A Precious Pearl in the Imperial City

"What book is this?" Prince Chen glanced at the small mountain of peeled walnuts, popped a couple into his mouth, and curiously leaned closer.

Jiuzhu scooted over slightly, making room for him to sit beside her. "I don’t know, I haven’t opened it yet. The cover just has two little figures."

Prince Chen didn’t think much of it and summoned the palace maids and eunuchs to prepare for their bedtime routine.

As the servants tidied the bed, the two sat side by side soaking their feet, their basins placed close together. Prince Chen peeked at Jiuzhu’s basin, then playfully draped his wet foot over hers.

"Your Highness?" Jiuzhu turned to look at him.

"I’m just checking the water temperature on your side."

So this was how soft and delicate a young girl’s feet were compared to a man’s.

"There’s no difference, it’s the same," Jiuzhu said, mimicking him by dipping her foot into his basin. The tip of Prince Chen’s big toe tickled the sole of her foot, making her giggle.

"That tickles!" She lifted her foot, dried it, and climbed onto the bed. "Your Highness, this bed is enormous."

Prince Chen rubbed his nose awkwardly and dismissed all the attendants. "Of course it’s big—it’s meant for both of us."

Yun Duqing, calm down. This is your wife, the woman you’ll share meals, sleep, and life with from now on.

"Your Highness." Jiuzhu sat cross-legged and picked up the book he had tossed aside. "You threw it away."

"Why is there a book in bed?" Prince Chen took it back, annoyed at the Kirin Palace servants. Who in their right mind would think of reading on their wedding night?

He mirrored her posture and flipped through the pages, only to freeze, his eyes widening at the illustrations inside.

"What’s drawn in there?" Jiuzhu craned her neck to look.

"Nothing suitable for a young lady." He blocked her view with his hand, stiffly snapping the book shut. "It’s not worth looking at."

"If it’s not worth looking at, then why can’t I see?" The more he resisted, the more curious she became.

"Enough. Aren’t you tired after today?" Flustered, he tossed the book under the bed, pushed Jiuzhu down, and yanked the quilt over both of them. "Sleep."

"I am tired," Jiuzhu admitted, poking her head out from under the covers. She clutched the quilt’s edge and whispered, "But I can’t fall asleep."

"Why not?" Prince Chen hesitated, then reached out to tuck the quilt snugly around her back, ensuring no draft could chill her.

"I’ve always slept alone. This is my first time sharing a bed, so it feels strange." She glanced at him. "But don’t worry, Your Highness—I sleep very still. My master said I don’t move an inch from night till morning. I’m very well-behaved."

Seeing her timid expression, Prince Chen sighed and started to get up.

"Your Highness, where are you going?" Jiuzhu caught his wrist.

"To fetch another quilt from the cabinet. You stay here and sleep properly."

"No need." She tugged him back under the covers, and to his surprise, he couldn’t resist.

"I’ll get used to it after a few nights." She patted the quilt over them. "Husband and wife should sleep together, right?"

He didn’t tell her that princes and their consorts usually had separate quarters and didn’t share a bed every night.

Her eyes were so innocent, so utterly unaware of the implications of intimacy. Prince Chen wrestled internally between being a beast or something even worse.

"Your Highness." Jiuzhu wrapped her arms around his neck, her voice soft. "Let’s sleep."

He took a deep breath. "You want to sleep like this?"

"Isn’t this how newlyweds are supposed to sleep?" She blinked. "Am I doing it wrong?"

"Did the etiquette matron sent by the Ministry of Rites teach you this before the wedding?"

Jiuzhu thought carefully. "She said some things were for others to learn. Her Majesty treats me like her own daughter, so she told me that if there’s anything I don’t understand after marriage… you’d teach me."

Ah, so she’s the beloved daughter, and I’m the stray son-in-law.

"Did she say something wrong?" Jiuzhu’s smile faded as she withdrew her arms.

"No, she didn’t." With a silent sigh, he pulled her close. "Sleep. I’ll teach you everything… gradually, night by night."

But for tonight…

Watching her peaceful, trusting face, he decided to be the lesser beast—just this once.

In less than the time it took two incense sticks to burn, the girl who claimed she couldn’t sleep was already breathing evenly in slumber.

Prince Chen shifted his pinned arm. All those romantic tales about lovers sleeping entwined all night were lies—his arm was already numb.

He tried to pull it free, but when she frowned in her sleep, he gave up.

Gazing at the embroidered phoenix and dragon on the bed canopy, he turned and pressed a light kiss to her forehead before drifting off.

