The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 135
by Little PandaThe Weather Grows Colder; I Want to Take Fourth Brother Back to Shoulin Early
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Lord Fu, led his men into the Qu Marquis Residence. Qu Jinian had tea prepared for them in the reception hall.
When Lord Fu saw Qu Jinian, he clasped his hands in a salute. “This subordinate official is investigating a case under imperial orders. This is a routine matter, and I hope Marquis Qu will grant us some convenience.”
Qu Jinian chuckled at his words. “If I were not to grant you convenience, Lord Fu, how would you have entered the gates of my Qu family’s residence?”
Lord Fu gave a strained, awkward laugh. “Many thanks, Marquis Qu.”
Qu Jinian nodded, gesturing for him to sit.
“I presume the Marquis is aware of what happened today at Prince Fucheng’s residence,” Lord Fu said cautiously.
Qu Jinian nodded. Lord Fu continued, “This subordinate official has investigated Prince Fucheng’s recent interactions and found that he has only had a conflict with Marquis Qu. Therefore…”
“Hmph.” Qu Jinian let out a cold laugh, and Lord Fu immediately fell silent, tense. “Lord Fu, if you put it that way, then this marquis has been wronged,” Qu Jinian said. “It is said that a gentleman’s revenge is not too late, even after ten years. Prince Fucheng himself has probably lost count of how many powerful nobles he has offended in the capital over the years. I was still hoping he would hand over the antidote for my fourth son. If I had massacred his entire household, wouldn’t that be sentencing my own son to death?”
“This…” Lord Fu blinked, not daring to refute Qu Jinian’s words. He had only come to ask a few questions; he had no real evidence. “Marquis Qu, please do not misunderstand. This subordinate official is merely performing his duties. I will leave after a few questions. Please, do not be angered.”
“Ask whatever you wish, Lord Fu,” Qu Jinian said, his tone sour.
Seeing Qu Jinian’s dark expression, Lord Fu lowered his voice. “Where was Marquis Qu at the time of the incident?”
“This marquis was resting in my residence. Afterward, I was at the palace awaiting the morning court session. My wife and His Majesty can both attest to this.”
Lord Fu nodded. He didn’t need the Emperor to attest to it; he could do so himself. He had been in the hall at the time, and he had seen Qu Jinian bickering with the other officials, no different from any other day.
“These days, this marquis has been preoccupied with my fourth son’s illness, seeking doctors and medicine. I have had no time for other matters.” As he spoke, Qu Jinian paused. He looked at Lord Fu and asked, “Lord Fu, this marquis would like to ask a question. Does everyone think that this marquis did it?”
Lord Fu’s gaze faltered. He quickly replied, “No, no, it is just that this subordinate official, according to procedure—”
“Ah, Lord Fu, don’t try to hide it from me. Everyone knows that I, Qu Jinian, accused Prince Fucheng in the throne hall. It’s only normal that I would be suspected. In truth, I don’t know who poisoned my fourth son, but all the evidence pointed to him. At the time, all I wanted was the antidote. I even said that as long as my fourth son could be saved, I would not pursue any other matter. You know what kind of man I am. For me to make such a concession was all for the sake of my son’s safety. But as it happens, something befalls Prince Fucheng at this very moment…”
“Your Lordship suspects that someone is trying to deliberately frame you?” Prompted by Qu Jinian, Lord Fu voiced the thought, following his line of reasoning.
Qu Jinian looked up at him and nodded. “A tall tree catches the wind. I suppose it’s my own fault for being somewhat domineering over the years. It’s not unreasonable to suspect me.” Qu Jinian sighed as he finished.
Lord Fu lowered his eyes, lost in thought. Afterward, Qu Jinian answered all his questions one by one. When Lord Fu left the residence, Qu Jinian even saw him to the gate.
Once outside, a junior clerk following Lord Fu asked, “My lord, was it really not Marquis Qu?”
Lord Fu shot the clerk a sideways glance, and the young man quickly bowed his head. A moment later, he heard Lord Fu mutter under his breath, “It’s nothing but a smokescreen.”
Lord Fu had handled too many important cases to be misled by a few words. He was simply frustrated by the lack of evidence. The killer’s work had been flawless. Solving this case would not be so simple.
Lord Fu boarded his carriage. As he passed through the streets, he saw government soldiers still searching for strangers, going from house to house. He thought for a moment, then headed for the major city gates.
