Chapter 209: Childhood Sweethearts Compete
The sun climbed to its zenith, its warm rays spilling onto the eaves of the Eastern Palace, gilding the glazed tiles with an amber hue, making even the silhouette of the mythical beast finials appear languid.
Inside the kitchen, the cook, Sister Wang, held a honey jar, looking troubled.
“Three qian of sophora flower honey, three qian of jujube flower honey, the recipe is correct… why is it never to Your Highness’s liking?”
The manager nanny tapped on the doorframe and entered.
“Are the honey-preserved green plums ready? Hurry up!”
Sister Wang sighed, “Your Highness always finds the honey water bland lately, but this recipe for honey-preserved green plums was clearly prepared according to the recipe Eunuch Lai Fu sent…”
The young servant tending the fire, Ah Shun, poked his head out and chuckled, “Perhaps Your Highness has bitterness in his heart and wants to eat something sweet to suppress it?”
“Nonsense!” The nanny glared at him and placed a small celadon jar heavily on the stove.
“Pack it up quickly, and bring some fresh green plum fruits.”
Sister Wang was dumbfounded.
“The two jars of green plums sent earlier, Your Highness… you actually finished them all?”
The manager nanny’s eyelids twitched; she was also bewildered.
“Don’t ask what you shouldn’t.”
–
The autumn wind gently rustled.
The manager nanny carried a lacquer plate into the warm pavilion of the Eastern Palace. On the plate were green plum fruits, honey-preserved green plums, and freshly steamed glutinous rice balls mixed with pine nuts and sophora flower honey. The sweet fragrance mingled with the osmanthus scent from under the eaves, drilling directly into one’s nostrils.
However—
Li Zhao glanced at them and directly picked up a green plum fruit, popping it into his mouth.
With one bite, the sweet and sour juice flooded his teeth, and his tightly furrowed brow relaxed slightly.
Lai Fu watched from the side, constantly swallowing his saliva. A surge of sourness churned in his stomach, making him feel utterly sour…
Green plum wine, honey-preserved green plums, and now green plum fruits…
He was eating green plums in various ways.
What exactly was stirring this lord’s fiery temper, requiring such sourness to suppress?
“Your Highness, a message has arrived from Jiaofang Palace.” The Crown Prince’s attendant, E Xu, entered carrying a dark wood box, inside which lay a jade ruyi…
“Empress says that at the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet, if Your Highness fancies any young lady, you are to present her with the jade ruyi, and Her Majesty will arrange it for you…”
Li Zhao let out a cold laugh and tossed the jade ruyi into the fish pond.
The koi in the pond vied to peck and nudge it, splashing water that shattered the mocking reflection at the corner of his lips.
Besides the newly submerged jade ruyi, many copper coins also lay at the bottom of the pond, forming a dense layer, their patina showing a faint green rust…
Lai Fu’s eyelids twitched as he watched—
Lately, when Your Highness had nothing else to do, he would toss copper coins, watching heads or tails.
What did heads represent?
What did tails represent?
No one knew what he was divining in his heart, or what he was seeking…
At this rate, the money and the koi in the fish pond would soon become spirits.
After E Xu withdrew, Guan Ya entered and, seeing the scene, wiped a bead of sweat from his brow.
“Reporting to Your Highness, scouts have informed us that the envoy of Xizi’s High Priest, Amun Rah, will enter the palace to meet His Majesty tomorrow. It is rumored they will present a ‘rare and precious gift’ to His Majesty…”
Li Zhao paused, holding a green plum, and looked up.
“What is it? Have you found out clearly?”
Guan Ya shook his head, “Further investigation is needed.”
Li Zhao let out a cold laugh.
Suddenly, a white light flashed across the glazed tiles of the Eastern Palace and fluttered down to the window lattice.
It was Spirit Feather delivering a message.
Li Zhao’s expression flickered between anger and uncertainty as he took the secret letter and unfolded it.
The plain paper bore only a few words: “The envoy brings the Xizi Princess to court.”
He looked at the small skull drawn with ink dots on the paper, grinning at him, and suddenly threw his wolf-hair brush heavily, narrowly missing Guan Ya’s forehead—
“Useless!”
