Chapter 144: Calling Off the Marriage

When he returned to the entrance of the Winter Warm Pavilion, the Chongzhen Emperor suddenly heard a burst of laughter. Frowning, he walked over to see what was going on—but no sooner had he turned than a woman suddenly collided into his arms.

The impact left the Chongzhen Emperor holding a handful of silky smooth hair, which felt very pleasant to the touch.

Hearing the warbling, chirping laughter in his ears, the Chongzhen Emperor's heart stirred—could this be a consort from the harem he had never met before?

That must be it, he thought. If she were some stranger, how could she appear near the Winter Warm Pavilion at dusk, and why would Fang Zhenghua and those eunuchs and guards stand motionless?

At this thought, the Chongzhen Emperor instantly lost all interest in reviewing memorials. Just as he was about to lower his head and smell the hair in his hand, the woman suddenly turned around and hugged him, crying out joyfully:

"Father!"

"Er..." Looking at the bright-eyed, white-toothed Changping Princess before him, the Chongzhen Emperor's springtime thoughts faded at once. Damn it—this was his own daughter. How could he even think such things?

Only then did the Chongzhen Emperor have the presence of mind to take a closer look at the Changping Princess.

The Changping Princess wore a simple orange dress, with a white peach blossom faintly visible among the folds of her garments. At her waist hung a white tassel, paired with a light green jade pendant.

Though she was only sixteen years of age (by nominal count), her waist was as slender as a willow branch, her eyes like sapphires. Beneath her thick lashes, a pair of large, sparkling eyes were pitifully charming and utterly endearing.

The Chongzhen Emperor suddenly recalled the "One-Armed Divine Nun" from some novelist's work in later ages, and took a few more glances at this conveniently acquired daughter of his.

The Changping Princess's slightly long bangs just reached her brows. Half her hair was coiled up, leaving a few strands of black silk before her ears, with purple earrings faintly visible—adorable yet not vulgar. No wonder that figure in history had doted on the Changping Princess the most.

The Chongzhen Emperor relaxed and swallowed again. The Changping Princess was like a lotus rising from the water—unstained by the mud, elegant without being seductive after being washed in clear ripples. How was she anything like that damned One-Armed Divine Nun? That was just too absurd.

He then looked at Fang Zhenghua beside him, grinning foolishly. Though this fellow did have some skill in fist and foot, he looked nothing like that neither-yin-nor-yang Invincible East from any angle—even more ridiculous!

The Chongzhen Emperor remained silent for a long while. The several commandery princesses and maidservants who had been playing with the Changping Princess were not as carefree as she was—they all thought their rashness had startled the Emperor, and hastily bowed with fearful expressions to beg forgiveness.

The Changping Princess was not the least bit afraid. She lay sprawled on the Chongzhen Emperor, giggling, rather like she wanted to cling on and act spoiled without getting down—clearly not noticing the change in the Chongzhen Emperor's expression.

"Father, you haven't come to see me in so long!"

The Changping Princess had just turned sixteen, an age when her body was in full bloom. Hearing such soft, coquettish words, the Chongzhen Emperor was deeply embarrassed. He wanted to hug her properly, but kept feeling it would be unnatural.

"Ahem, ahem..." The night just happened to conceal the Chongzhen Emperor's awkward expression, so his movements did not seem particularly unnatural. He gently patted the Changping Princess's shoulder and said:

"I have been busy with state affairs lately—how could I have so much time to keep you company? Ah, I just remembered—Meichuo is already betrothed to that Zhou Shixian, isn't she?"

At this mention, the Changping Princess's previously excited expression dimmed at once. She looked as if she wanted to say something but dared not, merely nodding her head.

The Chongzhen Emperor gestured for Fang Zhenghua not to support him, and walked up the steps with the Changping Princess's help, saying: "That Zhou fellow has neither literary talent nor martial prowess. Call off this marriage. I think he's not worthy of you."

