Chapter 171: Crossing a Threshold

On the first day of the hunt, there was no shortage of amusing incidents.

By the meadow beside the hunting grounds, quite a few tents had been set up. Even those who didn't care to ride or shoot could sit inside and chat at leisure.

Cheng Zhao stayed with her mother-in-law, several titled ladies, and Empress Guo, none of whom went to the hunting grounds themselves.

Whatever topic the ladies present turned to, Cheng Zhao could always pick up the thread. Not only did she follow along, she answered with wit and propriety, bringing a smile to Empress Guo's face again and again.

"Second Madam Zhou is like me, not one for talking much," said one lady. "But this daughter-in-law of yours is so eloquent—she's truly a lucky star that's entered your home."

Second Madam Zhou gave an awkward smile.

She could speak, mind you. She just didn't know how to trade pleasantries and empty formalities.

She'd never once in her life been able to bandy verbal jabs; the hidden meanings beneath the words were lost on her.

With her daughter-in-law around, Second Madam Zhou could simply enjoy the good fortune and sit to the side with a smile.

As it happened, that worked wonderfully well.

Not speaking wasn't so terrible—at worst, people would secretly call her dull. But speaking wrongly, that would be laughed at for ages. Given the current standing of the Duke of Chen's household, everyone was willing to praise Second Madam Zhou for her composure.

Hearing the lady's words, Second Madam Zhou had a rare flash of inspiration and said to the Empress, "It's all thanks to Your Majesty's keen eye, choosing such a fine girl to grace the ducal mansion."

"Her Majesty's vision isn't the only thing that's keen," the lady added. "Her heart always thinks of us too—truly the most benevolent and kind."

Then she went on: "Your Majesty, my daughter is also of marrying age. Could you perhaps bestow a fine match upon her as well?"

Second Madam Zhou was taken aback.

She had racked her brains to offer that single compliment to the Empress, and it left her cheeks burning with embarrassment—flattering others had never sat well with her.

But now this lady had, following in the wake of Second Madam Zhou's remark, asked the Empress to arrange a marriage.

Did Empress Guo just marry people off at a whim?

Back then, it had been due to the affairs of the Cheng and Zhou families, the succession to the throne, and perhaps other inner machinations Second Madam Zhou knew nothing about, that the Empress had made the match.

Aside from Cheng Zhao, Empress Guo seemed never to have arranged anyone else's marriage.

Second Madam Zhou immediately looked to Cheng Zhao.

Cheng Zhao smiled and gave her a slight nod, then glanced at the Empress, and back at her.

Though they were speaking in silent signs, the two had already built a rapport.

Second Madam Zhou understood Cheng Zhao's meaning: she hadn't said anything wrong, and no matter how others picked up the thread, it wasn't her fault.

And Cheng Zhao was further hinting that she should say no more—the Empress's expression was still passable, and this was a small matter; best not to stir the pot.

Second Madam Zhou put on her smile again and said nothing more.

Her face ached from smiling.

The Empress was about to say something when an inner attendant came to report: "Your Majesty, His Majesty has brought down a deer."

The Empress didn't go to the hunting grounds herself, but she had sent a eunuch from her side; any amusement was reported back.

This was already the third messenger to return with news.

The Emperor had killed no small amount of game.

And this conveniently changed the subject from talk of betrothals.

"An auspicious start, Your Majesty," Cheng Zhao said with a smile.

"Yes, today has been quite productive. His Majesty has always excelled at horsemanship and archery," said Empress Guo with a smile.

Second Madam Zhou dared not stare at the Empress, but she couldn't help thinking to herself: With the Emperor being what he is, excellent at riding and shooting, is he?

Just as that thought crossed her mind, another attendant hurried in: "Congratulations, Your Majesty. His Highness the Crown Prince has shot a wild boar."

The assembled ladies all rushed to congratulate the Empress, each vying to praise the Crown Prince's valor and skill.

Second Madam Zhou thought again: That pale and haggard Prince, how does he have anything to do with bravery?

But everyone sang his praises, and meant every word.

She recalled how Cheng Zhao had said that words were like painted flowers—everyone traced the same patterns with different colored threads, and there was no need to feel embarrassed.

So everyone did it. Not doing so only made a person look foolish and made it hard to mix in society.

That hurdle that Second Madam Zhou had struggled with all her life—the sense that "toadying was humiliating"—suddenly, she found herself over it.

What was the big deal after all?

