Yin Chan was momentarily at a loss for a rebuttal—the words did hold truth. Jiang Xuerong was merely a concubine-born daughter, with only the dowry given by Jiang Ping in her possession. Though it was not insignificant, compared to Luo Huier’s family background, it was clear she could not compete in terms of wealth.
Jiang Xuerong added, “Moreover, this is only what she has given openly. In secret, Marquis Pingnan must have made arrangements on her behalf, spending who knows how much silver. How could our meager resources ever compare?”
Yin Chan could only sigh, glancing at the remote courtyard. “But this place is far too secluded and quiet. In the future, Your Grace’s favor…”
Jiang Xuerong stepped into the palace courtyard and walked further inside. “Even if I lived closer, there might still be no favor to speak of. Look on the bright side, Yin Chan.”
Though Jiang Xuerong herself did not know why The Crown Prince had chosen her, she had never held any expectations of gaining favor.
Apart from Yin Chan, Eunuch Fu had assigned another palace maid to serve her, named Lu Rui.
Lu Rui was even younger than Yin Chan and timidly performed a bow. “This humble maid greets Chenghui Jiang.”
“Rise, there’s no need for such formality.”
Jiang Xuerong instructed Yin Chan and Lu Rui to tidy up their belongings and then took a stroll around the palace courtyard. Mingyu Xuan likely had not been inhabited for a long time. Although Eunuch Fu had ordered the living quarters cleaned before their arrival, the entire courtyard still carried the scent of long disuse.
After walking around, Jiang Xuerong discovered an abandoned flowerbed behind Mingyu Xuan, its origins unknown. Gazing at the flowerbed, she thought of the vegetable patch Zou Ruoshui had personally cultivated in Ruoshui Pavilion. She, too, could plant some vegetables, just like her concubine mother.
Jiang Xuerong pondered what vegetables could be planted in this season—cucumbers, luffa… all worth trying.
Clapping her hands, Jiang Xuerong decided to start planting vegetables the very next day.
Once their belongings were arranged, Jiang Xuerong sat in the hall, continuing to contemplate what else she could plant and the supplies needed for gardening. She took out paper and brush, jotting down everything required.
A hoe—essential for tilling the soil…
Seeds—also essential.
However, while seeds could be purchased outside, within the Eastern Palace, where could she obtain them?
Jiang Xuerong found herself momentarily stumped.
Just as she was grappling with this dilemma, Lu Rui came to report, “Chenghui Jiang, Chenghui Zhao requests an audience outside the gate.”
Jiang Xuerong was taken aback. Zhao Qiang? What was she here for?
Jiang Xuerong had no acquaintance with Zhao Qiang—not even a nodding familiarity. She could not even match Zhao Qiang’s name to her face. Yet, since the other had come, it would be impolite not to receive her.
After a moment’s consideration, Jiang Xuerong said, “Please invite her in.”
Lu Rui acknowledged and soon returned with Zhao Qiang in tow.
So it was the young lady in the pink ruqun from earlier.
Jiang Xuerong rose to her feet and exchanged greetings with Zhao Qiang. As they were both Chenghui of the Crown Prince, they were of equal rank and thus greeted each other accordingly.
Zhao Qiang’s appearance was not particularly striking; compared to Jiang Xuerong and the other two, she could at best be described as delicate and refined.
Upon seeing Jiang Xuerong, Zhao Qiang felt somewhat inferior. She herself did not understand how she had been chosen. She was not exceptionally beautiful and was an inconspicuous concubine-born daughter in her family—how could The Crown Prince have taken a liking to her…
“Sister Jiang, I heard you are also a concubine-born daughter in your family. I thought we might have more to talk about, which is why I’ve taken the liberty to disturb you,” Zhao Qiang began nervously.
Before entering the palace, she had inquired about their family backgrounds and personalities. Luo Huier was the only daughter in her family, thoroughly pampered, with a somewhat willful and domineering temperament—certainly not someone she would get along with. Xue Rumei was also a legitimate daughter, quite favored and talented, so she likely wouldn't be a kindred spirit either.
