Emperor Yongchang’s lesson to Consort Du was extremely discreet. Even Empress Zhou, who managed the rear palace, could only vaguely sense that Consort Du had committed some error. Yao Huang, living outside the palace, heard no whispers of it at all.
At this time, Yao Huang’s thoughts were entirely focused on the official positions her brothers had just received.
Eldest Cousin Luo Kun would go to the Liangzhou frontier army as Assistant Guard Commander of the fourth rank lower grade. Third Cousin Luo Ze would serve under him as a Hundred-Household Commander of the sixth rank upper grade. With an older, steadier brother looking after the nineteen-year-old cousin, the family felt reassured.
Second Cousin Luo Peng would go to the Datong frontier army in Jinzhou as a Thousand-Household Commander of the fifth rank upper grade. Although not in Li Tingwang’s garrison, they would be quite close and could look out for each other in ordinary times.
Li Tingwang’s feelings for Yao Huang were one matter, but his brotherly bond with Yao Lin and the three Luo brothers was another. The friendship forged at thirteen or fourteen, standing in a row by the river with pants down competing to see who could spray the farthest—after arriving in Datong, whether Li Tingwang faced ostracism or Luo Peng encountered trouble, the other wouldn’t stand idly by. Even Luo Jinhua trusted Li Tingwang in this regard.
Among the four brothers, only Yao Lin remained in the capital, personally selected by Emperor Yongchang for the Imperial Guards.
The Imperial Guards were divided into the East, South, West, North, and Central City Guards, as well as the Palace Guards.
Each of the five City Guards had one garrison of troops, responsible for defending the twelve gates of the capital’s outer city and conducting daily patrols between the outer city and the imperial city—over twenty-five thousand troops in total.
The Palace Guards defended the eight gates of the imperial city and the interior of the imperial city, directly responsible for the safety of the emperor and his consorts and children. If the first rank upper grade Imperial Guard Commander was someone the emperor carefully selected for loyalty, then the second rank upper grade Palace Guard Commander was someone the emperor regarded as a trusted confidant. Though the position wasn’t as high as Imperial Guard Commander, it received more of the emperor’s trust.
Yao Lin was only Prince Hui’s consort’s maternal family brother. Emperor Yongchang had only seen him once at the palace test. Observing that he could fight and was sincere, he found him agreeable. But Emperor Yongchang didn’t immediately place Yao Lin among the Palace Guards. Instead, he had Yao Lin serve as a Hundred-Household Commander of the sixth rank upper grade in the Imperial Guards’ East City Guard. Whether he could advance further would depend on his future performance.
With three maternal cousins all sent outside the capital while only he remained in the capital, Yao Lin felt somewhat uncomfortable and asked his sister, “Did His Majesty give me special consideration because he feared you’d miss me too much?”
Yao Huang replied, “But I’ll miss my cousins too. Why didn’t His Majesty keep them in the capital as well?”
Yao Lin was speechless.
Yao Zhenhu, having consumed over twenty more years of salt than his son, knew that the hundred-household commanders at the Eastern Camp would gather to discuss the martial jinshi appointment matters. He now explained to his son: “The court needs capable and battle-tested great generals. Great generals must possess strategic wisdom, so those ranking higher in the literary and palace tests are sent to the frontier for tempering. You’ve never been as good at studying as them—if you want tempering, you’ll have to wait for opportunities.”
Yao Lin hung his head dejectedly.
Yao Huang encouraged her brother: “His Majesty needs capable great generals, but he also needs elite troops who can guard the capital loyally and devotedly. His Majesty’s arrangement for you to join the Imperial Guards shows he trusts both your martial skills and your loyalty. Isn’t this good? From now on, our cousins will guard the frontiers while you guard the capital. Since the cousins are far away, when you have time, visit their town more often on their behalf. Handle both official and family matters—earn credit twice over.”
Yao Lin’s spirits lifted as he straightened his chest: “Good! I’ll definitely serve well!”
Luo Jinhua advised her son: “You’re both hundred-household commanders, but your position is much more coveted than your father’s. Who knows how many young scions from noble military official families are eyeing it? They couldn’t outperform you in the martial examinations, but they can cause you trouble in other ways. You must stay alert. Just focus on your assigned duties. If anyone asks you to carry out some secret mission, don’t believe them immediately. Check for official documents, seals, or tokens. If something still feels wrong—if it would harm His Majesty or any prince—come home and tell me, and I’ll go find your sister to confirm.”
