MYUFPC CHAPTER 31
To bestow a marriage upon Jiashan and Zhan Yue
Hearing the Emperor mention Zhan Yue, Zhuang Fei couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. After her conversation with Shu Xian, she had been harboring a secret plan. But considering Zhan Yue's background as a member of the Jinwu Guards, Zhuang Fei dared not speak rashly, fearing that she might inadvertently arouse the Emperor’s suspicions.
She pursed her lips cautiously and smoothed her brow, saying, "Your Majesty has truly stumped me. I have only met Zhan Daren a few times, and I can't really say anything good or bad about him."
"However," Zhuang Fei changed her tone and said warmly, "Since he has won Your Majesty's favor, he must have extraordinary abilities."
Zhuang Fei was always meticulous in her thoughts. Although Shu Xian had pleaded for Zhan Yue, she was unwilling to reveal anything before she had figured out the Emperor's intentions. Therefore, her words were almost meaningless.
The Emperor narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at her, "I promoted him because I value his abilities. But upon further thought, I feel that since he is a illegitimate son, he may not be able to command the respect of others if he holds power in the future."
Zhuang Fei remained silent for a moment, a slight, cool curve forming at the corner of her lips.
Thinking of how Shu Xian had boasted to her earlier that she was also a illegitimate child, Zhuang Fei forced herself to hide her slight change in expression. She lowered her head and smiled, saying, "I am a woman with limited knowledge and cannot offer any profound insights. But when I was reading with my sisters back home, I heard two sayings. One is 'Heroes are judged by their deeds, not their origins.' The other is from Laozi, saying 'Use good talents well, and let the capable take their place.'"
Zhuang Fei smiled nonchalantly, her expression refreshed, "If Your Majesty truly favors Zhan Daren, and if he is truly a capable and virtuous person, I believe that being born out of wedlock is not a big issue."
The Emperor looked up and gazed thoughtfully at Zhuang Fei. He stared at her for a moment and asked in a deep voice, "Is that so?"
Zhuang Fei nodded and smiled, "I believes it is."
The Emperor was silent for a moment.
He said, "Perhaps I am too obsessed with the notion of noble birth."
Thinking of Zhan Yue's extraordinary heroism, the Emperor pressed his finger between his brows and said calmly, "I also asked the Duke of Anguo this afternoon. The Zhan family boy grew up under the care of his grandmother. This issue of being born out of wedlock can be resolved."
Zhuang Fei discerned something from these words. She looked deeply at the Emperor and after much thought, she couldn't help but probe further.
Zhuang Fei said with a slight change in expression, "Commander Zhan has been greatly favored by the Emperor, and it seems he is about to be promoted again."
"I should report this good news to my elder sister, the Princess Ruyang, tomorrow." Zhuang Fei smiled, her face filled with joy.
The Emperor said, "It's not a promotion."
He paused and said, "Your elder sister, Princess Ruyang, proposed a marriage for Zhan Yanqing to me today."
Zhuang Fei's expression changed, her mind racing quickly. A deep, dark look appeared in her cold eyes.
In this world, how many people could invite Princess Ruyang to personally make a request, and who was worthy of Zhan Yanqing, a man so deeply favored by the emperor, to seek a marriage after so much hesitation?
The woman he was seeking marriage with must be of noble birth. And how many women in this world were of noble birth?
Zhuang Fei immediately thought of Princess Jiashan.
Yes, only Jiashan's marriage would make the Emperor hesitate so much and be so indecisive.
Zhuang Fei's expression changed several times, and the hall suddenly became very quiet. A thick fragrance of Yunnan Osmanthus wafted from the six-sided gilded incense burner, mixed with a hint of refreshing peppermint oil.
The peppermint oil had a slightly bitter taste, and in a moment, it sobered Zhuang Fei.
She pursed her lips tightly and looked solemn, "Then, Your Majesty, did you agree to the Princess's request?"
"No," the Emperor pointed to the acupoint on his forehead and gestured for Zhuang Fei to gently massage it. He closed his eyes and said, "Zhan Yanqing will not be able to inherit a title in the future. I feel that it would be a bit unfair for Jiashan to marry him."
Hearing that the Emperor had not agreed, Zhuang Fei felt a slight relief in her heart. She reached out and gently pressed on the Emperor's forehead, "Yes, it is indeed a bit unfair for the Princess."
