Jinyi Spring

Chapter 213 Marriage

As Shui Chuchen walked out of the main hall, Emperor Jianzhang said to the eunuch beside him, "Yong'an is too thin. Give her two catties of royal swallow's nest."

Outside the palace, the night breeze caressed her face, drying the tear stains on Shui Chuchen's face.

Peony quickly handed over the handkerchief and whispered, "Princess, you were truly magnificent just now..."

Shui Chuchen didn't say anything. Luckily, he had given Shui Raofu a good beating earlier; otherwise, just confining her to her quarters to copy scriptures would have been too lenient.

Apart from Peony, who looked excited, the legs of Eunuch Tang and the others were trembling as they walked.

In the Cining Palace, Shui Raofu lay on Empress Dowager Xue's lap, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Grandmother, you must stand up for your granddaughter! She hit me, she hit my face! My face is so swollen, how can I face anyone now?"

Seeing Shui Fuyao's swollen cheeks, Empress Dowager Xue's face darkened. "A princess actually hit someone, and hit her so hard? Tell me, why did she hit you?"

Seeing how much the Empress Dowager cared for her, Granny Bai felt relieved. After all, the old lady was on the side of the Second Princess, and she hadn't followed the wrong person.

Shui Raofu cried, "My granddaughter was heartbroken because her mother died a violent death. In her anger, she cursed Shui Chuchen, calling her a country bumpkin and a midwife..."

Empress Dowager Xue released her grip, recalling Shui Chuchen's demeanor at Cining Palace that day—composed, calm, and extremely shrewd. She shouldn't have resorted to violence just because of those two words.

She looked up at the palace maids and Granny Bai who had followed her, "Tell the truth. Why were they fighting? If you dare to tell even one lie, drag them out and beat them to death."

The servants in the middle were too frightened to speak, so Granny Bai had to step forward and whisper, "Your Majesty, the Second Princess also... also said a few words of gossip about Empress Xiaoxian."

The word "gossip" was used vaguely, but everyone present understood that, given the Second Princess's personality, those few words of "gossip" would definitely not be pleasant to hear.

Empress Dowager Xue remained silent for a moment, then turned her gaze to Shui Raofu. Her voice deepened as she sternly rebuked, "You are a princess, how dare you speak ill of Empress Xiaoxian?"

"I have always taught you to be reasonable and respectful, to be virtuous and gentle, and to be kind and respectful to your brothers, yet you have done such a thing! Moreover, Chen'er suffered so much in the countryside and it was not easy to find her. As her younger sister, you not only did not give in to her, but you also insulted her. You have truly disappointed me."

"Grandmother!" Shui Raofu was extremely aggrieved, and her tears flowed even more profusely. "Grandmother, I am your own granddaughter. Don't you think about me? My mother was killed by them. How can I not hate them?"

Empress Dowager Xue's voice grew even sterner, "Shut up! Your mother wasn't murdered by anyone, but executed by the Emperor. By saying this, aren't you questioning the Emperor? I am your grandmother, and also Chen'er's grandmother. I love both of you equally. Go back now, and be punished by copying 'Admonitions for Women' one hundred times and confined to your quarters for a month."

Shui Raofu was taken aback by this outcome. She was first stunned, then her sobs suddenly rose in volume. She wanted to say something, but Empress Dowager Xue's gaze silenced her.

Empress Dowager Xue then said, "The servants in the princess's quarters who failed to properly admonish the Second Princess shall each be given five strokes of the cane and fined one month's salary."

She paused, then turned her gaze to Granny Bai. "As the head of the Imperial Ceremonial Affairs Bureau, how did you discipline the Second Princess? Go and receive twenty strokes of the cane and a three-month salary deduction. Then go to the Imperial Ceremonial Affairs Bureau and convey my imperial decree—sending such a useless person to discipline the Second Princess is punishable by a six-month salary deduction for the Imperial Ceremonial Affairs Bureau."

Granny Bai was so frightened that she kowtowed repeatedly.

