Hu Shanwei, it was her again.
Hu Shanwei had gained imperial recognition for presenting the southern opera “The Lute Song.” The Hongwu Emperor was extremely enthusiastic about “The Lute Song,” ordering the Jiaofang Bureau to compose string music for it, with performers presenting it daily.
The Hongwu Emperor once said: “The Five Classics, Four Books, cloth and grain are common to every household. Gao Ming’s ‘The Lute Song’ is like rare delicacies – wealthy families cannot do without it.”
Hu Shanwei had provided excellent spiritual nourishment, so in the Hongwu Emperor’s mind, she was a female official with keen insight.
After Hu Shanwei was promoted to sixth-rank Director, she frequently entered and left the court to relay messages for Empress Ma, gradually becoming a familiar face before the Emperor. The Hongwu Emperor’s impression of her was quite good – proper appearance, capable at handling affairs, with hints of official authority that could represent imperial dignity.
He never expected she had such an extraordinary background. The Hongwu Emperor summoned Hu Shanwei for an audience.
If it were an ordinary person, the Hongwu Emperor would have waved his hand dismissively – he had at least a hundred ways to make such an obstacle completely disappear.
A eunuch went to the rear palace to summon Hu Shanwei, while Mao Qiang hurriedly ordered his trusted subordinate Ji Gang to bring Earl Yongchun to the Embroidered Uniform Guard duty room.
Wang Ning thought it was about his assignment to guard the northwest frontier and hurried over. Mao Qiang closed the doors and windows, saying: “The Emperor has taken a liking to you and wants you to marry a princess. He also knows about you and Hu Shanwei.”
Like a bolt from the blue, Wang Ning shook his head repeatedly: “No, I refuse to marry a princess. I decided long ago to leave the capital and never marry or have children in this lifetime.”
Mao Qiang said urgently: “Do you know who you’re refusing? Not the princess – the Emperor! If you refuse the Emperor’s proposal, imperial wrath could result in demotion at best, beheading at worst. Hu Shanwei would also be implicated – expelled from the palace and stripped of her official position at best, executed by the Emperor at worst.”
Wang Ning didn’t believe it: “The Emperor is a wise ruler who won’t kill innocents arbitrarily. Besides, I’m of humble birth – why choose me?”
Still too young and naive! Mao Qiang said: “If the Emperor ultimately chose you, he has his reasons. If you question this, you’re second-guessing imperial intentions – grounds for execution. You must not only agree to the Emperor’s proposal but also swear you’ve severed all emotional ties with Hu Shanwei. After all, her father Hu Rong already wrote the marriage annulment document and made it official at the yamen.”
Wang Ning hadn’t expected the problem to be so serious: “If I reluctantly agree to marry the princess, will the Emperor spare Hu Shanwei?”
As the Hongwu Emperor’s confidant who had killed countless people, Mao Qiang was a sharp blade who understood imperial methods and thoughts. But he also appreciated Wang Ning’s talent and couldn’t bear to see him lose his bright future through refusing marriage, causing Da Ming to lose a capable general.
“Yes, you must agree joyfully because this is imperial grace – you must know your place. If the Emperor asks about your view of Hu Shanwei…” Mao Qiang urgently formed his fingers into a blade and slashed the air forcefully, “you must draw clear boundaries. You are you, she is she. She has her aspirations and future, she serves the palace loyally, you serve the court loyally – completely separate. Otherwise—”
Mao Qiang continued: “In the past, Wu Zetian’s beloved daughter Princess Taiping was newly widowed. To consolidate imperial power, Wu Zetian ordered Wu Youji’s wife executed and recruited him as the new prince consort.”
“There was also the Eastern Jin scholar Wang Xianzhi, who lived harmoniously with his wife Xi Daomao, but Princess Xin’an took a fancy to Wang Xianzhi and forced him to divorce Xi Daomao. If Xi Daomao hadn’t come from a distinguished family during the Eastern Jin’s aristocratic politics where noble clans shared power with the imperial house, she would likely have been killed by the royal family. From beginning to end, how innocent were Wu Youji’s wife and Xi Daomao? If you don’t want Hu Shanwei to follow in their footsteps, do as I say!”
As Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Mao Qiang had killed too many people for the Hongwu Emperor – some deserving death, others innocent. Imperial wrath causing rivers of blood was no mere saying!
Imperial Study.
Since Hu Shanwei’s promotion to Director, her words had become fewer and more reserved. As the Empress’s voice, every word she spoke required caution, since others would interpret her words to guess the Empress’s intentions.
Not speaking one extra word, not taking one extra step, restraining herself from easily expressing opinions on matters, forgetting herself to become the Empress’s mouthpiece, giving no one opportunity to interpret her words.
So far, she had done very well.
But why had the Emperor summoned her for an audience?
If it were to relay messages or deliver something to Empress Ma, the Emperor had female officials and eunuchs around him who could access the rear palace – no need to call her over.
Hu Shanwei entered the study with a belly full of questions. After performing the proper bows, the Hongwu Emperor got straight to the point: “Has Director Hu ever been engaged?”
Instantly, Hu Shanwei’s mind raced through several possibilities. The words “ever been” suggested he likely knew about her past.
The Hongwu Emperor was so direct that Hu Shanwei dared not conceal anything: “This minister was engaged at fourteen to a hereditary centurion. My fiancé participated in the court’s second Northern Expedition. After the war, they sent back an urn of ashes and a military tag, making this minister a widow before marriage. Later, my father wrote a marriage annulment document, ending the engagement.”
The Hongwu Emperor asked again: “What happened after that?”
Hu Shanwei’s heart jumped: How much does the Emperor actually know? Why is he inexplicably asking about my private affairs?
That day at the viewing stand, Hu Shanwei had only seen the “ding” character boat capsize with all ten people falling into water, Mao Qiang leading Embroidered Uniform Guards jumping into the river, ultimately carrying Princess Huaiqing wrapped in a flying fish robe to shore and directly placing her in a carriage to return to the palace. She didn’t know what happened in Qinhuai River after the racing capsizing incident.
The Emperor wouldn’t ask these questions without reason. With Mao Qiang around, what secrets could she hide from the Hongwu Emperor?
After careful consideration, Hu Shanwei could only speak truthfully: “Later my family pressured me to marry. This minister didn’t want to wed, and happened to see Your Majesty’s imperial proclamation recruiting female officials, so… so I stole the household registration document from home to take the examination and was selected to serve in the palace. This year’s fourth Northern Expedition achieved great victory, and only then did I learn my former fiancé hadn’t died – he had faked death for the Northern Expedition cause, lurking in Northern Yuan as a spy, achieving great merit and returning triumphantly, enfeoffed as Earl Yongchun.”
The Hongwu Emperor said: “You were loyal and righteous, maintaining chastity for Earl Yongchun and hiding in the palace to resist marriage. Earl Yongchun sacrificed family for righteousness, abandoning home to save the country. I cannot wrong such a brave warrior and virtuous woman. Though your engagement was broken, I can arrange your remarriage.”
Hu Shanwei immediately knelt: “Your Majesty, this minister indeed entered the palace to resist marriage for self-protection, but now I am like Palace Director Cao and Palace Director Fan and other female officials – I have no interest in marriage and only wish to serve the palace for life.”
The Hongwu Emperor’s eyes flashed coldly: “Are you harboring resentment because Earl Yongchun disregarded your engagement and faked death?”
An invisible pressure bore down. Hu Shanwei said without hesitation: “If this minister hadn’t entered the palace and become a female official but remained an ordinary commoner woman, learning of this matter I would certainly resent Earl Yongchun for abandoning wife and family. Three years of resisting marriage, this minister was mocked by society and relations with my father gradually cooled.”
