Zhao Sui was a taciturn prince. After his legs were disabled, his temperament became even more cold and remote. Even when discussing his own marriage, his gaze toward Yao Huang remained still as water, as if whatever answer Yao Huang gave made no difference to him.

Yet the fat duck in Yao Huang’s heart—about to be scalded to death by boiling water—suddenly came back to life, excitedly flapping its wings to fly out of the hot pot!

It actually worked!

No need to remain in the palace serving the old Emperor, no need to become a concubine for the other two princes!

Shock accompanied wild joy. Just as Yao Huang was about to accept, a slightly cold, charming voice preempted her: “Wait.”

Yao Huang tilted her head to the other side.

The stunningly beautiful Consort Du glanced at her coolly, saying to Zhao Sui with disapproval: “The princess consort is someone who will spend her entire life with you. There are still so many palace ladies outside who haven’t been seen. How can Cui’er so rashly settle on a princess consort? If you truly like this palace lady, you may first bestow a flower upon her, then ultimately select the true gentlewoman worthy of becoming princess consort.”

Zhao Sui was her adopted son. Although the current Zhao Sui was of no more use to her, before everyone’s eyes, Consort Du should still display a mother’s concern for her son.

Emperor Yongchang nodded slightly. Yao Huang’s earlier provocative behavior had indeed lacked propriety.

Seeing this, Empress Zhou smiled and advised Zhao Sui: “Consort Du speaks correctly. The palace selection has only just begun. Look at more candidates—no need to rush.”

With the elders taking this attitude, Zhao Sui didn’t insist, ordering the eunuch at his side to deliver the silk flower to Yao Huang’s hands.

The primary consort position at her lips was suspended once more. Yao Huang strove to conceal the disappointment in her heart. As for Consort Du’s euphemistic disdain that she wasn’t a true gentlewoman, Yao Huang let it go in one ear and out the other. With such disparity in status, taking it too seriously would only breed pointless resentment.

Gripping that exquisite silk flower, Yao Huang and another palace lady who received a flower exited through the west side door.

Including them, there were now seven palace ladies on this side who could enter the second round of selection. With matrons watching nearby, the seven maintained proper standing postures, eyes observing nose, nose observing heart.

Before long, two more palace ladies walked over from inside. One was Chen Ying, whose watery eyes looking over were half joyful, half worried.

Yao Huang smiled at her.

Of fifty palace ladies, fourteen received flowers. From among them would emerge three princess consorts and four secondary consorts for Prince Hui and Prince Qing combined.

Vague discussion voices came from inside the pavilion. About two quarter-periods later, Nanny Fang brought the fourteen palace ladies back inside, arranged in front and back rows.

Yao Huang was arranged in the second position from the right in the back row. Though relatively close to Prince Hui’s wheelchair, her face was blocked by the palace lady diagonally in front of her.

Yao Huang recalled Nanny Fang’s subtle eye signals and knew that with Consort Du’s open disdain first, Nanny Fang didn’t dare risk offending the consort by “elevating” her again.

Eyes lowered, Yao Huang gently squeezed the silk flower in her hand. With the final selection imminent, she no longer had time or energy to fret over the outcome.

When everyone was assembled, Emperor Yongchang looked toward his son in the wheelchair. Having seen all fifty palace ladies make a complete round, his son had only sent out that initial flower. The meaning couldn’t be more obvious.

Not wanting the consort to make things difficult for his son again, Emperor Yongchang stated directly: “So you still favor selecting Yao Huang as your primary consort?”

Zhao Sui: “Yes. The other palace ladies are also excellent, but your son finds Miss Yao most compatible.”

Consort Du said urgently: “Then you could—”

Emperor Yongchang: “I said to let the second son choose himself.”

Consort Du pressed her lips together and, relying on being favored, muttered quietly: “I’m only thinking of what’s best for him.”

Emperor Yongchang pretended not to hear, looking toward Empress Zhou.

Empress Zhou smiled and called Yao Huang to stand aside alone, then had Consort Shen select a primary consort for Prince Qing.

Consort Shen exchanged a glance with Emperor Yongchang. Her gaze lovingly settled on the center of the first row as she said happily: “Among the capital’s young ladies, none pleases me more than Yuanzhen. Thanks to my two elder sisters yielding, I’ll decide on Yuanzhen for Xun’er!”

Palace lady Zheng Yuanzhen was the treasured pearl of Emperor Yongchang’s biological sister, Princess Imperial Fucheng—also the person of most noble status among this session’s palace ladies.

Zheng Yuanzhen had practically been raised before the eyes of the Emperor and consorts. Being teased by Consort Shen, she showed no shyness, standing generously beside Yao Huang.

At Chuxiu Pavilion, Zheng Yuanzhen had lived in the main northern building. Every rest period, she was surrounded by a circle of young ladies. Knowing her own lowly status, Yao Huang had always maintained distance, so the two couldn’t be called familiar.

