In front of a screen-like curtain at the center, Empress Zhangsun sat cross-legged on an ornately carved sandalwood bed, reclining against an armrest as she watched a group of boys and girls running and playing on the grassy area by the water.
Two beautiful ladies-in-waiting with high coiffures sat on either side of her, both high-ranking imperial consorts, accompanying the Empress in cheerful conversation with deeply respectful demeanors. Before the three of them lay various refreshments on a table – wine, dairy treats, snacks, writing materials, and fragrant duck – perfectly suited for a spring outing.
When Chai Yingluo was summoned inside the curtained area, she first paid her deepest respects to the Empress, then courteously greeted the two imperial consorts, addressing them as “Lady Wei” and “Lady Yin.” Following behind her, Wei Shubin thus learned that these two beautiful women were Imperial Consort Wei and Imperial Consort Yin of the current imperial court, and she too performed the appropriate courtesies.
“You two little mischief-makers, how did you end up here as well?” the Empress said with a smile to Chai Yingluo. “Since the weather was warm today, I thought to come sit outside and let these children get some sun. I hadn’t planned to make it a formal occasion or disturb anyone. Then these two clever ones, Ah Wei and Ah Yin, somehow heard about it and hurried over to join in. We had just been having some casual conversation when you two happened to arrive.”
“When the phoenix perched on Mount Qi, all birds came to pay their respects,” Chai Yingluo responded with a smile. “Such things are heaven’s will. It speaks to Lady Wei and Lady Yin’s devoted service to the Empress, and to this niece’s filial devotion to her aunt, moving the heavens themselves…”
As aunt and niece conversed, Wei Shubin couldn’t help but look toward the group of children playing by the water. Surrounded by palace maids and attendants, the younger ones were running about riding bamboo horses and playing hide-and-seek, while several older girls around twelve or thirteen sat more demurely on a large cushion, appearing to be engaged in a game of matching grass varieties. Among them was the Seventeenth Princess, Li Yuangui’s full-blooded sister.
The Seventeenth Princess looked up and also saw Chai Yingluo and Wei Shubin. She happily stood up to come over, but after glancing at the Empress and others, her steps faltered. At this point, Chai Yingluo had also turned to see her, but before she could say anything, the Empress smiled and said:
“Go ahead. I know you’re all still worried. Go speak with your Seventeenth Aunt, so she won’t cry every night missing her brother and mother.”
If they were to truthfully tell the Seventeenth Princess about her brother’s current condition, the young lady would probably cry even harder at night… Wei Shubin pushed aside such thoughts for the moment and went with Chai Yingluo to pay their respects and carefully inquire about the little lady’s well-being.
Having endured great hardship, the Seventeenth Princess had grown thinner and darker, though her overall health seemed fine. She was no longer as frightened and withdrawn as during their last meeting, but still spoke little, answering questions with just two words. Most questions directed at her were answered by a middle-aged nursemaid behind her, introduced as Wet Nurse Liu from the Da’an Palace.
The Seventeenth Princess herself only spoke two sentences. The first was to ask Chai Yingluo: “Why hasn’t Brother come to see me all this time?”
Wei Shubin’s heart skipped a beat. She heard Chai Yingluo force a smile and reply: “Fourteenth Uncle is away on official business. I’ll tell him to finish his duties quickly and return to visit you in the palace.” The young lady nodded and then said:
“I’ve dreamed of Mother several times. She said Brother would face great danger and told me to remind him to be careful.”
Her demeanor was far more composed and reserved than her nieces of the same age, and though she appeared thin and childlike, Wei Shubin suspected she understood far more than she revealed. Throughout their interaction, she spoke only to Chai Yingluo, and when looking at Wei Shubin, she merely curved her lips in a shy, friendly smile and reached out to give her a gentle squeeze.
Wei Shubin held the young lady’s delicate hands in both of hers, their grasp conveying mutual understanding. Up close, the Seventeenth Princess’s thin face and bashful expression bore a strong resemblance to her full brother… Wei Shubin’s nose tingled and her eyes grew moist.
