Chapter 35

Chapter 35

The villa's garden featured a stone cliff over thirty *zhang* high. From the mountains, a winding stream cascaded over the cliff face, splashing down into a clear pool. Beside this pool stood the Listening Spring Hall, an open-sided pavilion where Emperor Xingwu hosted a banquet for his civil and military officials after their mountain climb.

Not bothering with the sweat on his body, Emperor Xingwu led his ministers directly to the Listening Spring Hall. Palace attendants were already on hand with water and towels for the emperor and his officials to wash their faces and hands.

The little princess, however, couldn't stand the sticky feeling of sweat. She was escorted by Jie Yu, who had been waiting, to the villa's rear quarters. After the maids prepared hot water, Princess Qingyang enjoyed a comfortable bath. Once she changed into a fresh set of *ruqun*, her stomach began to rumble. Not wanting to delay her father's banquet, she touched her hair, which was towel-dried but still damp, and told Qin Fang, the senior maid styling her hair, "Just tie it back with a ribbon."

Wet hair would be uncomfortable in a bun, and leaving it completely loose would be undignified. Tying it back maintained her appearance while allowing it to dry—a perfect compromise.

Qin Fang considered this, then took two strands of hair from the princess's temples—the parts most prone to falling loose—and secured them at the back of her head with a begonia flower hairpin. Two golden tassels hung from the pin, and as the princess moved, two tiny pearl drops swayed gently, perfectly suiting her lively and spirited age.

After her bath, her legs no longer felt heavy as lead. Princess Qingyang set off, with Jie Yu holding an umbrella beside her.

At the Listening Spring Hall, Emperor Xingwu and his company were engaged in lively conversation, not deliberately waiting for anyone. However, when the little princess appeared on the garden path leading to the hall, all eyes turned to her.

Emperor Xingwu felt both pleased and a touch of melancholy. With her hair tied back, walking unhurriedly, his daughter suddenly seemed to have grown into a young lady.

The three princes, seeing their younger sister dressed this way for the first time, all showed expressions of surprise.

The young scions sat at the farthest end of the banquet, away from Emperor Xingwu. Zhang Su was the first to spot the little princess's arrival and also the first to avert his gaze, though the princess's appearance now struck him as somewhat unfamiliar.

As the little princess approached, the ministers made to rise and greet her, but Emperor Xingwu waved a hand, smiling. "I said today is about camaraderie. Everyone, remain seated—no need for formalities."

While high-ranking civil and military officials could certainly forgo formalities with the little princess, young men like Zhang Heng and Zhang Su couldn't simply remain seated. They all rose and bowed, "Greetings, Princess."

Princess Qingyang glanced at Zhang Su, whose face had regained its fair complexion, and waved for them to dispense with the formalities as she ascended the stone steps into the hall.

The young men resumed their seats only after the little princess had passed.

From Princess Qingyang's perspective, only her father, seated alone at the head of the table, and her imperial brothers and ministers on either side remained. Everyone was looking at her, but she felt no nervousness. She asked, "Father, am I late?"

Emperor Xingwu: "Not at all. The banquet won't begin for another two *ke*."

The officials and young men accompanying the climb had been decided yesterday, and the approximate number of guests and start time had been communicated to the imperial kitchens. Thus, Emperor Xingwu had to adhere to this schedule—starting too early would mean the kitchen wasn't ready, and starting too late would risk the food losing flavor from being kept warm too long.

Princess Qingyang felt relieved. Seeing her eldest and second brothers seated to her father's left, and an empty seat beside her third brother on the right—clearly reserved for her—she made her way over.

By convention, given her young age, her imperial brother should have taken the higher seat. However, with Duke Cheng, Lü Guangzu, seated next to them, Qin Ren, concerned his sister might feel constrained, deliberately left the higher seat for her, shouldering the potential burden of making small talk with the old duke himself!

Princess Qingyang didn't overthink it. Her third brother was seated firmly, and it would have been impolite for her to ask him to move for her.

After his daughter was seated, Emperor Xingwu continued the previous discussion with his ministers.

Princess Qingyang felt a little thirsty and reached for the teapot. Qin Ren, noticing this, proactively poured tea for his sister.

As Princess Qingyang raised her bowl to drink, she inadvertently caught Old Prime Minister Yan Xizheng, seated below her second brother, looking at her again. When their eyes met, the old prime minister casually averted his gaze.

Over the years, whenever Princess Qingyang visited the Imperial Secretariat, Yan Xizheng often watched her with a stern, disapproving gaze—so stern that by the age of three, she knew this prime minister disliked her. Indeed, if she weren't a princess, Yan Xizheng would surely have reprimanded her long ago. But Princess Qingyang wasn't afraid of him, for she was her father's daughter, and Yan Xizheng was merely one of her father's subjects.

Setting down her tea bowl, Princess Qingyang focused on listening to what her father and the others were discussing, paying no mind to Yan Xizheng's earlier glance.

Emperor Xingwu, seated at the head of the table, quickly noticed Yan Xizheng's change in demeanor. After all, Yan Xizheng had been laughing and chatting with them earlier. For such a prominent prime minister, seated so close, to suddenly stop smiling—Emperor Xingwu would have to be blind not to notice.

