The Crown Prince was pampered into arrogance, and though Su Jun observed etiquette, to truly be gentle and accommodating, to lower her status... it was absolutely impossible.
It is even more unimaginable to do such a thing.
This is a common problem among noble young couples. Since they share similar origins and both value their face, some issues are more likely to end up in deadlock.
Su Jun was shocked. This kind of play... ah, it was beyond her understanding.
The wind of this dynasty is conservative, and the moral standards for the prince of blood are extremely high.
During times of peace, the former officials could write memorial proposals without interruption. If the kind of thing the Crown Prince had done were to get out... it might as well bring about a upheaval.
Su Jun murmured to herself, "Striving for favor is not like this. Does that mean I have to go find someone outside to share the love with Mrs. Zhang?"
She felt a surge of nausea in her stomach, feeling truly unable to accept such a thing!
Whether she personally goes on the front line, or goes to look for someone suitable in the red-light district...
The Crown Prince, he's dirty.
Fortunately, she decided to kill the Crown Prince from the beginning and never thought of competing for favor with Mrs. Zhang. Otherwise, Su Jun would have been utterly distraught!
That's why the Crown Prince loves her. Following his wishes everywhere, wholeheartedly loving him without any conditions, and not even caring about anything else - she is undoubtedly the most suitable for him.
However, --
Su Jin and Dong Shuang both sighed in unison, "It's truly odd that the Crown Prince wouldn't grant Mrs. Zhang any preferential treatment. That's really strange."
"Let her in."
The moment Zhuangzi entered, warm winds enveloped her.
The windows were wide open, yet there was no sense of cold. Charcoal fires were burning in every corner of the room, creating a warm kang (heated bed).
The walls and ground were insulated, but just standing for a while made Zhuangzi break out in sweat on her back.
Su Jin was dressed in casual clothing, yet it was not ordinary. The qipao skirt shimmered under the sunlight, reflecting various hues, made of brocade from the Shu region offered to the imperial court.
Around her waist, a jade pendant carved into a phoenix from Hetian jade was pressed against her, and on her wrist, the jade bracelet with its luster of water glimmered; it was truly not an item that anyone with ordinary beauty could wear well.
The bracelet, though adorned on the frost-white wrists like frost, simply served as a backdrop.
Looking up, Zhuangshi noticed that the bracelet and the hairpin on her head were actually a set of jewelry.
Although Su Jin casually arranged them, she also wore several pieces of hairpins.
Even without an eye for goods, Zhuangzi recognized that none of these items were ordinary.
She showed her unease, having never seen such a scene before.
Every decorative item in the room was exquisite and luxurious, without exception.
Even the carpet on the ground was woven with gold threads to create intricate patterns.
Zhuangshi's pride suddenly crumbled a bit in her heart.
She had always looked down on Princess Consort, seeing her as a failure who had not won the favor of her husband.
But why would this failure live so well?
When Zhuangshi was by the Crown Prince's side, she was the most favored of all the attendants, and she had seen his demeanor. But he was still a Crown Prince.
What privilege does Su have to enjoy such luxuries?
Of course, because she is the Crown Princess, and also a daughter of the Su family. The exquisite jewelry she has is enough to fill a box and could be passed down through generations.
Status, it represents many things.
Su Jin said calmly, "Just pay respects next time you meet outside."
Zhuangshi: "When should I come then?"
Su Jin gave her a quick glance, and Winter Frost scolded, "Of course at the fourth hour! The Empress honors you by giving you the right to pay respects."
Zhuangshi harbored sarcasm in her heart, but it was only after leaving Su Jin's courtyard that she understood the meaning of Winter Frost's words.
A Fourth-grade Imperial Performer has no qualifications to leave the courtyard. Unless someone summons them, what's in the rear yard of the Eastern Palace is none of their business!
Zhuangshi began to truly understand the rules of the rear yard. She started asking the Crown Prince for a position, and then was questioned by him, "You didn't care about this the most before, right?"
