By the time Yun Qing had finished bathing and returned, Liu-er's name had been decided. Yun Qing smiled and said, "Yun Hua? The ...
By the time Yun Qing had finished bathing and returned, Liu-er's name had been decided. Yun Qing smiled and said, "Yun Hua? The 'hua' from qin, qi, shu, hua1? That's pretty good."
Yuxi felt that marrying a rough man who hadn't read much was quite a headache. "Not that 'huà📹' , but the other 'huà🔗', meaning a gentle and graceful woman."
Upon hearing this, Yun Qing responded, "As long as it's easy to say and has a good meaning, we'll go with this name." Liu-er was indeed a quiet and gentle child, so this name suited her perfectly.
Then Yun Qing said something that left Yuxi quite speechless: "Yun Yin—this name sounds much nicer than Zaozao's formal name, Yun Lan." After all, names should be given by someone educated—just listen to how refined this one sounds!
Yuxi pulled up the blanket to cover the two of them and said, "Sleep." And he still claimed he held a bowl of water level2 when it came to their children—at this rate, she couldn't count on that at all.
Momo Quan was also very satisfied when she heard the name Yuxi chose. "Yun Hua—this name is very fitting." At last, Yuxi had done something to her satisfaction.
Yuxi couldn't help but laugh. "Momo, it was our fault for forgetting to name Liu-er, but don't treat me like a stepmother, all right?" Zaozao was doted on by Yun Qing and Huo Changqing, while Liu-er was protected by Momo Quan and Mama Qu. In the future, she would have to be the one to play the strict role.
Momo Quan argued, "You're not a stepmother, but you're busy all day long and paying less and less attention to the children. Yuxi, you should know in your heart what matters most."
Yuxi felt somewhat ashamed. After all, she had indeed spent far less time with Liu'er than Zaozao had. "We didn't hold the third-day or full-month celebrations for Liu-er. But when she turns one in the twelfth month, I plan to celebrate it in a big way."
Only after hearing this did Momo Quan's expression soften considerably.
Holding Liu-er, Yuxi stood up and said to Momo Quan, "The Emperor has already issued an imperial edict, conferring Yun Qing the title of Pingxi Wang."
Momo Quan's expression darkened slightly. Pingxi Wang, King of Pacifying the West—pacifying the northwest? They really go to great lengths with their wordplay. What's the point?" After saying that, she glanced at Yuxi and asked, "What are your plans?"
Yuxi replied, "The northwest needs time to recover and rebuild."
Momo Quan nodded. "Your decision is right. For now, it's not suitable to confront the Imperial Court head-on; otherwise, you'll be the ones who suffer." Right now, it was about building strength and expanding influence.
Gently touching Liu-er's forehead, Momo Quan smiled and said, "Now that the general has become a Wang, Zaozao and Liu-er will be junzhu3." Of course, such titles could not be self-proclaimed—they required official recognition from the Imperial Court.
At this point, Momo Quan's expression changed. "Now that the Emperor has made the General a Wang, could he betroth Zaozao to the Crown Prince to strengthen ties through marriage?" That was indeed very possible.
Yuxi smiled. "We're not puppets that they can manipulate at will." While the likelihood of an arranged marriage was low, the Emperor would probably send people to the northwest to interfere in its internal affairs. However, the northwest was their territory, so any officials sent there could easily be sidelined.
Yuxi didn't have time to prepare Liu-er's one-year ceremony, so Mama Qu and Zhang Liniang had to handle the arrangements.
Yun Qing had said that the banquet for Liu-er's first birthday would be a grand affair, so invitations were sent to all the respectable households in Haocheng.
Since arriving in Haocheng, Yuxi had been too busy to host a single banquet. The ladies and young women of the city had only heard her name, but had no chance to meet her in person.
After hearing the news, Qiu Shi came over and asked Yuxi, "You're so busy—who will take charge of Liu-er's birthday banquet?"
Yuxi helped Qiu Shi sit down and replied with a smile, "I've asked Mama Qu and Zhang Shi to handle the arrangements, and Momo Quan to oversee things—there shouldn't be any problems."
