Chapter 26

Concubine De did not stay in the Eastern Palace for long.

When Wei Siyan led them into the main hall, the Crown Princess and the Crown Prince were already there.

Ruojin’s position in the Eastern Palace was as Princess Hui’an’s companion, not a maid, so she usually would have a seat next to the Crown Princess. However, today the Crown Prince was present, and there were guests. If the Crown Princess didn’t offer her a seat, she wouldn’t have one at all.

Shen Ruojin watched Tao Sheng sit below the Crown Princess and opposite the Crown Prince while she had to stand behind Princess Hui’an.

She sighed internally, thinking maybe she and Tao Sheng really weren’t compatible.

This was the first time Tao Sheng met the two important figures in the story: the Crown Princess and the Crown Prince.

The Crown Princess was dignified and graceful, with beautiful features, showing the demeanor of the mistress of the Eastern Palace.

The Crown Prince looked a bit like his older sister, Princess Hui’an, but he was thinner, had a pale face, and coughed before speaking, showing he might be unwell.

When the Crown Princess saw Tao Sheng, she greeted her politely. She said it was good for the country that a talented scholar like Ji Zhuangyuan ^[1]refes to top scholar from the imperial exam. was chosen to serve.

Tao Sheng smiled and replied, “Your Highness, you are too kind.”

The Crown Princess continued, “I’ve heard you play the zither well. Ji Zhuangyuan praises you often. The Emperor wants to promote ritual music, so I believe you will have a bright future.”

Tao Sheng replied, “My zither skills are just average. I play for fun when I have time. People say that a great reputation doesn’t always match the reality.”

Princess Hui’an grew bored with their conversation and asked her mother, “Can we start listening to Miss Luo play the zither? I want to hear it now.”

Tao Sheng sensed the Crown Princess’s intentions and played two songs called “Encouraging Learning.”

The Crown Princess, seeming knowledgeable, said, “I’ve listen my husband play ‘Encouraging Learning’ before, but your version sounds different.”

Tao Sheng explained, “This piece was originally created by Master Wei from the Imperial Music Bureau, but I made some changes because it didn’t sound right.”

Everyone felt the piece sounded better because it was revised by Wei Liyou.

After her performance, the Crown Princess complimented, “Miss Luo’s music truly calms the mind and lifts worries. It’s extraordinary.”

Though it wasn’t as miraculous as some claimed—that it could help a carp leap over the dragon gate ^[2]a phrase meaning achieving success. or help students pass exams—it was still enjoyable. After chatting with Concubine De, the music made the Crown Princess feel better.

Shen Ruojin didn’t think much of Tao Sheng’s zither skills. Even though it sounded nice, there were many talented musicians in the capital. She felt there was no need for the Eastern Palace to have Tao Sheng perform.

However, the Crown Prince listened intently, nodding, and Shen Ruojin didn’t want to disagree with her family.

Tao Sheng stood up and thanked the Crown Princess. She said there was no need to be so polite: “The Crown Prince loves music. His skills are excellent among the emperor’s grandchildren, and he resembles his grandfather.”

Tao Sheng smiled and said, “I didn’t know the Crown Prince was also an expert. I feel like I’m just showing off my skills.”

“It’s getting late, and I need to pay my respects to the Imperial Concubine. I won’t keep you here any longer. I’ll invite you for tea in the East Palace another day,” the Crown Princess said, then instructed the maids to give a reward and asked Wei Siyan to escort Tao Sheng out.

After Tao Sheng left, the Crown Prince said, “I have to review lessons today, so I can’t talk to mother and sister.”

As he was leaving, Princess Hui’an quickly told Shen Ruojin, “I forgot to bring the book you said to get for my second brother. Go to my room and get it for him. Don’t be late.”

Ruojin knew Princess Hui’an wanted to speak privately with her mother. She felt it was about her and probably not good.

