Youthful Glory

"Has the Consort risen yet?"

"Not yet."

"Should we keep the breakfast warm then?"

"Leave a pot of porridge simmering. At this hour, it's better to start preparing lunch instead."

...

As the sun rose, the kitchen staff of Prince Dingbei's residence kept asking "Has the Consort risen yet?" From early morning until nearly noon, the answer remained unchanged, making the servants exchange knowing glances.

A gossipy maid folded her hands and lifted her chin pretentiously, saying, "I reckon you shouldn't bother with lunch either—just prepare for dinner instead."

"Why? Has the Consort left the residence?"

The gossip was about to play coy when an informed servant woman entered the kitchen carrying a basket of fresh vegetables. Eager to share, she blurted out, "Haven't you heard? Last night, Qi'an Hall called for fresh bathwater four or five times! Tsk tsk, they kept at it until nearly morning. How could the Consort possibly rise early?"

"What?"

"Really?"

The crowd instinctively huddled together, ears perked up.

The kitchen was full of experienced, bold women who loved to chatter. They discussed intimate matters without the slightest blush, even finding it rather thrilling.

"Mrs. Fugui, isn't your daughter serving in Qi'an Hall? Was it really that lively there?"

"Absolutely! Don't let our prince's usual cold demeanor fool you—he's quite the tiger in bed. The Consort has only been married a few days, and every night is a ruckus. The whole courtyard can hear it! My daughter was on night duty in the tea room recently and said she barely slept a wink from all the Consort's sweet cries and moans."

"I heard the same, especially last night—they really did call for water four or five times! Later, they say the Consort wept hard and threw a bit of a tantrum, or it might have gone on even longer."

"The Consort looks like a heavenly fairy—so delicate and lovely. What man wouldn't adore her? Just looking at her makes my eyes glaze over. And her skin! Like tender tofu, white and smooth, probably dripping with moisture at the slightest touch. When she strolled in the garden the other day, the sunlight made her glow so brightly it nearly blinded me."

"I also find the Consort utterly enchanting. Even our prince, known for his legendary self-restraint, can't seem to leave her bed."

...

The kitchen maids' conversation grew quite risqué, making young girls blush and scurry away. Yet their words weren't entirely exaggerated.

Last night, the water in Qi'an Hall had been constantly replenished. Even innocent maids like Suxin and Lü'e sensed that His Highness... might have been a bit too rough.

At first, their young mistress had managed, but midway, her cries grew intense. Later, though she still whimpered, her voice had weakened, likely from exhaustion.

During the final water delivery, Suxin caught a fleeting glimpse—her mistress's hair disheveled, wrapped in blankets and nestled in the prince's arms like a frantic little rabbit. Her eyes were red, her voice hoarse as she muttered something indistinct before suddenly biting his neck hard.

Suxin's legs nearly gave way in fright, almost dropping to her knees to beg mercy for her mistress.

But the prince didn't even flinch. He merely responded in a low voice, "Alright, rest now."

Though his tone was neutral, given the room's lingering intimacy, it almost sounded... tender.

Afterward, he even asked for medicinal ointment.The red candles in the room had burned quietly for a while before finally extinguishing.

By the time complete silence settled in, a faint light tinged with hazy gray had already appeared on the horizon.

Jiang Xu was full of energy, rising early without delay to practice his swordplay, returning to his quarters for breakfast, and then heading out as usual. Only Ming Tan slept deeply, showing no signs of waking from the early morning hours until well past mid-morning.

It wasn’t until noon that Ming Tan finally stirred awake. Even then, she remained dazed and empty-headed for quite some time, half-reclining on the bed, too languid to muster the will to rise.

Just then, Lü’e entered, carrying a small box of trinkets. She curtsied cheerfully and said, "Miss, you're awake! Miss Bai has sent over some things—said they’re newly acquired curiosities from the Western Regions. Would you like to see them now?"

Mentioning Bai Minmin was the last straw.

The culprit!

"No!"

Lü’e froze, bewildered, wondering if she had done something wrong.

Still fuming, Ming Tan added, "Find that hideous embroidered handkerchief Bai Minmin gave me last time, and bring me a pair of scissors."

Utterly confused, Lü’e murmured an acknowledgment, carefully set down the box of trinkets, and hurried off to retrieve the offending handkerchief along with the scissors, delivering both to the bedside.

