Chapter 125 Part 2

 

Xuyu could understand Zhou He’s disappointment.

From the first day he started painting, he must have been thinking about this work, which would be unveiled to the world with the emperor’s birthday celebration, revealing its stunning and peerless true appearance. This masterpiece, like a brilliant spark, was destined to be extraordinary. It would most likely reproduce the myth of Ye Zhongli’s old painting in Yong’an Hall. After the grand ceremony of the tribute from all nations, it would become a new glorious totem known and admired by the whole Chang’an and even the whole world. It was a symbol of peace and tranquility in the holy dynasty.

How great it is, how exciting it is!

However, now, such a vision may not be realized.

It would be just a mural. A mural painted on a palace gate or in a magnificent palace that would be forever closed. The only difference between this and other murals in the world was that its name is “The Celestial and the Capital”.

That’s all.

“From today on, you don’t have to rush. Just take a rest and finish painting the mural.” Xuyu said.

Zhou He seemed to wake up from a dream and answered yes.

“You don’t need to be too disappointed.”

Xuyu looked around at this magnificent palace surrounded by giant pillars and reaching as high as the sky, and spoke out to comfort him again.

“This palace is not an ordinary palace. It was built in the style of Yong’an Palace. Even if it is not opened this time, it will have other uses in the future. The murals will definitely not be left covered in dust forever.”

“I understand. Thank you, Princess! I was confused for a moment, please forgive me!” Zhou He apologized repeatedly.

Xuyu smiled and replied, “You have done nothing wrong. You painted such a mural for the court, which is commendable. In the past, Yao Xu joined the party of the deposed Empress Liu. After investigation, he was found to have committed the crime of corruption and bribery and has been expelled from the court. Jixian Hall is currently short of a painting director. Once you finish the mural here, you can take over the position.”

Zhou He thanked her again.

“You deserved it. I heard that Yao Xu used to suppress you a lot. From now on, you can continue to hone your painting skills in the painting department with peace of mind. In time, you will become a master.”

In fact, according to convention, those who could serve as the director in Jixian Hall, in addition to the basic requirement of superb painting skills, also need a certain reputation and qualifications. Many of those who had previously held this position were even founders of their own artistic schools. And this time, Zhou He was promoted to the position of director so quickly, bypassing the deputy director. In addition to his painting skills being indeed qualified for this position, it was also carried an element of compensation—a gesture, perhaps, to make amends for the circumstance.

After the matter was settled, Xuyu, preoccupied with other concerns, casted a glance at the darkening sky beyond the hall’s doors. Without lingering further, she instructed Zhou He that there was no need to see her off.

Zhou He insisted on seeing her off.

Xuyu walked out of the hall and was about to leave when she heard footsteps behind her.

“Princess, please stay!”

Zhou He hurried after her, silent at first. Then, without a word, he knelt and bowed deeply. Xuyu could tell that he had something else on his mind—his hesitation and discomfort were written all over his face. Amused, she said, “Is there something else? Speak freely.”

Zhou He bowed again. This time, as he straightened, it seemed he had finally made up his mind: “Although I was born in a painter’s family, I have been familiar with the classics since I was a child, aspiring to serve the country as an official. In my youth I participated in the imperial examinations as a provincial tribute student, but each time, I failed to pass. Later, I stayed in Chang’an, making a living through painting, yet whenever I had the time, I continued to study and refine my writings, never allowing myself the slightest neglect.

“The Princess has now granted me an extraordinary promotion, appointing me as Painting Director. While I am deeply grateful, I also feel unworthy and undeserving of such a heavy responsibility. I beg the Princess to reconsider and revoke the order. Furthermore, with the regular examinations set to open next spring, I have already missed the chance to register for this autumn’s provincial examinations due to my painting duties. If the Princess truly believes I have some merit, may I humbly ask for a recommendation letter in my favor—one that would allow me to enter the imperial examinations?”

He said this carefully, then kowtowed solemnly.

“The Princess is a great benefactor in my life. You have helped me in every way. Without the Princess, I would not be who I am today! If the Princess can give me the recommendation letter this time, so that I can participate in the examination next spring, in the future, if I am lucky enough to be successful examinee, I will be loyal to the Princess and repay you for your kindness!”

It turned out that he was not interested in painting, but in becoming an official.

After a brief moment of surprise, Xuyu soon understood. No matter how high the painter’s official rank was, he was still a miscellaneous official. How could it compare with the civil servants who were promoted through the Jinshi degree? The civil servants were those who would be able to climb the rank and become the prime ministers of the emperor in the future.

However, the imperial examination for the jinshi degree admitted only a handful of candidates each year—out of countless scholars across the country, merely twenty or thirty would be selected. To have one’s name inscribed on the Wild Goose Pagoda or to secure a seat at the Peony Banquet was an achievement of almost unimaginable difficulty.

If she followed his request and provided him with a recommendation letter, it would be tantamount to personally endorsing his success in the examination. Given her status, once she spoke on his behalf, no matter who the chief examiner was, they would undoubtedly show her some degree of deference.

This was somewhat unfair to other scholars.

Seeing her hesitate, Zhou He hurriedly said, “If the Princess does not believe my writing, I can compile some of my works. Whether it’s classic interpretations, commentaries, policy essays, or miscellaneous proses, I will present it to you. You may review them first before making a decision.”

Xuyu thought for a moment, then smiled and said, “No need. I remember when I first went to Chongren Lane Inn to look for you, I saw a lot of poems and manuscripts in your room. Even in adversity, you still remember to serve the country—I admire that. And I believe in your talent. However, I’m afraid that the letter of recommendation you ask for may be somewhat inconvenient. But—”

She paused.