In truth, the Chongzhen Emperor had no idea who this Zhou Shixian even was. All he remembered was that the man had survived until after the Tartar Qing entered the passes. Should such a cowardly bastard be kept as his son-in-law?

Though the Changping Princess was not his biological daughter, she was still very endearing. After this meeting, the Chongzhen Emperor clearly treasured her greatly—at least far more than he liked that conveniently acquired son, Zhu Cilang.

The Chongzhen Emperor already held a grudge against Zhou Shixian for surrendering to the Qing. Since the marriage had not yet been made irreversible, this was heaven's will—of course he had to smash it apart with a single word.

The Chongzhen Emperor refused to believe that any of the civil and military officials at court would dare oppose him on this matter. As for Empress Zhou—that would only take a single sentence.

No matter how skilled that Zhou fellow was at pleasing women, since he was the Emperor, he must find his daughter a husband who was one in ten thousand. This Qing-sympathizing pretty boy couldn't do anything right—what use would he ever be in the future?

"Your Majesty, this... breaking off a betrothal after it has been agreed has no precedent in previous dynasties—it absolutely cannot be done!" Fang Zhenghua had originally intended to say nothing, but with the Changping Princess tearfully pleading with him, he had no choice but to steel himself and speak a few words.

Hearing this, the Chongzhen Emperor felt a surge of inexplicable anger and said with the frustration of one disappointed in someone he wished well:

"Meichuo, you're only sixteen—what do you know of the ways of the world? I'm doing this for your own good, and for the good of the Great Ming. There are plenty of men in this world who know how to charm women—how many of them turn out to be loyal and brave?"

As he spoke, the Chongzhen Emperor walked along, saying: "Fang Zhenghua, you too—I can't bear to see my own daughter live a bitter life. Don't you know this by now?"

"Your Majesty is right. This servant understands." Fang Zhenghua hastily begged forgiveness, then cast a helpless look at the Changping Princess, thinking to himself that he had at least said a few words—he hadn't done nothing at all.

Looking at the fuming Changping Princess, the Chongzhen Emperor hardened his heart and flicked his sleeve:

"Meichuo, there's no need for you to go gossiping to your mother the Empress about this. I'm making the decision on this matter. In the future, whoever you set your heart on, just tell me, and I will surely decide for you. But this matter is settled—no discussion!"

The Chongzhen Emperor had initially thought the Changping Princess was a consort, his heart full of spring thoughts. Remembering that he hadn't visited Empress Zhou in half a month, he decided to go quench his fire.

Xiumei stood respectfully outside Kunning Palace. Seeing the Chongzhen Emperor and Fang Zhenghua's party approaching, she hurried inside to announce their arrival. Empress Zhou's pretty face, which had been clouded with worry, lit up with joy, and she hastily freshened her appearance before coming out to greet them.

After a night of spring passion, the Chongzhen Emperor casually mentioned the Changping Princess's marriage to Empress Zhou. Empress Zhou was greatly startled. "Changping and Zhou Shixian have played together since childhood, and Changping is quite fond of him. What exactly does Your Majesty find objectionable about him?"

"I'm doing this for her own good. Changping is my daughter too—she's still young, what does she know of the ways of the world? The Empress only needs to remember that this Zhou Shixian is not worthy of her."

In later ages, that Zhou Shixian and Gong Yonggu were both Imperial Sons-in-law, but Gong Yonggu—versed in both letters and arms, and ultimately dying a loyal death for the state—was far superior to him.

This pretty boy Zhou Shixian, aside from coaxing and deceiving women into happiness, was utterly useless in history.

The Chongzhen Emperor understood all these matters in his heart, but he simply could not tell Empress Zhou about them. Not in the mood to explain further at the moment, he rolled his eyes and buried his face in the blanket, pretending to sleep.

Empress Zhou clearly placed great importance on her daughter's lifelong happiness and kept pressing for answers. The Chongzhen Emperor, growing annoyed by the constant questioning, simply turned over and pressed Empress Zhou down beneath him.

After that, Empress Zhou stopped asking questions, and Kunning Palace was once again filled with the colors of spring.