Chapter 35

Xiao Yuanhang strode into Zichen Hall; Emperor Xiao Jieyun, in ordinary attire, sat behind the case examining a memorial.

Xiao Yuanhang knelt and kowtowed: "Your subject Xiao Yuanhang pays respects to His Majesty!"

Emperor Xiao Jieyun set down the memorial: "Rise, be seated, serve tea."

The Imperial Chief Eunuch standing beside him, Cheng Jinyan Eunuch Cheng, hurried over, took Xiao Yuanhang by both hands to help him up, and brought a cushioned stool: "Prince, please rise; His Majesty has been thinking of you these past days, and is quite concerned."

Xiao Yuanhang sat down: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Emperor Xiao Jieyun examined him closely: "Yuanhang, your complexion looks good today."

"Thanks to Your Majesty's blessings, I have recovered. I have come today to request Your Majesty's gracious permission for a matter."

"What matter?"

"Please grant my legitimate daughter the honorific title of Princess."

Emperor Xiao Jieyun looked puzzled: "If I recall correctly, you have no legitimate offspring. Who is this legitimate daughter?"

"Your Majesty remembers correctly. My legitimate daughter Tuan Tuan was born five years ago when I was away suppressing a rebellion."

Xiao Yuanhang, unhurried, related the talking points he had agreed upon with Cheng Ru'an, and briefly described the many changes that had occurred in the Prince's Mansion after Tuan Tuan entered it.

"Today, my daughter Tuan Tuan has been granted the name Xiao Ningzhao by the National Preceptor and entered the clan register; therefore I have come specially to the palace to seek an ennoblement for her."

"Tuan Tuan?" the Emperor smiled slightly: "That nickname sounds most endearing. The National Preceptor actually gave her a personal name? Yuanhang, your legitimate daughter is quite extraordinary."

He paused: "Indeed, since she entered the mansion, everything in the Prince Ning's Mansion has gone smoothly?"

Xiao Yuanhang spoke solemnly: "Exactly. Not only has my mother's eye ailment healed, but my second and third sons' chronic illnesses have improved, and even my own body has fully recovered."

The Emperor smiled faintly, not taking his words to heart, merely attributing all the good fortune to his beloved younger brother's doting on his little daughter: "That is very good."

"Since she is your legitimate daughter and has received a name from the National Preceptor, she ought to be granted the title of Princess."

Xiao Yuanhang rose and performed the salute: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"No need for excessive ceremony. Your recovery is itself great joy; now father and daughter reunited adds further happiness. Issue an edict, order the Ministry of Rites to draft the decree, prepare ample rewards, and tomorrow send them together with the imperial edict to the Prince Ning's Mansion."

Xiao Yuanhang again kowtowed in thanks: "Thank you for Your Majesty's great grace; I take my leave."

Emperor Xiao Jieyun waved his hand, his tone more casual: "When you have leisure, remember to bring her to the palace for a stroll, so I may also see this child."

"I will obey the edict." After saying this, Xiao Yuanhang withdrew respectfully.

The next morning, the Prince's Mansion gate was adorned with lanterns and banners, a red carpet laid out, the incense altar arranged, and the whole family awaited the arrival of the imperial edict.

At the si hour (9–11 a. m.), Eunuch Cheng arrived with a retinue of young eunuchs.

Xiao Yuanhang led the entire family in kneeling to receive the edict.

Eunuch Cheng unfolded the imperial edict in his bosom and proclaimed loudly: "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

"The legitimate daughter of Prince Ning, Xiao Ningzhao, intelligent and wise from youth, endowed with extraordinary spirit, is hereby invested as Princess Jiayou."

"Additionally bestowed: a full set of headgear and ornaments of piled-silk red gold, one hu of East Sea pearls, twenty bolts each of cloud brocade and Shu brocade, two rosewood-carved jade-inlaid screens, and two estates totaling 1,800 mu of farmland."

Xiao Yuanhang said: "I, together with my family, kowtow in gratitude for the imperial grace!"

Eunuch Cheng handed the edict to Xiao Yuanhang: "The Prince has recovered; His Majesty is greatly pleased. When the Prince has leisure, he might well come to the palace more often to move about."

Xiao Yuanhang felt a stir in his heart; this Eunuch Cheng, now nearing fifty, is an old servant left by the former Emperor at the current Emperor's side, having served decades in the palace, and his words often carry deep meaning.

"Thank you for the reminder, Chief Eunuch; I understand."

"You are too kind, Prince." Eunuch Cheng then took the Princess's gold seal and register from a young eunuch behind him and handed them over, smiling narrowly as he asked: "Which one is Princess Jiayou?"

Cheng Ru'an hurriedly led Tuan Tuan over. Tuan Tuan lifted her head, gazing curiously at him: "Mother! Who is this old gentleman?"