“Three years, over eleven hundred days, each day facing wind blades and frost swords pressing harshly. Among the people, a woman whose household registration is attached to her family cannot independently make a living outside. In heavy snow, this minister washed clothes at the well, washing until my chilblains cracked and bled. At that time, this minister fantasized countless times, praying for miracles to appear, that he could return to marry me. I placed all hopes on love, hoping love could save me from suffering. But it didn’t happen. What ultimately gave me a way out was Your Majesty’s edict recruiting female officials. Your Majesty saved this minister.”
After hearing this, the Hongwu Emperor remained expressionless, but his gaze noticeably warmed.
Hu Shanwei knew she was on the right track – everyone loves flattery, and skillfully delivered praise earns superiors’ favor. She continued:
“This minister received Your Majesty’s grace and entered the palace as a female official, starting from managing archives, to assisting Palace Director Fan with book compilation, printing, and distribution, traveling to Xi’an to investigate Director Liu and her group’s disappearance, and so forth. Handling these tasks one by one, I learned how difficult being an official is – receiving the sovereign’s salary means loyal service. Gradually understanding the relative importance of national righteousness versus personal feelings, when I learned of Earl Yongchun’s return, my heart was like still water, without resentment or regret. As fellow Da Ming officials receiving court salaries, this minister can understand Earl Yongchun’s decision then. If it were me facing choices between loyalty and filial piety, loyalty and love, I would make the same choice as Earl Yongchun.”
Hu Shanwei’s words were deeply sincere, especially the parts about loyal service and imperial grace – each sentence struck the heart of a ruler. The Hongwu Emperor listened and nodded inwardly. For a woman to have such awareness was truly rare – she was talented.
But the Hongwu Emperor wouldn’t let Hu Shanwei off so easily, asking again: “Since you harbor no resentment, Earl Yongchun’s return should lead to reconciliation. Why do you still refuse my arranged marriage? Earl Yongchun’s wife would be a first-rank noble lady.”
Hu Shanwei said: “As a wife, everything should prioritize the husband. As a subject, the sovereign comes first. This minister has already decided to dedicate my life to repaying Your Majesty’s grace. As a noble lady, no matter how high the rank, one can only manage the inner chambers, raising husband and children. As a female official, even an eighth-rank female clerk doing inconspicuous clerical work still serves the palace and Da Ming.”
Hu Shanwei prostrated herself: “This minister doesn’t wish to become Earl Yongchun’s wife, but to become a subject useful to Da Ming and Your Majesty like Earl Yongchun. Please grant this request!”
After a long pause, the Hongwu Emperor said: “Summon Earl Yongchun.”
When Wang Ning arrived, the Hongwu Emperor also got straight to the point: “I hear from Mao Qiang that Director Hu in the rear palace was once your fiancée?”
Wang Ning said: “Yes, this minister faked death to lurk in Northern Yuan. Director Hu decided to remain a widow at home. Her father Hu Rong, wanting Director Hu to remarry, wrote a marriage annulment document demanding my deceased mother’s signature and seal, making it official at the yamen to dissolve the engagement.”
The Hongwu Emperor asked again: “Do you resent Hu Rong?”
Wang Ning said: “As a father unwilling to let his daughter remain a widow, dissolving the engagement – this minister has no complaints. Moreover, I broke faith first and wronged Director Hu.”
The Hongwu Emperor asked further: “Now that you’ve returned, are you willing to reconcile with Director Hu and renew your former relationship?”
Wang Ning remembered Mao Qiang’s instructions: How innocent were Wu Youji’s wife and Xi Daomao? If you don’t want Hu Shanwei to follow in their footsteps, do as I say!
Wang Ning said: “When this minister decided to fake death, I already severed emotional ties, loyal only to the country. Now having completed my deceased mother’s funeral arrangements, I await orders at home to rush to the frontier to guard the borders.”
The Hongwu Emperor showed appreciation: “Your single-minded devotion to country cost you your family. If the country failed your loyal heart by letting such a faithful subject remain lonely and childless for life, who would be willing to sacrifice everything for the country in future? I recruit you as prince consort to defend the capital. Are you willing?”
Wang Ning appeared flattered and surprised: “This… Your Majesty, this minister’s humble birth makes me unworthy of a princess.”
