When Emperor Xingwu ascended the throne in the Capital, he executed a slew of nobles and treacherous ministers from the previous dynasty, naturally confiscating their family estates and mansions for the new Royal Family.
Depending on the original owner’s rank, these mansions were divided into several classes.
The ones Emperor Xingwu had already bestowed upon founding ministers were at the ministerial level, while the many Prince Residences, Commandery Prince Residences, and Princess Mansions still bore official seals, reserved for the descendants of the Old Qin Family.
In June, after arranging a marriage for his eldest daughter, Emperor Xingwu personally pored over the distribution map of confiscated mansions to select a Princess Mansion for his daughter.
After much deliberation, he chose the residence of a prince from the previous dynasty.
When Left Chancellor Yan Xizheng heard of this, he paid a special visit to the imperial study: “Your Majesty, the mansions, titles, and lands granted to princesses of the previous dynasty after opening their own residences were usually a rank below those given to princes. Only the legitimate Grand Princess was granted honors equal to a prince.”
“Today, Your Majesty selects a Prince Residence for Grand Princess Yongkang—is this because of Yongkang’s status as your legitimate eldest daughter, or do you intend for all future princesses to be treated equally with princes?”
Emperor Xingwu replied, “…Yongkang is my first child, and also the daughter of the Pure and Filial Empress. Now that Yongkang is to be married, I recall with gratitude the hardships the Pure and Filial Empress endured in raising the Empress Dowager’s children and managing the household. I also pity Yongkang, who lost her mother young and had a difficult life, so I want to grant her a grand mansion. I had no other intentions.”
Yan Xizheng said, “The state has its laws, the family its rules. Your Majesty is the founding emperor of Great Qi. It would be best to set a precedent early for the rewards given to princes and princesses, so that future generations do not grant rewards without order, causing endless trouble.”
Emperor Xingwu thought for a moment, then smiled.
“Even five fingers differ in length. Parents have always loved their children differently. Previous emperors did many things—killing sons, selling daughters—were their rewards always just? I conquered this land so that my descendants could all enjoy royal prosperity.”
“That is already enough. I will strive to be a wise ruler and set an example for future emperors. As for how they reward their children, I can’t manage that far ahead, nor do I wish to.”
“Including myself, if the princes and princesses are obedient and please me, I reward them more. If they anger me, I may take those rewards back. Rewards and punishments depend on conduct, not birth.”
Yan Xizheng said, “But if there’s no set precedent, today Your Majesty greatly rewards Grand Princess Yongkang. In the future, if Qingyang Princess receives less upon marriage, she may feel wronged, thinking Your Majesty favors the Grand Princess. If Your Majesty similarly rewards Qingyang Princess, Grand Princess Yongkang may resent being treated the same as a concubine-born princess.”
“Your Majesty has only two princesses now and may not mind if one bears a grudge. But if there are more princesses by other consorts in the future, and each starts comparing herself to the Grand Princess, what then?”
Emperor Xingwu smiled faintly.
“Take Yongkang as an example: if they are obedient and please me, I’ll give them as much as Yongkang. If not, I’ll give them less. If they dare complain, it shows they lack self-awareness, so I’ll punish them until they behave. Let’s see who dares nitpick with me.”
“What a joke. If I must fret over such trifles as rewarding a few princesses, then when I select a batch of scholars through the imperial exams, must I also worry that those who fail will complain? If I have to worry about everything, I might as well quit being emperor and go home to farm. Aside from filling my belly, I’d have nothing to worry about—how relaxing.”
Yan Xizheng fell silent.
Emperor Xingwu glanced at him a few times and reminded, “Left Chancellor, you have often offered sound counsel in state matters, but these family affairs you needn’t worry about—unless the day comes when I truly lose my senses and blur public and private, bringing chaos to the state.”
Yan Xizheng replied in alarm, “Your Majesty is a wise ruler rare in a hundred generations. I have overthought today’s matter. Please forgive me.”
***
The five royal children secluded in the inner palace knew nothing of their father’s troubles in choosing the Princess Mansion; they simply followed him out of the palace.
Grand Princess Yongkang’s mansion was just east of the imperial city, in Yongchang Ward, only a li away from the massive city wall—a short walk at most.
Yongkang, along with Qin Ren and the siblings Qingyang, accompanied their father in the carriage.
Qin Hong and Qin Bing rode horses alongside.
As they entered Yongchang Ward, Qin Bing glanced at the inscription above the gate and joked, “Father, this ward’s name is quite like Eldest Sister’s title. Since she’s moving in, why not rename it ‘Yongkang Ward’? Then everyone would know she lives here.”
Emperor Xingwu said, “If we named things your way, should I rename Qianyuan Hall where I live to ‘Xingwu Hall’? The names of these wards and alleys in the Capital have been used for centuries. Citizens and merchants from all over rely on them. If you change them, people will get lost and all sorts of trouble will arise.”
Qin Bing: “…”
Yongkang said, “Father is right. I don’t want to change it either. We’re not the only ones living here; renaming it would be too domineering.”