Only this Jiang Xuerong, like her, was a concubine-born daughter. Zhao Qiang wanted to get closer to her, as she was far too anxious about entering the palace and instinctively sought some reliance.
"Not at all, not at all. If you want to come find me, you can come talk to me anytime," Jiang Xuerong said calmly on the surface, but inwardly, she was startled by Zhao Qiang's words.
For some reason, she felt Zhao Qiang's words didn't sound quite right.
Given that the sisters in Jiangguogongfu were often at odds, Jiang Xuerong couldn't help but keep an eye on Zhao Qiang.
Hearing Jiang Xuerong's response, Zhao Qiang sighed with relief and added, "That's wonderful. I was afraid Sister Jiang would dislike me. Sister Jiang, you have no idea, I was so nervous last night I couldn't sleep. I've always been timid since childhood."
Jiang Xuerong agreed, "Actually, I was quite nervous too."
Zhao Qiang chatted a bit more before leaving. After seeing her off, Jiang Xuerong remained uncertain about Zhao Qiang and decided to set the matter aside for now. They had just arrived, and no one had gained favor yet—Zhao Qiang couldn't possibly be thinking of harming her.
Unnoticed, the sky gradually darkened.
Xiao Mingche sat in Qianyuan Dian handling state affairs, not distracted in the slightest by the addition of several women to the Eastern Palace today. To be precise, he hadn't even remembered that several women had entered the Eastern Palace today.
Changqing stood nearby, feeling anxious.
The Empress had repeatedly instructed him to ensure His Highness summoned a consort to attend the bedchamber.
But he didn't know how to bring it up.
As the sky grew darker, Changqing coughed and finally spoke, "Your Highness, you've been busy all day. Perhaps it's time for dinner."
Xiao Mingche set down the memorial in his hand, rubbed his temples, and glanced at the time outside. It was indeed time for dinner.
"Have the meal served."
Changqing ordered the meal to be served and then carefully observed Xiao Mingche's reaction, hoping he would remember what he was supposed to do tonight.
But Xiao Mingche clearly hadn't recalled anything. He only noticed Changqing's unusual gaze and asked, puzzled, "Why are you staring at me?"
Changqing smiled awkwardly and said, "This subordinate merely thought Your Highness looked exceptionally handsome today, so I took an extra glance."
Hearing this, Xiao Mingche frowned even deeper. "What nonsense are you talking?"
Changqing lowered his head and murmured, "The Empress instructed this subordinate to remind Your Highness to summon a consort to attend the bedchamber."
Only then did Xiao Mingche seem to remember that several women had entered the Eastern Palace today.
He paused and said, "I don't feel like it today. We'll talk about it another day."
Changqing felt like crying but had no tears. He knew this would happen.
"Perhaps you could reconsider…" Changqing mustered his courage.
Without looking up, Xiao Mingche said, "One more word, and you can leave."
Changqing made a gesture of sealing his lips, silently retreated to the side, and said no more.
In Feiyan Hall, Luo Huier waited excitedly for Xiao Mingche's arrival.
Tonight was their first night in the Eastern Palace. Although she was only a Liangdi, in a way, this could still be considered a wedding night. She hoped Xiao Mingche would come to her palace.
"Xiao Die, go outside and see if The Crown Prince has arrived yet?" Luo Huier couldn't help but stand up, pacing back and forth in the room.
Not long after, Xiao Die returned to report: "Answering Liangdi, I did not see His Highness The Crown Prince."
Luo Huier said somewhat irritably: "Go on, go on."
Luo Huier sat down on the couch. If The Crown Prince wasn't coming to her palace tonight, whose palace would he go to?
Not only Luo Huier couldn't sleep, Xue Rumei and Zhao Qiang were also tossing and turning.
Although they didn't hold much hope that The Crown Prince would come tonight, they still had expectations, so naturally they couldn't remain calm.
Only Jiang Xuerong went to bed early.
Yin Chan advised: "Chenghui, won't you wait a little longer? What if The Crown Prince comes later and you're already asleep, what then?"
Jiang Xuerong said: "I don't think The Crown Prince will come. Might as well sleep."
