Liu Zhao’s brows and eyes did not move in the slightest as he faced Ning wang’s questioning.
“Could it be that fuwang has no thoughts at all about that position?”
Ning wang gave a cold snort. “So what if I have thoughts, so what if I don’t? You brat, day after day, you egg me on to fight with my brothers. Isn’t it all just because you hope that if I become emperor, I’ll make you crown prince?”
Liu Zhao slightly lowered his head, his gaze full of disdain, and sneered. “If fuwang were to become emperor, would you really make me crown prince?”
“Of course not.” Ning wang answered without even thinking.
Liu Zhao’s expression stayed calm. “In that case, tomorrow fuwang had better go to court and attend to state matters, and fight properly with Zhao wangshu and Yan wangshu.”
Ning wang’s eyes turned, and he asked: “What did that old man say to you?”
Liu Zhao looked down and gave a faint, cold smile. “Grandfather said, if you still don’t attend court tomorrow, he’ll have men bind you and drag you there.”
Ning wang bared his teeth. “That old man just can’t stand to see me enjoy a few idle days. Truly an old wretch who refuses to die.”
“Fuwang, watch your words.”
Ning wang didn’t care in the least. “Whatever I say here, who dares spread even one word outside? I’ll wipe out his nine clans.”
Inside the hall, all the palace attendants fell to their knees, not daring even to breathe.
Liu Zhao glanced at the kneeling attendants, memorising each of their faces.
Ning wang asked again: “What else did that old man say?”
Liu Zhao replied: “Grandfather intends to appoint one of the princes to take charge of the Ministry of Revenue and clear up the arrears accumulated over the years.”
He paused, then added: “As far as I know, a few years ago, fuwang ‘borrowed’ money from the Ministry of Revenue and have yet to return it. Counting it all up, you owe nearly three hundred thousand taels.”
Ning wang grimaced. “Benwang owes the Ministry that much?”
Liu Zhao nodded. “Just on rewarding courtesans alone, fuwang spent no less than fifty thousand taels.”
Ning wang stroked his beard. “Benwang is truly a prodigal son; no amount of money can’t be squandered by me. If the old man wants someone to clear the Ministry’s arrears, that’s an offence-ridden task. At this time, if he makes me go to court, could it be that he wants to appoint me to take charge of this matter?”
Liu Zhao nodded. “That’s possible.”
“No, I won’t. That old man is digging a pit, wanting to bury us all in it. Hmph! I absolutely won’t fall for it.”
Liu Zhao’s face showed no expression. “Not going is not an option. Otherwise, tomorrow morning, the Jinwuwei will come and invite fuwang to the imperial prison for tea.”
Ning wang’s face changed. “That old man is too vicious! He has not a shred of fatherly love for us sons; he wants to drive us to our deaths!
“He’s sat as emperor for decades, killed how many kinsmen, how many relatives, how many officials, yet still sits firmly on that throne. No wonder people say, ‘An old man who will not die is a thief.’”
Liu Zhao frowned. “Fuwang, mind your words at least a little.”
Ning wang snorted. “Don’t you preach to me. Even in front of that old man, benwang dares to say the same.”
This was no lie.
More than once, Ning wang had cried and cursed right to the Son of Heaven’s face, railing with veiled insults.
Each time, the emperor punished him with much thunder and little rain. He even said it was rare to hear the truth, and that in the past he had wronged Ning wang.
What wrongs those were, outsiders did not know.
It seemed to be a secret between the emperor and Ning wang.
Shu fei knew a little, but she always kept her mouth shut, acting as if she knew nothing.
The emperor’s indulgence made Ning wang more and more idle, and his courage grew ever larger.
When the emperor favoured a new beauty, only Ning wang dared to say the emperor was an “old goat.”
It was with this lazy, reckless image that Ning wang managed to stand firm in court, contending with Zhao wang, Yan wang, and even the crown prince himself.
But usually, Ning wang’s attendance was irregular, three days fishing, two days sunning the nets, as if he truly had no ambition for that seat.
