Wish You All the Best - Extra Chapter 4

Extra Chapter - Yiyuan & Xiguang (Part II)

As spring arrived, the snow that had covered the area outside Suye City throughout the winter began to slowly melt. One afternoon, Pei You’an returned from outside and, not seeing his daughter, guessed she must be playing in the back garden. Just as he was about to go look for her, he heard a cry of "Daddy" echoing from the porch outside. Lifting his eyes, he saw her small figure appear at the doorway, stepping over the threshold and running toward him. A smile bloomed on his face; he hurriedly walked to meet her and scooped her up. Seeing the fine beads of sweat on the tip of her nose and her bangs matted to her forehead, he asked Jiafu, who was with her, and was told that she had been running around playing, which was why she was so hot.

Even though spring had come, the weather was still cold. Jiafu took their daughter to wash her hair and bathe. Once she was clean, she changed her into dry, warm clothes. Seeing that her daughter’s bangs had grown a bit long and were obscuring her eyes, she was just about to call the old nanny from the manor who knew how to trim hair, when Pei You’an had already picked up his daughter, sat her on a stool before the vanity, and pulled out a pair of small scissors. He said he would trim them himself, promising he would do no worse than the nanny.

Ayuan was just over two years old—three in the traditional reckoning—and she was the spitting image of Jiafu when she was young. With skin as white as milk, round, wide eyes, a delicate nose, and cherry lips, she was as precious and lovely as polished jade. The chubby little girl held out a hand, her five fingers short and plump, with dimples marking the back of her knuckles. Yet, she was already aware of vanity; seeing her father about to trim her bangs, she sat obediently before the mirror, not moving a muscle.

Pei You’an made one cut, and the bangs came out a bit crooked. Ayuan expressed her dissatisfaction. The father tried to fix it, but the more he trimmed, the shorter they became—shorter and shorter still. Finally, they were straight, but the row of bangs, once beautiful, was now left as nothing more than a short, choppy fringe.

Ayuan’s tears slowly began to well up in her eyes.

The father had thought trimming a straight set of bangs was a simple matter, never expecting them to end up like this. Seeing his daughter on the verge of tears, he was filled with regret. Just then, Jiafu walked in and, seeing her daughter’s short bangs, let out an "Oh?" and asked, "How did you manage to cut them so short?"

Ayuan could hold it in no longer and let out a wailing cry.

Pei You’an was at a loss; he hurried to coax his daughter, but the more he tried, the more sorrowfully Ayuan cried.

Pei You’an tried this way and that, and finally remembered to tell her that in a few days, he would be able to take her to the capital.

Ayuan had known about this for a long time. She had been dwelling on the fact that once the ice melted, her parents would take her to a place called the capital to visit the big brother who lived there. Only when she heard her father say this did she begin to cheer up. But then, a thought struck her: her hair had been cut so ugly by her daddy, what if her big brother saw it and didn't like her? She couldn't help but sniffle and break into tears again.

Pei You’an told her that no matter what, her big brother would love her. He added that the journey to the capital would take a month or two, and by the time they arrived, her hair would have grown back, and she would be as beautiful and lovely as before. Only then did the little girl finally break into a tearful smile and began to eagerly count down the days to their departure.

On the day of their departure, with everything arranged, Pei You’an and Jiafu took Ayuan and set out on the road back to the capital.

This was their first time returning to the capital in three years.

In these few years, although she had her husband and little daughter by her side, seeing Ayuan often made Jiafu think involuntarily of what Ci’er looked like when he was young. She still vividly remembered the scene of her last meeting with her eldest son; he was only a sixteen-year-old youth then. Now, three years had passed, and he was soon to have his grand wedding.

The journey went smoothly. When they reached the capital region and stopped at a courier station to rest, the Minister of Rites arrived fifty miles outside the city, having been ordered to personally welcome the Prince and Princess of Jin. After staying one night at the station, they arrived in the capital before dark the following day, and the family settled into the residence where they had lived for many years in the past.

That night, the Emperor arrived in disguise to see his father and mother.

Although three years had passed, and the sixteen-year-old youth of that time had grown into a young man with the stature of a full adult, the moment he spoke—a familiar "Daddy, Mother," filled with profound affection—it instantly dispelled all the anxiety Jiafu had felt regarding the separation of time and space. Nothing remained but joy and excitement; her eyes reddened, and she could not hold back her tears.