Qiu Shi said, "How can that be the same? If you don't mind, let your Er Sao4 help you manage it!" She approved of Yuxi taking charge in the northwest—after all, when a woman held power, she would have more security, wouldn't she?
Yuxi shook her head. "Mom, how could I possibly mind! It's just that Er Sao4 already has to manage dozens of people in the Han household, as well as taking care of you and Dasao. It's hard enough for her as it is. I can't let her work any harder. If she becomes exhausted, Er Ge5 would surely feel distressed."
Qiu Shi had never mentioned what Jianye did back then. It wasn't a minor mistake—it was a grave one that nearly caused Yuxi to die along with her child. Now that Yuxi had brought it up herself, Qiu Shi held her hand and said, "Yuxi, your Er Ge5 was confused back then—don't keep it in your heart." She knew there was still a knot in Yuxi's heart.
Yuxi smiled. "Mom, I haven't taken it to heart." If she had, it would have been her Dage and mother who suffered most.
Seeing that Qiu Shi wanted to say more, Yuxi shook her head. "Mom, this matter has already passed. Don't think too much about it. I've already sent word to Yu City—Er Ge5 will arrive in Haocheng in the middle of the twelfth month." Things could never go back to how they once were between her and Han Jianye. Nevertheless, she would always remember his kindness.
Qiu Shi wiped her tears away and said, "Good child, you've been wronged." If anyone was to blame, it was herself for not raising her son properly.
At the beginning of the twelfth month, Imperial Envoys sent by the Imperial Court arrived in the northwest. They went straight to the Yun residence and announced the arrival of an Imperial Edict. While their attitude was not arrogant, it was far from respectful.
After receiving the news, Xu Wu entered the study to report to Yuxi. "Madam, a group from the Imperial Court has arrived. The eunuch leading them is holding an Imperial Edict. Madam, should we call the General back?"
Yuxi shook her head. "The General is too busy to spare any time—calling him back would just waste half a day. You can receive the edict on his behalf."
Xu Wu exclaimed in surprise, "Madam, you're not going to receive the edict?"
Yuxi replied, "It's enough for you to go in his place. If I go, I'd be giving them too much face." They even expected her to bathe and burn incense before receiving it. If she did that, she'd be giving Zhou Jing far too much respect.
Xu Wu laughed. "Madam is truly domineering." Although they did not wish to go to war, they were not afraid of the Imperial Court sending troops. So the idea of the Imperial Court pointing hands and drawing feet6 at them was nothing but a dream.
The leading eunuch's surname was Cui, and he held little power; otherwise, he wouldn't have been assigned such a task. After waiting several minutes at the Yun residence, no one had even offered them tea or refreshments.
A subordinate lowered his voice and said, "Gonggong7, Yun Qing and Han Shi are far too bold and reckless." If this were the capital, such neglect would certainly be punished as a great disrespect.
Eunuch Cui barked, "Are you tired of living?" This place was Yun Qing and Han Shi's territory—if you provoked those two ominous figures, you would likely end up with no corpse or bones left8.
Xu Wu slowly walked into the reception hall and said to Eunuch Cui, "My General is busy with official duties and can't come, and my Madam is unwell and unable to appear. I'm just a rough fellow and don't know how to receive an imperial edict properly. If there are any taboos, I'll have to trouble you two eunuchs to explain."
Eunuch Cui's face darkened instantly, but this wasn't the capital. No matter how angry he was, he didn't dare act recklessly; otherwise, he might bring fatal disaster upon himself. With a blank expression, he said, "Kneel to receive the edict."
Xu Wu knelt on the ground. After Eunuch Cui finished reading the edict, he shouted, "Long live the Emperor!" three times. Once he was done, Xu Wu stood up on his own without waiting for Eunuch Cui to say anything.
Eunuch Cui suppressed his anger and presented the Imperial Edict with both hands. Then he took an appointment order from his attendant and handed it to Xu Wu. "This is an official document from the Ministry of Personnel. Please pass it to Pingxi Wang."
Xu Wu handed the edict he was holding to Xu Daniu, then carefully examined the appointment order. It stated that Jiang Hongfu had been appointed as the prefect of Haocheng in the northwest.
