Chapter 62: Cousin
Several days later, the Zhang Clan of Bohai siblings arrived in the Capital City.
Prince Zhangwu personally welcomed them outside the Palace Gate, observing all proper etiquette.
Cousin Brother Zhang Yun from the maternal family was nineteen years old this year, with an upright posture and handsome features. Cousin Jingwan from the maternal family had a graceful figure, beautiful looks, soft eyes and brows, and not a trace of arrogance.
Zhang Yun entered the Palace every year to present gifts and was somewhat familiar with Prince Zhangwu. Jingwan was leaving home for a long journey for the first time. Seeing the noble and refined Prince Zhangwu, her cheeks warmed slightly, and she hurriedly curtsied in salute: “Jingwan pays respects to His Highness the Prince.”
“Cousin need not stand on ceremony; please rise quickly.” Prince Zhangwu’s voice was gentle and clear: “Mother Consort has often mentioned Cousin these days. Cousin, come with me to the Eastern Palace to see Mother Consort.”
Jingwan softly acknowledged. She slightly lowered her head, took light steps like lotus blooms, her skirt hem swaying gently.
The Crown Princess was very joyful upon seeing her maternal clan’s nephew and niece, holding Jingwan’s hand and praising her: “Brother often mentions you in his letters. Seeing you today, you truly are exceptionally beautiful, chaste, and gentle.”
Jingwan pursed her lips in a light smile: “From a young age, I have taken Aunt as my example. Father and Mother often say that if I can learn even one-third of Aunt’s demeanor, it would be enough.”
The Crown Princess’s brows and eyes relaxed as she smiled: “Stay in the Eastern Palace for a year or two, accompanying Aunt every day. Not to mention one-third; you could easily learn eight or nine parts.”
Aunt and niece were consanguineous blood relatives. This was the Crown Princess’s first time meeting her direct niece, and she liked her from the bottom of her heart. They talked for a long time, and she bestowed generous meeting gifts.
Jingwan’s anxious heart was soothed, and the corner of her eye quietly drifted toward Prince Zhangwu.
Prince Zhangwu was chatting idly with Zhang Yun, his handsome face smiling, warm and refined like jade. Whether out of propriety or simply unaware of Cousin’s gaze, in any case, Prince Zhangwu kept his eyes straight ahead, the picture of a modest gentleman.
After lunch, Jingwan and her brother went to settle in.
The Crown Princess was in a great mood and smilingly asked Prince Zhangwu: “A Li, what do you think of Jingwan?”
Prince Zhangwu thought for a moment: “Cousin is a young lady carefully raised by the Zhang Clan, gentle and well-mannered.” Just like a flower in a greenhouse, beautiful and vibrant.
For a first meeting, this evaluation was already a good start.
The Crown Princess smiled in satisfaction: “In the future, while Jingwan is staying briefly in the Palace, when you have free time, talk more with her. Don’t let consanguineous cousin siblings grow distant.”
Prince Zhangwu nodded in agreement.
Getting along with Cousin Jingwan was, of course, not difficult at all. A beautiful and gentle girl cautiously drawing near you, gazing at you with affection, listening intently to your voice—which youth could refuse such admiration?
After more than a month together, the pair of young man and woman grew increasingly close.
The Crown Princess saw it all in her eyes and was secretly pleased. Privately, she smiled to the Crown Prince: “A Li and Jingwan have compatible temperaments and get along quite harmoniously.”
The Crown Prince glanced at the Crown Princess, noncommittal: “A Li is still young; we can talk about marriage in a couple of years.”
The Zhang Clan of Bohai was indeed excellent. However, they were already both maternal clan and Yue Family; marrying into the Zhang Clan would only benefit them. It brought no real advantage to the Eastern Palace. The Crown Prince hoped his eldest son would marry into a powerful minister’s family in the court, to co-opt more support for the Eastern Palace.
In this world, where is there true love unto death? More often, it is weighing pros and cons, making choices.
The Crown Princess detected the faint dissatisfaction in the Crown Prince’s tone and felt somewhat guilty. Bringing her maternal clan’s niece to the Capital City had indeed been her idea.
For her, naturally, she hoped to continue marrying into her maternal clan. Having a direct niece as daughter-in-law would make mother- and daughter-in-law of one mind.
