Chapter Twelve: Yet Unseen

Although she had little fondness for her nephew from her maternal family, he had come under orders to escort her, and refusing to see him would be unreasonable. The Empress Dowager did not make things difficult, allowing the palace maid to bring him before her for a meeting.

Regardless of what feelings the two brothers harbored, their manners and etiquette were impeccable. They possessed all the bearing expected of sons from noble houses, not inferior to any others.

It had been ages since young men of such distinguished status visited the Jianzhang Palace. The palace attendants could not help but steal a few glances, especially those young girls just awakening to love. Yet, despite their fluttering thoughts, none dared to act out of turn, a testament to the strict discipline usually enforced.

The brothers dared not speak much on the way. When they arrived before the Empress Dowager, they bowed respectfully and offered their greetings. Seeing faces so similar to her own brother’s, the Empress Dowager’s eyes grew moist for a moment.

No matter how much resentment she harbored now, the affection from the past was not false. Madam Feng, worried the Empress Dowager might lose composure, gently touched her arm, snapping her back to awareness.

Lowering her voice, she said, “Rise. The Marquis Yongyi’s household has its successors... To escort an old woman like me, there is no need to trouble you both. Any attendant would suffice.”

“Your Majesty must not say so. You are the Empress Dowager, mother of the Emperor. Even if His Majesty himself came to greet you, it would be only proper,” Zhao Jingchen answered cautiously, avoiding any attempt to claim kinship.

At that moment Zhao Jingxing, unsure of the Empress Dowager’s temperament, dared not jest, standing quietly by. Despite her bitterness, the Empress Dowager, seeing their familiar faces, felt less inclined to make things difficult.

“No need for empty words with me. Tell me plainly, when may we depart?” Her direct question startled the brothers, who had expected more resistance.

“Your Majesty may depart whenever you wish. My brother and I are at your service,” Zhao Jingchen replied, even more carefully.

Hearing him mention the two of them, the Empress Dowager finally cast a glance at Zhao Jingxing. Seeing his honest and sturdy appearance, she noted that the brothers did not much resemble each other.

“Rest well today, and tomorrow morning we will set out. Aside from myself, the Princess Kangping also resides here. Do not wander about lest you disturb anyone. She prefers quiet and need not be bothered.”

The brothers were surprised by her attitude. For them, it was most advantageous to set aside grievances and foster good relations. When they remained silent, the Empress Dowager grew displeased.

“Do you not understand my words? Or are you all appearance and nothing but straw within? Is this what the Marquis Yongyi’s household produces?”

Such words would displease anyone. Zhao Jingxing, with his brash nature, would have argued had Zhao Jingchen not held him back.

“Your Majesty’s meaning is clear to us. After all, we are family; in the future, dealings between us are inevitable. We may even be of help someday, so there’s no need for the Princess to keep her distance.”

The Empress Dowager snorted, “My Princess Kangping wouldn’t dare rely on her maternal family. Even if she needed help, outsiders would likely be more useful than you. Besides, there’s nothing Kangping can’t solve herself. You’d do better to concern yourselves with your own affairs.”

Such confidence! Zhao Jingxing thought his grandaunt had perhaps spent too much time in the palace. A young lady, at best, could be pretty or clever—could she truly measure up to men?

Though he doubted her words, he did not argue, for he had not even met the Princess.

“Your Majesty’s admonition is well taken. We will observe propriety and not disturb the Princess’s peace.”

Seeing their tact, the Empress Dowager said no more, instructing Madam Feng to lead them away to rest.

Once outside the Empress Dowager’s quarters, Madam Feng smiled, “You needn’t mind Her Majesty’s words. She simply regards the Princess as the apple of her eye, not that she truly holds anything against you.”

Zhao Jingxing grinned, “You needn’t worry, Madam. We are nothing if not magnanimous. But is this Princess truly so remarkable? Perhaps Her Majesty has just never met a finer young lady.”

Madam Feng had only sought to ease relations between the Empress Dowager and the Marquis Yongyi’s family, but now she was somewhat displeased.

With a half-smile, she said, “I have seen many noble ladies in Her Majesty’s company, but never one better than our Princess. Whether she is outstanding or not is not for you to judge. We only hope you will treat her with respect. After all, our Princess has never had any dealings with her maternal family and knows not how to face you.”

Her words were a sharp rebuke. All these years, even with the passing of the Prince and Princess, as maternal grandmother and uncles, their relatives truly had not fulfilled their duties.

These matters were not for the brothers to question, and Madam Feng did not press further. “Rest well, young masters. I misspoke earlier. With no one to dote on the Princess, we who serve her are all the more protective. Please forgive me.”

How could the brothers respond but to say it was of no consequence?

Once they entered their room and Madam Feng’s figure was gone, Zhao Jingxing vented, “Everyone here seems a bit odd. To praise a young lady so, they must want us to notice her.”

Zhao Jingchen shook his head, speaking indifferently, “They truly dislike the Marquis Yongyi’s household and wish to avoid close relations. We must have misunderstood from the start.”

Zhao Jingxing paused in the act of feeding himself an apple, skeptical, “Is this Princess really so exceptional?”

Zhao Jingchen lay down on the chaise by the bed, speaking slowly, “I don’t know if she’s exceptional, but did you notice the palace attendants’ expressions when we arrived? None were anxious or uneasy; all seemed confident, not fearful, but harmonious. At the very least, this suggests their mistress gives them reassurance. Do you think that mistress is the Empress Dowager?”

Zhao Jingxing shook his head resolutely. Zhao Jingchen continued, “So, who do you think has that ability? This Princess cousin of ours is surely no fool—perhaps that is a good thing.”

“What, are you interested in her now? Maybe that’s exactly what they want.”

Zhao Jingxing was still unconvinced, but Zhao Jingchen smiled helplessly, “Sometimes you really shouldn’t underestimate people. Perhaps she won’t even care for me. Maybe marrying her would be the greatest fortune of my life—who can say? In any case, let us be courteous and respectful.”

No one understood Zhao Jingxing’s temper better than Zhao Jingchen. Above all, he feared his brother would offend the wrong person, worsening tensions between the families, which would be most unfortunate.