Chapter 109 – Epilogue: Entering the Capital

Chapter 109 - Epilogue: Entering the Capital

In the tenth year of Jingchu, Princess Yan Yun, twelve years old, Guo Ruopu, made her journey to the capital alone, capturing the attention of the city's elite.

The aristocratic families were well aware that for the purpose of unifying the realm, this sole daughter of Prince Jingbei, Princess Yan Yun, was most likely to be betrothed to the Crown Prince.

Crown Prince Yuan Zhiding, two years younger than Guo Ruopu, despite his young age, was astute, composed, and modest. He was diligent in his studies, earning great satisfaction from the court officials who saw in him a worthy heir to the throne.

As for Princess Yan Yun, curiosity abounded among the public. After all, she might very well become the future Empress. In less diplomatic terms, even if the position of the Crown Prince were to change, it was unlikely that the status of Crown Princess would be disrupted.

Guo Ruopu gracefully alighted from the carriage, holding her wet nurse's hand firmly. She was escorted by the lady officials into the Baohan Palace. It was said to be the imperial residence of Empress Rong, whose exclusive favor from the emperor was well-known. Guo Ruopu had heard from her mother that this empress held a unique position, with no other consorts in the harem. She couldn't help but wonder how magnificent the Baohan Palace must be.

Yet, upon closer inspection, she was greatly disappointed. The chambers within Bao Han Palace were exceedingly plain, barely adorned with paint, appearing almost inferior to the quarters she had occupied in Prince Jingbei's palace. The only exception was the lotus pond, where deep crimson lotuses bloomed vibrantly, encircling the central Nine-Twist Bridge and several waterside pavilions. From afar, it resembled flames dancing upon water. It was her first encounter with lotuses that blossomed with such fiery fervor.

Noticing her gaze, the court lady smiled and offered an introduction, "This is a Thousand-Leaf Lotus Seed invited from the White Horse Temple in Jiangnan. It's called a Frangipani."

Guo Ruopu nodded slightly, not deigning to respond. The lady-in-waiting, impressed by her young age yet composed demeanor, felt a sense of reverence and cautiously led her forward.

Proceeding along the corridor, one could observe that while there were indeed some flowers and shrubs on either side, they were merely common varieties such as chrysanthemums and roses. With autumn in full swing, the chrysanthemums were blossoming vibrantly. Several vegetable patches had been cultivated into the slope, brimming with an abundance of fruits and vegetables. It was the harvest season, and the kitchen garden was thriving, its bountiful produce being picked by palace attendants.

Guo Ruopu had long heard that her imperial uncle, once imprisoned, had personally cultivated a vegetable garden here, planting cucumbers and beans with equanimity in the face of honor or disgrace. She supposed this must be where her emperor uncle used to tend his crops. It turned out that the empress's chambers were located right here. Didn't she fear that her uncle might come here, evoking memories of his past confinement?

Or perhaps it was here, in this place of hardship, that he could more easily recall his former resolve to endure and avenge? This emperor uncle was a man of great talent and ambition. In recent years, he had governed with boldness and decisiveness, earning the admiration of her father, who would often use imperial decrees to teach her their underlying intentions.

Thoughts raced through her mind, but she concealed them from her expression. Under the guidance of the ladies-in-waiting, she entered the inner chambers. An attendant reported, "Her Majesty finds the inner palace too stuffy on such a hot day. She is reviewing documents by the pavilion by the lake. Since Princess Yan Yun is family, there's no need for formalities in the main hall. When the princess arrives, please escort her to the pavilion for an early audience."

Reviewing documents?

Guo Ruopu was startled but kept her composure. This was meddling in state affairs! Yet the attendants and ladies-in-waiting seemed unperturbed as they led Princess Yan Yun across the Nine-Curves Bridge to the open pavilion.

A gentle breeze carried the scent of lotus, creating a serene atmosphere. Guo Ruopu, having traveled a long way and wearing layers of formal princess attire, had been feeling stifled. The refreshing lotus-scented wind invigorated her. She thought to herself that her empress aunt, known for her gentle and tranquil nature, seemed unexpectedly open-minded and easy-going, leaving a favorable impression on her.