The next morning, he woke up clinging to the edge of the bed while Jiuzhu sprawled diagonally, her head pillowed on his chest, claiming most of the space.

He flexed his arm. Good—it still worked.

Sunlight streamed through the windows as he gently tucked her exposed hand back under the quilt.

Though he occupied only a sliver of the massive bed, he had no desire to rise on this tranquil morning.

Outside, the palace maids and eunuchs had been cycling through fresh warm water for hours, not daring to make a sound.

"Miss Chunfen," the Kirin Palace’s head eunuch, Yang Yiduo, approached quietly. "Might you share Her Highness’s preferences? We servants wish to serve our master and mistress well."

After yesterday’s grand wedding, everyone knew how much Prince Chen cherished his bride. The entire Kirin Palace staff was on edge, fearing any misstep.

"There’s no need for concern, Steward Yang," Chunfen replied smoothly. As the bride’s chief maid, she commanded respect from all. "Her Highness has always been gentle and kind. As long as everyone performs their duties faithfully and obeys palace rules, she would never punish anyone unfairly."

"Of course, of course. We are all loyal and diligent." Yang Yiduo quickly realized Chunfen wasn’t one to be trifled with.

Nearly an hour later, movement finally sounded from within. Yang and Chunfen exchanged polite gestures at the door, each urging the other to enter first.

In the end, they stepped in together, wearing matching satisfied smiles.

"Congratulations to His and Her Highness on your joyous union!"

"Rise," Prince Chen said, uncharacteristically mild. "All servants of Kirin Palace shall receive two months’ extra pay."

Prince Chen noticed Chunfen standing beside Chief Steward Yang, recognizing her as the head maid among Jiuzhu's dowry attendants: "Miss Chunfen is the personal attendant of the Princess Consort. From now on, she shall follow the protocols befitting a first-rank palace maid. Yang Yiduo, go to the Palace Administration today and register Miss Chunfen as a sixth-rank court lady. Retrieve her official waist token."

"At your command, Your Highness." Yang Yiduo glanced enviously at Chunfen. Aligning with the right master truly paid off—she had transformed from a mere maid in a minister's household to a sixth-rank court lady in an instant. He had entered the palace at thirteen and struggled for years to reach his current sixth-rank position as a chief steward.

"This humble servant thanks Your Highness for your great kindness." Chunfen understood full well what the sixth-rank title signified. She prostrated herself before Prince Chen in a deep bow.

"You are the Princess Consort's personal attendant. Without an official court rank, others might look down on her." Prince Chen made no attempt to hide that granting her the rank was solely to elevate Jiuzhu's status. "No need to thank me. Just serve the Princess Consort well."

"Yes, Your Highness." Chunfen stole a glance toward the bed curtains, where she noticed her mistress stirring slightly, and whispered, "Your Highness, the Princess Consort prefers not to have too many attendants when she wakes."

"Yang Yiduo and you may stay. The rest may withdraw." Prince Chen adjusted his sleeves, lifted the bed curtain, and sat on the edge of the bed. Seeing Jiuzhu drowsily hugging the blankets, he pinched her cheek lightly. "Awake now?"

"Your Highness?" Jiuzhu slowly registered her unfamiliar surroundings. She tilted her head, studying Prince Chen—they were family now.

"Drink some honey water." Prince Chen took the cup from Yang Yiduo and held it to Jiuzhu's lips. "Open your mouth."

Jiuzhu obediently took a few sips before asking in confusion, "Your Highness, when did I fall asleep last night?"

"Want more?" Prince Chen seemed reluctant to answer.

Jiuzhu shook her head.

"Two incense sticks after you claimed you couldn't sleep." He handed the cup back to Yang Yiduo and poked her forehead. "Liar."

"Normally, I fall asleep within one incense stick after lying down," Jiuzhu defended, averting her gaze guiltily. "So two incense sticks still counts as struggling to sleep."

Prince Chen arched a brow, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Really?"

"Mm!" Jiuzhu nodded emphatically to prove her sincerity.

Chunfen lowered her head, stifling a laugh. It was true—her mistress usually fell asleep the moment her head touched the pillow, so this wasn’t entirely a lie.

"Fine, I’ll believe you." Prince Chen chuckled. "Get up and have breakfast. Later, I’ll take you to pay respects to Father Emperor and Mother Empress, then make the rounds to my four elder brothers."

He rubbed his fingers together meaningfully. "We might pick up some nice gifts."

Jiuzhu perked up immediately. "Yes!"

On ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‍the first morning of their marriage, Jiuzhu dressed in full ceremonial attire. The eight-tailed phoenix hairpin at the center of her elaborate coiffure was exquisitely crafted and dazzling, yet Jiuzhu carried it with effortless grace.

"A phoenix paired with peonies." Prince Chen painted a blooming peony between her brows and nodded in satisfaction.

"The Princess Consort is truly a celestial maiden descended to earth, her beauty unparalleled," Yang Yiduo flattered. "The peony adornment Your Highness painted complements her perfectly. Together, you are a match made by heaven. In all the capital, only Their Majesties rival such harmony."

"Well said." Prince Chen tossed the brush to Yang Yiduo. "You’ll be rewarded."

The attendants of Kirin Palace were far more astute than those of other palaces.

"Our Princess Consort is indeed a fairy who descended from the heavens," Prince Chen declared, taking Jiuzhu’s hand. He smirked at Yang Yiduo. "Do you know why she went through such trouble to come to the mortal world?"

Yang Yiduo shook his head blankly.

"To meet me, of course." Prince Chen laughed triumphantly, draping a silk shawl over Jiuzhu’s shoulders. "Come, Little Piggy, let’s go."

At Bright Moon Palace, Empress Su picked at her breakfast absentmindedly. Even when Emperor Longfeng held food to her lips, she barely noticed.

"Meidai," Emperor Longfeng coaxed gently. "Duqing has always been fond of sleeping in. He wouldn’t rise this early."

"Today is different." Empress Su pushed his hand away. "I wonder if they found the book I left under their pillow."

"Ah, I both hope they did and hope they didn’t." She rested her cheek on her hand, sighing. "When I first entered the prince’s household, I was just Jiuzhu’s age."

"You are as radiant now as you were then," Emperor Longfeng assured her quickly. "You barely touched your meal. Eat a little more."

"I’m not hungry. Nothing could tempt my appetite now."

"Then I’ll send someone to hurry Duqing along—"

"Don’t you dare!" Empress Su snapped. "No one is to disturb them! As his father, you should know better."

Emperor Longfeng fell silent, quietly sipping his porridge instead.

"Your Majesties, Prince Chen and the Princess Consort have arrived."

"Bring them in at once!" Empress Su stood, signaling Xiangjuan to fetch the gifts she had prepared.

"Father Emperor, Mother Empress, still dining?" Prince Chen entered hand-in-hand with Jiuzhu, eyeing the unfinished meal on the table. "Your son and daughter-in-law have come to pay our respects."

"Wait—the floor is cold. A young lady’s knees mustn’t catch a chill." Empress Su ordered a cushion placed before Jiuzhu.

Prince Chen stared at the bare floor in front of himself, speechless.

Was a prince not entitled to a cushion?

Jiuzhu shifted the cushion to the center and tugged Prince Chen down beside her onto the generous padding.

"Father Emperor, please accept this tea." Jiuzhu presented the cup with both hands, bowing deeply.

"Well done." Emperor Longfeng took a sip before placing several property deeds into her hands. "I’ve little to offer, but these hot spring villas and retreats are under my private name. Visit them whenever you seek leisure."

"Thank you, Father Emperor."

Prince Chen eyed the deeds. "Father, I’ve always fancied that hot spring estate."

"Too bad. It belongs to your wife now." Emperor Longfeng chuckled. "Haven’t you taken enough from me over the years?"

"Don’t worry, Your Highness," Jiuzhu whispered. "What’s mine is yours."

"Mother Empress, please accept this tea." After tucking the deeds into Prince Chen’s care, Jiuzhu offered tea to Empress Su.

"Good, good, good." Empress Su drank heartily, then helped Jiuzhu up herself. "Come, sit and talk."

"Your Majesty." Xiangjuan nudged the tray of gifts forward discreetly.

"Ah, I nearly forgot." Empress Su massaged her temples, smiling. "Since His Majesty gave you properties, I’ll gift you a few shops in the city and a courtyard residence. If Duqing ever angers you, move there. Remember—men shouldn’t be spoiled."

Ahem. Prince Chen shot his mother a look. Dearest Mother, might I remind you I’m your blood son, not a son-in-law?

"If your throat is dry, have the kitchen prepare pear and fritillary soup," Empress Su dismissed, waving him off. "Don’t interrupt my conversation with Jiuzhu."

Prince Chen: "…"

He walked over and sat down beside Emperor Longfeng, who patted his shoulder.

