Chapter 797: The Fragrance of Peonies Surpassed by that of Chrysanthemums

The Renshou Palace was located to the east of the Fengxian Hall. Bearing the name Renshou, it naturally housed the concubines and imperial wives of previous dynasties. Thus, in addition to the main hall, there were also numerous side halls and courtyards. However, since Zhu Gaochi had not appointed many concubines during his lifetime, and many concubines and maids were buried with him after his death, most of the spaces remained empty from the start. Now, aside from a few princes who were too young or ill, they had gradually gone to their respective fiefdoms. Concubines Li Xian and Zhang Shun had also followed them, leaving even fewer people in the Renshou Palace.

Though fewer in number, no one inside or outside the palace dared to underestimate this place, which seemed merely a retirement residence. Although Empress Dowager Zhang refused to rule directly, the late emperor’s will still granted her authority to make decisions on major military and state affairs. Therefore, whenever the cabinet submitted reports to the Qianqing Palace, they would also send a summary to the Renshou Palace. If Empress Dowager Zhang had doubts, she would even send eunuchs to seek her opinion. As for matters related to the six palaces, almost nothing could escape her notice.

Thus, the scene of Zhu Zhanji raging in the Qianqing Palace soon reached her ears. Angered, she immediately ordered that a sedan be prepared. But when the eunuchs reported that everything was ready, she began to hesitate.

“Aning, what do you think? Should I go to the Qianqing Palace now?”

Zhu Ning had just come to see Empress Dowager Zhang with the child in her arms, accompanied by Zhu Qizhen’s wet nurse. Unexpectedly, she overheard this conversation. She remained silent for a moment, simply playing with the baby in her arms. When Empress Dowager Zhang suddenly asked her, she calmly stood up and smiled, saying, “I don’t have any great insights. Hasn’t the Empress Dowager already made up her mind?”

“You little girl, you know exactly what I’m thinking!”

Empress Dowager Zhang laughed softly, then ordered the sedan to be withdrawn and sat back down, asking that her eldest grandson be brought to her. Although she had given birth to three sons and a daughter, during the early years when Zhu Gaochi’s position was unstable, she had to focus on serving Zhu Di and Empress Xu. As a result, though her children respected her, they couldn’t get close to her. Now, holding her eldest grandson, she felt her love for him grow deeper, and she couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

Putting aside Empress Ma for now, all three sons who survived belonged to Empress Xu, and she had also given birth to Zhu Gaochi’s eldest and third sons. Thus, her status as the empress consort was unshakable. Although she admired Empress Hu for her kindness, modesty, and frugality, the emperor didn’t like her at all and rarely visited her, let alone spent time with her children. How could the others in the palace not be clever? After all, children bring honor to their mothers, but mothers also bring honor to their children!

Strangers thought Zhu Zhanji had a much better temper than his fathers, Zhu Di and Zhu Gaochi, but Empress Dowager Zhang knew that Zhu Zhanji’s stubbornness was no less than that of the previous two emperors. Moreover, as he rose from crown prince to emperor, his position remained unshaken, leaving no room for defiance. Thus, she had already realized that it would be impossible for officials to sway the emperor through suggestions.

However, the emperor had previously demoted the two tutors who had once been ordered to teach him when he was still the crown prince. Her attempts to warn them had been ineffective, and advising him now would likely backfire. With this in mind, Empress Dowager Zhang glanced at Zhu Ning beside her. Seeing the eldest prince blinking happily at her, she was moved. She immediately stood up, instructed her nurse to take the child, and said to Zhu Ning, “Aning, I heard the peonies in the garden behind Renshou Palace have bloomed. Come with me for a walk.”

Knowing Empress Dowager Zhang must have something to say, Zhu Ning quickly agreed. After stepping outside, she noticed only a few eunuchs in the distance, along with two trusted female attendants. She regained her composure and began telling the empress dowager various interesting stories from the market to entertain her. The empress dowager would either laugh or comment casually, and the atmosphere gradually relaxed.

When they reached the small garden filled with blooming peonies, the empress dowager ordered the two female attendants to cut some peonies to put in vases and asked the eunuchs to pick out the most beautiful flowers to distribute among the concubines in the palaces. After sending everyone away, she stood in front of a particularly beautiful yellow peony and turned to look at Zhu Ning. Seeing her in plain clothes standing among the colorful flowers, graceful and striking, with eyes full of charm yet showing a resilience unique to her, the empress dowager felt even more pity for her.

