Chapter 100

Chapter 100

The day after the hunt, Princess Qingyang had to attend to her duties, but the two imperial consorts, Princess Yongkang, and the other accompanying female family members could continue to enjoy the scenery of the Western Garden.

Princess Yongkang didn’t need to specifically invite her sister-in-law, Lü Wenrong. She simply had someone discreetly inquire about the Crown Princess’s movements. Upon learning that the Crown Princess and Princess Jing had taken the children to the lakeside to cool off, Princess Yongkang took her own two children to “chance upon” them.

Before setting out, Princess Yongkang warned her son once more. Having already suffered the punishment of house arrest, Fu Ming repeatedly assured her that he would obey his mother.

By the lakeside, under the weeping willows, Lü Wenrong and Meng Yao sat side by side on silk-covered felt mats, watching Zheng Ge’er lead Ying’er in search of wildflowers.

Meng Yao smiled and said, “We should have called Zhenzhen over; she’s the best at finding wildflowers.”

Lü Wenrong replied, “She wasn’t feeling well yesterday. Let’s invite her another day.”

Meng Yao understood and felt even more admiration for the little princess: “I don’t know how the little princess managed to endure those days.”

The Emperor had set up a separate private rest chamber for the little princess in the Ministry of Personnel. While young women often experience discomfort for a day or two during their monthly cycles, the little princess had never taken time off because of it. The officials might not have considered this, but whenever Meng Yao remembered, she felt both pity and admiration for the little princess.

Lü Wenrong said, “Outsiders only talk about how much Father dotes on our sister, but they don’t know how much hardship she endures persisting in her studies, martial arts training, and even her duties.”

When she first heard that the three-year-old little princess was going to study at the Chongwen Pavilion, Lü Wenrong, then still a young girl, simply thought the little princess was amazing. But when her own three-year-old son was ordered by the Emperor to study at the Chongwen Pavilion, Lü Wenrong’s heart ached. It was at that moment that she truly realized the little princess’s extraordinary talent.

After praising the little princess for a while, the two naturally began discussing the marriage that had just been settled for the little princess the previous day.

Meng Yao said triumphantly, “Childhood sweethearts—I always knew they would end up together. Sure enough, Zhang Su didn’t even yield to our reckless prince in his bid to become the imperial son-in-law.”

Qin Bing often boasted that his martial arts were the best among the noble youths. After Zhang Su achieved merit in the campaign against Biao State, Qin Bing bragged that if he had gone to Biao State, he would have failed even faster. Meng Yao humored him verbally, but privately felt that in past sparring sessions, Zhang Su would intentionally let Qin Bing win even if he could defeat him. Sure enough, the previous day’s hunt proved it: once Zhang Su stopped holding back, Qin Bing lost!

Lü Wenrong smiled gently and said, “The two of them standing together really do look like a match made in heaven.”

Just then, Lü Wenrong spotted the eldest princess and her family of three approaching from a distance. Her smile faded slightly—not because she disliked the eldest princess, but because she could never feel as relaxed in her presence as she did around the little princess and Meng Yao.

It wasn’t just her; Meng Yao felt the same. Due to her father’s connections, she had frequently visited the palace since childhood. Most of the time, she found Emperor Xingwu majestic yet approachable. Only Princess Yongkang carried an air of haughtiness, as if every glance reminded others of the difference in status between them.

The two rose in advance to greet the eldest princess.

Princess Yongkang smiled and said, “Why so formal among family? Sit, let me rest too. Walking this stretch has tired me out.”

After letting the children go off to play, Princess Yongkang sat down with her two sisters-in-law and chatted casually about the children’s growth.

Ying’er was still young and needed to use the bathroom after playing for a while. Meng Yao seized the opportunity to excuse herself, accompanying her daughter and the nursemaid back.

Princess Yongkang then told her attendants to look after the three children who had run off and asked Lü Wenrong in a low voice, “What has the Crown Prince said about our sister’s marriage to Zhang Su?”

