Chapter 103

Chapter 103: The Empress Summons

Less than an hour later, the Imperial Edict arrived at Song Manor. Song An Lan led Chun Zhi and Song Wan’er, along with the household, to the courtyard to receive it. The eunuch attendant read the edict aloud before everyone, then handed it to Chun Zhi. Chun Zhi accepted it with both hands, saying: “Thank you, Eunuch.” Song An Lan passed the messenger a banknote. The eunuch attendant smiled until his eyes were slits, saying: “Congratulations, Miss Song, congratulations. Such happy news!”

After he left, Song Wan’er reached out, excited: “Let me see. I’ve never seen a real Imperial Edict before.” Chun Zhi passed it to her. Song Wan’er carefully unrolled it. The edict praised the daughter of the Song clan, Song Chun Zhi, as intelligent and gentle, virtuous and kind, a worthy match for Prince Chang’an. Song Wan’er beamed and, in a small voice, confessed her worry from the past few days: “Thank goodness the edict is here. I haven’t even been sleeping well, afraid something might go wrong.”

Even though Prince Chang’an had promised again and again that he would marry Chun Zhi, the Song siblings had not been at ease. A prince marrying a merchant’s daughter was something no one would believe. Chun Zhi herself had been uneasy. Only when she held the edict did half her worry settle. Only half, because the future was still unknown. She knew nothing about the life of the imperial clan. Even if she had adjusted well to Song Manor, she did not know if she could adjust to the imperial life. [Everyone wants to fly to a high branch, but when a barnyard hen becomes a phoenix, is life truly better or not?]

Seeing a trace of worry on her face, Song An Lan soothed her: “Since the prince could get the Emperor to grant this marriage, he must have used all his effort. He values you greatly. For this alone, you may rest easy.” [And so can I.] Chun Zhi nodded: “Thank you, Elder Brother, for your comfort.” Song Wan’er read the edict again and again before handing it back, reminding: “Sister, keep this safe.”

Soon Qing Ye came running: “Miss! Miss, the palace has sent people again!” Chun Zhi had only just sat down and rose to return to the courtyard. Song An Lan and Song Wan’er were already there. This time, the visitors were female officials, and they did not carry an edict. One said: “By the Empress’s command, commoner Song Chun Zhi is summoned to the palace for an audience.”

The Emperor’s edict had just granted the marriage, and now the Empress was summoning her. Song Wan’er felt it was suspicious and tugged Chun Zhi’s sleeve, whispering: “Sister, this is strange.” Storybooks say the Inner Palace fights are bloodless and deadly. Besides, Empress Wang was Prince Chang’an’s adoptive mother. Even a birth mother might be sharp with a future daughter-in-law; an adoptive mother could be harsher.

Chun Zhi did not dare enter the palace rashly and wished to wait for Huo Zheng. She feigned dizziness, saying softly: “It is a great honor to be summoned by the Empress, but I caught a slight chill today. I fear I might bring illness near the noble…” The female official looked at her and said: “If Miss Song is unwell, the imperial physicians can examine you in the palace. When the Empress summons you, even if you are too ill to rise, you will be carried in.”

Chun Zhi was speechless. The Song siblings could not block the palace officials and could only watch them take Chun Zhi away. Chun Zhi rode a carriage into the palace; the female official beside her said nothing. Outside, the streets were busy; inside, it was very quiet. Chun Zhi made herself calm. The Emperor had already granted the marriage. Meeting the Empress was bound to happen sooner or later. [Do not panic. You must not panic.]

At last the carriage stopped before the Palace Gate. The halls rose high and grand, with gates layered one after another. On foot, the female official led Chun Zhi inward. The palace corridors were long, quiet, and deep. Though the officials took small steps, they walked very quickly. Chun Zhi kept pace. After many gates, they reached a place called Wutong Palace. The female official told her: “Please wait here for a moment. I will report your arrival.” Chun Zhi answered: “All right.”

She waited a long time before a palace attendant came out, saying: “Miss Song, please follow me.” Chun Zhi entered and saw several richly dressed beauties inside. The woman in the main seat wore a Phoenix Robe and a nine-tailed phoenix hairpin. Dignified and splendid, she could only be the Empress. Chun Zhi bent in salute and said: “Commoner Chun Zhi pays respect to Your Highness the Empress.” Empress Wang studied her for a while, then smiled and said: “You are indeed lovely, a rare beauty. Rise.”

She had thought a merchant’s daughter, entering the palace for the first time, would be so frightened that she would keep making mistakes. Yet Chun Zhi’s etiquette was proper, which made the Empress look at her anew. Chun Zhi thanked her: “Thank you, Your Highness.” Though nervous, she kept a steady face. Before the edict arrived, Huo Zheng had already found a palace nanny to teach Chun Zhi court manners. He told her that in his manor and before him, she could act as she wished, but inside the palace, in front of others, she must know the rules. Chun Zhi did not know if the marriage would succeed, and her heart was restless, so she used the lessons to steady herself. These past days, she had learned well.

A female official prompted her: “On the left is Beauty Li. On the right is Consort De.” Chun Zhi bowed again: “Greetings to Your Highness Consort De, greetings to Beauty Li.” The Empress said: “Be seated,” and had a soft stool brought for Chun Zhi. Then she asked: “I heard you saved the life of the Seventh Prince and did him a great kindness. Is this true?” Chun Zhi said: “It was meeting by chance and lending a hand. It was nothing.” Beauty Li said: “Yet the Seventh Prince wishes to marry you for it. Do you have anything to say?” Beauty Li and Consort De were the Empress’s trusted women. It was most suitable for them to speak what the Empress should not. Chun Zhi answered calmly: “He wishes to marry, and I wish to marry. What else would you like me to say?” Beauty Li fell silent. The Empress thought that this young lady, who looked soft and easy to handle, was in fact quick with her tongue.

Just then, a palace attendant brought in freshly brewed tea. Wang Yi Yue carried a cup to Chun Zhi herself, saying: “Sister, please have tea.”