle, unassuming, and naturally likable.
“Speaking of which,” Consort Li went on, “I haven’t yet met the young lady from the Bai family—the one made secondary consort to Zhuo’er. Have you seen her? What is she like?”
Ruan Mianmian thought for a moment. “She came to pay respects before we entered the palace this morning. A very gentle, lovely young lady—soft-spoken, graceful in every movement. I think she has a good temperament.”
(End of Chapter)