Princess Consort of Chu smiled gently, making no attempt to conceal her intentions. She candidly stated that the purpose of requesting a marriage for the Second Young Master was to perform a "chongxi"—a wedding meant to ward off illness and bring good fortune.
It was indeed a chongxi, but it also served to shield the other children in the wangfu who were of marriageable age from such arrangements. After all, the label of chongxi carried an unpleasant connotation; one such marriage was enough—any more would be excessive.
From then on, for a short period, Empress Xue would be unable to repeatedly urge her grandchildren to marry while the Mingde Emperor was gravely ill.
"So that's how it is." Even Consort Cui, who was usually slow to grasp such matters, understood the Princess Consort's well-intentioned haste in arranging the Second Young Master's marriage and couldn't help but feel a lingering fear.
The Princess Consort neither elaborated nor denied it, speaking only in a gentle tone: "You are understanding, sister. Both the great prince and I are grateful to you."
"Yes, elder sister considered Yuan Niang, and I must also consider my Second Princess." Consort Cui, rarely opening her heart, said frankly, "Let's speak plainly—could it be that 'that one' also wishes to strengthen ties through marriage?"
"That one" referred to Empress Xue.
Everyone in the capital knew that Empress Xue was devoted to promoting her maternal family and favored her nephew, the Duke of Zhao. The Duke of Zhao's eldest son was already nearly fourteen this year—an age suitable for betrothal considerations.
Empress Xue, considering her maternal clan noble and distinguished, looked down upon ordinary aristocratic young ladies and thus set her sights on Yuan Niang, the eldest daughter of Prince Chu, who was being raised in the palace.
However, Prince Chu had long despised the Duke of Zhao for his dissolute behavior and would never allow his daughter to leap into such a pit of fire. Even if Empress Xue were to settle for the second daughter, Second Princess, he remained unwilling.
Hearing this, the Princess Consort gave an almost imperceptible nod.
Seeing this, Consort Cui bowed respectfully: "For this matter, I kowtow in gratitude to the Princess Consort."
Empress Xue doted on her children and grandchildren, bestowing countless treasures during festivals and celebrations—many of which even Consort Cui, born into a prominent clan, had never seen before. Moreover, although Second Princess was not raised in the palace like Yuan Niang, Empress Xue treated her equally well.
Yet, after so many years of marriage into the wangfu, Consort Cui had occasionally heard whispers. Although Empress Xue loved children, she was inherently domineering. In the past, Empress Xue had personally requested the Emperor to arrange marriages for her two daughters and one son, allowing no objections from her children—all to secure benefits for her maternal clan, using them as bargaining chips.
In the end, the eldest daughter, Princess Jinkang, and her Imperial Son-in-Law each kept their own lovers and concubines, not seeing each other for years. The Imperial Son-in-Law of the younger daughter, Princess Yizhen, was stripped of his noble title for negligence leading to the death of Xian Yu Wang on the battlefield, frightening the princess into Taking Religious Vows and secluding herself from worldly affairs.
As for the great prince and the Princess Consort, although Consort Cui resented the Princess Consort for overshadowing her since their maiden days, she also envied the great prince's respect and affection for his wife. The two were the only truly harmonious couple.
Therefore, she absolutely could not allow Empress Xue to dictate Second Princess's marriage. In the future, Second Princess would be a princess of the nation. If she had no desire to marry, she could simply find an excuse to Take Religious Vows and become a nun—how carefree that would be.
"Consort Cui may be shallow and straightforward, but she genuinely loves her daughter," Bihe remarked with a sigh.
"Among the six surviving children, only her Second Princess and Concubine Xue's Sanniang are being raised by their birth mothers." The Princess Consort gazed at Consort Cui's retreating figure, her calm eyes revealing complex emotions—perhaps envy.
Bihe felt heartache for the Princess Consort, who, in pursuit of a virtuous reputation, could not even see her own daughter: "Perhaps during the palace banquet, you could request an Imperial Favor from Her Highness the Empress to bring Yuan Niang back to the wangfu for a few days?"
"No," the Princess Consort firmly refused. "The Emperor is gravely ill. It is only natural for Yuan Niang to stay and attend to him. Besides, our Chu Wangfu is not the only one with children remaining in the palace. Even if other wangfus make such requests, we absolutely must not."
