Chapter 142

Chapter 142

After the edict appointing the Crown Princess was read and met with no objections from the ministers, Emperor Xingwu promptly ordered the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Observatory to select an auspicious date for the investiture ceremony.

Minister Xie Xunwen of the Ministry of Rites and the Director of the Imperial Observatory respectfully acknowledged the imperial decree.

Emperor Xingwu then turned his gaze to Zhang Su among the military officials, smiling, "Also select a few auspicious dates suitable for weddings. After the New Year, I intend to arrange the marriage between the Crown Princess and her Consort."

The emperor's teasing tone signified his satisfaction and appreciation for this son-in-law. The ministers, playing along, smiled and collectively turned their attention to the Third Young Master of the Duke of Wei’s household.

Zhang Su stood quietly, eyes downcast, but youth is youth—the faint blush on his handsome face easily betrayed the joy of this prospective Consort, who, having received the imperial decree of betrothal over two years ago, was finally hearing news of his wedding date.

Fu Kui stood to Zhang Su's left. It wasn't until the ministers averted their gazes and began court discussions that Fu Kui cast a few sidelong glances at Zhang Su.

Crown Princess Consort, Crown Princess Consort—the little princess has become the Crown Princess!

Fu Kui couldn't imagine how Yong Kang would react, how jealous and furious she would be upon hearing this news tonight, just as his own hands and feet were now icy cold and stiff.

Fu Kui had never harbored ambitions of becoming a Crown Princess Consort or a male empress, but he and Yong Kang were united as husband and wife, both hoping that Prince An would regain his position as Crown Prince. Given Yong Kang’s sisterly bond with Prince An, once Prince An ascended the throne, Yong Kang could seek favors from the new emperor for the Fu family. They didn’t expect the immediate restoration of their noble title, but if her father and elder brother were given another chance to lead troops and earn merits, the Fu family could rise again!

And he—his status as the new emperor's brother-in-law, once so secure, had now completely vanished!

It was like a gift from heaven falling into his arms, but the pie wasn’t fully baked. He had happily kept it warm for over a decade, waiting for it to be ready to eat. But just as it was about to be done, the opportunity was lost—it had gone to the little princess and Zhang Su…

Fu Kui was in a daze, completely uninterested in the ministers' discussions.

"Court dismissed!"

As He Yuanjing’s drawn-out announcement echoed and the ministers in front knelt to bid the emperor farewell, Fu Kui finally snapped back to reality and followed suit in kneeling.

Ministers entered and exited court according to their official ranks. This morning, four princes and one princess had stood side by side at the front. Now, as court adjourned, the newly invested Crown Princess took the lead.

After Emperor Xingwu departed, the ministers rose. Just as Qin Hong looked toward his sister, preparing to gesture for her to go first, Qingyang had already moved. With a knowing smile, she glanced at her two elder brothers, then calmly and confidently turned to face the assembled civil and military officials.

Wherever the Crown Princess passed, each row of officials couldn't help but look up at her. Qingyang couldn't return everyone's gaze but nodded slightly to those nearby.

As she approached Deng Kun, Qingyang stopped, her smile vanishing.

Deng Kun's pupils contracted slightly, but he stood even taller, chest out. He believed in what he thought was right and would not show cowardice. Even though he had refrained from opposing the appointment of the Crown Princess due to the emperor's authority and his uncle's warning, he remained unconvinced. Yes, Great Qi belonged to the emperor, but Great Qi was also established with his father's aid. His father had even fallen ill and died for the stability of Great Qi. Deng Kun respected the Qin royal family and was willing to pledge loyalty to them, but he could not tolerate the Zhang family's descendants, whose merits were inferior to his own, usurping the throne.

Qingyang understood Deng Kun's thoughts and knew he was not the only one in court who felt this way—it was just that the others were not as brazen as him.

Deng Kun was taller than her, but Qingyang did not look up into his eyes. Instead, she calmly scanned the nearby civil and military officials and said, "Deng Kun, I know you are not convinced by me. No matter how many military achievements I make, as long as I am a woman, you will not bow to me. Is that right?"

Deng Kun was too cautious to admit it openly. He forced a smile, bowed his head, and cupped his hands in salute toward the Crown Princess before him. "I dare not, Your Highness. You are the Crown Princess appointed by His Majesty. I am completely convinced."

Only then did Qingyang look at his lowered head and smile. "You are convinced by me, but you are not convinced by my future descendants."