Yao Lin protested, “Mother, don’t make me sound like a fool. I may not be as clever as you all, but if anyone tries to harm me or trick me into harming others, I won’t fall for it.”
Yao Zhenhu agreed, “Exactly. At most, we father and son don’t know how to flatter and fawn over people. But we’d never be duped into causing trouble for our own family.”
Luo Jinhua smiled at her daughter. In any case, she would keep a close watch on this father and son.
Yao Huang attended the farewell banquet for her three cousins at her maternal grandfather’s home. On the eighteenth day of the fourth month when the three brothers actually departed, Yao Huang didn’t go.
Yao Lin had to see them off. He rode the fine horse his brother-in-law the prince had specially given him to celebrate passing the martial jinshi examination—black-coated with a glossy sheen.
He first came to the Li family home.
Lady Wang accompanied her husband outside to see off their son who was about to travel far. Seeing Yao Lin standing outside the gate leading his fine horse, wanting to laugh carelessly yet reluctant to part with her son, Lady Wang’s feelings were incredibly complicated.
That day when they encountered Yao Huang and Prince Hui on the street, Lady Wang had felt certain Prince Hui must have detected her son’s unusual behavior. She thought that girl Yao Huang, for the sake of her pure reputation, might explain that it had always been her son who actively pursued her. Lady Wang had been anxious and helpless, even preparing herself for the possibility that her son would fail and her husband would lose his thousand-household commander position.
But what happened? Her husband’s position remained secure, and her son achieved third place, directly making her a petty person who had misjudged a gentleman’s heart.
Yao Lin didn’t even look at Lady Wang. After a simple greeting, once Li Tingwang finished saying goodbye to his parents, he and Li Tingwang both mounted their horses. Li Tingwang’s personal attendant followed behind on horseback.
It was still early morning with few people on the roads. Li Tingwang was preoccupied with heavy thoughts, while Yao Lin, weighed down by the sorrow of parting, didn’t know what to say.
After leaving the city, the three continued south. The Luo brothers would be waiting for them fifteen li ahead.
Finally, Li Tingwang looked back at his attendant who had fallen sufficiently far behind, moved closer to Yao Lin, and asked in a low voice about Yao Huang: “This past year, when the Princess Consort met with you, did she ever mention me?”
This was the first time since Yao Huang’s marriage that he had asked Yao Lin about her. Previously, he had to avoid suspicion and feared Yao Lin would scold him for wishful thinking. Now that he was heading far away to Datong, Li Tingwang didn’t want to hold back anymore.
Yao Lin thought for a moment and said, “She never mentioned you once. When the martial test results were posted and I told her you ranked first, she smiled and said you counted as half a brother to her. I could tell she was genuinely happy for you.”
Li Tingwang looked down at the reins in his hands. Only happiness?
Yao Lin sighed: “I didn’t tell you before because I feared it would hurt you, but now I’ll tell you the truth. She truly doesn’t have feelings for you. She married happily and became even happier after marrying His Highness. She praises His Highness to us for being handsome, for treating her with gentle courtesy, for being able to paint and making her look like an immortal in his paintings. Every time she mentions His Highness, it’s as sweet as if she’d eaten honey.”
“Never mind her—even I think His Highness is wonderful. He treats us without any airs… Don’t look at my horse—this has nothing to do with the horse! His Highness is simply good. Think about it—when we were eighteen, we were still hunting birds in the mountains, while His Highness had already achieved military merit in the south. Tell me yourself, in what way can you surpass His Highness?”
Li Tingwang thought: Setting aside family background and wealth, his appearance didn’t match Prince Hui’s. He hadn’t had the chance to achieve the military merit Prince Hui had achieved. His calligraphy, painting, and talent didn’t match Prince Hui’s. His ability to make her happy didn’t match Prince Hui’s. He had even once looked down on Prince Hui, assuming he would suppress him in the martial examination and official appointments.
The only way he could surpass Prince Hui was with his pair of legs that could walk and jump.
But comparing legs with a disabled person—was that admirable?