Emperor Xingwu nodded approvingly.
Qin Ren busied himself helping his younger sister peer eagerly through the carriage curtains at the bustling street outside.
At the Princess Mansion, Emperor Xingwu alighted first, helping his eldest daughter and third son down, then carrying the little princess inside.
Arriving at this new place, Qingyang didn’t like being carried by her father.
Seeing Second Brother already running ahead, she struggled to the ground and chased after him.
Emperor Xingwu had conquered his own empire, never having been raised as a prince himself, so he was lenient with his children’s manners.
He let the two lively ones play as they wished, while he strolled leisurely with his eldest son, eldest daughter, and the not-so-promising but obedient third son.
This mansion had been well maintained even before confiscation.
After three months of renovation, every brick, stone, corridor, and pillar looked brand new.
The grand main and side halls were magnificent, and the garden, with its lake fed by living water, was truly a sight to behold.
Yongkang herself wished she could move in immediately.
Unconsciously, Yongkang found herself walking arm in arm with her father.
Emperor Xingwu sighed, “It’s a pity your mother never enjoyed a single day of good fortune.”
He and his wife had spent little time together and couldn’t be called deeply affectionate, but she had been a virtuous wife—frugal, filial to his mother, and diligent in raising their children. Emperor Xingwu had always wanted her to enjoy better days.
Yongkang could no longer remember her mother’s face, so she did not feel especially sorrowful.
Resting on her father’s arm, gazing into the distant sky, she said softly, “Father has made my brother the Crown Prince and treats me so well. If Mother’s spirit watches from heaven, she must be happy.”
Emperor Xingwu had not made his eldest son Crown Prince to compensate his late wife, but since his daughter thought so, he saw no need to correct her. Idle chatter did not warrant nitpicking.
After touring the halls, the four of them went to the back garden, where they saw Qin Bing and Qingyang climbing a rockery. The others followed.
Qingyang pointed to the western palace wall and said, “Father, I can see the palace!”
Hearing this, Yongkang lifted her skirts and ran up the stone steps. Emperor Xingwu led Qin Hong and Qin Ren up more slowly.
At the top stood a viewing pavilion, where the family soon sat to rest.
Qin Bing asked boisterously, “Father, when will you grant me a mansion?”
Emperor Xingwu replied, “When you get top marks in your studies five times in a row, then we’ll talk.”
Qin Bing was shocked.
“Really?”
Emperor Xingwu ignored him, not about to entertain his second son’s questions.
Qingyang, sitting on her father’s lap, asked curiously, “Father, when I grow up, will I have my own Princess Mansion too?”
Emperor Xingwu patted her head and smiled, “Of course.”
Qingyang turned to her third brother.
“What about Third Brother?”
Emperor Xingwu said, “Your third brother will have one too.”
Qingyang said, “Then my Princess Mansion must be next to Third Brother’s.”
Emperor Xingwu replied offhandedly, “You won’t get your own mansion for another ten years or more. No need to decide now. Maybe you’ll grow up and stop liking Third Brother so much, and want to live next to Second Brother’s Prince Residence instead.”
Qingyang glanced at her grinning Second Brother, then turned away and buried her head in Father’s embrace, making everyone laugh.
***
The Princess Mansion was ready, and Yongkang’s wedding date was set for the seventh day of the tenth month.
The Grand Princess’s dowry had long been prepared by the Order of Ceremony and other offices. The imperial consorts, princes, and princesses only needed to participate in the wedding festivities.
As the wedding approached, the palace grew busier.
Recently, Qingyang still went to Chongwen Pavilion to study in the mornings, but in the afternoons, she no longer visited the front palace.
Instead, as soon as she woke, she would run to the Noble Lady’s palace to watch her mother assist the Noble Lady in arranging tasks for the palace staff, or else she would go to Eldest Sister’s palace to see the attendants hang festive red ribbons everywhere.
Until Eldest Sister’s wedding, Qingyang treated it all as lively fun, running here and there without a care.
Yongkang watched her sister’s innocent happiness, but her own reluctance grew heavier.
With no birth mother to confide in, on the afternoon before her wedding, Yongkang took advantage of the Crown Prince visiting to bring her brother alone into her inner chambers. Quietly gazing at her brother, now taller than herself, Yongkang suddenly leaned on his shoulder and began to sob.
Qin Hong felt a pang in his heart, his own eyes reddening.
He asked softly, “Sister, do you not want to marry Fu Kui?”
Yongkang shook her head, tears streaming down.
“It’s not about him. Sister can’t bear to leave you. In this palace, the one who truly can’t bear to part with me is probably only you.”
Father was father to many siblings, and could only spare a small part of his affection for her.
The Noble Lady was just a foster mother; even Second Brother was barely enough for her to care for, so how true could her feelings for Yongkang be?
As for the others, even less so.
Only her brother, born of the same mother, had always depended on her.
Qin Hong’s tears fell as well.
