Two days later, the Emperor’s order for the weapons workshop to forge a new wheelchair for Prince Hui spread among the palace consorts and in some officials’ households.
Consort Xian said to Prince Kang, who had come to pay respects: “Previously, Prince Hui stayed behind closed doors, and as his elder brother, it wasn’t appropriate for you to disturb him. Now that Prince Hui is becoming increasingly cheerful, if you have leisure time, you can go to Prince Hui’s residence to keep him company playing chess or discussing official matters. You needn’t go too frequently—once a month to fulfill brotherly affection is good. Going more often would instead seem deliberate.”
Prince Kang replied: “That’s easy for me to say—I just fear he won’t want to see me.”
Second Brother had been a bookworm since childhood, only appearing at the study hall, palace banquets, or when Father Emperor summoned him. Though they were blood brothers, Prince Kang felt he wasn’t familiar with Second Brother at all. If he didn’t take the initiative to strike up conversation, Second Brother probably wouldn’t speak an extra word to him in this lifetime.
If Second Brother hated him, Prince Kang could simply act as if he didn’t have this brother. But Second Brother bore him no resentment—he was purely solitary, keeping to himself. Thus when Father Emperor praised Second Brother, Prince Kang felt no jealousy. After Second Brother’s legs became disabled, Prince Kang felt increasingly sympathetic toward this brother. Helping Second Brother push his wheelchair wasn’t entirely for show before Father Emperor.
Consort Xian said: “Affection is cultivated through interaction. As long as you have sincerity, Prince Hui will naturally sense it.”
Prince Kang understood.
Consort Xian looked at her son’s honest, square face—abundant in loyalty but lacking in cunning—and silently sighed in her heart. With Prince Hui disabled, if only her son had half her political acumen and claimed the position of eldest son, would the Eastern Palace position even need to be contested?
Now inferior to the third son in civil and martial talents, including appearance and bearing, her son could only play the emotional card steadily, hoping the Emperor would remember her son’s magnanimous benevolence in treating his brothers well and reserve that position for him.
At Consort Rou’s residence, mother and son also mentioned Prince Hui.
Prince Qing said: “Second Brother used to be silent and unobtrusive, but this year he’s stolen the spotlight several times.”
First, Father Emperor ordered all palace gates to prepare wooden planks just to facilitate Second Brother’s wheelchair passage, then personally brought officials from the weapons workshop to Second Brother’s residence to prepare a new wheelchair.
Consort Rou smiled: “What happened to him was on the battlefield. The Emperor feels both heartache and guilt, so he can only find ways to compensate through these small matters. You absolutely cannot compete with him or be jealous over this. Even if you’re in the right, just seeing him in a wheelchair while you stand perfectly fine, the Emperor will blame you.”
Prince Qing replied: “Rest assured, your son isn’t that foolish.”
Consort Rou asked: “The day after tomorrow is your grand wedding. How are preparations at the prince’s residence?”
Prince Qing revealed an utterly sincere smile: “Everything is ready—we’re just waiting for Cousin to enter the gates.”
Consort Rou said: “Look at your worthless appearance. Since you like Yuanzhen so much, after she enters your household, you’d better rein in your previous philandering nature. The late Emperor was diligent in governance, and your Father Emperor in his youth also devoted himself entirely to state affairs. A ruler’s indulgence in beauty is a shortcoming. You’ve worked so hard to become the most outstanding among the princes—don’t let a few women cause your Father Emperor’s displeasure.”
Prince Qing replied: “I know. Mother, stop worrying about these things—be careful not to grow white hairs.”
On the twenty-third of August, Prince Qing’s grand wedding took place.
The banquet at Prince Qing’s residence began in the morning. Those who came to feast included not only the imperial family members Yao Huang was already familiar with, but also Consort Shen Rou’s natal family—Minister of Personnel Shang Shu Shen’s household.
After arriving, Yao Huang separated from Prince Hui and squeezed into the pile of women’s quarters, where the women also brought unmarried young ladies and boys several years old.
Yao Huang absolutely loved such liveliness. Though Prince Hui was handsome and very capable at night, during the day Prince Hui was too quiet—definitely not suitable for keeping her company to pass time. These officials’ wives were different! Whatever they casually chatted about, Yao Huang loved listening. Most wonderfully, basically none dared offend her. When Yao Huang heard something interesting and asked a follow-up question or two, they had to cooperatively answer.
