Chapter 50: Siblings

Chapter 50: Siblings

"Princess Yi Yang, Prince Longyuan pays his respects: Having observed your circumstances and those of the prince, I must say they are truly precarious. With the northern barbarians threatening our borders, it is only right for Prince Jingbei to declare war against them. However, there are mediocre officials in court who seek only to preserve their positions. The emperor's intentions are hard to fathom, thus he has arranged a marriage between Princess Bei Xi and the second prince. In fulfilling his ambitions, he expects success from all. I implore you, Princess, to advise the prince to act with caution, for a single misstep could lead to disastrous consequences. Enclosed is a transcript of my conversation with Third Prince Yuan Ya, for your and the prince's reference. May this find you well on your travels.

"Rong Bi finished reading and found, as expected, a scroll at the back of the letter box, meticulously written in tiny script, recording the dialogue between Third Prince Yuan Ya and Zheng Tanhua. After reading through it, she finally understood the aftermath of her guidance to Third Prince in seeking out Zheng Tanhua – Zheng Tanhua was indeed a wise man. Her perplexing questions were effortlessly clarified by him, and he had ingeniously steered Third Prince towards the princess's side!

Looking up, she saw that both Princess Yi Yang and Guo Shuji wore grave expressions.

Princess Yi Yang glanced at her before dismissing her, "Go down now. Since you have some leisure time, spend it with your elder brother. Leave the letter, I have matters to discuss with the prince."

Feeling uneasy in the peculiar atmosphere, Rong Bi felt a great relief when Princess Yi Yang allowed her to leave. She bowed hastily and exited.

Princess Yi Yang turned to Guo Shuji, "Both your father and mine have their own plans, but given the current situation, does the prince still intend to go along with them?"

Guo Shuji replied, "Are you not also considering your younger brother's future?"

Princess Yi Yang looked at him for a moment before saying, "If I were to say it's for the child in my womb, would the prince believe me?"

Guo Shuji fell silent for a while, then turned and walked away.

Unaware of these underlying currents, Rong Bi was absorbed in grilling a slice of horse rib for her brother. Amidst the scarcity of provisions in the military camp, she had managed to select a piece of meat with a balanced ratio of fat to lean. After thoroughly rubbing the marinade into it, she slowly rotated it over the fire. Beside her, Rong Yi sat, his face a mix of excitement and disbelief. "Are you not busy today? You don't have to attend to the princess?"

Rong Bi said, "The princess and the prince have some matters to discuss. They mentioned that as a sister, I haven't had the chance to accompany my elder brother since he arrived. Thus, they especially granted me a day off. Brother, tell me about our family."

Rong Yi said, "My parents are well, but they have aged a lot. When they received your letter, our family was overjoyed. My mother was crying and laughing at the same time. She put away all the things you sent, forbidding us to use them, saying they should be saved for your dowry. My father said that since you are going to buy a house in the provincial city, it is still necessary to do so. Otherwise, when you get used to living in the palace, you might not be accustomed to living in the village. In any case, father is getting old and won't be able to farm for many more years. Your third brother is also doing well in his studies, so we have decided to rent out all our fields to others. When I left, your third brother specifically chose green peach paper to paste on your windows and hung two paintings in your room for you..."

Rong Bi's eyes welled with warmth, and she discreetly wiped away her tears. "Third Brother is truly making great progress in your studies..."

Rong Yi remarked, "His natural talent is nothing exceptional, but his teachers praise him for his diligence making up for his lack of innate ability. If he writes poorly, he'll pen a hundred, a thousand more until it's decent. The same goes for studying – if he doesn't understand something, he recites it repeatedly. Mother says he'd even recite while tending to cows or cooking, not caring about the villagers mocking him as a bookworm. Yet, through sheer perseverance, he managed to pass the provincial examination. However, his teachers also mentioned that without sufficient mastery, entering the capital for the next level might not be guaranteed. He must be prepared to take the exam multiple times."

Rong Bi hurriedly said, "When did Third Brother depart? I've arranged for someone to rent a house for you in the capital. You won't have to worry; just focus on your preparations for the exams."

