The Disabled Prince Stood Up
The Disabled Prince Stood Up Chapter 3.2

Chapter 3.2

Once the selection was over, Emperor Yongchang immediately issued several marriage decrees.

With the matter settled, Yao Huang quietly followed Matron Fang back to the Chuxiu Pavilion. Chen Ying and the two ladies selected as side consorts for the Prince of Qing also arrived, while Zheng Yuan Zhen, due to her special status, went directly with the nobility to her residence.

The ladies who were not selected were quickly sent out of the palace, and the small courtyard fell quiet.

Matron Fang’s attitude toward Yao Huang and the other three ladies became respectful as she explained, “According to the rules, the ladies selected from the capital will be sent home to wait for their wedding gifts, while the foreign ladies will temporarily stay in the Chuxiu Pavilion. Therefore, Miss Yao and Miss Song, please wait here for a while. Once the nobility has selected the maids of honor and the carriages are arranged, someone will escort you back home.”

Yao Huang couldn’t help but smile, and the young lady from the high-ranking family, Miss Song, also let out a sigh of relief.

Matron Fang then gave a few instructions to the two ladies, Chen Ying and another, who would remain in the palace. Afterward, she had the four ladies return to their respective rooms to pack their belongings. All the clothes and jewelry the ladies had been given during the month in the palace, including the splendid garments worn today, could be taken home. For those who had not been selected, these gifts were a matter of dignity, and in the hands of a clever person, they might even prove useful.

Yao Huang and Chen Ying, holding hands, returned to the south room of the west wing.

The room was quiet and empty. As soon as they entered, Chen Ying could no longer suppress her complex emotions. She tightly hugged Yao Huang, her face pressed against Yao Huang’s shoulder.

A girl far from home, with this marriage decree, it would be difficult for her to ever return to her homeland. Yao Huang understood Chen Ying’s tears and softly comforted her, “Cry if you need to. While I’m still here, let out all your tears as if you’re reluctant to part with me. Afterward, you’ll be living in the palace alone. You mustn’t be sad. Be sure to act happy and joyful, waiting to marry Prince Kang.”

Chen Ying choked up, “I know, being able to become the principal wife of Prince Kang is a blessing I must have earned over several lifetimes. I just feel anxious. I’ve never even met him, I don’t know if he’s easy to get along with, or if he has a terrible temper…”

After all, he was a prince, and Chen Ying feared making a mistake that could cost her life.

Yao Huang laughed, “What about being a prince? He’s human, just like us, with two eyes and one mouth. Just like the empresses and consorts we’ve just met, when together, they chat about daily life. The only difference is they have a few more formalities and restrictions in speech and behavior.”

“With your gentle nature, once you’re married, just ask if you’re unsure, and you won’t make any big mistakes.”

Yao Huang’s embrace was soft, and her gentle voice was soothing. Gradually, Chen Ying stopped crying and released Yao Huang, her eyes still filled with tears as she said, “I’m so glad I have you…”

Before she could finish her sentence, the image of Prince Hui sitting in a wheelchair flashed through her mind. Fearing that Yao Huang might not like the marriage arrangement, Chen Ying nervously asked, “Do you… really want this?”

Yao Huang smiled and replied, “Not only do I want it, I’m overjoyed! The old Yao family’s ancestors must be blessing me, allowing me to be chosen as the princess. I’ll get to enjoy a lifetime of wealth and honor alongside the prince.”

Poor people long to become rich, and low-ranking officials dream of rising to higher positions, because money and power bring immense benefits.

The Yao family lived in a small courtyard inherited from their ancestors. Yao Huang’s father earned only five taels of salary a month, and with the twenty acres of ancestral farmland, they barely managed to afford four servants, two mules, and the occasional new clothes and jewelry for Yao Huang and her mother during the holidays. And even that was modest—nothing expensive.

But once she became a princess, would the royal family skimp on her food, clothing, or daily needs?

As for power, while the princess had no political authority, she was still of high status. Forget the distant past—before, her mother had to force a smile when meeting Li Tingwang’s mother, holding back to avoid offending Li Tingwang’s father, a high-ranking official. Now, Yao Huang was going to become the Princess Hui, with the powerful Prince Hui and the royal family as her backing. Would the Li family still dare to act arrogantly?

These were all very real benefits.

During the selection, Yao Huang wanted to go home because she feared she wouldn’t secure a good future. If someone had told her then that she would be the principal wife of Prince Hui, Yao Huang would have been smiling every day.

Chen Ying could feel Yao Huang’s genuine joy and naturally did not bring up Prince Hui’s disability again. Instead, she smiled and said, “That’s good. From now on, you and I can see each other often. In the capital, at least I’ll have someone to keep me company.”


After packing their belongings, the two women continued to chat about personal matters. Soon after, the maids selected as companions arrived.

Concubine Liu had granted Chen Ying four palace maids. Once Chen Ying married into the Prince Kang’s residence, these four maids would naturally become her senior servants.

Concubine Du, as the foster mother of Prince Hui, also granted Yao Huang four maids.

Concubine Shen Rou had given two maids to each of the two concubines of Prince Qing, and as for the princess, Zheng Yuan Zhen, she was from the Princess Fucheng’ residence, which was already well-stocked with well-trained maids.

In addition to the palace maids, there were also gifts of gold, silver, pearls, silk, and other treasures.

The four palace maids Yao Huang had just received were immediately put to use. Two of them carried a jeweled box, while the other two held a roll of silk.

The carriage outside the palace was ready, and Yao Huang, Miss Song, and the remaining Chen Ying bid each other farewell. With their gifts, they followed another palace maid to the western gate, the same one they had used when entering the palace.

They followed the proper protocol, and there was silence along the way. Once they left the palace gates, Miss Song congratulated and bid Yao Huang farewell again before turning and boarding her own carriage.

It was nearly noon, and the sun shone brightly. Yao Huang looked at the eight guards standing in front of her carriage.

The eight strong men knelt on one knee, and the leader, Zhang Yue, cupped his hands and said, “This subordinate, Zhang Yue, is here under the orders of His Highness Prince Hui to guard the young lady. From today until the day the young lady leaves the house, any instructions you have, please feel free to give them to me. I will do my utmost to fulfill them.”

Yao Huang had been subtly informed by Matron Fang in advance and understood that this was due to the fact that the Yao family, being of humble origins, lacked personal guards. To ensure the safety of the future princess consort and to prevent any improper associations with men during her engagement period, this special arrangement had been made.

The palace could provide the guards, but Emperor Yongchang thought it would be more reassuring for his son to personally arrange the guards, hence the eight men led by Zhang Yue.

There are many royal protocols, and over the past month, Yao Huang had become accustomed to them. She politely responded, “No need for formalities. I will rely on you all from now on.”

Zhang Yue, along with the seven other guards, stood back up and respectfully lowered their eyes, remaining in position until the future princess consort was seated in the carriage. Only then did they stand tall and confidently, guarding around the carriage.

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