Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Under Consort Li's anxious gaze, Emperor Xingwu mounted his horse, cradling his little princess in one arm. The officials further away were caught off guard; they had just drawn a breath, but Emperor Xingwu was already firmly seated, his gaze fixed solely on adjusting his daughter's position on the saddle.

Like a newborn calf unafraid of a tiger, Qingyang, on her first horseback ride, found it all novel. She gripped the saddle with both hands, curiously peering down.

Emperor Xingwu held the reins with his left hand and wrapped his right arm around his daughter's waist. For a three-year-old, "waist" was a loose term; his broad palm fully encompassed her chest and abdomen. Even if the warhorse bolted in a frenzy, he would not let his little princess fall.

Still, Emperor Xingwu cautioned, "Sit still; no squirming."

Qingyang nodded obediently. She always heeded her mother's gentle words, and before her father, whom even her mother feared, she knew to be even more compliant.

Assured of his daughter's cooperation, Emperor Xingwu finally scanned the surroundings, let out a pleased sigh, and chuckled, "Into the city!"

The officials had long since lined up neatly on both sides of the main road, gazing up at the founding emperor, admiring his heroic return to the capital with both reverence and pride.

Emperor Xingwu's eyes, however, were fixed on the city gate and the commoners, held back by imperial guards on both sides of Tianmen Street, eagerly awaiting their emperor. During the war-torn years, the capital had seen several changes of rulers. When he first declared himself emperor here three years ago, these people likely didn't take him seriously. Now that he had conquered the entire realm, surely they must finally be convinced?

The people felt more than mere acceptance. When Emperor Xingwu ascended the throne, he ended their arduous days of oppression and harassment by various warlords. They were grateful to him. Now that he had brought an end to the chaos across the entire realm, they sincerely hoped Emperor Xingwu would reign long and steadily, for only with a stable dynasty could the people live in peace and prosperity.

Thus, wherever Emperor Xingwu passed, crowds of people knelt, shouting "Long live the emperor!" Most shouted joyfully, honored to witness such a grand event. Yet some—wrinkled elders, gaunt men, or haggard women—shed tears as they cried out, their voices choked with sobs.

Qingyang pointed at a white-haired old woman who kept wiping her tears and looked up to ask, "Papa, why is she crying?"

Emperor Xingwu sighed, "Perhaps her husband or children died in the wars of previous years. Now there's peace, but her loved ones are gone, and her heart is heavy."

Because his daughter's pointing was too obvious, Emperor Xingwu guided his horse over to the old woman and gently inquired about her tears.

The old woman, both fearful and grief-stricken, explained that she was indeed thinking of her two sons who had been conscripted and killed on the battlefield.

Seeing more and more people around him shedding tears, Emperor Xingwu declared with steadfast resolve, "The previous dynasty's corrupt ruler and treacherous ministers held sway, causing widespread suffering. I witnessed much of the people's hardships and felt deep indignation, thus raising an army to rescue the populace from turmoil. By heaven's grace, I have unified the realm and fulfilled the first half of my life's ambition to end the wars. From now on, I will diligently work to enrich the people and strengthen the nation as my lifelong aspiration. I hope you will trust me, assist me, and join me in creating an era of peace and prosperity for future generations to witness!"

"We commoners trust Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty is truly a wise emperor!"

After a few scattered cries, someone started, and the people in this area gradually chanted in unison: "Wise Emperor Xingwu, prosperous era! Wise Emperor Xingwu, prosperous era!"

Their voices swelled like a flood, and soon the entire Tianmen Street echoed with the thunderous chant.

Qingyang didn't fully understand these words, but she knew the people were praising her papa.

The little princess craned her neck up again, her large, dark eyes gazing up at her father.

Emperor Xingwu: "What's wrong?"

Qingyang: "Papa is so amazing."

Emperor Xingwu smiled, looking ahead as he said, "I am, but whether I can become even more amazing is something to be seen in time."

