Taking the Princess as My Wife - Chapter 9

The distance between her and Jiang Shaojia was truly a bit too close.

The following day, in Beijing, inside the Manjiang Pavilion.

Liu Ruheng sat alone at an elegant window seat on the second floor, a pot of Biluochun tea placed before her. Today was a rare day of rest for her; the streets were teeming with people, and vendors were crying out their wares with great vigor. However, the Princess she was waiting for had yet to arrive. Looking out through the window, a familiar figure walked through the bustling market, heading straight toward a shop along the street.

Liu Ruheng’s eyes widened, her gaze fixed intently on that figure.

“Liu Ruheng.”

Liu Ruheng turned around; the Princess had already taken her seat across from her, wearing a vibrant, bold smile.

“Why have you arrived so early?” As soon as she sat down, Jiang Shaojia poured herself a cup of tea.

Seeing this, Liu Ruheng returned to her seat and said mysteriously, “Just now, I spotted that female Daoist priest from the temple.”

Jiang Shaojia’s hand paused in the middle of lifting her cup, a faint glint flashing in her eyes. “Since you’ve seen her, why don’t we go take a look?”

There were many shops along the street. The shop Liu Ruheng had seen the priest enter was named ‘Luoxue’ (Falling Snow). Business was booming; after the priest entered, several elegantly dressed ladies accompanied by maidservants followed suit.

Liu Ruheng had heard of this establishment; it specialized in medicinal cuisine for nourishing women and various cosmetics and powders. It was said the effects were excellent, though the prices were exorbitant.

Liu Ruheng and Jiang Shaojia entered the shop together. The interior decoration was refined. Instead of the choking scent of common incense, there was a peculiar, pleasant fruit fragrance.

Seeing customers arrive, a young woman wearing a veil stepped forward to greet them. Upon seeing the two, she smiled and said, “Madam, your husband is truly kind to you, personally accompanying you to browse.”

Liu Ruheng instinctively wanted to deny it. Just as she opened her mouth, Jiang Shaojia interrupted her. Jiang Shaojia smoothly took her arm, her eyes curving into crescents. “There is no need for further pleasantries. Why don’t you show us around and introduce some beautiful rouges?”

The young woman nodded and inquired, “Does Madam require a private room?”

Jiang Shaojia waved her hand. “No need. If I require anything, I will call for you.”

The woman was not in a hurry; she introduced herself as Taoli and quietly led the way.

Jiang Shaojia gave a slight nod and followed Taoli to another room specifically dedicated to rouges and powders. Inside the room, besides Liu Ruheng and Jiang Shaojia, there were two others looking at cosmetics. Seeing someone enter, they merely glanced over before averting their eyes.

The warmth of Jiang Shaojia’s body radiated through their clothing. Liu Ruheng felt as though her entire body were catching fire, yet she did not dare pull her hand away. She could only follow stiffly like a wooden puppet as Jiang Shaojia led her around.

This was her first time in such a shop. She had never come before, partly due to her meager finances and partly to avoid drawing attention to herself. Although she took full precautions every time she went out, her underlying features could not be changed. Furthermore, because she took a long-term medication to alter her voice, she could not consume other medicinal diets to condition her body.

The shop contained many small compartments and was crowded everywhere. Security was tight, making the priest’s whereabouts difficult to track. If the priest was acquainted with the person behind this shop, it would be even harder to find her.

“What do you think of this jar of rouge?”

Liu Ruheng lowered her eyes. The deep red rouge was contained in a small white jar, a color quite different from the one Jiang Shaojia usually wore.

Liu Ruheng compared them and said seriously, “This rouge is indeed quite different from what… Madam used to use, but it should be of good quality.”

The word “Princess” almost slipped out; Liu Ruheng still found calling her “Madam” rather awkward.

“Miss Taoli, please bring me a new jar of rouge to test the color,” Jiang Shaojia said, handing the small jar to Taoli.

Taoli quickly returned with a new batch. Jiang Shaojia released Liu Ruheng’s arm; her pale finger scooped a bit of rouge, her fingertip stained with a brilliant hue.

She looked up, her eyes dancing with a mischievous smile. “I’ll trouble my husband to help me test the color.”

Liu Ruheng agreed instinctively. Only after reacting did she realize her blunder. She became rigid, while Taoli, watching from the side, covered her mouth and stifled a laugh. A couple with such an affectionate relationship was truly rare to see.

Jiang Shaojia’s fingertip was slightly cool, her movements gentle. Her dark eyes were focused entirely on Liu Ruheng’s face. The room felt so quiet that one could almost hear a heartbeat; Liu Ruheng’s breath seemed to stop for a moment.

As if trying to escape, she squeezed her eyes shut, thereby missing the fleeting look of wonder in Jiang Shaojia’s eyes.

“Open your eyes and take a look.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Ruheng slowly opened her eyes. Taoli held a mirror up before her. A version of herself, completely different from usual, appeared in the reflection.

Taoli remarked with a sigh, “It is fortunate that the Young Master is not a woman; otherwise, we would surely be envious.”

Liu Ruheng froze for a moment and instinctively reached out to wipe the rouge from her lips. Jiang Shaojia reached out to stop her. “Look, how beautiful. If you changed into women’s clothing, you would certainly be more beautiful than I.”

Hearing this, Liu Ruheng became even more panicked. She gently broke free from the Princess’s hand, wanting to wipe away the rouge. Jiang Shaojia sighed softly and handed Liu Ruheng a handkerchief. Her voice softened, carrying a hint of a coquettish tone: “My apologies, my joke went a bit too far.”

