Youthful Glory

In truth, Ming Tan had never been separated from Suxin and Lǜ'e for such a long time and missed them dearly.

Before long, servants outside began moving the luggage into Qi'an Hall one after another. Ming Tan searched around and, from a large sandalwood chest, retrieved two exquisitely carved small boxes.

"Alright, stop crying. Here, gifts I brought for both of you."

Their tears stopped momentarily as they exchanged glances, then simultaneously broke into smiles.

Lǜ'e exclaimed happily, "This servant knew it! Miss cares for us the most!"

She opened her box to find intricately woven ornaments, hairpins, and rouge inside. Overjoyed, she immediately wanted to adorn herself and flaunt outside how much her mistress valued her.

Suxin was also delighted, but being more composed, she wiped her tears and quickly said, "After such a tiring journey, perhaps Miss would like to bathe first to relieve fatigue? This servant gathered fresh petals from the garden early this morning, and the kitchen has prepared almond curd, tender bamboo shoot chicken soup, crystal buns, and plain congee.

"Considering the exhaustion of travel and unfamiliar food along the way, only these easily digestible dishes were prepared to avoid stomach discomfort. They'll be ready just after your bath. If you'd like anything else, this servant can instruct the kitchen to prepare it."

That would do. Having rushed into the city at the fifth watch today, she was indeed somewhat weary.

Ming Tan nodded, and Suxin promptly went to arrange the bathwater. Lǜ'e wasn't idle either, efficiently directing the maids to organize the luggage while also preparing tea and giving Ming Tan a shoulder massage.

Sitting in the main room, Ming Tan noticed a maid moving the chest from which she'd retrieved the gifts for Suxin and Lǜ'e. Suddenly remembering something, she called out, "Stop," and went forward herself to take out the box of trinkets Ming Heng had given her.

As she opened it, Lǜ'e cleverly remarked from behind, "This must be from the young master, right? He truly spares no effort for you."

Having heard from Yun Yi about their detour to Pang Mountain, and seeing these rare items inside, who else could it be but the young master?

Ming Tan smiled, taking out a small piece of Wuheng jade to rub between her fingers. Lost in thought, she suddenly asked, "By the way, Lǜ'e, do you remember the waist pendant I wore when visiting Hanyan Temple a few years ago?"

"Waist pendant?" Lǜ'e thought for a moment. "Miss, you must have at least eighty, if not a hundred waist pendants. That visit to Hanyan Temple... was it during the Spring Outing Festival? That year, Suxin and I failed to take good care of you before the festival—you caught a cold, and Madam was punishing us, so we didn't accompany you."

"I know, but didn't I throw a tantrum after returning from Hanyan Temple? I refused to keep any of the clothes, accessories, or embroidered shoes I wore that day."

Lǜ'e finally recalled: "Oh, that's right. You said you didn't want them, so I stored those clothes and accessories in the chest as usual. Why does Miss suddenly ask about this now?"

It was no wonder Lǜ'e couldn't remember immediately. Every time Ming Tan got angry outside, she would take it out on the clothes and accessories she wore that day. There were countless items in Jing'an Marquis Manor that had been worn once or twice before being cast aside.

"Where are those things now? Still at the Marquis Manor?"

"They should be at the Marquis Manor. Miss's dowry was abundant, and when we came to Prince Dingbei's Manor, we only brought the items you regularly wear—nothing else."Previously when Ming Tan returned to her maternal home, Madam had mentioned that her courtyard would always remain there, making it convenient for the couple to stay during visits. The marquis's household was not short of funds, so it was unlikely Madam would casually disturb the items in Zhaoshui Courtyard without even a word of notice.

Ming Tan nodded, planning to search her own courtyard when she returned to the marquis's residence in a couple of days to deliver gifts—

While Ming Tan returned to the manor first to settle in, Jiang Xu remained in the palace until the gates were nearly locked.

It turned out that when Shu Jingran had begun his journey back, he was ambushed by assassins sent by the Su family in a remote area far from Lingzhou. Fortunately, Jiang Xu had dispatched most of his covert guards to protect Shu Jingran, and with the presence of a close-combat expert like Yun Yi, no major mishap occurred.

Later, the Su family likely received a warning from the capital and ceased further reckless actions, as any such moves would not secure them what they sought.

As soon as the evidence was obtained, Jiang Xu had employed a strategy of feigning one thing while doing another—openly engaging in a tug-of-war with the Su family while secretly transferring the evidence to the Dingbei Army, which was then rushed back to the capital by military officers at top speed.

