Chapter 46

Her older sister wouldn’t let her move around or speak carelessly, nor allow her to drink alcohol, so Tao Chuyi had no choice but to lower her head and eat her own pastries. The date paste osmanthus cake was pretty good, after all.

Every flower in the Imperial Garden was a rare and precious variety, and virtually all the famous kinds that had names could be found here. The officials and their families admired the splendid blooms, but their true interests lay not in the flowers themselves—rather, they were focused on the upcoming performances before the emperor.

The peach blossom pastries were delicious too!

Tao Chuyi ate with great relish, paying no mind to whatever gifts the young nobles and ladies from noble houses had presented.

Seeing those people putting on affected airs and showering flattery made Nangong Yunshang’s eyes ache. She soon turned her gaze to the little glutton at her side instead—far more pleasing to look at.

Sensing the attention, Tao Chuyi looked up and met Nangong Yunshang’s eyes, flashing a big, bright smile.

“Look at you, getting crumbs all over your mouth again.”

Nangong Yunshang gently wiped her mouth with a brocade handkerchief. To outsiders, they looked every bit the loving young couple.

The Second Princess watched with a sour expression. “My, my, Third Imperial Sister and Third Sister’s Husband are so deeply in love. Truly, what pot matches what lid.”

Tao Chuyi looked up and pointed at the Second Princess. “You’re a ladle!”

She even clapped for herself, praising her own cleverness.

“Ah, you…”

The Second Princess was on the verge of exploding when the Eldest Princess held her back, forcing her to let it go.

Nangong Yunshang nodded, holding back a laugh, and handed Tao Chuyi a few more pastries in the meantime.

Outside the Imperial Pavilion, the young nobles displayed their talents one after another. They were proficient in the arts of zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting; some even performed dances on the spot, having changed into special costumes for the occasion. It was a dazzling array.

Of course, everyone among the imperial kin and nobles up above knew exactly what was really going through their minds, but no one said it aloud.

It was the turn of Minister Cao’s daughter from the Ministry of Rites. She donned a rainbow skirt and a floral crown, dancing the Rainbow Skirt Feather Garment Dance amid her accompanying dancers. The performance left the onlookers sighing in admiration.

While the dancing continued below with great enthusiasm, Tao Chuyi kept her head buried in her food, showing no sign of looking up.

Nangong Yunshang smiled. “Why isn’t the Prince Consort watching the dance? There are plenty of beautiful women performing.”

But Tao Chuyi replied, “I’m Sister’s Prince Consort now. I shouldn’t look at other women.”

Nangong Yunshang was quite surprised to hear that. “Who taught you to say such a thing?”

“My dad! He said that once you have a wife, you have to cherish her. You can’t… can’t what was it again?”

Tao Chuyi tilted her head in thought. “Oh, right—you can’t dally with other flowers or change your affections on a whim.”

Those words clearly pleased Nangong Yunshang, and she fondly patted Tao Chuyi’s clever little head.

“Tao Siqing has taught you well.”

Most of the people present were staring entranced at Miss Cao. Only her own Chuyi cared more about eating—especially with her father the emperor eyeing Miss Cao with that lecherous gleam. It seemed the palace would soon have a few more consorts.

Nangong Yunshang glanced over quickly before averting her eyes. The selection of consorts proceeded as usual, with new appointments made regularly. Even at his age, the emperor remained as amorous as ever.

Just then, someone came over to spoil the mood by offering tea.

“Third Imperial Sister, Third Sister’s Husband—in the past, I’ve given offense. Allow me to offer this tea as an apology to you both.”

Nangong Yunshang feigned magnanimity. “No matter at all. We’re all family; there’s no such thing as overnight grudges.”

“Truly, Third Imperial Sister knows propriety. No wonder everyone praises your gentle and refined nature.”

After a string of pleasantries, the Third Prince turned his attention to Tao Chuyi.

“Third Sister’s Husband, to show my sincerity in apologizing to you, I’ve prepared a grand gift for Third Imperial Sister.”

With a snap of his fingers, two beauties approached shyly and bowed gracefully.

