The carriage Jiuzhu was riding in came to a halt beside the dismounting stone at the Chen Prince's Mansion.
"Up ahead is the Chen Prince's Mansion. May I ask where the esteemed guest is from?" The guard of the mansion stopped the carriage. "If you wish to enter, please hand over your waist token so I may report your arrival."
Jiuzhu hadn't expected so many formalities to visit the mansion. Clutching a small box in her arms, she lifted the curtain and looked at the guard. "I am the daughter of Vice Minister Ming and have come to see His Highness on urgent business. Could you kindly report my arrival?"
The guard glanced at the young lady in the carriage and was struck by her beautiful, spring-like eyes. He dared not look too long and quickly lowered his head. "Please wait a moment, esteemed guest. I will report your arrival immediately."
"Thank you," Jiuzhu replied, holding the wooden box with one hand as she stepped out of the carriage.
"Miss," Chunfen quickly opened an umbrella to shield Jiuzhu from the falling snow. "The snow is heavy. You should wait inside the carriage."
"It's fine. I just wanted to look around," Jiuzhu said, taking the umbrella from Chunfen. "Chunfen, make sure you have an umbrella too."
"You're always so thoughtful, miss," Chunfen said softly, as she and the other servants opened their umbrellas. "With such heavy snow, we should have sent someone ahead to the mansion before coming."
"It's alright. I was just taking a stroll anyway," Jiuzhu replied, her eyes wandering curiously over the Chen Prince's Mansion. The mansion was beautiful, and even the dismounting stone was grander than those of other households.
"Your Highness," Fugui whispered to the lump of blankets on the bed. "It's already half-past nine."
"Get out!" A soft pillow flew from the bed and landed on the floor.
Fugui hastily retreated.
"Eunuch," the mansion's steward approached Fugui as he exited the prince's chambers. "The gatekeeper reports that Miss Ming has come to visit."
"Miss Ming?" Fugui frowned. "Did she send a visiting card in advance?"
The steward shook his head.
"This is..." Fugui glanced back at the prince's chambers, feeling torn. His Highness had been in a foul mood lately, rising early every day to attend the Ministry of Revenue. Today was his day off, and with the snow falling, Fugui didn't dare disturb the young master's rest.
Remembering how the prince treasured the painting Miss Ming had gifted him, even refusing to let Fugui take a look, Fugui gritted his teeth and turned back into the room.
"Your Highness..."
"Why are you back again?" Prince Chen sat up in bed. "Get out! If anyone dares to come in before noon, I'll have them thrown out of the mansion."
"Your Highness," Fugui said with a forced smile. "It's not that I wish to disturb your rest, but there is urgent news to report."
"What is it?" Prince Chen slid back under the warm covers, unwilling to move.
"Miss Ming has come to visit. Would Your Highness like to see her?"
"Who did you say?" Prince Chen shot up from the bed, and Fugui hurriedly helped him dress.
"The daughter of Vice Minister Ming."
"Where is she now?" Prince Chen pulled on his robe and stepped into his deerskin boots.
"She's still at the dismounting stone..."
"Are you all idiots? Do you not use your brains?!" Prince Chen grabbed water to rinse his mouth, wiped his face with a towel, and threw on the nearest cloak before storming out. "You left a young lady waiting in this snowstorm?!"
"Your Highness, your hair isn't tied..."
Fugui chased after him, scolding the servants waiting outside. "Hurry up and bring a hand warmer to His Highness!"
"Miss, the snow is getting heavier," Chunfen whispered. "You should wait in the carriage."
Jiuzhu shook her head. Just then, she saw someone emerge from the main gate of the Chen Prince's Mansion and immediately recognized him as Prince Chen.
"Your Highness," Jiuzhu called out, running over to him with her umbrella. Seeing his hair loose and tousled by the wind, she paused. "Your Highness, even with your hair down, you look handsome."
Hearing this half-hearted compliment, Prince Chen felt a surge of irritation. Who did he rush out here for, anyway?
Just as he was about to speak, another gust of wind blew his hair into his face.
Jiuzhu couldn't help but laugh. Seeing Prince Chen glare at her, she blinked her dark eyes and asked softly, "Should... I tie it up for you?"
When Prince Chen didn't object, Jiuzhu handed him the wooden box and umbrella, then took a ribbon from her pouch and walked behind him. "Your Highness, don't move."
