As soon as the empress made her move, the whole capital was thrown into chaos. No one else could even come close to her methods.
Kaiyao Emperor listened as Xu Xianzhi, the Left Guard of the Xiuyiwei, reported on the situation in the capital.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, all the great families are busy arranging marriages for their sons and daughters. The official matchmakers can’t even keep up with the demand.”
The emperor gave a short nasal grunt of acknowledgement. “And?”
“In just a few short hours, weichen has counted no fewer than ten households already settling their children’s marriages.”
“The list!”
Xu Xianzhi dared not delay. He quickly pulled the list from his robe and presented it with both hands.
Chen Dachang, the Grand Eunuch serving at the emperor’s side, accepted the list and laid it before him.
“Your Majesty, please have a look.”
The emperor narrowed his eyes and glanced down. Every name was familiar.
With a cold snort, he said, “The imperial grandsons are choosing wives, and these families are all so desperate to distance themselves? That the dignified Imperial Grandsons should be treated with such disdain, utterly absurd.”
The hall fell silent; one could hear a pin drop. All the attendants lowered their heads, trying to make themselves invisible.
Sweat broke out on Xu Xianzhi’s forehead as he trembled, terrified that the emperor would vent his anger on him.
“Does Your Majesty have instructions?”
None dared speak before the emperor’s thunderous authority, but Chen Dachang was different. He had served at the emperor’s side since boyhood, a loyal shadow for forty years. Not only a servant, but a trusted adviser ready to die for his master.
The emperor gave a cold laugh. “Convey zhen’s decree: let all the imperial grandsons submit their chosen names by tomorrow at sundown. This farce ends sooner rather than later.”
His words made it clear, he had little patience for the empress’s scheme.
A mass marriage of the imperial grandsons was no small matter. Even setting aside politics, the costs of the weddings alone would be astronomical. The state treasury and even the Shaofu would be strained. And though the Shaofu was the emperor’s own purse, even the Son of Heaven felt the sting of such spending.
Chen Dachang accepted the order with a bow and hurried out, summoning eunuchs to deliver the decree to the Eastern Palace, the various wang fu and the imperial households.
Ning wang fu.
After sending off the eunuch messenger, Ning wangfei, Pei shi, sat in worry. She summoned her son Liu Zhao.
“The palace has just sent word, by imperial decree, we must hand in your chosen name by tomorrow at sundown. Have you decided on a bride?”
Liu Zhao bowed slightly, his face expressionless.
“Mufei should set your mind at ease. Your son already has an idea.”
Pei shi blinked in surprise.
“Oh? You’ve already decided? Which guniang? Tell me.”
His tone was indifferent. “You will know tomorrow.”
Her face froze, then darkened. “Is she so precious that even benwangfei cannot be told her name?”
But Liu Zhao remained unmoved. “Better you do not know yet, lest it cause unnecessary trouble.”
Pei shi’s temper flared. “So, you’ve grown up and your wings have hardened. Do you disdain benwangfei for holding you back? Bengwangfei raised you with my own hands, only to be cast aside like this?”
He lifted his brows, utterly calm. “Mufei misunderstands. I have no such intention. After all, once tomorrow’s deadline passes, you’ll know my choice. It’s only one day, can you not wait even that long?”
Her face stiffened with anger. “You know it is just one day? And you still want to keep this a secret for one day from benwangfei? Do you have this mufei in your heart at all?”
Liu Zhao frowned, weary of this fruitless quarrel. “If mufei has nothing further, I will take my leave.”
He rose and walked out.
“Stop for benwangfei! Benwangfei said stop, did you hear?”
He did not turn, as though deaf to her voice. Only when he reached the doorway did he halt and glance back.
“Does mufei have anything more to instruct me?”
Bang!
Pei shi slapped the table, furious.
“I can’t control you anymore, is that it?”
Liu Zhao suddenly gave a thin smile. “Does mufei really think this wife-selection is simply about marriage?”
Ning wangfei frowned.