The Third Prince introduced them. “These two were rescued by me from a troupe of entertainers. They’ve never served anyone else, and now I present them to Third Sister’s Husband. With Third Imperial Sister’s virtuous and benevolent nature, surely she won’t object to you taking concubines.”

No sooner had he spoken than Nangong Yunshang laughed. “I object.”

The Third Prince feigned shock. “Oh dear, Third Imperial Sister, you mustn’t be so jealous. Your husband is in his prime; having three wives and four concubines is perfectly normal, isn’t it, Third Sister’s Husband?”

Tao Chuyi ducked behind Nangong Yunshang. “I don’t want them.”

“Hey now, Third Sister’s Husband—that’s too embarrassing for us men.”

The Third Prince shook his head. “How can you listen to a woman like that?”

Tao Chuyi clung to Nangong Yunshang’s arm and leaned against her.

“My dad said I’m the one who married in, so I can’t live off a woman by force.”

His words elicited varied reactions from the crowd. Everyone knew the Third Prince’s side consorts—he had coveted their family’s wealth and support, only to relegate them to side-consort status after using them.

“Who are you insinuating with that?”

The Third Prince’s face turned ashen, anger simmering beneath the surface.

Nangong Yunshang’s smile deepened. “Why so quick to take it personally, Third Imperial Brother? Chuyi didn’t mention anyone. It’s simply that Tao Siqing raised her well; she’s very sensible.”

The Third Prince slunk away with his two beauties in tow, their grudge deepening further. Nangong Yunshang didn’t care. A falling-out was inevitable sooner or later; the timing hardly mattered.

The dance ended, and Miss Cao came forward to express her thanks before the throne. As she raised her head, her eyes shimmered like pools of autumn water, captivating all who beheld them.

The Emperor nodded. “Minister Cao, how old is your second daughter this year? Is she betrothed?”

Minister Cao stepped forward and bowed. “My daughter is nineteen this year and not yet wed.”

“My jade pillow by the throne lacks a mistress. Today, I decree Minister Cao’s daughter to be appointed as Zhao Yi. She is to enter the palace at once.”

With the imperial order issued, the Cao father and daughter accepted it with thanks. The others had seen it coming all along—the preceding performances had all been mere buildup for Miss Cao.

Once the ministers’ displays were over, the imperial kin and nobles began their own competition. The Crown Princess and the Third Prince’s side consort played the zither in turn. When it came to the two prince consorts, the Eldest Princess’s chin was already lifted proudly toward the sky.

Servants carried in two writing desks, each equipped with the Four Treasures of the Study. The Eldest Princess Consort stepped forward gracefully but looked toward Tao Chuyi.

“I wonder what Third Sister’s Husband has prepared?”

Tao Chuyi raised her hand. “Painting!”

The Eldest Princess Consort smiled politely. “What a coincidence—me as well. Why not do it together?”

“Sure!”

Tao Chuyi shot up onto the platform before Nangong Yunshang could stop her. There was nothing for it now but to let her paint alongside the Eldest Princess Consort.

The Eldest Princess Consort stood before his desk like a dashing jade tree swaying in the breeze. By contrast, Tao Chuyi looked sneaky and furtive.

Nangong Yunshang couldn’t bear to watch. If things went poorly… well, she’d coax her later.

Though Tao Chuyi had been practicing diligently these past days, she was worlds apart from the Eldest Princess Consort, who was a true master painter.

The Eldest Princess watched smugly, waiting. Having this little fool as a foil would only make her own consort shine brighter—a windfall no amount of silver could buy.

The Eldest Princess Consort’s brush moved with divine inspiration, while Tao Chuyi flailed about at first, unsure where to begin. Midway through, however, she suddenly grew calm and focused intently on her painting.

A servant unrolled the Eldest Princess Consort’s scroll, revealing a lifelike landscape painting that drew exclamations of praise from the crowd.

“Hasn’t Third Sister’s Husband finished yet?” the Eldest Princess asked impatiently.

The Eldest Princess Consort smiled. “Third Sister’s Husband started late. We may need to wait a bit.”

The couple played good cop and bad cop to perfection.

