Two days after the tremendous upheaval in the Golden Palace, a resolution was finally reached.

Assistant Director of the Secretariat Shen Yurong and Right Chancellor Li’s eldest son both resigned from office. As for Princess Yongning, she was demoted to commoner status. Shen Yurong and Li Xian were fortunate—before Emperor Hongxiao could take action, they voluntarily resigned. Princess Yongning’s demotion to commoner status, her fall from lofty princess into the mud overnight, came by Emperor Hongxiao’s personal decree.

It was heard that upon receiving the news, Consort Liu immediately went to plead with Emperor Hongxiao. The Emperor wouldn’t see her at all, only having Eunuch Su come out and use the excuse of feeling unwell. Consort Liu originally wanted to imitate those consorts of the past—if the Emperor wouldn’t come out, she would keep waiting. But after waiting and waiting, her body couldn’t take it, and Emperor Hongxiao showed her not the slightest mercy. Seeing there was no room for reconciliation in this matter, after waiting half a day, Consort Liu left indignantly and spoke no more of it.

The Princess Manor entrance was guarded by soldiers. From now on, this residence no longer belonged to Princess Yongning. Princess Yongning had just divorced Li Xian, and now couldn’t return to her own Princess Manor—this truly was the end of the road, homeless.

Consort Liu immediately spoke with Prince Cheng, telling him to find Princess Yongning and settle her somewhere. Even though Princess Yongning had been demoted to commoner status, Consort Liu absolutely couldn’t ignore her. She thought that right now it was merely superficial compliance with Emperor Hongxiao. After some more time, when the world had a new master, her daughter could still return to the capital in glory.

Prince Cheng was also helpless. He had people secretly receive Princess Yongning, gave her silver, and had her temporarily stay at an inn. She couldn’t even stay at a good inn, for fear of being discovered. After all, it was an imperial decree. Once someone discovered disobedience to the imperial decree, truly no one would be able to save Princess Yongning.

Princess Yongning had never stayed in such a shabby inn in her entire life. She immediately wanted to find Prince Cheng to change locations. Prince Cheng angrily scolded her. Because of Princess Yongning’s scene in the Golden Palace, Shen Yurong had resigned, and Li Xian had also resigned. The Li family had developed ill feelings toward him over this. Though Prince Cheng had appeased the Right Chancellor, how could a crack in someone’s heart be so easily repaired? On the surface, Li Zhongnan expressed that he wouldn’t hold grudges and everything was in the past, but who knew what he thought in his heart? At this critical juncture, if his subordinates became alienated from him, this posed a tremendous problem for Prince Cheng.

Therefore, toward Princess Yongning, the chief culprit, Prince Cheng also harbored considerable anger. He even accused Princess Yongning: “Since you were pregnant, why didn’t you tell this prince? Why insist on marrying Li Xian? Didn’t you know the Li family couldn’t be provoked? How dare you be so arrogant?”

“If I’d told Elder Brother, Elder Brother wouldn’t necessarily have let me get my wish!” Princess Yongning refused to yield, retorting: “His Majesty’s decree had already been issued. Even Mother Consort had no solution—what could Elder Brother have done? Most likely, to appease the Li family, you would have made me get rid of this child beforehand! Elder Brother speaks so righteously, yet doesn’t know why I’ve become like this! If you were capable and sat in that position, why would Mother Consort and I have had to swallow our anger for so many years!”

Prince Cheng flew into a rage and immediately slapped Princess Yongning. The two parted on bad terms.

Therefore, from being settled here until now, Princess Yongning hadn’t stepped outside this inn even once. Because whenever she went out and saw how those people outside looked at her, she couldn’t help wanting to have them arrested and their heads chopped off. But with her current status, she could no longer do such things as she pleased.

She’d become a commoner.

Speaking of it, it was laughable. Back then she’d mocked Xue Fangfei as merely a minor official’s daughter, lowly in status, whom she could trample and humiliate at will. Now she was even worse off than Xue Fangfei, having become a commoner.

This probably wasn’t real.