When he reached the East Gate, a small child holding a stick of tanghulu1 tugged on his sleeve.
A few days later.
The massacre of Prince Fucheng’s family was the cause of a great uproar in the capital. Many families, terrified, wanted to pack up and move away from the city.
After five days, the city gates had to be reopened. Only after careful inspection were people allowed to leave.
Qu Jinian attended and left the morning court sessions as usual. The Emperor’s gaze was always strange when he looked at him, yet Qu Jinian maintained a perfectly composed demeanor. On this day, the Emperor could finally bear it no longer. After court was dismissed, he had Qu Jinian, who was already halfway home, brought to the Imperial Study.
The officials of the Three Judicial Agencies2 were gathered inside. One glance was all it took for Qu Jinian to know what the Emperor intended.
“This humble subject, Qu Jinian, pays his respects to Your Majesty.” Qu Jinian knelt in salute.
The Emperor looked up, glanced at the men beside him, and then grunted an “en” at Qu Jinian. “Beloved Minister Qu, you may rise.”
Qu Jinian rose and stood to one side, awaiting his orders.
The Emperor sat there, thinking for a few moments. His gaze shifted from the officials of the Three Judicial Agencies back to Qu Jinian.
“Beloved Minister Qu, why do you not ask This Emperor why you were summoned here?”
Hearing this, Qu Jinian took a step forward and bowed his head. “Your Majesty would only summon this humble subject if there is a matter to discuss. Since there is a matter, even if this humble subject does not ask, Your Majesty will speak of it when you have a moment of leisure.”
The Emperor frowned. “Has the poison in your third household’s fourth son been cured?”
“Replying to Your Majesty, not yet. This humble subject was just about to ask the lords responsible for investigating the Prince Fucheng massacre case if they have found the culprit,” Qu Jinian said, turning to look at the other men in the room.
The officials in charge of the case exchanged glances. The Minister of Justice, Ni Zhuang, was the first to step forward. “Your Majesty, the Prince Fucheng case was not the work of an ordinary person. This humble subject has discovered that many merchants arrived in the capital half a month ago. These people brought goods to sell, but not a single item was sold. Furthermore, all these people came from the south.” The Minister of Justice glanced at Qu Jinian before continuing, “The direction these people came from is connected to Marquis Zhengyi. This humble subject petitions Your Majesty to temporarily detain Marquis Zhengyi for detailed interrogation.”
Qu Jinian snorted with laughter. “I hear the Minister of Justice’s ancestors were from the south. Does that not make you a suspect as well?”
As Qu Jinian’s hostile words left his lips, the Emperor, who had planned to gently persuade him to cooperate, found his expression turning ugly.
The Minister of Justice stood to the side, too embarrassed to speak further.
“Your Majesty, this humble subject has always acted with integrity. Last time, this humble subject presented so much evidence and so many witnesses, yet Your Majesty denied that Prince Fucheng had poisoned my fourth son. This humble subject accepted it at the time. Now, Prince Fucheng’s household has been slaughtered by his enemies, and simply because the perpetrators were traced to the south—and it’s not even certain they are the killers—you conclude that I, Qu Jinian, am responsible. There are so many princes and marquises in the south, yet this monumental crime is pinned solely on my head. May I ask the Minister of Justice, what are your intentions?!”
Qu Jinian’s anger erupted, his voice thundering in the Imperial Study, making even the Emperor jump. He stared at Qu Jinian, and the thought of detaining him was suppressed.
“Our Qu family was personally ennobled as a fief-holding marquis by Emperor Taizu. Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, we have been willing to spill our livers and brains for you at every turn. Since I, Qu Jinian, inherited the title, which of Your Majesty’s commands have I not obeyed? I ask you, of all the princes and marquises in Tiansheng, which one has been held under house arrest in this capital like I have, unable to even see my own daughter for three years after her birth! Your Majesty, the Minister of Justice slanders this humble subject so! Are you simply going to condone it?!”
As Qu Jinian spoke, his grievances poured out, becoming harder and harder to contain. Just as he was about to say more, the Minister of Justice immediately fell to his knees. “Your Majesty, this humble subject knows his crime! Seeing that the deadline Your Majesty set was approaching, this humble subject was momentarily foolish and tried to shift the blame onto Marquis Zhengyi. I beg Your Majesty, for the sake of my many years of loyal service, to spare my family’s lives.”
