Chapter 99
Within the Shen Du Garden, pavilions meander and meander, a rainbow bridge spans the water, a riot of flowers blooms, and willows sway in the breeze. Beyond the long corridors, the mighty river surges and crashes against the palaces overlooking the water.
The county magistrate of Yifeng stood in front of the covered bridge, gazing at the mountains to the west of the city. The sky was high and the land was vast, and a spring breeze brought the sound of rushing water.
She pondered for a moment, then stepped off the covered bridge, smiled, and returned to the palace maids. Together with them, she selected peonies and sent them to the Guanfeng Palace.
The female attendant entered the palace to pay her respects to the emperor. After reporting her findings, she went to fetch the medicine. Soon after, the eunuch took the medicine to Shangshanfang.
Princess Yifeng stood outside the palace, holding a peony flower, waiting.
The palace maid took the peony and said, "His Majesty is listening to the concubine read a memorial."
Princess Yifeng thought to herself, "The memorial must have been brought into the palace from Wei Mingsu by a close female attendant."
She didn't ask any more questions and returned to the garden to continue tending to the peonies with the palace maids.
The palace maids talked about making new dresses for enjoying the flowers.
The Lady of Yifeng County smiled and said, "Perfect timing! I got a few bolts of brocade yesterday, the patterns are just right for the season. I'll bring them tomorrow so you can make skirts."
The palace maids often played with the county princess, and the princess would share the rewards she received from the emperor and princess with them. When they heard that the county princess was going to share brocade with them again, the palace maids declined a few times, but seeing that the county princess had already instructed her maids, they smiled and thanked the county princess for her kindness.
In the evening, the Princess of Yifeng left Shendu Garden and instructed the coachman, "Go to my uncle's house."
The carriage headed towards the residence of the King of Wei.
The Prince of Wei's mansion is holding a Buddhist ceremony today, and a high-ranking monk has been invited to preach here. The area in front of the mansion is bustling with activity, and the county princess's carriage had to circle almost half of the ward before it could squeeze in.
The county princess went to the inner courtyard to pay her respects to her aunt.
Princess Wei had just finished listening to the monk's sermon with her youngest daughter. She personally saw the monk out and had her maid brew tea for the county princess, saying, "Your uncle is seeing guests today and won't be coming. It's good that you're here. Have dinner with me and Yuan Niang."
The young lady beside the princess looked up and smiled at the Princess of Yifeng.
Princess Yifeng sat down next to the young lady, held her hand for a while, and asked, "Is Yuanniang feeling any better today?"
Upon hearing this, Yuan Niang's face fell, and she complained, "I'm much better now and want to go out for a stroll, but my mother won't allow it. She says I need to rest for a few more days. There are so many guests in the mansion every day, and my mother is afraid I'll run into outsiders, so she won't let me leave the courtyard. I can't go anywhere, and I'm almost bored to death."
Princess Yifeng smiled and glanced at Princess Wei, then said to Yuanniang, "Sister, your aunt is doing this for your own good. You've been weak since you were little, and you're still sick. How could your aunt dare to let you go out? Please rest patiently for a few more days. Once you're better, I'll go with you wherever you want to go."
Yuan Niang became happy: "Sister, it's a promise, you're not allowed to lie to me."
Princess Yifeng hugged Yuanniang and gently rubbed her face: "When has your sister ever coaxed you?"
Princess Wei smiled as she looked at the two sisters and said, "Fourth Sister is so sensible. If Yuan Niang were half as obedient as you, I would be content."
Yuan Niang snorted, released Princess Yifeng, and rolled into Princess Wei's arms to act coquettishly, making the maids laugh.
Amidst laughter and conversation, a maidservant brought in a food tray and invited the three to wash their hands and eat. After the meal, Princess Yifeng stayed to chat with Princess Wei and her daughter.
In the front courtyard, after seeing off his guests, the Prince of Wei had a private conversation with his close advisors and nephews for half an hour. Then the steward came to report that the Princess of Yifeng had arrived.
When the King of Wei heard that this cousin had come from the Divine Capital Garden, he immediately said, "Let her come over."
Princess Yifeng arrived at the courtyard where King Wei and his advisors were discussing matters, and entered the room to pay her respects.
The King of Wei asked, "You came from Shen Du Garden. Is there some movement in the court?"
Princess Yifeng said, "Uncle, Wei Mingsu has returned to the capital. He was injured, and His Majesty sent the Imperial Physician to Shangshanfang to treat him. The Lady herself fetched medicine for him."
King Wei and several of his advisors exchanged glances.
An aide stepped forward and quietly reported that Wei Mingsu had returned to the capital.
Upon hearing this, the King of Wei asked in surprise, "Why didn't Wei Mingsu go directly to Shangyang Palace?"
A few days ago, he learned that Wei Mingsu was about to return to the capital, so he sent people to Shangshanfang to keep an eye on him. However, he has been busy with another important matter these past few days and has almost forgotten about it.
The aide said, "He's injured and can't even ride a horse; he's on a chariot."
The carriage returned.
The King of Wei was somewhat puzzled: "It's better that he's injured. To go to see His Majesty while wounded will only show his loyalty to His Majesty. He had already made considerable contributions in Xizhou, and now that he's seriously injured, his contributions are even greater."
"The old drunkard's intention is not in the wine; he is probably just using his injury as a pretense."
"It's also possible that his injuries were too severe, and he was afraid of being disrespectful to His Majesty."
"He has just returned to the capital and is unaware of the situation there, so he dares not pay his respects to His Majesty."
Everyone offered their guesses, and after listening for a while, King Wei waved his hand and said, "Never mind that, Fourth Sister, did Wei Mingsu bring his female relatives back?"
Princess Yifeng shook her head and told her all the information she had gathered from the palace, including the story of the Empress listening to a concubine read a memorial.
Upon hearing about the memorial, the King of Wei's expression changed slightly. He remained silent for a moment, glanced at the Princess of Yifeng, and said, "Fourth Sister, you have done very well. In the future, if you find out any news, you must come back and tell your uncle. Alright, you may leave now."
Princess Yifeng glanced at her cousins and advisors in the room, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes, and then left.
The steward closed the door, and King Wei looked at his nephews and advisors: "Tell me, what did Wei Mingsu write in his memorial?"
Some of his nephews and advisors said it must be military intelligence from Xizhou, some said it was a secret report about Xizhou officials, and some said it was an article to curry favor with His Majesty, sing his praises, and take the opportunity to claim credit for themselves.
Only one advisor saw through the King of Wei's thoughts. He glanced at everyone with disdain and said, "I heard that Wei Mingsu has gone to Xiangzhou."
Everyone froze, and then fell silent.
King Wei sat up abruptly and looked at the advisor who had spoken.
Seeing the King of Wei's urgency, everyone suddenly realized what was going on.
One of the aides said, "Wei Mingsu has just returned to the capital and may not be clear about the situation in the court. He has never expressed his opinion before."
The King of Wei frowned.
One of the King of Wei's nephews said, "Uncle, I would like to go and meet him."
King Wei was overjoyed and nodded, saying, "Good, go tomorrow, the sooner the better."
The advisors exchanged glances, and one of them said, "The Prince and Wei Mingsu don't usually have any contact. It's a bit inappropriate for him to suddenly come to our door. Perhaps we should ask the Princess of Yifeng to make this trip on his behalf."
Everyone else nodded in agreement.
King Wei was anxious and immediately sent his steward to inform Princess Yifeng, saying, "Have Fourth Sister prepare to visit Wei Mingsu tomorrow."
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