Chapter 5

Chapter Five: Matters of the Selection

Hearing that His Majesty wanted him, Imperial Physician Jiang hurried toward the Imperial Study in great alarm, fearing that the Emperor had fallen ill from overwork in the affairs of state.

Yet before Jiang arrived, Grandma Gui, the old attendant beside the Empress Dowager, had already come to the Imperial Study. Lowering her head, she bowed to the Emperor and said respectfully, “Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager requests your presence in the Palace of Compassionate Peace.”

Eunuch Li instinctively glanced at the Emperor. The Empress Dowager sending someone at this hour made her meaning all too plain.

A trace of impatience flashed across the Emperor’s face, and he gave a faint acknowledgment. His exquisitely handsome features revealed nothing.

Seeing this, Grandma Gui finally relaxed a little. Ever since the Empress Dowager had repeatedly meddled in the affairs of the Emperor’s harem, she had already incurred his displeasure. Yet the Empress Dowager herself remained oblivious. Grandma Gui had feared that this summons would be refused and she, as a mere servant, would be left to suffer the awkwardness. Fortunately, the Emperor did not make things difficult for her.

Before long, outside the magnificent Hall of Nurtured Hearts, the prolonged cry of a eunuch rang out:

“His Majesty is setting out for the Palace of Compassionate Peace.”

By the time the Emperor’s imperial carriage arrived, the maids within the palace had already dropped to their knees and bowed in haste. “This servant greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless fortune and peace.”

“Rise.” Qin Yu lifted a hand with casual ease. His countenance was elegant and refined, his features deep-set, and the powerful aura around him impossible to ignore.

“Your Majesty, please have some tea.” A pretty young maid from the Empress Dowager’s palace came forward to present tea to the Emperor. Her cheeks were faintly red, and she did not dare look up at the face of the young ruler.

The Empress Dowager waved away the maids attending in the hall, leaving only her trusted confidantes. Smiling, she said, “I suppose the Emperor knows why I have asked you here, so I shall speak plainly. The Emperor has only recently ascended the throne, and this is a time of both internal strife and external danger. The court and the harem are closely bound. To strengthen your imperial position, even if you are not in a hurry to establish an empress, you should at least select a few noble young women of prominent birth to enter the palace.”

Even while listening to the Empress Dowager, Qin Yu’s expression remained cool and unreadable. Yet suddenly, the dream from his midday rest surfaced in his mind: a noble consort...

Seeing that the Emperor still did not speak, the Empress Dowager knew her plan would likely come to nothing today. She had originally intended that if the Emperor agreed, she would take the opportunity to bring up the matter of letting You Ning enter the palace. But since the Emperor refused to take the bait, there was nothing she could do. After all, the Emperor had been personally tutored by the late Emperor and was not close to her, his birth mother.

After weighing her options, the Empress Dowager could only take a step back and say with a smile, “There are no shortage of noble, talented, and beautiful ladies in our capital. If the Emperor has not yet taken a liking to anyone, I think it would be best to have the Ministry of Rites draw up a list for the selection ceremony and choose eligible young women through the draft. After all, selecting women every three years is also the custom of our dynasty.”

Again and again, she was speaking of choosing women for the palace. The Emperor sipped the slightly bitter tea and said flatly, “Then let it be as Mother wishes. Have the Ministry of Rites prepare the list of candidates for the selection.”

In truth, he was somewhat curious about the “noble consort” in that dream, curious why “he” had lowered himself to coax her. It was utterly unlike anything he would have done, yet the person in the dream was indeed him, and that was what made it all the more baffling.

“Then I shall have the Ministry of Rites draw up the register at once,” said the Empress Dowager. She had not expected him to agree so readily, and she let out a long breath of relief. Once the selection began, the women who could enter the palace would depend even more on the family and status behind them. You Ning’s background was among the most outstanding of the capital’s noble ladies; if she could enter the palace, she would surely become one of the principal consorts.

“His Majesty is departing.”

Only after the emperor’s procession had vanished from sight did the Empress Dowager reveal a satisfied smile, the last of her worry finally easing. “Although the Emperor did not see You Ning’s celestial dance of rainbow robes, he has agreed to the selection. Her chances of entering the palace have grown even greater.”

Grandma Gui also smiled. “That is why they say the Empress Dowager is formidable. With you protecting Miss Chu, she will surely enter the palace without trouble.”

Needless to say, the Empress Dowager was still very kind to her niece Miss Chu, thinking of her in every matter.

“So long as You Ning can continue helping me preserve the glory of the Chu Marquis household, I will be content. Go and send someone to the Ministry of Rites. Tell them to prepare the register of chosen ladies as soon as possible. Also, there is one person who must not appear on that register.” The Empress Dowager’s gaze turned cool. She leaned closer and whispered to Grandma Gui. After hearing it, Grandma Gui was both startled and astonished. The Empress Dowager was actually so guarded against the Third Miss of the loyal and righteous marquis household.

“The Third Miss of the Xie family is no less distinguished in background than You Ning, and in talent and beauty she is her equal. If such a woman enters the palace, she may well end up competing with You Ning. Rather than that, it is better not to give her any chance to meet the Emperor at all. If the loyal and righteous marquis household insists on sending their daughter into the palace, then let them wait until the next selection.” The Empress Dowager’s expression was cold as she gave her explanation in a low voice.

Grandma Gui immediately understood what she meant and did not dare say more. The Empress Dowager wished to clear away all obstacles for Miss Chu from the very beginning.

The front courtyard of the loyal and righteous marquis household was filled with warmth and merriment, all because Xie Shu’s second brother, Xie Huai’an, had returned. Since entering the army, Xie Huai’an had rarely come back to the marquis household, so his return made the residence much livelier.

