It was just past the fifth watch.

When the Regent Prince used to sleep at the mansion, he would typically be up by this hour. This morning, the newlywed couple also needed to go early to the ancestral temple for worship, so at this moment, along the corridors on both sides outside the door, Li Xiangchun, Zhang Bao, and a female official named Zhuang Shi, who served Shu Shenhui’s mother, were waiting with maidservants. Seeing the Regent Prince emerge and open the door, everyone entered to attend to his washing and grooming, but the newlywed Princess was nowhere to be seen in the outer room.

“She was tired last night and is still sleeping. Nanny, you may come later.”

Seeing Zhuang Shi’s gaze turn toward the inner chamber with slight hesitation, Shu Shenhui said this. Before his words finished, however, he heard footsteps behind him. Turning his head, he saw she had already emerged.

This morning, honestly speaking, he hadn’t completely recovered from the enormous shock of the previous night. He subconsciously didn’t want to face her directly, much less meet her eyes. Seeing her look at him, he forced himself to nod slightly, then turned his face away and silently went to wash.

The Grand Consort Zhuang was not in the capital and had long since stopped concerning herself with palace affairs. Her only worry in Chang’an was the Regent Prince. Several months ago, upon learning that the Regent Prince wished to marry the female general as his consort, she had specially sent Zhuang Shi, who had served her for many years, back to attend to the future female general Princess.

The female general was no ordinary woman. Last night’s first impression reinforced this, and she also seemed difficult to approach. So Zhuang Shi was somewhat concerned, wondering how the Regent Prince had gotten along with her later that night. Having just heard him say such things, and secretly observing the faint dark circles under his eyes, suggesting he hadn’t slept enough last night, she thought askew, assuming he and the female general had been like fish in water and that young people didn’t know restraint. Her heart had just relaxed when, unexpectedly, the Princess also emerged.

At this point, Zhuang Shi looked again at the two of them. The female general appeared natural, but the Regent Prince seemed somewhat off—his expression was wooden, and the two didn’t even seem to have properly met each other’s eyes. No matter how one looked at it, they didn’t seem like people who had just spent the night like fish in water in the same bed. Her heart filled with doubt again, though her face revealed nothing as she quietly attended to the female general’s washing with the maidservants.

Over there, after Shu Shenhui finished dressing, Li Xiangchun said, “General Lan has arrived and is waiting in Qingyun Hall.”

Shu Shenhui was indeed going to see Lan Rong. About to leave, he paused, turned toward Jiang Hanyuan, and said, “I’m going there for a moment. You needn’t wait for me—have your morning meal first.” As he spoke, his eyes looked at her mouth. After speaking, he headed outside. Zhang Bao brought a cup and chased after him: “Your Highness, the weather is cold and your stomach is empty. Sip water first to warm yourself—” He waved his hand, didn’t even turn back, and hurriedly stepped over the threshold, down the steps, his figure disappearing into the dark, hazy winter dawn.

Jiang Hanyuan had long been hungry and naturally wouldn’t wait. She went to eat, with Zhuang Shi leading the maidservants in attendance.

Jiang Hanyuan didn’t know the people around her. She saw that this middle-aged woman was of moderate build, with fair skin and neatly combed hair. She appeared capable and kind, treating her with great respect. Judging from her age and others’ attitudes toward this woman, she estimated that she held some position. Seeing her offer to serve food, she said she dared not accept.

The woman smiled: “I follow His Highness’s mother’s surname. Your Highness may call me Zhuang Shi. Being able to serve Your Highness is my honor—please feel free to give me orders.”

After saying this, she continued: “I learned cooking for a few days in my early years and can make one or two small dishes. I came over this time specifically to serve Your Highness. Not knowing Your Highness’s preferences, I randomly made several items. Please try them—if you dislike any, I’ll change them next time.”

The food table was filled from left to right, enough to feed more than ten people. Besides the common various Chang’an breakfast foods, there were another dozen or so items. Every bowl and cup was exquisite, every food item refined, carved, and decorated, pleasing to the eye—these should be what the woman had made herself. Among them, placed closest to Jiang Hanyuan, was a dish that looked like meat slices. The presentation was naturally exquisite, and under the lamplight, the meat gleamed with a lustrous red glow that made one’s mouth water. Jiang Hanyuan picked up a slice with her chopsticks, but upon tasting, it was sweet.