Winning the realm was easy; ruling it was hard. His journey as emperor had only just begun.

.

When Emperor Xingwu brought his daughter into the palace, there was still well over an hour before the palace banquet. Palace attendants and ritual officials would handle the arrangements for the civil and military officials to line up and take their seats, while Emperor Xingwu would use this time to rest and freshen up.

Dusty from the journey, Emperor Xingwu went to bathe first. By the time the Two Imperial Consorts and the four siblings—Princess Yongkang and her brothers—who had arrived slowly by carriage, Emperor Xingwu had already washed up and changed into a vermilion brocade dragon robe. He sat on the couch in the side room of the Qianyuan Palace's rear hall, holding the little princess who had been perfectly well-behaved in front of her father.

The chief eunuch He Yuanjing bowed and announced, "Your Majesty, Noble Consort and her party have arrived."

Emperor Xingwu made a "usher them in" gesture.

Shortly after, Noble Consort and Consort Li entered with the four children in single file.

Having been away from the capital for over a year, Emperor Xingwu had been busy leading troops and strategizing during the day, exhausting his mind and energy. Only in the quiet of the night did he have time to miss his family left in the capital. He missed most his little enchantress Consort Li, whom he wished he could have taken with him on campaigns, and his little princess, whom he had watched grow day by day into a beautiful and adorable child. But he also often thought of the sensible and virtuous Noble Consort, his capable helpmate, and the other four children.

Sitting on the couch, Emperor Xingwu scrutinized each of them in the order they entered.

Noble Consort was as dignified and elegant as he remembered.

They had met in the third year after the empress's passing, also the year Left Chancellor Yan Xizheng pledged allegiance to him as his military advisor. Noble Consort was Chancellor Yan's eldest daughter, only seventeen at the time. Emperor Xingwu was wholly focused on his grand ambitions and had little interest in gathering beauties, let alone coveting his military advisor's daughter. But a few rough generals around him stirred up trouble, making a fuss in front of Chancellor Yan. Chancellor Yan modestly claimed his daughter was unworthy of him. Emperor Xingwu couldn't let his military advisor humble himself too much and explained that, out of gratitude for his late wife's kindness in saving his mother, he had no wish to remarry. Surprisingly, Chancellor Yan was even more pleased with him, leading to his marriage to the Yan family's daughter as a noble consort.

Emperor Xingwu had indeed studied and considered himself somewhat knowledgeable, but at heart, he still saw himself as a rough man. He had little in common with the dignified and talented daughter of a scholarly family. While they respected each other, with him handling external affairs and her managing the household, he felt more at ease in front of Chancellor Yan than with Noble Consort. Around her, he had to restrain himself lest she dislike him and resent her father for finding her such an uncouth husband.

Next was Consort Li, who entered and first looked at her daughter before glancing at him. As soon as their eyes met, she nervously lowered her gaze.

Emperor Xingwu unconsciously curved his lips into a smile.

Every time he conquered a region, some clever people tried to offer him beauties. Emperor Xingwu had no interest; lust was a foul habit of tyrants. If he couldn't resist the temptation of a few beauties, how could he achieve great things in the future?

He had refused all such offers until he met Luo Ling, the magistrate's daughter, arranged by the surrendered county magistrate to bring him food in a small county office.

Only then did Emperor Xingwu understand that his self-control over the past decade wasn't due to strong willpower but because none of those beauties had been exceptionally captivating.

Beautiful and timid, Emperor Xingwu found endless amusement in teasing Consort Li alone, let alone...

There were still too many people around. Emperor Xingwu restrained himself and shifted his gaze from Consort Li's delicate face to his eldest daughter, Princess Yongkang.

Seventeen-year-old Princess Yongkang closely resembled the late Pure Filial Empress. Her face alone suggested gentleness and virtue, but this child had been born in turmoil, witnessed her mother's death, and was raised successively by the empress dowager and Noble Consort once she was old enough to understand some things. This made Princess Yongkang learn to take care of herself early on, her eyes holding a resilience and fierceness that Pure Filial Empress lacked.

