A Precious Pearl in the Imperial City-Chapter 77

Every time she spent time with Sun Caiyao, Jiuzhu felt that the other woman looked at her with a strange expression.

"When we first met, you had just returned to the Capital City. In the blink of an eye, we’ve become family." Sun Caiyao smiled gently and handed a prepared gift to Jiuzhu. "May you and the Fifth Prince share a bond stronger than gold, with enduring affection."

"Thank you, Fourth Sister-in-law." Jiuzhu accepted the gift box and passed it to Chunfen. She tugged at Prince Chen’s sleeve. "Your Highness, I’ll sit with the other sisters-in-law while you chat with the other princes."

"Very well." Prince Chen nodded slightly, adding a reminder, "It’s chilly in the morning—don’t eat anything cold."

"Mm-hmm." Jiuzhu nodded and followed the other princess consorts to another table.

"Who would’ve thought the Fifth Prince would be so attentive to those around him?" Princess Consort An remarked bluntly as she sat down. "He has a caring nature."

"His Highness has always been like this with people." Jiuzhu reached for some fruit but remembered it was cooling in nature, so she switched to a piece of pastry instead.

"Ah?" Princess Consort An gave an awkward chuckle and lifted her teacup to hide her reaction. "Yes, yes. Even His Majesty the Emperor is fond of the Fifth Prince’s temperament."

Beyond that, she couldn’t think of anything else to praise.

Princess Huai sipped her tea, watching Princess Consort An with amusement. This second sister-in-law might seem straightforward, but she knew exactly what to say to whom.

What was even more impressive was that in the three years since she married Prince An, no other woman had ever appeared by his side.

"Your forehead adornment is exquisite, Sister-in-law." Princess Consort An studied the delicate floral design on Jiuzhu’s forehead. "It doesn’t look pasted on—did you paint it yourself?"

Truly a descendant of the Ming Family—even a simple forehead decoration carried an air of elegance.

"His Highness painted it." Jiuzhu noticed the understated makeup of her sisters-in-law and felt puzzled. Hadn’t Prince Chen said that women in the same household often competed in beauty? Why were their looks so simple today?

"We didn’t have time to dress properly this morning. Please excuse our appearance." Princess Huai thought to herself—if Prince Chen hadn’t arrived so early, they wouldn’t have had to rush out of bed.

Jiuzhu didn’t reply, feeling just a little guilty.

It was because she had woken up too early that she had disturbed His Highness.

Sun Caiyao stared at the floral design on Jiuzhu’s forehead. Had Yun Duqing really painted it?

She glanced toward the table where the princes sat. Yun Duqing, dressed in flamboyant luxury, didn’t seem like the kind of man who would patiently paint a woman’s adornment.

"Since you didn’t grow up in the Capital City, Fifth Sister-in-law, you might not be familiar with us yet." Princess Huai gently introduced the others. "My maiden name is Wu—my father is the Vice Minister of Works. Second Sister-in-law’s surname is Li, a native of the Capital City, though her father is stationed in another province and hasn’t completed his term yet. Third Sister-in-law’s surname is Du, from a distinguished scholarly family. Fourth Sister-in-law’s family is a lineage of scholars, with many renowned officials among their ancestors."

She smiled warmly. "Our fathers are colleagues in court, and now we’ve become family. Let’s get along well and avoid conflicts that might invite ridicule toward the imperial household."

She deliberately glanced at Sun Caiyao. "Come to think of it, isn’t Fourth Sister-in-law only a year older than Fifth Sister-in-law?"

"Eldest Sister is right." Sun Caiyao understood the implication. During the New Year’s banquet, because of Ming Jingzhou, her husband had lost his mother, his kin, and even his princely title.

Perhaps it was because, in her dreams, she had seen Ming Jiuzhu laughing as she perished alongside her husband. Seeing the real Ming Jiuzhu now, she could only perceive her as gentle and kind.

"When we have nothing to do in the palace, we play chess or cards—it makes for a pleasant pastime." As the eldest sister-in-law, Princess Huai always carried herself with grace and consideration.

"Sometimes the brothers gather for hot pot, and we shouldn’t deprive ourselves either." Princess Consort An chimed in. "We admire flowers, grill meat, and enjoy music—whatever brings us joy."

"How about we set up a hot pot for lunch today?" Princess Consort An grew excited. "With Fifth Sister-in-law newly married into the family, all five of us are finally together. Hot pot is round—symbolizing unity and prosperity. What do you think, Fifth Sister-in-law?"

Jiuzhu’s interest was piqued. "That sounds wonderful."

"Good, I’ll have the kitchen prepare it." Princess Huai turned to her attendant. "Ask the princes if they’d like to join us for hot pot."

Among the princes, only Yun Yanze might dislike hot pot—but no one cared for his opinion. Upon hearing the princess consorts’ suggestion, the others readily agreed.

Only after they had all accepted did anyone think to ask Yun Yanze. Prince Huai turned to him. "Fourth Brother, your injuries have healed—hot pot won’t be a problem, right?"

"Thank you for your concern, Eldest Brother. I’ve fully recovered." Yun Yanze smiled faintly. "Hot pot is fine—the more, the merrier."

The servants of Kirin Palace set up a large round table where everyone gathered, sharing small pots between pairs.

People from Lingzhou weren’t accustomed to spicy food, but Jiuzhu preferred a hint of heat in her broth. Prince Chen, worried it might be too much for her, kept their pot mildly seasoned.

"Fifth Sister-in-law, you eat beef?" Sun Caiyao watched as Jiuzhu placed a slice of beef into her bowl, surprised. "I thought you avoided it."