Only Nangong Yunshang sensed something amiss. Tao Chuyi was far too quiet—unnaturally composed and steady, not like herself at all.

Tao Chuyi set down her brush and looked up. For an instant, a cold glint that didn’t belong to her flashed in her eyes. It vanished as quickly as it had come, and she was once again her usual silly self.

The servants unrolled her painting. The crowd, harboring no expectations, was left dumbfounded upon seeing it.

A Peach Grove Spring Scenery Painting—no less impressive than the landscape.

Nangong Yunshang’s eyes widened, not because the painting was so masterful, but because the scene was unmistakably that of the peach grove in her Princess Mansion. It was identical to one she had painted two years prior, back when she had never even met Tao Chuyi. Could it be some destined coincidence?

“The Third Prince Consort’s painting is excellent as well.”

Even the Emperor praised it, so the others chimed in with flattery. The Eldest Princess and her consort, denied their victory, fell silent.

Tao Chuyi returned to Nangong Yunshang’s side. “Sister, wasn’t I awesome?”

Nangong Yunshang came back to herself. “Awesome. Chuyi was amazing.”

Delighted, Tao Chuyi shook her head happily. While she had been painting, it hadn’t felt like herself doing it at all—she hadn’t even known she could paint so well.

At the Flower Appreciation Banquet, her single painting brought her fame. No one dared call her a fool anymore, and even back at the Princess Mansion, her reputation soared. Liuzi no longer treated her like a child he had to coax; now he looked at her with outright admiration.

Tao Chuyi grabbed a handful of plums and ran to the back courtyard, tossing one to Liuzi. He popped it happily into his mouth, only to grimace at the sourness.

“Whoa, these plums are way too tart.”

Tao Chuyi handed him another. “What about this one?”

After being soured five or six times, Liuzi finally got a sweet one.

Tao Chuyi turned and picked out the sweet ones, cupping them to offer to Nangong Yunshang.

“Sister, have some plums.”

Liuzi was stunned. “So the Prince Consort was using me as a taste-tester?”

Xichan covered her mouth, chuckling. “What else? You think the young master would give you the good ones and not the Princess?”

Liuzi scratched the back of his head. He’d been careless.

Seeing Nangong Yunshang reading a book, Tao Chuyi placed the remaining plums in a crystal bowl on the corner of the desk and quietly slipped out of the study.

She mustn’t disturb Sister while she read. She was the best-behaved girl.

Tao Chuyi slipped into the bedroom, only to bump into Fendie. Just as she opened her mouth to cry out, a hand clamped over it.

“Be good, don’t make a sound, Rou’er. Come with me.”

Tao Chuyi blinked in confusion. What Rou’er? She was Tao Chuyi.

When she didn’t cooperate, Fendie released her and made a shushing gesture.

“I’m not going. You’re a bad guy. I won’t go with you!”

Tao Chuyi dashed back to the bed and pulled the covers over herself, refusing to look.

Fendie sighed and approached the bed, yanking the quilt away by force.

“Rou’er, lift your head and look at me.”

Tao Chuyi slowly raised her head and watched as Fendie tore off her human skin mask, revealing a completely different face.

“Do you still remember me?”

As the unfamiliar Fendie drew closer, Tao Chuyi seemed utterly terrified, frozen in place without so much as twitching.

Suddenly, she clutched her head and let out a hoarse, desperate scream.

The guards swiftly surrounded the bedroom. With someone on the verge of bursting through the door, Fendie had no choice but to leap out the window and flee.

Tao Chuyi curled up in agony on the bed, the excruciating pain wracking her body and drawing endless screams from her lips.

“Chuyi!”

Nangong Yunshang burst into the room with her attendants. Taking in the scene, she rushed forward at once and pulled her into a tight embrace.

“Chuyi, it’s me. What’s wrong?”

In that moment, Tao Chuyi recognized no one. She thrashed and screamed, pounding her own head in torment. Were it not for Nangong Yunshang’s firm hold on her, she surely would have injured herself badly.

Nangong Yunshang gripped her with all her strength, determined to stop her from harming herself further.

“Quick, summon the imperial physicians!”