Chapter 23.1
The Crown Prince, now twenty-four years old, has always been alone.
There were many voices urging the Crown Prince to take a concubine, but he never paid them any attention. The Emperor and Empress knew their son's ambitions and temperament and never pressured him verbally.
But as parents, watching their son grow year by year without someone by his side to share his joys and sorrows, how could they not feel a pang of sorrow and melancholy?
The sudden appointment of Zhaoxun by the Crown Prince brought great joy to the Emperor and Empress.
After the court dispersed, the Emperor went straight to the Inner Palace. The Empress had just opened the treasury and was busy preparing rewards for Zhao Heng.
"Just one Zhaoxun, why go to such trouble?" the Emperor joked as he looked at the treasures in the treasury.
"Just one Zhaoxun, why does Your Majesty rush to me for news right after the court disperses?" The Empress ignored his teasing and had the palace maid bring over a few strings of gemstones for selection. "But you are mistaken, Your Majesty. Children grow up and have their own minds. He kept it well hidden, and I only found out about it today."
The Emperor shook his head, sighed deeply, and a hint of disappointment flickered on his face.
Looking at the ruby presented by the palace servant, he suggested, "I remember the Nanzhao country sent a few strings of ruby pomegranates last year. The symbol is good, for many children bring much happiness. I hope Lang'er and Zhaoxun will have many descendants in the future."
The Empress glanced at him disdainfully. "Really lacking in sentiment."
Just appointed and thinking about future generations.
"Bring those pair of Swan Long Letter (Changxin) Palace Lanterns." She ignored him, continued to instruct the palace maid to move things, paused, then felt it was inappropriate and said, "Forget it, let's go with the Twin Lotus Palace Lanterns."
The Emperor glanced at her, "I think the Swans are more beautiful."
The Empress looked at him with a bit of speechlessness, and then a trace of anger flashed in her eyes. "Swans are birds of purity. If bestowed upon Lang'er primary consort, it would be appropriate, but on Zhaoxun... it may not be suitable."
The Emperor felt a bit embarrassed and lifted his hand slowly, covering his mouth as he cleared his throat softly.
Hearing this, the Empress furrowed her brows, quickly put down what she was holding, took out a handkerchief from her sleeve, and handed it to him, part scolding and part sympathetic, and helped him walk out. "The treasury has not been opened for a long time, full of dust. Why did you come here? Be careful not to provoke old wounds. Let's go, I'll accompany you outside for a while."
When Li Wenjian was young, they were busy with wars, and there was almost no time to return home, so he was fostered at An's family house and had little interaction with them. It was only after the world was settled that he was brought back to their side.
In the span of several decades, the child who had been in swaddling clothes had grown into a half-grown youth in the blink of an eye.
They had rarely fulfilled their responsibilities as parents, and after returning to the palace, the Emperor spent every day teaching him by his side. But the gap of more than ten years between father and son could never be bridged.
For the sake of the country and family, they had to leave behind their hungry children. Naturally, they understood Li Wenjian's reluctance to be bound by family ties and his ambitions in the south and north, which was why they did not urge him to marry or have children, focusing on the succession of the country.
But that did not mean they did not hope for him to have a companion by his side, with descendants around their knees.
Although this time he only appointed Zhaoxun, she was the first woman he had acknowledged in over twenty years.
Since he chose her, it must be something he liked.
Naturally, they were concerned.
Zhao Heng had not yet returned to the palace, and the rewards from the Emperor and Empress had already been sent to the Changqiu Hall.
Both inside and outside the palace, people keenly felt the situation and gifts flowed into the Changqiu Hall like a river.
Therefore, as soon as Zhao Heng was received in the Changqiu Hall, the first thing she saw was the overflowing rewards and gifts.
A smiling woman in the hall welcomed Zhao Heng, introducing herself as Lin Mama, the Crown Prince's wet nurse, who would attend to her in the Changqiu Hall. Lin Mama then led her to the mountains of pearls and jade, saying, "These are all given by His Majesty and Her Majesty. The gifts over there are from the princes and princesses of the palace."
Zhao Heng squinted her eyes, looking a bit confused.
Lin Mama reached out to a palace maid beside her, who promptly handed her a booklet. Lin Mama passed the booklet to Zhaoling, explaining, "These gifts have already been categorized and recorded. Take a look."
Zhao Heng pursed her lips, flipping through the pages of the booklet, then looked up, a hint of embarrassment in her eyes. "Mama, I don't know many characters. I can't recognize a lot of them..."
Lin Mama was briefly taken aback. The Crown Prince appreciated women like the Empress, elegant and full of literary grace.
Meeting her new mistress for the first time, Lin Mama was indeed initially impressed by her beauty and pleased that the Crown Prince had found such a talented and beautiful woman.
She never expected her to be illiterate.
Her disappointment was evident in her lowered gaze.
Zhao Heng noticed Lin Mama's change in demeanor, feeling increasingly awkward, her fingers nervously clenched.
Quickly adjusting her emotions, Lin Mama understood that it was not her place to judge whether the Crown Prince's choice was good or bad. She was here to serve Zhao Heng in Changqiu Palace, and she should do so wholeheartedly.
Taking the account book, she smiled gently at Zhao Heng and said, "It's okay. I can recognize a few characters. I'll read them out to you so you know what's written."
Lin Mama's kind and warm smile was reassuring. Zhao Heng had rarely smiled in recent days and had seen few smiling faces. Lin Mama's gentle kindness lifted her spirits. She returned the smile and said softly, "Thank you, Mama."
