“Relaxing muscles and bones? Su Xinghe, you’re clearly retaliating against me because I planned to arrange a marriage for General Lou Yueting!”
The Crown Prince suddenly bolted upright, barefoot, and chased after her. Just as she was about to step over the threshold, he grabbed her forcefully. His face turned an ominous shade of green with rage. “What are you doing? Have you been in service so long that your brain’s stopped working? Bringing just anyone into the Eastern Palace, did you even check their background? What if she’s an assassin? How many heads do you have to lose?”
Su Xinghe turned to look at him calmly and replied, “Your Highness, don’t worry. She was handpicked from the tea chamber. I’ve thoroughly investigated her ancestry going back eighteen generations. She’s from the 52 Book Repository. Although her family isn’t prominent, she stands out for her gentle demeanor.”
Gentle demeanor? That stammering, incoherent mess of a person?
The Crown Prince sneered maliciously, ” Lord Su, you’re a person who deals with grand affairs. What made you suddenly take an interest in such romantic trifles?”
Su Xinghe knew that the first step would always be the hardest. She glanced at Qinggan, who stood timidly under the canopy, fidgeting with her hands, her expression bleak, almost on the verge of tears. It was evident that if today’s plan failed, even if she stayed, the Crown Prince would never favor her.
She hadn’t expected success in one try. The Crown Prince was someone who paid obsessive attention to detail. He could easily adapt to sudden changes in political affairs, but not in his personal life. He needed time to adjust. Otherwise, even a carefully chosen candidate like Qinggan might face mortal danger.
With a gentle and kind smile. Su Xinghe reassured the anxious woman, “You can leave for now. I’ll call you later.”
Qinggan quickly composed herself and retreated from the main hall.
Su Xinghe held back her temper and said, “Your Highness, have you forgotten what you told me last time? The emperor sent you Lady Shangguan, but you thought she was too young and not suitable for you. You said you preferred someone older, someone who could take better care of you. So I asked the steward to bring over the Eastern Palace’s registry and carefully selected this one for you as a reliable choice. And yet, you still don’t like her? This won’t do. You’re too picky. Forget the emperor; even I’m getting anxious for you. Should I call her back so you can take another look? She’s really good, her features are proper, her figure is fine, and she’s 26, still capable of bearing children. What do you think, Your Highness?”
Grinding his teeth, he looked as though he could eat her alive. “Do you take me for someone who’d let you throw just anyone into my bed? I won’t marry a Crown Princess just yet, so you don’t need to fret. I have a plan. As for heirs, don’t worry about that either. If I don’t have ten or eight children in the future, I’ll let you write my name backward.”
She was baffled. “Your Highness, saying that makes me think you’ve fallen for someone already.”
The Crown Prince replied matter-of-factly, “I have. But I can’t marry her just yet. For now, I’m content to watch her stir up trouble from afar. Once she refuses to marry anyone but me, I’ll bring her here, teach her a lesson, and make her give me children!”
The way he clenched his teeth as he spoke, it seemed more like he was talking about a lifelong nemesis rather than a love interest. Could this really be love? Whoever made him fall in love must truly be unlucky.
Still, Su Xinghe nodded. “That works, but if you only pick one and expect her to have so many children, it might be too much for her. I humbled suggestion is that you consider taking a couple more into the household. You’re destined to be emperor one day, and emperors have three palaces and six courts; two more wouldn’t make a difference. Even if you don’t care for them, they could lighten the future Crown Princess’s burden and bear children for you. Wouldn’t that be a good compromise?”
The Crown Prince began to feel he couldn’t understand her anymore. “Do you also think all men in the world should have three wives and four concubines? You work as an official in the outer court. I thought your perspective would be broader than that.”
Su Xinghe seriously considered his question. “Of course, I don’t think men should have three wives and four concubines. Why should one teapot serve four cups? In my opinion, it should be one cup for four teapots instead! But the prevailing trends can’t be changed. This custom has lasted for thousands of years, and no one would listen to me even if I tried. Men don’t want to give up their privileges, and women don’t want to be labeled as jealous shrews, what can anyone do? Besides, even if all men in the world only took one wife, the emperor couldn’t. The royal family’s lineage is too important.”
His gaze grew colder and more piercing, almost oppressive. “So, in the future, will you also find concubines for your husband and let him rotate between a few women to serve him?”
“Absolutely not,” she flatly rejected. “Other men can have three wives and four concubines, but he cannot. Not only can he not, he’s not even allowed to think about it.”