The young Emperor smiled as he wiped away her tears, and he exchanged a glance with his father, who was standing to the side with a smile. Between father and son, there was a wealth of tacit understanding.

"Big Brother, I’m Ayuan!"

Although Ayuan had never seen her brother’s face since birth, she had long ago committed him to memory through her parents' words. Seeing him at last tonight, she liked this handsome brother instantly. When she saw him wiping her mother’s tears, she ran over, grabbed his leg, and looked up at him with a grin.

The Emperor’s face was filled with smiles as he picked up his little sister, holding her high above his head just as his grandfather had done when he was a child. He held her there for a long time, as if only in this way could he express the love he felt for her in his heart.

Ayuan was ecstatic. For the whole evening, she clung tightly to her Emperor brother, and he held her the entire time; the house was filled with nothing but her laughter.

Late into the night, Jiafu left the father and son to talk in the study while she, after much difficulty, coaxed her daughter to sleep.

Lying in her quilts, Ayuan was still rambling on, her mouth full of talk about her big brother, excitedly mentioning that he was going to take her to his place the next morning. She remained excited until, late at night, she was so sleepy that she could no longer keep her eyelids open, and she drifted off into a muddled slumber.

With Jiafu having taken Ayuan to sleep, only the father and son remained in the study. The Emperor took the initiative to mention to his father several major national affairs he had recently been handling. Pei You’an nodded and smiled, "I know you have your own grand strategy in mind, and I have no worries about you, but there is one thing..."

He paused.

"Please speak, Father." The Emperor rose immediately, speaking respectfully.

Pei You’an told him to sit down. "You must know what it is: it concerns the granddaughter of the Zhang family. Some time ago, I received a letter from Minister Zhang Ming, suggesting he felt pessimistic about his daughter being named Empress. Ci’er, the mourning period for the Zhang granddaughter is almost over. Regarding the marriage settled back then, what are your plans now?"

"Marriage is a matter for my parents to decide. I wonder what your intentions are, Father and Mother?"

When the Emperor said this, his expression was flat and indifferent.

Pei You’an pondered.

Three years ago, after he had expressed his firm intention to retire, Zhang Shiyong had become embroiled in the Yang Song case and was subsequently forced to claim illness to retire from his post.

Pei You’an knew very well that this was because Zhang Shiyong could not let go of his power and status, while the young Emperor, ambitious like a hawk taking its first flight into the sky, was unwilling to have the "Guarding Ministers" of the past holding him back.

Once the sovereign and his ministers were out of step, such an outcome was inevitable.

At the time, he did not intervene, but observed the changes quietly. Once the dust settled, out of a desire for compensation and to maintain balance, he had conceived the idea of making the Zhang granddaughter the Empress.

When he proposed it, his son had agreed immediately. Now that the Zhang family was showing signs of retreat, Pei You’an could not make a quick decision, which was why he asked for his son’s opinion.

Hearing his son’s reply, he said, "You are already nineteen and have not yet had your grand wedding. Even if you do not marry the Zhang girl now, you will have to choose someone else to be your Empress. Your marriage is both a private family matter and a state affair involving the country. It is better to remain stable than to change. If my thinking is correct, it is not that the Zhang family is truly unwilling to form this union, but rather that they are still traumatized by the events of that time. My view is that since we originally selected the Zhang girl as Empress, the whole world knows of it. Unless you have someone else in mind, rather than breaking the contract and inviting criticism from court officials, it is better to appease the Zhang family and treat them with greater favor in the future. Have the wedding as soon as possible to settle the hearts of the people."

He gazed at his son’s handsome, resolute face, thinking of how he had been separated from them to enter the palace when he was only three. Without regard for the heat or cold, he had studied every day to learn how to be the sovereign of this vast empire. By the age of seven, while other children were still being doted on by their parents, he had already ascended the throne. No one knew the hardships he had endured better than he did. His voice softened involuntarily. "Ci’er, when I chose the Zhang granddaughter, I knew something of her beforehand. The Zhang family has been scholarly for generations, with strict family traditions. The granddaughter is talented and beautiful, gentle and virtuous—she is a perfect match for you. If you can marry her, you will surely be able to support each other in the future."

