Chapter Ten: The Imperial Edict

“Is everything well in the palace? Is His Majesty in good health? How is it that we haven’t heard of any new princes being born in recent years? As the sovereign, it is his duty to ensure the continuation of the royal line.” The Empress Dowager’s words sounded caring, but the malice in her tone was unmistakable. Zhang Dewang let the words that were best unheard slip past him.

“Your Majesty, His Majesty is well and in robust health. He pays great attention to his wellbeing and leads a temperate, restrained life. Moreover, there are already five princes in the palace, which is a blessing for the imperial family.”

“Has the Emperor made arrangements for my Baofu?” This was the Empress Dowager’s true concern, for Wei Baofu was, after all, only a princess of the imperial clan.

“Please rest assured, Your Majesty. The Emperor and Prince Lian share a deep brotherly bond. His Majesty values the prince’s only daughter dearly and has especially instructed Lady Shu to look after her. If the princess wishes to return to her residence in the future, she may do so at her leisure.”

The mere mention of Lady Shu filled the Empress Dowager with distaste, which Zhang Dewang noted silently. It seemed the Empress Dowager was unchanged, though the Emperor’s worries might yet be unfounded.

“That frail woman should count herself fortunate to have given birth to the Fourth Prince; now she even wishes to meddle in my Baofu’s affairs. Clearly, she has too much time on her hands.”

Zhang Dewang dared not add a word. The Lady Shu, whom the Empress Dowager dismissed as idle, had been the Emperor’s favored consort for over a decade—not someone a mere servant could criticize.

Wei Baofu hadn’t expected Lady Shu to allow her return to the palace, let alone offer to care for her. Was this an attempt to display her kindness before the Emperor? It all felt rather off.

“Grandmother, perhaps His Majesty has forgotten that I am nearly of age. I am no longer a child in need of care. It should be I who visits you in the Princess’s residence to offer my filial respect.”

The palace was rife with intrigue; she knew she would be freer living at the Princess’s residence, though she doubted the Emperor would consent.

Zhang Dewang quickly replied, “To His Majesty, the princess is still but a child. For an unmarried girl, many things are inconvenient. His Majesty feels more at ease with you in the palace.”

It was as she had expected—her earlier words had only been a test, so the response brought little disappointment.

The Empress Dowager understood the wisdom of gradual progress. Returning to the palace was only the first step; the more crucial task was to find proof that the Emperor had orchestrated Prince Lian’s downfall.

She could never believe her own son, a skilled horseman, would die from a mere fall.

Seeing the Empress Dowager lost in thought, Zhang Dewang felt compelled to speak. “Your Majesty, I have come ahead to deliver the Emperor’s message, but the honor guard to escort you is still on its way. Leading the procession is the heir of the Marquis Yongyi.”

The Empress Dowager’s brow furrowed slightly. The Zhao family of the Marquis Yongyi’s household was her own kin as well as Lady Shu’s. Once renowned for their military prowess, they had since shifted to civil service, seeking new fortunes.

“Has the Emperor no one else to send but the Marquis Yongyi’s heir to fetch these old bones of mine?”

Wei Baofu, though puzzled, kept her composure. There were many mysteries surrounding the past—her maternal grandmother, the Dowager Marchioness of Yongyi, was still alive, yet had never shown her any concern.

Zhang Dewang smiled as he replied, “It is all due to the heir’s filial piety. He enjoys His Majesty’s favor and, upon hearing of your return, volunteered to lead the procession.”

The Empress Dowager found little comfort in these words. Her natal family’s betrayal had left her cold, and she had no intention of mending those ties or accepting their gestures now.

“Who comes to receive me is not for me to decide. But do not let anyone approach me; after all, Baofu is not yet of age and has seldom seen any men outside our family. It would not do for her to encounter strangers.”

Zhang Dewang could not help but twitch his lips. He knew full well that Princess Kangping was hardly an ignorant girl cloistered away; she managed her own shops, and even His Majesty had remarked on her business acumen. She had met her fair share of stewards from the outer court.

“Rest assured, Your Majesty. I will not allow anyone to disturb the princess.”

“That will do. With you here, I have no cause for worry. You have traveled far—go, rest. I, too, must see to my affairs.”

“Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. Should you need anything, simply send word.”

The Empress Dowager waved him away, and Zhang Dewang withdrew with a bow. Only when he had disappeared did she speak.

“Baofu, pack up everything you wish to keep. Though you grew up here, you may have little chance to return in the future. Take with you all you can, so you’ll not pine for what is left behind.”

Knowing her granddaughter’s sentimental nature, the Empress Dowager’s advice was kind. Wei Baofu smiled and nodded; she had already planned to send her larger possessions directly to the Princess’s residence, for that was to be her true home from now on.

Returning to the capital brought her little joy, for the situation there was fraught with complication, and she doubted she could enjoy a carefree life. Her attendants, however, were filled with delight.

All along the road, Granny Qian chattered about how best to arrange their belongings. Pearl and Linglong, with Bingxin and Yuhu, were all smiles, as if the capital itself promised them greater happiness.

“I can barely remember what our Princess’s residence looks like,” Linglong said. “When it was still Prince Lian’s household, it was always bustling—every day, people would bring visiting cards. Now, I fear, the gates must be rather quiet.”

Linglong had come from Prince Lian’s household. Though she had been young then, the memories still lingered. What she described was vague to Wei Baofu, but it left her heart heavy—she, too, once had parents who cherished her as their precious jewel.

“Enough, now. Don’t trouble the princess with such talk,” Granny Qian scolded.

Wei Baofu waved her off with a gentle smile. “It’s all right, Granny. The quiet is only because its mistress has been away. When I return, the place will live again.”

Granny Qian nodded with satisfaction. “In time, when you marry and have little ones, the house will be lively again. The Empress Dowager will be delighted, I’m sure.”

Wei Baofu could not bring herself to shatter the old woman’s dreams. When the time came for her to marry, she doubted any eligible suitor would wish to reside in the Princess’s residence. She herself did not mind; as long as she could visit often and host the occasional banquet, the residence would regain its former glory.

If she had any say in the matter, she would rather remain forever at Jianzhang Palace, where every flower and blade of grass held a piece of her heart. But life rarely allows for such perfect choices.

Upon entering Dan Gui Court, the maids set about their tasks in an orderly fashion, but Granny Qian lingered, as though she wished to speak but hesitated.

Wei Baofu set down her inventory and said, with gentle resignation, “If you have something to say, Granny, just say it. There is no need for such awkwardness between us.”

Granny Qian looked embarrassed. “It’s about the Marquis Yongyi’s heir. Do you have any thoughts about him, miss?”

Wei Baofu was puzzled. “The heir? He’s my cousin, isn’t he? Grandmother’s family hasn’t concerned themselves with me for years—what thoughts could I possibly have?”

Granny Qian grew flustered. “I mean, perhaps the marquis’s household has intentions of their own. Would they send such a fine, handsome heir just to greet the Empress Dowager?”