Princess Yongning lay on the couch and closed her eyes, thinking that when she opened them, someone would come tell her that all of this was just a dream, that she was still a princess whom no one dared slight.

There was a sound at the door. She sat up and saw Meixiang enter from outside.

After Princess Yongning was demoted to commoner status, the maids at her Princess Manor no longer belonged to her. But Meixiang had consistently stayed by her side. After Meixiang entered, she closed the door behind her, walked to Princess Yongning, and said softly: “Your Highness, this servant just heard news from outside that Lord Shen has resigned from office.”

“What?” The previously listless Princess Yongning trembled and said: “How could he suddenly resign?”

“They say he resigned early this morning, and Li Xian also resigned. It wasn’t by His Majesty’s decree—it must have been their own decision.”

Upon hearing this, Princess Yongning was stunned for a moment before saying: “It’s this palace who implicated him. If not for that bastard Li Xian… why would he have come to this!”

While filled with resentment, a trace of unease crossed her heart. For Princess Yongning, whether being demoted to commoner status or staying at this inn, it was all temporary. As long as Prince Cheng became Emperor, everything from the past wouldn’t count—she’d still be a princess. Therefore, Princess Yongning’s heart always held onto a thread of hope, not letting her fall into complete despair.

But Shen Yurong was different.

Princess Yongning could see Shen Yurong’s ambition and desire for power and influence, but she didn’t think there was anything wrong with that. Shen Yurong himself had ability and talent. Wanting to realize his ambitions was perfectly normal. But now, because of being disgraced through her, he’d voluntarily resigned. For Shen Yurong, this wasn’t just a change in status—it severely trampled on his self-respect.

And deep in his bones, Shen Yurong was an extremely proud person.

He would probably blame her for this.

Princess Yongning felt unsettled. She now had nothing—no status or position, no child either. The only thing she had was Shen Yurong. If Shen Yurong also left her because of this matter, then after all her scheming and everything she’d invested in Shen Yurong, what had she actually gained?

She jumped down from the bed and said: “Meixiang, this palace needs to make a trip to the Shen residence.”

“Your Highness wants to see Lord Shen?” Meixiang said hesitantly. “Should we wait a while longer…”

“This palace can’t wait. Moreover, there’s nothing wrong with this. In any case, he’s now resigned from office—like this palace, just a commoner. And everyone in the world knows about his relationship with this palace, so there’s no need to avoid anything. This palace being with him is only natural and right. There’s no longer any excuse that can obstruct us.” She said.

Meixiang paused and said no more.

……

At the same time, Jiang Li’s carriage was heading toward the Duke’s manor.

Zhao Ke still led Jiang Li along the small paths to avoid being discovered by others. In his heart, he was puzzled, not knowing when the Second Miss of the Jiang family and his master’s relationship had become familiar enough to reach this extent. One should know that for others to come to the Duke’s manor, even officials of considerable rank had to write formal calling cards in advance. And even those cards would very likely be thrown by Ji Heng into a corner of his study to gather dust for ten days to half a month without being read.

Yet Second Miss Jiang could just come whenever she wished.

Jiang Li sat in the carriage. Her visit to find Ji Heng today actually didn’t involve anything particularly special. Regarding the matter of Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong, Ji Heng had already completed the most difficult part for her. The remaining matters would be much easier. She just felt she should express her thanks in person once more.

There was also another matter—she wanted to ask clearly where exactly Princess Yongning had imprisoned Jiang Youyao. When it came time to add to Princess Yongning’s crimes in the future, she wouldn’t mind having Jiang Youyao add another charge. No matter how bad Jiang Youyao’s reputation was, she was still a legitimate young lady of the Jiang family. If Princess Yongning was proven to have harmed Jiang Youyao, it would be an ironclad case of plotting against an official’s family member.

The carriage arrived at the Duke’s manor entrance. The gatekeepers greeted Zhao Ke familiarly and smiled at Jiang Li. That gatekeeper was also born quite handsome and seemed to like Jiang Li very much. As Jiang Li came more frequently, sometimes he’d even secretly slip some melon seeds and candy to Tong’er and Baixue.

