Chapter 120: Red Apricots on the Branches

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Quan Ce returned leisurely to Princess Yiyang’s residence. He had no time even to return to his own courtyard and change clothes, but went straight to the rear院 to pay his respects to his mother. Good news traveled slowly, but bad news flew; there was no concealing the fact that he had been stripped of his office and dismissed from service. Rather than let others distort the truth and send his mother into needless worry, he thought it better to report everything to her in person and offer her some reassurance.

He tugged at his cheeks, trying to make his expression look a little more carefree.

Just after passing through the inner gate, he heard the clear sound of recitation. Quan Ce stopped and gazed at the warm scene before him.

Under the covered veranda stood his mother, Princess Yiyang, dignified and composed, one hand resting against a pillar as she watched the two men—one grown, one small—moving about the courtyard. Her expression was gentle and tranquil.

Ge Hui had both hands clasped behind his back, holding a copy of the Thousand Character Classic. He took one step and recited one line, wandering among the shrubs in the courtyard. Quan Zhu imitated him, his childish voice rising and falling as he shook his head and swayed from side to side.

“Phoenixes sing among the bamboo; white colts graze in the fields. Their transforming influence reaches even the plants and trees, and their protection extends to all beneath Heaven.”

The Thousand Character Classic had been composed by Zhou Xingsi, Gentleman Attendant of the Palace Cavalry under Emperor Wu of the Southern Liang. He had selected a thousand characters from Wang Xizhi’s calligraphy and arranged them into a coherent text. Legend held that after completing it in a single night, Zhou Xingsi’s hair and beard had turned completely white.

Because the work was easy to recite and profound in meaning, many great families used it to educate young children in place of the more obscure Cangjie Primer.

“Master likes bamboo, so Mother had people plant it all around the courtyard. But why do phoenixes sing in the bamboo grove? Is it because there’s nothing to eat there and they’re hungry?” Quan Zhu asked with utmost seriousness. He glanced at the newly planted clump of bamboo, his eyes full of pity.

“Not so. Bamboo has joints and a sturdy core. It forms whispering groves, bends but does not break, and remains green in every season. It embodies the way of the gentleman. The phoenix is a divine bird that chooses fine trees upon which to perch, and so it comes to the bamboo grove. ‘Phoenixes sing among the bamboo’ does not mean they sing because they are hungry, but because they are delighted to have found their proper place. The line speaks of a virtuous sovereign, under whose benevolence all living things are blessed.”

Ge Hui explained everything with solemn precision. Yet his archaic phrases made his explanation scarcely less abstruse than the original. Though Quan Zhu kept nodding, his little face wearing an expression of sudden enlightenment and joyous instruction, Quan Ce suspected that his younger brother understood nothing at all and was merely preserving his master’s dignity.

Still, Quan Ce had no inclination to interfere. Young men in ancient times had all been raised this way. Such rigorous study laid the foundation for learning and refinement.

What concerned him more was that clump of bamboo. He had thought nothing of it at first, but once he paid attention, he realized that in the few days since his departure, elegant stands of bamboo had appeared everywhere around the residence—in front of the verandas, beside the paths, and around the corners. Had his mother truly ordered them planted simply because Ge Hui liked bamboo?

Quan Ce glanced at the expression with which Princess Yiyang gazed at Ge Hui. Something stirred faintly within him—perhaps delight, perhaps a trace of annoyance—before settling into a powerless sigh. Raising his voice, he called, “Mother, I’m home.”

Princess Yiyang started as though waking from a dream. When she saw her vigorous, handsome son, a flush first rose in her cheeks, only to be followed by a deathly pallor. She looked utterly terrified.

Quan Ce’s heart ached. She was a princess, yet his mother had spent all these years conducting herself with such caution and restraint, living as a widow in all but name. It could not have been easy. He forced a broad smile, greeted Ge Hui and Quan Zhu, and walked slowly toward them.

The moment he moved, Princess Yiyang sensed that something was wrong. She immediately forgot her daughterly concerns, gathered up her skirts, and hurried forward.

“What has happened to you this time, my son?”

Her face grew even paler, not a trace of color remaining. Her eldest son had suffered far too much, as though he returned from court each day bearing some new wound.

A warm current surged through Quan Ce. He reached out to support his mother and reassured her repeatedly.

“Mother, it’s nothing. I was being reckless and got into a wrestling match with someone. I happened to injure my ankle, so walking is a little inconvenient, but a few days of rest will set it right.”

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“My son, you are no longer a child. You are already old enough to marry. How can you behave so recklessly?” Princess Yiyang relaxed somewhat, though she still frowned and scolded him a few times. She fell silent only when Ge Hui and Quan Zhu came near.