Breakfast was eaten quickly. Yao Huang was chatting with people when A’Ji came over, leaned close and whispered: “The Prince has finished eating over there and can leave now.”
Today’s banquet at Prince Qing’s residence would continue all day. The residence had guest rooms for male and female guests to rest, and the women could also go to the garden to admire scenery and stroll. However, there were others like Prince Hui who would return to their own residences to rest after eating, then return before the noon and evening meals.
Yao Huang also whispered: “Tell Fei Quan to let the Prince return by himself. I made plans with people to admire flowers together.”
A’Ji saw the sparkle in the Princess Consort’s eyes and withdrew with a smile.
She relayed the message to Fei Quan, who then went to report to the Prince.
Zhao Sui, thinking of the Princess Consort’s temperament, didn’t need to worry about her suffering any hidden losses staying here.
Prince Kang at the same table saw Second Brother preparing to leave and kept helping push the wheelchair all the way onto Prince Hui’s carriage.
Zhao Sui: “…”
The Grand Princess, Second Princess, and Chen Ying went to Princess Fucheng’s marital home, the Marquis of Jining’s residence, to see off the bride Zheng Yuanzhen, stayed there for half the morning, then came to Prince Qing’s residence.
By this time, Yao Huang had already become familiar with Prince Kang’s two side consorts. When Chen Ying arrived, she smiled and made introductions for both sides. Though the three had previously met in the palace, they had all observed protocol and had no time for private friendship.
Side Consort Gu and Side Consort Ruan were both in their early twenties. They treated Chen Ying as kindly as a younger sister. Side Consort Gu was also quite good at teasing: “While you’re still Miss Chen, have us call you younger sister a few more times to take advantage. Once your happy occasion with the Grand Prince is accomplished, when we meet again we’ll have to use the protocol for treating a Princess Consort.”
Chen Ying’s cheeks flushed red from their teasing.
The Second Princess gave a light scoff from afar. The Grand Princess heard it and looked at Chen Ying with quietly increased sympathy in her eyes.
After the selection process, Mother had specifically tested her, asking if she knew why Consort Xian had chosen the daughter of a county magistrate from a remote place as Eldest Brother’s second wife.
The Grand Princess originally hadn’t thought much about it. When Mother asked, she pondered it over and immediately understood.
Eldest Brother’s two side consorts’ natal families either held high positions or had extensive connections. Though Eldest Sister-in-law had passed away from illness, she left behind a young heir. With the young heir present, Eldest Sister-in-law’s natal family, the Duke Zhenguo’s household, would continue supporting Eldest Brother. At this time, rather than selecting a high official’s daughter and earning Father Emperor’s suspicion of “wild ambition,” Consort Xian might as well marry in a helpless new Princess Consort who could never possibly threaten the young heir or the two side consorts, thus stabilizing existing power.
If Eldest Brother remained a prince his whole life, Chen Ying could at least preserve her position as principal wife and Princess Consort. But should Eldest Brother truly sit in that position one day, could the two side consorts truly not compete?
Thinking this way, the Grand Princess looked at Second Sister-in-law, Princess Consort Hui, who though conversing cheerfully with the two side consorts remained tactfully smooth in every sentence. She actually felt Second Sister-in-law was the one among the three sisters-in-law who could live her days most easily and comfortably.
When dusk arrived, Prince Qing finally brought his Princess Consort back.
Yao Huang held Chen Ying’s hand with her left and the Grand Princess’s hand with her right as they went forward together to watch the excitement. Her gaze swept through the male guests waiting in the front courtyard but didn’t see her own Prince. Looking back toward the main hall to the north, only then did she spot Prince Hui seated properly beside the main table. Their gazes met. Yao Huang smiled at him and continued walking out.
Prince Qing wore bright red ceremonial robes. Though his words were insufferable, he had a handsome face. When helping the new bride descend from the sedan chair, he smiled with the same foolish air as a commoner groom.
Seeing this, Yao Huang quietly asked the Grand Princess: “When your Second Brother helped me descend from the sedan chair, did he smile like this?”
The Grand Princess replied: “…We were waiting in the back courtyard the whole time—we didn’t go forward to observe the ceremony.”
Yao Huang said: “Then I brought you over to watch the excitement today—are you very happy?”
The Grand Princess quickly scanned the surrounding guests. Without speaking, her face reddened.