Lü Wenrong immediately sensed that the eldest princess had ulterior motives. She didn’t know whether to smile or not and replied cautiously, “Since Father has arranged the marriage, the Crown Prince naturally thinks it’s wonderful.”

Princess Yongkang stared at Lü Wenrong: “The Crown Prince treats all his younger siblings as full brothers and sisters. I’m not surprised he’s happy, but what about you? Don’t you have any other thoughts?”

Lü Wenrong lowered her head and said, “I’m not quite sure what you mean, sister.”

Princess Yongkang snorted, “Don’t understand or don’t want to understand? Wenrong, since you married into the family, we’ve been one. If the Crown Prince does well, we both benefit. If he makes mistakes because he’s too kind-hearted and fails to guard against his younger siblings, we’ll all pay the price—you and Zheng Ge’er might even fare worse than I would.”

Lü Wenrong shuddered.

Princess Yongkang gazed at the calm lake surface: “I know you’re not used to this, and neither am I. Who wouldn’t want a harmonious family? But the royal family is different. How many brothers have killed each other for the throne? Sometimes, even if others have no ill intentions, we must remain vigilant. That way, if something does happen, we won’t be caught off guard.”

“I’m the eldest sister. I’ve been looking after the Crown Prince since childhood. Even though my intentions were good, I ended up making him resent me—just like Ming Ge’er dislikes my disciplining. After the Crown Prince suffered that headache, I haven’t dared say a single word he doesn’t want to hear in his presence. But he needs someone by his side who can constantly remind him.”

“Wenrong, the Crown Prince likes you, and he listens to you. As his wife, it’s your duty to be a wise and supportive partner.”

“Third Brother’s influence is growing. You need to remind the Crown Prince to keep an eye on Third Brother and our sister’s activities in official circles and to curry favor with Father. Think about it—who becomes Crown Prince is ultimately Father’s decision.”

Though every word seemed to be for the Crown Prince’s benefit, and even though Lü Wenrong didn’t believe Qin Bing, Qin Ren, or even the little princess had such ambitions, she had no grounds to refute the eldest princess.

No grounds, and she didn’t dare openly defy her.

“Sister, you’re right. I’ll remember everything.”

Princess Yongkang, seeing her increasingly resemble her honest younger brother—always saying she’d remember but never acting accordingly—felt a surge of anger: “Then tell me first, how do you plan to advise the Crown Prince?”

Lü Wenrong: “...”

As Crown Prince, Qin Hong might have many shortcomings, but he was skilled at reading people. He clearly saw his father’s disdain, his eldest sister’s frustration, his second brother’s disregard, his sister’s genuine affection in childhood and her concern and subtle pity as she grew up. As for his third brother—as long as he managed himself, that was enough.

So when he returned at dusk, Qin Hong immediately noticed his wife’s unease. Even four-year-old Zheng Ge’er was nervously observing his parents, as if his father’s return could comfort his mother—or as if his mother’s unusual behavior was because of his father.

Qin Hong first comforted the child. After dinner, when Zheng Ge’er went to bed with his nursemaid, Qin Hong turned his attention to his wife.

Lü Wenrong didn’t dare go into too much detail and said euphemistically, “Eldest Sister is worried that outside officials might misinterpret Father’s intentions and align themselves with Third Brother.”

It wasn’t that she intentionally brought up the eldest princess; it was just that she normally never discussed politics with the Crown Prince, and she couldn’t hide it.

To Lü Wenrong’s surprise, Qin Hong actually laughed: “Eldest Sister has always been afraid someone would compete with me. Listen to what she says, but don’t take it to heart. Feel free to tell me anything; I’ll cover for you in front of Eldest Sister.”

Father’s initial marriage arrangements were meant to consolidate the family’s control over Great Qi. Now, Third Brother and our sister’s support was also his support. Eldest Sister was simply being too narrow-minded.

Of course, in another royal family, Eldest Sister’s concerns might not be unwarranted. But in Qin Hong’s eyes, Second Brother, Third Brother, and their sister would never harm him.