Having followed Yun Qing for so many years, how could Xu Wu not know that Jiang Hongfu was Yun Qing's cousin and that the two were quite close? Transferring him to the northwest was clearly done with ulterior motives. With a cold expression, Xu Wu said to Eunuch Cui and his attendants, "Take care—no need for me to see you off."
Being treated so lightly, Eunuch Cui was so furious he almost spat blood. However, for the sake of his life, he dared not offend the man in front of him. Suppressing his anger, he smiled and said, "Then I will take my leave." The sooner he left this dangerous northwest region and returned to the capital, the better.
The conferment of Yun Qing as Pingxi Wang was within Yuxi's expectations and not that surprising. It was the Ministry of Personnel's appointment order that made her thoughtful.
Xu Wu said, "Madam, the General values loyalty and relationships, and Jiang Hongfu is his cousin—the General's only relative by blood. If Jiang Hongfu remains loyal to the Imperial Court, that will cause major problems." If Jiang Hongfu used his personal connection with the General as a shield, and the General, out of consideration for their past relationship, let him off the hook the first time he did something that hurt their interests, then he would truly become a menace.
Truly, like master, like subordinate. What do you mean by Jiang Hongjin is Yun Qing's only family? Are Zaozao and Liu-er just air? Never mind; there's no point quibbling with these men over this. Yuxi stated plainly: "Jiang Hongfu shares no blood ties with the General."
Thinking Yuxi was unaware of the situation, Xu Wu explained, "Madam, Jiang Hongfu's mother is the General's paternal aunt. That makes Jiang Hongfu and the General first cousins.'"
Yuxi gave a soft 'Mhm' in response before stating, "Jiang Hongfu's mother was adopted by the Old Master. Therefore, the two of them share no blood relation." Relationships between blood relatives weren't necessarily good, while many people without any blood ties were actually very close. Therefore, whether or not there was a biological connection was not the most important thing.
Xu Wu truly did not know about this matter. "Although my Yifu9 and the General rarely discuss matters relating to the capital, I know that the General holds his cousin Jiang Hongfu in very high regard."
Yuxi pointed out, "Even if Jiang Hongfu is truly loyal to the Imperial Court and the Emperor, there's no need to worry. I will handle it when the time comes." After all, Jiang Hongfu still owed her his life. One should repay even a drop of kindness with a gushing spring10, let alone a life-saving favour.
After hearing this, Xu Wu felt reassured. Having stayed by Yuxi's side for the past few years, he had come to understand her temperament well. For her to say such words meant she already had a solution in mind.
Speaking of Jiang Hongfu, Xu Wu brought up something else to Yuxi. "Madam, Jiang Hongfu's younger brother, Jiang Hongjin, is currently serving in an official post in Luoyang."
Thanks to the trials she had endured, Yuxi had finally learned to school her features. Joy or anger—none of it showed on her face anymore. She asked, "When did this happen? Why wasn't I informed?"
Xu Wu replied, "Jiang Hongjin and Han Yurong arrived in Luoyang in the seventh month. Since Madam has severed ties with the Han family, I did not report it." He had been worried that hearing about members of the Han family would make Yuxi uncomfortable, so he had chosen not to tell her.
Yuxi responded with a faint 'Mm' and did not pursue the matter further.
Footnotes Full List
- 琴棋书画 (qín qí shū huà): zither, chess, calligraphy, painting—the four arts
- 一碗水端平 (yī wǎn shuǐ duān píng): To treat everyone fairly and impartially.
- 郡主 (Jùnzhǔ): Commandery Princess. Usually the daughter of a Wang (王). She is one rank below an Imperial Princess (公主 (gōngzhǔ).
- 二 (èr): second, 嫂 (sǎo): elder brother's wife; sister-in-law
- 二 (èr): second, 哥 (gē): elder brother
- 指手画脚 (zhǐ shǒu huà jiǎo): to boss others around or give orders arrogantly.
- 公公 (gōng gong): eunuch
- 尸骨无存 (shī gǔ wú cún): Completely destroyed without a trace.
- 义父 (yìfù): adoptive father
- 滴水之恩当以涌泉相报 (dī shuǐ zhī ēn dāng yǐ yǒng quán xiāng bào): Even the smallest kindness should be repaid generously.
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