Prince Hui wanted to meet with County Magistrate Xu, but didn’t wish to delay the magistrate’s official duties, so he could only arrange it for the rest day at the end of the seventh month when officials had their break.

After entrusting the major task of opening the wastelands, the “Liao family” still had to prepare for another move, finding agents to scout out a new location. The medical clinic had some patients who needed extra medicinal prescriptions. The east and west courtyards needed time to pack their belongings, and they had to entertain neighbors who came to bid farewell upon hearing the news. With all these trivial matters, it would take several days at least. The couple finally set their return date for the fifth day of the eighth month.

Regarding what to do with these two residences, Prince Hui, who wasn’t short on money, thought they could keep them and accompany the princess here again next year to escape the summer heat.

However, Yao Huang said: “The small town is quite nice, but we’ve already lived here for fifty-some days. No matter how beautiful the scenery, we’ve grown tired of it. If we really want to escape the heat next year, we should find a new place. That way, every year we can see fresh scenery and experience the local customs of new places. So let’s sell these two residences and save ourselves from having to leave people to watch over them.”

The residences had been purchased at high prices. Now with the neighbors having caused a death, selling them would certainly result in a loss. However, rather than keeping two houses they would almost never move back to, Yao Huang preferred to recover most of the purchase silver.

Zhao Sui looked at the princess’s bright, sparkling eyes and knew she truly could manage to take him to a new place every year to escape the summer heat. In that case, they couldn’t very well leave behind two empty residences taking up space everywhere they went.

The residences could be sold, but they could remain on paper.

On the twenty-ninth, Prince Hui painted two more pictures.

The morning one showed Yao Huang sitting for quite a while under the magnolia tree in the back courtyard. A small table held melons, fruits, and tea. Jinbao, who had grown a size larger, sat crouched at the princess’s feet watching her eat fruit, looking utterly endearing. Prince Hui even inscribed characters on this picture: “Enjoying the Cool.”

For the afternoon one, after Yao Huang finished her afternoon rest and came to the front courtyard looking for Prince Hui, she discovered him sitting on the north side of the main hall painting again. Leaning over to look, she saw that Prince Hui was painting the hall’s doors, windows, and the courtyard scene visible from where he sat. The door frames, window frames, and window paper were nearly finished, while the courtyard had only some simple outlines.

Yao Huang moved her chair next to Prince Hui’s, propped her chin on one hand, looked at the painting then at Prince Hui, and laughed: “I can see how reluctant you are to leave this place.”

Zhao Sui didn’t explain, but continued painting a few more strokes before saying to the paper: “This picture is named ‘Playing in the Rain.’ It depicts that day when you stood at the doorway borrowing the rainwater to wash your wooden clogs.”

Yao Huang: “…It’s been so long since then, and you can still paint it?”

Zhao Sui: “The rain’s intensity and your dress can rely purely on imagination. But to paint the person vividly and true to life, I need you to go over there and repeat your movements from that time.”

Yao Huang: “…Doesn’t that mean I’d have to keep my foot raised the whole time until you finish painting?”

Zhao Sui still looked at the paper: “Once it’s finished, you should love this one more than the previous three.”

Before Yao Huang’s eyes floated in succession the three paintings Prince Hui had given her so far. Why did she love them? Because in Prince Hui’s brush, she looked beautiful in every one. In other words, in Prince Hui’s eyes, did her washing wooden clogs look more beautiful than her sleeping on the arhat bed, standing at the bridge observing the water, or sitting under a tree playing with the dog?

Yao Huang couldn’t imagine it. Every year when it rained, she washed her wooden clogs that way several times, with her back to Prince Hui no less. How beautiful could it be?

But since she had nothing else to do anyway, Yao Huang cooperatively went to the back courtyard, took off her shoes and socks, changed into wooden clogs, and following Prince Hui’s instructions, brought over a pot of cold water. She first placed the copper pot where Prince Hui couldn’t see it. When Prince Hui finished painting her back and dress and made the request, only then did Yao Huang lift the copper pot and pour water on the foot she extended.

By dusk, Prince Hui told her to go keep Jinbao company for a while and come back in half an hour.

Yao Huang was also afraid that if she went over now she’d see herself without facial features again, so she simply went to the west courtyard to watch Gao Niangzi cook. When the time was about right, she returned to the east courtyard.

Prince Hui had already stopped his brush. Yao Huang walked around to his side and looked at the easel.

In the painting, a dense rain had been added. The princess in red jacket and white skirt faced the hall at an angle, one hand supporting the door frame, her right foot in wooden clogs raised and extended into the rain.

