Chapter 19
Chapter 19
It was rare for me to have time to chat with Tun’er, so I asked him how his studies had been lately. He replied, “Empress Mother, don’t worry. I’ve been studying properly.”
“More diligently than Ping’er?”
Tun’er said with perfect seriousness, “Second Brother only focuses on the classics. He’s always researching historical records. I’m different from him. Imperial Father even praised me and said I’m accomplished in both letters and arms.”
“Don’t take that too seriously. Right now, there are only three princes attending lessons. Ping’er loves literature, and An’er favors martial arts. Compared with them, of course you seem accomplished in both.”
“That still means I’m accomplished in both.”
“All right, all right. Whatever Tun’er says.”
“Empress Mother, I told you not to call me Tun’er. You should call me Yi’er, like Imperial Father does,” Tun’er said, displeased.
When I gave birth to Tun’er, I was still quite young myself. Looking at that newborn child, all I wanted was for him to grow up healthy and safe. People always said a humble childhood name made a child easier to raise, so I planned to choose one to weigh him down a little. After going back and forth, I settled on Tun’er. Tun meant little pig. I hoped my child would be like a little piglet, growing up fair and plump.
Ever since Tun’er grew a little older and learned what his name meant, he had become terribly concerned with face and refused to let me call him that, saying he would lose dignity in front of his younger brothers and sisters. Most childhood names carried the hopes of the person who named the child. The names of the Second Prince and Third Prince together formed “peace and safety.” The Fourth Princess was Wuyou, “free from worry.” That was very much Consort Kang’s usual style. Born into the imperial family, wealth and glory were never lacking from birth; all one could hope for was that the children would live peaceful, worry-free lives. The Fourth Prince was in poor health, so Lady Xue named him Changsheng, hoping the child would live a long life. Third Princess Ah Wan was named so because Wanyi Wen hoped she would grow into a gentle and graceful young lady. Fifth Princess Ah Xing was given her name because she was born when the apricot blossoms were in full bloom.
But in the palace, the most distinctive one was Second Princess Xiaowanzi. When Wanyi Xiang was pregnant, she was always fond of things like lotus root balls and radish balls. But never in my wildest dreams did I expect that after the child was born, when I asked whether she had thought of a childhood name, she would blurt out “Little Ball” and leave me stunned. Since she liked it, I let her have her way.
“All right, all right. Yi’er, Yi’er. Satisfied now?”
Tun’er leaned against me. “Empress Mother is the best.”
“How old are you already, still acting spoiled?”
“You’re the only person I can act spoiled with, Empress Mother. Once I step outside, I have to put on a fake smile. It’s exhausting.”
“Endure it, Yi’er. Empress Mother knows how hard it is for you, but since you are in this position, that is how it must be.”
He was the eldest son. Even if I did not force him, if he did not become emperor in the future, would he truly have a good end? The legitimate eldest son-there was no escaping it from the moment he was born.
Tun’er nodded. “I understand. I only say these things in front of Empress Mother. Imperial Father has been praising me lately too, but Imperial Father also likes Fourth Brother so much.”
“It’s all right. He’s still young. You get along very well with Ping’er and An’er now, and in the future, you will get along well with your other younger brothers and sisters too.”
“And what if they don’t get along with me?”
I smiled. “Don’t you already know?”
Tun’er looked at me and smiled as well. “I know, but-”
I cut him off. “There is no but. Look at the rear palace now. Most people seem to live in harmony and happiness, but with so many women, how could there be no selfish desires? Do you know why Empress Mother can make them coexist peacefully?”
Tun’er thought for a moment, then tilted his head and said, “Because Empress Mother removed the unstable elements?”
Seeing me nod, he asked, “Then what about Consort He?”
“She is a princess sent here for a marriage alliance. Your Imperial Father is willing to give her some face, so why should I disturb that? Besides, Noble Lady Mei has always shut her doors and lived her own quiet little life, but in the rear palace, just because you are honest does not mean others will leave you alone.”
As for Noble Lady Mei, she truly seemed honest and dutiful to me. Aside from paying respects, she almost never went out and had little contact with others. Back then, Consort Kang had actually been rather like her, but Consort Kang was much smarter. She knew to pledge herself to me. Over the years, Consort Kang had not befriended many consorts either, only Wanyi Xiang, Wanyi Wen, and a few others. Her rank was high, so she could afford to be more casual. But Noble Lady Mei was different.
“So Imperial Father is only interested in Consort He on a whim?”
“Enough. Why have you become so interested in your Imperial Father’s rear palace?”
“I’m just curious.”
I tapped his forehead. “Do your own work properly. Don’t get too entangled with the rear palace.”
“It’s not as if I would tell anyone else. Empress Mother, tell me.”
Seeing his curious expression, I had no idea whom he took after. I prided myself on not being someone who loved gossip, and when I thought about His Majesty in that regard, he did not seem like it either. But then again, he was the emperor. Who knew if he secretly read gossip in private? The thought was rather amusing.
“You. In a few more years, when you’re older and have wives and concubines of your own, you’ll understand once you keep an eye on them. For now, don’t think about these things. I heard His Majesty assigned you a policy essay the day before yesterday. Have you finished it?”
His little face wrinkled. “Empress Mother, why would you bring up something so unhappy?”
“To sober you up.”