25 Exhortation

Shen Biwei had always been notoriously difficult to invite, and she arrived at the banquet just before the Grand Princess made her entrance. Ye Lingbo teased her, saying, "If you had arrived any later, we would have all had to go out and welcome your majesty ourselves."

At the third quarter of the hour of the Rooster, the Grand Princess’s carriage arrived. Having agreed beforehand that this would be a casual banquet, there was no repeat of the farce involving formal court robes and prostrations. Lady Wei seemed to have spent the past few days intensively studying etiquette, having even hired an elderly matron from the palace to guide her, and she managed to carry herself with appropriate decorum. She personally welcomed the Grand Princess to her seat, serving her with her own hands. The Princess Consort of Ping served the dishes, Lady Wei arranged the chopsticks, and the wife of Marquis Jing presented the soup. Lady Shen hurried over to take it, saying, "How could we trouble an elder such as yourself?"

Nothing else of note occurred during the banquet. However, when the party dispersed, Shen Biwei was nowhere to be found. Qinglan, knowing what this was about, was busy organizing her younger sisters for their carriages. Having been a bit too lax in her supervision previously—resulting in Wei Yushan lifting the carriage curtains and Lingbo disappearing—she braced herself to keep a close watch on them.

Just as she turned back to bid farewell to Han Yueqi, she was intercepted by a pair of palace maids. They were very young, barely fifteen or sixteen, and said, "Please, Miss Ye, follow us."

Qinglan followed them around the corridors and saw the Grand Princess’s lady-in-waiting standing there with a lantern, looking like a figure from an ancient painting. In truth, from the moment Qinglan saw the Grand Princess—even if it were merely her attendants—she felt a sense of familiarity. That disposition, tempered by long years before the Buddha, could not be feigned; they recognized each other’s souls instantly.

The lady-in-waiting was quite courteous: "Miss Ye, Her Highness requests your presence."

Qinglan knew exactly what this was about. Seeing the lady’s attitude, she felt three parts relieved. She followed her through the corridors and entered the main hall where the Grand Princess was resting. Eunuchs and maids were attending in the outer room, while the inner curtains were drawn low and the air was heavy with incense, reminiscent of a temple. The Grand Princess rested on a daybed with her eyes closed, a maid massaging her legs, while an elderly matron sat nearby talking.

Shen Biwei was standing to the side and showed no surprise when Qinglan entered.

"Your Highness, Miss Ye has arrived," the lady-in-waiting announced.

Qinglan lowered her eyes and bowed. Her etiquette was impeccable, surpassing even that of Shen Biwei. The lady-in-waiting’s expression softened with admiration, but the Grand Princess remained unmoved, not even granting permission for Qinglan to rise.

"Is this the Ye family from the Ministry of Personnel?" the Grand Princess asked.

"Replying to Your Highness, my father serves as a Vice Minister in the Ministry of Personnel, and my maternal uncle serves as a Censor in the Censorate," Qinglan answered.

Last time at the Zhao household, she had been led astray by Shen Biwei and had been reluctant to name her maternal grandfather’s house. But when a person of high status makes an inquiry, stating the background of both parents is the proper etiquette.

"Oh," the Grand Princess replied. A maid brought her tea. She took a sip before speaking slowly: "Biwei spoke with me earlier, and what she said seemed to have some merit, though I did not fully grasp it. When I asked her whose words they were, she said it was you who told her to advise me. I have summoned you here to explain in detail: what is meant by 'the innocent are punished for their wealth,' and what is meant by a 'hot potato'?"

If the Grand Princess had been playing the role of a "noble lady" on a pedestal these past few days, this was likely the first real question she had asked since the onset of the Flower Message Banquet. Anyone with even the slightest understanding of power knew the weight of that question.

Qinglan bore it all with calm.

"Replying to Your Highness, it was I who instructed Miss Shen to advise you. If my words were inappropriate, the fault is mine alone."

Hearing this, Shen Biwei immediately moved to step forward but stopped with a single glance from the Grand Princess.

"Look up," Qinglan heard the Grand Princess command.

Qinglan raised her head but kept her eyes downcast. She knew, of course, that the Grand Princess intended to observe her, not allow herself to be looked at. To stare directly at the sovereign was akin to an act of rebellion—a lesson she had learned at five years old when she first accompanied her mother to a palace banquet. Eighteen years later, she remained Ye Qinglan, kneeling on the steps with perfect manners, only now, her mother’s robes were no longer there to shield her.

She possessed a striking countenance—the very model of a refined noblewoman, gentle and elegant, yet carrying the backbone of a scholar.