In the end, Yongkang was the first to stop crying. Holding her brother’s hand at the table, she tearfully admonished, “I used to hope you’d become Crown Prince. Now you have, but I still worry. After all, you’re only fourteen—still a child. If anyone wants to harm you, there will be chances. So you must be careful in everything: eat less in other people’s palaces, avoid dangerous activities. Second Brother likes horse races, but don’t foolishly compete with him.”
Qin Hong understood his sister’s meaning and lowered his eyes, gently advising, “I’ve grown up, Sister, you needn’t worry about me. If you’re wronged outside the palace after your marriage, come to me. I’m the Crown Prince, I can protect you.”
Yongkang smiled in relief, stroking his face.
“Good, Sister will count on you to protect her.”
The red sun set, night fell, and soon passed.
When dawn broke, Qingyang, dressed in a red skirt, followed her mother and the Noble Lady early to watch the attendants do Yongkang’s hair.
Relying on her small size, Qingyang clung sweetly to Eldest Sister’s lap.
The little girl was beautiful, her black eyes pure and clear.
At least at such moments, Yongkang was quite fond of her sister, pinching her cheek and saying, “If you miss Sister in the future, you can come play at my mansion. It’s so close—Father won’t object.”
Qingyang was delighted.
“Sister, take me with you.”
Yongkang said, “Alright, when Sister comes to the palace, I’ll bring you out…”
The Elder Nanny doing Yongkang’s brows smiled and said, “Your Highness, please wait to talk with the little princess. If you keep moving, this old servant’s hand will slip.”
Yongkang laughed, pressing her sister’s lips to signal the little one not to cause trouble.
The princess’s wedding ceremony was complex, and soon Qingyang was led away by her mother to Taiji Hall to watch the proceedings.
Father sat solemnly on the Dragon Throne.
Qingyang wanted to run to him, but Mother gripped her hand tightly. Emperor Xingwu glanced at the pair but did not indulge his youngest daughter today.
As the ceremonial music played, the groom Fu Kui in his wedding robes and Yongkang Princess with her veil both appeared outside Taiji Hall.
Passing between the lines of civil and military officials, they knelt before the throne to bid farewell to the Emperor.
Emperor Xingwu offered words of encouragement, gazing with a complicated expression at his eldest daughter, who seemed to have grown up and was now to be married.
With difficulty, he said, “Go on.”
The Imperial Attendant helped Yongkang Princess turn and, as she had come, step by step walked out of the hall.
Qingyang watched as Eldest Sister walked farther and farther away, then looked up and asked, “Mother, where is Eldest Sister going?”
Consort Li quickly wiped away her tears with her sleeve and answered softly, “To the Princess Mansion. From now on, Eldest Sister will live there.”
Qingyang was puzzled.
“She’s not coming back to the palace?”
The little princess had thought Eldest Sister just had another residence outside the palace but would still live in the palace as usual.
Consort Li shook her head.
Qingyang looked again at the red figure about to leave the hall and burst out crying, “I don’t want Eldest Sister to leave…”
Consort Li’s heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly covered her daughter’s mouth.
At the doors of Taiji Hall, Yongkang, who had been holding back tears, heard her sister’s cry.
Her steps faltered, and tears streamed down like a broken dam.
***
Not wanting her daughter to spoil the Grand Princess’s wedding, Consort Li left early, carrying her sobbing daughter back to Xianfu Palace.
The little princess cried herself to sleep.
Consort Li left Jie Yu and the nursemaid to watch her and went to attend the palace banquet.
When Qingyang awoke, she saw her father sitting by the distant window, facing outside, still dressed in the scarlet Dragon Robe from Taiji Hall.
Qingyang immediately remembered what had happened before she slept.
She sat up and asked, aggrieved, “Father, where is Eldest Sister?”
Emperor Xingwu returned to himself and, seeing his daughter’s pitiful look, came over to sit on the bed and hugged her, saying, “Eldest Sister is married now, she has her own home. She’ll only come to visit us when she has time.”
Qingyang said, “I don’t want Eldest Sister to marry. I want her to live in the palace forever.”
Childish words.
Emperor Xingwu teased, “You didn’t often go play with Eldest Sister before, so why can’t you bear her leaving now?”
Qingyang thought for a moment and said, “Father and Mother are in the palace. The Noble Lady, Eldest Brother, Second Brother, and Third Brother are all in the palace. I don’t want Eldest Sister to leave.”
Emperor Xingwu patted her head.
“When you all grow up, you’ll each have your own homes. Second and Third Brother will marry and live in their Prince Residences. Lin’er will live with your husband in your Princess Mansion. The Princess Mansion is huge, with fewer rules than the palace. Eldest Sister likes it, and you will too.”
Qingyang said, “I don’t like it. I just want to stay with Father, Mother, and Third Brother forever.”
The little princess hugged her father’s neck tightly, as if afraid he would leave her right then.
Emperor Xingwu patted his daughter’s small shoulder and sighed, but did not try to placate her with empty promises.
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