Imperial edicts from the palace came in many varieties. For rewards like lychees and silk—tributes quite common in the imperial family—Yao Huang could simply say words of gratitude before the reward-bestowing eunuch. Now that Emperor Yongchang had invested her as Crown Princess, such a major matter, Yao Huang should enter the palace to express her gratitude.

Asking the edict-proclaiming eunuch to wait a moment, Yao Huang had A’Ji return to Ming’an Hall to prepare a clean and attractive small basket while she ran back to the rear garden herself. Personally diving into the cucumber bed in the vegetable patch, she selected cucumbers that were long, straight, thick, and sufficiently tender, picking over ten in one breath. Placing them in the basket A’Ji brought, she then changed clothes separately with the wet nurse and Jun’er, all together following the edict-proclaiming eunuch into the palace.

Having just finished encouraging his eldest son, Emperor Yongchang was reviewing memorials again.

After all, having been emperor for over thirty years, he had seen great storms and waves. He wouldn’t be defeated by two vexing family matters.

“Your Majesty, the Crown Princess has come to express gratitude.” Eunuch Wang approached the cabinet door with light steps. Seeing the Emperor look up, Eunuch Wang revealed a smile: “The Crown Princess also brought the young prince.”

The daughter-in-law’s arrival was within Emperor Yongchang’s expectations. Being able to see his little imperial grandson was purely a delightful surprise. Emperor Yongchang directly put down his vermillion brush, leaving the study for the outer hall. Then he saw his daughter-in-law standing outside the main entrance pushing some oddly-shaped wheeled wooden contraption. Emperor Yongchang was examining it when suddenly a chubby little hand extended from inside the thing…

Emperor Yongchang: “…”

The Imperial Study’s threshold had also been modified—slope-like with almost no obstruction. Yao Huang walked in while carefully watching the cart’s front wheels.

Emperor Yongchang had already approached. Seeing Jun’er lying comfortably inside, he stepped back two paces to examine this thing from top to bottom, unsure whether to call it a chair or bed, asking: “Where did you get this?”

Yao Huang smiled: “This daughter-in-law had Master Deng make it. Sometimes when Second Prince and I go strolling in the garden, when the weather is good I also want to bring Jun’er along. But always having Second Prince hold Jun’er is quite tiring. This daughter-in-law thought to prepare another wheelchair to put Jun’er in, then this daughter-in-law pushes Second Prince while Second Prince pushes Jun’er in front. But wheelchairs are too hard and have no barriers. This daughter-in-law simply summoned Master Deng to look and craft one. Finally gave this thing the name ‘cart.'”

Emperor Yongchang: “Is it sturdy?”

Yao Huang: “Even sturdier than Second Prince’s wheelchair.”

The imperial family’s big precious egg was no longer afraid of falls, but the little precious egg was still too tender.

Emperor Yongchang pressed the cart’s body. It was indeed sturdy enough. Only then did he bend down to untie the straps securing Jun’er inside, lifting up his little imperial grandson.

Jun’er was nearly three months old, grown white and plump, a pair of phoenix eyes extremely similar to his father prince’s. But when he smiled, he very much resembled his mother.

Emperor Yongchang, having just been angry, loved such smiles. Just as he pinched Jun’er’s little hand, he saw his daughter-in-law pull a small basket from under the cart. Inside were… cucumbers his daughter-in-law had presented two years ago.

Meeting Emperor Yongchang’s neither surprised nor pleased indifferent gaze, Yao Huang felt no embarrassment. She explained: “Father Emperor has everything here. This daughter-in-law’s most precious good things were still rewards from Father Emperor. This daughter-in-law can hardly return them, right? Without expensive things, she can only send some practical items laden with this daughter-in-law’s filial devotion. Father Emperor, look here—still wet! This proves these are ones this daughter-in-law just picked. Guaranteed fresh!”

Only then did Emperor Yongchang grunt an acknowledgment. Fresh enough indeed.

National affairs were pressing. Emperor Yongchang couldn’t spare too much time for his little imperial grandson. Before placing Jun’er back in the cart, Emperor Yongchang said: “This cart is quite good. You can send one to your eldest sister-in-law in advance.”

