Yun Ran’s cheerful smile suddenly froze.
Chang Chun saw this and sighed inwardly. He had warned her earlier, but she didn’t believe him— there was no need to make things more complicated.
Sigh, youth.
“Honestly, there’s nothing much to see in there. It’s all snakes, including a black-patterned giant python as thick as a pagoda tree. Its fangs are so long, and its wide-open mouth is truly terrifying.”
Chang Chun gestured with his hand, trying to comfort her. “His Highness probably didn’t let you in because he was worried you’d be scared.”
“You don’t need to coax me,” Yun Ran said, her eyelids drooping slightly. “I’m not scared at all…”
She was just being stubborn! Such a little troublemaker!
At that moment, a Little Eunuch Supervisor hurried over and bowed respectfully. “Your Highness, Mistress, reporting that Langui Mama from the harem has arrived. She is currently waiting in the front hall.”
Yun Ran was momentarily stunned.
Langui Mama coming now meant the Empress Dowager had something to say.
She glanced at the tightly shut iron door, then at Chang Chun beside her.
Taking a deep breath, she shoved the food box she was holding into Chang Chun’s arms. “You go ahead and see what’s going on. Take these pastries to His Highness.”
“Tell him I thank him for carrying me back to the manor yesterday. As for him… well, about him not letting me into the Willow Immortal Court… Hmph, if he doesn’t let me in, then I don’t care!”
With that, she swaggered off alongside the Little Eunuch.
Chang Chun held the food box, his expression sour.
The princess consort really spoke without thinking, daring to call the prince a little troublemaker.
He helplessly shook his head, lifted the corner of the food box, and peeked inside. It was filled with pastries and sweets— what a predicament.
His Highness never liked these sugary treats. Even when the Imperial Kitchen’s best pastry chef sent him delicacies, he wouldn’t so much as glance at them. So even if the princess consort sent them, it was just a wasted effort.
Though thinking this, Chang Chun still held the food box, donned his protective gear, and entered the Willow Immortal Court again.
The weather had suddenly turned chilly, and the snakes were no longer active. Each one curled up in their own cozy corners, gradually entering hibernation.
Sima Jing had just finished feeding a batch of snakes that hadn’t gone into hibernation yet when he heard a “click” sound outside the door, frowning.
Before he could reprimand, Chang Chun quickly held up the food box. “Your Highness, the princess consort sent these snacks with me!”
Sima Jing’s eyes flickered slightly. “Where is she?”
“Langui Mama from the palace arrived, so the princess consort went to receive her in the front hall.”
At this, Sima Jing’s thick brows furrowed deeper.
After a moment, he spoke, “Understood.”
Chang Chun secretly let out a breath, nervously asking, “This… snack?”
Sima Jing glanced at the food box silently for a moment, then said, “Bring it here.”
Chang Chun was surprised but kept his expression steady and carefully placed the food box on the nearby table.
Of course, he didn’t forget to convey the princess consort’s words before she left—
“The princess consort said she thanks you for carrying her back yesterday. As for you… as for you…”
“For me what?”
“…”
Clearing his throat, Chang Chun parroted, “The princess consort said, hmpf, as for you, the little troublemaker, not letting her into the Willow Immortal Court, if you don’t let her in, then she doesn’t care!”
Sima Jing: “…”
Chang Chun lowered his head sheepishly. “That was exactly what the princess consort said.”
Although Chang Chun’s high-pitched voice made Sima Jing feel queasy, his mind couldn’t help but picture how the little lady must have said it—
Surely with a pout, raised eyebrows, and a face full of defiance.
But to think she actually dared to call him a little troublemaker?
Last night when she clung to him and refused to let go, he hadn’t thrown her straight into the snake pit—he was being very merciful.
“Understood.”
Sima Jing said, “Go see what the visitor from the palace wants.”
Chang Chun responded and bowed, then withdrew.
At the courtyard gate, he habitually glanced back once more.
He saw the prince, wrapped in a dark cloak, open the food box and stare at the pastries inside for a moment. Then he picked up a soft, pink, glutinous pastry and actually put it into his mouth.
Chang Chun was so shocked he nearly popped his eyes out.
Their master, who had never liked sweets, was voluntarily eating a pastry?
And it was this kind of fruit-filled, cloyingly sweet-looking cake?
Sima Jing sat quietly on the stone bench, slowly chewing the rose jam pastry.
The sweet fragrance of the cake spread across his tongue.
For a moment, it seemed as if he could smell the unique, elegant sweetness that belonged only to her.
Yesterday, when she lay breathless in his arms, her breath had carried a faint sweetness. Could it be because she usually ate these fruit-flavored, flowery pastries?
***
In the front hall, the aroma of tea curled softly in the air.
Yun Ran was chatting warmly with Langui Mama.