"Why did you ask her to advise me?" the Grand Princess asked.

"The Twenty-Four Flower Message Banquet is a major event in the capital, and the return of the Northern Army to receive honors is a matter of national importance. With these two events colliding, it is inevitable that hearts are uneasy and rumors are rife. The world is foolish; they do not understand that Your Highness hosts this banquet to settle unmarried officers, not to break up devoted couples. Because the banquet concerns the marriages of noble families, it has become a 'treasure' that invites trouble—a hot potato. The Emperor entrusted this task to you because he trusts you, and you are willing to share his burdens. As subjects, we are duty-bound to do our utmost, to plan for your sake, and to be courageous in our counsel, to set things right without regard for our own interests."

Qinglan spoke clearly and logically. Even the lady-in-waiting’s eyes brightened with admiration. The Grand Princess, however, remained unmoved.

"Since the matter is so grave, you need only have reminded me to be cautious. Why use the term 'counsel'?" Her voice sounded as if it came from high above the clouds, piercing through to one's very bones.

"To 'counsel' is to ask you to change your mind; to 'remonstrate' is for a subject to speak plainly and urge their sovereign to correct a mistake." She understatedly pointed out the depth of Ye Qinglan’s words: "Are you also worried that I intend to force the generals of the Northern Army to divorce their wives and remarry?"

The atmosphere in the hall turned chilly. Ye Qinglan remained kneeling, head bowed, silent. But her silence was an answer in itself.

"Insolent!" the lady-in-waiting beside the Princess was the first to lash out. "What is your status, that you dare to question Her Highness?"

Ye Qinglan kept her eyes lowered, her pale face as beautiful as a lotus, showing not a hint of panic.

"Your Highness has no need to force the generals of the Northern Army to divorce and remarry," she answered the Grand Princess calmly. "But if a single instance of such a thing occurs during the Flower Message Banquet, the world will assume it was by your instruction."

She raised her eyes, looking quietly at the Grand Princess. "The one holding the 'treasure' that invites trouble is Your Highness; the one holding the 'hot potato' is also Your Highness. Born into the Imperial family, you must have understood this truth long ago, is that not so?"

The entire room was stunned. The lady-in-waiting pointed at her, tongue-tied. It was true: those within the palace usually praised someone for their perfect etiquette, not falling short of palace standards. But if someone could speak words that even those within the palace dared not utter, then those palace attendants could no longer remain composed.

"You are insolent!" The lady-in-waiting was about to silence her, but was stopped by the Grand Princess’s raised hand.

The Grand Princess, who looked no older than thirty and was as striking as a dark-red peony, did not seem shocked by Qinglan’s words. Instead, she asked quite calmly: "Then, by your understanding, how should I conduct myself?"

She treated her with courtesy, so Qinglan returned it with the formality of a strategist.

"In the past, Zilu asked Confucius: 'If the ruler of Wei were to wait for you to govern, what would be your priority?' Confucius replied: 'It must be to rectify names!' I can only offer this same answer to Your Highness. 'If names are not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth; if language is not in accordance with the truth, affairs cannot be successful.' As it stands, it would be best if Your Highness first held a banquet to announce to the world the original intent behind your hosting of the Flower Message Banquet. Then, appoint several officials to oversee the maidens of the capital and the generals of the Northern Army separately, reward the wives of the Northern Army, and confer titles upon a few of them. Then, watch and wait for the changes."

The allusion she cited from the Analects referred to a time when the rites and music of the state of Wei had collapsed. Lingbo’s complaints in her leisure time were not unfounded; the Flower Message Banquet was indeed in a state of disarray. Among the senior ladies, those who should have been presiding were either ill or aged; the Princess Consort of Ping had yet to take the reins, and Lady Shen was chronically ill. Among the young ladies, Shen Biwei refused to step forward, and Lu Wenyin was forcing Lu Wanyang into the spotlight, leading to chaos. Coupled with the return of the Northern Army, it was indeed a hot potato.

If these were the only issues, Qinglan would not have cared. But the wives of the Northern Army were panicked, and officials in the capital were feasting the generals day and night, sending streams of singing girls and concubines, endangering the reputation of the banquet. If this continued, a great disaster would occur. Lu Wenyin had a twisted nature, and Han Yueqi was busy; only she, Ye Qinglan, could see through it and knew how to set things right, hence this advice.

But she hadn't originally intended to give it. That was why the Grand Princess now smiled faintly: "That is good advice, but why have Shen Biwei present it for you?"

Actually, when she entered today, Ye Qinglan hadn't been worried. Her words were pearls of wisdom; the Grand Princess had always been wise and sagacious, so how could she not understand, let alone blame her?

