Chapter 33

Chapter 33

After the Crown Prince's wedding, Qin Bing, Qin Ren, and Qingyang all eagerly anticipated one thing: accompanying the Emperor to the Western Park for the summer retreat!

The Western Park, a former dynasty's imperial retreat, was widely known by officials and commoners alike as "Western Park" due to its location a hundred *li* west of the capital. When Emperor Xingwu captured the capital, his forces engaged in battle there, causing significant damage to many of the park's palace walls and courtyards.

After ascending the throne, Emperor Xingwu was first preoccupied with unifying the realm, then with allocating land and settling the populace. While recuperating and rebuilding, he occasionally engaged in defensive skirmishes with neighboring states. It wasn't until the autumn of the sixth year of Xingwu's reign that palace staff stationed at the Western Park reported a black bear had escaped from the dilapidated menagerie. Unable to locate it themselves, they requested imperial troops to capture the bear, fearing it might harm people. Only then did the diligent and frugal Emperor Xingwu recall the Western Park.

Among the ministers, there had always been those who wished to renovate the Western Park, to provide the Emperor with a place for rest and enjoyment. However, such a renovation would require a substantial sum, and the Emperor was known for his frugality, often castigating the previous dynasty's extravagant and decadent rulers to admonish his civil and military officials. Consequently, ministers dared not rashly propose renovating the Western Park, lest their efforts to curry favor backfire.

The escaped black bear thus became the catalyst. After the imperial troops captured the bear, Emperor Xingwu personally visited the Western Park with several military officers. Observing the mountains, forests, and grasslands, which were highly suitable for riding and hunting, Emperor Xingwu himself proposed the renovation. With skilled artisans from the Ministry of Works and funds from the Ministry of Revenue, and given that most of the Western Park remained in good condition, the renovation was completed within a year of diligent work.

The Western Park of the previous dynasty was purely a place of imperial pleasure. For this renovation, Emperor Xingwu ordered the Ministry of Works to dismantle a section of the garden scenery within the southern palace walls and construct a Xuanzheng Hall, a Secretariat, an Administrative Hall, the Six Ministries, and official residences for accompanying officials. This arrangement allowed him and his ministers to escape the two-month summer heat without neglecting state affairs.

Emperor Xingwu had already spent a summer at the Western Park last year and was quite pleased with it. Therefore, he was certainly planning to go again this year.

During the morning court session on the 23rd of May, Emperor Xingwu announced his decision for this year's summer retreat, instructing all ministries to prepare. The imperial carriage was scheduled to depart on the 28th.

Even before the Dragon Boat Festival, the Imperial Guard and the Four Capital Garrisons had each dispatched three thousand elite soldiers to the Western Park to conduct internal and external inspections and secure the area, eliminating any potential threats of assassination. When the imperial family and accompanying officials departed, another thousand Imperial Guards and seven thousand from the Imperial Guard would escort them along the way. After the Emperor left the capital, the deputy commanders of the Imperial Guard and the Imperial Guard would be responsible for guarding the capital, and all memorials from across the realm would be sent directly to the Western Park for processing.

***

They departed on May 28th and arrived at the Western Park on the afternoon of the 29th. After settling in, the imperial family gathered for dinner that evening. Emperor Xingwu looked at his children and said, "Tomorrow morning, I've invited several ministers to climb Soaring Eagle Peak. Any of you who wish to join are welcome."

Prince Yong, of course, was already among the "several ministers."

Qin Hong, Qin Liang, Qin Bing, and Imperial Son-in-Law Fu Kui all expressed their willingness to go.

Qingyang winked at her third brother.

Qin Ren covertly glanced at his father, only to find the Emperor staring back at him. Realizing that feigning ignorance wouldn't work, Qin Ren offered an ingratiating smile to his father: "Father, my martial skills aren't as strong as Big Brother's, and climbing mountains..."

Emperor Xingwu interjected: "The less capable you are, the more you must practice. Tomorrow morning, even if no one else goes, you must."

Qin Ren: "..."

Aside from Consort Li, who found it embarrassing, the others, including the Noble Consort, laughed, accustomed to such exchanges. Qin Ren looked around, then shrugged and laughed along, lowering his head to continue eating.

