Youthful Glory

The midday sun was scorching, the leaves a vivid green under its glare, and the ceaseless chirping of cicadas in the branches carried the languid air of approaching midsummer.

Inside the mansion, many were drowsy, but the duties of the tea room were unlike other tasks—they had to be ready at all times to serve tea and water to their masters. Though sleepy, there was no chance to slack off.

Two young maids fanned themselves by the stove when suddenly word came from the front that His Highness had returned. One of them hurriedly rose to deliver tea, but moments later, she returned to the tea room flushed with embarrassment, the tea still untouched in her hands.

“What happened? Weren’t you delivering tea?”

The maid hesitated, fanning herself with the same palm-leaf fan meant for the stove, muttering in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s hum, “Go listen outside and you’ll understand.”

Curious, the other maid, who had been sitting by the stove, got up and stepped out of the tea room.

By the time she reached the main chamber, she was met with the unexpected sound of soft, delicate moans mingled with heavy, intertwined panting. Heavens, it was broad daylight! The maid’s head buzzed, her face instantly burning as she scurried back to the tea room.

Silence settled around them, broken only by the bubbling of boiling water on the stove and the shrill cries of cicadas in the trees. Both maids fanned themselves furiously, their faces crimson, neither daring to speak. Yet in their hearts, they shared the same thought: Their masters were becoming increasingly unrestrained—what used to be nighttime affairs had now spilled into the daylight.

Truth be told, Ming Tan hadn’t expected Jiang Xu to dare press her into such activities during the day.

At night, she could endure it, but in broad daylight, everything was so glaringly visible—it was utterly mortifying. She bit her lip, stifling her voice, but Jiang Xu was wicked, moving at a deliberate, unhurried pace. Just as she grew accustomed and let her guard down, he would thrust sharply, forcing broken whimpers from her.

……

It lasted until the sun dipped below the horizon.

Golden beams of twilight streamed through the latticed windows, casting a hazy glow.

Ming Tan’s body was sticky with sweat, utterly drained of energy.

She was carried to the bathing chamber to freshen up, and when she returned to the bed, the maids replacing the embroidered quilts were just retreating. Their heads were bowed low, but their ears were bright red—clearly embarrassed by the disheveled traces of passion left on the bed.

To do such things in daylight, and now everyone knew.

Humiliated and indignant, Ming Tan curled into the quilts the moment she lay down, retreating to the corner of the bed. For a moment, she even forgot about the matter concerning Consort Lan.

Jiang Xu, refreshed and invigorated after changing, glanced at the long, quilt-wrapped bundle huddled on the inner side of the bed and asked, “Not joining me for supper?” His voice was low and rough, laced with lazy satisfaction.

Ming Tan shook her head, replying in a whisper, “Not hungry.”

Jiang Xu didn’t press her. “This prince isn’t hungry either. Rest, then. I’ll be in the study.”

You’re not hungry—of course you’re not!

Ming Tan gnawed on the corner of the quilt as she silently fumed—

Jiang Xu remained in the study for hours without emerging. During that time, a shadow guard reported to him, and Shu Jingran came by for a game of chess.

Shu Jingran could clearly sense Jiang Xu’s unusually good mood today. On any other day, he might have merely grunted in response to certain topics, but today, he even showed interest in probing further.

“Earlier, when I entered the mansion, I ran into that exceptionally skilled maid from the princess consort’s side—the one who saved the drowning young lady at Duke Pingguo’s Mansion that day and helped me out of a tight spot. Is she… by any chance, from the Jin Yun Guard?”"Yun Yi? Yes."

Shu Jingran seemed to recall something and suddenly chuckled. "Has the manor been mistreating people so much that they need to buy roast chicken from outside?"

"Are you interested in her?" Jiang Xu asked unexpectedly.

Shu Jingran was taken aback, instinctively wanting to deny it, but the words stuck in his throat and refused to come out.

