Chapter 49: The Meaning of Joy

Chapter 49: The Meaning of Joy

"Aunt Bai, quickly help Lady Lu to her feet."

Xuan Mingzhu's face wore a flawless smile as she gave the order, looking down at the old lady's snow-white hair.

Over the years, during every festival, she would send her chief historian to bestow gifts on the elderly who had served in the palace during her mother's time, as a sign of respect for their seniority.

It had been a long time since she last saw this nanny.

Bai Lin obeyed and helped the old lady up, smiling meaningfully. "The old lady is advanced in age and not very agile. To travel ten miles to greet us has made our Highness uneasy."

Xuan Mingzhu lightly curved her lips. When they were at the palace, she had noticed that Bai Lin was not competent in managing affairs. She had intended to ask Aunt Bai to be Bao Ya's nanny and had consulted this aunt about it. Bai Lin naturally agreed, and they returned to Shang Jing together.

With those words that seemed to praise but actually criticized, Xuan Mingzhu knew her judgment was correct—Aunt Bai was indeed adept at handling situations.

Lady Lu, with decades of experience in the imperial harem, would not lose her composure over a single remark. After rising, she leaned on her phoenix-tail cane, maintaining a respectful demeanor, and smiled.

"I watched the princess grow up. Hearing that Her Highness has been promoted to Imperial Princess, I was so delighted I didn't know what to do."

As she spoke, Lady Lu's eyes, marked with brown lines, glanced at the purple-curtained carriage. "I am here today to welcome Her Highness back to the capital and also to bring my troublesome granddaughter, Hongying, home. This child, poor thing, was deeply affected by the sudden loss of her mother, acting out of character. Without our knowledge, she rushed out of the city to seek Her Highness. If there have been any impolite actions, it is due to the Lu family's failure to discipline her properly. Please do not blame Hongying, Your Highness."

Appealing to weakness, relying on her age, and using a strategy of retreat to advance, she had said all the right things.

If Xuan Mingzhu hadn't heard Hongying's side of the story beforehand, she might have thought her to be the most benevolent grandmother.

She said calmly, "Hongying is doing well. I plan to take her to stay at my residence for a few days. Would the old lady consent?"

While Lady Lu pondered, Xuan Mingzhu walked to the golden platter adorned with silk patterns. The celebration was truly joyful, but the vivid red color stung her eyes.

Xuan Mingzhu's voice grew slightly deeper. "I heard your household is mourning."

Lady Lu responded sorrowfully, "The untimely passing of the Fancheng princess was due to our Lu family's failure to care for her properly, leading to such an unfortunate incident. I have been restless day and night, and my unworthy grandson has submitted a memorial to the emperor asking for forgiveness, thankfully granted by His Majesty."

Then, she changed the tone, "I understand that Your Highness has always been close to your siblings. Would you consider visiting our residence to pay your respects?"

Xuan Mingzhu's small mole between her brows twitched.

The old lady was more formidable than she had imagined. Initially, she had planned to go to the Lu Mansion upon entering the city to investigate the death of the Fancheng princess thoroughly.

However, the Lu family first sent the body to the princess's mausoleum and now invited her to visit their residence. This would turn her accusation into a memorial, absolving the Lu family of any blame.

"I will visit your household sooner or later, but today, I must first report to the palace."

Xuan Mingzhu left the statement hanging and turned to say, "Hongying, how about staying at your aunt's place for a few days?"

Lu Hongying stepped out of the carriage, her eyes red as she bowed to Xuan Mingzhu. "Aunt, I want to go home and light incense for my mother."

To clear her mother's name, she had left without mourning, and now her mother had been taken to the mausoleum without her knowledge. Lu Hongying felt a deep sense of guilt and pain.

Although her aunt could offer protection, she still wanted to return to her mother's former residence to watch over her spirit.

Xuan Mingzhu understood her feelings and, after some consideration, agreed, sending Cheng'er and Bai Lin with Lu Hongying back to the Lu Mansion.

Handing her over to Lady Lu, Xuan Mingzhu stared into the old lady's shrewd eyes and said, "This child and I share a bond."

Both being intelligent, a subtle warning was enough. Lady Lu smiled kindly, "That is Hongying's good fortune."

Xuan Mingzhu trusted that Lady Lu wouldn't dare harm Hongying under her watchful eye. Turning away, she glanced at the musk-scented red silk. "Remove all of this; it irritates me."

The ministers dispersed at the city gates, and peace was restored.

Xuan Mingzhu ordered the Beiya Army to return to their posts and the children to go back to the mansion. After everything was settled, Yan Huai helped her into the yellow-roofed carriage sent from the palace and mounted his horse. On the way to Zhuque Street, he asked softly:

"Did the medicine help, Sister? Is your health improving?"

Xuan Mingzhu, lost in thought within the carriage, took a moment to respond. She thought he should ask Luohan Song instead but vaguely acknowledged through the curtain.

Yan Huai, unable to wait for more, lifted a corner of the curtain and looked at his sister's face from his horse.

"Sister, are you unhappy? Because of the grand reception from Lady Lu? You suspect something about the Fancheng princess's passing. If there's anything I can do, just tell me."

The young man's voice was like pebbles in a stream, soothing despite its persistence. Listening to him, much of her frustration dissipated.

She softened, "Just ride your horse well, and I'll be happy."

The carriage entered the palace, where the emperor personally greeted his aunt at the steps.

After the rebellion by Prince Chu, Xuan Changci's demeanor had gained a newfound calm and steadiness.

Xuan Mingzhu praised the emperor for his composure during the crisis, and he smiled happily.

