Chapter 52 She is her
The Prince of Jin frowned, tapped his fingers lightly on the table for a while, and said, "Mao Gong, is there really no other way?"
"Yes, the Shen family is willing to let her be recognized as their ancestor and return to the clan. Only as the eldest daughter of Prime Minister Shen can she be a match for you."
The King of Jin remained silent.
"However, this matter is fraught with difficulties," Xu Maoyu continued. "Back then, the Shen and Ruan families were evenly matched, both pillars of the Great Zhou's righteous officials. Their marriage was once considered a celebrated event. Unexpectedly, Ruan remained childless for three years, and subsequently divorced, causing animosity between the two families. The people of the capital were abuzz with gossip. Even ordinary families wouldn't divorce after three years without children, let alone the highly respected Shen and Ruan families. What's more, just over a month after the divorce, Prime Minister Shen hastily remarried, and Ruan, upon returning to her parents' home, discovered she was two months pregnant. Duke Wenxiao submitted a memorial accusing Prime Minister Shen of abandoning his wife and child, but the Shen family argued that the child's origins were unknown. The late emperor was shocked and sent three physicians to the Ruan residence to examine Ruan, confirming that she was more than two months pregnant. Just as he was preparing to draft an edict to allow the Shen family to welcome Ruan back, the old Right Prime Minister Shen entered the imperial study at night, and Duke Wenxiao was also summoned to the palace. The three spoke secretly all night, and the matter was dropped. The following year, the fifth daughter was born, Duke Wenxiao passed away, and the Ruan family gradually declined." He paused for a moment, then said, "Feiyang, you see, the late emperor almost intervened back then, but then gave up. This shows that there is more to this matter than meets the eye."
Prince Jin nodded and said, “I know. Back then, this matter caused quite a stir. Whether in the palace or among the common people, everyone was speculating about the origin of the child in Lady Ruan’s womb. The concubines in the palace even started a betting game. I was eight years old at the time. I heard everyone talking about it and, out of curiosity, I went to ask my father.”
Xu Maoyu asked curiously, "What did the late emperor say?"
“My father said, ‘What are you doing meddling in this, you’re just a child?’” Recalling his father, a hint of affection flashed in Prince Jin’s eyes. “I thought I was favored, so I didn’t bother him and just lingered in his study, refusing to come out. Later, my father couldn’t persuade me and said, ‘We’ll only know whose child it is after it’s born.’”
"Could it be that Madam Ruan is truly having an affair?" Xu Maoyu asked in surprise. "I've heard that this woman is gentle, docile, and quiet. She rarely leaves the house and never goes out. She's been married into the Shen family for three years, and most of the servants in the Shen household have never seen her. The mansion is so secluded; where would she find an adulterer?"
“I’m afraid only the parties involved know the truth,” the Prince of Jin said, puzzled. “On the day the Fifth Princess was born, Duke Wenxiao passed away, and the dispute between the Shen and Ruan families was thus resolved. I had long forgotten about this matter and did not ask my father about it again.” He added with a hint of regret at the end.
Xu Maoyu said jokingly, "Feiyang was young then, how could he know about today's events? If he had known, he would definitely have pressed him for an explanation."
The King of Jin smiled and said, "Mao Gong, are you still going to make fun of me?"
"I wouldn't dare," Xu Maoyu said with a smile. "But if we can't figure out Fifth Miss's background, Fei Yang's dream with her may be hard to come true."
The Prince of Jin lowered his eyes, and after a moment, said, "I know. But no matter who her father is, now we can only let Prime Minister Shen acknowledge him."
Xu Maoyu had long known that he had this thought in his heart, so he was not surprised. He just frowned and said, "Feiyang, Shen Xiang refused to admit it back then, so why would he admit it now? Are we going to force him to admit it? Even if we force him, I'm afraid it will backfire. Although Shen Xiang is a scholar, he is proud and unyielding. He is fair and just in his governance and has a good reputation. The emperor also values him."
The King of Jin remained silent for a long time before saying, "How could I not know? I must give it a try."
Xu Maoyu hesitated for a long time before carefully choosing his words: "Feiyang, is it worth it for a woman? The Empress Dowager has always doted on you and will surely choose a virtuous and gentle concubine for you, perhaps even better than the Fifth Miss."
“Mao Gong, you’re right. My mother will choose a woman from a noble family who is both beautiful and virtuous for me. If I hadn’t met her, I would have accepted it without a care in the world. But it’s different if I have. From childhood to adulthood, everything I’ve had has been given to me by others. It may be the best, but it’s not necessarily what I like. This time, I just want to choose a wife that I like.”
"Does Fei Yang know that Shen's first wife has a daughter who is only two months younger than the Fifth Sister?"
I've heard a little about it.
"Shen Xiang cherishes this girl more than a treasure, spending lavishly to hire renowned teachers to educate her from a young age. Now she is proficient in poetry, calligraphy, music, and painting, and is skilled in everything. Moreover, she is beautiful and elegant, and the people of the capital call her the Pearl of the Capital." After a pause, Xu Maoyu said meaningfully, "Fei Yang must know that this girl accompanied Madam Shen to the palace. When the Empress Dowager saw her, she praised her highly, saying that Madam Shen's daughter was extraordinary."
"I've heard that before."
"Has Fei Yang seen this woman before?"
No.
"Why don't Fei Yang meet with her first before making any plans?"
"Lord Mao, have you forgotten that I was born in the palace? I've seen far too many women of perfect beauty and virtue, but when it comes to beauty and virtue, none can surpass my seventh brother's mother. When I was young, I loved to run to her palace and sit there. I felt that every smile and frown of hers was like a figure in a painting." With a slightly dimmed look, Prince Jin said with emotion, "It was she who caused me to fall into Jinming Pond and almost drown."
