Hu Shanwei had been navigating the imperial court for twelve years, and it hadn’t been for nothing. Hearing this, she showed no sign of fear, maintaining her composure as she said, “Your Highness has misunderstood. I paid for those bodyguards out of my own pocket to escort Court Physician Ru home. Since I invited her to come, I must take responsibility to the end and ensure her safety. Moreover, Court Physician Ru and her husband have invested all their money and energy into medicine, leaving their household as poor as water. Where would she get the silver to hire over forty bodyguards?”

The Crown Prince stared at her intently. “You still haven’t told me what Court Physician Ru discovered.”

Hu Shanwei said, “Prince Lu Huang died from arsenic poisoning. The remaining five pills also contained enough arsenic to be lethal. There was a problem with his pill formula – he miscalculated the dosage.”

“Is that all?” the Crown Prince asked.

What Hu Shanwei spoke was only half the truth. The other half could only be told to His Majesty and Noble Consort Guo. She replied, “If Your Highness doesn’t trust me, then don’t ask me. Your Highness can investigate yourself – Prince Lu Huang’s alchemy chamber is in the basement beneath the secret room in his study. Everything remains as it was.”

Not quite. Prince Lu Huang’s “Alchemy Notes” and the white alum mixed with pure arsenic had already been secretly moved and hidden away by Hu Shanwei. This was ironclad evidence that Prince Lu Huang had been murdered by poison.

Prince Lu Huang may have been absurd, but did being absurd mean he deserved to die unjustly? Compared to the violent Prince Qin, Prince Lu Huang was practically a pure and innocent little angel.

The Crown Prince said, “The study is located in the inner quarters of Prince Lu’s mansion, where Princess Lu lives in widowhood. As the elder brother, I must avoid impropriety – how could I privately enter my brother’s widow’s inner quarters?”

In feudal society, great importance was placed on the separation between men and women. For instance, the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace was within the imperial palace, but the Eastern and Western Six Palaces housed His Majesty’s women, and the Crown Prince could not set foot in them. The inner quarters were the same – their privacy was equivalent to browser history five hundred years later. Without special circumstances, even blood brothers had to avoid suspicion.

The Crown Prince had always been known for his benevolence and cherished his reputation. With Princess Lu being young and beautiful, he had to be even more careful about appearances. In this regard, the Crown Prince would never leave behind any future troubles or leverage against himself. Being a good Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty wasn’t just talk.

Knowing his concerns, Hu Shanwei became even bolder, saying, “Princess Lu is a woman of great righteousness. Those who accomplish great things don’t get bogged down by minor details. We only need to clear the path to the study in advance and set up curtains along the route. Your Highness could visit the study under the witness of myself, Vice Minister of Rites Huang Zicheng, and others.”

Hu Shanwei was so forthright that she didn’t seem to be lying. She met the Crown Prince’s scrutinizing gaze without dodging or flinching.

After twelve years in the imperial court, even a fox could cultivate into a spirit. She had at least that much courage.

The Crown Prince suddenly smiled. “Good, I trust Court Lady Hu. Court Lady Hu is so thoughtful and meticulous – I truly admire that.”

The Crown Prince stopped pressing, and Hu Shanwei breathed a sigh of relief, consoling herself: The Crown Prince was the heir apparent, she was a subject. She had told half the truth without mixing in a single lie – it shouldn’t count as the crime of deceiving the sovereign.

The Crown Prince took a fancy to a peach blossom branch with pink and white petals and reached out to break it off. He managed to break it halfway, but the end remained connected by bark and wouldn’t snap off completely.

“Court Lady Hu, please help me,” the Crown Prince extended his hand to Hu Shanwei.

The Crown Prince was so “delicate and powerless” that Hu Shanwei said, “Allow me to do it.”

Hu Shanwei walked under the peach tree, grasped the broken branch with both hands, and twisted it 360 degrees while tearing. With a crack, she cleanly snapped off the peach branch.

