Chapter 150

Chapter 150

The Eastern Palace was but a short distance from Qianyuan Hall. As Qingyang led Zhang Su through a palace gate, the three halls of Qianyuan came into full view.

From childhood, Qingyang had witnessed four grand wedding ceremonies—those of her eldest sister and three imperial brothers. She was intimately familiar with the tea-serving ritual held the day after a wedding. In the blink of an eye, it was now her and Zhang Su’s turn to be the couple serving tea.

Qingyang glanced at Zhang Su. "Are you nervous?"

The Crown Princess’s eyes held a playful glint, her smile reminding Zhang Su of how the young princess used to tease him in their childhood. Yet, the princess, who always valued dignity and decorum, appeared poised and proper before most civil and military officials, children of noble families, and common folk. Only the imperial family, a few Founding Meritorious Officials, close attendants, and he—the third prince’s study companion—had the chance to see the young princess express her emotions freely.

Zhang Su knew the young princess had long considered him one of her own, but before the wedding, he hadn't held the status of an "insider" who could occasionally overstep the boundaries of subject-sovereign etiquette.

Now he did.

So Zhang Su smiled faintly and answered truthfully, "Not really."

Qingyang was momentarily dazzled by his rare smile, though she wasn't surprised by his response. After all, among her father’s sons- and daughters-in-law, Zhang Su was likely the one who had interacted with the Emperor the most. He was also familiar with Noble Consort and the three imperial princes, and as a military general who had even been to the battlefield, how could he be daunted by such a small event as serving tea?

The tea-serving ceremony took place in the central palace. Emperor Xingwu, the Two Imperial Consorts, and several imperial relatives living outside the palace had all arrived, including Princess Yongkang, who had been granted special permission to enter the palace these past two days.

With five imperial sons and daughters, by the time this fifth tea-serving ceremony arrived, Emperor Xingwu’s white hair and his growing number of grandchildren had become undeniable evidence of how swiftly time flies.

Princess Yong Deng knew her husband had been cold-shouldered by Emperor Xingwu at the end of the previous year for opposing the appointment of the Crown Princess. Although things seemed to have returned to normal after the New Year, she wouldn't dare to joke about the Crown Princess about anything even if given a hundred chances. For now, she simply maintained a smile while watching the younger generation chat and laugh.

Prince Yong felt quite sorry for his elder brother. Glancing at the Emperor’s white hair, he comforted him, "Well, even the youngest, Lín'ér, is married now. From now on, Brother won’t have to worry about your children’s marriages anymore. Lín'ér is also accomplished. Since you’ve praised her as more like a wise ruler than even yourself, you can assign more state affairs to her and take more rest for yourself."

After all, this was the elder brother who had raised him with his own hands. Although Prince Yong supported his son’s ambition to seize the throne from his three incompetent nephews and his niece who shouldn’t be ruling, he didn't wish for his elder brother to die early because of this selfish desire. He hoped his brother would live into his seventies or eighties, still strong enough to hit him, and that by then, his brother would come to understand and depose his little niece as Crown Princess.

Emperor Xingwu gave him a light sidelong glance. Palm and back of the hand are both flesh, just as the sole and instep of the foot are both flesh. At least thirty percent of his white hair was because of this younger brother.

Just then, the Crown Princess and the Imperial Son-in-law arrived.

Emperor Xingwu’s mood naturally improved. His back straightened more than before as he smiled at his daughter and son-in-law walking in side by side. His daughter’s complexion was as rosy as ever, indicating she had slept well the previous night and that Zhang Su hadn’t been too demanding. Zhang Su still wore the same solemnly handsome face, so like his father’s, composed and natural, not blushing like the three daughters-in-law had.

During the tea-serving, Qingyang first offered tea to her father, and Zhang Su followed by using the new form of address.

However, imperial sons-in-law of various dynasties could, at most, privately address the Emperor as "Father" when the Emperor was in a good mood—and only if they were naturally good at pleasing their father-in-law. On formal occasions, they would respectfully address him as "Your Majesty" to show they wouldn’t forget the principles of ruler and subject due to their status as sons-in-law. Fu Kui was like this, and Zhang Su, who always adhered to etiquette, would certainly do the same.

After the tea-serving, the imperial family shared breakfast together. Once the meal ended, Emperor Xingwu kept his youngest daughter and son-in-law behind. Consort Li also stayed.

