That night, Jiang Yinyue lay beside Hong Mei, utterly sleepless, her slightly swollen lips still bearing the pain Wei Qin had inflicted on her.
In the Capital City.
Incense smoke wafted around the imperial brush. After reading the secret letter from the Eldest Princess, the Shunren Emperor, who held the brush, let out a cold sneer. Neither heavy nor light, it struck at Empress Dong’s heart.
The Eldest Princess had not yet arrived, but her letter came first. It was originally addressed to the imperial sister-in-law, yet the messenger was intercepted at the palace gates, and the letter fell into the emperor’s hands.
The emperor, who had always treated the empress with courtesy, laughed sinisterly. “The Crown Prince refuses to select a consort. Why is that? We have racked our brains and still cannot understand. Pray enlighten Us, Empress.”
Empress Dong furrowed her brows. If she could enlighten him, would she have asked the Eldest Princess to go and persuade him?
The Crown Prince had been a worry-free child since the womb. After growing sensible, he became even more obedient and understanding. Who would have thought that on the matter of marriage, he would cause the elders such headaches?
“Please grant Chen’er a bit more time, Your Majesty.”
“The Crown Prince is already twenty-one! Which prince, after reaching adulthood, does not have three wives and four concubines, branching out the imperial lineage for the royal family? Yet Ours alone stubbornly persists, unyieldingly obstinate! What We want is an Heir Apparent who prioritizes the greater good, not some stubborn fool who bends for personal affections!”
In that brief moment, he shifted from dripping sarcasm to thundering rage, revealing how long he had been suppressing his anger.
No matter how proud Empress Dong’s temperament, she dared not clash with the furiously burning Son of Heaven. “This concubine will immediately send someone south to Yangzhou to command…”
“No need.”
With his patience exhausted, the Shunren Emperor flicked his wide sleeve. Every blade of grass and tree in this palace grew for him—let alone his heirs.
He turned a blind eye to the private little maneuvers of the imperial clan, but if the empress could commission the Eldest Princess to go to Yangzhou and persuade, he could dispatch others to provoke.
If soft tactics failed, hard ones would follow.
The one who could provoke the Crown Prince should have arrived in Yangzhou by now.
The Shunren Emperor reined in his anger somewhat. The five-clawed golden dragon on his chest looked ferocious and savage.
Early in the morning, the neighbor’s rooster crowed loudly amid the sparse drizzle, disturbing Qi Bao’s deep sleep.
One chicken and one dog barked at each other across the space.
Jiang Yinyue pressed down on Qi Bao’s nape and carried it back to its doghouse. “We’re getting old. No need to get angry.”
In the corner of her eye, a figure in green robes emerged from the room.
Jiang Yinyue did not turn her head. She stroked Qi Bao’s head stroke by stroke.
Wei Qin stood under the eaves for a moment before striding away. As he brushed past Hong Mei, a hint of depth darkened his upturned phoenix eyes.
Hong Mei had always been perceptive and good at reading people. By rights, she would not openly vie for favor. Someone must have put her up to it from behind the scenes.
Her father-in-law.
Wei Qin had not walked far into the morning breeze and fine rain of the alley when an oil-paper umbrella opened above him.
“Someone has come to stir up trouble.”
“Is that so?”
The Silver-Robed Painter held the umbrella for Wei Qin while twirling the handle, shaking off beads of oily rain. On the umbrella’s surface, a fisherman watched quietly as the snipe and clam clashed.
In the plum rain season with misty showers, Jiang Yinyue and Hong Mei shared one umbrella as they wove through Yangzhou’s nooks and crannies, planning to buy some local specialties as gifts to honor the elders of the Jiang Clan upon returning to the capital.
Near noon, as Jiang Yinyue passed a fork in several alleys, she heard a burst of melodious qin music.
As she looked up, Hong Mei swiftly blocked an incoming glazed bead with her saber.
The saber had not left its sheath.
On the overhanging corridor of a tavern at the fork, an androgynous youth propped his cheek and smiled. His delicate features could be described as cherry lips and alabaster face without exaggeration.
“Not a bad saber. A gift from Little General Jiang?”
Hong Mei’s hand tightened on the hilt.
Jiang Yinyue stepped in front of Hong Mei and looked up directly at the youth on the corridor.
From vermilion walls and black tiles of the palace to the misty rainy alleys, the two were always at daggers drawn.
The youth’s smile did not fade. “Spoiled Brat, long time no see.”
“Wei Yangwan, what are you doing in Yangzhou?”
