The noble girl is beautiful. - Chapter 58

As winter gave way to spring, the snow melted and the early spring weather grew warm. The grass and trees began to sprout green buds, and the willow branches by the lake swayed gracefully in the breeze. With the warmer weather, the young maidservants in the garden were wandering around, picking flowers and grasses playfully.

Shen Yourong, dressed in casual attire, was sitting in the garden pavilion, with both front and back doors open, enjoying the cool breeze. A peach tree in front of her was in full bloom. While admiring the flowers, she chatted and sewed with Hua Mei and the other maids.

During the winter, Ji Zhuo had forbidden her from doing any needlework. Now that spring had arrived and the weather was warming up, she had resumed her sewing, working on little items like handkerchiefs and pouches.

She had just finished a silver and red gauze sachet and showed it to the maidservants. Bai Yan commented, “The princess’s embroidery is truly exceptional. Even the palace embroiderers might not surpass it.”

Shen Yourong laughed, “It’s not the same. For them, it’s a skill to make a living; for me, it’s just a pastime.”

Du Juan hurried down the corridor and said, “I’ve been busy up front. The princess is here having fun with them.”

Shen Yourong asked, “What are you so busy with?”

“We’re preparing for the second young lady’s departure,” Du Juan replied. “I’ve prepared a list of additional gifts, waiting for the princess’s decision.”

Shen Yourong put down her teacup, took the list, and reviewed it. “When Concubine Shen married, I gave a shop as a wedding gift. For the second young lady, we should also provide a good shop. Besides the headpieces and fine silks, we should also add some books of poetry and painting.”

Du Juan took note and instructed others accordingly.

The maids hurriedly ran in, announcing that the prince had returned. Before Shen Yourong could rise, Ji Zhuo, dressed in a tea-brown robe with golden embroidery, walked in from the corridor.

“What are you all doing?” he asked.

Bai Yan, Hua Mei, and the other maids stood to the side. Shen Yourong smiled and said, “Just idling about, I made a sachet.”

He sat down beside her, picked up the sachet she had made, and said, “How coincidental, I have a box of scented pills for you.”

Shen Yourong took the box and opened it. Inside, the scented pills were neatly arranged, exuding a refined fragrance.

“Is it lychee scent?” she asked him.

“Yes,” he replied. “Sandalwood, sweet fern, orange peel, and bitter neem flowers, mixed with honey and wine, are roasted into powder. The lychee in this recipe is aged purple lychee, with dragon’s brain, agarwood, honey, and then formed into pills and buried underground for several months. When taken out, it gives this lychee scent.”

Shen Yourong nodded while listening. “I used to make lychee scent as well, but I just ground lychee shells into powder and added other spices. It wasn’t as complicated.”

Ji Zhuo laughed, “What you made isn’t quite the same. It’s not a proper recipe.”

“It smells quite similar to me,” Shen Yourong murmured.

She leaned against his embrace, placing one of the scented pills into the silver and red gauze sachet and said, “But it doesn’t quite match the outfit I’m wearing today. I need to change into something brighter.”

“That’s not a problem,” Ji Zhuo said, holding her close. “You can choose any of the cloud-patterned silk from Jiangnan. Just pick what you like.”

She agreed and continued to smell the sachet.

Ji Zhuo, lounging casually, said, “Don’t you think I’m missing one as well?”

She glanced at him, “Oh, so you want something from me?”

He smiled and said, “Yes, I’m asking the princess to kindly reward me with a couple of sachets.”

She huffed, “We’ll see when I have the time.”

In March, Shen Qinghan got married to a young lord from the Duke of Wu’an’s household. Shen Yourong and Shen Qingyan prepared generous gifts and celebrated her wedding in grand style.

Soon after the wedding, the young lord and Shen Qinghan visited the palace to thank the emperor, and Shen Yourong also went to the palace that day. The sisters met up in Shen Qingyan’s palace.

“Look at you all,” Shen Qingyan said with a smile, “Blushing with springtime, so charming and lovely.”

Shen Qinghan felt a bit shy, her cheeks reddening. Shen Yourong, however, remained composed, appearing elegant and self-assured.

Sitting in a luxurious blue palace gown with a half-tied moon-white cape, Shen Qingyan leisurely ate fresh fruit while talking with them.

“You’re all doing well, but I’m so bored.”

Shen Yourong took a sip of tea and asked, “What about your handsome acquaintances?”

“Don’t even mention it,” Shen Qingyan replied. “Last time, I had you come and see that young actor, and shortly after, Prince Duan expelled all those people. Even my Lu was transferred to another palace. I wonder if he’s being mistreated.”

Shen Qinghan, not knowing the details, asked, “What young actor? Is he a dancer?”

Shen Qingyan only smiled and remained silent. Shen Qinghan looked at Shen Yourong, who also didn’t answer and just smiled and said, “It’s not very proper.”

Suddenly, a eunuch announced, “Master Yao requests an audience.”

Shen Qingyan said, “I know, I’ll go right away.”

Shen Yourong asked, “Who is Master Yao?”

“Yao Jian, the Vice Minister of Rites,” Shen Qingyan explained. “He is currently in charge of receiving foreign guests and has prepared a lot of music and dance performances, as well as a new play. He wants my opinion.”

