Prince Qing’s Residence.
Prince Qing descended from the carriage and brushed aside the attendants who wanted to hold an umbrella for him, striding into the prince’s residence with large steps.
He wasn’t as delicate as Second Brother—this little bit of snow required an umbrella? It wasn’t even raining.
The young prince wearing a sapphire blue python robe went directly to the princess consort’s side. Seeing his beautiful cousin sitting warmly on the kang in the secondary room, Prince Qing removed his cape and tossed it to a maid. After the maid took the cape and withdrew, Prince Qing removed his boots, climbed onto the kang, reached out to embrace Zheng Yuanzhen who was reading with a proper appearance, and lowered his head to kiss inside her collar.
Zheng Yuanzhen complained with distaste: “Cold!”
Prince Qing laughed: “It’ll warm up after kissing for a while.”
Newly married and full of vigorous energy, Prince Qing directly pressed Zheng Yuanzhen onto the kang and fully indulged himself before dinner.
When finished, Prince Qing looked at his cousin with her loosened hair and flushed face like rosy clouds. Thinking how at this time last year his cousin had still treated him politely and courteously but now was willing to engage in intimate pleasures with him, Prince Qing felt increasingly satisfied and continued to hold Zheng Yuanzhen tightly, not allowing her to tidy herself.
Zheng Yuanzhen chided with feigned annoyance: “It’s almost time to eat. Get up quickly.”
Prince Qing: “No rush. I like holding you like this. Keep me company and talk a bit longer.”
Zheng Yuanzhen: “Talk about what?”
Prince Qing thought for a moment, laughed, and while playing with her hair said: “Second Brother sits in a wheelchair, right? Hard wooden seats—other seasons are fine, but sitting continuously in winter must freeze a person. Second Sister-in-law is clever. She had a carpenter change it to a cowhide cushioned seat surface. It looks seamlessly integrated with the wheelchair and is both soft and warm to sit on.”
Zheng Yuanzhen couldn’t imagine it and remarked with light mockery: “It’s difficult for her to think of so many methods to win Second Brother’s favor.”
Zheng Yuanzhen didn’t believe that the dignified and noble Prince Hui could treat a hundred-household commander’s daughter who was greedy and lazy with mutual respect. So for Yao Huang to secure her position as Princess Consort Hui, she could only rack her brains to win Prince Hui’s favor. Yao Huang was completely ignorant of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—she could only work on Prince Hui’s clothing, food, housing, transportation, and entertainment.
Zheng Yuanzhen was a pampered princess who had been indulged and doted on by her mother, Princess Imperial, since childhood. Even after marrying Prince Qing, it was always Prince Qing trying to please her. In her bones, Zheng Yuanzhen looked down on the humble tactics of women using gentleness and consideration to compete for favor.
Prince Qing understood his cousin’s meaning and laughed: “After all, she’s different from you. Second Brother also has an ascetic temperament. If she doesn’t put in the effort, she’d likely end up a living widow.”
Zheng Yuanzhen had no interest in Yao Huang’s affairs and asked him: “Second Brother has been working at the Ministry of Works for a month now, hasn’t he? Has he gotten involved in any projects?”
Although Emperor Yongchang had later given Prince Kang and Prince Qing a reassurance after going to such great lengths to modify the palace gates large and small everywhere, thinking of Prince Hui’s talents and Emperor Yongchang’s favoritism toward him, Zheng Yuanzhen felt somewhat uneasy. She feared more that Prince Hui would also shine brilliantly at the Ministry of Works, shaking Emperor Yongchang’s current thoughts on establishing an heir.
Prince Qing naturally kept an eye on this and said: “Reportedly he’s been shut in his office reviewing last year’s project documents the whole time, with every intention of continuing until New Year’s. At court assemblies he never voluntarily interferes with government affairs either. In my view, Second Brother fears we’ll suspect him and doesn’t dare compete anymore.”
A prince born of a lowly dancing girl, without maternal clan support—the only thing he could rely on was his literary and martial talents. Second Brother had pretended to be forbearing and honest for over ten years, finally seizing an opportunity at eighteen to establish military merit and become Father Emperor’s most beloved son in one leap. Unfortunately, Second Brother’s fate was bad—his legs were crippled. Like a thoroughbred horse with broken legs having no hope whatsoever, if Second Brother was smart enough, he should know not to overshadow his brothers anymore.
