Jin Wang Dotes on His Concubine-Chapter 224.1
If one were to talk about the most luxurious and prosperous place in the Forbidden City, it would undoubtedly be the crown prince’s Eastern Palace.
The emperor had always been reserved, and everything he used was simple and unadorned. If one wanted to gain his favor, they would need to change their target accordingly. The emperor valued the crown prince, and every other day, he would pay him a visit, sending all sorts of fine things from his palace to the Eastern Palace. If the people around the crown prince were to say any sweet words and happened to please the crown prince, rewards from above would naturally follow.
This was how things were done in the palace. One must understand the emperor’s heart but not be overly obsequious. One must not pat the emperor on the backside, but one should reach to touch his heart, for this was the way of the elite.
So, ever since Sun Yue’er married into the Eastern Palace, her food, clothing, and living conditions have been the best in the world. If she wanted to raise a cat or a dog, the Inner Affairs Department would spare no effort to provide the best.
Sun Yue’er used to have a Persian cat, pure white fur, and blue eyes. It was a gift from her maternal family who were wealthy merchants from the south. Although the Qiao Family may lack power, when it came to money or rare items, they could acquire almost anything!
But the cat died after only a few years, it had died a mysterious death. Since then, Sun Yue’er never kept such things.
“Niangniang, you should pick one. His Highness specifically instructed the Inner Affairs Department. These are the newly presented offerings.” The eunuch from the Inner Affairs Department stood there, smiling, and Sun Yue’er sat above, feeling a bit nostalgic.
“Ru Yi, you go and choose one.”
“Yes, niangniang.”
Ru Yi was Sun Yue’er’s personal maid who had served her for many years. After she married the crown prince, Ru Yi joined her in the palace as her head maid. She understood Sun Yue’er’s preferences, so she deliberately chose one that resembled the cat Sun Yue’er had as a child.
Later, after the people from the Inner Affairs Department left, Sun Yue’er held the very gentle cat in her arms and couldn’t help but think of the person in the Eastern Palace.
After a moment of wandering thoughts, she placed the cat on the ground, had Ru Yi help her adjust her clothes, and then she headed to the Eastern Palace.
The Eastern Palace was, as always, tranquil. The crown prince couldn’t stand noise, so all the palace attendants there grew to be very quiet, moving lightly and gently. In such an environment, anyone who came would naturally follow these customs.
When Sun Yue’er arrived at the door of the palace, someone had already gone in to announce her arrival, so she was immediately ushered inside.
The interior of the palace was both elegant and extravagant, with a faint scent of herbs in the air, not bitter but rather pleasant. The clear golden brick floor could reflect shadows, and the bright red longevity carpet extended to the innermost area. Behind the hanging silk curtains, a faint shadow could be seen, as if someone was lying on a soft couch, with high pillows and soft bedding, a picture of comfort.
Someone behind the curtain quietly moved, seemingly helping the person sit up. That person was weak and needed assistance to sit up. With one person supporting and another placing a cushion that was just right, not too soft or hard, behind him so he could sit up.
Seeing this scene from the corner of her eye, Sun Yue’er deliberately slowed her pace until the person inside was seated, then she entered.
“Your Highness’s princess consort has arrived.”
With a soft and lengthy announcement, the eunuch standing on the side hurriedly stepped aside, and someone opened the curtain. The crown prince leaned against the couch, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
“Why have you come?”
She walked forward with an elegant and graceful smile, and someone carefully placed a chair behind her. Sun Yue’er didn’t need to turn around to know; she sat in the chair and said with a smile, “Today, people from the Inner Affairs Department came, saying that Your Highness was worried I might be bored and sent the newly offered cats for me to choose. I received Your Highness’s precious gift, so naturally, I had to come and say thank you.”
“It’s not much of a gift. If you like it, it’s yours.”
The crown prince was undoubtedly handsome, bearing a strong resemblance to the emperor. However, unlike the emperor’s sternness and majesty, his temperament leaned more towards refinement and gentleness. Perhaps due to this, he appeared frail with his slim frame, eliciting a sense of pity in any who saw him.
His skin was fair, the kind that had never seen sunlight, with faint blue veins visible underneath. His long, delicate eyebrows, narrow phoenix eyes, and finely shaped lips had a touch of white amidst the rosiness. At this moment, he reclined on the couch, wearing a light rain-washed azure silk robe, and his hair was held with a single jade hairpin. Despite the scorching weather, he had a thin blanket over him. His hand, placed outside the blanket, was as delicate as jade, yet it revealed a sense of frailty.
Tea was brought to her, and she took a sip before putting it down.
The hall was quiet once again. She felt annoyed with herself, as every time she wished to talk more with him, she found herself unable to begin.
What should she say?
Even though they were husband and wife, they were not familiar with each other, and they hadn’t shared a bed since their wedding day.
Early on, when Sun Yue’er was first appointed as the crown princess, several maids were sent to the Duke Zhengguo Manor. They not only taught her the palace rules but also how to be a good consort. From the crown prince’s habits to his preferences, everything was thoroughly explained to her.
The crown prince couldn’t stand heat or cold, and he couldn’t get agitated. He couldn’t eat spicy or sweet food, and even a little too much or too little was not acceptable. Even before meeting her future husband, Sun Yue’er knew that he was a very delicate person.
Intimate matters between men and women, especially in bed, were also taught. With all this knowledge, Sun Yue’er knew she would be living a life of abstinence.
