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Yao Zhenhu’s eyes widened in disbelief. “That’s the palace—the richest place under heaven—and they only gave you steamed buns to eat?”
Yao Huang chuckled. “Only this morning. The buns are dry and plain, but they’re the least likely to cause trouble.”
Yao Huang pushed past her father, her legs weak as she made her way to the redwood Eight Immortals table. Sitting down, she picked up a pair of chopsticks and grabbed a steaming white bun. The familiar taste and her mother’s expert touch—thin skin, juicy filling—immediately brought her comfort. One bite, and she could already taste the rich filling inside.
She ate half in one go before glancing up at her family, who had been staring at her from three sides of the table.
Yao Lin spoke first. “Now that looks like my sister. Outside, you seemed like a completely different person.”
Luo Jinhua scolded him lightly, “What do you know? Yao Yao is now a future princess consort. Every move she makes is watched by those guards and maids. Of course, she has to carry herself with more grace.”
Yao Huang nodded in agreement. “Exactly. I have to put on a show for them in public.”
But Yao Zhenhu frowned, his expression souring. “So many rules, and the Prince is even crippled. Yao Yao, tell your father the truth—do you not want to be this princess consort?”
Yao Huang gasped. “What are you saying, Father? Of course, I want to be a princess consort!”
She then listed the many benefits of marrying Prince Hui, along with the rewards she had already received that day.
Luo Jinhua beamed with pride. “I knew it. Yao Yao is just as clever as her mother.”
Yao Zhenhu snorted, turning to his daughter. “Don’t just think about the good things. Fine clothes and riches are fleeting. A lifetime is long, and the person by your side matters most. Look at me and your mother—when she’s upset, I bring her tea, massage her shoulders, and pamper her. When she’s happy, I carry her shopping bags home without complaint. But Prince Hui? He can’t go anywhere with you. Instead, you’ll be the one serving him tea, helping him with…well, you know…even that. And can he even have children? We don’t know!”
Yao Huang had a bun halfway to her mouth but suddenly found it impossible to take a bite.
Luo Jinhua smacked Yao Zhenhu with her chopsticks. “What nonsense are you spewing? You’ve got a mouth like a dog’s—you can’t say anything decent!”
Yao Lin also scolded his father. “Father, mind your words. My sister is still young.”
Spending his days among a group of rough-and-tumble men, Yao Lin had heard more than his fair share of coarse talk, but his sister was different.
Yao Zhenhu snatched the chopsticks from his wife’s hand. “I’m just speaking the truth. I want Yao Yao to think this through. I respect Prince Hui for being a true man after getting injured in battle, but that doesn’t mean I’m willing to send my daughter into a pit of fire.”
Yao Huang felt a warm glow in her heart. She no longer blamed her father’s blunt words for spoiling her appetite. Smiling, she said, “Dad, I understand everything you’re saying. But back then, I didn’t have a choice. Marrying Prince Hui was my best option. I was the one who first batted my eyes at him, and he was kind enough to respond. I’m already incredibly grateful. If I were to now despise him because of his leg, wouldn’t that make me ungrateful? Is that the kind of people we Yao family are?”
Yao Zhenhu sighed. “No, of course not. It’s just that…”
Yao Huang set her chopsticks down and looked around at her family—her mother and brother watching her silently, their concern evident. With a serious tone, she said, “I saw it with my own eyes: Prince Hui is extraordinarily handsome. He’s not only dashing but also a war hero. If his legs were perfectly fine, would someone like me even stand a chance to marry him? We must be realistic. I’ve gained the honor of being his legitimate wife, so it’s only right I accept the inconvenience of his leg injury. Life is about balance; you gain some and lose some—that’s fair.”
“Father,” she continued, her expression earnest, “I’m willingly marrying him, and the imperial decree has been issued. If you truly care about me, then you should be just as happy and focused on preparing for my wedding. Besides, Prince Hui will be your son-in-law soon. If you keep picking him apart, making unfair assumptions, or harping on his injury, you’ll only embarrass me. And anyone who makes me unhappy won’t get my attention.”
Her gaze sharpened, first locking on her father before shifting to her brother, making her point clear.
Yao Lin surrendered first, raising his hands in mock defeat: “Alright, alright! From now on, I’ll only say good things about him. And if anyone dares to mock the Prince, I’ll make sure they know better!”
Yao Huang smiled, shaking her head: “Fighting is illegal. Just scare them a bit, but don’t let anyone say we’re bullying others or that the Prince can’t take the truth.”
Yao Lin nodded vigorously.
Luo Jinhua scooped soup for her daughter and praised, “My Yao Yao is so clever. If you two had even half her sense, I wouldn’t be turning gray so early.”
Yao Zhenhu rolled his eyes and groaned: “Here we go again, just one gray hair, and she’s been talking about it since New Year’s!”
Luo Jinhua sighed with a frown: “One gray hair leads to another. I’m getting old, worrying about the two of you all the time!”
Yao Zhenhu let out a sigh, his face full of frustration. “…I remember, the Prince is my son-in-law. He can criticize me, but I can’t criticize him, right?”
Yao Huang raised an eyebrow with a playful smile and replied, “Well, it depends on what he criticizes. If he nitpicks for no reason, I’ll definitely take your side.”
Yao Zhenhu’s face softened, a smile creeping onto his lips. “That’s my girl!” He was clearly satisfied, appreciating that his daughter was so loyal to him.
After finishing their meal, Wu Shi and Qiaoniang cleared the table, and Luo Jinhua instructed her husband and son to guard the front and back courtyards, ensuring that no one could eavesdrop. Mother and daughter then comfortably lay on the heated brick bed in the east room, basking in the sun while talking in a more private manner. Their conversation mainly focused on Yao Huang’s experiences in the palace, particularly regarding the women in the palace, which was not something Yao Zhenhu and Yao Lin could be privy to.
Luo Jinhua initially listened with ease, but when she heard about the disdain from the Concubine Du, she immediately straightened up, her brow furrowing. “This is bad,” she said. “If Concubine Du dislikes you, things could easily escalate. Ordinary mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships are hard enough, but she’s a Noble Concubine—she could squash you like an ant.”