"But what you said also makes sense," the Emperor did not open his eyes, but pretended to be resting with his eyes closed. He said, "The capable should take their place. Zhan Yanqing is a capable person."
bit unfair almost bit her tongue in frustration. Her expression was as cold as ice, and even the movements of her hands unconsciously increased in strength. She said, "I'm afraid the Princess won't be willing."
The Emperor felt a slight pain where she was pressing, so he slowly opened his eyes. Zhuang Fei's cold and stagnant gaze had not yet dissipated, and the Emperor caught it perfectly.
The night was as cold as water, and at this moment, the Emperor's gaze at her was like the night.
Zhuang Fei hurriedly smiled softly, "Did Your concubine pressed a little too hard?"
The Emperor stared into her eyes, his gaze as sharp as a torch, "It's nothing."
Zhuang Fei curled her lips, and a gentle smile appeared on her fair face. Her voice softened, "Your Majesty has been working hard on state affairs, and you should also take care of your health. Your concubine will massage Your Majesty again."
The Emperor closed his eyes again, not knowing what he was thinking. His brows were slightly furrowed, and he said, "Hmm."
But after this incident, the Emperor did not mention anything related to Jiashan and Zhan Yue to Zhuang Fei for the entire night.
Zhuang Fei's heart sank, and her cold and beautiful face was expressionless.
The next day, Zhuang Fei summoned Shu Xian and told her what had happened the previous day. Seeing that Shu Xian still looked infatuated and naive after hearing the news, she narrowed her eyes and scolded sternly, "Open your eyes and see the situation clearly!"
"It's not that your mother isn't helping you, but someone else has already taken a step ahead of you!" Zhuang Fei recalled the look in the Emperor's eyes last night, and a chill ran through her heart. She hated and said, "If you had told me earlier about Jiashan and Zhan Daren's secret meeting that night, I would have told your father, and your father would definitely have suspected that they were already having an affair at Changchun Temple. How could there be any question of granting them a marriage or not!"
Shu Xian stared at Zhuang Fei, her pink lips trembling slightly. She was only fourteen years old, and this was the first time she had liked a man.
And that man was about to be taken away by Jiashan.
Tears quickly welled up in Shu Xian's eyes. She grabbed Zhuang Fei's hand and trembled, "Mother, what does Father mean now? Is he going to grant Jiashan and Zhan Daren a marriage?"
"Most likely," Zhuang Fei thought, her heart turning cold as she realized she had spoken favorably of Zhan Yue to the Emperor. Grasping her teacup tightly, she glared at Shu Xian, her anger rising.
"If it weren't for you, that useless creature, begging me yesterday, would I have spoken up for them?" Consort Zhuang's voice was cold.
Her eyes narrowed, and she sneered, "Now look at what you've done! You've just handed everything over to someone else on a silver platter!"
Tears welled up in Shu Xian's eyes. Her brows furrowed slightly, and she couldn't hold back her tears. She grabbed Zhuang Fei's hand tightly, "Mother, can you go and talk to Father again? Doesn't Father like Jiashan? How could he marry her off to a son born out of wedlock? Please go and talk to him again."
Zhuang Fei cruelly pulled her hand away, brushed her sleeve aside, and said calmly, "If I go again, your father might suspect that I have ulterior motives, and he'll only make this matter even more certain."
When she heard Shu Xian ask how the Emperor could marry Jia Shan off to a illegitimate son, Zhuang Fei's eyes turned red.
"Do you think he would wrong Jiashan?" Zhuang Fei had been with the Emperor for many years and knew his character well. A sarcastic smile played on her lips. "Just wait and see. If Zhan Yanqing truly marries into the royal family, he will be much more than just a commander of the Jinwu Guards."
Zhuang Fei said, "Since he doesn't have a title, the Emperor will give him enough to make him worthy of marrying a princess."
Thinking of her fourteen-year-old son, Consort Zhuang felt a mix of pain, resentment, and hatred.
Such a good opportunity to become involved in military affairs was being handed over to someone else!
Looking at Shu Xian, who was crying like a pear blossom in the rain, Zhuang Fei felt even more frustrated and vented her anger on her. Leaning back on the couch, she said bluntly, "Get out of here and go kneel in the Buddha hall. Your father's birthday banquet is coming soon, and if you act like this, aren't you intentionally trying to upset him?"
Dou mama, the maid beside her, wanted to persuade her, but Zhuang Fei said, "This is for your own good."
Shu Xian wiped her tears, but small sobs still escaped her lips.
"If you could be half as understanding as Jiashan, your brother and I wouldn't have to worry so much," Zhuang Fei said.
Dou mama, let out a sigh she had been holding back upon hearing these words. She didn't plead any further.
