Chapter Eighteen: Deep Affection

After the palace maid had left, Zhang Yan knelt on the ground and said, “I am guilty and beg Your Majesty to punish me.” Zhu Youxiao hurried to help her up, saying, “How could my Empress have committed any crime? Please rise.”

Yet Zhang Yan remained where she was and continued, “I am guilty in three respects: first, I failed to recognize Your Majesty’s true identity; second, I once gave a gift to a man in private; third, my purpose in entering the palace was not as it should have been. I implore Your Majesty to mete out punishment.”

Zhu Youxiao laughed, “So that’s all it is? I pardon you of all guilt—is that enough? Now please get up, my Empress.”

Still, Zhang Yan kept her head lowered and did not move. “A mistake is a mistake; it cannot be erased merely by Your Majesty’s pardon.”

Zhu Youxiao understood and said, “You did not recognize my identity at the time because I was only the Crown Prince. As for giving a gift in private, I was unmarried, and so were you—why should that be forbidden? And what fault is there in your entering the palace to serve me?”

Zhang Yan bowed low to the ground and said, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for dispelling my confusion. Allow me to serve Your Majesty.” With that, she rose and stood quietly by Zhu Youxiao’s side.

Zhu Youxiao silently praised her cleverness; in this way, she had laid bare all of their previous affairs, and whether it was he himself or others, none could use them against her anymore. This young woman was indeed formidable—and he found himself all the more fond of her for it.

Though Zhang Yan had professed her intention to serve him, she stood beside him, blushing, not daring to move. After all, she was still a young woman; shyness was only natural. Zhu Youxiao smiled, “Perhaps I should be the one to serve you, my Empress.” Taking her hand, he led her together into the gauzy curtained bed and gently removed her outer robe.

Zhang Yan, though only fifteen, was precocious; her figure already blossomed, and beneath her slender waist was a sudden, graceful curve that stirred Zhu Youxiao’s heart with a surge of longing. Yet reason prevailed—he knew that a pregnancy too early would be harmful for both mother and child. So he quietly asked about her monthly cycle, and, reassured that it was a safe time, was finally at ease.

Though inexperienced himself, Zhu Youxiao was not ignorant; he had learned much from listening to the teachings of those around him. That night, he was as gentle as could be, restraining his own desires and instead guiding Zhang Yan, step by step, as she was drawn into the shared world of their longing.

When morning came, he awoke feeling refreshed and clear in spirit. Beside him, Zhang Yan lay fast asleep, her cheeks blooming like peach blossoms. With such a wife, what more could a man desire?

In high spirits, Zhu Youxiao issued an imperial decree: In recognition of meritorious service during the marriage selection, Liu Dai, the legitimate younger brother of Empress Dowager Zhao, was to be promoted to Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard; Consort West Li was to be named Consort Kang; Consort East Li, Consort Zhuang; and Consort Zhao, Consort Duan.

This decree stirred a great commotion in court. Yang Lian was the first to object, declaring that Consort West Li had harbored ill intentions when the emperor ascended the throne, seeking to wield power from behind the curtain, and thus should not be elevated to Imperial Consort.

“Harbored ill intentions? Minister Yang, can you truly read a person’s heart? If she only intended to act, but did not, how can you judge her by intent? Did His Late Majesty not decree with his own lips that she was to be made Imperial Noble Consort? Were you not present that day? As for the marriage selection, Consort Li rendered meritorious service. If she cannot now be made Imperial Noble Consort, can she not at least be made Consort Kang?”

Yang Lian was left momentarily speechless. Zhu Youxiao continued, “Is it not within my power to decide affairs of the imperial family?”

Yang Lian immediately knelt down, repeatedly begging forgiveness. With a wave of his sleeve, Zhu Youxiao turned and left. He had no time to play word games with them—he would rather spend it with his wife.

Of course, he could not go to her just then. Upon returning to the palace, he summoned Wei Zhongxian and inquired what the Eastern Depot had been doing lately. Wei Zhongxian produced a booklet and respectfully offered it. “Your Majesty, in accordance with your instructions, I have been gathering all manner of information in the capital. This booklet details the basic circumstances of the officials.” He produced a second booklet. “This one records the prices of various goods in the capital. As for the matter of spies, I have instructed the Embroidered Uniform Guard to investigate, but no reports have come in yet.”

Zhu Youxiao first leafed through the initial booklet, finding it remarkably thorough—even noting occasions when Yang Lian and Zuo Guangdou drank together. He turned a page: more about Yang Lian. Another: yet again Yang Lian. Annoyed, he closed the booklet and tossed it to the floor. Wei Zhongxian hurried to pick it up and knelt down.

Zhu Youxiao spoke angrily, “Are the court officials only composed of Yang Lian? Why is it always about him?”

“Please forgive me, Your Majesty. Yang Lian is particularly active, constantly gathering with others. I must confess, he colludes with Wang An and has shown Your Majesty disrespect. I wanted to find fault with him before reporting it to you, so I instructed my men to keep a close watch on him.”

“Oh, you remember this, do you? Wei, let me tell you: one must be broad-minded. Though this man has done things I dislike, he does them, at least in his mind, for the good of the court—or even for my own good. That is to say, his intentions are not malicious. Therefore, we ought not bear grudges. It is right to watch him—if he can collude with Wang An, he may collude with others. If he does wrong, we will deal with him, but not out of vengeance. If he does good, we should praise him. Do you understand?”

“I understand, Your Majesty. I thank you for your guidance.” In truth, Wei Zhongxian did not fully understand—was it not the emperor himself who had earlier urged him to seek revenge, and now forbade it? Still, he followed a simple principle: whatever the emperor said was right, and whatever he commanded, he would obey. If the emperor wished him to forget old grudges against Yang Lian, then so be it. In any case, Yang Lian could do nothing to harm him now, nor could he do anything to Yang Lian.

“As long as you understand. Now, your main task is to investigate bribery among the officials—be thorough, and keep a special record for me. By the way, you didn’t write these yourself, did you?”

“Your Majesty knows my literacy is limited. I had Wang Tiqian help me with the writing.”

“Good. If something is beyond your abilities, let someone skilled handle it. We are not immortals; it is impossible to be proficient in everything. One must know how to employ capable people. With the right people in the right places, all affairs become easier. The worst thing is to feign understanding when you do not.”

After dismissing Wei Zhongxian, Zhu Youxiao sent word that he would dine at noon in the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, then went to his study. He took up a brush, intending to copy a love poem for the empress, but for all his pondering, nothing came to mind. The poets of Ming and Qing were too few and too obscure—nothing he’d learned in his school days. Disappointed, he finally set the brush aside and made his way to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility.

There, Zhang Yan and her attendants awaited him at the palace gates. He stepped forward and gently supported her, saying, “What has my precious pearl been doing today?” Zhang Yan did not accept his help; instead, a palace maid assisted her to rise from her curtsey. At that moment, inspiration struck Zhu Youxiao, and he recited, “The waiting maid helps the beauty, so tender and weak, to her feet—such is the moment she first receives favor.”

Zhang Yan flushed deeply, casting a sidelong glance at her irreverent husband, then took his arm and accompanied him inside for their meal.