Youthful Glory

Jiang Xu, the only two-character prince of the Great Xian Dynasty. Born with a golden spoon as the imperial grandson, yet before he turned one, his father Crown Prince Mincong passed away unexpectedly.

The late emperor first enfeoffed him as crown prince, then ascended the throne with the era name Chunxing. Emperor Chunxing reigned for little more than a decade before passing away due to illness. The current emperor succeeded from the Eastern Palace, adopting the era name Chengkang.

As the former imperial grandson, Jiang Xu's status was originally quite awkward. Logically speaking, surviving to adulthood amid multiple regime transitions would already be fortunate. Having grown up, he should have been routinely enfeoffed as a commandery prince and banished to some remote corner out of sight.

Yet the current emperor elevated him to prince rank when he established his own residence. As a prince already held the highest noble rank with no further promotions possible, his three thousand elite troops' legendary battle achievements earned him the additional title "Dingbei" (Northern Pacifier) upon returning to the capital, with the emperor personally welcoming him at the city gates by descending from his carriage. This unprecedented double promotion of adding military honors to a prince's title represented supreme glory for a military commander.

...Indeed, His Highness Prince Dingbei was extraordinarily distinguished.

After pondering the biographical information about Prince Dingbei that Bai Minmin had gathered, Ming Tan nodded unconsciously.

So the question arose—where could one secretly catch a glimpse of this extraordinarily distinguished and immensely powerful Prince Dingbei? Beyond these biographical details, his appearance, stature, habits and preferences seemed scarcely known to anyone.

At dinner time, Ming Tan barely ate a few bites before setting down her chopsticks.

As the weather grew hotter, her appetite worsened. These days even the incense in her chamber had been removed, replaced only by a vase of fresh Buddha's hand citrons in the outer room. The light citrus fragrance helped somewhat to dispel her melancholy.

Seeing Ming Tan eat so little recently, her face visibly thinner, Suxin felt concerned. After clearing the dinner dishes, she went to the kitchen and personally rolled up her sleeves to prepare some food.

Ming Tan usually enjoyed her almond pudding. To make it, one had to first pound and sift almonds, mix them with water into a milky liquid, then filter out the residue. Adding rice flour and sugar, it required constant stirring over low heat until the pudding became smooth and velvety.

After cooling the almond pudding, Suxin chilled the bowls briefly before sprinkling crushed almonds on top and bringing them back to Zhaoshui Courtyard.

The chilled dessert did stimulate Ming Tan's appetite somewhat. Suxin had made two portions, and after finishing one, Ming Tan reached for the other.

But Suxin gently dissuaded her: "Young miss, too much chilled food will upset your stomach. You haven't gone out for days—why not take this almond pudding to the study to pay respects to the Marquis? It would do you good to stretch your limbs. After digesting this, I'll make you chicken noodle soup upon your return. The broth is simmering now with a maid tending the fire."

Ming Tan considered this reasonable—she truly hadn't gone out for days. But as for her father, she'd rather skip his enthusiastic lectures about Prince Dingbei's blood-soaked military exploits.

After having Lü'e help her freshen up and change clothes, she took the chilled almond pudding to Lanxin Courtyard.

After delivering the dessert and chatting with Madam Pei in the parlor for a while, a steward arrived to settle accounts, prompting Ming Tan to take her leave.

Passing through the eastern garden on her way back, she noticed Shen Hua gathering flowers with her maid. After some thought, she approached.

In truth, she understood that day at Duke Ping's residence, Shen Hua hadn't spoken up for her sake, but for her own.Shen Hua had only taken up residence in the Marquis's household in her marriageable years to gain a reputation for being well-instructed by the Madam. If Ming Chu were to ruin her own chastity, it would equally tarnish Shen Hua's reputation.

On the other hand, Ming Chu's reputation mattered little to Shen Hua. Everyone knew she was a concubine-born daughter raised by her aunt in the borderlands, having only recently returned to the capital. Even if she were foolish or malicious, no one would blame the Madam for lax discipline, nor would they drag Shen Hua down as ill-bred by association.

Yet regardless of Shen Hua's motives for speaking up, she had genuinely helped, and Ming Tan owed her thanks.

"Cousin," Ming Tan stepped forward.

"Fourth Sister." Seeing Ming Tan, Shen Hua was unsurprised. She adjusted the peonies in her basket and spoke casually, "Have you come from Lanxin Courtyard?"

Ming Tan gave a soft hum of affirmation, then curtsied lightly. "I must thank Cousin for speaking up on my behalf at the poetry gathering. If there is ever anything you need from me, please do not hesitate to ask."

"I merely spoke the truth. There is no need for Fourth Sister to dwell on it." Shen Hua reached out to steady her, knowing that Ming Tan's acknowledgment of the favor was enough—there was no need to spell things out. "Ah, speaking of which, I haven’t seen you in days. Congratulations on securing such a fine match."

Ming Tan smiled faintly but remained silent, discreetly observing Shen Hua.

Rumors had once spread through the household that Shen Hua might be elevated to Changyu Street, soaring to become Prince Dingbei's secondary consort. During the palace banquet on the Lantern Festival, Shen Hua's attire and demeanor had clearly hinted at her aspirations for that position. Yet now, she seemed genuinely congratulatory, without a trace of envy or bitterness.

Both were clever women, and Shen Hua naturally understood Ming Tan's thoughts. Plucking a peony, she changed the subject. "Earlier, Fourth Sister said I could ask for anything. In truth, there is something I need."

"Though your wedding date has not yet been set, it surely cannot be far off. As we reside in the same household, ancestral customs dictate that Third Sister and I must marry before you. Thus, arrangements for our matches must soon be made. I only hope Fourth Sister might put in a good word for me before the Madam, so she may select a suitable husband for me."

