Chapter 69

The Royal Pleasure Boat drifted downstream along West Lake, passing through the other towns around Hangzhou.

After passing under the Broken Bridge, the Emperor’s mood had lightened somewhat. He was even willing to take his entourage out to stroll the streets. While everyone else went shopping, Nangong Yunshang stayed behind. And since she wasn’t going, Tao Chuyi didn’t go either. The two of them stayed cozied up on their own pleasure barge, fishing and playing chess.

For some reason, Nangong Yunshang had developed a sudden chess obsession over the past couple of days. Fortunately, General Zhao was there to indulge her in a few games, keeping things from getting boring.

Everyone knew about the close friendship between the Princess and General Zhao. The two of them chatting over a chessboard was nothing out of the ordinary, and no one batted an eye—except for Tao Chuyi.

As the pair focused on their game, Tao Chuyi watched from the sidelines. She glared first at Nangong Yunshang, then at Zhao Linglong, before yanking the tassel in her hand until it was completely bald.

They weren’t letting her join in, her big sister was ignoring her, and worst of all, she was smiling so sweetly at that General Zhao.

Tao Chuyi grumbled under her breath as she scooted closer and tugged at Nangong Yunshang’s arm.

“I want to play chess too.”

Nangong Yunshang reached over and patted her head, assuming it was just childish petulance.

“Where’d you ever learn to play chess? Be good and wait just a bit longer—we’ll eat soon.”

Tao Chuyi huffed in frustration, spun on her heel, and dashed into the cabin. She flopped face-first onto the daybed, playing dead like a fish washed ashore.

After a while, Zishan came looking for her to head to dinner, but Tao Chuyi didn’t stir.

“Prince Consort, what are you doing sprawled out like that? The Princess wants you for the meal.”

Tao Chuyi didn’t turn around. Her chin sank into the bedding as she mumbled, “I don’t want to eat.”

Let her starve, then. Big Sis wasn’t paying any attention to her anymore. She was an unwanted prince consort!

Zishan was utterly shocked. This was a first—the prince consort turning down food.

“You’re really not eating, Prince Consort?”

“Nope.”

With such firm resolve, Zishan sensed trouble. She hurried off to report to the Princess.

Tao Chuyi stayed put, idly fiddling with the pillow but refusing to budge.

Big Sis didn’t like her anymore. Big Sis liked people who were talented in both scholarly and martial pursuits.

The more she dwelled on it, the sadder she became. Tao Chuyi bit into the quilt and let the tears flow. Big Sis didn’t want her—what was she supposed to do? Go back to Tao Mansion and find Father? But she couldn’t bear to leave Big Sis.

After about the time it took to steep half a cup of tea, Nangong Yunshang came rushing back. She shoved open the door and caught the faint sound of sobbing. Her heart lurched, and she nearly stumbled.

“What’s wrong? Chuyi, why are you crying?”

Nangong Yunshang helped Tao Chuyi sit up and gently wiped away her tears.

“Are you not feeling well? Tell Sis—I’ll send for the imperial physicians right away.”

Tao Chuyi shook her head, her voice thick with heartbreak. “I’m fine. It’s just… Sis doesn’t want me anymore. Are you going to send me away somewhere? Don’t send me far off—there’s no food there. Chuyi will starve to death.”

Nangong Yunshang froze for a moment before pulling her into a gentle embrace.

“What nonsense. How could I ever not want you? Who’s been whispering in your ear?”

Tao Chuyi pitifully snuggled into Nangong Yunshang’s arms, the warmth there soothing her frayed nerves.

“Sis likes capable people. People like General Zhao. She ignores me. I can’t play chess or recite poetry, and I always cause trouble. You must not like me.”

Now that she understood the issue, Nangong Yunshang let out a quiet breath of relief. So her little prince consort was jealous after all. That was a new one.

“Alright, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have brushed you off just for a game of chess.”

Nangong Yunshang sat her upright and gazed steadily into her eyes.

