Youthful Glory

Receiving this praise, Ming Tan smiled with her eyes curving into crescents. She eagerly pulled Jiang Xu around the room, carefully introducing each detail.

Only then did Jiang Xu realize that in just half a day, Qiantang Hall had been completely transformed according to his little consort's preferences.

After the tour, Ming Tan cautiously asked, "A Tan took the liberty of decorating the rooms. Does my husband dislike it? Does it make you uncomfortable?"

It was indeed quite uncomfortable.

But Ming Tan was pulling at him coquettishly, her soft hands restlessly tickling his palm. Unaccustomed to—and never having dealt with—such feminine wiles before, his words came out contrary to his true feelings.

"It's fine."

"As long as you like it."

Hearing this, Ming Tan's smile widened further, her heart swelling with satisfaction.

Yet her satisfaction didn't come without cost—it would be compensated for in another form that night.

After two rounds of exertion that evening, Ming Tan was drenched in fragrant sweat and utterly exhausted. Limp in Jiang Xu's arms, her muddled thoughts drifted: A martial artist's stamina was truly extraordinary. Though her husband spoke little, his nighttime enthusiasm was remarkable. Did married couples have to do this every day? That would indeed be too exhausting.

In truth, Ming Tan's understanding of exhaustion was slightly off. Since their palace visit to express gratitude had already been delayed by a day and couldn't be postponed further, Jiang Xu had deliberately restrained himself. Had he indulged fully, she likely wouldn't have been able to properly endure a full day wearing the ceremonial robes befitting a prince's consort.

Waking the next morning still in Jiang Xu's embrace, Ming Tan ached all over. Rubbing her eyes, she tried to shift to lie flat but found the arm around her waist holding tight.

Unable to move much, she contented herself with tilting her head back to admire her husband's extraordinarily handsome face up close.

She had to admit—her husband was truly first-class in looks! Back when ladies in the capital all praised Second Young Master Shu as dashing and talented, she'd thought him handsome enough. But compared to her husband, he seemed somewhat milder, lacking the imposing aura of a battlefield warrior.

Extending a finger, she lightly touched Jiang Xu's face. When he didn't react, she stealthily added another finger, giving a little pinch before brushing his eyelashes upward.

Jiang Xu, an extremely light sleeper, had been awake all along. Just as he prepared to pull down Ming Tan's mischievous hand, she suddenly nuzzled upward, planting a soft kiss on his chin before burying her face against his neck and wrapping her arms around his waist in utter dependence.

Her lips were cool yet warm, like finely sieved sweet cheese—delicate and soft. Jiang Xu paused, momentarily uncertain whether to "wake up" now.

As the ancients said: The gentle nest is the hero's grave.

He suddenly found some truth in those words—

They remained abed until chenshi (7-9 AM), when maids came to rouse them both.

After dressing and freshening up, at sishi (9-11 AM) they boarded the rarely-used princely carriage and entered the palace together.

Past the palace gates, they separated—Jiang Xu to the imperial study to meet Emperor Chengkang, while Ming Tan was led by eunuchs to Shoukang Palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.

Remembering how the Empress Dowager had once intended to arrange her marriage, Ming Tan felt some trepidation about potential difficulties. But she kept this unease hidden. After parting from Jiang Xu, she adopted the dignified bearing befitting a prince's consort—eyes forward, composed and graceful.

The current Empress Dowager and Emperor were not biological mother and son.

The Emperor was born of the late emperor's first empress, while Shoukang Palace's Empress Dowager was the late emperor's second empress, with two sons of her own.Though the past cannot be pursued, a little thought makes it clear that with three legitimate sons born from two empresses, the succession to the throne was far from the peaceful transition it appeared to be on the surface.

Moreover, the first empress of the late emperor had passed away early, and her maternal family was no match for the deep-rooted influence of the second empress’s family. One could imagine that if His Majesty had not been named Crown Prince at birth and cultivated a firm faction supporting the legitimate heir early on, he would have struggled to gain any advantage in the power struggle against Empress Dowager Su.