Liu Ruheng realized her reaction had been a bit extreme. She shook her head and forced a strained smile. “It is nothing.”

Jiang Shaojia no longer had the heart to browse for rouge. She casually picked out a few items, told Taoli to wrap them all up, and then took Liu Ruheng’s arm again to lead her out of the shop.

The Evening Fair

By now, Liu Ruheng had recovered from her earlier state. She felt somewhat apologetic; her reaction just now had indeed been abnormal.

“Princess, it happens to be dinner time. What would you like to eat?”

This was the most prosperous part of the capital. Liu Ruheng knew of several excellent restaurants nearby, but she didn’t know the Princess’s preferences.

Jiang Shaojia smiled, pointing toward a small market nearby. “I’m tired of those places. Why don’t you take me to eat some street snacks?”

Liu Ruheng looked in the direction the Princess was pointing. There were indeed many vendors setting up stalls. She hesitated for a moment, and just as she was confirming if the Princess truly wanted to eat there, the Princess led her straight toward the market.

The streets were boiling with the sound of people; the cries of vendors and the sound of laughter and conversation rose and fell in a great clamor. Jiang Shaojia was likely browsing a market seriously for the first time, pulling Liu Ruheng along with immense curiosity. As the sky grew dark and lanterns were lit above, Liu Ruheng realized there was a small lantern festival happening today.

“Liu Ruheng, what do you usually eat? I want to try some too.” Jiang Shaojia looked at the vendors on both sides of the street, momentarily unable to choose.

Liu Ruheng led Jiang Shaojia toward a Hubing (barbarian cake) stall, explaining, “To fill the stomach, one should first eat Hubing or flower buns. If it’s too dry, you can buy some Leng Yuanzi (chilled glutinous rice balls) to go with it.”

“Usually, for convenience, I only eat Hubing with water.”

The Hubing Liu Ruheng recommended was indeed excellent. The vendor was generous with the sesame seeds; the two of them could smell the aroma from a great distance. After each buying a Hubing, they didn’t see any Leng Yuanzi, but instead saw an old woman and her granddaughter selling plum syrup.

After checking with the Princess, Liu Ruheng bought two bowls. The plum syrup had been chilled with well water, offering a heart-cooling refreshment in the early summer night. After drinking the syrup and eating the cakes, they still felt unsatisfied and each bought some candied fruits and spicy chicken feet to eat.

Having eaten and drunk their fill, they saw vendors on the market shouting about sachets, jewelry, lanterns, and masks. Liu Ruheng and Jiang Shaojia wandered aimlessly. Liu Ruheng felt an unprecedented sense of relaxation.

They happened to pass a vendor sculpting clay figurines. Jiang Shaojia stopped her pace and waited for the people in front to finish. She stepped forward and said, “Old Uncle, please make one for both of us. Remember to make them look like us.”

The old man agreed with a chuckle. Only after sitting down did Liu Ruheng realize that her distance from Jiang Shaojia was truly a bit too close.

“Young Master, why is your face so red? Could it be that you are shy because of the lovely girl sitting beside you?”

The old man’s well-intentioned teasing instantly exposed Liu Ruheng’s bashfulness. She was reminded once again that she was merely a base deceiver. If I were a man, would I be able to openly… Liu Ruheng cast the thought aside. She had no other intentions toward the Princess; she only needed to be good to her to please her, nothing more.

“Young Master, the clay figurines are finished.”

The old man’s skill was exquisite and his work fast. Before long, he had finished the figurines, which bore at least a thirty percent resemblance to their real selves.

After paying the silver, Jiang Shaojia was the first to grab the little figurine of Liu Ruheng. She handed her own figurine to Liu Ruheng and smiled, “I like this one, you take that one.”

Liu Ruheng’s hand stiffened. She took the figurine and examined it closely; it was quite cute, and if it had a bit more of a smile, it would look even more like her.

“Young Master, Young Lady, there will be fireworks later. Remember to find a good spot to watch together.” The old man’s wrinkled face showed a bit of a smile; he loved seeing the silly way young people acted when in love.

Liu Ruheng acknowledged him and explained, “It happens to be a lantern festival today, so there will be fireworks later. Does the Princess want to watch?”

Jiang Shaojia looked up; the bright moon was already high in the sky, and the night was deep. “Then you must find a good spot.”

The two searched through the heavy crowds and finally found a spot under a bridge where there were fewer people.

Jiang Shaojia had a thin layer of sweat on her face. She looked for a handkerchief to wipe it, then remembered she had borrowed Liu Ruheng’s to wipe the rouge. Seeing this, Liu Ruheng handed her a handkerchief embroidered with Chinese roses that Auntie Li had bought.

Taking the handkerchief, Jiang Shaojia noticed the pattern embroidered on it.

“Do you like Chinese roses very much? Why do the letters you sent me and the handkerchief you lent me both have them?”

Thinking of that letter, Liu Ruheng instantly froze in place. She changed the subject: “It is just a coincidence, a mere coincidence. If the Princess does not like them, I will not let them appear before you next time.”

Jiang Shaojia let out a “puchi” laugh. Brilliant fireworks exploded at that moment. Liu Ruheng turned her head as massive blossoms of fire burst in the sky; the thunderous sound instantly drew all of her attention.

Jiang Shaojia felt helpless. She looked up; the fireworks and Liu Ruheng were both reflected in her eyes.

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