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◎You have to do better than everyone else and be stronger than everyone else.◎
Qingyang was born in early April, a perfect time of year when the sun is warm but not scorching and flowers are in full bloom everywhere.
When Qingyang was still a child, her father would arrange a banquet in the Imperial Garden every year on her birthday, inviting ladies of similar age from the families of important officials and nobles to come to the palace to celebrate her birthday. At that age, Qingyang also liked such a lively atmosphere.
The most grand celebration had been her coming-of-age banquet at fifteen. At sixteen, Qingyang accompanied her father on his southern tour, and on her birthday, only her father, mother, second brother, and Zhang Su shared a feast. This year, Qingyang had her own official duties, and her closest childhood friends had all become her sisters-in-law, each with their own duties managing the household. Qingyang had completely given up on holding another birthday banquet. While she would be delighted if her older sisters and brothers and sisters-in-law gave her gifts, it was perfectly normal if they didn't or forgot to give her anything. After all, her nieces and nephews were grown up, and her brothers and sisters-in-law no longer had to coax her like a child.
But Qingyang wasn't one for crowds. On the evening before her birthday, her father actually called her over and said, "Tomorrow is your birthday. I'm planning a banquet at noon to celebrate your birthday. Everyone invited is from our family, except Zhang Su, who can only be considered half a family member for now."
Qingyang: "...It's just a small birthday. Let's forget it. My uncle and my brothers are all busy, especially my uncle, who's far away in the military camp. Why bother traveling back and forth just for a meal?"
Emperor Xingwu: "It is your birthday, but it should also be your last birthday as a little girl. When you get married, it will be inconvenient for your father to celebrate your birthday with such fanfare. Your father can't bear to do so, and he must have a grand celebration to feel at ease. Anyway, I have already sent a message to your uncle and others, telling them to do their duty and rush to Qianyuan Hall by noon. If they find it troublesome, they don't have to come. I won't blame them for it."
Qingyang: “…”
When the emperor speaks, who dares not come?
Emperor Xingwu saw his daughter lowering her eyes and said with a smile, "Why, are you worried about people gossiping and thinking your father favors you too much?"
Qingyang looked up at his father, who was still smiling, and whispered, "I've already gotten enough attention because of that travelogue. I should tone it down a bit now."
Talking only about state affairs, Qingyang could guess about 70% to 80% of his father's plans. However, when it came to himself, Qingyang was really unsure.
With her father's love for her for more than ten years, Qingyang believed that her father would not deliberately put her in trouble. However, the more prosperous she became, the greater the pressure on her elder brother would be, and her elder sister would blame her for it. Qingyang did not believe that her father really did not take this into account. So, what kind of result did her father want?
I hope that Big Brother will learn from his mistakes and work harder, or...
If it's the former, the eldest brother has been reborn from the ashes, but she, as a whetstone, is unlikely to have a good ending in the eldest brother's lineage.
If it is the latter, then the hidden dangers behind this fame will become her whetstone.
Emperor Xingwu: "Why should I be so reserved? Every citizen in the world knows that I love you, my little princess, the most. The ministers in the court have been secretly criticizing me for doting on my daughter too much because I allowed you to visit the front court years ago. They might even think you're benefiting from your mother's influence, and then mock me for being so indulgent towards you because of your mother's love. Lin'er, tell me why I've been so indulgent towards you?"
Qingyang was silent for a moment, then said, "Before I was three, my father may have loved me because he loved my mother and loved my family, and because I was born on the day you ascended the throne. After I was three, my father allowed me to go to Chongwen Pavilion because he saw that I loved reading and had talent."
"The badge for traveling to the Front Court was given to me because I caught my father by surprise. He didn't expect me to ask for it, and it was difficult for him to break his promise."
"The badge allowing me to walk outside the palace means that my father saw his daughter's ambition to serve the court and could not bear to restrict her. He later allowed me to take the palace examination and serve as an official in the court. This is because my father appreciates me and loves me. He is not hesitant to bear the stigma of acting absurdly and disrupting discipline for me."
If she had a different father, even if he loved her as much as her eldest or third brother did, she would only be a princess in the deep palace who was not allowed to interfere in politics.