"I will obey whatever my parents decide."

The Emperor recalled what the Zhang granddaughter had said in private to her father in the past, his eyes flickering slightly, though his face remained calm. He stood up and replied respectfully.

The next morning, the moment Ayuan opened her eyes, she saw Jiafu’s smiling face. She was told that the people the big brother sent to pick her up had already arrived and were waiting outside. With a cheer, she didn't dawdle in bed but scrambled out of her warm blankets, urging her mother to help her dress and comb her hair. She ate a hearty breakfast and was finally led by Jiafu to the front hall, her heart brimming with joy. There stood a round-faced man dressed in red; seeing her, he ran over quickly, bowed, and called her "Little Princess" while performing a salute.

Before going to sleep the night before, her brother had apologized repeatedly, saying he had matters to attend to this morning and couldn't come personally, but would send a man named Cui Ban’er. Seeing that this man was all smiles and looked very kind, she asked, "Are you Cui Ban’er?"

"Oh, I wouldn't dare. The little princess can just call me Eunuch Cui."

Cui Yinshui was now over forty, his face round and plump. Other than having put on some weight since his youth, he didn't look much older. He was already the head eunuch in the palace. After joking with Ayuan for a moment, he bowed to Jiafu and said, "Princess, I will now lead the little princess into the palace. Please do not worry, Princess; this servant will certainly take good care of her."

Cui Yinshui had always been good at taking care of children, so there was nothing to worry about. Jiafu admonished her daughter not to be troublesome and then let go of her hand, watching as her daughter ran off, hopping and skipping in the company of Cui Yinshui.

After the morning court session, the Emperor set aside all official business to take his sister to visit the swan house, peacock house, and other areas in the West Garden where rare birds and beasts were kept. They were so delighted they forgot to return home. She didn't come back that night, sleeping in the palace instead. The second day was the same. It was not until the third day, when the novelty had gradually faded and she began to miss her parents, that she left the palace and returned.

A few days later, the court officials all knew that the Zhang granddaughter had finished her period of mourning for her grandfather, and the Ministry of Rites began to prepare for the Emperor’s grand wedding. The Prince and Princess of Jin’s return to the capital was indeed for this purpose. After calculations by the Imperial Board of Astronomy, the date for the grand wedding was set for a lucky day three months later.

Years ago, when Pei You’an proposed making the Zhang granddaughter the Empress, Jiafu had secretly paid attention to the girl. She knew her name was Xiguang. Upon inquiring with Lady Liu Jiushao, who had met her, she learned that not only was the girl beautiful and highly talented, but Lady Liu also said that her most precious quality was her lively nature; she loved to laugh and possessed an elegant, unpretentious spirit, making her very endearing.

Lady Liu could not stop praising her.

Upon hearing this, Jiafu was very satisfied.

It is rare for a woman to possess both beauty and talent, though not impossible.

What pleased her most was the personality Lady Liu described, which felt quite complementary to her son’s.

Since her son was the Emperor, his marriage meant the selection of an Empress; it was no longer his private affair. Although in her heart, Jiafu also hoped he could find a beloved, someone with whom he could be united in mind and spirit forever, just as she was with his father.

But considering his status, and because they had been separated for many years, Jiafu respected his true nature and had never mentioned a word of such expectations to him.

Jiafu simply hoped that the girl who would stand beside her son as Empress would be intelligent enough.

Jiafu understood her son.

His heart was too big—so big that even she, his mother, did not fully understand it.

And his wife, even if exalted as Empress and titled "Mother of the Nation," would have a world limited to that narrow sphere of the inner palace.

That sphere was too small.

If the girl was not intelligent enough and regarded that small world and her husband—the Emperor—as everything, then as time went on, no matter how beautiful or talented she was, she would likely lose her way in the endless cycle of hope and disappointment, eventually losing her true self.

Like a bright, shimmering pearl gradually turning into a worthless fish eye.

Such tragedies for women had been staged for generations in that gilded palace, and they were far from rare.

Jiafu was expectant that this granddaughter of the Zhang family would, even many years later, still be able to maintain that "elegant spirit" and her lively, laughter-loving nature that Lady Liu had spoken of.

