The Old and New Cao Gates in the Eastern Capital had no connection to the Cao Family; they were city gates leading to Caozhou. However, the Cao Family was indeed situated on Cao Gate Street.
Cao Gate Street lay within the Old Cao Gate, and to the west were Panlou Street, home to the wealthiest households in the city, and Sangjia Wazi, the area with the most entertainment establishments. It was truly a place where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold.
From the location of Cao Cong’s residence, one could tell how favored the Cao Family had been by the emperor in its heyday.
Nowadays, the Cao Family’s only valuable asset was this mansion—and it was worth a great deal.
Living in the Eastern Capital was not easy. Most officials had to rent government-built “affordable housing” mansions. Even these “affordable rentals” required a lottery draw, and those unlucky enough to miss out had to find high-priced lodgings on their own. Unless they came from powerful local families, even officials of humble origins found it difficult to purchase property in the Eastern Capital.
Although Cao Cong was burdened with massive debts, having such a large mansion to live in meant the Cao Family’s life was not too shabby—it was just far less extravagant than that of other founding Nobility and titled elites of the same rank.
The carriage quietly entered the Cao mansion through a side gate and came to a stop. Cao You stepped out first, then lifted the weary Cao Tun down. Fan Zhongyan was the last to alight.
Cao Cong was already waiting outside the carriage.
Cao You hurriedly set Cao Tun down and bowed to his uncle.
Cao Cong first scooped up Cao Tun, who had also intended to bow, into his arms before nodding to Cao You in acknowledgment.
Being lifted and held by his great-uncle jolted Cao Tun awake from his drowsiness.
Resting on the unfamiliar shoulder of his great-uncle, he said, “Great-uncle, Master is watching. I haven’t bowed yet.”
“You’re young; no need for formalities.” Cao Cong extended his arms, carefully examining his little grandnephew, then drew him back into his embrace. “Teacher Zhu, you’ve had a long journey.”
Cao Tun was quite speechless.
In truth, he had been wondering throughout the journey whether Teacher Zhu might actually be Fan Zhongyan.
Although Fan Wenzheng would not have had so much free time, the combination of the name “Zhu Shuo” and a friend like Han Qi made it hard not to speculate.
But judging by his great-uncle’s attitude toward Teacher Zhu… Well, greeting him by picking me up first and continuing to hold me while speaking to Teacher Zhu was truly impolite.
Given Fan Zhongyan’s current reputation and his great-uncle’s usual caution, it seemed unlikely that his great-uncle would treat Fan Zhongyan disrespectfully.
Still, even if Teacher Zhu wasn’t Fan Zhongyan, Great-uncle, your behavior was quite rude!
Cao Tun had initially wanted to struggle, but he was simply too exhausted. So he leaned against his great-uncle’s shoulder and closed his eyes to sleep.
Pretending not to know Fan Zhongyan’s identity, Cao Cong exchanged a few brief words with him when he suddenly felt a weight sink in his arms.
Looking down, he saw that his little grandnephew had tilted his head and fallen into a deep slumber, sleeping so soundly that even shaking his arm failed to rouse him.
Cao Cong chuckled. “Tun’er has great composure.”
Fan Zhongyan stroked his beard and nodded. “Indeed.”
Usually, it was his nephew who boasted, but at this moment, Cao You couldn’t understand. How could Cao Tun falling asleep in an elder’s arms out of exhaustion be called great composure? Was his uncle’s embrace a battlefield?
“Let’s go inside first. You’er, take Tun’er to his room to sleep. Bring him over once he wakes up.” Cao Cong reluctantly handed the child in his arms to Cao You. “Can you carry him?”
Though only thirteen, the tall and slender Cao You held the frail child steadily. “I can.”
After Cao You followed the servant away, Cao Cong invited Fan Zhongyan to the study. “Tun’er is too thin and small. I haven’t raised him well.”
Fan Zhongyan shook his head. "According to Cao You, Langjun has not fallen ill for a year. Lord Cao has raised him well."
Cao Cong said, "Tun'er not falling ill for a year is all thanks to His Majesty. Worried that the climate in the Eastern Capital is not as mild as that of Jiangnan, His Majesty sent Tun'er to Jiangnan to recuperate."
Fan Zhongyan understood Cao Cong's implication and found it both amusing and exasperating.
Sending the Crown Prince to Jiangnan was such a risky move, and it seemed Cao Cong also disapproved. However, with the Emperor insisting on his own way, the Cao Family, as loyal subjects, had no choice but to comply with His Majesty's decree.
Though the Emperor and the Empress were at odds, he still placed great trust in the Cao Family.
Cao Cong had indeed strongly opposed the Emperor's decision to send Cao You and Cao Tun to Jiangnan. After returning to the battlefield, he often lay awake at night.
Although the Emperor had dispatched many guards, the Cao Family lacked a proper head of household. With only Cao You, a mere chuili youth, how could he possibly raise Cao Tun well?