After saying this, she turned and went to bed.
Yin Chan watched her back, feeling somewhat helpless for a moment, and could only blow out the lamp.
Jiang Xuerong lay on the unfamiliar bed. The palace was indeed the palace; even in such a remote courtyard, the furnishings were better than what she used at Ruoshui Pavilion. This soft bedding, these exquisite bed curtains…
She closed her eyes and thought of tonight's dinner.
Because their rank was low, they didn't have a small kitchen; all the food was sent from the imperial kitchen, but it tasted very good. Unfortunately, there was no rabbit cake like the one she ate the day she entered the palace.
Thinking of the rabbit cake, drowsiness gradually overcame Jiang Xuerong, and she drifted into dreamland.
She slept extremely well, without any dreams all night.
Early the next morning, Jiang Xuerong was again awakened by Yin Chan.
"Chenghui, Chenghui, it's time to get up. Today we must go to pay respects to Her Majesty the Empress."
Hearing the words "pay respects," Jiang Xuerong's consciousness gradually returned. She sighed deeply and muttered: "Why do we have to pay respects everywhere…"
After Yin Chan and Lu Rui helped Jiang Xuerong wash and dress, Jiang Xuerong met up with Luo Huier and the others.
Luo Huier looked unwell. Last night, she waited until she fell asleep and still didn't see The Crown Prince. Early this morning, she urgently asked her maid which palace The Crown Prince had gone to last night, and the answer was that The Crown Prince hadn't gone to anyone's palace; he had rested in his own quarters.
Only then did Luo Huier's mood improve a little, but only a little.
Thus, seeing Jiang Xuerong arrive late, she couldn't help but snap at her: "Why are you so late? If we're delayed in paying respects to Her Majesty the Empress, can you bear the responsibility?"
Jiang Xuerong lowered her head and only said: "I'm sorry, Sister Luo."
Luo Huier wouldn't let it go: "Aren't you Jiang Sixian's sister? Why are you so much worse than her?"
Jiang Xuerong said: "Sister Luo is right, I am far inferior to my second sister."
Luo Huier scoffed, thinking she was simply a coward, and said impatiently: "Alright, alright, let's go quickly."
Qiwugong.
The Empress looked at the few young and fresh-faced girls with a kind smile: "No need for formalities, all rise."
The Empress asked expectantly: "Whose palace did The Crown Prince go to last night?"
Luo Huier, being the highest in rank, spoke up: "Answering Her Majesty the Empress, last night His Highness The Crown Prince… did not come to our palaces. He rested in his own palace."
The Empress's expression changed slightly. This Che'er… never gives anyone peace of mind!
"The Crown Prince has always been devoted to state affairs. Since you have entered the Eastern Palace to serve The Crown Prince, you should also be more proactive, more considerate, and help share The Crown Prince's burdens."
All four responded in unison: "Your concubines understand."
The Empress did not keep them for long before allowing them to return.
After returning to the Eastern Palace, Luo Huier had some tea and snacks prepared, intending to personally deliver them to Xiao Mingche at Qianyuan Dian.
Since Her Majesty the Empress had instructed them to be more proactive and considerate, she naturally had to take the initiative.
Luo Huier arrived at Qianyuan Dian with the tea and snacks, only to be informed that The Crown Prince was not in the palace that day.
It was not until late that night that The Crown Prince returned.
Luo Huier had someone keep watch, and upon receiving news of his return, she immediately brought food over again.
"Your Highness, Your Highness…" Luo Huier blocked Xiao Mingche's path, "You must be tired today. I personally prepared chicken soup for you. Please have some."
Though she claimed to have made it herself, it was actually prepared by her servants, as Luo Huier had never lifted a finger in her life.
Holding the chicken soup, she looked at Xiao Mingche with hopeful eyes, hoping to catch a glimpse of gratitude in his expression.
Under the glow of the octagonal glazed palace lanterns in the corridor, Xiao Mingche's shadow stretched out. His face was cold and stern as he replied indifferently, "No need."
With that, he turned and entered the hall, leaving Luo Huier with nothing but an unfeeling silhouette.