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"May I ask, Your Majesty, what are your hopes for Princess Qingyang's future?"
In the garden of the villa, there is a stone wall more than three meters high. The clear spring water winding down from the mountain splashes over the stone wall and gathers into a pool. A Tingquan Hall is built beside the pool. It is open on all sides. This is the place where Emperor Xingwu entertained a group of important civil and military officials after this mountain climbing.
Emperor Xingwu, not caring about the sweat on his body, took his ministers directly to Tingquan Palace, where palace servants brought clean water and towels to help the emperor and his ministers wash their faces and hands.
Unable to bear the sticky sweat, the little princess was led by Jie Yu, who had been waiting there, to the other courtyards and backyards. After the palace maids prepared hot water, Qingyang enjoyed a comfortable bath. After changing into a new ruqun, she was starving. Not wanting to delay her father's banquet, Qingyang touched her hair, which had only been twisted until it was no longer dripping, and said to Qinfang, the senior palace maid who was combing her hair, "Tie it in the back with a hairband."
It is uncomfortable to tie wet hair into a bun, and it is undignified to let it down completely. Tying it down does not affect your appearance and is convenient for drying your hair, which is the best of both worlds.
Qinfang thought about it, and then separated two strands of hair that were most likely to fall from the little princess's forehead and tied them behind her head with a crabapple flower hairpin. Two gold tassels hung from the hairpin. When the little princess walked, the two small pearl pendants would sway gently, which was in line with the lively and agile nature of the little princess at her age.
After taking a bath, his legs were no longer as heavy as if they were filled with lead. Qingyang set off, and Jie Yu followed the little princess with an umbrella.
In Tingquan Palace, Emperor Xingwu and others were chatting animatedly and were not waiting for anyone. However, when the little princess appeared on the garden path leading to this side, everyone looked over.
Emperor Xingwu was both happy and moved. With his daughter's hair hanging down and walking towards him leisurely, she actually looked like a grown-up girl.
The three princes were surprised when they saw their sister dressed like this for the first time.
The young noble son sat at the end of the table, farthest away from Emperor Xingwu. Zhang Su was the first to notice the little princess coming and the first to look away, even though the little princess seemed a little unfamiliar to him at this time.
When the little princess approached, the ministers wanted to leave their seats to greet her, but Emperor Xingwu held them back and said with a smile, "I said we're just discussing friendship today. Please stay seated. No need for formalities."
Of course, the high-ranking civil and military officials could be exempted from the formalities for the little princess, but Zhang Heng, Zhang Su and other young men couldn't just sit there foolishly. They all stood up and said, "Greetings, Princess."
Qingyang glanced at Zhang Su, whose face had returned to its fair complexion, and asked them to excuse themselves as he climbed the stone steps outside the hall.
Only when the little princess walked past did the young men sit down again.
All Qingyang could see was her father, who was sitting alone in the main seat, and her brothers and ministers on either side. Everyone was looking at her, but Qingyang didn't feel nervous. She asked, "Father, am I late?"
Emperor Xingwu: "Not late, not late. The banquet will begin in another quarter of an hour."
The officials and young men who would accompany him on the mountain climb today were decided yesterday, and the number of people and the approximate time for the meal were also told to the imperial kitchen in advance. Emperor Xingwu had to follow this time, so if it was too far in advance, the imperial kitchen would not be ready, and if it was too late, the food would remain warm for too long and its taste would be ruined.
Qingyang felt relieved. Seeing that her eldest and second brothers were sitting to the lower left of their father, and there was an empty seat next to her third brother's seat on the right, it was naturally reserved for her, so Qingyang walked over.
Logically speaking, since she was younger, her elder brother should sit in the upper seat, but the seat next to the brother and sister was occupied by Duke Cheng, Lu Guangzu. Qin Ren was afraid that his sister would feel restrained, so he deliberately left the upper seat to her. He took the pressure on his sister that she might have to socialize with the old Duke!
Qingyang didn't think too much about it. The third brother was sitting steadily, and it would be rude for her to ask him to get up and give her his seat.
After his daughter sat down, Emperor Xingwu and his ministers continued the previous topic.
Qingyang was a little thirsty and reached out to pick up the teapot. Qin Ren saw this and took the initiative to pour tea for his sister.
When Qingyang was drinking tea from a bowl, she inadvertently caught a glimpse of the old prime minister Yan Xi, who was sitting opposite her and below her second brother, looking at her again. When their eyes met, the old prime minister looked away as if nothing had happened.
Over the years, Qingyang often encountered Yan Xizheng's stern, disapproving gaze whenever she visited the Secretariat. It was so severe that even at the age of three, she knew the Prime Minister disliked her. If she weren't a princess, Yan Xizheng would have reprimanded her long ago. But Qingyang wasn't afraid of him, because she was the Emperor's daughter, and Yan Xizheng was merely his subject.
Putting down the tea bowl, Qingyang listened attentively to what his father and the others were talking about, not paying attention to the look Yan Xizheng had just given him.
