Chapter 152

Chapter 152

With the wedding leave concluded, Princess Qingyang resumed her duties at the Central Secretariat. Zhang Su, meanwhile, was transferred to the Imperial Guard Command, taking up the post of Left Guard Captain, a third-rank position, second only to the two chief commanders.

The Imperial Guard, responsible for defending the imperial city, numbered only three thousand. The Left and Right Guard Captains oversaw the day and night shifts respectively. In contrast, any commander of the Four Capital Garrisons commanded over five thousand troops. Thus, Zhang Su now commanded fewer soldiers. However, every officer within the Imperial Guard Command was a trusted confidant of the emperor. Should war break out, the likelihood of the emperor appointing an Imperial Guard officer as a commanding general was significantly higher.

Zhang Su was unconcerned by his change in position; serving anywhere was an act of loyalty to the sovereign and devotion to the country. Yet, the opening and closing of the imperial city gates adhered to strict schedules. As the Crown Princess's consort, remaining stationed at the garrisons outside the city would mean his early departures and late returns would often conflict with the gate timings. Therefore, a transfer to the Imperial Guard Command was more fitting.

Fan Zhong enthusiastically welcomed Zhang Su.

Though this rough-hewn man and Zhang Su, who hailed from a scholarly military family, rarely socialized or found common ground in conversation, Fan Zhong harbored no resentment towards the Zhang Jie family, unlike Deng Chong and his son, who were jealous of their good looks and education. On the contrary, Fan Zhong greatly admired the three Zhang brothers, wishing his own son could glean some wisdom from the Zhang household.

Moreover, Fan Zhong had a personal motive.

He was also a founding meritorious official, but compared to the renowned generals and frontier commanders who were already over or approaching sixty, Fan Zhong was only forty-three this year, with much potential still ahead. The emperor had trusted him to lead the Imperial Guard Command for nearly twenty years, and Fan Zhong was profoundly grateful, diligently fulfilling his role. Yet, Fan Zhong coveted the continuous military achievements of the frontier generals; he, too, yearned to earn more battle honors while still young!

As long as the emperor reigned, Fan Zhong would not actively seek a frontier posting. He would rather personally guard Emperor Xingwu for the rest of his life, even if it meant no further military accolades. But one could not only see the present. As the emperor aged, Fan Zhong was already considering candidates for the next Imperial Guard Commander for the Crown Princess. Of course, whom the Crown Princess trusted was her prerogative, and his recommendation might not hold sway. However, if the Crown Princess chose someone he could not trust, Fan Zhong would be restless even if granted a frontier assignment.

Ministers privately speculated that his eldest son, Huai Zhong, might succeed him, but Fan Zhong dared not entertain such a fantasy. His son's loyalty was unquestionable, but these official positions were not hereditary like noble titles. What virtue or ability did the Fan family possess to warrant such a privilege?

Zhang Su was an excellent choice: skilled in both civil and military arts, and sufficiently loyal to the Crown Princess. Once the Crown Princess ascended the throne, Fan Zhong could confidently request a frontier assignment.

Thus, Fan Zhong regarded Zhang Su with even more affection than his own son, personally instructing him on how to excel as his... Left Guard Captain.

Emperor Xingwu typically resided in Qianyuan Palace, rarely venturing elsewhere except for strolls in the imperial garden. Yet, he was aware of every move made by his court officials, let alone those within the Imperial Guard Command, right under his nose.

A few days later, after discussing a political matter with his daughter, Emperor Xingwu casually brought up Fan Zhong's intentions, chuckling, "Though he has never mentioned it to me, I know he has long desired a frontier posting. Look, he's already grooming Zhang Su. Lin'er, would you dare to appoint Fan Zhong as a frontier general?"

Qingyang replied, "I would dare, but he certainly won't get the chance. I wouldn't overlook capable generals in their prime to appoint a seventy- or eighty-year-old general."

Emperor Xingwu: "..."

Fan Zhong was only forty-three; it would be another thirty or forty years before he reached seventy or eighty. His daughter's words implied that her father could live another three or four decades, and Fan Zhong would remain Imperial Guard Commander for just as long.