Hu Shanwei handed the branch to the Crown Prince, who took it and began reciting poetry to her: “‘The peach tree is young and elegant, brilliant are its flowers. When the lady goes to her new home, she brings harmony to house and chamber.’ This peach blossom matches Court Lady Hu perfectly – flowers for a beautiful lady.”

With these words, the Crown Prince offered the peach blossom to Hu Shanwei.

The poem the Crown Prince recited was “Peach Blossoms” from the Book of Songs, originally praising women’s marriages, but in later times it gradually evolved to express romantic admiration and marriage proposals.

Hu Shanwei thought: What is the Crown Prince doing? Having failed at intimidation, is he now switching to enticement… no, seduction?

As everyone knew, the Crown Prince and Lu Shi, who had just been promoted from side consort to Crown Princess last year, were harmoniously united. His original Crown Princess Chang Shi had died early, and the Crown Prince had never remarried, loving Lu Shi devotedly. Together they had three sons and three daughters. For a long time, aside from Lu Shi, there were no other women in the Eastern Palace. The Crown Prince’s steadfast devotion also earned him widespread praise.

Actually, loyalty in love, regardless of the era, easily wins people’s favor. This is especially true for powerful men in high positions – such faithfulness is even more precious because it’s rarer. Many women in the palace envied the love between the Crown Prince and Lu Shi, especially envying Lu Shi for finding such an exceptional man.

Lu Shi came from a scholarly family, so presumably in the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince and Lu Shi often played these kinds of flirtation games with flowers and poetry. Now using the same routine on Hu Shanwei… it was completely useless.

Because compared to Mu Chun’s various methods of charming Sister Shanwei, the Crown Prince was like an elementary school student.

The key issue was the Crown Prince’s slightly oily round face and his somewhat portly, rotund thirty-seven-year-old figure – he looked exactly like a bowl of cold, congealed pork fat with white lumps, and paired with that “young and elegant peach” poem, it was nauseating beyond words.

So not only was Hu Shanwei’s heart completely unmoved, she actually wanted to laugh. She thought those women in the palace who fantasized about the Crown Prince and Lu Shi as a devoted couple would probably be disappointed and never believe in love again.

Why is the Crown Prince using a “handsome man strategy” to seduce me?

What does he want?

Could it be…

Hu Shanwei stepped back, not daring to accept the peach branch, and lowered her head: “I have the appearance of a humble willow, and I’m already thirty-two years old. At my age, many women have already become grandmothers. I’m already old and faded, unworthy of being called a beautiful lady, much less worthy of this peach blossom.”

To reject the Crown Prince, Hu Shanwei ruthlessly disparaged herself, though she actually felt thirty-two was the prime of life and didn’t consider herself old – and so what if she were old? A woman’s value couldn’t be judged by age. Women weren’t vegetables that had to be fresh and tender.

The Crown Prince wouldn’t give up. Holding the peach blossom, he stepped closer and said, “I’ve always thought you resemble someone – Shangguan Wan’er of the Tang Dynasty. Shangguan Wan’er was Wu Zetian’s advisor, assisting Empress Wu for many years. Besides politics, she was also skilled in poetry and literature, influencing the literary style of her time.”

Hu Shanwei quickly said, “Your Highness must never compare me to Shangguan Wan’er – that would truly be beyond my station. My small achievements compared to Prime Minister Shangguan Wan’er are like an ant compared to Mount Tai.”

The Crown Prince said, “Court Lady Hu shouldn’t be so modest. You changed the mourning system that had lasted for thousands of years, advocating ‘equal respect for both parents’ – from both ethical and emotional perspectives, this represents progress in filial piety. In literary talent, while your palace poetry is far inferior to Shen Qionglian’s, you have a discerning eye, recommending the southern opera ‘The Lute Song’ to His Majesty. This play’s moral influence has been far-reaching, and His Majesty still enjoys it today. In my eyes, Court Lady Hu is a talented woman with both wisdom and ability – please don’t underestimate yourself.”

