Emperor Yongchang's lesson to Noble Consort Du was extremely secretive. Even Empress Zhou, who managed the inner palace, could only vaguely sense that Noble Consort Du had made a mistake. Yao Huang, living outside the palace, heard absolutely nothing of it.
At this time, Yao Huang's mind was entirely on the official posts her brothers had just received.
Her eldest cousin, Luo Kun, was going to the Liangzhou border army to serve as a secondary fourth-rank Vice Commander of the Guard. Her third cousin, Luo Ze, would be a primary sixth-rank Centurion there. With an older, steady brother looking after his nineteen-year-old cousin, the family felt at ease.
Her second cousin, Luo Peng, was going to the Datong border army in Jinzhou as a primary fifth-rank Battalion Commander. Although he wouldn't be in Li Tingwang's guard station, they would be quite close and could look out for each other.
Li Tingwang's affection for Yao Huang was one thing, but his brotherhood with Yao Lin and the three Luo brothers was another. They shared the kind of bond forged at thirteen or fourteen when they would line up by the river, pull down their pants, and see who could pee the farthest. Once in Datong, whether Li Tingwang faced ostracization or Luo Peng ran into trouble, neither would sit idly by. Even Luo Jinhua trusted Li Tingwang on this point.
Among the four brothers, only Yao Lin remained in the capital, personally appointed by Emperor Yongchang to the Imperial Vanguard.
The Imperial Vanguard was divided into the five city guards—East, South, West, North, and Central—along with the Imperial Guards.
Each of the five city guards had a garrison responsible for defending the twelve gates of the capital's outer city, as well as conducting daily patrols between the outer city and the imperial city, totaling over twenty-five thousand soldiers.
The Imperial Guards garrisoned the eight gates of the imperial city and its interior, directly responsible for the safety of the emperor, his harem, and his children. If the primary first-rank Commander of the Imperial Vanguard was a loyal man carefully selected by the emperor, the primary second-rank Commander of the Imperial Guards was regarded as his absolute confidant. Though lower in official rank than the Vanguard Commander, he enjoyed even greater trust from the emperor.
Yao Lin was merely the brother of Princess Hui. Emperor Yongchang had only seen him once during the palace examination, finding him capable in combat and sincere, which caught his eye. However, the emperor did not immediately place Yao Lin in the Imperial Guards. Instead, he made Yao Lin a primary sixth-rank Centurion in the East City Guard of the Imperial Vanguard. Whether he could rise further would depend on his future performance.
With all three of his cousins posted outside the capital and only him staying behind, Yao Lin felt a bit unsettled. He asked his sister, Did the emperor give me special treatment because he was afraid you couldn't bear to part with me?
Yao Huang replied, I can't bear to part with our cousins either. Why didn't the emperor keep them in the capital too?
Yao Lin was speechless.
Yao Zhenhu, after all, had twenty more years of life experience than his son. The group of Centurions at the East Camp would often gather and discuss the official appointments of the military scholars. He explained to his son, The court needs great generals who can fight and win battles, and great generals must have strategy in their hearts. Therefore, the higher one ranks in the written and palace examinations, the more likely they are to be sent to the border for experience. You've never been as good at studying as them. If you want experience, you can only wait for an opportunity.
Yao Lin lowered his head resentfully.
Yao Huang encouraged her brother: The emperor needs capable great generals, but he also needs loyal elite soldiers to guard the capital for him. By arranging for you to join the Imperial Vanguard, the emperor shows that he trusts both your martial arts and your loyalty. Isn't this great? From now on, our cousins will guard the borders, and you will guard the capital. Since they are far away, you can visit the town more often on their behalf when you have time, earning merit in both official and family matters.
Yao Lin's spirits lifted. Sticking out his chest, he declared, Alright, I'll definitely do my job well!
Luo Jinhua advised her son: You may both be Centurions, but your position is much more sought after than your father's. Who knows how many young sons of nobles and military officials have their eyes on it. They might not have beaten you in the military exams, but they can play dirty tricks on you in other ways. You must stay vigilant. Just focus on your own duties. If anyone tells you to do some secret errand, don't just believe them blindly. Ask to see their official seals or tokens. If they have those but something still feels off, or if it seems detrimental to the emperor or any of the princes, come home and tell me. I'll go to your sister to confirm.