Yao Huang met Zheng Yuanzhen’s approach with her gaze. Zheng Yuanzhen didn’t even give her a glance.

Yao Huang understood. If she truly could await Emperor Yongchang’s marriage decree, she would also welcome a sister-in-law who wasn’t easy to get along with.

After the two princes finished selecting primary consorts, it was Consort Liu’s turn to select a successor princess consort for Prince Kang.

Consort Liu didn’t delay long, choosing Chen Ying.

Chen Ying stared blankly at Consort Liu, clearly stunned by this pie fallen from heaven.

Consort Liu smiled: “A bit simple-minded, but she looks rather endearing.”

Consort Du and Consort Shen showed puzzlement. Prince Kang’s first wife had been a duke’s daughter. The position of successor wife was a coveted prize in the eyes of many renowned young ladies. How had Consort Liu chosen a minor county magistrate to become in-laws?

Consort Liu merely sat with dignity, regarding Chen Ying with appreciative eyes.

Empress Zhou looked thoughtful, continuing to preside: “The primary consorts are all decided. Now to select secondary consorts.”

She looked encouragingly toward Zhao Sui.

Zhao Sui: “In response to Father Emperor and Mother Empress, your son’s legs are inconvenient. Marrying one primary consort suffices. More might be detrimental to recuperation.”

Emperor Yongchang: “Fine. First marry the princess consort. Later when your spirits improve, I’ll select suitable secondary consorts for you.”

Zhao Sui: “Thank you, Father Emperor.”

The palace selection ended. Emperor Yongchang immediately issued several marriage decree edicts.

With the dust settled, Yao Huang followed Nanny Fang back to Chuxiu Pavilion with relative peace of mind. Chen Ying and the two palace ladies selected as Prince Qing’s secondary consorts also came. Only Zheng Yuanzhen, with her special status, went directly with the noble personages to their residences.

The eliminated palace ladies were quickly sent out of the palace. The small courtyard compound quieted down.

Nanny Fang’s attitude toward the four of them—Yao Huang, Chen Ying, and the two others—became respectful. She explained: “According to regulations, selected palace ladies from the capital will be sent home to await the formal ceremony, while palace ladies from outside regions temporarily reside in Chuxiu Pavilion. Therefore, please wait here briefly, Miss Yao and Miss Song. After the noble personages select dowry palace maids and arrange carriages outside, someone will naturally escort you home.”

Yao Huang couldn’t help smiling. That Miss Song of noble family background also breathed a sigh of relief.

Nanny Fang gave a few more instructions to Chen Ying and the other lady who needed to remain in the palace, then had the four return to their respective rooms to pack their belongings. All clothing and jewelry the palace had bestowed upon the palace ladies during this month, including today’s magnificent garments, could be taken home. For those eliminated palace ladies, these gifts became a form of dignity, perhaps serving wonderful purposes in clever hands.

Yao Huang and Chen Ying, hand in hand, returned to the southern room of the west wing.

The room was empty and quiet. Upon entering, Chen Ying could no longer suppress her complicated emotions. She hugged Yao Huang tightly, face pressed against Yao Huang’s shoulder.

A young lady far from home—this marriage decree meant she would likely never return to her homeland in this lifetime. Yao Huang could understand Chen Ying’s tears and consoled her in a low voice: “Cry then. While I’m still here, shed all your tears clean. Consider it reluctance to part with me. Later when you live in the palace alone, you absolutely cannot grieve. You must appear happy and joyfully await marrying Prince Kang.”

Chen Ying choked out: “I know. Being Prince Kang’s primary consort is fortune cultivated over several lifetimes. I’m just flustered. I’ve never even seen him, don’t know if he’s easy to get along with, whether his temper is particularly bad…”

He was a prince, after all. Chen Ying feared she might unwittingly commit some grave error worthy of beheading or exile.

Yao Huang laughed: “What about being a prince? Princes are also human, with two eyes and one mouth like us, just like the Emperor and ladies we just met—sitting together, they also chat about everyday matters. At most, there are slightly more taboos in speech and conduct.”

“With your gentle nature, after marrying over, if you don’t understand something, just ask more. You won’t commit any errors.”

Yao Huang’s embrace was very soft, her lowered voice very gentle. Chen Ying gradually stopped crying. Releasing Yao Huang, she said through tears: “Fortunately I still have you…”

Before finishing her words, thinking of Prince Hui’s figure sitting in the wheelchair and fearing Yao Huang didn’t like this marriage match, Chen Ying asked nervously: “Are you, are you truly willing?”

Yao Huang: “More than willing—I’m so happy I could turn silly! The Yao family ancestral graves must be emitting auspicious smoke to have me selected as princess consort, able to follow the prince enjoying a lifetime of wealth and honor.”

