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◎Zhang Su and Deng Chong returned to Beijing.◎
Although the prince's headache was cured, Emperor Xingwu was still angry with his eldest daughter. He instructed the guards at all the palace gates that no invitation for the eldest princess to enter the palace was allowed.
Since the guards did not pass on the message, Qin Hong and Lu Wenrong naturally had no way of knowing that their sister had hit a wall at the palace gate. They thought that their sister was just reflecting on her mistakes at home and was embarrassed to enter the palace. Little did they know that Yongkang was worried about his brother's health and was anxious to confirm it with his own eyes. In order to see his brother as soon as possible, Yongkang went to the Third Prince's Mansion and asked Qin Ren to go to Jiuhua Palace and ask his sister to go to their father to plead for her.
If Yongkang didn't have much time to play with his sister, then she had even less contact with her third brother. When Qin Bing was naughty and bumped into Qin Hong, Yongkang would at least teach Qin Bing a lesson. Qin Ren, his illegitimate brother who was neither naughty nor competitive, was like a shadow beside his biological brother, second brother, and sister in Yongkang's eyes. The two siblings almost never talked to each other alone.
The more unfamiliar they were, the more polite they were to each other when they met. Qin Ren was still a soft-hearted person. Seeing that the eldest sister's eyes turned red when she mentioned her eldest brother's illness, and all she wanted was to go to the palace to visit her eldest brother, Qin Ren agreed to help.
After Yongkang left, Fuan said worriedly, "Your Highness agreed so readily. But what if the Emperor is still angry and the Princess goes to persuade him, and he gets angry at her?"
Just now, when the eldest princess was speaking, he kept winking at his master, but he failed to stop her.
Qin Ren: "I know. No need to ask my sister. I will go to the emperor to plead for my elder sister."
I'm just asking for mercy. As long as the emperor doesn't get so angry that he whips him, he's not afraid of a few scoldings.
On March 28th, Qin Ren slept until dawn, had breakfast, and went to the imperial city leisurely.
When Emperor Xingwu heard that the third brother wanted to see him, he raised his eyebrows in surprise. He thought that Yongkang went to see the third brother because he wanted him to ask his sister for help.
"Okay."
The palace maid rushed to the palace gate to deliver the message, and it took Qin Ren more than a quarter of an hour to come in.
"Father, my elder sister is too worried about my elder brother. Why don't you let her go and see him?" Qin Ren said empathetically. If his younger sister was sick, he would be as anxious as his elder sister.
Emperor Xingwu: "Do you know why your elder brother is ill?"
Qin Ren naturally knew.
Emperor Xingwu: "Have you ever considered that your eldest brother might not want to see your eldest sister? What if he gets sick because of your eldest sister again? Will you take the blame?"
Qin Ren: “…”
Emperor Xingwu: "Go back and tell your elder sister to reflect on her mistakes behind closed doors. When it's time for her to enter the palace, I will grant her her wish."
After being scolded, Qin Ren left the palace in disgrace, and then went to reply to his elder sister with mixed feelings.
Out of consideration for his elder sister's reputation and mood, Qin Ren didn't dare to copy his father's words. He only said that his father was still angry and when he learned that they and their brother were there to beg for mercy, he drove them out before they could finish their words.
Yongkang never expected that his seemingly simple and honest third brother would actually lie. Although he was depressed, he could do nothing about it.
On March 29th, there was another early morning court session.
After the court was dismissed, Qingyang first had breakfast with her father. After both father and daughter had finished eating, Qingyang asked, "Your Majesty, have you forgotten my coming-of-age ceremony?"
Emperor Xingwu smiled and said, "Lin'er's big day, how could your father forget? Yesterday, I even asked your mother and the others to come over to inquire about the preparations for the ceremony."
Qingyang sighed, "It's really fast. I've grown up too. I still remember my eldest brother and second brother's coming-of-age ceremony. But unfortunately, I was only one year old when my eldest sister came of age. I don't remember anything."
Emperor Xingwu: “…”
Qingyang walked over to help his father massage his shoulders. "I don't believe he would be so cruel as to not let my eldest sister attend my coming-of-age ceremony. I'm just worried that he's never argued with anyone, and my eldest sister isn't very good at talking, so I'm here to help you two out."
Emperor Xingwu was pleased and said, "I can be a kind father or a strict father, it all depends on how you behave. If you dare to make me angry, don't expect me to continue to be kind to you."
The little princess, who had always been favored by her father, found it difficult to respond, because praising her father for being fair meant that her eldest sister and her three brothers who were often scolded had their own faults.
Emperor Xingwu looked up at his daughter and said, "Lin'er, you're still thinking about your elder sister. I'm afraid she still resents me for favoring you, and that seeing you enjoying such a good life might annoy you too."
Although the eldest daughter had her own glory at the coming-of-age ceremony, that was fourteen years ago after all, and the eldest daughter seems to have a very bad memory.
Qingyang smiled and said, "Go ahead and be angry. I have a clear conscience."
