Chapter 145

Chapter 145

Everyone harbors personal motives. In the struggle for the crown, Qingyang never deluded herself into believing that her eldest sister and three imperial brothers would genuinely rejoice for her. This was especially true for her eldest sister, who had once valued their eldest brother’s position as Crown Prince even more than she valued him.

Qingyang understood her eldest sister’s past devotion, just as she understood why her sister claimed she couldn’t smile today. Having been cared for by her eldest sister in childhood, Qingyang trusted her sister’s declaration: “I am happy for my younger sister.”

Qingyang’s personal conviction was that she deeply cherished the bond she shared with her eldest sister and three imperial brothers. Yet, cherishing this bond did not mean being constrained by it. As she had told her three imperial brothers upon her return to the capital, she would treat all those who respected her—be they relatives, friends, or subjects—with generosity. But for those who deceived, belittled, or even betrayed her, even if they were kin, Qingyang would show no quarter.

Thus, it was sufficient that her eldest sister did not resent or hate her over the matter of the Crown Princess. As long as her eldest sister still regarded her as a younger sister, Qingyang would continue to acknowledge her as her eldest sister.

***

After the investiture ceremony, the officials worked for another day before the court recessed. Both officials and commoners then busied themselves with preparations for the Lunar New Year.

This year, with the great victory in the Northern Campaign, the Lunar New Year’s Eve palace banquet was destined to be a grand affair. All officials of the fifth rank and above were invited to attend.

While ministers were only required to enter the palace before dusk, members of the imperial clan arrived in the morning. Prince Yong, Qin Hong, and his three brothers all brought their wives and children. Even Fu Kui brought his two children into the palace. Only Yongkang, still under house arrest, was not granted special permission.

Qingyang was not the sole person who could appeal for her eldest sister’s early release from confinement. If they wished, the Two Consorts and the four imperial princes could also intercede with Emperor Xingwu. However, Qingyang was undoubtedly the most likely to succeed. Yet, Qingyang understood that her eldest sister was being punished for accepting bribes—a situation unlike the family matter years ago when she angered their father and caused their eldest brother’s illness by aspiring to an official position. This offense and its punishment were widely known to the capital’s populace. If their father were to release her eldest sister after only two months of confinement, what would the people think of him? How could their father then use her eldest sister’s transgression to deter other imperial relatives and nobles?

Qingyang believed her father’s punishment was just, and thus she would not intercede. If she were to appeal for leniency, she would only do so on two special occasions: her wedding day and the Mid-Autumn Festival next year, requesting her father to grant her eldest sister special permission to enter the palace. The significance of the New Year family reunion surpassed that of the Mid-Autumn Festival, but only two months had passed since her eldest sister’s punishment and merely a few days since her own investiture—the timing was simply not right.

Qingyang spoke privately with her niece, Fu Xi, about the matter: “The Emperor is still angry right now. When more time has passed, I will plead for your mother.”

Maintaining this familial bond required effort from both sides. Qingyang wanted her relatives and friends to respect and even revere her, but she also wanted them to know she was not indifferent to their well-being. Since her eldest sister had expressed joy for her during the investiture, Qingyang felt she should reciprocate in some way.

Fu Xi found her aunt beautiful, majestic, yet gentle. Her brother’s reprimand and beating from their aunt were purely self-inflicted due to his rude remarks. As for herself, being well-behaved, her aunt had always favored her.

“Aunt, don’t worry. Mother doesn’t blame you for not pleading on her behalf. Lately, she’s been more than happy to stay home.”

Her mother was very concerned with saving face. Now that everyone remembered her mother’s scandal of accepting bribes and embezzling silver, if she went out, she would only be subjected to pointed fingers and gossip. It was better to stay home quietly.

Qingyang smiled and drew her niece closer, asking what books she had been reading lately.

Fu Xi answered truthfully. Ever since her aunt assumed office, her mother had demanded that the household tutors be as strict with her as they were with her brother. Sometimes Fu Xi found it tiring, but whenever she thought of her aunt’s abilities and accomplishments, she was willing to endure the hardship. She never imagined she would become an imperial official like her aunt when she grew up. She only thought that if she studied more, she would gain more wisdom and avoid repeating the mistakes her mother had made.