Guan Ya shivered inexplicably and reached up to cover his face, not understanding why.
On his square, thin face, only three ink dots had splattered.
As his palm smeared across his face, it turned into an ink wash painting…
Lai Fu wanted to laugh but dared not, his face turning red from holding his breath and gasping.
Li Zhao cast a casual glance, then picked up a green plum, covering a line of elegant small script with it, a slight smile curving his lips.
“Green plums need three qian of honey, but a heart is more than nine times sour… she has some conscience.”
–
The main hall of the Xue Mansion was decorated with lanterns and streamers. In front of an eight-immortal screen, Third Madam Qian Shi, dressed in a newly made brocade jacket, waved a handkerchief and directed servants to adjust tables and chairs, issuing orders incessantly, busy as could be…
Her spirited and straightforward demeanor had the air of a mistress of the household.
Upon hearing the announcement of the Sixth Miss’s return, she eagerly went out with a smile.
“My Consort! We’ve finally been waiting for you.”
She was naturally playful and close to Xue Sui, not adhering to empty formalities, and teased her upon meeting.
Xue Sui curtsied and signaled for a maid to present a gift box.
“Please don’t mind, Third Aunt. These are dried plums I sun-dried myself, lychee honey, pine nut candy, mushrooms gathered from the mountain, and preserved fish from the river. They are all inexpensive local products, for Little Ten and A Yi to try and cleanse their palates.”
“Why be so polite?” Although Qian Shi didn’t lack these things, she was overjoyed to receive such offerings, her eyes and brows full of delight.
“Hurry and go to Shou An Courtyard to pay your respects to Old Madam. She’s been mentioning you several times. She’s been praising you to everyone lately, saying the Sixth Miss is the Xue family’s lucky star…”
Xue Sui’s lips curved slightly, her gaze falling on the character “Fú”
(fortune) on the screen wall.
Before she could reply, she heard a voice announcing from outside.
“Fourth Madam returns to the mansion—”
Before the words finished, Xue Yueying had already crossed the threshold.
She wore a pomegranate-red jacket and skirt, her embroidered shoes bearing a slight trace of dust, clearly having traveled in haste. To avoid gossip, she hadn’t brought her children, her hands empty, accompanied by two maids, Qing Zhu and Qing Hong. Her clear complexion made her look like she had returned home to collect debts.
Behind her, Gu Jie lagged half a step, his brocade robe unironed, his face visibly haggard, with a faint scent of alcohol. He looked like a son-in-law who had just drunk three hundred cups and was forcibly dragged by his wife, appearing inexplicably downcast…
“Sixth Sister is becoming more radiant by the day.”
Xue Yueying’s fingertips tightly gripped a silk handkerchief, her lips curving into a mocking smile.
“It’s the water and rice of the Prince’s Mansion that nourishes people, unlike my in-laws…”
She glanced at Gu Jie, who stood silently with his hands clasped, a cold sneer lingering on her lips.
“Some people, you know, spend their days drinking and whoring, and even need to be invited three times to accompany their wives back to their maternal home.”
Her words were sharp and venomous, leaving Gu Jie no dignity.
Gu Jie’s face flushed red, and he clenched the jade belt at his waist, his palms tingling. However, he could not act rashly in the Xue Mansion.
“Fourth Sister, you’ve just returned and your temper is already so fiery. Those who know will say you and your husband are at odds; those who don’t will think your maternal home has offended you. Come inside and have some tea to moisten your throat. It’s a joyous occasion for the whole family to reunite, don’t spoil everyone’s mood.”
Xue Yueying shot him a sideways glance, “What, am I not even allowed to speak of my grievances when I return to my maternal home?”
“What delusion is Fourth Sister having now?”
A laugh echoed from outside.
It was Xue Yue Lou, leading Ming Ge’er.
Ming Ge’er clutched a Double Ninth cake, sugar frosting staining his clothes in patches.
Xue Yueying frowned upon seeing the child, “A young master, yet raised like a street beggar.”
Xue Yue Lou generously took out a handkerchief, wiped Ming Ge’er’s face, and looked at her with a half-smile.
“A street beggar is still better than a child without a name or status.”
