◎The Third Prince and Director Xie Got Into a Fight◎

Xie Heng’s carriage raced into the palace. Once inside, Xie Heng whispered instructions to Qingya: “Go to the Central Secretariat again and confirm the news is accurate.”

Qingya responded and took a detour to leave.

Xie Heng led Zhuque to the imperial study. Before entering the courtyard, Yang Chun stopped them.

“Director Xie.”

“Supervisor Yang.” Xie Heng bowed respectfully. Yang Chun smiled and said, “Director, His Majesty has instructed that you kneel here.”

“Why must I kneel?” Xie Heng pretended to know nothing and asked sharply.

Yang Chun didn’t elaborate and only produced Li Zong’s command token: “His Majesty has ordered it. You just need to comply.”

Xie Heng didn’t press further. He looked at the token, then lifted his robes and knelt.

He hadn’t been kneeling long when Qingya returned, half-crouching to adjust his clothes while whispering: “Confirmed. It’s Inspector Liu’s name.”

Xie Heng glanced at Qingya and said nothing more, kneeling quietly in the courtyard. People around came forward curiously, and within an hour, rumors were spreading everywhere.

Li Zong saw the timing was about right and had someone summon Xie Heng inside. When Xie Heng received word, he stepped inside. Upon entering, he heard Li Zong say, “Don’t kneel. You’ve been kneeling quite a while – it would hurt your bones and muscles.”

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng didn’t kneel again. Li Zong put down his vermilion brush and looked up to study Xie Heng. He looked him up and down, then smiled: “Why don’t you ask why I punished you for no reason?”

“Your Majesty does nothing without cause.” Xie Heng replied calmly. “Your Majesty has given orders, and this subject obeys without need for many words.”

“I love how clever you are.”

Li Zong laughed, thought for a moment, then beckoned: “Heng’er, come here.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng stepped forward. Li Zong stood up and compared heights with Xie Heng, then said somewhat nostalgically: “Much taller than me now. I remember when you were eighteen, you were only slightly taller than I. Did you grow taller again?”

“I grew a bit more later.”

Xie Heng spoke truthfully. Li Zong nodded, then calculated: “Come to think of it, after this New Year, you’ll be twenty-five. Bikui is about your age, and he already has three children. You don’t even have children – there isn’t even a woman around you.”

Xie Heng stood without speaking. Li Zong looked somewhat disdainful: “As soon as I mention these things, you go mute. When will you make some progress?”

“Does Your Majesty wish to arrange a marriage for me?”

Xie Heng asked directly. Li Zong considered carefully: “Sort of. Actually… it should be considered doing you a favor.”

Li Zong said this while glancing at Yang Chun. Yang Chun waved at the young eunuchs, and everyone quietly withdrew, closing the door. Li Zong held the tea lid, casually stirring the tea leaves in the bowl on the table, considering his words: “These days… Zheng Pingsheng has been too presumptuous. He’s getting old and should return to Sizhou.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng understood Li Zong’s meaning and looked up at him: “How does Your Majesty want him to return?”

“Carried back.” Li Zong smiled. “Return to White Egret Mountain to lie down and properly appreciate his hometown scenery.”

Xie Heng’s eyes moved slightly, then he nodded: “This subject understands.”

In the past, the Supervision Department had openly and secretly eliminated many people for Li Zong. Some cases became known throughout the world, others were done so quietly that they remain mysteries to this day. When Li Zong spoke, Xie Heng followed familiar procedures: “Does Your Majesty need to select an auspicious day?”

“This time is different.”

Li Zong waved his hand and said softly, “This time I don’t want you to act personally. You’re just helping secretly.”

“Helping whom?” Xie Heng asked, though he already had an idea.

Li Zong smiled and said a name: “Luo Wanqing.”

Xie Heng’s heart trembled. He immediately lowered his eyes in a respectful manner to hide his expression. Li Zong didn’t notice and continued: “Don’t let this matter be connected to me. First find a way to safely bring her out, then find an opportunity to arrange for her to act.”

“So Your Majesty wishes to arrange a marriage?” Xie Heng understood Li Zong’s meaning. Li Zong nodded.

“Right now, Guiyu is watching her too closely. You bringing her back to the Supervision Department is the most reasonable method. Incidentally…” Li Zong stared at Xie Heng, “If you like her, keeping her wouldn’t be a problem either.”

“If she truly kills Zheng Pingsheng, it would be cleaner to kill her too.” Xie Heng showed no emotion on his face, only secretly clenching his fists in his sleeves, reminding himself this was Li Zong testing him.

Seeing his response, Li Zong nodded with satisfaction, then chuckled softly, as if mentioning casually: “That day you brought her and so many common people into the palace, I thought you might have some pity in your heart for this subordinate.”

“Pity naturally exists,” Xie Heng lowered his eyes to explain, understanding Li Zong’s intention better. He was still testing the depth of his relationship with Luo Wanqing, so he continued: “Her family’s case was wrongful, and I trained her personally. Naturally, I’d want to protect her if possible. But with the greater situation at hand, I can distinguish what’s important and what’s not. The position of commander of the Southern Court’s Sixteen Guards has not yet been selected. Your Majesty should understand this subject’s intentions.”

