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Huamei responded, “The princess Noble Concubine you highly. Since the king is in poor health, the Noble Concubine hopes that once you marry, you will quickly take charge of the inner affairs of the royal manor. That’s why she specially selected me to serve you.”
Yao Huang nodded, “The Noble Concubine is thoughtful. Here’s what I’ll do—teach Ah Ji the palace etiquette and rules. By the time I marry into the royal family, I want her to look like she’s come straight from the palace when others see her.”
Huamei was silent for a moment, taking in Yao Huang’s words.
Yao Huang continued, “If you teach her well, she won’t bring disgrace upon me. Otherwise, my maidservants’ mistakes will reflect poorly on me and bring shame to the Noble Concubine.”
Huamei nodded, her tone resigned, “Understood.”
With Yao Huang’s arrangements, the four palace maids became quite busy. Chunyan focused on making new clothes, Qiuchan followed Luo Jinhua to help record the gifts and well-wishes from friends and family, Bailing worked on improving Yao Huang and her mother’s appearance with their existing jewelry, while Huamei took on the role of teaching Ah Ji the palace etiquette, though she couldn’t scold Ah Ji too harshly, since Ah Ji often retorted and would not back down.
Yao Huang, on the other hand, felt suffocated after being locked away in the palace for over a month. She longed for a breath of fresh air.
However, there were guards from the Prince Hui’s residence stationed at the gate. If she tried to leave, it might be seen as improper for a betrothed princess, and word of it reaching the Prince Hui’s could damage the image he had of her.
Yao Huang, cautious of Hui Wang’s temper and preferences, refrained from making any impulsive moves.
Fortunately, during the month leading up to her wedding, she wasn’t idle.
First, the matron from the garment workshop came with the seamstresses to measure her for the wedding gown, and they quickly began working on the bridal attire and several sets of formal robes.
Next, representatives from the Ministry of Rites came to deliver the betrothal gifts. There were two ceremonies—one for the engagement and one for the marriage contract. The gifts included a jeweled crown and ceremonial robes fit for a princess, seasonal clothes in silk brocades, boxes of gold, silver, jewelry, fine silks, cosmetics, and even practical gifts such as pigs, sheep, rice, flour, tea, wine, and fruit cakes.
One chest after another, one box after another, the betrothal gifts filled every available room in the Yao family’s estate. After the guests departed, Yao Huang spent four or five days simply going over the list of gifts, ensuring that each one was accounted for. If it hadn’t been for Huamei and the other three maids keeping watch, she would have been tempted to scatter the jewelry across the bed and wake up each day surrounded by a shimmer of gems.
The days passed quickly, and Yao Huang felt at ease even without stepping outside. The comfort of her life made time seem to fly by. With only three days remaining until her wedding, the palace sent someone again. This time, it was something of a novelty—a woman in her fifties, a physician, sent by Empress Zhou with a message.
The Yao family greeted the female physician respectfully.
The physician had a kind and gentle expression. After exchanging pleasantries with Yao Zhenhu and his wife, she took Yao Huang to her room for a private consultation. Two palace maids stood outside the door, ensuring no one approached or eavesdropped, including the four maids gifted by Noble Concubine Du Gui.
Inside the room, the female physician looked at Yao Huang with a soft gaze. “With the grand ceremony approaching, I shall address you as the princess consort,” she said kindly.
Yao Huang nodded, acknowledging the formality.
The female physician reassured Yao Huang, “There’s no need to be anxious, Princess Consort. The Empress sent me because of the Prince’s leg ailment. His mobility is limited, and on the wedding night, as well as in the marriage afterwards, your cooperation will be essential to ensure a harmonious relationship and avoid unnecessary difficulties.”
Yao Huang, truly grateful, responded sincerely, “Thank you for the Empress’s kind intentions. I will certainly take this seriously and learn.”
The female physician moved a chair near the bed and demonstrated how someone with a leg injury would sit, asking Yao Huang to practice assisting her onto the bed and helping her lie down.
Yao Huang, doing it for the first time, fumbled a bit, trying several times before finally getting it right without causing the physician any discomfort.
The female physician softly advised, “The Prince is heavier than me. When it’s time to help him, you’ll need to use more strength.” She paused, then added, “I can only guide you so far. Beyond this, you’ll need to observe and find the right balance yourself.”
Yao Huang nodded, fully aware of the responsibility she had ahead.
Yao Huang glanced at her own arms and laughed confidently, “It’s fine, I have strength, I won’t drop the Prince.”
Her smile was genuine, pure, and not forced. The female physician, seeing her confidence, felt reassured and continued to instruct Yao Huang on how to assist a groom with leg disabilities, starting with helping him remove his clothing, particularly his trousers.
When it came to the most critical step, even with her thick skin, Yao Huang blushed deeply as she knelt facing the female physician, her face burning with embarrassment.
The female physician, however, maintained a calm demeanor, her professional detachment evident. “Once this task is accomplished, Your Highness need not worry further. All that remains is to care for His Highness.”
Yao Huang shifted to the side, trying to suppress her discomfort, but she gathered the courage to ask, “Is there any other technique I need to ensure that it will succeed?”
The female physician sat up, leaning toward Yao Huang. “Since His Highness’ injury, his mood has been quite low. The royal physicians only dare inquire about his leg’s condition and refrain from asking anything else. However, men with disabilities can sometimes still perform normally, while others may require assistance from their wives to succeed. Some, unfortunately, cannot do so at all.”
Yao Huang listened carefully, the gravity of the situation slowly sinking in. She knew that her role would require not just physical assistance, but emotional patience and understanding as well.
Yao Huang fell silent at the female physician’s words. The uncertainty surrounding the Prince’s condition was unnerving, especially since the royal physicians dared not inquire, and the Prince himself would not voluntarily discuss it.
The female physician took an item from her medical kit, her tone gentle but firm as she instructed Yao Huang on the methods she could use to assist the Prince, including certain techniques of touch and oral skills.
Yao Huang was at a loss for words, feeling both bewildered and overwhelmed.
The female physician, sensing her discomfort, spoke kindly, “Start by gauging His Highness’s attitude. If the Prince agrees, you may try these methods. But if they prove ineffective, or if the Prince shows no interest, do not force it, as it may upset him.”
Yao Huang forced herself to appear composed, nodding in agreement though her mind was racing.
With that, the female physician’s task was complete. The rest was up to Yao Huang. How she and the Prince would navigate their married life, and whether they could find happiness and intimacy, was something she would have to discover on her own.