Su Xinghe felt she should advise him, “In a lifetime, it’s good to master one or two instruments. You already play the guqin; why take up the erhu?”
But it wasn’t easy being a man, she didn’t understand his intentions! Playing the erhu required constant movement, swaying back and forth with the rhythm… as long as one’s waist was strong, life was good. Although his skills with bow and horse were honed, he didn’t mind adding another layer. Like a wealthy man who never thinks he has enough money, having a strong waist would come in handy one day. Being able to spend two or three hours in that tiny space after marriage, wouldn’t she be thrilled?
But they hadn’t quite crossed that line yet. Even as he thought about it secretly, he didn’t dare to show off in front of her.
He merely smiled and said, “The other day I heard Master play *Autumn Moon Over the Eastern Palace*. It was so melancholy, it really moved me. I thought I’d learn it myself, maybe even make it livelier somehow, less full of sorrow.”
Su Xinghe scoffed, “But if it’s lively, it won’t be the same piece anymore. Master, what’s gotten into you lately, doing all these strange things?”
He was displeased. “I have my reasons for everything I do. If you don’t get it, that’s your problem.” As he twirled the bow in his hands, he adjusted the horsehair strands. “Did you receive the documents from the Ministry of Military Control? Are the details of the case all written clearly?”
She nodded, “Yes, I skimmed through it. The process is explained thoroughly and reasonably. But I haven’t had time to go over it carefully, and I’m worried something might slip through that His Majesty could catch. I meant to read it twice to be sure, but then I had to come listen to you play the erhu.”
He glanced at her, “So, you’re saying I interrupted your work, Lord Su?”
“No, no, no…” She waved her hand hurriedly. “Such a refined and relaxing activity can’t be called an interruption. I just happened to be tired from reading and needed to stretch my muscles a bit.”
He knew she didn’t really mean it. The way he was playing the erhu. It was so bad that he could hardly stand to listen. The fact that she held back from mocking him was a mercy. Just wait, he thought; any moment, she’d find an excuse to take her leave.
Sure enough, she clasped her hands together, “There’s nothing urgent at the front palace, so I’ll return to the Ministry of Military Control to copy the documents neatly. When Commander Nan Yushu arrives, we can submit them together to His Majesty.”
The Crown Prince was unconvinced. “Even though I’m taking a rest today, what’s the hurry?” He got up, placed the erhu back in its ebony case, and waved her over. “Come here; let me see.”
She quickly leaned her face close. “It’s all healed.”
The light from the window fell on her pale skin. After a night of care, the redness and swelling had faded, but faint bruises remained. He gently brushed a fingertip across them. “You call this healed? How carefree are you? That dog slave Nian Shikuan dared to leave such marks. Just wait; after the Winter Solstice, we’ll settle both new and old scores together.”
Leaning against his knee, she replied calmly, “Taking care of him is easy. But the one who struck me was Consort Gao Zhiya. Now, guess what would bother her the most?”
She looked up at him, her eyes glinting with golden light in the soft sunlight.
Such an obvious answer didn’t need guessing, but the Crown Prince shook his head. “I can’t guess.”
She knew he was doing it on purpose and smiled as she responded, “It’s as simple as making sure she never becomes empress. But after all these years as the Zuo Zhaoyi, even if she doesn’t rise to empress, she’s still the highest-ranking concubine in the inner palace. At most, the princess’s misconduct could halt her path to the throne, but with His Majesty’s temperament, he would never lower her rank… So, what would truly make her wish she’d never been born?”
She blinked playfully. “It would be having someone she dreads rise above her, cutting off her dreams of becoming empress once and for all.”
The Crown Prince sighed deeply, “You’re quietly wicked.”
She smiled a little sheepishly. “You flatter me, truly. The most tormenting thing is something that’s just out of reach. The scheming between women in the palace, and the struggles of life and death, are as intense as any political battle. Zuo Zhaoyi has ruled the inner palace for years, plenty of people hate her with a passion. Putting her down would bring the most joy not to us, but to all those concubines in the harem who’ve never had the chance to lift their heads.”
Her point was well taken; something that could be seen but not attained could indeed drive someone mad. The Crown Prince knew her too well, she didn’t even need to say it outright. He could see exactly what mischief she had in mind.