How fierce? Fierce enough to dare despise even her father. At least, Emperor Xingwu caught the subtle, unguarded emotion in his eldest daughter's eyes, as if mocking him for being too captivated by Consort Li's beauty.

Emperor Xingwu didn't bother with his eldest daughter. After all, he reckoned the time he could spend with her in this lifetime would surely be the least among all his children.

Next were the three brothers: Qin Hong, Qin Bing, and Qin Ren.

Emperor Xingwu first asked Noble Consort about recent events in the palace. Nothing major warranted concern, so he turned his attention to the four older children.

"When I left the capital, Yongkang had just started learning the zither. How has she progressed?"

Yongkang pursed her red lips and lowered her eyes. "Your daughter is untalented and has only learned the basics so far."

Emperor Xingwu: "..."

It was clear she truly had no talent for the zither. He had brought up a sore subject.

Noble Consort smiled. "It's just that Yongkang wasn't very interested in the zither. Later, she switched to the flute and improved by leaps and bounds."

Emperor Xingwu nodded. "Play a tune for your father another day."

Yongkang's expression improved considerably.

Emperor Xingwu looked at his three sons. "The end-of-month exams in late May just ended, right? How did you do?"

The three princes glanced at each other. Since his younger brothers remained silent, the eldest, Qin Hong, had to answer first: "Your son received a B+ in literary studies but only a B- in martial arts."

Qin Ren's eye twitched.

Emperor Xingwu signaled the second son, who should have spoken but hadn't.

Qin Bing braced himself and said, "Your son received an A in martial arts but only a D in literary studies."

Emperor Xingwu snorted, "Just like your royal uncle."

Qin Bing couldn't help but grin, only to quickly revert to a look of shame and reflection when he saw his father glaring at him.

As his father's gaze shifted to him, Qin Ren smiled awkwardly, "Your son is foolish, scoring only a 'B Mid' in both civil studies and Martial Arts."

Emperor Xingwu: "...Your temperament isn't bad, able to smile even with such results."

Qin Ren lowered his head sheepishly.

Seeing her brother unhappy, Qingyang spoke up for him, "Father, Third Brother hasn’t been lazy; he does his homework every time."

Emperor Xingwu thought to himself that it would actually be better if the third son were lazy—it would mean he could improve with a little discipline. It'd be more worrying if he worked hard and still got poor grades.

With that in mind, Emperor Xingwu glanced at Consort Li. The eldest and second sons both scored A’s, so the third son’s B must have come from his birth mother—all looks and no brains.

Consort Li wasn’t afraid at all. It was good for her son to be a bit dull. The Emperor already came to her place often enough; if her son were too clever, wouldn’t he become an obvious target?

The eldest prince held the status of the official eldest son and was already engaged to the granddaughter of the Duke of Cheng from the Lü family. The second prince had a consort mother and a chancellor grandfather. The crown prince would surely be chosen from these two brothers. Her third son was destined to have no chance at that position, so it was better for him to remain ordinary and pose no threat to either of his older brothers.

.

The imperial family shared some family time, and before they knew it, over half an hour had passed. It was time for Emperor Xingwu to attend the grand banquet at the Hall of Supreme Harmony to feast with his officials.

Emperor Xingwu decided to bring all three princes along, allowing them to get used to being in front of the civil and military officials.

Qingyang, still fascinated by her father, watched as he put on his dragon boots. She leaned out of her mother’s arms, held out her arms, and called for her father to hold her. Consort Li could hold her daughter’s hands but couldn’t bring herself to cover her mouth.