If it weren’t for rejecting you, would I need to throw mud on myself!

At this moment, Hu Shanwei wanted nothing more than to beat the Crown Prince soundly, but given their vast differences in physical strength and position, she couldn’t win and would face execution for “regicide.”

Stay calm, stay calm!

Hu Shanwei warned herself internally, suppressing her anger as she said, “I’m merely fulfilling my duties.”

The Crown Prince continued his aggressive flirtation with Hu Shanwei: “Shangguan Wan’er assisted Wu Zetian, and after Wu Zetian fell, she married Tang Zhongzong Li Xian, was granted the title Zhaoyi, received deep favor from Emperor Zhongzong, and was even allowed to continue participating in politics. She established the Zhaowen Academy, encouraged poetry and literature, and achieved much politically – her grace was no less than when serving under Wu Zetian. Do you know how old Shangguan Wan’er was when she was granted the title Zhaoyi?”

Hu Shanwei was well-versed in history: “Forty-one years old.”

Seeing her lowered face, the Crown Prince thought she was shy and used the flower branch to lift her chin, forcing her to look up: “Shangguan Wan’er was granted the title Zhaoyi at forty-one. Court Lady Hu is only thirty-two. In the future… the position of Noble Consort awaits you.”

Bah! I don’t want any worthless Noble Consort position – forget Noble Consort, I wouldn’t take the Empress position either!

This wasn’t just seduction anymore, but also bribery with benefits.

Hu Shanwei felt the peach branch touching her chin like a bee sting, burning with pain, and felt her hair stand on end. She pushed the branch away and said, “Your Highness is well-read and discusses both past and present, but do you know the fate of Shangguan Wan’er and her entire family?”

The whole family died, and Shangguan Wan’er was executed by Tang Xuanzong Li Longji, her fragrant soul scattered.

So the Crown Prince using Shangguan Wan’er as a comparison was essentially asking: Want to date? The kind that kills your whole family.

The Crown Prince had grown up reading sage books, so of course he knew Shangguan Wan’er’s fate. He smiled lightly, playing with the peach branch in his hand:

“I can guarantee that as long as you obey and serve as my eyes and ears in the palace, offering your loyalty, I will never mistreat you or your family in the future. I’ve already had people investigate your father Hu Rong – he’s an honest, low-key bookseller. Despite having such a famous court lady daughter, he never bullies others based on his position. He operates his small bookstore through wind and rain, with his only hobby being going to the Entertainment Quarter for tea and listening to ‘The Lute Song.’ The Hu family aren’t greedy people and will surely enjoy lasting wealth and honor.”

Hu Shanwei looked at the Crown Prince in surprise: Just how many masks does he wear?

He was renowned for benevolence, risking Emperor Hongwu’s displeasure to kneel and beg for his teacher Song Lian, showing respect for teachers; he was faithful in love, keeping only Lu as his side consort for years without taking others, becoming a celebrated tale in both palace and among the people; he was loving toward his brothers, always pleading with their father for them no matter what mistakes they made, giving them second chances.

He was such a perfect Crown Prince, practically molded from the template of history’s good crown princes – even more perfect than those in history books.

But now, having just finished Prince Lu Huang’s funeral and about to return to the capital, the Crown Prince suddenly offered Hu Shanwei the peach blossom branch symbolizing marriage, spoke flirtatiously, used both seduction and bribery, promising the position of Noble Consort, all to make Hu Shanwei his eyes and ears.

The Crown Prince had already investigated my background thoroughly and knows father Hu Rong quite well, indicating he’s had designs on recruiting me for some time.

Why “confess” now?

Could it be…

Hu Shanwei’s previous suspicions were becoming reality step by step, but the Crown Prince’s crude seduction and his grand promises all relied on mere words.

No matter what the Crown Prince said, without evidence, let alone seduction – even if the Crown Prince said he would commit patricide and rebel, with no proof, Hu Shanwei could do nothing about it.

