The entire capital was festive and bustling. Commoners and nobles of all ages lined the road to watch the bridal procession. The city was adorned in red, celebrating this grand wedding after a month of the mourning period.
Three months ago, the Empress Dowager had arranged the marriage between the Fifth Prince and Xiao Feng, the third daughter of the Left Prime Minister, Xiao. The Empress Dowager had been bedridden at the time and sought to secure a good husband for Xiao Feng. Since birth, Xiao Feng had been betrothed to the Eighth Prince, also the Crown Prince and the Empress's only son, who had mysteriously gone missing two years ago.
The Empress had adopted the Fifth Prince when he was young, after his mother, one of her closest friends, passed away. Wanting to provide Xiao Feng with a suitable match, the Empress Dowager proposed this marriage. But a month ago, she passed away, and the Emperor declared a one-month mourning period with no celebrations or festivities. Consequently, the wedding was postponed until today.
After all the rituals, the bride was escorted to the bridal chamber. Xiao Feng waited for four hours before asking a maid to go and look for Prince Jing. Senior Maid Weining, a gift from the Empress to assist Xiao Feng in managing the manor, stood nearby, along with Linlin, Xiao Feng's bodyguard, and her four dowry maids.
A few minutes later, the maid returned, running and bowing deeply.
"Your Highness, Princess Consort, have mercy," the maid whispered, trembling.
"Where is His Highness?" Weining demanded.
"His Highness left the banquet a few hours ago."
Xiao Feng removed her veil and stood, causing all the maids to kneel.
"Weining?" Xiao Feng looked at her, not believing Weining could be unaware of his absence.
"Calm down, Princess Consort. This maid does not dare to reply," Weining said, bowing. The other maids bowed as well, except for Linlin, who stood firm.
Xiao Feng went to the dining table and poured herself tea, spilling as she poured. Two years ago, she had been willful and impulsive. But now, she had a calm, composed air, as though she wasn't the bride, and as though the servants weren't kneeling for her. She drank from her cup.
"What was I even expecting? Who doesn't know about Prince Jing's affair with Ms. Zhao? Prince Jing must be with her," Xiao Feng muttered after a sip.
Although an affair before marriage was a crime, everyone kept silent about Prince Jing and Ms. Zhao's relationship. After all, he was the Fifth Prince, and she was the daughter of the Grand Preceptor.
"Help me change," Xiao Feng ordered, and the maids quickly helped her out of her wedding attire and prepared her bed.
---
The next morning, Xiao Feng was woken early and instructed to prepare for a trip to the palace. Still tired, she ate some desserts that Weining had packed, ignoring Prince Jing, who was in the carriage beside her.
"Where are your manners?" he said, his irritation clear.
Prince Jing had seen Xiao Feng many times before the marriage, even meeting her alongside his Eighth Royal Brother. He knew her well and disliked her lack of etiquette and willfulness. He preferred a quiet, modest woman who would depend on him, not one with Xiao Feng's boldness, even if her beauty surpassed that of most. Ambition, in his view, wasn't something beauty could sway.
Xiao Feng glared at him before turning away and continued eating as she pleased.
"Xiao Feng," he continued, "I want you to know there is nothing between us beyond name. We are merely husband and wife in title. You may stay as Princess Consort Jing as long as you mind your own business. And if the Royal Father or Royal Mother asks for your approval in accepting Ming'er, you will agree."
She stopped eating, placed down her dessert, turned to face him, dusted her dress, and sat with perfect posture.
"Are you asking me to accept a concubine?" Xiao Feng asked.
"Xiao Feng! Don't test my patience," he replied through gritted teeth. But he took a breath, reminding himself that Xiao Feng was still young and not worth his anger.
"Understand, Ming'er is the daughter of Imperial Duke Zhao, and I wish to make her my second wife."
Xiao Feng raised an eyebrow. "That's not too difficult. But—"
He smiled, sensing that she would agree. "Tell me what you want."
"You know if you accept another so soon after my marriage, it reflects poorly on me. I will mind my own affairs in my courtyard, and everything there will be mine alone. I ask that no one interferes. She may be a concubine, but nothing more."
After a pause, Prince Jing nodded. "Very well."
---
Upon arrival at the palace, they greeted the Emperor and other royal family members. Xiao Feng spent the afternoon in the Middle Palace, surrounded by the Empress, Princess Dowager, consorts, and other princess consorts, enduring their gossip and teasing.
