Chapter 7: The Princess’s Scheme
In the Great Jing Dynasty, a princess’s return visit to her family home typically occurred on the second day after the wedding. Early that morning, Mo Shuihan and Princess Jiu, having prepared themselves, entered the palace for their visit. Princess Jiu, being the most favored imperial daughter, should have visited each palace individually, starting with the Empress Dowager. However, the Emperor and Empress Dowager, fearing Princess Jiu would be tired, gathered all the concubines of the various palaces, making it seem as if they were visiting the newlyweds instead.
The women who could survive in the palace were no ordinary women. Even though the Emperor and Empress Dowager’s action was a slight to their faces, they still chatted and laughed freely, warmly engaging with Princess Jiu.
The Emperor raised his hand, preventing the couple from greeting the other concubines. He then introduced them one by one. Those present were the Empress Dowager, the Empress, the Noble Consort, the four lesser consorts, and the Emperor’s only son—the Fifth Prince, born to Consort Chen.
The Emperor was not incapable of having sons, but during his ascension to the throne, there had been a great upheaval in the palace. Several princes were sent out of the palace for safety, but a traitor emerged, and all four princes perished. The Emperor himself was severely injured during the coup, affecting his ability to have children. Thus, for many years, he only had the Fifth Prince, and Consort Chen rose to prominence, becoming one of the four lesser consorts.
This was Mo Shuihan’s first time meeting the four-year-old Fifth Prince. He was exquisitely beautiful and clever, but he didn’t resemble the Emperor in the slightest.
The Emperor introduced the Fifth Prince with a hearty laugh. The Fifth Prince, with bright, round eyes, walked to Mo Shuihan, awkwardly performing a bow, “Greetings, Ninth Sister, Brother-in-law.”
Although his movements were clumsy, his sincerity was evident. His innocent and unguarded demeanor stunned Mo Shuihan, who momentarily forgot to return the bow.
Princess Jiu gently nudged him, then squatted down to chat warmly with the Fifth Prince. She brought out a jade rabbit with ruby eyes to entertain him. The lifelike rabbit captivated the Fifth Prince, and he and Princess Jiu erupted into joyful laughter. Consort Chen smiled gently from the side, not interfering.
At this moment, a palace servant announced, “The Left Minister and the Right Minister request an audience.”
Mo Shuihan snapped back to attention, subtly glancing at Consort Chen. He noticed a barely perceptible glint in her eyes. Her legs moved slightly, unconsciously tightening inwards—a mixture of anticipation and suspicion.
The Left and Right Ministers entered and greeted the Emperor. The Emperor chuckled, “I asked for you to come. Since it’s the Princess’s return visit, familiarize yourselves with the Prince Consort. In the future, I’ll rely on you both to guide and mentor him at court!”
Now that Mo Shuihan was the Prince Consort, the Emperor’s previous plans to exile him were naturally dropped.
The Left and Right Ministers hastily bowed, claiming they wouldn’t dare to presume. Mo Shuihan also politely greeted them. Right Minister Hong Shiyuan already admired Mo Shuihan and engaged him in cordial conversation. Left Minister Xiao Yushou was adept at adapting to circumstances—otherwise, he wouldn’t have inexplicably attacked a newly appointed top scholar. Now, since the Emperor didn’t hold it against him, and Mo Shuihan had become family, he acted amiable and friendly.
Mo Shuihan showed no emotion, carefully engaging with the two ministers. His extensive knowledge and eloquence stirred in them a desire to cultivate a relationship.
Xiao Yushou was quick to speak, “Prince Consort’s insights are extraordinary, and his conversation is engaging. Now that the Fifth Prince is beginning his education, I see that the Fifth Prince seems to quite like the Prince Consort. Why don’t you become the Fifth Prince’s tutor?”
For others, this would be a coveted opportunity, but Mo Shuihan was quick to decline, “Left Minister is too kind. I shouldn’t refuse, but as a newcomer to court, I am still unsure of myself. How dare I be a teacher? The Fifth Prince is of high status, and only someone like the Left or Right Minister, a person of high integrity, would be suitable. I am truly unworthy.”
While annoyed that Mo Shuihan was being uncooperative and rejecting him, Xiao Yushou saw his humility and subtle flattery, calming his anger. He watched to see how he’d respond to the Right Minister.
Seeing the Left Minister’s rejection, the Right Minister felt elated and became even more amicable, “My conversation with the Prince Consort just now made me feel as if I’ve found a kindred spirit. If you would not disdain me, old man, I’d be willing to act as half a teacher to the Prince Consort. I can’t teach you about books and etiquette, but I can help you navigate the intricacies of court life.”
Mo Shuihan didn’t hesitate, politely refusing again, “I am deeply grateful for the Right Minister’s esteem, but because I’ve already formally taken on a master, I dare not betray my teacher’s trust and disappoint the Right Minister’s kindness.”
His words were equally elegant, yet his refusal was unmistakable. Left Minister Xiao Yushou was finally satisfied: As long as Mo Shuihan didn’t side with the Right Minister, he could remain neutral. He was nothing more than an arrogant scholar who didn’t understand the situation.
