Chapter 2: Scheming Sister’s Complaint Fails
Lin Wanqing was delicate and weak. In Zhao Yongjia’s presence, she would pant after taking just three steps. Now, caught completely off guard by Fu Tangli’s kick, and having never imagined Fu Tangli’s foot could pack such a punch, she let out a cry of “Aiyou!” and fell flat on her back, cutting a most pathetic figure.
“You…” Lin Wanqing saw stars, and it took a long moment for her to recover. Tears of pain streamed down her face, and for a moment she was in utter disbelief. She cried out, “Fu Tangli, how dare you?”
Fu Tangli tucked her hands into her sleeves, leisurely scraped the sole of her shoe on the ground, and said coolly, “What is this filth? It’s dirtied my foot.”
The Chief Eunuch of Shanglin Park had seen the white hawk fly past just moments before and knew the Prince of Huai was nearby. He had hurried over to greet him, but instead of finding the Prince, he heard Lin Wanqing’s cries and rushed over with his men. “What’s happened here?”
Seeing people arrive, Lin Wanqing simply lay on the ground, sobbing pitifully while crying out, “Someone, help me, quickly!”
Of the two young ladies present, one was the granddaughter of the Grand Chancellor Fu and the future Crown Princess, while the other was the niece of Imperial Consort Lin, a frequent visitor to the palace. The Chief Eunuch recognized them both and knew neither could be slighted. He hastily put on a smile and ordered the palace maids to help Lin Wanqing up.
“Lady Lin, did you hurt yourself in the fall? Please, get up first.”
Leaning on a palace maid’s hand, Lin Wanqing rose unsteadily. Her hair was a mess, her clothes were soiled, and a patch of skin on her palm was scraped raw, stinging fiercely. Tears fell like pearls from a broken string. “How could Sister Fu be so cruel as to kick me to the ground? I demand an explanation from you today.”
Hearing this, the Chief Eunuch cast a questioning gaze at Fu Tangli.
Fu Tangli curtsied to the Chief Eunuch and said in a soft, gentle voice, “The snowy ground is slippery. Lady Lin was walking perfectly fine when she suddenly fell on her own. It gave me quite a fright, and I was just wondering what to do. Thankfully, Eunuch came to our aid. On Lady Lin’s behalf, I thank you.”
Lin Wanqing never imagined Fu Tangli would say such a thing. In her agitation, she forgot her delicate act, her eyes widening. “You’re lying! You clearly kicked me. Why won’t you admit it?”
Fu Tangli let out a soft “Yi?” and furrowed her brow with a look of concern. “What is Lady Lin talking about? Why on earth would I kick you? You poor thing, could it be you’ve hit your head and become confused?”
The Chief Eunuch nodded in agreement. That’s right. Emperor Yuanyan himself had declared with his own golden words that the Second Lady Fu was “quietly chaste and nurturing of virtue, modest and prudent in conduct, possessing a gentle and beautiful nature.” How could such a composed, virtuous, and worthy young lady resort to violence?
He quickly interjected, “The paths in the garden are slippery. It is this servant’s dereliction of duty. I beg Lady Lin’s forgiveness.”
Fu Tangli curtsied again and said gracefully, “I shall not trouble you further, Eunuch. Allow me to take my leave.”
The Chief Eunuch was almost too slow to return the bow. “Lady Fu is too kind.”
Lin Wanqing, who prided herself on her ability to act, never thought she would meet someone who could act even better. She pointed a trembling finger at Fu Tangli. “You clearly injured me on purpose! Stop pretending to be a good person!”
At these words, Fu Tangli merely paused her steps for a fraction of a second, then turned back with a faint smile. Her expression was exactly the same as before—as light as a cloud, as gentle as the wind. She paid Lin Wanqing’s pestering no further mind and glided away, returning to Chonghua Hall shortly after.
Inside the hall, the banquet had begun. Palace maids, their skirts swaying, moved to and fro, serving the guests. The air was fragrant with wine, the songs and dances were enchanting, and the hall was filled with the clamor of laughter and conversation.
The Third Mistress of the Fu family, Yang-shi, was sitting on pins and needles. Seeing Fu Tangli, she rushed over and affectionately called her by her pet name, “Queniang, have you seen your younger sister? Why didn’t she come back with you?”
Fu Tangli raised her teacup, took a sip, and replied meekly, “Mother, I have not seen her.”
Yang-shi frowned in exasperation. “That child. She followed you out just now, and she’s still not back. Surely she hasn’t gotten into trouble outside?”
