Chapter 11

After the necessary matters were discussed, the two fell into a silence.

Anan sat on the bed. Having just woken from her afternoon nap, she was still wearing loose white undergarments, her long hair draped messily over her shoulders—a truly disheveled appearance. Facing her husband, who was sitting directly in front of the bed to discuss business with her, she couldn't help but feel a bit constrained, terrified that she might do something improper and leave him with a bad impression.

—It couldn't be helped; Prince Su’s aura was simply too overwhelming, making it impossible for her to relax!

Chu Baning sat in contemplation, filtering through the tasks that needed to be done in the near future one by one. Only after confirming nothing had been missed did he relax. When he came to his senses, he noticed his newlywed Princess was looking uneasy, her hands and feet seemingly not knowing where to rest. Prince Su frowned; he realized he didn't much care for this distant and polite demeanor from his young wife. Since she had become his wife, she was naturally his possession, and he hoped she wouldn't be so reserved.

However, Chu Baning was truly not a man who knew how to coax women. Due to his naturally rigorous nature, he could only maintain an incredibly upright and serious face as he said, "Anan, since you have married into this house, there is no need to be constrained. If you need anything, you may send a maid to fetch it from Steward Qin."

Anan felt that if she truly followed his words, she would be a complete fool. Still, she gave her husband the Prince some face on the surface and responded meekly.

Silence fell once more.

Chu Baning had no choice but to stand up. Saying, "Rest well," he left the room and headed straight for the study.

Seeing him leave, Anan finally let out a sigh of relief and immediately called for Ruchui and Rulan to come in and help her change.

Anan had been reborn into this world for fifteen years, spending those fifteen years as the daughter of a Prime Minister. Though she lacked the wealth of a legitimate daughter, she was still a young lady of status who had been waited on hand and foot, which had long since turned her into a standard noblewoman of the ancient boudoir who couldn't function without servants. But who would have thought she would marry a germaphobic Prince who disliked being close to others and hated people touching his belongings—and since Anan belonged to Prince Su after marrying him, he naturally didn't like others touching her either.

Anan wept internally; she really wasn't used to having no one to serve her! Even if she had become "corrupted," it was something permitted by this feudal society, so why did her benefits disappear after marriage? To have a maid serve her, she had to wait until her husband was away; otherwise, he would think the maids were dirty and wouldn't even give them the chance to enter the room...

Anan had the maids help her sit in the front hall, leaning against a warm tiger-skin cushion. She had them set up a screen as a formality before calling for Steward Qin.

Steward Qin had been in high spirits lately. Although he was advanced in age and his face was lined with wrinkles, he had finally lived to see his beloved master, Prince Su, take a wife and start a family. Thinking that he would soon be able to hold a little master, his energy was boundless. He didn't walk with the tottering gait of a sixty-year-old; instead, he moved with vigor, his slightly chubby face beaming like a Maitreya Buddha.

Steward Qin bowed toward the screen and asked respectfully, "Princess, did you summon this servant?"

"Steward Qin, there is no need for such formalities!" Anan’s voice was soft as she instructed the maid beside her to offer the Steward a seat. Seeing a white-haired old man bowing respectfully to her made her feel guilty; it was better to give him some face and let him sit.

Steward Qin declined at first, then sat gingerly on the edge of the chair.

"Steward Qin, the Prince just told me that the Emperor has dispatched two imperial physicians to the manor. I am unsure where best to arrange them," Anan asked softly, her attitude very humble.

Ever since Prince Su established his own manor at fifteen, Steward Qin had been the one managing it. Anan was a new bride; although she had a well-informed maid like Rubie, she hadn't yet grasped the layout of the Prince’s manor. Naturally, she wouldn't make arbitrary arrangements; it was better to give the old man of the house some face and ask for his opinion.

Hearing the new Princess’s soft, sweet voice, Steward Qin recalled that she had only just come of age and was a daughter of a concubine—wasn't she still just a young girl at heart? Such behavior only made one feel pity for her, wishing to help her handle everything perfectly. However, this was the only Princess to have ever entered the bridal chamber in Prince Su’s manor, and perhaps the only one there would ever be. Steward Qin’s attitude was extremely respectful; he dared not act arrogant due to his age.

Steward Qin thought for a moment and said, "Princess, do you think it would be feasible to place the two physicians in Qiurong Courtyard? Qiurong Courtyard is close to your Shuangrong Courtyard and adjacent to the guest rooms in the West Wing. Furthermore, Physician Wang is also there, so it would be good for the three physicians to have company."