And the fact that Empress Dowager Su, after losing the battle for the throne, could still reside peacefully in Shoukang Palace without anyone daring to slight her, proved she was no harmless figure content to spend her days chanting Buddhist scriptures.

As these thoughts crossed Ming Tan’s mind, she was led to the gates of Shoukang Palace. An elderly matron came out to receive her from the eunuch escort and guided her inside. “Princess Dingbei, please.”

Ming Tan nodded and took a quiet, deep breath.

It was said that the Empress Dowager had devoted herself to Buddhism in recent years, and indeed, Shoukang Palace carried the simple, ancient air of a devout follower. Along the way, there were no ornate carvings or extravagant displays of gold, jade, or precious stones—only the lingering scent of incense that calmed the mind.

“Your humble servant pays respects to Empress Dowager and to Empress. May Your Highnesses enjoy boundless blessings and eternal health.”

The matron leading her had given no warning that the Empress would also be present. Fortunately, Ming Tan was sharp-eyed. From the corner of her vision, she noticed that among the women seated at the head of the hall—aside from the woman holding prayer beads, unmistakably the Empress Dowager—there was also a younger woman dressed in a deep-red brocade gown embroidered with golden phoenixes and peonies, her hair adorned with a Nine Phoenixes Facing the Sun hairpin. Such attire could belong to none other than the Empress.

“Rise. Be seated.”

Empress Dowager Su’s voice was gentle and warm, almost affectionate. But at this moment, Ming Tan dared not assume the Empress Dowager was truly so kind.

She was no fool. If the Empress Dowager had not intended it, why would the guiding matron have failed to mention that others were present in the hall besides Her Highness? Especially the Empress—had Ming Tan not been observant and missed paying proper respects, she might have incurred the Empress’s displeasure.

“Your Highness, see? Was I not entirely correct?” Empress Zhang smiled brightly. “Princess Dingbei is dignified and courteous, the very picture of virtuous grace.”

The Empress Dowager nodded benevolently, her face full of fondness. “She is indeed a fine match for Xu’er.”

As soon as she finished speaking, a matron standing beside her stepped forward and presented Ming Tan with a gift—a sandalwood box.

Ming Tan rose, bowed her head to accept it, then curtsied respectfully in thanks.

Five women were seated in the hall. Aside from the Empress Dowager and the Empress, Ming Tan deduced from their conversation that the one wearing a butterfly-and-flower embroidered skirt was the Empress Dowager’s youngest daughter, Princess Wenhui. The woman in a pale green palace gown embroidered with orchids was Consort Lan, now the most favored in the palace after Consort Yu was banished to the cold palace. As for the last young woman—

“Tch. How dull.”

Before Ming Tan could guess her identity, the girl looked her up and down and suddenly scoffed.

“Nianci, mind your manners!” Princess Wenhui scolded.

The Empress Dowager glanced over and smoothed things over with a gentle tone. “Nianci has always been outspoken. There’s no need to be so harsh. Xu’er’s princess is gracious—she won’t take offense at a young girl’s words.”

Ming Tan: “...”

She was also a young girl.Consort Lan likely knew this wasn’t the right occasion for her to speak, so she lowered her eyes and fiddled with the teacup lid, remaining quiet and unobtrusive. It was the Empress who took over the conversation, introducing Zhai Nianci to Ming Tan.

Zhai Nianci was the daughter of Princess Wenhui and thus the granddaughter of the late Empress Dowager Su. She was deeply favored by the Empress Dowager, who had even bestowed upon her the title of Yongle County Princess. With such backing, it was no surprise she felt entitled to pick fights with anyone she pleased.

Ming Tan had no intention of engaging with someone she might not see again for years. But while she wasn’t inclined to argue, this Yongle County Princess seemed inexplicably determined to provoke her at every turn.

At one point, she remarked, “Have all the noble ladies in the capital these years been as dull as the Princess Consort? How utterly tedious.” Later, she added, “The Princess Consort clearly knows nothing of battlefield strife—how could she possibly have anything to discuss with His Highness Prince Dingbei?”

Ming Tan listened with a faint smile before suddenly countering, “In all my years in the capital, I’ve seldom heard of the Yongle County Princess. I suppose Your Ladyship hasn’t resided in the capital for long?”