"Your Highness..." Fugui and the servants caught up at the gate. Fugui glanced outside and turned to the servants. "Wait here. Don't disturb His Highness."
"Eunuch, the snow is so heavy..."
"The snow doesn't matter," Fugui said with a knowing look. "As long as their hearts are warm."
"Your Highness's hair is so smooth," Jiuzhu said, standing on tiptoe to gather Prince Chen's hair and tie it with the ribbon, even adding a little bow.
The faint tickling sensation on his back made Prince Chen shift uncomfortably. "Are you done?"
"Done," Jiuzhu said, walking around to face him and curtsying. "I apologize for coming unannounced today."
The bright red crane cloak she wore made her face appear even more delicate and innocent, warm and radiant.
Prince Chen reached out and touched the white rabbit fur hairpin in her hair. "You came all this way in such heavy snow to see me. I won't hold it against you. Come on, let's go inside."
He shifted the umbrella to cover Jiuzhu and shook the wooden box in his hand, hearing a faint clatter. "What's in here?"
"Your Highness, don't shake it!" Jiuzhu jumped up and snatched the box back, giving him a mysterious smile. "You'll see soon."
Prince Chen raised an eyebrow. What kind of childish thing could she possibly have brought?
Half an hour later, Prince Chen stared silently at the row of snowmen shaped like pigs, cows, sheep, and horses arranged before him.
"You pack snow into the clay mold, press it, and tap it, and out comes a little duck," Jiuzhu said, placing the duck in front of Prince Chen. "Your Highness, look!"
"Jiuzhu, how old are you?" Prince Chen poked the duck with his finger, accidentally creating a hole in its belly. He glanced at Jiuzhu, who was crouched on the ground packing more snow, then bent down to scoop up some snow and patched the hole.
"Your Highness, you asked me that not long ago," Jiuzhu said, handing Prince Chen a clay mold filled with snow. "Your Highness, give it a try."
What's so fun about this childish game? Only someone like Jiuzhu, with the mind of a six-year-old, could find it amusing.
He slapped the mold onto the snow, and a tailless dog appeared.
"Your Highness, you need to press the snow where the tail is, or it'll break off."
"Of course I know that," Prince Chen said, grabbing more snow and stuffing it into the mold. After a few firm pats, he successfully stamped a dog into the snow and raised his chin proudly. Did she think this child's play could stump him?
"Your Highness is so skilled," Jiuzhu said, handing him a horse-shaped mold. "Try this one."
What's the difference between a dog and a horse? It's the same thing.
But seeing Jiuzhu's eager gaze, Prince Chen sighed inwardly. Fine, he'd humor her.
The steward entered the courtyard and saw a long row of snowmen. Prince Chen and Miss Ming were crouched on the ground, laughing over something. He approached Fugui and whispered, "Prince Qi's Mansion sent a basket of fresh bamboo shoots from Prince Qi's Villa as a gift for His Highness."
"Understood," Fugui nodded. "I'll inform His Highness later."
"Ouch," Jiuzhu suddenly cried out, crouching on the ground.
"What's wrong?" Prince Chen dropped the mold and hurried over to her.
"My foot... it's gone numb," Jiuzhu said pitifully, looking up at him. "Your Highness, help me up."
Prince Chen sighed again. Though he wasn't a father yet, he was starting to understand the trials of parenthood. He bent down and offered his hand. "Give me your hand."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Jiuzhu said with a grateful smile, placing her hand in his.
"You really are..." Prince Chen pulled her up and turned to fetch the hand warmer from the table. But as he took a step, he felt a tug on his cloak and fell face-first into the snow, crushing the two snow dogs beneath him.
Jiuzhu looked down at the cloak she had stepped on and quietly... quietly retracted her foot. Suppressing the numbness in her legs, she crouched beside Prince Chen, who was sprawled on the ground. "Your Highness, are you alright?"
Prince Chen sat up, glanced at the snowy footprint on his cloak, and silently brushed the snow from his face.
Jiuzhu quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe the snow off Prince Chen's face: "Your Highness, I truly didn't mean to, please... don't be angry."
"Did I say I was angry?" Prince Chen took the handkerchief from Jiuzhu's hand and roughly wiped his face. "Is your leg still numb?"
Jiuzhu nodded slightly, her eyes darting to Prince Chen's face from time to time, like a guilty puppy who had done something wrong but didn't want to be punished.
