8 Final Testament

After the court session, the announcement from Princess Jinglan regarding the martial contest for marriage proposals sent ripples across the realm.

Jinglan, amidst a gathering of talented poets and beauties at the Bright Moon Poetry Society, was utterly stunned upon receiving the news.

Tall and graceful, dignified and elegant, Jinglan was the foremost among the four great talents, the dream beloved of countless young scholars.

The Bright Moon Poetry Society she founded was the most renowned poetry association throughout the Great Yin Dynasty, with branches spanning north and south.

At fourteen, Jinglan left the imperial palace to independently establish the Princess’s Mansion.

She had been raised by Empress Xiao Wenjuan since childhood.

The Empress was virtuous and gentle, modest and courteous, with a refined and gracious nature, embodying both moral and intellectual excellence.

She pioneered frugality in the harem, not acquiring a single new garment for three years.

Except for festivals, daily meals never exceeded three dishes and one soup.

Leftover food was never discarded but gifted to the palace maids and eunuchs, many of whom were often left hungry.

She treated all princes and princesses equally, as if they were her own children. Both Princess Jinglan and Princess Jingse were not her biological daughters but were raised by her nonetheless.

The Empress never meddled in politics, nor did she recommend relatives for official positions; she even discouraged her own clan from government service, avoiding any influence of maternal relatives in state affairs. She was truly a paragon among royal mothers.

One week before her suicide, the Empress suddenly arrived at the Princess’s Mansion.

She summoned Jinglan to the study and dismissed all others.

Looking at Jinglan’s poised figure, the Empress was overwhelmed with emotion.

“My mother, what’s wrong?” Jinglan asked shyly.

“My child, you were so young when you established your own mansion; I truly admire your strength. Do you resent me?” The Empress grasped Jinglan’s hand.

“Mother, I do not resent you. I have been living well.”

“Do you know why I had you leave the palace so early?” the Empress inquired.

Jinglan shook her head.

A blush crept across the Empress’s face; embarrassed, she hesitated before speaking, “My child, I am sorry to have sent you away so soon. I had selfish reasons.

Lately, I have dreamt of some old acquaintances, and the feelings are unsettling.

There are things you should know. Your biological father was Qin Tianhu, the Great General of Zhenyuan, and your mother was Xiao Wenfang, a distant cousin of mine.

At that time, the Emperor was still Prince Jing. Your father Qin Tianhu was his trusted confidant, his right hand.

It was the third birthday of Prince Jingwei.

You were only three months old then. I even asked my sister, who said it was the invitation of Consort Xian, Gong Yuhong, Prince Jingwei’s mother, which could not be postponed.

Your father was drunk after the banquet. On the way home, your parents were ambushed by remnants of the previous dynasty.

By the time we arrived, your entire family had been wiped out; your two older brothers and sister were all killed.

You must have been hidden in a rice jar by your nanny, narrowly escaping death.

I later sent someone to investigate secretly and found some clues.”

Tears welled in Jinglan’s eyes, her sobs uncontrollable.

The Empress wiped her own tears and continued, “I sent you away early for your own protection.

My only concern is Chen’er. The Crown Prince Jingyi once proposed to marry you as his princess consort, but I refused.

The Crown Prince is conventional and incompatible with your temperament. He is also cruel to his own consort, Li Lingli, and I regret having caused that child suffering.

After much thought, entrusting Jingchen to you is the only way I can rest assured.

With the Crown Prince and me in the palace, we can protect him.

If he leaves the palace, who will guard him?

Secondly, if you meet someone you love outside, I will support you—I do not blame you.

I know forcing you to marry Jingchen is unfair, but I truly could not find another way. Royal sons eventually leave the palace for their fiefs.

Thirdly, if one day I am gone, try to avoid contact with the Emperor; do not meet him if you can.

Do not mourn me too long; marry quickly.

I know our Emperor very well. Once I am gone, he will surely set his sights on you.

There are hundreds of beauties in the harem; I am thinking of your well-being.

Do not make things difficult for yourself; just consider this the ramblings of a drunken mother.”

Having spoken, the Empress wiped her tears and staggered away.

“Mother, I promise you, I will marry my seventh brother and be devoted to him, protecting him for life,” Jinglan said loudly.

The Empress turned, knelt, and wept, “Lan’er, Chen’er is in your hands now. I have burdened you, and I thank you.”