Rong Yi said, "Why bother worrying about such matters? He'll take care of himself. We're from humble backgrounds, so you should be more concerned with your own well-being."

Rong Bi offered a gentle smile before inquiring of Rong Yi, "Has Elder Brother taken a wife? What about Second Brother and Third Brother?"

Rong Yi shook his head. "No, I was preoccupied with military affairs before. After returning, Father and Mother were eager to arrange a marriage for me. We met with a few families, but negotiations fell through. Not long after, your letter arrived, and I hurried over. Second Brother is with the Huainan Naval Forces, but it's too far for regular correspondence; we only occasionally exchange a letter or two. Presumably, he hasn't entered into any marriage discussions either. After Third Brother passed the provincial exam, there was a constant stream of proposals, but he insists on adhering to seniority, saying he won't consider marriage until I've made my arrangements first. I believe he carries a emotional burden, feeling that you entered the palace to cure his leg. He seems resolute in waiting for you to return home before he can calmly settle down and start his own family."

Rong Bi couldn't hold back her tears, fortunate that it was already dark. She turned slightly to wipe away her tears unnoticed and, upon lowering her head, sighed in frustration. "Oh dear, this side is a bit overcooked and has dried out."

She hastily brushed on the honey water, and Rong Yi promptly took it over. "I'll grill it myself. You should rest for a while and eat something too. What do you like to eat? Is life in the palace difficult?"

Rong Bi was almost brought to tears by this simple question. Initially, she thought her time in the palace had been relatively smooth, despite the complications that arose just before her departure. She still felt fortunate to have gained the trust of the princess and the crown prince, even though things were challenging now. But hearing her elder brother's concern, her eyes suddenly welled up, longing to throw herself into his arms and cry, telling him everything without a care.

However, her rational mind reminded her that such actions would be useless. Not only could her brother not solve her problems, he might also be dragged into unnecessary troubles. She needed to find a way to send him back, away from the Jingbei Army.

Lost in thoughts about how to get her brother to leave the army, she unexpectedly felt something touch her lips. Rong Yi had torn off a piece of meat and was offering it to her. She opened her mouth to take it and couldn't help but ask, "Brother, what did you do in the military before? Was it tough?"

Rong Yi dismissed her worries. "It wasn't that tough. I was young then and didn't hold any significant position..."

By the campfire, the two siblings chatted endlessly, losing track of time until late into the night. The other guards tactfully left them undisturbed.

====

Inside the Treasure Box Palace, Yuan Jun, who had been ill for a day, finally recovered from his fever. He lay quietly in bed, reading a book alone. Hearing voices outside, he looked through the window and saw someone by the lake, supervising the draining of the water, digging out mud, and planting lotus roots.

Shen Anlin entered to report, "Eunuch Tang Xi says that His Highness has instructed the planting of lotuses. Since it's still spring, they're hurrying to plant them so we can enjoy the flowers come summer."

Yuan Jun acknowledged this, and Shen Anlin noticed his pale complexion, the cloak draped over his shoulders, and the thinness of his frame beneath the wide sleeves. He held a book but didn't seem to be reading it. A hint of weariness could be seen in his eyes as he leaned against the couch, deep in thought. Concerned, Shen Anlin asked, "Is Your Highness feeling better?"

Yuan Jun glanced at him and replied, "Yes, much better... There's something you should keep an eye on."

Shen Anlin replied, "Your Highness, please give your instructions."

Yuan Jun fingered the pages of his book, seemingly deliberating over something. After a moment, he said, "Next year is the grand examination year. There's a rumor that an imperial examination might be held as an act of grace. Candidates from all regions are already arriving in the capital to establish connections with their peers and seek patronage from their mentors. You're to find a candidate named Rong Mo, from Shuangxi Village in Cui County, Huaibei. Rent a place for him and take care of him. If he has any requests, help him if you can."

Shen Anlin was taken aback, though he still answered obediently, "Yes, Your Highness."

