If it was before entering the household, then Mother’s matter could be investigated from this angle.
In the Hall of Supreme Harmony, an imperial figure in bright yellow sat on the high throne, while civil and military officials stood with bowed heads, with no urgent matters to report. Emperor Xian Zong was in good spirits today, perhaps due to news of a great victory at the northwestern border, his face bearing traces of a smile.
“We are pleased to hear of the border victory and plan to hold a night banquet in the palace soon. What do you all think?”
Below, everyone voiced their agreement. The emperor hadn’t been this happy in a long time. The northwestern conflict had been a constant worry since the previous emperor’s time, and this heavy blow to the foreign Tartars was certainly worth celebrating.
“Yun Xi.” The emperor looked at one of the men below. “General Cheng was trained by your hand—when discussing merit and rewards, you deserve first honors!”
Standing to the right of the Grand Chancellor was a young man in a deep red official robe embroidered with white pythons, his glazed official boots trimmed with dark gold patterns, a white jade at his waist, with no other ornamentation. His handsome face showed no expression, his pitch-black eyes calm as water yet carrying a hint of sharpness. Standing in the center of the great hall, he naturally exuded an air of noble majesty tinged with killing intent.
The man bowed his head: “This humble servant doesn’t dare accept.”
His tone showed no trace of trepidation, yet the emperor didn’t anger at such arrogance: “Don’t decline. We plan to reward you generously. Seeing you still unmarried at your age, perhaps We should grant you some beauties. What do you think?”
The young man merely cupped his hands and said coolly: “This subject has no intention of marriage.”
The emperor laughed heartily, seemingly enjoying seeing him at a loss. The other officials in the Hall of Supreme Harmony showed varying expressions.
Prince Wei frowned, turning to meet Zhuang Shi Yang’s displeased gaze. The two exchanged looks before discreetly lowering their heads.
Prince Xuan Qing Fu Yun Xi was the emperor’s brother by the same mother, and the two had an extremely close relationship. Though they say royal families are most heartless, this saying couldn’t apply to these brothers.
Fu Yun Xi was twenty-one this year, accomplished at a young age. When the Tartars invaded the Central Plains, the fourteen-year-old Prince Xuan Qing volunteered, disregarding the emperor’s opposition and making a military pledge before all officials. He confronted the enemy on the battlefield and achieved instant fame.
The Tartars retreated to the northwest, suffering near-total defeat. General Cheng was from a military family and held the position of vice general at the time. It was then that the two formed a life-and-death friendship.
However, Fu Yun Xi’s status as a sought-after figure wasn’t merely due to power or military achievements. As the object of admiration for young ladies in the capital, Fu Yun Xi was an extremely handsome man. Such a talented young man, both literary and martial, naturally attracted many admirers. Unfortunately, he was indifferent to romance, cold in personality, and had no women by his side even at the age of twenty—leading to rumors of his preference for men circulating in the streets.
Prince Wei and Prince Xuan Qing became rivals, firstly due to their delicate positions, and secondly because of General Cheng. General Cheng’s aunt had married Prince Wei but died in childbirth shortly after. Afterward, the two families became enemies. The affairs of great households in the capital were full of twists and turns. Though the exact reason wasn’t known, when in-laws became enemies after that woman’s death, those with sense knew there must be many complications.
General Cheng and Fu Yun Xi’s relationship was both master and friend, so he naturally stood on General Cheng’s side, thus essentially confirming his opposition to Prince Wei. Now with the emperor praising General Cheng and elevating Fu Yun Xi, Prince Wei was naturally displeased. And since Zhuang Shi Yang had always sided with Prince Wei’s faction, he shared the resentment.
The emperor on high smiled, quietly taking in everyone’s expressions before speaking a few more words and raising his hand. A eunuch at his side bowed and announced: “Court is dismissed.”
“Congratulations, Your Highness,” Zhuang Shi Yang said as he passed by Fu Yun Xi.
Fu Yun Xi glanced at him and said coolly: “It’s the Dynasty’s blessing, congratulations to us all,” before turning and leaving.
Having met with such rejection, Zhuang Shi Yang felt both angry and embarrassed. He glared hatefully at the retreating figure, muttering: “A mere boy who hasn’t even grown his whiskers dares to be so arrogant! Does he think he’s heaven itself!”
Prince Wei came over and patted Zhuang Shi Yang’s shoulder, smiling: “The Prince has achieved great merit, the emperor’s generous reward is appropriate.”
Zhuang Shi Yang quickly turned, flattering: “Speaking of great merit, who could compare to Your Excellency? An elder statesman of two reigns, even Prince Xuan Qing must show you respect. These rewards must seem trivial to Your Excellency.”
Prince Wei merely chuckled, saying nothing but watching Fu Yun Xi’s retreating figure with a dark expression.
In Gong Tong Garden’s inner chamber, a young woman sat on a couch. She wore a thin water-green chest wrap and jacket over a silver-based dress scattered with emerald butterflies. Her black hair was styled in a flowing cloud bun, with a thousand-layered golden peony hairpin inserted at an angle. Her lotus-jade face was carefully made up, making her even more stunningly beautiful.
Zhuang Yu Shan threw herself into Zhou Shi’s embrace, saying bitterly: “Mother, that cheap woman keeps bullying us, humiliating me in various ways today. I’m worth less than even a concubine’s unfavored daughter in the Zhuang family. Should we just swallow this insult?”
Zhou Shi looked at her daughter’s beautiful face showing grievance, her eyes flashing with pain as she stroked her head, saying deeply: “Mother was wrong. I thought Zhuang Han Yan would be useless like Wang Shi, but didn’t expect her to be clever.” She laughed coldly, her finely drawn willow eyebrows showing sharp intent: “Don’t fear, Yu’er. If I could handle Wang Shi, why fear a little cheap girl? She’s only twelve—no matter how clever, how far can she go?”
Lady Li spoke up: “Madam and Young Miss shouldn’t worry. That Fourth Young Miss isn’t favored, the Master doesn’t like her, so she has little status in the household. Unlike our Young Miss, whom Master cherishes dearly.”
Zhou Shi nodded, then tapped Zhuang Yu Shan’s forehead: “Be well-behaved before Master, don’t be as impatient as today. How have I taught you? Only with Master’s favor can we mother and daughter live well here.” She paused, then continued: “I see that Zhuang Han Yan is unfavored, and those two in Furong Garden—one has no son, the other’s daughter is dull—aren’t worth fearing.”
Lady Li looked at her young miss and hesitated: “What about Young Master? He is still the Zhuang family’s son in exile…” Before she could finish, Zhou Shi’s cold laugh interrupted: “Son in exile? Master doesn’t treat him as one. Don’t worry about this—he carries less weight than that seductress in Furong Garden. But since we’ve entered the household, let’s go see that Young Master. Cai Ming, bring out the gift for Young Master.”
Zhuang Yu Shan was startled, asking: “Mother, that gift is valuable—just giving it to him like this?”
Zhou Shi glared at her daughter: “You foolish girl, when will you learn to be clever? I prepared that gift carefully—what does its value matter? That Young Master will surely like it.”
Zhuang Yu Shan wanted to say more but, seeing Zhou Shi’s expression, fell silent.