On the day of the return visit to the bride’s maiden home, Prince Jing and his wife boarded the carriage bound for the Shen residence. The Prince’s carriage was spacious and magnificent, cushioned within with brocade and soft silk, and furnished with a red sandalwood table and pearwood stools. Atop the table, the fragrant smoke of dragon’s ambergris curled lazily from a burner, wafting alongside the faint mist of Guanyin tea.
Even though Prince Jing was blind, Shen Lizhuang still felt quite uncomfortable.
Last night, the chaos had not subsided until midnight. Even now, Shen Lizhuang’s waist remained soft and weak, unable to straighten, while the rims of her eyes carried a faint reddish flush. Applying a cotton cloth wrapped with ice cubes this morning had proved of little use; her eyes still appeared slightly swollen. As for her slender legs hidden within her flower-embroidered, gold-dusted yellow silk skirt, at the mere sight of the gold and jade belt bound so properly and strictly around Prince Jing’s waist, they could not help but tremble in a reflex of sheer panic.
The carriage proceeded to parts unknown. After a turn, the bustle of the crowded market seemed to recede suddenly, giving way to a quiet lane. Overhead, the bright sunlight shone down, its broken shadows flickering colorfully every now and then against the hanging bamboo-flower curtains.
Upon the jade-white finger rested on Prince Jing’s knee was an unadorned, ancient silver ring. Firmly supported by his finger bone, the ring emitted a dull luster. When the ring moved abruptly, it signaled that Prince Jing’s finger had moved.
Terrified, Shen Lizhuang hurriedly turned her face away, gazing out past the hanging curtains of the carriage at the fine, clear weather.
Prince Jing’s thin lips seemed to twitch slightly in a faint smile, his knuckles naturally grasping the upturned empty cup on the table. “Tea.”
Shen Lizhuang only poured it for him out of consideration for his blindness. Intentionally sitting far away, she removed the earthenware pot from the tray and poured him half a cup. When pouring the tea, only her arms moved forward; her body refused to lean an inch closer.
Once finished pouring, while he drank, she turned her head back to continue admiring the spring scenery outside the carriage window.
Just then, her vision was inevitably drawn to the plaque in front of her—it was the Gongyuan, the imperial examination hall for female academies.
The Gongyuan was quiet and secluded, with very few people coming and going. Yet the great scholars conversing there carried an aura of literary refinement that filled her with immense longing.
She gazed at the half-open vermilion gates, her fingers pressing tightly against the window frame without her realizing it.
She only wanted to take the examination just once, even if she failed to pass. That would still be better than never having set foot through the gate, never having received even a single chance.
Prince Jing took a sip of the Guanyin tea from his cup. After drinking half of it, his eyes stared straight ahead into the boundless, eternal black void. “Have we reached the Gongyuan?”
Shen Lizhuang felt another shock in her heart. This was not the first time. On several occasions, she had suspected that Prince Jing’s eyes were not impaired at all, and that he was clearly feigning ignorance with his eyes open. Yet, seeing how hesitant and suspicious his footsteps became once he stepped out of that room, she felt it was merely her own hallucination.
“How does Your Highness know?”
How could he possibly know that the carriage was currently passing by the Gongyuan?
Ji Mu did not answer her question, his expression inscrutably deep. The plain silver ring spun halfway around the honeysuckle pattern carved on the earthenware cup in his palm, seemingly turning the stars of heaven and earth with a sense of firm control.
“Shen,” his voice was unhurried, carrying a low tone into her ears, “do you have an interest in female academies?”
Shen Lizhuang bit her lip, a heavy downpour rising quietly in her heart. It was not because of Prince Jing’s avoidance of the question, but because in the eyes of such noble figures, the “female academy”—a threshold she could not reach despite exerting all her strength—was regarded merely as an “interest” for idle diversion. Furthermore, in his eyes, as the daughter of Shen Shushi, she ought naturally to treat it as nothing more than a casual interest as well.
