What made her so resolute?

When I returned from the Palace of Purple Dreams to the Emerald Palace, I found that His Majesty was no longer inside, but Jiang Xuan was there.

Jiang Xuan was standing at Zhang Bitong’s bedside. As I entered, I saw Yun Qing tidying up some silks and excellent tonics on the table.

I went over to help Yun Qing. She said to me, “These were just bestowed by His Majesty. Since he had to visit the Fourth Prince, he didn’t stay long, but he specifically instructed me to take good care of Her Highness.”

I nodded. “His Majesty still cares for Her Highness. Even the Ninth Prince hurried over to visit her. She should be happy today—her illness will surely be cured soon.”

Yun Qing glanced at Zhang Bitong, lying sick in bed. “Isn’t that true? Though she’s ill, it’s almost a blessing in disguise.”

At that moment, Zhang Bitong spoke. “This body of mine certainly cannot go. Xuan’er, you must go in my stead. Discuss with Yun Qing what gifts should be prepared.”

“Yes, Mother. I shall take my leave. Please rest well.”

Jiang Xuan stepped out. Yun Qing had already prepared the gifts and handed them to him. “Your Highness, everything is ready. Take them with you. I won’t attend you, as Her Highness is ill and I must remain by her side.”

“Thank you, Aunt.”

“Let Xiao Xiao accompany you. He’s clever and won’t cause any trouble.”

Jiang Xuan nodded.

I stepped forward, lifted the gifts, and followed Jiang Xuan to Jiang Ye’s palace.

I wondered whether the virtuous consort—the birth mother of Jiang Ye and Jiang Chen—would appear on Jiang Ye’s joyous day.

As we arrived at the palace gate, we met Jiang Ye, accompanied by Han Feiyue and Gong Wue. This was the first time I’d seen Han Feiyue since her grand wedding.

She still wore her crimson attire, her features marked by a hint of boldness.

“Third Brother!” Jiang Xuan greeted with a slight nod. “Greetings to my two sisters-in-law.”

I hurried to bow behind Jiang Xuan. “Your servant pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess, and Lady Gong.”

“Ninth Brother, you’re here too? Come, let’s go in and see if Fourth Brother needs any help,” Jiang Yun said, preparing to enter with Jiang Xuan. But Gong Wue interjected, “Your Highness, you are the Crown Prince. Let the servants handle these tasks. I’ve told you before, it’s still early—you needn’t have come so soon.”

Jiang Ye was displeased. “If you didn’t want to come, you can return to your palace now. I didn’t ask you here.”

“I just wanted to keep you company, Your Highness,” Gong Wue pouted.

“Ninth Brother, let’s go in.”

“All right.”

Jiang Ye welcomed us inside, quickly seating us and ordering tea.

“Fourth Brother, you look splendid today. Tell me, is there anything you need your Third Brother or Ninth Brother to help with? We didn’t come just to drink tea.”

Jiang Ye waved him off. “Don’t tease me, Third Brother. Everything’s ready, and Sixth Brother has been busy as well. There’s no need for more help.”

He turned to Gong Wue and Han Feiyue. “Ah, my two sisters-in-law are here. Shall I have someone lead you to the side hall? Several princesses and consorts are already there.”

Gong Wue cast a disdainful glance. “I won’t go. Those women just compete for attention and gossip about dull matters. I’d rather stay here. Don’t mind us, Fourth Brother, you go about your business.”

Jiang Ye caught on. “Third Sister-in-law and Third Brother truly are an affectionate couple—inseparable! Makes your younger brother envious.”

Gong Wue blushed and smiled. “You and Ruo Qing will be like this one day—no need to envy.”

“I’ll take a walk,” Han Feiyue said abruptly, rising and leaving without another word.

Gong Wue scoffed. “She keeps that stern face all day—I wonder who she’s trying to impress. As if marrying His Highness is such a grievance. Fourth Brother, today is your wedding day—her mood is such bad luck, isn’t it?”

Jiang Ye smiled without comment, but Jiang Yun rebuked, “Enough, can’t you say a little less?”

Gong Wue stamped her foot. “I greet you with smiles every day, but she always treats you coldly. She clearly never wanted to marry you—why do you treat her so well?”

“Gong Wue,” Jiang Yun’s face flushed with embarrassment. He stood, shouting, “I didn’t want to marry anyone back then, and I don’t love anyone now. Are you satisfied? Go back to the Eastern Palace.”

“You—you dare scold me like this! I’ll go to Aunt and ask her to stand up for me!” Gong Wue cried, about to leave, but Jiang Chen arrived just in time to stop her.

Jiang Chen hurried to comfort her. “What’s wrong, Third Sister-in-law? Surely Third Brother said something insensitive to upset you. Come, have some pastries and calm yourself. We men are always clumsy with words—don’t mind him.”

Gong Wue found an excuse and sat down. Jiang Chen went to Jiang Yun, speaking quietly, “Third Brother, don’t provoke her. If she complains to the Empress, you’ll be summoned to hear her nagging—do you want that?”

Jiang Yun looked up at Jiang Chen, then sat down angrily without another word.

“Third Sister-in-law, why not go to the side hall? The princesses are discussing the latest fashions and hair ornaments—I saw them chatting happily.”