"To bring down a wild boar before even turning ten—His Highness the Crown Prince has not only luck, but real skill," Second Madam Zhou said. "It's clear he trains diligently in riding and archery. No wonder His Majesty and Your Majesty dote on him so; no wonder the courtiers trust him."

Cheng Zhao glanced at her, a smile on her face.

Second Madam Zhou knew why Cheng Zhao was pleased: she had spoken those words smoothly, without a hitch.

She was surprised at herself.

Once the hurdle in her heart was crossed, the words just came to her lips.

The delight in Empress Guo's eyes didn't fade; she smiled more brightly still. "At the banquet tonight, His Majesty may well honor him."

The ladies chorused that it was only fitting—to have such a Crown Prince was a blessing for courtiers and commoners alike.

Empress Guo was greatly pleased.

As everyone chatted on, the lady who had earlier asked for the Empress to bestow a marriage match rather awkwardly brought the matter up again, hoping Empress Guo might find a good husband for her daughter.

"Madam Liu, what sort of son-in-law does Madam want?" the Empress asked, genial enough to play along.

It was only then that Second Madam Zhou learned this lady was the wife of Liu Zheng, the Chief Justice of the Grand Court. When her daughter had left earlier, she had mocked Cheng Zhao as a "sycophant."

With that in mind, Madam Liu's words seemed less simple than they appeared.

Second Madam Zhou looked over at Cheng Zhao.

Cheng Zhao didn't meet her eyes, nor did her expression change. She just sat there quietly.

"One who can match the Duke of Chen's talents—that would be a gift from Your Majesty," Madam Liu said with a smile.

"The young lady of the Wu Commandery Cheng clan was matched with the youngest duke in the land; what sort of man shall we match for Miss Liu?" Empress Guo asked, smiling.

Someone couldn't help but chuckle.

Madam Liu's face reddened slightly.

Second Madam Zhou took private satisfaction from the Empress's gentle barb, but she didn't let it show.

Just then, the Empress's niece, Guo Hanzhang, returned.

"Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince has brought down a boar," Guo Hanzhang said. "He also shot a fox, and declared before His Majesty, the Grand Tutor, and the Grand Preceptor that he would make you a pair of fox fur gloves to keep you warm through the winter. His Majesty praised his filial devotion."

Empress Guo's features all brimmed with joy.

The realm governed by filial piety, a Crown Prince who was filial possessed virtuous character—that was what a heir apparent ought to have.

Before the assembled ministers, the Emperor was bound to praise him.

The titled ladies, one after another, offered their congratulations once more.

"Your Majesty, there is one more matter—the attendants wouldn't have dared to report it, for fear of spoiling your good spirits," Guo Hanzhang said.

The smile on Empress Guo's face receded by half. "What happened?"

"A spy has been caught," Guo Hanzhang said. "A Northerner, from the Beidi. And word is, he has accomplices."

Second Madam Zhou immediately looked at Cheng Zhao.

The expression on her own face was one of surprise and worry; as for Cheng Zhao, she looked, like the other titled ladies, a little confused, a little lost.

Beside her, Madam Liu spoke up: "Second Madam Zhou, why do you look so startled? Oh—you spent years in the border regions, didn't you? Your natal family is the Grand General's mansion."

Cheng Zhao turned to look at Madam Liu.

Second Madam Zhou's heart tightened, but seeing her daughter-in-law sitting there so calmly, she hastily suppressed her anxiety.

"Every time there's talk of spies, people die," Second Madam Zhou said. "I did indeed live at the borders for years. One lives on edge there. Do forgive me, Your Majesty."

Empress Guo waved a hand: "This is Ningzhou Prefecture—far from the Beidi. Every year, when His Majesty goes on this hunt, there are always some harebrained schemers who come sniffing around. Nothing new under the sun." She waved off Guo Hanzhang's topic and added, "Go on back to the hunting grounds and enjoy yourself. No need to wait on me here."

That was partly for pleasure, and partly to keep an eye on the Crown Prince on the Empress's behalf.

Guo Hanzhang assented and left.

Cheng Zhao watched her go, then quickly turned her eyes away.

By noon, the hunters still hadn't returned, but the ladies needed their midday meal.

The ladies of the Duke of Chen's household had a tent to themselves.

Back in their own quarters, with the two maidservants keeping watch at the front and back, Second Madam Zhou finally whispered to Cheng Zhao, "Zhaozhao, what happened? Why did spies show up during the hunt? And why did Yuanshen tell us not to use our bows and arrows?"