Chapter Twenty-Three: The Little Princess of the Jiang Dynasty

Leaving behind a few words, once Shen Yueyu had made two more plates of Jade Dew Cake for snacking, Jiang Ling, satisfied, took them, and only then did Jiang Che drag Jiang Ling out of Tangli Hall.

Jiang Jiu looked utterly despondent, which made Shen Yueyu laugh.

The two teased each other a bit more, continuing their aimless chatter, drifting from one topic to another.

Meanwhile, Jiang Che, carrying the Jade Dew Cake, headed straight for Phoenix Palace. As expected, his father was likely still with his mother, reviewing memorials together.

The queen was grinding ink for the king. Hearing the faint rustling, she didn’t look up, “What did Xiao Jiu say?”

“Mother, I think Xiao Jiu probably doesn’t want to go to the academy, and even less wants a private tutor. If we ask the Grand Mentor to teach her, it’s almost certain she’ll agree. After all, she found spiritual cultivation fascinating when she was seven or eight.”

“Enough of this ‘Mother’ nonsense. Our family never stands on ceremony in private.”

“Hehe!” Jiang Che grinned and promptly sprawled carelessly on the soft couch to one side.

The queen’s sharp eyes caught him, “What are you eating? It looks quite nice.”

“Oh, this is Hibiscus Jade Dew Cake made by Miss Shen herself. Xiao Jiu asked me to bring some for you both to try, here!”

He handed the plates to the queen, who picked up a piece, took a small bite, and nodded, “Mm, not bad. This Shen girl truly has deft hands!”

She then fed one to the king, who nodded repeatedly, “Aside from Shen Yueyu’s birth, I still think highly of this child.”

“Father, I think this cake should go straight to the Imperial Kitchen. Xiao Jiu and Second Brother both like it; we can’t have Miss Shen acting as palace chef forever. If word got out, who knows how Chancellor Shen would impeach us.”

“Agreed, I approve.”

The queen nodded to the king.

Jiang Che was used to such scenes—two grown adults still so affectionate every day.

Along with issuing the order, he had the steward notify Shen Yueyu to return home and await the imperial decree.

Receiving the notice, Shen Yueyu quickly bade farewell to Jiang Jiu and left the palace.

Back at the Shen residence, she began to cleanse her face and hands—after all, she was a lady of noble birth, and ceremony could not be neglected.

“Chancellor Shen, please summon your daughter, Miss Shen, to receive the decree!”

Shen Zhao was perplexed; he had many children and wasn’t sure which was being summoned. The decree had come so suddenly.

Shen Yueyu, accompanied by her maid Cui’er, exited the inner chamber. The steward, eyes sharp and smiling kindly at Shen Yueyu, said warmly, “Miss Shen, come receive the decree!”

Shen Yueyu lifted her skirts and hurried to kneel before Shen Zhao.

Seeing this, Shen Zhao also knelt quickly.

Once everyone was in place, the steward raised his voice,

“By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Shen Yueyu, legitimate daughter of the Shen family, virtuous and skilled, has crafted a delectable dish. It is hereby incorporated into the Imperial Kitchen, to be enjoyed by the noble ladies of the royal family. This decree is given. Obey!”

“This humble girl receives the decree. Thank His Majesty for his gracious favor!”

“Mm~ Now pack your things and come with me to the palace. The Ninth Princess especially asked me to bring you congratulations: ‘Congratulations, Sister Yueyu.’”

Shen Yueyu was truly moved; she owed all this to Jiang Jiu’s introduction.

“Thank you for delivering the message. Cui’er, help me pack.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Shen Zhao was still bewildered; hearing the decree, it seemed Shen Yueyu’s dish had won the king’s favor. Once he understood the situation, he took some silver from his purse and handed it to the steward.

The steward replied with a smile, “Chancellor Shen, your daughter is remarkable. With such a daughter, you can look forward to enjoying prosperity in the future.”

Shen Zhao exchanged a few polite words, then gave Shen Yueyu some advice—mostly about making a good impression.

After seeing off the steward and Shen Yueyu, Shen Zhao’s smile faded. He instructed a few servants, then called for the carriage and left the Shen residence.

…

Several days had passed since Shen Yueyu entered the palace.

Jiang Jiu tried to show daily improvement, her memory gradually returning; she began referring to herself as “this princess” instead of “I.”

These days, Shen Yueyu rarely appeared around Jiang Jiu, focusing her attention on the kitchen, experimenting with new dishes.

She feared Jiang Jiu might remember the face of the servant who pushed her into the water.

In just a few days together, Shen Yueyu had grown fond of Jiang Jiu. She found her nothing like the rumors—far from domineering. Even after her memory returned and she called herself “this princess,” she still addressed Shen Yueyu as “Sister Yueyu.”

Her guilt weighed heavier in her heart.

Even her previous desire to find opportunities to be seen by Jiang Ling and Jiang Che had gradually faded.

Jiang Jiu, however, scarcely noticed any of this.

Recently, the king and queen had been urging her persistently. The Grand Mentor hadn’t replied to their request, though he had once saved her life; asking him to teach her would be a way to repay that kindness.

Unfortunately, the messenger pigeons had flown out for days without a reply.

Today was the final deadline set by the king. If the Grand Mentor didn’t respond, Jiang Jiu would have to accept another teacher.

Moreover, she was curious about this mute Grand Mentor—was he truly mute, or only pretending?

Jiang Jiu rested her chin on her hand, sitting in the garden pavilion. Shen Yueyu was beside her, doing embroidery, stitching a pair of hibiscus in bloom.

“Sister Yueyu, do you think… the Grand Mentor will accept me as his disciple?”

“Xiao Jiu is so clever, of course he will!”

She picked up a lock of hair and twirled it.

“Aunt Hongzhu, what do you think?”

“Ninth Princess, the Grand Mentor is busy with affairs of state. Perhaps he hasn’t had time to read the letter recently.”

Jiang Jiu sighed deeply:

“Ah, never mind. Sister Yueyu, shall we go outside the palace for a bit?”

Shen Yueyu hadn’t strolled the streets in days and hesitated, “Will the queen allow it?”

“Oh, I’m fully recovered, it’s no trouble. I’ll just be a little sweet with Mother and she’ll agree!”

“Well, my cosmetics are nearly used up, so I could buy some new ones.”

“Mm! …Aunt Hongzhu?”

Hongzhu smiled helplessly, “All right, all right. I’ll go ask the queen.”

There was no helping it. Since regaining her memory, Jiang Jiu had grown even sharper and more mischievous, but also easier to get along with. Hongzhu was grateful to be caring for her.

With Jiang Jiu, even the air felt fresher; seeing her smile seemed to wash away all fatigue.

With permission granted, Jiang Jiu pulled Shen Yueyu onto the carriage.

It was her first time leaving the palace since arriving in the Kingdom of Jiang.

Everything outside was new and exciting; the streets were lined with stalls, taverns, teahouses, the Garment Pavilion, curios, pottery—every possible delight.

Jiang Jiu sat sideways in the carriage, pushing aside the curtain.

The city of Jiang was so bustling—a far cry from the monotony of cultivation and idling in the palace.

Jiang Jiu: [What’s that! It looks delicious!]

[Wow, wow, wow! Look, Little Rascal, that person can breathe fire!!]

[Oh~ This hairpin is so beautiful!!!]

[…]

Little Rascal: [Master… you…]

Jiang Jiu: [Hm? What’s wrong?]

Little Rascal: [Nothing… so long as you’re happy… Master! Watch out!!]

[Huh?]

!!