Jiang Li walked into the Duke’s manor. Today she didn’t see Wen Ji, nor did she see Ji Heng. She only saw Old General Ji practicing swordplay in the courtyard. Seeing her, he put down the sword in his hand and came over, happily asking if she’d come to help roast venison.

Jiang Li could only say: “I’ve come to find His Grace the Duke.”

“A-Heng went out,” Old General Ji said. “Don’t know when he’ll be back. What, didn’t he tell you?”

Jiang Li said: “I didn’t notify His Grace the Duke of my visit today, so he wouldn’t know when I was coming.”

Upon hearing this, Old General Ji immediately showed an understanding expression.

Jiang Li felt uncomfortable under his gaze and asked: “Since His Grace the Duke isn’t here now, might the Old General allow me to stay at the manor a bit longer to wait for his return?”

“You want to wait for that boy to return?” Old General Ji said. “He usually leaves early and returns late. Once he goes out, who knows when he’ll be back. Might not return until nighttime—you’ll wait that long too?”

“If it’s truly that late, I’ll leave first. It’s just that if I leave now and he returns the next moment, that would be rather unfortunate.” Jiang Li smiled. “It’s not easy for me to come out.”

“Since you don’t mind waiting in vain, then wait in vain. The Duke’s manor can still afford to offer you a cup of tea.” Having said this, Old General Ji continued: “Come to my study. It’s hot outside. I’ll have the servants bring you tea.” Without waiting for Jiang Li to agree or disagree, he walked toward his study first.

Jiang Li looked at his back and sighed inwardly—Old General Ji seemed even more domineering than Ji Heng.

The Old General’s study was completely different from Ji Heng’s study. Ji Heng’s study was a proper, serious study, just rather austere. The Old General’s study, aside from a few military treatises tossed on the desk, had no writing implements whatsoever. The entire wall was hung with weapons—all kinds of swords, axes, and spears. There was even a suit of armor standing before the desk, looking golden and gleaming, very imposing.

Seeing Jiang Li staring at the armor, the Old General laughed heartily: “How about it, impressive, right! This is what this old man wore when going to battle back in the day.” His words carried pride and satisfaction, but then suddenly became dejected. “Unfortunately, I can never wear it again.”

Jiang Li could understand his feelings.

She said: “The Old General’s collection is quite rich.”

“That’s for certain,” Old General Ji said. “Unfortunately, that boy A-Heng refuses to use these handy weapons of mine. He only knows those showy things—using a fan!”

Jiang Li thought to herself that the Old General probably hadn’t seen the scene of Ji Heng killing with his fan—it was no less formidable than these swords and crossbows.

She recalled that Ji Heng’s father was also a general and asked Old General Ji: “Why doesn’t His Grace the Duke serve as a general? When the late Emperor was alive, he trusted generals greatly. With military power in hand, though now it’s a peaceful and prosperous age, we still haven’t seen the General drilling troops.”

Old General Ji said: “The military tally was lost.”

“What?” This time, Jiang Li was genuinely astonished.

Old General Ji said to Jiang Li: “You should have heard about Minghan’s matter. Back when Minghan disappeared, he took the tiger tally with him. All these years, there’s been no trace. The late Emperor investigated when he was alive, and the current Emperor is also investigating, but all to no avail. This matter cannot be known to others. Others think military power still rests with the Duke’s manor, only that A-Heng conducts himself improperly.”

“Northern Yan hasn’t had military conflicts for so many years, so even if people suspect this matter, they cannot verify it. But when there are military conflicts, if people inquire about the Golden Guards, sooner or later they’ll know. Though everyone always says the Golden Guards have declined now, actually…”

Old General Ji looked at Jiang Li with a smile: “Girl, you know quite a lot. This old man isn’t afraid to tell you—the Golden Guards were handed over to A-Heng early on. A-Heng doesn’t have the military tally and cannot command the Golden Guards. Moreover, those soldiers only obey Minghan’s orders. What others say about the Golden Guards declining isn’t false. So once there are military conflicts, the Golden Guards won’t mobilize either. First, without the tiger tally they cannot be commanded. Second, they’ve truly declined and cannot take the battlefield. Our Duke’s manor only has the title of Duke left.”

