A Precious Pearl in the Imperial City-Chapter 65

"Third Young Master Ming." Prince Chen dismounted from his horse and approached Ming Jiyuan, warmly slinging an arm over his shoulder. "It’s been a while. You remain as refined and graceful as ever."

"Your Highness." Ming Jiyuan sidestepped slightly and bowed in greeting. "This humble official pays his respects to Your Highness."

Withdrawing his hand, Prince Chen chuckled. "Third Young Master, you’ve been away from the capital for so long that you might find it unfamiliar now. Coincidentally, I was planning to visit your residence today. Why not accompany me?"

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"Your Highness jests." Ming Jiyuan turned and effortlessly vaulted onto the carriage. "For me, returning home is merely a homecoming. For Your Highness, gracing our humble abode is an honor. Moreover, as a low-ranking official, how could I presume to have Your Highness escort me?"

He noted that Prince Chen wore a light-colored brocade robe today, understated yet elegant, exuding the demeanor of a refined nobleman.

Yet what came to mind was the image of Prince Chen clad in flamboyant purple robes, unrestrained and bold.

"Young Master Ming, you are young and accomplished, an upright official. Welcoming someone like you back to the capital is my pleasure." Prince Chen gestured invitingly. "After you."

"My lord..." The attendant hesitated, glancing at Ming Jiyuan. Were they leaving or not?

Ming Jiyuan studied Prince Chen’s smiling face, bowed once more, then turned and said, "Let’s go."

The capital was far livelier than the place where he had served, but at this moment, Ming Jiyuan’s heart was set on home. He had no interest in the capital’s sights—only the longing to reunite with his family.

Peering through a gap in the carriage curtain, Ming Jiyuan observed Prince Chen riding alongside. Compared to two years ago, the prince seemed more mature and composed, as if even his flamboyant fashion sense had mellowed.

He didn’t believe Prince Chen’s appearance was a coincidence. The world held few true coincidences.

Nor did he believe a lofty prince would show such courtesy and enthusiasm to a subordinate official merely because of a betrothal.

Between people, there was no uncalculated closeness—only motives.

What did Prince Chen want from the Ming Family?

"Miss, the messenger said the young master has returned." Chunfen hurried to Jiuzhu’s side. "He should be arriving at the gate any moment now."

"Brother is back?" Jiuzhu stood up, spinning in place. "Send word to Father and Mother. Have the servants prepare fresh clothes and hot water, and the kitchen—"

"Don’t worry, Miss. Leave the rest to us." Chunfen, amused by her mistress’s flustered excitement, gently nudged her toward the door. "Go wait for him at the gate. We’ll handle everything else."

Jiuzhu clutched her sleeves, standing nervously at the entrance. Every passing carriage drew her hopeful gaze, only for her to deflate when it wasn’t the right one.

"Little Ming Pig." Prince Chen spotted Jiuzhu from afar. Urging his horse forward, he stopped beside her, looking down with amusement.

"Your Highness, why are you out of the palace?" Seeing him, Jiuzhu’s tension eased slightly. She sidestepped to avoid the horse blocking her view.

"What’s this? Avoiding me?" Prince Chen teased. "Don’t want to see me, hmm?"

"Your Highness, stop joking." Jiuzhu patted his horse’s neck, craning to look around. "I—"

Before she could finish, a carriage halted nearby. A young man in a blue robe, his hair tied with a jade pin, stepped down.

They had never met, but in that instant, Jiuzhu knew—this was the brother who wrote to her every month.

The man strode swiftly to her. His hand trembled as he reached to touch her head, then withdrew, restraining himself. "Is... this Jiuzhu?"

Jiuzhu nodded vigorously.

"You’ve grown so much." Ming Jiyuan’s voice wavered. He opened his arms, longing to embrace her but fearing his sudden fervor might startle her.

He still remembered his infant sister—tiny, soft, and quiet in his arms, her wide eyes gazing up at him in curiosity.

After she was sent away, every child’s cry made him think it was her.

He had believed returning to the capital would reunite them. Never had he imagined their separation would span seventeen years.

As he stood frozen, the girl threw herself into his arms.

"Brother."

Hearing that word, Ming Jiyuan’s eyes reddened. He hugged her tightly, his hands trembling.

Years ago, he had watched helplessly as his sister was taken away. Now, at last, they were together again.

Prince Chen dismounted, handed his horse to the imperial guards, and leaned against a stone lion, silent.

He spotted Ming Jingzhou and Lady Shen’s carriage approaching in the distance. Smiling faintly, he turned to leave.

"Your Highness."

Someone tugged his sleeve. He turned to see Jiuzhu, her eyes red-rimmed, and wiped her cheeks with a handkerchief. "Today is for your family. I’ll visit again in a few days."

"A few days?" Jiuzhu sniffled, her nose adorably red.

"Three days." Prince Chen brushed a tear from her lashes. "I’ll come back in three days."

Jiuzhu nodded, loosening her grip on his sleeve—but not entirely letting go.

"Thank you for escorting me, Your Highness. If it pleases you, please join us for tea." Ming Jiyuan, observing his sister’s hold on Prince Chen, bowed gracefully.

"With pleasure." Prince Chen smiled at Jiuzhu, then met Ming Jiyuan’s gaze. "Thank you for the invitation."

Just ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‍then, the Ming couple’s carriage arrived. Watching the emotional reunion of the family—and the corner of his sleeve still clutched in Jiuzhu’s hand—Prince Chen waited patiently.