Deng Kun replied dismissively, "I would not dare to question them either."

Although Deng Kun held the same official rank as Zhang Su, he had inherited Deng Chong's title and was a first-grade Duke of Ding, which placed him toward the front. Qingyang's gaze swept past Deng Kun and lingered for a moment on Zhang Su's face a few rows away. Suddenly, her voice turned cold. "Whether you dare or not, I have only one thing to say to you today. As the daughter of the Great Qi emperor, bearing the imperial bloodline and chosen by destiny, my descendants will carry only the imperial blood. Anyone who dares to spread rumors about the Zhang family's descendants—no matter who it is—will be charged with grave disrespect!"

Though her words were a warning to Deng Kun, the Crown Princess's sharp eyes swept over all the civil and military officials within her sight.

The ministers immediately knelt in unison, exclaiming, "Your Highness is wise! We would never dare!"

Qingyang did not linger. She left first, accompanied by several officials from the Secretariat. The seventeen-year-old Crown Princess stood tall, her figure moving like the wind. Yan Xizheng and Dai Lun even hurried slightly to keep up. It wasn't until they descended the steps that the Crown Princess remembered their presence and deliberately slowed her pace, sparing the two elder ministers the risk of stumbling and falling.

The princes, including Qin Hong, lagged behind by some distance. Thus, Qin Hong clearly saw the two chancellors showing deference to his sister. This reminded him of the day he first entered court as the Crown Prince. When court adjourned, he had instinctively yielded to Yan Xizheng out of courtesy. On the way to the Secretariat, he had insisted on walking side by side with the two chancellors...

Qin Hong had never thought his courteous yielding was wrong, but witnessing his sister commanding the Secretariat, he finally understood what was meant by imperial authority.

Perhaps he had always understood, especially with his father as an example. But he lacked the talent to command these high-ranking ministers. Without talent, he lacked confidence, and without confidence, he lacked authority.

Smiling faintly, Qin Hong continued forward with his two younger brothers.

Qin Bing muttered under his breath, "If Father wanted to appoint our sister, why did he have to scold all of us too?"

Qin Ren sighed. "Even after being scolded, some still refuse to accept our sister. Without the scolding, they would have even more reasons to oppose her."

Qin Hong looked at his second brother. "Did you want the ministers to praise you and then support you?"

Imagining the scene, Qin Bing shuddered and rubbed his arm. "Forget it, forget it. It's simpler to just be scolded."

Although his second brother had come around, Qin Hong thought of Zheng Ge'er at home. He would never compete with his sister again, and his second and third brothers didn't seem like the type either. But they would all have descendants. While they were alive, they could suppress any ambitious offspring. But once the three brothers grew old and passed away, who could guarantee that some junior wouldn't emerge to challenge their aunt or her descendants?

Their father's edict was meant to tell those descendants that it was their ancestors from the three or four families who were unworthy of being Crown Prince. It was the emperor who personally chose the Crown Princess. The descendants of the other four families had no legitimate reason to compete with the Crown Princess's line. To compete would be rebellion, and any minister who supported such descendants would be a traitor and would face execution!

.

The three princes who missed out on the Crown Prince position had their whispers, and the civil and military officials had theirs too. The murmurs along the palace corridor from the Qianyuan Palace to the outer court offices never ceased.

Deng Kun had been holding back. Only when the three princes—Qin Hong and the others—and the civil officials had returned to their offices, and only those officials with duties outside the palace remained to walk together for a stretch, did Deng Kun retreat to Zhang Su's side. He clapped Zhang Su on the shoulder with a laugh and congratulated him loudly, "You're a lucky man! Today, our Great Qi court has a Crown Princess, and soon enough, we'll have a Crown Princess Consort! This is an honor unprecedented in history! Oh, and Uncle Zhang—previously, Uncle Lü gained honor through his daughter, but today, our Uncle Zhang can gain honor through his son! Hahaha!"

Not a single word was insulting, yet it was filled with sarcasm and even provocation.

Zhang Su pushed Deng Kun's hand away, turned toward the direction of the Qianyuan Palace, and cupped his hands with a smile. "It is indeed a blessing for me and the Zhang family to receive His Majesty's decree betrothing me to the Crown Princess."

Fan Zhong snorted. "Our Huai Zhong isn't as handsome as you, but he has self-awareness. Otherwise, that year during the tiger hunt at the Western Garden, he might not have let you win!"

Zhang Su modestly replied that he had been fortunate.