These words were watertight, both explaining his personal feelings without being too absolute to make Li Zong suspicious, and clarifying that his reason for bringing people to court that day was more importantly to force Zheng Bikui to hand over the Southern Court’s Sixteen Guards, focusing on Li Zong.

Li Zong finally felt relieved. Thinking of Luo Wanqing, he felt quite regretful: “Such a shame, with skills like that.”

Saying this, he glanced at Xie Heng again and smiled teasingly: “And so beautiful too.”

Xie Heng didn’t respond to Li Zong’s joke. Seeing he wouldn’t respond, Li Zong nodded: “Alright, I know you don’t like discussing these things. Yang Chun brought the imperial edict,” Li Zong raised his hand. “I’ll seal it and have it read. To the outside world, we’ll say…”

Li Zong glanced at Xie Heng, then said, “Director Xie, within the Supervision Department, developed feelings for Luo Wanqing over time. The two are mutually in love. Today, he knelt in the palace requesting marriage. I, mindful of Director Xie’s past merits, hereby grant this request.”

When news of Xie Heng kneeling in the palace requesting marriage reached Li Guiyu’s ears, Li Guiyu was in his mansion selecting decorative “double happiness” window papers.

The Central Secretariat’s imperial edict had been drafted, the Chancellery was reviewing it, and the Ministry of Rites had already begun arrangements. Everything was ready – he was just waiting for the marriage edict to arrive and then awaiting an auspicious day for the wedding.

His marriage to Luo Wanqing was practically set in stone. Just thinking of Luo Wanqing entering Prince Guang’an’s mansion in wedding robes made Li Guiyu’s heart unconsciously beat faster.

Although he knew these were just results he had forced, like the false euphoria produced by taking Five Stone Powder, this was the only thing he could grasp now.

He gently stroked two different “double happiness” window papers, carefully observing their differences. For the first time, he found these objects particularly interesting and requiring careful consideration.

Elder Zhang, beside him, looked at him with some worry and couldn’t help saying: “Your Highness, Zheng Bikui has sent another letter wanting to meet with you privately.”

“Tell him to guard his father properly and stop bothering me.” Li Guiyu picked up a circular window paper and said leisurely to the side: “We agreed – I keep Liu Xiniang confined in the mansion, they let bygones be bygones, and I’ll take past events to my grave.”

“But Young Master Zheng said he’s uneasy. In the past, he didn’t know Liu Xiniang was Luo Wanqing. Now that he knows, with the blood feud between the two families and Liu Xiniang’s superior martial arts, as long as she lives, his father can’t sleep peacefully.” Elder Zhang said calmly beside him. “Young Master Zheng said Liu Xiniang’s martial arts must be crippled before he can feel at ease.”

“Is this his idea or yours?”

Li Guiyu asked directly. Elder Zhang’s face changed slightly and he immediately knelt down, saying urgently: “Your Highness, this woman is full of schemes. If she stays by your side, it’s truly too dangerous. This old servant is also thinking of Your Highness…”

“Your Highness.”

Before he could finish, Qingzhu rushed in from outside. After bowing, he immediately said: “Your Highness, this subordinate heard that Xie Heng entered the palace to request marriage. He’s already been kneeling in the palace for an hour, and the Central Secretariat has already drafted an edict preparing to grant the marriage…”

“What do I care if he requests marriage?” Li Guiyu didn’t quite understand. He handed the circular window paper to a nearby maid, saying carelessly: “Choose this one.”

“Your Highness,” Qingzhu said gravely, “he’s requesting Miss Luo.”

Hearing this, Li Guiyu paused. He looked at Qingzhu incredulously: “Say that again. Who is he requesting?”

“The Princess Consort.” Qingzhu understood Li Guiyu’s feelings and immediately said, “Miss Luo, Luo Wanqing.”

Li Guiyu’s expression suddenly turned cold. He shifted his gaze to Elder Zhang, seeming to understand something.

Elder Zhang was in charge of watching palace news, but Xie Heng had been kneeling for an hour, and Elder Zhang hadn’t told him.

Li Guiyu felt both panicked and angry. He stared at Elder Zhang, and after a long time, he forced himself to calm down, restraining his emotions as much as possible: “Elder Zhang, did you know about this news?”

“Your Highness…” Elder Zhang said fearfully, “This subordinate was also thinking of Your Highness…”

“Shut up!”

Li Guiyu roared angrily. He took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and tried to sort out the relationships.

Xie Heng couldn’t possibly suddenly request marriage. Someone like him, cold-hearted for most of his life – how could he request marriage for Luo Wanqing? Even if it was to protect a good seedling of the Supervision Department, it wouldn’t go this far…

“When did news of the Central Secretariat’s draft come? Before or after Xie Heng knelt?”

Li Guiyu looked at Elder Zhang. Elder Zhang didn’t dare hide anymore. He knew that if he dared conceal even one more word today, he would surely die.