Although the late Prince of Yu had passed away, he left behind a legitimate son, the Prince of Luling, who was deeply favored by the Emperor. Among those of the same generation as the Great Prince, there was also the ambitious Third Prince, the Prince of Jiang, who had to be guarded against.
She could not betray the Great Prince’s trust and must always strive to be a model among the imperial clan women.
"If you miss Yuan Niang, just bring her up." However, at some unknown moment, Prince Chu walked into the curtained enclosure, a faint layer of anger clouding his brow. He was properly dressed in a deep purple round-collared robe with cloud patterns, the kind commonly worn by princes—likely having just returned from the palace.
Bihe was taken aback, and the Princess Consort of Chu was equally surprised by Prince Chu’s sudden return, hurriedly dismissing the attendants.
The Princess Consort of Chu set out two small silver wine cups: "Great Prince, please sit. This morning, I had someone fetch the chrysanthemum wine brewed last year for the Double Ninth Festival, prepared to bestow it tomorrow. Would you like to taste it?"
"Is this the jar we brewed together with our own hands?" Though Prince Chu’s expression was cold, he could not easily vent his anger on his first wife. He reluctantly took a small sip of the clear chrysanthemum wine. "This jar will not be bestowed. I will keep it."
During the Double Ninth Festival, it was customary to drink zhuyu wine and chrysanthemum wine. Every year at this time, to demonstrate marital harmony and deep affection, Prince Chu would bury chrysanthemum wine together with the Princess Consort of Chu, to be bestowed upon others the following year.
Noticing an extra teacup on the small table by the couch, he asked, "Has Consort Cui been here?"
"Yes, she is very grateful for your care toward Second Princess." The Princess Consort of Chu replaced the cup with a new one and poured tea for him.
"Second Princess is young and a girl. There is no need for her to carry on the family line, so marrying later is of no consequence. Moreover, the Xue family’s son is truly not a suitable match." The eldest daughter had not been raised by his side since childhood, so Prince Chu was slightly more affectionate toward the obedient and clever second daughter. However, regardless of which daughter it was, he had never considered using them to appease the Xue family—at least not yet. "Xue Rui has numerous wives and concubines, and his family’s conduct is improper. Even if it were a legitimate son born of his first wife, I would not allow him to be my daughter’s husband, let alone a son born of a courtesan and raised outside the household. Besides the marriage matter, Her Majesty also hopes I will recommend Xue Rui to meddle in the salt administration of Yangzhou, Shouzhou, and other regions. It is truly insatiable greed."
The Duke of Zhao, Xue Rui’s first marriage was arranged by Empress Xue, and his first wife also came from the Wang Clan of Taiyuan, a distant cousin of the Princess Consort of Chu. Gentle and virtuous, she not only generously treated all the wives and concubines but also personally brought the son born outside into her own chambers, giving Xue Rui’s eldest son a legitimate status. Unfortunately, she fell ill and passed away less than three years into the marriage.
"In the past, Noble Consort Rong, the mother of the late Prince of Yu, enjoyed unparalleled favor in the imperial harem and often overstepped her bounds. Not only did she share a seat with Her Majesty the Empress, but she also ordered the hurried creation of gowns with colors and patterns resembling the empress’s ceremonial robes. Both of her brothers held high-ranking official positions. In comparison, the Xue family, as the empress’s maternal clan, suffered cold treatment." The Princess Consort of Chu dared not speak ill of Empress Xue and instead tactfully consoled him, "Now that Noble Consort Rong and her son have passed away one after another, it is only natural for Her Majesty to wish to compensate her maternal family somewhat."
She slowly introduced the most important point: "Her Majesty is the Emperor’s wife and your mother. As a subject and a son, it is only right that you show more tolerance."
But if Prince Chu were to ascend the throne, he would become the new sovereign, not a subject or a son.
"One day, I will no longer indulge the Xue family." Prince Chu closed his eyes deeply.
The Princess Consort of Chu listened quietly and did not respond further.
After many years of marriage, she had long seen through the true nature of her husband, who was renowned for his virtue. For the sake of reputation and profit, he could abandon everything. After Empress Xue eliminated her long-standing rival, Noble Consort Rong, with no one left to restrain her, she grew increasingly autocratic and domineering. She supported her incompetent nephew, which provoked the great prince's disgust. Yet, the great prince never took severe measures to discipline Xue Rui, surely because of entangled interests and the fact that Xue Rui still had his uses.