Emperor Xingwu was once again amused by his daughter's words. He laughed as he recalled how he used to joke about his own lifespan, each time bringing his daughter to tears. Now that she had grown up, she no longer cried, but instead forcefully decreed that her father would live for several more decades.

After a hearty laugh, Emperor Xingwu picked up his teacup, his shoulders still shaking as he drank.

Just then, he heard his daughter say, "Even if Fan Zhong grows old, I will not appoint Zhang Su as Imperial Guard Commander. There are more suitable candidates."

Emperor Xingwu looked at the tea in his cup, smiled, and said indifferently, "Lin'er, appoint whomever you prefer. Your father trusts your judgment."

After "teasing" Fan Zhong, Qingyang took her leave.

Emperor Xingwu watched his daughter depart. Once her footsteps faded, he leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and hummed a tune.

.

On the morning of May 17th, after more than a day of overcast skies, the capital was suddenly hit by a torrential downpour. By dusk, the rain had lessened but continued to drizzle.

Princess Qingyang specifically arranged for two palace attendants to escort Yan Xizheng and Dai Lun out of the palace, each holding an umbrella and supporting the elderly ministers to prevent them from slipping on the wet ground.

The two chancellors thanked the Crown Princess, then, each accompanied by a palace attendant, walked out side-by-side.

Just then, Jie Yu arrived with an umbrella to shield the Crown Princess from the rain.

Officials wore thin-soled black cloth boots in summer, as did Qingyang when on duty. It had rained all day, and the palace's stone steps were covered in a shallow layer of water. Though not deep, before Qingyang and her attendant had taken more than a few steps from the Central Secretariat, the tips of their boots were thoroughly soaked.

Jie Yu noticed the wet marks on the Crown Princess's boots and recalled the year the young princess first entered court at fifteen.

Once, during another heavy rain, he had secretly carried a pair of wooden clogs for the young princess. After they were far enough from the Ministry of Personnel to avoid other officials, he took them out and offered them to her, thinking that even if her feet got wet, it would be more comfortable than having them soaked in damp shoes. However, the young princess declined, likely wanting to share hardships with her officials.

The Crown Princess on duty did not require pampering, so Jie Yu no longer took such liberties.

Still, in such heavy rain, hadn't the Imperial Son-in-law considered coming to the Central Secretariat to pick up the Crown Princess?

Never mind—it was better if he didn't come. The Crown Princess would not be pleased, for what minister needed family members waiting outside the office in the rain?

Uncomfortable in wet shoes, Qingyang walked faster than usual. Her mind was occupied with matters of state, and she did not dwell on Jie Yu's convoluted thoughts.

It wasn't until she passed through a palace gate leading to the Eastern Palace that she turned and saw Zhang Su standing under the palace wall, holding a blue silk umbrella.

In that instant, Qingyang forgot all about state affairs, and Zhang Su saw the Crown Princess's bright eyes and upturned lips.

He stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said, "I have come to escort Your Highness back to the palace."

Qingyang naturally stepped under his umbrella, and Jie Yu tactfully kept his distance.

The umbrella was only so wide. To prevent Zhang Su's other side from getting wet, Qingyang took his arm after joining him. Noticing that Zhang Su's boots were also completely soaked, she asked, "Did you come as soon as your duty ended?"

Officials ended their duties at the same time, but today, Qingyang had been delayed for about half an hour.

Zhang Su nodded in acknowledgment.

Qingyang squeezed his arm. "Next time, just go back directly. There's no need to wait for me and have your feet soaked for so long."

Zhang Su asked, "Shall I carry Your Highness back to the palace?"

Qingyang deliberately stepped in a puddle. "They're already wet. Carrying me won't make my feet any more comfortable."

Zhang Su took out a cloth the size of two handkerchiefs and a pair of white silk socks from his robe. "I will help Your Highness dry them first."

Qingyang: "..."

Jiuhua Palace was not far away, and Qingyang did not inconvenience either of them further. She was no longer a three- or four-year-old princess who needed such meticulous care.

