The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity

Chapter 351 - 319: Post-New Year Trial Marriage (3 Updates)

Song Yuanbao stood rooted to the spot, unsure of what expression he should put on.

No wonder the little eunuch said that His Highness didn’t allow anyone to keep vigil while he slept; it turns out he has a side unknown to others.

Imagine someone who is usually stern and self-disciplined kicking the quilt and burrowing into the pillow while sleeping.

This contrast was truly unexpected.

Afraid of waking him, Song Yuanbao didn’t go over to pick up the quilt for Zhao Xi, nor did he adjust the pillow for him. He took a deep breath and quietly stepped out.

The little eunuch outside was almost in tears with anxiety. Seeing Song Yuanbao come out, he hurriedly asked, "How is it, has His Highness woken up yet?"

Song Yuanbao shrugged, "Sleeping soundly."

"You didn’t wake him, did you?" the little eunuch asked again.

Song Yuanbao gave an ambiguous smile.

Zhao Xi would rather not have anyone serve him closely than let his little quirks be exposed to the servants.

Song Yuanbao believed that if he dared to wake him now and accidentally reveal his secrets, he’d definitely be copying the ’Heart Purification Scripture’ until his hand broke tonight, and would consider himself lucky if his life was spared with just a light punishment.

Patting the little eunuch on the shoulder, Song Yuanbao said something very comforting, "Don’t worry, His Highness is still dreaming!"

The little eunuch heaved a huge sigh of relief, then frowned, "The palace banquet is about to start, and His Highness hasn’t gotten up yet, what should we do?"

"What else can we do, just knock on the door!"

As Song Yuanbao spoke, he didn’t wait for the little eunuch to move and knocked vigorously on the door.

While knocking, he shouted, "His Highness, get up and study!"

The little eunuch: "..."

Zhao Xi inside the inner hall was woken up by the noise. He opened his eyes and stared at the top of the canopy for a long time, feeling a bit disoriented.

Sitting up, he found he was left in nothing but sleepwear, with the quilt having fallen off, and the pillow pushed to the side, now standing upright, blatantly revealing how terrible his sleeping posture was.

Zhao Xi reached out to rub his forehead. Ever since he was young, he’d been able to discipline himself in everything, able to restrain himself in every way, except for kicking the quilt and burrowing into pillows in his sleep, which never seemed to change.

To prevent the servants from discovering this, he always slept alone, not allowing anyone to keep vigil, and no one was allowed to enter before he woke up.

The knocking outside continued, as if it wouldn’t stop until he reacted.

Zhao Xi frowned, picked up his robe from the bedside, put it on, quickly tidied up the bed, and walked out of the inner hall.

Song Yuanbao was enthusiastically knocking and shouting, when suddenly, from behind the door came a low yell, "Shut up!"

The knocking and shouting instantly ceased.

Song Yuanbao’s hand was still awkwardly frozen in mid-air when the door of the main hall opened, and Zhao Xi stood fully dressed in front of him.

Song Yuanbao withdrew his hand, switched to clasping his hands, and gave a ceremonial bow, "Your Highness."

Zhao Xi looked at him, "Weren’t you going home for the Mid-Autumn Festival, why are you back at the palace so early?"

Song Yuanbao asked, "If I came a few hours later tomorrow morning, would I be punished? If not, I’ll go back now and maybe still catch the family reunion dinner."

Zhao Xi glanced dismissively at him, "Have Eunuch Sanbao fetch you a meal." His gaze shifted to the little eunuch named "Sanbao," "What about the Ganquan Palace?"

Ganquan Palace is where the palace banquet will be held tonight.

Eunuch Sanbao replied, "Your Highness, the ministers are entering the palace one after another, and the banquet is about to begin."

Zhao Xi acknowledged with a "Hmm," and ordered, "Bring in the washing items."

Soon, three little palace maids arrived, the leading maid carrying a copper basin filled with freshly mixed warm water, the one behind carrying a tray with a velvet towel and face cleanser, along with a toothbrush made of horsehair, and next to the toothbrush was a round ceramic box containing tooth powder made from soapberry, ginger, and salt.

The last maid held the luxurious brocade robe that Zhao Xi would wear to the banquet.

Song Yuanbao gave a quick glance, focusing on the little eunuch next to him, "You’re called Sanbao?"

He had only learned this today, having never paid much attention.

Eunuch Sanbao nodded, "It’s the name His Highness recently bestowed upon me."

Song Yuanbao felt very conflicted.

His name was Yuanbao, his brother was Jinbao, and now suddenly there was a eunuch named Sanbao. Something felt off.

He even suspected that His Highness might be targeting him on purpose, which was why this little eunuch was given such a name.

"Is Young Master Song hungry? I’ll arrange a meal for you."

Eunuch Sanbao, completely oblivious to Song Yuanbao’s thoughts, asked in a concerned manner.

Song Yuanbao nodded, "Let him in!"

Feeling gloomy is one thing, but meals still need to be eaten. If you don’t fill your stomach, where would you find the spirit to continue feeling gloomy?

When Zhao Xi finished washing up and got dressed to go out, he passed by the side hall where Song Yuanbao was and saw that the little rascal was sitting at the table eating with great enjoyment, looking more at ease than when he was at his own home.

