A Precious Pearl in the Imperial City-Chapter 104

For a young, inexperienced official like him to be brought along for night duty was already an extraordinary honor.

The Cabinet’s confidential office was located west of the Vermilion Bird Gate. To avoid repeating the previous dynasty’s mistake of having all key officials wiped out in one strike, only two officials from each department were assigned to night duty.

Sitting in the carriage en route from the Court of Judicial Review to the Cabinet’s office, Ming Jiyuan lifted the curtain and glanced outside.

"Time passes so swiftly. Over a decade ago, I was merely a fifth-rank official. Back then, commoners would shutter their doors at night, not daring to speak above a whisper." The Minister sighed. "After His Majesty ascended the throne, the people’s lives improved greatly. Even at night, the streets are now bustling."

Ming Jiyuan let the curtain fall and looked up at him.

"Prosperity is hard-won. When our generation grows old, few will remember the calamities of those years." The Minister outright referred to the final years of the previous reign as a "calamity," revealing his disdain for the late Emperor—bold enough to say so in front of another official.

"Age makes one talkative." The Minister chuckled. "Pay it no mind."

"Your Excellency’s sentiments are clear to this humble official." Ming Jiyuan’s expression turned solemn. "Our duty is to safeguard the peace and well-being of the people."

The Minister’s face brightened with a smile, and he clapped Ming Jiyuan’s shoulder, openly pleased. "Youthful and accomplished, truly."

"Though the old aristocratic families have declined, even a broken ship has a few nails left. This verdict passed smoothly only because someone higher up intervened." The Minister leaned back against the carriage wall, relaxed. "Who do you think it was?"

Ming Jiyuan shook his head.

"Prince Chen." The Minister sighed. "For him, currying favor with the aristocracy would have been more advantageous than opposing them. Yet he chose to stand with the common people."

Since Prince Chen was his brother-in-law, Ming Jiyuan refrained from commenting.

"Truthfully, I was surprised Prince Chen stepped in." The Minister studied Ming Jiyuan’s expression. "Perhaps we’ve all misjudged him."

Ming Jiyuan shifted slightly in his seat. If Prince Chen was the one misunderstood, why was His Excellency looking at him like that?

"Jiyuan, when you return, advise your father to see Prince Chen’s merits. After all, he is family now, isn’t he?"

Good heavens—after all that circling, this was the real purpose.

Just how far had the rumors about his father’s dislike for Prince Chen spread, that even his superior felt the need to mediate?

"Prince Chen… is actually a good lad."

Ming Jiyuan shot a sidelong glance at the Minister. Three years ago, this same man had called Prince Chen "willful and reckless." Now he was a "good lad"?

When Prince Chen awoke, daylight already streamed through the windows. Noticing the other half of the bed empty, he rubbed his forehead and sat up. "Attendants!"

"Your Highness." Yang Yiduo entered with a retinue of palace servants. "You’re awake?"

"Where is the Princess Consort?" Prince Chen threw off the covers and rose. "Prepare water—I wish to bathe."

"Hot water is ready, Your Highness. Please proceed to the bathing chamber." Yang Yiduo replied. "Word just came from the Western Palace—Consort Dowager Zhao is unwell. The Princess Consort has gone to visit her, accompanied by Chunfen."

"What ails Consort Dowager Zhao?" Prince Chen paused mid-step.

"Age brings inevitable ailments." Yang Yiduo lifted the gauze canopy to prevent it from brushing against the Prince’s head.

Prince Chen recalled the words Consort Dowager Zhao had shared with him and Jiuzhu while they painted in the peach grove.

He looked up at the round moon lantern hanging from the beam.

Even in daylight, it was beautiful.

But last night—that was when it had truly shone.

"Your Highness, the Princess Consort ordered this lantern hung here. If it displeases you, shall we move it?" Yang Yiduo asked, noticing the Prince’s gaze.

"No." Prince Chen shook his head. "Leave it. It’s perfect here."

He loved it.

Only days had passed, yet Consort Dowager Zhao seemed to have aged several years.