The Crown Princess and her niece were merely exchanging private words, yet they were still in the main hall of the central chamber of Qian Yuan Palace. Thus, Emperor Xingwu, the Two Consorts, and even Prince Yong’s family could observe their closeness.

Qin Hong and Lv Wenrong simultaneously glanced at Zheng Ge’er, who was seated on one side of the Emperor alongside Ying’er.

There was a time when Zheng Ge’er was the Crown Princess’s most favored junior. The bond formed from watching him grow up day by day was something even Rui Ge’er, the third prince’s child who was not yet one year old, could not compare to.

It was precisely because both husband and wife had personally witnessed and heard Zheng Ge’er’s resentment toward his little aunt that they understood why the Crown Princess no longer showed favor to Zheng Ge’er. Fondness or dislike for someone never needed to be explicitly stated—a few glances were enough to determine it, especially for a child who was not skilled at hiding emotions.

The bond had been severed by Zheng Ge’er himself. Only if Zheng Ge’er sincerely repented would the Crown Princess consider whether to accept him again.

After showing affection to her niece, Qingyang called over Ying’er, who had just finished accompanying her imperial grandfather, and gave her a hug. Next was Rui Ge’er, who could neither walk nor speak. Aside from the exchange of ceremonial greetings with the children, she never once glanced extra at Zheng Ge’er or Fu Ming.

As the palace banquet was about to begin, Qingyang followed her father to Taiji Palace.

Zhang Su, the designated Imperial Son-in-law, was seated next to the grand Imperial Son-in-law Fu Kui, relatively close to Qingyang. Qingyang’s gaze occasionally drifted toward Zhang Su. During the Northern Campaign, she and Zhang Su had not been on the same route. On the return journey to the capital, opportunities for them to be alone were few due to military protocols. After returning to the capital, she was busy with work in the Zhongshu Secretariat, and her days off were spent accompanying her long-separated father. She had seen little of Zhang Su and had hardly spoken to him.

Tonight was not suitable either—there were too many people.

Early the next morning, the imperial relatives entered the palace to offer New Year greetings to the Emperor. Zhang Su, the designated son-in-law, also came.

After offering their respects, as everyone was about to leave, Qingyang asked Zhang Su to accompany her for a walk in the imperial garden.

The Crown Princess extended the invitation openly and without hesitation, so naturally, no one dared to gossip or tease.

***

The imperial garden in winter was bleak, with little scenery to admire. But today, the sky was clear blue, the wind was mild, and the sun shone warmly, making it quite comfortable.

Upon entering the imperial garden, Jie Yu consciously maintained his distance from the Crown Princess and the designated Imperial Son-in-law ahead, lagging far behind.

Qingyang glanced at the designated Imperial Son-in-law, who was two steps behind her. “Do you intend for me to keep tilting my head to speak with you?”

Only then did Zhang Su step forward, but he still remained half a step behind the Crown Princess. When he met her gaze, he lowered his eyes.

Qingyang was long accustomed to his demeanor. She took the opportunity to carefully examine his face, which had grown even more handsome than in his youth. During the Northern Campaign, both of them had tanned, but after returning to the capital, Qingyang had used the skincare ointments her mother sent and stayed indoors at the Zhongshu Secretariat, so her complexion had mostly recovered. Zhang Su, however, still traveled back and forth to the Western Camp, exposed to wind and sun...

Qingyang said in surprise, “How did your face recover so quickly too?”

Zhang Su’s expression remained unchanged, but his ears turned slightly red. He said softly, “Since Your Highness was established as Crown Princess, my mother has been paying increasingly meticulous attention to my upbringing.”

Afraid that his rough and dark complexion would displease the Crown Princess, she sent him a case of skincare ointments and instructed the servant attending to him to ensure he applied them morning and night. Worried that he wouldn’t know how to please the Crown Princess, she carefully selected over a dozen romance novels for him to study, expecting him to learn both how to serve the Crown Princess and the methods of securing favor and guarding against rivals in the rear palace.

Zhang Su only reported what was convenient to share with the Crown Princess.

Qingyang laughed. “The Duchess has gone to great trouble. Actually, it’s unnecessary. My regard for you isn’t that superficial.”