Chai Yingluo seemed to notice her expression faltering and, after a few more words, led her back to the Empress’s bed. The conversation naturally shifted from “Seventeenth Aunt” to “Sixth Uncle’s” marriage. Upon hearing that Pei Ji’s children had already arrived in the capital, Empress Zhangsun showed surprise:
“Oh my, I knew nothing about this. Why didn’t they report to the proper authorities earlier? Last year I mentioned that we should arrange marriages for the princes of Da’an Palace, but since the Emperor Emeritus has been unwell, it wasn’t appropriate to bring it up again. Now that the young lady has arrived, why keep waiting? We should choose an auspicious date for the wedding soon.”
Chai Yingluo didn’t mention how the Bureau of State Ceremonial and Ministry of Rites had been negligent and disrespectful, nor how the Yin siblings at Da’an Palace had sought bribes. She merely smiled and replied: “The Pei siblings consider themselves children of a condemned official, so they’re timid and fearful, not daring to act rashly. They’ve been slowly seeking intermediaries to present their petition…”
“Nonsense. Never mind that the Pei family still holds official ranks and honors – even if they were truly convicted criminals when a daughter has already been betrothed and the engagement gifts exchanged, she belongs to her husband’s family and shouldn’t be affected by her natal family’s circumstances…”
As the Empress chatted with her niece, she failed to notice how both Imperial Consorts Wei and Yin quietly lowered their heads. Wei Shubin realized that both consorts had experienced being relegated to servant status as female relatives of condemned officials. However, both Wei and Yin now had sons and daughters by the Emperor and held high positions in the palace. Seeing how attentively they served the Empress, their remaining years should be peaceful and secure.
In front of these women, Empress Zhangsun spoke quite freely. After discussing the Pei family’s history with Chai Yingluo and hearing that the young Miss Pei was of good character and appearance, she immediately ordered a palace official to transmit instructions to the Department of State Affairs to prepare for the wedding, saying “Check if there are any auspicious dates soon – the earlier we can welcome the bride and establish her as consort, the better.” When Chai Yingluo smiled and said “There’s no need to rush so,” the Empress sighed:
“Ying’er, you’re thinking too simply. Your Sixth Uncle is fine either way – he certainly doesn’t lack for attendants in his chambers. But Miss Pei has already completed her mourning period, and she’s not young anymore. You know the Emperor Emeritus’s condition better than I do. If we delay further, that’s another three years, needlessly wasting a young woman’s youth. Her deceased father won’t rest easy in his grave either.”
Chai Yingluo lowered her head in agreement, and Imperial Consort Wei took the opportunity to praise: “The Empress is truly compassionate and benevolent, thinking of everything so thoroughly and considering both propriety and human feelings. Just listening from the side makes us feel warm and comforted…”
“Ah Wei, stop flattering me,” Empress Zhangsun smiled. “This is just us women talking behind closed doors, not worried about causing trouble. By rights, filial piety is paramount – how can we rush to welcome a new bride while an elder is unwell? If what I just said were heard by Miss Wei’s honored father, he’d surely submit another memorial of remonstrance…”
The Empress pointed at Wei Shubin, and all the ladies burst into giggles. Wei Shubin herself could only smile sheepishly and lower her head in silence. Then the Empress said: “I’ve been sitting for half the day and am tired now. Ah Wei, Ah Yin, you take the children back first. I’ll give these two little troublemakers a few more words of advice before returning to Lizheng Hall.”
The two consorts quickly agreed, rose to take their leave, and departed with their children and attendants. The Empress then called Chai and Wei closer to sit beside her, specifically directing Wei Shubin to sit with her legs hanging down on the carved sandalwood bed. Taking her hand, she slowly asked:
“I heard recently that you’ve willingly agreed to be betrothed to General Cheng?”
Wei Shubin’s head buzzed and her cheeks burned as she lowered her head, not knowing how to respond. The Empress gently squeezed her hand and said softly:
“A girl of age should marry, and parental commands cannot be defied. It’s best that you, as a young lady, have come to understand this yourself and can bring joy to your parents with your acceptance. As for General Cheng Yaojin, though he’s somewhat older and fierce in appearance, he may not be a bad match at all. He was a trusted confidant in the Prince of Qin’s household, and I’ve seen him many times at banquets. His first wife, Madam Sun, often comes to chat with me as well. From what I hear, General Cheng is a very straightforward person – at most his temper is quick, and he can be frightening when angered, but he doesn’t take pleasure in cruelty or harshness. When you marry him, being a young wife to an older husband, and considering your father’s position, he will surely cherish and love you dearly. You can set your mind at ease.”