She smiled and replied: "Your Highness would naturally not be distracted by worldly turmoil or discard a good suggestion based on the person who delivered it, but I did not wish to add unnecessarily to your burden."

Her own status was awkward—unmarried at twenty-four, everyone suspected something was amiss. Unlike Shen Biwei, who was a noblewoman raised under the Grand Princess’s gaze, having her deliver the advice would reflect better on her image before the Princess.

However, Shen Biwei was not one to take credit, so when the Grand Princess asked, she must have revealed Ye Qinglan.

The Grand Princess clearly understood, which was why she smiled as she looked at her face.

"Aren't you afraid she would take all the credit? Even if you are close as sisters, there are many disputes at the Flower Message Banquet."

Shen Biwei was truly audacious; even now, she couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"The atmosphere of the Flower Message Banquet is determined by Your Highness. If the atmosphere is good, we are all well; there is no need for the success to be mine. Of course, Biwei is as broad-minded as a hermit of the mountains, so she naturally cares little for such minor fame."

"Ye Qinglan, I remember you," the Grand Princess said slowly. "When the palace selected lady-in-waiting years ago, your name was mentioned."

Ye Qinglan merely bowed her head.

"Your Highness’s favor is something I will always cherish."

The tension dissipated. The Grand Princess bestowed a fragrant sachet upon her—a palace design—as a reward for their counsel. The lady-in-waiting personally carried a lantern to the end of the corridor, hesitating before saying: "Worldly affairs are like water; the rising and falling of tides are common occurrences. Please set your heart at ease, Miss Ye."

Outstanding women have always appreciated one another. Knowing the lady was comforting her, Qinglan smiled: "Thank you for your kindness."

Seeing how appropriately she responded, the lady felt even more regret. After seeing them off and returning, she saw the Grand Princess simply looking at a menu, seemingly having cast aside the profound advice she had just heard. She couldn't help but say: "Your Highness, I heard Miss Ye is twenty-four this year..."

Palace maids usually faced a major hurdle at twenty-five, either being released to marry or remaining in the palace for life. In her view, it would be better to recruit Ye Qinglan as a lady-in-waiting and then marry her off under the Grand Princess’s name. Ye Qinglan would gain status, and the Grand Princess would gain an ally; with her talent and beauty, it wouldn't be difficult to use her to win over a Northern Army general. Wouldn't that be a happy conclusion for everyone?

But the Grand Princess, without looking up, said calmly: "Jingrong is impatient again."

The lady-in-waiting, Su Jingrong, was the one who had favored A-Cuo. She was still young and lacked the composure of the matron. The matron grinding ink beside them looked at her with a warning glance.

Su Jingrong could only take the ink stick from the matron’s hand. While grinding, she glanced at the menu in the Grand Princess’s hand, her eyes lighting up.

"Is Your Highness truly going to hold a banquet?"

"Ye Qinglan’s advice was excellent. 'If names are not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth; if language is not in accordance with the truth, affairs cannot be successful,'" the Grand Princess said calmly. "If I do not hold a banquet first to rectify names and clarify the source, I would not be doing justice to her advice."

"Yes."

***

As for Qinglan, she left the Wei estate with Shen Biwei. Shen Biwei had always acted like a man, riding horses in nomadic attire, and she personally escorted her back to the Ye residence, saving her from being blocked on the road.

When Qinglan arrived home and saw her preparing to leave, she called out: "Why not come in for a cup of tea and warm yourself?"

"No, I’d better not, lest I be caught by Lingbo and have to endure her nagging," Shen Biwei said breezily. She turned to leave, then suddenly spun back, looking at Ye Qinglan suspiciously.

"What is it?" Ye Qinglan asked with a smile.

"Sister Qinglan, you had me give that advice to the Grand Princess—it wasn't for *that* matter, was it?"

"Which matter?" Ye Qinglan asked, knowing full well.

Her dignified and open expression made it impossible for anyone to pursue the question. Shen Biwei could only say: "Forget it. It’s none of your business; it’s all Lingbo’s meddling."

Having said this, she stopped pressing Qinglan and mounted her horse, frowning: "Where has Lingbo gone now? I hope she isn't plotting something again."

It was often said that the people of the Shen family were formidable—the young mistress planned strategies, and the eldest daughter was imposing. In truth, they were strong on the surface but often suffered in the dark. Just as Qinglan knew without asking that Lingbo was surely plotting something.

Just as she had just used a display of loyal counsel to derail the banquet that Han Yueqi had been so determined to hold with Cui Jingyu.