Then, Zhang Su remained outside to play chess with his Emperor father-in-law, while Qingyang was taken to the eastern annex by her mother.

Even if Zhang Su hadn’t become her son-in-law, Consort Li would have long regarded him as a son in all but name. The only slight concern she had about this marriage was whether the young couple were harmonious at night.

Qingyang had no intention of divulging her private bedroom matters to her mother, but she also didn't want her mother to speculate too much, so she simply replied, "It's quite to my liking."

Her daughter answered so seriously that Consort Li burst out laughing, her cheeks flushing pink, not looking over forty at all.

Qingyang was made to blush for no reason at her mother’s laughter.

Outside, Emperor Xingwu silently played chess with his new son-in-law. If Consort Li hadn’t wanted to speak privately with their daughter, he wouldn't have kept Zhang Su behind. There were matters he felt completely at ease discussing with Zhang Su, but for those that were inappropriate to bring up, if he insisted on asking, wouldn't that make him a dishonorable old man?

After a short while, Qingyang emerged. The moment she stepped out of the side room, Zhang Su temporarily left the chess game to bow respectfully to the Crown Princess.

This was entirely in accordance with etiquette, just as Lv Wenrong had to bow when Qin Hong approached while she was speaking with Noble Consort, or as Yang Zhimin had to bow when Yan Xizheng suddenly appeared while he was playing chess with Emperor Xingwu.

But Emperor Xingwu wanted to tease his son-in-law and deliberately put on a stern face. "Did We permit you to rise? Is bowing to Lín'ér more important than playing chess with Us?"

Emperor Xingwu glared at his son-in-law. Behind him, a few steps away, Qingyang smiled nonchalantly, hinting to her Imperial Son-in-law that her father was only pretending.

Zhang Su replied respectfully, "Yes, because Your Majesty is magnanimous and would not punish your subject for such a minor breach of etiquette. But if your subject were disrespectful to Her Highness, Your Majesty would never forgive me."

Emperor Xingwu: "...You certainly know how to speak. You’re better at it than your eldest and second brothers." Zhang Jian and Zhang Heng were truly as wooden as Zhang Jie.

Zhang Su: "That is because your subject is more fortunate than my two elder brothers, able to receive Your Majesty’s love for the house extending to the crows on its roof."

Consort Li, who had followed her daughter out, laughed more openly than Qingyang at these words.

Emperor Xingwu snorted and advised, "We do love the house and its crows, but you can only enjoy this fortune if Lín'ér likes you. We hope you remember these words: never betray Lín'ér, no matter when."

Zhang Su immediately knelt. "Your subject—"

Emperor Xingwu raised a hand to stop his vow. "We don’t believe in empty oaths. As long as you understand in your heart, that’s enough. Very well, go back with Lín'ér and rest. You only have three days off; cherish them well."

Qingyang walked over and helped Zhang Su up. She glanced at the half-finished chess game and asked her father, "Shall we abandon this game?"

Emperor Xingwu: "Call your mother over."

The young couple had their sweetness, and the old couple had theirs too!

.

After leaving Qianyuan Hall, the spring sunlight was just right. Qingyang took Zhang Su to the imperial gardens.

The peonies had already wilted, but the herbaceous peonies were in full bloom. Qingyang stepped into a nearby pavilion and sat on the reclining couch on the side best for flower viewing, motioning for Zhang Su to sit beside her. Jie Yu, the eunuch who had been following the two Highnesses at a distance, stopped outside the herbaceous peony garden, allowing the couple to speak freely without worry of being overheard by passing servants.

Qingyang rested her right arm on the back of the reclining couch, propping her chin with her hand as she gazed at the Imperial Son-in-law beside her. "You know, it feels like it’s been a long time since I’ve been this at leisure."

The year before last, she was busy accompanying her father on his southern tour. Last year, she traveled between two places for the northern expedition. Returning to the capital meant being appointed Crown Princess.

Over the past six months, although Zhang Su hadn’t been by the Crown Princess’s side, and they hadn’t had the chance to sit and chat leisurely like this, he could well imagine how much the Crown Princess had on her mind—all matters he couldn’t share the burden of.

Now the disputes over the appointment of the Crown Princess had ended, but there was still some talk among the people questioning the Emperor’s decision to appoint a Crown Princess. The farther from the capital, the deeper these doubts tended to be.

