Chapter 120

Chapter 120

Princess Qingyang's birthday fell in early April, a delightful season when the sun was warm but not scorching, and flowers bloomed in riotous splendor everywhere.

When Princess Qingyang was a child, her imperial father would host a banquet in the imperial garden every year for her birthday, inviting young ladies of similar age from the families of important ministers and nobles to celebrate with her in the palace. At that age, Princess Qingyang cherished such lively gatherings.

Her fifteenth birthday, the coming-of-age ceremony, was the most elaborate. At sixteen, Princess Qingyang accompanied her father on his southern tour, and her birthday meal was a quiet affair shared only with her father, mother (Consort Li), second brother, and Zhang Su. This year, Princess Qingyang was on official duty, and her closest childhood friends had all become her sisters-in-law, each busy managing their households. Princess Qingyang had no desire to host another birthday banquet. While she would be pleased to receive gifts from her elder sisters and brothers-in-law, it would be perfectly normal if they forgot or didn't send anything—after all, her nephews and nieces were growing up, and her siblings no longer needed to humor her like a child.

Though Princess Qingyang didn't crave excitement, on the evening before her birthday, her imperial father unexpectedly summoned her. "Tomorrow is your birthday," he said. "I plan to host a banquet at noon to celebrate. It will be just our family. Well, Zhang Su is only half-family for now."

Princess Qingyang replied, "…It's just a minor birthday. Let's not bother. Imperial Uncle and my brothers are all busy with their duties, especially Imperial Uncle, who is stationed far away in the military camp. Why trouble them to travel back and forth just for a meal?"

Emperor Xingwu said, "It may be a minor birthday, but it's likely your last as an unmarried woman. Once you're married, it won't be appropriate for me to celebrate so lavishly. I can't bear the thought, so I must make it a grand occasion to feel content. Anyway, I've already sent word to your Imperial Uncle and the others, telling them to attend to their duties first and arrive at Qianyuan Hall by noon. If they find it too troublesome, they don't have to come—I won't hold it against them."

Princess Qingyang: "…"

When the Emperor gives an order, who would dare not come?

Seeing his daughter cast her eyes down, Emperor Xingwu smiled and asked, "What? Are you afraid others will gossip, thinking I favor you too much?"

Princess Qingyang looked up at her still-smiling father and said softly, "Because of that travelogue, I've already attracted enough attention. I should be more discreet now."

When it came to state affairs, Princess Qingyang could usually guess seventy to eighty percent of her father's intentions. But when it involved herself, she wasn't so sure.

Given her father's affection for her over the past decade-plus, Princess Qingyang believed he wouldn't intentionally put her in a difficult position. Yet, the more prominent she became, the greater the pressure on her eldest brother, and her eldest sister would resent her for it. Princess Qingyang didn't believe her father hadn't considered this. So, what outcome did he truly desire?

Did he hope her eldest brother would feel ashamed and strive to improve, or…

If it were the former, her eldest brother might be reborn through fire, but she, as the whetstone, would likely face a grim future in his faction.

If it were the latter, the various hidden dangers beneath this fame would become her whetstone.

Emperor Xingwu said, "Discreet? Why be discreet? The people of the world already know I dote on you, my little princess. The court officials have long criticized me for letting you participate in court politics, thinking I spoil you too much. They might even think you benefit from your mother’s influence, and mock me for being so infatuated with your mother that I indulge you excessively. Tell me, Lín'ér, why have I always indulged you?"

Princess Qingyang was silent for a moment, then said, "Before I was three, you probably loved me because of your affection for my mother and the good fortune of my birth on the day of your coronation. After three, you indulged me because you saw I loved reading and had talent, allowing me to go to Chongwen Pavilion."

"The permit to access the front court was something I caught you off guard with. You didn't expect me to ask for it, and you couldn't break your promise."

"The permit to go outside the palace was because you saw my ambition to serve the court and couldn't bear to restrain me. Including later allowing me to take the palace examination and enter court as an official—it was because you recognized my talent and loved me, willing to bear the criticism of acting recklessly and disrupting norms for my sake."