Although the painting showed a glimpse of her profile, Yao Huang’s attention first fell on her right foot. The toes painted with bright red henna were drenched by rain, glistening wetly, making the henna appear even more vividly red than usual. The five toes were round and plump, and Prince Hui had painted the top of her foot fair and full, with water droplets rolling on it.

Yao Huang very much wanted to continue looking, but feared Prince Hui would laugh at her for being transfixed by her own foot, so she shifted her gaze to look at her profile instead—hazy and indistinct, only someone familiar with her could recognize this was her.

Yao Huang deliberately asked: “Can’t even see the face clearly. What’s there to love about it?”

Zhao Sui didn’t argue with the princess.

That night, having received two beautiful portraits, the princess pushed Prince Hui back to the rear courtyard again.

Knowing Prince Hui had a pair of sturdy arms, taking advantage of the moonless night outside and the pitch darkness inside the bed curtains, Yao Huang hugged Prince Hui’s shoulders while changing to lie flat, quietly drawing him toward her.

Zhao Sui didn’t understand why, but at moments like this, the princess surely wouldn’t act rashly. To avoid crushing her, Zhao Sui braced his hands on either side of the princess.

His legs couldn’t exert force, hanging heavy at his waist like a fish or beast biting a drowning person to drag them to the bottom.

Prince Hui propped himself above while Yao Huang shifted downward, her hands reaching for his trouser waist.

Prince Hui’s breathing grew heavy. He had also read the story books the princess had read, so he understood her intention.

When the princess shifted back up, Zhao Sui said with difficulty: “How audacious.”

Dragged down by his legs, he couldn’t maintain this position for long. Wasn’t she afraid he’d become angry from embarrassment?

Yao Huang felt quite hot shifting up and down, and was even scolded for it. She resentfully retorted: “I thought Your Highness liked my feet.”

Zhao Sui: “How does this relate to your feet?”

Yao Huang bit her lip, touched his tensed arm, and said softly: “Hold steady, something even more audacious is coming.”

With those words, she clasped both hands around Prince Hui’s neck, and the pair of feet that had appeared on Prince Hui’s painting paper stepped from above onto his back.

An imperial prince and grandson of dragons, noble from childhood. Yet on this night, Yao Huang wanted to step on him once.

She stepped quite a few times. Unable to help herself, Yao Huang slept in late. When she woke, she was startled and called A’Ji over to ask: “Has a guest arrived at the house?”

Today was the end of the month, the important day when County Magistrate Xu was to come see Prince Hui.

A’Ji shook her head: “No, what guest?”

Yao Huang didn’t explain to her but quickly changed clothes. She couldn’t even bother with breakfast and headed straight for the front courtyard.

Prince Hui was in the elegant room next to the study, sitting upright in a rattan chair with a Buddhist scripture in hand.

As soon as Yao Huang approached the doorway, Prince Hui looked up at her.

The sunlight was blazingly bright, making Yao Huang’s face flush with heat. The night when they couldn’t see each other’s faces clearly had emboldened her, but once day broke, that courage shrank back. Prince Hui’s gentleman’s upright face and calm-as-water eyes increasingly reminded Yao Huang that everything last night had been initiated by her.

Yao Huang didn’t walk further inside but hid to one side of the door and window, letting Prince Hui see only half her body, then asked quietly: “Hasn’t that person arrived yet?”

Zhao Sui looked at the embroidered shoes half-hidden beneath the princess’s skirt hem and made a faint sound of acknowledgment.

Yao Huang touched the window paper: “Why so late?”

Zhao Sui: “I had Li Dechun take him to see the medicinal fields on the mountain first. If they’re quick, they’ll arrive around lunchtime.”

It took time to rush over from the county office, and going up and down the mountain also took time.

Yao Huang breathed a sigh of relief: “Then I’ll go eat breakfast first. When he arrives, I’ll hide inside and listen to you two talk.”

Zhao Sui wanted to ask why the princess needed to listen, but the hungry princess had already run off, leaving only a trail of footsteps.

County Magistrate Xu’s given name was Dongyang. He had met Li Dechun yesterday evening after finishing his official duties.

Xu Dongyang first heard of Scholar Liao when the constables went to investigate the matter of Qi family’s eldest son being beaten, and they briefly mentioned the Liao family’s two courtyards when introducing the Qi family’s neighbors. Since it was unrelated to the case, Xu Dongyang hadn’t taken Scholar Liao to heart. He truly remembered Scholar Liao after seeing that birthday celebration painting at the Qi residence. Xu Dongyang had seen the painting as if seeing a celestial being, and had been thinking of finding time to pay a visit and make friends through literature.