“Your Highness is right; A Li will only be fifteen after the new year, and his temperament is not yet settled. No need to rush into betrothal.” The Crown Princess said softly: “A Li is the eldest son of the Eastern Palace; his marriage must be chosen with utmost caution.”
“It is late; this concubine will serve Your Highness in changing clothes.”
“I still have memorials to review; you rest first, no need to wait.”
Major state affairs were decided by Emperor Xiaowen. Routine administrative matters had fallen to the Crown Prince starting two years ago. The Crown Prince did not find it burdensome; staying up late to review memorials was commonplace.
Tonight, he reviewed memorials until the third watch.
Grand Tutor Pang and the other subordinate officials were all in the Study Room, ready for the Crown Prince to consult or deliberate at any time. Prince Zhangwu attended at the side, grinding ink and brush, silently listening and learning how to handle affairs of state.
Commander He, who had been out on an errand for over a month, suddenly appeared.
The Crown Prince calmly instructed everyone to withdraw.
Prince Zhangwu could not help but look up, but Father Prince had no intention of letting him stay to listen. He had no choice but to withdraw from the Study Room along with Grand Tutor Pang.
The heavy door closed tightly, blocking all eavesdropping.
Prince Zhangwu could not help but whisper: “Commander He was out of the Palace for over a month; I wonder what important errand he was on.”
Grand Tutor Pang, that old fox, clearly guessed something but kept his words watertight: “This official is not clear either. Your Highness the Prince can ask the Crown Prince privately.”
He did not have the nerve for that.
Prince Zhangwu shut his mouth.
Grand Tutor Pang glanced at Prince Zhangwu and suddenly chuckled softly: “Congratulations in advance to Your Highness the Prince on the good news; this official offers felicitations first.”
The Crown Princess receiving her niece to stay briefly in the Palace was no secret. Grand Tutor Pang worked in the Eastern Palace and had seen the Zhang Clan woman accompanying Prince Zhangwu at his side.
Prince Zhangwu’s expression was indifferent, very similar to the Crown Prince’s inscrutable demeanor: “Grand Tutor Pang jests. What good news does this Prince have?”
He was still a bit green trying to emulate the Crown Prince’s bearing and poise.
Grand Tutor Pang chuckled inwardly and casually said: “The Crown Prince instructed this official today to write a letter to Youzhou.”
At the mention of Youzhou, the composed Prince Zhangwu abruptly turned his head, urgency in his voice: “A letter to the Pei Clan?”
“A letter to General Meng of the Beiping Army.” Grand Tutor Pang said meaningfully: “General Meng exterminated a band of bandits two months ago. With the Beiping Army there, the bandits cannot run rampant or harm the Pei Clan. Your Highness can rest assured.”
Prince Zhangwu nodded slightly, his thoughts drifting unsettled.
Commander He came out: “His Highness requests Grand Tutor Pang enter the Study Room for deliberation.”
Grand Tutor Pang accepted the order and entered the Study Room; the door closed again.
Prince Zhangwu gazed at the door with a sigh, feeling quite depressed inside. He was already fourteen; when would Father Prince truly regard him and let him participate in the Eastern Palace’s strategies?
……
Several days later, at the grand court assembly held every half month, Censor Cao submitted a memorial requesting that adult princes be sent to their fiefs.
Emperor Xiaowen had five sons in total. Excluding the Crown Prince, the Second Prince and Third Prince had already gone to their fiefs, the Fourth Prince had died young. The only adult prince not yet at his fief was His Highness Prince Wei.
His Highness Prince Wei glared hostilely at Censor Cao.
Emperor Xiaowen was irascible and unpredictable, glowering darkly at Censor Cao: “My family affairs are not for a mere censor to comment on. Come, throw Censor Cao out of the Golden Palace.”
The unlucky Censor Cao was ejected, and soon after, demoted and reassigned out of the Capital City. Not many days after leaving the Capital City, Censor Cao was assassinated.
The assassin killed Censor Cao but failed to escape. After capture and severe torture, he confessed that the mastermind behind it was His Highness Prince Wei.
Once the matter spread, the entire court was in uproar. Memorials impeaching Prince Wei for his tyrannical cruelty and bloodlust flew to Emperor Xiaowen’s imperial desk like snowflakes.