“Do you not salute upon seeing This Prince? You’ve grown even more lacking in manners. No wonder Father Emperor does not favor you.”
Some people could not spit out ivory from their dog mouths—no, he feared dogs. Barely counts as one mouse turd.
Jiang Yinyue picked up the cracked glazed bead from the ground and tossed it back. “This is how this subject greets Your Highness.”
Wei Yangwan dodged to the side and snapped open a fan of jade bone. Three bold characters stood out prominently on it.
Spoiled Brat.
The youth flipped the fan, revealing three more characters.
Jiang Niannian.
“Don’t slap a smiling face. This Prince wishes to invite Miss Jiang the Eldest to a gathering tonight.”
“Afraid it’s a Hongmen Banquet.”
Jiang Yinyue eyed him suspiciously but could not be bothered. She took Hong Mei’s hand to leave, only to hear the youth sigh upward. “If Spoiled Brat won’t give face, surely Transport Judge Wei will. After all, he was promoted by Minister Tao and owes him a favor.”
“Wei Yangwan, don’t bully a youth when he’s down.”
“How dare This Prince? Transport Judge Wei is about to be promoted to Cabinet Grand Scholar. Soon, This Prince will have to curry favor with him. Tonight at the hour of You’s end, Jade Dawn Tower awaits.”
Seeing his confident demeanor, as if he had some scheme up his sleeve, Jiang Yinyue pursed her lips and pulled Hong Mei away.
“Is the Third Prince probing Miss’s weak spot?”
“Do I have a weak spot?”
“The son-in-law… counts as one, I suppose.”
Jiang Yinyue shifted the oil-paper umbrella blocking her view and gazed at the drizzling sky, letting her thoughts wander.
Wei Qin’s wings were not yet full; any noble who took a dislike to him could find excuses to make trouble, let alone the currently favored Third Prince.
Though she could not guess the Third Prince’s true purpose this trip, one thing was certain: the grudge over Grand Secretary Dong snatching Tao Qian’s position— the Third Prince would pin it on Wei Qin.
Unable to deal with the head of the hundred officials, but unable to deal with a newly risen cold-door talent?
Kick a man when he’s down.
Jiang Yinyue pondered for a moment and looked at Hong Mei. “We’ll have to delay departure a few more days.”
She could only leave with peace of mind once she ensured Wei Qin was safe.
Twilight stretched murkily, the rain unrelenting. Outside Jade Dawn Tower, splendid lanterns glowed. Qi Bao happily trailed behind Jiang Yinyue, led by Hong Mei.
Jiang Yinyue, sharing an umbrella with Wei Qin, kept adjusting the handle straight along the way.
“Your shoulder is wet.”
“Miss is worried about me?”
The anger from last night’s forced kiss had not subsided; Jiang Yinyue would not admit she was concerned about him being humiliated by the Third Prince.
“Attire is a person’s facade. Getting rained on looks destitute.”
Wei Qin still tilted the umbrella toward her. As he raised his gaze, his eyes met those of tonight’s host.
Wei Yangwan wore red robes, his long hair tied with a thin silk ribbon. Delicate as a girl, with alluring beauty, yet his smile carried frivolity and malice.
“The great Bangyan honors us with his presence. Please, inside.”
The bustling Jade Dawn Tower entertained only one group of guests today.
As host, the Third Prince naturally knew the rules. Inviting his suspicious imperial brother meant no trusted subordinates nearby—luring the tiger from its lair, but he could not lure tonight’s main guest.
Nor would the Crown Prince place himself in layers of peril.
The opulent welcoming hall had windows on three sides, with silk curtains fluttering.
Three sets of tables and chairs were arranged.
Wei Yangwan lounged casually in the host’s seat, inviting Wei Qin and Jiang Yinyue to the secondary guest positions.
Host and primary guest: the guest had not arrived.
Jiang Yinyue guessed the other’s identity and grew even more displeased.
“If not for Aunt Royal returning midway, Transport Judge Wei would not have gotten this secondary seat.”
Jiang Yinyue shot back, “Who cares?”
Wei Yangwan mimicked her tone, shaking his head exaggeratedly. “Doesn’t care but still comes? Oh, worried about her own husband, eh.”
As he teased, the welcoming hall’s doors were pulled open from outside. The wealthy owner personally ushered in a man.
“Crown Prince, mind the threshold.”
The attendant guards stayed outside.
Wei Xichen glanced over those present, offered no superfluous pleasantries, but with the awareness of a guest, went straight to the primary seat—more at ease than the host.
Such was the Eastern Palace Crown Prince’s aura, forever suppressing the other princes.