Yao Lin replied, ...Mother, don't make me sound like a fool. I might not be as smart as the rest of you, but if someone tries to harm me or trick me into harming others, I won't fall for it.
Yao Zhenhu added, Exactly. At worst, us father and son just don't know how to flatter or kiss up to anyone. But getting duped and dragging our family down? That will absolutely never happen.
Luo Jinhua smiled at her daughter. In any case, she would keep a close eye on these two men.
.
Yao Huang had gone to her maternal grandfather's house to attend the farewell banquet for her three cousins.
On the eighteenth of the fourth month, the day the three brothers actually set off, Yao Huang did not go.
Yao Lin went to see them off, riding the fine steed his prince brother-in-law had specially gifted him to celebrate his passing of the military exams. It had a sleek, shiny black coat.
He first arrived at the Li residence.
Madam Wang came out with her husband to see off their son who was about to travel far. Seeing Yao Lin standing outside leading his fine horse, looking as though he wanted to laugh heartily yet also deeply reluctant to part with his friend, Madam Wang felt incredibly conflicted.
That day they accidentally ran into Yao Huang and Prince Hui on the street, Madam Wang felt that Prince Hui must have noticed her son's unusual behavior. She thought that the Yao Huang girl, to protect her own reputation, might explain that it was always her son actively pestering her. Madam Wang had been anxious and helpless, even preparing for the possibility that her son would fail the exams and her husband would lose his position as Battalion Commander.
In the end, her husband's position remained perfectly secure, and her son passed the exams with the high honor of third place, turning her into a petty person who had wrongly judged the hearts of gentlefolk.
Yao Lin didn't even look at Madam Wang. He gave a simple greeting, and once Li Tingwang finished bidding farewell to his parents, he mounted his horse alongside Li Tingwang. Li Tingwang's attendant rode behind them.
It was still early morning, and there weren't many people on the road. Li Tingwang was weighed down by his thoughts, and Yao Lin was oppressed by the sorrow of parting, not knowing what to say.
After leaving the city, the three continued south. The Luo brothers would be waiting for them fifteen miles ahead.
Finally, Li Tingwang glanced back at his attendant, who was sufficiently far away, leaned close to Yao Lin, and quietly asked about Yao Huang: Over the past year, when you met with the Princess, did she ever mention me?
This was the first time he had asked Yao Lin about her since Yao Huang got married. Before, he had to avoid suspicion and was afraid Yao Lin would scold him for his wishful thinking. Now that he was heading far away to Datong, Li Tingwang didn't want to hold back anymore.
Yao Lin thought for a moment and said, She hasn't mentioned you once. When the military exam results were posted and I told her you came in first, she smiled and said you were practically half a brother to her. I could tell she was genuinely happy for you.
Li Tingwang looked down at the reins in his hands. Was it only happiness?
Yao Lin sighed, I didn't tell you before because I was afraid it would upset you. But now, I'll tell you the truth. She really doesn't have you in her heart. She married happily, and after marrying the Prince, she's been even happier. She praises the Prince to us, saying he's handsome, that he treats her with leniency and courtesy, and that he even paints, painting her like a fairy. Every time she mentions the Prince, she looks as sweet as if she'd eaten honey.
Not to mention her, even I think the Prince is great. He puts on no airs with us at all... Don't look at my horse, it has nothing to do with this horse! The Prince is just a good person. Think about it, when we were eighteen, we were still hunting birds in the mountains, while the Prince was already achieving military merits in the south. Tell me yourself, how can you compare to the Prince?
Li Tingwang thought to himself that, leaving aside family background and wealth, his looks were inferior to Prince Hui's. He hadn't yet had the chance to establish the military merits Prince Hui had achieved, his talent in calligraphy and painting couldn't compare, and his ability to coax her and make her happy fell short as well. He had even underestimated Prince Hui once, assuming the prince would suppress him during the martial exams and official appointments.
The only thing he had over Prince Hui was his pair of legs that could walk and jump.
But, comparing legs with a disabled man—was there any pride in that?