Langui Mama looked at the petite young princess consort sitting gracefully in the seat, her hair styled in the Chaoyun Jinxian bun, dressed in a thin coral red jacket, and smiled. “This old servant sees the princess consort looks well. It seems you’ve been living quite comfortably since marrying in?”
“Quite well,” Yun Ran smiled gently. “His Highness isn’t very talkative and can be a bit cold, but other than that, everything is fine.”
Langui Mama saw the genuine ease in her expression and silently relaxed.
She sipped two mouthfuls of freshly brewed fragrant tea before beginning to relay the Empress Dowager’s instructions.
She ended with, “Please forgive this old servant’s slow mind and age.”
Learning that the Empress Dowager had directly assigned Langui Mama to serve in their manor was a surprise.
From the tone, it seemed she would remain in the prince’s residence until retirement.
Yun Ran was both surprised and pleased. “That’s great news!”
She looked genuinely happy. “The past few days without you by my side, I really felt unsettled. Now that you’re back, it’s like having wings and divine help!”
“Princess Consort.”
Langui Mama chuckled.
Though serving the Empress Dowager in the palace was prestigious, perhaps due to her age, in recent years she had longed for a simpler, more peaceful life.
Having served in the palace most of her life, unmarried and childless, she knew well that the distant nephews and nieces who wished to care for her did so only because of silver coins.
Better to stay in the palace, where at least her heart felt at ease.
Perhaps the Empress Dowager had sensed her situation and noticed how fond she was of this little princess consort, so she took the opportunity to arrange for her to be transferred to the Jing Prince’s manor—
Thus caring for the young couple on behalf of the Empress Dowager, and also finding the old servant a peaceful place to retire, achieving two goals at once.
Langui Mama was grateful to the Empress Dowager and dared not forget her instructions.
So, as soon as Yun Ran returned to the back courtyard’s Zhanlu Hall, Langui Mama quietly took the chance to ask, “Princess Consort, how are things going with His Highness in the bridal chamber? Are you both well?”
Yun Ran was a little startled. When she realized what was being asked, her ears flushed hot. “Mama, why are you asking about that?”
Langui Mama replied, “Has anyone else asked you?”
Yun Ran blushed and said, “When I returned home yesterday, Mother also asked me.”
Langui Mama nodded knowingly. “It’s natural for the Lady of the Marquis of Changxin to inquire. After all, harmony in the marital relationship helps with affection between husband and wife.”
“And now that you are a princess consort, bearing offspring for the prince’s manor is a top priority. This isn’t just for you and His Highness but also for the royal family’s dignity and the honor of your own Marquis’s Mansion.”
“Ah, is it that serious?”
Yun Ran’s cheeks flushed, and she frowned seriously. “But I’m only fifteen this year. The Book of Obstetrics says early pregnancy is bad for the child, and besides…”
Mother also said there was no need to rush; just let nature take its course.
Langui Mama hadn’t expected this little princess consort to not only recite sutras but also have read books on obstetrics and childbirth. Truly calm waters run deep.
“The books make sense, but conceiving is not something that happens immediately.”
Langui Mama considered for a moment before bluntly revealing the secret of the young couple’s wedding night: “I suppose you and His Highness… have yet to consummate the marriage?”
Yun Ran had no idea about the bridal veil incident, so hearing this didn’t fluster her.
She just smiled shyly. “Mother told me on the wedding night to obey His Highness. So when he told me to be quiet and sleep, I just did.”
Langui Mama: “…”
One dared to speak, the other listened—truly two perfect blocks of wood.
She was about to give Yun Ran a proper talk about marital matters when a maid quietly reminded them that lunch was ready.
Langui Mama suggested, “Princess Consort, why not invite His Highness to join you for lunch? It’s a good chance to talk.”
Yun Ran’s expression darkened slightly.
She’d just been turned away by him recently and was still annoyed.
No way was she dining with him.
Turning her face away, she coughed awkwardly, “I was just about to go to the study. His Highness is busy; maybe later.”
Langui Mama saw this and sensed something was off but didn’t push, smiling as she rose. “That’s fine.”
“Since you have the time today, after lunch, I’ll help you review the household affairs. Now that you’re the mistress of the manor, you must understand all the accounts and properties well to be in control.”
Yun Ran, who had planned to cultivate a vacant patch in the back courtyard that afternoon, sighed. “Alright, let’s get the more profitable work done first. The land won’t run away; I’ll take care of it when I have time.”
After lunch, Yun Ran rested a bit, then brought Langui Mama to the Hall of Fragrant Tea to summon the servants and go over the account books.
Back when she was in the Daoguan, she had seen Senior Sister manage the accounts.
But their small Daoguan only had six people; the accounts were simple.
This large manor, though appearing quiet and desolate, actually employed nearly a hundred people. As for all the various properties and shops, it was a massive income and expenditure.
After an entire afternoon, Yun Ran’s mind had only one thought—
Sima Jing is so rich!!
And all this wealth was now in her hands, managed and spent by her.