Yao Huang glanced at the Emperor father-in-law who seemed focused on examining the cart, saying quietly: “This daughter-in-law was planning to send one to Eldest Sister-in-law after she gives birth, including both younger sisters—they’ll all definitely get one eventually. As for Third Sister-in-law’s San Lang who is the same age as Jun’er, I want to send one, but fear…”

She feared the depressed Prince Qing and Zheng Yuanzhen couple wouldn’t value her gift, and also feared Emperor Yongchang here would be unhappy. “Oh wonderful, he’s just giving the cold shoulder to those people, yet the daughter-in-law goes to show concern—doesn’t this mean not taking the family head seriously?”

Yao Huang was never any bleeding heart. The less trouble the better. Anyway, she and her husband didn’t have much brotherly or sister-in-law affection with Prince Qing and his wife to begin with. When she could perform surface courtesies, Yao Huang would do so, not giving people opportunities to pick at her faults. At critical junctures when performing surface courtesies was inconvenient, Yao Huang wouldn’t seek trouble inappropriately either.

Emperor Yongchang: “What’s there to fear? You’re San Lang’s aunt. Who dares gossip when an aunt shows concern for her nephew?”

Third Son and his niece each had their own wrongs. San Lang was innocent. Emperor Yongchang confined the couple hoping they could properly reflect on their errors. After three years, as long as they learned to behave, they would still be proper imperial clan members.

Having Second Daughter-in-law send a cart over, the couple should understand his concern for San Lang. While reflecting on themselves, they should also pay more attention to San Lang—not raise him to ruin.

Yao Huang understood, smiling: “This daughter-in-law obeys. Upon leaving the palace, I’ll immediately send someone to deliver it.”

The Crown Princess pushed the little imperial grandson to pay respects to Empress Zhou. Eunuch Wang also brought over a plate of freshly washed cucumbers, looking left and right, pondering where to place the plate.

Emperor Yongchang, while reviewing memorials, tilted his chin toward the edge of the desk.

Eunuch Wang smiled, set down the plate, and quietly withdrew.

Reviewing less important memorials, Emperor Yongchang switched to writing with his right hand while his left hand picked up a cucumber. One bite—indeed crisp, delicious, and refreshingly thirst-quenching.

After Yao Huang returned to the residence, she had people go to Yaju Pavilion, which had already begun selling carts, to buy two. She then arranged for Eunuch Cao to personally make a trip to Prince Qing’s residence.

The specifications of a princely residence and a second-rank princely residence differed, but Emperor Yongchang had only reduced Third Son’s peerage rank without intending to expel the family of three from the princely residence to relocate to another second-rank prince’s residence. So the Prince Qing residence on the east side of the imperial city only changed its plaque to “Prince of Second Rank Qing’s Residence”—inside, basically nothing had changed.

Prince of Second Rank Qing and his wife were confined to reflect on their errors. The residence’s steward continued his duties as usual. Hearing knocking, he peered through the door crack, recognizing Eunuch Cao from Prince Hui’s residence.

The steward opened the door, asking puzzled: “Eunuch, this is…”

Eunuch Cao pointed to the carts being pushed by two young eunuchs beside him, his expression peaceful: “This old servant, following the Crown Princess’s verbal order, has come to deliver gifts to the Prince and Princess.”

Heaven as witness, Eunuch Cao truly had no intention of showing off. But as eunuchs and servants, when performing duties and handling affairs, they must respectfully address their masters and noble persons above.

Inside the door, the former Prince Qing residence steward, now Prince of Second Rank Qing residence steward: “…”

All experienced hands serving in noble residences, the steward prudently didn’t ask too many questions. He invited Eunuch Cao and company to wait briefly in the first courtyard while he personally went to report to the Prince.

At this time, Prince of Second Rank Qing was cooling off and avoiding the summer heat in the water pavilion of the rear garden.