If so, it would be her fortune, and it would also be her son’s fortune.

On this day, Jiafu took Ayuan to the Changning Villa in the west of the city.

This was a garden that Ci’er had given to his sister, named after Ayuan’s title. Since learning of her birth two years ago, he had begun selecting a site and building it beside the Imperial West Garden. Only a few months ago was it fully completed. It was connected to the Taiye Pond and covered a vast area, with pavilions and towers, rare flowers and grasses—it was breathtakingly beautiful.

Jiafu stayed at the villa for one night. The next day, under the pretext of flower viewing, she sent someone to bring Xiguang to the villa.

Some time ago, when Xiguang learned from her father that the cancellation of the marriage was impossible, she could not help but be deeply disappointed.

After the disappointment, since the matter was settled, there was nothing to do but wait for the grand wedding.

The Prince of Jin had visited, and afterward, her father told her that the Prince had said the Emperor was naming her Empress out of respect for her grandfather, and that the Prince had told her father not to worry.

Although she did not know if it was true or false, with the Prince of Jin’s words, her father felt as if he had taken a dose of reassurance.

Since the Prince’s visit, her father seemed to have relaxed significantly compared to before.

Furthermore, the Emperor’s actions seemed to prove the Prince’s words.

During the first anniversary of her grandfather’s death, the Emperor had personally written a memorial. Her two brothers, whose mourning period had ended, were not only reinstated to their posts but had both been promoted.

This series of elevations, in the eyes of others, was naturally the Emperor’s grace toward the family of a minister who had assisted him for many years, and no one could help but feel envious.

During these days, Xiguang could only wait for the wedding date. She did not take a single step out of the house, nor did she socialize with others, until this day, when she received an invitation from the Princess of Jin. Not daring to be remiss, she went out, sat in the carriage sent for her, and arrived at the villa.

The Princess of Jin looked very young, at most in her early thirties. She took Xiguang to the garden, and while they viewed flowers, they chatted casually. The only person with them was the little princess, who was bouncing about; even the servants and nannies followed far behind, creating an extremely relaxed atmosphere.

Before coming, Xiguang had been a bit nervous.

After all, the Prince of Jin’s influence on the Emperor was known to the entire court. It was said that after the little Princess Changning arrived in the capital, she entered and left the palace as if it were her own garden, and the Emperor even set aside state affairs to personally accompany her to explore the West Garden for several days.

But at this moment, after seeing the Princess of Jin and the little princess, Xiguang quickly relaxed.

Not only was the little princess lively and cute—quickly becoming familiar with her—but the Princess of Jin was also very kind and had no airs at all.

She could feel that the Princess seemed to like her, and a feeling of closeness grew in her heart.

The Princess told her many things about the Emperor.

What the Emperor liked to eat, what books he liked to read. Finally, she said, "Xiguang, Emperor Majesty may look hard to approach, but that is because he has been very lonely since childhood. So, you must not be afraid of him, nor should you be afraid to show your true self in front of him."

"I like you very much, and I think that when the Emperor knows how good you are, he will surely like you too."

Xiguang was stunned, gazing fixedly at the Princess who was looking at her with a smile. She suddenly remembered a rumor she had heard several years ago, though she didn't know where it came from.

It was said that the Prince of Jin was the son of the late Emperor and that "Goddess" from back then. Due to his complicated background, he had been raised under the name of the Duke of Wei, who was like a brother to the late Emperor, and the current Emperor was the son of the Prince of Jin.

Such rumors, one didn't know when, where, or from whom they started. Because they were so absurd, they had circulated for a while before gradually fading away.

But at this very moment, Xiguang suddenly had a wonderful feeling; she felt as if she had sensed the Princess’s extraordinary and profound love for the "Emperor Majesty" she spoke of.

A warm current gradually surged from the bottom of her heart.

She gazed at the woman before her who was looking at her with eyes full of earnest hope, and slowly, she nodded firmly. "Princess, please rest assured. I will do my best."

"Sister! Let’s go on the swings! I love swinging!"

The little princess suddenly grabbed Xiguang’s hand and pointed to a swing in front, shouting happily.

