Chapter 98 |
The next day at noon.
Princess A'Xiang arrived at Shunning Palace.
Qu Dubian was engaged in a 'life-or-death struggle' with Yidianbai, who had dug up half of Consort Xuan's vegetable patch. He was swatting the dog's rear with a wooden plank.
Yidianbai struggled fiercely, yelping incessantly.
Qu Dubian's internal energy had achieved some success, making suppressing a mere dog more than enough.
The man-versus-dog battle ended with the awkward yet polite cough of Princess A'Xiang.
Now she understood what her mother meant by 'Shunning Palace is different.' She had never seen any other palace with such a lively, domestic atmosphere.
Qu Dubian patted the dog hair off his clothes. "Aunt A'Xiang?"
Princess A'Xiang smiled and said, "Shall we sit for a while?"
Qu Dubian invited her to his room within Shunning Palace. Ye Xiaoyuan poured tea for them.
Princess A'Xiang said sincerely, "Your aunt must thank you for looking after Cining Palace all these years. Otherwise, I might never have been able to see Mother again."
Qu Dubian was taken aback, having expected something else, not this matter.
He waved his hand, not claiming the credit. "It's nothing, really. I only went to play with the Grand Imperial Concubines out of boredom. They were just indulging me."
Princess A'Xiang said, "No, dear nephew, this is very important."
"For a princess married off for a political alliance, returning to the capital is extremely difficult. Who knows if there will be another chance to meet? Perhaps this time is the last... Your casual care, offered with little effort, is immensely precious to me."
Qu Dubian said, "You're too kind, Aunt A'Xiang."
After a moment's hesitation, he added, "I heard that when you returned to the capital, you passed through the border city. Since you met Uncle Ming, I wonder if you..."
Princess A'Xiang said, "You want to ask about your maternal grandfather, right?"
Qu Dubian nodded.
The last time they met, he was just over two years old. In the blink of an eye, nearly ten years had passed.
His grandfather was getting older, garrisoning the northern frontier. News came only once every two or three months, sometimes even just twice a year. For the past few years, he had been very worried about his grandfather's health.
His grandmother never said it aloud, but in her heart, she was always holding her breath with concern.
Princess A'Xiang said, "During the unrest among the northern tribes, I occasionally exchanged messages with the Sword-Holding Marquis and General Xia Hong for consultation. This time, when passing through the northern border city, I stayed there for two days to rest. I met with the Sword-Holding Marquis and we talked at length."
Of course, she didn't stay within the military camp or the city walls, but pitched tents outside.
After all, she had people from the northern tribes with her, and it wouldn't do to risk leaking the city's defense layout.
Qu Dubian asked, "How is Grandfather's condition?"
Princess A'Xiang smiled. "His appetite is as hearty as ever."
His beard and hair were mostly white, but he looked quite spirited.
"The Sword-Holding Marquis has handed over the paperwork to General Xia Hong. Ten years ago, power in the northern frontier was divided, with Prince Ming leading a team of eunuchs as military supervisors. Because of these supervisors, military orders were often delayed. The Marquis feared his hot temper might lead him to kill a supervisor, so Xia Hong handles all the arguments every time."
Qu Dubian chuckled. "Grandfather dislikes trouble."
Princess A'Xiang said, "Oh, I almost forgot. Among the things I brought this time, there's a wooden box the Sword-Holding Marquis stuffed in, asking me to deliver it to Madam Wu. They're all stored at the princess's residence for now. I'll have someone send it over after I return."
Upon hearing this, Qu Dubian stood up and bowed respectfully with clasped hands to Princess A'Xiang. "Aunt, your nephew has an impertinent request."
Princess A'Xiang raised her hand to stop him. "No need for such formality, please sit, sit. Go ahead, within my power, I will certainly do it."
Qu Dubian said, "It's not a major matter. I just ask that Aunt personally visit the Sword-Holding Marquis's residence and tell Grandmother about Grandfather's recent situation. Please tell her in detail, daily routines are fine, even if you embellish a little. Grandmother misses him terribly."
Even with letters exchanged, it's not the same as hearing details from someone who has seen him in person.
Even a little comfort would be good.
Princess A'Xiang said, "A trivial matter."
In the past day, she had heard many stories about the Seventh Prince, perceiving him as a lively, rambunctious child. She hadn't expected him to be so thoughtful and considerate.
She found herself liking the child more and more. Gently, she said, "Your aunt will be in the capital for another month before leaving. If there's anything else, you can come to me."
Qu Dubian said, "Thank you, Aunt A'Xiang."
They had a meal at Shunning Palace. Princess A'Xiang met Zhiyi, praised her beauty, and mentioned that she was reaching the age to choose a consort, suggesting she start considering candidates soon.
It was all polite conversation.
After the midday meal.
