Chapter 148: Destiny

Chapter 148: Destiny

"Pomegranate! Push higher! Even higher!"

Huayang's voice, filled with the distinctive naivety of a child, echoed through the entire Mingluan Hall, bathed in the afternoon sunlight.

Jiang Hui glanced out the window and saw Huayang and Nian'er swinging together. The goose-yellow skirt fluttered in the wind, bringing a smile to her eyes. Yet in a flash, she lowered her head, her gaze lingering on the letter in her hand, uncertain whether to open it or not.

The envelope was sealed with beeswax and unopened, with no writing on the outside.

Initially, after Marquis Ningyuan evaded her question, Jiang Hui knew she couldn't glean anything from her father for the time being. Her mother's illness existed before her birth, and perhaps the old King Rui knew something about those past events. Therefore, when Princess Shouchang visited the palace to pay respects before the New Year, Jiang Hui hinted at her intentions.

King Rui, Emperor Gaozong's younger brother, lived a life of prudence, always feigning ignorance or gaining clarity as the situation demanded. His willingness to write a letter perhaps indicated that the matter was not as full of conspiracies and schemes as she initially thought, or perhaps, the truth was not as she had suspected.

Jiang Hui carefully opened the envelope with a small knife and took out the thrice-folded letter inside, gently unfolding it.

"…In the sixth year of Ding'an, Chengping had just come of age and was married to your father Jiang Yan. Anning, have you ever wondered why you were only born in the thirteenth year of Qianning?"

King Rui's letter was written in a familiar tone, almost like ordinary family talk, as if an elderly uncle was leisurely recounting old stories to his grandniece under the veranda.

"…Marquis Ningyuan was unwilling, Jiang Yan was unwilling, Chengping was unwilling. The only ones willing were Emperor Gaozong, the court's scholars and warriors, and us, the royal relatives who had no way out and depended on Gaozong…"

"…Amidst chaos, the Xiongnu invaded the border. Marquis Ningyuan, along with his eldest and second sons, perished in battle. Jiang Yan was then urgently appointed to command the Northern Army, ultimately aligning completely with Emperor Gaozong…"

"…In the seventh year of Ding'an, Emperor Gaozong passed away, and the former Emperor ascended the throne. It wasn't until the sixth year of Qianning that the Great Zhou was finally reunified…"

"…I don't know how tormented your father felt facing Chengping, but Anning, you should know, your mother, being the legitimate princess, was always a proud girl. In the seventh year of Qianning, she suddenly fell gravely ill. At that time, Shouchang was young. After visiting her cousin, she told me that Chengping brought the illness upon herself. I scolded her for saying that, but now that you ask, Anning, I speak the truth to you…"

"…The former Emperor sent numerous imperial physicians, and your father climbed to the highest peak of Chong'a Mountain outside Zhenbei Pass to gather medicine, ultimately saving Chengping's life. After you were born in the thirteenth year of Qianning, Chengping's old ailment resurfaced, but she has been stable over the years…"

"…Your uncle, with one foot already in the coffin, reminisces about the past and tends to ramble, but there's one thing I want to say to Anning: sometimes, even destined relationships don't always end up perfect."

The letter was lengthy, filling three pages and slightly scented with medicine, seemingly written by old King Rui on his sickbed.

Jiang Hui read the letter with a calm demeanor, her fingertips holding the paper without a tremor. Yet, after finishing, she didn't immediately put it down, instead holding it silently for a long time.

It seemed like old King Rui said nothing, but in reality, he said everything.

Initially, the Ningyuan Marquis' residence didn't want to get involved in Emperor Gaozong's succession struggles but ultimately had no choice but to participate.

The Xiongnu taking advantage of Great Zhou's turmoil to invade was normal. Jiang Hui's grandfather and uncles thus sacrificed themselves for the country, a regrettable but honorable fate for the Ningyuan Marquis family. Yet, old King Rui's specific mention in the letter made this ordinary matter extraordinary. It was unclear how much of this was influenced by Emperor Gaozong and Prince Min.

How much of Emperor Qianning's favoritism towards his sister Chengping, his brother-in-law Ningyuan Marquis, and even his niece, stemmed from past events?

Jiang Hui exhaled softly, stuffed the letter back into the envelope, and handed it to Qiukui standing beside her: "Burn this."

"Yes," Qiukui took the envelope and quietly left.

Jiang Hui sat by the window, resting her arms as she watched the two children playing in the courtyard.

The swing was still moving, but Nian'er and Huayang were no longer on it. The former stood under the lush pomegranate tree, looking up, while the latter… had rolled up her sleeves and tied her skirt, using her hands and feet to climb the tree trunk, attempting to ascend the tree.

"Qingfeng, surrounded by a group of young eunuchs, stood under the tree, hands outstretched in case Princess Huayang fell. Yet, undeterred and bold, Huayang ignored the calls from Shi Liu and Hong Ying below, continuing her eager climb."

"As she climbed, she joyfully called out, 'Brother, Huayang is picking pomegranate flowers!'"

"Perhaps thinking of her caretaker, Sister Shi Liu, she laughed heartily."

"It was summer, and the lotus buds in the courtyard pond were pointed, the pomegranate blossoms ignited the tree in flames, and Xue Xue lay lazily on a branch, round eyes gazing down, reflecting the jubilant smile of her young mistress."

"Nian'er called from below, 'There’s a ladder, you know.'"

"Jiang Hui withdrew her gaze, realizing her lips had curved into a smile. Feeling suddenly uplifted, she said to Wan Song, 'Are the ice bowls ready? Call Nian'er and Huayang in soon; it's too hot outside, and staying in the sun for long isn’t good.'"

"'They're ready,' Wan Song replied with a grin, 'but you, my lady, mustn't sneak a taste. Last time, His Highness caught you.'"

"Although Jiang Hui's health had improved greatly since the first year of Jianzhao, the Emperor remained concerned. Given that Nian'er was often unwell, he specially instructed him to monitor Jiang Hui, ensuring neither indulged in too many ice bowls during summer."

"Aware that he could actually have a bit more, Nian'er obediently limited himself to just half a bowl daily and took his father's words to heart, earnestly ensuring his mother didn't sneak extra servings, inquiring Wan Song daily."

"Jiang Hui smiled, 'Understood, this palace knows.'"

"Picking up a blue-covered booklet from the table, she continued, 'Lady Lu's biography is well-written, and her scholarship is impressive. I intend to promote her to Noble Lady to assist me in completing this book.'"

"Jiang Hui, a keen reader of history since her youth, noted that it mostly centered on men, save for 'Biographies of Exemplary Women,' which told stories of women. But these biographies largely extolled virtues of fidelity and righteousness. While there’s nothing wrong with these virtues, Jiang Hui yearned to read about more than just that. Weren't the deeds of the Princess Protector of the previous dynasty worth recording and passing down?"

"However, the Great Zhou, though more lenient towards women than its predecessor, still had many unspoken constraints. Writing a true history of women required careful consideration, ensuring not to provoke criticism from the scholars."

"Lady Lu clearly understood the delicacy of this matter."