Zhao Xi withdrew his gaze, his expression indifferent as he walked out of the Yutang Palace gate, sitting in a palanquin heading to Ganquan Palace.

Eunuch Sanbao stayed behind to serve Song Yuanbao.

After eating and drinking his fill, Song Yuanbao reclined on a deck chair, glanced at Eunuch Sanbao, and asked, "How long have you been in the palace?"

Eunuch Sanbao replied, "I entered the palace when I was young, in the year His Highness began studying at the age of six, I was castrated and brought here to serve."

Song Yuanbao was curious, "Then you can be considered an old servant by His Highness’s side, all these years, have you really never stayed in to guard the night?"

Eunuch Sanbao shook his head, "That’s His Highness’s rule, he doesn’t want anyone to guard him while he sleeps and doesn’t allow anyone to disturb him before he wakes up, not even if the Emperor comes."

Song Yuanbao gave a long "Oh," understanding most of it.

For someone who pursues perfection in everything, kicking off the quilt and pushing pillows while asleep would probably be a source of lifelong embarrassment.

Song Yuanbao wasn’t in the habit of exposing others’ weaknesses. He just couldn’t help but wonder, with His Highness being like this, what would he do when he gets married in the future? Could he hide it from others but still keep it from his wife, who shares his bed every night?

——

A palace banquet is no more than that, the Emperor hosts a feast to revel with his officials, interspersed with some singing and dancing for entertainment.

However, tonight is the Mid-Autumn Festival, there is also a moon-viewing session, which ensures the banquet will end late.

Zhao Xi sat next to Princess Consort Qi, occasionally exchanging words with his birth mother.

He was indifferent by nature, always approaching such lively events with an attitude of mere formality, having little interest.

Taking advantage of others’ attention being focused on the dancing girls, Princess Consort Qi leaned closer to Zhao Xi and whispered, "Xixi, I’ve already discussed with your father, after the new year we’ll arrange for your trial marriage as soon as possible, you need to be mentally prepared."

A trial marriage refers to the sexual initiation given to princes in the palace between the ages of thirteen and seventeen. The prince’s first contact will be with a palace maid.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xi tightened his grip on the wine cup slightly, "After the new year, I’ll only be fourteen."

Princess Consort Qi laughed, "The candidate has already been selected for you by your mother; she’ll be sent to your palace after the new year. As long as it doesn’t exceed seventeen, you can decide when to consummate."

After a pause, she added, "I noticed there are a few delightful-looking ones in your palace; if you’re interested in them, you can choose them instead."

Zhao Xi kept his gaze on the dancers, his voice indifferent, "Let’s talk about it later!"

Seeing her son’s lack of interest, Princess Consort Qi told him, "Xixi, you don’t have to push yourself so hard. Among your peers, you’re already exceptional. When it’s time to relax, you should do so; after all, you’re only thirteen, still a child. If you’re too stressed, I’m worried your body won’t hold up."

"I’m already used to it," Zhao Xi said.

Princess Consort Qi looked at him, her gaze filled with both affection and helplessness, "No matter what you want to do in the future, you need to have a strong body first. Being worn out at a young age is not a good omen. Do you understand what your mother means?"

"I understand."

"Yet you just won’t change."

Princess Consort Qi had told him this more than once, but every time Zhao Xi let it go in one ear and out the other.

In other families, parents plead for their children to listen and study well. With Zhao Xi, it’s the opposite; his mother begs him to take a rest.

Princess Consort Qi had always been worried about Zhao Xi’s health, insisting twice a month that the Imperial Physician perform a routine checkup.

In truth, because Zhao Xi exercised regularly, his physique was stronger than most, and having a stable routine meant that despite it looking difficult from the outside, he was actually fine.

After a while, a minister brought up the matter of appointing a Crown Prince.

Zhao Xi’s excellence was well-known throughout the court and country; making him Crown Prince seemed a certainty to all the civil and military officials, so when the minister raised the topic, no one opposed it; all gazes turned to Emperor Guangxi.

Emperor Guangxi toyed with the wine cup in his hand, not immediately deciding.

Empress Su whispered a reminder, "Emperor, all those ministers are watching!"

Emperor Guangxi said, "Since the Empress is in such a hurry, why don’t you answer for me?"

Empress Su smiled awkwardly, "The Emperor is really teasing me."

As the ministers whispered among themselves, Emperor Guangxi evasively said that the princes were still minors and would not appoint a Crown Prince for the time being.

Upon hearing this, Empress Su visibly exhaled in relief.

Princess Consort Qi felt somewhat disappointed, feeling wronged for her son. Clearly perfect to the point of absolute advantage, but ultimately couldn’t match the Emperor’s biased heart. Princess Consort Duan was a favored concubine, and no emperor could dismiss the offspring she bore.

Until the matter of appointing a successor was settled, Princess Consort Qi wouldn’t feel at ease.

Zhao Xi showed little visible reaction; it wasn’t that he didn’t care or didn’t want to be Crown Prince. He just felt that his rivals weren’t matured yet, so there was no need to worry at the moment. The most important thing was to excel to a degree where his father had no choice but to appoint him.