"Your Grace." Jiuzhu took Consort Dowager Zhao’s hand. "Have you taken your medicine today? Has the imperial physician visited?"

The skin draped loosely over her bones, long bereft of its youthful elasticity—the unmistakable mark of time.

This content is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

"Just old troubles. The servants were thoughtless to trouble you." Consort Dowager Zhao tried to sit up, but Jiuzhu gently stopped her. "Your Grace, rest properly. Don’t catch a chill."

"I’ve nothing to do in the palace all day anyway." Jiuzhu tucked the blankets around her. "Visiting you lets me pet that plump little cat too."

"Meow." The fat cat sprawled on the table lazily acknowledged her before hopping down and settling onto Jiuzhu’s lap.

Jiuzhu stroked it lightly, eliciting a contented purr.

"She adores you." Consort Dowager Zhao seemed about to say more, but after watching the languid feline, held her tongue.

"Is it raining again outside?" She caught the sound of pattering droplets.

"Yes." Seeing her interest, Jiuzhu rose to open the window, then turned with a radiant smile. "It’s lovely."

The woman by the window, clad in a sky-blue dress, was more enchanting than the rain itself.

Consort Dowager Zhao smiled back. "Yes, very lovely."

A palace maid brought in the prepared medicine. Sitting up, Consort Dowager Zhao drank the bitter concoction without expression.

Such remedies could not hold back the march of time.

"Your Grace, shall I read to you?" Jiuzhu accepted a book from Chunfen—its cover boldly declaring The Domineering Prince’s Battle Against Evil Spirits.

"Those scholarly books full of archaic phrases aren't suitable for someone who's ill." Jiuzhu flipped open the pages of another book: "These folk tales are much more interesting."

Consort Dowager Zhao stared blankly at the storybook in Jiuzhu's hands. Originally a brewer's daughter, she had little interest in profound literature. Yet within the palace walls, a consort like her had no choice in such matters.

This was the first time since entering the palace that someone had openly declared folk tales to be enjoyable right before her.

"Yes, folk tales are delightful."

As these words left her lips, an unexpected sense of liberation rose in her heart.

"Then let me read to you now." Jiuzhu lowered her head and began narrating the story.

Her reading style broke from scholarly conventions—animated and lively like a storyteller, her expressions shifting with the tale. Consort Dowager Zhao couldn't help but laugh aloud.

The Old Matron attending to the consort witnessed this scene and discreetly wiped her moistened eyes.

Half an hour later, when Consort Dowager Zhao had fallen asleep, Jiuzhu quietly closed the book, tucked the blankets around her, drew the bed curtains, and slipped out of the room.

"Princess Consort." The Old Matron approached, holding an umbrella. "It's raining outside—allow this servant to escort you."

"The consort needs your care more right now, Matron. Please don't trouble yourself." Jiuzhu took the umbrella from her. "If any medicinal ingredients are needed, just send word. Even if I don't have them, Her Majesty the Empress surely will."

Hearing Princess Consort of Chen refer to the Empress with such familiarity, the matron understood—the rumors about their close relationship were true.

When the princess consort insisted on declining her escort, the matron could only provide extra umbrellas for Jiuzhu and her attendants.

"I'll hold my own umbrella. Don't let yourself get drenched." Jiuzhu gestured for the young palace maid—who appeared no older than fourteen or fifteen—to step back. It wouldn't do for the girl to catch cold.

"Thank you, Princess Consort." The maid hesitated before following at a respectful distance with her own umbrella.

The pre-Qingming rain carried a lingering chill, but at least today she wouldn't suffer wet clothes.

How nice.

Jiuzhu loved the sound of rain pattering against oil-paper umbrellas, though her beautiful embroidered shoes getting soaked was decidedly less pleasant.

As the gate separating the western palace from the inner quarters swung open, Jiuzhu saw Prince Chen standing beyond it—clad in snow-white robes, his unbound hair flowing, an umbrella in hand.

