It took Zheng Xiangyi half a month to barely finish embroidering a handkerchief with golden threads forming a peony. She excitedly showed it to Muqin, eagerly awaiting her feedback.
Muqin studied the crooked stitches for a long while, ultimately offering a few forced compliments: “It’s been a long time since the Junzhu touched needlework. Being able to embroider this is already quite impressive.”
“Really?” Zheng Xiangyi compared the handkerchief with the silk handkerchiefs she usually used, feeling the peony petals looked a bit stiff and the lines rather rough.
But this was truly the best result after repeated attempts. At least it was recognizable as a peony.
She couldn’t help but sigh softly, muttering to herself, “I wonder if His Majesty will like it…”
Actually, she had initially wanted to make an inner garment for His Majesty. Inner garments only required cutting and sewing according to size, without needing to embroider any floral or bird patterns, which in theory was simpler. But then she thought, inner garments are worn close to the skin. If the stitches weren’t fine and even, it might be uncomfortable to wear.
After much hesitation, she settled for this handkerchief, which only required embroidery.
“Is the Junzhu planning to give this handkerchief to His Majesty?” Muqin looked at her with a somewhat odd expression.
Zheng Xiangyi nodded. “Yes, I promised His Majesty I would before.”
Muqin hesitated for a moment, then softly advised, “Perhaps the Junzhu should choose something else… A handkerchief might not be quite suitable to give to His Majesty.”
“Why not?” Zheng Xiangyi was puzzled. “Didn’t you just praise my embroidery?”
Seeing her completely oblivious, clearly unaware of the deeper meaning behind a woman giving a man a handkerchief, Muqin had no choice but to explain in a low voice. It turned out, among the common folk, handkerchiefs were often used as love tokens between men and women.
Although Zheng Xiangyi had been married to Feng Yu in her past life, she had never embroidered a handkerchief for him. Feng Yu had always showered her with rare treasures to win her favor, so she naturally never learned about this folk custom.
“So, I really shouldn’t give it?” Zheng Xiangyi regretfully stroked the peony on the handkerchief, her tone sullen.
Muqin remained silent. Palace customs might not follow folk traditions. She was just worried that the Junzhu was already overly close to His Majesty in daily life. If she gave this handkerchief as well, in the eyes of others, it might invite gossip.
But Zheng Xiangyi said to herself, “I see His Majesty as a father. A daughter being filial to her father shouldn’t be improper, right?”
Thinking this, she felt justified and dismissed Muqin’s concerns. She simply waited for His Majesty’s visit today, planning to find an opportunity to give him the handkerchief.
Lately, His Majesty seemed exceptionally busy, staying in Zichen Hall all day to handle government affairs, not visiting her palace as frequently as before.
Zheng Xiangyi initially thought she might have said something wrong that day to upset him, but His Majesty’s attitude towards her remained the same as always. Whenever she went to Zichen Hall, she was never stopped from entering. However, even when she was inside, he was mostly buried in official work and couldn’t speak with her much.
Although Zheng Xiangyi was willful by nature, seeing the tiredness in his eyes, she gradually reduced the number of times she disturbed him. Counting today, it had been nearly three days since she last saw him.
She thought she would have to wait a bit longer, but unexpectedly, just after finishing dinner, His Majesty arrived.
Zheng Xiangyi welcomed him with pleasant surprise, gazing at him eagerly. Feng Jue had a faint smile on his lips and naturally raised his hand to gently stroke her hair, asking warmly what she had been up to these past few days.
She immediately took out the carefully embroidered handkerchief, presenting it before him like a treasure. “Your Majesty, look! This handkerchief I just finished embroidering. Do you like it?”
Feng Jue recognized the awkward stitches of the peony at a glance, clearly her handiwork. Without overthinking it, he accepted it and praised with a smile, “This peony is embroidered vividly. Xiangyi truly has clever ideas.”
Zheng Xiangyi’s eyes curved into crescents. Seeing his slender fingers lightly holding the handkerchief, her heart immediately fluttered like a startled deer, filled with joy.
Everything on her, from head to toe, was given by His Majesty. Now, finally, His Majesty would also be carrying something she made. She wondered if, when he used it to wipe his hands, he would think of her first.
Feng Jue was clearly unaware of the myriad thoughts swirling in her mind. Only after sitting down did he explain his purpose for visiting.
“I’ve heard there will be a gathering of literati at Puti Temple in a few days. I wonder if Xiangyi has time to accompany me out of the palace to see it?”
“A literary gathering? When did Your Majesty become interested in such events?” Zheng Xiangyi had never liked those literati gatherings—just a bunch of pedantic scholars with superficial reputations gathering to pontificate. What was so interesting about that? His Majesty focused on practical matters, so logically, he should look down on such literary gatherings even more.
