MYUFPC CHAPTER 24
Reward you with a Good Marriage
That afternoon, Han Zhu's blood thoroughly stained the floor of Chengqian Palace red. At the entrance of Chengqian Palace, there were six hundred and sixteen porcelain tiles, and each tile seemed to be splashed with crimson bloodstains.
When the guards were executing her, no one tried to cover Han Zhu's mouth, and her screams echoed from the entrance to every corner of Chengqian Palace.
At first, Zhuang Fei sent someone to check, and upon learning that Han Zhu was being dragged out to be beaten to death, Zhuang Fei was furious but dared not speak out. She smashed several porcelain vases before finally suppressing her anger.
Zhuang Fei also had two young princesses in her palace, one titled Shu Xian and the other titled Hui'an.
Shu Xian and Zhao Youcheng were twins, only one year younger than Jiashan, and now fourteen years old, already very sensible. Hearing that Jiashan had executed the servants in her own palace, yet came to their palace gate to make trouble, Shu Xian was filled with indignation and wanted to go to her father to reason with him.
After much persuasion, Dou mama finally managed to hold her back.
"Your Highness cannot do that," Dou mama pleaded earnestly, "If this gets out, we will be in the wrong, and we can only endure this once. Besides, who knows if the Eldest Princess has in her hands the evidence of Shuqi and Han Zhu's correspondence?"
Shu Xian had always been suppressed by Jiashan since she was young, and she had always been resentful of her. Hearing Dou mama telling her to endure, she became even more furious and said, "Endure and endure, how can I endure this?"
She pointed to the palace gate and motioned for Dou mama to listen carefully to Han Zhu's wailing. She stomped her foot and said, "If we don't go out and make things clear, who knows how the whole palace will gossip about us tomorrow!"
"I can't take it anymore!" Shu Xian lifted her skirt and was about to rush out.
Zhuang Fei said, "Stop."
Shu Xian was still somewhat afraid of her mother, so she bit her lip and turned to look at Zhuang Fei.
At this time, Zhuang Fei had regained her composure. She took a sip of tea and said, "Dou mama is right, we must endure."
"Mother!" Shu Xian called out resentfully.
"It won't be too long," Zhuang Fei's gaze was cold, and she smiled softly, saying, "As long as your imperial brother can be established as the crown prince. Then, you can skin her alive if you want."
Shu Xian's face flushed red, not sure if it was from excitement after hearing these words. After a while, she pouted again and said, "But what if the people in the palace gossip about us tomorrow?"
"Let them gossip," Zhuang Fei cut off Shu Xian's words. She looked at her daughter and said, "Who dares to say anything in front of you?"
Zhuang Fei's gaze was arrogant and stern. She smiled lightly and said, "In the face of absolute power, those rumors are simply insignificant."
Shu Xian thought about it and felt that it made sense, but she still complained, "But it's too cheap for her! She got to be the center of attention again!"
"In her heart, she might not be feeling better than us." Having been in the palace for many years, Zhuang Fei had a deep understanding of human nature and naturally understood how painful it was to be betrayed.
It was precisely because she understood this that Zhuang Fei was not so angry.
She turned to Shu Xian and said, "You too. After Jiashan gets married, it will be your turn next. Although you have your imperial brother to protect you, your status is still not as noble as Jiashan's when you say it out loud."
"Your Majesty gave you the title 'Shu Xian' hoping that you would be gentle and quiet. If you don't improve your temper, your father might find you some crooked and twisted man in the future." Zhuang Fei threatened her, "I told you to read more, have you been obedient? Jiashan is favored by the Emperor, and it's not just because of her status, but also because she is skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting..."
Shu Xian impatiently said, "I know!"
Shu Xian hated it most when others compared her to Jiashan.
Jiashan was the eldest princess, while she was a concubine's daughter. Jiashan lived in a palace alone, while she had to squeeze together with her sister and mother. When the Emperor chose a husband for Jiashan, he searched through all the noble families in the capital and still couldn't find a good one, but when it came to her, she probably wouldn't even have the chance to be chosen.