Fan Zhong moved closer to Zhang Jie, demanding that he buy them drinks. Lü Zan, Hou Wanzhong, and Xue Ye also gathered around, adding to the jovial mood.

Ignored, Deng Kun grew even more frustrated and looked toward his uncle through marriage.

Prince Yong directly scolded his wife's nephew in front of everyone. "Don't think I didn't catch your jealousy toward Zhang Su. Go home and look in the mirror—are you even worthy of comparison?"

Deng Kun: "..."

Qin Liang, who was accompanying his father to the Northern Camp, worried that Deng Kun and his brother might act impulsively and cause trouble. He quickly reminded them, "Watch your words and actions. Do not anger His Majesty."

If they had any grievances, they could vent them in private among themselves. In public, it was best to follow the emperor's wishes.

Deng Kun understood—his uncle and cousin also did not support the Crown Princess!

.

The various ministries of the court were very busy in the twelfth lunar month. After arriving at the Secretariat, Qingyang focused on her work. In the eyes of Yan Xizheng and Dai Lun, the Crown Princess before them was no different from the little princess of the past—still confident in everything she did, quickly adapting to any task, and treating them with respect imbued with authority and authority tempered with courtesy.

Qingyang could sense the occasional scrutiny from the two chancellors, probably wondering if she showed any self-satisfaction at being newly designated heir.

Being in a high position, Qingyang should indeed be happy. But she had long known her father's intentions, and he chose her because she was worthy. Qingyang did not need to secretly rejoice as if she had gained some undeserved advantage. In fact, considering how smoothly her father's appointment of her elder brother had been accepted by all ministers with just one edict, while now her father had to exert himself greatly, neglect her mother for over a month, and summon a group of high ministers to spend so much effort persuading them—and how she herself had to face open opposition and covert discussions about her descendants—what did she have to be happy about?

Qingyang felt neither joy nor anger. Because this was the Great Qi her father founded, and it would be the Great Qi she inherited. Whether others accepted her or not, she was already the Crown Princess. Her heart should be filled with the state and its people, not preoccupied with the opinions and hidden grievances of her ministers. It would be best if the ministers recognized her; if they did not, their resentment was of no concern to her as long as they kept it to themselves. If they could not restrain themselves and wanted to take action, Qingyang would be prepared to meet the challenge.

The workday ended at dusk, and it was already dark outside.

Qingyang tidied her desk and said to the two elder chancellors, who were still writing with brushes, "I will take my leave now. Once you finish, please leave the palace early as well. Do not work too late."

Yan Xizheng and Dai Lun temporarily set down their brushes and watched the little princess depart.

Qingyang smiled. Before leaving, she walked over to the rosewood clothing rack holding two cloaks. She touched the more worn one and asked Yan Xizheng, "This is the Left Chancellor's, isn't it? Does it still keep you warm?"

Yan Xizheng: "It's warm, and I will take the carriage once I leave the palace, so Your Highness need not worry."

Qingyang: "The Left Chancellor cherishes old things, just as I cherish you veteran ministers. How could I not worry? It is a pity that His Majesty has just appointed me as Crown Princess. If I were to gift the Left Chancellor a new cloak tonight, it might hurt your reputation."

Yan Xizheng immediately stepped around the desk and bowed deeply: "Your Highness's appointment as Crown Princess is ordained by heaven and decreed by His Majesty. I merely support you and claim no credit for recommending your appointment, so I fear no gossip. However, I still have several cloaks at home bestowed by His Majesty. I’ll wear one first thing tomorrow and wouldn’t want to put you to the expense."

Qingyang smiled: "That is well, then. Please, both of you, look after your health. With so much state business to handle, I will continue to rely on your counsel in the future."

With that, Qingyang stepped out.

Jie Yu was waiting outside, holding a cloak. As soon as the Crown Princess emerged, he stepped forward to drape it over her shoulders: "His Majesty has just sent word, inviting Your Highness to dine at Qianyuan Palace this evening."

Qingyang gave a soft 'mm'.

Jie Yu moved to her front to fasten the hood's ties.

It was then that the Crown Princess and her attendant exchanged a glance.

In Jie Yu's eyes, Qingyang saw a glint of joy—happiness at her appointment, mixed with pride for her.

Qingyang smiled in return.

As she strode into the biting cold of the winter wind on her way to Qianyuan Palace, Qingyang never stopped smiling.

So, after all, she was happy. Not even a little princess—or a Crown Princess—was above such ordinary feelings.