“Mother Empress!” Zi Sang Zhen found Zi Sang Mu early in the morning, her expression filled with excitement as if she had made some major decision.
She gazed sincerely at Zi Sang Mu, who at that moment lifted the teacup in her hand, brought it to her lips, and took a small sip.
Zi Sang Mu was not surprised by Zi Sang Zhen’s decision, but after all, she was only a fourteen-year-old child, and her decisions could not be entirely convincing.
“Mother Empress! I want to become a prince. I will make you proud, and I will make those people look at me with new eyes!”
As always, Zi Sang Zhen rushed forward without any regard for decorum, knelt before Zi Sang Mu, and looked up at her.
From her eyes, Zi Sang Mu saw unparalleled sincerity and trust.
She curved her lips into a faint smile but quickly restrained it. “Since that’s the case, then we shall begin ‘Tui-Shi’ next month.”
Zi Sang Zhen’s eyes were filled with anticipation, but Zi Sang Mu only felt a pang of sorrow. The pain of “Tui-Shi” was not something ordinary people could endure. If they could not bear it, how could they stand at the pinnacle of power?
If they were still in Nan Zhen Kingdom, such pain would only require enduring fifty percent. But now, in Bei Yue Kingdom, and with the determination to claim the throne, Zi Sang Zhen would have to endure one hundred percent.
Thinking of this, Zi Sang Mu could not help but close her eyes, but Zi Sang Zhen could not sense her mother’s inner turmoil.
She was still proud of herself for being able to become her mother’s pride.
“Mother Consort, what place is this?” A young girl dressed in a silk brocade skirt, with an embroidered sachet hanging from the hem of her clothes and a string of pom-poms adorning her small head, bore a striking resemblance to Zi Sang Zhen upon closer inspection.
The girl was tall for her age, looking about fourteen years old. Unlike Zi Sang Zhen’s lively nature, she was clearly well-versed in decorum, with every movement exuding an air of nobility.
The woman beside her was no less impressive. Though a few wrinkles had begun to appear at the corners of her eyes, they were skillfully concealed with makeup.
She bent slightly, showing a hint of annoyance toward her child. “Yi’er, do not be so curious. Curiosity killed the cat.”
Huangfu Yi paid no mind to her mother consort’s scolding. She knew her mother consort was all bark and no bite, and even such words could not stifle her curiosity.
Under Huangfu Yi’s earnest and sincere gaze, the Talent Consort found it difficult to refuse further. Instead, she changed her approach to explain. “This is Mu Chun Palace, the Cold Palace. Do not get too close, or your father the Emperor will be displeased. If he becomes unhappy, he might send you away, and you won’t be able to see your mother consort anymore.”
Half comforting, half threatening.
Huangfu Yi did not believe any of this. Instead, she took a few more glances at the courtyard.
Zi Sang Zhen had noticed Huangfu Yi the moment she spoke. She smiled as she watched the two conversing.
As if sensing something, Huangfu Yi locked eyes with Zi Sang Zhen twice.
Through the lush green leaves, they gazed at each other, their exchanged glances seeming to seal an unspoken agreement.
Just after finishing dinner, Zi Sang Zhen busied herself preparing to go out.
Usually, she would clamor for Qian Yu to add more training sessions for her, but today she insisted on not having any extra. It was strange, but Zi Sang Mu did not stop her, letting her have her way.
Jin Yu, however, grew anxious. “Aren’t you going to discipline her more? If she neglects her studies, you’ll regret it later!”
Zi Sang Mu was amused by these words and let out a chuckle. “Don’t overthink it, she won’t.”
Jin Yu cleared the dishes, somewhat displeased, acting like a resentful wife complaining about her husband’s inaction. “She’ll be going to school soon. If we don’t discipline her now, she’ll face the teacher’s anger later!”
Zi Sang Mu shook her head, disbelief written all over her face. “Zhen is very clever and doesn’t bully others. Why would she be disliked?”
Jin Yu grew anxious again. “Even if that’s not an issue, what if she gets too accustomed to playing and becomes wild-hearted?”
“Alright, alright, don’t worry. Qian Yu is with her and will call her back when it’s time.”
Zi Sang Mu patted Jin Yu’s shoulder, comforting her. “I believe she won’t.”
Jin Yu shot Zi Sang Mu a glare, unwilling to say more.
Meanwhile, Zi Sang Zhen slipped into the small alley. She had a feeling that little girl would come here.