Zhuangshi:！！！
*
In the afternoon, with the sun shining brightly, the accumulated snow in Tiening Palace had been thoroughly cleaned.
The imperial physician advised that the Empress Dowager walk for half an hour each day, and under Su Jin's suggestion, the Empress Dowager chose to do so in the afternoon.
The Empress Dowager held Su Jin's hand and said, "There's no need to come and pay respects to me every day. Just like before, visiting every three days will be sufficient."
"There's a palanquin for you, my granddaughter-in-law would like to accompany you."
"You, still holding a grudge with the Crown Prince?"
Su Jin lowered her eyes, "No."
"I've heard that the Crown Prince has been going to that chambermaid's courtyard for several nights in a row?"
Before Zhuangshi entered the rear courtyard, the Crown Prince resting in the front hall was busy with state affairs. Now that there's no cover for it, it seems rather conspicuous.
Su Jin couldn't help but feel a bit uncomfortable, so she kept her head low and said, "If Your Highness desires it, my granddaughter-in-law has no choice."
"You all... are still young and think that time is long," the Empress Dowager lamented, "A person's life is only so many years, don't waste time on feud, and you'll regret it because there will be fewer memories in the future."
"Now, when I think about it, I shouldn't have argued with him back then."
Su Jin couldn't come up with anything to say. Unlike the Empress Dowager, she and the Crown Prince could never be in perfect harmony. Everyone else may believe otherwise, but that was just the way it was.
"A-"
Su Jin felt a pulling force on her wrist, and the Empress Dowager fell backward.
Su Jin quickly leaped in front of the Empress Dowager, avoiding her from hitting the steps, but her entire upper body leaned against the limestone staircase.
"Empress Dowager!"
"Empress Dowager -- "
"Master -- "
Exclamations rang out, the incident had occurred too suddenly, everyone was caught off guard and had not anticipated it.
After helping the Empress Dowager back up, Qinglu quickly helped others check if Su Jin was injured.
Fortunately, it was just some scrapes on her arms. Qiu Lu massaged Su Jin's chest and abdomen and breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "Thank goodness, thank goodness, she didn't break any bones."
It was a harrowing moment just now, the Empress Dowager suddenly fell down when she was walking back along the corridor, and Nanny directly fell onto the steps behind Her Majesty. Fortunately, winter clothing is thick, otherwise the bones would pierce her intestines, and it would be beyond anyone's ability to save her.
*
After the imperial physicians checked both of them and determined that they were both okay, there was relief.
Su Jin had a few more bruises on her body, the scrapes on her arms would heal well with proper care and won't leave scars, the Empress Dowager was saved in time and didn't hit her head on the steps, just sprained her ankle.
The emperor, the crown prince, and the concubines crowded into the room. Hearing what the imperial physician said, they all let out a long breath of relief in their hearts.
The news of the Empress Dowager's fall spread throughout the palace and beyond, and princes, princesses, and relatives outside the palace also rushed to the palace to visit Her Majesty.
The emperor sighed, "Thankfully, there's the Crown Princess, otherwise... sigh..."
However, unexpectedly, the Crown Prince said, "This matter is entirely the fault of the Crown Princess! If it weren't for her, the grandmother wouldn't have fallen!"
Hearing this, everyone looked at the Crown Prince in surprise.
The emperor's words were half praise for the Crown Princess and half a reprimand for the Crown Prince.
As a married couple, the Crown Princess's filial piety is what the Crown Prince demonstrates to the Empress Dowager in front of others.
How could he ever hurt his own chances?
The Consort smiled and said, "The Crown Prince is being modest. We all know the situation at the time, it's truly fortunate that it was thanks to the Crown Princess."
The Crown Prince scoffed coldly, he had just thought that Su Jin was taking advantage of the Empress Dowager's favor to bully Zhuangshi at every turn. Now that he had a chance to reflect, he realized his face had been brought into question.
The Crown Prince stubbornly retorted, "If she hadn't come to complain about it to the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager hadn't worried about these things for her, this incident wouldn't have happened at all."