Yuan Jun added, "If he asks, tell him it's his sister who has arranged for someone to look after him."

A thought struck Shen Anlin, reminding him of Rong Lady, who had accompanied Princess Yiyang in her marriage to a distant land.

Shen Anlin, having received his instructions, returned to the Manor of Marquis Cheng'en and first made his way to the study to meet with Marquis Cheng'en himself. There, he reported to his father, Shen Pingye, the task entrusted to him by the Crown Prince. Marquis Cheng'en, Shen Pingye, whose eyes flickered with a thoughtful light, inquired, "The Crown Prince has suddenly tasked you with looking after this court lady's brother. What are your thoughts on this matter?"

Shen Anlin replied, "Is His Highness attempting to gain favor and establish ties with the lady-in-waiting by the Princess's side due to the perilous position the Princess finds herself in?"

Marquis Cheng'en shook his head and sighed softly. Compared to the Princess and the Crown Prince, born of his sister, his own son was indeed much slower on the uptake. "His Highness the Crown Prince is confined in the Precious Scroll Palace. It's said that he's convalescing from an illness. Normally, only you can enter and exit the palace. How did the Crown Prince learn that Lady Rong's brother has arrived in the capital?"

Shen Anlin was taken aback.

Marquis Cheng'en said, "The Crown Prince has other sources of information."

Shen Anlin was taken aback and said with a touch of grievance, "Is the Crown Prince guarding against our Shen family, against me?"

Marquis Cheng'en shook his head. "You're mistaken. The Crown Prince is actually protecting the Shen family. Putting aside other matters, just think about when you were detained for questioning without any reason. If the Crown Prince had indeed given you something, I doubt I would be seeing you now. Perhaps our Shen family would have already faced utter destruction. The Shen family's interests are intertwined with the Crown Prince's. By safeguarding our family, he is also safeguarding himself. The Crown Prince... has grown up."

Shen Anlin recalled the events and sighed in relief. "So that's how it is. But where did the Crown Prince get this information? Why does he want to take care of Lady Rong's brother?"

Marquis Cheng'en replied, "The Crown Prince is your lord. You should do as he commands."

Shen Anlin felt lost for a moment. Marquis Cheng'en explained slowly, "If the current situation persists, more officials will side with the Crown Prince and be willing to serve him. He won't rely solely on our Shen family anymore."

Shen Anlin understood. "Father means that to gain the Crown Prince's favor in the future, we must be even more loyal?"

Marquis Cheng'en looked at his handsome and valiant son and smiled. "The Crown Prince is a wise ruler. Just follow him with confidence." This move by the Crown Prince was both to reassure the Shen family and to warn them. If the Shen family didn't dedicate themselves, the Crown Prince could turn to others. Their maternal uncle's connection wouldn't guarantee glory or wealth. As the saying goes, fortune favors the brave. To aspire for a marquis title or high office, one must be prepared to risk everything. The current emperor had gradually cooled the hearts of ministers over the years, so the Crown Prince must have found other allies and no longer relied solely on the Shen family.

Shen Anlin, however, was straightforward. "Will helping Lady Rong's brother draw unwanted attention?"

Marquis Cheng'en patiently taught his somewhat naive son, "This Lady Rong was originally chosen by the Empress to serve the Crown Prince. Later, he gave her to the princess, who took her to Jingbei. Now, if the Crown Prince orders his men to look after the sister-in-law of a palace lady, it's a minor matter. Whether the Empress or the Emperor learns of it, they would most likely assume that the lady sought the Crown Prince's favor while she was still in the palace, or perhaps the princess made a request. With the Crown Prince idle in the palace, providing some assistance isn't a big deal."

Shen Anlin agreed. Marquis Cheng'en thought that at least his son was filial and obedient. He instructed, "Since he's a candidate for the imperial examination, it might be worthwhile to make friends with him and learn more about the Rong family. It'll come in handy in the future."

Shen Anlin replied, "Very well, I've already instructed my men to investigate all the inns and coach yards as soon as I returned. I'll inform you once we receive any news."