Xiguang had also loved swinging since she was a child, and she was quite daring. In the past, every year on the Girls' Festival, when the maidens gathered to swing, she was always the one who swung the highest and the most gracefully, winning the top spot year after year.

She looked at the Princess.

The Princess smiled. "Go ahead, be careful."

Xiguang nodded, took the little princess’s hand, and headed toward the swing.

She stepped onto the swing, and amidst the applause and cheers of the little princess—who was looking up at her with admiration—and the maids and attendants who had been attracted to the scene, she swung higher and higher against the wind, as if she had returned to those carefree, blossoming years of her youth, showing a smile she had not revealed in a long time.

The Emperor had learned that his mother and sister had arrived at the villa yesterday and would be staying for a few days. This afternoon, he left the palace, intending to accompany them, but he was attracted by the laughter drifting from the garden. Upon seeking them out, this was the scene he beheld.

From afar, he saw a beautiful young girl dressed in crimson, standing on the swing he had ordered to be built specifically for his little sister. With wisteria hanging like a waterfall, her white wrists like snow, she was as light as a swallow, swaying against the wind with her wide sleeves fluttering, her face bright with smiles. Her laughter drifted with the wind, carefree and unburdened, like a celestial being descended upon the mortal world.

The Emperor did not approach further, standing there silently and watching for a long time.

Xiguang played with the little princess for a long time until the little girl was tired, and then, along with the maids, she sent her back to rest.

Earlier, her hair had been ruffled by the wind while swinging. As Xiguang was tidying herself, she discovered that a pearl hairpin from her temple was missing. Suspecting it had fallen into the grass while swinging, she retraced her steps to search, accompanied by a maid.

After searching for a long time, scanning every inch of grass under the swing, there was no sign of the hairpin.

Xiguang had no choice but to give up. Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly heard a man’s voice from behind: "Is this the object you are looking for?"

Xiguang turned around abruptly and saw a handsome young man who had appeared from nowhere, standing there, two gazes cast upon her.

In the palm of his hand, he held an object—that very hairpin she had lost.

Xiguang was startled, truly not knowing how a strange young man could have been allowed into this place. She immediately turned and walked away quickly. Suddenly, her figure froze; she turned slowly and looked at the young man again.

He stood there, his posture upright, his gaze straight. Between his brows, there was a natural authority; his entire presence exuded the deterrent power of one who had long occupied a high position.

The Prince of Jin’s villa back garden—who would have free access to this place besides that person?

Xiguang’s heartbeat suddenly accelerated; she even forgot that she should kneel and bow to him. She just stood there, eyes wide, blankly watching him walk toward her, finally stopping before her.

The young Emperor was very tall, and at such a close distance, he towered over her.

Xiguang finally snapped out of it, steadied herself, and hurriedly knelt before him.

His gaze lingered for a moment on her face, which was still flushed with the residual heat from swinging, before slowly falling to her temple, which was missing the hairpin. He raised his hand and actually tucked the hairpin back into her hair—his movements very gentle.

Xiguang’s heart began to race even faster, her face instantly turning scarlet, even her ears burning hot. She was at a loss, not knowing how to react.

Should she thank him or do something else?

Before she could decide, she suddenly felt a shadow loom over her head, and a voice sounded by her ear: "I have heard that you look down on my position of Empress and are unwilling to be my Empress."

Xiguang froze instantly. She slowly looked up and saw this young man leaning down slightly, his two eyes fixed on her with a smile that was not quite a smile.

"You are not wrong. To be my Empress is indeed a very bad thing. But you have no choice, do you know that? If you want to plant melons and beans, that is not difficult—come to the Imperial Palace, and I will let you plant melons and beans for a lifetime."

His face was even closer now, so close she could almost smell the dragon-musk incense on his robes. He said this to her in a tone that was almost a whisper, sounding as if it were both teasing and a threat. After finishing, he stood straight, said indifferently, "Rise," and turned to walk away with large strides.

The young Emperor, in front of that girl, had finally finished speaking the words that had been stuck in his throat. As he left, he glanced out of the corner of his eye and saw her face pale, standing there like a wooden chicken, and his mood suddenly became better than ever before.

Bringing her over and having her plant melons and beans in the Kunning Palace seemed like a pretty good idea.

He thought with pleasure.