Qu Jinian was furious, and the words he spoke now were clearly driven by rage. The Emperor had kept Qu Jinian in check for so many years. If he could not bring the entire Qu family to justice on the spot right now, he feared they would rebel. The border regions would be thrown into turmoil, and the Minister of Justice would be the main culprit.
His pointing the finger at Qu Jinian today had been entirely at the Emperor’s instruction. For him to take the blame now was the best option.
The Emperor looked at Qu Jinian’s enraged face and felt a flicker of fear himself. The Qu family’s army was in the south, while his brothers and nephews were in the north. They held so much military power. If Qu Jinian’s grievances were not resolved in a timely manner, he truly worried that Qu Jinian would risk everything and have the Qu family seize the opportunity to cause chaos.
“What a fine Ni Zhuang! Instead of focusing on the case, you dare to deceive even This Emperor! Men, drag him away and throw him into the Heavenly Prison!” The Emperor stood up in a rage.
Guards entered at the sound and dragged the Minister of Justice off the floor.
The Emperor watched the doors close, then looked at Qu Jinian, whose face was still a mask of cold fury. The other ministers in the room didn’t dare make a sound.
“Ahem.” The Emperor cleared his throat. “The Minister of Justice has been thrown into the Heavenly Prison for his incompetence. From now on, I expect you all to investigate this case meticulously and not to carelessly slander others. I will give you another two months. If you still have not found the killer by then, you can all give up your official posts.”
“This humble subject obeys the decree,” the remaining officials in charge of the case all knelt to accept the order.
“Beloved Minister Qu, This Emperor knows you have been wronged. It was This Emperor’s failure to judge character. This Emperor will have someone from the Imperial Household Department prepare some of the finest mountain ginseng for your fourth son. See if there is anything else you need and mention it to them as well.”
“This humble subject thanks Your Majesty for your immense grace on behalf of my fourth son.” Qu Jinian’s tone softened considerably, but the anger in his heart had not dissipated.
Seeing Qu Jinian’s cold expression, the Emperor thought for a moment and said, “Go on, then. Have Wang Chi escort you.”
Seeing Eunuch Official Wang approach, Qu Jinian bowed to the Emperor. “This humble subject takes his leave.”
The Emperor nodded, his expression gentle. But not long after Qu Jinian had left, he swept everything from the imperial desk onto the floor.
“Useless!”
Qu Jinian followed the eunuch official to the Imperial Household Department. Although mountain ginseng had been prepared, Qu Jinian was not satisfied and began to pick through it himself.
He selected several of the oldest roots, causing the steward of the Imperial Household Department’s face to fall.
“What, is this marquis not allowed to take them?” Qu Jinian asked deliberately.
“No, the Marquis has a discerning eye. This mountain ginseng was set aside by His Majesty for the Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration. This…”
“Hmph, the Empress Dowager’s birthday is not until next year. What you mean is that I, Qu Jinian, am not allowed to take it. What, do even you look down on me? What if I insist on taking it today?” Qu Jinian grew belligerent.
Eunuch Official Wang stiffened for a moment, then strode quickly to the steward and slapped him across the face. “His Majesty just gave his golden word that Marquis Qu may take whatever he lacks. For you to obstruct him like this is a violation of the imperial command! Men, drag him out and give him twenty strokes of the cane.”
Eunuch Official Wang watched the man being led away, then turned back to Qu Jinian with a smile. “These people are ignorant. I hope Marquis Qu will quell his anger.”
“Hmph.” Qu Jinian gave a cold, angry snort, then stormed out with the ginseng in hand, flicking his sleeves.
The eunuch official watched him go, his eyes downcast for a few moments, before returning to the Imperial Study to report.
“You say Qu Jinian threw a tantrum with the head of the Imperial Household Department over a ginseng root?” The Emperor sounded somewhat puzzled.
“Yes. The Qu Marquis Residence lacks for nothing. In this slave’s opinion, he was just looking for an opportunity to vent his anger,” the eunuch official explained.
The Emperor appeared thoughtful. The eunuch official added, “In this slave’s opinion, if the Marquis had treasonous intentions, he would surely be acting with extreme caution. Such belligerence does not seem to be the mark of a man with such designs.”
