39
The moment the door opened, Ming Tan collided with Jiang Xu’s chest, unaware of the person standing outside. Only Jiang Xu and Shu Jingran, who stood at the doorway, locked eyes for a brief instant before he looked away and slammed the door shut.
Shu Jingran stood stunned for a while. Just a few days earlier, when he had met Jiang Qizhi, the latter had dismissed the rumor about being “deeply devoted to his wife” as utterly boring. Yet tonight… He wisely turned to leave, but suddenly chuckled softly at some thought that crossed his mind, his steps becoming noticeably lighter.
Inside the study.
Jiang Xu released his grip and took the food box. “I misunderstood,” he said.
Ming Tan ignored him, stomped over to the antique shelf in a huff, picked up a military treatise she couldn’t understand, and pretended to read it. As she flipped through the pages, she stole glances at him from the corner of her eye—
Fortunately, he knew better. Though he hadn’t offered a sincere apology, he had silently finished both the bird’s nest porridge and the jade belt cakes she had painstakingly prepared.
Seeing the clean bowls and plates, Ming Tan remembered the purpose of her visit. She put down the military treatise, returned to the table, and reluctantly began packing away the food box.
Just as she was gathering her thoughts to speak, Jiang Xu suddenly asked, “Aren’t you hot?”
In the fourth month, hints of summer warmth were already perceptible. Usually, she was seen in light, thin garments, yet today she was wrapped in layer upon layer, so thoroughly covered that even her normally exposed fair neck was mostly hidden.
Ming Tan: “…”
Had no one mentioned it, she might have let it pass; but now that it had been brought up, she truly felt stifled, as if a thin layer of sweat had formed on her back. Still, forcing herself to bluff, she muttered, “Those days are always colder than usual.”
“Those days haven’t passed yet?”
Ming Tan grew alert, instinctively clutching her collar, and deftly changed the subject: “The ink has dried. Let A-Tan grind more for her husband.”
Jiang Xu had only asked casually, following the flow of conversation without giving it much thought, yet Ming Tan’s unexplained nervousness caught his attention, prompting him to glance at her a few more times.
Grinding ink might seem effortless, but in reality, it demands considerable concentration. Before long, Ming Tan felt her palms going numb and beads of sweat forming on her forehead. Her small face flushed red, and while Jiang Xu wasn’t looking, she freed one hand to fan herself briefly.
After grinding down less than half of the inkstick, she finally picked up the conversation again and, choosing her words carefully, asked, “Husband, are you very familiar with Commander Lu?”
Jiang Xu paused slightly with his brush tip. “What is this about?”
“I wonder if my husband has heard about Commander Lu’s proposal to the Zhou family, whose head serves as a Hanlin Academician?”
“I’ve heard.”
“Then does my husband know why Marshal Lu sought to betroth himself to the Zhou family?”
“What concern is that of mine?”
Ming Tan was momentarily speechless. “But… Jingwan is my closest confidante. Marshal Lu’s proposal has deterred all other suitors from approaching the Zhou household. Jingwan has been deeply distressed these past few days.” She paused, then forced out an additional remark, “As Tan worries for her dear friend, she too feels greatly troubled.”
Only then did Jiang Xu raise his eyes: “What does the fact that others do not visit have to do with Lu Ting? If one is cowardly and lacks courage, must one also blame it on others?”
Ming Tan fell silent. Although something felt amiss, her husband’s words also seemed quite reasonable.
After a moment’s hesitation, she cautiously asked again, “But Commander Lu’s fearsome reputation precedes him; who knows if his proposal is sincere? In two days is the Bathing the Buddha Festival, when many families go to Daxiangguo Temple to observe the ceremonies. Might my lord arrange something so that Jingwan could meet Commander Lu in person?”
Jiang Xu: “…”
Did he truly appear so utterly unconcerned?
Seeing him remain silent, Ming Tan tugged gently at his sleeve and whispered in a barely audible voice, “Ah Tan’s monthly cycle has passed; won’t my husband return to our chamber to rest tonight?”
The study fell silent for a moment before Jiang Xu set down his brush, saying, “I shall inform Lu Ting.”
That night, after several days of quiet, the Qian’an Hall erupted into commotion once more for half the night. Red candles flickered, and the fragrant bed curtains hung partially drawn. As Ming Tan sat atop Jiang Xu, tearfully whimpering, she still couldn’t help but feel sorrow over her new gown, which had been torn apart and carelessly cast onto the floor.
