For her first martial arts practice, Ju Yue didn’t dare push herself too hard, sticking only to the basics.
After practicing for over an hour, she was drenched in sweat. Just as the maid Zhu Ye came looking for her, she stopped.
Bidding farewell to Lou Yi, she returned to Weigongyuan with Zhu Ye.
Upon inquiring, she learned that Lou Buqi still hadn’t woken up.
Zhu Ye lowered her voice and said, “Hot water has been prepared for you, Your Highness. Please go to Jingfang to freshen up.”
Having hot water ready right after practice—these maids were truly perceptive.
Ju Yue sincerely praised Zhu Ye.
Thick-skinned, she made no mention of her embarrassing state from the previous night.
That wasn’t her last night!
—Amitabha, I’ve forgotten, and you all should forget it quickly too.
Zhu Ye also seemed to breathe a huge sigh of relief.
Forgetting was good, very good!
Ju Yue dashed into Jingfang in two steps. Just as she patted her chest, she ran into the maid Dui Dui and was startled again.
If there was anyone Ju Yue was most afraid of facing now, it was undoubtedly Dui Dui.
Dui Dui was the original body’s maid, deeply familiar with her former mistress. Any changes in Ju Yue would never escape Dui Dui’s notice.
What if Dui Dui exposed her…
Ju Yue felt nervous but noticed that Dui Dui was unusually calm, her eyes as unperturbed as in her memories.
Dui Dui reached into the bathtub, stirred the water a few times, tested the temperature for Ju Yue, and slowly straightened up. “The water is ready, Miss. Please bathe.”
Her emotions were as steady as could be.
Like a walking, upright capybara.
As Ju Yue undressed and walked toward the bathtub, her eyes darted around, trying to explain to Dui Dui the reason for her drastic change in temperament.
“Hey, Dui Dui, don’t you think I’m different from before?”
She planned to spout nonsense like “Marriage is like a second rebirth; it’s possible to be completely transformed.”
Dui Dui lifted her eyelids and gave Ju Yue a calm look.
Slowly, she spoke, “You are the mistress. You don’t need to explain anything to a servant like me.”
Ju Yue slipped into the water, leaving only her head resting on the edge of the wooden tub.
Dui Dui’s reaction made her heart settle firmly.
Curious, she stared at Dui Dui and asked recklessly, “You really don’t think I’ve changed?”
Dui Dui said, “Everyone has secrets. Having secrets means change. Whether it happens early or late, change is inevitable. There’s nothing strange about it.”
Ju Yue: “…Hiss!”
“So, you have secrets too?”
Dui Dui almost rolled her eyes but held back.
After a moment’s thought, she said, “If I told you I’m the granddaughter of the current emperor, would you believe me, Miss?”
Ju Yue breathed a huge sigh of relief and nodded repeatedly. “I believe it! Of course, I believe it!”
And so, the conversation ended pleasantly.
In Princess Su’s room.
Princess Su had asked her nanny as soon as she woke up, “Did it work out over there?”
Whether her son was capable was a mother’s greatest concern.
Her son had never liked playing with girls since childhood, preferring to hang out with boys.
She had once feared he might have a penchant for men.
Fortunately, he finally came to his senses and snatched a bride for himself.
Since he took her himself, it should work out, right?
Though theoretically, there shouldn’t be a problem, Princess Su was still uneasy. As soon as she got up, she asked her wet nurse.
The wet nurse’s face was even grayer than Princess Su’s.
The princess’s heart sank heavily. “What? Is Buqi incapable?”
Nanny Ke reached out to steady the princess. “Your Highness, please brace yourself.”
“It seems our Shiziye… isn’t just incapable…”
The princess grew anxious. "What exactly happened? Tell me everything at once! This is maddening."
The nanny replied, "This morning, the Shizifei went to the Liangangfang early to practice martial arts!"
"She stretched her legs, opened her back, and moved freely."
"But our Shiziye… couldn't get out of bed and didn't go to practice."
After the wedding night, the daughter-in-law was lively and energetic, while the son couldn't even get out of bed.
What did that mean?
Princess Su felt her vision darken and asked the nanny with trembling lips, "It… it can't be, right?"
Her son… was so physically weak?!
The princess took a deep breath, waved her hand, and her gaze gradually grew firm.
"Nanny Ke, go instruct the kitchen to prepare some nourishing stew for Buqi. Make it extra strong!"
Princess Su's eyes grew moist. She couldn't understand it—her son's martial arts were so excellent, how could he be nothing but a silver-like wax spearhead?!
Princess Su felt uneasy, and all sorts of chaotic thoughts flooded her mind.
Half an hour later, the martial arts practice was finished, the vocal accompaniment practice was done, and even the late sleeper had gotten out of bed.
According to tradition, the newlywed couple should serve tea to their parents-in-law this morning and get acquainted with the people in the prince's residence, commonly known as Renqing.
When her son and daughter-in-law arrived, Princess Su was disappointed to see her son with dark circles under his eyes, looking haggard and listless.
And her daughter-in-law, who appeared refreshed and energetic after her workout, her face glowing with a healthy pink radiance.
The contrast couldn't have been more obvious.
Princess Su's hanging heart finally sank.
After Lou Buqi and Ju Yue finished serving tea, Princess Su asked them to stay for breakfast.
Princess Su personally supervised her son as he drank the Butang prepared by Nanny Ke.
Now, they could only hope the tonic might salvage the situation a little!
The Dahao was practically useless, so they could only pin their hopes on the Xiaohao.
Prince Su and Princess Su couldn't help but shift their attention to their younger son.
Lou Yi was in an unexpectedly good state this morning.
Since childhood, Lou Yi had been quiet and reserved, rarely speaking or interacting with others, as if nothing could spark his interest.
But today, he seemed to have a bit more vitality. He even ate an extra bowl of rice.
When she saw her younger son hand his bowl to the maid for a refill, Princess Su was greatly surprised and glanced at Ju Yue.
She naturally knew that Ju Yue had coaxed and persuaded Lou Yi to accompany her to the Liangangfang for practice this morning.
Given Lou Yi's temperament, he would have undoubtedly turned away in disdain.
Yet today, Lou Yi stayed in the Liangangfang the entire time, diligently practicing the tune Ju Yue had taught him.
"If the moon hasn't arrived yet, the streetlamp can still light the windowsill, shining on the white camellias as they gently bloom."
Princess Su mulled over these lines in her mind, almost entranced.
Such a soothing melody, such a beautiful imagery, no wonder…
She glanced at her daughter-in-law again.
Together with her son, they truly made a perfect pair, captivating everyone's gaze.
With such beauty before her eyes, even Princess Su, burdened with worries, couldn't help but eat an extra bowl of rice.
What Princess Su didn't know was that Ju Yue was actually more nervous than any of them.
She had thought Prince Su and Princess Su would blame her, but it seemed they didn't.
Princess Su's gaze held curiosity and inquiry, but no malice.
Still, facing her parents-in-law, Ju Yue remained tense and unconsciously ate an extra bowl of rice.
Watching Ju Yue eat heartily and with such relish, Prince Su also couldn't resist having an extra bowl of rice.
And so, the Lou family collectively overate.
The little maid serving rice silently scraped the earthenware pot again and again, only managing to gather enough for the masters to eat after scraping out every last grain of rice.
The only one in the entire family with a normal appetite was Lou Buqi.
But he had been forced to drink a large bowl of Butang, so he was also stuffed.
Right after the meal, the emperor's Kouyu arrived precisely on time.
It summoned Prince Su and his wife to bring Lou Buqi and Ju Yue into the palace for Miansheng.