Chapter 93

Chapter 93

“Sister, I’ve arranged the banquet at the Hall of Pleasant Hearts. Shall we sit here for a while, or go directly?” Qin Ren asked his sister as they rounded the spirit screen. It was already a quarter past noon, leaving only fifteen minutes until the banquet he had arranged with the kitchen.

Qin Ren knew that both his sister and Zhang Su were early risers; they ate breakfast early and thus got hungry early for lunch.

Qingyang replied, “Let’s go straight to the Hall of Pleasant Hearts.”

The Hall of Pleasant Hearts was located on an island in the lake within the Third Prince’s residence’s rear garden. The lakeshore and the island were connected by two long causeways, one to the east and one to the south. Peach and willow trees were interspersed along both banks of the causeways, and an arched bridge was built in the middle. Although the peach blossoms had long since faded, the shimmering water and the verdant willow tendrils swaying gently in the breeze created a scene quite reminiscent of the lake view at the Western Garden Palace, refreshing both mind and spirit.

Walking along the causeway, Qingyang recalled some old memories.

Her third brother was both indolent and refined. As soon as the Ministry of Works received the imperial decree to construct his princely residence, he immediately sought out their father for a layout map. After reviewing it, he proposed a series of modifications, including his desire for two long causeways to be built in the lake, rather than relying solely on boat transport.

Their father sternly declared, “You’ve achieved neither literary nor martial excellence, yet you have so many demands. Denied.”

Third Brother replied, “If Father doesn’t build them for your son, your son will simply have to hire craftsmen himself after moving in. That’s fine too. I just think that since construction is inevitable, it’s better to do it during this major renovation to avoid a messy process later.”

Although their father nearly gave Third Brother another beating, he eventually agreed, on the condition that the additional cost would be deducted from Third Brother’s allowance after he established his residence.

Qingyang mused that their father certainly wasn’t short of this sum; he was likely preventing their eldest sister or second brother from complaining about favoritism later.

Looking at the elegantly constructed causeways, which had directly cost Third Brother five thousand taels of silver—nearly two years of his princely allowance—she felt fortunate that he had saved over a decade’s worth of monthly allowances as a prince before leaving the palace. Otherwise, he might not have been able to pay his servants and personal guards upon establishing his residence.

“After you are granted your princedom, Third Brother, your allowance will increase to five thousand taels. But you’ll soon be married, so you must spend more carefully and avoid splurging on literary and artistic works,” Qingyang advised her brother as they walked under the willow shade.

Qin Ren smiled, “Don’t worry, sister. I know what I’m doing. Before, it was just me in the residence, and I had no other hobbies, so I spent freely. Once Zhenzhen marries me, I’ll let her manage the household and ensure we don’t overspend.”

Getting married, having children, and raising them were all more important than calligraphy and paintings.

Qingyang remarked, “You’re already thinking about letting Zhenzhen manage your household before even getting married? Aren’t you afraid people will laugh at your improper speech?”

Qin Ren replied, “I’m not saying this in front of outsiders.”

Qingyang tilted her head slightly, signaling her brother to look behind them.

Qin Ren turned and saw Zhang Su, who had already been lagging three steps behind and had now slowed down even further, instantly increasing the distance between them. Realizing that his sister considered Zhang Su an outsider and that Zhang Su had understood her meaning and taken the initiative to maintain distance, Qin Ren felt awkward. He stopped, his gaze shifting between his sister, who stood facing forward, and his good friend, who stood with downcast eyes. “What’s going on with you two? You grew up together—why are you so distant?”

The little princess did not respond, but Zhang Su could not ignore the Third Prince. He cupped his hands in salute and said, “As an external official, it is proper for me to maintain distance from Her Highness. I overstepped earlier.”

Qin Ren retorted, “Stop that. No one considers you an external official. You must have upset sister again… Ah, yes, this year’s birthday gift! Why did you send a peacock? You know sister prefers her little wooden figures. You sent them every year before, but suddenly stopped this year, ruining sister’s auspicious tradition for the year… Zhang Su, do you harbor ill intentions?”

His sister was reasonable and proper; she wouldn’t deliberately embarrass Zhang Su. She must still be holding a grudge over not receiving the wooden figure!

Zhang Su immediately knelt and said solemnly, “I dare not. It’s just that I did not see Her Highness at all last year. Although I carved a figure of Her Highness from memory to celebrate her birthday, I feared it might not resemble her and displease her. That’s why I sent a peacock instead.”

Qin Ren pulled Zhang Su up and then looked at his sister.

Qingyang glanced at the man standing several steps away, who still did not dare to look at her, and said calmly, “I don’t mind missing the auspicious tradition of the wooden figure for a year. After all, we’ve both grown up, and such birthday gifts that could easily cause misunderstandings should eventually stop. But since you prepared one, have Third Brother bring it to the palace another day for me to see.”

