Chapter 27 The Prince of Yan in the Palace: Why did she go to my brother's place? ...
The magnificent palace, nestled against the rolling hills, is bathed in the bright sunlight, making it the most beautiful place in the world.
Chongwen Palace, located to the east of the Imperial Palace, is where a breeze blows, causing peach blossoms to fall and drift into the palaces of the women.
This morning, the noble ladies knew that a new person would be coming to the academy, but no one knew who she was or which member of the royal family was her fiancée. Even as dusk fell, the person still hadn't appeared.
"Whose daughter is she?"
“When I left my bedchamber this morning, I heard the sound of a carriage coming from the northeast corner of the palace, but I didn’t see who it was. However, judging from the carriage, it didn’t seem to be a very grand affair.”
After the young woman finished speaking, she looked at a beautiful woman in front of her and asked, "Miss Helan, are you aware of this?"
Helan Zhen sat in the center of the front of the academy, wearing a light blue palace dress that shimmered softly in the light. She turned around and smiled, "Of course we don't know. This afternoon, I sent someone to ask the Prince for information, but they were also completely baffled."
As soon as he spoke, he was met with another round of soft, warbling whispers.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, whether overt or covert, Helan Zhen slowly lifted her skirt and chatted with the ladies beside her, preparing to leave. Immediately, several noble ladies behind her stood up and said, "Miss Gao, Miss Helan, let's go together."
Helan Zhen stopped to wait for the women, feeling their eager gazes and thoroughly enjoying the flattery.
The news that Miss Helan had behaved improperly before the Emperor at Chanxu Temple and had been confined to her quarters by His Majesty had already spread among the noble families in the capital some time ago.
Before entering the palace, Helan Zhen still felt humiliated, but soon after entering the palace, everyone fawned over her as usual, and Helan Zhen gradually regained some of her spirits.
Ultimately, she was the younger sister of the General of the Western Garrison, and her entry into the palace this time was due to His Majesty's leniency out of consideration for her brother, who was willing to give her another chance to make amends.
Behind him were many noble ladies, each with an extraordinary background: for example, Pei Lan, the younger sister of Minister Pei, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, whose elder brother was a key minister who had rendered meritorious service in supporting the emperor.
For example, the young lady of the Marquis of Anyuan's family, whose father is a powerful figure in the court and a leader among the newly rich; or the daughter of the Xie family, who comes from a prestigious family and has remained powerful to this day... But no matter how powerful their backers are, they themselves are always the most dazzling one.
Moreover, the awkward situation of her marriage to Prince Anle being temporarily put on hold has now become a turning point.
According to the eunuchs above, the Emperor and Empress Dowager intend to reconsider the marriages of the noble ladies and princes. They will discuss and re-arrange marriages based on the ladies' performance in the academy and the character of the princes.
The person beside her said, "Ah Zhen, which family's young lady do you think came today? Why don't we go and take a look after school?"
The Xie family lady on the right smiled and said, "I noticed that their entourage was extremely low-key, and the luggage they carried was very little, which was really simple."
For some reason, Yuan Chaolu's face appeared in Helan Zhen's mind.
When she was first released from confinement, she even sent someone to the Yuan family to inquire about her so-called "marriage agreement with the Prince of Yan." In reality, it was all just a rumor from the Yuan Dynasty. Although the Prince of Yan had visited her, he had never issued an official decree to grant the marriage. There were only some rumors circulating in the streets. She was offering herself so generously, yet the palace did not summon her this time, which was enough to show that she was full of lies.
Helan Zhen laughed and said, "Speaking of which, I heard an interesting story. There was a vain woman who said she was engaged to His Highness Prince Yan, but her name was missing from the list of those who entered the palace this time."
The women gathered around curiously. Gao Yurong, the eldest daughter of the Grand Tutor Gao family, asked in surprise, "Are there really women so ignorant of manners?"
Helan Zhen replied, "Of course, Sister Gao."
Having been in the palace for only a few days, she and the young lady from the Gao family beside her had become the leaders among all the women.
Unlike the other noble ladies who were married into the princes, this Miss Gao Yurong was personally chosen by the Empress Dowager. His Majesty has been on the throne for three years, and the position of Empress remains undecided. The Empress Dowager has taken a liking to the Gao family's daughter this time, and has summoned her several times in just a few days since she entered the palace.
Hearing about the woman from Helan Zhen, the women sighed and whispered amongst themselves, their surprise and disdain barely concealed in their eyes.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside, and Song, the female official in charge of etiquette, entered the hall with a smile and announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, today I would like to introduce you to a new classmate."
