Chapter 61

Chapter 61

On her first night back in the palace, the little princess, for once, slept in. It wasn't until the hour of Chen Zheng (8:00 AM) that the familiar jingle of a bell was heard from within her chambers.

Qin Fang, the head maid, already prepared, entered with four junior maids, each carrying items for washing, such as warm water and towels. Outside, Jie Yu remained, smiling as he watched the four young maids eagerly rush in to attend to the princess.

Though the sleeping quarters were warmed by underfloor heating, it wasn't yet spring-like. Qin Fang first helped the little princess into a pre-warmed, satin-lined, padded jacket. Only when the princess began to put on her trousers did Qin Fang draw back the two layers of gauze curtains.

Qingyang looked up to see two smiling faces peeking out from behind the folding screen: Fuliu and Lianzhou on the left, and Jinsu and Yinsha on the right. These were all young maids her birth mother and the Noble Consort had chosen for her when she first moved into Jiuhua Palace. Originally, there were six, but two whose temperaments proved unsuitable were directly dismissed by Qingyang.

They weren't dismissed at the same time. Qingyang recalled that when she intended to dismiss the first maid who had twice openly defied her, Qin Fang suggested sending her back to the Imperial Household Department. Qingyang explained, "If she dares to talk back to me, she might not obey the training matrons even if sent back. Disobedience would lead to beatings, and she would eventually be assigned the hardest and most exhausting tasks. Rather than letting her resent me in misery, it's better to give her some money and send her home, thus ending our association amicably."

Qin Fang must have relayed her words to the young maid, who came from a well-to-do commoner family, for the maid tearfully kowtowed to her several times before leaving.

When the second maid frequently gossiped and framed others to curry favor, Qingyang decided to dismiss her, and Qin Fang carried out the order without question.

The remaining four—Fuliu and the others—initially had minor flaws, but they were quick-witted and reformed swiftly, so Qingyang kept them to this day.

"Didn't I see you all last night? Why are you crowding around like this again?" Qingyang asked, amused.

Fuliu, with her two slender eyebrows, was the first to fully emerge from behind the screen. Still gazing intently at the little princess, she said, "Your Highness went to bed early last night. This servant hasn't had enough time to admire you."

Lianzhou, whose appearance wasn't striking but exuded a refreshing elegance, said, "Your Highness has lost weight. It pains this servant to see it."

Jinsu, with her round cheeks and sweet smile, said, "I was worried Your Highness might have gotten tanned outside, but you’re still so fair."

Yinsha, with her soft voice, looked at the little princess who had just stood up and happily exclaimed, "Your Highness has grown taller again!"

Qingyang loved hearing Yinsha’s words the most. After leaving the washing room, she didn't rush to wash her face. Instead, she first asked Qin Fang to bring the soft measuring tape specifically used for height. Then she stood straight, and Jie Yu, the tallest person in Jiuhua Palace, measured her.

Once measured, Jie Yu pressed her thumb at the mark level with the little princess’s head, then lowered the tape for the princess to see.

Qingyang smiled. Qin Fang joyfully announced, "Six chi and one cun! That’s two cun and seven fen taller than when we measured on Lunar New Year’s Day last year."

Then, Qin Fang added with both joy and envy, "Your Highness is truly a goddess descended from heaven. Even among palace maids, I’m considered tall at six chi and nine cun, yet Your Highness, not even ten years old, is already this tall. By the time you reach your coming-of-age ceremony, you might even grow to seven chi two or seven chi three!"

Qingyang looked at Qin Fang, then at Jie Yu, who was a head taller than Qin Fang, secretly hoping Qin Fang’s words would come true. She also wished to grow taller.

For this reason, the little princess deliberately ate more at breakfast before going to see her imperial father.

Emperor Xingwu was already reviewing memorials, with six large stacks piled on his imperial desk. As soon as Princess Qingyang approached, Emperor Xingwu gave his daughter a look that conveyed, "Your father is very busy today."

Qingyang said succinctly, "Father, I measured my height again this morning. I’m already six chi and one cun."

