At these words, a fine layer of sweat broke out on Qing Qing, realizing the gravity of the situation. The Empress was smiling at her, and Qing Qing forced herself to calm down, saying, “Your servant will remember the Empress’s teachings.” She then bowed deeply three times before stepping back. The Empress then beckoned to Ya Fu, signaling her to come forward. Despite her fear, Ya Fu immediately put on a smile and approached obediently. The Empress took her hand, smiling, “You did well. The Crown Prince has a temper; he needs someone like you to guide him.” Then, she subtly slipped a transparent jade bracelet from her wrist onto Ya Fu’s, smiling, “This is my reward for you, no refusals.” Ya Fu nodded submissively and whispered, “My elder sister also had the Crown Prince’s best interests at heart, please do not blame her.” The Empress’s face suddenly darkened, and she said sternly, “I have not blamed her.” Realizing she was too stern, she smiled and added, “You are very clever, but remember, ‘The greatest wisdom appears foolish.'” Ya Fu, not fully understanding the meaning, nodded and retreated. Qing Qing, however, understood, recalling Mr. Liu’s words when she had pleaded for Ya Fu and Lin Hong: “You are very clever, but the cleverest should not show it, nor should others perceive your cleverness. The greatest wisdom is to appear foolish.” Mr. Lin had explained it clearly, whereas the Empress’s single phrase, “The greatest wisdom appears foolish,” left Ya Fu puzzled. This was because Ya Fu had not genuinely pleaded for Qing Qing but had instead revealed the Empress’s displeasure about Qing Qing offending the Crown Prince, which naturally upset the Empress. In the midst of the silence, the Emperor said, “The Empress need not be so stern; they are still learning etiquette.” The Empress immediately looked at the Emperor, her voice softening, “Your Majesty is right, I will remember.” Her eyes conveyed admiration and respect, making her face appear even more beautiful. The Emperor then addressed Lord Lin, “Lord Lin, do not privately scold Qing Qing.” Lord Lin responded affirmatively. The Emperor continued to Qing Qing, “I intended to visit your father in the study to see how your studies are progressing, but when I got there, the little eunuch said you all had come to the Eastern Palace for a meal. Upon coming here, I realized the Crown Prince had erred.”
The Importance of Choosing a Wife (Part III)
Just as Qing Qing was about to blame herself, the Emperor added, “Let’s end this matter here. I have something else to discuss with you all.” The younger generation all leaned in to listen intently. The Emperor said, “From now on, the Second Prince, Fourth Prince, Xuan’er, Qing Qing, Yu Zhen, and Ya Fu will be instructed by the Grand Tutor and Grand Preceptor. The other princes and princesses are still too young, so they will study separately to avoid distracting each other from their lessons.” They all responded in agreement. The Emperor then sent a young eunuch to inform the Fourth Prince. Finally, feeling weary, the Emperor stood up and instructed everyone to leave. He then turned to Qing Qing, who had remained silent, and said, “Qing Qing, would you accompany me for a walk in the Imperial Garden?” Since the Emperor had only summoned Qingqing, everyone naturally withdrew immediately. Qingqing hurriedly complied, but not before casting a glance at Mr. Li Lin’s expression. In the Imperial Garden, the snow had not yet melted, and the sky gradually began to release willow-like snowflakes, which fell sporadically like pear blossom petals. At this time, the Imperial Garden seemed somewhat desolate, with only the plum blossoms in full bloom, red like fire, white like snow, and pink, bashful. On snowy days, the red ones appeared even more vibrant, while the white ones were somewhat obscured.
Qingqing and the Emperor walked slowly through the snow, followed at a distance by the eunuchs, not approaching closely. Suddenly, Qingqing saw several trees of white plum blossoms ahead, resembling snowflakes, and she couldn’t help but softly recite, “I know from afar it’s not snow, for the fragrance comes…” The Emperor’s demeanor was serene, and upon hearing Qingqing’s recitation, he sighed. Qingqing, unsure of the reason, thought she had disturbed the Emperor.
The Emperor’s voice seemed to come from afar, he sighed, “Fragrant… fragrant…” Qingqing asked, “Your Majesty, are you calling for ‘Fragrant’?” “No,” the Emperor replied gently, looking at her, “I was thinking, you are like a white plum blossom hidden in the snow, just that, the Crown Prince has yet to notice you…”
Qingqing, not understanding his meaning, laughed, “Your Majesty, I know the Crown Prince didn’t mean to say those things about me… But… I was a bit impulsive back then.” But which woman would want to be called “ugly” to her face? This last thought, Qingqing kept to herself, and the Emperor did not pursue it further. They continued walking, leaving shallow footprints behind.
The Emperor seemed on the verge of speaking several times but, seeing Qingqing’s innocent gaze, he restrained himself. Qingqing, too, did not ask, fearing that the Emperor’s invitation to “enjoy the snow” might not be as simple as it seemed. After much hesitation, Qingqing couldn’t bear the suspense any longer: “Your Majesty, I know you have something to tell me. You…” The Emperor patted her shoulder, earnestly saying, “Qingqing, if you were to become the Crown Princess, I would rest easy even in my afterlife…”
Despite Qingqing’s lack of worldly experience, she understood the Emperor’s intention to marry her to the Crown Prince, and in her panic, she knelt in the snow, earnestly looking at the Emperor, saying, “Your Majesty, I know you value me, but I beg you not to consider this.” The Emperor helped her up, smiling wryly, “I understand, the Crown Prince is superficial, first considering a woman’s appearance, like with Yafu…”
Qingqing remained kneeling, thinking his words had merit. After all, which man wouldn’t prefer a beautiful woman? Who would want to wake up next to someone as plain as Zhong Wuyan? But… Qingqing said, “Your Majesty, it’s not that I mind this, but…” The Emperor looked at her with approval, smiling, “But, you want the Crown Prince to truly like you?” Qingqing’s cheeks flushed instantly, “That’s just one point, but it also has to be when I truly like him too.”
The Emperor helped her up again, saying, “It’s cold on the snow; you can stand and talk.” His demeanor was so gentle and kind that Qingqing felt both surprised and fearful, wondering why she didn’t have such a benevolent father. The Emperor continued, “I know well your temperament; you wouldn’t try to please the Crown Prince. But I hope you’ll try to like him; he’s actually a good boy. Young men often have their eyes on young, beautiful girls.”
Qingqing knew this, bowing, “Qingqing is still young; I’ll understand later.” The Emperor said, “Qingqing, I need you to promise me… no, I’m asking you to do something.” At this moment, the Emperor stopped, looking at her earnestly, even forgetting to use the royal “we”, his expression seemed to carry a hint of pleading. Qingqing bowed deeply, solemnly saying, “I know Your Majesty favors me; I’ll do anything within my power, even if it means going through fire and water.”
The Emperor laughed, “It’s not that serious.” He sighed, “I hope, regardless of whether the Crown Prince marries you, after I’m gone, you’ll stay by his side in his study.” Qingqing quickly said, “Your Majesty will live as long as the heavens, there’s no need to…” The Emperor replied, “Who doesn’t die? I hope you’ll promise me that even if you marry someone else, you’ll ensure your husband supports the Crown Prince.”