Su Xinghe sighed and said, “Yes.”
She hadn’t expected that her visit would even bring the Crown Prince. There was quite a distance from the Lizheng Palace to the Xichi Court so it couldn’t be a coincidence. Knowing that her mother was entering the palace today, no matter how urgent the matter, it couldn’t have been arranged for this time. They had agreed to lend her the courtyard, so why the sudden regret? Mrs. Su was an external noblewoman, with no familial or official ties. Given the Crown Prince’s high-minded nature, he would never lower himself to join in the festivities, much less stand openly across from the courtyard, observing.
But regardless, when they saw him, they had to salute and pay their respects. Mrs. Su hurriedly took Su Xinghe along, quickly walking to the Crown Prince through the corridor. They stopped three steps away, adjusted their sleeves, and knelt with hands raised to their foreheads, loudly proclaiming, “Your servant Su Qinshi greets His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Although Mrs. Su held the second-rank title, the ranks of noblewomen differed from those of officials. In Dayin Dynasty, the emperor was considered the patriarch of the nation and the Crown Prince the heir. Su Xinghe could address herself as a “minister” before the Crown Prince, but her mother had to call herself a servant.
The Crown Prince was very pleasant, leaving his official sternness in the Chongjiao Hall. Normally, he only needed to say “rise,” and attendants would come to help, but this time he didn’t. He bent his tall frame, assisting Mrs. Su kindly saying, “No need for such formality. You are Su Xinghe’s mother; when in private, we are like family. There’s no need to adhere so strictly to the rules.”
Mrs. Su, like Su Xinghe, felt a sudden unease at the Crown Prince’s unexpected warmth. She quickly glanced at her daughter, beginning to wonder, if the rumors were true. Su Xinghe had been in the palace for years, growing up alongside the Crown Prince, practically childhood sweethearts. She knew her daughter well—sharp-minded and aware of her duties. But the Crown Prince was unpredictable; as a young man, he might be wild. Perhaps, after all this time, there was something between them? This would be a serious matter. If true, it would be hard to explain to Prince Jianping and Zuo Zhaoyi; if false… the Crown Prince had personally come to see them. A busy heir with no time for idle amusement.
Mrs. Su glanced at her daughter again, her heart in turmoil. She wanted to ask but couldn’t, feeling as though a wad of cotton was stuck in her throat, unable to swallow or spit it out, leaving her speechless.
As for Su Xinghe, she had suffered enough from these suspicions. It didn’t matter what the palace gossiped about, but having it reach her family made her feel completely exposed.
She wanted to explain but now wasn’t the time. No matter how much she carried in her heart, she couldn’t show it on her face, a lesson learned from years in the palace. She lowered her hands and thanked the Crown Prince, “Your Highness is considerate, but we cannot take advantage. Thank you, but please refrain from such remarks in the future, lest they diminish my standing.”
She didn’t accept it, but the Crown Prince only smiled and didn’t mind. Mrs. Su came to her senses, worried that the Crown Prince might lose face, so she quickly bowed again, humbly saying, “Your Highness is most gracious, and this servant feels unworthy. Su Xinghe is naturally reticent. During her years in the palace she has been clumsy in serving Your Highness. Thank you for your patience and for keeping her by your side. This time, you’ve even allowed me into the palace for this visit, which is an extraordinary kindness. Even if this servant were to be ground into powder, it wouldn’t be enough to repay Your Highness.”
She was making small talk, trying to create a lively atmosphere, but it only added to the awkwardness. Su Xinghe remained silent, bending at the waist as she led the Crown Prince toward the western side room. He followed her obediently, showing extraordinary warmth toward Mrs. Su. As they crossed the small path over the flowing cup canal, he even reached out to support her slightly.
Mrs. Su felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles, extremely uncomfortable, and walked along in trepidation while constantly expressing her gratitude. The Crown Prince, going through the motions, took the opportunity to complain to Su Xinghe, “In the morning, I was preparing to meet with Mrs. Su in the duty room. Did she not come over to see me? Last time, during the autumn hunt, my father rewarded me with a golden dragon saddle set… the one with the iron stirrups inlaid with silver. They searched for it for a long time and couldn’t find it. Did you put it away for me? Where did you place it?”
Su Xinghe stared blankly, realizing that he was not here with good intentions and was going to great lengths to smear her. She felt stifled but couldn’t refute him directly. Holding back her frustration, she replied, “Your Highness, that item belongs to the Four Conducts Treasury. After the autumn hunt, I had them put it away. Have you forgotten?”
The Crown Prince made a sound of acknowledgment, glancing at her indifferently. His gaze, like a fleeting meteor, passed over her without lingering.
Mrs. Su’s early meal for the family visit had not yet been completed, but under these circumstances, it was hard to continue. The Crown Prince, showing concern, asked with a smile, “Is it not to your taste? Shall I have them bring some fruits and snacks? Please, have some more.”
He addressed her as “Madam” just like everyone else, making Mrs. Su even more nervous. She hurriedly stood up, repeatedly bowing, “No, no need to trouble yourself. This servant has always eaten little in the morning. Please call me Su Qinshi. If there’s anything you need, just instruct this servant.”
Seeing that this family visit was going to be a wash, with this noble figure present, the mother and daughter couldn’t have any private conversation. The Crown Prince understood that his presence was causing them discomfort. He maintained an innocent smile, and his bright eyes were filled with sincerity.
“My presence here seems to make you uneasy. I don’t have any other intention; I just want to reassure you that Su Xinghe will never be wronged while she is with me. Whatever she likes or desires as long as I can provide it, I will go to any lengths to satisfy her. I am particular and don’t settle for less, in all these years, only Su Xinghe has been truly capable. I can’t do without her easily.” After saying this, he pursed his lips and smiled gently. “This year marks her tenth year in the palace. The family must be concerned, as she is of age to discuss marriage. Mrs. Su, have you brought good news?”