That evening, she returned to the manor alone, as Prince Jing had business to attend to. Without delay, she began managing household matters. By midnight, after finalizing accounts, she finally retired to bed.
A week later, after visiting her family, Prince Jing held a celebration to welcome his "second wife," Zhao Ming. While many viewed it as a spectacle, with even Prime Minister Xiao and Grand Preceptor Zhao at odds in court, Xiao Feng appeared indifferent. She even organized the wedding and personally welcomed Zhao Ming.
The next day in the main hall, Zhao Ming offered tea to Xiao Feng, who gifted her a box of jewelry. Xiao Feng was caught off guard when Prince Jing requested that she hand over the household management to Zhao Ming.
Stunned, she forced a smile. "Ms. Zhao is my elder and surely better suited to manage the household. I'll leave it in her capable hands," Xiao Feng said before quietly retreating to her courtyard.
Later, she sighed for what felt like the hundredth time, recalling the scene. Finally, Weining spoke up.
"Your Highness, should we inform the Empress or Princess Dowager? How can a concubine manage the manor?"
"She isn't a concubine; she's a wife now," Xiao Feng replied with a sudden smile. "Besides, if I can't handle such a minor issue, how can I face anyone?"
With that, she stood and suggested they play a game. Soon, her courtyard was alive with laughter as she and her servants enjoyed a moment of carefree joy.
---
Two weeks later, Xiao Feng and Zhao Ming were invited to the Middle Palace for a banquet held by the Empress. The wives and concubines of the princes, along with the royal princesses, were all in attendance. The banquet was a festive occasion filled with gossip and delicacies.
As the women were socializing, Zhao Ming abruptly excused herself and ran outside, looking ill. Concerned, the Empress ordered an imperial physician to examine her. The physician confirmed that Zhao Ming was pregnant. The Empress, though mildly annoyed by the situation in Prince Jing's manor, refrained from addressing it directly, opting to handle it in her own way.
Upon returning to the manor, Xiao Feng instructed Weining to prepare gifts for Zhao Ming in celebration of the pregnancy. The next day, the Empress sent a eunuch to inform Zhao Ming that, due to her condition, household duties should revert to Xiao Feng to allow her to rest.
Though Prince Jing was initially angered, he also wanted Ming'er to avoid unnecessary strain, so he asked Xiao Feng to arrange a banquet to celebrate the pregnancy.
Days passed, and Xiao Feng, now engrossed in her many tasks, had a chance encounter with an old friend, a merchant who always managed to bring a smile to her face.
---
On the fourth day of the fourth month, preparations were completed for the banquet at Prince Jing's manor. Beneath the festivities, two separate schemes were unfolding.
The Third Prince had orchestrated an assassination plot, intending to eliminate the Second Prince and, perhaps, all rival princes, as he was poised to become the Crown Prince. Meanwhile, Zhao Ming was scheming to frame Xiao Feng for attempting to harm her unborn child, hoping to force a divorce.
As the banquet commenced, Zhao Ming sat beside Prince Jing, while Xiao Feng occupied her own seat. The festivities were lively, with music and a beautiful performance in the center of the room.
During the feast, the Second Prince turned to Xiao Feng. "Sister-in-law, when will you share some good news of your own?"
Caught off guard, Xiao Feng glanced up, having been preoccupied with her meal. She barely registered the question at first.
Her older sister, Xiao Qi, who was married to the Second Prince, interjected, "Your Highness, my sister is still young. You shouldn't jest."
Xiao Feng cleared her throat, then replied, "My elder sisters will undoubtedly bring such good news before me." Her response caught everyone off guard, as some had anticipated a chance to mock her.
The young noblewomen, especially those who envied Xiao Feng, were left speechless, and even the Second Prince could only laugh, tossing her a cup of wine, which she accepted with a smile.
Amid the laughter, Zhao Ming smiled weakly at Prince Jing, who patted her hand reassuringly. She took a bite of dessert, setting her plan into motion. Soon, she began coughing, drawing everyone's attention. Prince Jing called for a physician, his voice tense.
"What's wrong with Ming'er?" he demanded.
"Lady Zhao appears to have ingested something she shouldn't," the physician replied.
"The baby?"
"Nothing to worry about. Only a little bit injested"
"It's the cake. I think someone must have put nuts in it" Lady Zhao pointed towards the desserts.
"Didn't the servants in the manor not know Lady Zhao is allergic to peanuts?" Prince Jing asked with a stern voice. It is his first child after all and he loves Ming'er. How can he let someone hurt something belonging to him?