He walked back into the hall and said evenly: “You must have heard by now, the empress’s scheme is aimed directly at me. Tell me then, under such circumstances, what kind of wife must I choose to satisfy her?”
Pei shi scoffed. “Why should you care for her satisfaction? She hasn’t long to live anyway.”
Liu Zhao nodded.
“You are right, the empress has little time left. But even so, if I show the slightest carelessness now, do you believe she won’t still find a way, before her last breath, to plunge our Ning wang fu into ruin? To strip fuwang of Grandfather’s trust forever, perhaps even take away his title?”
Pei shi paled. “Impossible! If she had such power, she wouldn’t wait until her deathbed to act. She’d have destroyed us long ago.”
Pei shi did not believe Liu Zhao’s words. She thought he was fearmongering and talking nonsense.
Liu Zhao shook his head slightly. “Mufei underestimates the Empress. She truly has this ability.
“In the past, she did not act against us because the Ning wang fu has always kept a low profile and never stirred up trouble.
“Moreover, the Empress has always focused her energy on court politics and the Crown Prince. Seeing that we behaved ourselves, she naturally had no reason to deliberately target us.
“But this time is different. This time, I was the one who provoked conflict first and revealed myself. Until her dying breath, the Empress will keep a close eye on me, ensuring I cannot harm the Crown Prince before she can rest in peace.
“If I refuse to cooperate, she will certainly deem our Ning wang fu more dangerous than Zhao wang’s, and she will exhaust all means to destroy us first.
“Therefore, this marriage selection is not simply about choosing a wife; it is a game of strategy, a war without smoke or fire.”
Pei shi’s face changed. “So, just to ease the Empress’s suspicions, you would sacrifice your own marriage? Are you planning to randomly pick a girl as your wife? What should I even say to you?
“These were peaceful days, and now that the Empress is nearing her end, why, of all times, must you provoke her and expose yourself? You pride yourself on being clever, so why do something so foolish?
“And now even your marriage has been dragged into this mess. What do you plan to do? Let me tell you this: if you truly intend to just marry any random girl, I will never agree!”
Liu Zhao smiled faintly. “As for my marriage, I already have a plan. When the wedding day comes, mufei only needs to be ready to drink your daughter-in-law’s tea. I’ll say no more, your son takes his leave.”
“Get back here!” Pei shi roared in anger.
But this time Liu Zhao did not stop; he left straight away.
Furious, Pei shi smashed an entire set of blue-and-white porcelain teaware.
Liu Zhao left Chunhe Hall and went to the outer courtyard to meet Ning wang.
Upon seeing his father, Liu Zhao came straight to the point: “Fuwang, please control mufei!”
“What has she done now?” Ning wang chuckled, not caring in the slightest. He even seemed amused to see Liu Zhao at a loss.
Frowning, Liu Zhao said with some displeasure: “Mufei wants to meddle in my marriage. You must rein her in.”
“You can resolve it yourself. Why should benwang interfere?” Ning wang waved him off, showing not the slightest sense of paternal responsibility.
Liu Zhao kept a stern face, clearly unhappy.
Ning wang pretended not to notice and instead asked, “Tomorrow at sunset, you must hand in your list of candidates. Have you decided which family’s daughter you want to marry? Tell benwang, benwang can give you some advice.”
“I don’t need fuwang’s concern.” Liu Zhao answered bluntly.
Ning wang stepped forward, patted his son on the shoulder, and spoke in a seemingly earnest tone: “As benwang’s di eldest son, you ought to marry a girl whose status matches your own. If you insist on marrying a daughter from a poor and humble family, soon your younger brothers will surpass you. Have you thought of that consequence?”
Liu Zhao gave a faint smile. “Has fuwang never once believed in me?”
Ning wang laughed heartily. “Benwang certainly believes in you, provided you can show some proof.”
Liu Zhao stayed silent.