Emperor Xingwu, who was sitting in the main seat, quickly noticed the change in Yan Xizheng. After all, Yan Xizheng had always been talking and laughing with them before. How could a prime minister who was so big and sitting so close to them suddenly stop smiling? How blind must Emperor Xingwu have to be to not see it?
Knowing that Yan Xizheng would not spoil everyone's good mood for no reason, Emperor Xingwu secretly recalled what everyone had said. When he could recall nothing, Emperor Xingwu asked directly, "Prime Minister Yan looks so solemn. What state affairs are you thinking about?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone looked at Yan Xizheng.
Yan Xi was about to leave his seat to reply, but Emperor Xingwu asked him to sit down and talk.
Yan Xizheng then bowed to the emperor and said sternly, "What I am thinking about may be related to state affairs, but judging from the present situation, it is more about the emperor's family affairs."
Emperor Xingwu laughed and said, "Which of my family affairs has Prime Minister Yan worried about again?"
As he spoke, his eyes swept across the faces of his three sons in turn.
Qin Hong was nervous. Qin Bing looked at his eldest brother and then at his third brother. Qin Ren sat steadily, looking at Yan Xiang blankly, waiting for what happened next.
The little princess, who was the only one favored by the old prime minister, frowned slightly and listened attentively.
Yan Xizheng looked at the little princess again, then said to Emperor Xingwu, "May I ask, Your Majesty, what are your hopes for Princess Qingyang's future?"
Now, everyone looked at the little princess who was sitting opposite the crown prince and next to the third prince.
Qingyang remained seated, his face showing only contemplation of the question raised by Yan Xizheng.
Emperor Xingwu looked at his daughter and said, "I naturally hope that my son will be healthy and happy throughout his life." His daughter already has wealth and glory, so there is no need for him to expect anything from her.
Yan Xizheng: "Then let me ask more specifically. Does Your Majesty hope that Princess Qingyang will find a husband of her dreams when she grows up and live in harmony with him and raise their children? Or does Your Majesty hope that Princess Qingyang will frequently attend the front court and attend court affairs with the ministers as she does now?"
Emperor Xingwu did not look at his daughter, nor did he avoid Yan Xizheng's stern eyes. He half-lowered his eyes and looked at the wine bowl in his hand, with the casual smile he had at the banquet still on the corner of his mouth, as if he was savoring this question carefully.
However, everyone present, whether high-ranking ministers or young men who had not yet made any achievements, including teenagers like Zhang Su, understood the hidden meaning of Yan Xizheng's dissatisfaction with Princess Qingyang's appearance in Tingquan Palace.
To put it more bluntly, Yan Xizheng was attacking Princess Qingyang.
Although Qingyang was small, she could hear the wit in the words of Princess Yong and the wife of Marquis Pingliang that were unfavorable to her mother and third brother. Now that Yan Xizheng's sharp criticism was coming at her, Qingyang would not misunderstand. She just looked at the prime minister across from her in confusion, not understanding why he said such words.
Qin Hong didn't understand why Yan Xizheng was targeting his sister. Looking at his sister's innocent face, Qin Hong, as the eldest brother, wanted to smooth things over for his sister. However, Yan Xizheng was questioning his father, and his father hadn't expressed his opinion yet. Yan Xizheng was the founding prime minister who had assisted his father all the way to the throne...
Qin Hong lowered his head slightly and clenched his hands nervously.
Qin Bing had been thinking about it for a while. He figured his sister was only nine years old. She'd gone to the front court to have fun, and she'd come to the mountain to have fun. So, eating together after the climb was perfectly normal. Why would her grandfather bully her? But then again, his sister wouldn't be able to behave like this anymore when she grew up. So, was his grandfather worried that his father was allowing his sister to disrupt the government?
Seeing that the other ministers had stopped laughing and were either glancing at his father or watching with their eyes downcast, and even his eldest brother didn't say a word, Qin Bing looked across at him and waited for his father to speak.
Qin Ren was restless. The old prime minister was actually targeting his sister!
Qin Ren first looked at his sister, who was staring at Yan Xizheng. Qin Ren then looked at Zhang Su, who was quite far away. Moreover, Zhang Su, a little schoolmate, was really talking nonsense here, so his father would be the first to punish him.
Qin Ren calmed himself down, put on a smile, and said to Yan Xizheng, "Qingyang is only nine years old. Why do you think so far ahead, Prime Minister Yan? Look at how good the weather is today, and how clear the water in the waterfall next to us is..."
Yan Xizheng: "...I should think ahead and anticipate future troubles. As the Prime Minister, since I can see that Your Majesty may have future worries, I should remind Him early and take precautions in advance."
Qingyang: "Prime Minister Yan, what you mean is that you see in me the potential harm I could bring to our father?"
