A Single Tie Of Long Hair Seals A Lifelong Commitment - Chapter 87

The envoys from various nations, having gathered in the Ming Dynasty, were now preparing to return home in succession. The three major steppe tribes—Kui Rong, Qiu Di, and Xi Ma Nou—who had arrived with tribute, were also returning laden with gifts. Long columns of supply carts stretched out, and the people of the steppe, wrapped in animal hides, moved the Great Lin’s “return gifts” into the wagon compartments.

Few people from the steppe tribes were literate in the Central Plains script or could understand the Central Plains language. It was rare enough to conduct daily conversations, and host-guest exchanges required foreign interpreters to assist with translation and document handling.

Dai Qing was one such interpreter.

Of the two female historians who attended to Xie Wenjun, Yuan Rong had been sent to the Lan Tai to organize the fish-scale land registers, while Dai Qing, who understood the steppe script and had studied the steppe dialect and customs with Gu Xie at the Lingjiu Academy for half a year, was assigned by Xie Wenjun to the Honglu Temple’s Foreign Envoys’ Hall to serve as an interpreter and receive the steppe guests.

The moment Ximu Qing, the chieftain of the Xi Ma Nou tribe, saw Dai Qing, his heart was stirred. At the banquet for thanking guests after the Ten Thousand Blessings Festival, Ximu Qing proposed to Xie Yuan that he would voluntarily return half of the gifts the Great Lin had bestowed upon the Xi Ma Nou tribe in exchange for marrying the female official Dai Qing.

Xie Yuan did not immediately agree, only saying, “Dai Qing is a person close to Jiangning. It is not appropriate for me to make this decision. This matter must be decided by Jiangning herself.”

Ximu Qing became utterly fixated on Xie Wenjun.

He clumsily and earnestly swore to the heavens in the manner of the Central Plains people, promising to establish Dai Qing as the Esteemed One of the Ximanu tribe, and repeatedly begged Xie Wenjun with a dark, distressed face to let her go.

Yuan Rong had a quiet nature, but Dai Qing had a different disposition.

She had studied classics and history with Xie Wenjun since childhood, was well-spoken, and though spirited, she was without a hint of arrogance. She was also thoughtful and thorough in receiving foreign envoys. Possessing the graceful features of a Central Plains woman combined with the free-spirited demeanor of a steppe woman, and fluent in the language, Ximu Qing’s admiration for her was genuine.

Ximu Qing had already visited the Princess Royal’s mansion twice before, and today he went again. Upon learning that the Princess Royal had departed for the Taihuang Temple to pay respects to her mother, he disregarded proper etiquette and pursued her.

Outside the archery range’s archway, Rong Jun saw the rolled-up curtain of the arrow pavilion’s eaves was lowered. His eyes searched but did not see Xie Wenjun or Chen Liangyu, so he did not walk in, but instead reported loudly from the doorway: “Princess Royal, the Xi Ma Nou chieftain Ximu Qing has rushed to the temple’s outer area seeking an audience. He refuses to leave. Your subordinate has stopped him at the front hall. These steppe people are crude and rude and are disturbing the temple’s worshipers. Should they be driven away?”

Xie Wenjun asked from behind the curtain, “Where is Dai Qing?”

“She is sweeping the Yongning Palace.”

On the day of commemorating Empress Huixian, Yuan Rong and Dai Qing were always by Xie Wenjun’s side; they had never been absent, no matter how great the matter.

Xie Wenjun said, “Tell her to decide this matter herself.”

“Understood.”

Just in the space of a few words, the sun was already setting obliquely.

Rong Jun’s walking steps were always firm and audible, easy to recognize. Hearing the heavy footsteps receding, Chen Liangyu pulled Xie Wenjun’s sleeve, propped a forearm under her face, and cried out in despair, “No! Absolutely not!”

Her speech was usually quick and without any delay. Xie Wenjun was startled by her shout and asked, “How does this concern you?”

Chen Liangyu had been distracted just moments before and hadn’t fully registered Rong Jun’s report. Her mind was still focused on the issue of seniority. “It concerns the Marquis’s residence and the Heng family. How can it not concern me?” She took a deep breath and declared, “This matter is improper. If it happens, everything will be completely disordered.”

Although Heng Yang did not usually call Xie Wenjun ‘Godmother,’ and the imperial family always prioritized rank, Heng Yang, like the female dependents of other officials, referred to Xie Wenjun as ‘Princess Royal.’ Yet, she felt fundamentally awkward and improper about the situation.

Xie Wenjun said, “You said you had no objection to Heng Yang’s marriage just now, didn’t you?”

Chen Liangyu said, “I’m not the one marrying her, so what good is my lack of objection? I must return to the residence and ask my second brother about this. His nod is the only thing that matters.”

“Then I will trouble you to be a good negotiator.”

“Does Your Highness have difficulties?” Chen Liangyu vaguely sensed that Xie Wenjun had some unspeakable hidden trouble.

