A Precious Pearl in the Imperial City

JiuZhu’s carriage stopped beside the mounting block at Chen Wang’s mansion.

 

“Before you is Chen Wang’s residence. May I ask where this noble person comes from?” The guards of the residence walked forward and stood in front of the carriage: “If you want to enter the residence, please hand over your waist tablet. This humble one will pass it on your behalf.”

 

JiuZhu did not expect that there would be so many rules required to enter a prince’s residence. She clasped the little box in her arms tightly, lifted the curtain and looked at the guard who spoke: “This girl is Assistant Minister Ming’s daughter. I came to visit His Highness for some matter, so please pass this message on my behalf, brother.”

 

The guard looked at the woman in the carriage and saw a pair of beautiful eyes that were as pure as a mountain spring. There were exceptionally striking. Not daring to look any longer, he quickly lowered his head: “Please wait a moment, honored lady. This lowly one will go and report your arrival.”

 

“Thank you for the trouble.” JiuZhu held the little box with one hand and lifted the curtain to come out of the carriage.

 

“Young Miss.” ChunFen opened the umbrella to protect JiuZhu from the snow: “It’s snowing heavily outside. You should wait in the carriage.”

 

“It’s alright, I wish to take a look at the surroundings.” JiuZhu took the umbrella from her hands: “Sister ChunFen, you should get yourself an umbrella for yourself.”

 

“Young Miss is so caring.” ChunFen and other servants opened their umbrellas and whispered: “We should have sent someone to inform them before coming over. It’s snowing so much.”

 

“It doesn’t matter. I wanted to take a look at the surroundings anyway.” JiuZhu looked at Chen Wang’s residence curiously. It was very beautiful; even the mounting block was taller than that of the others.

 

“Your Highness.” Fu Gui whispered to the bulge on the bed under the quilt: “It’s already two quarters into the hour of sishi1Sishi [巳时] – Refers to the time between 9am and 11am..”

 

“Get out!” A soft pillow flew out of the bed and fell on the ground.

 

Fu Gui retreated and left the chamber in haste.

 

“Gonggong.” Seeing Fu Gui come out of the prince’s bedchamber, the steward of the residence rushed forward and muttered, “The gatekeeper came to inform us that the Ming family’s Young Miss has come to pay a visit.”

 

“Ming family’s Young Miss?” Fu Gui was surprised: “Did she inform in advance?” 

 

The steward shook his head.

 

“This…” Fu Gui looked back at the bedchamber, feeling a little uneasy. His Highness had been feeling very annoyed because he had to wake up early to go to the Ministry of Rites these days. Today, he finally obtained a day off and more importantly, it was snowing so much. How could he dare to awaken this little ancestor?

 

But he thought of Miss Ming’s paintings. The prince cherished it so much that he was reluctant to even let him take a look. Fu Gui gritted his teeth and stepped back into the room again.

 

“Your Highness…”

 

“Why did you come in again?” Chen Wang sat up on the bed: “Get out! Ben Wang will throw out anyone whoever dares to come before wushi.”

 

“My Lord.” Fu Gui continues speaking with a smile: “This slave doesn’t want to disturb you during your rest but there’s really something important to report.”

 

“What is it?” Chen Wang slipped into the warm quilt again, unwilling to budge.

 

“Miss Ming has come to pay a visit. Does Your Highness want to meet her?”

 

“Who did you say came here?” Chen Wang sat up abruptly. Fu Gui hurried forward to assist him in getting dressed.

 

“It is Assistant Minister Ming’s honored daughter.”

 

“Where is she now?” Chen Wang put on his robe and slipped his feet into the deerskin boots.

 

“She’s still at the mounting block…”

 

“Every one of them is a pig. Do they not use their brains to think?!” Chen Wang pulled the water basin, rinsed his mouth, and wiped his face with a towel. Then he grabbed the cloak closest to him and strode out: “It’s snowing so heavily and they let that little guniang wait at the mounting block?!”

 

“Your Highness, you haven’t bound your hair yet…”

 

Fu Gui trotted out after him, chiding the attendant standing outside: “Hurry up! Get the hand warmer and follow.”

 

“Young Miss, the snowfall is getting heavier.” ChunFen whispered: “You should get inside the carriage and wait.”

 

JiuZhu shook her head and turned her head. Almost immediately, she saw a person rushing out of the main gate of the residence. She recognized him at a glance; it was Chen Wang.

 

“Your Highness.” JiuZhu trotted toward Chen Wang with an umbrella in her hand. She was stunned to see his fine black hair flying freely in the cold wind: “Your Highness looks good without binding your hair too.”

 

Hearing this insincere little praise, Chen Wang was annoyed. Who was he doing all this for?!

 

Just as he was about to speak, another gust of wind came and whacked his hair in the face.

 

JiuZhu couldn’t help laughing loudly. Then, seeing Chen Wang stare at her, she blinked and asked in a low voice, “How about… letting chennu help you tie it?”

 

Not hearing Chen Wang’s objection, JiuZhu stuffed the wooden box and the umbrella into Chen Wang’s hand, took out a long ribbon from her pouch, and walked behind him: “Your Highness, don’t move.”

 

“Your Highness…” Fu Gui, who had chased after him with another attendant, glanced towards the gate and turned towards that attendant, “Wait at the door, don’t disturb His Highness.”

 

“But gonggong, the snow is so heavy ……”

 

“The snow doesn’t matter.” Fu Gui stated with a sense of profound mystery: “It’s enough if the heart is nice and warm.”

 

“Your Highness’ hair is so smooth ah.” JiuZhu stood on tiptoe and gently gathered all of Chen Wang’s hair scattered on his back with his fingers. Then she thoughtfully tied it with a ribbon and even made a butterfly knot.

 

The tickling sensation on his back caused Chen Wang to move his shoulders and back in some discomfort: “Is it done?”

 

“Yes.” JiuZhu stepped in front of Chen Wang and bowed: “Please forgive me for taking the liberty of suddenly coming here today, Your Highness.”

 

The large crimson cloak draped on her body made her face appear even more delicate, naive, warm, and rosy.

 

Chen Wang stretched his hand and touched the hairpin with white rabbit fur in her hair: “It’s snowing so much today but you still remember to come to see me. So, Ben Wang won’t bother with you. Follow me, let’s go inside.”

 

Shifting the umbrella in the direction of JiuZhu, Chen Wang shook the wooden box in his hand and heard it make a clicking sound: “What’s inside?”

 

“Your Highness, you can’t shake it.” JiuZhu jumped and snatched the wooden box from his hands, smiling mysteriously at Chen Wang: “You’ll know later.”

 

Chen Wang raised his eyebrows. What kind of novelties did this lass bring with her?

 

Half a shichen later, Chen Wang looked at the pigs, cows, sheep, horses and various other such ‘snowmen’ in silence.

 

“Stuff the snow into the pottery mold, press it, knock it and little duck will come out.” JiuZhu placed the little duck in front of Chen Wang: “Your Highness, look!”

 

“Ming XiaoZhu2T/N: The ‘Xiao’ here refers to small/little, so he’s basically calling her ‘Little Zhu’ or ‘Little Pearl’. I kept it in pinyin since it sounds so much cuter >ww