Chapter Forty-Nine

Though Princess Kangping had not yet formally appeared before the noble ladies of the capital, she was already under the scrutiny of many. News of her impending betrothal to the Marquis of the Northern Frontier had spread, causing more than a few ladies to sigh in regret.

During this time, Zhao Jingxing had been idling about outside, eager to find an opportunity to grow closer to his cousin. Yet, he could never quite manage it. Now, upon hearing of her engagement, he hurried home to deliver the news, sprinting all the way to the old lady’s quarters. Before he even entered, he sensed the tense atmosphere.

He touched his nose, glanced at the servants waiting outside, and realized that almost everyone in the family was present. Straightening his clothes, he entered with steady steps.

The Marquis Yongyi was feeling particularly irritable; seeing his youngest son after several days, he scolded him, “Where have you been gallivanting these past few days? No one could find you. You’re grown up now, yet you still refuse to behave properly.”

The old lady, who always doted on her youngest grandson, quickly interjected, “Don’t take out your anger on him. I’ve said it before—if you truly valued Kangping, you should have settled the engagement early. Now look, not even a fair chance for competition remains.”

Zhao Jing Shen unconsciously clenched his fists. He regretted never finding a chance to approach Princess Kangping; even with feelings stirring in his heart, he had suppressed them, valuing his pride above all else. Now, it seemed he would have to stifle those feelings for the rest of his life.

The person in the best spirits at that moment was probably Lady Zhang, the wife of the Marquis Yongyi. She dismissed her mother-in-law’s words, and seeing her husband being reproached, she spoke up, “Mother, that’s not entirely true. Though Princess Kangping is the daughter of our family’s noblewoman, we know little of her character after all these years. Even if she’s to be engaged to the Marquis of the Northern Frontier, it might simply be to cover up past scandals. The rumors from before may not have been groundless. A girl with questionable conduct, no matter how noble, is unworthy of my son.”

The old lady felt her daughter-in-law was shallow, always seducing her eldest son with her charms. Hearing Lady Zhang’s words, she retorted without hesitation, “So you think only girls from the Zhang family are worthy of Jing Shen?”

The old lady was angry, knowing that if Princess Kangping did not marry into the Marquis Yongyi’s household, she would only grow more distant from her. She regretted neglecting her granddaughter for the sake of pride, but now there was nothing to be done except vent her frustration.

Lady Zhang looked at her husband with a face full of grievance and said chokingly, “Our Zhang family is of scholarly repute, pure and noble. My niece is gentle and kind, and she and Jing Shen have been close since childhood. They are perfectly suited for each other, far better than marrying someone whose background is unknown.”

Lady Zhang understood Zhao Jing Shen’s temperament well. Though outwardly gentle and modest, he was stubborn and principled. Princess Kangping, having grown up in such an environment and managing vast assets herself, could not possibly be meek. The two might not be compatible at all.

The Marquis Yongyi dreaded seeing the two women argue, and each time he had to placate both sides. Today, he truly had no patience for it and said directly, “Enough, enough. Things are as they are. If Mother truly likes Kangping, she can go to the palace and try to petition.”

Zhao Jing Shen, who had been sitting with his head bowed, now lifted it, looking at the old lady with longing. Going to the palace and asking for her hand was not out of the question. A sought-after daughter was no shame, and Kangping was indeed outstanding. The engagement with the Marquis of the Northern Frontier was not yet official, but the old lady did not wish to bow before the Empress Dowager and hesitated.

Zhao Jingxing, ever the clever one, noticed his grandmother’s uncertainty and urged, “Grandmother, you must go to the palace. If you bow to the Empress Dowager this time, once cousin is married into our home, she’ll be by your side every day. By then, who knows how jealous the Empress Dowager will be.”

The old lady thought it over and realized it was true. She had heard of the Empress Dowager’s deep affection for Princess Kangping, but girls must eventually marry. She couldn’t stay by the Empress Dowager’s side forever. If she married into their household, the Empress Dowager would surely be jealous, and this thought brought her some comfort.

She turned to Zhao Jing Shen and said, “Shen, have you thought it through? If you truly wish to marry her, Grandmother will go to the palace and bow her head for you.” Lady Zhang anxiously twisted her handkerchief, wishing she could refuse on her son’s behalf, but Zhao Jing Shen nodded in agreement right under her nose.

“I want to try, Grandmother. Even if I fail, at least I won’t regret it in the future,” Zhao Jing Shen said sincerely, a spark of determination in his eyes. The Marquis Yongyi nodded in approval. He, too, hoped to bring his niece into the family and treat her well. That child had endured much misfortune and deserved to be cared for.

Wei Baofu was unaware of the schemes unfolding at the Marquis Yongyi’s residence. If she knew, she would likely laugh it off. The concerns of others meant nothing to her; the Empress Dowager would not disregard her wishes.