Qu Dubian accompanied Princess A'Xiang to the princess's residence. They retrieved the wooden box the Sword-Holding Marquis had sent and went to the Sword-Holding Marquis's residence.
After they left.
Noble Consort Guo appeared deeply worried.
The moment she saw Princess A'Xiang, the anxiety and concern she had been hiding felt as if punctured by a needle.
She said to Consort Xuan, "His Majesty wouldn't choose another princess to marry into the northern tribes for alliance, would he?"
Consort Xuan said, "The north is stable now. Princess A'Xiang is not struggling. His Majesty has not indicated any intention to arrange another marriage alliance."
Noble Consort Guo said, "But His Majesty hasn't explicitly said he won't send another princess either, to strengthen support for tribes friendly to Great Zhou, right?"
Zhiyi was two months shy, but she was about to turn fifteen.
Sihe was still young. The only princess of suitable age was Zhiyi.
Consort Xuan said, "It seems unlikely in the next few years. If you want to eliminate the possibility of a marriage alliance, carefully selecting a consort for Zhiyi would be the way."
Noble Consort Guo said worriedly, "I'm afraid Zhiyi herself is unwilling."
She's either learning mathematics from the Deputy Director of the Astrological Bureau, or helping Yuan Jie'er at the Xie family prepare various items for her wedding. The thought of choosing a consort simply isn't on her mind.
-
At the Sword-Holding Marquis's residence.
Qu Dubian and Princess A'Xiang brought the wooden box to Wu Siwan.
When the box was opened, it was found to be full of stones, along with an eagle bone flute.
Princess A'Xiang said in surprise, "No wonder it was so heavy. There are..." she counted carefully, "eight stones inside."
Each was palm-sized, polished into a gourd shape.
Wu Siwan said, "Little one, I don't play instruments. This flute is from your grandfather to you. The stones are for me."
The eagle bone flute felt cool. Qu Dubian held it, blew a few notes. The sound of the bone flute was somewhat desolate and distant. "Grandmother, what does Grandfather mean by sending you stones?"
Wu Siwan chuckled but shook her head.
"This is a secret between your grandfather and me."
She took Princess A'Xiang aside and asked her to tell more about the northern frontier.
Qu Dubian flew up onto the roof, experimenting with playing the bone flute.
He knew instruments, could play the flute a bit, though his best were the guitar and violin.
Qu Dubian had things on his mind. As he grew older, the matters to consider hadn't decreased but had multiplied. After trying for a while, simple tunes emerged from the flute.
Wu Siwan listened to Princess A'Xiang talk about the north.
She looked at the gourd-shaped stones in the wooden box.
Back then, the Sword-Holding Marquis wasn't a marquis yet, just a reckless youth. He had somehow heard the promise, 'Of the three thousand weak waters, I shall take only one ladleful.'
He thought that promise wasn't grand enough—a ladle was just half a gourd? Giving the whole thing would be much better. So he changed it himself to 'Of the three thousand weak waters, I'll use a gourd to carry it all for you.'
Later, when the Sword-Holding Marquis went to the Northern Frontier, he would carve a stone gourd every year. He would either find an opportunity to have someone deliver it or keep it himself, bringing them all back when he returned home.
The stone gourds became a lifelong promise and longing that connected them.
-
Princess A'Xiang's Mansion.
Among those who followed Princess A'Xiang were some maidservants and also the nephew of the tribal chieftain.
He was about fifteen or sixteen years old, named Agumudo.
He wore two large bone earrings, his hair braided into small plaits, with deep-set features and a wildness in his honey-colored skin.
Agumudo was not the son of the tribal chieftain; this time, he was merely considered the head of Princess A'Xiang's escort. Therefore, Emperor Chongzhao did not hold a separate banquet to invite him.
He belonged to a tribal branch friendly to Great Zhou and had received some education in Han culture disseminated by Princess A'Xiang since childhood, so he was quite curious about Great Zhou's customs.
After being cooped up in the princess's mansion for a few days, he finally couldn't resist going out.
And after he left, some street vendors pushing carts disappeared from the area around the princess's mansion.
-
The streets were bustling with pedestrians, extremely prosperous.
Agumudo: "The Central Plains are wonderful. If only the herdsmen of the Northern Frontier could live in such a place." He was followed by two Northern Frontier warriors. The trio's exotic attire attracted quite a bit of attention.
Some gazes were hostile, some curious, and others indifferent.
Agumudo wandered around and entered the building with the largest crowd. A plaque bore three characters—Ruyi Lou (House of Wishes).
He liked liveliness, so he didn't go to the private rooms on the second or third floors. Instead, he found a quiet spot on the first floor to listen to the storyteller.
Just as the story reached a thrilling part, an indignant voice came from nearby:
"...Back then, Xia Hong went from the Northern Frontier to Zhennan Pass, overpowered Nanning, and earned the title of Marquis of Changping. But everyone knows this was just to divide power in the Northern Frontier. He got the marquis title, but your maternal grandfather's family received only gold, silver, and rewards, nothing more."
