Spring in the Hall of Paintings

When a prince marries his principal consort, he is granted a few days of leave. Thus, although Emperor Kangxi assigned duties to Yinti, he was not entirely unyielding. During the first few days of their marriage, Yinti and Yun Wei spent their time together—painting, playing the qin, adorning each other’s brows, and deepening their bond as husband and wife. Their relationship was harmonious, like a well-tuned zither and harp. At first, Yinti was captivated by Yun Wei’s beauty; later, he was delighted by her temperament.

During their leisure moments, Yun Wei would accompany Yinti in practicing calligraphy, encouraging and improving each other. However, their handwriting could only be described as proper and disciplined, still far from the level of true masters. Emperor Kangxi was particularly strict about his sons’s scholarly pursuits, and Yinti had often been reprimanded for his inadequate calligraphy. Yun Wei, despite her diligent efforts, saw little improvement. As her tutor had once said, calligraphy required innate talent, and Yun Wei’s aptitude in this area was not high.

As a newlywed, Yun Wei devoted herself entirely to the Eighth Prince. However, she did not neglect the affairs of the household. She secretly instructed her trusted attendants—Mama Yang, Mama Lin, and the more astute chambermaids, Madam Zhou and Madam Xu—to discreetly observe the situation within the Eighth Prince’s residence. Yun Wei planned to wait until Yinti left for court before assuming the management of household affairs. She never forgot the teachings of Lady Fucha before her marriage: securing authority in the household was important, but above all, she needed to win Yinti’s heart. While her beauty was an advantage, it would not last forever—her true foundation lay in her character and inner refinement.

The day after their wedding, upon leaving the palace, Yun Wei was greeted by the concubines and attendants coming to pay their respects. As a prince and a Beile, Yinti had four palace maids assigned to serve him closely. Two of them had been trained by the Imperial Household Department to introduce him to intimacy. Though they lacked the official status of concubines, they were his first women, and Yun Wei dared not take them lightly.

The other two palace maids were of similar age to Yinti and had served him since childhood. From observing small details, Yun Wei could tell that Yinti was a man who valued old relationships and would not easily mistreat those who had attended him faithfully. She understood the situation well. In noble households, such maids were merely bedchamber attendants; in a prince’s residence, they held no official rank—not even the title of gege. They were not even qualified to offer tea to Yun Wei. Their looks were modestly pleasant, and Yun Wei saw no reason to provoke Yinti’s displeasure over them.

Maintaining her composed demeanor, Yun Wei addressed them with measured authority, “You have served my lord closely and are familiar with his preferences. From now on, continue following the established rules and serve him well.”

“Yes, madam.”

The four of them were dressed uniformly in peach-colored jackets and green willow skirts. Even their silver hairpins and pearl ornaments were identical, presenting a unified and somewhat imposing presence when standing together. Yun Wei remained calm, sipping her tea, already formulating her approach. She had not intended to concern herself with them, but if she did not demonstrate her authority, they might mistake her gentleness for weakness and cause trouble behind her back.

Observing them closely, she noticed that the one standing at the forefront was the most refined in appearance, likely their leader. Yun Wei addressed her directly, “Are you Miss Lue’e?”

“Lue’e greets the Princess Consort.”

Lue’e gracefully knelt in greeting, the beauty mark at the corner of her lips appearing especially enchanting. Standing beside Yun Wei, Mama Yang furrowed her brows slightly, and Yun Wei immediately understood—this was the maid Yinti favored most, his first woman. Yun Wei gently blew away the tea leaves floating in her cup and remarked, “What a coincidence. I have a maid named Lu Yi, and His Highness has a maid named Lue’e. Quite a fateful connection.”

“Master, please don’t tease this servant. How could I compare to Miss Lue’e?” Lu Yi stepped forward to pour more tea for Yun Wei, adding, “This servant is here to serve you.”

The attendants brought by a Princess Consort upon marriage were traditionally responsible for assisting the prince when she was unwell or unavailable. Lue’e was well aware of the vast difference in status between herself and Yun Wei. Today, she had come to pay her respects, hoping to subtly remind Yun Wei that although she and the other maids were of lowly birth, they had served Yinti for a long time and had earned a degree of recognition.