Without a second thought, Ming Tan snatched the scissors and viciously snipped the handkerchief twice. Then, seething, she ordered, "Stuff this back into the box and return it to the Changguo Duke’s residence. Tell them that today, I’m severing this handkerchief friendship with Bai Minmin!"

Lü’e: "……?"

"Achoo!"

At the Changguo Duke’s residence, Bai Minmin—who was being forced to practice needlework and was currently embroidering mandarin ducks—suddenly sneezed loudly. Rubbing her nose, she wondered:

Could it be that one of the young masters from recent matchmaking meetings has taken a liking to me?

Whether any young master had taken a liking to Bai Minmin remained uncertain, but in recent days, Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards Lu Ting, the

Dian Shuai

, had made it abundantly clear that he fancied Miss Zhou Jingwan of the Zhou family.

Zhou Jingwan was of marriageable age—gentle, beautiful, and exceptionally talented. There had been no shortage of eligible young men seeking her hand, but ever since Commander Lu had also paid a visit to the Zhou residence to propose, those suitors had mysteriously fallen silent.

First, a Hanlin Academy editor was caught visiting a pleasure house, impeached by a censor for tarnishing the academy’s dignity, and subsequently demoted.

Then, the son of a vice-minister galloped recklessly through the streets, injuring a street vendor. The matter was reported to the authorities, resulting in a hefty fine and a broken leg that confined him to bed for half a year…

These incidents were neither trivial nor major, but the one common thread was that all the men involved had once sought Zhou Jingwan’s hand in marriage.

Gradually, people seemed to grasp the underlying connection, and the number of suitors visiting the Zhou family dwindled.

Zhou Jingwan’s marriage prospects had been under consideration since Ming Tan’s imperial betrothal. Now that Ming Tan was already wed, even the most cherished daughter could no longer delay the matter.

But given the current situation, Lady Zhou—who had once been spoiled for choice and in no hurry—couldn’t help but grow anxious. Zhou Jingwan herself was terrified, fretting daily that no one would propose to her, leaving her with no choice but to marry that Commander Lu.

In the radiant spring of the fourth month, Ming Tan invited Zhou Jingwan to her estate to admire the flowers.

She had renovated the prince’s residence and rebuilt the gardens. As soon as the exotic plants arrived, she summoned the talented Miss Zhou to inscribe a plaque for the garden.

As for Bai Minmin—Ming Tan’s anger hadn’t yet subsided, so no invitation had been sent to the Changguo Duke’s residence. Yet Bai Minmin managed to hitch a ride on the Zhou family’s carriage and showed up uninvited.

Zhou Jingwan had always been delicate, and her recent melancholy had left her even more frail.Ming Tan and Bai Minmin pressed her until, with great reluctance, she revealed that her marriage seemed to have been sabotaged behind the scenes.

"You really dislike Marshal Lu that much?" Bai Minmin asked, puzzled. "I think Marshal Lu is quite decent."

Zhou Jingwan retorted, "If he's so decent, why don't you marry him?"

Bai Minmin was momentarily speechless. "But he proposed to you, didn't he? What does that have to do with me?"

She then turned to Ming Tan. "Isn't your Prince Dingbei acquainted with Marshal Lu? Why don't you ask His Highness what Marshal Lu's intentions really are?"

Ming Tan hesitated.

Ever since their last intense encounter in bed, which had left her furious, she and her husband hadn't exchanged more than a few words.

First, her husband was busy with military affairs and rarely came home. When he did, he was as silent as a clam. Unless she initiated conversation, he could sit at his desk reading military manuals all night.

Second, she was on her monthly cycle and couldn't engage in marital relations. A man who only showed any emotion in bed seemed cold and distant after a few days of abstinence.

Third, she was still a bit traumatized from their last encounter and wasn't eager to get close to him again.

"What are you thinking about?" Bai Minmin waved a hand in front of her face.

"Nothing." Ming Tan took a sip of tea, feigning nonchalance. "I'll ask him when he returns."

Bai Minmin didn't dwell on it and continued comforting Zhou Jingwan. "Marshal Lu's actions show he's determined to have you. It doesn't seem like a passing fancy. In my opinion, you shouldn't be so resistant. Once A Tan asks the prince, you can learn more before making a decision."