For many years in the military camp, she had always shared meals with the soldiers. Food’s main purpose was to stave off hunger and cold. Most food was coarse, and even meat was large chunks from stewing, mostly salty and heavy in flavor. Sweet meat like this was truly the first time in her life she had encountered it. Though she expected it might be cloying, upon chewing, the taste was refreshingly sweet, the outer skin crispy, and the meat extremely tender, almost melting upon entering her mouth. After swallowing, a sweet aftertaste lingered on her lips and teeth, as if carrying a faint osmanthus fragrance.

She quite liked it.

The dish was already small and delicate. Apart from the garnish, only seven or eight slices of meat were arranged in the center, like bird food, just a matter of two or three bites. She ate it all.

The woman watched with bright eyes, secretly taking note. After she finished eating, she said happily, “So Your Highness and His Highness have the same taste! This honey-glazed duck breast was originally a dish from the Grand Consort’s southern homeland. When His Highness was small and stayed with the Grand Consort, he also loved this honey-glazed breast most. It’s made from tender duck breast meat, sliced and marinated in floral honey—orchid in spring, lotus in summer, plum in winter. The aftertastes each carry floral fragrance, yet are different. Now we have osmanthus, so I made osmanthus honey-glazed breast. Since Your Highness also likes it, nothing could be better. I didn’t prepare many ingredients this time, but next time I’ll make more for Your Highness.”

Jiang Hanyuan had originally been hungry, but upon hearing these words, she suddenly felt as if those few slices of meat she had just eaten had filled her to the brim. She secretly regretted eating that food and immediately lost her appetite. She hastily ate a few more items, then declared herself full and rose to return to her room.

Little did the Regent Prince know that his favorite dish of honey meat had completely spoiled the female general’s good appetite. He went directly to Qingyun Hall in the mansion, used for meeting outside guests, where Lan Rong had brought the Chief Imperial Physician to report and was already waiting.

Lan Rong was a man of dignified appearance and healthy build, imposing in bearing. Previously, he had only held the idle position of Gentleman of Scattered Cavalry. Due to Consort Lan, he was also granted the title of County Earl with five hundred households, not without influence, yet not prominent either. Being low-key by nature and rarely standing out among Chang’an’s various high officials and nobles, he had never attracted much attention. Only in recent years had fortune turned his way, gradually rising to prominence. One reason was his status as the Crown Prince’s maternal uncle; another was that he had always been quite capable. Given opportunities, his talents gradually showed, and he handled affairs without error. Even more commendable, in recent years, even after the young Emperor’s ascension, he had not developed the slightest arrogance due to his changed position. His words and actions had become even more cautious than before, earning considerable praise. Several months ago, following the upheaval in the capital’s officialdom triggered by Prince Gao’s sudden death, he and Imperial Son-in-law Chen Lun respectively took charge of Chang’an’s two new bureaus, truly wielding real power and becoming the Regent Prince’s right and left arms.

Having received instructions last night that there was no need to return overnight to report the situation—morning would be fine—he naturally understood this was due to the Regent Prince and female general’s wedding night. So he came early this morning, and upon arrival, told the mansion’s attendants not to disturb the Regent Prince and waited here himself. He had been waiting for some time when suddenly he saw lamp shadows flickering outside the hall, then a figure appeared below the still-dark courtyard steps.

The Regent Prince had arrived and was walking this way. Lan Rong hurried several steps out of the hall to meet him, bowing low: “Please forgive me, Regent Prince! This humble minister has disturbed the Regent Prince’s rest—”

Shu Shenhui appeared in high spirits. After entering the hall and taking his seat, he gestured for him to sit as well.

Lan Rong firmly declined to sit, so Shu Shenhui didn’t insist further. Lan Rong stood at attention and first reported on the follow-up to the assassin incident, saying that last night, the Earth Gate Bureau had collaborated with the Heaven Gate Bureau to urgently search all important locations throughout the city overnight, with no new suspicious situations found for now. In the coming period, his Earth Gate Bureau would continue working with Chen Lun’s people to expand security. Besides open inspections, they had also arranged secret networks for a comprehensive investigation to eliminate hidden dangers.