The Hongwu Emperor said: “A dignified second-class earl, both loyal and brave – how are you unworthy of my daughter? Moreover, the princess is sovereign, you are subject. When great country and small family unite, you need have no more concerns. Protecting the country means protecting the princess. I have chosen you – are you willing?”
Agreeing meant that in future when he and Princess Huaiqing appeared together in and out of the palace, it would undoubtedly plant a thorn in Hu Shanwei’s eyes, stabbing her heart each time they met.
Refusing meant Hu Shanwei would innocently sacrifice her future, even her life.
Wang Ning prostrated himself: “Your subject accepts the imperial command.”
“Very good.” The Hongwu Emperor raised his hand: “Earl Yongchun, please rise.”
Wang Ning stood up.
The Hongwu Emperor clapped his hands: “Director Hu, come out.”
Hu Shanwei emerged from behind the screen. Yes, from beginning to end, she had heard everything clearly.
She had stood behind the screen, quietly waiting as her premonitions gradually became reality. The Emperor couldn’t have asked about her marriage affairs without reason. Wang Ning was too outstanding – he might become Da Ming’s first commoner-born prince consort.
When that moment finally arrived, she didn’t feel the anticipated pain. Instead, she felt relief – now, finally, complete severance.
Her love with Wang Ning was like a grand feast with sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, and salty flavors – memorable and endless. But no banquet lasts forever.
Not all love leads to growing old together; not all lovers become married couples. But being an official was different – effort brought rewards.
As the junior official, Hu Shanwei bowed first: “Congratulations, Earl Yongchun.”
Wang Ning returned the bow: “Thank you, Director Hu.”
“Since you both have let go, this matter is settled.” The Hongwu Emperor asked Hu Shanwei: “Are you willing to escort Princess Huaiqing to the Princess Manor for her wedding?”
Imperial thoughts are deep as the ocean – was this genuine trust or a test? Hu Shanwei forced herself to smile: “This minister is deeply honored.”
Wang Ning also pondered the Hongwu Emperor’s meaning and bowed to Hu Shanwei: “Then I trouble Director Hu.”
In the fourteenth year of Hongwu, sixth month, Princess Huaiqing married.
All princesses married through Donghua Gate. As ceremonial official, Hu Shanwei guided the princess from Yikun Palace, boarding the sedan to Donghua Gate.
Outside Donghua Gate, the princess’s procession was ready. Thirty-six female musicians from the Jiaofang Bureau played throughout the journey. The Hongwu Emperor personally escorted the bridal sedan to Donghua Gate, still reluctant to part, and exceptionally ordered Crown Prince Zhu Biao to accompany Huaiqing to the newly built Princess Manor.
Hu Shanwei had people set up an altar on the Princess Manor’s moon terrace, with female musicians playing there.
Wang Ning entered the central hall through the left door. Hu Shanwei supported Princess Huaiqing, dressed in full princess regalia, as she came out.
Hu Shanwei stood beside them intoning the ceremony: “Princess and Prince Consort bow to heaven and earth – first bow, second bow…”
Eight bows total, ceremony complete.
Hu Shanwei intoned again: “Princess, please be seated.”
Princess Huaiqing sat in the eastern position. Hu Shanwei said: “Prince Consort, please bow four times to the Princess.”
The princess was sovereign, the prince consort was subject. Even as husband and wife, they must observe sovereign-subject protocol.
Wang Ning performed four bows. By protocol, the princess sat receiving two bows, then stood receiving two bows.
Hu Shanwei said: “Princess, please return two bows.”
Next came the couple’s wedding cup ceremony, drinking wine together, no different from common folk customs.
Ceremony complete, Hu Shanwei’s task was finished. Princess Huaiqing generously rewarded her with gold, silver, cloth and silk.
Hu Shanwei bowed in thanks, speaking auspicious words: “Wishing Princess and Prince Consort a harmonious century together and early birth of noble children.”
Author’s note: The second shoe has finally dropped – crying for Shanwei. Still better to focus on career advancement – the mortal world isn’t worth it~