Mrs. Su was a bit stunned and quickly shook her head, saying, “She is still serving in the palace. Regardless, we wouldn’t dare to discuss marriage; we all understand these rules, both the elders and the servants.”
Hearing this, the Crown Prince’s expression relaxed, and his smile became even more graceful. His gaze, after briefly resting on her face, shifted away.
The eunuchs who served the meal brought in rinsing bowls and warm towels for washing the face and rinsing the mouth. A young palace maid also presented two silver boxes, one containing salt-roasted betel nuts and the other filled with cardamom, used for digestion after meals, a customary practice for the palace nobility.
But at this moment, even the finest delicacies couldn’t tempt them. Mrs. Su repeatedly pondered the Crown Prince’s earlier words, detecting a hint of personal affection that others might not notice in his seemingly casual remarks.
What Comes Next?
If she is not to be allowed to marry, there must be an explanation! Mrs. Su lowered her eyes, quietly waiting for the Crown Prince’s statement. Finally, she heard him say, “Indeed, since she and I are the same age, and I have not yet taken a Crown Princess, there’s no need for her to rush.”
This was a heavy implication: how could the master’s house be empty while the servants were busy with marriages? Mrs. Su was left at a loss by his ambiguous words, and even after returning home, she kept pondering, “What exactly does he mean by that…”
Master Su, wearing his Tianma leather jacket, was lying on a reclining chair in the middle of the room with his legs wide open. Mrs. Su muttered constantly, but he closed his eyes and pretended not to hear. Finally, she couldn’t hold back any longer, sitting beside him and lamenting, “Do you think the Crown Prince intends to keep our girl? I’ve been hearing those rumors from the palace for three years now. I didn’t take them seriously before, but now that the Crown Prince has come to see us in person, it seems there’s a good chance it’s true. What should we do? In the end, the arm can’t twist the thigh…” Seeing that he was still resting with his eyes closed, she gave him a gentle push. “You should at least make a decision. In my opinion, why not seize this opportunity? What good can come from clinging to Prince Jianping? The Crown Prince, after all, is the heir apparent, the beloved son of the late Empress, and the Emperor adores him beyond measure. I saw him a few times when he was little; he was endearing even then. Now, he has truly become the heir of our Dayin Dynasty, with such dignity and grandeur… I think he is truly admirable.”
This was like a mother-in-law who was fond of her prospective son-in-law, disregarding even her own life and safety. After listening for a long time, Su Yujin finally let out a long sigh, “Thinking like that is exactly what the Crown Prince wants. Do you understand? It’s easy to get on the boat, but hard to get off. These years, the Su family has been entangled with Prince Jianping’s household both openly and secretly, you know that. Factional strife… do you know what factional strife is? It involves people dying! Today it’s you, tomorrow it’s him; do you think it’s like women choosing flowers, rejecting one and picking another?”
This left Mrs. Su sitting in silence, her mind wrestling intensely. After a long pause, she finally said, “How aggrieved Su Xinghe must feel. As a young lady, if she ends up like this, how will she live her life in the future?”
“What is there to fear?” A father’s perspective often differs from a mother’s. Men focus on big matters, unlike women, who are always concerned about their children’s affairs. Su Yujin said, “Our daughter is not like an ordinary girl. Do you know what kind of office the Control Bureau is? Two years ago, at the age of twenty, she could manage half of it on her own. Now that she has secured her position, her future is limitless. Have you ever heard the saying, ‘The emperor’s daughter never worries about marriage’…”
Hearing this, Mrs. Su’s eyes widened in shock. Su Yujin, realizing he had frightened his uninformed wife, helplessly looked away.
“She has her brother. Half of the Privy Council’s power is in Xinghai’s hands. Once our daughter gains a firm foothold, the siblings will join forces, and aside from the royals, who in the court would not be fearful? The Crown Prince, though young, is wise. He knows the Control Bureau well and is aware of the political landscape. It’s impossible not to suspect an alliance between the Su family and Prince Jianping. Keeping Su Xinghe close is also a means to restrain the Su family.”
“Won’t this make our daughter’s position awkward?” As a loving mother, Mrs. Su didn’t care about her husband’s grand ambitions; her concern was solely her daughter’s safety.
Su Yujin frowned at her, seemingly unable to comprehend how this woman had given birth to Xinghai and Xinghe.
“Can’t you see that the Crown Prince has feelings for our daughter?” He fiddled with his bodhi beads, closing his eyes again and muttering dreamily, “Five years ago, he brought her into the Control Bureau, and five years later, he had no objection to her being promoted to the position of Jinyi. Madam Zuo recommended Su Xinghe, claiming she belonged to the Crown Prince. Her body may be in the pot, but no one is a fool.”
The more Mrs. Su listened, the more it felt surreal. These people played power games, scheming against each other, with everything becoming a gamble. She couldn’t think far ahead; the Crown Prince’s words from today kept replaying in her mind, turning into a headache that left her feeling as though her guts were tied in knots.
“It seems the Crown Prince is not a kind person…”
Su Yujin snorted, “What did you expect?”
“If our daughter is to stand her ground in the Eastern Palace, merely serving daily needs won’t suffice.”
The man in the reclining chair lifted half an eyelid, staring at the dark beams above. He remained silent for a long time. Just as Mrs. Su was about to turn and leave, he drawled, “Madam Zuo is bound to lift a stone only to drop it on her feet this time. The Control Bureau is ultimately in the Crown Prince’s hands. If one wants to serve there long-term, just eating dry rice won’t do. To please the master, one must clear all obstacles in his path. Madam Zuo… is just a stepping stone. Mark my words, she’ll never become Empress in this lifetime.”