A venomous glint flashed in Shu Xian's eyes. She laughed sarcastically and said, "Mother, just wait, the man I marry will definitely not be inferior to hers!"
Zhuang Fei nodded and said with satisfaction, "Now this is like my child."
As the sun set, Emperor Zhanghe finished reviewing the memorials. As Jiashan had guessed, he came to Fengyang Pavilion. Hearing that she had caught a cold, Emperor Zhanghe was about to summon the imperial physician.
Zheng mama then relayed what Jiashan had said, saying, "Your Majesty need not worry, the princess may be fine after a day of rest. If the imperial physician comes, it might disturb the princess, so it's better to let her rest well. She specifically told me that she would definitely come to greet you and apologize tomorrow."
Emperor Zhanghe thought for a moment and went to see Jiashan. Seeing her sleeping peacefully, with only one hand restlessly outside the covers, Emperor Zhanghe helped her tuck the hand under the covers and instructed Zheng mama to "take good care of her."
Zheng mama hurriedly replied, "Yes."
Emperor Zhanghe then went to Chengqian Palace.
The blood stains at the entrance of Chengqian Palace had not dried yet. Zhuang Fei had sent people to clean the tiles, and these people happened to bump into Emperor Zhanghe.
Emperor Zhanghe frowned and asked them, "What is this?"
The palace servants stammered and dared not speak. Emperor Zhanghe lifted his robe and went straight into Chengqian Palace to question Zhuang Fei.
Emperor Zhanghe was a gentle emperor, as could be seen from his posthumous temple name. After his death, he was posthumously titled Emperor Jingtian Qinwu Xiao Zhao, with the temple name Renzong.
He was always kind to his officials and palace servants and rarely used harsh measures. Upon seeing the bloodstains at the entrance of Chengqian Palace, he instinctively thought that Zhuang Fei had tortured someone.
Zhuang Fei and Jing Fei jointly managed the six palaces, and this atmosphere could not be ruined by them!
Hearing Emperor Zhanghe's question, Zhuang Fei was also very wronged. She said softly, "It was the Eldest Princess's doing."
Emperor Zhanghe solemnly said, "Jiashan?"
"I heard from Jing Fei that it seems like someone in the Eldest Princess's palace was dishonest and touched something left behind by the late Empress, so the Eldest Princess became furious." Zhuang Fei smiled, "It's just a small matter, Your Majesty, please don't quarrel with the Eldest Princess over this."
"Since it's a matter in her palace, why is there such a commotion at your door?" Emperor Zhanghe was not so easily fooled. He stared at Zhuang Fei.
Zhuang Fei had already thought of an excuse and said with a smile, "Perhaps this Chengqian Palace is in a really advantageous location. It's good to have it at the door of my palace so that all the women in the six palaces can learn a lesson."
Emperor Zhanghe frowned. Although he didn't continue to question her, he still had a doubt in his heart.
The next day, after leaving the court, he went directly to Fengyang Pavilion again.
This time, he specifically didn't have anyone announce him.
As soon as he entered the inner room, Emperor Zhanghe saw Princess Jiashan and Prince Zhao Youze, a brother and sister, squeezed together on a large armchair. Jiashan was holding Zhao Youze's hand, and Zhao Youze was holding a pen, and they were both buried in writing large characters.
After all, they were biological siblings, and their two faces looked so similar when placed together.
One looked like himself, and the other looked like the late Empress.
Emperor Zhanghe quietly watched them for a while, and for a moment, he was reluctant to disturb them. It was only when Dancui, who came in to serve tea, saw him and exclaimed in surprise, "Your Majesty," that Jiashan looked up.
Zhao Youze also stopped writing.
Both of them seemed to have just realized that Emperor Zhanghe had arrived. Jiashan smiled brightly and said, "Father, why didn't anyone tell me you were coming? You almost scared me."
Emperor Zhanghe looked up at her, his eyes full of fatherly affection. "Why, are you doing something wrong?"