Zhai Nianci lazily ignored her question.

It was the Empress who stepped in to mediate. “Nianci accompanied her father on the northern campaigns and has indeed rarely returned to the capital.”

Ah, understood.

A more privileged version of Ming Chu.

And she had accompanied her father on northern campaigns. Her own husband, after all, was the Prince of Dingbei—perhaps this Yongle County Princess had crossed paths with him during those years.

Moreover, the underlying implication in Zhai Nianci’s words was that a pampered boudoir lady like Ming Tan was unworthy of Prince Dingbei. Which, by extension, suggested that she herself was a far better match.

Having pinpointed the root of the hostility, Ming Tan had no trouble prescribing the right remedy.

She took a delicate sip of tea and replied gently, “Your Ladyship’s heroic and spirited demeanor is truly admirable. However, the noble ladies of the capital have always looked to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager and Her Majesty the Empress as exemplars—learning grace and virtue, self-restraint and propriety, how to manage subordinates, and how to maintain a household to stabilize their husbands’ domains. I wouldn’t call that tedious.

“Moreover, His Highness spends his days in the military camp, surrounded by generals with whom he can discuss strategy and command. When he returns to the estate, what he likely needs most is a place of quiet respite. As his wife, offering warmth and care, sending him a bowl of soup, or sharing casual conversation—these are the things that truly bring him comfort.”

“...”

Zhai Nianci was momentarily speechless, unable to muster a retort.

Wasn’t the Princess Consort of Dingbei essentially pointing at her nose and calling her uncouth and ill-mannered? Yet she couldn’t refute it—not when the Empress Dowager and Empress had been invoked as shields.

What stung even more was the implication in Ming Tan’s words: Prince Dingbei had no interest in discussing military affairs with his wife. At home, he had far more intimate pleasures to enjoy—so mind your own business and stop presuming otherwise.

Meanwhile, in the imperial study, Emperor Chengkang tapped the neatly reviewed memorials against the desk and asked with amusement, “How fares the newlywed life? Now that you’ve taken a wife, you’ve finally settled down.”

Jiang Xu stood with his hands behind his back and replied indifferently, “Nothing special. Just a bit more trouble than before.”

“...”

“Who asked about trouble?”

Jiang Xu gave him a look that plainly said,

Then what exactly is Your Majesty asking?

Emperor Chengkang was momentarily at a loss for words.

Ah, well. It wasn’t as if he had expected anything different. After all, this marriage had only been a political expediency to keep Ming Tingyuan in the capital. And given Jiang Xu’s temperament, hoping he’d suddenly become enlightened just because he’d taken a wife—well, that was just asking for the impossible.Emperor Chengkang pondered for a moment before adding, "I've heard your princess consort has quite a reputation among the noble ladies in the capital. After all, she's your properly wedded wife—you mustn't treat her poorly."

Jiang Xu responded with a noncommittal "Hmm."

Just yesterday, her whims had cost five thousand taels, yet he hadn't uttered a word of complaint—surely that didn't count as poor treatment. However, renovating the princely residence according to her extravagant plans would require nearly a hundred thousand taels more. Such profligacy was unacceptable. Once back, he would have to rein her in.

Unaware of Jiang Xu's thoughts, Emperor Chengkang noticed his indifferent demeanor and assumed he was reluctant to discuss his new bride. Changing the subject, the emperor turned to recent court affairs.

By noon, Emperor Chengkang and Jiang Xu finally emerged from the imperial study. Unwilling to stay for the palace luncheon, Jiang Xu headed straight to Shoukang Palace to fetch Ming Tan.

As he arrived, he spotted Ming Tan trailing behind the Empress and her retinue, exiting the hall. She was walking alongside the Yongle County Princess, engaged in conversation, when suddenly she stumbled—apparently having twisted her foot on the steps. Her delicate brows furrowed as she let out a soft hiss of pain.

Without hesitation, Jiang Xu strode forward and swept her up into his arms.

Zhai Nianci: "…?"

Back in his own palace quarters, Emperor Chengkang was momentarily baffled upon receiving this news.