Chapter 157: Entering the Palace to Offer Birthday Greetings

Clearly, the Duke of Wei had finally set his sights on the Grand Empress Dowager. If he could win her favor, she might make an exception and grant the title of Shuren to his second son’s wife—the woman from the Fang Family.

In the Great Ming, among women granted titles, first and second rank were called Furen, commonly known as “imperial mandate ladies.” Third rank was Shuren, fourth rank was Gongren, followed by Yiren, Anren, and Ruren among others.

If the second wife of the Xu Family became a third-rank Shuren, in this era where men were superior to women, how could the imperial court allow the wife of the Xu Family’s second son—a fourth-rank hereditary Commander—to actually hold a higher third-rank Shuren title?

The most likely outcome was that, to avoid such a situation, an exception would be made to promote the Xu Family’s second son. When that happened, additional imperial favors would likely follow.

This amounted to exploiting a loophole in the court system and trying to pull a fast one.

Yet behind this was an old man nearing the end of his life, making urgent arrangements for what would come after his passing!

One had to admit, such earnest efforts were quite touching.

Yu Daochun sighed and said, “Worldly people, after all, often fail to see through many matters.”

Liu Tianzheng smiled wryly and replied, “Even those outside the mundane world may not be able to see through all worldly affairs or sever all emotional ties.”

“True,” Yu Daochun laughed. “Come, come, let me read you a scripture.”

Liu Tianzheng smiled faintly, with a hint of jest, “Grandmaster Uncle, I’ve only just arrived and am weary from the journey. I expected a welcoming feast, but who knew I would only be treated to scriptures?”

“You’ll understand once you see it.” Yu Daochun’s face glowed, his eyes showing a trace of delight as he personally went to fetch the scripture.

This was precisely the “Collected Commentaries on the True Scripture of the Dao and Its Virtue.”

Liu Tianzheng chuckled inwardly, thinking this must be the scripture commentary his Grandmaster Uncle had personally compiled—no wonder he was so eager for him to take a look.

Liu Tianzheng took the scripture and immediately began reading. No sooner had he started than his expression changed, and he continued reading intently, his face full of visible astonishment.

If one observed closely, one might even notice his aged face showing a hint of shame.

Although they were of different generations, their years of cultivation were about the same, and they were close in age. Yu Daochun was Puji Zhenren, and he himself had been granted the title Realized Master of Dharma Propagation. Yet even though both were Perfected Masters, why was this Grandmaster Uncle so exceptional? The scripture he produced was truly… rare, perhaps not seen even once in three hundred years.

When he read the line, “The Sage embodies the Dao within himself. His mind is never wearied, his response to things has no fixed method. Thus all things arise together, responding as they are sensed—like a valley echoing a sound, the beautiful and the ugly both come without refusal. Therefore it is said: all things arise together without refusal,” Liu Tianzheng couldn’t help but shudder all over, feeling a certain sudden clarity.

He instinctively looked up, staring at Yu Daochun in amazement and said, “Grandmaster Uncle’s scriptural learning has advanced by leaps and bounds, reaching such an astonishing level!”

Yu Daochun could not help but show a bitter smile and said, “Even if I studied the scriptures for another thirty years, I fear I might not attain such insight.”

Liu Tianzheng was stunned, so shocked that his jaw seemed about to drop.

In the Northern Region, aside from Puji Zhenren, who else had such attainment?

He breathed rapidly and said in disbelief, “Don’t jest.”

Yu Daochun said gravely, “Where is the jest? This person is my junior fellow disciple, with extraordinary natural talent—a being descended from a Dao star into the mortal realm. My teacher singled him out and imparted all his Daoist learning to him. It’s a pity he isn’t here today, or else I’d have you see him with your own eyes.”

“Great Grandmaster Uncle…” Liu Tianzheng was too astonished to speak, his face full of surprise as he stared at Yu Daochun…

…

Early the next morning, while the sky was still dim, the Fang Family was already bustling with activity.