With another father, even one as doting as her eldest or third brother, she would only have been a princess confined to the inner palace, forbidden from interfering in politics.

Emperor Xingwu said, "Yes, it's because you have talent that I'm willing to place you in court. Otherwise, I would have given you more wealth and honor than your elder sister and brothers, but I wouldn't have let you cause chaos in court. After all these years, Yan Xizheng and the other ministers have come to recognize your ability. But the common people don't know and still misunderstand, thinking I've gone soft a little. So, your travelogue came at just the right time. I want the people of the world to know about my Lín'ér’s literary skill and virtue, to let them know I dote on you because you deserve it, not because I’m a foolish ruler!"

Princess Qingyang's eyes welled up with tears.

Emperor Xingwu took out a handkerchief and gently dabbed her eyes, then turned to the next day’s banquet. "It's because I'm getting old. I want to see all you siblings, uncles, and nephews gathered together harmoniously. The older you get, the fewer such opportunities there will be. So, it's my selfishness that's putting you out."

Princess Qingyang hated hearing such things most. She leaned against her father’s shoulder, crying, and said, "There won't be fewer. As long as you're willing, we'll have meals with you every day."

Emperor Xingwu laughed, stroking the back of her head. "I'm busy too. How could I have time to eat with you every day? Anyway, remember this, Lín'ér: your second and third brothers can keep their abilities hidden—if they have any—but you cannot. You entered court because of your ability. Once you become mediocre, the ministers and common people will think you're unworthy of being an official. So, you must do better than everyone else, stronger than all those who want to drive you away, to do what you love for a long time."

Princess Qingyang understood, truly understood.

***

The next day, as the little birthday girl, Princess Qingyang left the Ministry of Personnel early and was the first to arrive at Qianyuan Hall among those on duty.

The Noble Consort and Consort Li had already arrived. Crown Princess Lü Wenrong accompanied the two consorts, while Zheng Geer was playing chess with his imperial grandfather.

Her mother couldn't persuade the Imperial Grandson, but the emperor’s presence could. As soon as the little princess entered, Zheng Geer stood up obediently and bowed respectfully to his little aunt.

Princess Qingyang smiled and walked over to the grandfather and grandson, placing her hands on Zheng Geer’s shoulders to make him sit down, then standing behind her father to watch the game.

Chess requires concentration, and Zheng Geer, already playing against his grandfather, a master, clearly couldn’t manage it, his eyes frequently glancing at his little aunt’s purple official robe embroidered with pythons.

But if their aunt-nephew bond were good, he wouldn't need to be so formal.

Emperor Xingwu smiled, captured his grandson’s piece, and ended the game.

Soon, Qin Hong, Qin Bing and his family of three, Qin Ren and his wife, Yong Kang and her family of four, and Prince Yong’s family of eight across three generations arrived, followed by Zhang Su, whose status as Imperial Son-in-law had not yet been finalized.

Before the banquet began, gifts were presented.

The adults mostly gave gold and jade items, including a mutton-fat jade hairpin from Zhang Su. The children’s gifts were more unique: Fu Ming performed a vigorous martial arts routine for his little aunt, Fu Xi gave a handkerchief she embroidered herself, Zheng Geer recited an article from *Southern Tour Travelogue*, and three-year-old Ying Er presented a pot of wildflowers she had planted herself.

Qin Liang’s four children stood in a row and recited a birthday poem for their aunt.

The childlike charm of the children was indeed endearing. Princess Qingyang smiled throughout, and the watching elders were also smiling.

When the banquet began, since Qin Hong and the other three families all came as couples, Emperor Xingwu seated Zhang Su at the same table as the little princess.

Compared to Fu Kui, who had been an Imperial Son-in-law for over ten years, and the three royal daughters-in-law, including Lü Wenrong, Zhang Su was noticeably more formal. He didn't even glance much at the little princess beside him, only occasionally filling her teacup or serving her food.