Not wishing to reveal any flaws, she took a deep breath and said, “This year, His Majesty established the Bureau of Weaving across the thirteen provinces and appointed weaving supervisors to select female officials from across the realm. This is a magnificent and righteous undertaking known to all.”
Ji Mu turned his head. Though he clearly could not see, he faced her directly: “Oh? You consider this a magnificent and righteous undertaking?”
Shen Lizhuang froze, worried she had said something wrong. Stunned for a moment, she did not reply immediately.
She then heard him slowly turn the cup, chuckling, “This Prince has heard that the eldest young lady of the Shen family is the most cultured, gentle, and beautiful. Who would have thought that beneath such an exterior lies such grand ambitions? It turns out it was this Prince’s estate that blocked your path to high office.”
Shen Lizhuang was completely flabbergasted. Regardless of whether her elder sister’s reputation as “gentle and beautiful” was true or not, her sister had spent years cultivating that name. Could Prince Jing’s words mean he had noticed something abnormal about the “Princess Consort” beside him and was intentionally probing her?
Her heart grew instantly tense and fearful, the sunlight shining on her trembling eyelashes casting restless fragments of light. “Y-Your Highness, why do you say such a thing?”
The cup rotating lightly in Ji Mu’s palm came to a stop. “In this inaugural year of selecting female officials, few candidates have come to take the examination. Most of the essays are unfit for refined taste—either drifting ten thousand miles off-topic where words fail to convey reason, or filled with vulgar phrases and redundant sentences like a pedant buying a donkey. They are simply unbearable to read.”
His slighting attitude toward women’s writings filled Shen Lizhuang with resentment and dissatisfaction. The frustration accumulated over several days demanded an immediate outlet, yet his voice reached her eardrums once more: “The imperial court’s intention to initiate female academies was conceived shallowly and implemented hastily. The women of the realm have been confined to inner chambers for far too long; they have never received the education of poetry and classic books like men, and few can even read or write. With the examinations opening this year, how many talented scholars can truly be recruited? Weaving concerns the livelihood of the people; three years at most, if the trend of female academies fails to rise, this Gongyuan will no longer allow female students to set foot inside.”
Although what he said was not entirely unreasonable, Shen Lizhuang still felt her breath stifled, though she suppressed her irritation somewhat compared to before: “This concubine has heard that Your Highness comes from a military background. Do you also study essays and policy commentaries so deeply?”
Ji Mu remained silent, as if gathering and probing the tone of her voice.
To see if there was any anomaly.
Shen Lizhuang no longer feared Prince Jing growing weary of her. Since her father had spoken as he did, she interacted with him with the mindset of driving Prince Jing to grow annoyed and divorce her. However, he was a Prince of the First Rank after all, and could not be offended; she still needed to strike a delicate balance that kept one walking on eggshells.
Ji Mu said nothing further and set down the cup. The plain silver ring caught a ray of sunlight stealing into the carriage, flashing a glint of brilliance that brightly dazzled Shen Lizhuang’s eyes.
The carriage continued forward. After turning through several long streets, it finally arrived at Yulin Lane, where the elders and family members of the Shen family had long been waiting at the entrance to welcome them.
As she was getting out of the carriage, Shen Lizhuang suddenly heard Prince Jing ask behind her, “This Prince has heard that you have a younger sister whose courtesy name is similar to yours?”
Shen Lizhuang’s movement to descend from the carriage paused, her heartstrings snapping taut in an instant.
“Yes, this concubine has a younger half-sister at home whose courtesy name differs from mine by only one character; she is named Lizhuang.”
“Does this Second Young Lady Li resemble the Princess Consort?”
This had to be a test.
It felt as though the execution of her entire clan was waving to her just ahead. Shen Lizhuang’s heart beat like a heavy wartime drum struck by a mallet, pounding so violently that it felt as if it would leap into her throat the next instant. She forced herself to calm down, though it was in vain. Suppressing her panic, she tried her best to maintain her composure: “Your Highness, my sister and I were not born of the same mother, so we do not look alike.”