So that was it he ultimately fell under the category of “others.” That’s why she spared no effort worrying about his lonely chambers, tirelessly seeking suitable candidates to ensure he would diligently produce heirs.
He sighed wistfully. “Su Xinghe, won’t you regret this in the future?”
They weren’t thinking about the same thing. Su Xinghe was still stuck on the idea of not allowing her husband to take concubines. She responded with conviction, “Why would I regret it? Even if I didn’t have children, I still wouldn’t allow him to take concubines. If he can’t accept that, then I’ll just leave him. What’s the big deal?”
The Crown Prince wanted to argue with her further but realized that with her stubbornness, she wouldn’t understand unless the truth was laid bare. What could he even say? Pointing at her, he warned, “Stop meddling like this, or the future Crown Princess will end up hating you. When that happens, even I won’t be able to save you.”
But Su Xinghe found his words amusing. Marrying into the imperial family and expecting to be the sole favorite? Even if the Crown Prince were willing, would the court officials agree? Would the surrounding kingdoms looking for alliances agree? She sighed, realizing how hopelessly naive he was on this matter. Watching him turn away forlornly and retreat into his inner chamber, unaccompanied by attendants, she had no choice but to follow him inside.
Curious about the mysterious future Crown Princess she had only heard about, Su Xinghe tended to his needs as she chased after him, calling, “Your Highness, Your Highness…”
Wrapped in his blanket, the Crown Prince looked at her warily. “What do you want?”
Lowering one side of the bed’s canopy, she shamelessly grinned and asked, “The girl you like, do I know her?”
The Crown Prince didn’t even want to engage with her. “What does it have to do with you?”
She chuckled awkwardly. “If I find out sooner, I can start building a relationship with her earlier.”
The Crown Prince’s expression grew cold and austere, exuding an unapproachable air of imperial authority. Even as someone familiar with him, Su Xinghe could feel the unbridgeable distance between them, he was still the heir apparent, sitting high above the clouds. Realizing she had hit a wall, she muttered complaints under her breath, letting down both sides of the bed canopy and tucking them under the mattress.
On the bed, the Crown Prince stared blankly ahead, his eyes reflecting an empty void. He couldn’t help but wonder had she truly never considered the possibility of “them”? Wasn’t there a saying about those near the water enjoying the first glimpse of the moon? Here he was, with his hands practically soaking in the water every day, yet the moon seemed as far away from him as ever.
He began to suspect she might be playing hard to get. After all, she was no fool. Could it be that she believed herself unworthy of him, and so deliberately kept her distance? Or perhaps her ambitions hadn’t changed, and she still harbored dreams of seizing power. Maybe she even imagined herself ruling in the future, with him as her consort didn’t she mention her ideal of one cup matched with four teapots?
Hurt and disheartened, the Crown Prince stared at the top of the canopy until his eyes began to ache. Outside, the silence was profound, suggesting she had already left. Annoyed by her absence yet feeling empty in her departure, his emotions were in turmoil.
Suddenly, the tightly closed bed canopy shifted. His heart skipped a beat as he fixed his gaze on the faint quiver of the fabric. A small opening appeared, and a head poked through.
“Who is it? Just tell me already,” she whispered.
Anger surged through him. “I’m not telling you!”
“There’s no need to be so distant,” she said with an exaggerated blink. “If you tell me, I can keep an eye on her for you and make sure she doesn’t marry anyone else.”
The Crown Prince refused to fall for her tricks. “Don’t worry she won’t marry anyone. I won’t give her that chance.”
“Then who is she, exactly?”
“She has nothing to do with you.”
“Please, just tell me.”
“Why should I? What if you get jealous and harm her in secret?”
Su Xinghe was dumbfounded. “Do you really see me as that kind of person?”
The Crown Prince smirked but refused to answer.
Still unwilling to give up, she pressed on, “Then who is she, really?”
Who is she… who is she… Tell me already… The incessant buzzing of her questions grated on his nerves. For the first time, he truly understood how unbearable a woman’s nagging could be. He had half a mind to yank her inside and do as he pleased, letting her know that playing the erhu wasn’t just for show. But when he glanced at her pitifully tilted head peeking in, his interest evaporated.
She wouldn’t leave, and she wouldn’t be scared easily either. Frustration welled up inside him like never before. Finally, he was so exasperated that he pulled the blanket over his head. At least now, she wouldn’t dare stick her head into his bed, right?
But he had underestimated her determination. A hand began tugging at the corner of his blanket, and he shouted in exasperation, “I’m not wearing pants!”
