If it wаs bеfоrе еntering the mаnsiоn, thеn реrhaps I cоuld stаrt investigating Мother's аffаirs frоm hеrе.
In thе Hall оf Golden Chimes, the figure in bright уеllow sаt high upоn thе thrоnе, while сivil аnd militаrу оfficiаls stood with bowеd hеads, hаving no urgent mattеrs to reрort. Emреrоr Хiаn Zоng wаs in a goоd mоod tоdау, likelу due tо thе joyоus nеws of а great victоry from the nоrthwеstеrn bordеr, a faint smile grасing his fаcе.
"I hаvе hеаrd оf the grеаt victоry аt the bordеr and аm dееplу grаtifiеd. I intеnd to hold a night bаnquet in the palaсe in a few dаys. What dо my еstеemеd ministers think?"
The officials below all voiced their agreement in unison. The Emperor had not been this happy for a long time. The northwestern war had been a lingering concern for the Great Dynasty since the previous emperor's reign. This heavy blow to the foreign Tartar invaders was certainly worthy of celebration.
"Yunxi," the Emperor looked at one of the men below. "General Cheng was trained entirely by you. When it comes to rewarding merit, you deserve the highest credit!"
The young man standing to the right of the prime minister wore a crimson official robe embroidered with white pythons, his glazed official boots edged with dark golden patterns. A single white jade pendant hung at his waist, with no other adornments. His handsome face showed no expression, his pitch-black eyes calm as water, yet exuding a hint of sharpness. Standing at the center of the grand hall, he naturally carried an aura of solemn nobility and martial elegance.
The man bowed his head. "Your humble servant dare not claim such credit."
Yet his tone held no trace of apprehension. Despite such an arrogant demeanor, the Emperor showed no anger. "Do not decline. I still intend to reward you heavily. Seeing that you are of such an age and yet unmarried, how about I bestow upon you a few beauties?"
The young man cupped his hands and replied calmly, "Your humble servant has no intention of marrying."
The Emperor laughed heartily, seeming pleased to see him in an awkward position. The other ministers in the Hall of Golden Chimes, however, wore varied expressions.
Prince Wei, Wei Jing, frowned slightly. Turning his head, he met Zhuang Shiyang's displeased gaze. The two exchanged a glance and silently lowered their heads.
Xuan Qing Prince Fu Yunxi and the current Emperor were full brothers, sharing an exceptionally close relationship. It is often said that the imperial family is the most heartless, yet this saying absolutely did not apply to these two brothers.
Fu Yunxi was now twenty-one years old, young and accomplished. Back when the Tartar invaders advanced into the Central Plains, the fourteen-year-old Xuan Qing Prince volunteered to lead the troops. Disregarding the Emperor's opposition, he made a military pledge before all civil and military officials, confronted the enemy on the battlefield, and became famous in a single battle.
The Tartars retreated to the northwest, nearly annihilated. General Cheng came from a military family and served as deputy general at that time. It was during this period that the two forged a life-and-death bond.
However, Fu Yunxi's status as a highly sought-after figure was not solely due to his authority or military achievements. To become the heartthrob of the young ladies in the capital, Fu Yunxi himself was an extremely handsome man. Such a young talent, accomplished in both civil and martial arts, noble and outstanding, naturally attracted many eager admirers. Unfortunately, this man was oblivious to romance, his temperament aloof and cold. By the age of twenty, he still had no woman by his side, leading to rumors circulating among the populace that he might prefer men.
The rivalry between Prince Wei and Xuan Qing Prince stemmed partly from their delicate positions and partly from General Cheng. Shortly after General Cheng's aunt married Prince Wei, she died during difficult childbirth. After that, the two families began to feud. The affairs within the great mansions of the capital were tangled and complex. Though the exact reasons were unknown, after the woman's death, in-laws turned into enemies. Those with insight knew there must have been many twists and turns involved.General Cheng and Fu Yunxi shared a bond that was both mentor-student and friendship, naturally placing him on General Cheng's side. Thus, their opposition to Prince Wei was almost set in stone. Now that the Emperor praised General Cheng and elevated Fu Yunxi, Prince Wei was naturally displeased. Zhuang Shiyang had always aligned himself with Prince Wei's faction, so sharing the same enmity was only to be expected.
