Chapter 2 Dwelling of Peach Blossoms  

The door creaked open. Su Peisheng looked up in surprise. “Your Highness?”  

The maids and Mama Qiu who had accompanied Nian Jiao into the residence stood to the side, heads bowed in respectful silence.  

Su Peisheng’s sharp eyes immediately noticed that his master’s lips were darker than usual. Before he could react, Fourth Master instructed, “Go to the study first. We’ll head to the West Courtyard when the time comes.”  

After the consummation, the bride was required to serve tea to the First Wife to formally establish her status. His Highness’s words implied he intended to accompany her.  

Su Peisheng promptly replied, “Understood. This servant will arrange for the meal to be served.”  

The prince’s tone and expression were no different from yesterday, and his departure was swift, showing no particular attachment to Consort Nian. Su Peisheng couldn’t help but wonder—was His Highness truly invested or not?  

Then again, whether he was or not, given the Nian family’s status and the imperial decree for the marriage, Fourth Master would never mistreat her. After all, the West Courtyard where Consort Nian resided was second only to the First Wife’s quarters in the entire Royal Residence. Even Consort Li, mother of the Third Prince, had repeatedly requested it but was never granted permission.  

As they stepped out of the courtyard, Su Peisheng followed closely behind when Fourth Master suddenly said, “From now on… this place shall be called the Dwelling of Peach Blossoms.”  

Dwelling of Peach Blossoms?  

Su Peisheng froze for a few seconds before hurriedly acknowledging the order, though his mind was in turmoil.  

When the Royal Residence was expanded, the Ministry of Internal Affairs had submitted numerous ornate names for each courtyard, marked with circles for selection. But His Highness had always been indifferent to such matters, simply referring to them as the front courtyard, main courtyard, east courtyard, or west courtyard. Yet now, the moment Consort Nian entered the residence, he had bestowed a name upon her dwelling.  

Countless thoughts raced through his mind. Su Peisheng narrowed his eyes with a smile—the Dwelling of Peach Blossoms still needed a runner. Perhaps his young apprentice could take the position?  

—  

An annoying voice lingered in her ears. Nian Jiao frowned and buried her head deeper into the blankets, determined to keep sleeping.  

“Princess, Princess,” her personal maid Wen Chun called helplessly before casting a pleading glance at Mama Qiu.  

Mama Qiu cleared her throat loudly. “The sun is high—it’s time to serve tea to the First Wife!”  

Nian Jiao jolted awake. Tea for the First Wife?  

Oh no. Had she overslept and offended the First Wife on the very first day? She scrambled up, only to wince as the movement tugged at her waist. Her delicate face scrunched up in pain.  

Mama Qiu reached out to steady her. “Slowly, slowly. There’s still time. His Highness is in the study and has promised to accompany you.”  

A faint smile touched her lips as she looked at the girl she had raised since infancy. Last night had clearly been… satisfactory.  

Mama Qiu whispered to Wen Chun, “Fetch the ointment from the trunk.” Then she instructed Wen Xia, “Pick out an outfit for the tea ceremony.”  

Wen Chun and Wen Xia hurried off. Nian Jian pouted unhappily but obediently lay still for the ointment. “My whole body feels like it’s fallen apart. Didn’t Second Brother say His Highness was the most ascetic, devoted to Buddhist teachings?”  

Mama Qiu remained expressionless as she listened to the complaints, applying the ointment while massaging gently.  

Nian Jiao grumbled for a while before falling silent, then began whining again. Serving a husband was no easy task—she’d have to make Second Brother compensate her with floral jewelry!  

Her attendants were long accustomed to her ways and worked efficiently. While they attended to her in the inner chamber, the maids assigned by the Royal Residence waited outside. Soon, Wen Xia returned with a light pink Banner Dress adorned with delicate Chinese crabapple patterns—elegant and refined.  

Nian Jiao glanced at it and thought it still too flashy.  

Serving the First Wife required a different strategy than serving a superior. She needed to appear humble, respectful, and unassuming. Suppressing a wince, she pointed to another dress. “That light blue one is better.”

To cater to Fourth Master’s preferences, all the clothes Nian Jiao brought into the Royal Residence were of a subdued style, with none leaning toward extravagance or gaudiness—the same went for her jewelry. Over this, she had wept bitterly, and it took the entire Nian household’s efforts to console her—  

On the eve of her wedding, her mother slipped her a few pieces of floral jewelry, saying she could secretly wear and admire them. Nian Jiao thought it made sense; as long as she was discreet, no one would notice.  

After dressing and finishing breakfast, Nian Jiao hurriedly sent Wen Chun, Wen Xia, and Mama Qiu to guard the door while she rummaged through her belongings. She retrieved her treasured diary from a trunk and hid it beneath the bed frame—this was something no one else was allowed to see.  

If the timing hadn’t been so inappropriate, she would have eagerly added an entry: *The prince is so vigorous—those rumors outside are all lies!*  

As for the floral jewelry, she placed them in the most inconspicuous spot on her dressing table. After organizing everything, she suddenly remembered her second brother’s instructions—he had packed all the necessary gifts for her entry into the residence into a small chest, to be presented in order during the tea ceremony.  

Nian Jiao quickly hurried off to find the gifts he had mentioned.  

·  

When Fourth Master entered the Dwelling of Peach Blossoms, a crowd was gathered outside the chamber door.  

The prince’s arrival was unexpected—not late, but far too early. Mama Qiu paled in shock and was about to announce him when Fourth Master raised a hand, signaling that no announcement was needed.  

This was disastrous!  