Today, he wouldn’t leave until he’d drunk his fill of the Ming Family’s tea.

A man’s word was his bond. If he promised tea, he’d see it through.

Once inside, Lady Shen glanced at Prince Chen, who sat quietly sipping tea beside her daughter, and shot Ming Jingzhou a questioning look.

Hadn’t the Emperor decreed that princes and princesses were forbidden from leaving the palace? How had the vast imperial grounds failed to contain Prince Chen’s restless feet?

"Your Highness," Ming Jingzhou began, "may I ask the purpose of your visit?"

"No purpose." Prince Chen smiled. "Young Master Ming invited me for tea. Considering we’ll soon be family, how could I refuse such a sincere offer?"

The couple turned to Ming Jiyuan.

Ming Jiyuan: "..."

His "sincerity" had been mere politeness.

He forced a smile. "If Your Highness is occupied, there’s no need to trouble yourself."

Leave. Please leave.

"Young Master Ming may not yet know, but lately, we princes and princesses have had little to do. Idleness abounds." Prince Chen bowed to Ming Jingzhou. "Fortunately, I’ve learned much under your guidance, sir."

Ming Jingzhou stood to return the courtesy. "You flatter me, Your Highness."

Guidance?

Ming Jiyuan’s suspicion deepened. In his rush to return to the capital over the past month, coupled with poor communication, he’d missed recent events.

His father had always avoided close ties with adult princes. Why would he instruct Prince Chen?

Yet no one could clear his doubts. Watching Prince Chen engage in conversation with his father with apparent ease and substance, Ming Jiyuan couldn't help but wonder—had Prince Chen truly changed his ways?

Before long, gifts began arriving one after another, all in celebration of his return to the capital. Back when he had left for his provincial post, he hadn’t received nearly as many. Now, barely a day after his return, young masters from various families were already sending presents?

Almost every messenger delivering gifts made sure to convey their master’s "deep longing" for him, as if each of them shared an unbreakable bond with him. Glancing at Prince Chen’s faintly amused expression, Ming Jiyuan finally understood the source of this sudden enthusiasm.

Prince Chen had personally escorted him from the city gates to the Ming Family residence—clearly, the prince was elevating the Ming Family’s status. But this also meant that, in the eyes of others, the Ming Family and Prince Chen were now seen as one. Frowning slightly, he was about to ponder the prince’s motives when he noticed Prince Chen pushing a small pile of meticulously shelled sunflower seeds toward his sister, Jiuzhu.

Jiuzhu divided the seeds into two portions—one for herself, the other for Prince Chen. Then, while she wasn’t looking, the prince quietly nudged a few more seeds into her share.

Ming Jiyuan froze, struck by an absurd, almost laughable thought.

Perhaps Prince Chen wasn’t scheming for anything at all. Maybe he just wanted to make Jiuzhu happy.

"Jiyuan, you’ve just returned. Go freshen up with a bath and change into clean clothes to ease your fatigue," Ming Jingzhou stood up. "I’ll take you to your courtyard and see if anything needs adjusting."

"Jiuzhu," he turned to his daughter, who was still nibbling on the seeds. "Stay here with your mother and His Highness for a while. I’ll be back soon."

"Of course, Father," Jiuzhu nodded, setting down the handful of seeds she’d just picked up.

Once they left the main courtyard, Ming Jiyuan asked, "Father, is it true that His Majesty intends to elevate Consort Su to Empress?"

Ming Jingzhou nodded. "Much has happened in the capital these past six months—too much to explain in a few words. For now, focus on settling into your new post at the Court of Judicial Review. Your uncle and I will handle the rest."

"And what of Prince Chen’s intentions?" Ming Jiyuan frowned. "I refuse to believe it was mere coincidence that he intercepted me the moment I returned."

"From now on, don’t speak ill of Prince Chen in front of your sister," Ming Jingzhou glanced back, as if worried Jiuzhu might overhear. "She’ll be furious with you."

"Does Jiuzhu… harbor feelings for His Highness?"

"Better she marry someone she loves than watch her wed a man she doesn’t," Ming Jingzhou patted his son’s shoulder approvingly. "You’ve grown much sturdier these past two years."

"Father," Ming Jiyuan couldn’t shake his unease about his sister’s impending marriage. "Prince Chen is reckless by nature. What if Jiuzhu suffers after marrying him?"

"But the imperial decree has already been issued. Do you expect her to defy it?" Ming Jingzhou raised a brow. "Besides, why do you think Prince Chen chose to wait for you at the city gates today?"

"Why?" Ming Jiyuan’s expression darkened. "Does he mean to use our family?"

"Do you truly believe a man of Prince Chen’s temperament would resort to such tactics?" Ming Jingzhou shook his head. "A prince raised on the Emperor’s undivided favor would never stoop so low."

To Prince Chen, the entire realm belonged to the Emperor—and as the Emperor’s most cherished son, the world would naturally bow before him.

"Ah, Jiyuan," Ming Jingzhou sighed almost pityingly. "There’s a reason even your sixth brother has a betrothed, while you still lack someone to warm your heart."

Ming Jiyuan: "?"

Since when did this turn into a personal attack?

"Set aside your prejudices and observe with an open mind," Ming Jingzhou smiled. "You’ll understand in time."

"One more thing—Prince Chen and Consort Su once saved Jiuzhu’s life."

"Saved her?" Ming Jiyuan pressed. "Father, what exactly happened?"

This capital no longer felt like the one he remembered. Everything had changed.

Just as he never could have imagined that Prince Chen would one day become his brother-in-law.