The night wind blew gently. In the overflowing light of the lanterns, Chen Wang’s gaze swept over the bustling and joyous crowd before looking down at the girl beside him. He reached out and helped her hold down the silk cloak fluttering behind her. “Shall we go to taste some sticky rice dumplings1T/N: Notice how both Ming Jiyuan (in the previous chapter) and Chen Wang want to eat sticky rice dumplings? That is because it holds a special significance. This dish is traditionally eaten with family on the 15th day of Lunar New Year (i.e. Lantern Festival or 元宵节 / yuánxiāo jié) because its round shape symbolizes togetherness and good luck. Sticky rice dumplings (元宵/ yuánxiāo) or basically, Lantern Festival (because Lantern Festival is also simply called yuánxiāo) dumplings are dumplings made with glutinous rice flour, filled with sesame or peanut powder and sugar, or sweet red bean paste. They are also called sweet glutinous rice dumplings (湯圓/ tāngyuán). Yuánxiāo are served mainly in Northern China while tāngyuán in Southern China, Taiwan and Southeast Asia. Here’s the recipe in case you wanna try. ?”
“Sure.” Jiuzhu nodded with a smile, agreeing to his suggestion as usual.
“Your Highness,” a Dragon Guard whispered, “us subordinates have asked around and found a restaurant ahead that makes rather good sticky rice dumplings.”
They were worried about the safety of the food from the roadside stalls.
Jiuzhu withdrew her gaze from the stalls and tugged at Chen Wang’s sleeve. “Then let’s go to that restaurant.”
“Alright.” Chen Wang held her hand and led her forward without any rush. As they passed the lantern shop that claimed their lanterns were not for sale, Jiuzhu noticed that the lantern hanging the highest was missing.
“What’s wrong?” Chen Wang shook the lantern in his hand. “This lantern seems to have been bought from here.”
“Replying to Your Highness, it was indeed bought from here.”
The shopkeeper saw Jiuzhu standing beside Chen Wang. Recognizing her, he shot her an awkward smile.
Jiuzhu turned to Chen Wang and asked in a low voice, “When I asked the shopkeeper for the lantern before, he said it wasn’t for sale. How did Your Highness manage to buy it?”
Chen Wang smiled mysteriously. “Make a guess.”
Jiuzhu thought for a moment. “Did you answer all his lantern riddles?”
Chen Wang shook his head with a smile and continued walking forward with Jiuzhu.
“Your Highness,” Jiuzhu was very curious about this matter. “Tell me ah.”
“With money.” Chen Wang suppressed his laughter. “As long as you offer enough money, businessmen like him will invariably be tempted.”
Jiuzhu: “……”
So it was such a crude and simple method.
“But where did you get so much money, Your Highness?” Jiuzhu looked at him in confusion. “Didn’t His Majesty forbid niangniang from giving you money?”
“Father Emperor did forbid Mother Empress from giving me money but he didn’t say anything about himself.” Chen Wang chuckled lightly. “He gave me this money.”
He didn’t tell her that he was also quite wealthy. Maybe because… her earnest action of saving money for himself was too adorable.
“His Majesty is quite… ” Jiuzhu glanced at the Dragon Guard behind her, “…quite true to his words.”
Not letting the mother give money but secretly stuffing money to the child, wasn’t this an example of spoiling the child?
Fortunately, His Highness was an immortal fairy boy who descended to the land of mortals. He didn’t become twisted after being spoiled.
Chen Wang held back his laughter: “Yes ah, Father Emperor has always kept his word.”
Some people were selling flowers on the roadside. Chen Wang took out a handful of copper coins and bought a spring orchid2T/N: Literal translation of ‘春兰’ (chūn lán). I was a little doubtful so I did a quick google search and discovered that it may be also called noble orchid (scientific name: Cymbidium goeringii). Here’s a picture for you: and inserted it into Jiuzhu’s hairbun.
The tiny spring orchid didn’t look very noticeable, but when Chen Wang was wandering around the street just a while ago, he saw many men buy these things for the women with them.
“Ming Xiaozhu.”
“En?” Jiuzhu looked up.
“We’ve arrived at the restaurant.” Chen Wang looked at the phoenix lamp hanging at the entrance of the restaurant and smiled.
“Auspicious Dragon and Phoenix, Arrival of the Five blessings3Arrival of the Five Blessings [五福临门] – Refers to the five blessings, which are— longevity, wealth, health and peace, good morals (or as per the picture below, kindness and generousness) and finally, a natural (i.e. timely) death. You can read more here.
, Complete and Perfect…” Jiuzhu looked at the different names of the sticky rice dumplings on the signboard. “The names are quite well-chosen.”
“During the Lantern Festival, they all choose propitious names.” Chen Wang raised his head and caught sight of Huai Wang sitting on the second floor with his wife.
“Fifth younger brother.” Huai Wang leaned against the window and smiled at him. “Come upstairs and sit with us.”
Chen Wang asked Jiuzhu, “Should we go?”
Jiuzhu nodded, “Yes. How can Your Highness not acknowledge the eldest prince’s invitation?”
