A Precious Pearl in the Imperial City

"Why is the courtyard so noisy?" Princess Consort Jing sat beneath a tree in the inner courtyard, reading a book when the sound of laughter and chatter from outside made her frown. She set the book down.

"Your Highness, it seems to be coming from Princess Huai's side. Should this servant go and check?"

"No need," Princess Consort Jing shook her head. "Let her be."

Rumors were swirling in the palace. If her sister-in-law was forcing smiles and laughter with the maids to ease her troubles, why should she play the villain?

A locust blossom drifted onto the page of her book. She picked it up and chuckled softly.

"I can’t—I can’t go on!" Princess Consort An gasped for breath, leaning against the table. "Fifth Sister-in-law, you run too fast. Even if I grew a few more legs, I still couldn’t catch up!"

"I told you not to race Fifth Sister-in-law," Princess Huai poured tea for both of them and gestured for Jiuzhu and Princess Consort An to sit and rest. "Come, have some tea."

"Thank you, Eldest Sister-in-law." Princess Consort An gulped down her tea, then glanced toward the neighboring courtyard several times before hesitantly swallowing her unspoken question.

"Don’t worry. Third Sister-in-law has always preferred quiet. No matter how much noise we make, she won’t come over." Princess Huai refilled her teacup. "I may not be capable of much, but as long as you’re here with me, no one dares to gossip."

Even if Prince Huai’s household valued tranquility, they would usually join in when things got lively. But now, with just a few rumors circulating, the couple had already distanced themselves—how heartless.

"Third Sister-in-law enjoys peace, while the three of us love excitement. It’s better not to disturb each other." Jiuzhu smiled as she sipped her tea. "If there had been wind today, we could’ve flown kites."

"Don’t even mention kites! Last time, after we flew them, Her Highness the Imperial Consort scolded us for being young and reckless—daring to fly kites in the palace! She said if it had been a sensitive time, we’d have been arrested as spies!" Princess Consort An burst into laughter. "Then she added that since we started it, she’d go fly a kite herself in a few days."

"Times ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‍are better now. The realm is at peace, the people live in prosperity, and those of us in the palace don’t have to tread so carefully." Princess Huai sighed. "His Majesty and Her Majesty are broad-minded, otherwise..."

Ever since the rumors about her husband’s origins had spread, she had been uneasy—afraid the Emperor would turn against them, afraid the Empress would seize the chance to crush Prince Huai’s standing.

But all her worries eased when Jiuzhu came to visit.

If the Empress truly intended to act against them, she would never have allowed Jiuzhu’s visit today.

As the future Crown Princess, Jiuzhu’s actions represented the Empress’s will in the eyes of the palace. Her presence here was a declaration to all that Prince Huai was the Emperor’s trueborn son—and the rumors were nothing but absurd lies.

The world was full of those who added flowers to brocade, but how many were willing to offer fuel in snowy weather?

This kindness, she would remember in her heart. A mere "thank you" would only cheapen it.

"Consort Xu has arrived!"

A young eunuch in blue robes announced urgently from the courtyard gate. Princess Huai barely had time to rise from the stone bench before Consort Xu strode in.

"Mother." Princess Huai stepped forward and curtsied.

"I heard the commotion from afar. As my son’s wife, how can you still have the heart to frolic with maids at a time like this—"

"Greetings to Consort Xu."

Recognizing the newcomers, Consort Xu’s cold expression instantly softened into a polite smile. She helped Jiuzhu up. "So Princess Consort of Chen is here as well. Please, rise."

Only then did she notice Princess Consort An was also present. At such a critical moment, the wives of the Second and Fifth Princes had come here?

In this world, were there really imperial daughters-in-law who didn’t kick a man when he was down, but instead offered help in need?

Even if they were aiding her own son, Consort Xu couldn’t help suspecting these two princess consorts might be a little slow-witted.

If she were in their place, she wouldn’t have missed this chance to crush the Eldest Prince once and for all. What was the point of marrying into the imperial family otherwise?

As she pondered, footsteps sounded at the gate. She turned to see Prince Chen and Prince An entering side by side. Prince An chattered incessantly, while Prince Chen’s face remained unreadable.

"Consort Xu?" Prince An, pleased with his newfound camaraderie with his fifth brother, greeted her cheerfully with a bow.

Prince Chen gave her a perfunctory nod, his expression indifferent but not outright rude.

Prince Huai emerged from the kitchen, confirming that Yun Duqing had indeed arrived before noon, just as Jiuzhu had said. He forced a warm smile and exchanged greetings with his brothers. "Knowing you were coming, I brought out the fine wine I’ve been saving for years. We must drink our fill today."

Consort Xu, forgotten by her son, cleared her throat. Prince Huai’s smile dimmed slightly as he bowed respectfully to her.

Standing side by side, Jiuzhu noticed Prince Huai resembled the Emperor far more than he did Consort Xu.

Consort Xu’s skin was pale, while Prince Huai’s had a wheatish hue. Her delicate, gentle features contrasted sharply with his sharp, commanding presence.

"I came to see you, but since you brothers are gathering, I won’t intrude." Consort Xu’s gaze lingered on Yun Duqing, her expression complex. As the future Crown Prince, what did he stand to gain by coming to the Eldest Prince’s aid now?

Prince Huai hesitated but did not press her to stay. "This son will escort you out."

The two walked in silence until they reached the palace gates. Consort Xu turned to him. "You’d best watch your step."

"Mother, this son knows what he’s doing." Prince Huai bowed deeply, his eyes fixed on the hem of her skirt. "Your health is frail. You should rest and not overthink matters."