Shu Xian wiped away her tears. Her eyes were filled with complexity, and she bit her lip and left.
It must be said that as a woman who had been by the Emperor's side for many years, Zhuang Fei understood the Emperor very well. A few days after leaving the Chengqian Palace that night, the Emperor issued an edict, granting marriage between Jiashan and Zhan Yue.
Along with this edict came another decree appointing Zhan Yue as the concurrent commander of the Five Armies and the judge of the Five Armies. The judge of the Five Armies was a rank five official, and while it was not as high as the commander of the Jinwu Guards, it oversaw the criminal jurisdiction of the Five Armies.
It was clear to everyone that the Emperor intended to let Zhan Yue become involved in military affairs.
Even though Zhuang Fei had calmed down, when she received this news, she wanted to turn back time and devour herself from that night!
The commander of the Five Armies had the authority to mobilize troops, and the commander of the Jinwu Guards was always a trusted confidant of the emperor. It was extremely rare in the current dynasty for someone to hold both positions simultaneously.
How could Zhao Youcheng still win over people in the military? This wasn't just giving Zhan Yue more chips; it was giving Jiashan a life-saving talisman!
Zhuang Fei, feeling a deep sense of betrayal, summoned Shu Xian and scolded her harshly. Only when Shu Xian tearfully declared that she no longer had any feelings for Zhan Yue did Zhuang Fei finally let her go.
Meanwhile, Jiashan, Zhan Yue, and Princess Ruyang were each feeling a sense of peace. When Jiashan recalled her father asking her if she was willing to "make a small sacrifice" and marry Zhan Yue, she felt a mix of emotions.
Perhaps in her father's eyes and in the eyes of the world, marrying Zhan Yue was a sacrifice for her. But Jiashan knew that nothing in the world could compare to the feeling she felt that night under the moon.
A blush crept onto Jiashan's fair cheeks as she lowered her head, a bright light appearing in her amorous almond-shaped eyes. When Su Yu and Dancui entered and saw the princess daydreaming, they couldn't help but exchange glances and then smile at each other.
"Your Highness," Su Yu said, "Tomorrow is His Majesty's birthday. I have already prepared the birthday gift you selected. Do you think we need to add anything else?"
Jiashan smiled gently, "No need."
"Father values sincerity, not how expensive the gift is," she said.
Dancui nodded in agreement, "Yes. I think perhaps being able to successfully resolve the princess's marriage is the most satisfying thing for His Majesty."
Su Yu lowered her head, not daring to tease Jiashan like Dancui, but her eyebrows couldn't help but curve up in a smile.
Jiashan pretended to be angry and looked at them, but her tone was playful, "Have I been too lenient with you both that you dare to be so presumptuous?"
Dancui replied with a cheerful smile, "Your Highness, we're all happy that you can find such a good husband. That's why we dare to be a little presumptuous."
When Dancui used the term "good husband" to describe Zhan Yue, Jiashan realized that everyone around her seemed to have a good impression of him.
It seems this guy is very good at winning people over. She thought, hoping that the girls wouldn't turn against her so quickly after she married him.
"There's a letter," Su Yu said, "from Zhan Daren. He asked someone to deliver it to me."
Jiashan examined the envelope and quickly recognized Pei Yuantang's handwriting. Thinking of Pei Yuantang's words, "Why don't you marry me," a mix of emotions filled Jiashan's heart.
Her brows lowered, and her tone became heavy, "Leave it there. I'll read it later."
"Yes," Su Yu replied.
By the afternoon, the letter was still sitting on Jiashan's desk. Jiashan stared at the envelope for a while, her face pale and her clear eyes dark and bright.
After about a cup of tea, Jiashan finally reached out with a hand as white as jade and slowly opened the letter.
There were only about twenty words in the letter, and after a quick glance, Jiashan's throat tightened and her pink fingertips trembled uncontrollably.
She held the paper up to the candlelight until it burned to ash, not even a wisp of smoke remaining. The wound that had once been cut open in Jiashan's heart finally began to heal.
Those few words were deeply imprinted in Jiashan's mind--
Kong has been found. Fifth Uncle will send someone to escort him to the capital. Also, I wish you well.
Jiashan stared expressionlessly at the fire, her eyes as dark as a gathering storm cloud, as if she were trying to suppress a surging flood.
The words "Kong has been found.." echoed repeatedly in her mind.
Was winter really over, and spring about to arrive?
Jiashan's pupils sharpened, and she suddenly clenched her fingers.