Chapter 219: King of Fenye
In the Hall of Cultivating Wisdom, the Emperor was playing chess with Tutor Zhuge.
Tea smoke curled upwards, and the game had only progressed halfway.
“Your Majesty has been frowning lately; is there something troubling you?” Tutor Zhuge slowly placed a piece on the chessboard, surprisingly outside the halfway point of the game.
The Emperor then placed a piece and said, “As Tutor said, I am indeed worried about one matter and seek your guidance.”
“The Imperial Court is relatively peaceful now; Your Majesty is worried about matters outside the court, aren’t you?” Tutor Zhuge placed another piece opposite his previous move.
“Tutor is a divine being; your guess is not wrong.” The Emperor sighed, “King of Fenye and Princess Duanmin will return to the Capital City soon. Fenye was originally a vassal state, and since the reign of the Late Emperor, it has paid tribute and submitted to our dynasty.
However, after the Bingzi Incident, tribute ceased. In recent years, Fenye has grown stronger. If there is any discord during this visit, I fear it will leave future troubles.”
“Your Majesty’s worries are indeed understandable. That Fenye was originally a branch of Wusun. A hundred years ago, when Wusun migrated north, this branch remained. When the Central Plains were strong, it was at peace; when the Central Plains were weak, it waged war. This cycle of war and peace has lasted for a hundred years.
The current Fenye is ambiguously involved with the Baiqiang tribes in the Southwest, and Northern Wusun is restless, likely in secret communication with them. Your Majesty’s concern is that a minor ailment at the elbow could become a major threat to the heart.”
“Tutor’s words hit the nail on the head; I need not say more.” The Emperor nodded repeatedly, Tutor Zhuge understood the current situation at a glance.
“I surmise that this visit by the King of Fenye, though ostensibly for an audience, will also involve reconnaissance and harbor disloyal intentions.” Tutor Zhuge stroked his long beard, “We must not let him gain any advantage.”
“Precisely, which is why I implore Tutor to remain. With you here, we can ensure safety.” The Emperor earnestly invited him.
The Tutor smiled slightly, “Since I’ve arrived at a convenient time, this old man need not refuse. However, there are many capable individuals in the court, so I doubt my assistance will be needed. Being a spectator might be quite amusing.”
At this moment, Gong Changan was in Madam Wen’s room. Someone from the Imperial Wardrobe Department had come to take his measurements for clothing, on the Empress’s orders.
The Empress was very fond of Gong Changan and had ordered that no one in the Palace should neglect him.
The ones who came to take measurements today were Aunt Cui and two Palace Maids. After carefully measuring, they recorded the dimensions on paper.
Afterward, Aunt Cui asked the two Palace Maids to leave first, while she stayed behind to thank Madam Wen.
“A few days ago, Madam spoke on our behalf to the Empress, which saved us from punishment. We should have thanked you earlier, but we kept delaying, and it’s only today.” Aunt Cui said with a smile.
“Aunt is too kind. Setting aside other matters, I would have helped out of respect for the Grand Princess.
I heard from Bingwen that you came a few times when I was out, and we missed each other. Moreover, Aunt, you are busy every day, and yet you still came here, which makes me feel quite bad.” Madam Wen said while pouring tea for Aunt Cui.
“No wonder the Empress values you; everyone in the Palace speaks highly of you. Madam truly has room for everyone.” Aunt Cui said, “Speaking of which, we’ve been quite busy lately. Princess Duanmin has been married off for six or seven years, and this is her first time returning to the Capital City, so there’s much to prepare! The items our Imperial Wardrobe Department alone needs to prepare are countless.”
“Yes, I’ve also heard people discussing these past few days that the King of Fenye and Princess Duanmin are returning to the Capital City. The Princess is the Late Emperor’s only daughter, so she should be received with great ceremony.” Madam Wen echoed Aunt Cui’s words.
“Yes, yes, I truly never expected to see the Princess again in my lifetime.” Aunt Cui couldn’t help but sigh, “She is truly the gentlest Master I have ever met.”
“The Princess, for the sake of righteousness and a political marriage, is a hero of our Great Zhou.” Madam Wen also said, “She must miss the Capital City greatly while she was outside the Great Wall.”
“Wild horses yearn for the north wind, and migrating birds nest on southern branches; how could she not miss her homeland? However…” Aunt Cui couldn’t help but sigh, but then she stopped herself and stood up, smiling, “Look at me, I’m truly becoming muddled with age. There’s still a large pile of things waiting for me over there.”
Madam Wen saw that she was about to leave and said, “I wouldn’t dare keep Aunt any longer, knowing you are a busy person. However, if you have free time, please come over for a visit. I truly enjoy talking with you.”
“Oh, yes, I would also like to spend time with you. We who are in the Palace have no children and cannot see our parents or siblings. In the Palace, it is truly rare to find someone you can talk to.”
Madam Wen saw Aunt Cui out. Shortly after, someone from the Empress’s side came to call her: “Madam Wen, the Empress wishes to see you.”
Madam Wen quickly followed the Palace Maid to the Empress’s Palace.
The Empress was sitting with Princess Consort Zhao and Princess Consort Chu, drinking tea and chatting.
Madam Wen stepped forward and paid her respects in order. The Empress said, “I wanted to tell you that Princess Duanmin will be returning to the Capital City in a few days. She has been married off for so many years, and this is her first return, so we must host her grandly. Aside from the ceremonial matters, I was thinking we should prepare some novel, unique, and useful items for her.”
“Does Your Ladyship mean for this servant to make something for the Princess?” Madam Wen quickly asked.
“It’s nothing more than those rouge and powder items. The areas outside the Great Wall are not like the Capital City. Although people are sent to deliver them annually, they are ultimately limited.” The Empress said, “As for the Princess’s preferences, there are elders in this Palace who previously served her. I will have them speak with you later.”
Madam Wen received the Empress’s decree. After a day, no one came to find her, so she asked Yu Lu, “Steward Yu, I have only been in the Palace for a short time. Her Ladyship has ordered me to make something for the Princess and said to find those who previously served the Princess to tell me about it. Where should I look for them?”
“Why didn’t Zhou Fu find anyone?” Yu Lu was surprised to hear this and immediately summoned his Disciple, Zhou Fu.
Zhou Fu quickly explained, “Master, I did go. Originally, many people who served the Princess remained, but over the years, some have left the Palace, and some have died of illness. Now, there is one who served her closely, but unfortunately, she is ill and cannot get up for the time being. We also fear she might pass on her illness to others, so…”
“This is unfortunate, but it won’t do!” Yu Lu said, “Madam Wen needs time to make things. See if there is anyone else? Even if they only have a general idea, it would be good. Ultimately, as long as there are no mistakes in the end.”
“I can think of one person. She is currently in Yun Pin Palace. I will go find her now,” Zhou Fu said.
“Eunuch Zhou, I’ll go with you!” Madam Wen said, “So you don’t have to run around as much.”
She followed Zhou Fu to the outside of Yun Pin Palace. Zhou Fu stopped a Little Eunuch and said, “Go and call Chunmei for me. Tell her I need to see her. These days, she is solely responsible for assisting Madam Wen, so other matters can wait.”
Zhou Fu was a managing Eunuch in the Empress’s Palace, so the Little Eunuch naturally respected and feared him. He quickly agreed and ran off to fetch Chunmei.