"Fourth Sister-in-law, Jiuzhu was merely raised in a Taoist temple—she didn’t take vows. Why would she need to abstain?" In just one morning, Princess Consort An had gone from addressing her formally to using her name. "Physicians say beef nourishes a woman’s vitality."

Jiuzhu nodded. "Second Sister-in-law is right. I’ve never had dietary restrictions since childhood."

Her masters had rarely given her beef—not because of any prohibition, but because it was too expensive for their meager means.

"I ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‍see." Sun Caiyao forced a smile. "Forgive my ignorance. I hope you don’t find it amusing."

"Why would I?" Jiuzhu looked at her in confusion. "You were being considerate—why would I laugh? Isn’t it normal for family to joke around?"

"Try this piece of fish belly." Prince Chen placed a tender slice into Jiuzhu’s bowl before glancing at Sun Caiyao. "Fourth Sister-in-law, my wife is straightforward by nature. She doesn’t dwell on trivial matters."

Sun Caiyao lowered her gaze, watching as Prince Chen naturally wiped Jiuzhu’s lips with a handkerchief after she ate. "Fifth Sister-in-law’s temperament is truly admirable."

"The vegetables are ready." Yun Yanze whispered to her. "Any longer, and they’ll lose their flavor."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Sun Caiyao picked up a bite, but the moment it touched her tongue, the scalding heat sent a sharp pain through her mouth.

"Is it not to your liking?" Yun Yanze asked gently.

"No." She swallowed the burning morsel, an inexplicable sorrow swelling in her chest.

"Here." Yun Yanze placed another bite in her bowl.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Sun Caiyao met his tender gaze and smiled.

"This isn’t good." Jiuzhu frowned. "It’s bitter."

"You're so young, yet already unwilling to endure hardship?" Prince Chen chuckled lightly as he picked the remaining vegetables from her bowl and replaced them with two slices of ham. "Fine, I'll eat these for you."

Prince Huai watched their overly affectionate display with disdain and turned away, only to see his second brother obediently picking whatever his second sister-in-law pointed at—more dutiful than any servant.

What was wrong with all of them?

Were the palace attendants not enough, or was the food they served somehow tastier?

"Your Highness," Princess Huai chided him. "Focus on your meal. Why are you watching others?"

After all this time, he still hadn’t learned a thing. Other husbands knew to serve their wives, but him? What did he know?

All he knew was eating!

Utterly infuriating!

"Tsk." Prince Huai shook his head and whispered in her ear, "A real man shouldn’t act like Second Brother or Fifth Brother—utterly lacking in dignity."

At that moment, Princess Huai had the overwhelming urge to shove his head straight into the boiling hot pot. "Hah."

Hearing his consort’s laugh, Prince Huai puffed up with pride. "See? You agree with me."

Princess Huai took a deep breath.

Never mind. Publicly murdering a prince would implicate her entire clan. She could endure this.

"Your Highness," Chunfen approached Jiuzhu and whispered, "The elderly consorts from the Western Palace sent congratulatory gifts for your wedding. The messenger said they were old acquaintances of yours. Since you weren’t present, I took the liberty of accepting them."

"Did they specify which consorts sent them?" Prince Chen, sitting beside Jiuzhu, had heard every word clearly.

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"Consort Dowager Zhao, Consort Dowager Zhou, and other noble ladies," Chunfen listed the two highest-ranking consorts.

"I understand. Keep whatever they sent." Prince Chen nodded slightly, then leaned close to Jiuzhu’s ear to explain, "Consort Dowager Zhao is the one who gave you the cloth tiger. These consorts once received kindness from Mother Empress. If we refuse their gifts, they’ll only feel uneasy."

"I wonder if that little cat’s leg has healed yet." Mentioning the elderly consorts reminded Jiuzhu of the injured cat.

"After your homecoming visit, I’ll take you to the consorts’ palace to check on it."

"Homecoming visit?" Jiuzhu’s eyes sparkled as she looked at him. "The etiquette matron from the Ministry of Rites said there’s no such custom in the palace. Your Highness, you’d really accompany me back?"

"Palace rules are rules, but whether I follow them is my choice." Prince Chen added another piece of fish to her bowl—eating fish was good for the brain. "Don’t worry. With me here, I’ll definitely take you home the day after tomorrow."

"How?" Jiuzhu was burning with curiosity.

"A secret." Prince Chen smiled mysteriously. "Return to Kirin Palace this afternoon and leave the rest to me."

"Your Highness is amazing." Jiuzhu gazed at him with shining eyes.

"It’s nothing." He piled more fish into her bowl. "Here, eat more."

Chunfen stood behind them, overjoyed for her mistress upon hearing that Prince Chen would take her home. No wonder Jiuzhu had always insisted Prince Chen was a good man—he truly was.

Gossip was truly misleading.

After finishing the hot pot and tea, Prince Chen finally took his leave with his bride in tow. The other princes exhaled in relief, yawning as they hurried back to their own courtyards for a nap.

If Yun Duqing had stayed any longer, they would’ve gone mad.

"Your Majesty." Liu Zhongbao approached Emperor Longfeng quietly. "Prince Chen requests an audience."

Emperor Longfeng glanced at the ministers in the room. "Gentlemen, you may withdraw. We will continue discussions tomorrow in court."

Setting down the memorial, he wondered—newly wed, with the imperial garden in full bloom, why wasn’t Duqing spending time with his bride? What urgent matter brought him here?

"May Your Majesty live in peace and health." Prince Chen entered the hall, tossed a cushion onto the floor, and knelt upon it. "Father, this son has a small request. I beg for your leniency."

Emperor Longfeng looked at him, then at the cushion beneath his knees, and raised an eyebrow.

Bringing his own cushion to kneel on? This was no small matter.