“The Crown Prince is amazing! When I go out, I often hear people in teahouses and taverns, as well as storytellers, talking about his achievements in managing the flood this time!”
This Crown Prince—when she was young, she had often played in the palace with Princess Le’an and spent time with the Crown Prince as well.
The Crown Prince, just as the history books described, was benevolent and magnanimous. He treated her very well, always preparing gifts for her whenever he did for Le’an.
Her two older brothers were companions to the Crown Prince, so the three of them often came and went together, like three brothers. The Crown Prince never treated her or his own sister differently.
In her memory, the Crown Prince had never shown any unusual behavior. Recently, when the Crown Prince fell ill, she had accompanied her mother to the palace to comfort the Empress and visit him.
Later, the Empress went out to pray for blessings, and the Crown Prince recovered.
Upon reflection, after the Crown Prince recovered, she had accompanied her mother to visit him again. On one occasion, she had noticed something strange in the Crown Prince’s gaze—it was complex and unusual.
Before she could think further, the Crown Prince had departed for Quzhou to manage the flood relief, only returning recently.
“The Crown Prince has grown, capable of handling affairs on his own, and more fitting as the heir. Now, having accomplished the immense feat of flood management and saving the people, beloved by the people and praised by the Emperor, you can rejoice quietly in your heart!”
Zhenbei Princess’s mother finished speaking, and the Empress couldn’t help but let out a small laugh, covering her mouth.
“It’s only in your presence that I can laugh like this. Though you tease me with words, I know you’re truly happy for me. The concubines in the harem, with their wide smiles and flattery, are often begrudging deep inside,” the Empress thought, recalling the recent days of congratulations. She often wanted to roll her eyes at their hypocritical expressions.
She wondered how long each concubine had practiced smiling in front of her, rehearsing until they could appear gracious.
“Mother!”
Little Princess Le’an hurried in, her skirts bouncing as she ran. Seeing Zhenbei Princess and Shen Yunshu in the hall, she slowed down and greeted them.
“Greetings, Your Highness,” said Zhenbei Princess.
“Greetings, Princess,” Shen Yunshu replied.
“Yunshu, you’re here! Why didn’t you come to me? I was just fretting over which hairpin to wear. Look at this white jade lotus hairpin on my head—doesn’t it look lovely? Though it’s a bit plain for me, it would suit your serene style. But it was a tribute from a vassal state not long ago, the finest Hetian white jade—my most precious hairpin.”
Princess Le’an ran over and sat beside Shen Yunshu, leaning slightly to show her the white jade lotus hairpin.
Shen Yunshu examined the hairpin. Indeed, it was exquisite—the lotus carved with meticulous detail, lifelike as a water lily.
Yet, it didn’t quite match the Princess’s lively personality; it was more like something Shen Yunshu herself would choose.
“I told you before, Princess, you needn’t pick only the most expensive things. Whatever you wear becomes precious,” the Empress said, massaging her temples, helpless at her daughter’s insistence.
“But that won’t do! I’m the most honored princess of the Da-Yang Dynasty, your daughter, Mother, and the most beloved Princess Le’an of the Emperor. I want everyone to know that what I have isn’t just the best—it’s unique!” Le’an pouted indignantly.
Shen Yunshu understood. Le’an simply wanted to annoy the Seventh Princess.
The Seventh Princess was born to Consort Li, who was beautiful and from a powerful family. She had little cunning but was favored by the Emperor.
In the dynasty, a Noble Consort ranked just below the Empress. Naturally, Consort Li grew arrogant.
Her daughter, the Seventh Princess, grew even more boastful, comparing herself constantly to Princess Le’an.
Le’an, cheerful by nature and guided by the Empress to behave sensibly, still often got provoked by the Seventh Princess. When the two met in private, it was always a clash of wills, neither yielding.
Shen Yunshu gestured to Linlang, who immediately brought over a prepared sandalwood box.
“This hairpin was custom-made recently when I went with Sister Peihan of the Guogong family to Lanxi Lane. I designed it myself. Though not as valuable as your exquisite white jade lotus hairpin, it is guaranteed to be unique. I tried to make it in a style I thought you would like. Do you like it?”
Shen Yunshu opened the pear-blossom wood box, revealing a golden-red ruby glass hairpin shaped like a koi.
“Wow, is this a golden carp? It’s so beautiful!”
Princess Le’an’s eyes lit up, and she eagerly took the hairpin to examine it.
The head was made of pure gold, sculpted into a plump round koi. Each scale was inlaid with bright, high-quality red rubies. Its large eyes were crafted from clear glass, sparkling brilliantly in the sunlight.
“It’s indeed a golden carp. I wanted something lively and cute, like you, so I had this ruby golden carp hairpin made,” Shen Yunshu explained.
“This chubby golden carp is so cute! Such big eyes, it really looks like me! I’ll wear this today! Quickly, pin it for me!”
Excitedly, Le’an removed her white jade hairpin and handed the golden carp hairpin to Shen Yunshu to fix in place.
Shen Yunshu shook her head, knowing the Princess would love it. The design was novel, eye-catching, and colorful.
In the Great Yang Dynasty, golden carp—also called fire-scaled or red-scaled carp—were rare. Originally absent in the empire, they were later tributes from vassal states. They were prized by the nobility and among the most expensive fish in the empire.
Because they were rarely seen by commoners, almost no one had made hairpins featuring golden carp yet.
But Le’an, like many young noble girls, loved novelty, especially when it came from Shen Yunshu.
Le’an called her attendant, Hupo, who skillfully produced a small, delicate bronze mirror. She held it up to admire herself, turning her head left and right.
“You understand me, Yunshu. I love shiny, sparkling things that make me happy. It’s so beautiful!”
This was one reason Le’an loved dragging Shen Yunshu to pick accessories. She liked luxurious, gold-and-jewel items, but didn’t have the eye to choose them herself. Shen Yunshu always picked items that were rich yet tasteful.
Besides Shen Yunshu, only Peihan and Ji Xinyi were friends she could play and shop with.