Yan Xizheng said, "Yes, the princess memorized the Thousand Character Classic by the age of three. Her talent and intelligence have long been known throughout the court and the country. Her interest in the affairs of the former dynasty is also well known. Today, the princess climbed the mountain and showed great perseverance far beyond that of an ordinary girl, as well as her ambition to travel the country. If the emperor hopes that the princess will marry, have children, and settle down in the harem like Princess Yongkang, he should not continue to indulge the princess in visiting the former court and making acquaintances with important officials, so as to prevent her from interfering in government affairs."
"Your Majesty, parents who love their children plan for the long term. Your Majesty must not sow the seeds of disaster for the princess in the future by doting on her."
If the Crown Prince had possessed the talent, intelligence, and perseverance that Princess Qingyang has demonstrated over the years, Yan Xizheng would have woken up laughing in his dreams, believing that Great Qi would have welcomed its second wise ruler. However, the Crown Prince, though well-read and diligent in martial arts, lacked the authority of an emperor. Having an untalented but powerful older princess as his superior was already a cause for concern. If a younger princess emerged, surpassing the Crown Prince in intelligence, courage, and dignity, what chaos would the court entail if the Crown Prince ascended the throne?
As Yan Xizheng said the word "interfering in politics", some people looked at the prince, and some looked at the prince's wife's family, Lu Guangzu and Lu Zan, father and son.
The little princess is only nine years old. No matter how capable she is, she cannot take charge of Emperor Xingwu's politics. That can only happen after the crown prince ascends the throne.
Qin Hong broke out in a cold sweat. Of course, he was not suspicious or afraid that his sister was going to interfere in his politics. He was just anxious about Yan Xizheng's nonsense!
"Prime Minister Yan is overthinking. My sister is just a bookworm. Since she's young and playful, she likes to hang out in the former court. She has absolutely no intention of interfering in government."
Qin Hong finally spoke and looked at his sister.
Qingyang: "I never disturbed the ministers from doing their work."
Yan Xizheng: "As a princess, it is inappropriate to be curious about the affairs of the court."
Qingyang didn't like what she was saying. "Should a princess be oblivious to state affairs? Then may I ask, Prime Minister Yan, as a princess, I'm bound to interact with the royal family, the wives and children of high-ranking officials. If I don't understand state affairs, how can I detect potential violations of law and harm to the country by these people? How can I prevent myself from being misled by treacherous officials and led astray? And how can I, as a princess, persuade my husband, my children, and other members of the royal family to be impartial and law-abiding, setting an example for the people and officials?"
Yan Xizheng: "The principles of being an official and a good person can be learned from books. Princess does not need to go to the former court in person, and she should not get too close to the important officials of the court."
Qingyang: "When I was three or four, I went to the previous dynasty out of sheer playfulness. Later, as I read the Records of the Grand Historian, the deeper I read, the more I admired the civil and military strategies of the founding emperors of each dynasty, and the ability of successive generations of renowned ministers and generals to govern and maintain peace. However, these predecessors have been lost in the long river of time, and future generations will never have the chance to witness their brilliance. Now, I am the daughter of my father, and I have grown up listening to the achievements of him and his meritorious officials. I know that you, like my father, will be remembered in the history of the Great Qi, admired by future generations. So, is it not permissible for me to go and observe you as you govern and train your troops, just because I admire you?"
"Yes, of course!"
After listening for a while, Fan Zhong suddenly patted his chest and stood up, his thick eyebrows raised and his tiger eyes shining. "I don't understand what Minister Yan said, but what the princess said makes my heart surge. Just think about it, I, a reckless man, can go down in history and be praised as a great general and hero by future generations. This is all thanks to the emperor's support and trust, which gave me the opportunity to make great achievements. Your Majesty, this bowl of wine is first in your honor!"
The burly general picked up the wine bowl on the table and raised it to Emperor Xingwu with both hands.
The Lu family father and son, Prince Yong, Deng Chong, Meng Ji and other military generals all stood up and toasted. Right Prime Minister Dai Lun and Minister of Personnel Yang Zhimin also left the table with several civil officials, picked up their wine bowls and shouted words of gratitude.
Yan Xizheng, who also achieved fame and success by following Emperor Xingwu, had to join in the toast.
After a long silence, Emperor Xingwu finally smiled. He glanced at everyone and said, "It's a rare opportunity for me to ask you to come and accompany me on a mountain hike. We agreed to just talk about our friendship, and now you're playing this game again. Do you really want me to praise you again for your contributions in assisting me in founding the country?"
Yang Zhimin: "Your Majesty, a wise ruler sent by Heaven to unify the country and save the people of the world from disaster, is the reason why we, your ministers, have followed your Majesty and made our humble contributions. We are truly grateful to your Majesty and will always remember this in our hearts. We dare not forget it."
Emperor Xingwu: "You may praise me as much as you like, but I know in my heart that without any of you, I may not be able to unify the country of Da Qi. Come, I will drink with you!"
The king and his ministers have different personalities. Some drink boldly, while others drink quietly.
The wine bowls were empty, and Emperor Xingwu sat down with his ministers. He smiled and ordered He Yuanjing: "Serve the food, I am hungry."
【Author’s words】
Here they come, 100 little red envelopes, see you in the evening!
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