Shui Raofu was forcibly helped away by the servants, crying her heart out all the way. Empress Dowager Xue leaned back on her pillow, closed her eyes, and ordered, "Go, give Yong'an four strings of incense prayer beads, and tell her that I know she has been wronged."

The old nanny beside her responded, then hesitated before asking, "Your Majesty, if you punish the Second Princess like this and reward Princess Yong'an, won't the Second Princess be even more heartbroken?"

Empress Dowager Xue didn't even open her eyes, her voice indifferent, "If we don't temper her temper, she'll suffer greatly in the future. Her mother is already gone, and I can't watch her ruin herself..."

She paused, and gently pressed her hand to her chest.

Such a temperament will not only fail to help Yun'er, but will also hold him back. Poor Yun'er, her mother is dead, and if she doesn't live much longer, who will help her?

She thought of Shui Chuchen again. Not only was her medical skill remarkable, but she was also incredibly shrewd and calculating, unlike a child raised in the countryside. She beat her younger sister with such self-righteousness, made her sister suffer punishment, and ensured that no one could utter a single word of dissent.

The simple-minded Fu'er was no match for her, not even a finger.

With this additional assistance from Shui Heng, Yun'er's path will become even more difficult.

Empress Dowager Xue continued, "Go to my private treasury and find an old ginseng gift from Goryeo. That boy is honest and kind. He keeps vigil with Heng'er at the mourning hall every night, and he's lost weight. Of all my grandchildren, he's the most worry-free, filial, capable, and gentle."

"My birth mother is honest and never competitive. I've worried myself sick over my other grandchildren. Heng'er has been motherless since childhood and is very thoughtful. Yun'er is sensible and kind, but her health is poor. Fu'er is willful and naive, and Yong'an has just entered the palace... Alas!"

Granny Xia smiled and said, "They say that having an elder in the family is like having a treasure. With you in charge of the inner palace, there won't be any trouble."

"I'm destined to worry." Empress Dowager Xue slowly opened her eyes, her gaze falling on the palace lantern above her head.

After a moment, he spoke again, his tone carrying a deeper meaning, "Chen'er and Fu'er are both seventeen this year, it's time for them to get engaged."

Granny Xia immediately understood and hurriedly said, "Speaking of which, Princess Yong'an is the eldest sister. If she doesn't get engaged, it will be difficult for the princes and princesses to get engaged later."

Empress Dowager Xue nodded. "Hmm. Tell me, what do you think of the Marquis of Zhenbei's second grandson? I've seen him a few times. He's tall and handsome, and at such a young age, he's already a fifth-rank general. I've heard he's humble and polite. Although he's the second son, he's also the legitimate son, much better than his useless elder brother. He's highly regarded by his elders and will likely inherit the title in the future."

Granny Xia's eyes lit up. "Young Master Sun is really quite good. He works in the Imperial Guard, in charge of guarding the outer palace and the palace gates. He's handsome and skilled in martial arts, and is known as 'Little Zhao Yun.' When he becomes the heir apparent, his background and appearance will certainly be worthy of the legitimate princess."

Empress Dowager Xue smiled. "Chen'er's birth mother has just passed away, so it's not appropriate to bestow a marriage upon him immediately. When the Emperor comes, I will speak to him and tell him not to rush into arranging a marriage for Chen'er, lest we ruin this good match."

After thinking for a moment, he added, "Good things don't come from being busy. His Majesty is very busy with official duties and has been in a bad mood lately, so I won't talk to him for now. I'll let the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law of the Marquis of Zhenbei's residence know first."

Granny Xia smiled and said, "Old Madam Sun is kind and gentle. Although she is a stepmother, she is the kindest to her stepchildren. Princess Yong'an has no reason to disagree with such a good marriage."

Empress Dowager Xue nodded. "I've often told Xue Qinghe to learn from Lady Sun that all of her husband's children, regardless of whether they came from her own intestines, should be treated equally. But she just wouldn't listen. Look, she's dead, and apart from her two biological children, not a single one came to see her off."

Granny Xia flattered, "In this world, how many people can match the Empress Dowager's magnanimity?" (End of Chapter)