If I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have worn this outfit. This is Yaohua satin, newly crafted in Suzhou; there are only a few bolts of it in the entire capital.
Her Majesty the Empress gave me her own two bolts. I’ve only worn this new dress once. Yes, it’s somewhat tight and difficult to untie, but was tearing it really necessary? What a brute!
Noticing her lack of focus, Jiang Xu suddenly thrust forward with fierce force.
Ming Tan let out a sob, hastily wrapping her arms around his neck to beg for mercy, yet in her heart she still thought: No, this bolt of silk must be charged to Jingwan!
–
On the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, the Buddha Bathing Festival, all Zen temples in the capital had opened their gates early to hold Buddha-bathing vegetarian assemblies. Among them, the Daxiangguo Temple was the most bustling, welcoming and seeing off mostly high-ranking officials and distinguished guests.
Since marrying into the Prince Dingbei’s household, this was Ming Tan’s first formal appearance before the public. While staying within the府邸 she hadn’t noticed it much, but once stepping outside, she could acutely feel the difference between being the fourth miss of the Ming family and becoming the Princess of Dingbei.
Upon arriving at the Daxiangguo Temple in her sedan chair, the abbot personally welcomed her. A group of ladies and young women all curtsied respectfully, saying in unison, “We pay our respects to the Princess of Dingbei.”
In this dynasty, no crown prince has been appointed, and all the imperial sons are still young; this means that for many years to come, there will be neither a crown princess nor any princesses consort of imperial sons.
Among the imperial princes, only His Highness the Prince of Dingbei wields substantial power and enjoys an unparalleled status. It can be said that, apart from the Empress Dowager and the Empress who cannot freely leave the palace, Ming Tan is now the most esteemed woman in the entire realm of Da Xian.
Ming Tan was clearly aware of this fact; otherwise, the Princess Fengzhao, who had long remained unseen among the crowds, and that Lady of Yongle County would not have performed their bows with such evident reluctance.
Among the noble ladies of the capital in days past, Ming Tan was already exceedingly popular; now that she has become a princess consort, those seeking to curry favor and flatter her are countless.
Watching everyone spout words of adulation while wearing identical smiles, Feng Zhao found their obsequiousness glaringly offensive, making her spirits sink even lower.
Nearly a year has passed since the late-spring poetry gathering at the Duke of Pingguo’s residence. Feng Zhao became a notorious laughingstock in the capital and was subsequently confined by Prince Yi and his wife to reflect on her faults within their mansion. Had they not recently arranged a marriage prospect for her, they likely would still be unwilling to let her venture out and disgrace herself further.
Speaking of the match arranged by Prince Yi and his wife, Feng Zhao felt even more aggrieved: her own father and mother intended to marry her off to the Marquis of Jiangyang’s household in Shu.
That Marquis of Jiangyang is already over thirty and has even established an heir; for her, a dignified commandery princess, to lower herself as his secondary wife is nothing short of humiliation! Moreover, during this brief ten-day visit to the capital to report on his duties, he has already taken in two beautiful maidservants—one can only imagine how licentious life must be at his residence in Shu!
What chills the heart most is that despite such despicable character, her own father and mother care not at all, thinking only of marrying her off to pave the way for her elder brother!
Feng Zhao felt her heart twist painfully. Seeing Ming Tan, who once bowed submissively before her, now radiating vitality, dressed in magnificent brocade embroidered with peony patterns outlined in black-silver threads, her hair adorned with a phoenix hairpin featuring peonies in spring slumber and dangling tassels, made Feng Zhao feel even more certain that Ming Tan was deliberately humiliating her again after a whole year.
…
“I have long heard that His Highness the Prince of Dingbei deeply cherishes his princess consort. Seeing Her Ladyship in such excellent spirits today, those words prove truly well-founded.”
“Naturally, how could His Majesty’s golden words about being ‘deeply devoted to his beloved wife’ be anything but true?”
At this, everyone exchanged knowing glances and burst into suppressed giggles.
Feng Zhao, seething with frustration, turned and strode outward. As she left, she happened to encounter Zhai Nianci just outside the door, who had also departed in irritation a moment before her.
“Halt! Who are you? How dare you fail to pay respects upon seeing this Princess!”
At this moment, Feng Zhao desperately wanted to find someone to vent her anger on, but unfortunately, she ran into a tough opponent.