Poor people yearn to become rich; minor officials hope to become high officials—because money and power can bring tremendous benefits.

The Yao family lived in a small courtyard compound passed down through generations. Yao Huang’s father received only five taels of silver monthly as salary. Adding in twenty mu of inherited good farmland, they could barely afford to maintain four servants, two mules, and add one or two new outfits and jewelry pieces for Yao Huang and her mother during festivals—and these were still ordinary goods, unable to afford anything too expensive.

Once she became princess consort, would the imperial family shortchange her in food, clothing, and necessities?

Speaking of power and influence—while a princess consort held no actual power, she was noble! Not to mention distant matters, previously her mother had to force smiles and flatter Li Tingwang’s mother upon meeting her, lest Li Tingwang’s Captain father give her Captain father trouble. Now that she was to become Prince Hui’s consort, backed by Prince Hui and the imperial family’s great tree, would the Li family still dare put on airs before her family?

These were all concrete, tangible benefits.

During the palace selection, Yao Huang had wanted to return home because she feared she couldn’t secure a good future. If someone had told her early on she would be Prince Hui’s primary consort, Yao Huang would have woken up laughing every day.

Chen Ying could feel Yao Huang’s heartfelt joy and naturally wouldn’t mention Prince Hui’s legs again. Comforted, she said: “That’s good then. In the future you and I can still meet often. I’ll also have a companion in the capital.”

After packing their bundles and chatting a while longer about intimate matters, the dowry palace maids bestowed by the three consorts arrived.

Consort Liu gave Chen Ying four palace maids. When Chen Ying married into Prince Kang’s residence, these four palace maids would naturally become her senior personal maids.

Consort Du was Prince Hui’s adoptive mother—she also bestowed four upon Yao Huang.

Consort Shen gave each of Prince Qing’s two secondary consorts two maids. As for Princess Consort Zheng Yuanzhen’s side, Princess Imperial Fucheng’s residence certainly didn’t lack well-trained maids.

Besides palace maids, there were also gifts of gold, silver, jewels, and silk.

The four palace maids Yao Huang just received immediately proved useful—two each carried a brocade box, two each carried a bolt of silk.

The carriage outside the palace was also prepared. Yao Huang and Miss Song bid farewell to Chen Ying and the other lady who remained, then followed another matron toward the Western Palace Gate through which they had entered the palace.

Adhering strictly to propriety, they spoke not a word along the way. Only after exiting the palace gate did Miss Song again congratulate and bid farewell to Yao Huang, turning to board her own carriage.

Approaching noon, the sunlight was bright. Yao Huang looked toward the eight guards standing before her carriage.

Eight robust men knelt on one knee. The leader cupped his fists: “This humble officer is Zhang Yue. By order of Prince Hui, I have come to guard Miss. From today until Miss’s wedding day, whatever Miss needs, you may command this humble officer. I will certainly do my utmost.”

Yao Huang had received subtle hints from Nanny Fang beforehand and knew this was a special arrangement because the small Yao family household lacked guards—to ensure the safety of the future princess consort while also supervising and preventing her from contact with outside men during the betrothal period.

Guards could be provided by the palace, but Emperor Yongchang felt his son might be more at ease arranging guards himself, hence Zhang Yue’s group of eight.

The imperial family had many rules. After over a month, Yao Huang had grown accustomed to them. She said courteously: “Rise. I’ll be troubling all of you from now on.”

Zhang Yue led the seven guards in standing straight again. Each one kept their eyes properly lowered. Only after the future princess consort entered the carriage did the eight raise their heads and chests high, guarding around the carriage on all sides.

Inside the carriage was only Yao Huang. The four palace maids also walked outside, but those precious gifts had been placed in the carriage compartment in advance.

The carriage moved very steadily. Yao Huang sat on the narrow couch on the north side, her body swaying slightly with the carriage’s progress.

She stared at the two brocade boxes placed on the small cabinet to the left. Peeking through the curtain gap at the guards and palace maids accompanying the carriage and seeing they were all focused on walking without glancing toward the carriage compartment, Yao Huang could no longer restrain her curiosity. She leaned over and opened the first brocade box.

Brilliant silver light—on the red silk cushion were neatly arranged two rows totaling ten brand new silver ingots.

Yao Huang’s eyes brightened. Just upon betrothal, she had received one hundred taels of silver!

Opening the other brocade box, inside was displayed a set of five jewelry pieces—respectively a gold hairpin, gold hairpin ornament, gold forehead ornament, gold earrings, and a gold necklace!

Gleaming golden light filled the bottom of Yao Huang’s eyes. She picked up each piece to examine and handle, feeling reluctant to put them down.

There were also two bolts of silk placed on the other side of the carriage compartment—one bright red, one goose yellow, both vibrant colors young ladies loved.