Steward Qin naturally knew why the Emperor had bestowed the physicians. To be honest, he was a bit anxious himself. From the wedding until now, the Princess seemed to have had one accident after another, which truly worried him. He was terrified that something might happen to the Princess who had finally been married into the house; if that happened, his Prince would be a bachelor again, and that would truly become the laughingstock of the entire Chu Dynasty.

"Mm, that is excellent. Let it be arranged that way!" Anan nodded to Rubie, signaling her to handle it, then smiled at the old steward. "Steward Qin, I have just married into this house and there is much I do not understand. I hope you will assist me in the future." As she spoke, she had Ruchui fetch the pouches the Prime Minister’s wife had prepared for her before the wedding to give as a reward.

"This is what this servant should do!"

Steward Qin did not decline; he accepted it respectfully. His fingers quietly felt the contents of the plain pouch—it was a piece of warm jade. He thought to himself that she was indeed the daughter of the Prime Minister; she was quite perceptive. Although she was still young, in time, the manor would surely be managed perfectly under her care.

The old steward accepted the mistress’s greeting gift and said, "Princess, you have been in the house for two days. It should have been done on the first day to have the servants come and meet you so you could become familiar with them. Who would have thought... Princess, why don't I call the matrons who serve in the manor to come and let you recognize them one by one? It will make things easier in the future."

Anan nodded; that was indeed how it should be. Otherwise, she had been married for several days, and the female staff in the manor still didn't recognize their mistress—that would be a joke.

While the old steward went to notify the matrons, Anan hurriedly had Ruchui and Rulan bring the gifts she had prepared in pouches to reward the servants. This was a lesson a new bride had to learn. Anan felt this was blatant bribery of the heart! No wonder the Prime Minister’s wife had the manor’s seamstresses sew a whole chest of pouches for her early on; it turned out they were for rewarding people.

It seemed she still had a lot to learn about the job of being a mistress.

The people Steward Qin called in were all first and second-rank matrons who served in various courtyards. As for the menial laborers, they were left waiting outside the room, and Anan’s personal maids were sent out to give them their gifts and have them kowtow toward the main bedroom.

Anan removed the screen and sat upright on the high *kang*, speaking kindly to the group of matrons and offering words of encouragement before having Ruchui and Rulan distribute the pouches containing silver ingots. Aside from remembering Matron An, who served Prince Su specifically, and a few others in special positions, she just glanced over the rest.

Looking at this group of elderly matrons, and thinking that the only bright colors in the manor were the few personal maids she had brought with her, Anan sighed at what kind of mindset her husband the Prince had to keep a group of old women who inspired no desire to serve him. What kind of ridiculous rule was this? No wonder there were rumors outside that he preferred men...

Steward Qin looked at the two flower-like girls beside the Princess, then at the little Princess who looked like a round, soft bun of a child. Not knowing what he was thinking, his face beamed like a Maitreya Buddha, as round as could be.

After the old steward left, Anan let out a breath, knowing that the gifts the Prime Minister’s wife had prepared for her had won Steward Qin’s heart. Thinking that there was still much to learn about managing a large household, Anan secretly clenched her fists. She would definitely be a good Princess Su and live well in this world.

At dinner, the servants laid out a table full of food. Anan sat at the table, her bandaged foot resting gently on a small stool covered in a thick layer of fox fur, waiting for Prince Su to return to dine with her.

Autumn evenings grew dark early. When Chu Baning entered, the sky was already dim. Candles were lit in the room, and his little Princess sat before the lamplight, looking at him with a warm smile. After two days of rest, her apple-like face had recovered its rosy, tender color, looking exceptionally pleasing.

Chu Baning washed his hands in the water brought by the matrons, wiped them dry with a towel, waved for the maids and matrons to leave, and sat in the seat beside Anan. He first served Anan a bowl of soup, then served himself one and began to drink.

Anan had already grown accustomed to this Prince’s germaphobia. He valued his private space greatly and, unless necessary, would absolutely drive away the group of servants so he wouldn't have to see them. The price of driving away the matrons was having to do things for oneself. However, looking at Prince Su’s practiced movements, it seemed perfectly natural, which made Anan, a modern person who had traveled from an egalitarian society, feel deeply ashamed.

Anan didn't know whether she should be happy that she had been included as Prince Su’s private property; it felt truly complicated...

At night, Anan sat on the long couch with her feet tucked into her skirt, bored enough to want to swat flies, while Prince Su sat under the lamp in a loose sleeping robe, flipping through a book with a serious expression.