Deng Shi teased, "Zhang Su also grew up in the palace. Everyone here is familiar to you. Why are you more ill at ease than the eldest Imperial Son-in-law was when he first entered the palace after marriage?"

Qin Bing was already annoyed with her. Afraid that if he held back, his aunt would start going on, he immediately said, "Zhang Su has always been quiet since childhood. You'll understand after spending more time with him."

Deng Shi ignored him and continued praising Zhang Su: "Among all the noble youths in the capital, Zhang Su has the best fortune, actually able to marry the most favored little princess of the royal family, also the most talented literary star."

Jokes aside, banquets are meant to be lively with laughter and conversation, especially for newlyweds. This was how it had always been. If no one teased Zhang Su at all, it would seem like they didn't value him, which would only embarrass Zhang Su and the little princess.

There were things Deng Shi wouldn't say recklessly in front of the emperor, but what she had just said was the truth. If anyone didn't like it, they could blame the emperor for being partial.

Yong Kang glanced faintly at Deng Shi. Fu Kui ate silently, not daring to show any envy toward Zhang Su.

Lü Wenrong tried to smile naturally. Meng Yao and Yan Zhenzhen were caught in the middle and couldn't join in easily.

The Noble Consort’s status also made it inappropriate for her to speak. Consort Li, flustered by Deng Shi’s praise, smiled and modestly said on her daughter’s behalf, "Lín'ér just benefits from being the youngest, receiving so much affection from the emperor and her elder siblings over the years. She does have some talent in studies, but in the future, she will still need to rely on the care of her elder siblings and sisters-in-law in conduct and affairs."

Qin Hong and the other three couples, along with Yong Kang, finally had a chance to chime in.

Emperor Xingwu simply ate, watched, and listened.

Prince Yong was more curious about his little niece’s wedding date and asked his elder brother if it had been set.

At his question, several people pricked up their ears, and Consort Li looked at the emperor expectantly.

Emperor Xingwu, who had never given a definite answer, smiled, swept his gaze over the little princess and Zhang Su sitting together, and said, "I do dote on Lín'ér the most and can't bear to see her leave the palace too early. Let's wait until next year."

Consort Li and the Noble Consort were stunned. Prince Yong, Deng Shi, and the young couples were also stunned. Next year? Next year the little princess would be eighteen!

Only Yong Kang clenched her teacup tightly. Her younger sister had been by their father’s side for seventeen years, and he still couldn’t bear to part with her? Why had he been so eager to marry her off to Fu Kui as soon as they returned to the capital back then?

At this, Emperor Xingwu smiled and looked at Zhang Su. "Su Lang, are you in a hurry?"

Zhang Su stood up and said, "To receive the emperor’s decree of marriage is already my great honor. I dare not rush the wedding date."

Emperor Xingwu asked, "You dare not rush, or you don't want to rush?"

Zhang Su lowered his eyes and remained silent.

Qin Bing was the first to laugh, followed immediately by Prince Yong, and soon the entire hall was filled with ripples of laughter.

After the banquet, Qingyang returned to Jiuhua Palace with the gifts from everyone. Opening Zhang Su’s gift box, she discovered it was indeed double-layered—the lower layer held this year's true gift: a small wooden figurine.

The fifteen-year-old figurine was carved by him in Yunzhou, depicting how he imagined she would look at her coming-of-age ceremony. The sixteen-year-old figurine showed her dressed in a python-embroidered robe, while the current wooden princess held a small sapling that was not yet taller than herself.

"What did it mean?" she wondered.

Qingyang held the wooden carving, examining it over and over. When she turned to the base, she noticed a date engraved there. After a moment’s thought, she opened the *Southern Tour Travelogue* to compare and confirmed it was the day she had debated with her second brother about whether the loess wastelands around Liangzhou could be reclaimed for planting trees.

So, Zhang Su supported her "unconventional idea," and through this little wooden figurine, he wished for her to achieve her dream.

Qingyang kissed the new wooden princess.

Those who believed in her, she would enlist; those who did not—someday, she would make it happen.