Chapter 129: Father and Daughter

Chapter 129: Father and Daughter

"Liushuang Pavilion?" Jiang Hui repeated.

"Yes." While helping her into a lighter cardamom skirt, Wan Song continued, "Sun Baolin, the half-sister of Concubine Sun, lives in the Liushuang Pavilion of Yufu Palace."

Jiang Hui nodded slightly, putting on her outer robe with wide sleeves, and said indifferently, "Let them make noise, it'll amuse Consort He."

"Yes," replied Wan Song.

"How is Princess Huaiqing doing now?" Jiang Hui inquired about another matter.

"I've heard a few more doses of calming herbal tea should greatly improve her condition. Consort De has already moved back to Guangyang Palace from Liu Shuang Pavilion," Wan Song replied quietly, adjusting Jiang Hui's palace sash. "There's word from the palace that Princess Huaiqing might request the Emperor's permission to personally care for the Second Prince."

"Personally care for him?" Jiang Hui was somewhat surprised.

"Yes," Wan Song confirmed, her expression showing a trace of solemnity.

In her view, Princess Huaiqing was just a young girl, soon to turn eight, and the Second Prince was barely over two years old. Logically, the Emperor wouldn't agree. However, given the recent events with Wang Shi, the Emperor was extra sympathetic towards Princess Huaiqing, and with the Second Prince's sensitive status, it wasn't advisable to entrust him to other consorts. There was a possibility the Emperor might agree.

After all, Princess Huaiqing had lost her mother, her maternal family, and had no siblings. With Wang Shi's repeated targeting of Jiang Hui, it was inconvenient to bring her to her care. When she marries in the future, despite her princess status, she might still suffer in secret. The Emperor's presence could shield her, but if he were gone, having the Second Prince, whom she raised from childhood and shared a close bond with, would provide her some support.

"Is Princess Huaiqing's idea her own, or did someone suggest it to her?" Jiang Hui quietly asked.

"Most in Liu Shuang Pavilion were handpicked by Grand Eunuch Sheng An under the Emperor's orders. No one dares to gossip in front of Princess Huaiqing," Wan Song immediately replied.

"I see," Jiang Hui responded indifferently, without further instructions.

Unable to help herself, Wan Song asked, "My Lady, won’t you discuss this with the Emperor? If he intends to make you the Empress, there's no reason to have a princess raise the prince. If word gets out, you..."

"Say what?" Jiang Hui, sitting back at the dressing table, took off her hair ornament and allowed Wan Song to comb her hair. "It's best for me to say nothing. Even if the Emperor refuses, won't Princess Huaiqing care for the Second Prince herself? In a couple more years, he will enter Yanqing Palace anyway."

"But," Wan Song hesitated, "what if the Emperor actually agrees..."

"The Emperor may hesitate, but he won't agree," Jiang Hui said with a slight smile.

As Jiang Hui had thought, the Emperor visited Yaohua Palace to seek her opinion before declining Princess Huaiqing's request.

It was drizzling that day when the Emperor, umbrella in hand, came over. After dinner with Jiang Hui and the children, and putting Nian'er and Huayang to bed, he instructed the attendants to prepare for a bath.

Yaohua Palace's west annex had its own bathhouse, where the sound of flowing water from the bronze Xuanming corners mingled with the drizzle outside, creating a dreamy atmosphere.

Jiang Hui, wrapped in a sheer robe, approached the pool barefoot, scattering wood hibiscus petals on the water.

Emperor Xiaosheng leaned against the pool wall, admiring the enchanting scene of a beauty entering the water, his eyes devoid of any urgent desire. He pulled Jiang Hui close, smiling, "Does Hui'er know how to swim?"

Women usually didn't learn swimming, but after accidentally falling into Liubo Lake while visiting Qingning Villa with Princess Chengping, Jiang Hui had expressed her desire to learn.

Princess Anning's words were fierce, and though her voice was hoarse from being wrapped in a thick cloak, it was still clear enough for the Third Prince and the Heir of An Kingdom, who had rushed over from the bridge, to hear clearly.

"A little bit," Jiang Hui unexpectedly replied to the Emperor's question, her face showing slight embarrassment. Then, leaning closer, the droplets from her hair falling onto Xiao Sheng, she playfully suggested, "Does Your Majesty intend to teach me in this pool?"

"Why not?" Xiao Sheng raised an eyebrow, stood up from the water, and personally adjusted the angle of the bronze Xuanming lantern.

The water flow became more intense, and he extended a hand towards Jiang Hui, beckoning, "Hui'er, come."

By the time everything was done, night had fallen deep. Xiao Sheng carried Jiang Hui back to the main house, where they lay on a raised bed, airing their hair.

Holding Jiang Hui's fingertips, Xiao Sheng said, "The Imperial Astronomer has selected several dates. I favor the second day of the second month next year. What do you think, Hui'er?"

The second day of the second month, the Dragon Raises Its Head. It's a good day, as everyone in the Ningyuan Marquis’s household had ended their mourning period.

Lying on Xiao Sheng, Jiang Hui lazily said, "I think it's quite suitable."

Xiao Sheng caressed her still slightly rosy cheeks, smiling, "The preparations for the imperial robe must begin... I've already ordered the Palace Affairs Department to repaint the Fengyi Palace with pepper and clay. It should be ready by then."

After a pause, he added, "Let Quan Fu come tomorrow. If you have any changes or additions, tell him everything."

"Hmm," Jiang Hui responded, her voice low and weary.

"Your hair is still wet." Xiao Sheng sat her up, grabbed a clean cloth from the side, and began to dry her hair.

"Your Majesty, let me do it," Jiang Hui said, sounding more awake.

"I'll do it," Emperor Xiaosheng insisted as he twisted Jiang Hui's hair, discussing like any ordinary couple, "Another matter, Huaiqing recently told me she wants to personally care for Xuan'er. She's still too young, and I'm inclined to disagree. What does Hui'er think?"

Hearing this, Jiang Hui considered the Emperor's perspective: "Princess Huaiqing is still young and has suddenly lost her mother. Now that the Second Princess is under Consort Yi's care, it's natural for her to pay more attention to the Second Prince. If Your Majesty abruptly rejects her request right after her nightmares have ceased, it might be distressing for her."

Emperor Xiaosheng paused in his task and sighed, "Does Hui'er have a solution?"

Jiang Hui, understanding the situation, pondered for a moment before suggesting, "Your Majesty clearly cherishes your children. If you decide against it, my suggestion is to increase Princess Huaiqing's fief."

She did not specify by how much.

Typically, a Great Zhou princess's fief ranges from 300 to 350 households. Those favored by the Emperor might have more, like Princess Huayang, Xiaojing, who received 500 households upon birth. Princess Huaiqing currently also has a fief of 500 households.

Emperor Xiaosheng frowned in thought, then nodded, "Let's follow Hui'er's advice."

The next day, an imperial edict increased Princess Huaiqing's fief to 600 households.