"My son, a married man must learn from the wild grass beneath the wall—strong and resilient."

"You’ve just arrived at the palace. If there’s anything you’re not accustomed to, come and tell me," Empress Su said to Jiuzhu. "As a princess consort, you needn’t follow so many rules when leaving the palace. Have Duqing accompany you for outings often."

"Your Majesty," Jiuzhu couldn’t help but smile. "His Highness treats me very well."

"Why are you calling me 'Your Majesty' again?"

"Mother." Jiuzhu’s cheeks flushed slightly.

"Stay for lunch here," Empress Su said cheerfully. "I’ve had the kitchen prepare your favorite dishes. In the afternoon, you can visit the brothers and sisters-in-law at Zhangliu Palace."

Jiuzhu nodded, her eyes crinkling with joy as she glanced at Empress Su and then at Prince Chen, who was seated beside the emperor.

At Zhangliu Palace, several princes sat in the courtyard, waiting restlessly. When the sun was high, a messenger from Bright Moon Palace arrived to inform them that the emperor and empress had kept Prince Chen and his consort for lunch, and the couple would visit them in the afternoon.

"Whew." Prince An let out a relieved sigh, his stiff posture slumping as he lazily rose to his feet. "I’ll return to my quarters first and join you all for chess in the afternoon."

The chess game had been a haphazard affair, merely a pretense for their fifth brother’s sake. Now that he wasn’t coming, they had no interest in keeping up appearances.

Prince Huai swept all the chess pieces into the box, black and white mixing into chaos.

"Eldest Brother," Prince Jing glanced at the scattered pieces and forced a bitter smile. "I’ll retire to my quarters as well."

Prince Huai waved a hand dismissively, signaling for him to leave.

"Eldest Brother." Yun Yanze picked up a piece from the box and placed it in the center of the board. "Let me play with you."

Prince Huai lifted his eyelids to look at him and scoffed. "Fourth Brother, your mind is too cunning. As your elder brother, I can’t match you."

"I’ve already lost completely," Yun Yanze moved the piece to another spot. "It’s no surprise Eldest Brother doesn’t want to play with me. Pity our fifth brother doesn’t care for chess—otherwise, you could have tested your skills against him."

"Fourth Brother, you’re mistaken," Prince Huai picked up the piece and tossed it back into the box. "Fifth Brother is different from us. He doesn’t need to play chess."

Yun Yanze chuckled darkly. If they were all players in this game, why was Yun Duqing the exception?

"Don’t take it to heart. In life, one may refuse to believe in fate, yet must eventually submit to it," Prince Huai said, his tone laced with disdain for this seemingly gentle but ruthless younger brother. "By the way, Fourth Brother, have you ever heard a folktale?"

Yun Yanze looked at him calmly.

"They say there was an old man in a village who despised cats and dogs. Every time he saw them, he’d throw stones at them. One day, a cat scratched his hand when he wasn’t paying attention. Days later, the old man suddenly went mad, biting anyone he saw and fearing water. People said it was retribution for his cruelty to animals." Prince Huai smirked and lowered his voice. "Do you know what illness this was, Fourth Brother?"

Yun Yanze smiled faintly and shook his head. "Does Eldest Brother know?"

"It’s called 'mad cat disease,'" Prince Huai whispered. "They say those afflicted see visions of cats dying horribly every day, tormented until death. Fourth Brother, are you afraid?"

Yun Yanze took a sip of tea from the table. "Those with a clear conscience have nothing to fear."

"Hah." Prince Huai sneered. "Well said, Fourth Brother." With that, he turned and strode back to his own courtyard.

Yun Yanze grabbed a handful of chess pieces and scattered them across the board, then absently touched his wrist.

"Nonsense."

With a sweep of his sleeve, countless pieces clattered to the ground.

"The sun’s up," Ming Jiyuan muttered, leaning against the courtyard wall as he spoke to Ming Cunfu on the other side. "I wonder if Jiuzhu has faced any difficulties."

"Third Brother, you’ve been worrying all morning," Ming Cunfu groaned, slumping against the wall. He wanted to suggest that if Ming Jiyuan was so concerned, he should just marry someone to take care of himself.

But remembering his brother’s formidable strength, he swallowed the words.

"The people in the palace are cunning, speaking one word while hiding three. She has four sisters-in-law above her—who knows if they’ll treat her well?" Ming Jiyuan clenched the wall tightly. "And the palace servants… Jiuzhu is kind-hearted. What if they disobey her behind her back?"

