With the Marquis of Pingliang cooperating with the Land Division Edict, a group of corrupt officials left over from the previous dynasty who outwardly complied but secretly defied orders were dealt with in the Northern Region.
The livelihood of the people in Great Qi’s northern territories was temporarily stabilized.
At the morning court on the twenty-sixth day of the lunar month, which was also the last court assembly of the fourth year of Emperor Xingwu’s reign, the Emperor issued an edict to the Ministry of Appointments and the Ministry of Revenue.
They were commanded to complete the surveying and allocation of the lands newly recovered in the southern regions of Great Qi within two years.
At the same time, the Ministry of War was ordered to verify the age and injury status of the garrison troops across the realm, making the necessary reductions and replenishments.
The aim was to eliminate any instances of stipend fraud or inflated troop numbers.
***
The Ministry of Ceremony was about to preside over the Spring Imperial Exam after the New Year, the Ministry of Justice still had a backlog of cases to be processed after the holiday, and the Ministry of Works had received a batch of urgent construction projects to supervise.
At the court, the six ministries were gathered. Emperor Xingwu first gave a summary of rewards and punishments for the past year’s affairs, then laid out new requirements for the ministries’ governance in the coming year.
This single-handedly added an invisible burden to all the officials who had just relaxed their minds, preparing to happily celebrate the New Year.
“Alright, do well on this last day’s duties. I, on behalf of the court, wish everyone a joyful and harmonious New Year!”
Leaving the Dragon Throne, Emperor Xingwu smiled warmly, speaking from on high.
The ministers all bowed deeply to the ground, shouting “Long live the Emperor!”
Emperor Xingwu then walked toward the western imperial path, picked up the Little Princess who had sneaked over early in the morning to eavesdrop again, and, in a pleasant mood, headed toward the Middle Palace.
***
The Little Princess was a bit unhappy: “Father, you promised me a palace next year, but you didn’t say anything about it to the Ministry of Works just now.”
Whenever he was with his daughter, Emperor Xingwu’s usually mischievous expression softened.
He pinched her small nose and coaxed, “How could I forget our Lin’er? Don’t worry, Father had your palace built the year I first entered the palace—it’s right next to your eldest sister’s palace.”
The Emperor’s Qianyuan Hall and the Empress’s Middle Palace were located at the heart of the entire Inner Palace.
The palaces on the east side were reserved for the princes and princesses and collectively called the Eastern Palace, while the west side palaces were for the Empress Dowager and the imperial consorts, collectively known as the Western Palace.
On the Eastern Palace side, the princes lived in the southern part, and the princesses stayed in the north, not adjoining each other.
This was to prevent the elder princesses from being too close to the princes’ attendants or the princes themselves, avoiding any untoward incidents.
In other words, previous princesses never went to Qiwen Pavilion for their education; all tutoring was handled by the Ladies-in-Teaching.
The Eastern Palace had numerous buildings, and when Emperor Xingwu ascended the throne, he had to manage a host of affairs.
Coupled with the tight state treasury, he only instructed the Ministry of Works to renovate five palaces for his five children, whether they were to move in soon or in the future.
The rest were locked up and only periodically aired, waxed, and treated for pests to save on repair funds and palace servants.
Having come from humble origins, Emperor Xingwu prided himself on being a frugal ruler.
***
Qingyang spoke up: “I don’t want to live over there. I want to live in Cuiyun Palace, east of Third Brother’s. I want to go to school with Third Brother from now on.”
Emperor Xingwu fell silent for a moment, then reconsidered.
The youngest son would only be just over ten when he left the palace to open his own household.
He was still small and innocent; what harm could come?
It was far better than leaving his daughter alone in the northern part of the Eastern Palace, where she might be scared late at night.
As for schooling, since his daughter was so eager to learn, he would let her continue to study with her brothers in Xiu Wen Hall.
Once Third Brother left the palace, she might not want to stay in Qiwen Pavilion without her brothers’ company.
Then it would be just right to switch to learning the talents and arts that noble girls favored from the Ladies-in-Teaching.
“Very well. Lin’er can live wherever she likes. But Cuiyun Palace is a dull name—it doesn’t suit my little princess.”
Cuiyun, Cuiyun—too common. It did not befit his daughter.
By the time breakfast was over, Emperor Xingwu had thought of a new name: “My Lin’er is a daughter sent from the heavens. A heavenly maiden naturally must live in a celestial palace. It shall be called Jiu Hua Palace, meaning a splendid palace situated beyond the Nine Heavens, befitting your name, Ling Wei.”