"Of course, it was thanks to my aunt's assistance that we uncovered the true nature of that cunning fox. Your contribution was immense! I've arranged everything for your promotion ceremony; you'll love it..."

Xuan Changci enthusiastically reported, his face animated, as if meeting Xuan Mingzhu freed him from the heavy burdens of the imperial robes, allowing him to act like a playful child again.

But then, the emperor remembered something, and his cheerful tone halted.

"Previously, Zi Bai reported that you wouldn't return to Shang Jing before Mid-Autumn Festival. Did you rush back because of the Fancheng princess? When the Ministry of Imperial Clan reported it, I didn't find it suspicious..."

Seeing the emperor's remorseful expression, as if his negligence caused her trouble, Xuan Mingzhu quickly smiled. "Your Majesty is preoccupied with state affairs; managing the harem is the Empress's duty. I'll handle this matter, so don't worry."

The emperor sighed in relief.

Mentioning marriage, the seventeen-year-old emperor, who would turn eighteen in winter, seemed unusually awkward. After a while, he whispered, "Aunt, must I marry the Grand Tutor Mo's granddaughter?"

Xuan Mingzhu's brow twitched as she scrutinized the radiant young man. "Why do you ask? Do you dislike the Mo girl, or are you interested in someone else?"

"No, no, nothing like that," the emperor hurriedly waved his hands. "It's just that I've never heard of the Mo girl attending any spring banquets or flower festivals. She seems to keep to herself and rarely goes out. So, I'm not sure if she..."

The emperor's voice grew softer, and Xuan Mingzhu looked at him with amusement. "Did you secretly inquire about your future wife?"

Recalling her thoughts, she had only a vague impression of the Mo family's daughter from when the girl was six or seven years old, attending the New Year's Eve banquet at the palace. At that time, the little girl had a round, chubby face that was quite adorable. She hadn't seen her much since then, only knowing that the girl was kept in seclusion by Chancellor Mo and personally tutored.

"Since that's the case, Your Majesty, if you wish, after the matter in Fancheng is resolved, I will host a chrysanthemum appreciation banquet and personally extend an invitation to Lady Mo," Xuan Mingzhu said.

"No, no need," the emperor's face turned even redder. "I, I just mentioned it casually. I wouldn't dare trouble Auntie. This marriage was arranged by the late emperor. Chancellor Mo is renowned for his literary accomplishments and has been honored in the ancestral temple. He recently contributed significantly through his advice. The Mo family's daughter comes from a scholarly background, and I am not someone who judges people based on their appearance."

Xuan Mingzhu stared at the emperor's face for a moment. He did indeed seem more nervous and anxious before the wedding than dissatisfied.

She thought such behavior was typical of young boys, but it seemed even the young emperor, who had experienced so much, was no exception.

She found this slightly endearing, though she didn't show it. Smiling, she chatted with him a bit more before leaving the hall.

Upon stepping out, she saw Huang Fuquan standing by the pillar and stopped to ask:

"Has the emperor summoned anyone to attend to his bedchamber recently, or have any noble ladies entered the palace lately?"

Huang Fuquan smiled and bowed, replying, "Your Highness doesn't know yet? The emperor is very abstinent in these matters. He dismissed all the palace attendants assigned to his chambers, including the eight chamber attendants traditionally set aside for this purpose. If I may be so bold, it seems the emperor is saving himself for the future empress."

Xuan Mingzhu chuckled and pointed at him. "Old cunning one, everything that comes out of your mouth sounds different."

Feeling relieved, she leaned on her handmaid and descended the steps.

As soon as she left, Huang Fuquan straightened up and hurried into the hall to report, "Your Majesty, you were right! Her Highness asked me exactly as you predicted."

Xuan Changci's expression softened as he looked at the local gifts from Ruzhou that his aunt had brought. "What's so surprising? Auntie cares about me; how could I not know?"

"Huang Fuquan, do you think if I give Auntie more reasons to worry about me, she might feel needed and stay longer..."

"Your Majesty," Huang Fuquan's voice choked with emotion.

Promoting the Imperial Princess was indeed a great honor, but there might also be a hint of hoping to cheer her up.

Seeing his master distressed, he tried to change the subject:

"I understand now, Your Majesty. You were putting on a show for the Grand Princess. It must be hard for you, having to make it seem real, even asking me to discreetly inquire about Lady Mo's affairs and to find her paintings."

The emperor's ears turned red, and he turned away. "Shut up."

By nightfall, the moon was nearly full.

Bao Ya had been distracted since returning home and showed no interest even in the imperial plaque inscribed with "Zhen Guo" that had been sent from the palace.

After dinner, the evening snack was her favorite jujube paste mini-mooncakes, but tonight she felt listless, resting her chin in her hands by the window and murmuring, "I wonder if Cousin Hongying is still crying."

At Lu Mansion,

Perhaps due to the Grand Princess sending someone to accompany her, Lu Hongying faced no difficulties upon her return.

Her father, Lu Xuehan, who had slapped her, upon hearing that his daughter had returned, stepped out of the door, looking embarrassed as he said, "It's good that you're back."

"Ying'er, I was too hasty that day; I wronged you. But heaven and earth can bear witness, I have never done anything to betray your mother. Don't let your imagination run wild, alright?"

Lu Hongying gave him a blank look. The woman surnamed Zhao in the side courtyard was clearly several months pregnant. She couldn't understand how this man could say such things without a blush or a hitch in his breath.

Back in her own courtyard, she shut the door and refused to see anyone.

After dinner, however, Grandmother Lu, leaning on her walking stick, made her way step by step into her granddaughter's small courtyard.