Chapter 90: Peng Dan

Today, the court was especially lively. The Emperor had announced that King Ding had married and had children, and the Ministry of Rites was instructed to prepare the wedding gifts for King Ding and the full-moon celebration for the two children. He also ordered the newly appointed Grand Minister of the Imperial Observatory to select an auspicious day to welcome the Princess Consort and the children back to their residence.

The court was in an uproar!

Tang Baoming, the Minister of Rites, stepped forward to offer a formal salute and voiced his concerns, “Your Majesty, isn’t this somewhat improper according to the rites?”

After the recent events involving Grand Minister Wu of the Imperial Observatory, who was still confined in the prison, the officials dared not interfere too much in the matters of King Ding. They could only make subtle remarks.

Bai Mucheng stepped forward, saying, “There’s nothing improper! When I was in danger, my wife and her family saved me. Later, with her father’s consent and the witness of friends and family, we were married. It is completely reasonable! Minister Tang, is there anything unclear?”

It was indeed with her father’s consent, and they had witnesses, but the only problem was that her father had refused at first and even got a few blows for it!

Minister Tang laughed awkwardly, “Nothing more to say, Your Majesty. If King Ding thinks it appropriate, then it is.”

The Emperor responded, “If a man marries, then she is his wife. Minister Tang, are you saying that after you became prosperous, you’ve forgotten the promises made when you were in need?”

This remark almost accused him of ingratitude, and naturally, Minister Tang did not dare respond.

He lowered his head and replied, “I dare not!”

The Emperor did not mention that Tian Mi was now a county princess because at the time of their marriage, she was not yet a princess. He had to refer to the situation as it was then, or else his argument would lack credibility.

Zuo Zhengfeng, who had just learned that Tian Mi was King Ding’s consort, was stunned. He had known that the King and the consort didn’t know each other before! In fact, it was he who had introduced them. Upon further thought, he realized that the two children did resemble the King, which made him curious. How could this be? No wonder the two children had looked so familiar when he first saw them.

Had the couple not recognized each other before having children?

Oh dear! This was unbelievable!

Zuo Zhengfeng recalled the time when he first met Tian Mi, who had been a rather plump girl and had helped him with intelligence. He also remembered that King Ding had asked them to find a girl who weighed over a hundred jin (approximately 50 kg). Suddenly, he had an epiphany.

At the time in Qinghe County, neither he nor Huang Yuanying knew why the King suddenly wanted to trouble Tian Mi, calling her the “fat girl” and all. They had begged for leniency, but the matter had ended there. Now, it all made sense.

So, she had really been a “fat girl” back then—one who weighed more than a hundred jin! And now she had children with the King, then ran away! Zuo Zhengfeng couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy.

Poor King Ding, he had really been wronged!

No wonder they didn’t recognize each other!

This was a matter that must not get out; it would ruin the King’s reputation!

He watched as the others happily congratulated Bai Mucheng, but he couldn’t bring himself to say anything.

Bai Mucheng, having convicted Minister Wu of treason, sentenced him to house arrest and exile. It was necessary to set an example, or future actions would be difficult to carry out.

Zuo Zhengfeng quickly led a team to raid the Wu residence.

Bai Mucheng, carrying the annulment letter from the top scholar and a vial of medicine, went to the Princess Consort’s residence.

Upon waking up and seeing the marks on Tian Mi’s body, he felt both guilty and heartbroken, so he had prepared some medicine for her.

After arriving at the residence, he was guided to her courtyard. Chun San said that Tian Mi wasn’t there. The two young ladies from the Lin family had come, and they had gone to the back garden.

Bai Mucheng, still worried about her injuries, intended to check on her. However, when he reached the back garden, he saw Tian Mi practicing martial arts with Lin Yixue. They were jumping and moving with agility, showing no signs of injury.

There were also Lin Yucheng, Xu Feiyan, Chen Miaomiao, and a girl Bai Mucheng didn’t recognize, all clapping and cheering.

He looked at the medicine in his hand, then back at the lively, agile Tian Mi, and couldn’t help but question his life choices.

He silently put the medicine away.

“Mi’er!” he called out.

Tian Mi stopped and walked over to him. The others bowed to Bai Mucheng, and Tian Mi, now seeing him, couldn’t help but feel a bit embarrassed, her face flushed, her heart racing.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

Bai Mucheng handed her the letter and said, “Here’s the annulment letter. I’ve brought it for you.”

Seeing the group of women around, Bai Mucheng didn’t stay long and left.

