The noble girl is beautiful. - Chapter 57

The snow that had fallen all night covered the ground with a bright white blanket by morning. From the window, it looked as clear as a sunny day.

Inside the tent, it was still dim. Ji Zhuo woke up and checked Shen Yourong’s forehead. Her fever had subsided, and although she had been restless and unable to sleep well through the night, she was now peacefully resting.

He quietly got out of bed and waved away the maid who was coming in to attend to her, signaling her to leave.

The tent was closed, and Shen Yourong remained asleep.

Ji Zhuo went behind the screen to dress himself and soon emerged, dressed and ready. He instructed Du Juan, “Take good care of the princess and don’t let anyone disturb her.”

She complied.

He put on his cloak and went to the east wing to handle various matters of the household.

Originally, these tasks would have been Shen Yourong’s responsibility, but given her current health, he was reluctant for her to be overworked. The maids and stewards from both the inner and outer courts gathered in the east wing, understanding that he was much stricter than Shen Yourong. Consequently, everyone was solemn and silent.

He managed most of the important matters and left the more mundane household tasks, which were not urgent, for Shen Yourong to handle later as a way to alleviate her boredom.

The sky remained overcast, and when Shen Yourong awoke, the weather had still not cleared. Du Juan helped her with her morning routine and said, “There was a heavy snow last night, and everything outside is covered in white.”

Shen Yourong became interested and asked to have the window opened. Hua Mei opened it, revealing the yard covered in snow. Trees were laden with snow, and the whole view was a sea of white, resembling pear blossoms in full bloom.

After some time, Hua Mei closed the window, saying, “Looking at it too long can strain your eyes.”

Shen Yourong said, “The scenery outside is so beautiful; we should really go out and enjoy it.”

“Is that so hard?” Bai Yan brought a plate of fresh fruit and said, “The prince has already ordered for He Xiaofang, a famous performer from the capital, to come and sing.”

“Really?” Shen Yourong’s face lit up with joy.

“Of course,” Du Juan added, “The prince saw the snow this morning and thought that with such beautiful snow, you would definitely want to go out. So he had someone invite a troupe, and it’s the same He Xiaofang we used to listen to.”

Bai Yan took the comb from Du Juan and slowly brushed Shen Yourong’s hair, mentioning Ji Zhuo’s early morning duties in handling the household. Hua Mei, overhearing, smiled and said, “I never thought the prince, who is usually so strict, would handle these inner court matters so adeptly.”

Shen Yourong picked up a jade hairpin and said, “He’s someone who manages everything under heaven; how could such small matters trouble him?”

In high spirits, she handed the hairpin to Bai Yan and said, “Quickly bring breakfast. After we eat, let’s go listen to the performance.”

The stage was set up in the courtyard, reflecting the snowy scene. In front of the stage were two tall vases with branches of red plum blossoms. At the front door of the main room was a carved rosewood screen, with a carved Lohans couch in front of it. The couch was covered with a large red quilt and several auspicious pillows, along with a gold-threaded woolen blanket. Beside the couch was a small table filled with dishes and fruits. A foot stove and a charcoal basin were placed underneath, keeping everything warm.

Shen Yourong sat on the Lohans couch and arranged for a few tables of dishes and meats to be set up in the courtyard, so the maids and servants could warm themselves.

The servants thanked her and went to the banquet. She also instructed to keep a close watch on the front and back courtyard doors and rewarded them with some wine and dishes, telling them to rest after their shift.

Hua Mei brought a jug of warmed plum wine and said, “Everything is ready. When will He Xiaofang come on stage?”

Du Juan, following Shen Yourong, said, “Don’t rush. Give them time to get ready.”

Shen Yourong settled on the couch and said, “You all sit down. Hua Mei, if you drink, come keep me company. I wonder if Bai Yan drinks too.”

Du Juan said, “She can drink as well.”

Bai Yan hesitated, but Du Juan insisted she sit on a small stool beside Shen Yourong.
Meanwhile, on the stage, He Xiaofang appeared, and just his presence earned applause.

Hua Mei, watching the performance, said to Bai Yan, “This play was written by our third miss, now the consort. I don’t know how she comes up with such plays every day.”

Shen Yourong smiled, holding her wine cup, “It’s a pity she isn’t here; it would be much livelier.”

Hua Mei responded, “Speaking of Consort Shen, there has been some fresh news from the palace these days.”

Shen Yourong looked at her, who continued, “Dowager Empress Shu had a dispute with the Emperor recently, and in a fit of anger, the Emperor sent her to the palace retreat. It’s said to be a warm palace, but I’ve heard she might not return.”

“I’ve heard that too,” Bai Yan said, “It seems the trouble started with Consort Hui.”

“What about Consort Hui?” Shen Yourong asked.

Bai Yan whispered, “People are saying the child she is carrying might not be the Emperor’s. She was already pregnant when she entered the palace, but the Emperor, eager for an heir, insisted on bringing her in. Now, suddenly there are doubts, and the Emperor ordered the physician to examine her. The physician couldn’t give a clear answer, so now we are waiting for her to give birth before any decisions are made.”

“Consort Hui’s falling out of favor upset Dowager Empress Shu, who went to confront the Emperor, but the Emperor wouldn’t listen to her. So, they ended up arguing,” Hua Mei said, peeling pine nuts, “With the Qi State Duke’s residence around, Dowager Empress Shu should be fine, but Consort Hui’s situation is less clear.”