“In that case, he’s come to the right person,” Shen Qinghan said. “You used to write plays and have trained many young talents in dance and music. But is it appropriate for him to seek you out?”

“The Empress said that the palace should also prepare for female guests, so she asked me to discuss with Master Yao,” Shen Qingyan said. “That way, it wouldn’t be inappropriate.”

Shen Yourong nodded and said, “Since you have matters to attend to here, we won’t stay long. We’ll bid farewell to the Empress and leave the palace soon.”

“Alright,” Shen Qingyan said. “Remember to visit me often.”

Shen Yourong and Shen Qinghan left for the Empress’s palace, while Shen Qingyan changed her clothes to meet Yao Jian in the main hall.

Together with Yao Jian, she prepared several new plays and thought of some unique performances, though many were unsuitable for the palace. She found it very regrettable.

Yao Jian pondered for a moment and said, “Why not find a troupe to perform outside? Even if it can’t be shown at a grand banquet, it can still be enjoyed privately.”

Shen Qingyan smiled and said, “That’s a good idea. As long as the play is well-prepared, it will definitely be a hit.”
She looked at Yao Jian, one of the few open-minded people she had met here. Even someone as distinguished as Shen Shuo had shown disdain for her views.

“Master Yao,” she said with a sigh, “If I had met you earlier, we would have become great friends.”

Yao Jian looked at her and respectfully lowered his head. “Your Majesty, please forgive me. In fact, I met you a long time ago. At that time, you and your sisters were disguised as men to watch a play, and you spent extravagantly, scattering gold leaves everywhere.”

She was momentarily taken aback, trying to recall when that had been. She was left speechless for a while before finally saying, “What a pity.”

As spring approached, the peony flowers in the estate bloomed beautifully. Hua Mei had picked many buds and arranged them in a crystal vase on a small table by the window.

Shen Yourong had just woken from her afternoon nap. Upon smelling the peony flowers, she frowned and said, “Remove the flowers; they smell terrible.”

Hua Mei was surprised. “Didn’t the princess just say she wanted to use peony petals for pillows?”

Shen Yourong’s frown deepened, and without waiting to respond, she felt a wave of nausea and vomited several times.

Hua Mei was alarmed and quickly took away the peonies. Du Juan brought some clean water for her to rinse her mouth and went to summon the doctor.

Shen Yourong took out the scented sachet from her waist and inhaled the sweet and fragrant lychee scent to quell her nausea.

As the sun set, the sky was painted with a brilliant sunset, as dazzling as springtime peach blossoms. Ji Zhuo hurried through the corridor and entered the main courtyard. The maids lifted the curtains, and he stepped inside, immediately spotting Shen Yourong sitting idly by the south window, resting her head on her hand.

Dressed in a lake-green gown with two jade pendants at her ears, she appeared elegant and relaxed. The twilight light filtered through the window, casting a warm glow over her.

He watched her for a long time before stepping into the inner room. When Shen Yourong saw him come back, she opened her mouth but did not speak.

He sat down beside her and gently stroked her hair, holding her carefully.

“Ji Zhuo,” Shen Yourong said softly, “I’m pregnant.”

“It’s our child,” Ji Zhuo said, leaning down to kiss her hair.

Silence flowed between them, and Shen Yourong felt a bit anxious. She hadn’t expected to actually be carrying a child, a new life.

She instinctively held onto him more tightly. Ji Zhuo, though, was not much better off; his heart’s turbulent waves had just calmed, yet in this moment of silence, he felt an indescribable joy and anticipation.

“What did the doctor say?” he asked.

Du Juan replied, “The doctor said that the princess is two months pregnant. The pulse is strong, indicating a very healthy condition.”

“Have the doctor write a prescription for maintaining the pregnancy, and get the medicine prepared quickly. If any ingredients are missing, let Changming go find them, and make sure they are the best quality,” he instructed. “Also, if there are any issues with the room’s arrangements, change them immediately. Find a few experienced wet nurses to take care of the princess. Don’t forget to send a letter to the Qi State Duke’s residence, and…”

Shen Yourong tugged at his sleeve, and he immediately looked down at her. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

She shook her head and asked, “Do you mind, now?”

His expression softened immediately. He pondered for a moment and said, “I hadn’t thought about it before.”

She looked at him, who placed his hand gently on her abdomen. Although he couldn’t feel anything yet, his heart was already soft. “I was still hesitating before, but not anymore. This is our child, a child of our bloodline. Darling, I’m truly happy.”

He kissed her forehead repeatedly.

Shen Yourong’s initial confusion faded, gradually replaced by joy. She leaned into his embrace and asked, “Will it be a boy or a girl?”

“Either is fine,” he said, stroking her long hair. “If it’s a girl, she should look like you, and she can be bold in character. With me around, she won’t have to fear anything. If it’s a boy, he should learn martial arts and grow up to protect you.”

“I don’t need protection,” Shen Yourong said, “I have you.”

He smiled, “By the time he grows up, I’ll be very old.”

“I’ll be the same,” Shen Yourong said, “I’ll grow old with you.”
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