Well aware that Yan Xizheng wouldn't dampen the mood without reason, Emperor Xingwu mentally reviewed everyone's words but found nothing amiss. He directly asked, "Chancellor Yan, you look so solemn—have you thought of some matter of state?"

At this, everyone turned to look at Yan Xizheng.

Yan Xizheng made to rise and reply, but Emperor Xingwu gestured for him to remain seated.

Yan Xizheng then cupped his hands respectfully toward the emperor and said seriously, "What I am thinking may concern state affairs, but in the immediate context, it pertains more to Your Majesty’s family matters."

Emperor Xingwu smiled. "Which family matter of mine has caught Chancellor Yan’s attention?"

As he spoke, his gaze passed over the faces of his three sons.

Qin Hong grew nervous. Qin Bing glanced at his eldest brother, then his youngest brother. Qin Ren sat steadily, looking bewilderedly at Chancellor Yan, waiting for him to continue.

The little princess, who alone had earned the old prime minister’s "special attention," frowned slightly and listened intently.

Yan Xizheng indeed glanced at the little princess again before addressing Emperor Xingwu: "May I ask, Your Majesty, what are your expectations for Princess Qingyang’s future?"

At this, everyone turned their attention to the little princess seated opposite the crown prince and beside the third prince.

Princess Qingyang maintained her composed posture, her expression showing only thoughtful pondering of Yan Xizheng’s question.

Emperor Xingwu looked at his daughter and said, "I naturally hope my Lin-er remains free from illness and disaster, joyful throughout her life." As for wealth and honor, she already possessed those—they required no special expectation.

Yan Xizheng: "Then let me be more specific. Does Your Majesty expect Princess Qingyang to find a suitable husband when she grows up, living in harmony and raising children, or does Your Majesty expect her to continue as she does now—frequently appearing in the outer court and sitting in on court discussions with officials?"

Emperor Xingwu didn’t look at his daughter, nor did he meet Yan Xizheng’s intense gaze. Instead, he lowered his eyes slightly to the wine bowl in his hand, a casual banquet smile still on his lips, as if weighing this question.

However, everyone present—whether high-ranking ministers or young men yet to earn their merits, including youths like Zhang Su—understood the implied criticism in Yan Xizheng’s words: his dissatisfaction with Princess Qingyang’s presence at the Listening Spring Hall.

Put more bluntly, Yan Xizheng was challenging Princess Qingyang.

Though young, Princess Qingyang had already learned to pick up on subtle criticisms aimed at her mother and third brother from Princess Yong and the Marchioness of Pingliang. Now, faced with Yan Xizheng’s sharp critique, she certainly didn't mistake his meaning. She simply looked puzzled at the prime minister diagonally across from her, unable to understand why he would say such things.

Qin Hong also didn’t understand why Yan Xizheng would target his sister. Seeing his sister’s innocent, confused little face, Qin Hong, as the eldest brother, wanted to defuse the situation for her. But Yan Xizheng had directed his question to the emperor, and the emperor hadn’t yet responded. Moreover, Yan Xizheng was the founding prime minister who had assisted Emperor Xingwu in ascending the throne…

Qin Hong lowered his head slightly, uneasily clenching his fists.

Qin Bing had already pondered the matter. His sister was only nine—she went to the outer court to play, and she climbed the mountain to play. So, having a meal together after the climb was perfectly normal. Why would his grandfather bully her? But then again, when his sister grew up, she certainly couldn’t continue like this. So perhaps his grandfather was worried that the emperor’s indulgence might disrupt court order in the future?

Noting that the other ministers had stopped smiling, some stealing glances at the emperor or lowering their eyes as spectators, and even his eldest brother remaining silent, Qin Bing looked across the table and decided to wait for the emperor to speak.

Qin Ren grew restless. The old prime minister was actually targeting his sister!

Qin Ren first looked at his sister, who was staring at Yan Xizheng. Then he looked at Zhang Su, who was seated far away. Besides, if Zhang Su, a mere study companion, spoke out of turn here, the emperor would punish him first.

A study companion had no right to speak. Qin Ren steadied himself, mustered a smile, and said to Yan Xizheng, "Princess Qingyang is only nine. Chancellor Yan, why worry so far ahead? Look how lovely the weather is today, how clear the waterfall and pool beside us…"

Yan Xizheng: "…One should consider matters before they arise and troubles before they occur. As prime minister, since I see potential future worries for Your Majesty, it is my duty to remind you early so you may prevent them in advance."

Princess Qingyang: "Chancellor Yan, are you saying you see in me a potential disaster I might bring upon my father?"

Yan Xizheng: "Yes. By the age of three, the princess had memorized the 'Thousand Character Classic.' Her exceptional intelligence is known throughout the court. Her interest in the affairs of the outer court is also widely recognized. Today, during the mountain climb, she demonstrated remarkable perseverance far beyond ordinary girls and ambitions to tour the realm. If Your Majesty expects the princess to marry, bear children, and remain in the inner quarters like Princess Yongkang, then you should not continue to indulge her presence in the outer court and her interactions with important ministers, lest it foster ambitions of meddling in governance."