Shen Yourong bit into a candied date and said, “Things really change in the blink of an eye.”

“Harm comes to those who cause harm,” Hua Mei said, “Maybe the prince is secretly helping you with this.”

Shen Yourong laughed, “You’re just making things up.”

When Ji Zhuo returned to the mansion, he heard the sounds of the performance from the main courtyard. He went directly to the main courtyard, coming around the back of the stage, and saw Shen Yourong at the front door of the main room.

Shen Yourong, somewhat tipsy, propped her head up with her hand and was playing with a silver cup. He approached, and the maids stepped aside and greeted him.

Shen Yourong was already a bit drunk. When she looked up, she saw a figure clad in a fine robe, with gold embroidery that shimmered faintly.

Ji Zhuo sat down next to her and asked, “Is the performance good?”

She nodded, “It’s good and lively.”

He smiled, took the silver cup from her hand, and poured a cup of wine. It was plum wine with a light flavor, which he tasted but did not particularly like.

After placing the cup down, he noticed Shen Yourong looking at him eagerly. He raised an eyebrow, poured another cup of wine, and brought it to her lips. She drank from his hand, her lips, stained with wine, looking particularly attractive.

Ji Zhuo, with a smile in his eyes, said, “Another cup?”

She shook her head. After a few cups of wine, her cheeks were flushed, and she felt warm and extremely comfortable.
He set down the wine cup and began peeling hazelnuts for her. When he looked up, he saw her pouring herself another cup of wine. He didn’t stop her and asked, “Are you drunk?”

She shook her head; drunks rarely admit their condition.

She leaned closer to him, resting her forehead on his shoulder, and said softly, “I’m so sleepy.”

Ji Zhuo, with a helpless smile, put down the hazelnuts, held her close, and said, “Then let’s go rest.”

She didn’t refuse. He wrapped her in his cloak, lifted her in his arms, and carried her back inside.

The performance on the stage had stopped. Du Juan, Hua Mei, and the other maids followed them in. They saw Ji Zhuo gently placing Shen Yourong on the couch and carefully removing the hairpins from her head.

Du Juan instructed Hua Mei to stay with Shen Yourong and went to the kitchen to get some hangover remedy.

Inside the room, Ji Zhuo was unfastening Shen Yourong’s outer garments. Shen Yourong, reluctant, clutched at her clothes and said, “Don’t undo my clothes!”

He laughed, “But I’ve done this several times already.”

She pouted, looking a bit aggrieved, “You’re not a good person.”

He nodded, “That’s right.”

Shen Yourong looked even more aggrieved, holding his hand and saying, “You’re so good-looking, yet you’re not a good person!”

Ji Zhuo burst into laughter, “how can you not understand that one’s appearance doesn’t reflect their character?”

Shen Yourong mumbled something quietly, and Ji Zhuo stopped teasing her and coaxed her to sleep.

She slept soundly until the afternoon. When she woke up, she felt completely refreshed, her recent worries seeming to vanish.

“Awake?” Ji Zhuo, dressed in casual attire, walked over from the study.

“I slept?” she sat up, rubbed her face, and said, “I thought I could handle my liquor better. How did I get drunk so easily?”

“No one was keeping an eye on you, so naturally, you drank too much.” he sat beside her and rubbed her head.

Hua Mei entered with medicine and said, “Princess, it’s time for your medicine.”

Shen Yourong asked, “I feel like my illness has already gotten better. Do I really need to take the medicine?”

Before Hua Mei could respond, Ji Zhuo said, “This is medicine to help regulate your body, not just for treating your illness.”

Shen Yourong was slightly surprised. Hua Mei set down the medicine, and Shen Yourong, after thinking it over, took the bowl and drank the medicine. Hua Mei then brought over some candied fruits for her.

As she chewed on the candied fruits, she seemed distracted.

Noticing this, Ji Zhuo asked, “What are you thinking about?”

She came back to her senses and looked at him. After a few moments of hesitation, she asked, “Do you really want to have children?”

Ji Zhuo furrowed his brows but quickly understood and said, “The medicine is to regulate your body and prevent abdominal pain during your period, not to induce pregnancy.”

Seeing that he understood, she decided to be open about it. She said, “I’ve also seen doctors before. They said my body is too cold and needs proper conditioning. I’ve tried, but there hasn’t been much effect. People say it’s hard for me to conceive, and maybe that’s true.”

Ji Zhuo’s expression darkened slightly, “Who spread such rumors?”

She remained silent. Ji Zhuo, worried that he might have scared her, softened his tone and said, “I’m angry because someone has slandered you, not for any other reason.”

She nodded and asked, “So, what do you think about this matter?”

He thought for a moment before replying, “I don’t know if I should have children.”

She was surprised.

Ji Zhuo, however, calmed down, stroking her hand. “I don’t care much about having offspring. Initially, my fight for the throne was just to avenge my mother and get back at him. Later…”

Later, after learning about his own background from the old emperor, he had been reluctant to let such bloodlines continue.

“What he said might not be true,” she comforted him, “You are completely different from him.”

He merely smiled without responding.

He was wary of this matter, preferring to forgo the throne rather than maintain any connection with the old emperor.