Yao Huang leaned back, exhaling contentedly. With these four gifts, her days at Chuxiu Pavilion hadn’t been endured in vain.

The Yao family lived in Longevity Lane in the southeast of the capital. It was said a centenarian had once emerged from here, and the neighbors, wanting to share in the old longevity star’s good fortune, had specifically changed the lane’s name.

At the Yao household, Yao Zhenhu knew today was his daughter’s momentous day. He had specifically requested a day off from the military camp to wait for news at home with his wife Luo Jinhua and son Yao Lin.

The Yao family’s home was also a small courtyard compound. After the family of three finished breakfast, they stayed in the courtyard—sometimes sitting under the apricot tree about to finish blooming, murmuring quietly; sometimes standing up to walk in circles in a line.

Usually noisy left and right neighbors were also all quiet, anticipating the Yao family’s result—to see if their young lady would soar to the heavens or be returned to continue being a sixth-rank minor official’s daughter.

Finally, shortly after Yao Huang returned to Chuxiu Pavilion, Emperor Yongchang’s marriage decree arrived at the Yao household. Learning his daughter was made Prince Hui’s consort, Yao Zhenhu was just about to feel heartache that his perfectly good daughter had to marry a disabled prince when his thick arm suddenly hurt.

Yao Zhenhu turned his head and saw his wife’s eyes glowing and red lips trembling with excitement. He stammered to the edict-delivering eunuch: “Prince Hui’s consort? I, I didn’t hear wrong, did I?”

The edict-delivering eunuch smiled: “You heard correctly. Your esteemed daughter possesses heavenly beauty and was personally selected as consort by Prince Hui himself.”

Luo Jinhua let out a sharp “Ah!” shriek. After startling the edict-delivering eunuch, she directly embraced her nearby husband, jumping for joy: “Our Yao Yao is going to be a princess consort—a princess consort!”

Yao Zhenhu: “But—”

Luo Jinhua’s hand gripping Yao Zhenhu’s right arm suddenly changed to pinching: “Look at you—so happy you’ve turned silly, haven’t you?”

Yao Zhenhu understood his wife’s eye signal and hastily pulled out a smiling face: “Yes, I’m too happy, so happy!”

The edict-delivering eunuch coughed. Only then did Luo Jinhua, with one hand pulling her husband and one hand tugging her son, kneel to receive the edict.

The edict-delivering eunuch swept his eyes over the Yao family’s tidy but undeniably simple small courtyard, particularly looking several times at that nearly worn-bald large broom placed under the eaves. He directly extinguished any thought of taking reward money from the Yao family. Even if the Yao family were clever enough, he’d look down upon rewards of dozens of coins or a single tael of silver.

After saying a few auspicious words, the edict-delivering eunuch successfully withdrew. Luo Jinhua did think to go inside to fetch money, but it was already too late.

After seeing the guest off and closing the main gate, Luo Jinhua muttered quietly in chagrin: “Only thinking about being happy, I forgot to give the eunuch some consideration. I hope he won’t resent our Yao Yao for this and speak ill of her before noble personages.”

Yao Zhenhu said in shock: “You’re truly happy?”

Luo Jinhua shot him a glare: “Being a primary consort is always better than being a secondary consort or concubine. What, you big oaf dare disdain a dignified prince?”

Yao Zhenhu: “What’s wrong with being a big oaf? At least I can carry you on my back and run. The prince’s legs are completely crippled—what can he give Yao Yao?”

Luo Jinhua’s eyes filled with longing: “Plenty! Gold, silver, silk and satin, plus the respectful admiration of officials’ wives…”

Hearing this, Yao Lin said with heartfelt pain: “Mother, I never imagined you were this kind of person. Usually you dote on little sister like the apple of your eye, but actually you value wealth and honor more than Yao Yao’s happiness! If it were my choice, I’d rather let her marry a sound-bodied farmer or poor scholar than trade my sister’s marriage for riches!”

Yao Zhenhu nodded with righteous indignation.

Luo Jinhua: “…Too lazy to explain to you two fools. In any case, the Emperor has already issued the decree. If you two don’t want to bring about the execution of our entire household, then act happy for me. Whoever dares complain outside saying treasonous words, I’ll be the first to sever relations with him and report him to the authorities!”

Yao Zhenhu and Yao Lin: “…”

Someone knocked at the door—neighbors coming to offer congratulations. Luo Jinhua shook her fist at the father-son pair and went smiling to open the door and receive guests.

Yao Lin clutched his chest, feeling stifled and uncomfortable: “Father, how can Mother be like this?”

Yao Zhenhu recalled his wife’s boundless love for their daughter and took a deep breath: “Your mother is absolutely not that kind of person. Let’s pretend to be happy for now. When your sister comes home, we’ll talk then. If she’s truly unwilling, we’ll tie up your mother, take your sister, and flee the capital!”