Chapter 49: Regretting Late Acquaintance

Chapter 49: Regretting Late Acquaintance

Inside Anxing Square, Princess Xiangyang’s residence.

Ever since Princess Xiangyang received the two hundred catties of gold from Zhu Yan, she had been restless. She managed to maintain her composure in public, but in private, especially at night in her own chamber, she almost jumped for joy, grabbing her personal maid's hand.

"Amu, it's really true, isn’t it? The gold is from Lady Zhu in the palace."

“Aunt Qu was once an attendant to the Emperor and had been seen by the Princess in the Eastern Palace. Over two years ago, she was transferred to serve Lady Zhu in Hua Palace, along with Grandpa Xing'en. There’s no mistake,” Dai Amu reasoned logically for the Princess.

Dai Amu was Princess Xiangyang’s maid, having watched over her since childhood. Since the Princess’s mother passed away, Dai had become the most trusted person to the Princess. She was genuinely happy for her mistress, although her usual stern demeanor made her smile appear slightly awkward.

“If the Emperor had provided a subsidy privately, he would have done so under the Empress’s name, without sending Aunt Qu personally,” Dai Amu added.

“You’re right, Amu,” Princess Xiangyang nodded repeatedly, her doubts growing, “But why would she suddenly send me such a generous gift when we don’t usually interact?”

She wanted to add that Lady Zhu didn’t interact with anyone, not even with Chongyang, who had failed to gain favor in Hua Palace. Hence, rumors said that Lady Zhu was aloof and unapproachable.

Why would she suddenly show favor to her?

“Could it be because of the gift the Princess gave to the Fourth Prince, which pleased Lady Zhu?” Dai Amu speculated.

She wasn't certain.

After all, two hundred catties of gold was not a small amount; it was not just two hundred taels of silver. She had lived with Princess Xiangyang in the inner court and knew very well that there were no more than five concubines in the entire harem who could afford to give away two hundred catties of gold. "Aunt Qu also mentioned that it was to thank the Princess for the gift she previously gave to the Fourth Prince."

"Impossible,"

Princess Xiangyang shook her head firmly. Chongyang, using the Emperor’s influence, also gave gifts to the Fourth Prince, didn’t she? But she never received Lady Zhu's favor. Besides, her decision to act against Deng Cheng was a last-minute thought to please the Emperor.

Princess Xiangyang recalled the words conveyed by Aunt Qu: The two hundred catties of gold were a congratulatory gift from Lady Zhu, wishing her to dispel the gloom and start anew.

Could there be a possibility...

That Lady Zhu supported what she did to Deng Cheng?

Since her release, men nearly ran away upon seeing her, while women deemed her a wicked woman, a malefactor, sparing no effort to denigrate her. So when she had to sell or pawn things to raise the fine, only Chongyang extended a helping hand.

Of course, she knew that the long hand of the Princess of Xindu was involved in this.

But it was more about their inability to accept what she had done.

Not to mention the common societal norm of women being submissive to their husbands; even among fellow princesses, most believed that while one could divorce or severely reprimand their consort, castrating him was unthinkable.

Yet in Princess Xiangyang’s heart, simply divorcing or beating Deng Cheng was too lenient. How could that compensate for the years of suffering she endured at his hands, bolstered by the Princess of Xindu and the deposed Empress Deng in the palace?

Since Deng Cheng liked to take concubines...

She made sure he could no longer be a man.

Since the Princess of Xindu despised her granddaughter and preferred a grandson...

She ensured that she would have only one granddaughter.

And this granddaughter would eventually inherit her provisions and become the highest-ranking county princess.

"Princess, should we go to Chongyang’s residence tomorrow to retrieve the pawned items?" Seeing that Princess Xiangyang remained silent for a long time, Dai Amu spoke up.

Initially, Princess Xiangyang planned to pawn items from her mansion to the official bureau. However, Princess Chongyang sent the required one hundred catties of gold, so Princess Xiangyang, refusing to be indebted, sent the items she intended to pawn to Princess Chongyang instead.

"Let's wait a bit,"

Princess Xiangyang regained her composure and spoke seriously, "Leave Chongyang's matter for now. Tomorrow, send twenty catties of gold to the jail to see Wen Fan and find a way to get him out." Wen Fan was the servant who helped her castrate Deng Cheng, condemned for gross disrespect, to fifty strikes and exile to a remote location.

She couldn't abandon him.

"Also, the status of this princess's mansion will be downgraded. The Imperial Censorate is watching, and the officials from the Construction and Treasury Departments may come tomorrow to downgrade the mansion's size and luxury by two levels. Have the Chief Steward keep an eye on this matter," Princess Xiangyang instructed further.

The Chief Steward of the princess's mansion was responsible for all daily affairs.

"If they damage my belongings, they’ll have to compensate."

Dai Amu promptly agreed, "Rest assured, Princess, I'll pass on the message. It's getting late, and you should rest. Tomorrow you have to go to the palace to meet the Empress and bring back the county princess."

"It's time to bring her back. Fortunately, I sent her to the palace in advance."

As Princess Xiangyang approached her bed, she suddenly asked, "Aunt Dai, do you think I should visit Lady Zhu at Fuhua Palace when I go to the palace tomorrow?"

"If the Princess wishes to visit, then do so. I believe Lady Zhu would also be willing to see you."

"I think so too," Princess Xiangyang agreed. She always felt that her guess was correct. How else could she, not made of gold, catch Lady Zhu’s favor?