Of course, whether he really didn’t care, or just pretended not to, only Ning wang himself knew.
After a moment of silence, Liu Zhao said: “Zhao wangshu owes the Ministry not less than two hundred thousand taels. Yan wangshu likely owes around four hundred thousand. The Eastern Palace should be the least, just over a hundred thousand.”
Ning wang laughed aloud, mocking: “And why does the Eastern Palace owe the least? Because the Crown Prince doesn’t know how to enjoy life. All day long, he talks scriptures and philosophy with a bunch of old men, really thinking he’s a scholar. And now look at him, neither like a ruler, nor like a minister. His days as the crown prince are nearly finished.
“The old man’s patience has been thinning for years. Just stir things up a bit more, let someone whisper at his pillow, and the crown prince will be completely ruined.”
But Liu Zhao said: “Fuwang must not forget the eldest imperial grandson.”
At the words “eldest imperial grandson,” Ning wang’s face twisted up.
The imperial grandson was the crown prince’s eldest di son, heir apparent of the Eastern Palace. From birth, he had been dearly loved by the emperor.
In recent years, everyone had tried their best to slander him before the emperor, making the emperor distant towards him. But that did not mean the Eastern Palace was without strength.
If one day the emperor remembered the affection between grandfather and grandson, perhaps the Eastern Palace could rise from the ashes.
Ning wang frowned. “The old man would never bypass his sons and appoint the imperial grandson as heir. That would be courting disaster. As long as he hasn’t gone senile, he won’t do such a thing.”
Liu Zhao dropped a heavy piece of news: “Today, at morning court, Grandfather decreed that the eldest imperial grandson will go to the capital’s military camp for training.”
“What?!”
Ning wang shot up from his seat. “Is the old man insane? At this time, to send the imperial grandson to the army, what is he trying to do? Does he want us all dead? Does he want the imperial family to slaughter each other until only one is left? That damned old wretch, no wonder he can’t be expected to act with reason. He’ll be the death of benwang!”
Ning wang paced back and forth in the hall, so upset he cursed the emperor from head to toe.
Liu Zhao continued: “Fuwang, calm your anger. The imperial grandson is not the only one going to the camp. Zhao wang’s eldest di son, Yan wang’s eldest di son, the eldest sons of all the other uncles, and I myself, are all to go to the army for training.”
Ning wang stopped in his tracks and glared at Liu Zhao. “Why didn’t you say this earlier? Made me worry for nothing.”
“Fuwang was speaking too quickly; your son had no chance to say anything.” Liu Zhao spoke nonsense with a straight face.
Ning wang gave a cold snort. “The old man sent you all to train in the capital camp, that’s to test you. Perform well and win some honour for me.”
“Your son obeys. Also, regarding my marriage, I think an auspicious date would be in the twelfth lunar month.”
Ning wang fixed his gaze on Liu Zhao. “You want to marry in the twelfth month?”
Liu Zhao nodded.
By the twelfth month, Gu Jiu’s dowry should be ready. It would be the right time for the wedding.
Ning wang relaxed into his chair. “You’ve thought it through? You truly want to marry Gu Jiu?”
Liu Zhao nodded again. “Your son has long made up his mind. I will take Gu Jiu as my wife.”
Ning wang probed, “Shall I personally select a few concubines for you? Don’t worry, they will all be from respectable families with clean backgrounds.”
Liu Zhao shook his head. “Thank you for fuwang’s concern, but your son has no need. Instead, why not give them to er di, san di, or si di? They surely wouldn’t refuse.”
Ning wang sneered. “What, just for a Gu Jiu, you’d remain pure as jade? Aren’t you ashamed?”
Liu Zhao remained calm as a mountain. “Your son is not trying to remain pure for anyone. I simply dislike having too many women around me.”
Ning wang didn’t believe a word.
“Sometimes, benwang wonders if you’re truly my son. Your temperament is unlike benwang’s, nor like your mufei’s. Instead, it’s a bit like the old man when he was young. Back then, in his struggle for the throne, there was nothing he wouldn’t endure.”
