The April weather in the capital was neither too cold nor too hot, perfect for confinement.
Lu Nianfu, having gone through it once, didn't find it unbearable. However, Situ Yan, having been terrified by her near-fatal labor, couldn't focus on his duties in the palace. This displeased Emperor Changwu greatly. "A man's ambition lies in the world, how can he stay by a woman's side every day?"
Situ Yan feigned innocence. "Your Majesty, I merely wish to bring my memorials home to review. I am not shirking my responsibilities."
"Do you know how many pairs of eyes are on you in court? Your second brother is seething with anger, waiting for any slip-up. Can't you give me some peace of mind?"
"If my second brother is determined to find fault, what use is my caution? We'll face whatever comes."
"In any case, I don't agree. If you cause more trouble, don't even think about coming home at night, let alone during the day."
Situ Yan: ...
Emperor Changwu, having won the argument through sheer force, picked up a memorial with satisfaction. "Fu Chuan has awakened. What are your plans?"
"That depends on how Your Majesty intends to reward him."
"His military achievements are outstanding, he naturally deserves a generous reward. He should be recalled to the capital and enfeoffed as a marquis."
If Ren Tianyu could be enfeoffed, so could Fu Chuan.
Situ Yan raised an eyebrow. "Recalled to the capital? What about the Jiangnan garrison? Do you plan to strip him of his military authority? It wouldn't be right to discard him after his service."
He remembered how much he had hated Situ Jue for this very issue. While a noble title sounded grand, it was hardly as substantial as wielding military power.
Emperor Changwu looked at him as if he were an idiot. "I painstakingly stripped Fu Lingyun of his military power. If I were to hand it over to Fu Chuan, wouldn't all my previous efforts be in vain?"
"I believe it would be more suitable for Fu Chuan to remain in Jiangnan. The Jiangnan garrison is small, what can they accomplish? Even if he gave all those soldiers to my second brother, he couldn't possibly march back to the capital with such a small force. Moreover, Fu Chuan is skilled in both literary and martial arts. Jiangnan has suffered from Japanese pirates for too long; it's time someone helped develop the region."
"You know him well?"
"We interacted when I was studying. He's a rather upright person. Setting aside our differing stances, I quite admire him."
Emperor Changwu said, "In court, who can truly set aside their stance?"
"The court is short of talent now. I believe we can give him an opportunity."
"If you misjudge him, don't come crying to me."
Situ Yan chuckled. "I wouldn't dare speak for other things, but when it comes to judging people, I have some confidence. Look at those who follow me, are any of them unreliable?"
Emperor Changwu stared at him for a long time before finally deciding to let go.
Young eagles must learn to fly on their own. He could help for a while, but not for a lifetime.
Moreover, these past few months, the seventh prince had flown rather steadily. He flicked his sleeve. "Since you've said so, handle it as you see fit. But I'll say this upfront: if anything goes wrong, don't expect me to clean up your mess."
"How could that be? If not you, who else would I turn to?"
"Your character."
Situ Yan didn't manage to get permission to work from home. He had to speed up his work, hoping to return home sooner.
However, with the Crown Prince back at court, the hitherto quiet faction of the Crown Prince, for some unknown reason, started causing trouble again. His return home was even later than usual, and he only managed a brief visit to his second son's full moon celebration.
One day, finally leaving the palace earlier, he was stopped by Ji Jin.
"A Jin, what is it?"
Ji Jin remained silent, only looking at him with a mournful expression.
Situ Yan slapped his forehead and comforted him, "Don't worry, don't worry, your brother-in-law has already set off for the capital."
"And Sheng Ge?"
"My people are watching her. She's in the same carriage. Don't worry, your wife isn't going anywhere."
Ji Jin finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Situ Yan patted his shoulder. "A Jin, you haven't contacted her for these past few months?"
"I've written letters."
"Sheng Ge hasn't replied?"
"She has, but she avoids talking about romantic matters. I can't quite figure out what she's thinking."
"She's a girl, probably shy. When she returns to the capital, you should directly approach your brother-in-law to propose."
The words sounded a bit strange, but with Sheng Ge's parents deceased, her marriage could only be decided by the sole male head of her family. Ji Jin pondered. "Then I'll start preparing the betrothal gifts. I'll need the Princess Consort's help then."
"No problem, no problem. When Sheng Ge and the others arrive in the capital, my wife will have just finished her confinement."
*Sister-in-law*!
The word "sister-in-law" rolled around Ji Jin's mouth, but he ultimately swallowed it back. Sister-in-law it would be, since he was asking for a favor.