Just as she said this, Fu Shaoyao also returned, running with mincing steps and sneaking back to her seat from the side.
Yang-shi was filled with vexation. Once Fu Shaoyao was seated, she couldn’t help but chide her, “What kind of occasion is this for you to be running about? Settle down this instant!”
Fu Shaoyao was only a year younger than Fu Tangli, but her personality was the complete opposite—playful and lively. When she acted spoiled, she seemed particularly innocent. “Mother, you’re playing favorites. How come you don’t scold Second Sister for running around, but you only blame me?”
Yang-shi pinched Fu Shaoyao under the table and feigned a scolding tone. “Queniang is so sensible. She has never caused anyone a moment’s worry. How can you compare?”
Fu Tangli was not Yang-shi’s biological daughter, nor had she been raised by her side. As a stepmother, Yang-shi only put on a show for outsiders and had no real desire to discipline her. To her vexation, her own flesh and blood was ungrateful and even talked back.
Fu Shaoyao snorted and shot a half-smiling glance at Fu Tangli. “That’s not necessarily true. Sometimes, when sensible people decide to cause trouble, they can be much more formidable.”
There was a hidden meaning in her words. Fu Tangli put down her teacup and glanced at her younger sister.
But Fu Shaoyao immediately averted her gaze, pretending to chat and laugh with Yang-shi as if nothing had happened. “Has His Highness, the Prince of Huai, arrived? Didn’t those ministers say they were going to make him drink ten cups as punishment? Did anyone dare to go up and do it?”
The Prince of Huai was iron-willed and iron-fisted, ruthless and cold in his dealings. The world feared him as they would an Asura, and few dared to speak or jest with him. Anyone who dared to go forward and force him to drink would have to be extraordinarily brave indeed.
Yang-shi shook her head. “The Prince of Huai came by earlier, but he wouldn’t even drink when His Majesty told him to. He said something about not touching meat or wine. He drank three cups of tea and then left. It’s truly baffling.”
What was even more baffling was that Emperor Yuanyan was not offended by this defiance. On the contrary, he offered much praise. After the Prince of Huai left, the banquet of music and drink continued with undiminished cheer.
Yang-shi recalled the various rumors about the Prince of Huai and vaguely sensed that something was amiss. But this was not something she should discuss with her daughter, so she glossed over it with a vague sentence.
Fortunately, the music and dancing on the stage swelled, quickly capturing Fu Shaoyao’s attention, and she did not press the matter further.
***
After the banquet, everyone returned to their respective homes.
The moment Fu Tangli returned to her room, her two personal maids came forward. They first pressed a hand warmer into her hands, then busied themselves with helping her change her clothes.
Dailuo was slightly older and more reserved. She simply smiled and asked, “My Lady, was the Shao Wei Banquet lively today?”
Yanzhi, however, was a livelier sort. She winked and said, “Did My Lady see the Crown Prince today? Did you get to speak with him?”
Dailuo and Yanzhi had been personally selected for Fu Tangli by her maternal grandmother, Old Madam Han. They had served her since childhood, following her all the way from Weizhou to Chang’an. Their bond was naturally different from others.
Fu Tangli never put on airs in front of these two maids. She instantly lost all her composure, slumping onto the soft couch like a boneless cat, and spat, “Speak with him? Just looking at him makes me feel like my eyes are going blind.”
Dailuo and Yanzhi exchanged glances, their smiles vanishing. They asked cautiously, “What’s wrong? Is there something amiss with the Crown Prince?”
Before Fu Tangli could explain, a matron came in from outside and said, “Second Lady, someone has come from the Old Master’s side. He requests your presence in the study.”
Grandfather wants to see me the moment I’m home? What could it be?
A jolt went through Fu Tangli’s heart. She had no choice but to get up again and have Dailuo and Yanzhi help her back into her outer jacket and skirt before heading out.
When she arrived at the study in the main courtyard, the light inside was dim. The scent of high-grade borneol mixed with pine soot ink hung heavy in the air, a fragrance so rich it was almost decadent. Fu Fangxu sat upright in the seat of honor, his expression grave, his mood unreadable.
Fu Shaoyao stood to one side, a hint of smugness on her face.
Fu Tangli properly stepped forward to greet her grandfather.
Fu Fangxu held the highest position a subject could attain and possessed a natural authority. When he was serious, he lacked any trace of a grandfather’s affection. Even his gaze was ice-cold. He asked bluntly, “Just now, Yanniang told me that you ran into the Crown Prince speaking with a young lady from the Lin family in Shanglin Park. In a fit of anger, you kicked the Lin girl to the ground. Is this true?”