“There is a predicament.”

Chen Liangyu straightened her back, her upright figure casting a sharp, distinct shadow on the table. She said, “I wish to hear the details.”

If the matter was only about marrying into the Xuanping Marquis’s residence, she might not have found it inappropriate. Dai Qing was Xie Wenjun’s personal female historian, cultivated for a long time. Now, as a female official at the Honglu Temple, Xie Wenjun had no logical reason, public or private, to marry her off to the Xi Ma Nou tribe. No matter how much Ximu Qing pestered her, a refusal would suffice. It was a steppe tribe, not a sovereign state, and there was nothing to fear about offending them. The fact that Xie Wenjun was avoiding him and was truly troubled and conflicted revealed a deeper issue.

What was the secret distress that forced Xie Wenjun to be so indecisive and eager to plot to win over the steppe forces?

Xie Wenjun asked, “The Imperial Astronomical Bureau once said that the Great Lin’s court had a prophecy of a guest star driving out the host star.” She asked directly, “Do you believe this guest star is my Imperial Father, or is it someone else?”

Chen Liangyu paused slightly and said, “Before answering Your Highness’s question, I also have a question.”

“Ask away.”

“When Your Highness fled the capital with the Imperial Seal back then, you carried a secret decree. But was that decree truly the Former Emperor abdicating and ordering the current Emperor to ascend the throne?”

Xie Wenjun’s tone was indifferent, having anticipated this question sooner or later. She said, “You have suspected that decree for a long time. Why ask today?”

Chen Liangyu replied, “The world was not yet settled, and the new sovereign was newly established. Digging too deep at the roots would not benefit the court or the common people. Why pursue the question?”

Xie Wenjun asked, “Then why ask now?”

Chen Liangyu leaned her elbows on her knees, her body involuntarily tilting forward slightly. The warm sun filtering down from the pavilion eaves was like a yellow cotton jacket, pouring onto her crown, yet reflecting a cold, sharp light. “A good minister chooses a master.”

A good minister chooses a master.

At that time, the master Chen Liangyu chose was precisely Prince Shen. Even though she clearly knew that the sudden decree had many confusing details and was full of suspicion, she did not hastily ask further questions.

It was not just her; Xie Yuan himself had his suspicions.

When he first ascended the throne, the court was still in turmoil. New and old forces were surging beneath the surface, under heavy pressure. To balance the factions of the new Emperor and the old one, Xie Yuan adopted a compromise, consulting Emperor Xuanyuan in the Nanyuan Palace on all major court affairs and state matters before making a decision, thus temporarily stabilizing the court and Emperor Xuanyuan.

The further time progressed, the more difficult it became to maintain that balance.

In these past few years, Xie Yuan had gradually removed the key officials from Emperor Xuanyuan’s era from the capital. Consequently, rumors gradually spread among the people that the new Emperor’s accession was illegitimate.

Chen Liangyu said, “Isn’t this what Your Highness came here for?” The warm smile in her eyes gradually faded. Her cinnabar lips curved into a slight arc, but it didn’t look like a smile; rather, it seemed like self-mockery.

She lowered her face, woodenly tidying the sleeve that she had messed up.

She thought, fortunately.

Fortunately, I didn’t utter those indecent and absurd words.

To have one night of pure joy with Xie Wenjun was already a great blessing. Why should she greedily ask for more?

Xie Wenjun said, “The overall situation is set. Whatever that secret decree was is no longer important.”

Chen Liangyu asked, “And the guest star? Is that also unimportant?”

Xie Wenjun looked at her silently for a long time, watching her meticulously smooth out the crumpled folds on her sleeve, watching her lower her head in quiet contemplation.

She deeply trusted the mutual understanding between them, knowing there was no need to state the private matters too explicitly. Chen Liangyu was a rare and prodigious talent. Since she had doubts about the secret decree from the start, Xie Wenjun had reason to believe that she had also always known who that “guest star” was.

“You should know clearly that the ‘merit of following the dragon, benefiting descendants’ from back then was merely a temporary expedient. There are many idle positions in the court, all filled with good-for-nothings who draw the court’s salary but have no corresponding achievements. The officials in various government offices are numerous, their duties confused. Often, one matter passes through the hands of several people, leading to mutual buck-passing and a waste of state funds. Not to mention, the implementation of decrees is hindered and difficult. The system of redundant officials is a heavy burden, and the Ministry of Revenue’s accounts are tight every year. These lazy, incompetent officials have truly reached a point where they must be dealt with!”

“It is not my place to take the lead in state affairs. If the decree were to be drafted and issued by me, it would surely be difficult to implement. The rectification of official administration must be done by my Imperial Brother, and only my Imperial Brother can do it.”

“With so many matters urgently needing to be addressed, I see the affairs of this court as clearly as fire, yet I can only stand by and watch. I only hope that after I let go, my Imperial Brother will be able to clean up this mess.”

