Chapter 760: The Princess’s Personal Guidance – When Will the Feuds End?

By May, the capital had already entered summer. For over a dozen days, there had been no rain, and the sun shone scorchingly in the sky. Both the palace and the high-ranking officials used plenty of ice. Even the usually frugal Du family had placed several ice basins in their main room. The reason was simple: Xiao Wu, who had come to stay at home, was now pregnant. She was naturally active and restless, and even before the hottest part of the year arrived, she already developed prickly heat. As a result, not only was Qiu Shi extremely careful, but Wan Shi Jie also felt sorry for her and decided to let her stay at the Yue family’s place to recover.

That day, the mother and daughter were as usual in the main room. Xiao Wu held the bellyband handed to her by Qiu Shi and examined it carefully with delight. Then she smiled and squinted, saying, “Mother, your craftsmanship is truly excellent. Look at how vividly the carp is embroidered—it’s so lively and cute. When the baby is born and wears this, it will look absolutely beautiful! Ah, the few clothes I made are far from as good… If I had known, I should have learned sewing properly from my sister. The sets of clothes she sent over during the New Year all had excellent stitching!”

“It’s no use trying to catch up at the last minute when you don’t make an effort regularly!” Seeing that Xiao Wu’s cheeks were noticeably plumper than usual and looked fair and soft, Qiu Shi couldn’t help but pinch her lightly before smiling and saying, “Your temper is also thanks to marrying Wan Shi Jie. His parents are no longer alive, and he has a free-spirited personality that suits you well. He doesn’t mind spending a month or two with you at your parents’ house whenever you want, without worrying about colleagues gossiping. Your father also said that someone with his temperament is hard to find, even if you search everywhere!”

Hearing her mother praise her husband, Xiao Wu beamed with joy, though she still muttered, “Father only praises him. He never praises me at all…”

Just then, a voice came from outside, “Madam, Second Miss, Princess Chen Liu has arrived!”

At these words, both the mother and daughter in the room were shocked. Qiu Shi quickly stood up and went to the door. Pulling back the curtain, she saw Zhu Ning and Mother Ying already entering the courtyard. She couldn’t help but scold the old maid who brought the news, “Why didn’t you tell us earlier? We’ve neglected our guests!”

Zhu Ning, who was standing near the ear, heard these words just in time. She stepped forward quickly to help Lady Qiu, who had come down the steps to greet her, and took her hand with a smile, saying, “Since when has my aunt treated me as a guest? There’s no such thing as neglecting me—every time I come, I just barge in without hesitation. When have they ever been able to stop me? Today, since I had nothing to do and was feeling bored at home, I left early to visit Sister Meng at Baisha Village. I only returned after lunch. Thinking that Xiao Wu is confined indoors and can’t move around, I came to see her.”

“The princess truly understands her. These days, she keeps asking to go out, and there are also families from official households who come specially to have her treat their illnesses. That girl gets overjoyed whenever someone visits her.”

Although some people had whispered in her ear that a woman’s virtue lies in her lack of talent, Lady Qiu, coming from a scholarly family and married to Du Zhen, didn’t care about such things. Moreover, given Xiao Wu’s temperament, Wan Shijie was willing to indulge her, so as her mother, she certainly didn’t want to restrict her. With a smile, she invited Zhu Ning into the house. Sure enough, Xiao Wu, who had been lying sideways just moments ago, was now on her feet, greeting them with both surprise and joy. For a while, the whole house was filled with her rapid chatter.

In the evening, Wan Shijie went to Chang’an Left Gate specifically to pick up Du Zhen, who wasn’t on duty that night. The father-in-law and son-in-law went home together and heard the news that Zhu Ning had arrived at the gate. Since this princess was a regular visitor, they didn’t pay much attention. As they neared the second gate, Du Zhen suddenly stopped and glanced thoughtfully at Wan Shijie.

“Previously, even when the princess came to visit someone, she would usually leave before you or I returned. Why did she stay until this hour today?”

Wan Shijie had also been one of the candidates to serve as the princess’s attendant in the past. Although it didn’t work out, he had always held respect for this intelligent and tactful princess from the royal family. Hearing Du Zhen’s words, he frowned as well. “My father-in-law is right. I remember you saying that once the princess stayed until you returned to talk about the Inner Study. This time, there must be something important.”

He called over a maid to go in and give a notice, then Du Zhen and Wan Shijie slowed down. When they approached the main house, seemingly having received the message, Lady Qiu pulled back the bamboo curtain and invited Zhu Ning out. The two met just then. Seeing Zhu Ning in white clothes and a white dress, like a white lotus in the snow, Wan Shijie was momentarily stunned before following his father-in-law forward to greet her.

Zhu Ning exchanged a few polite words. Seeing no one else in the courtyard, he nodded and said, “Now that Scholar Huang is no longer in the cabinet, Scholars Du and the others have a tough task ahead. The Emperor previously appointed a few people from the Eastern Palace, but they were not familiar with government affairs and were sent to other positions. Although he intended to select more, there are so many talented people in the court, yet few who can handle overall affairs. The Empress Dowager mentioned in casual conversation that the cabinet now consists of only five people. Scholar Jin is often ill, and Scholar Hongji is overly cautious, so reliance falls on those three key figures.”