“These peonies bloom a bit later than peonies, but they look very similar. Last month, the ‘Imperial Yellow’ peony, which was the late emperor’s favorite, bloomed in the Western Garden, and I ordered it to be given to the empress. This ‘Imperial Yellow’ peony also looks quite similar, so I’ll give it to Concubine Sun. I just had these flowers put in vases and given to the concubines in the palaces. Later, you take some more out of the palace and give them to the noblewomen, and also visit the Duchess of Yingguo, asking her to bring her child to the palace to spend time with me in her free time.”

Zhu Ning responded, guessing that Empress Dowager Zhang might have other instructions, so she simply stood there motionless. Sure enough, after hesitating for a moment, Empress Dowager Zhang’s voice grew softer: “The Duke of Yingguo is now the Grand Tutor and has let go of many responsibilities. While this is indeed a sign of his virtue, there are still matters he must take care of. Moreover, guiding his relatives well demonstrates his wisdom. For example, it’s great that Zhang Yue can remain calm despite repeated accusations from censors and even advises the emperor in the Qianqing Palace. If the emperor truly holds a debate at Wumen tomorrow, the Duke of Yingguo should step in to mediate and prevent things from escalating. Those censors… if anything goes wrong, they might truly offend the emperor.”

At first, Empress Dowager Zhang tried to be vague, but eventually couldn’t hold back and spoke clearly. Seeing Zhu Ning nod in agreement without any change in expression, she called someone over, picked up golden scissors herself, and cut off the largest flower from the peony, placing it on a silver plate beside her before cutting again. In just a short while, the once striking yellow peony appeared much duller, with only a few partially open flowers left on its branches.

“Send these to Yongning Palace for Concubine Sun. She should focus on recovering her health and not worry about anything else,” she instructed. After that, she nodded at Zhu Ning and said, “Others can handle matters here. Go to the storage room and pick out some vases so the female officials can arrange the flowers properly before sending them out.”

Since these were gifts for high-ranking noblewomen, the flowers naturally weren’t limited to the small garden of Renshou Palace. Soon, the peonies in the Western Garden and the Imperial Garden also underwent a thorough cleaning. Although most of the most eye-catching flowers were kept so as not to hinder the nobles’ enjoyment, many blossoms disappeared from the colorful branches, making them appear much less vibrant. Zhu Ning visited each household, presenting various varieties such as Baozhuangcheng, Die Xiangying, Guan Qunfang, Zui Jiaohong, Dian Jiangchun, Yu Xiaoyao, and Shi Meizhuang. Naturally, every household was filled with fragrance and expressed their gratitude. By the time she reached the Duke of Yingguo’s residence, it was already evening.

During the distribution, aside from the people from the Duke of Yingguo’s household, she unexpectedly saw Zhang Yue and couldn’t help but smile slightly. Lady Wang ordered that the items be carefully stored and personally provided vases. The Duke of Yingguo’s household received Baozhuangcheng, a rare variety with slightly purple flowers, twelve large leaves covered in twisted veins, each small leaf adorned with gold threads and jade beads. Its fragrance surpassed that of orchids and musk, making it a truly exquisite treasure. Even though Lady Wang was used to rare treasures, she couldn’t help but marvel at it.

It was already dinner time. Lady Wang, hearing that their family was the last to eat, had an idea and invited Zhu Ning to stay for the meal. It was originally just a tentative offer, but to her surprise, Zhu Ning replied with a smile, “I’ve been walking all afternoon; my back and legs are in terrible pain. Since you’re offering me food, I’ll humbly take your kindness and stay for a meal before leaving.”

Lady Wang was taken aback but quickly agreed with a smile. Seeing that Zhu Ning truly sent away the maids and eunuchs accompanying her, she sat down, rubbed her shoulders, and complained of being extremely tired after a long day. She immediately gave a subtle signal to the two older maids in the room, who stepped forward to help Zhu Ning lie down on the bed. One massaged her shoulders while the other used a beauty hammer to massage her legs. As Zhu Ning fell into a half-asleep state, she thought for a moment before lifting the curtain and leaving the room. Bi Luo hurried over quickly.

“Where is Brother Yue?”

“Reporting to Lady Wang, Young Master Yue is in the study, talking with Father.”

“Go there personally and tell Father and Brother Yue that Princess Ning has stayed to eat today. Also inform the kitchen to prepare light meals—no need for eight bowls or dishes at once; something simple and exquisite will suffice.”