Perhaps when they first met as children, she had liked Zhang Su for his looks. But during their youth, the reason Zhang Su could serve as her “study companion” for seven or eight years was that she valued his talent and character even more—his respect, reverence, and attentiveness toward her. Later, Qingyang gradually sensed the restrained and suppressed affection in Zhang Su and began to enjoy the thrill of pondering and responding to such emotions.

Zhang Su thought of the herbal sachet the princess had given him before the expedition to Biao State and the embrace she had given him from behind when they parted during the Northern Campaign.

He raised his eyes and looked at the Crown Princess’s profile as she gazed ahead.

His regard for the Crown Princess was far from superficial either. But as the wedding date drew nearer, he found himself uncontrollably thinking about more superficial matters. He wondered if the Crown Princess, who had harbored grand ambitions since childhood, had anticipated any of this.

Before the Crown Princess could look at him again, Zhang Su habitually averted his gaze. It wasn’t merely out of respect—since the Crown Princess came of age, Zhang Su had increasingly dared not look directly at her. He feared he couldn’t conceal his private feelings and that those feelings would become an offense or imposition toward her.

Qingyang had indeed grown up with Zhang Su, but she truly couldn’t decipher what he was thinking at this moment. Or perhaps all four men of the Zhang family were equally reticent.

Qingyang could only ask what she wanted to know: “Our marriage, to put it nicely, means you will become the Imperial Son-in-law to the Crown Princess. But in reality, it means you are marrying into the imperial family. Do you truly not mind at all?”

*If you mind, I will dismiss you immediately. At least we can preserve some of our past affection.*

Upon hearing this, Zhang Su immediately knelt down. Looking up at the Crown Princess, who had stopped and turned around, he said, “I care only about Your Highness. It is my honor to become Your Highness’s Imperial Son-in-law. If that is not possible, as long as Your Highness is willing to employ me, I would gladly follow Your Highness without name or status, devoting myself to Your Highness’s service.”

Qingyang told him to rise. Once Zhang Su was standing straight, she began walking forward again and said softly, “You have the talent of a general. I will certainly employ you, and employing you naturally means granting you the official and military positions you deserve. What do you mean by ‘without name or status’?”

Zhang Su: “…”

Qingyang suddenly stopped and turned to look at him. “…If you can’t become the Imperial Son-in-law, you would rather be my male favorite?”

Zhang Su could control his eyes but not his face, which instantly flushed bright red.

Qingyang laughed, supporting herself on Zhang Su’s arm as she burst into laughter. The more Zhang Su avoided looking at her, the more Qingyang turned to face him, teasing him relentlessly. “You even want to be a male favorite? Do you know what a male favorite is like? Can you flatter and curry favor with your superiors? Even if you could, aren’t you afraid of offending the ancestors of the Zhang family?”

At first, the Crown Princess only held Zhang Su’s arm, but as he kept avoiding her, she switched to gripping his sleeve.

Zhang Su was indeed embarrassed, but as he avoided her gaze, his eyes eventually settled only on the Crown Princess—her laughter-reddened face and her slender figure, bent over with mirth as if she might at any moment stumble into his arms.

He understood better than anyone how stunningly beautiful the Crown Princess was, but her dignity overshadowed it. Few officials had ever seen her so unrestrained and joyful.

Zhang Su looked at the hand loosely tugging his sleeve. If he were to grasp it, if he were to pull gently, he could draw the Crown Princess into his embrace and make her forget about teasing him.

Qingyang suddenly felt as if the back of her hand had been scalded by his gaze, sending a palpitation through her heart. This made her release his sleeve just in time.

Only then did Zhang Su bow slightly and ask the Crown Princess with a serious expression, “I truly only know that a male favorite has no name or status. How to be a good male favorite—I beg Your Highness to enlighten me.”

Qingyang: “…His Majesty has already bestowed the marriage. Why would you, a perfectly good designated Imperial Son-in-law, want to learn how to be a male favorite? Besides, I’ve never once considered keeping male favorites.”

She had no need for someone who relies on looks to please others.

Zhang Su couldn't help but let the corners of his lips curl up slightly.

And this rare, fleeting smile from Third Young Master Zhang made the Crown Princess (Qingyang) pause briefly.

Her prospective Imperial Son-in-law might not have the talents of a male consort, but he possessed a face more handsome than any of them.

Qingyang had never seen a male consort before, but she was certain of it.