Zhang Su replied, “Yes, I will retrieve it this afternoon and deliver it to the Third Prince.”

Qingyang said, “Alright, I’m hungry. Let’s go.”

Leaving the two behind, the little princess walked on ahead alone.

Qin Ren, worried that his good friend might be upset by his sister’s aloofness, walked alongside Zhang Su at the back. Zhang Su, however, urged him to go ahead. As they went back and forth, the little princess suddenly turned back and ordered both of them to lead the way.

Qin Ren dared not disobey his sister and shot a glare at Zhang Su, who insisted on propriety.

This was the first time Zhang Su walked ahead of the little princess, and he found it harder to maintain his composure than when facing the emperor.

Assuming he wouldn’t dare to look back, Qingyang happily observed Zhang Su’s figure. Today, he wore a sky-blue satin robe with a simple black brocade belt around his waist, unlike her brother’s jade-inlaid belt. Zhang Su was about half a palm taller than her brother, and though his face and the back of his neck were sun-darkened, his shoulders were broader, his stature more commanding, and his legs, visible beneath his robe as he walked, were straighter and more powerful.

Whenever her brother turned to look at her, Qingyang quickly averted her gaze. Once he turned back, she continued observing Zhang Su.

Though Zhang Su couldn’t see, he could feel an overly obvious gaze fixed on him. He didn’t know whether the little princess was simply observing him or scrutinizing his changes, perhaps regretting her promise to wait for his return before he left the capital.

If it was the latter, Zhang Su wanted to tell her that he dared not entertain any presumptuous thoughts and that she could simply pretend she had never said those words.

Or perhaps she had already forgotten…

They finally arrived at the Hall of Pleasant Hearts. The spacious and airy main hall had three banquet tables prepared in advance: one at the northern seat of honor and one each on the left and right sides, all placed close together for easy conversation.

Qin Ren invited his sister to take the seat of honor.

Qingyang, however, chose the table at the left lower seat. “This is Third Brother’s residence, so you should take the seat of honor. When I establish my own residence, I’ll host and invite you.”

Qin Ren had to accept his sister’s arrangement. Once both royals were seated, Zhang Su took his place at the right-side table.

Fu An sent someone to inform the kitchen. Qin Ren then asked his sister, “When do you plan to establish your residence?”

The timing for their establishing residences was decided by their father. His sister had always been strong-willed, and their father would surely agree whether she advanced or delayed it.

Qingyang asked, “Does Third Brother want me to establish it sooner or later?”

Qin Ren sighed. “Eldest sister established her residence only before her marriage. Father cherishes you, so unless you’re getting married, he won’t be willing to let you leave the palace. As for me, I’d like you to live outside the palace so we can meet more easily, but I also share Father’s reluctance to see you marry.”

Qingyang said, “What is there to be reluctant about? Even with an imperial son-in-law, I’ll still live in the princess’s residence and not move to his home. Third Brother can visit anytime, just as I visit you now.”

Qin Ren replied, “It’s still different. You and Zhenzhen are as close as sisters, but I may not be familiar with your imperial son-in-law. I’d worry about intruding on your time together.”

Zhang Su sat quietly with downcast eyes, like a statue.

Qingyang glanced at him and smiled. “Third Brother overthinks matters. I may not even find a suitable imperial son-in-law.”

Qin Ren exclaimed in surprise, “Why do you say that? There are so many accomplished young men in the capital. Could it be that none meet your standards?”

Qingyang explained, “Family background, appearance, and talent are easy to evaluate. But I am determined to serve as an official. Whether married or not, I will work for the court. Think about it, Third Brother: most men hope to marry a virtuous wife who will manage the household and raise children. How many would be willing to let their wife work outside the home all day and also forbid them from taking gentle concubines? So, when I choose an imperial son-in-law, I need to find someone I approve of who is also willing to follow my arrangements. If he isn’t willing, I neither want to bully him with my status nor lower my standards.”

Qin Ren pondered for a moment and grew concerned for his sister. “The number of accomplished young men who meet your standards is already small. Willingness to do without concubines would eliminate another batch, and acceptance of you being away from home attending to official duties would eliminate even more…”

Qingyang said, “It’s fine. I’m in no hurry, and I don’t necessarily need an imperial son-in-law. Third Brother needn’t worry about me.”

The kitchen staff arrived, and Qin Ren temporarily dropped the topic. Once the food was served and the hall was quiet again with just the three of them, Qin Ren wanted to continue discussing his sister’s choice of an imperial son-in-law, but she instead asked Zhang Su about the war with Biao State in detail.

Qin Ren had no choice but to listen.

Qingyang’s questions were far more detailed than her brother’s, covering the mountains, rivers, and terrain of Biao State, how the Qi army treated the local chieftains and their people they encountered, and the attitudes of the Biao people toward the Qi army. She asked in detail, and Zhang Su answered in detail. Qin Ren ate while listening, turning his head left and right. At one point, he noticed that Zhang Su actually dared to look at his sister while answering, no longer maintaining the deferential manner of an external official.

