Chapter 88: The Three Princes, and Xu Miaoyun, who knew how to read the room

The heir had only just understood the emperor’s meaning when the truth was laid before him.

Today, the empress had been struck by a whim and summoned the children of the old comrades to keep her company, among them the daughter of the Chang family.

The Chang girl?

A flicker of pleasure crossed the heir’s face, but he quickly forced it down.

Though their parents had long since arranged their betrothal, he and the Chang girl rarely met in person.

Fortunately, the relationship between ruler and ministers in this empire differed from that of other dynasties; even after ascending the throne, the children of meritorious officials were often brought into the palace to mingle with the imperial princes.

Even so, why would the emperor specially remind him that the Chang girl had come?

Unless there was another reason.

Today, Blue had taken the Chang family to the Pure Heart Temple. The young man named Zhang had shut his doors against visitors, yet the Chang girl alone had been admitted, and had received guidance from Zhang.

Your betrothed gets along well with that boy. The bonds between people are a strange thing; perhaps it is simply his fate to aid you.

The emperor’s words made the heir pause.

Why would his father ever entertain the thought of having Zhang assist him?

Do you think I would surely kill him?

The heir was silent, which was as good as admitting the emperor’s guess. He understood his father well enough: the emperor recognized Zhang’s talent, and he also had designs on using him.

But Zhang was a double-edged blade. Especially after that experiment with spreading instruction had succeeded, he could also sense a certain murderous intent in the emperor.

An emperor was a contradictory creature: to cherish a man and to wish him dead could be matters of a single breath.

Zhang was excellent in every way, but he possessed the one trait sovereigns hated most of all: he was beyond control.

The fellow was an outright jinx, the sort that could anger a man to death and still not have finished the job.

The emperor guessed his son’s thoughts and smiled.

I would not casually lay hands on a child. Besides, though this boy is mischievous, he has a heart that knows mercy.

As for the inoculation method, he need not have made it public. If the Heavenly Master of Mount Dragon and Tiger had kept it to himself, he could have made a fortune every day and greatly increased his prestige. On this point alone, he is far better than those shameless scholars who chase after name and fame.

That said, the boy truly lacks discipline, full of rebellious notions. I have been considering whether I should guide him properly.

If he matures and becomes steadier, he may well become someone you can use in the future.

It seems Father has already made arrangements for Zhang?

Only now did the heir understand that the emperor had long since formed a plan.

Let us speak again when the child of the Kong family arrives in the capital.

After the audience that day, Kong Xi had already returned to Shandong for some time. By rights, his son Kong Ne should also have come to Yingtian these past few days.

Kong Kejian had pretended to be mad and foolish, only to be turned against by the emperor and left confined within the Kong residence in the capital, unable to come and go as he pleased.

That heir of the sage, Kong Kejian, was still feigning stupidity within the Kong house. It was a pitiable thing.

The heir thought of Kong Kejian’s present circumstances and could not help feeling some regret.

How much torment must a normal man endure to pretend to be foolish day after day?

Yet this, too, was the emperor’s punishment. Everything in the Kong residence in the capital was reported on daily by the censors. The better the emperor appeared to care for Kong Kejian, the deeper Kong Kejian’s fear became.

He dared not reveal the slightest flaw, for that would be an offense against the sovereign, and it would also make the Kong clan the laughingstock of all under heaven.

With maidservants watching over him day and night, he scarcely dared show any feeling even in sleep.

In truth, how could a man like Kong Kejian, accustomed to ease and privilege, possibly avoid a flaw?

Even if he did, the emperor would pretend not to see it and let him continue living in fear.

The emperor: ...

The heir glanced toward the man seated above him. In his heart, his father was a good father; as for the work of being emperor, he was also, by and large, a good emperor.

Still, Zhang did not seem to be wrong. At least in temperament, the emperor could hardly be called a broad-minded man.

At this rate, I fear Master Kong will not live out the year... Yet if it comes to that, the rift between the Kong family and the imperial house can never be healed.

The emperor heard the heir muttering and paused his brush for an instant before glaring at him.

Aren’t you leaving yet?

The heir took his leave and left the Imperial Study, then went to pay respects to his mother.

Before he had even reached the empress’s chambers, he was already hearing merriment from within.

Don’t go...

Before he had entered the door, a child had already collided with his arms.

The Fourth?

At a glance he recognized the child as his younger brother, the Fourth Prince.

Big Brother...

When the Fourth Prince saw him, his eyes darted away.

The others who had chased after him soon arrived, panting hard.

Seeing the heir, they too stopped at once and knelt one by one.

Big Brother!

Second Brother, Third Brother, what are you all running around for here at Mother’s place?

The moment the heir’s face hardened, the little ones fell silent as cicadas in winter. As the eldest brother, he was as a father to them. Before the emperor took the throne, he had often been away from the capital, and it was this eldest brother who had kept them in line.

One imperial prince, eleven or twelve years old, pointed at the Fourth Prince and said, It was the Fourth Brother. The ladies and girls were chatting, and he insisted on sneaking over to spy on them. He even stole Miss Xu’s sweets...

The heir: ...

Second Brother, you’re the one who wanted to sneak a look. It was clearly your idea to go see the older sisters, and now you’re betraying me?

And I never told you to steal the sweets, either. You stole them, then overturned the food box and made Miss Xu’s book fall into the water...