Listening to Old General Ji speak, his expression didn’t seem false, but hearing it, Jiang Li always felt things weren’t quite like this. Ji Heng commanded wariness from everyone at court, and even Prince Cheng didn’t dare easily oppose him—he absolutely had confidence. Even if not the Golden Guards, there must be something else. Moreover, with such an army in hand, how could Ji Heng waste it in vain? Perhaps Old General Ji was being kept in the dark by Ji Heng. Maybe Ji Heng had some concerns.

Suddenly recalling the last time she’d met Ji Heng, he’d mentioned the Prince of Xia who rivaled the Golden Guards—General Zhaoде Yin Zhan. Jiang Li asked: “Does the Old General know anything about General Zhaoде Yin Zhan in recent years?”

As soon as these words were spoken, Old General Ji’s expression changed. For quite a while he said nothing. After a moment, the Old General said: “Girl, many things—if you don’t know the inside story, don’t ask. Asking too much won’t do you any good. If Jiang Yuanbai knew you were inquiring about these matters, he’d also advise you to stop. I don’t care what A-Heng has said to you or what you know, but as long as you don’t interfere, you’ll be safe.”

Since Jiang Li had met Old General Ji, this was the first time she’d seen him speak to her with such a serious expression. Jiang Li was also stunned. She thought about it and said: “Understood, Old General. I won’t ask anymore.”

Only then did Old General Ji nod with satisfaction: “Smart girl.”

Though Jiang Li said on the surface she wouldn’t ask, inwardly she knew this General Zhaoде likely posed major problems. Otherwise, Old General Ji wouldn’t have warned her so sternly, and Ji Heng’s expression that day wouldn’t have been so unusual. Jiang Li had never understood why Ji Heng wanted to divide Prince Cheng, Emperor Hongxiao, and the Jiang family into three stable factions, then use this tripartite situation to become Emperor Hongxiao’s confidant.

Looking at it now, Jiang Li understood a little. This was her wild speculation, but speculation sometimes accidentally hit the truth. Perhaps, just as Emperor Hongxiao was growing, Ji Heng was also increasing his own power. He might need to deal with some force he couldn’t handle before, so he needed to increase his own bargaining chips. Between him and Emperor Hongxiao, Emperor Hongxiao borrowed his power—but wasn’t Ji Heng also borrowing Emperor Hongxiao’s power? Prince Cheng was merely a front. Ji Heng’s true objective had never been Prince Cheng, but the person behind him.

Could that person be the Prince of Xia, Yin Zhan?

Jiang Li didn’t know.

Chatting idly with Old General Ji, when the Old General became thirsty from talking, he drank all the tea in one gulp and went to the courtyard to practice swordplay again. Jiang Li sat in the study, one hand supporting her head. Outside, she could faintly hear Xiao Hong’s emotionally charged praise—”Good swordplay!” Jiang Li’s mind wandered between thoughts of Ji Heng, the tiger tally, and the Prince of Xia. Drowsy and muddled, at some point she fell asleep.

When Ji Heng returned to the manor, it was already evening.

The Yanjing City sky rarely showed an evening glow. Golden-red sunset clouds streamed down from the horizon, dazzling to behold. Ji Heng looked up and glanced. Outside the flower garden were scattered petals—the mess Old General Ji had made practicing swordplay. After practicing, exhausted, the Old General had fallen asleep and completely forgotten that Jiang Li was still in his study. If not for the gatekeeper having told Ji Heng earlier that Second Miss Jiang had come to the Duke’s manor and not yet left, Ji Heng might not have known at all that there was an extra person in the manor.

The servants around didn’t know where Jiang Li had gone. Ji Heng didn’t have Wen Ji search, but looked room by room himself. His footsteps were neither hurried nor slow—he always appeared so leisurely and composed—until he pushed open Old General Ji’s study door.

He stopped in his tracks.