The family sat around a round yellow-pearwood table for the meal. Thinking of the scene in the study earlier that day, Xie Huaiyu used the silver chopsticks on the table to add a few drunken shrimp to his younger sister’s bowl and asked with a smile, “Were you frightened when you left in such a hurry today?”

Only later had he realized that the reason his sister had left so hastily was probably because she feared the Emperor’s status. Though the Emperor’s expression had seemed very mild, his position was enough to make anyone uneasy. Not only the daughters of noble households, but even the court officials were none of them unafraid of the Emperor.

By now, everyone knew that the Emperor had come to the loyal and righteous marquis household in disguise that day.

Xie Huai’an, seated to Xie Shu’s right, wore a bright red robe. His bearing was carefree and bold. At this, he raised an eyebrow and said with some amusement, “Our little sister has always had the boldest nerves in the loyal and righteous marquis household. How could she possibly be frightened? I imagine she was simply flustered after seeing the Emperor’s heaven-sent looks.”

Who did not know that the second young master of the Xie family greatly admired the present Emperor’s bearing?

The loyal and righteous marquis gave Xie Huai’an a faint look, his tone carrying a hint of displeasure. “You little rascal. After going to the army, it seems your tongue has only grown more ‘formidable.’ Do you think everyone is like you, unable to move when they see someone handsome or beautiful?”

Once the marquis spoke, Xie Huai’an found it hard to argue back. He lowered his head in helpless resignation and busied himself with the dishes. In any case, his elder brother and younger sister were both his father’s pride; he was merely the afterthought. No matter what he said, his father would not be pleased.

The marquis turned again and asked Xie Huaiyu in a gentle tone, “Speaking of which, why did the Emperor come to our household today?”

“I accompanied His Majesty out in disguise today, and by chance we passed the loyal and righteous marquis household, so I invited the Emperor in for tea,” Xie Huaiyu explained with an easy smile.

Now that the realm had settled into peace, there were still many matters the Emperor had to handle and resolve. The marquis did not ask further and only nodded. “So that is how it is.”

Taking advantage of the moment while the marquis was speaking with Xie Huaiyu, Xie Huai’an quietly leaned toward Xie Shu and asked in a low voice, “Little sister, tell second brother the truth. Do you think the Emperor is good-looking?”

Xie Shu’s butterfly-like lashes fluttered. She looked especially obedient as she softly replied, “I was too nervous at the time, so I did not see clearly.”

In her previous life, Xie Shu had already entered the palace by this time, so she remembered clearly what Emperor Zhao Chu looked like. But she did not wish to speak of that man.

“I understand.” Hearing this, Xie Huai’an let out a soft sigh. The present Emperor was not only outstanding in literary talent and administrative ability, but also exceptionally skilled in martial arts and archery. His arrows never missed. Xie Huai’an had long admired him deeply and worshiped him as well. He had sworn that in the future he would become a military general and protect the common people.

After the meal, the servants brought the masters tea and fresh fruit. Just as the tea and fruit were set down, the steward hurried in. “Marquis, Madam, Princess Shenghua has arrived and says she would like to see Miss.”

Princess Shenghua had come...

The marquis and Madam Yun dared not delay and quickly had Princess Shenghua invited in. “This minister and this minister’s wife greet Princess Shenghua. May Princess Shenghua be blessed with peace.”

Princess Shenghua’s skirts trailed over the carpet as she walked, making her appear most noble, though her brows and eyes carried the lively sweetness unique to a young lady. She stepped forward to help the marquis and Madam Yun rise. “Marquis Xie, Madam Xie, there is no need for such formality. I have come to see Sister Shu.”

More precisely, she had come to deliver a hair ornament to Sister Shu.

“Thank you, Princess.”

Princess Shenghua was about the same age as her own daughter and had a pleasing temperament as well, so Madam Yun took to her at once. She asked whether the princess had eaten, and Princess Shenghua, without the slightest airs, nodded vigorously and said she had already had her meal.

Xie Huaiyu, who had not spoken until then, smiled and said, “Then let my younger sister take the princess to the Plum Blossom Courtyard. I shall have some pastries prepared and sent over at once.”

Xie Huaiyu carried himself like a spring breeze after rain, and even his voice was gentle and pleasant. Princess Shenghua could not help stealing a few more glances at him before quickly looking away. “Many thanks, Young Master Xie.”

Xie Huaiyu smiled and said it was only right for the loyal and righteous marquis household to do so.

Xie Huai’an gave his elder brother a strange look. Why had his brother suddenly become so attentive? It made him rather unaccustomed.

“Princess, this way please.”

At this, Princess Shenghua eagerly followed Xie Shu’s footsteps. The two girls laughed and chatted as they went to the Plum Blossom Courtyard.

Afterward, Xie Huaiyu went to the study, while Xie Huai’an went to the rear hills to practice swordsmanship. As for the marquis and his wife, they naturally returned to their chambers. Even after so many years of marriage, their affection remained as strong as ever, inseparable and tender.

The marriage of the loyal and righteous marquis and his wife was, in the capital, a much-celebrated tale.

Princess Shenghua followed Xie Shu to the Plum Blossom Courtyard. Xie Shu smiled as she poured a cup of tea for her. “Why have you come at this hour, Princess?”

“Who else but my royal brother? Today, all those noble young ladies who came to the poetry banquet at the Princess Shenghua Residence were there just to admire my brother’s elegance. But because he had court affairs to attend to, he did not come. As soon as they heard he would not be attending, their interest vanished at once, and one by one they made excuses to leave.” Princess Shenghua pouted. She had known all along that those people had come for her royal brother.

As she spoke, Princess Shenghua brought over a jade casket and handed it to Xie Shu. “By the way, Sister Shu, I have something to give you. See whether you like it.”