Fang Jifan wore his Qilin Uniform, fastened his Golden Belt, and carried the Imperial Sword. Although he appeared rather flashy, it didn’t seem out of place. If not for his somewhat poor reputation, he might have been considered a dashing young gentleman!

He was about to head out when he noticed that the study was still lit with candlelight this early in the morning.

He looked around, saw Deng Jian following him, and asked, “Is someone in the study? Those rascals like Tang Yin don’t know to save on candles at night?”

Deng Jian replied cautiously, “Young Lord, it’s the master. The master didn’t sleep all night and was in the study. He must have something on his mind.”

Ah… such a sentimental father.

Why couldn’t he just let things go?

Fang Jifan shook his head inwardly. His father was too emotional. Clearly, you’re a rough fellow who crawled out from battlefields and piles of corpses—do you have to be like this?

“Maybe the Young Lord should go check on him?” Deng Jian watched Fang Jifan’s expression carefully.

Lately, the Young Lord’s temper had worsened. He would kick and hit him at the slightest provocation. Old injuries hadn’t even healed yet, and he was still limping.

Fang Jifan shook his head, his expression cool. “Let’s go. Entering the palace and offering birthday wishes is what matters.”

The Grand Empress Dowager’s birthday was the top priority.

The Great Ming Dynasty followed Han traditions in governing the world with filial piety. Now that the Grand Empress Dowager was over seventy, and the current Emperor’s mother had passed away early, only this grandmother remained as the object of his filial devotion.

Civil and military officials had already submitted memorials days before, and numerous Hanlin Academicians competed to present congratulatory messages.

Although Mingfu were permitted to enter the palace at noon to offer birthday greetings, in reality, from the mao hour (5–7 a.m.) onward, they had no time for tea or food. They had long been busy bathing, changing clothes, and still feeling uneasy, they double-checked their birthday gifts. For this trip into the palace, many might not even get close to the Grand Empress Dowager; more could only bow from afar, standing over a hundred paces away. Yet the etiquette to be observed upon entering the palace, along with every word and phrase, had been prepared for months.

This birthday banquet was like a grand play. Everyone had their own role, and even if one was only the most minor character, they still needed to train for a long time just to display a fleeting moment of brilliance on stage.

The Duke of Wei’s Residence in the capital was also bustling with activity.

The elder wife, Lady Mu, urged everyone repeatedly, acting like the head of the household as she directed the servants to prepare, afraid of the slightest mishap.

She had a fiery temper, and none of the servants dared not tremble inwardly upon seeing her; no one dared make a mistake.

As the wife of the Duke of Wei’s Heir, she had early on been granted the third-rank Shuren title. Now she was wearing a golden-embroidered cape with cloud, mist, and peacock patterns, along with a bright red robe and skirt, looking entirely dignified. After looking around, she couldn’t help but ask,

“Is my sister-in-law still doing her makeup? What time is it already? On such an important day, she’s still dawdling? Has she no sense of propriety at all?”

The maid being questioned was too afraid to breathe heavily and replied, “The second wife…”

“Fine, let her be. In any case, she’s unimportant.” Lady Mu sat upright and took a sip of tea.

Just then, Fang-shi entered in full ceremonial dress, hurrying forward with small steps and bowing to Lady Mu.

“Sister-in-law…”

“You’ve come just in time.” Lady Mu nodded faintly and said, “In about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, we should enter the palace. The palace won’t wait for anyone.”

Then she turned to a maid nearby and said, “Go ask if the Realized Master of Dharma Propagation is ready. We can’t afford any delays. Also, check the birthday gifts again. Cross-reference them with the gift list, item by item.”

The maid bowed and withdrew.

Lady Mu’s gaze fell again upon Fang-shi.

“Once we enter the palace, you follow closely behind me. The palace rules are intricate. Do whatever I do. Don’t be like your nephew—completely lacking discipline. Originally, this palace visit could have allowed our Xu Family to shine, but I’ve heard some rumors. Your nephew is truly audacious; he actually helped others oppose the Zhou Family. The Zhou Family is the natal family of the Grand Empress Dowager. Even if Her Majesty is broad-minded, what might she be thinking inside?”

