Agreement

"Zhu Mingyu, put that thing down right now! It's top-quality porcelain, very expensive. If you break a corner, I'll hold you responsible!"

"I've slapped your face so hard it's crooked." Zhiwei stood with her hands on her hips, empty-handed, and roared mercilessly at Zhu Mingyu, who had several wooden crates piled on his shoulders.

The palace renovations will soon be completed, and the date of the coronation is approaching. Zhiwei has officially taken up the position of female official in the Imperial Kitchen and moved from Cheng Yuzhi's villa into a residence specially set up for her in the palace—a secluded courtyard on the edge of the inner garden.

In fact, Zhiwei should have lived and eaten with the other female officials of the Imperial Food Bureau.

However, Zhu Mingyu felt that the location of the Imperial Kitchen Bureau was too central and the personnel were mixed, especially the male servants. Zhu Mingyu had investigated in advance and found that the front-line Imperial Kitchen where Zhiwei often stayed was full of rough men.

The thought of Zhiwei being immersed in the scents of these people day and night made Zhu Mingyu want to jump up and down.

So, he begged his parents to pull strings and help him get into this quiet but elegant little courtyard—Jingfangyuan.

The courtyard had been idle for some time, with moss and ivy climbing all over the walls. There was also a vegetable garden in the backyard, which was very similar to the layout of a traditional Lingnan courtyard.

As soon as Zhiwei entered the hospital, she couldn't take her eyes off him.

Zhu Mingyu handled almost all of the moving work by himself.

He not only personally took charge, but also directed several trusted guards to carefully transport all kinds of spices, recipe notes, and newly acquired personal clothing that Zhiwei had collected during her time living in the Zhu family villa to Jingfang Garden, where they were arranged in an orderly manner.

“This place is shady, so I’ll put the tea set on the shelf by the window for your convenience.”

While adjusting his position, Zhu Mingyu rambled on, "The fennel flavor in this bag is too strong. I'll put it in the bottom drawer for you... Oh, this is fermented bean paste from Shu County. You bought a jar at the market before. Is it the same jar?"

Zhu Mingyu muttered to himself, while Zhiwei leaned against the window, looking at his earnest and responsible demeanor, and felt a warmth in her heart.

Zhu Mingyu was still tidying up. Zhiwei had gotten up early in the morning and was feeling a bit sleepy in the afternoon, so Zhu Mingyu told her to go back to her room for a short rest.

——

In the afternoon, Zhiwei slept soundly. Zhu Mingyu lifted the curtain and entered, carrying a heavy terracotta flowerpot in his arms like a precious treasure.

"Zhiwei, here you go!" He placed the flowerpot on the table in front of her with a dull thud.

"Happy birthday!" Zhu Mingyu said with a bright smile.

Yes, Zhiwei had almost forgotten that early summer was her birthday, and from today onwards, this body is seventeen years old.

Zhiwei was startled by the scene and looked closely.

There was an unremarkable plant growing in the pot.

The gray-green leaves are stiff and thick, the branches are gnarled like withered vines, and there is not a trace of flowers.

It's less of an ornamental plant and more like a stubborn pile of weeds.

"What is this?" Zhiwei poked the hard leaves with her finger. "Brother, when others give birthday gifts to a girl, at the very least they give her cosmetics, gold, silver, or jade. But you, uh, you gave me a potted plant..."

A close relative of the cactus?

Zhiwei raised an eyebrow and looked at him with a teasing smile.

Zhu Mingyu blushed to the roots of his ears and hurriedly explained, "This is a precious thing! A rare item from a small country in the Western Regions, called something like 'Moon Orchid'."

“The gardener said that with careful tending, it will take a full three years to grow! After three years…” Zhu Mingyu’s voice suddenly lowered, with a cautious, almost pious probing tone, “After three years, it will bloom with large white flowers, with thick and smooth petals that seem to glow under the moonlight.”

Zhu Mingyu raised his eyes, his gaze fixed intently on Zhiwei: "Didn't you say you wanted to take things slowly? I... I agree. We'll get along well."

His Adam's apple bobbed, and his eyes were as serious as if he were issuing a military order. "I remember you said before that your hometown is in a very, very far place, and that when a bride is married, she should hold a bouquet of flowers in her hands for good luck."

Zhu Mingyu pointed to the ugly, stubborn plant: "When it blooms, we...we'll hold it and use its flowers to get married, okay?"

Use its flowers to get married.

Zhiwei's heart felt as if it were being gently grasped by an invisible hand, and then carefully held in a warm palm.

Her thoughts were responded to by Zhu Mingyu in the most clumsy, direct, yet heart-wrenching way.

Like a rock, without any other fancy words, yet heavy and reassuring.

A smile gradually spread across Zhiwei's eyes. She stepped forward and carefully moved the potted plant to the sunniest spot under the window.

Her fingertips brushed against the tough leaves, her voice softening considerably: "Fool! What kind of bride carries an earthenware pot to her wedding? What if the bottom leaks?"

Zhiwei turned around and saw Zhu Mingyu's instantly dejected expression. She then added with a smile, "But I'll accept this gift. Thank you for your kind intentions, you silly goose."

"I'm glad you like it," Zhu Mingyu immediately perked up, grinning from ear to ear. "By the way, when he learned it was your birthday, my brother also had something to say. His gift should arrive soon."

Zhu Liji, a gift? What good intentions could he possibly have? Could he have sent some menus or orders?