From being frightened half to death by Father Emperor on the twenty-fifth of the fourth month to being openly punished by Father Emperor on the sixteenth of this month was only twenty-some days. And from being reduced to Prince of Second Rank, five days had also passed. Altogether this much time was sufficient for Prince of Second Rank Qing to accept his future fate of only being an idle clan member. Though quite shameful, compared to Princess Imperial demoted to commoner status who could only accompany ancient Buddha lamps in the imperial temple, his situation was still fairly good?

With dust settled, not needing to worry, fear, or think about recovering Father Emperor’s favor, Prince of Second Rank Qing actually felt a kind of calm after storms.

“Your Highness, Prince Hui’s side has been invested as Crown Prince.”

The steward reported carefully.

Prince of Second Rank Qing, sprawled on the cooling couch, responded with an unsurprised grunt.

The steward: “The Crown Princess sent Eunuch Cao to deliver a gift. He’s waiting in front.”

Prince of Second Rank Qing looked over: “What gift?”

When did Second Brother become so fond of showing off? Just became Crown Prince and already coming to deliver gifts and flaunt?

The steward scratched his head, gesturing with his hands while struggling to find words to describe that object.

Prince of Second Rank Qing listened with cold sweat running down his back. Why did it sound so much like a wheelchair? Was Second Brother holding a grudge for his past cold mockery and sarcasm, wanting to break his legs?

Regardless, the Crown Prince was honored as half-sovereign. He and his cousin had to personally receive the gift and express gratitude.

Prince of Second Rank Qing changed clothes with an uneasy mind, meeting Zheng Yuanzhen who had long been waiting for him in the second courtyard of the princely residence.

This month the couple’s situations were similar. Prince of Second Rank Qing sought to preserve wealth and honor. Zheng Yuanzhen sought to preserve her mother’s life and her current status as the Third Prince’s legitimate wife. This already made her unable to hold her head up. If Emperor Yongchang also wanted Third Cousin to divorce her and have her follow her mother to take monastic vows, Zheng Yuanzhen simply couldn’t imagine such days.

For her remaining bit of dignity and honor, for San Lang to still inherit the peerage, how would Zheng Yuanzhen still dare show Prince of Second Rank Qing a sour face?

She even had to learn those methods of winning over men used by women she had once looked down upon, gazing at Prince of Second Rank Qing with longing and resentful eyes as he approached step by step.

These five days since dust settled, the couple hadn’t even lived in the same courtyard. Prince of Second Rank Qing had been living alone at the water pavilion. Though he hadn’t summoned secondary consorts or chambermaid companions, Zheng Yuanzhen guessed Prince of Second Rank Qing simply didn’t dare, not that he truly didn’t want to.

Prince of Second Rank Qing was indeed moved by such a pitiable Zheng Yuanzhen. After all, this was the cousin he’d liked since youth.

What should be scolded and resented had all been vented. Henceforth, they’d just muddle through life together.

The couple came to the front side by side.

Eunuch Cao personally demonstrated to the couple how to use this type of cart and explained why the Crown Princess sent carts over.

Prince of Second Rank Qing immediately knelt down facing the direction of the imperial palace, tearfully thanking Father Emperor for still thinking of him.

Zheng Yuanzhen’s tears also fell. Fortunately she had San Lang. Fortunately Uncle doted on this grandson San Lang. With this affection, Prince of Second Rank Qing probably wouldn’t treat their mother and son too harshly.

This feeling of fortune circled in Zheng Yuanzhen’s heart for a long time until Prince of Second Rank Qing, having satisfied his novelty with San Lang lying in the cart, left. When the surroundings quieted down, Zheng Yuanzhen suddenly remembered the matter of Prince Hui being invested as Crown Prince.

Self-mockery and regret surged into her heart one after another.

If she had known it would come to this, why had she and her mother bothered in the first place? Exhausting all their schemes, they only benefited a daughter from a hundred-household family.

Under the blazing summer sun, the hour of You arrived. The sunlight outside the window was still dazzling.

Zhao Sui was still in the Ministry of Works office. Father Emperor’s intention was for him to first fully focus on supervising the weapons workshop in researching and testing the formula for heavy gunpowder before going to the Central Secretariat to assist.

