Daily Life in the Prince's Palace: Using Magic to Defeat Magic
After receiving a "profound lesson" during his homecoming visit, Zhao Jingyi behaved himself for a few days. But being a master of mischief, his quiet demeanor lasted only three days before his restless heart began to stir again. If force didn't work, he'd try gentler tactics; if physical confrontation was disadvantageous, he'd attempt a "verbal attack."
Round One: The "Torture" of Waking Up Early
Before dawn that day, Zhao Jingyi tiptoed out of bed, ran to the yard, and began to recite the Book of Songs with great emotion towards the window of Qin Yuti's bedroom.
"Guan Guan cry the ospreys, on the islet in the river! A fair maiden, a gentleman's good match—" He deliberately dragged out the melody, his voice loud, trying to use noise to retaliate against Qin Yuti for making him sleep in the study.
The window creaked open. Qin Yuti, still half-asleep and wearing an overcoat, listened expressionlessly to his wailing.
Seeing that she was awake, Zhao Jingyi became even more enthusiastic: "The watercress grows unevenly, flowing left and right! The graceful lady is the one I seek day and night!"
Qin Yuti gave a delicate yawn and slowly spoke, her voice still hoarse from just waking up: "Your Highness, 'Guanju' is about a gentleman's longing for a virtuous lady. Your tune doesn't sound like longing, it sounds like calling back a soul. Besides, 'qiu' means spouse. You and I are already husband and wife, so why are you still 'qiu'? Do you think the beams of this Chonghua Palace (bridal chamber) aren't sturdy enough, and you want to 'qiu' somewhere else?"
Zhao Jingyi: "..." He hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "I just like to recite! It's none of your business!"
Qin Yuti nodded: "If Your Highness likes it, then of course it is good. Jinshu, go and bring Your Highness's desk to the courtyard, and brew a pot of strong tea. Your Highness is so diligent, you must be studying until dawn. I will keep you company."
So, in the chilly early autumn wind, Zhao Jingyi sat up until dawn, staring at a table full of books that gave him a headache just by looking at them, and even drank a bellyful of bitter tea to keep his mind sharp. Meanwhile, Qin Yuti had already gone back to her room and was having a sweet nap.
Round Two: Defeat You with Your Rules
Unwilling to give up, Zhao Jingyi devised another plan. He cited the "Inner Rules" section of the Book of Rites, which states that wives should personally serve their husbands food every day as a sign of respect.
At dinner time, he sat down with an air of authority, waiting for Qin Yuti to serve him.
Upon hearing this, Qin Yuti smiled slightly: "Your Highness is right, etiquette must not be disregarded." She picked up her chopsticks and began to serve the dishes.
Just as Zhao Jingyi was feeling smug, Qin Yuti picked up a piece of bitter melon with her chopsticks and placed it in his bowl, saying gently, "The Inner Canon says that at the turn of summer and autumn, one needs to clear heat and reduce fire. Your Highness has been experiencing excessive liver fire lately, so bitter melon is most suitable."
He picked up another large piece of fatty pork knuckle: "Your Highness studies hard and needs to nourish your brain and strengthen your body."
Then came a generous amount of cilantro (Zhao Jingyi hates cilantro the most): "Cilantro invigorates the spleen and helps Your Highness to have an appetite."
Finally, he ladled out a large bowl of greasy nourishing soup: "This soup is very nourishing, Your Highness, please drink more."
Zhao Jingyi's face turned green as he looked at the small mountain of food piled up in front of him, almost entirely of things he didn't like or that would cause him to feel hot and bothered. "You...you did this on purpose!"
Qin Yuti looked completely innocent. She picked up the Book of Rites, pointed to a line, and read aloud: "The Book of Rites says that a wife should do her best in everything she provides. I have carefully selected the most suitable dishes for you based on Your Highness's 'physical condition.' Your Highness, please enjoy them. Please do not disappoint my good intentions, and... please do not violate the rites of the sages."
Zhao Jingyi looked at that damned "Book of Rites," then at Qin Yuti's "I followed your instructions strictly" expression, and almost choked. He thoroughly mistreated the meal, truly understanding what it meant to "lift a stone only to drop it on one's own foot."
Round Three: A New Level of Tattling
After suffering repeated setbacks, Zhao Jingyi decided to resort to his ultimate weapon—finding a powerful backer! He ran into the palace, threw himself before the emperor, and cried, "Father! You must do justice for me! Qin Yuti... she's abusing me!"
The emperor raised an eyebrow: "Oh? How did she mistreat you?"
"She wouldn't let me sleep in a bed! She forced me to read in the cold wind! And she even fed me pig swill!" Zhao Jingyi added fuel to the fire.
The emperor pondered for a moment, then sent someone to summon Qin Yuti to the palace.
Qin Yuti arrived, bowed calmly, and displayed an elegant demeanor.
The emperor asked, "The sixth prince said you mistreated him, is that true?"
Qin Yuti raised her eyes, her gaze shimmering with tears, a mixture of grievance and composure: "Father, I am innocent. The Prince was reciting poetry late at night, and I, moved by his thirst for knowledge, stayed by his side. As for the meals, they were all prepared according to medical principles, for the Prince's health. If the Prince is displeased, I will... refrain from acting on my own in the future." As she spoke, she gently wiped away non-existent tears.
Anyone who saw that look would think that Zhao Jingyi was being unreasonable.
Looking at his son's incompetent behavior, and then at his daughter-in-law, who was well-educated, reasonable, and sensible despite being "wronged," the emperor was immediately displeased. He scolded Zhao Jingyi, "You worthless wretch! Yu Ti is so virtuous, and you don't appreciate it? You even dare to falsely accuse her! Go back and reflect on your actions! If I find out you have bullied Yu Ti again, I will not let you off easily!"
Zhao Jingyi was dumbfounded. He... he was killed?! And he was even scolded mercilessly by his father!
On the carriage back to the mansion, Zhao Jingyi looked like a defeated rooster, dejected and listless.
Qin Yuti sat opposite him, calmly flipping through a book, and suddenly spoke lightly: "Your Highness, before you want to file a complaint next time, you'd better make sure your hands are clean. Also, the term 'pig swill' is an insult to literature. If the censor hears it, he might impeach you for improper behavior, which will probably upset Father Emperor again."
Zhao Jingyi: "..." He discovered with grief and indignation that his princess was not only fierce, but also cunning! Extremely cunning!
He lay slumped in the carriage, staring at the ceiling, and let out a soul-stirring cry:
"Heavens above! This is unbearable! Did I marry a queen? I've clearly brought back a living ancestor and a nemesis!"
Meanwhile, a triumphant smile subtly curved the corners of Qin Yuti's mouth behind the pages of the book in her hand.
Trying to compete with a talented woman like myself, Your Highness? You're still too green.
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