Zhai Nici turned around and scrutinized her from head to toe with a挑剔 air, then rolled her eyes in disdain: “So it’s Princess Feng Zhao of Prince Yi’s residence. I thought some truly noble person had arrived, worthy of my bowing.”
Indeed, the rank of a county princess is lower than that of a commandery princess, yet no matter how noble Feng Zhao’s status might be, it could not compare to Zhai Nici having the Empress Dowager as her powerful backing. Even if she refused to bow, what could Feng Zhao possibly do about it?
Upon hearing this, Feng Zhao flew into a rage: “You!”
The maid beside her hurriedly reminded, “Princess, this is the daughter of Princess Wenhui, the County Lady of Yongle. ‘Yongle’ is a title personally bestowed by the Empress Dowager.”
County Lady of Yongle?
Feng Zhao knew of this person but had never met her before. She felt nothing regarding the Empress Dowager’s great favor toward her, thinking only: So what if she is favored? Could that possibly outweigh the laws of hierarchy and propriety? Moreover, she had not yet married into Shu; how dare any insignificant person step on her right to her face? If this were allowed now, what would happen later?
Thinking thus, the anger she had been holding back turned into a swift, sharp slap—
“Slap!”
“You are merely a county lordess of an unrelated surname. The Empress Dowager bestowing a title upon you is an act of her benevolence and virtue. You do not even qualify as imperial kin, yet you dare to be so arrogant before this Princess! Guards, seize her and make her kneel before me!”
Zhai Ninci was stunned by the slap, clutching her face as she asked in disbelief, “You actually dared to strike me?” Still reeling from shock, her mind buzzing, she cried out, “Have you gone mad? I shall certainly report this to the Empress Dowager!”
“Showing no respect for hierarchy and committing insubordination, yet still daring to flaunt the Empress Dowager’s name—this Princess thinks it is you who has gone mad. Kneel!”
Like Ming Chu, Zhai Ninci could be described generously as valiant and spirited, but in reality, she knew only a few flashy moves without true mastery of martial arts. When two skilled fighters actually engaged her, they subdued her in no time.
She was kicked behind the knees and forced to kneel before Princess Fengzhao. Suddenly regaining her senses, her mind exploded with rage: “Let me go! Are you all dead?”
Zhai Nici had also brought people with her, but the sudden turn of events had left them stunned, allowing Princess Fengzhao to seize the initiative. Now coming to their senses, the attendants from both sides began grappling with each other, quickly escalating into a commotion outside.
The disturbance alerted everyone. Ming Tan emerged with her entourage and, upon seeing Princess Fengzhao and the Lady of Yongle County, was so shocked she momentarily didn’t know what to say. After a brief pause, she hurriedly shouted, “Stop this! What do you think you’re doing?”
“The Lady of Yongle County shows no respect for hierarchy; she failed to bow upon meeting this princess and even spoke insolently. Why shouldn’t I teach her a lesson?” Princess Fengzhao, unlike Zhai Nici, appeared composed. Adjusting her hairpin, she declared firmly.
Zhai Ninci was so furious she nearly fainted; never in her life had she suffered such humiliation. “What sort of nobility do you claim? How dare you demand that I, a county princess, kneel before you? How dare you lay hands on me!”
Feng Zhao was about to retort when Ming Tan, seeing the escalation, quickly signaled for someone to hold them both back.
She finally understood: when these two brainless fools collided, each considered themselves utterly indispensable, believing themselves the most exalted beings under heaven. At the slightest disagreement, they resorted to violence, creating an unprecedented and utterly ridiculous spectacle right before everyone’s eyes.
How many more surprises did these two have in store that she knew nothing about? She was truly on the verge of bursting into laughter.
Of course, don’t laugh; hold it in.
Ming Tan steadied herself, assuming the dignified bearing of a princess consort, and spoke calmly: “The Great Xiangguo Temple is a sacred place of Buddhist tranquility. Today, moreover, is the solemn Feast of the Bathing Buddha. How dare you engage in violence here, disregarding the dignity of the imperial family?
“All things considered, you two ought to address me as ‘aunt’ or ‘maternal aunt.’ As such, I have no choice but to discipline you on behalf of Prince Yi and the Eldest Princess. Guards! Since Princess Fengzhao and County Lady Yongle have behaved shamefully in public, violating imperial decorum, take them immediately to the small meditation hall to kneel for two hours and reflect upon their faults.”
Princess Fengzhao: “…?”
County Lady Yongle: “…?”