The next day was the Double Ninth Festival. Shen Hui rose early in the morning and headed straight for the kitchen. Her eyes were met with a dazzling array of Double Ninth rice cakes, while the pungent, spicy aroma of zhuyu mixed with the fragrance of wine wafted gently around her nose.
As soon as she stepped into the kitchen, Nanny Zhang, following tradition, poured her a small half-cup of zhuyu wine.
"Ugh, ugh, it's so bitter and spicy." Shen Hui's face scrunched up from the heat. "I'd rather drink chrysanthemum wine."
Nanny Zhang turned around and shoved a plate of peng'er into her hands. "Drinking too much wine harms the body. You're still young; go eat some flower cakes instead."
On the Double Ninth Festival, one is supposed to climb heights. If climbing is not possible, eating flower cakes can also count as "ascending the cakes."
Peng'er is made from peng grass mixed with ground millet powder. Millet, also known as yellow rice or broomcorn millet, was used in the Servants' Kitchen to make sticky, slightly sweet cakes when grain prices were high.
"Nanny, do you think we can buy crabs in the wangfu?" The peng'er stuck to her teeth, but it couldn't stifle her craving.
Autumn was the perfect season for eating crabs. Actually, compared to crabs, Shen Hui would have preferred lotus root, but that was a luxury item. She feared she would have to go to the East Market early to get some.
"Such a greedy little cat. Aunt Duan says you're like Jinyun, and she's quite right." Nanny Zhang shook her head. The wangfu purchased baskets of autumn crabs only for the masters' kitchen. "You should ask outside. Top-quality autumn crabs are expensive, but buying some small crabs to fry would be nice. The Double Ninth Festival isn't strict about rules; the wangfu allows servants to leave to visit family or go out for fun. Take your sister out for a stroll. Lately, she's been cooped up in her room during her free time, seemingly reciting texts. Don't let her get too stifled."
Reciting texts?
Shen Hui was curious and wanted to startle Shen Wei. She deliberately crouched and hid by the wall to eavesdrop on what she was reciting.
To her surprise, she saw Shen Wei inside the room, shaking her head and reciting: "Sister says: There is skill in cursing in the streets. One must never let one's thoughts follow the enemy. Firmly hold to your own point of view, and loudly, resolutely repeat it in various ways."
"Loudly, resolutely." She clenched her fist to encourage herself. "You little slut… No, no, that's what Aunt Wu taught me, not what Sister taught me. Cursing like that is too vulgar."
Then, Shen Wei straightened her chest, her voice shifting from soft and sweet to high-pitched and clear: "Ahem, the bugs must have been put in by someone else afterward. The kitchen doesn't grow flowers. We don't even see butterflies in spring, let alone in this season?"
"So you've been studying my words so diligently." Shen Hui popped her head out from under the window.
"Sister, how come you walk without making a sound?" Shen Wei was so startled that her limbs stiffened, like a foolish roe deer.
"You were just too focused. I'm so touched, little sister. You study me so earnestly; you'll surely master it soon." Shen Hui grinned cheekily. "I've asked Liu'er and Qi'er to buy some small crabs outside the wangfu. Can you fry them for me?"
"Sister, don't you want to take the chance to stroll around the East and West Markets?" Shen Wei only remembered how Shen Hui used to love joining in the bustle. "Several cooks and young maidservants from the Servants' Kitchen have gone together to Leyou Plateau to climb heights."
But Shen Hui, who now had a different soul inside her, found it dull: "Going out to the streets during festivals is the least interesting—crowds everywhere. Since the tasks we're responsible for aren't heavy, we can go out anytime. Why bother looking at crowds instead of scenery?"
"That's truly a broad-minded perspective," Shen Wei mused thoughtfully.
Shen Hui, her mind entirely on food, couldn't wait any longer. She pulled Shen Wei toward the kitchen: "Never mind broad-minded or not, let's go eat some rice cakes first, then heat up the oil to fry the crabs."
"Sister, sister, guess what good news we heard?" Liu'er and Qi'er, together carrying a bucket of small crabs, cheerfully lifted the beaded curtain.