This was Zi Sang Zhen’s first time meeting a child her own age. Faced with an unknown companion, her fear and worry overpowered her curiosity.
But no one had arrived in the alley yet. The once-excited Zi Sang Zhen couldn’t help but feel disappointed. However, a child’s emotions are ever-changing and unpredictable. Within half a minute, Zi Sang Zhen had already shaken off her discontent.
Instead, she squatted on the ground, picked up a random twig, and began drawing. In truth, Zi Sang Zhen was thinking about where to take the little girl to play if she really did come.
But after drawing for a while, she couldn’t come up with any good ideas. Feeling conflicted, she scratched her head, considering giving up on thinking altogether.
“What are you drawing?” A clear voice came from above Zi Sang Zhen.
She looked up and saw the girl dressed in a beautiful gauze skirt.
Upon seeing her, Zi Sang Zhen’s eyes lit up, but reason prevailed. She glanced behind the girl, and seeing no one else, her worries eased.
“You came! What’s your name?” Zi Sang Zhen stood up, patted the dust off her clothes, and asked.
Only after standing did Zi Sang Zhen realize she was half a head taller than the girl. She couldn’t help but feel a bit proud, thinking to herself, I’m the older sister! But she quickly remembered she was a prince, so she shouldn’t be a sister but an older brother.
“My name is Huangfu Yi. What’s yours?” Huangfu Yi was a bit nervous, fiddling with the stray hairs by her ear with her small hand.
Zi Sang Zhen, being naturally outgoing, reached out and took Huangfu Yi’s hand. “I think my surname is Huangfu too. I should be called Huangfu Zhen, but I’m not sure. After all, I don’t have a name, but that doesn’t matter! I’m taller than you, so unless something’s off, I should be your imperial elder brother. You can call me brother.”
Huangfu Yi didn’t understand. Based on her current knowledge, she was clearly the oldest. Even Huangfu Ze was a few months younger than her.
“You’re talking nonsense! I’m definitely the oldest!”
Seeing her getting worked up, Zi Sang Zhen quickly stopped her. “Hey, hey, hey, but I’m older than you. And I’m already sixteen in nominal age. When the spring equinox comes, it’ll be my birthday, and I’ll turn fourteen in actual age.”
Huangfu Yi counted on her fingers and realized Zi Sang Zhen was indeed two years older. Admitting defeat, she pouted, unwilling to acknowledge her mistake.
Thinking Huangfu Yi didn’t want to play with her, Zi Sang Zhen grew anxious. “Don’t be angry. If you want to be the older sister, that’s fine too.”
Huangfu Yi wasn’t necessarily determined to win the argument. With her head turned away stubbornly, she found herself in a difficult position. After wrestling with her thoughts for a long time, she finally lowered her head and said, “Fine, I was wrong! Hmph! Don’t think I’ve forgiven you, though!”
Zi Sang Zhen tilted her head, pondering Huangfu Yi’s words. She didn’t quite understand, but before she could figure it out, Huangfu Yi, annoyed, gave her a light shove.
“Alright, fine! You can be the elder sibling! Are you also surnamed Huangfu? Are you Father Emperor’s child?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never seen Father Emperor since I was little.”
“I think you must be. Mother Consort said this is the Cold Palace. Even if it’s the Cold Palace, the people living here should still be Father Emperor’s wives. Since you’re the child of one of Father Emperor’s wives, you must be Father Emperor’s child too. So I should call you Imperial Elder Brother!”
Huangfu Yi’s reasoning seemed logical and well-founded, but Zi Sang Zhen couldn’t quite grasp all these complexities. After all, she had been born in the Cold Palace and, before meeting Huangfu Yi, had only ever seen her mother, Jin Yu, and Qian Yu, along with the occasional palace maid who delivered supplies.
Unfazed by her lack of understanding, Zi Sang Zhen decided to set the matter aside for another time. All she knew was that this new companion was willing to play with her and even called her “elder sibling”!
“Come, I’ll take you inside,” Zi Sang Zhen said, pulling Huangfu Yi along.
Eager to show off her newfound playmate, Zi Sang Zhen couldn’t wait to take her to her “secret base.”
The so-called secret base was nothing more than a small corner with two fruit trees and a dried-up well. However, the entrance to this spot was rather unimpressive—it was a dog hole!
“……” Huangfu Yi stared in disbelief. How could an elder sibling ask her to crawl through a dog hole!
“I’m not going!” Huangfu Yi protested, unwilling to bend her noble body.
