MYUFPC CHAPTER 7
Since the passing of Empress Yuan, the position of Empress had remained vacant for many years. Now, with the six palaces without a mistress, most of the major affairs of the harem were managed jointly by Zhuang Fei of Chengqian Palace and Jing Fei of Changle Palace.
Jing Fei was one of the earliest women to accompany Emperor Zhang He and had always been held in high regard by him. Moreover, Jing Fei had always maintained a harmonious relationship with Empress Yuan. Therefore, when the Empress passed away, Emperor Zhang He entrusted the Empress's only legitimate son, Zhao Youze, to Jing Fei for raising.
Zhao Youze was the only full brother of Jiashan, even though he was born blind. Jiashan sat in Changle Palace, picking up a piece of Fu Ling cake from the table to eat.
"In this entire palace, only the cakes made Niangniang's palace, are the best," Jiashan said with a smile as she wiped the crumbs from her mouth with a handkerchief. "No wonder Father likes niangniang so much."
Jing Fei, who was over thirty, did not come from a particularly noble family. When Emperor Zhang He was not yet Crown Prince, Jing Fei was merely a concubine in the prince's residence. It was due to her gentle and kind nature, and having been by the emperor's side for so long, that she was eventually bestowed the title of Fei.
Unlike the domineering and aggressive Zhuang Fei, Jing Fei's gentle and composed demeanor made her more amiable, earning her good relations within the palace.
Hearing Jiashan's bold teasing, Jing Fei merely displayed a kind smile and glanced at Jiashan, "You mischievous girl, teasing me now."
Jiashan smiled slightly, her lips curving up, "Niangniang treats Fourth Brother as your own; I only dare to make such jokes with you."
At the mention of "Fourth Brother," Jing Fei's gaze softened involuntarily.
"Yuan Kang is a good child," Jing Fei said softly, taking a sip of hot tea. Her words seemed to carry the lingering warmth of the tea, "A few days ago, he was still talking about you to me."
Jiashan also smiled.
Since her mother passed away, the person she was closest to in the world, besides her father, was her brother. Yuan Kang was Zhao Youze's childhood name. Being the Empress's first legitimate son, he naturally deserved the character "Yuan," while "Kang" was likely the late Empress's hope for his life.
Sadly, this hope was never realized.
In her previous life, Zhao Youze was forced to commit suicide in Shoukang Palace by Zhuang Fei, who had become the Empress Dowager by then. By the time Jiashan arrived, she didn't even get to see her younger brother one last time.
Thinking of this, Jiashan's pupils turned blood-red , making her look particularly striking.
She lowered her head, using the action of picking up a snack to cover the fleeting hatred on her face. Jiashan asked, "What has Yuan Kang been saying about me to Niangniang?"
"You are siblings," Jing Fei laughed, "What bad things could he possibly say about you in front of me?"
As soon as she finished speaking, a figure carefully ran in from the palace threshold. He was slender, with a palace maid supporting him cautiously.
His face was fair and delicate, still childlike, yet his features were extraordinarily beautiful and clean. His nose was high and well-defined, and his lips always carried a gentle smile.
The only pity was that his eyes, resembling Jiashan's by about sixty percent, were void of light, leaving only round, dark pupils.
"Your Highness, walk slower," the palace maid supporting him said, bowing to Jiashan and Jing Fei with a smile, "Upon hearing that the Eldest Princess had arrived, His Highness ran over in such a hurry that I could barely keep up."
Seeing her younger brother, who hadn't even reached her shoulder, Jiashan was suddenly reminded of the last time she saw him when he was already a grown man, towering over her by more than half a head.
How wonderful it was to be able to see Father and Fourth Brother again.
Zhao Youze turned and called out, "Sister."
Though he couldn't see, he accurately identified Jiashan's location. Before she could even speak, Zhao Youze walked towards her position.
"Yesterday, I made a bet with Jing Fei that my sister would come to see me today, and she didn't believe me," Zhao Youze said with a warm smile, turning his head accurately towards Jing Fei. "Niangniang, was I right?"
"Yes," Jing Fei laughed, "Siblings have a special bond, and Yuan Kang is clever. You guessed correctly."
Zhao Youze smiled shyly.
Jiashan stood up, walked over, and gently patted Zhao Youze's head. His hair was fine and soft, feeling slightly cool to the touch.
Jiashan then placed one hand on his shoulder and carefully took his hand with the other, "It seems like Yuan Kang has grown taller. In a few years, our Yuan Kang will be a tall and strong man."
Although they were siblings, Jiashan rarely showed such affection, causing Zhao Youze's ears to turn slightly red. He whispered, "Niangniang said that I should be growing at eleven years old."