But she cherished Zhang Su's thoughtfulness.

Upon returning to Jiuhua Palace, hot water had already been prepared in the western side chamber of the main hall, allowing the Crown Princess to bathe directly.

Zhang Su escorted the Crown Princess to the main hall's entrance with his umbrella and prepared to take his leave, as he also needed to clean up in the western side chamber.

However, Qingyang continued to hold his arm. After Fuliu took Zhang Su's umbrella, Qingyang calmly dismissed her four chief palace maids.

After all, things like drying off and washing hair were trivialities—Zhang Su could attend to her very, very well.

.

With the end of the rain, the capital abruptly welcomed the intense heat of the year.

By the end of May, Emperor Xingwu once again relocated with a group of officials to the Western Garden to escape the heat. Among the familiar faces in the retinue, only Princess Yongkang was missing, as she had not yet completed her year of confinement. In truth, it had already been over half a year, and Emperor Xingwu's anger toward his eldest daughter had long since dissipated. He had even privately praised her when he noticed that she showed no jealousy or resentment toward her younger sister's appointment as Crown Princess. However, praise was one thing, punishment another—the two matters should not be conflated.

After resting for two days, Emperor Xingwu summoned a group of elderly ministers and announced his intention to climb Feiying Peak the next morning, asking who among them still had the energy to join him for some physical activity.

He had to ask—several of them were in their sixties. Those who felt their health allowed could accompany him, but for those like Xie Xunwen, who needed a cane or became breathless after a few steps, Emperor Xingwu could not force them to climb a mountain.

These senior officials knew that Emperor Xingwu genuinely cared for their well-being and was not coercing them under the guise of a request. Yan Xizheng was the first to decline with a wry smile. Nine years earlier, he had climbed Feiying Peak only through pure determination, but this year, even determination would not suffice.

Dai Lun, Nie Ao, and Xie Xunwen all expressed their inability to participate.

Emperor Xingwu did not mock them. Instead, he sighed and said, "I just wanted to see the view from the top again. Perhaps I, too, will only make it halfway."

If he couldn't climb it this year, it would only become harder and harder in the future.

Prince Yong's eyes reddened as he deliberately joked, "Forget just one Flying Eagle Peak—if I provoke Eldest Brother enough, he'd chase me around every mountain in the Western Park."

Emperor Xingwu let out a hearty laugh, Yang Zhimin couldn't hold back a snort, and even Lü Zan chuckled, though his eyes grew slightly moist.

After confirming arrangements with his senior ministers, Emperor Xingwu selected four of his children, two imperial sons-in-law, and a group of scions of noble families to accompany him.

Once everything was settled, he mentioned his plan to climb the mountain to Consort Li as he was getting ready for bed.

Consort Li's drowsiness vanished instantly as she threw her arms around the elderly emperor beside her. "You haven't climbed Flying Eagle Peak in years. There's nothing up there but trees—nothing worth seeing. Wouldn't it be nicer to spend some time boating on the lake with me?"

Emperor Xingwu patted her shoulder and muttered, "I spend most of my time sitting in the palace. The more I sit, the more out of shape I get. I need to move around more."

Knowing she couldn't dissuade him, Consort Li repeatedly urged him to take it slow on the mountain and not charge upward recklessly as he did in his youth.

Emperor Xingwu reassured her, "Don't worry, Lin'er is coming with me. She's even stricter than you are."

Still uneasy, Consort Li leaned fully against him.

Emperor Xingwu gazed at her still-beautiful face and her dark, silky hair, sighing regretfully, "If only I were a dozen years younger."

In his prime, when he was in his forties, Consort Li had feared him and avoided him over imagined harem conflicts. It was only in his older years, when she likely no longer saw him as a threat, that she dared to cling to him so openly.

"If you had treated me like this over a decade ago, I would've woken up laughing in my sleep."

Consort Li remained silent, her head bowed, as tears streamed down one after another, dampening a patch of Emperor Xingwu's robes over his chest.