But now, she had to be respectful. In front of the Crown Princess, she couldn’t show any disrespect and had to follow the Crown Prince.

The Crown Princess noticed her daughter’s thoughts: “Now that everyone has left, tell me what’s going on.”

Princess Hui’an said, “I can’t stand Shen Ruojin. I don’t like her. Why can’t you let her go early, like we agreed?”

The Crown Princess asked, “What’s the reason this time?”

“Didn’t you see how she treated Miss Luo? She flatters those in power and looks down on others. It’s really annoying.” Princess Hui’an held her mother’s arm. “I don’t know what you see in Shen Ruojin. She seems frivolous and insincere. I just don’t like her.”

The Crown Princess sighed. With her daughter’s attitude, it would be hard for her to find true friends since they weren’t closely related.

“In our Great Zhou history, only princesses could choose minister’s daughters as study companions. I chose one for you partly because your second brother is looking for a wife and partly because your grandfather favors you. You had four study companions; one became your brother’s wife, and the other two you dismissed. Now, this is the only one left who tolerates you, and you want to send her away? How will people think well of you?”

“Also, even though the Shen family is not doing well now, Ruojin’s maternal family, the Luo family, is well-known. They have many relatives and important officials in court. Don’t treat her poorly just because of her family’s current status.”

Seeing her daughter’s expression soften, the Crown Princess added, “You’ve only been together for a few years; she doesn’t need to be truly loyal. Just respect you is enough. Wait a couple of years, then send her away before she gets married. Give her a small gift as a dowry to improve your reputation.”

Even someone like her must face reality.

Hui’an sighed: “Okay, I’ll listen to my mother.”

_

Xuanzheng Hall.

The emperor woke up earlier than yesterday by two quarters of an hour.

The emperor was old, slept less, and was a bit grumpy when he woke up. Everyone in the bedroom tiptoed around to do their jobs and waited for him to get up, worried that any noise might lead to punishment.

Remembering a strange dream he had the night before, the emperor felt uneasy. When he saw breakfast on the table, he chose two dishes he knew the prince liked and asked the chief steward, Li Sheng, to take them to the East Palace.

After Li Sheng left, the emperor sat down and ate half a bowl of porridge. He started talking about the King of Chu’s^[3]refers to Prince Chu, eldest prince. work. This child’s handwriting had always been bad. Even the letter he wrote yesterday looked terrible, and the emperor thought someone should help him improve.

Suddenly, the emperor remembered something and said to Gao Zhen: “Last time, I heard Lord Li say that the new top scholar has very good handwriting. I think that helped him rank sixth.”

“Your Majesty, are you talking about Ji Zhuangyuan?” Gao Zhen smiled. “Even Li Daxueshi^[4]is a title for a great scholar. praised him, so he must be impressive.”

The emperor replied calmly, “Please ask him to come to Xuanzheng Hall. I have something to discuss with him.”

With the manuscript deadline approaching, the whole editing team was working overtime, including Ji Yanming. He had worked late at the Hanlin Academy the night before and slept in an empty room. In the morning, he had no time to eat before being summoned by the palace eunuch, who said the emperor wanted to see him.

When Ji Yanming arrived at Xuanzheng Hall, the emperor was already at the morning court, so he waited in the side hall to be called in.

After the emperor finished his court duties, the head maid from Concubine Chun’s palace invited Ji Yanming inside. After lunch and a nap in Concubine Chun’s palace, he remembered that the top scholar was still waiting for him. He returned to Xuanzheng Hall and asked Gao Zhen to summon Ji Yanming.

Ji Yanming bowed to the emperor and stood to the side. The emperor sat on his golden throne and looked at the young man from head to toe.

This top scholar was very handsome. Unlike the third-place scholar from this year’s exam, who was charming and sociable, Ji Yanming appeared cold and distant. He seemed capable but was not good at networking or forming personal alliances. He was more suited to be an independent minister or a political tool.