Qingyang had never seen the Nine Heavens herself, but the words sounded beautiful.
She thought her father was very impressive.
Though she didn’t say it, her sparkling eyes showed her delight.
Emperor Xingwu stroked his beard, growing prouder of himself for insisting on finding ways to study despite poverty in his youth.
Otherwise, all he could teach his daughter would be rough talk about trivial matters.
“But moving isn’t urgent. Once spring comes and flowers bloom, I’ll have the Ministry of Works renovate it properly for you.”
Having received her father’s approval, Qingyang followed Third Brother back, then ran to the front of Cuiyun Palace next to Chanyuan Palace.
Pointing to the old plaque still hanging above the palace gates, she said, “Father said next year this will be changed to Jiu Hua Palace and become my palace.”
Qin Ren asked, “Jiu Hua? Why change the name?”
The Little Princess beamed proudly: “Father said I’m a heavenly maiden and must live in a celestial palace.”
A heavenly maiden was a celestial fairy; even a three-year-old knew that was a compliment, the highest praise of all.
Qin Ren skillfully supported his sister: “Yes, yes, Jiu Hua Palace suits you better!”
Qingyang then went a few steps away to see Zhang Su.
***
After months of close proximity, Zhang Su had learned some tricks for dealing with the Little Princess.
Her words were absolutely not to be opposed.
When she was happy, they had to pretend to be happy for her.
When she was upset, they had to go along with her and soothe her; otherwise, they would face more of her nagging and tantrums.
So Zhang Su looked at the Little Princess with a gaze that seemed to seek approval but also implied a threat: “Do you dare to not approve?” He then cooperated by saying, “It really does suit Your Highness.”
Satisfied, the Little Princess leaned against the two slightly peeling wooden doors and peered through the gap, gazing at the palace that would soon be hers.
After she had seen enough, Qin Ren took his sister and Zhang Su back to Chanyuan Palace for lunch.
The three princes, except for Crown Prince Qin Hong who ate separately with Qin Liang, all dined with their own attendants.
At the table, Qingyang glanced at Zhang Su across from her and asked, “Officials are taking their New Year leave tomorrow. Are you going home too?”
Zhang Su put down his chopsticks and answered, “Yes. After martial training this afternoon, I’ll leave the palace and come back after the New Year.”
Qingyang felt reluctant but understood that Zhang Su missed his parents and brothers dearly.
If she ordered him to stay and keep her company, he would be pitiful.
Because of the imminent separation, Qingyang only took half an hour of midday rest that day.
Then she got up with Third Brother and Zhang Su and followed them to the Martial Practice Hall.
Qin Bing teased his sister: “What, are you going to learn martial arts too?”
Qingyang knew Second Brother was joking and retorted, “I’m still little; I can only start learning in a couple of years.”
Qin Bing said, “You could read at three years old, so you can practice martial arts at three too. I think you’re just afraid of the discipline.”
Qingyang dodged to the other side of Third Brother and ignored him.
The Martial Teacher arrived and first asked if the Little Princess wanted to join the training. Upon learning she was only there to watch, he smiled, then quickly composed himself.
He led the six older boys in a set of fist techniques to stretch their muscles, followed by the first item of training: running.
Qin Ren and Zhang Su were to run two laps around the empty space of the Martial Practice Hall; Qin Bing and Yuan Xiuli three laps; Qin Hong and Qin Liang four laps.
Except for Qin Ren, who immediately showed a pained expression, the other five looked calm, as if they were already accustomed to it.
The six formed three pairs according to age and set off one after another at ten steps apart.
Jie Yu sent a young eunuch to bring a chair for the Little Princess to sit on a bench. The chair was padded with a soft cushion.
The winter afternoon sunlight was not very warm, and a cool breeze blew gently.
The Little Princess wore her Fox Fur Hood and comfortably settled into the large chair, revealing only a bit of her fair chin.
Already accustomed to the hardships of martial training, Crown Prince Qin Hong led Qin Liang and ran past first.
Seeing his sister like this, Qin Hong couldn’t help but feel a trace of envy.
When Qin Bing ran over, he didn’t feel envy but pulled the Little Princess’s hood down because it had skewed her headpiece.
He promptly received a crisp scolding in response.
Not long after, Zhang Su ran over expressionlessly, not even looking toward the Little Princess.