Feng Jue explained, “A number of officials were dealt with recently, leaving quite a few vacancies in the court. I thought I’d visit the literary gathering to see if I could spot some promising talents.”
Zheng Xiangyi naturally knew the reason. Although the Cangzhou Prefect was a local official, being able to deceive right under His Majesty’s eyes naturally meant there were connections in the court.
His Majesty had acted extremely decisively this time, uprooting all officials connected to the Cangzhou Prefect. Among them were also many belonging to Feng Qin’s faction, which was why Feng Qin had been so furious he fainted.
Without thinking too much about it, she readily agreed. She herself also very much enjoyed going incognito out of the palace with His Majesty to experience folk life.
On the day of the literary gathering, the two dressed as ordinary nobles, accompanied by Eunuch Gui disguised as a servant, and arrived at Puti Temple.
The usually quiet Puti Temple was exceptionally lively today. Apart from scholars attending the literary gathering, Zheng Xiangyi also saw many ladies and young misses, all dressed exquisitely, standing shyly on the periphery, peering inside.
Zheng Xiangyi didn’t react at first. It wasn’t until they entered the venue that she remembered: this literary gathering wasn’t just a good occasion for scholars to gain fame; it was also an excellent opportunity for families to select sons-in-law.
Every time the imperial examinations concluded, there would inevitably be the lively spectacle of families “snatching” new graduates as sons-in-law right under the announcement boards. But the imperial exams were only held every three years, and young, unmarried candidates were few and far between. Families who hadn’t secured a good son-in-law naturally turned their attention elsewhere. And this literary gathering, gathering many talented individuals, was the perfect place to scout for good matches.
Zheng Xiangyi stood side by side with Feng Jue under a tree, faintly hearing impassioned and indignant voices from the center of the gathering. The one speaking seemed to be a young master of some literary repute. Many young ladies nearby listened with admiration in their eyes, frequently nodding.
“He’s quite up-to-date with current affairs, daring to discuss governance using the Cangzhou Prefect’s corruption case. Quite bold.” Zheng Xiangyi had initially thought she was just accompanying His Majesty on an outing for fun, but as she listened, she gradually became absorbed.
Feng Jue observed her discreetly, testing the waters. “This young man is the grandson of Yang Wang, the Minister of the Imperial Stud. He has a reputation for talent. What does Xiangyi think of him?”
“Not worth mentioning.” Zheng Xiangyi’s expression was indifferent, and she let out a light scoff. “All empty talk, utterly impractical.”
Raised and tutored by His Majesty since childhood, her political insights and knowledge naturally surpassed those of these scholars who had yet to enter officialdom.
Feng Jue’s lips curved slightly, but he didn’t respond. This person wasn’t on his selected list anyway. It just so happened they encountered him, and Xiangyi voluntarily spoke a few extra words, so he simply took the opportunity to ask.
That thin veneer of literary reputation might deceive others, but it would be utterly useless in an official career. How could he protect Xiangyi after he was gone?
Moreover, though he intended to choose a husband for Xiangyi, what ultimately mattered was Xiangyi’s own inclination. If Xiangyi didn’t like someone, no matter how talented, he would not agree.
At that moment, after criticizing the Cangzhou Prefect, the scholar’s tone shifted: “Furthermore, take the Junzhu Deyi—her nature is arrogant, extravagant, and dissolute, no less than that Cangzhou Prefect. Yet His Majesty dotes on and indulges her, which truly keeps me awake with worry day and night.”
Zheng Xiangyi’s face instantly turned livid. “Since when has this Junzhu been so ‘arrogant, extravagant, and dissolute’ as to be compared to a corrupt official?”
All her expenses came from His Majesty’s private treasury. She had never oppressed the common people like the Cangzhou Prefect. If one said her lifestyle was extravagant, that was one thing, but how did it amount to “arrogant, extravagant, and dissolute”?
Feng Jue’s expression was even more unpleasant than hers. He gritted his teeth coldly. “This one deserves death!”
Eunuch Gui was also furious. He had watched the Junzhu grow up since she was little. How beautiful and lovely she was! This person was simply blind!
“I’m so angry!” Zheng Xiangyi indignantly rolled up her sleeves, secretly glad she had come today. Otherwise, who knew how much dirty water this scoundrel would have thrown at her.
Truly, a scholar’s mouth is sharper than a blade.
Feng Jue didn’t stop her; instead, he followed her down. Since Xiangyi intended to teach this Yang descendant a lesson, he would simply watch from the side as she displayed her skills. Xiangyi, raised by his own hands—how could she not outmatch this weak scholar? No matter what happened, he would always be there to support her.
