A princess's dream

Zhu Cilang and Zhu Meichuo rose to their feet in bewilderment. Seeing Zhu Youjian already heading toward the Ten Thousand Springs Pavilion, with Empress Zhou and Consort Tian on either side, they exchanged a glance and slowly put their little heads together.

"Father is so easy to talk to today!" Zhu Meichuo found it strange, but escaping punishment was always a good thing. Her knees hurt a little, but that was still better than hurting all over.

"I heard we won a battle. Father must be happy about that!" Thinking of what he had heard that day, Zhu Cilang decided this was the only explanation for Zhu Youjian's unusual behavior.

"That's wonderful! Then I hope we win battles every day, so Father can be happy every day!" Zhu Meichuo said, clapping her hands with a smile.

"Silly, what's good about fighting every day? A peaceful country, where the people live securely and work contentedly-that's the way to lasting peace and stability!" Zhu Cilang said solemnly, putting on a stern face.

"All right, why aren't you moving? What are you two whispering about? Haven't you learned to be more careful?" Princess Kunyi flicked Zhu Meichuo's forehead as she spoke to them.

Kunyi was the oldest child in the palace, and the emperor and empress's firstborn. Born at the Prince of Xin's Residence, she knew that everything they now enjoyed had not come easily, and so she was more cautious in all she did.

Young as she was, she already carried herself like an adult and was well practiced at lecturing her younger siblings.

"Big Sister, that hurt!" Zhu Meichuo protested, pouting as she covered her forehead.

Amid their chatter and laughter, the three reached the Ten Thousand Springs Pavilion. Inside, Zhu Youjian had just drawn Empress Zhou down to sit beside him, and Consort Tian Lifen took the opportunity to sit on his other side.

"The weather was lovely today, and I thought Lang'er had been cooped up indoors all this time, so I wanted him to come out and move about a little." Watching Zhu Cilang and the other two approach, Empress Zhou was still putting in a good word for them.

She was worried too. What if His Majesty's mood turned sour again at some point, and he decided to punish them after all?

They were all flesh of her flesh. How could she not cherish them a little more?

"What are you so anxious about? I never said I would punish them!" Zhu Youjian patted the back of Empress Zhou's hand with a smile, then beckoned to the three outside the pavilion. "Why are you standing so far away? Come in."

Consort Tian Lifen sat beside them, holding a handkerchief. She had noticed that His Majesty was using the ordinary "I" today rather than the imperial "we," which showed that he truly was in a good mood.

Besides, it really did feel like a family talking together.

Thinking of her three sons in Chengqing Palace, Consort Tian Lifen felt joy well up in her heart.

Unfortunately, Can'er had coughed a few times that day, so she had not asked his wet nurse to bring him out. Zhao'er and Huan'er had been considerate too, saying that since their little brother was ill, how could they, as his older brothers, think only of having fun themselves?

Consort Tian looked at the emperor and thought of her three sons. Life could hardly be more complete than this.

"Father-" The three paid their respects and stood properly to one side.

Zhu Youjian looked at them one by one. Chongzhen had been handsome to begin with, and Empress Zhou was a beauty, so all three children were good-looking.

"Lang'er..." As Zhu Youjian called his name, he saw Zhu Cilang's little body tremble. He could not help finding it amusing. Just how harsh had Chongzhen been with his children, for merely calling his name to frighten the Crown Prince so badly?

"I know you study hard, but you must balance work with rest. Besides reading, you mustn't neglect building a strong, healthy body."

A healthy body is the capital of revolution. Without one, what good would even the most diligent rule do?

Zhu Cilang had expected his father to launch into something about "the boundless sea of books" or "learning knowing no end," or how, as the Crown Prince, he had to set an example and must never slack off. Instead, he heard something entirely different. For a moment, he was so stunned that he forgot to reply.

"What? Is there a problem?" Zhu Youjian asked.

"N-no!" A smile appeared on Zhu Cilang's face. He shook his head vigorously, then nodded. "I'll do as you say, Father. Then may I learn riding and archery from Consort Tian? Little Sister is learning too, and she's really good at it-"

"Brother!"

Only halfway through his sentence, Zhu Cilang heard Zhu Meichuo's anxious cry and realized he had said the wrong thing again.

Father insists that girls be gentle and proper. Little Sister has been learning riding and archery from Consort Tian in secret-even Mother doesn't know. And now I've blurted it all out! We're done for!

Zhu Cilang gave Zhu Meichuo an apologetic look, then turned a mournful face toward Empress Zhou and Consort Tian Lifen. He had really caused trouble today-not only for his little sister, but for Mother and Consort Tian as well.

Consort Tian Lifen's face turned pale. She hurriedly rose and knelt on the ground. "I... I..."

Empress Zhou knew nothing of this. To think the children had even kept her in the dark while learning riding and archery from Consort Tian Lifen! She turned to look, dumbstruck, then gathered herself and immediately knelt beside Consort Tian Lifen.

"This is my fault. Kunxing came to plead with me several times. Xiuying was unwilling at first. It was only after I gave my approval that she agreed to teach her the basics."

Consort Tian Lifen had not expected Empress Zhou to take the blame upon herself. She gave her a grateful look and was just about to explain what had really happened when Empress Zhou squeezed her hand beneath her sleeve.

"Father, don't blame Mother or Consort Tian..." Zhu Meichuo was still very young, after all. Seeing both Mother and Consort Tian kneeling because of her, she came forward in tears. Holding Empress Zhou with one hand and Consort Tian Lifen with the other, she knelt and squeezed herself between them.

Zhu Youjian's head instantly felt twice its usual size. He had never imagined that one simple remark from the Crown Prince would leave three people kneeling at his feet.

"Ah, get up, all of you. Don't keep dropping to your knees over nothing. We're a family. Stand up and let's talk properly. How did Kunxing come to learn riding and archery from Consort Tian Lifen?"

Consort Tian Lifen's given name was Xiuying. Though she was a woman from Jiangnan, proficient in the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, she was also an outstanding rider and archer. That, too, was part of why Emperor Chongzhen favored her.

But Emperor Chongzhen liking those skills was one thing; allowing his own daughter to practice them was another. A princess of the realm ought to conduct herself like a princess-a well-bred young lady.

Yet no one knew whom Zhu Meichuo took after: she simply loved bows, horses, riding, and archery. Despite her tender age, she had remarkable talent. Though the emperor forbade it, she had secretly gone to plead with Consort Tian Lifen. Consort Tian Lifen already adored children; how could she withstand sweet, adorable Kunxing's wheedling and entreaties? Before long, she had agreed.

She had agreed, yes, but on the condition that Kunxing tell no one else. Kunxing had readily promised.

But she was a child, after all. Once she had something she loved, how could she resist showing it off? And so she had told the Crown Prince, Zhu Cilang.

After learning the whole story, Zhu Youjian once again furrowed his brow as he looked at Zhu Meichuo.

Fiction coming to life! Could Princess Changping really have a gift for martial arts?

"Kunxing, tell me, have you ever thought about what you want to do when you grow up?" Zhu Youjian took Zhu Meichuo's little hand and drew her a little closer, asking gently.

Everyone froze at the emperor's question.

What did a princess of the realm want to do when she grew up?

What else could she do?

Nothing more than marry, have children, manage the household, and become the mistress of a family.

Zhu Meichuo's hand was wrapped in Zhu Youjian's large one. She had never been so close to her father before. Feeling his rough yet warm palm, she blurted out, "I want to be a general and drive away all the bad people for you, Father!"