But the Emperor believed that the old servants sent along were the ones in charge, and Cao You was merely Cao Tun's playmate, certain to raise him well.
The northwest was extremely far from Jiangnan, making it difficult for Cao Cong to receive timely news about the Crown Prince. His anxiety was even greater than when he witnessed the Song army's successive defeats on the battlefield.
Fan Zhongyan said, "The accompanying servants show great respect to Cao You and Langjun, and all matters on the journey are decided by Cao You. Though His Majesty believes Cao You is merely Langjun's playmate, Cao You is indeed capable of taking charge."
Cao Cong breathed a sigh of relief.
Though he did not know Cao Tun well, Cao You was like a son to him, having watched him grow up since childhood. He trusted Cao You's talents deeply, yet Cao You's age still worried him greatly. Fortunately, Cao You had not disappointed his expectations.
If the Emperor had not agreed to let Cao You accompany Cao Tun to Jiangnan, Cao Cong, loyal as he was, would have resorted to risking death to remonstrate with the Emperor.
After all, entrusting the Cao Family with raising the Emperor's only surviving prince was utterly absurd!
Crown Prince Zhao Tun and Third Prince Zhao Xi were born in the same year, with Zhao Tun arriving two months earlier. In truth, Third Prince was actually the fourth prince.
Empress Cao had kept her pregnancy a secret. It was only when Consort Zhu also became pregnant that she informed the Emperor.
Cao Cong did not know how the Emperor reacted at the time, but he himself was terrified upon learning of it.
Empress Cao had a slender figure, and in the early stages of her pregnancy, she merely appeared to have gained weight. By the seventh or eighth month, when her belly became noticeable, Empress Cao used the excuse of praying for the soldiers on the frontier to move to the imperial villa, Ruisheng Garden. There, she spent her days weaving cloth and tending to sacrificial fruits, no longer involving herself in palace affairs.
Since Empress Cao frequently went to Ruisheng Garden for farming and weaving, and the court officials were preoccupied with the Song-Xia war, coupled with the fact that Consort Zhu's pregnancy in the palace drew the attention of all those hoping for an imperial heir, Empress Cao quietly gave birth to her child in Ruisheng Garden.
When Cao Cong was recalled from the battlefield, he thought someone had impeached him. Upon seeing the little Crown Prince in Empress Cao's arms, tears welled up in his eyes—though moved, he was even more frightened.
What was the meaning of secretly giving birth and hiding the child in the Cao Family? Your Majesty, although the Cao Family is the Empress's clan, we have no desire to be entangled in palace intrigues.
But the Emperor, who was usually accommodating in front of his courtiers, showed no tolerance for dissent when it came to the matter of succession.
He raised one prince inside the palace and another outside. The Crown Prince was raised in the Cao Family, while Third Prince was raised by the Emperor's side, personally cared for by the Emperor's appointed attendants, with no one else allowed to interfere.
Cao Cong grew even more fearful.
What did His Majesty mean by this? Were the Emperor and Empress distrustful of each other?
If so, Your Majesty, why not raise the Crown Prince in the palace and entrust the other prince to another minister? Our Cao Family truly cannot bear such a terrifying responsibility.
Cao Cong was still deeply worried. If both princes grew up safely, when would the Emperor bring the Crown Prince back to the palace? With a Crown Prince born to the Empress suddenly appearing in the palace, would the court situation undergo drastic changes? Moreover… the prince born to our Cao Family's Empress would most likely be established as Crown Prince, right?
What if the Emperor did not wish to establish Tun'er as Crown Prince? Would my niece and grand-nephew still have a way out?
Help!
Our Cao Family was originally doing perfectly fine as founding Nobility and titled elites—how did we commit such a sin as to be chosen by the Emperor to become the imperial in-laws! Cao Cong even feared the Cao Family might collapse before his death, letting down all the ancestors!
Of Cao Cong's six elder brothers, two received posthumous titles with the character "martial", and one married a commandery princess. The Cao Family members were already sufficiently glorious by their own abilities; becoming imperial in-laws was not adding flowers to brocade but rather pouring oil on fire, making the Cao Family members dare not display their talents.
Cao Cong once wondered if someone, seeing the Cao Family too prosperous, intended to suppress them?
But as things stood, he could not even show resentment. He could only live in fear and trembling each day, treading on thin ice, praying for the ancestors' protection.
Fan Zhongyan was virtuous and had already become the Crown Prince's tutor, binding him to the Crown Prince and the Cao Family in the future. With a heart full of worries, Cao Cong finally had someone to confide in.
Fan Zhongyan's feelings were complicated.
The Cao Family… indeed, they truly suffered too much injustice in this role as imperial in-laws.
If Empress Cao had not entered the palace, the Emperor would certainly have treated the Cao Family with the same courtesy as the late emperors did. How could it be like now?
Fan Zhongyan comforted, "Lord Cao can also be said to have endured bitterness before tasting sweetness."
Cao Cong sighed deeply and said nothing.