Li Tingwang tilted his head back and let out a long breath. After calming down, he smiled at Yao Lin. "Don't worry, I can let it go now. From now on, just like you, I only hope that she and the prince share a deeply loving marriage."
Yao Lin wasn't entirely convinced. "Really? Then are you willing to marry Miss Cui?"
Li Tingwang replied, "...A true man establishes his career before starting a family. Who is like you, thinking about taking a wife all day long?"
Furious, Yao Lin swung his fist to hit him. Li Tingwang dodged sideways, clamped his long legs around his horse's belly, and rode off laughing into the morning sun.
.
The brilliant setting sun spilled across the long alley in front of the Prince Hui Manor. When the carriage came to a steady halt, Qingai and Zhang Yue skillfully helped the prince down in his wheelchair.
As Qingai pushed him toward Ming'an Hall, Zhao Sui tried to imagine the expression on his princess's face when they met. All three of her cousins had left the capital today; she must be feeling very reluctant to part with them.
While they were still a distance from Ming'an Hall, Jinbao suddenly ran out, pouncing right onto his legs. Just like every time it welcomed him back to the manor in the past, it wagged its tail and tilted its head up, trying to lick his face.
Zhao Sui pressed a hand firmly onto the top of Jinbao's head until the dog gave up, its front paws leaving his legs as it jumped back down to the side of the wheelchair.
Taking advantage of the fact that the princess hadn't appeared yet, Prince Hui took a handkerchief from his sleeve and brushed away the light gray paw prints Jinbao had left on the hem of his robe.
Once he finished, he naturally handed the handkerchief to Feiquan.
When the wheelchair reached the corridor in the front courtyard of Ming'an Hall, the princess also came over from the backyard. She was wearing a pomegranate-red chest-high dress, so brightly and richly colored that Prince Hui, accustomed to elegant and plain colors, subconsciously lowered his eyes. He kept them lowered until that dress, which looked as if it were woven from pomegranate flowers, arrived in front of him, and until the matching satin embroidered shoes with light pink peach blossoms beneath the skirt hem lightly circled behind his wheelchair.
Only then did Zhao Sui's breathing return to normal.
"Will Your Highness change into casual clothes first? After you change, let's take a stroll in the garden. For the past half year, you've been cooped up in the Ministry of Works and haven't gotten as much sun as before."
Zhao Sui nodded.
When he changed clothes in the inner chamber, neither the princess nor Qingai was present. Prince Hui pushed his wheelchair in front of the mirror and scrutinized himself for a moment. He didn't see much of a change, though compared to the princess's rosy, fair complexion, his face was indeed rather pale.
Upon arriving at the back garden, Yao Huang pushed Prince Hui directly to the lakeside, where felt mats had already been laid out.
After Prince Hui sat properly facing the setting sun, Yao Huang lay down comfortably on his lap, her face turned toward him so the glare wouldn't hurt her eyes.
Zhao Sui asked, "...Do you regret not going to see off your three cousins this morning?"
The princess should have gone; he wouldn't have minded that she would see Li Tingwang while seeing off her second cousin.
Playing with the jade pendant at Prince Hui's waist, Yao Huang glanced at him and said, "Not at all. Since I married you, it's been inconvenient to meet with them anyway. So, whether they are studying at the martial academy or gaining experience at the border makes little difference to me. Besides, they are all trained martial artists traveling with their attendants. There's no need for me to worry about them."
She did feel a bit reluctant to part, but she couldn't spend the whole day thinking about her cousins. Moreover, the three of them were going to serve as officials, not to do hard labor.
Zhao Sui looked at the princess's spread-out skirt. Her embroidered shoes were placed on the grass outside the mat, revealing a pair of feet clad in white silk socks.
The princess had her monthly courses a few days ago, so Prince Hui had been abstaining.
The setting sun falling on his face accumulated a sense of heat. Zhao Sui patted the princess's shoulder. "Sit up. It's only early summer, be careful not to catch a cold."
Yao Huang replied, "I don't want to. I like lying like this and talking to Your Highness."
Prince Hui had no choice but to prop his arms behind him, raising his eyes to gaze at the high, azure sky.
Looking at Prince Hui in this posture, Yao Huang suddenly felt her face grow hot. She sat up, put on her shoes, and squatted by the lake to watch the fish.