After the attendant announced her presence, Guo Ruopu heard a voice as cold as frost: "Please, Princess, come in."

She stepped inside, performing the royal salute first, then the family greeting. Looking up, she saw a woman sitting straight, her eyes like lightning.

Her long hair was simply held up with a jade hairpin, and she wore a slightly worn black gauze robe with narrow sleeves and a slanted collar. A red brush was in her hand, and the table before her was indeed piled high with documents.

Guo Ruopu's gaze met the frosty, snow-like stare, and she involuntarily averted her eyes from the imposing scrutiny. How could her mother have described Empress Rong as gentle and approachable? Such a gaze exuded an undeniable air of authority!

She almost felt as if she were facing her father, executing her bow with meticulous precision. Fortunately, Empress Rong suddenly smiled at her, and that smile was like a warm spring breeze melting away frost – it carried an undeniable affection in her eyes. "Good child, sit down quickly. You indeed resemble the Crown Princess, especially in your bearing. Just now, I almost thought that the twelve-year-old Crown Princess had entered."

Her face bore a wistful and nostalgic expression.

Guo Ruopu thought to herself that everyone said she resembled her father more, and besides, Empress Rong had never seen her mother in her childhood days. However, Empress Rong's imposing manner was too strong; she dared not show any hint of her thoughts and could only reply respectfully, "Your Majesty, the Empress, is too kind with your praise. Thanks to the blessings of His Imperial Majesty and Your Majesty, my journey here has been relatively smooth."

Empress Rong wore a hint of disapproval on her face. "Yan Yun, there's no need to be overly formal with me." She then instructed her attendants, "Go to the Imperial Academy and summon both princes to come and meet their cousin." Adding further, "Fetch some chilled plum vinegar juice and autumn pear ice dishes for the princess to refresh herself. It's scorching hot today."

Within this spacious and airy pavilion, sheer gauze curtains hang from all sides, while ice mountains are strategically placed, bringing a gentle, cooling breeze with each gust of wind.

Swiftly, the servants presented chilled sour milk pudding and ice bowls. Guo Ruopu sipped delicately, and indeed, she felt the coolness seep into her heart, providing an exceedingly refreshing sensation.

Gazing upward, she noticed Empress Rong had already lowered her head, swiftly going through official documents while conversing with her. "Ru Pu, please take a seat and rest for a moment. When your two cousins arrive, we'll escort you to your quarters. The palace has been prepared; it's the Jingguan Palace where the former Princess Chang once resided. Many of the items there were used by your mother in the past. If you encounter any discomfort, be it with accommodations, food, or clothing, simply send someone to inform us."

Guo Ruopu acknowledged the request, but before she could react, footsteps echoed from outside. An attendant promptly announced, "The Emperor and both Princes have arrived."

Guo Ruopu hastily rose to greet them but noticed Empress Rong set down her vermilion brush, not bothering to stand in formal welcome. Instead, she engaged her in conversation, "No need for such formalities; we are family here." Hardly had her words fallen when Emperor Jingxi, holding the hand of a young child, strolled in alongside another youth whose gait was graceful and demeanor refined. Upon spotting her, he indeed remarked, "Is this Princess Yan Yun? Please rise; we're all family. There's no need for stiffness in our daily interactions."

He entered and immediately took the seat of honor, sitting beside Empress Rong on the low couch. Empress Rong indeed treated him with great familiarity and intimacy, as if they were an ordinary married couple. She asked, "Why did you come back so quickly?"

Emperor Jingxi smiled and replied, "Grand Tutor Ge was moved to tears when he saw me visiting him personally. I was afraid that his excitement might worsen his condition, so I sent Doctor Lan to examine him. He said it's just a cold, nothing serious. A few days of rest will do. I also promised a promising future for his son, and seeing his reassurance, I thought of our princess entering the palace today, so I returned. Coincidentally, I met Crown Prince Yuan Zhiding and Second Prince Yuan Zhigui on the way, so we came together."

