Han Suwen found a hamster and pierced its tongue, enticing it to lick the glue on the back of the pearl ornament. As Zhenzhen had expected, before long the hamster convulsed and collapsed, showing symptoms of snake poisoning.
Zhenzhen immediately went to the prefecture offices to find Zhao Ai. When the two were alone in a room, Zhenzhen openly told Zhao Ai about the hamster’s poisoning test results and how the Prince had tasted the glue on that final night. She said to him: “Now we can confirm that Prince Zhuangwen was murdered. This glue wouldn’t poison someone just by touching skin – the killer must have known Prince Zhuangwen loved eating oranges, so they mixed snake venom and honey into glue scented with orange peel, knowing the Prince wouldn’t be able to resist tasting it when he smelled the fragrance during our intimate moments… If I know this but don’t pursue the real culprit to avenge the Prince, and only care about my own wedding, hiding behind you in a corner to get by, how can my heart be at peace for the rest of my life? What face would I have to meet Prince Zhuangwen in the afterlife?”
After pondering, Zhao Ai nodded: “I understand your feelings. We can postpone our wedding. But you can barely protect yourself now – returning to Lin’an would mean immediate arrest upon showing your face. How would you have a chance to pursue the real culprit? Even if you revealed the poisoned glue, without knowing who the true murderer is, you still couldn’t escape suspicion of poisoning him yourself.”
Zhenzhen knew his words were reasonable. Having no good strategy at the moment, she lowered her eyes dejectedly and remained silent.
Zhao Ai continued: “In a few days, Third Brother will hold his consort ceremony, formally marrying Ling Fengxian. Father is also urging me to return and attend. Why don’t I go back to Lin’an first and secretly investigate the origin of that pearl ornament? Once we have some clues about the real culprit, I’ll inform His Majesty and request permission for you to return to the palace to testify.”
Zhenzhen said: “That pearl ornament was given to me by Yun Yingge, who said she bought it as a congratulatory gift for me… She’s always been gentle and kind, grateful that I helped her, and we got along very well privately. She was also very loyal to Prince Zhuangwen – there’s no reason she would so viciously harm us.”
Zhao Ai asked: “Could it be that she loved Big Brother but couldn’t have him, so she committed this poisonous act?”
Zhenzhen shook her head: “After being hurt by that heartless man once, she no longer easily gave her heart to men. Though she dutifully served Prince Zhuangwen, she never showed any special romantic feelings for him.”
“It’s also possible the killer used her to pass the pearl ornament to you…” Zhao Ai speculated, then continued: “In any case, I’ll return to Lin’an to find her first. Even if it wasn’t her, we’ll surely discover important clues.”
Zhenzhen hoped to disguise herself and return to Lin’an with him, but Zhao Ai firmly refused: “If we travel together, we’d inevitably have close contact. No matter how we disguise ourselves, we’d easily be exposed. You absolutely cannot take such risks.”
Zhenzhen had to abandon this idea. Zhao Ai comforted her for a while, then revealed his heart: “This time our wedding is only temporarily postponed, not canceled. I already consider you my wife who hasn’t yet crossed the threshold. Once the truth is clarified, I’ll still give you a grand wedding.”
Zhenzhen laughed self-mockingly: “I must be cursed – every time I’m about to marry someone, complications arise… Sometimes I can’t help thinking that perhaps only by completely giving up the idea of marriage will I live peacefully.”
“Don’t think such foolish thoughts, silly girl.” Zhao Ai smiled and hugged her shoulders: “Those previous marriages were canceled by heaven’s will – heaven knew they weren’t the most suitable men for you, while I am your ultimate destiny.”
In his embrace, Zhenzhen rested her head on his shoulder. After a moment, she asked softly: “Now that you know everything about Prince Zhuangwen and me, do you mind?”
“I do mind a little…” Zhao Ai said slowly, then his tone shifted: “But that little bit of minding makes me even more aware how hard-won our present is, and I’ll treasure it all the more.”