Emperor Xingwu: "Yes, it is because of your talent that I am willing to place you in the court. Otherwise, I would at most give you wealth and honors that surpass those of your elder sister and brothers, and I would never allow you to cause trouble in the court. After so many years, Yan Xizheng and his ministers are more or less aware of your talents, but the people of the world do not know and still misunderstand that I am somewhat confused. Therefore, your travelogue has come at the perfect time. I want the people of the world to know about my son's literary talent and virtue, and let them know that I love you because you deserve it, not because I am a tyrant!"
Qingyang's eyes were already wet.
Emperor Xingwu took out a handkerchief and wiped the corners of his daughter's eyes with his own hands. He then turned to talk about tomorrow's birthday banquet: "Father is old and wants to see more of you brothers, sisters, uncles, and nephews gathered together in harmony. The older you get, the fewer opportunities there are. So, I am causing trouble for my son out of selfish motives."
Qingyang hated to hear such words the most. He cried and leaned on his father's shoulder: "It won't be less. As long as your father is willing, we will accompany you to dinner every day."
Emperor Xingwu smiled, patting the back of his daughter's head. He said, "I'm busy too. How can I spend every day with you? In short, Lin'er, remember this: your second and third brothers can keep a low profile, but if they can, you can't. You entered the court because of your talent. Once you become like everyone else, the ministers and the people will think you're unworthy of being an official. Therefore, you must do better than everyone else, and be stronger than anyone who wants to drive you away, so that you can continue to do what you love."
Qingyang understood, really understood.
.
The next day, as the birthday boy, Qingyang left the Ministry of Personnel early and was the first one to arrive at Qianyuan Hall among the staff.
The Imperial Concubine and the Beautiful Concubine have already arrived. The Crown Princess Lü Wenrong is accompanying the two concubines, and Zheng Ge'er is playing chess with his grandfather.
The mother couldn't bend the emperor's eldest grandson's shoulders, but the emperor's grandfather's presence made it possible. As soon as the little princess came in, Zheng Ge'er stood up obediently and bowed respectfully to his aunt.
Qingyang came to the grandfather and grandson with a smile, put her hand on Zheng'er's shoulder and asked him to sit down, and then she stood behind her father to watch the game.
Playing chess requires full concentration, but Zheng Ge'er, who was already playing against the master of his grandfather, was obviously unable to do this. From time to time, he would glance at his aunt's purple official robe embroidered with pythons and dragons.
But if the relationship between aunt and nephew is good, he doesn't need to do this at all.
Emperor Xingwu smiled, captured Sun Tzu's piece, and ended the game.
Not long after, Qin Hong, Qin Bing's family of three, Qin Ren and his wife, Yongkang's family of four, and Prince Yong's family of eight from three generations all arrived, followed by Zhang Su, whose title as the son-in-law of the emperor had not yet been confirmed.
Give gifts before the meal begins.
The gifts given by adults were mostly gold and jade, including a jade hairpin given by Zhang Su. The children's gifts were more unique. Fu Ming performed a set of vigorous boxing for his aunt, Fu Xi gave her a handkerchief embroidered by herself, Zheng Ge'er recited an article from "Southern Tour", and three-year-old Ying'er gave a pot of wild flowers she planted by herself.
The four children of Qin Liang's family stood in a row and recited a birthday poem to their aunt together.
The childishness of children is indeed endearing. Qingyang kept smiling, and the elders watching were also smiling.
When the banquet started, because the four families of Qin Hong were all in pairs, Emperor Xingwu arranged for Zhang Su to sit at the same table with the little princess.
Compared with Fu Kui, who had been the emperor's son-in-law for more than ten years, and Lu Wenrong, the three royal daughters-in-law, Zhang Su was very respectful. He didn't even look at the little princess beside him, but just helped her pour tea and pick up dishes from time to time.
Deng joked, "Zhang Su also grew up in the palace. You're all familiar with him. Why is he even more restrained than the eldest son-in-law when he first entered the palace after his marriage?"
Qin Bing was still annoyed with her, and was afraid that if he kept it to himself, Aunt Wang would start nagging again, so he immediately said, "Zhang Su has been a quiet person since he was a child. Aunt Wang will understand after a long time."