The world finally fell silent. The blanket was tucked back in place, the bed curtains lowered, and the oil lamp on the desk was extinguished with a soft poof. The inner chamber sank into dim darkness.
Only then did he poke his head out, quietly listening. He heard her outside on the veranda, talking to Dequan.
“ Lord Su, aren’t you staying inside to attend His Highness tonight?” Dequan asked.
She hummed lightly. “His Highness has a stomachache and isn’t feeling well tonight. I’ll be staying overnight in the annex duty room. If anything comes up, you can find me there.”
Dequan believed her immediately. “Is His Highness unwell? Should I summon the imperial physician to check his pulse?”
She dismissed it casually. “It’s nothing serious. It’ll pass in no time, probably just caught a chill.”
Her back-and-forth calmly tarnished the Crown Prince’s reputation, leaving him so furious he was seeing stars.
Meanwhile, Su Xinghe leisurely made her way to the annex. This hall was designated for female officials; originally, she had it to herself. But now there was a new attendant, which, while somewhat inconvenient, added a touch of liveliness.
Although she called it “overnight duty,” it wasn’t truly so. Staying in the annex simply placed her closer to the Crown Prince’s quarters than the women’s residence, making it easier to rise early and assist him the next morning. Yinchen, who had already washed up and was preparing for bed, was delighted to see her arrive. She bustled about, fetching water and towels for Su Xinghe.
Su Xinghe smiled at her efforts. “No need for such trouble, Lady Shangguan. We hold the same rank in the inner court. I really can’t accept such attention from you.”
Yinchen’s round face lit up with a sweet smile. “I don’t mind. I like being diligent, you’ll like me better this way.” After helping with her washing up, Yinchen eagerly brought out a jar of her personal beauty cream. “Here, give this a try. My mother had someone bring it in from beyond the Great Wall. They say with this, you could stand in the northwest wind for three days and nights, and your skin would still stay flawless.” As she spoke, she leaned her face close to the lamp. “Look at mine, can you see the results? If it works well for you, I’ll have my mother send in a few more jars for you.”
Such thoughtfulness was almost overwhelming. Girls were usually drawn to these things. While Su Xinghe rarely wore makeup, she still used creams and lotions. Yinchen opened the white jade jar, and Su Xinghe tilted her head to peer inside. The cream inside was thick and wax-like, with a faint blush of pink. She took it, sniffing lightly there was a subtle jasmine fragrance. Dabbing a little into her palm, she warmed it and smoothed it onto her face. It was fine, silky, and remarkably pleasant to the touch.
The two girls huddled together, chatting about creams and hair care remedies, their lively exchange fostering a warm connection. Yinchen’s admiration for Su Xinghe was entirely unreserved. “I just like you! I want to be just like you in the future.”
Eventually, Su Xinghe figured out the reason behind her adoration. Yinchen was captivated by her role as a Jinyi Guard in the Ministry of Military Control. The title, known to inspire awe, perfectly fulfilled the young girl’s fascination with enigmatic and commanding figures who were both righteous and slightly wicked.
Su Xinghe clarified with a smile, “My position in the Ministry of Military Control. My most important duties are here in the Eastern Palace.”
Yinchen, lying beside her with youthful innocence, propped her head up, her expression endearingly earnest. “Even in the palace, you’re so impressive, managing all the internal affairs. I really admire you.”
“Impressiveness comes from practice,” Su Xinghe replied. She began teaching Yinchen the intricate rules of palace protocol, such as the seasonal distinctions in the Crown Prince’s attire and even the details of his ceremonial crown, which followed the saying, ‘Spring uses marten fur, winter uses arctic fox fur.’
As a novice court attendant, Yinchen was overwhelmed. She covered her face and pleaded, “I need to take notes! I’ll forget everything you’ve said in the blink of an eye.”
Her presence in the palace wasn’t originally intended for such responsibilities. Su Xinghe didn’t push her too hard after all, the Eastern Palace had functioned smoothly for years without expecting a young girl to take charge and revolutionize its operations.
Yinchen leaned against Su Xinghe like a sweet and obedient younger sister. Su Xinghe appreciated her genuine personality. You could discern whether someone had deep schemes from their speech and demeanor. Pretenses, no matter how well-polished, always felt artificial if overdone. Genuine straightforwardness, even if blunt or lacking subtlety, was far more endearing than perfect smoothness.
Su Xinghe gently gathered Yinchen’s loose hair and asked, “You’ve been here a few days now, and I haven’t had much time to look after you. Have you been staying in the annex this whole time?”