"Hopefully, it's good news related to money or food," Shen Hui said, barely managing to take the bucket with one hand.
"It really is," Liu'er said, her face beaming with joy. "When I returned to the mansion, I passed by the main gate and saw the great prince and princess consort's carriage. Chun Tao saw me carrying a bucket of crabs and asked if I had bought them on your orders—she wanted some too. Then Chun Tao told me to go around to each room and courtyard to spread the word: the palace has arranged a marriage for Second Young Master and the daughter of the Cui family, the Third Young Master of the Marquis of Xiping's household. The great prince, in his kindness, is giving everyone in the mansion an extra month's allowance."
"The Cui family?" Shen Hui still couldn't quite place everyone in the mansion.
When she read novels, it was mostly for fun, and she'd forget them soon after. In the future, she could hardly remember the heroine's name, let alone the minor characters in the Chu Wangfu's rear courtyard, who were only briefly mentioned.
Liu'er had already gathered all the details: "That's the maternal family of Consort Cui from the South Garden."
"An extra month's allowance is no small amount," Shen Hui said, unconcerned about Consort Cui. With a wave of her hand, she urged, "Quick, sister, hurry up and fry the crabs. Make some fried meatballs and salted fish too. I'll treat everyone."
"As soon as I entered the kitchen, I heard your voice, Ah Hui. I arrived just in time, so I'm in luck," Chun Tao said. Having accompanied the Princess Consort of Chu to a palace banquet, she was starving, her stomach practically sticking to her back. She grabbed a few chrysanthemum cakes and wolfed them down.
She removed the zhuyu pinned to her lapel and hair, sighing loudly: "Freshly made food just tastes better."
At the palace banquet, the servants attending were also given chrysanthemum wine and rice cakes, but who dared eat much? They took small bites of the half-day-old, chilled rice cakes to stave off hunger—better than nothing.
"After the Double Ninth Festival, everyone has more free time. Chun Tao, you should come to the kitchen often," Shen Wei tried to imitate Shen Hui's smooth and cheerful manner, struggling for a long time before finally managing to utter a polite remark.
Shen Hui looked at her with newfound respect.
"Sister, did I say it wrong?" Shen Wei asked nervously, whispering into her ear.
"No, no, not at all. In fact, it sounded quite mature," Shen Hui believed in praise-based encouragement.
"Thank you for your kindness, sisters. I know you both miss me and always hope I'll come. Unfortunately, I only have a few days of leisure left. Her Majesty the Empress hopes to use Second Young Master's wedding to bring good fortune. The wedding is scheduled for the day before Laba Festival, less than three months from now." The small crab legs and claws were fried to perfection—crispy and glistening with oil. Chun Tao took a bite, and it crunched loudly.
"That is indeed rushed," Shen Hui couldn't hide her money-loving nature. "But with a wedding and a festival happening at the same time, it'll be lively. Do you think the great prince will give out another month's allowance?"
"The great prince is considerate of the servants. Most likely, yes," Chun Tao nodded, then hurriedly finished a few more small crabs before washing her hands at the copper basin and preparing to leave. "I won't stay long. The princess consort also asked me to deliver a message to Tian Nüshi."
Shen Hui sensed something deeper behind this.
"Ah Hui, you're quite lucky," Chun Tao patted her shoulder, using the opportunity to wipe her hands.
"Chun Tao, don't think I didn't see that." Shen Hui was speechless, pulling the zhuyu from her hair to throw at her.
Chun Tao giggled playfully, quick as lightning catching the zhuyu and tossing it back, her delight evident as if harboring some happy secret, then skipped away.
Good luck?
Shen Hui, who had originally planned to eat her fill and pack several plates of flower cakes to take away, lost her appetite. Clutching the light food box, she hurried off absentmindedly to find Aunt Duan.
By the railing of the small pavilion, Aunt Duan was leisurely drinking alone. After downing two or three cups of wine, poetic inspiration struck, and she was quietly brewing a new composition when she heard the thumping sound of footsteps ascending the stairs behind her—solid and forceful, like a young leopard climbing a tree.
"Aunt Duan, Chun Tao told me… she said…" Shen Hui gasped for breath, having run too fast.
"Take your time, speak slowly." In an instant, all poetic inspiration vanished without a trace. Aunt Duan let out a resigned sigh, too weary to muster any anger.