Ning wang went on: “In the imperial clan, everything is about interests. Benwang doesn’t need to remind you of this; you should already understand. You are not yet the shizi, nor do you hold a title. You are only the di eldest son of the wang fu, an imperial grandson. The title of this household may not necessarily fall to you. Do you understand that?”
Liu Zhao lowered his head and sneered faintly. “Thank you for the reminder, fuwang. I understand.”
Ning wang again patted his shoulder. “His Majesty is always stingy with granting titles to the imperial kinsmen. If you want to secure one early, you must rely on a powerful wife’s family. Otherwise, if you fight alone, you will achieve nothing.”
Liu Zhao looked at him. “Just like fuwang did?”
“Hahaha…” Ning wang burst into loud laughter. “In any case, take care of yourself.”
Expressionless, Liu Zhao said, “Since fuwang is busy, I won’t disturb you further. I take my leave.”
Without looking back, Liu Zhao walked away.
Ning wang let out a snort of irritation but quickly smiled it off.
A eunuch entered to serve and quietly asked: “Doesn’t wangye care at all about da gongzi’s choice of wife?”
Ning wang gazed out the window. “If benwang can never ascend to that position, then it doesn’t matter who he marries. Once benwang is gone, whether this wang fu flourishes or declines is none benwang’s concern.
“But if one day benwang does ascend to that position, then he will reap what he has sown. Benwang has already laid out the principles for him. Whether he listens or not is his own business, benwang doesn’t care.”
“Wangye always thinks for da gongzi, but he does not appreciate it.”
“He has been stubborn since childhood, not likeable at all. Hmph. Benwang wants to see what he’s really aiming for after stirring up so much trouble.”
Ning wang’s face twisted for an instant, but in the blink of an eye, he smiled again, looking cheerful and good-natured.
Gu fu.
In front of Gu daren, Gu Ting drove the matchmaker out of the house, shouting that he would choose his wife himself.
Gu daren was so furious that he immediately beat Gu Ting on the spot. If not for his elder brother Gu Zhiming stepping in to stop him, Gu Ting’s legs would have been broken.
Even after the beating, Gu Ting learned nothing. Still grinning, he rubbed his sore backside and said to Gu Jiu: “It doesn’t hurt.”
Gu Jiu ground her teeth in anger, wishing Gu daren had hit him harder. His leg injury hadn’t even healed yet, and here he was making a fuss again, truly incapable of staying quiet even for a single day.
Gu daren was so furious that he was almost out of breath. Sitting in his chair, he pointed at Gu Ting and cursed loudly, “Get out! Get out of my sight, you worthless brat!”
With that, he snatched up a teacup and hurled it at Gu Ting’s head.
But Gu Ting, though injured, was nimble. He tilted his head just in time, dodging the flying teacup.
Gu daren’s anger flared even higher. How had he ended up with such a debt-collecting wretch for a son?
Gu Zhiming waved his hand, signalling Gu Ting to leave quickly.
Gu Jiu also pulled at him. “Gege, hurry and go. Be careful, Father might hit you again.”
Obediently, Gu Ting grabbed Gu Jiu’s wrist and ran.
Even after Gu Ting had gone, Gu daren was still fuming. “That little bastard runs fast enough. If he hadn’t run, I’d have broken his legs for sure.”
Gu Zhiming laughed heartily. “Er di, calm yourself. As for sanlang’s temper, I actually like it. Why not just let him have his way and follow me into the army?”
Gu daren sighed. “Da ge misunderstand. It’s not that I won’t let the boy enlist. Do you know what he said? He said if he joins the army, he wants to serve as a frontier soldier in the Northwest. I raised him all these years, only for him to run off to the Northwest to die. Tell me, isn’t he a curse on me?”
Hearing this, the eldest master frowned. “Why would sanlang think of going to the Northwest as a frontier soldier? That’s gambling with his life. Isn’t enlisting here in the capital good enough?”
Gu daren ground his teeth. “Exactly! That’s what I told him. But do you know what he said? He said a real man shouldn’t covet wealth and comfort, but should go to the Northwest, earn his own military merit, and win honour and title. Absurd! Does he think war is like children playing house?”