Zheng Xiangyi angrily pushed through the crowd, about to squeeze into the center, when suddenly she heard someone raise their voice: “Brother Yang, your words are mistaken!”
A handsome young man stepped forward, eloquently refuting: “The Junzhu Deyi (Princess Deyi) was raised under the late Empress Dowager’s guidance. His Majesty, honoring the late Empress Dowager’s wishes, continues to nurture the Junzhu—an act of benevolence and filial piety. Moreover, though the Junzhu receives favor, she has never used her position to bully the people. How can she be compared to the Cangzhou Prefect and rashly labeled as ‘arrogant, extravagant, and dissolute’?”
Zheng Xiangyi paused, looking toward the handsome young man defending her. The anger in her eyes slightly eased as she nodded in agreement.
Good, this person at least has some discernment.
Who would have thought the Yang descendant would still press on relentlessly, loudly retorting: “His Majesty’s benevolence and filial piety are undeniable, but can the Junzhu rely on this favor to act willfully and unrestrained? Her daily expenditures are so extravagant, even far exceeding those of the princes and princesses. Is this also appropriate?”
Zheng Xiangyi listened, gnashing her teeth. What a Yang descendant, endlessly slandering her like this!
She simply stood outside the crowd and declared loudly: “Did this Junzhu eat your family’s rice or spend your family’s money? How dare you spout nonsense here!”
As her clear voice fell, the surrounding clamor instantly stilled. People stepped back, making way to reveal Zheng Xiangyi standing proudly amidst them like the moon among stars.
The Yang descendant’s face instantly turned deathly pale, his lips trembling.
Zheng Xiangyi unhurriedly straightened her sleeves, striding forward with her head held high. Wherever she passed, people could not help but step aside.
“Continue,” Zheng Xiangyi said as she stopped before him. Though slightly shorter, her gaze looked down upon him from a superior height. “Which part of this Junzhu made you think ‘arrogant, extravagant, and dissolute’?”
The Yang descendant’s legs went weak, nearly causing him to kneel. He must have been out of his mind earlier to dare use the Junzhu to gain fame, and to have the Junzhu coincidentally hear it. Everyone knew how domineering she was, to the point even princes avoided her.
Zheng Xiangyi snorted coldly. “Worthless!”
With that, she turned to face these foul-mouthed scholars. Wherever her gaze swept, no one dared meet her eyes, all lowering their heads or avoiding her look. Only she stood from on high, imposing and intimidating.
“This Junzhu’s ability to gain His Majesty’s favor is my own capability. If any of you envy it, you’d do better to think more about how to share His Majesty’s burdens and solve problems, rather than irresponsibly spouting nonsense and barking like dogs here!”
Zheng Xiangyi had always known her reputation among civil officials wasn’t good. Even if she did nothing, as long as His Majesty favored her, there would always be people envious and jealous. Since that was the case, why should she behave properly and not live freely and unrestrained as she pleased?
What was reputation? The tangible favor one could obtain was what truly mattered. Even if those people disliked her, when they saw her, they could only bow and kneel, addressing her as Junzhu.
“Furthermore, I, Zheng Xiangyi, am the De Yi Junzhu, personally enfeoffed by His Majesty. How this Junzhu conducts herself, would His Majesty not know? To publicly discuss imperial relatives—how dare you?”
Although she had no blood relation to His Majesty, she was the grand-niece of the late Empress Dowager and the daughter of the Marquis of Pingyang—a genuine imperial relative.
The Yang descendant trembled as he clasped his hands in salute. “Junzhu, it was Yang who spoke inappropriately. I beg the Junzhu’s forgiveness.”
“Forgiveness?” Zheng Xiangyi smiled faintly. “This Junzhu might generously spare your life, but His Majesty might not.”
It was simply that this Yang descendant was too foolish. There were so many in the court who disliked her, but which of them dared speak of it openly, leaving themselves vulnerable? Were they afraid His Majesty hadn’t executed enough people? Even if she and His Majesty hadn’t come to this literary gathering today, tomorrow this Yang descendant’s remarks would have been placed on His Majesty’s desk.
For this Yang descendant to dare utter such malicious words publicly, one really didn’t know if he underestimated her or underestimated His Majesty.
The Yang descendant’s legs immediately gave way, and he knelt on the ground, his face deathly pale as he looked toward the direction she had come from. Sure enough, he saw another familiar figure, gazing at him with eyes sharp as blades.
With a series of “thuds,” a large crowd knelt around them. For a moment, the entire temple fell into dead silence.