Quan Ce supported his mother, while Ge Hui steadied him. Quan Zhu followed behind, step for step. One moment he asked whether Quan Ce was in pain; the next he was comforting his mother. His small face was scrunched into a worried knot. Though young, he already possessed the makings of a tender and considerate man.

Once they had entered the main hall and taken their seats, Ge Hui led Quan Zhu away. Quan Ce truthfully explained his dismissal, then shamelessly put on a plaintive, coaxing manner.

“Mother, now that I’m an official with no office to occupy, I’m free of all burdens. I’ve fulfilled the promise I made during the New Year celebrations. From now on, I shall remain at your side and devote myself to filial service.”

Princess Yiyang heard how lightly he spoke of it, but she was still somewhat uneasy. She answered tactfully, “Eldest Son, stop making a spectacle of yourself. So long as no disaster has befallen you, you may stay at home for as long as you please.”

Quan Ce deliberately looked aggrieved.

“Mother, do you take me for some walking calamity? It was truly an accident. I offended the Empress by an unfortunate collision and was punished for it, but I have wronged no one and committed no offense.”

Seeing how convincingly he spoke, Princess Yiyang felt somewhat reassured.

“Eldest Son, as I was saying, you have reached the age to establish a household. Is there any young woman you favor? If not, I can make inquiries on your behalf. We must find someone of suitable family standing, so that you may marry soon, have children, and take charge of the household.”

Quan Ce rolled his eyes. He placed a hand over hers.

“Mother, there’s no hurry. To be honest, the court is in turmoil, and these are troubled times. Something major may yet happen. It is better to remain still than to act rashly. If we arrange a marriage now, we may not be able to account for every detail. Should ill-intentioned people seize upon some pretext, it could bring trouble. Once we have passed into the new year, I’ll leave everything to your arrangements.”

Princess Yiyang’s expression grew grave. With a soft sigh, she called for a maidservant to attend him while he bathed and changed.

Quan Ce shook his head like a rattle drum.

“Mother, it’s still early. I’m going to have a drink with Master Ge, and later I’ll return to the Weiming Courtyard to settle in for the night. You needn’t worry.”

Princess Yiyang nodded without replying. She sat for quite some time with both hands folded before her lower abdomen. Ever since her eldest son had begun to see through things, he had grown increasingly shrewd and had become remarkably skilled at reading people’s expressions. There were many matters he could no longer be kept from.

Fortunately, he did not seem particularly opposed.

He and Ge Hui had always addressed each other as brothers. When had Ge Hui become “Master Ge”?

Ge Hui’s cool, composed face flashed before her eyes. She still did not know what the other man was thinking, and until anything was said, all such thoughts were nothing but fantasy. Princess Yiyang lifted a hand to her face, using the coolness of her palm to ease the heat in her cheeks.

As for Quan Ce, he drank cup after cup with Ge Hui while harboring thoughts of his own, and the two men did not part until deep into the night.

At dawn the following day, someone came to report that the steward from outside Princess Taiping’s residence had requested an audience.

Rubbing his forehead, Quan Ce went out to receive the visitor. He assumed the man had merely come to deliver a message or pass on some instructions, but unexpectedly, he had come to fetch him. The carriage and horses were already waiting, and he had been sent to escort Quan Ce to Princess Taiping’s residence as a guest.

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Come to think of it, the two relatives had not properly seen each other for several months. They had met once during the New Year celebrations, when he had been ordered by Empress Wu to deliver a message here, but that visit had ended halfway through.

Quan Ce performed a respectful grand bow.

“Your nephew Quan Ce pays his respects to Your Highness, Aunt.”

“I wonder when you became such a rare visitor. Had I known you were so heartless, I would have let you take a few more lashes at Lijing Gate.”

Princess Taiping did not tell him to rise. She wore a stern expression, her anger unmistakable.

Quan Ce obediently remained sprawled on the ground and took advantage of her words to offer his thanks.

“Your Highness is right to reprimand me. It was entirely through your compassion that I managed to preserve my life. I shall never forget your kindness and grace.”

Princess Taiping snorted coldly. She strode over, crouched down, pinched his cheek, and hauled him to his feet.

“You wicked little thief. You rely on your aunt’s fondness for you and dare to act with such abandon—passing right by your own family’s gate without even entering. If there is a next time, just wait and see how I punish you.”

Quan Ce rose and smiled apologetically at her. Several months had passed since they last met, and she had grown considerably plumper and fairer. His thoughts shifted, and his smile became somewhat strained. Her healthy glow surely had little to do with her husband, Prince Consort Wu Youji.

“Come with me. I’ll introduce you to a few people.”

Princess Taiping took his hand and led him into the inner hall.

Quan Ce’s thoughts descended into chaos.

Was she really about to introduce her male favorites to a younger relative? Was that proper?

Would she expect him to bow and address one of them as his uncle by marriage?

End of Chapter