"For the Camp (Continued)"

"News?"

Zhao Huiluan realized what it was and smiled in relief.

At last!

"Does Your Highness know what the news is?"

"No." Zhao Huiluan lied without blushing or missing a beat. "We'll know soon enough."

Before long, word spread throughout the court and beyond that the barbarian captives of the Northern Frontier had mustered their troops and invaded. The Yongzhao Emperor ordered the Grand Secretariat to draft an edict commanding Marquis Jingwu to depart for the Northern Frontier that very day to repel the enemy.

"Is Marquis Jingwu going back to the Northern Frontier alone?" Zhao Huiluan asked Xichun with a frown.

Xichun replied, "The heir is returning with the marquis."

Zhao Huiluan closed her eyes, and the great stone weighing on her heart finally fell away.

That evening, the Yongzhao Emperor came to the Jade Balance Palace to see her.

"Your maternal grandfather and uncle are leaving for the Northern Frontier tomorrow. Go and see them off."

Zhao Huiluan pouted, pretending to be reluctant.

Her imperial father did not wish to see her close to her maternal grandfather's family. But when she acted distant, he would instead demand that she show filial piety.

It was quite a contradiction.

"Jianjian, be good."

"All right, I'll go."

Zhao Huiluan tugged at the Yongzhao Emperor's sleeve. "What about Zhang Yunchi?"

The Yongzhao Emperor smiled. "I really can't do anything with you. From now on, learn archery properly from the Zhang boy. No slacking off. I'll be testing you."

"All right, all right."

Father and daughter played around for a while.

While it was still dark, Xichun pulled Zhao Huiluan out of bed, helped her wash and dress, and draped a cloak over her.

By the time their carriage reached Marquis Jingwu's residence, a faint fish-belly white had just appeared on the horizon.

Zhang Tai and his son were bidding Zhang Yunchi farewell outside the gates.

When Zhang Yunchi saw Zhao Huiluan, he turned his head away in a huff, only for his father to give him a hard smack on the back of the head.

Only then did he reluctantly greet Zhao Huiluan.

"Your Highness."

"Grandfather, Uncle, there's no need for formalities."

Zhang Tai looked at his little granddaughter, and his eyes immediately reddened.

"Jianjian'er, you must take good care of yourself. Eat more and sleep more. You're still growing, you know? Oh, are you cold? Hurry back inside."

"Jianjian'er isn't cold."

Zhao Huiluan forced down the ache in her heart and put on a cold manner.

But no matter how hard she held it in, her eyes still reddened.

"Jianjian'er wishes Grandfather and Uncle a safe journey, victory as soon as your banners are unfurled, and success the moment your horses arrive."

"Yes! Yes! Good!" Zhang Tai readily agreed to it all.

Zhang Yong nodded with a smile. "Thank you, Your Highness."

Reluctant to part, Zhang Yunchi said, "Grandfather, Father, I also wish you a safe journey and a steady stream of victory reports."

Zhang Tai nodded. "Good."

Zhang Yong vigorously ruffled his son's hair. "Don't make trouble in the Yan Capital, or watch out, I'll..."

"Break my legs."

Zhang Yunchi already knew what he was going to say.

"You little brat!"

Zhang Yong raised a foot to kick him, and Zhang Yunchi darted straight behind Zhao Huiluan.

Zhang Tai said, "It's getting late. Let's set out."

Zhang Yong nodded.

The two swung onto their horses and, together with four or five attendants, rode off in a cloud of dust.

"Whoa-"

Zhang Yong suddenly reined in his horse and looked back. Amid the billowing dust and sand, the Yan Capital was already out of sight.

"Father, I actually believe that Li'er didn't lay a hand on her."

"I know him. He may be mischievous, but he takes responsibility for his actions. He wouldn't lose sight of what matters and fight with Her Highness. When he said earlier that he wanted to beat the princess up, he was only running his mouth for the pleasure of it."

Zhang Tai also reined in his horse.

"How could I not know what Li'er is like?"

"Yong'er, are you worried about leaving Li'er in the Yan Capital?"

Zhang Yong's brows knitted tightly, and he sighed. "The Yan Capital lies at the Son of Heaven's feet, wealthy and prosperous. I'm worried that riches and rank will dazzle him so he can't see the road beneath his feet."

Zhang Tai was worried too.

"The scholars of Great Yin all sharpen their heads to squeeze into the Yan Capital. How could they know it's a den of tigers and wolves?"

He laid a hand on his son's shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze.

"If Li'er had not stayed in the Yan Capital this time, do you think you could have returned to the Northern Frontier with me?"

Zhang Yong was taken aback.

He recalled His Majesty's suspicions and his colleagues' impeachments, and spoke in disbelief.

"Could it be... Her Highness deliberately picked a quarrel with Li'er? And deliberately distanced herself from the marquis's household too?"

Zhang Tai let out a long sigh and raised his head toward the sky.

"I would rather Jianjian'er stumbled into it by accident. If she did it deliberately, I fear her heart must be full of bitterness."

Zhang Yong said, "But she's only seven..."

How could she have thought it through so intricately?

"Yes, she's only seven, yet she has to weigh everything and fortify herself at every step. None of this is what a little girl should have to do." Zhang Tai's eyes were full of heartache. "It's just as well Li'er stayed. With him there to keep her company, perhaps he can help her a little."

The Jade Balance Palace was empty and bare, so Zhao Huiluan went to the Yongzhao Emperor and acted spoiled, obtaining quite a few fine things.

A branch of Taiye Lake flowed through the Jade Balance Palace. Zhao Huiluan coaxed the Yongzhao Emperor into ordering the Ministry of Works to dig her a large pond and build a little bridge, and afterward she planted precious lotuses in the pond.

She also thought the southeastern corner was too empty and wanted to plant a wisteria there, which required a supporting trellis.

The Yongzhao Emperor agreed to every request and even gave the Ministry of Works direct orders to do everything according to the princess's wishes.

The Ministry of Works' craftsmen bustled about, all saying that the Yongzhao Emperor cherished Princess Zhenning and treasured her like a pearl or jewel.

The craftsmen carried in an enormous wisteria.

Zhao Huiluan said, "Not this one. Go and bring me a sapling instead."

She wanted to raise the tree herself.

When the new sapling arrived, Zhao Huiluan happily rolled up her sleeves to plant it herself.

She picked a spot, dug a hole, and lowered the sapling into it, holding it upright.

A short spade was held out to her from the side.

"You..."

The palace attendant looked a little familiar to Zhao Huiluan.

The attendant kept his eyes lowered, looking most deferential.

"This servant is Xiao Qinglan."

"Oh, it's you."

The little eunuch who had been bullied so terribly in the side hall.