Chapter 151: Study Companion

Chapter 151: Study Companion

In Fengyi Palace, Jiang Hui was examining a long list in her hands.

The list detailed the daughters of officials in the capital, aged between five and eight, complete with family background, name, age, and portraits. It was prepared for selecting study companions for the Second Princess, Xiao Yan.

The Second Princess was soon to turn five in August, reaching the age to attend the Chongwen Academy.

Although the Emperor also doted on the Second Princess, he did not hold a birthday banquet for her to personally choose her study companions, unlike with Princess Huaiqing. For Xiao Yan, he had simply compiled a list of eligible daughters of officials and entrusted Jiang Hui to make the decision.

Qiu Kui entered quietly, followed by Qing Feng, clad in a crimson eunuch's robe.

"Mistress, I have found out about Physician Yan," she said.

Jiang Hui looked up, inquiring, "And?"

Qing Feng bowed respectfully, "Physician Yan’s background is unremarkable. According to the household registry, he is from Youzhou. He told his colleagues that he lost his parents at a young age and lived with his master in the mountains. His behavior has been normal since arriving in the capital. He resides in a rented two-courtyard house, accompanied only by a young servant named Le Zhan, with no suspicious activities."

"Unremarkable background?" Jiang Hui's brows lifted slightly, surprised, as Physician Yan's demeanor did not seem to fit someone of a humble origin.

"Yes," Qing Feng elaborated, "I had someone observe him. Physician Yan is quite frugal in his daily life, except for his fondness for painting. He spends his modest salary on purchasing precious pigments."

Painting?

With an unremarkable background, yet indulging in painting and tea tasting, his master must be some reclusive sage.

Such a person usually shuns worldly affairs. Why then would he come to the capital to become an imperial physician?

Jiang Hui pondered briefly, then nodded, "Let it be. If he has any ulterior motives, they will reveal themselves in time."

"Understood." Qing Feng bowed and left the room.

Qiu Kui, always attentive, whispered, "Le Zhan? This servant’s name is quite unusual, suggesting that Physician Yan is also a learned man."

Jiang Hui couldn't help but smile, pleased, "Noticing such details shows that Qiu Kui has also made great progress in her studies recently."

'Deer cry in the fields, feeding on the grass. I have esteemed guests; I play the zither and the qin. Playing the zither and qin, harmonious and profound. I have fine wine, to delight the hearts of my guests.' (From the poem "Lu Ming")

Le Zhan, harmonious and profound, likely derives from this verse of "Lu Ming."

Suppressing a smile, Qiu Kui said softly, "Mistress, please don't tease me."

After a moment of levity, Jiang Hui turned to more serious matters, "Has Du Juan been sent out of the palace?"

"She has been sent out," Qiu Kui replied solemnly, "She was of age and left with several other maids. In this way, her wish was also fulfilled."

Jiang Hui nodded and returned her attention to the roster in her hands.

The Second Princess's birth mother was a commoner from the Hu family. Originally, her name was recorded under the deposed Queen Wang, but was later transferred to Yi Pin.

"After the morning greetings tomorrow, ask Yi Pin to stay. Let her choose the study companion herself."

"Yes," Qiu Kui responded, then asked, "Mistress, should we also start considering study companions for His Highness?"

Nian'er, having turned a year older, would also be attending the Chongwen Academy soon, so the selection of a study companion was indeed timely.

"Indeed, we should start looking," Jiang Hui agreed.

She already had some ideas in mind. There were several suitable noble children in the capital, but only a few whose family status matched Nian'er's as the legitimate eldest son.

The best candidate in terms of lineage was Chen Qian, the grandson of the Duke of An Guo, who would turn five next year. However, Chen Qian's father was the second son of the Duke and a brother to Chen Xianyu. If Chen Qian was chosen, it might be problematic with the Emperor...

Another candidate was He Xiqi Min, the great-grandson of the Right Chancellor He, also five years old. Reportedly, He had personally tutored him since the age of three, indicating his education was excellent.

A slightly lesser option was Jin Siqi, the grandson of the Minister of Justice Jin, two years older than Nian'er. His mother passed away early, and he was now under the care of a stepmother with an elder half-sister in her teens.

Another option was Qin Hanfei, the youngest son of the General Yun Hui, three years older than Nian'er, and skilled in archery and horsemanship.

There was also Cui Jiming, whose father held a modest official position but was a direct descendant of the prominent Cui family. He was the same age as Nian'er.

If a study companion for Nian'er was to be chosen next year, it would have to be from among these candidates. Younger children would not be eligible for selection. Chen Xianyu was chosen as a study companion for Prince Yuanhui despite their age difference, primarily because Yuanhui's first companion had died young, leading to a subsequent selection of the renowned young Chen Xianyu.

The great-grandson of Chancellor He was certainly a good choice, but given Chancellor He's high position and humble origins, and considering his impending retirement, the future status of the He family was uncertain.

The others each had their advantages and disadvantages.

"When the time comes, we must hold a birthday banquet for Nian'er. Let His Majesty decide," Jiang Hui finally said.

However, this time, Jiang Hui guessed the Emperor's thoughts wrong.

Xiao Sheng did not wait until the sixth year of Jianzhao to choose a study companion for Nian'er during his birthday banquet, but personally took Nian'er out of the palace in white dragonfish attire to scout for one.

On the first day, he returned and told Jiang Hui, "Prime Minister He's grandson, He Ximin, is not bad. His every move is methodical, but he's a bit too rigid for his young age, not as lively and clever as Nian'er."

On the second day, Xiao Sheng, holding Nian'er, returned to Fengyi Palace and told Jiang Hui, "Minister Jin's grandson, Jin Siqi, seems simple but is actually wise. However, although Minister Jin is sharp in daily affairs, his household is in chaos, a sight of gloom and disorder."

The Emperor's obvious actions to select a study companion for the crown prince spread rapidly among the ministers in Shangjing. Regardless of whether they had children of the right age, everyone was strictly instructing their own offspring, greatly reducing the frivolous behavior among the nobles of Shangjing.

However, the Emperor didn't continue selecting as they thought he would. Instead, there was silence, and just when everyone speculated that the crown prince's study companion would be from the households of Prime Minister He or Minister Jin, the Emperor went out of the palace again with Nian'er.

This time, Xiao Sheng came back and commented on the young son of General Yunhui, Qin Hanfei: "He truly embodies his father's spirit. In the future, he'll definitely excel in wielding weapons and leading battles, though he's a bit more dull compared to Nian'er."

After some time, he returned to Fengyi Palace and told Jiang Hui, "The Cui family's Cui Jiming is young but knowledgeable and carries an inexplicable pride."

Finally, holding Nian'er, he made a trip to the residence of Duke Anguo but said nothing upon returning.

At that time, it was the twelfth lunar month. Jiang Hui was busy with a major event in the rear palace. When the Emperor stopped taking Nian'er out of the palace, there wasn't much time left until Nian'er's fifth birthday.

Jiang Hui asked her son which young master he liked the most. After careful consideration, Nian'er, somewhat conflicted, asked his mother, "Can I choose all of them?"

——

Note: (1) From "Book of Songs, Xiaoya, The Deer Cry"