Ji Mu uttered a thoughtful “Mm,” the slightly vivid pink of his thin lips curving upward in a reserved arc. “This Prince has no intention of taking two sisters as wives like Emperor Shun; you need not be alarmed.”
A remark that may or may not have been a joke covered up this sudden, heart-stopping moment.
Shen Lizhuang suppressed her frantic heartbeat and bowed her head as she stepped out of the carriage door. As Shen Shushi approached to welcome them, she reached out her arm to offer support to Prince Jing, while a nearby attendant handed the cane to the Prince.
Holding the cane in one hand and resting the other on Shen Lizhuang, Ji Mu stepped down gracefully from the carriage shaft.
Shen Shushi invited His Highness Prince Jing into the residence with the utmost honor. Lin Ruoxi’s eyes were glued firmly to Shen Lizhuang’s face; only at this moment, upon seeing the true face of the Princess Consort, did she seem to finally believe that her good-for-nothing daughter had run off with a zither player, handing the position of Prince Jing’s Consort over to Shen Lizhuang on a silver platter.
However, Lin Ruoxi had been comforted enough and instructed enough by her husband today. She showed no oddity, merely acting out the reluctance of a mother who had not seen her married daughter for many days.
The vast procession entered the main gate. Because of Prince Jing’s eye condition, Shen Shushi did not dare lead his precious son-in-law to stroll around the residence. He settled him in the main hall and, according to the tastes he had inquired about, served Guanyin tea and savory tea pastries to the Prince.
“His Highness’s presence at my humble home fills this official with boundless joy. My only fear is that our service may be lacking in some way; I ask His Highness to forgive us.”
To have inquired about his preferences meant Shen Shushi had already been thoroughly attentive.
To give his wife face, Ji Mu took a sip of tea. “Father-in-law, there is no need to stand on ceremony. Since your esteemed daughter and I are already wed, Shen Vice Minister and I are father and son-in-law; there is no need for the word ‘service.’ You exaggerate. I have no particular dietary restrictions; I shall follow the local customs and keep everything simple. It is enough if Father-in-law does not mind this Prince’s intrusion.”
“How could I, how could I,” Shen Shushi said with a smile. “If Your Highness can spare time to visit more often in the future, the entire Shen family will be bathed in your favor, and our humble abode will be graced with light.”
After exchanging pleasantries, Shen Shushi ran out of topics and inevitably had to bring up Shen Lizhuang. When he turned his gaze back and met the eyes of his unfamiliar second daughter, a faint sense of awkwardness and discomfort arose in his heart. He tried his best to act familiar, asking about his daughter’s recent situation in the Prince’s estate alongside his wife, Lady Lin.
The awkwardness between the two was barely concealed, making Shen Lizhuang feel even more uncomfortable inside. She reluctantly took the time to exchange a few pleasantries, doing her best to play the part of being very close to them.
Prince Jing’s long fingers resting on the cane tightened slightly. After a long while, having finished his tea, his deep, slow voice interrupted the Shen family’s “reminiscing.”
“This Prince and the Princess Consort will return only tomorrow.”
With that, Longzhou, Prince Jing’s trusted confidant, led his men into the hall. They brought ten loads of return gifts into the flower parlor in a solemn and orderly fashion.
Looking at the chest upon chest of priceless gifts, Lin Ruoxi felt sick at heart again. She secretly blamed her daughter Ai’ai for being so uncompetitive, not knowing how to enjoy good fortune, and letting her eyes be blinded by a lowly zither player to commit such a scandalous act. She had grievances she could not voice; her lungs burned with rage, and her heart and guts felt torn with regret. She truly should have beaten Liu Xu to death back then.
Ai’ai had been ruined by that zither player, missing out on such a wonderful husband as Prince Jing.
Fortunately, the only comforting thought was that Shen Lizhuang and Prince Jing would not last long either. Otherwise, it would be letting someone take such a huge advantage for nothing.
Even if it was something her own branch did not want, it must never benefit a concubine’s child.
Shen Shushi eagerly said, “Excellent. The guest quarters have already been prepared, awaiting Your Highness’s stay.”