While the Marquis Yongyi’s household plotted how to snatch the bride, the old lady of Duke Wei’s residence was full of joy. She patted Rong Yanzong’s shoulder, quite satisfied, and said, “Very good, very good. That’s proper. When you find someone you like, you must act quickly to marry her. Princess Kangping is desired by many, so you must prepare the betrothal gifts well and invite a respected matchmaker. I’ll send a note to request an audience with the Empress Dowager.”

Lady Chai wished she could settle her son’s marriage immediately. Until he brought his bride home, she could not rest easy. Rong Yanzong was in rare good spirits and said to Lady Chai, who was eager to get everything done, “There’s no rush. I’ll take care of it all. Tomorrow, Mother, you should visit the Empress Dowager and pay your respects. You and the Empress Dowager are old acquaintances; show your sincerity. It will put her at ease.”

Rong Yanzong was adept at reading people’s hearts. The Empress Dowager was Princess Kangping’s dearest relative, and soothing her was paramount. Moreover, if his mother spoke well of him, it could raise his standing in the princess’s heart.

Lady Chai was delighted by the suggestion. “Now that the princess has returned to the palace, if I go to pay my respects, I might see her. This is a good idea. If you’d been this attentive earlier, I might already be cradling a grandson.”

Rong Yanzong replied helplessly, “What could I do? If you must blame someone, blame the princess for coming back too late. If I’d met her earlier, I’d still have to wait—she was too young then.”

Seeing her son so happy, Lady Chai was overjoyed. Her youngest son was stubborn; no one could force him to marry someone he didn’t like. She had thought he would live out his days in solitude, but fate had proved otherwise. Now, as she awaited his marriage and children, she felt content.

Wei Baofu had no inkling of the storm her marriage would stir. She calmly accompanied the Empress Dowager, thinking that once her engagement was settled, the days she could spend by the Empress Dowager’s side would be few. No matter how much time, it never felt enough.

The Empress Dowager, however, was in good spirits, smiling as she said to Wei Baofu, “The Marquis of the Northern Frontier is a true man, keen-eyed and discerning. You will have a worthy husband, and I’ll have no worries when I go to meet your father in the afterlife.”

Wei Baofu could not bear to hear such words and chided gently, “Grandmother, don’t say that. You won’t be seeing my father for a long time yet. Who knows what the future holds? You’re putting your trust too soon.”

The Empress Dowager spoke with conviction, “I trust the Marquis of the Northern Frontier will not break his word. Besides, you’re not someone easily bullied. I know my granddaughter well—your life will surely be happy.”

That was a grandmother’s hope. Wei Baofu did not contradict her. In truth, she had never managed a marriage and did not know how to get along with a husband. All she could do was slowly learn and adapt. As long as both tried, things would not turn out too badly.

Grandmother and granddaughter were enjoying their conversation when Madam Feng came in carrying two invitations. The Empress Dowager asked curiously, “Who wishes to see me at this hour?” During Wei Baofu’s absence, she had seen a few old acquaintances, but as for her daughter-in-law’s family, the Empress Dowager had simply ignored them.

Madam Feng respectfully presented the invitations and said softly, “The old lady of the Marquis Yongyi’s residence and Lady Chai of Duke Wei’s household both request an audience. The invitations arrived at the same time.” The Empress Dowager ignored the Marquis Yongyi’s and picked up Duke Wei’s, smiling as she said, “Lady Chai is thoughtful. She wishes to come and see her future daughter-in-law. I grant her request.”

She then glanced at Wei Baofu, hoping to see her blush, but Wei Baofu remained calm. The Empress Dowager said, “Lady Chai is straightforward and cheerful. In her youth, she was spirited and got along well with me. Her fate is better than mine—she has many children and grandchildren and is blessed.”

Since Lady Chai would be her mother-in-law, Wei Baofu wished to know more about her. “Lady Chai seldom goes out these days, and not many mention her,” Wei Baofu said, for she had not heard much about this lady.

The Empress Dowager nodded, reflecting, “She has an easy heart and knows how to enjoy herself. She always said that once old, she would live peacefully and not trouble her children. I’ve never heard of any discord between her and her daughters-in-law. Even if there were, it wouldn’t matter. Old ladies always dote on their youngest sons and their wives. You’re so lovable; Lady Chai is bound to like you.”

She was confident in the granddaughter she had raised. Wei Baofu smiled, leaning on her grandmother’s shoulder, and said softly, “If Grandmother’s anger has faded, you should see the Marquis Yongyi’s household as well. It would not do to let outsiders mock us.”

The Empress Dowager’s smile vanished, her tone low. “I don’t know how to interact with them. They were once my closest family, yet they abandoned me without hesitation. I cannot swallow this resentment.”

Wei Baofu understood her grandmother’s pain and gently comforted her, “Grandmother need not forgive them. Just keep things cordial on the surface. Even if you see them, you can simply set them aside. Just don’t let outsiders gossip. I’m curious what their intentions are, sending the invitation at this time.”