The next moment, she was hoisted over Prince Chen's shoulder, carried like a sack.
After carrying her into a room with a warm stove, Prince Chen placed Jiuzhu on the soft couch and roughly threw a brocade quilt over her. "Sit still and don't move. Let the maids massage your legs. I don't have any women's clothes here, so take off your cloak and shoes, and let the servants dry them for you."
"Where are you going, Your Highness?" Jiuzhu asked.
"I'm going to change my clothes," he replied. Was he supposed to stay and watch a young girl take off her shoes and socks?
Once outside, Prince Chen loosened his disheveled hair, stuffed the colorful brocade into his sleeve, and said to the maid waiting at the door, "Take good care of Miss Ming. Don't neglect her."
"Your Highness," Fugui stepped forward, shaking out a clean cloak and replacing the one on Prince Chen that was speckled with snow. "Prince Qi's mansion has sent a basket of fresh bamboo shoots."
"Got it," Prince Chen nodded. "What time is it now?"
"It's almost noon."
"Send someone to Vice Minister Ming's residence to inform them that I am keeping Miss Ming for lunch and will personally escort her back this afternoon."
Prince Chen thought for a moment, then added, "Don't go empty-handed. Take a basket of fresh vegetables from the hot spring villa, so they don't think the Chen Prince's Mansion is stingy."
"Your servant understands," Fugui replied. "Your Highness can rest assured. I will handle this matter personally."
At Vice Minister Ming's residence, Lady Shen listened to the servant's report. "Did Prince Chen really come out to welcome her personally?"
"Yes, Prince Chen came out with his hair unbound, walking hurriedly. He didn't seem angry at all about Miss's sudden visit."
"Good, you may go now," Lady Shen said, handing the servant a handful of coins. "It's cold outside. Use this money to buy your child some new clothes."
"Thank you, madam," the servant said, smiling as he pocketed the money and left.
"Madam, you deliberately didn't tell Jiuzhu about the many rules of visiting a prince's mansion, and this is the reason?" Ming Jingzhou sighed. "Prince Chen seems slightly better than we imagined."
"Whether he is sincere or not, at least he hasn't let down Jiuzhu's genuine feelings," Lady Shen said with a bitter smile. "Ever since Jiuzhu became engaged to Prince Chen, I've been worried that his domineering nature would lead him to mistreat her. After today, I can finally feel a bit more at ease. The fact that he was willing to greet her with his hair down shows that he has some regard for her."
"It's strange, though. If any other prince had done this, I would have simply thought they were being considerate. But when Prince Chen does it, it makes me think more highly of him," Lady Shen said with a self-deprecating laugh. "It seems I'm the type of person who nitpicks perfectionists but is lenient with the unruly."
"It's not that you're being worldly, but rather that when someone who usually doesn't act properly does something right, it feels more valuable," Ming Jingzhou chuckled. "People are like that. Perhaps... this will also become one of Prince Chen's strengths in the future."
Lady Shen suddenly understood and nodded after a moment. "You're right, husband."
"Master, Madam," the steward entered and bowed. "The chief eunuch from Prince Chen's mansion, Fugui, is here to see you."
"Please invite him in."
Lady Shen and Ming Jingzhou exchanged a glance. What business did the chief eunuch of Prince Chen's mansion have at their residence?
After meeting Fugui and hearing his message, the couple immediately understood. The vegetables were just an excuse; the real purpose was to keep their daughter at the mansion for lunch.
After Fugui left, Lady Shen remained silent for a long time before speaking. "Men, not many of them are good."
Ming Jingzhou: "..."
Why was she generalizing so quickly?
"Madam is right. I feel the same way. Some men really aren't good!"
"Aren't you a man too?"
"For you, I'm willing to be a traitor among men."
"Women are so troublesome," Prince Chen muttered as he changed his clothes. He picked up the brocade on the table, hesitated for a moment, and then placed it in a box meant for hair ornaments.
"Your Highness, your servant is a eunuch. I don't understand women," the attendant said boldly as he combed Prince Chen's hair. "But I do think Miss Ming looks very well-matched with you."
"I'm afraid of making her cry if I speak harshly, and I worry she'll be upset if I get angry. Even if I don't accompany her, I fear she'll feel lonely," Prince Chen clicked his tongue. "I never thought I'd have to coax a little girl at my age."