When Li Dechun produced Prince Hui’s waist token, Xu Dongyang suddenly understood—it wasn’t that the small Lingshui Town harbored hidden dragons and crouching tigers, but rather that a dragon son of the imperial family had concealed his identity to live in the small town.

Because Prince Hui wanted him to go to the mountain first, Xu Dongyang suppressed his inner excitement and spent a night in the county seat. This morning, as soon as dawn barely broke, he followed Li Dechun on horseback rushing toward Lingshan Town, passing through the town without entering.

Upon entering the mountain, Xu Dongyang not only viewed the four plots of medicinal fields that Doctor Li had opened but also followed Doctor Li to survey several nearby mountain peaks.

The common people’s farmland was limited and had to be used for growing grain. Even if they could figure out methods to plant polygonatum in their fields, they would face suppression from the authorities. Moreover, polygonatum needed five years to mature before it could be sold at good prices. If the common people used their farmland to grow medicine, what would they eat for those five years and how would they pay their land taxes?

Lingshan was a famous mountain in the Central Plains. The authorities prohibited logging and land clearing. But polygonatum grew under the forest canopy—preserving the forest landscape while allowing common people to grow medicine and earn money. Prince Hui’s strategy was not only feasible but a benevolent policy benefiting the surrounding common people for countless generations!

The mountain paths were difficult, yet Xu Dongyang walked with increasing vigor. Following Doctor Li until noon, he gnawed on dry rations while descending the mountain to meet Prince Hui. He ate first to avoid having His Highness need to provide him a meal.

The two entered through the west courtyard. Qing Ai went first to report to His Highness.

Zhao Sui looked toward the princess who had been keeping watch here all along.

Yao Huang smiled as she hid in the inner room.

Qing Ai, long accustomed to such things, went to the west courtyard to escort the visitor.

Before long, Yao Huang, concealed behind the curtain gap, watched her prince sit upright in the seat of honor and watched the plainly dressed County Magistrate Xu enter the door before kneeling down, respectfully performing obeisance to Prince Hui.

Yao Huang’s heart trembled slightly.

His Highness had always been gentle with her, and usually had only a few servants around, so the longer Yao Huang was married to His Highness, the more her awe of him faded. Not until this moment did Yao Huang realize again just how noble His Highness’s status was.

Zhao Sui: “Rise.”

Xu Dongyang straightened, standing with eyes respectfully lowered.

Zhao Sui: “What do you think of the strategy to clear wasteland and grow medicine?”

Xu Dongyang had received reminders from both Doctor Li and Qing Ai, knowing that Prince Hui didn’t care for flattery. He answered simply: “This subordinate believes the strategy is feasible.”

Zhao Sui: “If this is entrusted to you, do you have confidence?”

Xu Dongyang: “This subordinate will devote all his efforts.”

Zhao Sui: “This strategy requires great mental and physical effort, and results won’t be seen until five or six years later. If things go contrary to expectations with little gain, not only will you have no political achievements, you’ll actually be impeached for wasteful use of the people’s labor.”

Xu Dongyang smiled: “For those who serve as officials, only those willing to do real work for the people and court can have political achievements. Those who look ahead and behind can only idle away in office. Your Highness can rest assured—this subordinate would rather labor for several years only to fail than sit idly by watching the common people of Lingshan guard their treasure mountain while living in poverty.”

Zhao Sui: “Since that’s the case, this matter is entrusted to you. Whether memorializing the court for instructions or discussing this matter with relatives and friends, you need not mention this prince.”

Xu Dongyang looked up in shock.

Zhao Sui waved his hand: “You may withdraw.”

Xu Dongyang looked at the wheelchair beneath Prince Hui, lifted his garment hem and knelt again. After kowtowing, he withdrew while backing away.

Perhaps Prince Hui no longer remembered, but Xu Dongyang was a jinshi from the twenty-fifth year of Yongchang. At the Qionglin Banquet that year, he had seen the eighteen-year-old Prince Hui from afar—upright in bearing, with the bearing of dragons and phoenixes.

A prince accomplished in both civil and military arts who, even with crippled legs, still cared about the people’s livelihood. With his own legs sound and having received the prince’s guidance, he naturally should brave fire and water without hesitation.

After Xu Dongyang left, Yao Huang emerged from inside, looking at Prince Hui with a beaming smile.

Zhao Sui: “…What are you smiling about?”

At this moment, Prince Hui sat in the elm wood wheelchair more suitable for receiving guests—sturdy enough that Yao Huang confidently sat on Prince Hui’s lap, hugged his neck and said: “I can’t quite explain it. I just felt that His Highness looked even more handsome just now.”

Zhao Sui: “…”

She had insisted on coming over, only to end up watching him?