"I dare not accept being called grandfather by the Princess; just call me Old Man." Eunuch Cheng produced a small box from his robe sleeve and handed it to her: "This is a little trinket sent by the miscellaneous households for the Princess."

Cheng Ru'an quickly said: "Chief Eunuch Eunuch Cheng is thoughtful; Tuan Tuan, hurry and thank Old Man."

Tuan Tuan clasped the small box with both hands, performed a very obedient salute, lifted her little face, her dimples deepening as she spoke in a childish voice: "Thank you, Old Man; Old Man gave Tuan Tuan a gift, Tuan Tuan is very happy."

Eunuch Cheng's heart fluttered at her cuteness: "Oh dear, this child! Truly spirited and perceptive!"

Tuan Tuan smiled even sweeter: "Old Man, don't go, wait for me." Having said that, she turned and ran toward the mansion interior.

Xiao Ningxun immediately followed her and ran inside as well.

Soon after, the two children emerged; Tuan Tuan tiptoed and held out the small box she had just received to Eunuch Cheng.

"These are osmanthus cakes my mother made for me; they're especially delicious and sweet! Old Man, eat more—this box is too small to hold them all; next time bring a bigger box and I'll bring you more!"

Eunuch Cheng was delighted beyond measure: "No wonder the Prince dotes on her; even the miscellaneous households have never seen such a well-behaved child as the Princess!"

Xiao Yuanhang smiled and stroked his daughter's head: "Tuan Tuan is truly obedient."

"The Prince is blessed." Eunuch Cheng performed the salute to the Prince and his consort, then departed with his entourage of young eunuchs.

However, within just a few hours, the news that the Imperial Chief Eunuch had personally come to the Prince Ning's Mansion to proclaim the edict spread like wings, reaching every street and alley, every corner.

"Have you heard? Prince Ning has awakened! Not only awakened, but he is as spirited as ever!"

"Indeed! Today many people saw with their own eyes that Prince Ning is just like a healthy person, with no illness whatsoever!"

"That is indeed great joy! If it weren't for Prince Ning's bloody struggle and defense of the borders back then, we would not have today's peaceful days!"

"This morning, the palace eunuchs went to the Prince Ning's Mansion to proclaim the edict!"

"Does the Sovereign have an edict? What edict is it?"

"I happened to be passing by and overheard a bit; it sounds like they granted Prince Ning's legitimate daughter the title of Princess!"

"Prince Ning's legitimate daughter? Isn't Prince Ning only the father of a concubine-born daughter?"

"I heard she was raised outside since birth and only recently brought back."

"Exactly! I also heard that the Prince Ning's household servants have been spreading the word: ever since this little legitimate daughter returned, Prince Ning has awakened! What great fortune!"

"That truly is a lucky star! Prince Ning's ailment has resisted cure for many years."

"Indeed! I heard this little legitimate daughter's name was even bestowed by the National Preceptor! The National Preceptor!"

In a short time, the news of Prince Ning's recovery, the legitimate daughter's return to the mansion, and the Emperor's gracious bestowal of the Princess title spread unknown to none, unknown to none, shaking the entire capital Jingcheng.

The entire Prince's Mansion, because of these several great joys, from top to bottom, was filled with exuberant delight and immense happiness.

There was only one courtyard, desolate and empty, with no festive atmosphere—it was the Defying Frost Pavilion.

The Defying Frost Pavilion had not been lifted from prohibition.

Since Fang Qingyan was locked in the quiet room, Cheng Ru'an had sent several nurturing aunties to Xiao Ningshu, teaching her nonstop each day with great care.

Xiao Ningshu bitterly questioned everyone she met about Fang Qingyan's whereabouts, and every answer was the same: the side consort's health was poor, she had moved elsewhere to convalesce, and the Fourth Miss need not worry.

Mother isn't ill at all! Something must have happened.

But, what could have happened?

Haitang and Chun Tao were assigned outside to do heavy labor; besides the rotating nurturing aunties and two unfamiliar little girls who taught her daily, none of the former servants of the Defying Frost Pavilion were seen.

While Xiao Ningshu was anxious, panicked, and restless all day, she overheard the servants' private chatter: "Little Tuan Tuan is just so lovable! Prince entered the palace yesterday, and this morning the imperial edict arrived, conferring—what's his title—right! Princess Jiayou!"

"Exactly! It really is something; ever since Tuan Tuan came to our residence, good news keeps coming one after another, Prince has nothing to worry about! This princess—what a great conferment!"

"Indeed! Count it, how many times have we received reward money since she arrived! All thanks to that child's blessing!"

The more Xiao Ningshu listened, the angrier she became; her chest felt clutched by an invisible giant hand, a scorching flame erupted from within, burning her throat tight, and her tongue tasted the metallic stink of rust.

She clutched the table edge so hard her nails were about to break, and forced out each word, one by one, through her teeth: "Jiā, Yòu, jùn, zhǔ."