Liu Zhao stayed silent.
Ning wang, looking bored, waved his hand. “Forget it. If you’ve decided, I won’t meddle. Tomorrow I’ll send a matchmaker to the Gu family to fix the date. Which day did you choose?”
Liu Zhao answered coolly, “The sixteenth day of the twelfth month.”
“The sixteenth… I’ll remember it. Tell your mother, otherwise she’ll complain you keep everything from her.”
“Thank you for reminding me, fuwang. I’ll go see mufei now. Fuwang, don’t forget to rise early for court tomorrow, or else the Jinwuwei will come knocking.”
“Yes, yes, I know. The old man won’t spare me, and now you nag me as well.”
Liu Zhao rose and left the Bixie Pavilion, heading toward Chunhe Hall.
Pei shi saw Liu Zhao, gave a cold snort, and waved the attendants away.
Only then did she say, “So you still remember to come see benwangfei. I thought you’d forgotten benwangfei altogether.”
Liu Zhao sat down. “Mufei jests, how could your son ever forget you?”
Pei shi snorted again. “This is no jest. Think carefully, how long has it been since you last came to pay respects? Your si di is far more filial. As long as he’s in the fu, he greets benwangfei daily and fulfils his filial duty.”
Liu Zhao smiled. “If si di is so filial, why not keep him here in the fu, just to keep mufei company and ease your boredom?”
“What do you mean by that? Are you jealous of your si di, or are you trying to ruin his future? He is a man, how could he be confined to the inner residence?”
Pei shi’s eyes widened in displeasure.
Liu Zhao said coolly, “Mufei can think for si di, knowing a man cannot be confined to the inner residence. Then why pick faults with me? Am I expected to linger here daily in the women’s quarters just to prove my filial piety? If I did, before long, the Jinwuwei would be at our gates.”
“You, you are outrageous! How can you compare yourself with your si di?”
Pei shi grew furious, liking Liu Zhao even less.
Liu Zhao was utterly indifferent. Whether his mother liked him or not, at his age, did it matter? Not in the least.
Still, he smoothed things over: “Your son is the eldest di son, carrying heavy responsibilities. I only ask that mufei show some understanding.”
Pei shi took a deep breath, calming somewhat. “If benwangfei didn’t understand you, I’d have long sent for you at the study. Tell me, why have you come running over today?”
Liu Zhao said softly, “From tomorrow on, fuwang must rise early for court.”
Pei shi frowned. “You expect benwangfei to keep your father in check? Hmph. If I truly had such power, would there be so many women in this residence?”
Liu Zhao replied, “Your son understands mufei’s difficulties. What I mean is, please tidy up the inner residence. Send away those who should be dismissed. Those who cannot, send them to the estates. In the seventh month, si di will marry. Surely mufei does not wish the guests to see the fu in such disorder.”
Pei shi thought for a moment. “Very well. Tomorrow benwangfei will draft a list and send away the unruly ones. Anything else?”
Liu Zhao continued, “My wedding date has been fixed, sixteenth of the twelfth month. Fuwang will send a matchmaker to the Gu fu to formally arrange it.”
Pei shi’s face soured, her eyes critical. “That girl Gu Jiu, she’s really that good? Do you like her that much?”
Liu Zhao said firmly, “Good or not, she will be my wife. Once she enters the fu, I ask mufei, for my sake, to give her due respect.”
“Remarkable, so you’d actually plead with benwangfei for a woman. Tell me, your marriage is set, yet I haven’t even met this Gu Jiu. What does she look like?”
Pei shi felt neither dislike nor fondness toward Gu Jiu, only curiosity. What kind of girl could earn her eldest son’s favour?
Liu Zhao replied, “She looks… passable.”
That was far too perfunctory.
Had Gu Jiu been present, she would have glared at Liu Zhao. How dare you say I look only passable? I’m clearly beautiful! You must be blind.
Pei shi raised a brow. “Only passable?”
Liu Zhao gave a faint acknowledgement.