Earlier, when he encountered that Miss Yun outside, he had taken the initiative to greet her. She hadn't reacted much until he reminded her of the incident at Duke Pingguo's Mansion, at which point she finally realized who he was.

But it was clear that day she had merely been following the Consort's orders, completely unaware and unobservant of whose predicament she had been helping to resolve.

In the end, she politely asked if he wanted some roast chicken. Though her words offered, her hands were honest—she made no move to share any with him, even sighing in relief when he politely declined.

This Miss Yun was indeed quite interesting.

Unconsciously, he smiled again but didn't answer directly. Instead, he said to Jiang Xu, "This is the first time I've seen you take an interest in such matters."

Jiang Xu: "..."

Both fell silent for a moment.

"Actually, if it weren't for helping me out that day, the Consort wouldn't have had to endure such trouble." Thinking back to the incident at Duke Pingguo's Mansion, Shu Jingran felt a pang of guilt. "Is the Consort in the manor now? I should apologize to her in person."

"No need," Jiang Xu replied, lowering his gaze as he placed a chess piece. "She's resting in her room."

"Resting?"

At this hour? What kind of rest?

"She was tired this afternoon and didn't even have dinner."

Shu Jingran paused. Why did he feel that Jiang Qizhi's words... seemed to carry a hidden meaning, explained in such detail... Could it be he wanted him to follow up with a question about why the Consort was tired in the afternoon?

With that thought, he indeed followed up: "With summer's heat, especially the scorching noon sun, what did the Consort do to tire herself out?"

Jiang Xu didn't answer further.

But Shu Jingran sensed he hadn't asked wrongly—Jiang Qizhi had wanted him to ask precisely that. The lack of response was deliberate. From Jiang Xu's relaxed expression, he seemed to detect a hint of satisfaction—

It was nearly Hai hour when Shu Jingran left Prince Dingbei's Manor. Jiang Xu exited the study with him, but while Shu Jingran headed for the manor gates, Jiang Xu turned toward Qizhi Hall.

The night breeze was gentle, carrying faint fragrances.

Upon returning to Qizhi Hall, Jiang Xu paused outside the room and asked Suxin, "Has the Consort eaten?"

Suxin replied respectfully, "Not yet. The Consort hasn't risen. Would Your Highness like some supper?"

"Very well," Jiang Xu nodded. "Prepare more."

"Yes."

Understanding his intent, Suxin curtsied to Jiang Xu's retreating figure before hurrying to the kitchen to arrange supper.

She had some of Jiang Xu's usual dishes prepared, along with a few of Ming Tan's favorites.

When Ming Tan was roused by Jiang Xu to eat, she was still bleary-eyed and dazed.

At first, she didn't want to eat, clinging to the blanket and murmuring soft refusals. Jiang Xu didn't press further, simply instructing the servants to set the supper by the bed. Soon, the aroma of scallion-flavored wontons wafted into her nose, stirring her appetite and dispelling some of her drowsiness.

Unable to resist for long, hunger overcame sleepiness. She sat up, inching to the edge of the bed to sit beside Jiang Xu, her fair feet dangling slightly.

Still groggy from sleep, she sat quietly, staring at the wontons on the table, docile as a child and utterly endearing.

Noticing her gaze fixed on the wontons, Jiang Xu subtly moved the bowl closer to her.But who would have thought she would blurt out, "Husband, feed me."

Jiang Xu paused slightly.

Suxin, who was setting the table nearby, couldn't help but suppress a smile and tactfully retreated.

Ming Tan's words had slipped out thoughtlessly upon waking, and it took her a moment to realize what she'd said.

Yet just as she became aware, Jiang Xu silently lifted her onto his lap to sit sideways, then somewhat awkwardly scooped a wonton and brought it to her lips.

Ming Tan hesitated briefly before taking the bite.

Then came the second spoonful, the third...

