Chapter 147: Director of the Directorate for Palace Attire (Part V)

Leaving the Prince of Wei’s mansion, Quan Ce strolled back to Princess Taiping’s estate to report on his mission.

Princess Taiping was currently hosting a banquet and drew him in to accompany her. Her guests were a group of matrons: one was older, wealthy-looking, and over fifty years of age; the other three were young wives in the prime of their youth, slender, charming, and poised. They were introduced as distant, collateral in-laws of the Princess’s former husband, Xue Shao. Their family name was Liu, and they were the relatives of the late Senior General of the Left Gate Guard, Liu Boying. The three young women were all her daughters-in-law.

"You are truly blessed, Madam. All three of your sons are ambitious and accomplished, and the wives they have married are simply impeccable—good-looking, of noble birth, virtuous, and capable. Each one is more radiant than the last, enough to fill anyone with envy," Princess Taiping said with a beaming smile, chatting familiarly with the elder woman and heaping praises upon her. Then, pulling Quan Ce close and wrapping an arm around him, she continued, "My own children are still young, and this nephew of mine is quite a handful. One simply cannot bring up the topic of marriage around him; the moment it’s mentioned, he flies into a rage and refuses to speak to anyone for days. Who knows when I’ll ever be as fortunate as you, Madam, taking a whole string of daughters-in-law out for a stroll on the streets? How grand and impressive that would be!"

The elder woman had a benevolent expression, her eyes crinkling with smiles as she looked at her three daughters-in-law, who stood like fresh water radishes, looking thoroughly pleased. "The Princess is still young; there is no need to rush. In just a few years, not only will you have daughters-in-law by your side, but grandchildren will likely be running all over the courtyard. Nowadays, the customs are different; young gentlemen are reserved, and they marry later and later. Young Master Quan is of royal blood and exceptionally talented; he ought to enjoy the prime of his youth to the fullest. If he were to marry too early, to say nothing of the countless young maidens across the streets who would be heartbroken and disappointed, even an old woman like me would feel distressed in her heart."

These remarks brought a string of giggles from Princess Taiping. Quan Ce maintained a smile on his face, quietly playing the role of a lucky mascot. Hearing the conversation turn to him—and all in praise—he straightened his posture and lowered his head slightly to show modesty.

Courtesy demands reciprocity, so Princess Taiping naturally began to praise the elder woman’s sons as well. Quan Ce listened attentively. The elder woman’s eldest son, Liu Xingshi, served as the Prefect of Yazhou; the second son, Liu Xingyu, served as the Prefect of Quzhou; the third son, Liu Xinggan, had not yet entered official service; and there was also a nephew from a branch family, Liu Qiantong, who had been raised under her name and currently served as the General of the Right Yingyang Guard. The Right Yingyang Guard was also known as the Right Wu Guard. Thus, the family possessed talents in both civil and military arts, with their official tablets filling the bedsheets.

Princess Taiping intentionally or unintentionally steered the topic toward Liu Xinggan, hinting that before long, she could grant his wish to enter official service.

A look of gratitude appeared on the elder woman’s face, though her eyes remained calm and composed. "Xinggan is the youngest and has been spoiled rotten at home. I heard he previously came to pay a visit to the Princess. If there was any discourtesy on his part, this old woman offers her apologies here and hopes the Princess will not take it to heart."

Princess Taiping waved her hand dismissively to indicate it was of no consequence. Although Liu Xinggan was somewhat blockheaded and stubborn—having listened to who knows whom about the Office of Palace Vestments being exceptionally prestigious, close, and infinitely dignified—he had stiffened his neck and come begging for an official post. Even though Princess Taiping felt no fondness for him in her heart, considering that his brothers were all usable talents, she had made him a promise. After soothing the elder woman with a few words and using Quan Ce as a guarantee of peace of mind, she saw them off. "Dalang, the Liu family's third young master has a fine literary talent, and you too are fond of letters and verse. In the future, you should cultivate a close relationship with him."

"Yes, Aunt," Quan Ce readily agreed, drawing another wave of delight from the Liu family matriarch.

After the Liu family guests departed, Princess Taiping personally escorted them out to the outer gates. Upon her return, strolling through the covered corridors, her face was shrouded in gloom. She remained silent, leaving Quan Ce to follow her footsteps in quiet submission.

"Dalang!" Princess Taiping suddenly whirled around, grabbing Quan Ce by the hand, her eyes flashing with a fierce glare. "I finally understand why the Imperial Mother, possessing the entire empire, still had to kill so many people."

Gritting her teeth, her voice chillingly cold, Quan Ce felt a chill run down his spine. Knowing her to be proud and haughty, he realized that lowering herself to flatter and fawn upon that old woman must have exhausted every ounce of her patience and forbearance. Pressing her hand, he quickly sought to comfort her. "Aunt, those who wear the crown must bear its weight. Divine Capital is the central hub, where winds and rains converge from all directions. Navigating it with tact and leverage is the best strategy. Occasionally bowing one's head or bending the waist is simply unavoidable. Aunt can command from the center without needing to handle every single matter personally. Chongyin is growing up, and Chongmin and Chongxing can also shoulder some responsibilities. Some matters can be delegated to them; it will serve as good experience for them."

Princess Taiping cast a cold glance at him, let out a hum, and said, "You are certainly kind-hearted. I have my own arrangements for them, yet you manage to keep yourself completely detached. Coming to this estate, you’ve started acting like a delicate maiden—never stepping past the inner gates. Are you even a guest?"