The sun’s afterglow penetrated through the window and climbed onto the girl’s face, gilding even her hair a fuzzy golden color. She had her eyes closed, lashes lowered, nose delicate, mouth refined. Sleeping quietly like this, she lacked the clarity of ordinary times and the occasional cunning—just quiet.

Wen Ji stood behind Ji Heng. Ji Heng waved his hand, signaling him to leave. Wen Ji withdrew, and Ji Heng walked to Jiang Li’s side.

In Old General Ji’s study—or rather, his weapons room—everything placed here were weapons. And these weapons weren’t those newly made ones displayed in blacksmith shops. They were all weapons the Old General had taken to battle, that had killed people, been stained with blood. People often said this room had too heavy an aura of slaughter, too fierce. Aside from the Old General himself, others weren’t very willing to set foot here.

But Jiang Li slept peacefully here, seemingly without the slightest discomfort. Whether it was because deep in her bones she also carried the same fierce sharpness as these weapons, or because of her presence, the room full of deadly implements had all become gentle. Even that golden suit of armor seemed like a tender general guarding a delicate young lady.

Ji Heng sat down opposite Jiang Li. The tea on the table had long gone cold. He picked up a clean teacup, poured himself a cup, and slowly drank it. He didn’t wake Jiang Li, nor did he make a sound. Everything was soundless as a painting—extremely beautiful.

Until Jiang Li felt cold and woke up.

Strangely, when she usually slept at the Jiang residence, she often dreamed—dreams filled with her past life. When she woke in the morning, she often couldn’t distinguish whether everything was dream or reality. But in Old General Ji’s study, she’d slept very peacefully and dreamlessly. Vaguely, she’d felt as if someone was beside her, making her feel secure, sleeping without reservation.

When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was the red-robed young man sitting opposite her, playing with the folding fan in his hand. Lamps had been lit in the room. It was precisely evening, with the sun’s last remaining light, darkness retaining the final appearance of sunset glow.

“Your Grace?” she asked groggily.

“You really don’t stand on ceremony,” Ji Heng said with a half-smile. “Treating this as your own home?”

Jiang Li was silent for a moment, then smiled. “I don’t know when I fell asleep. Probably sleeping in the Old General’s study feels secure—with so many weapons here, it’s very safe.”

“Do you sleep very uneasily at the Jiang residence? What do you fear—fear someone will take your life in your dreams?” he asked, hitting the nail on the head.

The smile on Jiang Li’s face faded. She said: “Perhaps. Maybe I’m naturally more suspicious.”

After a moment of silence, Ji Heng asked: “Why did you come?”

“Mm?” Jiang Li recalled her purpose and said: “Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong are now both commoners. Prince Cheng and the Li family have also developed ill feelings. I didn’t expect success would come so quickly. I’m very grateful to Your Grace.”

Her eyes were clear and sincere. When looking at someone, they swept away the gloom in one’s heart. Ji Heng glanced at her and suddenly opened his fan, blocking it between Jiang Li and himself.

Jiang Li was startled.

Immediately after, she saw that Ji Heng’s fan now had a fan tassel. It was precisely the one she’d given Ji Heng before—the blood-red butterfly following the golden silk peony on the fan in fluttering flight, almost intoxicating. This killing weapon now looked increasingly tender and soul-stirring.

Jiang Li smiled and said: “Your Grace has started using this fan tassel. It matches very well.”

Ji Heng folded the fan and also looked at that tassel, praising: “Your handiwork is excellent.”

“Thank you.” Jiang Li smiled. “Being able to receive a compliment from Your Grace feels very worthwhile.”

Ji Heng smiled. In the dusk, with sunset glow hazy and lamplight bright, his face appeared alternately near and far. Even the depths of his eyes shed their coolness, becoming tender.

“What do you plan to do next?” Ji Heng asked. “Regarding Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong.”

“After becoming commoners, the privileges belonging to them as noble offspring should collapse.” Jiang Li said. “Magistrate Xue has already awakened. I think it’s time to let the case of Xue Fangfei and Xue Zhao see the light of day again.”

“You’re going to begin counterattacking?” Ji Heng asked with interest. “In what capacity?”