Jinglan knelt as well, embracing her, “Mother, there is no need for such words. Being your daughter-in-law is my blessing.”

The Empress dried her tears, produced a jade pendant, and whispered softly in Jinglan’s ear.

Jinglan’s eyes widened. “Mother, no, this is too precious.”

The Empress stroked her head gently, “Since I entrust Chen’er to you, I want you to have a secure foundation.

Remember, never ask the Emperor for anything, even if he threatens to behead Chen’er.

Begging him will only hasten Chen’er’s death and drag you into his clutches.”

Jinglan nodded solemnly and saw the Empress out.

Before her carriage departed, the Empress said, “When you have time, look after Jingse as well. She is a pitiful child. I have failed her.” She sighed deeply.

The Spring Breeze Pavilion was bustling, every seat filled.

Jingchen accompanied Zhang Meng to order dishes. Having lived in the palace all his life, he was curious about the cuisine of this era.

The pavilion was clean, the waiters attentive and courteous.

Yet the dishes were hardly commendable—just a little better than boiled salted vegetables.

Before the dishes were fully served, Xiao Liuzi excitedly ran upstairs.

He whispered in Jingchen’s ear, “My lord, the proprietor across the street wants to sell. The owner, chef, waitstaff, all want to stay. Only the rent is a bit high—one thousand taels per year.

I tried to negotiate, but they went to consult the mistress. I found out this property was part of Princess Yang Simin’s dowry.

Now it’s your turn to negotiate. I dare not deal with the princess.”

Jingchen smiled, “Xiao Liuzi, does Princess Yang recognize you?”

“No, but her personal maid, Xiao Cui, does.”

Jingchen inquired further about their conversation, then said, “You stay here. They won’t know me. Even the palace’s imperial consorts and princes I do not fully recognize, let alone their ladies.”

Striding confidently, Jingchen approached the opposite shop.

The proprietor immediately greeted him with a broad smile, “Boss Huang, forgive my poor eyesight for any previous neglect.”

Jingchen returned the smile, “Proprietor Jin, you are too kind...”

As they spoke, a graceful and elegant young woman approached.

Jingchen exclaimed in surprise, “Simin, you’ve time-traveled too…”

This woman was the spitting image of his fiancée, Yang Simin, only younger and slightly plumper.

Everyone else was utterly bewildered.

Xiao Cui asked, “Boss, what is this ‘time travel’? Our lord…”

“Cough, cough,” Princess Yang coughed lightly. Xiao Cui immediately stopped speaking.

Jingchen, momentarily dazed, quickly composed himself, “Sorry, beautiful lady, I mistook you.”

Yang Simin smiled, “You don’t call me ‘beautiful lady’; ‘madam’ will do.”

“I was careless.”

“Boss Huang, please have a seat,” Yang Simin gestured.

Jingchen spoke of society, then economy, then business, and from business to human relations.

From there, he spoke of the court, mentioning the second prince, Jingwei.

He sighed, “A son should be like the second prince.”

Prince Jingwei was a model among men!

His pen could bring peace to the realm; his sword could stabilize the world.

He was the Great Yin Dynasty’s pillar of jade and purple-gold beams spanning the seas.

Jingchen praised Xiao Cui as not only beautiful but clever and obedient.

He further extolled Yang Simin’s exceptional beauty, comparing her to mythic grace—fish that hide, flowers that shame the moon.

Beautiful and kind-hearted, her husband must be a rare phoenix among dragons.

His flattery made Princess Yang tremble with delight, laughing incessantly.

Flattery never fails.

Finally, Jingchen feigned poverty, claiming he was originally a horse trader whose horses were stolen, leaving him penniless.

Fortunately, he still had five hundred taels in the bank but had no home to return to.

He even asked if installment payments were possible.

In good spirits, Yang Simin said, “Fate brings us together; consider it helping you out. This year, just four hundred taels rent. Next year, we’ll see!”

Seizing the moment, Jingchen said, “No wonder the magpies were so noisy when I woke this morning—turns out I met a noble benefactor!”

They signed the contract and paid the rent in one seamless transaction.

Xiao Cui glanced at Jingchen repeatedly and asked with a smile, “Boss Huang, where is your lady?”

Jingchen shook his head, “I am a crude horse trader, wandering everywhere; no woman would fancy me.”

With that, he bid farewell to Yang Simin and the others and left.