She made no argument, speaking one way while thinking another: “Big Brother can rest assured. I know our ancestral rules – Murong princesses do not marry into the Yuwen clan. Though the Yuwen clan often intermarries with the imperial family, only two of their women have ever entered the palace as consorts.”

Because the number was truly so small, speaking of it carried a sense of lonely desolation, as if accepting two consorts was already a tremendous favor.

The emperor still seemed uneasy, standing up and pacing in the warm chamber with hands clasped behind his back. Sandalwood burned in the bronze pixiu incense burner, light smoke floating and swirling with the hem of his robe. While fingering his prayer beads, he spoke earnestly: “Jiangnan is a land of fish and rice. Initially granting the Yuwen clan fiefdom there was to demonstrate the founding emperor’s benevolence. Since Daye unified the realm, it’s been over two hundred fifty years. However long the Murong clan has sat on the imperial throne, the Yuwen clan has been building strength in Jiangnan for just as long. Actually, I’ve always wanted to revoke their fiefdom, but lacked opportunity. If I can’t find a way to smoothly abolish their principality, I’m ten thousand times unwilling to strengthen them further. You are my only sister – you should be of one heart with me. Remember what you promised Big Brother today. The Yuwen clan is ultimately a threat close to our hearts. If you married out to them, they’d have wings like a tiger, and Big Brother would lose an arm. Remember this well.”

Wanwan was stunned by his words, taking a long time to nod dumbly: “I remember. With so many civil and military officials at court, how could I possibly fancy monsters? Big Brother needn’t worry – Wanwan knows what’s important.”

Coming out of Qianqing Palace, she was still puzzled: “What Yuwen clan? If His Majesty is so wary of them, just find some pretext to strip them of office.”

Wuqi bowed and said: “It’s not that easy. Grandfather has his difficulties. Not to mention others – even toppling a somewhat wealthy local gentry is extremely difficult, much less enfeoffed princes. They don’t just have money but power too. Princely lords command troops. When rules weren’t properly established at the beginning, over time it became nurturing tigers as a threat.”

Wanwan glanced at Wuqi: “You’re a eunuch – how do you know so much?”

Wuqi made a sound: “Master, though this servant was castrated, my brain is still a man’s brain. Just as girls naturally love flowers and powder, this servant became sworn brothers with someone in the Embroidered Uniform Guard. I enjoy studying weapons and such, and occasionally can learn about outside political situations.”

Wanwan didn’t pursue further. The current Daye was very peaceful. That Prince of Nanyuan, aside from being wealthy, had caused no trouble in over two hundred years and was reportedly the most quiet among all princes. But if he could draw the court’s attention, he must have something exceptional.

“Have you seen the Prince of Nanyuan?”

Wuqi shook his head: “How old am I? When the Prince of Nanyuan last came to the capital to pay tribute, this servant hadn’t even entered the palace yet!”

Speaking, they entered Yude Palace. Nanny helped remove her bracelets, and she turned to ask: “Why doesn’t the palace intermarry with the Yuwen clan? Do you know the reason?”

Wuqi shook his head: “I only know that during Emperor Qinzong’s reign, there was the last Yuwen Noble Consort. After the Noble Consort died, Emperor Qinzong immediately decreed that Yuwen men could not marry princesses and Yuwen women could not enter the palace. I don’t know why.”

Wanwan’s wet nurse, Nanny Jiang, brought hot towels to wipe her face, saying while wiping: “Ancient history – why ask about such things? Since previous emperors forbade the marriage connection, they had their reasons. Just obey.”

Wanwan observed her in the mirror: “Nanny is a palace veteran and surely knows the reason.” Curious people seeking answers would try every means, so she shook Nanny’s arm coquettishly: “Nanny, tell me in detail what exactly went wrong between Noble Consort Yuwen and Emperor Qinzong to make him issue such a decree.”

Nanny Jiang was completely helpless, crying out: “Shake my old bones any more and they’ll fall apart! What could go wrong? Probably they didn’t suit each other’s temperament, so no more palace entries were allowed. The Yuwen clan are Qi people. Qi people look different from Central Plains people, and being raised in the south, their natures don’t harmonize either.”

But since Noble Consort Yuwen died of illness with no record of punishment or banishment to the cold palace, there must have been problems in their relationship.

“Perhaps Lady Yuwen died of melancholy from homesickness, and Emperor Qinzong, unable to bear other clan daughters following his beloved consort’s path, specially granted this mercy.” She sat before the mirror, undoing her hair herself, pulling out a golden cicada paulownia leaf hairpin to fiddle with repeatedly. The high palace walls couldn’t confine her imagination. She felt every piece of history had hidden depths – perhaps people today misunderstood, and the truth was more sympathetic than it appeared.

Nanny Jiang didn’t argue with her, turning with a smile: “Who knows? There were probably inside stories. It’s been decades, and Noble Consort Yuwen left no children. The person is dead, and her natal family is beyond reach – who cares about such things now?”

Wanwan sighed: “Being a girl is like this – once you leave home, whether you live or die, no one cares. That’s why I don’t want to marry. In the palace, I at least have a place. If I enter someone else’s household and they give me cold looks or don’t feed me, I’d be too embarrassed to complain – I’d surely have no way to live.”

Everyone laughed at her words. She was still young now, not having met someone she fancied, so she talked about not wanting to leave the palace. When she found a good prince consort in future, she probably wouldn’t want to wait even a moment longer.