The Emperor glanced at the eunuch official, and after a moment of lowered eyes, he seemed to believe him. “Still, we cannot be careless. Tell them over there to speed things up.”
When Qu Jinian returned to the residence from the palace, Qu Sheng and the others were still waiting for him to have breakfast. Seeing the wooden boxes carried by the servant behind her father, Qu Sheng asked, “Father, what have you brought?”
Qu Jinian glanced back at the boxes, then at Lin Xizhao, and smiled. “Mountain ginseng, a gift from His Majesty.”
They were all confused. Qu Jinian dismissed the servants and explained what had happened, and only then did they understand.
Zhao Jiayu and Qu Yu did not come over, so they were unaware of what had transpired outside. After breakfast, Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng went to see them.
Qu Yu’s body was now so weak that he could no longer speak. But when he was lucid, Zhao Jiayu would hold their daughter and talk to him.
When Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng arrived, Qu Sheng discussed the matter of taking them back to Shoulin. Zhao Jiayu was puzzled. “Why go back to Shoulin?”
Although she wanted to go, she was worried about Qu Yu’s health. Also, once they left the capital, she wouldn’t be able to return to the Zhao Residence so easily.
These past few days, at the invitation of Zhao Jiayu’s mother-in-law, Mother Zhao had been visiting every other day, feeling quite at ease.
Lin Xizhao explained, “Shoulin is a better place for recuperation. Doctor Liu has prepared some medicine to condition Fourth Brother’s body. Once he is a little stronger, Sheng’er and I will go with you.”
“You’re going too?” Hearing that Lin Xizhao would be going with them, Zhao Jiayu felt less reluctant.
“Yes, Sheng’er and I will go together.”
“Alright. How long will it take?” Zhao Jiayu asked.
Lin Xizhao had asked Liu Wuxiang earlier. “A month at the soonest, the end of the year at the latest,” she replied.
It was almost winter. Although Shoulin also had a winter, it wasn’t as cold as in the north. The poison in Qu Yu’s body had not yet been cured, but the capital was no longer a safe place to stay.
A few days later, in the grand hall of the morning court session, the Left and Right Censors-in-Chief of the Censorate reported that a piece of jade had been excavated from a copper mine in Prince Zhangning’s fief.
The jade itself was of ordinary quality, but for it to be noticed and for word to reach the ears of the Censors, it was naturally not so simple.
When the jade was first unearthed, no one paid it any mind. Later, a scholar passed by and deciphered its mystery, and only then did the news spread like wildfire to the capital.
Four lines of characters were carved on the jade. At first read, they were incomprehensible, but upon a second reading, their deeper meaning became clear.
Zhangming Yao Shun zhi, Ningyuan Duling shi, Tianxing yuan wu shi, Ziwei fugui shi. It was an acrostic poem.3 The first characters of each line spelled out the name of Prince Zhangning, and ‘Son of Heaven’—Zhangning Tianzi.
Such a treasonous poem sent the Emperor into a great rage. He issued a decree for a thorough investigation, which also startled Prince Zhangning into rushing to the capital to declare that he had no such intentions.
But the Emperor was naturally suspicious; how could he believe him? Prince Zhangning was placed under house arrest in the capital, but his son was his hereditary heir. How could this allow the Emperor to rest easy?
The Emperor sent men to Prince Zhangning’s fief to investigate him for past crimes, intending to strip him of his title.
Prince Zhangning waited in the capital, fraught with anxiety, his residence surrounded by the Imperial Forest Secret Guards.
Qu Sheng sat by the window, listening to the whistling wind outside. Winter had arrived, and the days were growing colder. She stared out at the two or three yellow leaves still clinging to the trees, lost in thought for a long time.
The stove in the room had not yet been lit. Lin Xizhao took a thick outer robe from the wooden clothes rack, walked over quietly, and draped it over Qu Sheng’s slender shoulders.
Qu Sheng smelled the cool fragrance on Lin Xizhao and turned to look at her, her expression tinged with worry.
“Are you worried about Fourth Uncle and Third Brother?” Lin Xizhao asked softly.
Qu Sheng reached out and took Lin Xizhao’s hand, pulling her down to sit in her lap. “Yes. The letters from over there say that the two sides have already clashed and both have suffered losses. Fourth Uncle and the others have now set up camp and are in a standoff. Father has already submitted a memorial to His Majesty, asking him to issue an edict for the soldiers on the Northern Frontier to return, but His Majesty doesn’t seem to agree.”
The Emperor’s words had been ambiguous. He was in no hurry to recall the troops from the Northern Frontier, only saying that they should wait and see, and only retreat if things became truly dire.
Lin Xizhao listened, then offered comfort. “Fourth Uncle is a veteran of many battles. He knows how to assess the situation. You don’t need to worry too much.” For now, this was the only way to console Qu Sheng. Lin Xizhao was no expert in warfare, but when it came to people’s hearts, she could sway them.
The fit Qu Jinian had thrown in the palace had been Lin Xizhao’s idea. As had the matter with Prince Zhangning.
“The weather’s getting colder today. I want to take Fourth Brother back to Shoulin early,” Qu Sheng said, holding Lin Xizhao and stroking her slender arms.
Lin Xizhao raised her hands to cup Qu Sheng’s face. “Alright. Whatever you wish.”
Hearing Lin Xizhao’s reply and seeing the tender affection in her eyes, Qu Sheng’s gaze drifted down to Lin Xizhao’s soft, glistening lips.
Qu Sheng leaned in, her nose gently brushing against Lin Xizhao’s pearly-white one. Her breathing quickened, and finally, her covetous lips fell upon Lin Xizhao’s.
The soft touch of their lips was like falling into the clouds for Qu Sheng. It had been so long, yet she still felt the same way about Lin Xizhao as she had at the very beginning.
Their lips overlapped, sucking gently. After a moment’s kiss, Qu Sheng’s tongue probed past Lin Xizhao’s teeth, tangling with her even softer one. Qu Sheng entwined her tongue with Lin Xizhao’s, teasing her until a soft hum of pleasure escaped her lips.
Qu Sheng was most susceptible to the sounds Lin Xizhao made at times like these. Just that faint, almost inaudible sound was enough to make her heart itch with an uncontrollable desire.
Their lips still joined, Qu Sheng lifted Lin Xizhao into her arms. As Qu Sheng stood, the thick robe draped over her shoulders slid to the floor. Lin Xizhao wrapped her arms around Qu Sheng’s neck, their lips still locked in a fiery kiss.
Of course, it was Qu Sheng who refused to let go. Lin Xizhao tried to pull back gently several times, but Qu Sheng would eagerly chase after her, until finally, Lin Xizhao could only resign herself to cooperating.
Just as Lin Xizhao was growing breathless from the kiss, Qu Sheng took a step forward and turned. Their lips parted for an instant, and Lin Xizhao heard Qu Sheng’s ragged gasp for air.
Seeing the obsession for her in Qu Sheng’s eyes, Lin Xizhao’s gentle, star-flecked gaze flickered away.
In that moment, as Lin Xizhao’s eyes fell, Qu Sheng saw the unique, shy beauty that belonged to Lin Xizhao alone. It was Lin Xizhao’s silent consent to what was about to happen between them.
Qu Sheng held Lin Xizhao and took a few steps across the room, gently laying her on the couch before covering Lin Xizhao’s body with her own.
As Qu Sheng kissed Lin Xizhao’s fragrant neck, her hands moved to untie the sash at her waist.
Qu Sheng had always been enthusiastic about the act of undressing. Every time Lin Xizhao tried to do it herself, Qu Sheng would always stop her, sometimes even telling her directly, “Let me.”
She savored the process, because with each layer of clothing peeled away, she could see a deeper layer of Lin Xizhao’s shyness. It was a treasure that all the gold in the world could not buy.
As the last of the clothes fell away, the pressure of Qu Sheng’s tongue intensified. Lin Xizhao’s fingers tightened around the hand Qu Sheng had offered her. With every gentle squeeze, Qu Sheng knew whether Lin Xizhao liked what she was doing to her.
After the room was filled with a languid, amorous air, Qu Sheng held Lin Xizhao’s soft body and pressed a light kiss to her forehead.
As Qu Sheng’s lips parted from her skin, Lin Xizhao raised her shimmering, watery eyes.
Qu Sheng noticed Lin Xizhao looking at her and lowered her head to meet her gaze. The emotion brimming in their eyes made them uncontrollably kiss again.