"Your Highness is a royal noble, of the highest status. Even if you didn't coax them, those women wouldn't dare show any dissatisfaction," the attendant said. "That way, Your Highness wouldn't have to go to such lengths."
"You know nothing!" Prince Chen glared at the attendant, even cursing. "She's just a silly little girl. Isn't it pitiful when she cries? Isn't it pitiful when she's downcast? Isn't it pitiful when she looks wronged?! I'm a grown man. How could I do something like that?"
The attendant quickly apologized. "Please forgive me, Your Highness. Your servant is foolish and doesn't understand women or how to speak properly."
He finally understood. In Prince Chen's eyes, if Miss Ming wasn't happy, then she was pitiful.
"Forget it. What's the point of talking to you about this?" Prince Chen left the room and went straight to the guest courtyard.
"Your Highness," the maid whispered as she approached Prince Chen standing at the door. "Miss Ming has fallen asleep."
Through the door, Prince Chen glanced at Jiuzhu, who had wrapped herself into a round bundle on the soft couch, but he didn't enter. "Notify me when Miss Ming wakes up."
"Yes," the maid said, then quickly called out to him as he turned to leave. "Your Highness, please wait."
She went back to the table and picked up a small pouch. "This is something Miss Ming asked me to give you before she fell asleep."
Prince Chen opened the pouch and found a few pieces of mint candy inside.
On a snowy day like this, who would eat mint candy...
He stopped at the corridor, opened the pouch, and popped a piece into his mouth. The sweet aroma of mint instantly filled his mouth.
When Jiuzhu woke up, it was already more than an hour later. She put on her warm, dried shoes and socks and sat in front of the bronze mirror to tidy up. "Thank you, sisters, for your trouble."
"You're too kind, Miss," one of the maids said. "Please wait a moment. His Highness will be here soon."
Jiuzhu smiled shyly.
"Awake?" Prince Chen entered the room. For once, he was wearing a fox fur cloak and a jade hair crown, looking like a dashing young nobleman.
Jiuzhu couldn't help but glance at him a few more times.
"Do I look good?" Prince Chen walked up to her and picked up a pearl hairpin from the table, playing with it in his hand.
"You do," Jiuzhu nodded, her face turning red.
"Are you hungry?"
Jiuzhu nodded again.
"Maybe I shouldn't call you Jiuzhu. I should call you Little Pig," Prince Chen handed the hairpin to the maid.
Jiuzhu looked up at him.
"You can eat and sleep so well. Isn't that a blessing?" Prince Chen coughed lightly. "Come on, let's go for lunch."
Jiuzhu quickly lifted her skirt and followed. She had heard from Brother Fu Liu that Prince Chen's mansion had many chefs, so the food must be delicious.
At the dining table, Prince Chen watched Jiuzhu eating with relish and asked curiously, "Is it that good?"
"It's delicious," Jiuzhu nodded. "The food at Your Highness's mansion is as good as the rumors say."
"Oh?" Prince Chen asked with interest. "What do the rumors say?"
"They say Your Highness's mansion has many chefs."
Prince Chen chuckled ambiguously.
"When I heard that, I thought the food at Your Highness's mansion must be delicious," Jiuzhu put down her chopsticks. "After eating today, I found it's exactly as I imagined."
"When you heard about the many chefs in my mansion, your first thought was about the food?" Prince Chen was shocked by Jiuzhu's focus. "Didn't you think of anything else?"
Wouldn't most people's first thought be that he was extravagant and indulgent?
"Aren't chefs for cooking?" Jiuzhu noticed Prince Chen's expression and thought she had said something foolish. She asked softly, "Are these chefs actually martial arts masters in disguise, secretly guarding the mansion?"
"Little girls shouldn't read those messy storybooks outside. It affects your brain," Prince Chen said, seeing that Jiuzhu liked the boneless goose feet, he added two more to her bowl.
She wasn't very smart to begin with. If she kept reading those nonsensical books, she'd really become a little fool.
"My mind is perfectly fine. My masters all say I'm naturally intelligent and learn things very quickly." Jiuzhu had already eaten her fill, but when she saw the two extra goose feet in her bowl, she happily picked up her chopsticks again.
Prince Chen couldn't help but marvel at how Jiuzhu's masters could spout such nonsense with a straight face.
He ordered the servants to bring hawthorn tea to aid digestion. After Jiuzhu finished the goose feet, Prince Chen made her drink a few sips of the tea. "Now that you're full and satisfied, can you tell me why you braved such heavy snow to come find me?"