“Since Advisor Wei can move freely, no more feigning recuperation. Quickly take over some of Our workload.”
Wei Qin nodded. “This minister obeys the command.”
He most detested his imperial brother’s air of superiority, where even contempt and disdain hid in gentle tones—hypocritical to the extreme.
The youth smiled. “For Imperial Brother to make time amid his busy schedule, Little Brother is overwhelmed with honor.”
Wei Xichen said flatly, “Old Three, no need to beat around the bush between brothers. We have no energy for your mysteries. Speak if there’s business; if not, drink. Consider it farewell wine from your elder brother—leave Yangzhou soon.”
One sentence pierced the paper window.
In mere two or three exchanges, swords were drawn, the capital’s undercurrents surging into this small tavern.
Imperial kin were indeed heartless; even greetings between brothers became superfluous.
Wei Yangwan did not deny the mystery, but he was confident, knowing his words would shatter the Crown Prince’s composure.
“Unfortunately, Imperial Brother truly cannot drink this farewell cup.” The youth straightened up, walked before Wei Xichen, and loftily drew a scroll from his sleeve.
Jade axis woven with brocade, sealed with imperial stamp.
“Crown Prince Wei Xichen, receive the decree.”
Wei Xichen shifted from stunned realization, his fine brows knitting gravely. Instinctively, he looked toward Jiang Yinyue opposite him.
A bone-scraping blade at the Hongmen Banquet.
Old Three’s show of force borrowed the Son of Heaven’s might.
Jiang Yinyue and Wei Qin also guessed the decree’s content.
They smiled in unison.
Wei Qin’s faint smile was deeply hidden, almost imperceptible, watching the show with mockery.
Jiang Yinyue’s delight showed openly, eager to hear the resounding selection decree. For once, she did not mind Wei Yangwan’s voice.
The Third Prince still smiled down loftily at Wei Xichen, shaking the scroll. “Imperial Brother not planning to receive the decree?”
Wei Xichen rose slowly. His line of sight gradually rose above his still-youthful brother, passing over the side of his forehead to land on the woman opposite, whose smile had not yet faded.
His clear voice carried a faint laugh.
“If it is the Eastern Palace consort selection decree, trouble Third Brother to return it.”
“Little Brother dares not defy imperial orders. Is Imperial Brother resisting the decree?!”
Wei Xichen did not bend his knees. He looked at Wei Yangwan, but his words were for the Son of Heaven far in the palace. “This son refuses the decree.”
Madness, madness.
Wei Yangwan shook his head vigorously, staggering back two steps, as if mimicking the Son of Heaven’s reaction.
Suddenly, he drew the punishment ruler from his other sleeve and swung it through the air.
It was the emperor’s special ruler for disciplining princes.
The custom-made ruler was exceptionally rigid; strikes left welts if not splitting skin and tearing flesh.
“Little Brother conveys Father Emperor’s exact words on his behalf; Imperial Brother, pardon.” The youth cleared his throat, deepened his tone, imitating the Shunren Emperor. “If the Crown Prince resists, Our son may flog first and report later—thirty strokes, only more, not fewer.”
“Smack!”
The youth swung without the slightest hesitation.
“Smack! Smack!”
Wei Xichen clenched his fists, his form swaying slightly.
The youth continued swinging, as unrest stirred from the guards outside.
“Crown Prince?”
As long as Wei Xichen gave the order, the attendant guards would burst in. No matter imperial kin or prince, they would draw blades.
“No matter.”
His arms numb with pain, Wei Xichen spoke calmly, his tone steady and light. His gaze fixed on Wei Yangwan’s face, cold as a knife edge.
He retreated in pain, collapsing onto the armrest, looking up at the youth gripping the ruler.
A low chuckle escaped his trembling throat. He did not mention Tao Qian’s assassination attempt to halt the youth’s showboating.
Soon enough, he would let this brother know the price.
Wei Qin rose and hurried over, squatting beside the Crown Prince. One hand gripped the prince’s shoulder tightly, solemn and earnest. “Your Highness, why make things hard for yourself? Just accept the decree and spare the fleshly suffering. Your Majesty places great hopes on Your Highness—do not disappoint him.”
Wei Xichen suppressed the tremors from pain, ignoring Wei Qin’s unwelcome advice.
Wei Qin stopped persuading, squatting there and indifferently watching Wei Yangwan flog Wei Xichen.
Jiang Yinyue watched the three of them, her heart pounding in terror. A father inciting one son to whip another, sowing discord among his heirs to temper their hearts against emotional bonds—what difference did this have from forging cold, sharp blades?
