The splendid blossoms of the Chinese hawthorn—why must they grow so far away?

In the Palace of Auspicious Radiance, Xu Guiyi was still unaware that the court intended to thoroughly investigate the administration of Jiangdong, for she was preoccupied with the grand matter of the crown prince’s upcoming marriage in a month’s time.

According to the customs of the imperial family of Dayi, when the crown prince married, he would take one principal consort and, in addition, two secondary consorts. This was Xu Guiyi’s first time managing such an event, and she had meant to seek advice from the Princess of Jiancheng. Unexpectedly, Xu Zhouyan frowned as soon as she heard her plan.

“What is it? Is it very troublesome?” Xu Guiyi asked cautiously.

But Xu Zhouyan replied, with a feigned air, “I wouldn’t know if it’s troublesome or not. Since I entered the Jiancheng estate, we have never taken a secondary consort, nor has any concubine entered our door. I have no experience in such matters.”

Xu Guiyi was left speechless. Fine, you and your husband are so loving, showing off your affection to this extent—what could she possibly say to that?

“Then I…” Xu Guiyi started to think of her eldest sister, Xu Guangyan.

“Elder sister is returning to Donghai tomorrow. The Wen family is large and prosperous—they can’t do without the two of them,” Xu Zhouyan replied with a hint of resentment.

Watching Xu Zhouyan, Xu Guiyi worried she might bite her own lip and hurriedly asked, “Did you argue with eldest sister again today? No wonder her expression was off when I came in.”

Xu Zhouyan turned her head away, hiding the tears that welled up in her eyes.

“In the past, Father always restricted me, forbidding me from going here or there. When discussing marriage, the furthest was still within the five counties of Jiangdong. Back then, I only wanted to venture farther, to see the vast beauty of our land… Yet, on the day Father left the capital, he held my hand and wouldn’t let go, his eyes reddened. Suddenly, I felt I’d been unfilial… But, second sister, growing up, parting, meeting again, growing old—these are all inevitable. All we can do is cherish every moment we have with our family.”

“I know all of this. It’s not that I mean to quarrel with her—I just can’t help myself,” Xu Zhouyan grumbled.

“Enough, I was just about to consult our eldest sister on something. Second sister, come with me,” Xu Guiyi said, convinced she was mediating a family quarrel, feeling rather pleased with herself.

Xu Zhouyan immediately interjected, “If you’re going to ask her about the matter of concubines, forget it. She can’t help you. Though brother-in-law has many chambermaids, he’s never taken a concubine.”

Now it was Xu Guiyi’s turn to grumble, complaining about her own hard lot—how she was already overwhelmed by her new responsibilities in the Eastern Palace, and now had to oversee the crown prince’s marriage as well…

To Xu Zhouyan, it sounded like an annoying mosquito buzzing in her ear. She quickly said, “Why don’t you ask Her Majesty the Empress? She’s surely experienced in these matters.”

Xu Guiyi blushed. “Of course, I’ll have to ask her. But I thought I’d get some advice from you first, and then discuss it further with Her Majesty. I can’t just go in completely unprepared—wouldn’t that make me appear an unvirtuous crown princess?”

“Let me tell you, His Majesty took quite a few secondary consorts when he was still a prince—all of which were arranged by Her Majesty. But when you ask, be careful—stick to the rituals and procedures, don’t pry into other things, lest you touch upon sad memories for Her Majesty,” Xu Zhouyan advised earnestly.

“I understand, don’t worry, second sister—I won’t ask more than I should,” Xu Guiyi quickly promised.

“You know, the crown prince already doesn’t favor you. You must at least get along well with Her Majesty. If you can keep her happy, life in the imperial household will be much easier for you.”

“I really envy you, second sister. You and your husband live harmoniously, with no mother-in-law to deal with,” Xu Guiyi sighed.

“Of course,” someone replied, unabashedly smug.

Outside Yonghui Pavilion, Xu Guiyi was stopped once again by the crown prince’s guards.

The first time she had come, the guard said the prince was not in.

The second time, the guard said the prince had retired for the night.

Once or twice—Xu Guiyi did not take it to heart.

The third time…

“Go and inform the crown prince that I have come to discuss the arrangements for the secondary consorts. Please ask him to see me,” Xu Guiyi said, restraining her anger.

“Yes, Your Highness,” the guard, cowed by her authority, went inside to announce her.

Xiyue, holding a stack of memorials, followed behind Xu Guiyi, her own displeasure evident.

After half an hour, the guard finally returned. “Your Highness, the crown prince will see you now.”

This was Xu Guiyi’s first time entering the prince’s study—a room on the second floor, facing south, bright with sunlight.

From her vantage point, Fu Lanchen sat at his desk, dressed in pale jade-white robes, his posture relaxed, brows slightly raised, his expression unreadable, those dark, deep eyes falling indifferently upon her.

As she entered, Fu Lanchen straightened slightly, long, elegant fingers still toying with a jasper qilin.

“Your consort greets Your Highness,” Xu Guiyi said, bowing slightly.

“Mm.” Fu Lanchen replied indifferently, his gaze sweeping over her.

Xu Guiyi wore a pale robe with patterns of drifting clouds, wide sleeves, shoes of clear-water green silk, a golden jade bracelet on her wrist with willow motifs, and in her hair, a hairpin of begonia-shaped jade and pearls. Her eyes were clear and limpid as spring water.