Wasn’t that calling Xue Yueying’s child illegitimate?
As soon as she returned to the mansion, the sisters were already exchanging sharp words.
Where Xue Yueying was present, there was never peace.
Third Madam was annoyed, but as an elder, she had to raise her voice to mediate, “It’s rare for the family to gather. Let’s not bring up old grudges or say unpleasant things that might give Old Madam chest pains. See how you’ll handle that…”
After speaking, her gaze lingered on Xue Yue Lou and her son. “Second sister, Ming Ge’er should also have a tutor to start his education. Although you are a widow, you are still a member of the Xue family. Your maternal home will not shortchange your dignity. In a few days, Third Aunt will send someone to invite a tutor—”
This was to support Xue Yue Lou and also for the mistress of the household to reassure the widowed mother and young son.
Xue Yue Lou’s body trembled, and she tightened her grip on Ming Ge’er’s small hand. The child immediately burst into tears.
Xue Yueying disliked seeing the child cry. She glanced at Third Madam and was about to reprimand her when Xue Sui smilingly interjected.
“Third Aunt is right. Ming Ge’er is intelligent and will surely learn well.”
A hint of disdain flashed in Xue Yueying’s eyes.
He was clearly an ignorant, foolish child, yet she called him intelligent. Whose face was she slapping?
Her lips pursed, her smile chilling, “Sixth Sister’s thoughts are indeed thorough. After all, she is married into a Prince’s Mansion; her insights are different.”
Third Madam saw the barbs in her words and her defiant attitude. She rolled her eyes and quickly pushed Xue Yue Lou to take the crying Ming Ge’er away. Then, she turned and linked arms with Xue Sui, slowly ushering her into the room, smiling as they walked.
“The day before yesterday, the estate sent over newly hunted deer. We specifically saved some leg meat for Sixth Miss.”
“Third Aunt is so caring—” Xue Yueying fiddled with the hairpin at her temple, her voice drawn out, “We are both daughters of the Xue family. For the Prince Duan’s Consort, you save the leg meat. For us unlucky ones, are we only left to gnaw on bones?”
“Fourth Sister’s words are strange…”
Suddenly, footsteps sounded from behind the corridor. It was Eighth Miss, Xue Yue Man, slowly approaching, fanning herself with a round fan.
She wore an apricot-red shirt, her fair fingers twirling the fan handle, covering her mouth as she let out a cold laugh.
“So there is a difference between high and low status. Even Third Aunt has not treated me, an unmarried young lady, with such favor. Why should Fourth Sister compete for favor with the Consort…”
Xue Yueying picked up the conversation, “She’s the lucky star, and we are all wild grass without a mother’s love?”
There!
Chickens fighting, geese squabbling, sour winds and vinegar rain – it was all here.
They would probably chew their tongues raw!
Qian Shi’s face darkened, and she turned to scold.
“You foul-mouthed little shrew! Does Third Aunt usually shortchange you in food or clothing? Why do you speak such nonsense to pierce people’s hearts?”
“It was just a joke, why is Third Aunt angry? Don’t be angry, don’t be angry, I’m just playing with you…”
Xue Yue Man fanned herself and giggled, reaching out to link Qian Shi’s arm, but was pushed away by Qian Shi.
“You little shrew dare to slander me? Then go with me to Old Madam and explain yourself. This household management, I’ll hand it over to you!”
Xue Yue Man, already resentful about her meager dowry, used this as an excuse to instigate Xue Yueying to make a scene.
Unexpectedly, at this moment, a servant announced loudly from outside.
“Prince Duan has arrived—”
Old Madam Xue heard the commotion and came over, leaning on her cane. All the ladies in the hall curtsied.
Li Huan was seen entering gracefully, supporting Xue Yue Chen. Xue Yue Chen’s belly was slightly rounded, her expression serene and dignified. Her woven gold jacket and skirt were embroidered with entwined lotus patterns, and the jade bracelet on her wrist swayed, harmonizing with the white tiger jade pendant on Li Huan’s waist, a picture of nobility.
Li Zhao: Sour, utterly sour.
Lai Fu 【: Your Highness, how about trying lychee honey preserved?