"Your Majesty, parental love means planning deeply for one’s children. You must not, due to momentary indulgence, plant seeds of future disaster for the princess."

If the crown prince had shown the talent, intellect, and perseverance Princess Qingyang had demonstrated over the years since childhood, Yan Xizheng would have been overjoyed, dreaming of the Great Qi welcoming a second Wise Emperor. However, the crown prince, though well-read and diligent in martial practice, lacked imperial authority. Having an untalented but strong-willed elder princess was worrying enough; adding a younger sister whose talent, intellect, courage, and dignity surpassed the crown prince’s would surely lead to chaos in the court once the crown prince ascended the throne.

As Yan Xizheng uttered the words "meddling in governance," some glanced at the crown prince, while others looked toward the crown prince’s in-laws, Lü Guangzu and Lü Zan.

The little princess was only nine—no matter how capable, she couldn't meddle in Emperor Xingwu’s governance. So, the concern must be for after the crown prince’s accession.

Qin Hong broke out in a cold sweat—not because he suspected or feared his sister would meddle in his governance, but out of anxiety over Yan Xizheng’s baseless claims!

"Chancellor Yan worries too much. My younger sister merely enjoys reading and, due to her youth and playfulness, likes to visit the outer court. She has no intention of meddling in governance."

Qin Hong finally spoke up, then looked toward his sister.

Qingyang: "I have never disturbed the ministers while they were at work."

Yan Xizheng: "As a princess, it is already improper to show curiosity about court affairs."

Qingyang did not like that: "Should a princess stay completely in the dark about court matters? Then may I ask Chancellor Yan, as a princess, the people I interact with are inevitably the wives and children of imperial relatives, high-ranking officials, and nobles. If I know nothing about court affairs, how can I detect any potential violations of the law or actions that harm the country? How can I guard against being deceived by corrupt officials and deceitful individuals, leading me astray? And how can I, as a princess, advise the Imperial Son-in-law, my children, and other members of the imperial family to uphold justice and abide by the law, setting an example for the officials and common people of the world?"

Yan Xizheng: "The principles of how to be an official and how to conduct oneself can be learned from books. There is no need for the princess to personally go to the imperial court, nor should she associate too closely with important court ministers."

Qingyang: "When I was three or four years old, I did go to the imperial court out of a desire to play. But later, I read the *Records of the Grand Historian*. The deeper I delved into it, the more I admired the strategic brilliance, both civil and military, of the founding emperors of various dynasties, as well as the abilities of generations of famous ministers and generals in governing and stabilizing the nation. It’s just that these predecessors have long been lost to time, and later generations can no longer witness their brilliance. Now, as the daughter of His Majesty, I have grown up listening to the achievements of my father and his meritorious officials. I am well aware that all of you will surely be recorded alongside His Majesty in the history of Great Qi, revered by future generations. So, is it wrong for me to observe all of you managing state affairs and training troops out of admiration?"

"Of course it’s not wrong!"

After listening for a long while, Fan Zhong suddenly slapped his chest and stood up, his thick eyebrows raised and his eyes shining like a tiger's: "I don’t understand what Chancellor Yan is talking about, but the princess’s words have stirred my heart! To think that a rough-around-the-edges man like me could have my name recorded in history and be remembered by later generations as a great general and hero—it’s all thanks to His Majesty’s support and trust, giving me the opportunity to achieve great deeds. Your Majesty, this bowl of wine, I offer to you first!"

The burly military general picked up the wine bowl from the table and raised it with both hands toward Emperor Xingwu.

The Lü father and son, Prince Yong, Deng Chong, Meng Ji, and other military officials all rose to toast. Right Chancellor Dai Lun and Minister of Personnel Yang Zhimin also led several civil officials in raising their wine bowls and leaving their seats, loudly expressing their gratitude.

Yan Xizheng, who had also made his name serving Emperor Xingwu, had no choice but to join in the toast.

Emperor Xingwu, who had remained silent for a long time, finally smiled. He swept his gaze over the assembly and said, "It’s rare that I have the time to invite you all to accompany me on this mountain climb. We agreed to focus on camaraderie, yet you all resort to this again. Must I also once more praise your contributions in assisting me to found the nation?"

Yang Zhimin: "We dare not, Your Majesty. Heaven sent us a Wise Emperor to unite the realm and rescue the common people from suffering. It is only because of this that we were able to follow Your Majesty and achieve our modest accomplishments. We are sincerely grateful to Your Majesty and keep this in our hearts at all times, never forgetting."

Emperor Xingwu: "Say whatever praises you wish, but in my heart, I know that without every single one of you, I might not have been able to unify the lands of Great Qi. Come, let us drink together!"

The monarch and his subjects, each with their own temperaments, drank—some boldly, others more reserved.

Once the wine bowls were empty, Emperor Xingwu had everyone sit back down and said with a smile to He Yuanjing, "Have the meal served. I am hungry."