Wasn’t it all because everyone said the Chang sister’s pastries were delicious?

The two of them stared each other down, and the heir more or less understood what had happened.

His anger rose. Be quiet!

The three young princes immediately stood obediently to one side.

You’re all old enough now. Since Mother invited them into the palace, you should have paid your respects and gone back. Why linger about? When you were small, a bit of mischief was one thing, but now you must remember the distinction between men and women.

All of you, come with me and apologize to the elder sisters and younger sisters.

At the heir’s command, the three princes instantly fell into a sulk.

They obediently followed behind, while the eunuchs who had been chasing the princes were left kneeling on the ground, too afraid to speak.

The heir led his three younger brothers inward. Along the way, palace maids and eunuchs all dropped to their knees.

Your Highness the Crown Prince!

The Crown Prince has arrived!

The empress and a group of girls had been chatting happily when they saw the heir return with the three of them in tow. The empress laughed.

Those three little troublemakers have finally met their match today!

The young women keeping company with the empress all came forward to pay respects to the crown prince.

Sisters, we all grew up together. There is no need for such formality. And what about you three? Why are you still not apologizing?

Second Prince, Third Prince, and Fourth Prince, we beg pardon of all the elder sisters and younger sisters!

The three of them wore unwilling expressions, which drew soft laughter from the surrounding girls.

The empress pointed at the Fourth Prince and said, You should be apologizing to Miss Xu. She lost her book and cried for quite a while...

The Fourth Prince pursed his lips and bowed to Xu Miaoyun as well.

The heir, however, fixed his gaze on the Chang girl and saw that she was ill at ease.

The Chang girl had learned to make some pastries and brought them into the palace for me to taste. Miaoyun, seeing that we were talking about embroidery, something she knew nothing about, took a few pastries and sat by the window to read. Who would have thought these three little rascals would sneak off with Miaoyun’s pastries, and after being discovered, they even knocked her book into the water?

The empress seemed to know why the heir had come. With a light smile, she said, Let these three little troublemakers properly apologize to the Chang girl and the Xu girl. Miss Feng, you three come with me for a moment.

The empress led the others away, leaving only Xu Miaoyun and the Chang girl behind.

The heir shot the three of them another glare.

You three are not even as sensible as Miaoyun. Father tells you to study properly, and where have all your lessons gone? Especially you, Fourth Brother. You are all of seven years old; look at yourself, then look at others.

The Fourth Prince was unconvinced. What am I lacking? I already apologized...

Compared with Zhang... you’re lacking far too much. Never mind, I won’t say more...

The heir turned, then lowered his head first.

Miaoyun, do you like reading?

Miss Xu nodded.

Your Highness, please do not blame the Fourth Prince. I am fine!

In that case, I have many books in the Eastern Palace, and some are rare copies that cannot be found outside. I will give you a few as recompense to my Fourth Brother, all right?

Xu Miaoyun waved her hands and was about to refuse, but she glanced at the Chang girl and seemed to understand something.

Thank you, Big Brother Crown Prince! Sister Chang, will you come with me?

Miss Xu was always tactful and considerate.

The heir exchanged a smile with the Chang girl. After sending word to the empress, he took Xu Miaoyun and the Chang girl back to the Eastern Palace.

Once they arrived at the crown prince’s study, Xu Miaoyun’s eyes shone like stars. Paying no further heed to the heir or the Chang girl, she busied herself choosing books.

After the servants brought tea, the heir and the Chang girl sat quietly and watched Xu Miaoyun select her books.

He then turned to the Chang girl.

Sister, you seem unhappy. If it is because of my younger brothers, I apologize on their behalf.

The Chang girl gave a faint smile.

It was only a few pastries. It is nothing. I only meant to...

She suddenly realized she had nearly let something slip, and her face flushed crimson. The heir, too, guessed her thoughts and felt a warmth pass through his heart.

If you have something on your mind, and if it is convenient, you may tell me. You look troubled, as though there is something else weighing on you?

At this, the Chang girl gave a soft, forlorn sigh. She asked him, Your Highness, what do you think of the Taoist masters of Mount Dragon and Tiger?

The heir caught at once the direction of her thoughts and understood that her gloom was likely connected to Zhang Yi.

He answered, Since the first Celestial Master, Zhang Daoling, the Zhang family has passed down their line for a thousand years. Naturally they have their own merits. Take the inoculation method offered by Master Zhang this time; it is a means of saving countless lives.

Even Father praised Master Zhang today, saying he was a true man of the Way. The skills of Mount Dragon and Tiger are certainly real.

Hearing this, the Chang girl grew even more disheartened. She asked again, Then I suppose their calculations of heavenly secrets must be very accurate as well?

Sister seems to be implying something?

The heir already had some idea of what Zhang had told her, but he played innocent and asked despite knowing.

The Chang girl merely looked at him deeply, then lowered her head.

I fear I am destined for a hard life and will delay Your Highness. Your Highness carries the very foundation of the Great Ming on your shoulders...

Before she could finish, the heir took her hand in his.

She drew back as though shocked by lightning, but he gripped her hand tightly.

You need not say such things. Marriage is no child’s play. As for what fate awaits you, that is one matter; but do you think my father is a frivolous man? Since you and I have already been betrothed, how could that change?

Besides, the future is but mist and shadow. Do not trouble yourself so much over it.

By the way, who told you what?

Only then did the heir bring the subject around to the heart of the matter.