The Emperor on the high throne smiled faintly, subtly observing the expressions of everyone present. After saying a few more words, he raised his hand, and the eunuch beside him bowed and announced, "Court is dismissed."
"Your Highness, congratulations," Zhuang Shiyang said as he passed by Fu Yunxi.
Fu Yunxi glanced at him and replied indifferently, "It is merely the fortune of the Great Dynasty. Congratulations to you as well." With that, he turned and left.
Zhuang Shiyang, rebuffed, felt both anger and shame. He glared resentfully at the retreating figure and muttered under his breath, "A mere brat who hasn't even grown his feathers dares to be so arrogant! Does he truly think he is the heavens?"
Prince Wei approached and patted Zhuang Shiyang on the shoulder, smiling. "His Highness has achieved great merit, so it is only fitting for the Emperor to reward him generously."
Zhuang Shiyang quickly turned around, flattering, "When it comes to great merit, who can compare to you, my lord? As a veteran of two dynasties, even the Xuan Qing Prince must show you some respect. These rewards are likely beneath your notice."
Prince Wei chuckled but said nothing, though his gaze toward Fu Yunxi's retreating figure grew heavy.
In the inner room of Dove Tree Courtyard, a young woman sat on the couch. She wore a thin Water-Green Pine-Scented Bustier Blouse paired with a Silver-Bottomed Green-Sprinkled Butterfly Lantern Skirt. Her jet-black hair was styled into a Flowing Cloud Chignon, adorned with a Thousand-Layer Peony Gold Hairpin. Her hibiscus-like face, meticulously adorned, appeared even more stunningly beautiful.
Zhuang Yushan threw herself into Madam Zhou's arms, complaining bitterly, "Mother, that wretch has been bullying us all along. Today, she humiliated me in every possible way. I am even less than a disfavored concubine's daughter in the Zhuang family. How can I just swallow this insult?"
Madam Zhou looked at the aggrieved expression on her daughter's lovely face, a flicker of heartache flashing in her eyes. She stroked her head and said solemnly, "I was mistaken. I thought Zhuang Hanyan would be as useless as Wang Shi, but it turns out she is clever." She sneered, her finely drawn willow eyebrows arching with sharp intensity. "Don't be afraid, Yu'er. I defeated Wang Shi, so why should I fear a little wretch? She's only twelve years old—no matter how clever she is, can she overturn the heavens?"
Nanny Li, standing nearby, chimed in, "Madam and Miss, please rest assured. The Fourth Miss is not favored, and the master dislikes her, so she holds little status in this household. How can she compare to our young lady, whom the master dotes on from the bottom of his heart?"
Madam Zhou nodded, then tapped Zhuang Yushan's forehead with her finger. "Be more obedient in front of the master. Don't be as impatient as you were today. What have I taught you all along? Only by winning the master's favor can we live comfortably in this household." She paused before adding, "I see that Zhuang Hanyan is not favored. As for those two in Hibiscus Garden—one has no son, and the other's daughter is dull—they are not worth fearing."Nanny Li looked at her young mistress and hesitated, "But what about the young master? He is, after all, the Disgraced Son of the Zhuang family..." Before she could finish, Madam Zhou cut her off with a cold laugh. "Disgraced Son? The master doesn’t even treat him as such. This matter is none of your concern. He’s of little consequence anyway, not even as important as that seductive minx in the Hibiscus Garden. But since he’s now in the manor, we might as well go take a look at this little young master. Caiming, bring out the gift prepared for him."
Zhuangshan was taken aback and asked, "Mother, that gift is quite valuable. Are we really giving it to him just like that?"
Madam Zhou shot her daughter a glare. "You useless girl, when will you ever learn to be clever? That gift was carefully prepared by me. What does its value matter? The young master is sure to like it."
Zhuangshan wanted to say more, but seeing Madam Zhou’s expression, she fell silent, not daring to utter another word.
OpenNovel