Zhao Ai soon departed for Lin’an, leaving Zhenzhen to wait peacefully at Ningguo Prefecture for good news. Zhenzhen returned to Luming Tower, waiting while helping Wei Qingxun manage the restaurant as usual.
One afternoon, Luming Tower’s tea master reported to Zhenzhen that a customer had ordered team tea, but when the tea master prepared it for him, he wouldn’t drink it, insisting that Lady Song come to brew tea for him.
Zhenzhen assumed she’d encountered someone with improper intentions and initially wanted to avoid seeing him, but the man had the tea master pass along a message: “The team tea is too strong and too cold – this old man cannot drink it.”
These words startled Zhenzhen immediately, reminding her of Prince Zhuangwen’s tea-drinking habits. She hurried to see the man.
The person appeared gaunt, dressed as a scholar, but wore a bamboo hat used by fishermen and woodcutters, with the brim pulled very low, concealing most of his face.
“Sir doesn’t like whisked tea?” Zhenzhen asked tentatively.
“I do like it,” the man replied, “but my stomach isn’t good, so I must trouble the lady to boil the tea before I can drink it.”
He hadn’t yet raised his head or removed his hat, but hearing his voice, Zhenzhen’s eyes reddened. She had the tea master withdraw and closed the private room door, then bowed to the old gentleman with tears in her voice amid mixed emotions: “Master Yang, finally I see you again…”
Yang Zicheng quickly rose and bowed deeply in return: “Food Manager Wu, after the Prince’s death, I was pursued by villains and had to flee far away, unable to vindicate you in time. I’m truly ashamed!”
The two sat down to talk, and Yang Zicheng recounted past events one by one. It turned out that shortly after the Prince’s death, masked assassins attempted to kill Yang Zicheng. He fought his way out of the Eastern Palace and temporarily escaped the assassins’ pursuit on horseback, but each time he approached a palace gate, people immediately appeared to pursue and kill him. He hid throughout the capital, feeling more and more people were hunting him, completely unable to enter the imperial city gates. To preserve his life, he fled the city, with assassins still doggedly tracking his route. He traveled south until entering Lingnan before feeling he’d completely shaken off his pursuers.
“Do you know who wanted to kill you?” Zhenzhen asked.
“Once, hiding in the shadows, I heard the assassins speaking and could tell they were eunuchs,” Yang Zicheng said. “So I guessed it was Cheng Yuan’s orders, because he controlled many martial eunuchs under the pretext of guarding Cifu Palace, and had done some things to eliminate dissidents in the capital. Moreover, when Prince Zhuangwen had me investigate Lady Ju’s matter, Lady Ju was very likely imprisoned by Cheng Yuan. Cheng Yuan feared this would be exposed and had motive to kill me… I hid in Lingnan, temporarily not daring to return, living under a false name. Later by chance, I entered an academy in Guangzhou and obtained a position as a lecturer. Among the academy’s teachers was one named Chen Leshan, who shared my interests and became a close friend. Once while drinking with him, I let slip that I came from Lin’an. He was also drunk and mysteriously asked if I knew Liu Jieyu. I said who doesn’t know her – Liu Jieyu is His Majesty’s beloved consort. He then said Liu Jieyu had been his female student. I was very surprised and questioned him closely, so he told me that in Yazhou, he had been hired by Liu Kun to be a tutor for the Liu family daughter, when the girl was just over five years old. Two years later, Liu Kun took in a wandering mother and daughter, and since the little girl was the same age as Miss Liu, Liu Kun had her serve as a study companion. When both girls were eight, plague ravaged Yazhou. Miss Liu unfortunately contracted the disease and died young. Seeing Madam Liu’s devastating grief, the companion’s mother, Lady Yu, knelt and said she was willing to give her daughter to Madam Liu as her daughter. Before Madam Liu could agree, both she and her husband fell ill and soon died one after the other. The Liu family servants either died or scattered. Chen Leshan, remembering Liu Kun’s past kindness, stayed to handle the funeral arrangements. Lady Yu discussed with him having her daughter take on the Liu family daughter’s identity to see off Liu Kun and his wife. Chen Leshan thought the Liu family had no descendants and figured Lady Yu wanted to gain the Liu family’s house and property, but pitying his former student, he didn’t object and let the girl take the Liu family name to bury Liu Kun and his wife. After this was settled, Chen Leshan left Yazhou, eventually coming to Guangzhou, losing contact with Lady Yu and her daughter. Years later, he happened to hear that Liu Kun’s daughter had entered the palace and been made a Noble Consort, knowing she must be that wandering little girl from back then, but considering Liu Jieyu’s current status, he never mentioned it to outsiders again.”