The eldest master chuckled. “Well, who would have thought sanlang actually has ambition. Still, soldiering is not as simple as he imagines. Don’t worry about this matter, er di. I’ll handle it.
“Tomorrow, once my leave is over, I’ll take sanlang with me and show him what a real military camp looks like. Once he realises war is no child’s game, he won’t be clamouring to head to the Northwest anymore.”
Gu daren was overjoyed. He stood up and bowed gratefully. “Thank you, da ge. I’ll entrust sanlang to you.”
The eldest master waved his hand, smiling. “We’re family, no need for such formality. If sanlang achieves something, I, as his da bo, will share the honour.”
Gu Ting did not want to marry, but Gu Cheng, on the other hand, was rather inclined.
That night, he found an opportunity to meet Gu daren in the study. “Father, I’m not young anymore. I would like to have my marriage settled soon.”
Gu daren was a little surprised. “You’ve decided?”
Gu Cheng nodded. “The eldest di daughter of the Vice Minister of Rites, I think she would be an excellent match.”
Gu daren’s brows furrowed slightly.
The Vice Minister of Rites held a senior fourth-rank post, while Gu daren was already upper third-rank, with a hou fu behind him. By comparison, if the daughter of the Vice Minister married Gu Cheng, it would be considered marrying above her station.
Gu daren said, “It might be better to look around more regarding your marriage.”
Gu Cheng opened his mouth, then said, “Father, in three years, I will also be sitting for the imperial examinations. To marry the eldest daughter of the Vice Minister of Rites seems most fitting.”
Gu daren hesitated. “Weifu has considered your marriage. Weifu had in mind for you to marry the daughter of a noble family.
“Sanlang is unreliable, intent on joining the army, and will likely be away for long stretches. That means this fu can only rest in your hands.
“Your wife will be the future mistress of the fu, responsible for managing everything. The daughter of a civil official is often too delicate; the daughter of a noble is usually bolder and more capable, more suited to you.”
Gu Cheng bowed slightly, his attitude resolute. “Your son prefers tranquillity and does not like bold, forceful girls. I wish to marry a civil official’s daughter. I beg Father to grant this.”
Gu daren frowned. “Why are you so stubborn?”
“I beg Father to grant this.”
Gu daren was enraged. “I can agree, but among civil officials’ daughters, there are plenty, you needn’t insist on the Vice Minister of Rites’ daughter.”
“Then who does Father think I should marry?”
Gu daren snorted. “Better to marry the granddaughter of the Minister of Rites. He has several di granddaughters still unmarried.”
“Father thinks marrying the granddaughter of the Minister of Rites is better than marrying the eldest daughter of the Vice Minister?”
“Of course.”
Gu Cheng shook his head slightly. “But your son doesn’t think so. From what I’ve learned, the Minister of Rites is already seventy-one. Who can say if he’ll even last another three years? And a granddaughter is not the same as a di daughter, after all, there’s still a generation’s distance.
“On the other hand, this Vice Minister of Rites, I’ve paid special attention to his record. He comes from the same hometown as Attendant Shen at His Majesty’s side, and they should have private ties as well.
“Attendant Shen is one of the youngest and most trusted in His Majesty’s service right now. It won’t be long before he is promoted to shaojian (deputy supervisor) of the Directorate of Palace Affairs.
[T/N: The directorate is a eunuch-run body to manage and govern the hougong, the inner palace.]
“With his support, once the Minister of Rites passes away, the Vice Minister is almost certain to succeed him, becoming the youngest Minister of Rites.”
Gu daren stared at Gu Cheng in shock and doubt. “Who told you all this?”
Gu Cheng bowed slightly. “These are things I’ve gradually learned since returning to the capital.”
Gu daren let out a long breath, feeling a mixture of emotions. “This matter… let weifu think it over again.”
Our boy Liu Zhao is finally getting some screen time.
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