Emperor Xingwu chuckled. "Not bad. Your eldest sister is seven chi one. If Lín'ér eats well and keeps practicing martial arts, she should be able to surpass her."

The Qin family indeed had excellent lineage. Both he and his brother grew to eight chi tall despite often going hungry as children. Now that his five children had plenty to eat and wear during their formative years, they were all destined to be exceptionally tall.

Qingyang asked, "Then can I ride a horse by myself now?"

Emperor Xingwu replied, "...Yes, but only at a slow trot in the imperial riding grounds, and you must have Master Wu ride alongside to guard you."

With permission granted, the little princess immediately headed to the riding grounds.

At that moment, He Yuanjing announced at the door, "Your Majesty, Chancellor Yan Xizheng requests an audience."

Emperor Xingwu glanced at his daughter. Seeing that she showed no intention of avoiding Yan Xizheng, he granted permission.

Thus, Yan Xizheng, walking into the imperial study, encountered the little princess walking out. After months apart, Yan Xizheng felt the little princess had grown thinner, but her eyes, so similar to the emperor’s, shone even more brightly with added experience.

Princess Qingyang deliberately stopped, waiting to receive a proper salute from the Chancellor rather than a hurried, casual bow as she passed by.

The little princess’s intention was clear. Yan Xizheng had no choice but to halt and cup his hands in salute. "Greetings, Your Highness."

Princess Qingyang smiled. "Rise, Chancellor. It’s been a long time. How have you been?"

Yan Xizheng replied, "...I am well, thank you for your concern, Your Highness. However, I still cannot understand how, with the palace under tight security, initially..."

Princess Qingyang cut him off. "There’s no need for the Chancellor to trouble himself with such trivial matters. His Majesty is waiting. Please proceed quickly."

The little princess smiled and walked away nonchalantly.

Yan Xizheng glanced back before heading inside. He first reported to Emperor Xingwu the conditions drafted by the Central Secretariat for accepting the West Hu’s pledge of allegiance and tribute. The West Hu envoys had arrived in the capital a month ago, waiting only for Emperor Xingwu’s return to receive their audience.

After reviewing the list from the Central Secretariat, Emperor Xingwu saw that the tributes the West Hu could offer were limited to precious metals, steeds, and pelts. After a moment’s thought, he said, "Reduce all by half."

Yan Xizheng hesitated. "Wouldn’t that be too lenient? The West Hu have just suffered a crushing defeat and fear Your Majesty’s army. I believe they would agree to any condition you set."

Emperor Xingwu explained, "I don’t need their precious metals, steeds, or pelts. What I want is for them to submit and never again invade the borders of Great Qi. First, use war to make them fear; then, use generosity to earn their gratitude. If we push them too hard, making it difficult for their people to survive, they might ally with the East Hu out of resentment, which would be worse for Great Qi."

Yan Xizheng said admiringly, "Your Majesty’s foresight is something we subjects could never match."

Emperor Xingwu glanced at him, not believing for a moment that his founding chancellor hadn’t considered this.

After concluding official matters, Yan Xizheng finally broached the topic of the little princess who had joined the royal border inspection. "Princess Qingyang..."

Emperor Xingwu picked up a memorial, opening it as he said, "Are you referring to her slipping out of the palace? The third prince helped her. I’ve already reprimanded them severely. Originally, I intended to send Lín'ér back, but she cried so hard her face turned purple, and I couldn’t bear it. So I indulged her this once. Fortunately, she behaved well throughout the journey and didn’t cause any trouble for the army."

Yan Xizheng also didn’t believe the third prince capable of such a feat. With the Imperial Guard so strict, the little princess’s successful escape must have involved cooperation from the Imperial Guard. And who did Commander Fan Zhong and the Imperial Guard take orders from?

Yan Xizheng said bluntly, "Your Majesty repeatedly indulges the princess, allowing her ambitions to grow. Aren’t you afraid that in the future, even a small princess’s estate will be too small to contain her grand aspirations?"

Emperor Xingwu suddenly stopped writing with his imperial red brush and looked up at Yan Xizheng.