However, Lu Yi’s simple phrase—”to serve the master”—immediately established the hierarchy. Their fate was entirely in Yun Wei’s hands; whether they lived or died was but a matter of her word. Lue’e had originally been a female attendant in the palace, born into a banner slave family. Only through connections had she secured the opportunity to serve Yinti and remain in the prince’s household, ensuring financial support for her family. Bowing slightly, Lue’e responded, “Sister Lu Yi is right. This servant will serve our master with utmost dedication.”

Yun Wei did not say much more. She smiled faintly and said, “I appreciate those who understand their place. Your greetings should not go unrewarded. Lu Yi, give them their gifts.”

Luyi presented them with the prepared rewards: two pairs of gold rings, four pairs of silver rings, four gold hairpins, and two pairs of earrings—each maid receiving identical gifts, fair and impartial. After accepting the rewards and offering their thanks, Lue’e and the others withdrew.

“Master, they are just some ignorant maids. Why concern yourself with them?” Mama Yang asked.

“That’s not the right mindset,” Yun Wei replied calmly. “One must always act with caution. Since we all live under the same roof, I must keep them firmly under control and prevent any future troubles. I cannot allow them the opportunity to cause mischief.”

Mama Yang chuckled. “It’s often said that great figures are easy to deal with, but little ghosts are troublesome. Managing a prince’s household and overseeing its affairs is no easy task.”

“That’s why I have you to guide me,” Yun Wei replied.

“Oh, I wouldn’t dare take credit for that—it’s all thanks to Second Madam’s upbringing,” Mama Yang modestly declined. She deeply respected Lady Fucha’s wisdom and discipline. Growing up under the influence of her exceptionally capable elder sister Yun Lan, Yun Wei had inherited the same level of skill and composure. She met all the expectations of a prince’s principal consort, conducting herself with flawless precision despite her young age. While her achievements were her own, they were also inseparable from Lady Fucha’s careful teaching.

“Tomorrow, I’ll see my mother and father again,” Yun Wei said, shedding her earlier formality and breaking into a bright smile. “They must be missing their little Yaya.”

Just then, Yinti entered the room. Yun Wei quickly stood up and curtsied, saying, “Your Highness.”

Inside the chamber, the curtains of the large bed draped down to the floor, filling the space with a faint fragrance. From within, soft sounds of protest and giggles could be heard.

“Your Highness… Yinti… stop… it tickles…”

“You won’t say? That must mean I’m not trying hard enough.”

“No… spare me… what do you want me to say?”

“Your childhood name. What did they call you when you were little?”

Yun Wei was extremely ticklish. Struggling against Yinti’s grip, she finally surrendered, gasping, “Yaya… my mother and father call me Yaya.”

“A good name,” Yinti declared possessively.

“From now on, only I am allowed to call you Yaya.”

Carefully, Yun Wei tried to slip away, but after much effort, she barely managed to move. Yinti’s arm swiftly pulled her back into his embrace. “Where do you think you’re going, Yaya?”

“I have to return home tomorrow. I’m afraid we’ll be late,” Yun Wei murmured nervously. More than that, she feared that the marks on her neck—his kisses—would be noticed by her sisters, especially Yun Lan, who would certainly tease her mercilessly. She looked up at Yinti with wide, pleading eyes. “Your Highness…”

“Sleep now, I won’t bother you.”

With Yinti’s reassurance, Yun Wei peacefully drifted off in his arms. In her sleep, she felt a tickling sensation on her neck and shoulders, a strange mix of comfort and restlessness.

Meanwhile, just across the wall, in the Fourth Prince’s residence, another newlywed couple painted a very different picture. As the passion subsided, Yinzhen closed his eyes. The flush of intimacy had yet to fade from Yun Lan’s body. She got up to bathe and cleanse herself, her movements becoming increasingly practiced. Habits were a frightening thing—she had never imagined that after their time together, she would no longer expect tenderness or affection from Yinzhen. The rules in the Fourth Prince’s household were strict; she knew she might bend them once or twice, but if she did so too often, she would lose Yinzhen entirely. He was a man of discipline and propriety—so much so that even his principal wife, Lady Nara, had to adhere to the same customs when attending to him. Fortunately, Yun Lan had always been meticulous about cleanliness, and she agreed that bathing after such moments was necessary.

Once she finished washing up, she lay back down beside Yinzhen. After all, she liked him.

“You’re still awake?”

Yinzhen rarely spoke much, but he made an exception for Yun Lan. Seeing her hesitate, he closed his eyes and said, “Speak.”