Knowing these words must have been conveyed by Empress Dowager Zhang, Du Zhen and Wan Shijie did not respond immediately. Sure enough, Zhu Ning took a few more steps forward. As he passed Du Zhen, he said calmly, “It was Scholar Yang who reported Scholar Huang’s illness to the Emperor. Since tuberculosis is contagious, the Emperor naturally assigned imperial physicians to treat him thoroughly. As a result, Scholar Huang submitted a request to retire. Although the Emperor allowed him to return home to recover, given his advanced age, it will likely be difficult for him to return to court. Scholar Yang is always determined, while Grand Secretary Yang dislikes arguing with others. I ask Scholar Du to keep a close eye on him. Additionally, the hardships faced by officials in our court have been lamented by the Empress Dowager. If Scholar Du has any ideas, please do not keep them to yourself.”

When Xiao Wu first suspected that Huang Huai might have tuberculosis, Du Zhen had already anticipated the day he would retire—provided there were skilled doctors to treat it, tuberculosis was not an incurable disease; with proper care, it could even be cured. But the fact that it was contagious forced Huang Huai to step back. Hearing from Zhu Ning that it was Yang Rong who reported this, Du Zhen couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Only upon learning that the Empress Dowager had lamented the hardships of officials did he become truly concerned.

“Please convey to the Empress Dowager that since I am honored to be a minister, I will certainly pay close attention to everything.”

“Then I rely on Scholar Du. Just as Governor Gu nearly lost his position for accepting bribes from officials according to old rules, not to mention the other struggling officials in the capital. The late Emperor was more lenient when issuing paper money, but now those who oppose him are gaining influence again, so the Empress Dowager is very worried. If we rashly listen to those people, it could lead to serious mistakes.”

After Zhu Ning nodded in greeting, she asked to leave. Du Zhen sent Wan Shijie to see her off, while he himself stood under the eaves outside, lost in thought. Since ancient times, no dynasty had imposed such hardships on its officials as the Ming Dynasty. Even officials like Yang Shiqi could barely maintain a decent standard of living with their meager salaries, let alone those in the various ministries. Someone like Wan Shijie, who initially had no land or property to rely on, would have to rent a house in the capital if not for Zhang Yue arranging things for him, and he wouldn’t even be able to afford to entertain guests. Just as low grain prices harm farmers, officials cannot rely solely on honor and status to make ends meet; low salaries are just as damaging to them.

Mrs. Qiu understood Du Zhen’s temperament best. Seeing him deep in thought, she didn’t disturb him nor call back the maids she had just sent away, and quietly returned to the house. Before long, Wan Shijie came back, and seeing Du Zhen still standing under the eaves, he hurried over.

“Father-in-law, I just saw the princess off to her carriage. She mentioned that Minister Xia of the Ministry of Revenue is now old and weak, and although he was reinstated against his will, it still damaged his health. The same is true for Minister Jian; I’m afraid they won’t be able to handle their duties for long. Moreover, new people have been appointed to the Ministry of Rites and other departments, so the emperor intends for Yuan Jie to return to the capital as soon as possible… Also, I…”

Wan Shijie paused, confused, and said, “The princess also strangely suggested that I study hard. While competence in governance is important, literary talent and reputation are equally crucial.”

Du Zhen, who was in the cabinet, was naturally aware of what was going on. Jian Yi, Xia Yuanji, and Yang Shiqi were around the same age. Jian Yi’s health was okay, but Xia Yuanji, having spent many years in prison, suffered from chronic illnesses just like Huang Huai. With the complicated affairs of the Ministry of Revenue, it was indeed unsustainable for him to continue like this. But asking Wan Shijie to study…

Du Zhen glanced at Wan Shijie and suddenly laughed. “Since the princess wants you to study, then study hard! After all, you’re a second-class Jinshi. Don’t let others look down on you. When you write to Yuan Jie, mention this subtly. After all, you’ve gone through three years as a Hanlin scholar, while he’s avoided the imperial examinations and has been serving outside. It would be a shame to neglect your studies!”

As evening approached curfew, pedestrians on the streets hurried along, and those in carriages or on horseback sped up as well. Sitting comfortably in the black-oil carriage, Zhu Ning leaned on the red brocade cushion, gazing thoughtfully at the unadorned roof. Seeing her state, Mother Ying could only talk nonsense to fill the silence, before suddenly laughing.