The next morning, Lin Xizhao had the servants pack their things for the journey. When they were nearly done, she went to Zhao Jiayu’s courtyard.
Zhao Jiayu was instructing the servants, but because she didn’t know how long they would be staying in Shoulin, she was hesitating over what to bring.
When Lin Xizhao arrived, she heard Zhao Jiayu’s overwhelmed description and smiled. “Just bring some clothes and things for the road. They have everything we need in Shoulin.”
The last time they went to Shoulin, several sets of clothes had even been prepared for her. Since they knew she and Qu Sheng were bringing Qu Yu back, how could they not have everything ready?
Besides, Second Aunt Qu was especially fond of the younger generation. Now with a nursing baby in the mix, she would certainly have everything prepared perfectly.
Zhao Jiayu had a moment of realization, but she still passed the task to Lin Xizhao. “I’ll leave it to our gentle and virtuous Aunt-wife,” she said with a smile. “My head is about to explode.”
Lin Xizhao was stunned by the term. “What did you just say?”
Zhao Jiayu took the baby from the wet nurse’s arms, her voice softening. “Aunt-wife,4 of course. The wife of our little Zhimu’s auntie, right?” The last part was directed at her daughter.
Lin Xizhao’s face flushed involuntarily. She shot Zhao Jiayu a reproachful look and muttered, “Don’t talk such nonsense.”
“Tsk, it’s going to happen sooner or later. Haven’t the betrothal gifts already been sent? I say, you should pick an auspicious day and get it done with. It’ll save you from any trouble that might come with delays.” Zhao Jiayu had hit upon the very thing that worried Lin Xizhao most.
She had mentioned it to Lin Jianhai before, but only as a provocation. If she wanted to have a wedding ceremony with Qu Sheng, she would have to inform him. She also knew he would never agree. The matter had been weighing on her heart for a long time. She was now wondering if she should tell Lin Jianhai before she left.
She didn’t need a grand ceremony to marry Qu Sheng, nor did she need to inform anyone else. A simple ceremony, bowing to each other to gain the approval of the heavens, would be enough.
Lin Xizhao glanced at Zhao Jiayu and her daughter, then forced a relaxed expression and helplessly began to help her pack.
This time, Lin Xizhao did not plan to tell Lin Jianhai she was going to Shoulin, so she had no intention of returning to the Lin Residence.
After they finished packing, Lin Xizhao was about to return to her own courtyard to have someone prepare the carriages. But before she had even left, she saw Qu Sheng hurrying over.
Seeing her grim expression, Lin Xizhao waited for her to approach. “Why do you look so pale? What’s wrong?”
Qu Sheng’s brow had been furrowed ever since she arrived. She glanced at the servants around them, then pulled Lin Xizhao back to her own courtyard.
Lin Xizhao let herself be pulled along without asking any questions. If Qu Sheng was pulling her back, it meant she didn’t want Zhao Jiayu and the others to know.
Once they were inside, Qu Sheng closed the door and said in a low voice, “Father has been placed under house arrest in the palace by His Majesty.”
“Why?” Lin Xizhao sounded as if she couldn’t believe it.
“His Majesty is trying to force Father to agree to have me enter the Eastern Palace as the Crown Princess,” Qu Sheng said, her brow tight.
The author has something to say:
Zhao Jiayu: “Pah! We only want an Aunt-wife, not an Uncle-in-law.”
Qu Sheng: “……”
Lin Xizhao: “……”
Footnotes
- Tánghúlu (糖葫芦) is a traditional Chinese snack of candied fruit, most commonly hawthorn berries, on a bamboo skewer.
- The Three Judicial Agencies (Sān Sī, 三司) were the highest central legal bodies in imperial China, comprising the Ministry of Justice (刑部), the Censorate (都察院), and the Court of Judicial Review (大理寺).
- An acrostic poem (cángtóu shī, 藏头诗) is a form of classical poetry where the first character of each line, when read vertically, spells out a hidden message. In this case, the characters are 彰 (Zhāng), 宁 (Níng), 天 (Tiān), 子 (Zǐ), which together mean ‘Zhangning, the Son of Heaven (Emperor)’.
- Original: gūqī (姑妻). This is a playful portmanteau created by Zhao Jiayu, combining ‘paternal aunt’ (gūgu, 姑姑) with ‘wife’ (qīzi, 妻子).
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