“Really discussing those things?” Gong Wue was interested.

“Of course. Would I lie to you? You’ll be living in the palace from now on—it’s good to build relationships with the consorts and princesses, don’t you think?”

“That’s true. After all—” Gong Wue didn’t finish her sentence, but Jiang Chen led her to the side hall.

“Third Brother, Ninth Brother, stay here. I’ll go greet the guests.”

“Go ahead.”

When Jiang Ye left, Jiang Yun sighed. “Ninth Brother, if you haven’t met a girl you truly like, don’t rush to marry. I regret it so much now. You’ve seen it—two wives, I—”

Jiang Xuan naturally didn’t respond.

Just then, outside, I saw Xiao Ruo enter, carrying garments and asking questions of the palace eunuch.

Jiang Yun, upon seeing Xiao Ruo, seemed to lose his soul. He stood up, his eyes fixed on her.

The clothes were taken from Xiao Ruo’s hands. As she turned, she saw Jiang Yun and noticed his intense gaze. She bit her lip, her eyes full of unspoken words, but after a single glance, she turned away and left.

“Xiao—” Jiang Yun called out distractedly, taking a step forward, but didn’t pursue her.

He returned, despondent, and asked, “Do you know how she’s doing?”

Jiang Xuan glanced at me, so I stepped forward. “Your Highness, I saw her recently. Miss Xiao Ruo is now working in the Wardrobe Bureau. Life there is much easier than in the Punishment Department.”

Jiang Yun nodded in relief. “That’s best. I always felt guilty toward her and worried Mother was still watching, so I never dared seek her out. I don’t know how much hardship she suffered in the Punishment Department, but now that she’s in the Wardrobe Bureau, I can rest easy.”

Jiang Xuan advised, “Third Brother, it’s best not to dwell on these matters.”

“You don’t understand my pain. Ninth Brother, accompany me for a stroll in the garden. Fourth Brother has always kept the courtyard beautifully.”

“All right.”

Perhaps Jiang Yun wished to speak privately with Jiang Xuan, so Jiang Xuan said to me, “Wait here for now.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Standing alone in the hall was awkward, so I wandered out to look around. Last time at the Eastern Palace, I was too busy to notice what a palace wedding was truly like.

I walked along the row of rooms, down the corridor. Eunuchs and maids hurried back and forth, so busy they scarcely had time for a sip of water.

As I walked further, I heard the sound of a wooden fish being struck. Along with it, the faint scent of incense drifted in the air.

The sound seemed to come from the courtyard ahead. Looking inside, I saw only a few pines and cypresses, a large water vat, a stone table and benches—very simple.

Who lived here?

Curious, I approached, but was stopped by someone who seemed to appear out of nowhere, startling me.

An eunuch.

“You can’t go in here! Get lost!” he said coldly.

“I was just looking around. I came with my master to congratulate the Fourth Prince and was just wandering—please don’t blame me.”

“Who is your master?”

If I said Jiang Xuan, everyone knew Jiang Ye looked down on him, and Jiang Xuan was an unfavored prince. If I revealed it, the eunuch would show me no kindness.

Thinking quickly, I said, “I serve His Highness the Crown Prince. He and Ninth Prince went to see the Fourth Prince’s garden and told me to wait up front.”

“So you’re with the Crown Prince? But you seem unfamiliar.”

I replied, “Fourth Prince and my master are close brothers, always reading and riding together—they often don’t take their servants. You must know Fourth Prince doesn’t like being attended when he goes out?”

The eunuch nodded. “That’s true. I’m not their personal attendant, but I know that much. Fourth Prince and Sixth Prince are young men—they don’t like followers, so I seldom see them bring anyone. The Crown Prince has come a few times, and I don’t recall any servants with him.”

“Exactly. Today is Fourth Prince’s wedding—my master prepared gifts, and I’m here to help carry them.”

The eunuch had started chatting; clearly, with everyone busy, he was quite bored on his own.

“That’s right! That’s right!”

I asked, “Why are you alone here? With Fourth Prince’s wedding, the palace must be in chaos. When the Crown Prince married, it was bedlam!”

After a bit of conversation, the eunuch lowered his guard and explained, “I should be helping, but I have more important duties. Fourth Prince and Sixth Prince instructed me to stay here and watch—I can’t leave.”

“Is someone important living here?”

He looked at me twice. “You must be new here.”

I bowed, smiling. “You have a keen eye, sir. I’ve only served in the Eastern Palace for a few months—I’m not familiar with the palace yet.”

“That explains it.” The eunuch leaned in. “It’s not a secret, but Fourth Prince and Sixth Prince told us not to gossip, so I won’t say much. The one living here is their birth mother, the Virtuous Consort.”

“Oh, I see.”

He straightened. “Don’t spread it—just know.”

“Of course. But today is Fourth Prince’s wedding—shouldn’t Her Highness come out?”

He shook his head. “Since she entered, she’s never left the courtyard. Today, I doubt she’ll appear. These matters are their business—we shouldn’t get involved, right?”

“Indeed. Servants obey their masters.” I’d heard before that the Virtuous Consort had taken up religious practice, but to never leave her courtyard—not even for her own son’s wedding—showed her determination. She could not have become a recluse without reason; something must have driven her to such resolve.