Deng ignored him and continued praising Zhang Su: "Among all the noble sons in the capital, Zhang Su is the most fortunate. He was able to marry the most favored little princess of the royal family and is also the most talented Wenquxing."
It's a joke. Banquets are lively only when there is talking and laughing, especially for new brides and sons-in-law. That's how it goes. If no one really makes fun of Zhang Su, it would seem like they don't take him seriously, which would embarrass Zhang Su and the little princess.
If she had the chance, Deng wouldn't have been so presumptuous in front of the emperor, but what she just said was the truth. If anyone doesn't like it, they can blame the emperor for being partial.
Yongkang glanced at Deng indifferently. Fu Kui ate silently, not daring to show any envy of Zhang Su.
Lu Wenrong tried his best to smile naturally. Meng Yao and Yan Zhenzhen were caught in the middle and it was difficult for them to agree with him.
The status of a noble concubine also made it difficult to speak. Concubine Li was flustered by Deng's praise. She smiled and said modestly on her daughter's behalf, "Lin'er has taken advantage of being the youngest to gain the favor of the Emperor and his brothers and sisters for so many years. He does have some talent for studying, but he will continue to rely on his brothers and sisters and their wives to take care of him in the future."
Qin Hongsan and his wife and Yongkang finally had a chance to talk.
Emperor Xingwu just ate, watched and listened.
Prince Yong was even more curious about his niece's wedding date and asked his elder brother whether it had been decided.
When he asked this question, several people pricked up their ears, and Concubine Li looked at the emperor expectantly.
Emperor Xingwu, who had never given anyone a definite answer, smiled, glanced at the little princess and Zhang Su sitting at the same table, and said, "I really do love Lin'er the most, and I can't bear to see her leave the palace too early. Let's wait a little longer and talk about it next year."
Concubine Li and Concubine Gui were stunned, as were Prince Yong, Lady Deng, and several young couples. Next year, next year the little princess will be eighteen years old!
Only Yongkang clenched the tea bowl in his hand. His sister had been with his father for seventeen years, but his father was still reluctant to let her go. Why was he so eager to marry her to Fu Kui as soon as he returned to Beijing?
At this time, Emperor Xingwu looked at Zhang Su with a smile and asked, "Are you anxious, Sulang?"
Zhang Su stood up and said, "It is an honor for me to receive the Emperor's blessing on my marriage. I dare not rush the wedding date."
Emperor Xingwu: "Don't dare to urge, or don't want to urge?"
Zhang Su lowered his eyes and said nothing.
Qin Bing was the first to laugh, followed closely by Prince Yong, and then the high and low laughter filled the entire hall.
After the banquet, Qingyang returned to Jiuhua Palace with everyone's gifts. He opened Zhang Su's gift box and found that it was indeed double-layered. The bottom layer was the little wooden man he really wanted to give this year.
The fifteen-year-old wooden figurine he had carved in Yunzhou was an image of her coming of age. The sixteen-year-old wooden figurine depicted her wearing a dragon robe and official uniform. This little wooden princess was actually holding a sapling that was no taller than she was.
What does it mean?
Qingyang lifted up the wood carving and looked at it again and again. When she turned to the base, she found a date engraved on it. After a little thought, Qingyang opened "Southern Tour Travels" and compared it. It was indeed the day when she and her second brother debated whether it was possible to reclaim wasteland and plant trees on the loess slopes in Liangzhou.
Therefore, Zhang Su supported her "crazy idea" and hoped that she could achieve her wish through this little wooden man.
Qingyang kissed the new wooden princess.
Those who believe in her will use it, and those who don’t believe in her will do it one day.
【Author’s words】
Here they come, 100 little red envelopes, see you in the evening~
ps: The little princess’ birthday is April 2nd, but it was recorded as the 7th in the previous two chapters, so Rui Ge’er’s birthday has to be moved forward (March 25th). I’ll make a minor revision so you don’t have to look back.
PPS: I changed to a new cover that is more in line with what Qingyang will do next. I really like the sword-wielding element [three-color cat head]
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