Her words made it clear she no longer sought to become a nobleman's concubine.

Ming Tan nodded. "Of course. With Cousin's talent and beauty, even without my words, you are certain to find an excellent match."

Shen Hua demurred, "Still, I cannot compare to Fourth Sister."

During the Lantern Festival banquet, when the palace had invited noblewomen to select a consort for Prince Dingbei, Shen Hua had indeed considered the possibility of being chosen as his secondary consort. But back then, she knew little of the capital's noble families and overestimated herself.

The prestige of Marquis Jing'an's household had barely earned them seats near the palace hall's entrance. Beyond the palace gates, the seemingly endless rows of seats, stretching into the distance amid the biting wind, had felt interminable. Moreover, at the banquet, Prince Dingbei had shown no regard even for Consort Yu's younger sister or the Marquis Cheng'en's legitimate daughter. The moment she stepped out of those palace gates, she abandoned all such delusions and reconsidered her own marriage prospects.

Yet now, such honor had fallen upon her Fourth Sister—though it seemed this sister of hers was not entirely pleased.

"Prince Dingbei is a man of extraordinary valor, truly a fine match. Why does Fourth Sister seem troubled?"

"Extraordinary valor?" Ming Tan seized on the phrase. "How does Cousin know he is extraordinary?"

Shen Hua paused. "My brother mentioned it once—that Prince Dingbei commands armies like a god and is a man of remarkable valor."Isn't this just the usual praise for a military leader? What's there to know or not know? Wait, her fourth sister... seems particularly concerned about the word "handsome."

Shen Hua suddenly understood something and covered her mouth with a handkerchief, laughing. "Since my brother praised him as 'handsome' rather than 'brave,' it seems Prince Dingbei is at least decent-looking, if not outright dashing."

"It's common for ordinary families to arrange meetings before betrothals, but Fourth Sister's marriage was personally decreed by His Majesty, so naturally, there was no such arrangement. However, it wouldn't hurt for Fourth Sister to take a private look."

Ming Tan nodded lightly, then added with a hint of shy reserve, "Prince Dingbei's whereabouts are unpredictable. It's not so easy to arrange a private meeting."

That was true.

Shen Hua thought for a moment. "If Fourth Sister trusts me, I have a way for you to take a private look."

Her brother wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed—getting information about Prince Dingbei's whereabouts from him would be easier than picking flowers for wine. Besides, if Ming Tan's marriage went smoothly, it would only benefit her. Of course, she would help.

Three days later, at noon, Shen Hua prepared a basket of lunch and led two maids straight to the capital garrison.

At the camp entrance, the guards stopped her. Shen Hua curtsied gracefully and showed the token Shen Yu had given her, explaining that she was Young General Shen's younger sister and had come to deliver a light lunch for her brother in the heat. The guards, blushing and rubbing their noses, let her in without hesitation.

Once inside the camp, the two maids who had been keeping their heads down the whole time cautiously lifted their faces. It was none other than Ming Tan and Bai Minmin, who had tagged along for fun.

The three of them moved to a secluded spot, where Shen Hua instructed, "Wait here for now. I'll deliver the food to my brother and find a way to get him to agree to send the extra lotus leaf porridge to Prince Dingbei."

Shen Hua knew Shen Yu like the back of her hand. Ever since Ming Tan's betrothal to Prince Dingbei was announced, Shen Yu had struggled to accept it.

Yet, at the same time, he held great respect for Prince Dingbei, leaving him torn and conflicted. She figured he'd be willing to share the porridge but would never deliver it himself. With a little prompting, she could easily get him to agree to assign a soldier to escort her maids to deliver it.

Everything went smoothly. In less than half an hour, Shen Hua emerged from the tent and instructed Ming Tan and Bai Minmin, who were waiting outside, "You two, follow this soldier to Prince Dingbei's tent and deliver the lotus leaf porridge."

The two curtsied in unison.

However, when they reached Prince Dingbei's tent, the guard there wasn't as accommodating. He scrutinized them and said gruffly, "Just hand the porridge to me."

That wouldn't do!

As the guard reached for the food box, Ming Tan quickly improvised, saying earnestly, "Sir, you may not know, but this lotus leaf porridge is kept chilled in a special icebox. The iceboxes in our household are custom-made and quite delicate. I'm afraid you might not know how to open it properly, and it would be a shame if it spilled."

Oh, so they were worried that rough-handed soldiers like them would break their fancy... ice... box?

But he really didn't know what that thing was. Rich people sure were particular about their food.

Grudgingly, he stepped aside and lifted the tent flap. "Then only one of you can go in. Deliver it quickly and leave—don't disturb His Highness while he's working."

Ming Tan and Bai Minmin exchanged glances, with Bai Minmin urgently gesturing for her to go in.Actually, being with Bai Minmin wasn't that nerve-wracking. But being alone here was truly...

However, since she'd already come, there was no reason to have Bai Minmin go in her stead to assess the situation. Besides, Bai Minmin's taste was... questionable—from Second Young Master Shu whom she found handsome, to even her own father whom she considered imposing.

Thinking this, Ming Tan curtsied slightly. "Thank you for your kindness, sir."

Upon entering the tent, Ming Tan was struck by the profound silence.

From the outside, the prince's tent was noticeably more spacious than those of other generals, and the interior was arranged quite comfortably. She vaguely glimpsed a black figure standing before the military sand table, causing her heart to pound like a drum. Not daring to look further, she kept her eyes downcast as she approached the desk. Maintaining her composure from a distance, she curtsied and said in her usual voice, "Your Highness, Young General Shen sent this servant to bring you porridge. The lotus leaf porridge is still chilled—perfect for relieving summer heat with its light flavor."

Jiang Xu: "..."

That voice.