Fu Tangli’s expression was placid. She glanced at Fu Shaoyao and admitted frankly, “It is true.”
Fu Fangxu’s brows furrowed. “Yanniang said she was some distance away and couldn’t hear clearly. Come, tell your grandfather why you did it.”
Fu Tangli composed herself, her expression calm. “Lady Lin and the Crown Prince are in love with each other. They see me as a thorn in their side. Her words were full of contempt for me. I could not tolerate it.”
Fu Fangxu stared at Fu Tangli with a severe gaze and said in a deep voice, “You are a noble lady of a prestigious family, yet today you acted like a common shrew from the marketplace. If outsiders were to learn of this, what would become of your reputation?”
Fu Tangli said calmly, “His Majesty once praised me in front of everyone, saying I am ‘quietly chaste and nurturing of virtue, modest and prudent in conduct.’ Therefore, I am a peerless lady, a worthy match for the Crown Prince. If anyone were to claim I resorted to violence, they would surely be slandering me. Lady Lin herself was dizzy and seeing things. There were many palace staff present, and not one of them believed her. Even if she were to complain to the Crown Prince, he would only see it as an act of jealousy, not to be taken seriously.”
“Grandfather, you see?” Fu Shaoyao was dumbfounded. Unable to hold back, she cried out, “Second Sister is being such a rogue, and she shows no remorse at all!”
Fu Shaoyao’s outburst drew Fu Fangxu’s gaze. He nodded. “Yanniang, you are very good. Always concerned about your sister. You are a thoughtful, good child.”
No matter how foolish Fu Shaoyao was, she could tell something was off about her grandfather’s tone. She shrank back, her voice growing smaller as she said sheepishly, “I was just afraid that Second Sister acted impulsively and would tarnish our Fu family’s reputation. I only hoped Grandfather would teach her a good lesson and help her see the error of her ways. This is for her own good.”
“Yanniang, Grandfather will only say this once today, so you listen well.” Fu Fangxu’s face darkened, and he spoke without a trace of mercy. “Since Queniang has been chosen as the Crown Princess, she may one day become the mother of the realm. Grandfather is old now. The glory of our Fu family will rest on her shoulders alone. You are her full-blooded younger sister. You should love her and respect her, not slander her behind her back as you did today.”
Fu Shaoyao was not convinced, but she didn’t dare argue with her grandfather. She only pouted and said, “Oh, I understand.”
“What do you understand?” Fu Fangxu slammed his hand on the desk, his beard and hair bristling as he roared, “You followed Queniang with ill intent, that is your first offense. You saw Queniang being insulted and were pleased instead of angered, that is your second. After returning home, you fanned the flames in front of your elders, that is your third. These incidents all show that you are short-sighted, foolish, and malicious. If you are not strictly disciplined, you will surely become a disaster in the future.”
This tirade from her grandfather shamed Fu Shaoyao so much that tears began to fall. Her heart filled with resentment, her face flushed red, and she stammered, “Yes, yes… Yanniang knows her mistake. I will not dare to do it again.”
Fu Fangxu raised his voice and called out the door, “Fu Quan!”
Fu Quan was a steward of many years and Fu Fangxu’s most trusted attendant. Hearing the summons, he hurried in. “What are the Old Master’s orders?”
Fu Fangxu pointed at Fu Shaoyao and said, “The Third Lady has been hot-tempered and acting rashly of late. Fu Quan, take the Third Lady to the ancestral hall. Have her copy more Buddhist sutras in there to properly cultivate her temperament. She may come out in one month.”
Fu Shaoyao felt as if she had been struck by lightning, never having expected such a consequence. She burst into tears with a “Waaah!” “No, Grandfather, I was wrong, please forgive…”
“Silence!” Fu Fangxu’s sharp roar cut off Fu Shaoyao’s plea. “One more word, and you will be dealt with by the family discipline.”
Fu Shaoyao let out a strangled gasp and clapped a hand over her mouth in terror.
Ever since the Second Lady had been designated Crown Princess by the Emperor, the Old Master had become exceptionally kind. It had been a long time since he had lost his temper like this. Today, for some reason, he had suddenly reverted to his old self.
Fu Quan dared not speak, only wiping away his sweat and saying, “Yes, sir.”
After Fu Shaoyao was led away, Fu Fangxu rose from his seat, picked up the disciplinary ruler from his desk, and walked over to Fu Tangli. “Hold out your hand.”
Fu Tangli seemed to have anticipated this. Her expression did not change as she extended her hand.