"Your Highness." Jiuzhu closed her umbrella and dashed under his, catching the fresh scent of his recent bath. "Why have you come?"

"To take you home." Prince Chen tilted the umbrella over her, chuckling softly. "I quite enjoyed the moon you sent me."

Jiuzhu wrapped her arms around his sleeve. "I'm glad you liked it."

Noticing his damp hair, she chided, "Your hair isn't dry yet—the wind will give you a headache. We should hurry back."

"No rush." Observing how she carefully stepped around puddles to protect her shoes, he handed her the umbrella. "Here, I'll carry you."

"How embarrassing." No sooner had she spoken than Jiuzhu was already clinging to his back.

Her mouth protested, but her actions betrayed no hesitation.

"You're fond of these shoes?"

"You had the Imperial Wardrobe specially make them—with little dogs embroidered on them." Jiuzhu balanced the umbrella with one hand while looping the other around his neck. "I adore them."

"Little Ming puppies?"

Jiuzhu burst into laughter against his shoulder, making the umbrella wobble wildly. Cold raindrops splashed across Prince Chen's face.

Prince Chen: "......"

At that moment, Jiuzhu gently nipped his neck. "Woof!"

The playful bite left a tingling sensation—not painful at all.

He adjusted his grip under her knees. "Seems we've got a genuine Ming puppy here."

Her giggles dissolved into his own laughter.

"Why are you dressed in white today, Your Highness?"

"Tomorrow's Qingming—I'll be presiding over ancestral rites for His Majesty. Bright colors wouldn't be appropriate these days." He arched a brow. "Why? Doesn't it suit me?"

"It does! In light colors, Your Highness resembles the moon gracing the heavens. In vibrant hues, you're the most splendid spring blossoms. And in dark tones—the enchanting mystery of midnight." Jiuzhu never lacked poetic praises for her prince. "You're magnificent in anything."

"Little Ming Pig, it's fortunate you never entered court service."

"Why?"

"You'd have been the most sycophantic official in history."

Jiuzhu huffed. "I only speak truths."

Something warm stirred in Prince Chen's chest. Though he couldn't see her face, he could perfectly envision her expression. "Am I truly so wonderful in your eyes?"

"Mhm!"

His smile softened. Were it not for the woman piggybacking on him, he might indeed have resembled the celestial being she described.

"Your Highness, what's wrong?" A palace maid gasped as Sun Caiyao suddenly froze, her flower basket clattering to the ground.

"It's nothing." Sun Caiyao shook her head distractedly, bending to retrieve the basket.

Prince Chen merely wore white robes—she mustn't read into it. She absolutely mustn't.

"How devoted Prince Chen is to his princess consort," another maid whispered. "Carrying her through the rain so her feet won't get wet."

"Hush! Didn't you notice His Highness didn't even bind his hair?"

Sun Caiyao's vision swam. A buzzing filled her ears before darkness swallowed her consciousness.

"Your Highness!"

As she collapsed, her fading sight registered Jiuzhu leaping down from Prince Chen's back and rushing toward her.

"Your Highness! Your Highness!"

Yun Yanze, still drowsy, sat up irritably at his servants' urgent calls. Drawing a steadying breath, he pushed aside the bed curtains. "What is it?"

"Her Highness fainted in the palace corridor! The imperial physician was summoned—she's with child!"

Feigning delight, Yun Yanze threw on his outer robe and strode out—only to find Yun Duqing standing in his courtyard beneath an umbrella.

He paused mid-step. "Fifth Brother."

"Fourth Brother." Prince Chen inclined his head slightly. "Congratulations."

"My thanks." Yun Yanze's gaze traced the silver embroidery on his brother's white robes. "Why are you here?"

"My wife brought Fourth Sister-in-law back after her faint. She's inside keeping her company now." Prince Chen's brow arched. Did Yun Yanze imagine he wanted to stand here?

Another woman's pregnancy meant nothing to him.

Inside, Sun Caiyao propped herself up to look at Jiuzhu seated nearby.