He rarely mentioned past palace affairs, and Xu Maoyu was slightly taken aback when he heard this.
Prince Jin quickly realized he had gone off-topic, smiled wryly, and continued the original topic: "Mao Gong, you've been with me all these years, you've seen it all, so many women throwing themselves at you, many of them stunning beauties. In terms of looks, Fifth Miss is slightly inferior to them. What I admire is her character; she's clearly the most gentle person, yet her heart is defiant. No matter how dire her situation, she remains calm and composed, waiting for an opportunity to retaliate. One day she was the laughingstock of the capital, the next she's a disciple of Master Ziying. Others don't..." Knowing of Master Ziying, I've known her for a long time; she's truly a meticulous person. To be able to move her speaks volumes about her eloquence and wisdom. The Shen family's daughter is hailed as the pearl of the capital by the people, simply because she's the daughter of Prime Minister Shen, yet she relied on no one; she was simply herself. Looking across the world, I don't believe you can find another like her.” Having said this, he looked up at the calligraphy hanging on the wall, “One shouldn't adjust one's shoes in a melon patch, nor straighten one's hat under a plum tree,” imagining her indignant and righteous demeanor as she wielded her brush, and smiled gently.
Seeing the tender affection between his brows, Xu Maoyu sighed inwardly, knowing that his heart was already in love and that further persuasion would be futile. So he said, "Feiyang, you're overthinking it. I'm just suggesting that you meet this pearl of the capital first. I heard that she goes to Tianqing Temple to offer incense with Madam Shen on the first day of every month."
The Prince of Jin waved his hand and said, "Let's talk about it later. Mao Gong, I remember there was a fellow student of yours among Prime Minister Shen's staff, and we were very close."
Xu Maoyu nodded.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Master Mao."
"Feiyang, I'm afraid I'll fail in my mission this time."
"Go ahead and do it. I'll think about it and see if there are any other good ideas."
Xu Maoyu nodded slightly and stepped back.
The Prince of Jin thought for a moment, then called Yu Qing in and said, "Send someone to fetch Ruan Chi."
Yu Qing responded and left.
The Prince of Jin picked up his book and read for a while. Hearing a faint commotion outside the door, he called Yu Qing in and asked, "Who's making a ruckus outside?"
"It's Young Master Gu. He heard you were reading in your study, so he wanted to drag Youde to the training ground for a horsemanship and archery competition. Youde said that the Prince had given an order not to compete with him, and he's making a fuss about it."
"He's challenging Youde to another contest?" King Jin chuckled. "That's ridiculous. Let him in."
A moment later, Gu Xiaobai rushed in and said, "Cousin, Luo Youde said that you forbade him from competing with me in archery and horsemanship, is that true?"
The Prince of Jin put down his pen and said, "Instead of studying at the Imperial Academy, you keep running around here every few days to compete in riding and archery with Youde. If your aunt finds out, she'll scold us for it."
“I’m getting dizzy from reading all those classical Chinese texts every day. Besides, I’m not going to become the top scholar, so what’s the point of reading so many books? Riding horses, shooting arrows, and fighting on the battlefield are the true colors of a man.” Gu Xiaobai said with a droopy face, “I just wish I had been born a few years earlier so I could have gone to the Northwest with my cousin to shoot eagles with a bow.”
“Now that the war in the Northwest has ended, you should give up these thoughts as soon as possible and focus on your studies,” said the Prince of Jin. “Besides, you are not young anymore, it’s time for you to get married and have children.”
Gu Xiaobai jumped up, yelling, "Cousin, you haven't even gotten married and had kids yet, how come it's my turn? I won't do it! Lin Yuanze and Yu Dekai used to be even more outgoing than me, but ever since they got married, they don't come out at all. It's so boring. Once, I even saw a really long gash on Yu Dekai's face. He said it was from a cat, but Shunmei told me he was lying and that his wife scratched him. Listen to that, how scary!"
Prince Jin laughed heartily, knowing that Gu Xiaobai was still young and might feel awkward or uncomfortable, so he said no more.
Gu Xiaobai said eagerly, "Cousin, please order Youde to fight me!"
"Why do you always want to fight him? Last time you were showing off and tried to draw a 300-pound bow, you almost strained your arm. Have you forgotten?" Prince Jin gave him a reproachful look. "That's ridiculous. Even I can't draw that 300-pound bow. You're still young and your strength hasn't fully developed yet. If you strain it, your arm will be ruined."
Gu Xiaobai muttered defiantly, "What do you mean by showing off? I just lost control for a moment." He paused and said, "Then let's not compete in archery, let's compete in horsemanship."
The Prince of Jin frowned and looked at him, asking, "Have you made a grudge against Youde?"
Gu Xiaobai shook his head repeatedly and said, "No."
Prince Jin didn't believe it, so he called Youde in and asked, "Tell me, how did you come to have a grudge against Young Master Gu?"
Youde's eyes widened in surprise. "How could I have a grudge against him?" he said. Then, a thought flashed through his mind like lightning. "Could it be because I forced Fifth Sister's horse to move last time..."
Prince Jin paused slightly, looking at Gu Xiaobai. Although he sat upright, his expression was somewhat awkward. Recalling that day at the horse farm, Gu Xiaobai leading Ruan Bi's horse, while she sat on the horse smiling brightly... his heart sank, and he asked, "Xiaobai, do you have a girl you like? Whose is she? Tell your cousin."
"No," Gu Xiaobai hurriedly denied, picking up his teacup and gulping down water to hide his awkwardness. He was still young at heart, feeling that liking a girl was a shameful thing, and even more embarrassed to tell others.
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