Xie Wenjun stood up, the hem of her cloak rippling. She walked to stand in the sunlight, her posture tall and slender. The light, scattered like gold dust, outlined a faint, pale yellow halo around her cloak.

Chen Liangyu had her back to Xie Wenjun. Suddenly turning her head, her eyes were stung by the light. The sun in the spring months of the warbler and peach blossoms was always gentle, but Xie Wenjun’s presence was cool and clear, surrounded by an air of solitary loftiness.

She just stood there.

This vast archery range was merely a cage in her eyes.

“I can support this vast empire.” Xie Wenjun gazed at the horizon. At the very edge of her vision on the mountaintop, a faint silhouette of a tower was visible—the spire of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau’s stargazing platform.

“A-Li, choose me.”

A round stone table was placed at the foot of the stone steps of the Yongning Palace, with a stone bench placed at each of the four directions. Yuan Rong, Lin Yin, and Pu Ping’er were huddled around the stone table, chattering and questioning Dai Qing about something. Perhaps pressed too urgently, Dai Qing angrily pushed the three of them away. “What, what are all of you asking? Shameless!”

Yuan Rong, Lin Yin, and Pu Ping’er covered their mouths and giggled.

That laughter happened to be heard by Chen Liangyu and Xie Wenjun. Whether or not Xie Wenjun thought anything of it, to Chen Liangyu, their laughter sounded a little mischievous.

Lin Yin was still persistent, “Female Official Dai Qing, how pale is he, exactly?”

“Oh, you…” Dai Qing stomped her foot on the ground, covering her mouth and laughing, then turned and ran up the stone steps. Looking up, she quickly curtsied and begged for forgiveness, “Princess Royal, General, this servant is guilty.”

Chen Liangyu and Xie Wenjun were walking down the stone steps side by side.

Yuan Rong also hurriedly bent her knee to salute, “This servant is guilty.”

Lin Yin and Pu Ping’er bowed deeply, “Your subordinates are guilty.”

Chen Liangyu was originally walking with her hands clasped behind her back. Seeing the stone steps were slippery, she was afraid Xie Wenjun might lose her footing, so she moved her arm forward slightly to support her. “What are you talking about?”

A blush seemed to spread across Dai Qing’s cheeks, which were hot to the touch. “They speak nonsense without any restraint. Your Highness, General, please don’t pay attention to them.”

Chen Liangyu was never one to shy away from such topics. Taking the rare chance to relax, she jested, “It seems like it’s something the Princess Royal and I shouldn’t be hearing.”

Lin Yin was a ruffian by nature, and her mouth was equally uninhibited. “Female Official Dai Qing said that the steppe man’s face and body are two different colors. His face is blacker than charcoal smoked by a stove, but his body is very white.” She seemed to have forgotten something, then, as a lightbulb went off, she added, “And strong.”

Pu Ping’er nudged her with an elbow.

Dai Qing repeatedly begged for forgiveness, “Dirtying the ears of Your Highness and the General, this servant is guilty. Please punish me, Your Highness.”

Lin Yin said, “What’s the big deal? A woman must marry when she is old enough, a man must marry when he is old enough. It’s just this one thing…”

Pu Ping’er gave her another elbow strike, with greater force this time, causing Lin Yin to step back half a pace.

“Fine, I won’t say it.”

In the time it took to exchange a few words, Chen Liangyu and Xie Wenjun had already walked down.

Xie Wenjun told them to rise, showing no emotional reaction, as if she hadn’t heard the surrounding chatter.

Chen Liangyu glanced at Lin Yin and asked, “A woman must marry when she is old enough. What about you?”

Before Lin Yin could speak, Pu Ping’er interjected, “A-Yin is successful. The Second Prince of Beiyong almost became a suitor.”

Chen Liangyu asked, “Zhai Ji? What is this story about?”

Lin Yin said, “On the day of the banquet for thanking guests at the palace, Ping’er and I were waiting for you at the palace gate. Zhai Ji came out of the palace a little earlier than you did. We ran into each other face-to-face. He asked me how Boling Ridge was and whether the chief bandit had anyone offering food and condolences, and we talked for a few sentences. Zhai Ji said that as long as I killed you, he would marry me with his kingdom as the bride price.”

“And you agreed.”

“Of course, I agreed to such a good thing.”

Chen Liangyu joked, “Then why haven’t you acted yet?”

Lin Yin scoffed, rolling her eyes to the heavens, “I told him to give me the kingdom first, as I wanted to be the Emperor of Beiyong. He said I was sick. He is the one who is sick.”

It wasn’t hard to imagine that Zhai Ji’s expression would not have been pleasant upon hearing that.

“Don’t just ask us,” Lin Yin did not have the courage to tease the difficult and imposing Princess Royal, but she could still joke audaciously in front of Chen Liangyu. “What about you, General?”

Xie Wenjun answered for her, “Your General is also quite white.”

Chen Liangyu: