Chapter 2, Green Plums Under the Leaves

She collected her thoughts and replied: "It has been ten years."

The beauty of a person can be found in the skin or in the bones. Empress Gong's beauty lies in her bone structure. The portrait that is enshrined is said to have been personally painted by the Emperor himself, reflecting the deep bond of a couple united in marriage, a sentiment that no favored concubine of the present can truly comprehend

She bowed her head and said, "In response to my master, it is my father."

In the eyes of the Crown Prince, she may be no different from a Pekingese dog

The prince's posture remained unchanged, one hand propping up his head, gazing at her with an unperturbed demeanor. His vividly expressive face showcased all the virtues of Empress Gong, and even though his eyes were as still as stagnant water, they could not conceal that stunning brilliance.

The flower crown was taken off and placed on the kang table, while the two entwined hairpins were the final means of securing the hair. The crown prince casually pulled one out, thus removing it as well

The shrimp whisker hairpin lay in her palm, and she stared at the bare shrimp head, blinking her dry eyes, "Yes"

She remained silent, and he too was quiet. The palace lantern cast colorful spots of light through the tassels of the returning dragon's beard. Suddenly, he smiled and said, "How many years have we known each other?"

The prince sighed, "I thought you would rather bend than break, and that you would only act recklessly."

Who are you to the university scholar's residence now

After all, as a female official with connections, she can run errands between the palace and the government offices, but it is absolutely forbidden to take a detour to visit home; this is the rule

This made him feel rather embarrassed. He jumped down from the palace wall to help her up, and only then did he clearly see her face. She was indeed beautiful, especially her pair of eyes, which matched her name, remarkably bright and star-like.

The prince's eyes resemble those of the queen, steadfast, profound, and distant; his lips are also similar, with a delicate shape and warm hue. However, the so-called beauty that resides in him initially only manifests as the handsome features of a youth. Over time, this beauty gradually permeates, transforming into an air of aloofness, until ultimately, it fully cultivates the nobility and unattainability characteristic of royal lineage

She patted her knees and nestled back in, perhaps feeling a bit restless, and asked her master if his legs were sore, "Shall I give you a massage?"

Ten years have passed in the blink of an eye. He still remembers the scene of their first meeting; at the same age, the girl was much more composed than the boy. That year, he was twelve, standing on the wall during the winter solstice, playing with sparrows amidst the swirling snow. Below, there was a chorus of voices urging him to come down, but he was unwilling, for he had discovered a grace in this imperial city that had never been revealed before.

The prince cast a glance downward and saw her standing outside the corridor, dressed in a way that did not appear bulky in the harsh winter. She wore a small red cotton jacket and had two hair buns on her head, each adorned with a hairpin shaped like a dragonfly resting on a lotus leaf. She saluted him by placing her hand on her forehead, bowed down, and knelt in the icy snow.

"Prince Jianping?" She pondered for a moment and smiled, "The pillow wind may have blown before, but hasn't the master been well? If she truly becomes empress, she must pay even more attention to her words and conduct, as it would raise concerns. Moreover, what faults does the master have that could be criticized? Even if she had the intention, she wouldn't be able to hold the master accountable for any mistakes."

She received the order and rose to her feet, gathering the floral crown and hairpin, holding them in her hands as she withdrew.

He ignored it, tilted his face upward, closed his eyes, and felt the snowflakes falling on his face, hearing the soft sound of melting.

Having found a beloved pet, one feels no desire to quibble over anything, and the tone inexplicably carries a sense of languid satisfaction. "The Imperial Tailor's Bureau has mistakenly used the wrong fragrance, turning the page so easily, which is unlike your usual style."

Then just pinch it, with small hands, unlike the eunuchs who grit their teeth and exert their strength, inch by inch, there is also a naturally occurring warmth.

The night watchman lifted his eyelids slightly, only to let them droop again. The lord of the residence had lingered in the prince's sleeping quarters for a while, and upon exiting, his hair was disheveled, which was not the first time this had happened; everyone was accustomed to it.

The Lala Gu is certainly not a good thing; when it calls, the crops cannot be planted. Comparing her hairpin to a pest, although she is not very pleased, she does not dare to say anything.

He nodded repeatedly after hearing this, "Indeed, I cannot be rendered useless; if the Control Army is rendered ineffective, it will fall into the hands of others, and how can I allow you to act with such arrogance?"

"What about today?" The Crown Prince thought for a moment, then bent those two whiskers and broke them off, handing them back to her, "This will do."

She said, "I haven't seen my mother for eight years."

The prince murmured, retracting his hand, and said: "It is getting late, you should go. There is no need for you to see me off to court tomorrow; it is more important to handle your duties well."

She replied in a formal manner: "The master braves the snow, and I have no reason to turn my back to the wind."

A pleasant voice and a beautiful person are quite common, but what is unusual is her name... Su Xinghe... The combination of her first and last name is particularly exquisite and carries a unique charm

The prince enjoys such intimacy, often waving his hand and calling out "Star River"; she must obediently snuggle over like those cats and dogs, allowing his hand to hover above her head

He spoke while casting a fleeting glance. There was a hint of mockery in his words, yet Xinghe was well aware of this customary practice of raising expectations only to dampen them.

Regarding the appearance of Empress Gong, in order to highlight the imperial family's emphasis on virtue over looks, the records primarily use phrases such as "endowed with a gentle and kind nature." However, Xinghe has seen the portrait of Empress Gong. Every year during the Winter Solstice and on the first day of the Lunar New Year, she accompanies the Crown Prince to offer incense in the Fengxian Hall. In the Fengxian Hall, there are portraits of the twelve empresses since the founding of the dynasty, and among these empresses, Empress Gong's portrait stands out the most, adorned in court attire and crown, exuding elegance and dignity.

She choked for a moment, realizing that he was deliberately using words to provoke her. Of course, she could not retort, but it did not prevent her from feeling quite uncomfortable inside.

Then a crisp voice rang out, saying: "I am the servant of the Milky Way, here by royal decree to attend to Your Highness's meals and daily needs"

Thus, the young lady who emerged from the mansion, tasked with taking care of his daily needs and meals, found it somewhat amusing—after all, they were just children, what was there to discuss about who took care of whom? It was merely about keeping each other company. Even now, his thoughts have not changed; it is still just about companionship. However, her ambitions extend far beyond this, and he is naturally aware of that

The young eunuch, undeterred, kept chattering: "Sir, sir... please take a look, someone is coming."

The Crown Prince kindly made a suggestion, "I can lend you the Western Pool Courtyard, so you can bring your mother to the Eastern Palace for a meal and to have a heartfelt conversation, without the need to travel all the way back home."

"Will the child be affectionate in the future?" The Crown Prince thought to himself that he should inquire about the family matters of his subordinates, as this would demonstrate his respect for the worthy and his humility.

The master is different, not an ordinary person. To administer eye drops to the master, one must assess whether this person is of sufficient weight. She pursed her lips and thought for a moment, "Even if Consort Zhao is conferred the title of Empress, according to ancestral regulations, since Duke Jian was born before her ascension, he cannot be considered superior to the master in heaven. If the Emperor were to depose the legitimate heir in favor of a concubine's child, the group of elders in the cabinet would be the first to object. The master need not worry."

Xinghe remained calm and unperturbed, indifferent to the opinions of the palace maids. The entire palace was aware of the ambiguous relationship between Xinghe and the Crown Prince, and it was likely that they had already been intimate. She had borne this tarnished reputation for five or six years, and because of this, the officials in the Eastern Palace responsible for accounts and accommodations could not approach the Crown Prince.

What a peculiar habit this is, hard to describe; anyway, every time it comes to this moment, he gets that urge to completely undo her neatly tied hair. For instance, the Pekingese that Madam Xue raises usually has long fur, tied up in a topknot with a ribbon on its head. When Madam Xue one day remembers to groom it, that topknot must be untied; otherwise, the master will not be satisfied, dampening the master's spirits.

The topic is heavy, yet it does not affect the Crown Prince's mood. "Concubine Zuo has the ambition to become Empress. If she succeeds, the winds of influence will blow fiercely in the future. Do you think the Emperor will depose me and establish her son instead?"

The prince raised his lips, and when he smiled, his brows and eyes resembled a painting. "The remedy for salvation still has a third of its toxicity; it is too easy to take advantage of someone's mistakes."

Without restraint, her long hair cascaded down. Her hair was indeed well cared for, thick and smooth, and under the candlelight, there was a faint halo of dark blue light at the crown. The Crown Prince placed his hand over that subtle halo and gently stroked it.

The cloud shrimp antenna hairpin was pulled down, and the Crown Prince held it in one hand, his thumb idly rubbing the tourmaline adorning the shrimp's back for a moment. "At such an age, still wearing this... Every time I see that antenna, it reminds me of a cicada."

The inner chambers are unlike the outside; as winter approaches, all the palaces have lit their heated kang beds, and even when walking barefoot on the ground, one does not feel the cold

Yes, I will change it tomorrow

She was taken aback and quickly sat up straight to look back at him, "My lord, what do you mean by this?"

The small piece of satin resting under her jaw gradually warmed up, and she felt somewhat weary, murmuring: "The crown and garments of the imperial harem are all managed by the Bureau of Attire. Today, a grace has been granted, which may prove useful in the future"

No matter how good a place is, it becomes mundane when there are too many people. His impression of the palace had always been limited to its busyness and crowding. Although it was not truly crowded, the fact remained that there were many people. Just look at the long streets and alleys crisscrossing the palace; not a single one is idle. The houses in the palace are the same, with constant comings and goings, and the entrances are never deserted. During the day, it is utterly impossible to keep those palace attendants from moving about; however, when it snows, it is as if a thorough cleaning has taken place, washing away every living thing that breathes from every corner.

He absentmindedly played with her hair and after a while suddenly said: "Guess how much longer I can remain as this prince?"

The heavy snow falls in a lively yet tranquil manner from the sky, while on the ground, the eaves and tiles, along with the vividly painted red walls, exude a rich and poetic romance.

In the palace, there is a refreshing fragrance of fruits; the warmer it gets, the more that aroma becomes intense, penetrating directly into the nostrils. Most of the time, habits become second nature; when one does something for a long time, even if it does not particularly please you, as long as the master has the leisure for it, you must endure your displeasure and patiently seek his favor

At the end of the corridor, a few eunuchs hurried over, their noses red from the cold, sniffing as they bent at the waist to report: "Your Highness, please stop playing around, the Empress has sent you a beautiful young lady, she is truly lovely"

He does not love to entangle himself in the inner court, and she cannot know the reason why. She only knows that even if he indulges her in wielding power in the Control of Military Affairs, it merely compensates for the damage to her reputation. After all, a pure and innocent girl being gossiped about is not a glorious matter. If it were someone else, it would have caused a stir long ago.

Although it is common, even to the point of intimacy, there is no sense of familiarity. Such individuals are inherently positioned on a cloud, and their thoughts and feelings remain opaque to others. If one were to see through them, then they would cease to be themselves.

Aren't you going down to the corridor?" He frowned

Such a considerate master, what more could one desire? Xinghe took a couple of deep breaths and said, "Thank you, my lord. My mother served the Empress in the palace before, but after the Empress passed away, it has been so many years that I have almost forgotten what the palace is like."

Without any hesitation, she immediately bowed her head and approached. The Crown Prince turned his wrist, signaling her to come closer. She obediently sat on the footrest, slightly leaning forward, resting her face on his knee