He then called for the Crown Prince and Second Prince, "Pay your respects to your cousin, Lady Guo Ruopu."

Guo Ruopu hurriedly stood up to greet her two cousins. The Crown Prince's bright eyes sparkled like stars, and although he resembled Emperor Jingxi in appearance, his demeanor had a similarity to Empress Rong. Second Prince Yuan Zhigui, on the other hand, was delicately beautiful, resembling Empress Rong greatly. At only four years old, he bowed properly, looking incredibly endearing.

Meanwhile, Emperor Jingxi asked, "Didn't you say your mother would accompany you? Why did she let you come alone?"

Guo Ruopu quickly explained, "My mother suddenly fell ill before the trip, suffering from daily vomiting. The imperial physician examined her and said it's a joyous occasion, but the fetus is slightly weak from the start. It needs careful nurturing. Father thus instructed me to come alone."

As she spoke, she carefully observed Emperor Jingxi and Empress Rong's expressions. To her surprise, both of them looked equally surprised and delighted upon hearing the news. "Indeed, it's good news! She must be well taken care of, no long journeys allowed."

Guo Ruopu felt relieved. Before leaving, her father had secretly told her to share the news of her mother's pregnancy with the emperor and gauge his reaction—whether it would be joy or caution.

Now, however, both the emperor and empress seemed genuinely happy, not showing any signs of feeling threatened or vigilant about the prospect of another potential heir to the throne from Prince Jingbei. Of course, they might just be very skilled at concealing their emotions.

Emperor Jingxi turned to Empress Rong, "We should send something to congratulate our elder sister."

Empress Rong smiled gently and said, "I think it's best to send Little Lan Doctor over for Elder Sister to examine."

Emperor Jingxi approved. "Yes." He turned his head to see a servant holding an ice bowl, and noticed that one was also placed in front of Guo Ruopu. "Ruopu was somewhat weak from birth due to the Empress's difficult childbirth during her military campaign. It took a long time to nurse her back to health. Although it's scorching hot now, it's not advisable to indulge in such cold treats. I remember that Princess Chang said in her letter that Princess Yan Yun doesn't use ice much since she was young."

Empress Rong was obviously startled, looking at Guo Ruopu with a hint of guilt. "I've been careless. I only thought about the heat but neglected this. Why didn't you say anything, Ruopu? You're being too formal with us. Treat this place like your own home, and don't be bound by trivial etiquette."

Guo Ruopu quickly replied with a smile, "How dare I refuse my aunt's concern? Besides, I'm older now and much stronger. It's fine to use some ice during these summer days."

Emperor Jingxi still ordered the ice bowl to be removed and instructed Yuan Zhiding, "The Crown Prince will escort your cousin to Jingguan Palace. Ask the palace attendants to help the princess freshen up, change out of her heavy clothes, and serve her some cooling soup. She should rest for a while first."

He then spoke to Guo Ruopu, "We'll have a family dinner later. Take a few days to rest, and then Zhiding will take you to the Academy to meet the other members of the royal family. Your elder sister mentioned that you're here to study, so don't neglect your studies."

Guo Ruopu stood up and acknowledged.

Sure enough, Yuan Zhiding led Guo Ruopu to Jingguan Palace. Guo Ruopu observed with a cold eye that although Yuan Zhiding was three years younger, his actions were very orderly, likely due to his early exposure to politics under Emperor Jingxi's guidance.

That night, they had a family dinner. However, Guo Ruopu was surprised again during the meal.

Her uncle, the emperor, was much more reserved than he was during the day. In contrast, Second Prince Yuan Zhigui, who seemed very close to the emperor in the daylight, clung to Empress Rong in the evening, insisting on sitting next to her while eating and asking for various dishes.

Empress Rong also concealed the sharpness she displayed during the day while reviewing documents, speaking softly and kindly, always obliging. It was the emperor's uncle who, instead, frowned and scolded him lightly. Empress Rong promptly came to his defense, saying he was still young and shouldn't be overly criticized.