“But listen to me, Chuyi. Sis doesn’t care about capability or skill in letters and arms. Sis only likes Chuyi. Only Chuyi. And besides, our Chuyi is plenty smart—very capable, in fact.”

Tao Chuyi’s eyes lit up in an instant. She lunged forward, wrapping her arms around Nangong Yunshang in return.

Big Sis liked her. Only her.

“General Zhao is my good friend. She’s not like you.”

Nangong Yunshang let her cling on, chuckling softly. “I can have plenty of friends, but there’s only one prince consort for me. Remember that.”

“I will!” Tao Chuyi promised sweetly.

They had lingered in Hangzhou for several days by then. The large procession switched from the waterways to the land routes. As for the remaining scenic spots, everyone had their preferences—some wanted to stay put, others head elsewhere. The Emperor thus decreed that the group could split up for sightseeing, as long as they all returned to Hangzhou within a month.

The Emperor and his senior ministers remained in Hangzhou. The Second Princess and Second Prince took their retinues to Yangzhou. Meanwhile, Tao Chuyi’s group hired carriages bound for Suzhou.

As the old saying went: Heaven above, Su and Hang below. It would be a shame to come this far without visiting Suzhou. Truth be told, though, Nangong Yunshang had her own private reasons as well. She wanted another glimpse of her old friend’s former home—and perhaps a chance to meet that so-called orphan girl from the Xia Family.

The carriage rumbled along between mountains and rivers. Tao Chuyi lifted the curtain. Dense forests blanketed the hills, grass waved tall, and birdsong filled the air—all in the full bloom of summer.

She let the curtain fall and returned to Nangong Yunshang’s side, imitating Yinghong by kneading her shoulders and thumping her back.

Nangong Yunshang’s eyes drifted half-shut as she savored the attention. She had to admit, Chuyi’s pressure was just right—stronger than Yinghong’s, but perfectly controlled.

“I never knew our Chuyi had such a talent.”

Tao Chuyi let out a couple of goofy chuckles and redoubled her efforts.

“Does it feel good, Sis?”

“Very good.”

Nangong Yunshang stretched her arms wide. The rigors of travel melted away under the massage, leaving her truly refreshed.

Dusk was settling in, and the next town was still a good distance off. To avoid any mishaps on the road, the group decided to make camp in the woods for the night.

Zhao Linglong traveled with them and took charge of building the fire and foraging for food. The Princess and her prince consort had only to rest.

They chose a clearing beside some rocks and kindled a bonfire with gathered branches. The two sat side by side before the flames. Mountain nights carried a chill, but the fire not only warmed them and cooked their meal—it kept the wild beasts at bay as well.

Yinghong prodded the fire with a stick. “Your Highness, would you like an outer robe?”

Nangong Yunshang shook her head. “I’m fine like this.”

Beside her, Tao Chuyi had latched onto one arm, twining around it playfully. She looked ready to spin circles right there on the spot.

Nangong Yunshang simply let her, her gentle gaze resting on the girl for a long moment.

Just then, a little bug fluttered in from who-knew-where, its body twinkling with soft light.

Tao Chuyi stared at it in fascination, playing with it. She’d seen these before but had forgotten what they were called.

“Sis, what is it?”

“It’s a firefly.”

Nangong Yunshang was afraid of crickets but had no such fear of fireflies. “They usually come in swarms. It’s odd to see just the one today. I once witnessed the sky filled with them.”

Tao Chuyi glanced around. Reeds blocked the view—perhaps its companions were hidden in the grass.

“I know!”

She bolted into the undergrowth in a flash. Nangong Yunshang shot to her feet.

“Chuyi! Come back!”

But as Tao Chuyi pushed through the reeds and stood, a swarm of fireflies burst into the air. They swirled around the base of a great tree and the nearby rocks, filling the night with glowing magic.

Surrounded by the ethereal light, Tao Chuyi raced back, beaming. “Sis, look! So pretty.”

Nangong Yunshang wasn’t the only one left speechless. The sight captivated everyone.