She had never snatched anything from her elder sister, and what she got, she also paid an equal amount of time and effort for. Just in the battle for the official position in Taiji Hall, if she had not been able to defeat Nie Ao and Yan Xizheng, her father would never have come forward to support her. After all, if she couldn't even get through this hurdle on her own, even if her father helped her, she would not be able to overcome more difficulties in the officialdom.
She has a wise father, and because of his wisdom, the father would not waste his energy supporting a daughter who could not stand on her own.
.
At the end of the month in the afternoon, the imperial concubine summoned Yongkang to the palace. She did not mention the previous quarrel between father and daughter, nor did she mention the prince's illness. She just smiled and reminded Yongkang not to forget to go to the palace to watch his sister's coming-of-age ceremony on the second day after the next lunar month.
The little princess's coming-of-age ceremony was scheduled as early as March, and all the ladies in Beijing, both inside and outside the palace, were invited to attend the ceremony.
Because of his quest for an official position and his brother's illness, Yongkang had actually forgotten about it. But it wasn't too late to remember it now. The gifts had already been prepared, and he could just change into a formal dress and enter the palace the day after tomorrow.
After dealing with the imperial concubine, Yongkang followed the imperial concubine's instructions and went to Qianyuan Hall to pay her respects to her father. Her father did not see her, so Yongkang went to Chongyuan Palace again.
Qin Hong has been living quite well recently. His father treats him with gentle words and kindness, and there are no difficult tasks in the Secretariat. After returning home, he has a gentle and beautiful wife and an innocent and sensible son. Qin Hong almost forgot the headache he had that day until he saw his elder sister again.
Yongkang could feel the tension and wariness in her brother's eyes, which made her sad and uncomfortable. How could she be so bad that she would continue to force her brother to help her get an official position even though she knew that her brother was in trouble?
Yongkang did not mention the matter of seeking an official position again. He only told his brother to take care of his health and avoid being tired, and to tease Zheng Ge'er for a while, then Yongkang left the palace.
After seeing their sister off, Qin Hong and Lu Wenrong both breathed a sigh of relief.
The next day was the little princess's coming-of-age ceremony.
Qingyang had already heard the entire ceremony explained to her mother and the imperial concubine. She only had to follow the instructions of the ceremonial officer and basically did not need to worry about anything. However, Emperor Xingwu and the two concubines who were sitting in the front watching the ceremony saw with their own eyes the female officials combing and pinning the little princess's hair. Seeing the little princess, who once had her hair hanging down, completely reveal her slender neck and face, the smiles of the three elders were filled with relief, as well as a bit of nostalgia and reluctance.
Sitting below the emperor and his concubines on both sides were Prince Yong and his wife, Prince Yongkang and his wife, Qin Hong and his wife, Qin Bing and his wife, and Qin Ren, who had not yet married.
King Yong was both happy and worried. Why did his niece have to serve as an official in the court?
Yongkang's eyes were complicated, but when she thought about how she could become an official once her brother took the throne, a higher official than her sister, she could smile again. Even if her sister was now in glory, it would only last for another ten years at most, but she still had the rest of her life to look forward to after her brother ascended the throne.
Qin Hong and Qin Bing were both laughing, but Qin Ren suddenly turned his head and wiped his eyes while laughing.
When Qingyang saw his third brother's little action, the corners of his mouth curled up.
The ceremony was over and the banquet was over. Qingyang took her third brother back to her Jiuhua Palace. She did not look at the gifts sent by the ladies from both the inner and outer courts. After changing into her casual clothes, Qingyang came out and looked directly at Fu'an who was beside her third brother.
Fuan smiled and took out a small brocade box from his sleeve and handed it to the little princess with both hands.
When Qingyang opened the brocade box, he was surprised to find that inside was a lifelike carving of a crocodile perched on a tree.
Qin Ren took out the letter that Zhang Su had sent years ago. It said that Zhang Su saw several crocodiles with gorgeous feathers in the Yunzhou market and guessed that the princess would like them. Unfortunately, he could not send the crocodiles to the princess for her to see in person, so he had to carve a crocodile to celebrate the little princess's coming-of-age birthday.
Seeing his sister's disappointment at not receiving the little wooden figurine, Qin Ren came over and pointed at the feathers and eyelets on the bird's gorgeous drooping tail. He said, "Look at how meticulously Zhang Su carved it. He must have thought his sister was tired of receiving little wooden figurines, so he tried something new to cheer her up."
Qingyang is not as simple as his brother, and Zhang Su is not such a shallow person.
Has he really forgotten what she looks like, or is he afraid to admit that he still remembers it so clearly?
Although she was disappointed, Qingyang was not angry. Zhang Su had made great contributions in the State of Pyu, and it was good that he returned safely. When he returned to Beijing, she would be able to ask him why he sent the bird.
After collecting the gifts and seeing his third brother off, Qingyang changed his clothes and headed to Qianyuan Hall.
"Your Majesty, Princess Qingyang requests an audience."