Yinchen nodded. “I wanted to stay in the Noblewoman’s Residence to be closer to you, but the Chief Steward said that’s reserved for the Prince’s inner household. He said I can’t stay there since I can’t even get close to the Prince’s bed.”
That’s how eunuchs were judging people by their status. Perhaps they thought the young female attendant was too inexperienced and were intentionally making things difficult for her. Su Xinghe said, “The Chief Steward means you can’t stay in the Inner Noblewoman’s Residence, but there’s also the Outer Noblewoman’s Residence in the Eastern Palace. Tomorrow, I’ll make arrangements for you to move there. Staying in this annex all the time isn’t appropriate; it’s a sleeping quarters meant for rotating female officials, not a permanent residence.”
Yinchen nestled her small head further onto Su Xinghe’s shoulder. “Thank you, Sister Su Xinghe. You’re the only one who cares about me.”
Su Xinghe smiled. Having never had siblings, this was the first time someone had dared to act so affectionately with her. The warmth of the moment was soothing, a gentle kind of intimacy as the two of them huddled together on a winter night, feeling particularly close.
The night passed peacefully, without any summons from the Crown Prince. However, on the morning of the Winter Solstice, the ceremonial schedule meant the prince rose earlier than usual.
At the fourth watch of the night, the cold was at its peak, the darkest time before dawn. When Su Xinghe got up, Yinchen was still fast asleep. Palace servants entered quietly to assist her, and she gestured for them to keep their movements soft to avoid waking the girl. After dressing herself, she tiptoed out of the annex.
The horned lanterns illuminated the ground beneath the eaves. The frost had fallen so thick during the night that the ground appeared white. As she stepped onto it, her shoes crunched on the icy surface, creating a crisp, crackling sound.
She ascended the white marble steps on the eastern side of the palace and passed through the side gate into the East Chambers. The Crown Prince was already up. The eunuchs attending to his wardrobe were kneeling on the floor, carefully assisting him with his attire.
Today was an important festival, a day of grand ceremonies for heaven, earth, and ancestors. The events would likely last until midday before concluding. The Crown Prince’s ceremonial attire was intricate and imposing: a black robe with red embellishments, adorned with nine emblems and nine patterns, slightly less ornate than the Emperor’s regalia. His outer ceremonial robe had yet to be donned; he stood in an inner layer of plain silk, paired with crimson lower garments. Against the backdrop of an entire wall covered in a golden, resplendent mountain-and-river painting, he exuded an intense yet refined presence.
When he saw Su Xinghe enter, his cold, indifferent glance swept over her, making it hard to reconcile him with the man who had been hiding under the covers last night. His expression was solemn, his chin slightly raised. With arms extended, he gazed into the polished brass mirror as the eunuchs carefully draped his outer robe over him and fastened his jade belt.
“Today, the outer court noblewomen will pay respects to the Grand Empress Dowager. Take the new attendant, Lady Shangguan, with you at least the two of you will have each other for company. When I return, we’ll head to the Ancestral Shrine together to pay respects to the late Empress Mother… The incense preparations, are they ready?”
Su Xinghe affirmed. Every year, the incense used for the Crown Prince’s tribute to the late Empress was specially made in the Eastern Palace. Prepared during the Double Ninth Festival, the incense was left to cure for a full month before being sealed. By the time of the Winter Solstice, the fragrance reached its peak, rich and concentrated. The incense sticks were so tightly packed and dense that a single one could burn for twelve hours without waste.
The Crown Prince’s lips tightened, his expression turning somber. Su Xinghe knew he was thinking of the late Empress Gong, and during moments like these, he always seemed a little fragile.
Stepping forward, she knelt to take the ceremonial apron from a eunuch and tied it for him. The attendant holding the crown respectfully presented the white pearl-beaded headdress. The Crown Prince, accommodating Su Xinghe’s shorter stature, bent slightly as she adjusted it for him. The quiet understanding between the two was subtle but comforting.
Once he was fully dressed, she stepped back to inspect him. Everything about him matched his station perfectly. Only when someone ascends to such a position does every detail of their attire harmonize to project a commanding presence. This sense of majesty was a privilege bestowed by his illustrious birth, a natural aura of nobility ingrained in his very essence, an honor impervious to the ravages of time, water, or flame.
She smiled and said, “The Northern Palace’s ceremonial greetings won’t take too long. Once it’s over, I’ll wait for you at the Jade Belt Bridge by the Longshou Canal.”