Li Tingwang looked up and exhaled a long breath. After composing himself, he smiled at Yao Lin: “Don’t worry. I can let go now. From now on, like you, I’ll hope for her and His Highness to have a loving marriage.”
Yao Lin wasn’t quite convinced: “Really? Then you’re willing to marry Miss Cui?”
Li Tingwang retorted, “…A real man establishes his career first, then forms a family. Who’s like you, constantly thinking about taking a wife?”
Yao Lin flew into a rage and swung his fist at him. Li Tingwang dodged to the side, clamped his long legs against the horse’s belly, and galloped away laughing toward the rising sun.
The brilliant evening sun filled the long lane in front of Prince Hui’s residence. When the carriage stopped, Qing Ai and Zhang Yue skillfully helped Prince Hui disembark.
As Qing Ai pushed him toward Ming’an Hall, Zhao Sui tried to imagine the expression of the Princess Consort he was about to see. With three cousins all departing the capital today, the Princess Consort must feel very reluctant to part.
Still some distance from Ming’an Hall, Jinbao suddenly ran out and pounced straight onto his legs, wagging his tail while looking up trying to lick his face, just as he did every time welcoming him home.
Zhao Sui pressed down firmly on Jinbao’s head until Jinbao gave up, his front paws leaving the prince’s legs as he jumped back beside the wheelchair.
While the Princess Consort hadn’t yet appeared, Prince Hui took out the handkerchief from his sleeve and brushed away the few light gray paw prints Jinbao had left on his robe.
The used handkerchief was naturally handed to Fei Quan.
When the wheelchair reached the covered walkway in front of Ming’an Hall’s courtyard, the Princess Consort also came from the rear courtyard, wearing a pomegranate-red high-waisted long dress, so bright and richly beautiful that Prince Hui, accustomed to elegant subdued colors, instinctively lowered his eyelids. He kept them lowered until that dress seemingly woven from pomegranate flowers came before him, until the embroidered shoes beneath the hem—the same-colored satin embroidered with pale pink peach blossoms—lightly circled behind the wheelchair.
Only then did Zhao Sui’s breathing return to ease.
“Should Your Highness change into casual robes first? After changing, let’s stroll through the garden. This past half year Your Highness has been cooped up at the Ministry of Works—you haven’t gotten as much sun as before.”
Zhao Sui nodded.
When changing clothes in the inner chamber, neither the Princess Consort nor Qing Ai were present. Prince Hui pushed his wheelchair before the mirror and examined his reflection for a moment. He didn’t see much change, though compared to the Princess Consort’s rosy complexion with its white-tinged-with-pink glow, his face was indeed rather pale.
At the rear garden, Yao Huang pushed Prince Hui directly to the lakeside where felt cushions had already been laid out.
After Prince Hui settled comfortably facing the evening sun, Yao Huang stretched out luxuriously with her head on his lap, face toward Prince Hui—this way she wouldn’t fear the glare.
Zhao Sui asked, “…Do you regret not going this morning to see off the three cousins?”
The Princess Consort should have gone. He wouldn’t have minded if she saw Li Tingwang while seeing off Second Cousin.
Yao Huang played with the jade pendant at Prince Hui’s waist, glancing at him: “Not at all. Since I married Your Highness, seeing them has been inconvenient anyway. Whether they’re studying at the Military Academy or training at the frontier makes little difference to me. Every one of them is a martial arts practitioner with personal attendants accompanying them on the road. Where’s the need for me to worry and fret?”
She did feel reluctant, but she couldn’t dwell on her cousins all day. Besides, the three were going to take up official posts, not to do hard labor.
Zhao Sui looked at the Princess Consort’s spread skirt hem, her embroidered shoes placed on the grass outside the cushion, revealing a pair of feet in white silk stockings.
A few days ago, the Princess Consort had her monthly courses, so Prince Hui had been abstaining.
The evening sun accumulating on his face built up warmth. Zhao Sui patted the Princess Consort’s shoulder: “Sit up. It’s only early summer—be careful not to catch a chill.”
Yao Huang replied, “I won’t. I just like lying here talking with Your Highness like this.”
Prince Hui had no choice but to brace his arms behind him and look up at the azure sky.
Yao Huang looked at Prince Hui in this position and suddenly felt her face heat up. She sat up, put on her shoes, and crouched by the lakeside to watch the fish.