With a resigned sigh, he asked, “In your view, who in the harem would be the most suitable to become empress?”
The calls to appoint an empress had grown too loud to ignore. After the Emperor spoke with him in earnest, he had formally agreed to issue a decree for the Winter Solstice, announcing the decision. A sovereign’s word is not to be taken lightly; they couldn’t simply leave the position unfilled because Zuo Zhaoyi would not become empress. At this point, even if they had to pick someone at random, the vacancy would have to be filled.
She looked at him with a gentle smile. “Is there anyone Your Highness favors?”
Oh, there was someone, certainly, though the one he favored couldn’t be made empress not yet, anyway.
He casually suggested, “How about Zuo Zhaoyi? Only one character is different, of similar rank, and no son.”
Not having a son was certainly the top criterion. Su Xinghe considered it thoughtfully. “How is your usual relationship with her?”
The Crown Prince gently ran his fingers through her hair, smiling casually. “How we get along isn’t important. What matters is that Zuo Zhaoyi’s family background is weak. Reaching this position without strong support is precarious; without a backer, she’ll feel unsettled. At this point, she’d need to find a source of support. She has no son, and I have no mother. If I show her favor, she’ll definitely climb up the pole, don’t you think?”
Su Xinghe nodded, agreeing that she would. She herself had also thought of Zuo Zhaoyi. The two Zuo Zhaoyi had originally been equals, one on the left and one on the right, but the lady of Fengchu Palace had been overly ambitious, drawing power to herself. For the past eight years, Zuo Zhaoyi’s position in the palace had been awkward. Who wouldn’t have pent-up frustration in such circumstances? When the power imbalance is too great, one must endure; but once she surpasses her rival, she’ll surely have something to say.
Of course, the Crown Prince valued the fact that she had no son, while Su Xinghe saw value in the decline of the Hu family behind her. As the Crown Prince said, an empress without strong support would hardly pose a threat unless someday she could bear a prince. But given Zuo Zhaoyi’s age, the chance was slim. However, she was two years younger than Zuo Zhaoyi, and after thirty-five, the hope of conceiving again was incredibly slim.
The two exchanged a smile, reaching yet another agreement, and the Crown Prince felt that everything was moving in a favorable direction. But the marks on her face still left him unsettled. He gently stroked them, as if a few more caresses might smooth them away.
He gave her reassurance. “Stay patient for now. Once the case at the Princess’s residence is wrapped up, I’ll hint to the Cabinet to press the Emperor to appoint an empress. When the time comes, if a candidate isn’t easily settled, and the Emperor feels conflicted, I’ll seize the chance to advise him. I may not have a 100% guarantee, but there’s at least a solid 70-80% chance.”
If there’s any definition of “mutual interest,” it would be something like this. When two people have a common goal, there’s no separation between them. That sense of camaraderie and shared struggle felt genuinely warm. How, wonderful it would be if things could always be like this, the Crown Prince thought. If the Su family didn’t harbor such lofty ambitions, they could rely on a future Su Empress and simply enjoy the privileges of an influential, prosperous family. But alas, once a path is started, turning back is nearly impossible. Like the mastiffs raised in the royal stables, once they’ve tasted raw meat, they scorn anything cooked.
The weather today, was beautiful the day before the Winter Solstice, with such bright sunlight. The Crown Prince remarked, “It’ll probably rain on New Year’s Day.”
She leaned back lazily on the footstool, resting against him and turning to gaze out the half-opened window. The wind stirred the curtains, making the gold-threaded drapes tap against the upper window frame with a rhythmic clatter. There was an old saying. if the Winter Solstice was clear, New Year’s Day would have poor weather. Conversely, if it rained on the Winter Solstice, New Year’s would be brilliantly sunny.
“Tomorrow we’ll have dumplings,” she said, with a childlike sense of holiday joy. Winter Solstice was nearly as grand as the New Year, and it had been a long time since she felt this festive. In the past, she had always been tense, watching others celebrate reunions with their families while those on duty in the palace gathered for a hotpot it was pleasant enough, but never quite like being with family, and even then, every word had to be measured. This time, thanks to Zuo Zhaoyi and those slaps, her recklessness had been knocked down a notch. She found herself thinking things over more carefully; perhaps she’d been too forward before, and some things indeed needed to be paced. And with a slower pace, she felt more inclined to relax, to simply enjoy the holiday.