The women immediately stopped their discussion and craned their necks to look. Helan Zhen and Gao Yurong stood in front and could see a tall figure appear at the end of the long corridor in the distance, her skirt swaying gently with her steps.
The newcomer wore the same light blue palace dress as them, but she wore it with a different air. As soon as she stepped into the palace, her rich and beautiful temperament emanated like peach and plum blossoms in spring.
"Greetings, ladies. I am Yuan Chaolu, daughter of the former Minister Situ."
Just moments ago, the "Second Miss Yuan" was at the center of the gossip, but now she stood before me, her eyes smiling, like stars immersed in a clear spring.
The expressions on everyone's faces varied, and they exchanged glances.
According to Miss Helan, the woman was vulgar and uncouth. She had been living away from home since childhood and had picked up all sorts of rural habits. She was also vulgar, vain, frivolous, and lacked manners.
This woman was well-mannered, elegant, and poised, showing no signs of awkwardness as a newcomer.
This was completely different from what Helan Zhen had said.
After she finished bowing, she smiled and took a box from her attendant behind her. "I have hastily prepared some small gifts. They are nothing to brag about, but they are my heartfelt wishes. I hope you ladies will accept them."
The box contained dozens of sheets of colorful stationery, each depicting a Buddha flying apsaras or intertwined vines, with delicate brushstrokes and vibrant colors.
When Yuan Chaolu walked up to Helan Zhen, she still smiled gently and said, "Miss Helan, it's been a long time. I hope you will accept this gift."
Many eyes fell on Helan Zhen's back. Helan Zhen was about to refuse coldly when she heard the person beside her say, "Oh, what technique did you use to paint this? The colors are so bright, it's as if the colors of the precious tree are dripping off the paper."
Yuan Chaolu said, "The pigment is made from minerals from the Western Regions, mixed with mica powder, and applied in two layers, making it exceptionally vibrant."
Someone held up the flowered stationery to the sunlight streaming through the window, and everyone gasped. As the sunlight shone on the stationery, the image on it revealed layers of light and shadow, shifting with the angle of the light, like the ethereal image of a flying Buddha. The vermilion red and emerald green intertwined, beautiful yet solemn, making it irresistible.
In this world, people value "elegance" and "refinement." Her paintings today are not only ingenious but also subtly reflect Zen principles, truly embodying elegance and refinement.
Even the noble ladies who were used to seeing novelties couldn't help but glance at her a few more times.
Gao Yurong noticed that she only had a single flower hairpin in her hair, and she wasn't wearing any earrings. She couldn't find a single valuable ornament on her body, but her face made it seem as if she was wearing pearls and jewels. As soon as she entered, she made Helan Zhen, the most beautiful woman in the hall, pale in comparison.
Gao Yurong said, "We just finished class and are heading back to our dormitories. Why don't we walk together?"
A group of beautiful young women emerged from the house together, each one youthful and radiant, their jewels swaying gently, creating a fragrant breeze. As they passed the study hall in front of the young master, they truly attracted attention.
Yuan Chaolu followed behind them. Compared to the noble ladies, her father had passed away, and her family had fallen on hard times; one could even describe them as poor. Despite this, everyone saw that she maintained a friendly demeanor, without the slightest hint of obsequiousness towards the powerful, only an appropriate level of propriety.
Several noble ladies, a few steps behind Helan Zhen, whispered among themselves, glancing at her with knowing smiles. This Miss Yuan didn't seem as bad as Helan Zhen had described…
Helan Zhen felt as if she were being pricked by needles, her eyes filled with subtle, piercing gazes. She chatted and laughed with Gao Yurong by the hand, then suddenly turned around and asked, "When Miss Yuan entered the palace, was she summoned by Attendant Zhong?"
Yuan Chaolu paused slightly, then said, "Not yet."
He Lanzhen raised an eyebrow: "We entered the palace to learn etiquette because we were instructed by Eunuch Zhong. Second Miss, you haven't seen Eunuch Zhong since you entered the palace today? By the way, where is your bedroom? I live in Xiefangju in the academy. I can see a beautiful crabapple tree when I open the window."
The words seemed ordinary, but the contrast between them was subtle, reminding everyone of the difference between this newcomer and them.
Helan Zhen shook her round fan, her expression meaningful: "I'm just curious, why did the Second Miss only enter the palace today? Was something delaying her?"
Yuan Chaolu was about to answer, but the words stopped on her lips.
Her gaze was drawn to the waist belt of the eldest daughter of the Gao family, where a red Buddhist bead hung. It was a round and full red nanmu bead, exactly the same as hers.
"These prayer beads were brought from the Buddhist kingdom, and there are only two in the world. One is given to you, Miss."