Zheng Yuanzhen touched the back of Prince Qing’s hand and said in a low voice: “I hope that’s the case.”
Prince Qing turned her face: “What are you worried about? Even if he wants to compete, sitting in a wheelchair at the Ministry of Works, how can he still surpass me?”
When Second Brother established military merit, he was still young. Now he had grown up—even if Second Brother’s legs healed, he wouldn’t fear him.
Prince Qing disliked the contempt toward himself and high regard for Second Brother that his cousin’s words revealed.
Zheng Yuanzhen smiled: “Yes, Third Brother just lacks an opportunity to prove himself.”
Prince Qing pressed her down for another fierce kissing session before the couple got up to tidy themselves.
Walking to the dining table, Prince Qing looked at the two carved huanghuali armchairs beside the table and said to Zheng Yuanzhen: “I have to say, Second Brother’s cowhide chair really is comfortable. How about this—tomorrow I’ll go with you to make a visit to Second Brother’s place. I’ll keep Second Brother company while you have tea with Second Sister-in-law and mention to her that she should make us two armchairs. We can pay for them.”
Zheng Yuanzhen: “…Not interested. If you like it, go ask Second Brother yourself.”
Prince Qing: “Second Brother’s legs are crippled while mine are fine—how can I have the nerve to ask him? It’s easier for you sisters-in-law to speak up.”
Zheng Yuanzhen: “I have no personal relationship with Madam Yao whatsoever. If she comes to ask me for help, I’ll help. But I couldn’t possibly lower myself to her for two cowhide chairs.”
Prince Qing: “…Fine, your face is precious, mine is thick. In any case, tomorrow you and I will go together. I’ll find an opportunity to ask Second Sister-in-law for them—that should work, right?”
Zheng Yuanzhen was about to refuse when Prince Qing said seriously: “Don’t forget—although Father Emperor has given up on Second Brother, he feels even more compassion for him. Even Eldest Brother knows to visit once a month to show concern. If you and I as younger brother and sister-in-law always act as if Second Brother doesn’t matter, how will Father Emperor view me?”
Brothers showing friendship and respect, sisters-in-law being harmonious—these were all what Father Emperor hoped to see from them.
Zheng Yuanzhen swallowed back the refusal that had reached her lips.
At least before Prince Qing obtained that position, she and Prince Qing indeed had to put on a show.
Prince Hui’s Residence.
The inner chamber heated by underfloor heating was warm as spring. However, within the still pitch-dark bed curtains of the winter morning, Yao Huang was still awakened by the cold of Prince Hui’s slightly cool legs.
She wanted to shrink inward, but her shoulders were pressed firmly by Prince Hui. Finally, he braced himself over and had her lift her legs.
Everything improved with practice. By now Prince Hui had learned to support his body weight with his elbows, which brought the two of them even closer.
Yao Huang could refuse to cooperate, but at this moment Prince Hui couldn’t even move his hands—success or failure was entirely up to Yao Huang to decide. If she truly didn’t give in, it would seem like bullying his disability.
So whenever Prince Hui assumed this position, no matter how tired Yao Huang was, she had to let him have his way.
The faint snowy light gradually filtered in from the window. Just before Yao Huang could make out Prince Hui’s handsome face, Prince Hui made her cry out one final time.
By the time Yao Huang had the strength to tidy up, Prince Hui had already arranged his inner robe and sat up.
Yao Huang grabbed his wrist and forcefully pulled him back down.
The princess consort half-leaned over, using an investigating gaze to look at him. The princess consort’s face was completely flushed, and her eyes, which had wept for a long time, were somewhat red and swollen.
Zhao Sui closed his eyes.
Yao Huang huffed: “You dare to bully people but don’t dare to face it?”
Zhao Sui: “It’s still early. You can sleep a bit more.”
Yao Huang: “It’s already light outside—what sleep?”
Zhao Sui remained silent, his left hand pulling over the quilt to help her cover her shoulders properly.