“Our family makes the best ten-ingredient dumplings, with every flavor you can imagine.” She counted on her fingers, “Vegetable and mushroom, chive and pork, celery and beef… Oh, and fennel-flavored ones. Guess which one’s my favorite?”
The Crown Prince felt like they’d both suddenly become ten years younger. Setting aside all those plots and schemes, there wasn’t anyone else in the world he could chat with like this, about trivial things. He used to secretly admire her, try to figure out her thoughts and study her ways, but he had never known what she liked or disliked. It seemed that you only truly learn about someone by spending time with them, noticing things you once overlooked.
He guessed confidently, “Fennel!”
“Nope,” she shook her head. “Watermelon rind.”
The Crown Prince looked puzzled. “Dumplings made with watermelon rind? Wouldn’t they be crunchy?”
That told her he’d never tried it. She laughed and explained, “Back home, in the summer, we eat watermelon, then scrape off all the red flesh. We peel off the outer green layer, leaving the white part. Then we salt it and pack it tightly in a jar. After half a month, it leaves a thin, salty layer you can use like pickles. Watermelon rind dumplings are made with that and you get a taste of summer in winter. They’re my favorite.”
The pampered Crown Prince, who’d only ever seen prepared dishes on the table, had never even seen chickens or ducks being dressed. These little folk treats wouldn’t make it to his table; no one would dare serve them to royalty.
“What other holiday customs do you have in Jiangnan?” he asked.
Su Xinghe replied, “We drink *dongyang* wine, brewed when the osmanthus blooms and dug up for everyone to share on the Winter Solstice.” Of course, there were many customs for festivals in Jiangnan, but since she loved the wine, this one stood out particularly in her mind.
The Crown Prince’s interest piqued, “So you can drink?”
Su Xinghe affirmed, though not without a hint of modesty. “Just not too much. My mother forbade it, saying it’s unseemly for a young lady to drink too much.”
The Crown Prince smiled knowingly. “That makes sense. Girls are different from boys it’s less dignified if they overindulge. But that’s the rule at home; it’s different here in the palace. Tomorrow’s a holiday, so no need to worry about that. How about I treat you to a drink? Osmanthus brew I’ll have them prepare it early. You choose, shall we have it in the Eastern Palace or up in the tower?”
Su Xinghe suddenly remembered that she hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol in almost two years; she’d nearly forgotten the taste. Tempted, she nodded shyly, “Just a little. I’m afraid too much will give me a headache, and I won’t be able to get up the next day.”
The Crown Prince gave a harmless smile. “Don’t worry. If you can’t get up, just sleep in. I’ll go to court on my own; you won’t need to send me off.”
Such a considerate master was truly rare to find. And with no pressing duties awaiting, she could indulge a bit without concern.
So, while Su Xinghe eagerly anticipated the wine, the Crown Prince was thrilled for tomorrow’s meeting with her. He would need to drink lightly at the evening banquet to save his strength for persuading her to drink her fill…
What pose would look best while lifting a cup? The Crown Prince suddenly realized he’d never considered this before. Between him and Su Xinghe, this was all the closeness he could allow for now; he couldn’t discuss the future with her, it would only push her away. But even if things had to stay light, it didn’t stop him from subtly showing his charm. If he could captivate her, maybe even let a minor slip show… The thought almost made him laugh out loud.
When Dequan entered, he witnessed an idyllic scene. The study’s window was half-open, letting sunlight spill onto the south couch, bathing it in a bright warmth. The soft apricot-yellow pillows and brocade cushions exuded a cozy glow. A noble figure, as exquisite as a pearl, and an elegant court lady, sat together one seated, the other leaning gently at his knee. As the screeching, cat-like sound of the *erhu* came to an abrupt halt, the Eastern Palace returned to its serene splendor. In such surroundings, in such a calm time, even those serving within could feel the harmony and completeness radiating from it.
Dequan approached lightly, stopping just outside the screen, feeling a warm sense of contentment that softened his voice. “Your Highness, Lord Su, a name card has just been received at the North Gate. It’s from Su Xinghai of the Privy Council. He’s petitioned to see Lord Su.”