He had anticipated that the recovered taxes were no small sum, and his demand for the Su family to make up nearly two years' worth of taxes plus interest was exorbitant. It was impossible for them to comply so readily.

As for why he dared to travel to Tonggang with only Ming Tan and two covert guards, and why he encountered no attacks from the Su family in the remote Lingzhou region—it was because the prefectures along the route had been secured with stationed troops. No matter how powerful the Su family was, they would not willingly confront the military head-on.

Emperor Chengkang discussed matters with him in detail for nearly three hours before finally exhaling deeply in satisfaction. "It's fortunate you went this time. If it had only been that Shu family lad, things might not have gone so smoothly. By the way, how is the princess consort? The Empress mentioned yesterday that the journey must have been exhausting. Once she's rested in a couple of days, the Empress insists on inviting the princess consort to the palace to admire the newly bloomed green chrysanthemums."

The mention of the palace visit reminded Jiang Xu of something else.

Tapping the table lightly, Jiang Xu suddenly said, "The Su family is unaware that Zhou Baoping left behind a bribery ledger. While Lingzhou is untouchable, what does Your Majesty think about those who accepted bribes in the neighboring prefectures?"

Emperor Chengkang paused, pondering for a moment before responding with some difficulty, "In principle, they should be dealt with immediately. However, Shufei has been with me since my days in the princely residence, accompanying me for many years. Even if she has no merits, she has toiled diligently. Moreover, during last month's health examination, it was discovered she is with child—though it hasn't been three months yet, so it hasn't been announced. Thus, I intend to delay this matter slightly."

If the names on the bribery ledger were to be acted upon, the first to be dealt with would be Shufei's father and brother. Given Emperor Chengkang's sparse progeny, his hesitation was understandable.

Jiang Xu remained silent for a moment before saying, "Understood. If there's nothing else, this subject shall take his leave."

"Will you not stay for the meal?"

Jiang Xu did not respond further, merely nodding slightly as a gesture of courtesy before swiftly exiting the imperial study.

Outside the study, Jiang Xu lowered his gaze and absently rubbed his wrist, instructing, "Investigate when Shufei became pregnant, and whether any palace attendants behaved unusually around the Emperor on the day the evidence arrived."

"Yes."

As he descended the steps, Jiang Xu suddenly changed his mind. "Never mind. Go to Kunning Palace and have the Empress investigate. She will handle it."

Matters within the inner palace were best dealt with by its mistress—

Meanwhile, news of Ming Tan's return to the capital spread quickly, and by the next day, invitations and calling cards had flooded into Prince Dingbei's Manor like snowflakes. However, the senders were considerate enough to schedule their gatherings for several days later, understanding that she needed time to rest after her journey.Ming Tan picked out a few important letters to read herself, while the rest were read aloud by Lǜ'e and Suxin beside her.

Lǜ'e wasn't sure if her ears were playing tricks on her, but she could have sworn she heard her Miss mutter unintentionally, "This invitation card with gold foil inlay is far too extravagant."

Extravagant?

She stole a doubtful glance at Ming Tan.

It must have been her imagination. How could Miss possibly find an invitation card too extravagant? Back when Jing'an Marquis Manor hosted flower-viewing banquets, the invitation cards Miss meticulously prepared cost twenty taels of silver each—what was a little gold foil in comparison?

But after lunch, when the Brocade Workshop was supposed to come for measurements to make autumn clothes and thin winter jackets, Ming Tan unexpectedly said it wasn't necessary—she wouldn't need new autumn clothes or thin jackets this year.

Both Suxin and Lǜ'e were puzzled.

Lǜ'e thought perhaps they had bought too many autumn clothes and thin jackets during their trip outside the capital, making it unnecessary to have more. But when they sorted through the several trunks of luggage brought back, they found they were all gifts for others—only one set of new clothes, and that was summer wear!

This was truly bizarre.

Even stranger, after her midday nap, Ming Tan instructed Lǜ'e to dig out the autumn clothes and thin jackets from the past two years that she had barely worn—she would wear those this year.

"M-Miss, what's going on with you?" Lǜ'e couldn't help but ask.

"What do you mean?" Ming Tan replied matter-of-factly. "If we don't wear clothes that haven't been worn, wouldn't that be wasteful? Though I'm not sure if my figure has changed much these past two years. You gather them first, and I'll try them on. If they don't fit, we can call the Brocade Workshop's tailor to make adjustments."

Lǜ'e felt as if struck by lightning!

What had happened to Miss? She actually used the word "wasteful"! And she wanted to alter ill-fitting clothes? Impossible—Miss must have been possessed by some spirit.