Wanwan was a simple, pure person who didn’t know how to hide her thoughts – whatever she worried about in her heart, she spoke aloud. The matter the emperor mentioned with her, if not life-threatening, she didn’t take to heart, continuing her days of spring flowers and autumn moons told gracefully. When free, she studied incense burning with her servants, saying purple wisteria wasn’t fragrant when first lit – other fragrances must be added. Even the most common pine wood, when blended, would be especially beautiful. So she secretly went to Cining Palace garden to find pine trees, using a small cosmetic knife to pry bark. When the blade slipped and cut her hand, the second batch of incense in the boshan burner carried a bloody scent. She named this incense “Wild Goose Blood.”

Why wild goose blood instead of phoenix blood? Because a princess’s phoenix was a half-hearted phoenix – once leaving the Forbidden City, she was nothing.

In the blink of an eye, May approached. The eve of Dragon Boat Festival marked a seasonal transition. The palace prepared for summer. The Wardrobe Bureau sent newly made robes and summer jewelry, saying the Empress Dowager ordered many additions since the Grand Princess was growing – in just half a year, her skirts hung at her calves. Coincidentally, excellent tailors from outside were hired this year. Tired of palace styles, they tried fashionable new designs. As for jewelry, red gold was worn in winter and jade in summer, with insect and grass hairpins and step-shakers carved as pavilions and towers, plus earrings.

Wanwan went to Cining Palace to express gratitude. Noble Consort Shao happened to be there too. Seeing her, a thin smile appeared at the corners of her lips, probably still displeased about the previous matter.

Wanwan ignored her, curtsying to offer blessings to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager asked if she liked those things. She sweetly replied: “As long as Mother thinks they’re good, Wanwan likes them all. In a couple days it’s Dragon Boat Festival. My palace servants are making red bean rice dumplings – I’ll present some for Mother to taste.”

The Empress Dowager nodded: “Your two nannies are from the south. Jiangsu and Zhejiang rice dumplings are skillfully made – mine here are far inferior. The emperor has stomach problems but loves glutinous rice foods. Eating too much causes acid reflux – give him just two to taste.”

Wanwan agreed. Noble Consort Shao timely interjected: “Listeners deserve a share too – don’t forget my Chengqian Palace. I won’t eat Your Highness’s for nothing – I have return gifts.”

Though Wanwan disliked their open and covert struggles and especially hated being dragged into their competitions, social smoothness was necessary. She smiled: “Naturally. Just some rice dumplings – they’re worth nothing. I dare not accept Noble Consort’s return gifts.”

Noble Consort Shao sighed emotionally: “Your Highness grows more understanding and likeable as you mature. Look how tall you’ve grown – clearly becoming a young lady. I heard the emperor specially permitted Your Highness to attend the Dragon Boat Festival monarch-minister banquet. He probably intends for Your Highness to choose a consort? In my opinion, the outer regions are too distant. If you truly left the capital, returning once would be difficult. The Empress Dowager has only Your Highness as a daughter – if you married far away, how could she see you? I don’t know what His Majesty thinks. Even I would be reluctant, yet he doesn’t take it to heart at all.”

The Empress Dowager had just washed her hands and was putting on pearl nail guards. Suddenly hearing Noble Consort Shao’s words, she sharply drew in cold air. Removing the nail guard to look, a full inch-long fingernail had broken completely at the root. Her expression immediately darkened. She flung the nail guard into the box, where the openwork chased flowers struck the silver scissors head-on with a muffled sound.

Wanwan stood up in alarm. Noble Consort Shao was also somewhat frightened. The two stood aside, exchanging glances, their hearts pounding incessantly.

The Empress Dowager’s face was dark as water: “Marry to the outer regions? A perfectly good princess – what reason to leave the capital? Though not my birth daughter, I’ve watched her grow up from childhood. Sending her so far away in one go – wouldn’t that make me fail the late emperor?”

Noble Consort Shao also regretted her earlier words, stammering: “These are all my speculations, not reliable. Empress Dowager, please don’t anger yourself.”

Wanwan smiled awkwardly: “Mother, this daughter is still young – speaking of this is premature. His Majesty dotes on me and just wants me to see the world – no other meaning.”

The Empress Dowager sighed: “Earlier your father brought you to banquet with ministers when you were only four or five. Being a child was forgivable then. Now that you’re grown, showing yourself publicly isn’t proper. The emperor means well and probably has that intention, but his consideration is incomplete and inappropriate.” She turned to instruct her attendants: “Inform the emperor – say these are my exact words – the Grand Princess will not attend the banquet. If there are good candidates, I’ll naturally watch for her. Tell the emperor not to worry about that.”

Wanwan was somewhat disappointed. If the Empress Dowager took charge of her marriage, who knew which family she’d be assigned to? Actually, the emperor truly meant well – it was just Noble Consort Shao’s big mouth that ruined her good fortune.

After returning, she sulked, sitting by the window in anger. Missing the chance to enjoy the festivities was secondary, and not being able to choose her own consort wasn’t most important either. The pity was missing the opportunity to see that Prince of Nanyuan. A Qi person with red eyebrows and green eyes would probably look like those in picture albums – wrapped in fox fur, wearing a great bronze gong on his chest, opening his mouth to reveal four rows of teeth… Not being able to see such a creature in person was truly regrettable.

But Xiao You thought her troubles weren’t troubles at all: “If they won’t let you go, we can think of other ways. Just to see what the Prince of Nanyuan looks like – that’s not difficult! Have Wuqi first find out which gate the princes enter through – either Donghua Gate or Xihua Gate. We can’t maneuver freely in the inner palace courts, so we’ll go there. This servant will dress you in a gauze cap and sunflower robe. If you walk with your head lowered a bit, who would know you’re the Grand Princess? Everyone would take you for a eunuch.”