Jiashan said, "Not at all."
Emperor Zhanghe then turned to look at Zhao Youze.
Compared to Jiashan, Emperor Zhanghe and Zhao Youze didn't look very similar. Zhao Youze had a more delicate face, being a boy with a girl's features.
He said, "Yuan Kang, you don't even have a little expression when you know your father is here?"
Zhao Youze bowed respectfully to Emperor Zhanghe and called out obediently, "Your son greets the Imperial Father."
Emperor Zhanghe hummed in response, seeming satisfied.
He walked over slowly, "What are you writing? Let me see it."
Jiashan hesitated for a moment and reluctantly handed the paper to him.
Emperor Zhanghe took it and looked at it carefully. He found that on the white paper, the character '寿' (Shou, meaning longevity) was written in four different styles: regular script, cursive script, running script, and clerical script.
Emperor Zhanghe raised his eyebrows and looked at Jiashan, as if asking for an explanation.
Jiashan had to say, "Father, your birthday is next month, and I'm teaching Yuan Kang to write. When Yuan Kang has finished writing these four fonts, I will embroider these 'Shou' characters into a longevity picture as a birthday present for Father."
"I didn't expect Father to come without telling anyone," Jiashan hung her head and sighed softly, "Now that When Father will received the gift, there will not be any surprise left."
Emperor Zhanghe laughed, he stared at Jiashan and said, "You're saying this as if you're blaming me."
Jiashan didn't deny it and nodded, "I am blaming Father."
Emperor Zhanghe sat on the armchair, he glanced at Jiashan and smiled, "In this entire palace, only you dare to be so lawless."
He spoke in a friendly tone, and Jiashan couldn't help but smile slightly.
"Yuan Kang," Emperor Zhanghe said, "Don't let your elder sister teach you. Write the character '寿' (Shou, meaning longevity) yourself in different styles, and show it to me."
Zhao Youze nodded obediently: "Okay."
He tiptoed, held the brush in his hand, and wrote stroke by stroke.
He wrote much slower than others and it took him a whole cup of tea to finish.
Eunuch Chen, knowing that Zhao Youze had difficulty moving due to his eye problems, took the paper from the desk and handed it to Emperor Zhanghe.
Emperor Zhanghe examined it carefully and commented: "Not bad. But the running script and cursive script still lack a bit of flair."
"Even Jiashan's is not grand enough," Emperor Zhanghe glanced at the paper that Jiashan had handed him earlier.
He raised an eyebrow and asked Eunuch Chen, "Is Zhan Yanqing on duty today?"
Eunuch Chen replied, "Yes, it's Zhan Daren's turn."
"Call him in," Emperor Zhanghe clapped his hands and said with a smile, "Zhan Yanqing's running script and cursive script are very good. Call him in to teach the Eldest Princess and the Fourth Prince."
Eunuch Chen went to do as he was told.
Zhan Yue arrived very quickly. As usual, he greeted Emperor Zhanghe and looked straight ahead.
Jiashan and Zhao Youze were sitting on either side of Emperor Zhanghe. Hearing Zhan Yue's clear voice, Jiashan paused for a moment, but still couldn't help but look up. Zhan Yue's gaze also casually swept over to her.
The two looked at each other calmly for a second, then pretended nothing had happened and looked away.
Emperor Zhanghe smiled and said, "I've always admired your cursive script. Since I have some free time today, show me a couple of strokes. Just write the character 'Shou'. If you write it well, I'll reward you."
Zhan Yue said, "Yes."
He leaned over to the desk, picked up the pen that Jiashan and Zhao Youze had used, and in a short while, he had written several 'Shou' characters in running script and cursive script.
He handed it to Emperor Zhanghe from the left side, which was right next to Jiashan.
Zhan Yue stood above Jiashan and lowered his voice, "I've made a fool of myself."
Zhan Yue's voice was very close, and there was a faint, refreshing fragrance on him, like the scent of a pine tree after snow, pure and gentle.