"No particular reason," Jiuzhu replied, holding her teacup with a smile. "I woke up this morning, opened the window, and saw the heavy snowfall. I was so happy! I just wanted to share this moment with you, Your Highness. It's the first time I've ever seen such heavy snow."
Yun Duqing hadn't expected such a simple answer. She just wanted to share the joy of her first heavy snowfall with him.
The girl's smile was innocent and pure, her eyes filled with unreserved trust in him.
"Jiuzhu."
"Hmm?" Jiuzhu looked at him with wide, watery eyes, full of innocence.
"Never mind. I'll take you out to play in the snow." Yun Duqing stood up. "I'll send you home before it gets dark."
"Great! Great!" Having grown up in the south and never seen such heavy snow before, Jiuzhu was thrilled at the idea of playing in it. She immediately set down her teacup and rushed outside.
Together, they built a rather ugly snowman. Jiuzhu stretched her arms and legs after finishing. "Your Highness, I forgot to ask last time—did you like the painting I made of the koi fish playing among the lotus?"
At the mention of the painting, Prince Chen almost broke the snowman's nose. He glanced at Jiuzhu's head, where a fluffy rabbit fur hairpin swayed in the cold wind. "It was... quite good. The brushstrokes were lively and full of energy."
"I'm glad you liked it!" Jiuzhu beamed. "When I get back today, I'll paint you a snowscape."
Prince Chen: "..."
There was really no need to waste paper and ink like that.
"How about it?"
Prince Chen nodded. "Sure."
Dealing with a young girl like her was truly troublesome.
Leaving the Ministry of Revenue, the outside world was blanketed in snow, a pristine white landscape. Prince Qi mounted his horse, took the cloak handed to him by his attendant, and rode back to his mansion.
On such a snowy day, he could have stayed home, but he was meticulous in his duties and never allowed himself to slack off when it came to official matters.
Halfway through his journey, he saw a young girl in a bright red crane-feather cloak standing in the snow, holding a roasted sweet potato. She stood on her tiptoes, offering it to a man on horseback.
He stopped his horse and quietly observed the scene.
"Your Highness, isn't that Prince Chen up ahead?" his attendant whispered. "What's he doing here?"
Prince Chen was known for his laziness and love of comfort. It was surprising to see him out in such heavy snow.
Prince Qi watched as Prince Chen took a quick bite of the sweet potato, then shooed the girl back into the carriage. He seemed about to throw the sweet potato away, but after glancing at the carriage, he reluctantly ate the rest of it with a look of disdain.
After wiping his mouth, Prince Chen finally noticed Prince Qi on horseback and lazily cupped his hands in greeting. "Fourth Brother."
"Fifth Brother." Prince Qi patted his horse and approached Prince Chen. He glanced at the blackened sweet potato skin in Prince Chen's hand and smiled. "You seem to be enjoying yourself."
"Would you like one too, Fourth Brother?" Prince Chen gestured to his attendant. "Go buy a few for Prince Qi."
"You're too kind," Prince Qi said gently. "I've just come from the Ministry of Revenue and have much to attend to. I'm afraid I can't stay to enjoy snacks with you."
"What a pity," Prince Chen clicked his tongue. "The Ministry of Revenue is full of capable officials. Why should you shoulder all the burden alone, Fourth Brother? Remember to delegate and not overwork yourself."
"Those who are capable should take on more responsibilities. It's my honor to share our father's concerns," Prince Qi replied, glancing at the carriage. "You'll be getting married in a few months, Fifth Brother. It's time you started sharing some of the burdens as well."
"You're right, Fourth Brother. I'll go to the palace tomorrow to pay my respects to Father and cheer him up. Isn't that what a son should do—ease his father's worries?" Prince Chen said lazily.
"Your Highness?" Jiuzhu poked her head out from behind the carriage curtain. "What's going on?"
"Nothing. Get your head back inside. The snow is heavy out here." Prince Chen rode his horse to the carriage and gently pushed Jiuzhu's head back in.
"Even riding in a carriage, she can't let me relax," he muttered, adjusting the curtain. He turned to Prince Qi. "Fourth Brother, I need to hurry and send my fiancée home. If there's nothing urgent, let's talk another time."
"If you're not in a hurry..." Prince Chen raised an eyebrow. "Then could you move aside?"