Zhiwei recalled the time she spent living at the Zhu residence. Although the two of them had never met in private, Zhiwei would always receive some "advice" from Cheng Yuzhi, which was nothing more than how to handle ingredients and how to balance nutrition.

One day, after asking for advice for so long, Zhiwei couldn't help but ask the reason. Cheng Yuzhi then confessed that Zhu Liji was a picky eater, and she wanted to find more ways to make him eat to his heart's content.

With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for?

Zhiwei was moved by Cheng Yuzhi and personally cooked several dishes for her, intending only to demonstrate and teach. However, Zhu Liji had ulterior motives and repeatedly sent menus to her to order dishes.

Damn it, damn it, why am I always working for him for free!

Zhiwei couldn't swallow her breath and didn't notice another person entering the courtyard. It was a palace maid who looked about seventeen or eighteen years old, with delicate features, dressed in a plain blue dress with a belt around her waist, looking neat and tidy.

She walked into the courtyard unhurriedly, bowed gracefully to the resentful Zhiwei, and said in a clear and steady voice: "This servant has come to serve His Highness the Crown Prince on his orders."

The woman spoke concisely and succinctly, her demeanor neither humble nor arrogant.

Before Zhiwei could speak, Zhu Mingyu, who was helping her set up the drying rack, straightened up and explained to Zhiwei, "This is a gift from my brother. He said that since you are working in the palace, you need a clever person by your side."

“She has been taught proper etiquette since elementary school, so you can consult her on anything.” Zhu Mingyu looked at the palace maid, “From now on, she will follow Yan Shangshi and serve him well.”

"Yes, I understand." The maid bowed again, then naturally took the broom from Zhiwei's hand and quickly tidied up the few scattered items in the courtyard.

"Sister, she's so quick and efficient." Shao Zhao, who had been slacking off somewhere, returned and saw the palace maid's movements, her eyes shining.

Zhiwei looked at Shao Zhao, then at the girl, and instantly understood what Zhu Liji meant.

"Your Highness has sent a good helper." Zhiwei looked at the small courtyard that had been quickly tidied up and made spotless, and sighed sincerely, "From now on, you shall be called Shaoyang."

The name is calm and dignified, which suits the palace maid very well.

"Thank you, Master," Shao Yang said.

Zhiwei nodded in acknowledgment, turned around, and saw Zhu Mingyu still struggling with the drying rack. A wicked thought popped into her head.

She stopped him, teasing him with a smile: "Look, this is a real gift that touches the heart. Mature, reliable, handles things properly, and has excellent judgment."

"Compared to that plant that only blooms after three years and whose survival is uncertain, the difference is stark." Zhiwei shook her head deliberately, sighing, "I wonder when that person will be as reliable as this."

"Shao Yang, aren't you right?"

Shao Yang, who was being supported, lowered his eyes, looked down at his nose, and smiled as if he hadn't heard anything.

Zhu Mingyu, however, had inserted a wooden strip crookedly, causing half of the drying rack to collapse: "I... I gave you a unique gift! Besides, my brother is a very thoughtful person..."

Zhu Mingyu paused, then muttered sullenly, "That's how it is. It's too late to return it now!"

Zhiwei was taken aback by his straightforward declaration. She smiled and stood up, no longer teasing him: "Who said we were going to return it? Alright, alright, the sentiment is precious. I will take good care of that plant."

"By the way, are you going to the training ground or not? If you dawdle any longer and miss the appointed time, be careful people won't complain," Zhiwei said again.

Zhu Mingyu still refused to move, like a little dog soaked by the rain, staring longingly at Zhiwei.

no way.

Zhiwei then asked Shaozhao to bring Zhu Mingyu some homemade snacks and coaxed him with a few words. Only then did Zhu Mingyu pack up his tools and leave, looking back every few steps.

——

After seeing Zhu Mingyu off, Zhiwei had some free time again. She looked around this small world, strolling along the palace wall and around Jingfang Garden to familiarize herself with it.

This small courtyard is in a truly remote location, near the narrow passageway at the edge of the palace gardens.

When she turned to the corner of the backyard where clutter was piled up, she unexpectedly discovered an inconspicuous old-fashioned wooden corner door that was almost completely covered by vines.

The door latch was loosely fastened, clearly indicating that it was usually unattended and rarely visited.

Driven by curiosity, Zhiwei pushed open the creaking old door.

Behind the door was not the desolate place she had imagined, but a small garden that had been abandoned for a long time but still retained some exquisite features.

The path was winding and secluded, with a small trail leading through it. Zhiwei turned around, closed the small door, and went out alone to explore along the trail.

After passing a grove of exceptionally lush bamboo, her view suddenly opened up.

Hidden behind the bamboo grove is a small, exquisite waterside pavilion.

The pavilion was kept very clean, with old bamboo mats, washed until faded, laid out on the floor. At this moment, a figure was reclining on the mat, taking a short rest.

A loose, primrose-colored gauze robe was casually draped over her body, her long, black hair was loosely tied up, and the woman was barefoot, revealing her round and cute toes, staring blankly at the blue pool.

A black tortoise, as black as jade, slowly crawled on the mat beside her, stretching its neck to bask in the warm afternoon sun filtering through the bamboo leaves.

The woman yawned and met Zhiwei's gaze. Zhiwei was slightly taken aback; the person before her was none other than Consort Wan—Wan Zhen'er, whom she hadn't seen for many days.