Anan thought for a moment and finally picked up the embroidery frame nearby, starting to embroider autumn chrysanthemums, silently chanting in her heart: *Chrysanthemums wither, the heart is wounded...*

A while later, Chu Baning closed the book, called for the matrons to help him change and wash, and then carried his blushing little Princess to the bed to sleep. He casually rolled the fragrant, soft little Princess, who felt like dough, into his arms.

Forced to sleep in the man’s arms, Anan was red from head to toe, even her toes curling up. She wanted to shout at the top of her lungs: *Big brother, is it really necessary to carry me to the latrine yourself? It wouldn't kill me to let a maid touch me...*

So, marrying a germaphobic man with a serious exterior—this life was truly, damnably complicated!

********

The next day, after getting ready, Prince Su accompanied Anan back to the Prime Minister’s residence.

Anan and Chu Baning sat in the carriage, shielded from the outside gaze. Anan knew that the rumors about her husband were countless; it seemed the people of the capital loved to watch Prince Su’s jokes, and whenever there was the slightest disturbance, it was always Prince Su who had bad luck. She knew she should avoid appearing in public as much as possible to prevent more rumors about her various "deaths" from spreading, which made her feel like she was about to die of various causes even when she was perfectly healthy...

When the carriage arrived at the Prime Minister’s residence, Prime Minister Lu, along with his wife and three sons, had been waiting at the door for a long time to welcome their noble son-in-law.

Truth be told, of Prime Minister Lu’s four daughters, aside from the eldest who was an imperial consort in the palace, the youngest was the one who had married into the most prestigious and wealthy position. Although it was said that an imperial son-in-law was the most noble person in the world, one did not return to the bride’s home three days after the wedding when marrying an Emperor’s consort, so Prime Minister Lu could not enjoy the honor of welcoming an imperial son-in-law. However, a Prince son-in-law was not bad either, especially when this Prince was someone even the Emperor was willing to dote on and grant the most prestigious honors in the world. Thus, the entire Prime Minister’s residence had been mobilized to welcome the Prince son-in-law.

Prime Minister Lu watched the approaching Prince Su carriage with excitement, feeling somewhat restless. He didn't know how his poor Anan was doing. Not only had she fainted on her wedding night, but she had also broken her leg the next day; no bride was as tragic as Anan...

Anan’s misfortunes had left Prime Minister Lu’s fatherly heart riddled with holes, and he had been on edge for the past few days. Although the Prince’s manor had sent people to inform them of Anan’s condition, it couldn't stop the various rumors among the commoners, which had almost claimed that Anan was down to her last breath. The more Prime Minister Lu heard, the more he felt that Anan was truly done for, and he would have to bury his own child...

The Prince’s carriage stopped in front of the Prime Minister’s residence. Under the expectant stares of the crowd, Chu Baning stepped out of the carriage first and bowed to Prime Minister Lu. Prime Minister Lu hurriedly stepped forward with his wife and sons to return the bow, looking as if he dared not accept it. Then, just as everyone was waiting for the bride to step out, they saw Prince Su turn around, lift the carriage curtain, and carry the young girl in a pale pink palace dress out himself...

"..."

Everyone stared in stunned silence as the most powerful Prince Su in the current dynasty carried his new Princess out of the carriage, and then, amidst the ghost-like, respectful invitations of the Lu family, slowly stepped into the Prime Minister’s residence.

Anan huddled in Chu Baning’s arms, covering her face, feeling she had no face left to show anyone. Perhaps she was the only person in history to be carried into her maiden home by her husband during the three-day return visit. She really didn't know whether to feel honored or to silently vomit a mouthful of old blood.

Now, the people in the capital would surely spread all sorts of rumors again.

Prince Su was of noble status and was the younger brother favored by the current Emperor, with the Empress Dowager backing him. Even if he tore a hole in the sky, the people of the Prime Minister’s residence could only endure it silently and swallow their blood while asking the Emperor for an explanation. Not to mention that at this moment, Prince Su was merely carrying his wife, who had injured her foot, into the house...

Prime Minister Lu stiffened his face, silently grumbling to himself, trying his best to smile as kindly as possible.

Meanwhile, his three useless sons were looking at the serious-faced Prince Su with admiration, wondering how this could be the Prince Su who was known for being the most stickler for rules in the dynasty; he clearly didn't care for the world’s rigid conventions at all. However, saying he broke the rules wasn't entirely accurate either; at least he had strictly adhered to the rule of the three-day return visit. Of course, the ancient teachings didn't say that a husband couldn't carry his wife into her parents' home during the three-day return...