"Look at me."

Prince Huai raised his head—and Consort Xu slapped him across the face.

"Thank you for your guidance, Mother. Farewell." Humiliated before the palace servants, Prince Huai’s expression darkened. He gave a curt bow and turned to leave.

"Stop!" Consort Xu hadn’t expected such defiance. "Did I dismiss you?"

"Mother, I have guests waiting. I take my leave."

Watching her son walk away, Consort Xu took a deep breath. This useless son of hers—nothing like her at all!

When Prince Huai returned, the red mark on his cheek was noticeable, but everyone tactfully avoided mentioning it. They gathered around the table, filling the air with forced cheer.

"Eldest Brother, where’s that fine wine you promised? Bring it out already!" Prince An, still fixated on the alcohol, tapped his chopsticks against his cup, producing a rhythmic clinking.

"Lucky for you, you’re already a titled prince. If the etiquette masters saw you playing with your utensils like this, you’d be in trouble." Prince Huai clapped his hands, and eunuchs carried in two jars of wine.

The moment the seals were broken, the rich aroma filled the air.

"Eldest Brother, you’ve been holding out on us! How could you keep such treasure hidden all this time?" Prince An sniffed eagerly, then ladled himself a cup and downed it in one go.

"Excellent wine!" His eyes lit up as he quickly ladled two more cups, handing them to Prince Chen and Prince Huai.

"Eldest Brother knows why you’ve come today," Prince Huai stood up, raising his cup. "As the saying goes, adversity reveals true friendship. I’ll drink three cups first."

After downing three cups, Prince Huai’s gaze remained clear. "This first cup, I toast to Second Brother and his wife, and Fifth Brother and his wife. Eldest Brother has been reckless in the past. If I’ve ever wronged you, please bear with me."

"Eldest Brother speaks too gravely," Prince Chen pressed his wrist down, clinking their cups before draining his own. "We are brothers. Behind closed doors, we can quarrel and bicker as we please, but we mustn’t let outsiders gossip. Otherwise, what face would the rest of us imperial princes have?"

Prince An, seeing this, also drank his cup. "I share the same sentiment."

"Don’t just focus on drinking—eat something," Princess Consort An tugged at Prince An’s sleeve.

Prince Chen’s bowl was soon filled with several of his favorite dishes, all secretly added by Jiuzhu.

Prince Huai glanced at his two younger brothers, then stole a sidelong look at Princess Huai.

With an impatient flick of her chopsticks, Princess Huai tossed a piece of goose webfoot into his bowl. Staring at it, he felt an inexplicable surge of gratitude.

When push came to shove, it was his lawful wife who treated him best.

"This wine is strong—don’t drink too much," Prince An ladled a bowl of soup for Princess Consort An. "Have this instead. It’s nourishing."

"The tendon is tender and delicious. Here, let me feed you," Prince Chen picked up a piece, blew on it to cool it, then brought it to Jiuzhu’s lips. "Is it good?"

"Delicious," Jiuzhu nodded with a smile. "More, please."

Prince Huai watched as his usually arrogant fifth brother obediently served his wife, carefully cooling another piece before feeding it to her.

He looked left and right, then awkwardly placed a pearl-braised fowl leg into Princess Huai’s bowl, unsure of her preferences.

Princess Huai stared down at the contents of her bowl. What was Yun Liu’an trying to say?

While the other princes served their wives nourishing soup or their favorite dishes, he had the audacity to give her a lump of ginger used for seasoning?!

Was he mocking her for not being as youthful and tender as her sisters-in-law?

Gritting her teeth, she smiled sweetly, picked up the ginger, and stuffed it into Prince Huai’s mouth. "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. You should try it too."

He had clearly picked a fowl leg—how had it turned into ginger?!

Prince Huai tried to spit it out, but Princess Huai clamped his jaw shut. "Don’t you dare. Swallow it."

Prince Huai: "..."

Times had changed. His princess still cared for him, but she’d grown fiercer.

He turned to Jiuzhu, recalling how she had once lifted Sun Caiyao with ease, and couldn’t help but wonder—had his wife learned this boldness from her?

"Eldest Brother enjoys ginger?" Prince Chen chuckled, picking up another piece from his bowl and placing it in Prince Huai’s. "Here, have some more."

Instead of eating properly, why was he staring at his wife?

"Don’t disappoint Fifth Brother’s kindness," Princess Huai shoved this second piece of ginger into Prince Huai’s mouth. "Eat up. There’s plenty more if you want."

Prince Huai’s eyes widened.

Princess Huai lowered her lashes and whispered, "We’ve been married for years, Your Highness. If nothing else, I’ve put in the effort. If you truly cherish me, you wouldn’t disdain the food I give you, would you?"

Tears welling, Prince Huai forced down the pungent ginger.

A satisfied smile graced Princess Huai’s lips. It seemed Jiuzhu was right after all.

A woman must prioritize her own happiness.

When she treated herself well, her man would naturally fall in line.

Look how obedient Yun Liu’an had become.

"Princess," Prince Huai carefully selected another pearl-braised fowl leg and placed it in her bowl. "This time, I checked properly. It’s definitely not ginger."

"Who knew Eldest Brother was so henpecked?" Jiuzhu whispered to Prince Chen. "I used to think he treated Princess Huai poorly."

"Men can be taught to behave if they’re disobedient," Prince Chen replied offhandedly.

"Oh," Jiuzhu nodded thoughtfully. "I understand now."

Prince Chen suddenly snapped to attention, turning to stare at her.

What exactly did she understand?