Chapter 1037 Zhang County Princess: A Man in Vain
Xiang Weinan indeed meant it that way. He nodded, "Your title of Lady of the Township is genuine. You earned the recognition of the court officials through your own merits, and the Emperor proclaimed it to the world. You are entitled to a salary. She? She is just a figurehead."
Shu Yu asked curiously, "How so?"
"This Lady Zhang's family used to run a small business. About seven years ago? I think it was around that time. The Zhang family took her to the capital to stay with relatives. It just so happened that the Empress Dowager was persuaded to leave the palace incognito. Who knew that she would be attacked by assassins? By a twist of fate, the Empress Dowager was saved by this Lady Zhang. In the chaos, she even took a knife for the Empress Dowager."
Such incidents are not uncommon; throughout history, countless people have stood up for emperors and empress dowagers.
No one initially said they would bestow upon her the title of county princess, though of course the rewards would be very generous.
However, after being stabbed, Princess Zhang was seriously injured and her life was once in danger. Fortunately, the imperial physician saved her in time, and she finally woke up after being in a coma for several days.
The Empress Dowager had recovered from her shock and praised the twelve or thirteen-year-old girl who had shielded her from the knife, finding her fearless at such a young age. She then asked the girl what reward she desired.
At the time, it was unclear whether Princess Zhang was still in shock or trying to retreat strategically. She refused all rewards, saying that it was her honor to shield the Empress Dowager from a knife, and that the knife wound on her back was even her achievement.
The Empress Dowager was deeply moved upon hearing this, and only told her to take good care of herself and that she would certainly not treat her badly.
Princess Zhang was recuperating in the Imperial Hospital, and the Empress Dowager would visit her occasionally. After a few visits, the two developed a harmonious relationship, and the Empress Dowager grew very fond of her.
Xiang Weinan said, "Actually, the Empress Dowager was transferring her affections. Many years ago, the Empress Dowager had a young daughter who died of illness when she was twelve or thirteen years old. The Empress Dowager spent many years fasting and chanting Buddhist scriptures because of this. She didn't know in what way this Princess Zhang resembled the little princess from back then. Anyway, later the Empress Dowager had the Emperor bestow the title of Princess upon her."
The emperor initially disagreed, feeling that giving the girl a generous reward was enough and there was no need to bestow upon her the title of county princess, as she was already too blessed.
The Empress Dowager was displeased and blamed the Emperor for treating a girl who had saved her mother so poorly, which she considered unfilial.
The emperor had a headache, but eventually agreed. However, although the county princess had a title, she received no salary or land; it was truly just a title.
Princess Zhang then settled down in the capital and stayed there for two years.
But these past two years have been enough for her to experience the coldness of human relationships. What kind of place is the capital? It's a hub for the powerful and wealthy. Don't even mention that she's a county princess; there are plenty of princesses and noblewomen out there. Besides, apart from the occasional favor from the Empress Dowager, she has nothing and is nobody.
Princess Zhang tried hard to integrate into this group, but clearly no one appreciated it, and she was unaware of the jokes they made about her behind her back.
Lady Zhang was depressed. She couldn't make a name for herself in the capital, but what if she went back to her hometown? There wasn't a single lady in Dong'an Prefecture.
Coincidentally, the Empress Dowager passed away two years later.
Her biggest and only backer was gone. The emperor didn't even remember that there was such a county princess. Even the daughters of fifth or sixth-rank officials in the capital could not take her seriously. What was the county princess Zhang doing staying in the capital?
Princess Zhang returned home with her luggage, feeling much more at ease in Dong'an Prefecture than in the capital.
Most of the young ladies and wives here still treat her as an honored guest, and countless people try to curry favor with her.
(End of this chapter)
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