Looking at the decorations and layout, it was worthy of the legitimate wife of Prince Rong. Every blade of grass and every tree exuded elegance and luxury. Though there was not much excessive ornamentation or carving, the understated simplicity possessed a charm of its own. Even the residence and courtyard she occupied were much larger than those of other households. No wonder so many people sharpened their wits and exhausted every scheme and trick they had, all in hopes of stepping through the front door and claiming the position of principal wife.
“Brother Ning Xuan, the Princess Consort summons you inside.”
Ning Xuan was still lost in thought when the maid came out with the message.
On such a cold day, before his body had even had time to grow cold from standing outside, he was already being allowed indoors. As expected of the territory of the Princess Consort—the efficiency was astonishing. Could this be the difference between a principal wife and the secondary wives and concubines? Thinking back to his visits to the other courtyards, he had spent plenty of time standing outside waiting. Even with the advantage of being someone who served at the Prince’s side, he had nearly weathered into a stone statue before being admitted. This time, however, left Ning Xuan clicking his tongue in amazement.
Responding with an acknowledgment, he followed the maid who had come to lead him inside.
Although the architecture was magnificent and the interior richly furnished, there was something missing. It was elegant and noble, yet somehow lacking for someone of the Princess Consort’s status. The furnishings were too simple, and the utensils too plain. Even the Princess Consort’s clothing and accessories were not much more luxurious than those of the other ladies in the residence. In fact, she seemed less ostentatious than some of the favored consorts.
It was not that Ning Xuan worshipped wealth or deliberately sought out rich patrons. The truth was that he had visited too many of the other courtyards. Those beautiful ladies and young masters, each more dazzling than the flowers themselves, seemed determined to hang every piece of gold, jade, pearl, and silver they owned on their heads and waists. Just looking at them made his neck ache in sympathy. Their rooms were equally extravagant. Despite living alone, they seemed locked in some silent competition, wishing they could embed precious gems directly into the walls to display their favor and status. As for their clothing, they were never lacking in silks and satins. Some of the colors were so brilliant they practically stabbed the eyes.
He remembered one occasion when he simply could not hold back and found a secluded place to ask Feng Xuanyi, “Don’t your eyes hurt when you see them dressed like that? Especially when they’re all standing together—it’s practically a complete rainbow.”
Feng Xuanyi’s answer had nearly made him choke.
“They spend all day with nothing to do except paint, dress up, and decorate themselves. If you don’t even let them do that, wouldn’t that be too cruel? Since they went to the trouble of preparing themselves, if you want to look, then look a little longer. If you don’t want to look, don’t let them notice. Just look through the gaps between them and admire the sky instead. Isn’t that refreshing and pleasant as well?”
Afterward, Ning Xuan arrived at a single conclusion:
Feng Xuanyi is exactly the type who talks without feeling any pain himself. He sits back watching the show and even makes sure not to laugh too hard, choosing instead to mock people gradually and elegantly!
As a servant, he was not permitted to look directly into his master’s eyes. Thus, upon entering, he only cast a brief glance to locate the Princess Consort’s position before quickly lowering his gaze. Walking to the center of the hall, he knelt respectfully and bowed.
“This servant, Ning Xuan, greets the Princess Consort. I respectfully wish Your Highness good health.”
No response came.
Ning Xuan could only continue kneeling there. Don’t tell me I somehow offended this Princess Consort who never left her residence, never attended the princes’ family banquets, and rarely even showed her face? Did she wait until Feng Xuanyi left just so she could drag me over here and make me kneel as punishment? Though a hall belonging to the Princess Consort would certainly have underfloor heating, that did not mean it was warm enough, nor that his knees could endure it forever. Ning Xuan mournfully contemplated his future arthritis.
Weren’t ancient women supposed to be gentle and virtuous? Weren’t they all about the Three Obediences and Four Virtues, the proper conduct of women? What a scam. Look at how petty this is. She won’t even let me know what I supposedly did wrong before punishing me…
“You… what did you say your name was?”
A gentle, melodious female voice suddenly drifted down from above.
By all reasonable standards, it was a lovely voice, carrying warmth and tenderness. The sound alone immediately steadied Ning Xuan’s turbulent thoughts and left him feeling oddly light-headed.
Feng Xuanyi really is blessed. Forget how she looks—even her voice is pleasant enough to listen to all day. But why does she sound like she’s trembling?
“Ning Xuan,” he replied, still not daring to raise his head. He remained kneeling upright and respectful.
“You… Ning… Xuan…”
The Princess Consort murmured the name to herself.
“How could this be…?”
Ning Xuan was completely baffled.
What does she mean, ‘how could this be’? Why couldn’t it be? Surely I know my own name?
Of course, he kept those thoughts to himself.
“Raise your head.”
After a moment, the hesitation and tremor vanished from the Princess Consort’s voice. It remained gentle as jade, yet now carried no discernible emotion whatsoever.
Just as expected. Truly husband and wife. Even though they don’t spend their days together, their personalities are strangely alike. Impossible to read.
If the ruler demanded a minister’s death, the minister could not refuse. Besides, all she wanted was for him to raise his head. And she was a woman.
No matter how he looked at it, he was hardly losing anything.
Ning Xuan lifted his head openly and, while he was at it, took the opportunity to examine the Princess Consort.
She was not the sort of beauty capable of toppling kingdoms, but she was elegant, graceful, dignified, and refined. Simply sitting there motionless created an atmosphere of peace and composure. Yet she seemed surprisingly young. The baby fat had not entirely faded from her cheeks. Her large eyes were bright and clear. Her long hair was pinned high, decorated only with three crabapple pearl ornaments and a gold-threaded hairpin. Her skin was white as snow, her lips red as cinnabar. Dressed in luxurious robes and attended by a room full of servants, she should have looked every bit the noblewoman she was.
And yet, for some reason, Ning Xuan could not help but see a trace of sorrow and loneliness in her.
Such wonderful years of youth, yet she was trapped within this Prince’s residence. No freedom. No exclusive affection from her husband. No companionship from her family. No entertainment to speak of. Only endless waiting and enviable wealth and status. No one saw the helplessness and bitterness hidden behind that glory.
Or perhaps the people of this era, shackled by feudal conventions, never even realized how tragic their situation was before their lives slipped away.
The Princess Consort lowered her brows slightly. After a long silence, she finally spoke.
“Serve the Prince well. Be careful and prudent in all you do. The Prince dislikes reckless people, and he dislikes those who meddle in affairs that are not theirs. Conduct yourself accordingly.”
With that, she lifted a hand.
“Very well. You may leave. I am tired.”
Her sleeve swept lightly through the air.
Then, looking suddenly exhausted, she rose and allowed her maid to support her as she retreated into the inner chambers.
Ning Xuan sat frozen in confusion. Before he could even process what had happened, he hurriedly lowered his head and bowed.
“This servant takes his leave.”
He left the Princess Consort’s courtyard completely bewildered. The moment he stepped outside, he spotted Qing Zhu pacing anxiously back and forth like an ant on a hot pan. Mo Qi stood quietly beneath the eaves nearby, waiting respectfully in silence.
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