Mama Qiu’s face turned ashen. She shouldn’t have indulged the consort’s whims… The old madam had repeatedly warned her never to let the princess reveal her true nature. Heavens, it was only the second day in the residence—what were they to do now?  

Little did Mama Qiu know that the previous night, Nian Jiao had already said everything she shouldn’t have and done everything she shouldn’t have—otherwise, the old nursemaid might have fainted on the spot.  

The man strode in slowly, only to find the audacious Consort Nian—who had shamelessly used him as a pillow—twisting her waist as she bent over, digging through a chest.  

Fourth Master paused mid-step. He averted his gaze and spoke, his tone as cold and stern as ever, even more so than the night before: “What are you searching for?”  

Had this been any other woman in the rear courtyard, she would have anxiously stepped aside, assuming this was a prelude to the prince’s wrath. But Nian Jiao exhaled softly, turned to him, suppressed the trembling in her heart, and flashed a sweet smile.  

She trotted over and clung to his arm. “You’re back, Your Highness?”  

Su Peisheng, who had been following behind, froze.  

Mama Qiu’s eyes widened: “…”  

The beautiful woman’s nose was dotted with sweat, her light makeup accentuating an innate allure that blended purity with sensuality despite her modest attire.  

Though Nian Jiao held on tightly, to Fourth Master, it felt no more than a tickle. He stared at her for a long moment, making no move to pull away.  

After a pause, he scolded, “What impropriety is this?”  

The words carried the imposing dignity of imperial nobility, crashing toward her like a wave. Nian Jiao should have been afraid.  

She instinctively started to withdraw, but after last night’s wedding consummation, her courage had grown just a little—she vaguely sensed that though her lord was stern and held grudges, he was still reasonable. After all, he hadn’t even woken her when he rose that morning.  

Nian Jiao forced herself to hold still, mentally cheering herself on. *Gaining favor isn’t easy—if you’re going to cling to his thigh, you must be the one to brave the challenge!*  

Instead of letting go, she tightened her grip and gave his hand a small shake. “I was choosing gifts for the Third Prince and the others. Your Highness, help me decide?”  

Her rosy cheeks were inches away, her breath carrying a faint peach fragrance. Fourth Master’s instinctive step back was abruptly halted.

“…” He was silent for a moment. “Fine. Let go first.”

Su Peisheng and Mama Qiu stood frozen in shock.

This was clearly an agreement. Satisfied, Nian Jiao released her grip and pointed out each item to Fourth Master with petal-like lips slightly upturned.

For the Third Prince, there was a scholar’s four treasures set. For the Eldest Princess, a string of glass bracelets. For the still-infant Fourth Prince and Fifth Prince, each received a small red gold lock.

None were priceless treasures, yet all were exquisitely crafted and valuable—perfectly appropriate gifts.

Fourth Master lifted one of the small locks: “Who chose these gifts?”

“…” Nian Jiao’s heart skipped a beat. How was her boss so sharp-eyed?

She stammered, “It… it was Second Brother who selected them.”

He knew it. Fourth Master gave a faint but genuine smile: “Your second brother has always been meticulous. Why bother having me check them?”

Su Peisheng nearly fainted. Witnessing the first smile from the prince this month, he pinched himself hard—this wasn’t a dream. His awe for Consort Nian surged uncontrollably. This was only her second day in the residence!

Mama Qiu also felt faint, barely managing to stay upright with support from Wen Chun and Wen Xia.

“Why?” Nian Jiao whispered, “I just wanted to talk with you more.”

She addressed herself as “I” rather than “this humble one”—Fourth Master had grown accustomed to it. But such straightforward words, apart from last night’s “hibiscus poem,” were only the second time he’d heard them.

Her delicate fingers pinched his sleeve again, tender and timid like dewdrops that evoked pity.

Noticing the movement, Fourth Master’s clear phoenix eyes glanced over, remaining silent for a long moment.

He raised his hand and pinched Nian Jiao’s cheek, kneading it like dough with just the right pressure, his tone admonishing: “This behavior is tolerable in the courtyard, but don’t be so presumptuous outside.”

Nian Jiao’s expression clouded again, afraid her face might be squashed flat, and she quickly agreed: “Mhm, mhm!”

Such a hasty reply—she probably hadn’t even listened properly. Fourth Master gave her another look. Only sixteen years old…

Never mind.

He released her and signaled Mama Qiu to wrap the gifts: “It’s about time. Let’s go. Make sure your mistress is properly dressed.”

Nian Jiao sighed in relief—she’d finally handled her boss.

As she obediently waited for Mama Qiu to wipe her sweat, Fourth Master finally noticed her attire: “Why are you dressed so plainly?”

Here it was—the perfect opportunity to score points. Nian Jiao touched her hairpin and said demurely, “Father and Mother taught us siblings since childhood to value cleanliness over extravagance and gaudiness.”

Fourth Master neither agreed nor disagreed, nodding before turning away with a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth.

Su Peisheng pondered—had His Highness smiled or not?

Oblivious, Nian Jiao followed closely behind him.

As they stepped through the courtyard gate, Fourth Master’s voice came from beside her: “Does your waist still hurt?”

Memories of last night surfaced, and Nian Jiao’s face scrunched up—she suddenly didn’t want to speak.

Though she’d lost her magic, as a flower spirit in human form, her recovery was several times faster than ordinary people. Slowly, she answered, “Much better.”

Fourth Master slowed his pace: “Originally, if you couldn’t manage, I would have allowed you to serve tea three days later…” He paused, surprised by her vitality. “Since that’s the case, walk slower. There’s no hurry.”

Nian Jiao: “……..”

The little flower spirit thought resentfully—why didn’t he say that earlier!