She seemed to have a particular fondness for that greenish hue.

Striking as she was, her tastes were surprisingly subdued.

So thought Fu Lanchen.

It was dusk, the sun slanting westward, golden light streaming through the carved peachwood windows, bathing the room in warmth.

“What brings you here?” The master of the study, however, spoke with chilling indifference.

Xu Guiyi stepped forward gracefully. “The Astronomer’s Office has set an auspicious date for the ceremony on the twenty-fifth of the eighth month. Mother and I have already discussed the general arrangements, but there are a few important details that require Your Highness’s approval.” Xu Guiyi felt confident her words were proper and appropriate.

“Only two secondary consorts? I seem to recall the An family’s daughter is also to enter the residence that day,” Fu Lanchen said suddenly, displeasure clouding his face.

“Naturally, there is also one more, a Lady of Baolin rank,” Xu Guiyi replied, momentarily startled before regaining her smile.

Fu Lanchen gave a cold snort and did not press further. Xu Guiyi reached for the memorials from Xiyue, and, one by one, read through the details.

She recited seven in all, and throughout, Fu Lanchen spoke barely ten words: “Fine.” “Let it be so.” “Keep it simple.” “No need for extravagance.” “You decide.”

“Since that’s settled, the details of the wedding are now complete. Many thanks for Your Highness’s effort.” Though she was arranging his marriage, Xu Guiyi had to thank him for his trouble.

Truly, being the mistress of a household was no easy task.

“If that’s all, Crown Princess, you may go. I have pressing matters to attend to.” Not a single gentle word from start to finish.

Xu Guiyi glanced at the zitan desk: on the left, a white porcelain candlestick with blue fish-tail patterns; on the right, a celadon plum-blossom brush holder; in the center, an ancient painting—so these were the crown prince’s “pressing matters”: appraising art.

Three centuries ago, the Autumn Master’s “Crows in the Cold” was indeed a masterpiece.

“Your Highness is fond of the Autumn Master’s work?” The moment she spoke, Xu Guiyi regretted it.

Fu Lanchen’s gaze was icy. “Didn’t you just say you were busy, Crown Princess?” If she was indeed so busy, why meddle in his affairs?

“I overstepped, forgive me. I’ll take my leave,” Xu Guiyi said at once, bowing and retreating.

Why did she have to ask that? she scolded herself.

Exiting Yonghui Pavilion, Xiyue glanced anxiously at Xu Guiyi and whispered, “Your Highness, it seems the crown prince really doesn’t like us disturbing him.”

The girl was being tactful—he didn’t just dislike being disturbed, he plainly disliked their very presence.

“His Highness doesn’t like to be close to others—not just us. He’s… sealed his heart away, and so keeps people at a distance.”

“Then why must we go against his wishes and upset him?” Xiyue, usually bold, was nevertheless fearful of Fu Lanchen.

“Others may avoid him because of his temper, but I am his wife—it’s my duty to do what a wife ought to do. Xiyue, the world thinks I married into the Eastern Palace because of the Empress’s decree. But you know, that’s not the whole reason, do you?” Xu Guiyi asked, half to Xiyue, half to herself.

“Well, let’s hurry back to Chunhui Hall—we still have work to do,” Xu Guiyi finished with a smile, comforting Xiyue.

Xiyue followed Xu Guiyi back to Chunhui Hall, distracted and troubled along the way. Lately, she’d been constantly wondering if she had done the right thing when, at Xu Guiyi’s suggestion, she had deliberately let the portrait fall into the hands of the third branch, watching as they took it to the court painter.

Since entering the Xu family, she had always served at Xu Guiyi’s side. Over the years, Xu Guiyi had treated her with utmost kindness. In Xiyue’s eyes, Xu Guiyi was like the Moon Goddess herself—she ought not to spend her life in the palace, enduring such indignities.

As the crown prince took new consorts, Xu Guiyi worked herself thin for a month, arranging everything while the newcomers entered in splendor, and she herself grew noticeably gaunt. Before leaving the capital, Xu Zhouyan scolded her fiercely for working so diligently for her future rivals, calling her a fool.

The “rivals” Xu Zhouyan spoke of were, of course, the two new Ladies of Liangdi and the Lady of Baolin entering the Eastern Palace.

Xu Guiyi just smiled, “It’s only to earn a reputation for virtue.”

At these words, Xu Zhouyan suddenly stopped scolding. The crown princess was already unfavored. If she didn’t have a name for virtue to win the Empress’s good graces, how could her foolish sister ever establish herself in the royal family?

No one understood that better than Xu Zhouyan.

“I’m returning to Yecheng soon. You must be careful now, handling matters in the Eastern Palace. Managing a household is like conducting oneself—be observant, never neglect the smallest details. With the concubines, balance strictness and leniency—too tight or too loose is no good, understand?” Xu Zhouyan admonished earnestly, the very model of a caring elder sister. Xu Guiyi thought the metaphor suited perfectly.

“I understand, second sister,” Xu Guiyi answered with a nod.

“Do your duty as the crown princess with proper dignity. As long as you give no one a handle against you, no one can bully you,” Xu Zhouyan said, just before boarding her carriage.

“Don’t worry, second sister—I’ll do my best,” Xu Guiyi replied.

The two sisters discussed the same matter, yet in truth, they spoke of different things.

Xu Zhouyan was speaking of Xu Guiyi’s latter days.

Xu Guiyi, however, was plotting for the years before her.