Emperor Xingwu silently swallowed a surge of irritation. His eldest son was proficient in both civil and military arts but lacked courage and resolve. His third son was mediocre in both, unassuming and seemingly timid. But would a truly timid person dare to refuse his father's invitation to climb a mountain? Would he dare to remain lazy and smiling after being scolded by his father? Alas, such misplaced boldness was merely infuriating!

"Father, I'll go too."

Qingyang spoke up, following her third brother.

Emperor Xingwu looked at his perfect little daughter, and his irritation immediately dissipated. He smiled and said, "Soaring Eagle Peak is over two hundred *zhang* tall. Even your third brother finds it strenuous. Aren't you afraid of getting tired, Lin'er?"

Qingyang replied: "If I get tired, I'll rest for a while. Once I've rested enough, I'll continue climbing. I'll reach the summit eventually."

Emperor Xingwu loved hearing his little daughter speak. After agreeing, he turned to his eldest daughter.

Yong Kang said: "...If it were just our family, I'd go. But there are outside officials present, so I think I'll pass."

Emperor Xingwu did not press his eldest daughter.

Qin Ren cast an envious glance at his eldest sister.

After dinner, it was still bright outside. Emperor Xingwu took his two consorts for a stroll, while Qingyang and the others went to find a scenic spot. The three unmarried siblings walked ahead, while Qin Hong and Yong Kang, with their spouses, followed leisurely behind. As for Yong Kang's two young children, their wet nurses took them to play.

Yong Kang asked her sister-in-law with concern: "Are you settling into palace life well?"

Lv Wenrong smiled and said: "I felt a bit constrained at first, but fortunately, Lin'er often comes to keep me company. Her mother and Consort Li are also very kind. I've completely adjusted now."

Yong Kang looked back at her brother, who was walking beside the Imperial Son-in-Law, and teased: "You've praised everyone else. Was the Crown Prince not kind enough to you?"

Lv Wenrong's face flushed deep red.

Qin Hong, who overheard a snippet, also felt his ears burn. How could he possibly treat Wenrong poorly? Unlike his eldest sister's strict encouragement and fervent expectations, Wenrong never discussed complex matters with him. She was gentle and simple, and the half-month since their marriage had surprisingly become the most peaceful sleep he had experienced since entering the palace.

Yong Kang's concern was Lv Wenrong's simple and guileless nature. Her brother was already too honest; if the Crown Princess wasn't shrewd enough...

Keeping a distance, Yong Kang quietly imparted her experiences in dealing with imperial consorts and palace staff to her sister-in-law.

After their lengthy conversation, Lv Wenrong's smile had stiffened.

That night, Qin Hong asked his now preoccupied wife: "What did Big Sister say to you?"

Lv Wenrong whispered her worries, her eyes filled with concern.

Qin Hong held her hand and smiled: "Big Sister is just like that. She acts as if everyone in the world is out to harm me. Just listen to what she says; don't take it to heart. Our palace isn't like the previous dynasty's, full of schemes and deceit."

Lv Wenrong nodded: "Before I married, Grandfather also advised me to be cautious in my words and actions, to fulfill my duties, and not to overthink other things."

***

Qingyang had a good night's sleep. After breakfast around the *chen* hour (7-9 AM), she went next door to wake her third brother.

Qin Ren was still sleepy, but the thought that he only had to attend classes three days a week during their stay at the imperial retreat immediately invigorated him. He completed his washing and eating in two *ke* (half an hour) and then walked side-by-side with his sister to the West Scenic Gate, which connected the inner palace to the vast gardens outside.

Outside the West Scenic Gate, over a dozen ministers accompanying the climb were already waiting. The civil officials included two chancellors, the Imperial Censor-in-Chief, and six ministers. The military officers included Imperial Guard Commander Fan Zhong, Imperial Guard Commander Xue Ye, East Camp Commander Lv Guangzu and his heir Lv Zan, Acting South Camp Commander Meng Ji, West Camp Commander Deng Chong, North Camp Commander Prince Yong, as well as seven or eight young scions from meritorious and noble families like Fu Kui, Zhang Heng, Zhang Su, and Yuan Chongli.

Qin Hong, Qin Liang, and Qin Bing had also arrived. Only Emperor Xingwu had yet to appear.

Although the Soaring Eagle Peak area was within the Western Park, it was a full three *li* away, so everyone had a horse to ride there later.

Palace attendants also brought the Third Prince's and Little Princess's mounts.

