Chapter Four: A First Encounter

Lin Menghua hurriedly stopped her and said, “Mother Consort, there is no need to take offense at the prince. The prince is naturally very sentimental. He and the secondary consort have been childhood sweethearts, and he has long harbored some reservations about the marriage. If you blame him now, it will only unsettle his feelings and cause you pain as well.”

She knew that the noble consort truly wished to see Prince Ning, but scolding him was another matter. So she gracefully offered a way out.

Lin Menghua’s words were magnanimous, always considerate of the noble consort’s feelings. The noble consort grasped her hand tightly, looking at her with genuine emotion. “My son is fortunate to have such thoughts. Such a fine child ought to be my daughter-in-law.”

“Nanny Qian, bring me that jade Ruyi scepter to bestow upon the princess! Announce my decree: the princess is the rightful lady of the Ning Prince’s mansion. From this day forth, the princess shall oversee the household affairs. Anyone who dares to disrespect her shall be severely punished!”

“Mother Consort…” Lin Menghua’s face showed a mix of emotion and hesitation.

Upon hearing this, the noble consort laughed warmly, pulling Lin Menghua closer. “Since A’cen has not yet taken a primary wife and the household lacks a proper mistress, now that you are here, I can worry less.”

Lin Menghua lowered her eyes slightly, fully aware that the Ning Prince’s household was split between servants loyal to the prince and those loyal to the noble consort. These people were untouchable and could not be easily replaced.

But now that the noble consort had spoken, her authority was clear; the prince acknowledged the princess’s position, granting her real power over the household.

She could place her own people within the mansion—not all at once, but gradually, allowing her influence to seep into the management.

“Understood.” She replied willingly.

“Your Highness the Noble Consort, Princess, the Prince is here!”

At these words, the noble consort’s previously cheerful expression instantly changed.

Lin Menghua turned her head as a young man in a black robe embroidered with cloud patterns strode in. He wore a purple jade crown, his features delicate and beautiful, his phoenix eyes full of passion—though he didn’t smile, his gaze was captivating.

The more handsome he was, the harsher his words: “Mother Consort, could it be someone is sowing discord? Are you displeased the moment you see your son?”

Lin Menghua twitched at the corner of her mouth. This man looked clever but spoke so harshly…

The noble consort had been wondering how best to express her anger—too harsh and it might hurt the feelings of her adopted son.

But now hearing his words, she could only sneer coldly. “Your misdeeds have spread throughout the capital without anyone needing to stir trouble. Why would anyone have to incite discord?”

Lin Menghua sat aside, sipping her tea quietly.

The Ning Prince flicked his sleeve and shot Lin Menghua a sharp glance before sitting opposite her. He snorted, “If Mother Consort finds me an obstacle, I will leave for my fief after this month.”

He spoke casually, but the noble consort nearly threw her cup in outrage. “What? But your father the Emperor…”

She wanted to say whether the Emperor had said something, but thought better of it—words must be chosen carefully in the depths of the palace.

So she could only grit her teeth and say, “Your eldest and second brothers have not gone to their fiefs either!”

“The eldest and second brothers remain at court under the Emperor’s orders. They are talented and kept here to assist. My abilities are average at best; naturally, I must follow tradition,” Fu Cen replied calmly.

The noble consort was nearly amused by his self-righteousness. What was there to be proud of?

Being sent to a fief meant being far from the capital, far from the center of power! You would have no hope of ascending to the throne. After all, if you do not serve the Emperor closely, how could he remember you at the crucial moment and save a place for you?

“Rascal! Did that Pei woman plant these ideas in your head? Do you think being sent away to Rongzhou, far from the Emperor’s sight, means no one will control you? Rongzhou is poor—your life there will hardly be easier than in the capital!”

More importantly, once you go, you are utterly cut off from the throne!

The noble consort was so angry she felt pain in her liver, pointing accusingly at him.

Lin Menghua remained indifferent. She had chosen this body and was using it as a vessel to exorcise the lingering grudges of this world—partly because of this body’s suitable status, and partly because of the issue of being sent away.

“The Emperor has already decreed it. I ask Mother Consort to continue to care for me,” Fu Cen said coolly, standing and bowing without concern for the noble consort’s rising fury.

Lin Menghua admired his composure and stepped forward gently. “Mother Consort, please do not let this anger harm your health.”

Before long, the two were hurriedly dismissed.

Once outside the palace, the Ning Prince’s face was icy cold. Seeing Lin Menghua behind him, his gaze grew even more frosty. “I have warned you long ago: do not play tricks! In front of my mother, be obedient and pleasing; but in front of me, you act like a blockhead, indifferent to everything. A two-faced hypocrite, Lin Menghua—well done!”

With that, he swept his sleeve and climbed into his carriage.

What? Is he crazy? Lin Menghua’s first thought.

“Princess…” Green Willow looked at her with concern.

Lin Menghua patted her hand and cast a glance at a shadow in the corner. “Nothing. Let’s go.”

She climbed into the carriage. The Ning Prince looked at her leisurely, seated beside a woman dressed in sky-blue brocade.

The woman wore her hair in a hanging side bun, her eyes curved slightly as she curiously studied Lin Menghua, then quickly became reserved.

“Greetings to you.” The carriage cramped her posture, but before she could bow properly, Fu Cen stopped her.

“You’re clever!” Fu Cen raised a dark brow, motioning to a seat beside him. “Sit here.”

He sneered, “How did you find out I was being watched?”

Lin Menghua was about to explain when he said, “Never mind. This is Zhenzhen. Among the household, only you two are close. She is frail—you must take good care of her.”

“Yes,” Lin Menghua understood—this meant she was in charge of the household.

Green Willow ignored the deeper meaning but grew even more worried hearing how much the prince cared for his secondary consort.

They returned to the mansion. Fu Cen went straight to his study to prepare for his departure to the fief.

Lin Menghua expected Pei Zhenzhen to follow but found her standing silently a short distance away, quietly watching her.

“Is something the matter?” Lin Menghua felt puzzled.

From what she observed in the carriage, the secondary consort did not seem like a troublemaker.

“Princess…”

“I’m a year older than you. You may call me sister…”

“Um… Sister Menghua, your cloak is slipping.” She pointed to the drape on Lin Menghua’s shoulder and dashed away before she could react.

Lin Menghua looked down at the cloak trailing on the ground. “…”

Green Willow hurried to straighten it for her. “It’s all my fault…”

“No blame on you.”

The news of being sent away was indeed sudden. Though she had known it was coming, she had not expected it to happen now.

Lin Menghua thought for a moment, deciding to settle matters with the Lin family early. The third day was the traditional visit after marriage.

...

At dawn, a slant of morning light filtered through the slightly opened window, awakening the Shaoguang Courtyard.

The maids responsible for cleaning began their work, and the small kitchen fires were lit.

Green Willow had prepared everything for washing early and came to wake Lin Menghua.