Quan Ce hurriedly lowered his head, not daring to speak. He dared not claim to be a guest, and certainly dared not act as the master.

Princess Taiping pinched his cheek playfully. "This place is your home. Being overly restrained only displeases your aunt. If you want to host banquets, hold literary gatherings, or play polo, feel free to do so. Stop putting on that ugly facade of gentleness, goodness, frugality, and yielding."

Quan Ce forced a laugh and nodded in assent.

"Hurry up with your actions. Since you know how to navigate with leverage, show me how you wield it. Your aunt is racking her brains and exhausting her mind; my figure is losing its shape, and I fear I’ll become even less pleasing to the eye than the women in your paintings."

As her words fell, a lingering fragrance drifted through the air, and Princess Taiping gracefully glided away.

Quan Ce rubbed the bridge of his nose. Princess Taiping was recruiting manpower to deal with all factions, even harboring thoughts of murder; as for himself, pressured from all sides, how could he not feel depressed?

"Young Master Quan, there is a Qianniu guard at the gatehouse looking for you, saying there is an urgent matter. Would you..." Three stewards rushed over, pushing and shoving one another to deliver the message.

Quan Ce went out to take a look and couldn't help but chuckle—the Qianniu guard was none other than Han Zhai.

Upon seeing him, Han Zhai grabbed his arm and pulled him along. "Quickly come with me! General Xie wants to whip up some new gimmicks, but has no set procedures. She asked me to invite you over to consult."

Quan Ce followed him to the Xuanren Gate. Xie Yaohuan was sitting calmly amidst the central army, discussing matters with several Qianniu guards. Seeing Quan Ce enter, she waved the others away, stood up to pour him a cup of tea, and said, "I intend to introduce firecrackers into the military, but I have no clear direction. Master Wu’s workshop just manufactures them without knowing how to use them. Do you have any ideas?"

"Uh," Quan Ce gave a slight hiccup and rubbed his chin. Guns and cannons were beyond him, but creating something like an explosive charge to terrify horses and blast through fortifications in battle was certainly feasible.

While he felt his ideas were crude and unworthy of presentation, Xie Yaohuan was quite satisfied. "Then it's settled. You are familiar with Master Wu; we shall go together later and explain it to him clearly."

Quan Ce smiled and agreed, then shifted the topic to another matter. "General Xie..."

"Young Master Quan, I feel that we are quite well-acquainted by now. Always addressing each other so formally feels rather awkward," Xie Yaohuan interrupted, shifting slightly in her seat. "We are both military men. If Young Master Quan does not mind, you may simply call me Yaohuan."

Seeing her make an effort to appear bold and rugged, Quan Ce could not help but notice how it clashed with her crystal-jade complexion, slightly flushed earlobes, and docile, expressive eyes—traits that simply could not be masked. Outwardly pretending not to notice, he chuckled self-deprecatingly. "It was merely my own over-scrupulousness. Yaohuan, you may simply call me Dalang. I have a suggestion, though it is not entirely mature: the Divine Capital’s Qianniu Guard and Thousand Cavalry are both the Emperor’s personal troops, and being inner guards, male sentries find many things inconvenient. If we could supplement them with a small number of female guards, it would achieve a tremendous effect."

Quan Ce offered his suggestion with caution, but Xie Yaohuan agreed without a moment's hesitation. "Very well. Once I return to the palace, I will report this to the Emperor. If Her Majesty permits, I will execute it. Since the idea is yours, I shall certainly have to consult with Dalang when the time comes."

Quan Ce looked at her for a moment and smiled silently.

Xie Yaohuan glanced toward the door, and taking the opportunity to refill Quan Ce’s teacup, lowered her voice and spoke rapidly, "Su Weidao has been ordered by the Emperor to promote Lu Zhaoyin. Do not provoke Lai Junchen anytime soon."

Quan Ce caught the faint fragrance emanating from Xie Yaohuan, but he also sensed an unusual undercurrent. Not rushing to dissect these two short sentences, he lowered his voice and quickly replied, "Thank you, Yaohuan. Do not take such risks again."

Xie Yaohuan glanced sideways at him, turned her head to look out the window, set the teapot down, and with her back to him, said, "Young Master Quan’s suggestion is exceptionally good; this favor I shall remember. As for matters of safety, Young Master Quan need not worry. Having served in the palace for many years, I recognize only right and wrong in my heart, and I shall act with the utmost caution. I will not see you out."

Quan Ce gave her a deep look, stood up, and said, "In that case, Quan Ce takes his leave."

Riding back on horseback, Quan Ce fell deep into thought. Naturally, he had no intention of provoking Lai Junchen; as the longest-surviving inquisitor, that man would continue to stir up storms for a long time to come.

Shangguan Wan'er’s identity was becoming increasingly sensitive, making her movements inconvenient, yet she had Xie Yaohuan helping her in secret. Could a single word like "benevolence" truly encompass everything? He didn't believe it. At least in his heart, Xie Yaohuan—pure and detached like a chrysanthemum—was far more endearing and respectable than Shangguan Wan'er, who blossomed in wealth and splendor.

It was actually Empress Wu who promoted Lu Zhaoyin. Was this an attempt to win over the Shandong gentry, or to help him cultivate his own faction? Princess Taiping also intended to use his hands to build a network of connections. As for himself, where should he go from here?