Jiashan felt a little uncomfortable. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and changed her sitting position.
"Hmm." Emperor Zhanghe was indeed very satisfied and passed the paper that Zhan Yue had written to Jiashan, "The ink is splashed with your hand, it's formless but full of spirit, it has more vitality than yours."
Jiashan took it and put it aside. She ignored Emperor Zhanghe's comment and instead hummed softly, "Father favors Zhan Daren more than me. I've racked my brains to think of a birthday gift for Father, and Father didn't even praise me. Zhan Daren just wrote a few words, and Father said he would reward him."
Jiashan's face puffed up slightly, and she pouted, "I'm not convinced, I want a reward too."
Her tone was coquettish and playful, and Emperor Zhanghe couldn't help but smile. Even a slight, indulgent smile appeared on Zhan Yue's lips.
Emperor Zhanghe said, "You're getting jealous."
"Isn't it only right for you to prepare a birthday gift for me? How could you be embarrassed to ask for a reward." He turned to side, facing Eunuch Chen and Zhan Yue, and smiled gently, "Listen to her, this girl is always so quick-witted. In her mouth, it becomes my fault."
Although Emperor Zhanghe was complaining, anyone with eyes could see that this was father and daughter enjoying their time together. Eunuch Chen and Zhan Yue naturally wouldn't be so tactless as to interrupt.
Emperor Zhanghe enjoyed himself for a while, and then he glanced at Jiashan and said, "However, I do have something I can reward you with."
Jiashan's eyes lit up, "What is it?"
"I'll reward you with a good marriage," Emperor Zhanghe said loudly.
Jiashan was startled.
Zhao Youze was also slightly stunned, and Zhan Yue's gaze quickly swept over Emperor Zhanghe and Jiashan. He stood tall and straight, his eyes dark.
"The eldest son of Marquis Qi Le is about your age," Emperor Zhanghe stroked his teacup, having already said what he had in mind. He said, "I've checked, and that boy's house has never had any concubines, so you can rest assured."
The son of Marquis Qi Le...
Jiashan thought of the gossip she had heard from Pei Yuantang and quickly replied seriously, "But I heard that he seems to like frequenting brothels and seeking out actors and singers."
Emperor Zhanghe narrowed his eyes, "The Marquis of Changxing's eldest son is also a good choice."
Jiashan nodded, "Well, he's not someone who is obsessed with pleasure, but he's ignorant. His terrible handwriting might not even be as good as mine."
After several exchanges, Emperor Zhanghe looked at Jiashan silently, with an indescribable expression on his face.
Jiashan licked her lips, seeming to realize that she had slipped up. All these were her father's good intentions, and she had rejected them so bluntly, wasn't she being a little too spoiled?
Jiashan pursed her lips, just about to say something to make up for it, when Emperor Zhanghe slowly opened his mouth again, "According to what you said, among all the young talents in the court, is there none that you are satisfied with?"
He looked at Jiashan and asked calmly, "Tell me honestly, is there someone you have your heart set on?"
Emperor Zhanghe's tone was calm, revealing no emotion, but Jiashan's heart skipped a beat. Not far away, there was a very obvious pair of eyes staring fixedly at her.
Jiashan's throat tightened, and she laughed softly, "Father, you're thinking too much, I don't."
Emperor Zhanghe looked at her as if he didn't believe her, and Jiashan smiled at him ingratiatingly.
Emperor Zhanghe didn't say anything else.
However, the gaze fixed on Jiashan had not left. His eyes, unlike their usual coolness, carried a touch of affectionate heat, like an eagle that would not let go of its prey until it was caught.
The casual words "I'll be waiting for good news" unexpectedly exploded in Jiashan's ears, making her feel as if she had a thorn in her back.
Jiashan lowered her head, took a sip of tea with a guilty and complex heart, and avoided his gaze.
Zhan Yue remained silent. He simply looked down at Jiashan, his expression unfathomable, his handsome brows slightly furrowed.