What "endured bitterness before tasting sweetness"? Who knew if the Crown Prince could grow up? Who knew if the Emperor would have other beloved young sons in the future? Who knew if the Emperor would later become wary of an older Crown Prince? The future remained uncertain.
Cao Cong forced a smile: "Yes, endured bitterness before tasting sweetness. Lord Fan, being so far apart, I am still unclear about Tun'er's early education progress. I only heard from You'er that Tun'er is exceptionally intelligent. In Lord Fan's view, how is it? To what extent has Tun'er learned? Can he already read the classics?"
Fan Zhongyan's face twitched violently, as if from a toothache.
He said sternly, "He is exceptionally intelligent. The Young Master has already thoroughly read the Five Classics and is preparing to take the Child Prodigy Examination."
Cao Cong blinked several times before saying, "Ah?"
…
Although Zhao Zhen disliked Empress Cao, he would still go to the Empress's palace according to regulations on the days each month when he was supposed to.
He would only spend the night in the Empress's palace on that one day.
Usually, Zhao Zhen would only discuss official matters with the Empress during the daytime and leave after finishing.
There was only one exception.
Zhao Zhen, hearing Cao Cong praise Cao You, curiously summoned Cao You. Delighted by Cao You's talent, he accidentally discussed Cao You with Empress Cao too late and ended up staying overnight.
That very night, the Empress conceived the Crown Prince.
After Empress Cao gave birth, Zhao Zhen had an illusory sense of relief. From then on, on the monthly night he went to the Empress's palace, he no longer had to force himself; he merely shared the bed with the Empress.
The atmosphere between him and Empress Cao actually became somewhat more harmonious than when they were obliged to have intimate relations once a month.
Zhao Zhen shook the letter in his hand and said teasingly, "Fan Xiwen and Cao Baozhang were both terrified upon learning Tun'er wants to take the Child Prodigy Examination."
Empress Cao was beautiful indeed, but she usually kept a stern face, like a solemn wooden Bodhisattva statue in a temple, making it hard for others to feel close to her.
Upon hearing Zhao Zhen mention Tun'er, a faint smile finally graced her lips, as if a clay statue had come to life.
Empress Cao took the letter from Zhao Zhen's hand and, while reading it, said leisurely, "Tun'er is capable. What harm is there in letting him compete with the prodigies of the world? If he can enter the court as an official through his own abilities, Your Majesty need not worry about how to bring him into the palace for education."
Zhao Zhen sighed, "Indeed."
It truly was difficult to raise children in the palace. He absolutely could not allow Zhao Tun to return to live there. Zhao Tun's identity must remain tightly concealed.
Yet he also longed to grow closer to Zhao Tun. Wouldn't it be a fine solution for Zhao Tun to pass the Jinshi examination early?
Moreover…
Zhao Zhen couldn't help but chuckle, "If my son can rise to become a general or minister without revealing his identity, the reactions of the court officials upon learning the truth would surely be amusing."
Empress Cao instinctively wanted to advise the Emperor to uphold propriety.
But the words lingered on the tip of her tongue, and she chose not to speak, unwilling to hinder the child's path. After all, the Child Prodigy Examination was part of the Recommendation system for admission, not occupying a quota in the Imperial Examination System, and the Emperor could directly grant the Jinshi degree. This would allow the child to earn some favor from His Majesty without disrupting the regular examination order. If the child wished to take the exam, so be it.
She recalled the tranquil days spent with the child at Ruisheng Garden, and her maternal expression grew even more vivid. "Tun'er certainly possesses the talent to become a general or minister."
Zhao Zhen said, "Let Cao You become a general or minister first. It seems he also does not wish to rely on the Yin privilege and wants to try the Imperial Examination."
Empress Cao nodded with satisfaction. "You'er will surely pass as well."
Zhao Zhen rubbed his hands together eagerly. "What about your other younger brother, Cao Yi?"
The faint liveliness on Empress Cao's face instantly receded like an ebbing tide, returning to woodenness. "One member of the Cao Family serving in office is enough. Your Majesty, the power of the Empress's clan must not grow too strong."
The joy in Zhao Zhen's heart cooled instantly at Empress Cao's icy admonition.
Frowning, he said, "I will not distrust the Cao Family. The talents of the Cao Family should be fully utilized."
Empress Cao stood up and bowed respectfully to Zhao Zhen. "Your Majesty, this is ancestral instruction. One must never overly favor the Empress's clan, and guard against the excessive influence of Imperial Relatives."
Zhao Zhen stared at Empress Cao for a moment, frowning, then took the letter from her hand and left with a flick of his sleeve.
Only after Zhao Zhen had departed did Empress Cao slowly straighten her posture.
Like a clay statue, her expression remained utterly unchanged even in private.
Meals, handling palace affairs, rest.
Even until she fell asleep, her demeanor remained stern and wooden.
As palace gossip had it, she truly seemed unlike a living person.
Author's Note:
Empress Cao: Reciting Consort Li's story silently to herself every day.