It had been ten years since she’d last witnessed such a glorious display.

Nangong Yunshang tilted her head back, watching the fireflies rise halfway to the canopy. Tao Chuyi hopped about in delight, reaching out to catch them.

After a time, the fireflies gradually drifted away, leaving only the bonfire’s glow.

Tao Chuyi helped Nangong Yunshang settle back down. “Are you happy, Sis?”

In her brief chase after the lights, Nangong Yunshang’s cheeks had flushed pink, her eyes alight with wonder.

“Very happy.”

General Zhao and the others returned with pheasants and wild fruits just in time to stave off hunger. They polished off the meal quickly, knowing they’d need to set out at first light tomorrow and make haste to the nearest town for proper lodging.

The Princess and prince consort bedded down in the carriage, while the rest bedded under the stars.

Summer meant swarms of insects, especially in the woods. Coming away without a few bites would be a miracle.

Tao Chuyi lay beside Nangong Yunshang. She’d barely closed her eyes when the telltale buzz sounded near her ear.

Even with the curtain drawn, mosquitoes had slipped inside. What pests.

Tao Chuyi bolted upright and went after them bare-handed. To avoid waking Nangong Yunshang, she couldn’t slap—just pinch. She crushed three or five in short order.

She rummaged through the carriage, first draping a cloak over Nangong Yunshang. Then she grabbed a palm-leaf fan and started fanning the air.

Now Sis wouldn’t get cold, or hot, or bothered by bugs. What a clever girl she was.

Tao Chuyi stifled a massive yawn but kept at it, fanning away the mosquitoes.

Only as dawn began to break and the group readied the carriages did Nangong Yunshang stir. She’d thought sleeping outdoors would be impossible, yet here she was, rested till morning.

“Morning, Sis…”

Tao Chuyi stared back at her, dark circles under her eyes.

Nangong Yunshang paused, taking in the fan in her hand and the pile of mosquito corpses on the floor. Suddenly, her sound sleep made perfect sense.

“You little fool. You didn’t sleep at all?”

Tao Chuyi let out yawn after yawn, her eyes heavy-lidded and misty.

“As long as Sis slept well.”

The gesture touched Nangong Yunshang deeply. She drew Tao Chuyi into her arms.

“Good girl. Sis is rested now—sleep a while. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”

“Mmmkay…”

Tao Chuyi’s voice trailed off, and she was out like a light. She must have been exhausted.

Time passed—who knew how long—before they rolled through Suzhou’s gates. Nangong Yunshang dispatched servants to secure lodging at an inn near the city entrance. Yinghong found a house with spare rooms in the yard, paid handsomely, made the arrangements, and returned to fetch the Princess and prince consort.

Tao Chuyi was more than half-asleep as she was led into the courtyard. In a daze, she made it to the guest room and collapsed onto the bed, out cold again.

Nangong Yunshang sat at the bedside, fanning her gently. When others offered to take over, she waved them off.

“Yinghong, go scout the area. Find us the best food and sights. Once the prince consort wakes, we’ll head to the markets.”

“Yes, this servant will go right away.”

Perhaps the noise had woken Tao Chuyi. She stretched lazily and crawled upright.

“Sister, where are we?”

Nangong Yunshang smoothed out her disheveled hair. “We’re already in Suzhou.”

It seemed Chuyi still hadn’t gotten enough sleep. She crawled forward a couple of steps before plunging headfirst into Nangong Yunshang’s embrace and going still.

Nangong Yunshang chuckled helplessly. “I heard there’s a temple fair tonight. After dinner, let’s go stroll the streets. How about I dress you up in women’s clothes?”

At those words, Tao Chuyi lifted her head. “Sure!”

Since it involved women’s clothing, they couldn’t bring too many attendants. Nangong Yunshang thus took only two guards—the same pair who had accompanied them last time Tao Chuyi had dressed as a woman. She didn’t bring a single extra person.

This time, she personally dressed up her own Prince Consort. Last time it had been the lilac-purple gown; now it was time for a change of style.