Twenty-year-old Qin Liang was already assigned to the North Camp and was no longer the Crown Prince's study companion, but he habitually stood by Qin Hong's side.

Yuan Chongli was still Qin Bing's study companion, so he naturally stood behind Qin Bing.

Thus, as soon as Qingyang and her brother took their places, Zhang Su also led his horse and lined up behind Qin Ren.

Qingyang smiled at him, but Zhang Su lowered his gaze, avoiding her.

The ministers had been chatting all along. Duke of Ding Deng Chong scanned the crowd and said nostalgically, "It's a pity Yuan Zhaoxiong, Zhang Jie, and Li Yu are away. Otherwise, our band of brothers would be complete again. Following His Majesty to climb high and look afar, then downing a few large bowls of wine—how exhilarating that would be!"

Minister of Personnel Yang Zhimin stroked his beard and smiled wryly: "When I was young, I could keep up with you martial types running around everywhere. But now that I'm older, I can't compare. Whether I can even make it to the top of Soaring Eagle Peak is questionable."

Deng Chong laughed heartily: "Chancellor Yan is almost sixty and hasn't admitted to being old yet. You're only forty-five; why worry about your legs?"

Yan Xizheng smiled without replying. Sixty-six-year-old Lv Guangzu exchanged a glance with him, sharing a sense of mutual understanding.

Zhang Su ignored her, and her three royal brothers were also quiet. Qingyang watched these founding meritorious officials chat. When the topic turned to age, among the commanders, Fan Zhong was the youngest, just thirty-four this year. Uncle Prince Yong, Xue Ye, Meng Ji, and Lv Zan were all around forty-one or forty-two. Deng Chong was the same age as the Emperor, both forty-nine this year.

Regardless of whether they were in their thirties or sixties, these meritorious officials all sported beards of varying lengths.

Qingyang's gaze shifted to the faces of Fu Kui, Zhang Heng, and others, wondering if these young military officers would possess the same capabilities as their fathers' generation when the meritorious officials grew old.

Finally, Emperor Xingwu emerged with He Yuanjing. Nearing fifty, Emperor Xingwu wore a black, round-collared robe with gold trim. With his black hair, black eyebrows, and short black beard, he already possessed a handsome face with sharp, piercing eyes. After nine years on the throne, what was even more striking about Emperor Xingwu was his commanding imperial presence.

"Your subjects pay respects to the Emperor!"

The ministers bowed in unison, while Qingyang and the others addressed him as "Father."

Emperor Xingwu smiled and said: "You are excused from formalities. Today's mountain excursion is about camaraderie, not the monarch-subject hierarchy. Everyone, mount up."

With that, Emperor Xingwu was the first to swing onto his black steed. Looking down from his elevated position, he saw his youngest daughter trying to hoist herself onto her saddle. Emperor Xingwu immediately called out: "Lin'er, come here. I'll take you with me."

The little princess pretended not to hear, and only after her father repeated himself did Qingyang say: "Father, I've been practicing horseback riding for half a year now. Please let your daughter ride on her own just this once. With so many people, all of them your most trusted generals, even if I accidentally fall, are you afraid no one will be able to rescue me in time?"

Fan Zhong was the first to chime in: "Your subject will stay by the princess's side and ensure she remains completely unharmed throughout the journey!"

With so many members of royalty present, it was clearer to refer to her as "princess."

Qingyang immediately smiled at Fan Zhong.

Before her smile could fully bloom, Emperor Xingwu snorted: "This grassland may look flat, but it's actually full of hidden dips and holes. I'll take you for a ride first so you can see for yourself. Zhang Su, help the princess dismount."

Zhang Su, who had been standing by the little princess's horse, stepped forward and looked up at her.

Qingyang bit her lip, released the reins, lifted her feet from the stirrups, and leaned toward Zhang Su.

Zhang Su firmly held the little princess under the arms and lifted her down.

Qingyang had no choice but to walk sullenly to her father's horse under the watchful eyes of the court officials.

Emperor Xingwu extended his left hand, wrapped it around his daughter's waist, and effortlessly lifted her onto the saddle in front of him.

Hearing his daughter mutter "Stinky Father" under her breath, Emperor Xingwu chuckled. He gave the horse a squeeze with his legs and galloped off toward the distant grassy hills, leading the charge.