“How could the princess suddenly tell Lord Wan to study hard? I saw how shocked he was at that moment; he was completely confused and didn’t understand at all. He had already passed the imperial examinations—those eight-part essay requirements were long gone for him.”
“I’m not asking him to study those stupid eight-part essays. If he doesn’t understand what I mean, Scholar Du will surely understand. He’s a proper Hanlin scholar, unlike Zhang Yue who only held external positions and kept moving between the six ministries—when will he ever rise to prominence?”
Zhu Ning adjusted her clothes and thought of how joyful Xiao Wu had looked when she saw her today, which reminded her of her visit to Baisha Village to see Meng Min. Although her parents were dead and her two adult brothers were far away in Danning, Meng Min seemed much happier. That little rascal, Meng Tao, was a single officer living outside; unable to bear loneliness, he took a concubine. Unfortunately, when the child was born, his mother died from blood loss, so the child had to be sent back to Baisha Village. With that little child, Meng Min changed instantly.
“Mother Ying, when you have time, go back to Kaifeng and take a look. Among my many brothers, if any family has an orphan child, bring one back for me to raise. It should be young—no one who’s already five or six years old and full of schemes!”
Mother Ying had been with Zhu Ning all day and understood perfectly why she suddenly said this. She was shocked and wanted to advise her, but seeing Zhu Ning close her eyes without saying a word, she could only shake her head gently. The late King Zhou Ding had many sons, each with numerous concubine-born children. Now, Zhu Ning was even more favored by Empress Dowager Zhang than the princesses. If they knew she wanted one, which family wouldn’t rush to give her one? Since Zhu Ning had made up her mind, she would find a good one upon returning—she couldn’t risk causing her any trouble in the future.
In the Forbidden City at night, the important palace gates had already been locked. Aside from groups of eunuchs carrying lanterns to patrol, there were also attendants assigned to check the lamps and fires. This arrangement had been in place since the fire in the three main halls years ago. Besides them, the palace was equipped with fire buckets and other fire-fighting measures, and the twenty-four government bureaus had established strict reward and punishment systems. As a result, fires in the palace had decreased significantly over the years. Yet, in the dead of night, someone hurriedly slipped into Renshou Palace.
“Empress Dowager.”
Empress Dowager Zhang, sitting in front of her bronze mirror dressing table, asked without turning around, “What did Uncle Xu Gong say?”

The eunuch kowtowed again on the ground before lowering his head to report, “Doctor Xu has been treating Scholar Huang for over half a year. He says this disease is not incurable, but given its severity, even if he is saved, he will need several years of careful recuperation. Therefore, it is only right for Scholar Huang to return to his hometown to rest. However, Doctor Xu also mentioned that Scholar Huang has the appearance of a long-lived person and should be able to live a long life.”
“Long life…”
Empress Dowager Zhang murmured these words, shaking her head involuntarily. What the court officials wanted was not just a long life, but to avoid falling ill at an inappropriate time. When Doctor Xu Shugong first diagnosed Huang Huai last year, he said it was a lung disease, but gradually changed it to tuberculosis. Yang Rong then suggested that this disease was contagious, and given Huang Huai’s weak health, he had seemed on the verge of death, which further caused anxiety among the court officials. After all, the Inner Cabinet was located inside Wumen, and a single outbreak could spread quickly. With such a chronic illness, even if the doctor said it could be cured, how could Huang Huai remain in the Inner Cabinet?
The eunuch cautiously raised his eyes to glance at Empress Dowager Zhang before whispering, “Scholar Huang is too ill to get up now. It was his second son, Huang Caijian, who sent word. He asked me to convey his gratitude to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor for their care, saying he would take good care of his father along the way.”
“He was once a distinguished scholar too, yet he spent nine years in the Jinyiwei prison… What a pity…”
Waving her hand to signal the eunuch to leave, Empress Dowager Zhang sent someone to call Fan Hong, a eunuch from the Secretariat. Although he was no longer the top attendant in the Eastern Palace, Fan Hong still often served Emperor Zhu Zhanji. It took nearly half an hour before he hurriedly arrived. As soon as he entered the room, he quickly apologized, only to hear words that shocked him greatly.
“Who instigated the Emperor earlier, saying that Scholar Huang’s illness was not contagious, that it was just the doctors being overly cautious, and that it was caused by infighting among the cabinet ministers? They even exaggerated by saying that Scholar Huang had remained loyal for eight years in prison, almost persuading the Emperor to keep him?”
“Your Majesty, I have carefully selected everyone in the Qianqing Palace. No one would dare spread such slander against the Emperor. No matter what Scholar Huang’s condition is, it is not something the inner court officials should discuss,” Fan Hong said, carefully bowing his head before whispering, “I’ve also heard children talk about this. It wasn’t a palace eunuch who said it, but a Hanlin scholar from the Inner Library. The servants who accompany the Emperor are all under Wang Jin’s supervision. He is very cautious and would never allow such words to be spoken.”
“You’re right!”

Empress Dowager Zhang suddenly realized this and couldn’t help narrowing her eyes. Jin Ying, Huang Runzhong Huai, and the others were all long-time members of the Eastern Palace. Although Wang Jin had less seniority, he was also quiet and wouldn’t try to climb the ladder by ingratiating himself with the emperor. If it were civil officials from outside, it would be more believable. Now that positions in the cabinet were becoming increasingly prestigious, if they could keep Huang Huai in place, they might be able to secure a good position for themselves.
“As for the Inner Library affairs, have the Hanlin Academy replace those four people. Their duty is to teach, not to take advantage of their proximity to the emperor to discuss state affairs recklessly!”