"Third Brother, stop squeezing! If you break the wall, our allowances will be docked again!" Ming Cunfu used all his strength to pry Ming Jiyuan’s fingers away. "Among the five princes, only Prince Chen is the empress’s son. Do you really think the servants would dare disrespect our sister? Have you forgotten Prince Chen’s temper? With him around, who would dare bully Jiuzhu?"

"Relying on a man is never as good as relying on oneself. Prince Chen can’t be by her side every moment. And what about schemes and plots—"

"Third Brother, you haven’t spent enough time with Jiuzhu to truly know her," Ming Cunfu grunted, his face red from exertion as he failed to loosen Ming Jiyuan’s grip. "She may seem naive in daily life, but when it matters, she’s sharp."

Ming Jiyuan finally released the wall, nearly sending Ming Cunfu tumbling. "When she returns home in two days, you can ask her yourself if she’s adjusting well to palace life."

"You’ve forgotten," Ming Jiyuan said gloomily. "Jiuzhu is a royal bride now. There’s no custom of returning home three days after marriage."

Ming Cunfu froze. Only then did the reality sink in—his sister was truly married, no longer part of the Ming household.

Not even a homecoming visit?

After a long silence, he murmured, "Perhaps… perhaps His Highness will bring her back?"

Prince Chen had personally come to fetch the bride—maybe he’d make an exception for this as well.

"Even if Prince Chen agrees, what about the emperor and empress? Would they raise no objections?"

"Jiuzhu said Empress Su… likes her," Ming Cunfu clung to a sliver of hope. "Surely she wouldn’t forbid it."

"Many mothers-in-law treat their daughters-in-law differently before and after marriage." Ming Jiyuan slammed his palm against the wall again—this time, Ming Cunfu couldn’t stop him in time.

With a thunderous crash, a large chunk of the wall crumbled away.

Ming Cunfu scrambled back several steps, distancing himself from the scene.

Ming Jiyuan shot him a disappointed look. If even his own brother would abandon him in a crisis, how much more hypocritical must the bonds between those imperial princes be?

"Third Brother, it’s not that I won’t share your burdens—it’s just that I’m truly broke," Ming Cunfu called over his shoulder as he fled. "If my allowance gets docked again, I won’t even have money to buy rouge for my fiancée."

Watching his sixth brother, who usually struggled to climb walls but now sprinted like the wind, Ming Jiyuan sighed. "The fickleness of human hearts."

"Young Master!" A servant hurried over, eyeing the damaged wall before cautiously retreating. "A wandering Taoist is outside, claiming to have been sent by Miss Jiuzhu’s two masters to deliver wedding gifts."

"Invite him in at once," Ming Jiyuan snapped back to attention and strode toward the gate. "Serve good tea. Do not slight our guest."

He hurried into the main hall and saw a middle-aged female Daoist priest with her hair tied up in a wooden hairpin, dressed in a blue Daoist robe, sitting inside. He bowed and said, "This junior is Ming Jiyuan, Jiuzhu's elder brother. I was unaware of your esteemed arrival and failed to show proper courtesy. Please forgive my oversight."

"You are too kind, Young Master Ming." The Daoist priest returned the gesture and retrieved a wooden box from her satchel. "While passing through the capital, I was entrusted by two fellow priests to deliver this item to the Ming family. Fortunately, I have fulfilled my duty. Please accept it."

"My deepest gratitude, Priest." Seeing that she intended to leave immediately after delivering the item, Ming Jiyuan quickly added, "You must be weary from your journey. Why not stay at our humble residence for a few days? When Jiuzhu returns, she can personally express her thanks."

"We who walk the path of the Dao follow the whims of fate in meeting and parting, never forcing anything upon the world." The priest smiled. "If you truly wish to show gratitude, Young Master, you need only light a stick of incense before the Three Pure Ones or offer half a bowl of rice to a beggar. That would be merit enough for us both."

"If you are unwilling to stay, this junior would not dare insist. But may I ask for your revered name and title, so I may explain the matter properly to my sister?"

"This old priest is but a drifting cloud, a wild crane. A name is merely a label—do not trouble yourself over it." She laughed freely. "Simply recount today's events to Miss Ming. She has an affinity with the Dao and will understand."

Ming Jiyuan's heart skipped a beat—an affinity with the Dao?

"Do not overthink it, Young Master." The priest seemed to read his thoughts. "All who follow their hearts freely have an affinity with the Dao. Miss Ming is a perceptive soul."

She gently patted the wooden box. "However, I must ask that you personally place this item into Miss Ming's hands."