He controlled his trembling under Li Guiyu’s cold stare and managed to answer: “Before Xie Heng knelt, the imperial study had already sent word to the Central Secretariat to draft the edict.”

Before Xie Heng knelt – that meant this wasn’t Xie Heng’s idea, but Li Zong’s.

If it wasn’t Xie Heng’s idea…

There was still hope! As long as Xie Heng wasn’t determined to marry her, there was still hope!

Li Guiyu realized this and turned to rush outside.

He ran through corridors hung with red silk, through moon gates decorated with red lanterns, through wooden doors, mounted his horse, and galloped through the long streets toward the palace gates.

He ran breathlessly all the way. When he rushed into the palace, it was just sunset. He ran up the steps against the flow, just in time to meet Xie Heng coming out of the palace holding an imperial edict. When their eyes met on the steps, Li Guiyu’s gaze fell on his edict, his pupils contracting sharply as he unconsciously gripped the stone railing he was holding.

Seeing him, Xie Heng nodded coldly in greeting and stepped down.

Li Guiyu stared fixedly at the edict in his hand, his heart aching with a twisting pain.

Just a little bit short…

He suddenly realized that he and Luo Wanqing always seemed to be just that little bit short.

Last time they were also about to get married. He remembered that she was also selecting window papers then, sewing her wedding dress stitch by stitch. Everyone who saw him would congratulate him and say they’d come to drink at his wedding feast.

That time he had personally destroyed that wedding, but… this time he had tried.

He had fought, he had competed – why was it always, always just that little bit short?

Unwillingness surged up from his chest. He breathed shallowly, knowing he shouldn’t show any abnormality right now.

The imperial edict had been issued. What he should do most was return to plan, return to think of solutions, to figure out what had actually happened.

However, as Xie Heng passed by him, he couldn’t help but speak: “Director Xie, is it worth it?”

Xie Heng paused. He turned to look and saw Li Guiyu raise eyes that contained barely controlled coldness, staring at him fixedly: “Director Xie, they say there are four irreconcilable feuds in this world: the revenge of killing one’s father, the hatred of stealing one’s wife, the humiliation of national subjugation, and the resentment of family annihilation. By accepting this edict today,” Li Guiyu’s gaze fell on the edict, “do you intend to make an enemy of me?”

“What feud would I have with Your Highness?”

Xie Heng understood his warning but was completely indifferent, continuing to press: “Between Your Highness and me, there’s no revenge for killing fathers, no humiliation of national subjugation, no resentment of family annihilation. The only thing that could be involved is the hatred of stealing wives, but—”

Xie Heng leaned forward slightly: “Who is your wife?”

Hearing this, Li Guiyu immediately understood.

Xie Heng knew.

He knew about his feelings for Luo Wanqing – Xie Heng knew everything, yet he still accepted this edict.

He did it on purpose!

He deliberately wanted to marry Luo Wanqing. He wasn’t afraid of opposing him, this Prince of Guang’an – he was even deliberately opposing him.

Why?

Li Guiyu couldn’t understand. What feud or grievance did he have with Xie Heng that would make Xie Heng go this far?

“What do you want?”

Li Guiyu’s blood began to boil. He speculated urgently: “What do you want? Name your price. She’s just an Inspector – you don’t need to go this far.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng’s eyes grew somewhat cold, but he didn’t respond and just straightened up to leave.

Li Guiyu grabbed his arm and whispered urgently: “Speak! What do you want? Tell me!”

“Let go.”

Xie Heng calmly tucked the edict into his sleeve and spoke in warning.

But Li Guiyu didn’t listen, only gripping his arm tighter with some madness, gritting his teeth as he whispered: “Don’t you just want to use her as leverage to negotiate a good price? What do you want? Say it! Why the pretense? Name your price…”

Before he could finish, Xie Heng suddenly struck, throwing a punch hard at his face!

Li Guiyu reacted almost the moment he threw the punch, unhesitatingly kicking out fiercely. Just as Xie Heng was about to knock him down, he kicked Xie Heng’s abdomen. Both men pulled each other down, rolling down the steps together. While rolling, they didn’t forget to throw punch after punch at each other.

The two needed no words, tacitly not using internal energy or martial techniques, as if they had been suppressing this for a long time and finally exploded completely at this moment. Like two male lions, they fought with all their strength, pulling and biting, every punch landing on flesh.

The palace entrance instantly became chaotic. The maids turned pale with fright, saying urgently, “Quick… quickly notify His Majesty, the Third Prince, and Director Xie are fighting!”

Then someone reacted – how could ordinary people stop these two from fighting?

They urgently said, “Quick, tell Supervisor Yang – the Third Prince and Director Xie are fighting!”

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater]

Xie Heng: “I’ve wanted to beat you up for no reason for a long time. Finally got my chance today.”

Li Guiyu: “Me too!”

Zhuque: “Wow, how exciting! Come quick and watch them pull each other’s hair!”

Xuanshan: “If you put it that way, I’m coming.”