"But..." Zhao Youze reached out a hand and touched up until he felt Jiashan's face. Only then did he smile, "Sister is still taller than me. When I grow taller than both Sister and Jing Fei, I can protect you."
His voice carried a hint of lingering childishness, which made Jiashan's heart ache.
She remembered the previous life when Zhuang Fei used Zhao Youze's desire to protect them as an excuse to force him into suicide.
Zhao Youze had sacrificed himself to protect them.
Jiashan's gaze flickered as she lowered her head, gently pinching Zhao Youze's chubby cheek. She smiled and said, "Sister brought gifts for you and Qinghe. Let Su Yu take you to choose. Help Qinghe pick a few things she likes too, okay?"
Princess Qinghe was Consort Jing's only daughter, a year younger than Zhao Youze. Zhao Youze nodded, and Su Yu immediately led him out.
Only when Zhao Youze's figure completely disappeared from her sight did Jiashan's expression turn serious. She spoke softly, "Dancui, take the others and leave. I have something to discuss with niangniang alone."
Dancui acknowledged, and the palace servants in Changle Palace glanced at Jing Fei. Seeing her nod, they filed out one by one.
Noticing Jiashan's serious demeanor, Jing Fei couldn't help but ask, "What's the matter?"
Jiashan took a few slow steps and sat beside Jing Fei, saying, "Niangniang is not an outsider, so I will speak frankly to you."
Jing Fei looked at her solemnly.
Jiashan's eyes gleamed with determination, yet her face remained calm as she spoke clearly, "A few days ago, my maternal uncle's family sent a letter. They mentioned a physician named Kong from Jiangnan who specializes in treating eye diseases."
Jing Fei's expression froze momentarily. She silently picked up her tea cup and took a sip of fragrant tea.
"You know, my brother's eye condition is congenital. The palace physicians have been helpless all these years. Not to mention him, even I have stopped hoping for a cure," Jiashan said thoughtfully, lowering her head slightly. "But the Pei family insists this time. Given Yuan Kang's lifelong welfare, we cannot afford to miss this opportunity."
Jing Fei looked at her discreetly. "What are you suggesting?"
Jiashan's gaze remained fixed on Jing Fei as she softly said, "There are many people and much gossip in the palace, making it easy for rumors to arise. I was thinking, if I can take Yuan Kang to stay at Changchun Temple for a while?"
"Next month marks the ninth anniversary of my mother's passing," Jiashan said, sitting upright, with a mix of sadness and sighs. "Father has always held niangniang in high regard. I hope you can help me persuade him."
Jing Fei listened quietly until Jiashan finished. She then slowly placed the tea cup back on the table. "If this matter is true," Jing Fei said softly, "I will naturally do my utmost."
Jiashan felt a surge of warmth, finally feeling a weight lifted off her chest. She breathed a long sigh of relief.
Jing Fei had no sons, only a daughter named Qinghe. Even if she were to bear a prince in the future, Zhao Youze, being the legitimate son, and Zhao Youcheng, being the eldest, would always come first.
Her children would never surpass these two.
When Zhao Youze was two years old, he was brought to Jing Fei to be raised. It is said that the bond formed through upbringing is stronger than the bond of birth. If Zhao Youze's eyes could be cured, Jing Fei's status would naturally rise with her son's success. Helping Jiashan was tantamount to helping herself.
That night, Emperor Zhang He happened to stay in Changle Palace. Jing Fei took the opportunity to gently broach the subject with him.
"Next month is the Empress's death anniversary. The Eldest Princess mentioned today that she wants to take Yuan Kang to stay at Changchun Temple for a month to accumulate blessings for the Empress."
Emperor Zhang He was leaning against Consort Jing's lap, enjoying her gentle massage. Hearing this, he slightly opened his eyes and frowned, "Why didn't she tell me herself?"
Jing Fei smiled and lowered her voice, "Jiashan is not yet married. How could she feel comfortable asking Your Majesty for such a request?"
"You know she is not yet married," Emperor Zhang He snorted at the thought of Jiashan's marriage. "An unmarried princess staying in a temple? What will people think of her when she returns?"
Jing Fei sighed softly, "I said the same to the princess. But in the end, I couldn't help but pity her filial piety."
"Jiashan did not say it directly, but..." Jing Fei hesitated for a moment, applying a bit more pressure to her massage while her voice remained gentle, "I could tell that the princess might also want to take this opportunity to take the Fourth Prince out for a while."
"They were separated at a young age, and the Fourth Prince cannot see," Jing Fei's fingers felt warm, and she whispered, "Once the princess is married and the Fourth Prince leaves the palace to establish his own residence, it will be almost impossible for them to live together again."