Chen Wang smiled and led her upstairs.
Although there were many people eating sticky rice dumplings during the Lantern Festival, there were no other people besides Huai Wang and Huai Wangfei in the room they were sitting.
Chen Wang pushed the door open and entered, “Eldest brother and Eldest sister-in-law chose a good place. The scenery here is just right; it truly captures the beauty of the Lantern Festival well.”
Jiuzhu bowed to greet the two of them. Huai Wangfei moved her body sideways to avoid her greeting with a smile.
“Fifth younger brother, Ming Xianzhu, please have a seat.” Huai Wang smiled and invited the two to sit down. “The capital is so big, and yet we coincidentally met each other. This can also be considered fate.”
An attendant brought some sticky rice dumplings and placed them on the table. “Esteemed guests, these are the ‘Auspicious Dragon and Phoenix’. Please try it.”
“Why are they called ‘Auspicious Dragon and Phoenix’?” Jiuzhu asked curiously.
“The sticky rice dumplings in this bowl has two different fillings that complement each other. They’re not greasy and leave a fragrant aftertaste. That is why they’re called ‘Auspicious Dragon and Phoenix’.” He bowed with a smile. “May the two of you share a lasting love and live a sweeter life than these sticky rice dumplings.”
“You have a way with words.” Chen Wang took out a silver pellet and handed it to the attendant. “Go and bring some more refreshments.”
“As you wish. Thank you, noble guests.” The attendant held the silver pellet and withdrew happily, carefully closing the door behind him.
“Try and see what filling is inside.” Chen Wang brought the sticky rice dumpling to Jiuzhu.
“Fruit filling.” Jiuzhu took a bite and scooped up another one. “Still fruit filling.”
“Didn’t he say there are two types of fillings?” Chen Wang picked up a spoon and scooped a sticky rice dumpling from Jiuzhu’s bowl and put it into his mouth unhesitatingly.
“Which flavor is it?” Jiuzhu nervously looked at him.
Chen Wang put down the spoon and wiped the corners of his mouth. “Peanut and sesame filling.”
Huai Wang glanced at the untouched bowl of sticky rice dumplings beside Chen Wang. Was that bowl of sticky rice dumplings not worth Yun Duqing’s taste? Why did he have to use a spoon to raid Ming Xianzhu’s bowl?
“Which filling do you like, Your Highness?” Jiuzhu asked.
“Either one will do.” Chen Wang seemed to finally remember that he also had a bowl of dumplings. He brought it over and placed it in front of himself. “This is just for the sake of good luck. I don’t usually like sticky and greasy things.”
But as it bore the name ‘Auspicious Dragon and Phoenix’, he could still force himself to finish it.
“Your Highness, look.” Jiuzhu pointed outside the window, where the streets were filled with brightly lit lanterns, resembling the beautiful and glittering Heavenly River4T/N: Aka the Milky Way (mentioned at the very last of previous chapter). I love how creative some words are in Mandarin!.
Chen Wang stood up and walked to her side, the night breeze blowing their hair.
“Isn’t it beautiful?”
“En.” Chen Wang stole a glance at her. “Very beautiful.”
On a night like this, with this kind of breeze and her by his side.
It was the most beautiful Lantern Festival night.
Huai Wang felt that it might have been a mistake on his part to invite his fifth younger brother and Ming Xianzhu.
“The higher you stand, the more beautiful the view is.” The attendant came in with some fruit and other refreshments. Huai Wang waved his hand and let him leave before saying to Chen Wang, who was enjoying the scenery, “However, it’s colder and windier at higher places. Has fifth younger brother ever thought about having someone build a tall building for you, so that you can enjoy the beauty of the world?”
Chen Wang smiled and sat back in his original position. “Eldest brother must be jesting. The entire world belongs to Father Emperor, and as his children, is there any tall building we cannot go to? Why waste manpower and resources to build a tall building5T/N: Most likely, Huai Wang’s words were a metaphor for the throne. The monarch’s seat is the most elevated but the one sitting on it will be lonely (hence cold and desolate) because no else would be able to reach that point, not even his spouse, the Empress. I guess he wanted to gauge Chen Wang’s desire to get the throne.?”
Huai Wang looked at Chen Wang. “Fifth younger brother is correct, the whole world belongs to Father Emperor. We are under his protection, so we can certainly go wherever we please.”
Downstairs, the voices of the peddlers were hawking their wares and the crowd echoed through the streets, reaching Jiuzhu’s ears. She leaned on the window sill, watching every passerby below with interest.
Huai Wangfei observed the girl who had returned to the capital less than a year ago and placed a milk curdle pastry before her. “Ming Xianzhu, try this milk curdle pastry.”
“Thank you, Wangfei.” Jiuzhu thanked her and lowered her head to eat the pastry. She didn’t inquire about anything about the Palace nor did she take the initiative to get close to her.
Huai Wangfei fount it odd. Had Ming Jiuzhu not considered what she would do after marrying into the imperial family?