The Crown Princess, just an arm’s length away, seemed relaxed, as if captivated by the blooming herbaceous peonies. But who knew what was on her mind?

Zhang Su moved closer and took the Crown Princess’s left hand, which rested on her lap.

Qingyang’s gaze shifted to him, rather surprised.

Zhang Su asked softly, "Are you nervous?"

Nervous about ruling the world, nervous about the inevitable criticism from the common people.

Qingyang smiled and held his hand tightly in return. "Never."

She was qualified to be Crown Princess, and she had the ability to be a good Crown Princess. With such confidence, why should she be nervous?

.

After spending half an hour relaxing in the imperial gardens, they returned to Jiuhua Palace. Qingyang then had all the palace servants come pay their respects to the Imperial Son-in-law. Aside from a few newcomers transferred after Zhang Su had left the palace, the rest were all as familiar with their Crown Princess’s Imperial Son-in-law as they were with Prince Xian.

It was still early before lunch. Qingyang took Zhang Su on a tour of the two-winged Jiuhua Palace, finally arriving at the western side hall. The western side hall had only three rooms: a central hall, a northern bedroom, and a southern study.

The "dowry" Zhang Su had brought from the Duke of Wei’s residence hadn’t been unpacked yet, so the study looked rather empty. After staying awhile, Qingyang went and sat on the bed in the bedroom. She asked Zhang Su, who had stopped outside the paneled bed, "Do you want to live with me in the main hall, or only go there when needed for attending to me at night, usually staying here by yourself?"

A duty-bound Imperial Son-in-law ought to choose the latter. After a moment of silence, Zhang Su looked directly at the Crown Princess by the bed and said, "Your subject wishes to live with Your Highness, only using the side hall for washing and changing clothes."

Because he wasn’t just an Imperial Son-in-law; he was an Imperial Son-in-law who had longed for the princess for many years.

Qingyang deliberately misinterpreted his meaning. "Do you mean you want to serve every night?"

Zhang Su: "...Your subject wouldn’t dare. Your subject only wishes to stay by Your Highness’s side."

Qingyang smiled, "Alright, you have my permission."

After seeing the west wing, Qingyang instructed Zhang Su to unpack his things first while she went to the main hall.

Qingyang was devoted to state affairs, but she also understood the importance of balancing work and rest, knowing that without good health, all ambitions would be mere illusions. So, on her break, she temporarily set aside her duties at the Secretariat and settled into the daybed in the eastern chamber to read her leisure books.

After lunch, Qingyang intended to take a half-hour nap. When Zhang Su asked if he could leave, she raised an eyebrow: "Do you think I don’t want you to stay, or do you prefer resting alone?"

Upon hearing this, Fu Liu and the three other head maids tactfully slipped out.

Zhang Su, his cheeks slightly flushed, explained: "I wish to join Your Highness for rest, but I fear you might misunderstand my intentions."

Qingyang: "...I won’t misunderstand you, nor do I fear any intentions you might have. Even if you do, it wouldn't matter anyway."

If she didn’t want it, he could forget about it.

Zhang Su: "Yes, as long as Your Highness does not misunderstand me."

After a moment’s thought, Qingyang added: "From now on, in Jiuhua Palace, if I don’t want you around, I will say so clearly. If I haven’t asked you to leave, there’s no need for you to overthink it."

Zhang Su took note.

Having not perspired in the morning, the two brushed their teeth and washed up, changed into their sleepwear, and lay down.

Zhang Su still lay on the outer side, remaining completely still once settled.

Amused, Qingyang turned to her side and asked him: "Aside from serving me at night, don’t you wish for any other intimacy with me?"

She wanted to hold him but didn’t want to always be the one to initiate.

Zhang Su sighed inwardly, then turned over and pulled the Crown Princess—who had no idea how much her words tormented him—into his arms.

At this sudden embrace, Qingyang was taken aback.

Zhang Su held the Crown Princess with one arm, his hand pressing against her back, and whispered into her exposed ear: "I would never force Your Highness, but I cannot control my thoughts of wanting to be with you."

His warm breath against her ear seemed to ignite a fire, and the Crown Princess, who had just told him that such thoughts were futile, found herself swayed by his words.

But then she noticed the afternoon light streaming through the window, illuminating the room brightly.

"Tonight. We'll... tonight."

She aspired to be a wise ruler—how could she engage in such impropriety during the day?