“Tomorrow, my sixth sister is returning home after her wedding. I need to visit the Tong family estate.”

“I will inform the Princess Consort and have her approve your visit.”

Yun Lan felt a deep sense of helplessness. That wasn’t what she had wanted to say. As a Side Concubine, she could not leave the prince’s residence without the principal consort’s permission. But what she truly wished for was for Yinzhen to accompany her back home. Since marrying him, she had never once returned to her family’s home by his side. All because of the rules.

“Yinzhen, will you come with me?”

Half-asleep, Yun Lan softly murmured her wish. But Yinzhen had already turned over and fallen into deep sleep, leaving her question unanswered.

—

At dawn, Yun Lan was the first to wake, attending to Yinzhen’s morning preparations. In her courtyard, she had a small kitchen where she personally prepared a balanced breakfast for him. However, Yinzhen was unimpressed—he found the boiled eggs utterly unappetizing. It took Yun Lan a long time to coax him into eating them, and he only did so because he cared for her. Even so, he firmly instructed her to follow proper dietary customs in the future.

The three-century gap between them was not something that could be easily bridged. Yinzhen was who he was—proud and unwavering, unwilling to change for anyone.

Although her attempt had failed, Yun Lan wasn’t ready to give up. She would take it step by step, gradually improving Yinzhen’s eating habits.

—

“Since you are returning to the Tong estate today, which outfit do you wish to wear?”

Her chief maid, Ru Hua, opened the wardrobe. Yun Lan pointed and said, “The silver-red one.”

“That won’t do, my lady,” Mama Li said. “You must first pay your respects to the Princess Consort before leaving for the Tong estate.”

Mama Li, an older servant who had accompanied Yun Lan in her marriage, was a strict and meticulous woman. Yun Lan countered, “As a Side Concubine, I am allowed to wear silver-red.”

“I never said you couldn’t, my lady. But the Princess Consort is currently expecting a child. You must be extremely cautious. If anything were to startle her and affect the baby, and you were accused of harming the imperial heir, not even the Fourth Prince’s favor could protect you. You know how much he longs for a legitimate son.”

Mama Li carefully selected a softer, delicate pink cheongsam for Yun Lan, lowering her voice. “You know what kind of person the Princess Consort is. You’ve been serving the prince for over a month now—she has seen it all. Now that she is pregnant, she has the perfect excuse to vent her frustrations on you. And the Fourth Prince won’t be able to say much about it. In this household, she has the final say. And don’t forget, there’s still Lady Wu living in the western wing.”

“Say no more, I’ll listen to you.”

Although Yun Lan had used all sorts of means to win Yinzhen’s favor, she found herself facing Wu Gege right after their wedding. It felt as unpleasant as swallowing a fly. Wu Gege was delicate and charming, always finding excuses to be around Yun Lan under the guise of serving her. Every time Yinzhen visited, she would inch closer. While Yinzhen ignored her flirtatious glances and attempts to curry favor, he never refused her service when she poured tea, set the table, or prepared meals. This made Yun Lan visibly uncomfortable, which puzzled Yinzhen. He even once teased her, saying that she was too soft-hearted—after all, it was only natural for Wu Gege to serve them. Yun Lan should simply enjoy it and use her as she pleased.

But Yun Lan didn’t find it the least bit comfortable to have one of Yinzhen’s concubines attending to her. She couldn’t openly object in front of him, so she took matters into her own hands, subtly putting Wu Gege in her place. The tactic worked—Wu Gege became more obedient. However, somehow, the Princess Consort, Lady Nara, caught wind of the situation. She spoke kindly to Yun Lan for quite some time, advising her that it was only right for Wu Gege to serve her and that as a Side Concubine, she should carry herself with dignity. The entire conversation was laced with unspoken implications, subtly reminding Yun Lan that a virtuous wife should not be jealous.

No matter how much resentment she harbored, Yun Lan had to swallow it—for Yinzhen, for the future.

After paying her respects to Lady Nara, Yun Lan ignored the occasional mocking glint in her eyes. “Send my regards to my Eighth Brother’s wife,” Lady Nara said. “Tell her to visit more often.”

Even as Yun Lan sat in the carriage heading back to the Tong estate, that remark left her feeling uneasy. But when she thought about the fate that awaited both the Eighth Prince’s wife and Lady Nara, she sighed softly, “The one who laughs last, laughs best.”