Fang-shi was being scolded but dared not respond. After a long while, she hesitated and said, “The child is just immature. Sister-in-law, why bother with him?”

Lady Mu curled her lips into a smile, but it carried a hint of mockery. “I heard you visited the Fang Family twice. Although it’s fine to go back home for a visit after arriving in the capital, it’s best to have less contact in the future. Our Xu Family can’t bear the consequences. The head of the family invited the Realized Master of Dharma Propagation to the palace to expound scriptures and offer birthday blessings to the Grand Empress Dowager. Don’t you understand his intentions? Yet you’re still entangled with the Fang Family. Are you deliberately trying to embarrass the Xu Family? The Realized Master of Dharma Propagation is a highly attained person. Our Xu Family went to great lengths to invite him. If ordinary people invited him, even with an eight-man sedan chair, they probably couldn’t get him to come… Enough said. Think it over yourself.”

Fang Ruyi lowered her eyebrows submissively and bowed, saying, “Yes.”

Lady Mu then stopped looking at Fang Ruyi and lowered her head to drink tea.

…

Zhu Houzhao entered the palace early in the morning and first went to Kunning Palace to pay respects to his mother.

By now, even Empress Zhang and Taikang Princess Zhu Xiurong were in full ceremonial attire. Empress Zhang repeatedly corrected the birthday words Zhu Xiurong was to say later when offering greetings: “When you say ‘Wan An’ to your Great Grandmother, your voice should rise a little. You’re a girl—don’t learn from your imperial brother. The Grand Empress Dowager sees your imperial brother clearly, knowing he’s mischievous. You’re different; you’re a princess. You must observe proper etiquette and be more cultured and reasonable than those Mingfu outside. Come, try it again.”

Zhu Houzhao listened nearby, stunned. What had he done? His mother’s words included a scolding aimed at him.

Zhu Houzhao naturally didn’t dare refute. Seeing his mother was too busy to pay him any mind, he obediently stood to the side.

He saw Zhu Xiurong gently take three delicate steps forward. Following Empress Zhang’s instruction, she slightly bowed her head, showing respect. After three steps, she stopped, her delicate body leaning forward slightly. At that moment, she raised the corner of her eyes slightly, glanced straight ahead just once, then according to rules lowered her eyelids, gracefully bowed down, and softly began, “Your Grandson Subject Zhu Xiurong pays respects to Great Grandmother…”

Pausing briefly at this point, her voice gradually rose: “Great Grandmother, may you be safe and well, blessed with long life and countless blessings…”

Empress Zhang let out a breath. “Good, there’s some semblance of form, but it still lacks a certain spirit…”

Zhu Houzhao stared fixedly, couldn’t help but laugh: “Younger sister bowing like that really looks like she’s about to fall ill at any moment.”

Hearing this, Zhu Xiurong felt a bit embarrassed, her pretty face blushing faintly.

Empress Zhang gnashed her teeth in frustration. “Go away! Don’t come here and cause trouble.”

“Oh, then Your Son and Servant will take his leave. I’ll wait for Fang Jifan to enter the palace.” Zhu Houzhao made ready to slip away.

When Zhu Xiurong heard Zhu Houzhao mention Fang Jifan, she recalled what he had said that night—something unclear and improper—and immediately her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed, her eyelashes fluttered, and the rims of her eyes reddened.

Zhu Houzhao saw this and quickly asked, “Younger sister, what’s wrong? Who upset you?”

Empress Zhang turned back and, seeing Zhu Xiurong silent and full of grievance, couldn’ help but say, “What’s the matter? Who bullied you? Just a moment ago you were perfectly fine.”

Zhu Xiurong bit her lip and didn’t speak.

This made Empress Zhang scrutinize the situation carefully: “Tell your Empress Mother. If you have grievances, you must never hold them inside. Who was it?”

Only then did Zhu Xiurong bow her head and whisper softly, “Brother.”