In the imperial study, Emperor Xingwu, who had been delayed for half the morning because of his daughter's coming-of-age ceremony, was reviewing today's memorials. Suddenly, he heard He Yuanjing's report. He was stunned and looked up at He Yuanjing.
He Yuanjing explained with a smile, "Your Highness insisted that this old servant pass on the message."
Emperor Xingwu guessed that his daughter had some new idea and signaled He Yuanjing to bring people.
Emperor Xingwu made another comment and heard footsteps. He looked up again and saw a little princess wearing a purple round-necked brocade robe and a jade belt around her waist walking towards him. She was a little princess who had come of age and had a flying fairy bun, which he was not used to seeing yet.
"Your son greets His Majesty, Father."
Standing in front of the imperial table, the little princess bowed respectfully.
Emperor Xingwu smiled, stood up, walked around the imperial table, and circled his daughter. His gaze lingered for a moment on the four-clawed dragon embroidered on her official robe. He then asked her to excuse herself and praised her, "What a dignified and majestic princess, the number one scholar! Are you ready to take up your official duties?"
Qingyang: "Yes, Father, do you think I am walking like this?"
She wore official robes because she was going to enter the court, and did women's makeup because she was a princess and there was no need for her to follow the example of her royal brothers and tie her hair up and wear a crown.
Emperor Xingwu nodded repeatedly: "Okay, wear it like this, father likes it!"
.
When the little princess officially joined the Ministry of Personnel, Deng Chong and Zhang Su, who were far away in Yunzhou, and the 800 cavalrymen they brought from the capital were just preparing to set off.
Deng Chong, whose vitality was severely damaged, could ride a horse, but that was just showing off. The four thousand miles would not allow him to risk his life again. Moreover, Emperor Xingwu's edict repeatedly instructed him to take a carriage or a boat all the way back to Beijing and to take care of his health.
Sometimes traveling by land, sometimes by water, the group finally returned to the capital before the Dragon Boat Festival. When they stayed at the nearest post station to the capital, Deng Chong sent someone to the palace to inform the emperor of his itinerary.
As the sun was setting, Deng Chong called Zhang Su over and glared at him, saying, "Don't tell anyone about me peeing outside the camp."
Some people get malaria from breathing in miasma, some from mosquito bites, and some don't even know how they got it.
Deng Chong did slap a mosquito to death when he was urinating. It may be that the mosquito brought malaria, or it may not be.
But Deng Chong was convinced that he was infected for other reasons, and his reputation would not be ruined by a pee!
Zhang Su looked at his haggard face and gray hair and said, "Don't worry, Duke. I won't say much."
Deng Chong always disliked the gentlemanly behavior of the Zhang family's sons, but now he is very glad that Zhang Su is a gentleman. If his two sons had the same personality, they would definitely talk about this matter everywhere as a joke.
He waved his hand and coughed, asking Zhang Su to leave.
Zhang Su returned to his courtyard, just as a servant from the post station brought him hot water for bathing.
Zhang Su stopped him and asked if there had been any major events in the capital in the past six months. Before leaving for the campaign last year, he had told the Third Prince in a letter that since he would be returning to the capital after the battle, he didn't need to reply, as he might miss it on his way back.
The servant thought for a while and told a few things he remembered, including Princess Qingyang's success in becoming the top scholar in the imperial examination and her appointment as an official in the court.
The little princess did not win the top spot in the imperial examination. Wei Bin still won the top spot, but the story changed as the people spread it.
Zhang Su maintained a calm expression throughout. After the servant finished speaking, he gave him a piece of silver, closed the door and went to take a bath.
The next day was the fourth day of May, a day off for officials and students. However, when Zhang Su rode his horse to guard Deng Chong's carriage and arrived at the foot of the capital, he saw a large group of civil and military officials in front of the city gate, led by Emperor Xingwu in a dragon robe.
His gaze quickly swept over the figure behind the emperor, who was wearing a green python robe but had a woman's bun. Zhang Su quickly lowered his gaze, then dismounted when he was close enough, knelt on one knee and saluted: "Your Majesty, I, Zhang Su, greet you!"
Emperor Xingwu admired the young man's good manners and told Zhang Su to excuse himself. Just as his eyes moved to the carriage next to him, he heard a familiar voice from inside: "Your Majesty, I am not fully recovered yet, so I will not get off the carriage. Please don't be offended!"
Emperor Xingwu laughed heartily: "You have made great contributions in defeating the Pyus. You are the greatest hero of this battle. I don't need you to get off the carriage. I will get on and see you!"
As he spoke, Emperor Xingwu strode to the front of the carriage and stepped on it without waiting for his personal guards to place the footstool.
Emperor Xingwu was still smiling when he pushed open the car door. However, when he saw the skinny figure lying on the couch with only a head full of white hair showing, the fifty-year-old emperor suddenly burst into tears.
【Author’s words】
Here we come, old brothers and childhood sweethearts are reunited, 100 little red envelopes, see you tomorrow!
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