Shu Shenhui nodded, then asked him about the detailed situation of last night’s visit to Prince Gao’s mansion.

Lan Rong recounted everything in detail.

At that time, he had brought three imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau to Prince Gao’s mansion to examine the patient. The entire mansion was shrouded in gloom.

“After this humble minister arrived, I saw that Prince Lingshou had vacant, lifeless eyes. His mouth was stuffed with a gag, meaning they wouldn’t let him speak. I ordered it removed, and he began raving…” He paused and stopped, carefully glancing at the person seated above.

“Please forgive me, Regent Prince. This humble minister dares not speak.”

“Just report truthfully.”

Lan Rong agreed and continued: “The Prince first gnashed his teeth, saying the Regent Prince you…”

He stopped again, looking up to see the seated Regent Prince looking at him. Gritting his teeth: “He said the Regent Prince was falsely benevolent and righteous, that if you wanted to kill him, you should do it quickly to let him die cleanly, better than this daily torment, worse than death. The Heir was terrified and desperately defended himself. The whole family knelt on the ground, crying and begging him to stop talking. He suddenly burst into wailing himself, threw himself down kowtowing, hitting his forehead until it bled without caring, saying the matter had nothing to do with him, that someone was trying to frame him, begging the Regent Prince to spare him…”

The scene at that time was truly ugly. After Lan Rong finished speaking, he held his breath and didn’t dare make a sound, but saw the Regent Prince’s expression was calm: “What did the physicians say?”

Lan Rong breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly reported: “The physicians examined him repeatedly, saying it was phlegm blocking the heart—it didn’t seem fake. Fearing mistakes, this humble minister brought three people at that time: Chief Imperial Physician Hu Ming, and the Left and Right Assistant Imperial Physicians. This morning, this humble minister brought the Chief Imperial Physician as well—he’s waiting outside. The Regent Prince may personally question him.”

Li Xiangchun brought the person in. After Hu Ming paid respects to the Regent Prince, he detailed what he and the two assistants had seen and their diagnostic conclusions the previous night. As Lan Rong had said, the Prince’s madness didn’t appear to be fake.

Hu Ming’s teacher was a renowned master of medicine who had retired to his hometown years ago due to illness. Hu Ming had fully inherited his knowledge and possessed extremely high medical skills. For him to make such a definite judgment, there would naturally be no error.

Shu Shenhui dismissed the Chief Imperial Physician first, his gaze falling on Lan Rong’s face: “What do you make of last night’s events?”

Lan Rong hesitated, then respectfully said: “Since the Regent Prince asks, this humble minister dares to comply. In this humble minister’s shallow opinion, this Prince and his son’s family originally had no great abilities, merely borrowing the tiger’s might to intimidate. Now they’re all frightened out of their wits. It hasn’t been long since Prince Gao’s sudden illness and death. Even if they harbor resentment toward the Regent Prince, they probably wouldn’t dare make any moves again so soon. As for Prince Cheng’s group, even if there are still fish that escaped the net, this humble minister believes those people are now barely managing to preserve themselves in hiding—none should dare commit such an act that defies all propriety.”

“If not the Prince’s lack of courage, nor Prince Cheng’s remnants, then who might it be?”

Lan Rong paused: “This humble minister thinks it’s quite possible that remnants of the chaotic Jin’s Huangfu clan were responsible. The sixth prince of the Di state, Chi Shu, has established a Southern Prince’s mansion in Youzhou’s Yan Commandery, personally stationed there, adopting our Han system to govern the local people, and broadly recruiting Han people to serve. When the last emperor of chaotic Jin and his descendants all died at the hands of rebellious soldiers, this is certain, but at that time, there was a quite prestigious royal uncle whose whereabouts remain unknown, reportedly fleeing north with his confidants. If true, Youyan is his ancestral homeland, and he would naturally collude with that Chi Shu. The Huangfu clan must harbor bone-deep hatred for our Great Wei, thinking day and night only of subversion. The Regent Prince would naturally become a thorn in their eye. It’s possible their agents infiltrated and committed this act.”