Hearing the keywords, Agumudo immediately looked over.
He saw a table of four people, three of whom were flattering the most lavishly dressed youth.
It was the Sixth Prince.
Three years ago, during the great victory at Zhennan Pass, Nanning offered a hostage. The chief merit belonged to Xia Hong.
The generals from the other three military factions at Zhennan Pass received only gold, silver, rewards, and hereditary appointments for their families, but no noble titles.
The current situation of the two marquises dividing power in the Northern Frontier was modeled by Emperor Chongzhao after the template of Zhennan Pass. Seeking stability, he naturally wouldn't lightly disturb the three armies at Zhennan Pass.
The maternal clan of Consort Lan was one of the three general factions at Zhennan Pass. The Sixth Prince's cousins came to the capital to receive rewards and stayed to develop their careers.
Since three years ago, the Sixth Prince had often gone out to socialize with them. With more trips out of the palace, he had made some dubious friends.
Xu Cheng was one of them.
He couldn't curry favor with the Seventh Prince, who always avoided him. He was very annoyed; they were relatives, so why did the Seventh Prince shun him?
Later, he set his sights on the Sixth Prince. Skilled at flattery, he soon became regarded by the Sixth Prince as a good friend.
Xu Cheng knew the Sixth Prince liked to hear praise, so he often disparaged Xia Hong to boost the Sixth Prince's maternal family.
Sixth Prince: "We're not in a private room, don't say such things outside. Xu Cheng, if you can't book a private room next time you invite me out, I won't come."
He looked disdainfully at the guests eating and chatting in small groups in the first-floor hall.
Too many people; the air even felt tainted.
Xu Cheng smiled apologetically: "Of course, of course."
He quickly motioned for the others to pour tea for the Sixth Prince.
Sixth Prince: "Actually, what you said is right, it is unfair. The Northern Frontier people aren't that impressive either. Xia Hong just benefited from the Sword-Holding Marquis's influence."
"Exactly. Xia Fuyang, the son of the Marquis of Changping, should be taking the military examinations soon. Your two cousins are also candidates this session," Xu Cheng raised an eyebrow, covering his lips with a fan as he leaned close to the Sixth Prince's ear. "There's only one top military graduate."
A flicker passed through the Sixth Prince's eyes. He took a sip of tea and said nothing.
He still had some sense, knowing some words could be said, others could not.
The military examinations selected future young generals, testing not only literary knowledge but also martial skills including horsemanship, archery, weightlifting, combat, and military strategy.
Organized by the Ministry of War and supervised by the Ministry of Rites.
They spoke very quietly, but Agumudo, concentrating intently, caught the gist.
He wasn't interested in their Great Zhou's convoluted schemes, but he couldn't stand hearing the phrase 'Northern Frontier people aren't that impressive.'
Agumudo immediately snorted coldly, pressed his hand on the curved sword at his waist, stood up, walked to the Sixth Prince's table, and planted a foot on it.
The entire first floor looked over.
"Northern Frontier not impressive? You're impressive? How about we spar?"
The Sixth Prince's face instantly darkened. "You're from the Northern Frontier?" In all his life, he had never been challenged so brazenly. He stood up abruptly, also stepped onto the table, raised his head, showing no fear.
"Spar what? What are you, to even talk to me about sparring?"
Second Floor.
Private Room.
Qu Dubian and Xi Zixing were playing Gomoku.
"Xia Fuyang is preparing for the military exams. He should easily rank in the top three. After the exams, he'll be assigned to a local post as a junior officer. Did he tell you where he wants to go?"
Qu Dubian: "He mentioned it in passing. He wants to go south, somewhere remote to toughen up."
He stared at the board, placed another piece, and said happily, "You lose, you lose! You promised—if you lose, you have to help Yuan Jie'er block the gate."
For Yuan Jie'er's wedding, the Xie family would block the gate, finding a few scholarly people to properly challenge the groom coming to fetch the bride. Xi Zixing was quite learned, suitable for posing difficult questions.
Xi Zixing glanced at him: "Another round."
Qu Dubian: "Another round and you'll still lose. I'm invincible at Gomoku." Except for Grand Tutor Fang and his uncle, who occasionally beat him.
They set up another board.
Qu Dubian asked casually: "How's that little notebook of yours coming along? I've taken you to observe my brothers plenty of times."
Xi Zixing paused slightly. "It's alright."
Qu Dubian had no idea he himself also had an entry in that little notebook. Every time he took Xi Zixing to observe the other princes, Xi Zixing was observing him too.
Just as they were about to start another game, a loud crash suddenly came from the first floor below.
The sound was so loud it was clearly audible even in the private room.
Qu Dubian blinked. "Shall we go take a look?"