The Crown Prince, upon hearing it was someone from the Su family, showed little reaction and merely asked, “Did Lord Su send the card alone? Was there anyone else with him, such as General Lou Yueting?”
Su Xinghe immediately felt like rolling her eyes. Here it came again her irritation with General Lou Yueting seemed to come from nowhere. To be fair, General Lou Yueting had always served under Su Xinghai, and he was a steady person who preferred to keep a low profile, so he didn’t attract much attention from the Crown Prince. In the end, the problem lay with the term “childhood friend.” The Crown Prince’s possessiveness was truly astonishing; he could not tolerate her having any friends besides him. But people’s lives don’t stop after a few years in the palace. She would always have her childhood memories, ones that would stay with her throughout her life, perhaps even to the grave.
Dequan noticed the change in Su Xinghe’s expression, but he didn’t understand the Crown Prince’s intentions. He answered truthfully, “The Jinyi Guard has only received the token of the Privy Council. It seems that Lord Su has come alone.”
Su Xinghe stood up, adjusted her clothes, and said, “Your Highness, may I go see my brother? I imagine with the commotion yesterday, the family must be worried. I’ll report to him that I’m safe and ask him to relay a message to my mother, so she doesn’t fret.”
The Crown Prince agreed, “Just so, I also have some messages to convey.”
This man could sometimes be so unlikeable. Last time, he saw her mother, and now he wanted to accompany her to meet Su Xinghai. But she couldn’t refuse him after all, if he didn’t go, his spies would be everywhere. It was better to have him there in person rather than let others speak on his behalf.
Leaving the Lizheng Hall, they headed north. They passed through the gates of Fengchu Palace and bypassed the Bafeng Hall. Every palace gate within the imperial city had two levels of security, and at the North Gate, outside the Xuande Gate, visitors from the thousand households of either the imperial family or palace servants had to submit their tokens and request entry in a hierarchical manner.
Although the Su siblings were not of ordinary status, they still had to follow the proper protocols. As they approached from the southern side, they saw a figure in a crimson robe, without armor, lingering at the palace gates. Su Yujin, despite being an ordinary man, had given birth to a pair of exceptional children truly a stroke of luck. The Crown Prince, moved by the sight, noticed that Su Xinghe quickened her pace and then started running. He lightly hummed in response, intending to follow, but in the end, due to his position, he refrained. He muttered to himself, even though she was meeting her brother, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy.
Su Xinghe, restricted by the fact that someone was following behind, couldn’t move freely. She called out, “Brother,” and Su Xinghai turned around. Seeing his sister, he was naturally pleased, but upon realizing that the Crown Prince was accompanying her, his enthusiasm quickly subsided.
He approached her, first inspecting her cheek. Fortunately, there was nothing serious, and he let out a quiet sigh of relief. Family conversations could wait for later; there was an important person to address first. Su Xinghai raised his sleeve and bowed to the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince, finally arriving at the gate, adopted a demeanor of gentleness and grace, extending a hand to offer assistance, “Master Su, no need for excessive courtesies.”
The Crown Prince remained polite to his future brother-in-law, though, in his eyes, all the men from the Su family seemed to possess a natural rebellious streak. They could not be treated the same way as Su Xinghe. With his hands folded, he added, “I’m not worried about Niu Niu, I’m accompanying her; you needn’t be concerned about my presence. Go ahead and talk freely.”
However, his use of “Niu Niu” caused the Su siblings to exchange glances. Su Xinghe was puzzled about how the Crown Prince had learned her childhood nickname, and Su Xinghai, confused by the relationship between the two, suspected that perhaps there was something more intimate between them. He wanted to ask Su Xinghe, but, with the Crown Prince present, it was inconvenient to speak openly. Instead, he focused on her face and, furrowing his brows, asked, “Mother heard the news and was frantic. How is it now? Is it serious?”
“Serious? No, it’s nothing to worry about,” Su Xinghe replied. “Tell Mother not to worry, I’m fine, just lost a bit of face. Anyone working in the palace has to deal with these hidden blows; it’s just fortunate they didn’t take my life.”
Su Xinghai gave a cold smile after hearing this. If they really wanted her life, even Zuo Zhaoyi wouldn’t dare to do it.