***

Summer mornings dawned early. The little princess was scheduled to start her run at Chenshi, so Zhang Su arrived a quarter of an hour early. On his way, Zhang Su remained relatively calm, but when he spotted Fan Huaizhong and Fan Huaian waiting outside the Xijing Gate from afar, Third Young Master Zhang—who had spent the night preparing for his first solo escort duty as the betrothed—grew even calmer.

“Brother Zhang, you’re early!” Fan Huaizhong greeted him cheerfully.

Zhang Su: “...Not as early as you two.”

Fan Huaizhong: “That’s different. We’re the princess’s guards; arriving early is our duty. Brother Zhang, you’re now the princess’s betrothed imperial son-in-law. Your relationship with the princess is special—it’s fine if you arrive later.”

Zhang Su smiled and stood to the side of the two brothers.

Fan Huaian tilted his head to scrutinize him, then turned to look at his elder brother. Usually, he didn’t notice, but this morning he truly felt his brother was quite unattractive—no wonder he had voluntarily withdrawn from the competition to be the princess’s imperial son-in-law.

Fan Huaizhong swatted his brother’s head to turn it away. What was there to stare at? The brothers looked exactly alike—it was all their father’s fault!

Time passed slowly. With the sound of footsteps, the Xijing Gate opened. Standing right in the center inside the gate was the little princess the three had been waiting for. Today, she wore a pink and white *ruqun*, resembling the color of wildflowers commonly seen on the grasslands in the morning, or like the carefully cultivated peonies in the palace.

“Your humble servant pays respects to the princess!” Fan Huaizhong stepped forward with his brother and bowed respectfully.

But Qingyang’s eyes first fell on Zhang Su, who had been slightly delayed by Fan Huaizhong’s quickness—Third Young Master Zhang, unusually dressed in a tea-white brocade robe.

Qingyang smiled and told all three to rise. She then walked to the mount held by a palace attendant, swung onto it, and headed straight for the distant grasslands.

Zhang Su followed closely behind, no longer maintaining any distance or avoiding suspicion.

Fan Huaizhong stopped his brother, who was about to mount, and advised, “Today, we’ll follow a hundred paces behind the princess.”

Fan Huaian widened his eyes: “Why? The Emperor ordered us to protect the princess!”

Fan Huaizhong: “Fool, with the betrothed imperial son-in-law here, where would we be needed?”

Fan Huaian: “...If we’re really not needed, then why did the Princess call for us?”

Fan Huaizhong: “Why do you care what the Princess thinks? Just follow my lead, or I’ll beat you up!”

Jie Yu, mounted on his horse but waiting for the brothers: “...”

A hundred paces ahead, Princess Qingyang had ridden far ahead. When she finally slowed her horse to a walk to rest, she turned to look seriously at Zhang Su, who was half a horse length behind her, and asked with a smile, “Why are you dressed so sharp today?”

Zhang Su, somewhat embarrassed, lowered his gaze and replied, “My mother selected this robe for me.”

Princess Qingyang: “It’s very nice. Wear more of these light-colored outfits when you see me in the future—I like them.”

Zhang Su said softly but avoided looking directly at the princess.

Princess Qingyang: “Why weren’t you so shy when you were chasing the tiger two days ago?”

Zhang Su: “...”

Princess Qingyang snorted: “Even though you successfully hunted the tiger, I didn’t like you taking such a risk. If you had broken your leg, I wouldn’t have wanted you as my imperial son-in-law anymore.”

After all, she already knew her choice, so why did he still act so impulsively? He ended up just like her second brother.

Zhang Su paused for a moment, then finally met the princess’s gaze and said, “Even if I were injured, I would have no regrets.”

For his own sake, he wouldn’t have pushed himself so hard in the hunt, but Princess Qingyang’s imperial son-in-law shouldn’t lose to anyone when it comes to bravery.

Princess Qingyang had rarely gotten the chance to look directly into Zhang Su’s eyes. When they were younger, it was because of their height difference; as they grew older, it was because Zhang Su had always deliberately avoided her gaze.

Yet on this breezy morning, she saw his eyes clearly—fixed on her, with a feeling she didn’t recognize.

Fortunately, she liked this version of Zhang Su too.