Qin Ren understood: Zhang Su was a military man, and it was easier for him to converse with his sister, who was also well-versed in the art of war and concerned about the battlefield.

They ate and chatted for half an hour before the banquet concluded.

The sun outside was blazing. Seeing that his sister seemed hesitant to go out into the heat, Qin Ren suggested, “The rooms in the rear hall are all tidied up. Why not take your afternoon rest here before leaving?”

Qingyang said, “That works. It’s been a long time since I played a game of chess with Zhang Su. Since we’ll all be busy in the future, we might as well seize the opportunity today to play a few games.”

Zhang Su replied modestly, “Please enlighten me, Your Highness.”

Qin Ren smiled and asked Fu An to fetch the chessboard and pieces. The three of them moved to a waterside pavilion overlooking the lake.

While the princess played chess with Zhang Su, Qin Ren reclined on a rattan rocking chair nearby. As he rocked gently, he eventually drifted off to sleep, and the folding fan in his hand slipped to the ground.

Noticing this, Zhang Su temporarily left his seat to pick it up. Just as he retrieved it, the little princess said, “The breeze from the lake isn’t cool enough. Fan me, please.”

By the time Zhang Su straightened up, the little princess had already moved to a nearby leaning rail on the other side.

Zhang Su noticed Fu An and Jie Yu, who were standing guard outside the pavilion, then walked behind the little princess, unfolded the fan, and began fanning her.

Qingyang patted the seat beside her, motioning for him to sit down. “Like this, only my head gets any breeze.”

Zhang Su paused for a moment, then stepped in front of her and continued fanning while standing.

Qingyang glared at him. “I still want to talk to you. Do you expect me to keep looking up the whole time?”

Finally, Zhang Su complied and sat down in front of her, keeping a respectful yet practical distance.

Qingyang looked at his tanned face and his once again lowered gaze, saying with a light laugh, “Why are you avoiding looking at me again? Are you afraid I might misunderstand and choose you as my Imperial Son-in-Law?”

Zhang Su immediately raised his eyes, meeting her increasingly striking eyes—ones he dared not hold for too long. He turned slightly toward the nearby water and said, “I would not presume to entertain any high-climbing thoughts toward Your Highness. But if I were truly fortunate enough to earn your favor, I would consider it the honor of a lifetime.”

Hearing this, Qingyang rested her right arm on the back of the bench, rested her chin in her hand, and studied him with satisfaction. “Finally, you’ve said something pleasant. From the moment I stepped out of the carriage until now, you hardly looked at me. I thought Third Young Master had already forgotten what I said to you on the night of Second Brother’s wedding.”

Zhang Su averted his eyes from her smiling gaze and looked toward the peacefully sleeping Third Prince on the rocking chair. “I wouldn’t dare. It’s just—”

Qingyang cut in, “You were afraid I’d forgotten, right?”

Zhang Su remained silent.

Qingyang continued, “If I had forgotten, I wouldn’t have been upset about the peacock you gifted me. And after all, I even gave you a large pouch of sachets in return.”

Not wanting to upset her further, Zhang Su set down the fan, reached into his left sleeve, and retrieved a neatly tied silk handkerchief. He presented it to her with both hands.

Qingyang was taken aback for a moment, then slowly sat upright and accepted the handkerchief. Unfolding it, she discovered a small wooden figurine about half a palm in length, carved in her likeness. It depicted her standing simply, with her hair tied up in a bun.

Suppressing a smile, she glanced back at Zhang Su. His eyes were still lowered, but a faint blush spread across his tanned face.

Qingyang said with a mock huff, “I knew it. With your strict sense of propriety, if I hadn’t spoken up first, you might never have confessed—even if I ended up choosing someone else.”

Zhang Su did not refute her words. If the little princess chose another, it would mean her heart belonged to someone else. How could he impose?

After examining the figurine for a while, Qingyang carefully wrapped it back in the silk handkerchief, cupped it in her hand, and extended it toward Zhang Su. “You already know what kind of princess I aspire to be. If you truly wish to become my Imperial Son-in-Law, you must abide by my arrangements for the rest of your life. Zhang Su, I’m giving you one last chance. Take this back, and we can pretend none of this ever happened. I won’t hold it against you if you refuse. But if you insist on giving this to me and later come to regret it, I will not be lenient.”

Instead of taking the handkerchief, Zhang Su knelt on one knee before her, adopting the pledge of a military general. “For the rest of my life, I am at Your Highness’s command.”

This was the little princess he had watched grow up.

When she was young, he was willing to follow her orders.

Now that she had grown, Zhang Su would still follow her commands—whether he became her Imperial Son-in-Law or not.