She closely observed the interaction between the emperor and empress, which truly resembled that of an ordinary couple. They served each other food, chatting casually without reserve, and there were no elaborate royal etiquettes to abide by. She had once thought her own parents, the king and queen, were deeply in love, but after witnessing the rapport between her imperial uncle and aunt, she realized their bond was unparalleled. Could such a harmonious relationship truly exist among royal families?

After two days, Crown Prince Yuan Zhiding indeed came personally to escort Guo Ruopu to the Imperial Academy. As they walked, he introduced, "The Grand Tutor for the Crown Prince is Zheng Changyuan. He was third in the imperial examinations and is highly knowledgeable. He's also very amusing and never disciplines us without good reason."

Guo Ruopu replied, "I've heard of him."

Yuan Zhiding then whispered confidentially, "It's not time yet, so I'll take you to a side chamber with a screen. There, I'll quietly tell you about these people's personalities and how to interact with them in the future."

Guo Ruopu observed the childlike innocence and playfulness that had emerged on Yuan Zhiding's face, and he indeed led her around to a side chamber, dismissing the attending palace servants and eunuchs. The servants seemed accustomed to his behavior, giggling behind their hands as they withdrew.

Sure enough, this side chamber was exceptionally quiet. After Guo Ruopu confirmed they were alone, Yuan Zhiding peered through a screen and whispered, "Over in that corner, sitting in the purple robes, is my cousin from the Rong family. He's a pleasant fellow, from my maternal great-uncle's side."

Guo Ruopu glanced over. "Is he the legitimate son of Marquis Anle, Rong Guo?" The Rong family, now the new elite in the court, was the clan of Empress Rong, who held the exclusive favor of the Emperor, making them a formidable force at the moment.

Yuan Zhiding nodded. "If there's anything you want to purchase, just tell them to bring it in from outside the palace. I usually ask him to get me the books I want to read."

Guo Ruopu looked at him thoughtfully. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, are you aware that there's a high likelihood I will one day marry you?"

Yuan Zhiding's face suddenly flushed red. "I understand... Cousin... I'll treat you well."

Yet, Guo Ruopu posed a challenging question, "What if I'm not willing to marry you?"

Yuan Zhiding let out an "ah," slightly at a loss, but he still said, "If your highness has someone you wish to marry, I'll ask Father to bestow a marriage for you."

Guo Ruopu was taken aback. "Are you not afraid that after I marry someone, my father will support them in rebelling?"

Yuan Zhiding spoke with gravity: "Father has emphasized that in matters of marriage, mutual affection is paramount. He has instructed me to treat you with the utmost care and respect. But if our true natures prove incompatible, it would be better not to become unhappy partners and create enmity. Regardless of whether Eldest Cousin chooses to marry me or not, my relationship with Uncle and Aunt, as well as Eldest Cousin, will remain that of close family, with sincerity and without ulterior motives."

Guo Ruopu observed Yuan Zhiding's expression and realized he was sincere, which left her somewhat astonished. This was different from what Father had told her. Her father had said that the marriage alliance was inevitable but allowed her to choose the prince she favored the most...

Yuan Zhiding, however, whispered discreetly, "It doesn't matter who your cousin takes a liking to, but I must advise you to be cautious. Take a look at that man in the blue robe over there; he's the Prince Jin's heir, the heir to the Prince of Jing. He'll surely try to curry favor with you. Don't pay him any attention. The one beside him is the heir to the Marquis of Anshun, and he's not someone you should trust either. The Marquis of Anshun was granted his title by the surrendered Bei Xi royal family, the very clan your father defeated, do you recall? The Prince of Jing's heir is the son of a Bei Xi princess, so there's a deep-seated enmity between them. If they approach you with favors, they must have ulterior motives!"

Seeing Guo Ruopu's solemn expression, she suddenly felt that her previous worries, as well as her father's schemes, seemed unnecessarily intricate.

They're still just children, why think so far ahead?

In any case, this prospective husband before her eyes had the envy-inducing quality of having parents who were as loving and down-to-earth as any common folk couple.

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