The Second Princess stood right behind the three of them, looking at Yao Huang’s left and right hands tightly clasping Chen Ying’s and the Grand Princess’s respectively. She ground her teeth in anger—singling her out not to hold hands made it seem like she was so unlikeable!
Prince Qing and his wife had already performed the wedding ceremony in the palace. The couple could go directly to the bridal chamber. Yao Huang and the others followed along to watch Prince Qing joyfully lift the veil.
Prince Qing couldn’t hide his delight. The new bride Zheng Yuanzhen was both shy and reserved.
After Prince Qing left, Yao Huang, Chen Ying, the two Princesses, and the Minister’s wife and daughter-in-law would accompany the new bride for the meal.
Yao Huang served Chen Ying food several times, feeling heartache that waiting so long in the deep palace to marry was truly hard. However, princes’ wedding betrothal gifts were too numerous and complex—the Ministry of Rites and Ministry of Works needed time to prepare. Holding a wedding once every three or four months was already quite fast.
The Second Princess watched the two’s intimacy and deliberately asked: “Tonight we’re keeping Third Sister-in-law company—why does Second Sister-in-law only serve food to Sister Chen?”
Yao Huang smiled: “Though we’re keeping her company, Third Younger Sister-in-law is the genuine mistress of this place. How would she still need me to urge her not to feel like a stranger? Third Younger Sister-in-law, don’t you agree?”
Zheng Yuanzhen smiled.
After eating and drinking their fill, the newlywed couple also needed their wedding night. Yao Huang bid farewell together with the Grand Princess and others.
After waiting briefly in the first courtyard of the prince’s residence, Prince Kang pushed Prince Hui out. Besides caring for his brother, he also had to escort his sister and fiancée back to the palace.
Yao Huang followed Prince Hui onto the carriage. Once the door closed and the curtain fell, Yao Huang sniffed and only smelled faint wine fragrance—evidently the male guests all dared not force Prince Hui in his wheelchair to drink.
What Zhao Sui saw was the Princess Consort’s rosy face—clearly she had enjoyed the evening banquet thoroughly.
“Ah, I truly envy Third Younger Sister-in-law.”
The Princess Consort suddenly sighed softly, even looking at him resentfully.
Zhao Sui asked: “…Why?”
Yao Huang replied: “When Prince Qing welcomed her through the gates and lifted her veil, he smiled like a fool—clearly extremely satisfied with his new bride. When the Prince married me that day, you definitely didn’t smile much, right?”
Zhao Sui said: “…I’m not accustomed to displaying emotions outwardly.”
Yao Huang pressed: “So you’re saying you smiled in your heart?”
Prince Hui, who didn’t want to lie: “Prince Qing and the Princess Consort have known each other since childhood. You and I had only met once before our marriage. At that time, I didn’t yet know your temperament.”
Yao Huang asked: “What about now? If you let the Prince lift the veil again, how would the Prince smile?”
Zhao Sui lowered his gaze.
Yao Huang produced a handkerchief, pressed one corner to the top of her head with one hand, letting the hanging handkerchief cover most of her face, saying: “Come on—let the Prince lift it once more.”
Zhao Sui looked at the Princess Consort’s upturned lips that the handkerchief couldn’t hide, looked at her cheeks tinged with rouge powder. He paused, then grasped her wrist and pulled the still-veiled Princess Consort onto his lap.
Just as Yao Huang thought Prince Hui would finally lift the handkerchief, Prince Hui lowered his head and pressed his slightly cool lips to the side of her neck.
Yao Huang’s hand loosened. The handkerchief floated down beneath the wheelchair with the carriage’s jostling.
Yao Huang was forced to tilt her head back, one hand clutching the collar edge behind his neck, biting her lip tightly.
Prince Hui’s residence was located west of the Imperial City, while Prince Qing’s residence was located precisely east of the Imperial City. The swaying carriage traveled for over three quarters of an hour before turning into the alley where Prince Hui’s residence was located.
Yao Huang still leaned limply against Prince Hui’s shoulder.
Zhao Sui held the Princess Consort with one hand and lifted the curtain corner with the other, saying quietly: “Time to get off the carriage.”
Yao Huang replied: “No strength, don’t want to move. Have them push me in together.”
Zhao Sui: “…”
He insisted on helping the Princess Consort stand up. After confirming her garments were all arranged properly, only then did he press her to sit in the side seat.