The wontons were savory, yet an inexplicable sweetness welled up in Ming Tan's heart. Once satisfied, she gently embraced Jiang Xu, nuzzling into his chest and murmuring coquettishly, "Husband, you're so good to A Tan."

Jiang Xu set down the porcelain spoon.

Truthfully, he didn't understand why he'd done this. In his mind, the consort he'd married was bothersome and demanding—best avoided except for marital duties. Yet something kept reminding him that since he'd married her, he ought to treat her well. Small requests like these shouldn't matter.

As she slid down slightly, he lifted her back up, lingering near her neck before asking softly, "Would you like to go to Yongchun Garden to escape the heat?"

"Yongchun Garden?" Ming Tan immediately lifted her face, eyes sparkling as she nodded. "The Empress mentioned it today—we're to go there in half a month. She said His Majesty reserved lodging for you and suggested we visit together when free. I meant to tell you at noon, but you—"

Too embarrassed to finish, her face warmed at the memory of their earlier intimacy.

Jiang Xu, however, showed no trace of shame, as if those afternoon activities had nothing to do with him. After a brief pause, he agreed, "Then we'll go to Yongchun Garden."

"Alright."

Mention of Yongchun Garden reminded Ming Tan of Consort Lan. After nestling against Jiang Xu a while longer, she suddenly asked, "Husband, are you close with Consort Lan in the palace?"

"Consort Lan? Somewhat."

"What does 'somewhat' mean?"

"In childhood, she was the princess's study companion. We studied together."

"Oh, childhood sweethearts."

Unaware of his young wife's jealousy, Jiang Xu recalled further: "Her grandfather was my father's mentor. She was very kind to me as a child. When my father was alive, there was talk of arranging a marriage between our families."

Such deep connections.

"Why didn't it happen?"

Jiang Xu didn't answer, but Ming Tan immediately regretted asking. The reason was obvious—his father had passed soon after, and he'd ceased being the crown prince.

She quickly changed the subject: "Husband, what do you think of Consort Lan?"

"What about her?"

"I mean... does she have any particularly admirable qualities?"

"She's very talented."

Hearing Jiang Xu praise another woman's talents made Ming Tan's heart sour. "Then... between Consort Lan and me... who do you think is better?"

Jiang Xu sensed the impropriety of the question: "What kind of question is this? Has someone been gossiping?"

Ming Tan stayed silent.

"This prince's relationship with Consort Lan is merely acquaintance, nothing more. His Majesty also studied with us back then."

"Oh."

Even newly arrived concubines like Jia Guiren could uncover Consort Lan's past, which told Ming Tan there likely was nothing between her husband and the consort—otherwise, the Emperor wouldn't be so accepting. Still, hearing it from her husband's lips felt different from merely suspecting it.Hearing his explanation, Ming Tan felt much more at ease. She wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered a little complaint in his ear: "Today in the palace, Consort Shufei was stirring up trouble. She kept hinting to me that Husband and Consort Lanfei had something going on."

Consort Shufei?

Very well.

"And also, Husband still hasn’t answered my question. If Consort Lanfei had not entered the palace, would Husband have wanted to marry her, since you think she’s so talented? This is the first time I’ve heard Husband praise a woman. Husband hasn’t even praised A Tan."

"This prince remembers praising you on our wedding night."

Jiang Xu corrected her with utmost seriousness.

"Besides beauty, is there anything else worth praising?"

Ming Tan asked shamelessly, unwilling to let it go.

Jiang Xu thought for a long time.

—There actually wasn’t.

Ming Tan waited expectantly, but after a while, then another while, she could no longer keep up her composure. Was it really so hard to think of a few good points?!

Angry, she tried to climb off Jiang Xu, but he pulled her back, shifting her to sit facing him, straddling his lap. He sighed almost imperceptibly and said softly, "The princess consort is perfect in every way."

Unbeknownst to him, his tone carried a hint of helplessness and an unprecedented note of coaxing compromise.