"They've sent for Fourth Brother. I'll take my leave now—do be careful on rainy paths during your condition." Jiuzhu rose to depart.

Her prince was still waiting umbrella-in-hand outside.

Sun Caiyao stared numbly at her abdomen, her grip on the blankets gradually loosening. "Jiuzhu... thank you."

She was... pregnant?

Jiuzhu blinked at the unexpected informality but merely nodded. "You're welcome, Fourth Sister."

Eager to leave, she didn't ponder Sun Caiyao's odd demeanor further.

Stepping onto the veranda, she beckoned to Prince Chen. "Your Highness!"

With an exasperated shake of his head, he approached and raised the umbrella over her. "Come down."

Jiuzhu leapt from the steps straight into his embrace. He steadied her waist, enveloping her completely against him.

"We're grateful for your assistance today, Sister-in-law."

Hearing the voice, Jiuzhu noticed Yun Yanze standing under the eaves. She tugged at Prince Chen's arm and raised her umbrella to glance at Yun Yanze. "Fourth Brother, you're too kind. You should go keep Fourth Sister-in-law company."

After all, being a prince meant having more composure than ordinary people. Even with his own consort pregnant, he still had the patience to chat outside with others.

Yun Yanze gave her a look before turning to enter the house.

"Your Highness, have you been waiting long?" Jiuzhu leaned entirely against Prince Chen. "Let's go home."

She glanced down at her embroidered shoes, now stained with mud, and sighed. In her haste to help Sun Caiyao earlier, she hadn’t noticed the small puddle nearby and had stepped right into it.

"It's fine," Prince Chen patted her head gently. "I’ll have them make you an identical pair."

"Mm!" Jiuzhu brightened instantly.

Prince Chen sighed inwardly—so simple-minded, so easy to please.

News of the fourth prince's consort’s pregnancy soon spread.

The mothers of the princes reacted differently, but only Empress Su summoned Jiuzhu to her side, speaking at length about how young women shouldn’t rush into childbirth, and so on.

Her words were filled with nothing but affection.

The next morning, before dawn, Prince Chen arrived at Taiyang Palace to change into a prince’s robe embroidered with dragon patterns and boarded the imperial carriage headed for the Circular Mound Altar.

The Qingming Festival was traditionally a day to honor ancestors, but the emperors of the Great Cheng Dynasty believed that some ancestors ascended to become celestial immortals after death. Thus, they first paid respects to Heaven at the Circular Mound Altar before proceeding to the Square Mound Altar to worship the Earth.

Behind the imperial carriage, the four princes rode on horseback, followed by rows of civil and military officials in their court robes.

Prince An wiped the rain from his face.

The youngest prince sat in the imperial carriage reserved for the emperor’s travels, while his four older brothers rode on horseback, drenched in the light drizzle of Qingming.

The urgency to secure favor was undeniable.

"The rain’s getting heavier," Prince Huai remarked, noticing Prince An’s gesture, his tone tinged with envy. "By the time we reach the Square Mound Altar, our robes will be soaked through."

How much better it would be to ride in the imperial carriage—sheltered from wind and rain.

Prince An sensed the impropriety in the remark and chose not to respond.

Prince Huai also realized his words were inappropriate and turned to Yun Yanze instead. "Fourth Brother, congratulations on soon becoming a father."

"Thank ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‍you, Eldest Brother," Yun Yanze replied, his spirits visibly high, his smile carrying more sincerity than usual.

"Yes, congratulations!" Prince An cupped his hands toward Yun Yanze in celebration.

"Having a child is a joyous occasion, but..." Prince Jing murmured to himself before suddenly catching his words and bowing apologetically. "Forgive me, I misspoke."

The worship of Heaven and Earth was a grand affair, one that princes could not lightly perform in place of the emperor.

Unless, of course, one was the crown prince.

By having Yun Duqing change into princely robes at Taiyang Palace, don a golden dragon crown, and arranging an imperial procession for him, the emperor was effectively declaring to the world his intention to name Yun Duqing as his heir.