Pei shi let out a cold laugh. “This is all benwangfei’s fault. When you were young, I didn’t discipline you properly. For you to actually take a fancy to some halfway-decent-looking girl, clearly, this Gu Jiu is not as good as people make her out to be.”
“Whether she’s good or not must be judged after seeing her in person. Mufei, you are being too hasty.”
Pei shi’s face stiffened. “Tomorrow, benwangfei will send out an invitation and have her brought to the fu.”
Liu Zhao nodded. “Before the wedding, it is proper for mufei to meet her.”
Pei shi was infuriated.
No matter what she said, or how harsh her tone, Liu Zhao always kept the same blank expression, utterly unmoved.
It was as if her words were so dull and meaningless that they could never stir even the slightest ripple in his emotions.
Pei shi felt a crushing sense of defeat, her chest filled with pent-up anger.
She waved her hand and said: “I’ve said my piece. Now leave, leave, leave, don’t be an eyesore in front of benwangfei.”
“Your son takes his leave.”
Liu Zhao stood up without hesitation and walked away.
Seeing how decisively he left only made Pei shi angrier.
This son of hers was as always: distant, cold, and unfeeling. His words were dry and flat, without the least trace of affection.
She was both furious and helpless. With this son, there was simply nothing she could do. It was enough to make her choke with anger.
And yet, precisely because of this, she was all the more determined to meet Gu Jiu.
She wanted to see with her own eyes, what kind of beauty, what kind of charm, could possibly draw Liu Zhao’s attention.
Time passed quickly.
In the blink of an eye, the hundred days of mourning were over. The capital, which had lain in silence through the entire spring, now came alive again like a sleeper awakening from a long slumber.
Brothels and pleasure houses, which had received no visitors for months, once more overflowed with guests. Banquets were hosted daily.
The prominent households, their enthusiasm pent up for an entire season, finally had an outlet to release it.
Every few days, there was another feast.
Families scrambled to find excuses for banquets, as if determined to pour out in one breath all the warmth and merriment they had been suppressing.
For several days in a row, Xie shi and Zhang shi went out daily, dining and drinking as guests.
Gu Jiu went along twice, but quickly lost interest.
Too exhausting!
The same people, again and again. Today you host, tomorrow I host, and every day it was the same polite, auspicious phrases. After only a few days, Gu Jiu already felt fed up.
She excused herself on the grounds of ill health and stayed home instead of attending.
Her sisters, however, remained full of enthusiasm.
Gu Zhen, Gu Yue, Gu Shan, Gu Lin, Gu Jun, none of them missed a single banquet, insisting on going out every time.
When Gu Yue went out, she sighed: “It’s such a pity er jiejie’s health is so poor. After only a few days of socialising, her body gave out. Once she’s married into the wang fu, with endless social obligations, what will she do then? She’ll probably spend half the month laid up in bed.”
Somehow, these words spread; and even reached the Xiao family and the wang fu.
When Xiao Qin’er heard this, she was delighted.
If Gu Jiu’s health was poor, then she wouldn’t be able to manage the household.
In the future, she herself would be the rightful mistress of the wang fu. As for Gu Jiu, she could step aside.
Meanwhile, at the wang fu, Pei shi frowned upon hearing of Gu Jiu’s poor health.
“Wasn’t it said her health had already recovered? Could it be that her illness has returned?”
A servant replied: “Likely it’s just that she seems fine day to day, but can’t bear much exertion.”
Pei shi gave a sharp snort. “And laoda dares choose a sickly girl as his wife? How can she shoulder responsibility? Utter nonsense. Bring benwangfei’s my visiting card, I’ll have Gu Jiu invited here as a guest.”
“Niangniang, to invite only Gu guniang would not look good. Why not take this chance to host a banquet instead? Invite everyone, make it lively. It’s been a long time since the wangfu has had such bustle.”
Pei shi nodded. “That makes sense. Benwangfei also wishes to meet my in-laws. Bring me the almanack, I’ll personally choose an auspicious date and host a flower-viewing banquet.”
“Niangniang is most wise.”
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