In the study of the Duke of Ying, Zhang Yue finished recounting his experience during his audience in the Qianqing Palace, mentioned Wang Jin’s words, and then briefly discussed some instructions and arrangements from Du Zhen. Zhang Fu listened attentively the whole time before finally sighing, “If it were just the position of Vice Minister of War, there wouldn’t be much resistance. I’m no longer in charge now, and with a Minister above you, their opposition is limited anyway. Besides, your goal isn’t to become Minister of War. Among the six ministries, the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Personnel hold the greatest power!”

Zhang Fu’s words coincided with Zhang Yue’s thoughts, so he nodded immediately. After chatting for a while, they shifted the topic to Zhang Xin’s assignment abroad. Yet as soon as he brought it up, a wry smile appeared on Zhang Fu’s face.

“At that time, Li Qing, the Minister of War, was sent to Nanjing. He took a liking to that position and asked me to help him plan something. But didn’t he realize that such a position wasn’t something easy to obtain? As the Deputy Minister of War, he was kept in his position by the emperor out of pity for his years of failure in Jiaozhi, as well as considering the contributions made by the Zhang family—more out of comfort than reward. How could he expect to advance any further? I hinted at it to him, but he wouldn’t listen. I could only try to bring it up in front of the emperor once, only for the emperor to use such a method. As a result, we grew distant—perhaps not because he suspected I had said something, but because he felt I was blocking his path to advancement. He was sent to Sichuan as an acting military commander, and I didn’t even know about it at all.”

At this moment, Zhang Yue was greatly surprised, but after some thought, he realized what had happened. The appointment of military officials was the responsibility of the Ministry of War, and since it wasn’t the position of a provincial military commander but merely an honorary, powerless role like acting military commander, naturally no one would pay attention. Zhang Fu, though a high-ranking duke, couldn’t get involved in trivial matters. If Zhang Xin hadn’t mentioned it, he might indeed have remained unaware.

“What are your plans?”

“Although my uncle isn’t very old, now that he’s switched to a military role, staying in the capital won’t give him much opportunity to use his skills. On the other hand, my fourth brother has completed his three-year tenure as a Hanlin scholar and is now in the process of being appointed to an official position. It would be a loss if my uncle caused trouble for him. I plan to find a way to help my fourth brother and also persuade my uncle to let go.”

Zhang Fu thought that even if it were him, he could only do so much. He nodded slightly, deciding to leave this matter to Zhang Yue. Thinking about how, although the three branches of his aunt’s family were in different situations now, they could at least unite when faced with problems, while his two younger brothers only caused delays, he couldn’t help but sigh. Just then, there was a knock at the door.

It was Bi Luo who came to report. Both Zhang Fu and Zhang Yue thought that after Zhu Ning’s decree, he would at most stay for a short talk before leaving, but unexpectedly, he stayed for a meal. The uncle and nephew exchanged a glance and naturally thought of Empress Dowager Zhang. After some consideration, Zhang Fu nodded and ordered the kitchen to serve the meal first. After eating quickly with Zhang Yue, he sent Zhang Yue ahead while he summoned the steward Rong Shan to give instructions before heading to the inner courtyard.

Over these two years, Zhu Ning often acted as Empress Dowager Zhang’s representative, visiting various noble households to deliver orders or give additional instructions. Even Princess Jiaxing, Empress Dowager Zhang’s own daughter, could not stay in the palace as long as she could. Zhang Yue met Zhu Ning through Du Wan and greatly admired the courage and determination of this princess from Chenliu. Upon meeting her again, he noticed that she had become a bit thinner, but her eyes still carried that calm demeanor. Though she wore no accessories, it did not diminish her natural beauty at all.

By now, the meal in the main room had ended. Holding a teacup, Zhu Ning tilted her head to look at Zhang Yue and said with a smile, “No wonder the emperor said you still look the same after being away for two years. I agree—just darker and thinner, but in great spirits. I’m afraid you’ll be busy with tasks right away upon your return.”

Hearing this, Zhang Yue knew full well that every word spoken in the Qianqing Palace reached Empress Dowager Zhang’s ears. He couldn’t help but smile bitterly, thinking that though Empress Dowager Zhang meant well, Emperor Zhu Zhanji truly had no freedom at all. Zhu Ning casually chatted a bit more, and only when Zhang Fu “happened” to return to the main room did she reveal the most important matter.

At the same time, in a small quadrangle house in Songshu Hutong, where poor officials lived in the capital, several people sat or stood, listening to the deep voice of the man in the center. When he spoke of it being acceptable to lose one’s life but not one’s integrity, everyone of varying ages stood up.

“That’s right! What we must do is eliminate the eunuch clique, rid ourselves of treacherous officials, and restore justice!”