“My capacity isn’t necessary. The fact that Magistrate Xue is Xue Fangfei’s father is enough to make all of Yanjing pay attention. What I need to do is merely help him—this is also natural, after all, I was the one who came forward in the Tongxiang case. There’s one Haitang, one Xiao Deyin—both witness testimonies are present. Xue Zhao’s case will be much harder to handle because the people from back then are already gone. But if there’s no evidence, I’ll find ways to produce some evidence. When other evidence is conclusive, no one will verify new evidence one by one, right?”

Her eyes reflected the lamplight—they should have been bright, yet became dim instead. Like secrets hidden deep in the heart, making it impossible to investigate deeply.

Ji Heng said: “Very thoroughly considered.”

“There’s one more matter—Jiang Youyao.” Jiang Li asked. “Can Your Grace tell me where Princess Yongning has hidden Jiang Youyao? When the time is right, Jiang Youyao’s existence can add another level to Princess Yongning’s crimes.”

Ji Heng said: “In her private prison. For you to enter won’t be easy. If Yongning meets with trouble, Prince Cheng will immediately burn down her private prison. Inside are too many key figures—they must eliminate all threats completely.”

Jiang Li said: “Your Grace…”

“You want me to help you again?” He curled his lip. The gentleness from moments ago instantly transformed into alluring enchantment. He leaned closer. Jiang Li could see clearly the red teardrop mole at the corner of his eye. He said: “Last time it was a fan tassel. What do you plan to use in exchange this time?”

“What does Your Grace want?” Jiang Li asked. “If it’s within my capabilities, I’ll certainly do it.”

“I don’t like asking others for things,” Ji Heng raised an eyebrow. “I prefer when others offer them voluntarily. Since you want me to help you with matters, how to please me is what you need to consider.” His tone was thoroughly arrogant, also making him difficult to refuse.

“Then let me think about it.” Jiang Li understood. She no longer thought Ji Heng was unpredictable, but he probably had some perverse interests.

Ji Heng rested his chin in his hand, looking at her, and suddenly said: “You truly go above and beyond for the Xue family.”

Jiang Li was startled and said: “Doesn’t Your Grace think the Xue family is very pitiful?”

“Pitiful?”

“The Xue family falling to such a state—Xue Fangfei is certainly pitiful, but if not for her foolishness and inability to judge character, she wouldn’t have invited the wolf into her home, failing to discover her bedside companion harbored evil intentions, even harming her own family.” Jiang Li lowered her head. “Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning are guilty, that’s true, but Xue Fangfei probably wasn’t entirely without fault, was she?”

Ji Heng looked at her meaningfully: “You’ve never been so harsh toward the dead. Why single out Xue Fangfei like this?”

Jiang Li asked: “Does Your Grace think what I said is wrong?”

Jiang Li and Ji Heng had discussed Xue Fangfei before, but at that time, their relationship wasn’t as harmonious as now. Jiang Li had intentions of concealing, Ji Heng had intentions of testing—who knew whether what the other said was true or false? That discussion naturally couldn’t be taken seriously.

But today, suddenly mentioning Xue Fangfei, Jiang Li suddenly wanted to know—in the past, in Ji Heng’s eyes, what kind of person had Xue Fangfei been? She knew he’d said she was “beautiful but soulless,” but then what? Was there anything else?

Ji Heng said: “Right or wrong—what does it matter?”

“Your Grace should have met Xue Fangfei,” Jiang Li stubbornly pursued this answer. “In Your Grace’s eyes, what kind of person was she?”

What kind of person? Jiang Li thought he might say a fool, a simpleton, someone with a broken brain. Even a wooden person. With Ji Heng’s innate arrogance, looking down on everyone, in his eyes, Xue Fangfei was certainly not worth mentioning.

Ji Heng seemed somewhat surprised by her persistent inquiry. His slender fingers caressed the fan handle, amber eyes deep. He thought for a moment before saying: “A beauty.”

───Outside the Text───

Highlighting the important part! See that? This is the standard answer!

Our Little Ji is very good at charming ladies!