“All above are this humble minister’s shallow opinions. With the Regent Prince’s great wisdom, you must already see clearly as if looking at fire. Please correct this humble minister.” Finally, he spoke respectfully.

Shu Shenhui pondered for a moment, then nodded to Lan Rong: “Your words are quite reasonable. You worked hard last night, too.” He glanced at the gradually whitening dawn light outside the hall and smiled: “You came out early—have you had breakfast? If not, you may join me.”

How could Lan Rong lack such perception? He hurriedly bowed and declined: “This humble minister thanks the Regent Prince for your kind intention. The Regent Prince’s wedding encountered such danger, alarming the Regent Prince and Princess—this is already this humble minister’s great dereliction of duty. How dare I further disturb the Regent Prince and Her Highness the Princess? This humble minister takes his leave.”

Shu Shenhui smiled and called an attendant to escort Lan Rong out. About to return to Fanzhi Hall, he suddenly hesitated and gave another instruction to keep the Chief Imperial Physician for a while.

Hu Ming was brought in again by Li Xiangchun. Shu Shenhui glanced at Li Xiangchun, and the old eunuch understood—he couldn’t listen to the Regent Prince’s next words either. After bowing, he led several young attendants to withdraw far away.

Being summoned alone, Hu Ming felt somewhat uneasy, not knowing what the Regent Prince wanted to ask him. After paying respects, he held his breath and kept quiet. Fortunately, the seated Regent Prince wore a gentle smile, telling him not to be overly formal. It seemed not to be anything important, so he relaxed slightly.

“Chief Imperial Physician, please sit and speak. Don’t be constrained.” The Regent Prince smiled again, his attitude amiable.

How could Hu Ming dare? After thanking him for the offer to sit, he remained standing: “May I ask the Regent Prince what matter requires this humble minister’s service?”

After asking, he saw the Regent Prince fall silent again, as if lost in thought. For a long time, he didn’t speak, his face grave as water, thinking of who knows what. He didn’t dare urge and just waited. Finally, seeing him finish deliberating, he looked over: “What this Prince wishes to ask is not a major matter. It’s just that seeing you here this morning, something occurred to me, so I thought to ask casually.”

“Yes, yes, please speak, Regent Prince.”

“The matter isn’t this Prince’s affair, but this Prince has a good friend who has always shared everything with this Prince. A few days ago, he privately sought me out to discuss, he…”

Hu Ming understood—it should be the Regent Prince asking about illness on behalf of a close friend. He completely relaxed and listened carefully, but unexpectedly, having just begun, the Prince stopped again.

“Your Highness, does your friend have a difficult medical condition? If so, Your Highness need only speak of it, and this humble minister will do his utmost to answer.” The Chief Imperial Physician waited a moment, then prompted.

The Regent Prince paused again, then suddenly waved his hand, his face showing a smile once more: “Forget it, it’s just a small matter. Better to have him ask about the illness personally. This Prince has nothing else here. You may go.”

Hu Ming was baffled, but seeing the Regent Prince speak thus, he naturally wouldn’t ask more. He agreed and withdrew with a bow.

The Regent Prince stood alone outside Zhaoger Hall for another moment. Looking up, the sky had brightened considerably more than before. Time pressed on, not allowing him to linger here longer. He could only suppress his complicated thoughts and hurry back to Fanzhi Courtyard.

Author’s Note:

Peace out! Let me clear something up for my baby—the Regent Prince doesn’t have any physical problems. But first, in this marriage, while he appears to hold the advantageous position by using his power to achieve his goals on the surface, in reality, he wants more to get along well with the Princess and strengthen their relationship. Psychologically, he’s already in a disadvantaged position. Meeting someone like A’Yuan, who doesn’t play by the rules, caught him completely unprepared, creating enormous psychological pressure. The more he wanted to perform well in front of her, the more counterproductive it became. Plus, there was no foreplay—jumping straight to the main event led to his dysfunction. Then being urged and scorned by A’Yuan made it a complete tragedy!