Zhou Jingwan seemed swayed.

But Ming Tan, now tasked with this mission, felt slightly troubled. Her monthly cycle had just ended, and asking him today felt like walking into the lion's den—inviting trouble.

Hesitating until Jiang Xu returned to the residence, she heard he had gone straight to his study. Gritting her teeth, she decided to take the plunge for Zhou Jingwan's sake.

She deliberately changed into a more modest outfit, with a high collar covering her neck, and brought a bowl of bird's nest porridge that had been simmering since noon and a plate of jade belt cakes to the study.

"Your Highness, the Consort is here," a guard announced at the door.

Jiang Xu looked up. "Let her in."

Jiang Xu's study was spacious and sparsely furnished, with several bookshelves filled mostly with military manuals and short weapons. There was also a sand table, a chessboard, and a narrow couch for resting.

Ming Tan only glanced briefly before approaching the desk. Softly and sweetly, she said, "I heard you've been busy with official duties and haven't had dinner. A Tan made bird's nest porridge and jade belt cakes for you. Please try them. Your work is important, but your health matters more."

Jiang Xu: "..."

After their last passionate encounter, his little consort had been giving him the cold shoulder, barely speaking to him for days. She complained of discomfort, then claimed her monthly cycle had arrived. Even accidentally touching her in bed earned him a kick or two, so he'd taken to sleeping in the study for a few nights.

Today, however... He paused, eyeing the bowl of bird's nest porridge and the plate of jade belt cakes.

"You made these?"

Ming Tan nodded and began explaining the process in detail. "The bird's nest porridge is simmered to perfection. It's been on low heat since noon, and someone had to watch over it, stirring it in the same direction every half-hour for a quarter of an hour. Only then can the porridge melt in your mouth.""There's also the Jade Belt Cake, made by grinding glutinous rice into flour, sifting it three times, mixing the finely sifted flour with water, blending it with lard and sugar, layering it one level after another, and then steaming it over fire. The number of layers and the heat control are extremely particular—otherwise, it wouldn’t be so crystal clear and have such a dense, delicate texture..."

Jiang Xu took a bite and found it indeed vastly different from the porridge and pastries he usually made do with.

Subconsciously, he glanced at Ming Tan’s hands—they were clean and neat, adorned with red nail polish, the very picture of someone who had never done manual labor.

He asked pointedly, "You made this yourself?"

"Of course," Ming Tan replied matter-of-factly.

Jiang Xu paused for a moment before suddenly setting down the porcelain spoon. "Leave. I have important matters to attend to."

Ming Tan was baffled. "Husband, won’t you have some more? A Tan personally—"

"I dislike being lied to. Leave first."

"...?"

"How has A Tan lied?"

Ming Tan was utterly confused.

"You said you made this yourself." Jiang Xu looked up at her, his gaze direct and steady.

Ming Tan met his eyes without flinching. "I did make it myself. If you don’t believe me, you can summon the kitchen staff and ask. I personally instructed them on every detail—the exact measurements, the precise heat control—and even made two trips to the kitchen myself. The witnesses and evidence are all there!"

Jiang Xu fell silent, realizing there was a vast discrepancy in their understanding of the word "personally." "By 'personally,' you meant giving verbal instructions?"

"Of course! Did you expect me to roll up my sleeves and knead the dough myself?!"

She was indignant.

Jiang Xu: "..."

Ming Tan was nearly beside herself with frustration. This was her own secret recipe, painstakingly devised. Though it might look no different from the ordinary, the taste was worlds apart. And now this wretched man, after drinking her porridge and eating her pastries, had the audacity to accuse her of lying! He didn’t deserve it!

With that thought, she gathered the bowls and spoons, picked up the food box, and turned to leave.

"Wait." Jiang Xu caught her wrist.

Ming Tan shook him off with a flick of her hand and strode to the door, pushing it open.

But Jiang Xu rose as well, catching her wrist again from behind. This time, he used a bit more force, pulling her back two steps until she stumbled into his arms.

Just then, the main door of the study swung open under Ming Tan’s push, letting in the cool, gentle breeze of the spring night.

Shu Jingran stood outside, and the guard who had been about to announce him was left gaping, at a loss for words.

Awkward.