Distraught, Lǜ'e went to discuss this with Suxin. Hearing this, even Suxin was momentarily at a loss for words. She hadn't thought much of Miss ordering less food for breakfast and lunch, assuming it was just poor appetite after returning from the trip. But wearing old clothes? That was a serious matter.

Of course, Miss's clothes were never of poor quality, but after sitting for a year or two, the fabrics would be out of fashion. Miss never wore such things—no noble young lady in the capital would. Wearing them out would surely invite ridicule.

When Suxin didn't respond right away, Lǜ'e grew increasingly uneasy, even considering whether they should prepare black dog blood or other exorcism tools.

Suxin lightly patted her. "Stop imagining things! Miss must be planning something."

Lǜ'e had been about to say more, but she paused, realizing Suxin might be right. Back when Miss used to feign hardship in front of the Marquis, she always dressed plainly. Perhaps this time, she was also scheming something.

That made sense.

Lǜ'e finally breathed a sigh of relief—

Jiang Xu hadn't expected his little Consort to maintain this sudden whim all the way back to the capital.

Over the past few days since their return, she hadn't worn a different outfit each day as usual, instead repeating several he had seen before. Her meals had also been cut by more than half, with signs of further reduction.

Returning to Qi'an Hall after morning sword practice, he saw only four steamed buns and two bowls of rice congee on the table. Jiang Xu fell silent, unsure what to say.Ming Tan quickly took the handkerchief from the maid, wiping his sweat before pulling him to sit down. "There was a lot left from yesterday's breakfast, so today A Tan only prepared buns and rice porridge. Three for Husband, one for A Tan. If A Tan can't finish, Husband can have half of mine if yours isn't enough."

Jiang Xu had no choice but to nod. Yet when he took a bite of the bun—

It was still vegetarian.

No one would believe that the illustrious Prince Dingbei of Daxian hadn't touched any meat in his breakfast since returning to the capital days ago.

"..."

"My Consort, there's really no need to be so frugal."

Ming Tan was puzzled and was about to bring up the hardships she'd witnessed during their travels. After some thought, Jiang Xu carefully said, "Many things cannot be changed overnight. By being overly strict with yourself, the silver won't flow into the people's hands. Even if you save money and use it for charity, it won't fundamentally alleviate poverty.

"If the poor become accustomed to relying on handouts, in a way, it's not helping but harming them. As you once said in Tonggang, the real solution lies in education—letting them understand principles, build their communities, or leave impoverished areas to see the broader possibilities of the world.

"Ensuring the people of Daxian live in peace and prosperity is what the ruler and the entire court have been doing, are doing now, and will continue to do."

Still, he acknowledged Ming Tan's awareness: "It's good that you think this way. But avoiding extravagance doesn't mean being overly harsh on yourself. There's no need for this in the future."

Ming Tan rested her chin on her hand, unhappy. "Then is there nothing A Tan can do to help?"

Jiang Xu pondered. "In a few days, the Empress will likely invite you to a flower-viewing banquet. You could suggest to her—since winter is approaching—that she rally the noblewomen to donate funds for warm supplies for those in harsh, cold regions. That would be meaningful."

Ming Tan nodded, feeling warmth in her heart.

Having the Empress take charge was indeed more appropriate than her, a mere consort, organizing it.

Jiang Xu had to go to the palace today and left the residence after finishing his three vegetarian buns.

While combing Ming Tan's hair, Lǜ'e, seeing no one else around, whispered admiringly, "Miss, this move of yours is truly brilliant."

...?

Ming Tan was baffled. "What are you talking about?"

Lǜ'e confidently analyzed, "After this trip, did His Highness think Miss was usually too extravagant? These past few days, Miss deliberately acted frugal upon returning, and seeing this, His Highness must have felt he'd been too demanding. Today, he finally couldn't help but say Miss doesn't need to be like this!"

"You think I was pretending to be frugal?"

"Of course... of course not! What this servant means is—"

"Enough, no need to explain. I understand."

Ming Tan was furious! These maids actually thought she was putting on an act—pretending to be frugal to gain her husband's pity!

Seeing the situation turn sour, Lǜ'e quickly deployed her life-saving tactic of lavishing praise. She even held up a small mirror before Ming Tan. "Miss, don't be angry. Just look at your beautiful face a few more times—any rage will melt away."

Fine. An old trick, but effective.

Ming Tan admired her snow-white skin and flower-like beauty in the mirror. After a long while, she calmed down and asked peacefully, "Do I really look that much like someone who isn't frugal?"

"Well..."

"Tell the truth!"

"...You do."