So, besides her, the Emperor bestowed another one upon Gao Yurong...?
Yuan Chaolu's gaze lingered subtly on Gao Yurong's beautiful face before turning towards the corner of the corridor behind her, where a slender figure was walking briskly.
"Attendant Zhong," the women greeted the newcomer.
Zhong Changjun smiled and bowed, then looked at Yuan Chaolu under everyone's gaze and said, "Second Miss."
Yuan Chaolu gripped her sleeves tightly, just as Zhong Changjun said, "Second Miss, please come over. His Majesty summons you."
The women were astonished. His Majesty was extremely busy with state affairs. When they first entered the palace, they were only received by Zhong Changjun. But now, Miss Yuan was able to receive the Emperor's favor and meet him in person.
Yuan Chao maintained a polite smile on his face, but his clenched palms beneath his sleeves were so tight that his nails pressed painfully against his skin.
As Yuan Chaolu's figure turned the corner of the corridor and disappeared around the corner of the palace wall, the girls who had been quiet finally began to murmur like a tide once again.
**
As dusk fell, the flower branches swayed gently in the evening breeze, their branches laden with blossoms occasionally reaching out and tangling with the robes of passing palace servants.
Prince Xiao Luozhi of Yan was walking with his cousin, Prince Qinghe, under the corridor.
"Your Highness, are you going to pay your respects to the Empress Dowager this evening? Has the Empress Dowager's health improved recently?"
Prince Yan toyed with the jade pendant at his waist and said casually, "I still need to rest, but this time I have found a new painting by a painter in the market, which will surely please the Empress Dowager when she sees it."
Prince Qinghe nodded in agreement, “His Majesty had previously instructed Your Highness to prepare a painting for the Empress Dowager to relieve her boredom. The Empress Dowager is fond of Buddhism, and if the painting could depict the Buddha, it would surely please her. His Majesty would surely be pleased to know of Your Highness’s actions.”
His words carried a hint of flattery, but the person beside him suddenly stopped and looked up. The smug look on his face had vanished, and his tone had turned cold. "I offered this painting to do my part for the Empress Dowager, not because of my brother's order."
The Prince of Qinghe asked in confusion, "Your Highness?"
Xiao Luozhi frowned, leaned on one hand against the pillar, and said, "You may leave now."
Prince Qinghe, unaware of what he had said that displeased him, retreated sheepishly.
After the others had gone far away, Ye Shu, the guard behind him, stepped forward and saw Xiao Luozhi unfurling the scroll. His brows furrowed even more tightly. "Your Highness, do you find this scroll unusual? His Majesty has ordered Your Highness..."
Xiao Luozhi turned around and said, "Although you are a guard chosen for me by my royal brother, you are also one of my people."
Ye Shu quickly apologized.
Xiao Luozhi's initial excitement about presenting the painting had long been swept away by those words.
Presenting the painting was his own idea, not his elder brother's order.
He can think about and do whatever he wants, but if he is forced to do something by someone's "commands," even if he is willing, he will feel some resistance.
The surrounding palace walls were majestic, yet they enclosed the twilight into a small courtyard. He gazed in the direction of the Empress Dowager's palace, feeling as if a wall was blocking his heart, making it hard to breathe.
The Prince of Qinghe should never have mentioned his elder brother in his words. It seemed as if everything he did was at his brother's behest.
Xiao Luozhi handed over the scroll, and Ye Shu asked in confusion, "Your Highness?"
"Put the painting away, I won't see you off."
Ye Shu said, "But this painting was purchased by His Highness from Miss Zhou at great expense after spending several days traveling around Luoyang to please the Empress Dowager."
"So what?" Xiao Luozhi said.
He stared at Ye Shu for a long time, then suddenly breathed a sigh of relief and said softly, "I'm sorry, Ye Shu, it's not your fault. It's my problem. I just don't like people reminding me that I have to do something."
As for that painting...
Xiao Luozhi raised his hand to take it, but his fingertips hovered in mid-air before he finally moved away.
Just then, a crisp footstep sounded from the overhead walkway. Xiao Luo subconsciously looked up and saw a woman in a light green dress walking across the walkway in the distance. The evening breeze stirred the woman's skirt, making it seem as if it were about to fly away; as her dress billowed, it resembled the clouds on the horizon.
Xiao Luozhi's gaze froze on it, and he said, "It's her. How could she be in the inner palace?"
At the end of that road lay the emperor's palace.
Xiao Luozhi frowned and raised his hand, saying, "Ye Shu, you go to the Empress Dowager's palace first. I'll go to my brother's place."
He then walked forward and strode after the figure.
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Author's note: Morning Dew: I really don't want to see the Emperor.
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