The Right Minister didn’t get angry but chuckled, “To be able to teach a top scholar, one must be extraordinary. I wonder who the Prince Consort’s teacher is?”
Mo Shuihan didn’t hide it, “My teacher is simply a reclusive person who lives in Baishan Mountain.”
The others gasped. Only one person could live in Baishan Mountain: “Could it be Master Yunhe?”
Mo Shuihan nodded. The Emperor sighed, “No wonder the Prince Consort, at such a young age, possesses such extensive knowledge. Only he could have taught him.”
The Left Minister’s eyes twinkled, “Since he’s a disciple of Master Yunhe, he’s naturally beyond the reach of ordinary people. Wouldn’t this make him perfectly suited to tutor the Fifth Prince? There’s no one more suitable in the entire court.”
Mo Shuihan was about to speak when Princess Jiu quietly pulled him back, stepping forward, speaking unceremoniously, “Even dragons have nine sons, each different. Moreover, my Prince Consort is merely a student of that old man. Besides, the Prince Consort has just entered court and hasn’t even figured things out for himself. How can he have the energy to teach the prince? Left Minister, are you repeatedly making things difficult for him because he offended you somehow?”
Left Minister quickly waved his hands, laughing, “Princess, you jest. I’ve only met the Prince Consort a few times. I truly admire his talent, so I’ve mentioned it several times.”
Princess Jiu scoffed, “In my opinion, you’re clearly being lazy and shirking responsibility. The Emperor entrusted you with finding a tutor for the Fifth Prince, but you don’t want to exert yourself, so you’re pushing the task onto my Prince Consort. In this way, if anything goes wrong, it will all be his fault, and it will have nothing to do with you!”
Left Minister bowed and apologized, smiling, “I was lazy for a moment, and the princess saw through it. I was presumptuous. I apologize to the princess and the Prince Consort.”
Princess Jiu snorted, and the Emperor, sitting above, laughed, “They say daughters favor their husbands. Look, it’s only been a few days since your marriage, and you call him ‘Prince Consort’ already, forgetting your father and mother entirely.”
This caused everyone to laugh. Princess Jiu’s face flushed, but she still held her head high and argued, “You three old foxes who have been immersed in court for many years, yet my Prince Consort is just a scholar newly entering court who doesn’t understand anything, and you’re ganging up to scheme against him. Aren’t you ashamed?”
Mo Shuihan tugged at Princess Jiu’s sleeve, “Princess…”
“Don’t call me ‘Princess’! You’re easily fooled, yet you always pull me into things,” Princess Jiu flung off his sleeve and glared at him.
Mo Shuihan smiled gently, “Thank you, Princess, for helping me.”
Princess Jiu proudly raised her head, “That’s more like it.”
Although their voices were low, everyone could hear them. Seeing their playful interaction, they simply took it as newlywed affection, and no one raised further objections.
As they left the palace, Princess Jiu dismissed her maids, then asked, “Why were you staring at the young prince?”
Mo Shuihan laughed evasively, “Didn’t the Left Minister mention having me be his teacher? Although I refused, I still worried about it.”
Princess Jiu nodded, “Is that so? But you clearly seemed concerned the moment you saw the young prince.”
Engrossed in conversation, Princess Jiu didn’t notice a stone on the ground and twisted her ankle. Mo Shuihan quickly caught her, “Are you alright?”
Princess Jiu cried out in pain, “It hurts…”
Mo Shuihan quickly helped her sit down on a nearby stone step. Her maid, Xia He, rushed forward to remove Princess Jiu’s shoes and socks to examine her foot. The other maids surrounded them, preventing anyone from seeing Princess Jiu.
Princess Jiu was fine after sitting for a while. Xia He checked her and found no problem. She was about to report to the Prince Consort, but Princess Jiu gave her a signal. Xia He nodded understandingly and changed her expression, “Prince Consort, the Princess has twisted her ankle and can’t walk for the time being.”
Mo Shuihan knew a little medicine, leaned over to look at Princess Jiu’s foot, and asked with some doubt, “Let me see.”
Princess Jiu quickly avoided his hand, tucking her foot under her skirt, “Men and women shouldn’t touch each other. Don’t you know?”
Mo Shuihan looked at her expressionlessly, “I am your Prince Consort. Why shouldn’t we touch?”
Princess Jiu felt guilty and avoided his gaze, stubbornly arguing, “I won’t let you see. I can’t walk now, so just leave me here.”
Mo Shuihan sighed, “What do you want?”
Princess Jiu glared at him, “What else can I want when I’m like this?”
Mo Shuihan looked at Princess Jiu silently, his cold eyes seeming to understand everything. Princess Jiu felt uneasy and lowered her head, but then heard a clear voice above her, “Get on.”
“Ah?” Princess Jiu looked up and realized that Mo Shuihan had silently turned around, kneeling before her.
Mo Shuihan said without looking back, “Get on. I’ll carry you out of the palace.”
Princess Jiu giggled and climbed onto Mo Shuihan’s back, winking secretly at Xia He when he wasn’t looking.