Today, the Lin sisters brought Peng Dan to visit Tian Mi, as she had just left the palace.

It was quite amusing—when they delivered the invitation, Tian Mi was still a county princess, but now, as they arrived, she was already the Princess Consort of King Ding, which took them by surprise.

The very same King Ding, whose marriage had been the talk of the entire capital, had finally chosen his consort, and it was none other than the county princess they had admired. And not only were they married, but they also had children now!

Haha! This must have been a huge shock to all those high-society young ladies in the capital who had been eyeing the position of Princess Consort!

Tian Mi had Xia Zhu and Xia Ju bring tea and snacks, and they sat down to chat.

Lin Yuqing spoke up, “Princess Consort, you really took us by surprise! My mother laughed all day at home, saying that so many families had been eyeing the position of Princess Consort, and it was the best thing that you managed to win it.”

Tian Mi chuckled inwardly. She knew Bai Mucheng had a good reputation, being handsome and of high status, but she hadn’t realized just how well-liked he was!

Indeed, being a consort was simple and straightforward! Those elegant young ladies surely couldn’t outdo someone like her—Tian Mi, who had taken matters into her own hands.

Xu Feiyan, however, said, “He’s lucky! But Tian Mi, you can still take your time to choose.”

This remark stunned everyone!

What did she mean? Could Tian Mi really find someone better than King Ding?

Tian Mi smiled and replied, “That’s all in the past now. Let’s not talk about it!”

She then changed the topic and asked Peng Dan, “Now that you’ve left the palace, what are your plans?”

Peng Dan, who had been chosen as a court musician at the age of fifteen, was highly skilled at playing the guqin, though her appearance was average. Now that she had grown older, she had left the palace. But she was an extremely proper person, and her first action after leaving the palace was to visit the Lin residence to express her gratitude. Last time, her stay in the palace had helped her gain some recognition, and she received a generous severance. The Lin family, instead of looking down on her for being just an ordinary musician, treated her as an honored guest. They even wrote an invitation to take her to visit the Princess Consort, which she had been looking forward to.

The next day, Tian Mi became the Princess Consort, but she still warmly received Peng Dan. The Lin residence, with its humble atmosphere and two other girls from ordinary backgrounds, made Peng Dan feel very comfortable.

Peng Dan respectfully said, “Princess Consort, I have many sisters and friends in the capital, with whom I’ve learned the art of music. I was thinking of opening a music studio with them, so that we could earn a little income.”

Tian Mi’s eyes lit up. “That’s a great idea! When do you plan to open?”

Peng Dan blushed slightly and replied, “We’ve opened a small music studio on Huazhen Street. It’s not very big, but it will open in a few days. My master has connections with several teahouses, and our people will perform there, which should bring in some income. By the way, the piece you taught me last time, would it be okay for me to perform it?”

Tian Mi said, “Of course you can perform it!”

After thinking for a moment, she added, “I also have another piece of music. Would you dare to learn it and perform it?”

Everyone exchanged looks—what was this new piece? And why was she asking if Peng Dan dared to perform it?

Peng Dan asked, “Why do you say that, Princess Consort?”

Tian Mi explained, “A friend of mine composed this piece based on real events, and I’ve been looking for someone to perform it. However, performing it could offend certain people.”

In the capital, where everyone was connected, it was difficult to remain uninvolved. Peng Dan was no longer a naive young girl.

She asked, “If I offend someone, will you protect me, Princess Consort?”

Tian Mi liked speaking to such perceptive people—she was very smart!

She nodded and said, “I can protect you in the capital.”

Peng Dan immediately smiled and said, “In that case, I’m not afraid of anything!”

However, this matter still needed to remain secret. They would announce it publicly in two days. Tian Mi asked Peng Dan to bring her musicians to the Princess Consort’s residence for a two-day stay so they could rehearse. After that, they would be ready to perform.

Peng Dan immediately made arrangements and asked Tian Mi to send a few people to help carry the instruments.

Tian Mi was very fond of this straightforward girl. In fact, she wanted to send someone with her to make sure nothing went wrong and that the news didn’t leak out.

The two Lin sisters were also sensible and didn’t ask too many questions. Tian Mi took them to her garden and gave them a few bottles of floral foundation as a gift.

At that moment, Xu Yunfei arrived, holding a large wooden sign that read “Shizi Xin” (The Heart of the Scholar).

He said to Tian Mi and Feiyan, “Princess Consort, Feiyan, the name for the bookstore has been decided.”

Lin Yixue looked at the sign and asked, “Are you planning to open a bookstore as well, Princess Consort?”