“So Liu Jieyu isn’t Liu Kun’s biological daughter…” Zhenzhen immediately recalled witnessing her moon worship that night with the Prince, suspicion arising, so she told Yang Zicheng about this and asked: “So that night, was she worshipping Liu Kun or her birth father?”
“I see, I see, so that’s how His Highness knew…” Yang Zicheng also seemed to finally understand all the connections, murmuring as tears streamed down his aged face. After a moment, wiping away his tears, he continued: “I think Liu Jieyu was worshipping her birth father… After that day, Prince Zhuangwen had me investigate Liu Kun’s birthday, which turned out not to be that date. Later the Prince had me investigate the birthdays of all deceased officials of fifth rank and above over twenty-six years, to see if anyone’s death anniversary fell on that day… I found one and reported it to Prince Zhuangwen. He immediately wanted to go to Funing Hall to tell His Majesty, but unfortunately Proclamation Officer Lin Hong suddenly visited, so the Prince didn’t go.”
All the information came together like puzzle pieces, finally forming the complete truth. Zhenzhen bit her lip and blinked, struggling to control the trembling triggered by surging emotions, then pressed Yang Zicheng further: “Master, who was the person you found?”
“Qi Xi,” Yang Zicheng immediately replied. “Qi Xin’s son, Qi Xi.”
In inexplicable shock, Zhenzhen couldn’t help but laugh bitterly, then intense anger and sorrow surged to her heart, and she shed two lines of tears in hatred.
Yang Zicheng sighed deeply: “After learning about Liu Jieyu from Chen Leshan, I connected it with the death anniversary the Prince had me investigate, and knew Liu Jieyu’s background was suspicious – very likely a Qi family member. If she learned that I was investigating her father’s death anniversary, then her harming Prince Zhuangwen and pursuing me would both have reason… I wanted to return to Lin’an to warn His Majesty that Liu Jieyu harbored ill intentions, but being powerless now, I’d likely be killed before even reaching the imperial city gates. After much consideration, I decided to take a detour to Ningguo Prefecture to find the Second Prince and ask him to take me back to inform His Majesty. Unfortunately I arrived too late – the clerks said the Second Prince had already returned to the imperial city for the ceremony… Hearing I was an old friend of Prince Wei, the clerks had me come to Luming Tower to find Lady Song, saying Lady Song had been granted the title County Lady of Xin’an, and anything I wanted to tell Prince Wei could be told to her. So I came seeking Lady Song, glimpsed your figure outside the door, and recognized you, hence using tea as an excuse to ask you to come meet.”
After this revelation, Zhenzhen could no longer peacefully await news from Zhao Ai. Determined to take Yang Zicheng quickly to Lin’an to tell His Majesty the truth, she requested leave from Wei Qingxun, explaining she needed to return to the palace to clarify Prince Zhuangwen’s matter. Wei Qingxun asked if she wasn’t afraid of being exposed, arrested and imprisoned first. Zhenzhen said: “I have His Majesty’s decree making me a County Lady. Entering the city with this status while disguising my appearance well, with Supervisor Yang disguised as my household servant, shouldn’t draw too many questions. Once I find the Second Prince, we’ll decide what to do next.”
Wei Qingxun said: “I’ll accompany you. With my noble family status, if people question and examine us, I can more easily help you resolve it.”