Even Sun Caiyao, before marrying the Fourth Prince, had ingratiated herself to show her goodwill. Could Ming Jiuzhu, a girl who had been fostered outside and had little closeness to her family, really have no concerns at all?
“Open your mouth.” Chen Wang used his chopsticks to pick up a piece of pastry that Jiuzhu liked and brought it to her mouth.
Jiuzhu ate the pastry.
Huai Wangfei watched their affectionate exchange and sipped her tea. When she was young and favored by those around her, she was naturally confident and fearless.
But men were fickle.
She turned her head and glanced at Huai Wang. Now, she had to pretend not to care about those cefei-s6Cefei [侧妃] -Those who read ancient c-novels already know this but I’ll like to explain it for the people who are reading it for the first time. Cefei can be translated as ‘Secondary/Side Consort’. In contrast to the one and only Wangfei, who is the ‘Principal/Main Consort’, a prince can usually have two cefei-s. Cefei-s had more power than normal concubines but not as much as the Wangfei. concubines in the mansion.
Zhangliu Palace’s courtyard may be small, but only she lived there with His Highness. She no longer had to worry about which woman he went visit or make life difficult for herself.
Looking at the pure smile of the girl in front of her, Huai Wangfei felt a bit of compassion for her. A woman who married into the imperial family could not afford to be naive.
“Fifth younger brother and Ming Xianzhu’s wedding is near at hand. Eldest brother wishes you that two live a long and happy life together and be blessed with good luck,” Huai Wang raised his teacup. “When the time comes, Fifth younger brother must have a few drinks with Eldest brother.”
Chen Wang raised his teacup and smiled, “It’s not good to drink too much. Happiness is what matters.”
“If eldest brother knew that fifth younger brother would be accompanying Ming Xianzhu, we should have made plans to stroll around together. It would have been livelier with more people,” Huai Wang said with a smile that was not a smile. “In previous years, fifth younger brother didn’t like to join such activities so I thought Ming Xianzhu would be with her family and didn’t think much. It is eldest brother’s fault for not considering it thoroughly and not taking care of you.”
Chen Wang raised an eyebrow and spoke without mincing his words, “Eldest brother, you drank tea today. Why do you seem drunk?”
Huai Wang: “……”
He was showing goodwill so clearly. Did Yun Duqing really not understand or was he pretending not to understand?
“Eldest brother and eldest sister-in-law came outside to spend the Lantern Festival together. How can younger disturb you?” Chen Wang chuckled. “If eldest brother keeps saying that, eldest sister-in-law will get angry.”
Huai Wang laughed heartily, “Fifth younger brother is exaggerating. Your sister-in-law has always been virtuous, how could she mind such trivial matters?”
“Younger brother doesn’t want to disturb eldest brother and eldest sister-in-law, nor do I want anyone to disturb me and my fiancée,” Chen Wang put down his teacup. “The sticky rice dumplings have all been eaten so we should take our leave.”
You don’t care about the feelings of your Wangfei but I do care about the thoughts of my fiancée.
“Fifth younger brother,” Huai Wangfei spoke gently, “The view upstairs is delightful. Let Ming Xianzhu sit for a while longer.”
Chen Wang turned his head to look at Jiuzhu.
“I’ll listen to Your Highness,” Jiuzhu said earnestly. “Where else would Your Highness like to go?”
“I’ll take you to a nice place.” As Chen Wang reached his hand out to her, Jiuzhu put her hand on his and let him pull herself up. “Where are we going?”
“You’ll know when we get there,” Chen Wang walked to the door and lazily raised his chin to Huai Wang and his wife. “Eldest brother, eldest sister-in-law, farewell.”
“Fifth younger brother, take care.” Huai Wang listened to the footsteps of the two descending down the stairs, and the smile on his face faded. “I wonder whose personality Yun Duqing takes after. So sly.”
“Your Highness,” Huai Wangfei walked to the window and saw Chen Wang holding Ming Jiuzhu’s hand as they walked out of the restaurant. The two of them walked away, talking and laughing amidst the bustling crowd. A smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. “Fifth younger brother and the Ming Xianzhu’s relationship is really good.”
“Whether it is good or not, it doesn’t concern us,” Huai Wang showed no interest in this topic. “In three to five years, it won’t prevent other women from entering his residence. You women should quit thinkinh about such trivial matters all day long.”
He glanced at the bowl of sticky rice balls that Chen Wang had finished eating. “Oh, he actually finished a bowl of sticky rice dumplings. That’s quite rare.”
He remembered that when Yun Duqing was five years old, everyone sat at the table eating sticky rice dumplings. Yun Duqing was the only one who refused to touch the spoon, saying that the sticky rice balls stuck to his tooth and were not tasty.
Since then, during the Lantern Festival, the sticky rice dumplings in Yun Duqing’s bowl were replaced with other food without exception.
“It seems that people can change,” Huai Wang followed Huai Wangfei’s gaze and looked outside the window, only to see a dense crowd.
“Let’s go back to the Palace.”
He didn’t know if it was his illusion or not, but the way that fifth younger brother of his spoke had become profoundly mysterious now.
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