Li Zhaole stormed over angrily: "How dare you go to see Consort Ji without permission!"
I helped Xiren up: "Princess, with so many people around me, how could it be considered a private matter?"
Li Zhaole: "You two, aunt and niece, I wonder what you're plotting."
"I've come at an inopportune time; I've already angered Sister Zhaole as soon as I arrived," Xie Yuancheng said with a smile as he walked in and stood to the side.
Li Zhaole's anger turned into laughter: "Brother Yuancheng, you haven't been to the capital for a long time. It's all because of him. He disregarded the difference in status and actually went to see Consort Ji on the second day of his marriage."
Xie Yuancheng: "Sister Zhaole, you've misunderstood the Imperial Son-in-Law. He's Consort Ji's nephew, so he should be going. I ran into him in the Imperial Garden, and he even invited me to come along."
Li Zhaole didn't believe it: "Is this true? Brother Yuancheng, you're not lying to me."
Xie Yuancheng nodded, and Li Zhaole gave me a cold snort before warmly inviting Xie Yuancheng into the house. I told Zhang Mama and Xiren to leave first, as Master wasn't here today and we couldn't learn swordsmanship.
Just then, the Hanlin Academy delivered official robes and some documents. I went inside and found a copy of "The Doctrine of the Mean" containing Consort Ji's letter, and slipped it inside.
I sat at my desk, looking at the documents from the Hanlin Academy, which were all about how to be an official. My classical Chinese wasn't very good, but thankfully the country used common characters; otherwise, I would have truly become illiterate.
Two tapping sounds came from the table. I looked up and saw Xie Yuancheng. I quickly stood up and bowed: "Marquis Anle".
Xie Yuancheng took the document I was reading from my hand: "It's all just rules and regulations, you might as well not read it."
I'm still quite grateful to him. If he hadn't shown up, Li Zhaole would probably still be making a scene: "Thank you so much, Marquis Anle, for getting me out of that predicament."
Xie Yuancheng put down his book and sat down in the chair next to him: "We are both people who live under the imperial power, so there is no need for formalities."
I called out to the outside, "Anxiang, Xiren." These two girls didn't even bother to announce my arrival, and they didn't even offer me tea.
Xie Yuancheng: "They went out with Sister Zhaole just now, so please come in for a moment. No need for formalities." I had no choice but to stand respectfully to the side.
Xie Yuancheng touched the jade thumb ring on his right thumb, glanced at me, and said, "I used to live in the Ji residence, how come I've never seen you before?"
I made up a reason: "I have been physically weak since I was a child, and my mother always arranged for me to live in the backyard and not appear in front of outsiders often."
Xie Yuancheng nodded and stood up: "See you at the Hanlin Academy tomorrow. I have something to tell you."
I respectfully saw Xie Yuancheng to the door, and then Zhang Mama came over and said, "Your Highness, the princess has gone to see the Empress."
I said, "Granny Zhang, I'm going to the Hanlin Academy tomorrow, so I'd like to rest early tonight and won't wait for the princess to return." Granny Zhang nodded. She knew the princess was willful, and since the princess herself had said not to let the prince consort into the room, she couldn't force her any further.
Fortunately, everything was fine last night, and I went to bed early. Tomorrow I'll be facing a bunch of cunning officials from the Hanlin Academy, and if I don't get some rest, my legs will probably hurt even if I stand up.
The next morning, I changed into my official robes, got ready, and then took the documents and official seal to the Hanlin Academy.
In ancient times, there were no watches or cell phones, so I had no idea what time it was. I just had Granny Zhang keep track of the time to wake me up. I couldn't bring any attendants with me, but luckily the distance wasn't too far. I followed Granny Zhang's scribbled map and actually found it, although it still took me almost half an hour to walk there.
It must be said that the palace is indeed very large. I wonder if the emperor's daily visits to different concubines' palaces were out of true love or simply a matter of tireless effort.
As soon as I entered, I greeted all the officials. They all smiled, probably because I was the prince consort, but their eyes were devoid of emotion.
My job was to check some archives, but it was a rather unremarkable task. The Court of Colonial Affairs was headed by the top scholar of the current dynasty, and I was just responsible for the archives on the side. Fortunately, the work was simple and I could manage.
After a while, Xie Yuancheng arrived. The officials here treated him with great courtesy and respect, a stark contrast to my own behavior. After discussing some matters with the Grand Secretary, he came over.
I stood up and bowed. The only good thing about being a man is that you don't have to bow or kneel all the time.
Marquis Anle: "I have come to the capital this time to find a talented person to go to Linyang to assist me. I wonder if the Prince Consort is interested in going there."
Did Xie Yuancheng discuss this with Consort Ji beforehand, or is he truly looking for a capable person? However, with his intelligence, he should know that even though I am the imperial consort, I couldn't handle Li Zhaole, let alone anyone else.
The Grand Scholar also came over, stroking his white beard: "Prince Consort, I wanted to discuss this with you a few days ago, but the princess is newly married, and Marquis Anle is also here this time, so please consider it."
Were all official duties in ancient times this casual, or am I missing something?
I pretended to consider it for a moment and said, "Okay, I have no objection."
The Grand Secretary had an official draft a memorial before going about his own business.
Xie Yuancheng took a few books from other bookshelves and placed them on the table: "These are the archives of Linyang over the past few years. The Prince Consort can consult them in the county."
Taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, I secretly approached Xie Yuancheng: "My lord, I have practiced martial arts since I was a child, but I am not very good at it. I do not understand matters of governance, so I am afraid you will have to find another capable person to guide you."
Xie Yuancheng smiled, his eyes crinkling: "The Prince Consort need not belittle himself."
I had no choice but to pick up these books and start reading. I spent the whole day engrossed in them, but the more I read, the dizzier I became. It seems that besides finding a martial arts master, I also need to find a scholar to guide me.
The Hanlin Academy wasn't as complicated as I'd imagined. Everyone had their own responsibilities, and aside from exchanging a few words, they mostly did their own thing, which was great.
I was overjoyed that Li Zhaole was granted special permission to leave the palace these past few days; even the characters I looked at seemed endearing.
In ancient times, things were not very efficient. It wasn't until the third day that the Grand Secretary told me that the Emperor had agreed to let me and the Marquis of Anle go to Linyang City. However, considering the princess's recent wedding, the date was set for five days later.
Five days later, I can leave this palace. I'm shouting "Long live the Emperor!" in my heart. If only I could leave and never come back!
Li Zhaole is back again. I just came back from the Hanlin Academy. Xie Yuancheng talked about a lot of poems today, none of which I had heard before. They are not as easy to understand as Tang poems, although I only remember a few Tang poems.
Zhang Mama said in a panic, "Prince Consort, the princess is heartbroken, and no amount of persuasion can console her. You should go and see her."
I didn't want to see it, but I had to maintain a polite demeanor: "Okay."
Zhang Mama and I went inside. The floor was covered with exquisite ornaments that Li Zhaole had smashed. Even the teapot was broken. What a waste!
Li Zhaole was crying while hugging her pillow. When she saw me, she threw the pillow at me and said, "Who let you in? Get out!"
Zhang Mama said anxiously from the side, "Princess, you can take your anger out on us servants. The prince consort is going to Linyang soon, and you won't see him for a long time. Please don't get angry with him."
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