Besides, even if she were made of gold, she doubted she would catch Lady Zhu's eye. Seeing how Lady Zhu easily gave away two hundred catties of gold, she envied such ability. "If only I could also casually give away fifty catties of gold, let alone two hundred."

Perhaps because she thought about gold before sleep, that night Princess Xiangyang dreamed of discovering a mountain of gold, shining brilliantly, all cut into blocks. Just as she was about to call Dai Amu to help carry it, she awoke.

She pulled back the curtains to see bright daylight outside, with the dazzling sunlight shining onto her bed.

It turned out to be a daydream.

——

It was said that entering Fuhua Palace was a dream.

When Princess Xiangyang entered Fuhua Palace with her daughter, County Princess Anping, it felt like a dream. Compared to the solemn and heavy, simple and elegant Fengyi Palace, which mirrored Empress Liu’s personality with its strict adherence to rules and etiquette, Fuhua Palace appeared luxuriously extravagant, blooming with flowers and brocades.

Upon entering the main hall and seeing Zhu Yan sitting at the head, her almond-shaped eyes clear as autumn waters, delicate brows like fine mist, her posture leisurely yet exuding an air of integrity, the blend of qualities was surprisingly harmonious. Such a beauty evoked pity and admiration.

At that moment, her face was smiling, her demeanor kindly,

Contrasting greatly with her reputed aloofness and the solemnity she displayed at palace banquets.

As Xiang Yang Princess was about to bow with her daughter, Zhu Yan stopped her, “You're a princess, no need for formalities with me. I don’t care for such pretense. You'll soon learn that in my presence, rules can be relaxed. Sit, both you and An Ping, and be at ease.”

Zhu Yan gestured towards two seats right beside her at the lower right side.

Xiang Yang Princess became increasingly convinced that her guess was right.

Rarely encountering someone who understood and supported her, she heeded Zhu Yan's advice, yet let her daughter An Ping perform a formal bow, as An Ping was the junior. She then smiled at Zhu Yan, expressing gratitude, “An Ping has been well-cared for in the palace; thank you, Empress and Your Highness.”

It was only upon entering the palace today that she learned Zhu Yan had not only sent gold to her residence but also generous gifts to her daughter An Ping in the palace. The ten bolts of ice silk alone were extremely valuable, not to mention the jewelry.

The Empress mentioned that the palace received just under fifty bolts of ice silk this year, with Empress Liu reserving twenty-five for herself, and the rest given to the Fu Hua Palace.

Initially hesitant about visiting the Fu Hua Palace due to her mood being affected in the Feng Yi Palace, Xiang Yang Princess finally decided to come after hearing Empress Liu’s words.

Zhu Yan instructed Qu Gu to help An Ping up, then inquired kindly about her well-being before asking Qu Gu to take her and Dai Fu Mu aside for some chilled watermelon. Then, Zhu Yan turned to Xiang Yang Princess, “You seem troubled. Did the Empress reprimand you in the Feng Yi Palace?”

This being Xiang Yang Princess's first interaction with Zhu Yan, she was initially cautious. Zhu Yan’s reputation was formidable, and upon meeting her, Xiang Yang Princess believed the rumors about Zhu Yan once refusing promotion to be true.

Especially given the Emperor's temperament during his time as the Crown Prince.

In the imperial harem, such a peerless beauty could not possibly be just a fourth-rank beauty.

The sole allocation of ice silk to her clearly shows that Lady Zhu still enjoys the Emperor's favor, a privilege unique among the ladies of the palace.

However, she didn't expect Lady Zhu to be so forthright, even more so than herself.

Sensing Lady Zhu's disposition, Princess Xiangyang didn't beat around the bush and admitted frankly, albeit jokingly, "I heard that recently, my aunt and sisters were all reprimanded in the palace. At that time, I was in jail and secretly relieved to have escaped it, but it turns out I was caught after all."

"I couldn't escape this ordeal."

Speaking these words, Princess Xiangyang's tone carried a hint of grievance, "When I return, I have to copy 'The Precepts for Women' two hundred times within three months, no substitutes allowed. They've even assigned a female official to supervise me at my mansion. I can already imagine the arduous days ahead, full of trials and tribulations."

"This has nothing to do with the Empress; it was arranged by the Emperor. If you want to blame someone, blame him. Also, recently in the palace, all the consorts with daughters have been going to the Empress, crying about how difficult it will be for their daughters to marry. The Empress really has no choice." Lady Zhu felt compelled to defend the Empress.

There are things that Lady Zhu dares to say that Princess Xiangyang, despite her boldness, wouldn't dare utter. After all, her future treatment depends entirely on the Emperor's whim, and whether he will remember their thin fraternal bond.

She is not like Chongyang, born from the same mother as the Emperor.

She did have two full brothers, but they were sent to their fiefs early on. After their mother's death, the bond between the siblings grew even weaker.

Princess Xiangyang simply remarked, "What nonsense about princesses being hard to marry. There's never been a princess in our dynasty who couldn't find a match. Those who are too timid to marry them don't deserve to be royal sons-in-law."

"Exactly!" Lady Zhu agreed, clearly pleased with this sentiment. As they conversed, they found more common ground. Eventually, Lady Zhu casually inquired, "Do you have enough money?"

Just this question made Princess Xiangyang feel a strong sense of regret for not having met Lady Zhu sooner.

The author's note:

Update on 6#25.