The poisonous dishes were removed, and a fresh table of food was brought in.
Qiu Ju stepped forward as a matter of course to inspect everything first.Only after confirming that there were no issues did the two of them sit down to eat.
Looking at the table full of exquisitely prepared dishes, Shen Jingyi suddenly felt extremely hungry.
Everything looked delicious to her, so she tasted a bit of every dish.
Whenever she found something particularly tasty, she would even pick up a bite for Prince Xuan. Her cheeks puffed out as she ate, looking just like a little hamster.
Prince Xuan hadn’t had much of an appetite to begin with, but seeing how happily Shen Jingyi was eating, he unconsciously ended up eating an extra bowl himself.
After the meal, Shen Jingyi rubbed her stomach, feeling rather stuffed.
Prince Xuan raised an eyebrow and chuckled when he saw this.“You’re already grown, yet you still managed to eat yourself full. Were you afraid I’d starve you?”
Shen Jingyi felt a little embarrassed, her cheeks turning red, but she still argued back,“I was just really hungry, so I ate too fast. My stomach didn’t have time to react before it got full.”
“Hahaha, that’s quite an interesting explanation.”
This side consort of his was truly amusing.If you said she was bold, she didn’t quite seem like it;if you said she was thick-skinned, she blushed at the slightest thing.
“Come on,” Prince Xuan said. “I’ll take you out for a walk to digest.”
As he spoke, he stood up, took Shen Jingyi’s hand, and led her outside at an unhurried pace.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
She wasn’t very keen on going out—it was midday, and she thought it would be hot.
“Didn’t you want to find some books? I’ll take you there now.”
The moment Shen Jingyi heard they were going to the study, she instantly stopped feeling hot and followed him cheerfully.
Behind them, a large group of maids and attendants immediately trailed after them.
Shen Jingyi didn’t like crowds, so she only kept Xia Zhu and Dong Mei with her and sent the others back.
Once outside, she realized it wasn’t hot at all. There were covered corridors and trees along the way, and the breeze made it quite pleasant.
The two chatted as they walked.
“Your Highness,” Shen Jingyi asked carefully, “may I apply for a small private kitchen? I have two cooks whose skills are quite good, and Qiu Ju also makes excellent medicinal dishes.”
Prince Xuan glanced at her, thinking she might still be shaken from earlier.“That’s fine. I’ll have Chu Ba arrange it for you later.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Hearing his approval, Shen Jingyi was delighted—misfortune had turned into a blessing. Xia Zhu and Dong Mei exchanged glances behind them, their faces full of joy as well.
“Hehe, Your Highness, are your attendants’ names numbered from Chu Yi to Chu Jiu? That’s really easy to remember,” Shen Jingyi teased.
Prince Xuan turned around and lightly tapped her nose. “Mischievous.”Still, he replied, “Yes. When they first came to serve me, I was young and thought it would be convenient.”
“It really is easy to remember.”
“Yi’er,” he asked, “will your cousin be taking the imperial examination this year?”
“Yes,” Shen Jingyi replied. “Before I entered the residence, my aunt mentioned while bringing my dowry that my eldest cousin would be sitting for it this year.”
Her maternal grandfather was the head of Lishan Academy in Jiangnan, a renowned scholar with students spread far and wide and an extensive network of acquaintances—ranging from noble families to martial artists and people of all walks of life.
He had only one son and one daughter. The daughter had been deceived by Shen Jingyi’s father, who failed to cherish her. The son now managed the academy, and his two sons—one scholarly, one martial—were both outstanding.
Shen Jingyi also had an older brother who was currently gaining seniority at the Hanlin Academy.
In short, the family had excellent “genes” all around.
“When he comes, I’ll meet him,” Prince Xuan said.
As they spoke, they arrived at a quiet and beautiful courtyard called “Water Moon Grotto Heaven.”
High walls surrounded the courtyard, moss creeping up their surfaces, adding a sense of age.
Passing through the arched gate, a delicate garden came into view, with flowers competing in beauty and filling the air with fragrance.
At the center of the garden lay a clear pond reflecting blue skies and white clouds like a mirror. Lotus flowers bloomed in the water, their leaves swaying gently in the breeze. Occasionally, fish leapt out of the water, breaking the calm surface.
Beside the pond stood a small pavilion with a stone table and several stone stools for resting.
Following a pebble path through the garden led to a quaint little building. Stone steps stood before it, flanked by several clumps of green bamboo. As the breeze passed through, the bamboo leaves rustled softly.