"You're too polite," Lin Mama replied.
She proceeded to read through the account book.
The chamber was filled with piles of gifts that Zhao Heng had never heard of. After Lin Mama finished reading, Zhao Heng struggled to remember any of the words.
"Do you want to take a look at them again, Zhaoxun?" Mrs. Lin asked.
Zhao Heng shook her head, saying it wasn't necessary. She struggled with reading the names, let alone remembering them.
Lin Mama had Zhao Heng escorted to the sleeping quarters to rest while she organized the items methodically in the storage room.
As Zhao Heng sat by the bed in the chamber, her back, tense all morning, finally relaxed, a few beads of sweat slipping down her spine.
Surveying the furnishings in the room, she felt a surreal sensation.
Was this going to be her future home?
She walked to the window, knelt on the soft couch, and raised her arm to pull back the windproof felt curtain hanging on the window frame. A gentle breeze blew in, causing the pearl curtains at the lattice to sway softly.
The room brightened up.
"Zhaoxun, the maids from the palace bureau are here."
A palace maid called from outside, and Zhao Heng felt a moment of confusion. "What people?"
"Your personal attendants."
"Oh," Zhao Heng responded, gathering her skirt and stepping out.
To her surprise, she saw Bing Tao and Lian Zhou standing in the room.
When Lian Zhou saw Zhaoling, her face immediately lit up with a smile. She joyfully approached and choked out, "Zhao Heng," before kneeling down.
Bing Tao was briefly distracted but followed suit, kneeling alongside Lian Zhou.
Zhao Heng hurriedly helped them up, her eyes moist with emotion as she asked, "How did you two get here?"
"Yesterday, Aunt Liu said that the palace arranged for me and Bing Tao to go somewhere else, and today we found out it was to serve you. I was surprised... how could we... I thought... Since that night you ran off suddenly, I had no news of you, and I thought you..." Lian Zhou's eyes welled up with tears before she could finish her sentence, her words broken and tearful.
Zhao Heng's lips curved up as she gently embraced Lian Zhou, saying softly, "It's okay, don't cry. I'm fine."
Lian Zhou sniffled, looking around with a sense of unreality. "You being safe is really good! Seeing you is great!"
Zhao Heng shook her head in resignation, softly wiping the tears from Lian Zhou's face.
At that moment, Lin Mama entered the room. Behind her, palace maids carried two palace lamps. She asked Zhaoling, "These are the palace lamps bestowed by His Majesty and Her Majesty. Do you want them placed in the sleeping quarters or the storage room?"
Zhao Heng looked up, blinked in confusion, unsure of how to handle the situation as a new mistress. She was torn between placing them in the sleeping quarters to avoid damage or in the storage room to show respect to the monarchs.
Lin Mama smiled and reassured her, "His Majesty and Her Majesty are benevolent elders. It is their gesture, and having them in the sleeping quarters for daily use is not a problem."
Zhao Heng gazed at the lamps.
The two lamps were exquisitely crafted, with colorful glass lampshades on candleholders and intricate wooden frames shaped like blooming lotus flowers. Dewdrops on the flower leaves were inset with transparent gemstones, shimmering with a rainbow shine even without lighting, a dazzling and magnificent sight.
She nodded, "Then let's place them in the sleeping quarters."
Lin Mama approved, directing the palace maids to position the lamps at either end of the bed. Before leaving, she sought Zhao Heng's permission, "His Majesty and Her Majesty have generously rewarded you. Could you tell me when His Highness will take you to express your gratitude? I can prepare in advance."
Zhao Heng hesitated. Since parting ways with Li Wenjian at the palace, they had not met again.
Having lived in the palace for ten years, she was still unfamiliar with court affairs.
"His Highness is currently occupied with the spring rituals, and being unavailable is understandable," Lin Mama explained, noting Zhaoling's slightly dim expression.
Zhao Heng nodded, "His Highness's duties are paramount, and I will abide by his arrangements."
Lin Mama observed a glimmer of approval in Zhao Heng's eyes. She had expected someone as stunning as Zhao Heng to be somewhat delicate, but she was impressed by her composure and poise. Despite lacking in literacy, her character was admirable.
As she was silently praising her, Zhao Heng spoke again, "Mama, there is another favor I'd like to ask of you."
"What is it?"
Zhao Heng said, "Could you teach me how to read? My family was poor, and I never had the chance to read many books or recognize many characters."
Lin Mama was initially surprised but then politely declined, "My knowledge is limited, and I fear that I may mislead you. I dare not promise such a task, Zhaoxun."
"It's fine," Zhao Heng shook her head, a faint smile on her face. "I don't aim to become a scholar with endless riches; I just hope to be able to read and write with some effort."
Looking up at Lin Mama, her eyes shimmering with water, Zhao Heng spoke softly and gently, "I'm sure Mama wouldn't want me to bring shame to His Highness and the Eastern Palace in the future, right?"
This reason left Lin Mama with no room for refusal. She could only nod gently and immediately instructed the palace maids to prepare writing tools.
Zhao Heng had long desired to learn reading and writing but lacked the opportunity. Growing up in a village without much means, she couldn't afford to go to school. As a girl, sneaking into a school to listen to lessons would lead to expulsion.
In the palace, she was too busy to pursue such a task. She remembered Bai Yu, who knew of her wish to learn and once tried to lend her a set of children's enlightenment books. However, when Fu Ling discovered her studying in secret, she intentionally knocked over a candle, burning the books.
Bai Yu, Fu Ling...