“Since you have missed this round, how about waiting another year? I can recommend you to enter the Imperial Academy first. There, you can prepare further, and next year, if you perform well, you may take the examination as an academy student. That way, it will be justified and proper, and with your ability, earning a place on the list should not be difficult. What do you think?”

Zhou He didn’t know whether to be disappointed or surprised. He was stunned for a moment and bowed hurriedly: “The humble one understand. Thank you, Princess, for the arrangement. The humble one… is very willing…”

Xuyu nodded: “Then it’s settled.”

That evening, when she left the palace and returned to Yongning Mansion, the whole mansion came out to greet her, and everyone was in high spirits.

When He shi saw her, she was so delighted that her eyes turned red and she almost cried on the spot.

After the accident in the Forbidden Garden, she only came back once, then entered the palace, and never showed up again.

This was her first time back to Yongning Mansion after such a long time.

In the past two months, she had been in the palace. Prince Consort was imprisoned in a separate courtyard in the mansion because of his involvement in the case of Prince Kang. Except for delivering meals, the servants in the mansion were not allowed to see him. There were rumors everywhere that the princess was going to sever her relationship with him. He shi kept worrying about this. Then, a few days ago, prince consort suddenly took Qingtou out quietly. No one knew where he went, and only came back a few days ago.

Fortunately, after returning from this trip, the people who were watching him disappeared, and he seemed to be fine. His official post was reinstated, but he went out early and came back late every day without saying a word. And the princess still did not come back.

If Qingtou hadn’t secretly told He shi that the princess would be back in the next few days, He shi would have been so anxious that she wanted to go to the Eastern Capital herself to ask the old patriarch for advice.

Tonight, the princess finally arrived. After He shi led the people to perform the greeting, she took a quick look and found that the princess looked much thinner. Under the light, her face was pale and she seemed to be lacking in energy. He shi felt distressed and hurriedly led her into the bedroom.

In the past few days, in anticipation for the princess’s arrival, the bedroom had been kept warm with a brazier. She invited Xuyu to sit on a couch covered with soft fur by the fire, then had the maid to bring hot tea and asked what she would like to eat, saying that she would make it for her right away.

Having stayed in the palace for nearly two months, Xuyu had been preoccupied daily with attending to her father, handling affairs on his behalf, and relaying official decrees. The vast halls were cold and desolate, and those around her were cautious palace servants who had long since learned to walk lightly. But tonight, returning here, she was met with bright lamplight, comforting warmth of the brazier, and faces brimming with joy. Unconsciously, she too felt warmth spreading in her heart.

She smiled and said that she had already had dinner in the palace, and told He shi not to trouble herself. He shi studied her face for a moment, then shook her head, saying she had grown noticeably thinner. She told her to wait and went off to prepare Eight-Treasures Soup for her.

“…Princess, please take a rest first. The Eight Treasures Soup needs to be simmered slowly. I used to make it for Lady Cui—it’s especially good for nourishing a woman’s blood and complexion. I remember back then, Young Master was only five or six years old, he used to love it too. But later, it was my fault—I carelessly mentioned that it was for women’s beauty. He overheard me, and no matter how much I coaxed him after that, he refused to eat it again…”

Recalling the past, He shi spoke casually, her brows and eyes filled with a gentle smile.

“Once it’s ready, it’ll be perfect for a midnight snack.”

She instructed Zhu’er and the others to take good care of the princess. Before leaving, she added, “Prince Consort came back very late last night. I asked him, and he said there was official business at the government office. I guess he didn’t know the Princess would come back tonight. I’ll tell Qingtou to call him back!”

“No need! Wait until he finishes his work, and then let him go back by himself.” Xuyu said.

He shi had no choice but to agree, and then hurried out of the room to prepare supper.

Xuyu sat for a while, and her hands and feet, which had been a little cold on the way back, gradually warmed up. She took a bath with the help of the maids, and after coming out, she changed into her usual nightgown and walked into the inner room. When she looked up and saw a gauze canopy hanging on the opposite fragrant wood bed, she was startled.

This curtain… seemed to be the one she had paid Qingtou to buy for Pei Xiaoyuan in the West Market a long time ago.

“Where did this come from?” she couldn’t help but ask.

Zhu’er, who followed in, hurriedly explained.

“It was just put up during the day. Amu said that the princess would be back soon, so she cleaned up the house to welcome you. When Brother Qingtou found out, he said that he had a curtain that Princess had asked him to buy for Prince Consort, and it cost him ten thousand coins! At that time, Princess was still a young painter, and Prince Consort lived in the government office. Unexpectedly, Prince Consort didn’t want to use it, so he asked Brother Qingtou to return it to the Princess. Brother Qingtou said that Princess seemed to be angry at the time and asked him to throw it away, but he couldn’t bear to do it, so he kept it secretly until now. After hearing this, Amu sighed and said that Prince Consort didn’t know how to appreciate Princess’s kindness. It would be a pity if such a good thing was not used and left for a long time, and in the end eaten by moths and got damaged, so she decided to hang it up.”

Zhu’er covered her mouth and laughed, while imitating the tone of voice of several people speaking during the day, which was quite vivid.

Xuyu stopped in front of the bed, looked at it, and recalled the scene at that time. For a moment, she felt as if she was in another world.

“Princess, what’s wrong with you? Don’t you like it?” Zhu’er suddenly realized that she didn’t respond and asked carefully.

“If Princess doesn’t like it, I’ll tell Amu and I’ll change it right away…”

Xuyu slowly walked to the bed.

“It looks great, let’s hang it up.”

She raised her hand, touched the drooping edge of the soft, cloud-like curtain, and smiled.

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