After Qingyang called out "Father" twice, Emperor Xingwu hesitated. When she called out two more times, seeing his daughter’s pitiful expression, his heart softened completely. He took his youngest daughter from Consort Li once again: "Alright, alright, since Qingyang is still young…"

Before he could finish, noticing his eldest daughter Yong Kang’s stern expression, Emperor Xingwu smiled and said, "Very well, all five of you siblings shall accompany me. Yong Kang, take Qingyang and sit together so you can look after your younger sister."

Yong Kang was satisfied. When they arrived at the Hall of Supreme Harmony, where they would be presented before the officials, she cooperatively took her sister’s hand, and the two walked side by side behind their father.

Following earlier instructions, palace attendants had already added an additional seat to the right of Emperor Xingwu’s throne, opposite the three princes.

The officials didn’t pay much attention, assuming Emperor Xingwu was simply showing extra affection to his daughters after just returning to the capital.

Once the banquet began, Emperor Xingwu focused on socializing with his officials. Civil and military ministers took turns praising the Emperor’s great achievements, and Emperor Xingwu, in turn, commended the officials for their contributions.

Seated beside her elder sister, Qingyang was fed by her nanny kneeling nearby with a bowl, leaving her hands free, and she could look around. Whenever someone spoke, she would crane her neck to watch. When it was the Duke of Wei, Zhang Jie’s turn to receive praise, Qingyang perked up and looked down to see an impressive man in battle armor rise from his seat. He was even more handsome than her father, but like Zhang Su, he appeared cold and not the type for jokes.

The taciturn Zhang Jie soon returned to his seat.

Next to be praised was Fu Daonian, the newly appointed Marquis of Zhennan for his merits in pacifying the south, along with his two sons, Fu Shu and Fu Kui.

Not particularly handsome, Qingyang lost interest after recognizing them and lowered her head to eat. Yong Kang was casually observing the Fu father and sons when she suddenly heard her father say, "I quite like both of your sons. The eldest is already married, but Fu Kui, at twenty, is imposing and dignified—perfect to be my Imperial Son-in-law. I wonder if you and your son would be willing?"

Yong Kang was still in a daze when the Fu father and sons simultaneously turned to look in her direction.

Snapping back to reality, Yong Kang nearly dropped her chopsticks.

In Fu Kui’s eyes, Yong Kang had fair skin and delicate features. Though not exceptionally beautiful, she held the status of a princess. Of course, he was willing to become Emperor Xingwu’s Imperial Son-in-law and immediately knelt in the center of the hall to accept the honor and thank him. Marquis of Zhennan Fu Daonian was a moment later but equally grateful, though he worried his son’s humble abilities might not be worthy of the princess.

Emperor Xingwu laughed, "Since I like Fu Kui, he is worthy of being my Imperial Son-in-law. I will have the Ministry of Rites prepare the wedding. You may enjoy the feast without worry."

Father and son expressed their hearty thanks before withdrawing.

Yong Kang lowered her gaze, maintaining her dignified posture, but the lingering taste of fruit wine in her mouth had lost its flavor.

She had only been a princess for three years, and the total time she had spent by her father’s side was less than three years. Now, her father was already marrying her off.

Yong Kang was reluctant, but she understood that her father needed to secure the loyalty of these Founding Meritorious Officials through marriage, ensuring they continued to serve him faithfully—just like her brother’s engagement to the Lü family of the Duke of Cheng’s household.

Qingyang, too young to understand betrothal, noticed her sister sitting motionless and asked curiously, "Elder Sister, why aren’t you eating anymore?"

Yong Kang looked at her three-year-old sister and forced a smile, "I’m full."

As music began to play, Qingyang, delighted by the two rows of dancers fluttering into the hall like butterflies, said, "Then let’s watch them dance together."

Yong Kang nodded. But as she turned her head, she subtly glanced toward where her newly betrothed, Fu Kui, was seated. Seeing his well-proportioned features complemented by his armor, giving him a commanding presence, her turbulent heart gradually calmed.

So be it—even if her father was willing to let her leave the palace to marry, she would always remain his eldest daughter, the first-born princess after the founding of Great Qi.