A Royal Arrangement: The General's Daughter (Short Novel)

Chapter 10

The Empress' Banquet

When Yuren awoke that morning, the space beside her was already vacant. She promptly rang the bell, and all her maids came to attend her, cleaning and helping her prepare for the day.

“The prince was summoned to the palace today, Madam,” one of her maids informed her.

Yuren merely nodded and donned her usual robe to take her breakfast in the pavilion by the pond, then proceeded with her day.

The following days brought a change in routine. The breeze from the forest grew colder as autumn entered the calendar, and the storage room was being refurbished in preparation for winter’s approach.

As the days passed, Yuren found herself spending her afternoons with tea and books from the estate’s main library. Living within the prince’s estate softened her hands, her hair had grown longer—always braided and tied up—and her wardrobe now consisted of lighter-colored garments and silk fabrics.

Two days after the prince last spent the night at her chambers, two new hanfus were delivered to her, along with hair ornaments from the prince. A week later, another jade-colored gown arrived, accompanied by two new maids.

The hanfu was more exquisite and elegant than the others, and the maids mentioned they specialized in caring for children and women with child.

It had been more than a week since the prince last visited her quarters; the last time he had spent the night was nine days prior. However, on the day the hanfus were delivered, the prince appeared in the afternoon.

Yuren was promptly alerted and hurried to greet her husband the moment she saw him enter her chambers.

“Yuren greets the fourth master,” she said, bowing with a book clutched to her chest.

“Let us take our noon meal together,” the prince replied. As Yuren straightened and saw his face, her brow furrowed.

“Why the sudden invitation?” she asked.

“I have matters to discuss with you.” Yuren simply nodded and instructed the servants to prepare the meal in the dining hall.

Once the meal was set, the two were seated across from each other. As soon as the maids finished their tasks, they departed, leaving the couple to eat in silence.

“The dresses and new maids... I have no need of them,” Yuren said.

“The garments and maids were gifts from the General's family,” the prince said casually.

“You went to my ancestral home?”

“I met the General at the palace, and he extended an invitation to his estate,” the prince replied, casting Yuren a brief glance before continuing to eat.

“What did you say to him?” Yuren demanded. The prince gave her another look but remained silent. It was at this moment that Yuren felt the desire to throttle him.

“What is it? What did the two of you speak about?”

“The borders,” he answered curtly, though Yuren continued to eye him.

“And what of the borders?” she asked quickly, but he gave no response, merely continuing his meal.

“Well, may I at least visit them one of these days?” she asked, her eyes almost gleaming with hope.

The prince seemed to freeze, his chopsticks hovering in midair as he stared at her.

“Yes?” Yuren nodded slowly, as if tempting him to agree, but the prince cleared his throat and replied, “There will be a banquet for the Empress’s birthday, just before the Mid-Autumn Festival. They should be present then.”