The windows of the building stood open, sunlight spilling across the wooden floor in shifting patterns. Inside, the furnishings were elegant, bookshelves filled with volumes, and calligraphy and paintings adorned the walls, lending the place a refined scholarly atmosphere.
The entire Water Moon Grotto Heaven courtyard felt like a paradise removed from the world, immersing one in nature’s beauty.
“This place is beautiful—perfect for reading,” Shen Jingyi said as she looked around.
“This is my private space,” Prince Xuan said. “No one usually comes here. If you like it, you may come whenever you wish. I’ll inform the guards when we leave.”
“Really? That’s wonderful—I love it here! Oh, can the fish be caught?” she asked eagerly.
“Oh?” Prince Xuan looked at her in surprise. “You like fishing too?”
“Yes! There are so many fish in the pond!” she said excitedly, pointing.
However, he refused without mercy. “No. These fish aren’t meant to be eaten.”
Then, as if remembering something, he added, “But if you truly like fishing, I know an excellent spot. I can take you there sometime.”
“Really? That’s great!”
Just then, an attendant entered and bowed. “Your Highness, Chu Jiu has discovered something and asks that you come take a look.”
“Understood.”
Prince Xuan then turned to Shen Jingyi. “Go find some books on your own. I’ll go take a look.”
“Yes. Farewell, Your Highness.”
After he left, Shen Jingyi felt even more at ease, wandering around and touching things here and there.
Many of the books here were ones she’d never read before—quite a few were fascinating. She even found a biography of Empress Han, the legendary founding empress who happened to be from the same hometown as her.
This empress was truly extraordinary—skilled in everything and single-handedly blocking every possible path for later transmigrators to get rich.
Glass, cement, gunpowder, sea salt, perfume, lip balm, soap, soy sauce, sweet potatoes, potatoes, greenhouse vegetables, high-yield rice—she had introduced them all.
Trying to become famous through poetry? Sorry—she had already published a poetry collection. All the paths were completely shut off.
In short, even if she hadn’t invented everything herself, Shen Jingyi admired her immensely.
She picked out a few books for Xia Zhu to carry, then sat in the pavilion to feed the fish for a while. Watching them splash and scramble for food made her smile—this really was a wonderful place.
After playing for a bit, she grew sleepy and returned to her courtyard.
Seeing Shen Jingyi come back with Xia Zhu and Dong Mei, Chun Tao hurried out happily.“Side Consort, you’re back! His Highness has already sent people to start building your small kitchen!”
“That fast?” Shen Jingyi was surprised by the efficiency.
“Where’s Nanny Qin?”
“She’s overseeing the sorting of your dowry.”
“Where’s the box the princess consort gave me during the morning tea ceremony? Bring it over—I forgot to look at it.”
“I put it in the cabinet. I’ll fetch it now,” Xia Zhu said, heading inside with the books.
“Let’s go. It’s easy to get sleepy at noon—I’m going to nap. Keep an eye on the time for me; I’m afraid of sleeping too long and not being able to rest tonight.”
As they entered the room, Dong Mei—lively and bold—said after checking no one else was around,“Hehe… Side Consort, you might be overthinking it. His Highness will be coming tonight.”
The implication was obvious: you probably won’t be sleeping tonight.
“Oh? Our Dong Mei knows quite a lot,” Shen Jingyi teased. “Thinking of getting married? Got someone in mind? Tell me—I’ll make sure you get a generous dowry.”
Dong Mei blushed instantly. “Side Consort, what are you saying? I don’t want to get married!”
She stamped her foot, covered her face, and ran out.
“Hmph, trying to tease me with that little bit of skill… hahaha!” Shen Jingyi laughed.
Chun Tao thought to herself: The mistress is getting more playful and cheerful—but that’s really a good thing.
Just then, Xia Zhu came out from the side room holding a carved red sandalwood box, just in time to see Dong Mei running away.
“Why did Dong Mei run off?”
“It’s nothing. Is that the box the princess consort gave this morning?”
“Yes, I haven’t opened it either.”
“Then let’s open it now and see what she gave.”
Shen Jingyi sat before the vanity mirror as Chun Tao removed her hair ornaments.
Xia Zhu opened the box and placed it on the dressing table. Inside was a hollow-carved gold bracelet—large but surprisingly light.
Shen Jingyi clicked her tongue. “Hmph, just a show of courtesy.”
She handed it to Xia Zhu.
Xia Zhu examined it and said, “Side Consort, this looks like an older piece from several years ago.”
“Is that so? Then take it to the shop and have it melted down into a new style,” Shen Jingyi said indifferently.
“All right, you may all go. I’m going to sleep for a bit.”
She walked to the bed and lay down. Before long, her breathing became steady and even.