Zhenzhen was immensely grateful. That evening the two women returned to Zhanle Tower together. Knowing this return to the imperial city held uncertain fortune, Zhenzhen bowed to Grandmother Song and solemnly bid farewell. Grandmother Song helped her up with both hands, and seeing her so sorrowful, understood somewhat and asked directly: “You’re preparing to return to the palace to see His Majesty and prove your innocence, aren’t you?”
Zhenzhen was very surprised, having never told Grandmother Song about her past identity or palace affairs, not knowing how she guessed.
Grandmother Song said: “When I first saw how Prince Wei interacted with you, your conversation seemed quite familiar and natural, as if you’d known each other long, so I guessed you came from the palace. But you two remained distant for so long, as if something stood between you. Remembering you once said your husband’s family blamed you for your husband’s death and expelled you, and that Prince Zhuangwen’s matter was rumored to involve a palace woman, I speculated it might be you. If it was you, then your situation with Prince Wei wouldn’t be hard to understand.”
Seeing she’d guessed most of it, and having lived together for years with feelings like family, Zhenzhen revealed all her secrets to her.
After hearing everything, Grandmother Song said: “I’ll return to Lin’an with you too, for extra support along the way. Besides, I have some reputation in Lin’an. If anyone questions your identity on the road, I’ll tell them this is my own granddaughter, Song Taozheng. His Majesty once drank fish soup I made, so if I’m fortunate enough to see His Majesty this time, I might even be able to say a few words for you.”
Though Zhenzhen had concerns, Grandmother Song insisted on accompanying her. Zhenzhen guessed she might be worried about never seeing her again if she left, and her heart ached, so she agreed.
Wei Qingxun helped Zhenzhen pack her luggage. Seeing her staring blankly in the lamplight, unconsciously gripping and rubbing the silver sachet at her waist, she asked: “These past years, you’ve always carried this silver sachet close to your body, and grip it when anxious. It must be from someone very important to you, right?”
Zhenzhen nodded: “My mother gave it to me.” After thinking, she opened the sachet and showed Wei Qingxun the red bean-sized seed inside: “You’re familiar with flowers and plants – please help me see what kind of flower, grass, or tree this seed is from.”
Wei Qingxun took it and examined it carefully, then said: “It’s a qionghua seed. This flower is precious – when my mother sent people with gold to Yangzhou to purchase one, they only got a single seed, and it didn’t survive planting. How did your mother obtain this? Did she also go to Yangzhou?”
Zhenzhen shook her head: “After leaving Pujiang, she remained in Lin’an.”
Wei Qingxun understood: “Perhaps she got it from Shi’an Garden. His Majesty once transplanted qionghua from Yangzhou to the Lin’an palace and bestowed it on Liu Jieyu. Reportedly, Liu Jieyu later gave it to Cheng Yuan, who planted the qionghua in his garden, Shi’an Garden.”
“Does Cheng Yuan love flowers and plants?” Zhenzhen asked.
“Very much. His garden has many famous flowers and rare plants,” Wei Qingxun said. “But in recent years I’ve heard he’s not just cultivating flowers – he indulges in music and pleasure day and night, bought many entertainers, and even married a dancing girl as his wife.”
“Married a dancing girl?” Zhenzhen repeated in a daze, sensing an ominous feeling.
“Yes, a dancing girl who performs Liangzhou dance. He even wrote marriage documents and married her with proper ceremony,” Wei Qingxun explained further. “Noble families privately say Cheng Yuan married an incomparable beauty, but he keeps her confined in Shi’an Garden where outsiders cannot see her.”
Zhenzhen suddenly stood up, feeling her mind thundering. With one hand on the table and the other gripping the silver sachet even tighter, unable to vent her overwhelming anger and anxiety, her vision went black and her body swayed as if about to collapse.
Wei Qingxun immediately supported her, asking what was wrong. Zhenzhen struggled to steady her breathing. After a long while, she gently freed herself from Wei Qingxun’s support, walked to the window, closed her eyes facing the patch of golden lamp flowers in the back courtyard whose blooming season had passed, then reopened them after a moment. Turning back to gaze at Wei Qingxun, she said: “There’s one more thing I’d like to ask you to help me with.”