“After this incident, remember to be more careful in the future. You’re serving in the Eastern Palace, not a maid in the Northern Palace. There’s no need to be at their beck and call.” He then turned to the Crown Prince and gave a bow, “Su Xinghe can be a little impulsive at times, whether in court or in the palace. It’s not easy to establish a foothold anywhere. Thankfully, Your Highness has been protecting her, and she’s managed to come this far without too much harm.”
The Crown Prince waved his hand dismissively, “Anyone around me who dares to take action against her would be opposing me. You can rest assured, that as long as she’s here with me, such things will never happen again. Please also pass on my words to the matriarch of your family, so she can be at ease.”
Su Xinghai acknowledged it and thanked him several times. There were a few things, he originally wanted to discuss privately with Su Xinghe, but with the Crown Prince present, he chose a different approach. “The Duke of Min and Princess Xialing have been to my office about the case of Gao Shaoqing. The gist of it is that they want me to come up with a solution and ask for your leniency. I didn’t agree to anything, they’ve gotten their venting out, and now what else do they want?” Turning to the Crown Prince, he continued, “Please, Commander of the Imperial Army, wrap up the case as soon as possible. Once it’s settled, everyone will be at peace.”
This was a subtle way of aligning himself, whether true or not, he had at least spoken in a manner that didn’t conflict with the Crown Prince’s stance. The Crown Prince smiled gently, “The documents have already been delivered to Niu Niu’s hands. We’ll just wait for the right time to present them to His Majesty.”
What should they discuss next? Should they talk about the festival? Or the dumplings? Neither felt quite appropriate. Su Xinghai said, “I don’t have any other business, I just came to check on Su Xinghe’s injury. It seems like it’s not serious, so I’ll go back and report to the family.”
As he prepared to bow and take his leave, the Crown Prince called out to him.
“General Lou Yueting is serving under your command, Lord Su?”
Su Xinghe looked at him with fear, not knowing what trap he was trying to set this time. Seeing the look in his sister’s eyes, Su Xinghai guessed there was something more to it and responded carefully, cupping his hands, “General Lou Yueting is the descendant of Duke of Min. He joined the army at seventeen, serving on the border, and only returned to the capital two years ago. He is now under my command as the General of the Right Guard.”
“You two families have always been close? Was there a bond between your ancestors?”
Su Xinghai lowered his body even further, “Yes.”
The Crown Prince hummed and nodded slowly, “He and Niu Niu are childhood friends, and I… am the childhood friend of a childhood friend. Though the connection is distant, there’s still a thread linking us. I’ve noticed Niu Niu often mentions him recently, talking about how good their relationship was, and how Yutian looked after her back then. Now, he’s getting older, and yet he has no one by his side who truly understands him…”
Su Xinghe widened her eyes in shock, trying to recall if she had ever mentioned such things to him. She quickly tried to clarify, “Your Highness, I didn’t…”
The Crown Prince turned his head, smiling on the outside, but his eyes were filled with fierceness. “Have you forgotten? Think again. Just so happens that I’ve recently taken an interest in playing matchmaker. After the winter solstice, I’ll find him a good girl, point him toward a suitable marriage, and tell him to wait for my good news.”
This time, Su Xinghe was so angry her blood boiled, frustrated by his constant interference.
Su Xinghai saw his sister’s face turning red in anger and grew more confused. But since the Crown Prince had said so, he had no choice but to accept the command: “I often tell him that he’s diligent in his work but has neglected his personal life. Now that the Crown Prince is helping with the match, it’s sure to be a success. I will go back and pass along the good news…”
Before he could finish speaking, Su Xinghe, with a stern face, turned and walked away. The Crown Prince quickly followed her, and Su Xinghai stood there, bewildered, not understanding what was going on.
The long street was wide and empty, and it was clear from a distance. Su Xinghe marched with determination, while the Crown Prince walked behind her, hands at his sides, trying to reason with her. Finally, the girl swung a fist and struck him.
From far away, Su Xinghai’s heart gave a sharp tug. He feared she had angered the Crown Prince, and trouble was bound to follow. But when the Prince took the hit, it was like a punch landing on a cotton pillow it barely caused a ripple. Eventually, they walked further away, entered the Chengtian Gate, and were no longer visible.