Jing Fei's voice was soft and low.
By now, the night had deepened, with only a single candle flickering quietly.
Emperor Zhang He's eyes were half-open, his lips pursed. The imperial majesty he exuded during the day seemed to gradually fade away. His breathing was steady, making him appear like an ordinary man, a father with children.
Emperor Zhang He looked serene as he turned his head and slowly said, "Very well, let her go."
"I will order Zhan Yanqing to accompany them to Changchun Temple," Emperor Zhang He added, "With the Jinwu Guards by their side, I will be at ease."
Having received the emperor's approval, Jing Fei simply and quietly said, "Yes."
A few days later, news spread that Emperor Zhang He had agreed to Jiashan and Zhao Youze going to Changchun Temple to pray for Empress Yuan.
As Zheng Mama packed Jiashan's luggage, she sighed, "Your Highness has never left the palace before. Why did you suddenly make such a request to His Majesty?"
"I can't let go of my mother, nor can I let go of Yuan Kang," Jiashan said plainly.
Seeing Zheng Mama pack several large bundles of items for her, Jiashan stopped her with a laugh, saying, "I'm only going to stay for a month. Once my mother's death anniversary passes, I'll be back. It's not like I'm getting married; there's no need for so many clothes and accessories."
Zheng Mama, still worried, said, "Princess has never endured hardships..."
"The temple values simplicity," Jiashan interrupted softly, "Leave out the extra gold hairpins and jewelry. We don't want to disturb the masters' peace."
Reluctantly, Zheng Mama nodded.
Taking advantage of the absence of others, Jiashan quietly gripped Zheng Mama's hand. "While I'm away from the palace, I rely on you to manage Fengyang Pavilion."
"Especially Han Zhu," Jiashan added softly.
Recalling that the princess had mentioned Han Zhu might have connections to Chengqian Palace, Zheng Mama's eyes darkened, and she firmly nodded to Jiashan.
Seven days later, Zhan Yanqing led a small group of Jinwu Guards to escort Jiashan and Zhao Youze to Changchun Temple. The temple, located on Wuhua Mountain at the edge of the capital, was a tranquil place.
The temple's head was not an outsider but Emperor Zhang He's half-sister, Princess Ruyang.
Princess Ruyang's husband was the eldest son of Yongding Marquis, Fu Yi. Unfortunately, Fu Yi died young in battle, and the Yongding Marquis family fell into decline due to a subsequent scandal.
Princess Ruyang refused to remarry and instead became a nun at Changchun Temple, dedicating her life to praying for Fu Yi.
Emperor Zhang He had six sisters, and since Princess Ruyang and the emperor were not from the same mother, Jiashan had not seen her often. However, Princess Ruyang was still her aunt. Hearing that Jiashan was bringing Zhao Youze, Princess Ruyang prepared two courtyards for them and personally greeted them at the temple gate.
Jiashan stepped down from the carriage and quickly bowed. "Yuan Kang and I have come abruptly. I fear we are disturbing your peace, Aunt."
Princess Ruyang, the same age as Jing Fei, was dressed simply, truly appearing like someone detached from worldly concerns. She smiled gently and said, "Nonsense. Changchun Temple has never been so lively. Besides, I was very close to your mother. Your filial piety makes me happy."
Jiashan smiled softly.
Several female attendants led Jiashan and Zhao Youze to their respective courtyards. They arrived just past noon, and soon after, someone came to invite Jiashan to lunch with Princess Ruyang.
As soon as Dancui and the others finished unpacking, Jiashan said, "I'll be right there."
Princess Ruyang's courtyard was as clean and elegant as she was.
In the southern corner, a sweet-scented osmanthus tree and a plum tree were planted. Behind the house, there was a lush bamboo grove. This season, the plum tree only had a few buds, but the osmanthus flowers were blooming in layers, filling the air with their fragrance.
Jiashan smiled as she took a deep breath and said, "Aunt, you have such refined tastes."
As she slowly entered the room, she noticed that Princess Ruyang had invited someone else.
The man stood with his back to the light. His tall figure, deep eyes, black hair, and fair complexion made him look like a graceful and noble figure.
Jiashan's smile faded. She stood still, watching for a moment before speaking in clear voice, "What a coincidence, It turns out that Zhan Daren is also here."
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Fei- Consort, one of the four consort.
Niangniang- "Your Majesty" or "Your Imperial Highness, niangniang is a respectful title used to address an empress or a high-ranking concubine.
Daren- Lord, Commander-in-chief, Chief.
Mama- Middle aged women who served the noble ladies, consort, concubine or empress.