Yan Xizheng slightly bowed, but his gaze remained firm and unyielding. As a subject, it was his duty to advise and correct the emperor’s improper actions.

Emperor Xingwu said, "This isn’t the first time you’ve said this. Let me ask you, what grand ambitions do you think Lín'ér has?"

Yan Xizheng answered without hesitation, "The princess interferes in governance!"

Emperor Xingwu’s smile faded. "Indeed, the inner court should not interfere in governance. But has my Lín'ér interfered in governance?"

Yan Xizheng replied, "Not now, but that doesn’t mean she won’t in the future. Hence, Your Majesty should nip it in the bud."

Emperor Xingwu said, "What excellent precautions! If I must strictly guard against my own nine-year-old beloved daughter, should I also guard against my sons attempting to usurp the throne, against my two chancellors monopolizing power, and against my court officials engaging in factionalism and seditious plots?"

The emperor’s tone was calm, as if listing possibilities that could indeed occur. Yet each word struck Yan Xizheng like thunder, startling him into hastily kneeling and kowtowing. "I dare not harbor any intention to monopolize power! I beg Your Majesty to see clearly!"

Emperor Xingwu said, "Well, when it comes to yourself, you’re full of conviction. But Lín'ér is only nine. She is merely eager to learn, wanting only to be a princess who can assist her father and brothers above and care for the people below, setting an example by her actions. Why must you place her in danger?"

Yan Xizheng, feeling wronged, looked up and said, "I dare not. I only worry—"

Emperor Xingwu interrupted, "You worry? Does your worry justify thinking the worst of Lín'ér? Should I, then, suspect all my ministers daily because of the precedent of treacherous officials in previous dynasties?"

Yan Xizheng lowered his gaze.

Emperor Xingwu slapped the memorial in his hand and stood up. "Today, I make it clear to you: I believe you will be my capable chancellor, and I believe my Lín'ér will become a noble and virtuous princess in the future. I neither doubt you nor Lín'ér. Of course, I may not have everything under control. If Lín'ér truly errs in the future, I will punish her myself. If she makes a grave mistake after my demise, then naturally, the Crown Prince and you loyal ministers will hold her accountable. But I will never let Lín'ér suffer unjustly over mere 'worry.'"

"This matter ends here. I do not wish to hear you doubt Lín'ér again, whether in public or private, or deliberately drive a wedge between me and Lín'ér or between the Crown Prince and Lín'ér's blood ties."

Yan Xizheng kowtowed and said, "I dare not, Your Majesty. Your Majesty can clearly see that I absolutely have no such intention!"

Emperor Xingwu: "Enough, you may withdraw. I still have work to do."

When Yan Xizheng looked up again, the emperor's face was already obscured by the tall stacks of memorials. Deeply aware of how resolute this founding emperor could be, Yan Xizheng slowly rose to his feet and backed away as he took his leave.

With a grave expression, he stepped out of the imperial study and unexpectedly spotted Princess Qingyang waiting in the front corridor. She stood beside a red-lacquered pillar, measuring something at about head level, but when she noticed him, she casually lowered her hand as if nothing had happened.

Yan Xizheng lowered his gaze and continued forward. When Princess Qingyang's skirt hem appeared in his vision, he bowed respectfully and greeted her.

Princess Qingyang asked curiously, "Left Chancellor, why do you look so upset? Did Father scold you?"

Yan Xizheng didn't want to answer: "If Your Highness has no further business, I must take my leave."

Princess Qingyang: "...I have a question I’d like to ask Left Chancellor, but I’m afraid you won’t tell me."

Yan Xizheng replied expressionlessly: "Your Highness may ask freely. If it is something I know, I will hold nothing back." He was not so narrow-minded as to withhold an answer.

Princess Qingyang glanced around and then asked in a low voice, "Might I ask how tall Left Chancellor is?"

Yan Xizheng, who had once had the top of his head patted on purpose by Prince Yong due to his height of only seven chi and three cun (approximately 5'7"): "..."