Hearing the words “guest quarters,” a slight furrow appeared on Ji Mu’s dark, prominent brows. “There is no need to trouble yourselves. I merely wish to see the Princess Consort’s former maiden bedchamber and will stay there tonight. Father-in-law need not send anyone else to tidy up another room.”
Ai’ai’s room?
Shen Shushi failed to react for a moment, exchanging a bewildered glance with his wife. Lin Ruoxi also froze with a stiff spine, just about to rise, but Shen Shushi, fearing he might offend Prince Jing, directly took the initiative: “That works as well. Yingluo, Zhuji, show His Highness to the Eldest Young Lady’s bedchamber to settle in.”
Ji Mu raised his thin lips slightly and said, “No need.” Holding his blind cane, he rose with noble elegance, while his other hand grasped the Princess Consort’s smooth, slender fingers, stroking them gently in his palm. He said warmly, “This Prince wishes only to be alone with the Princess Consort. Will you lead me there?”
Shen Lizhuang had no choice but to bite the bullet and agree. She wondered if Prince Jing was deliberately testing her, and whether he had already discovered a clue.
Fortunately, her elder sister’s bedchamber was deeply etched in her memory. After all, it was the best house in the Shen residence, with peaches and willows in front, mulberries and elms planted behind, arched bridges over flowing water, and winding paths leading to secluded nooks—resembling a small peach blossom paradise isolated from the world.
The latticed windows opened outward, pasted with thin, bluish-green gauze. Outside the window stood several tall bamboos that rubbed against each other when the wind blew, swaying gracefully and reflecting a quiet, elegant atmosphere into the room.
As she walked, Shen Lizhuang reminded Prince Jing to watch out for stones underfoot, to lower his head so his hair crown would not be hit by the drooping trumpet vines on the moon gate, or introduced to him how many willow trees were in the courtyard, where the flowing water was drawn from, how many koi fish were in the pond, how the lotus pond in summer could release a refreshing fragrance, and how the fine charcoal used in the room during winter was the best in the entire residence—even her father’s place could not compare, making many people green with envy.
Holding his blind cane, Prince Jing’s movements showed no clumsiness, though he was much slower than when at the Prince’s estate. After listening attentively, the corners of his lips curved upward once more.
“You sound like a tour guide.”
Shen Lizhuang abruptly shut her mouth, staring at him in astonishment. Taking advantage of his inability to see, she scrutinized his expression to see if there was any intention of testing her.
Prince Jing’s face was as still as deep water—seemingly gentle, yet severe underneath. Perhaps due to his blindness, his emotions were sensitive; the slightest movement could rouse his alertness and deadly intent.
Shen Lizhuang clutched her heart apprehensively, forcing out a dry, awkward smile, and said, “Your Highness is joking. Let us go inside.”
With that, she hurriedly pulled out the key she had gotten from Yingluo, her hands trembling calmly as she opened the door.
The key fell into the lock hole, making a rustling metallic clink that reached Ji Mu’s ears with absolute clarity. Long fingers resting on the beast-head handle of the blind cane tightened imperceptibly once more.
“This was this concubine’s maiden bedchamber before marriage, though our humble abode is simple…”
Shen Lizhuang was inside the room introducing it to the person outside. Just as she finished speaking, as Prince Jing stepped forward and was about to be tripped by a long bench, she hurriedly rushed toward him, pushing him backward.
Ji Mu’s heels wobbled. To avoid falling, he instinctively grabbed the slender, willow-like waist that had actively approached him. The waist pendant ornaments clinked together with a crisp jade chime. Through their thinning spring clothes, body heat and touch collided fiercely against each other.
The soft and hard textures of both sides fit together like mortise and tenon, locking into place the moment they touched.
The sensation of physical contact was the most honest revelation. Ji Mu tightened his grip on the blind cane in his hand, holding the stumbling, breathless woman in his arms. Sensing her gloom and tension, he let out a long breath.
So be it.
Since he was already blind, adding deafness to the mix mattered little.
Neither blind nor deaf, one cannot be a husband.