Zhao Sui wasn’t anxious to go to the Central Secretariat. What he minded was that on the upcoming journey leaving the palace, the officials he encountered would definitely be more enthusiastic than usual. And Eldest Brother…

Delayed by two quarters of an hour, the newly invested Crown Prince still had Qing Ai push him while Fei Quan followed, leaving the Ministry of Works.

The former Prince Hui had been courteous yet distant. Today’s Crown Prince still maintained that former posture—nodding, making eye contact, but without any unnecessary pleasantries.

Finally, Zhao Sui saw Prince Kang waiting ahead.

Bathed in brilliant sunset glow, Prince Kang smiled from afar, then strode over. Drawing near, he suddenly bowed in salute: “This subject pays respects to the Crown Prince.”

Zhao Sui: “…Eldest Brother need not be so formal.”

Prince Kang straightened up, his smile hearty: “The first time one must observe proper etiquette. If you truly dislike it, afterward I’ll just address you as brother like before.”

Zhao Sui: “We’re originally brothers. Don’t be too formal.”

Prince Kang then took over the wheelchair, striding forward pushing Second Brother. Father Emperor spoke correctly—Second Brother was good in every way except his crippled legs. Then henceforth he’d serve as Second Brother’s legs!

“Not today. At month’s end I’ll come to your residence to request a banquet.”

Having pushed Second Brother onto the carriage, Prince Kang stood before it saying this.

Zhao Sui nodded.

After Prince Kang walked away, Fei Quan closed the carriage door from outside.

Finally quiet again, Zhao Sui slowly relaxed.

Not long after, the carriage stopped outside Prince Hui’s residence gates.

Before Qing Ai opened the carriage door from outside, Zhao Sui kept thinking about what attitude the Princess Consort he was about to see would have—would she learn from Prince Kang and be courteous first, or…

The door panel opened. Zhao Sui raised his eyes, only to see a red-skirted figure probe inside. The Princess Consort, always agile in movement, in a blink had thrown herself into his embrace.

Zhao Sui instinctively embraced his… Crown Princess.

“Why did you return so late? I’ve been waiting for you so long.” After the excitement, Yao Huang’s hands braced against the shoulders of the person before her, quietly complaining.

Zhao Sui looked at the Crown Princess’s pouting mouth, then at the smile about to overflow from her eyes, asking: “Why didn’t you wait inside?”

Yao Huang swayed, saying with immense satisfaction: “My husband got promoted. I had to congratulate him at the first opportunity.”

Zhao Sui lowered his eyes.

Yao Huang leaned close to his ear, using a very soft, very soft voice to call: “Crown Prince.”

The two overly noble characters felt unfamiliar when Yao Huang called them, so she called them repeatedly several more times.

Calling and calling, something tightened beneath her skirt.

Yao Huang: “…”

By nighttime, Yao Huang unknowingly called out again the old title she had grown accustomed to calling—a whole string of various roundabout ways of saying “Your Highness.”

Zhao Sui didn’t care about these forms of address. What he wanted was for her to be unable to articulate a single sound clearly.

Long-absent raging waves nearly swept Yao Huang off the bed. Even after collapsing, a full quarter hour passed before Yao Huang turned over, leaning into Prince Hui’s embrace with his inner robe worn properly.

“It’s fine during the day, but calling you Crown Prince at this time doesn’t roll off the tongue smoothly.” Yao Huang said in a darkly hoarse voice. Calling it over and over always got stuck on “Crown.”

Zhao Sui stroked her hair: “Then just continue using the original.”

He also liked hearing her call him Your Highness.

Yao Huang shook her head: “Crown Prince is Crown Prince. How can we call backward? I’ll think of a new form of address for Your High… for you.”

Zhao Sui then patiently waited for his new form of address.

Yao Huang thought of it, touching his chest: “I’ll just call you Your Highness. Prince is Your Highness, Crown Prince is also Your Highness.”

The Crown Prince simply and straightforwardly agreed.

In the middle of the night, Yao Huang was sleeping soundly when she was suddenly awakened by the Crown Prince. She was desperately tired and didn’t want to comply with him.

The Crown Prince then said in her ear: “Try the new title to see if it rolls off the tongue.”

Yao Huang: “…”