Besides, her beautiful dress would be ruined, and that would be such a waste!
Zi Sang Zhen looked puzzled. “Why not?” she asked innocently.
Huangfu Yi stamped her foot. “If I get dirty, Mother Consort will scold me. And if we’re caught, I won’t be able to escape! If that happens, I won’t be able to come back next time.”
Zi Sang Zhen let out an “ah” of realization, finally noticing how extravagant the girl’s clothes were compared to her own plain attire.
Well-protected and never having dwelled on such differences, Zi Sang Zhen now thought carefully for the sake of her hard-won friend (or younger sister). She pondered how to keep Huangfu Yi from getting dirty.
She looked up at the fence. It didn’t seem too high. Assessing her own abilities, she thought it wouldn’t be too difficult, though she had never tried it before—she was used to crawling through the dog hole.
She stood up, gathered her internal energy, and leaped effortlessly onto the fence.
After jumping back down, she reached out and took Huangfu Yi’s hand. “Let me try something.”
With a soft sigh, Zi Sang Zhen lifted Huangfu Yi into the air, holding her securely. She weighed her in her arms—surprisingly light.
“You’re so light. You should eat more when you go back,” Zi Sang Zhen remarked, noticing how slight Huangfu Yi felt.
Huangfu Yi kept a cold expression, refusing to respond. Mother Consort had always said girls looked better when they were slender, and her elder sibling’s comment only annoyed her further.
Zi Sang Zhen, seeing her displeasure, frantically tried to make amends, “No, that’s not what I meant. I meant you’re a bit too light, and it might affect your growth later… Wait… Ahhh, that’s not what I meant either…”
“Haha,” Huangfu Yi was amused by Zi Sang Zhen’s flustered state. “Alright, alright. I do think I’m a bit too thin, but my mother said I should eat less, in case my future husband can’t carry me.”
Zi Sang Zhen was indignant. “If he can’t even carry you, then he doesn’t deserve to be your husband! In that case, why not let my royal brother take care of you for a lifetime?”
Who doesn’t love hearing sweet words? Huangfu Yi laughed heartily at this and wrapped her arm around Zi Sang Zhen’s neck, saying cheerfully, “Good, good! I’ll have my royal brother take care of me for a lifetime!”
Zi Sang Zhen leaped up onto the fence, flipped over, and jumped down. After setting Huangfu Yi down, she led her to a dry well and flipped open the stone cover on top.
Proudly showing off, she declared, “This is my treasure spot.”
“Whenever my mother scolds or punishes me, I hide here. There are lots of fun things inside.”
This place was essentially Zi Sang Zhen’s refuge. Every time Zi Sang Mu hit her, she would hide here and cry. Of course, the small toys Qian Yu bought for her when they went out were also stored here.
“This is a lantern Qian Yu gave me for my birthday. This is a picture album from Jin Yu. This is a jade pendant my mother carved for me herself. There’s also a kite here, but my mother said we’re not allowed to fly it in the palace, though she always takes me out to play with it. And there’s the cloth tiger from my childhood, and a bamboo horse Jin Yu made for me… so many things.”
Though they were all small trinkets, each item reflected the love those people had for Zi Sang Zhen.
For some reason, Huangfu Yi felt a twinge of envy. She clearly had more possessions—fine silks and satins, luminous pearls, purple coral, white jade, even ordinary cloth tigers, and countless hairpins to adorn herself with.
Yet the love poured into the things she owned never felt as intense as what they had given Zi Sang Zhen.
Perhaps noticing Huangfu Yi’s prolonged silence, Zi Sang Zhen leaned closer. “If there’s anything you like, I’ll give it to you.”
Huangfu Yi shook her braided hair. “No need, no need! I have so, so many things!”
But Zi Sang Zhen insisted, rummaging through the pile and pulling out a handkerchief she had gotten when she was eight or nine, forcefully handing it to her. According to Jin Yu, it was woven by her mother’s own hands when she was deeply favored by the emperor. Later, because Zi Sang Zhen loved it so much, Zi Sang Mu reluctantly parted with it.
Huangfu Yi took the handkerchief, feeling its softness. It seemed to touch a tender spot in her heart. Thinking a handkerchief couldn’t be too precious, she accepted it.
They had been playing there for who knows how long when the sky outside began to darken. Huangfu Yi grew anxious.
“I have to hurry back! Otherwise, my mother will worry. I’ll come find you every three days! Wait for me, okay?”
“Okay! Next time, I’ll take you fruit-picking!”