She, who had been raised with familial affection, found it impossible to comprehend the emperor’s twisted psyche.
Wei Yangwan swung the Punishment Ruler thirty-one times, panting as he said, “Imperial Brother, do not blame me. This Little Brother acted on orders. Father Emperor had one more message for This Little Brother to relay without fail.”
The youth put away the Punishment Ruler, walked to the seat of honor, and took a sip of clear water to calm the agitation from his outburst of emotions. “The reason we establish the eldest and not the most worthy is that the eldest is a certainty, while the worthy is a variable. Since We have already broken convention by choosing the variable, We do not mind changing once more.”
Wei Xichen listened to the threat relayed by the youth and suddenly felt the same sorrow as his eldest imperial brother, Wei Yihe. A rebellious prince beyond control was doomed never to earn the emperor’s favor.
“I understand. Go back and report.”
“You still defy the decree?”
“Go report.”
Wei Yangwan shed his ferocity, squatted on the ground, and grinned innocently and harmlessly. “An imperial command is hard to defy. Imperial Brother must not hold a grudge against This Little Brother.”
Wei Xichen also broke from his usual demeanor, lifted a hand, and patted his head. “How could I? This Brother knows it was not of your own will. Advisor Wei, help This Prince back to the posthouse.”
Wei Qin helped up the crown prince and shot Jiang Yinyue a meaningful glance.
She followed closely behind. As she brushed past the youth, she heard a mocking snicker.
“Spoiled Brat, is Imperial Brother doing this for you?”
The youth propped his hands behind his head and followed the crowd down the spiral staircase, as if seeing them off.
“With so many guards following, yet he specifically has Transport Judge Wei support him—is Imperial Brother trying to make you feel heartbroken? Does it hurt or not?”
Jiang Yinyue slowed her steps, falling behind the crown prince and the others. “Your Highness is quite humorous.”
“Then why aren’t you laughing?”
“Woof! Woof woof!”
Suddenly, from the bottom of the spiral staircase, darted out a furry figure, precisely pouncing toward the one who feared dogs the most amid the crowd.
“Aaah! Where did this dog come from?” Wei Yangwan clambered onto the staircase railing, clinging to it hand and foot.
Jiang Yinyue walked to Hong Mei’s side and let Qi Bao bark ferociously, saying leisurely, “This is Qi Bao. Your Highness should recognize it.”
“Get it away, quick.”
To show sincerity and lure the crown prince into dropping his guard for the banquet as agreed, Wei Yangwan had dismissed all his traveling palace attendants. With no one to help now, he crawled upward along the railing, wriggling along like a green caterpillar.
Jiang Yinyue followed suit. “Doesn’t Your Highness love to laugh? Why aren’t you laughing now?”
“Get it away, get it away!” What Wei Yangwan feared most was Qi Bao; the memory of being chased by this hunting hound in his youth was still fresh, his cries for help echoing through the vast rear palace, but the guards, out of respect for the crown prince’s authority, dared not assist.
Jiang Yinyue spread her five fingers. “Fifty taels.”
“What?”
“One hundred taels.”
The youth bared his teeth, pulled a silver note from his collar, and flung it over. “Get it away!”
Jiang Yinyue caught the silver note and curved her cherry lips. “Does Your Highness feel heartbroken?”
The words boomeranged back to stab at him repeatedly. The youth ground his teeth. Fine, she had deliberately brought Qi Bao to scare him!
Walking along the path to the posthouse, Wei Xichen, who had his arm around Wei Qin’s shoulders, glanced back several times. Behind the dense cluster of attendants, he did not see that girl’s figure.
He released Wei Qin and walked alone at his normal pace; the pain in his flesh and skin paled against the fierce resurgence of the old ailment in his heart.
“Advisor Wei, you may return. Remember to report for duty tomorrow.”
“This Minister will only feel at ease after escorting Your Highness to the posthouse.”
Wei Xichen smiled faintly, even finding it a bit amusing. “Are you so concerned for This Prince?”
“This Minister’s loyalty to Your Highness can be vouched for by the sun and moon.”
Wei Qin, departing from the posthouse, strolled through the summer night after the rain when a figure in silver robes appeared at his side once more.
“In two days, there’s an auction in the city that should pique the Third Prince’s interest. Shall we take the chance to fleece him?”
Wei Qin’s steps were steady, his posture upright and refined, his breath cleansed pure by the night wind.
He spoke slowly, leaving behind six words that were neither light nor heavy.
“Fleece the crown prince too.”