Being Shen Hui's teacher was probably her fate.
After listening to Shen Hui's brief account, Aunt Duan pondered for a moment, then suddenly relaxed her furrowed brows and revealed a faint smile.
"If I'm not mistaken, someone is about to face misfortune." She brushed aside the unruly strands of hair on Shen Hui's forehead, tousled from running. "You really are lucky."
She had advised Shen Hui to wait patiently, believing that as the two side consorts, Cui and Zheng, gradually lost influence, the princess consort would have the capacity to deal with certain servants who had been taking advantage of the chaos. Tian Nüshi, increasingly forgetting her place, had repeatedly used the authority granted by the princess consort to form cliques and suppress dissent. The princess consort had likely reached her limit.
Aunt Duan had thought Shen Hui would need to wait a little longer, but the matter of the Second Young Master's marriage had brought things forward.
Experience trumps youth—her guess was accurate.
Without seeking permission, Chun Tao, abandoning her usual superficial deference, walked straight into Tian Nüshi's quarters and gave a slight curtsy. "Greetings, Tian Nüshi."
"Has the princess consort given any instructions?" Even though the Princess Consort of Chu managed the household well, she couldn't prevent the servants from forming factions. On the surface, all was harmonious, but behind the scenes, there was mutual disdain. Tian Nüshi, having come from the palace, naturally aligned herself with the palace maids and officials bestowed upon the estate when it was established, looking down somewhat on Bihe, Chun Tao, and others. She continued with her accounts without asking Chun Tao to rise. "I have already learned that the Second Young Master has been granted a marriage by the palace. Relying on the princess consort's trust, I will spare no effort to handle this matter flawlessly."
"The princess consort naturally trusts you with your duties." Chun Tao straightened her back, her expression unchanged. "However, with the wedding approaching and numerous affairs demanding attention, all the estate's affairs, big and small, require your assistance in managing. It would be difficult for you to handle everything alone. Therefore, the princess consort has graciously allowed others to assist you temporarily, so you can focus entirely on preparing for the Second Young Master's wedding."
Author's Note:
Promoting my upcoming sweet romance novel set in a noble household, The Highborn Concubine Daughter.
Being a concubine-born daughter is hard; being a concubine-born daughter in a high-ranking family is even harder; being a concubine-born daughter in the second branch of the Jing'an Marquis Estate is the hardest of all.
So Pei Rongyun chose to lie low, avoiding the "hard mode."
She let others scheme and fight while she hid in her small courtyard, eating and drinking, living peacefully as a couch potato.
Her birth mother urged her to steal her elder sister's marriage prospects, but she refused outright, saying that men were nowhere near as important as sisters.
When her half-sister shamelessly took her hairpin, she not only didn't get angry but also sent over other items, treating it like discarding trash. After decluttering, her room felt much cleaner.
No one knew who had submitted her name for the imperial selection, but she neither cried nor made a fuss, calmly accepting it. After all, she was proficient in none of the arts—music, chess, calligraphy, or painting—so she wouldn't be chosen anyway.
However, her legitimate younger sister suddenly threw a tantrum, insisting on joining the selection as well.
Then, her younger sister was chosen—and so was she.
Her younger sister was honored with the title of Crown Prince's Concubine, while Pei Rongyun was betrothed as the principal consort to the notorious Prince of Qi, Zhao Che.
After their marriage, rumors spread that Pei Rongyun was living in utter misery.
First, she had to endure Zhao Che never returning to the wangfu at night. Then, she had to endure him keeping women at his manor estate, and even tolerate the red nail marks on his face…
But Pei Rongyun, who secretly went to night markets with Zhao Che for late-night snacks, lived long-term at the manor estate indulging in horse racing, cockfighting, and fishing, and once accidentally scratched someone—only felt that her younger sister’s imagination was truly vivid.
Note Before Reading:
Both leads are chaste.
The male lead, at most, talks big. He is called a wastrel for neglecting his duties and indulging in horse racing, cockfighting, fishing, brewing, drinking, and traveling for leisure. He is labeled a bully for punching eunuchs and kicking censors, but it has nothing to do with women. He will not become emperor.
The story is set in a fictional world, featuring elements of harem and palace intrigue, with a bit of child-rearing, but the overall direction is a sweet, arranged marriage romance.