The so-called Longshou Canal was one of two artificial waterways that once diverted river water into the imperial city. The Longshou Canal lay to the east, and the Qingming Canal to the west. The canals carried a steady flow of water into the Northern Palace’s Sea Reservoir, the only source of living water within the palace grounds.
The Crown Prince considered for a moment, glanced at her again, and seemed as though he might smile, though his expression soon evened out. Clearing his throat, he said, “I won’t be back in the palace until around noon. Mind the time and don’t go too early, it’s cold, and I don’t want you catching a chill.”
Su Xinghe replied cheerfully, “Got it!” Taking the jade ceremonial sword, she added in a lively, waiter-like tone, “Take care, Your Highness. Come again when you’re free!”
The Crown Prince gave her another look and finally let out a small smile. “With those shifty eyes, you really don’t look like an upstanding person.”
Su Xinghe wasn’t annoyed by his teasing. For some reason, she simply wanted to make him laugh. Maybe seeing his perpetually somber expression made her feel the weight he carried on his shoulders was too heavy. Even though she knew that one day she and the Su family might become a source of trouble for him, those turbulent times hadn’t arrived yet. If she could bring him some laughter now, she wanted to do so.
Once the Crown Prince had adjusted his ceremonial attire, he ascended his sedan chair and left the palace. Su Xinghe saw him off, then returned to her quarters to wake Yinchen. She urged her to change into formal attire in preparation for their attendance at the Northern Palace’s greetings.
The Empress Dowager resided in Xingqing Palace. As she wasn’t the Emperor’s biological mother, she lived out her later years quietly under the honorary title of Empress Dowager. Of course, during major festivals like New Year’s or the Winter Solstice, she was brought out to receive ceremonial bows from all, highlighting the Emperor’s filial respect toward his adoptive mother. These greeting ceremonies were mandatory for all inner and outer court women. If it rained or snowed, they might be excused, but in clear weather, everyone would have to endure the bitter northern wind and perform the full ritual of three kneels and nine prostrations in the palace courtyard.
The only bright side was being able to see her mother, which gave Su Xinghe something to look forward to. At first, Yinchen wasn’t too enthused, but when she heard that, she eagerly sprang up to get ready. She flicked her hair with oil and smoothed it down, glancing at Su Xinghe through the mirror. “After we pay our respects to the Empress Dowager, do we have to greet anyone else?”
Su Xinghe replied, “Typically, the Empress would follow, but the throne has been vacant for eight years so that part is skipped.”
“Oh,” Yinchen said. “But isn’t the Left Zuo Zhaoyi serving as the Empress? Shouldn’t we pay respect to her?”
Su Xinghe gave a vague smile and said nothing, urging Yinchen to hurry so they could head to the auxiliary hall for the holiday feast.
With the Crown Prince away, palace duties were temporarily set aside so everyone could enjoy the festivities. The kitchen staff had been preparing since midnight, making everything for the morning banquet: steamed buns, jade rice congee, assorted side dishes, and exquisite pastries. The twenty-some staff members of the Eastern Palace had joined five Eight Immortal tables into a single long banquet table.
Once seated, the head steward gave a speech. Su Xinghe didn’t have much to add, so she simply praised everyone’s hard work over the year and encouraged them to keep up their diligence in the year to come. Yinchen, being new and unfamiliar with the customs, only knew to wish everyone a good meal and a happy holiday.
When it was Dequan’s turn to speak, the others had already picked up their chopsticks to dig in, leaving him standing awkwardly. He grumbled, “You little rascals, don’t you see me standing here? Am I invisible? What kind of general manager am I even…” He gave his cheek a playful slap, pretending to lament.
Everyone burst out laughing. Su Xinghe placed a lucky fruit in his bowl and teased, “Hurry and eat. If you wait any longer, there won’t be anything left.” Normally, the palace was strictly hierarchical, but during the holidays, such lighthearted interactions were tolerated and even cherished.
As dawn neared, the deep chime of the Taihe Bell resonated in the distance. Su Xinghe turned to look out the window, where a red glow had begun to spread across the eastern sky. The Heaven Worship Ceremony was about to commence. She put down her chopsticks, and the others followed suit, placing their utensils aside. Young maidservants entered with basins of clear water and rinsing bowls to assist everyone in freshening up. Once ready, it was time to head to the Northern Palace.
Yinchen, who had never witnessed such a grand spectacle before, looked nervous despite knowing her mother would be among the other noblewomen. Her wide eyes and fumbling movements gave her away. Su Xinghe leaned over, took her by the hand, and led her forward. With eunuchs opening the way, they crossed through the Tongxun Gate together.