Qingyang glanced toward Third Brother, who was walking slowly behind the Empress Dowager, holding his stomach, and asked Zhang Su, “Is Third Brother’s stomach hurting again?”
Zhang Su hesitated slightly, then nodded.
Qingyang sighed and turned to the Martial Teacher: “Why does Third Brother have to run? I don’t want him to have a stomach ache.”
Martial Teacher: “…Third Prince is just lazy and doesn’t want to run. He’s faking the stomach ache.”
Qingyang: “Do you have proof? Father said not to listen to only one side.”
Martial Teacher smiled: “Your Highness could pretend to fall and cry loudly. I guarantee Third Prince would be the first to run over to you.”
Qingyang looked at the running field.
The groups of First and Second Princes had already distanced themselves.
Third Brother and Zhang Su, who had just run over, were roughly the same distance from her.
Qingyang jumped down and pretended she also wanted to run, then deliberately fell to the ground and began to cry loudly.
Jie Yu and the Martial Teacher cooperated by coming to support the Little Princess.
Qingyang obediently lay on Jie Yu’s shoulder, continuing to fake cry while secretly watching Third Brother.
Seeing him break free and stride toward her, she immediately stopped crying.
However, although the Martial Teacher had caught Third Brother faking the stomach ache, he was wrong about who came first.
The first to arrive was not Third Brother but his attendant, Zhang Su.
Panting, Zhang Su stopped behind Jie Yu, looking worriedly at the Little Princess lying face down on Jie Yu’s shoulder: “Did Your Highness get hurt from the fall?”
Qingyang shook her head and questioned Third Brother, who had come up a few steps late: “Why did you pretend your stomach hurt?”
Qin Ren, gasping for breath and wanting to care for his sister, noticed Qingyang’s fair face did not look like someone who had just cried.
Meeting the Martial Teacher’s disapproving glance, Qin Ren awkwardly smiled: “Third Brother wasn’t faking. He really was in pain just now. But he’s even more afraid you’d get hurt, so he ran over to check on you despite himself.”
***
After saying this, Qin Ren leaned against Zhang Su, squinting: “Ugh, it hurts even worse now.”
Qingyang quickly turned and checked on Third Brother.
The Martial Teacher snorted, “I want to see how long Third Prince can fool the princess. Zhang Su, you keep running and ignore him.”
Zhang Su pushed Third Brother aside and resumed running.
Qin Ren sat on his sister’s chair.
When the Martial Teacher stopped looking displeased and walked away, Qin Ren whispered to his sister, “If Third Brother never gets good at martial arts, will you dislike him and prefer First Brother, Second Brother, or even Zhang Su more?”
Qingyang shook her head.
Qin Ren grinned: “Good sister!”
After running came horse stances, then fist techniques.
Qin Ren was always the one who did things perfunctorily, happily slacking off. Suddenly, he noticed a new figure in the distance—it was their father.
Qin Ren snapped to attention and exerted himself fully.
Qingyang ran toward Emperor Xingwu and was lifted up by him.
She noticed several young eunuchs behind him carrying trays covered with red cloth and asked, “What’s that?”
Emperor Xingwu said, “The New Year is coming. Zhang Su and the other attendants have worked hard for your brothers. I want to reward them.”
Officials received extra rewards at year-end based on rank or performance.
The three attendants were minor officials, so naturally, they had some rewards too.
When all martial classes ended, Emperor Xingwu summoned the three attendants, gave them some encouragement, then presented the gifts.
Qingyang stood beside Zhang Su.
When he accepted the tray, she eagerly uncovered the red cloth and saw a bright red silk pouch on the box, along with a strange object as long as Third Brother’s palm.
Qingyang reached out to take it, but Zhang Su quickly moved the tray away: “This is a dagger, Your Highness. Be careful.”
Qingyang had heard of daggers before but was seeing one for the first time.
Since Zhang Su wouldn’t let her touch it, she threw herself into her father’s arms and said, “I want a dagger too.”
Emperor Xingwu: “Alright, alright. I’ll give you one too. But you’re still little, so you can only play with a blunt one. Otherwise, you might cut your own fingers.”
Qingyang: “What does blunt mean?”
Emperor Xingwu set her down, took Zhang Su’s dagger, and carefully showed his daughter the sharp edge.
Having seen it, the Little Princess looked at Zhang Su with concern: “You have to be careful not to cut your fingers.”
Zhang Su lowered his eyes: “I will.”