Hu Shanwei deflected and maneuvered around the Crown Prince’s main point: “Shangguan Wan’er was beloved and trusted by Emperor Zhongzong. Why did she ultimately die? Because she trusted the wrong man. When Emperor Zhongzong died, Empress Wei and Princess Anle plotted for Empress Wei to emulate Wu Zetian and ascend the throne, then make Princess Anle Crown Princess. Shangguan Wan’er pretended to support the Wei faction while secretly allying with Princess Taiping to support Li Dan as emperor, seeking to protect herself.”

“She outwardly accommodated Empress Wei and her daughter while secretly serving as an inside agent, opening the city gates and leading palace attendants with candles to welcome Li Dan’s son Li Longji. As a result, Li Longji led troops into the palace, killed Empress Wei and Princess Anle, wiped out the entire Wei clan, and despite knowing Shangguan Wan’er was the inside agent, he pretended not to know. No matter how Princess Taiping pleaded, he still had Shangguan Wan’er executed.”

“Shangguan Wan’er had navigated the Tang court for decades through multiple regime changes and was known as the female prime minister, yet she met such an end because she trusted Li Longji’s promises. Was Li Longji stupid? Would a woman who opened the gates to welcome him really be allied with the Wei faction? No, it was all just the eternal truth: when birds are gone, good bows are stored away; when cunning rabbits die, hunting dogs are cooked; when the realm is peaceful, strategists die.”

Clap clap!

The Crown Prince applauded: “Court Lady Hu is truly extraordinary. Most people reading history only know that Li Longji mistakenly killed Shangguan Wan’er. You read with your brain and saw the palace intrigue hidden within. What I value isn’t Court Lady Hu’s appearance, but rather your consistently clear mind. I admire you more and more.”

The Crown Prince’s arrogance and conceit made Hu Shanwei feel like she was swallowing congealed pork fat, nauseated beyond measure. She said, “Your Highness, Shangguan Wan’er’s death taught me one principle: I’d rather believe there are ghosts in this world than trust what comes from a man’s mouth. Learning from past mistakes, I keep this lesson close to heart.”

With Hu Shanwei’s declaration, the Crown Prince’s face gradually turned cold: “You don’t even trust me?”

Hu Shanwei said, “Correct. Compared to Your Highness, I’m more inclined to believe the principle that when birds are gone, good bows are stored away; when cunning rabbits die, hunting dogs are cooked. People can deceive people, but principles don’t lie.”

The Crown Prince asked, “What must I do for you to believe in my sincerity for cooperation?”

“Cooperation?” Hu Shanwei laughed. “Why not remove those false facades and speak directly? Don’t talk about admiration, infatuation, or appreciation – just discuss cooperation. Your Highness values me only because you see I have some small favor with His Majesty and Noble Consort, don’t you?”

The Crown Prince said, “His Majesty is sixty-two years old. Noble Consort suffers from heart disease, and Prince Lu Huang’s death was a great blow to her… It’s time to plan for one’s future. You’re an ambitious woman. From our conversation just now, I can see you have no interest in the position of imperial consort, so what about continuing as a court lady and becoming the head of all court ladies – the Palace Supervisor? Without my support in the future, you cannot become Palace Supervisor.”

Hu Shanwei’s gaze turned cold: “Is Your Highness threatening me? Your Highness, you’re still confined to that small plot of the Eastern Palace. The master of this inner palace is His Majesty. As for the future – Your Highness, forgive my bluntness, but throughout history, those who served as Crown Prince for over twenty years and ultimately ascended to the throne… there really aren’t many.”

Hu Shanwei deliberately provoked the Crown Prince, hoping he would stop this persistent entanglement. A court lady too close to the Eastern Palace could never gain the trust of His Majesty and the Noble Consort.

But unexpectedly, the Crown Prince didn’t fly into the predicted rage. From his suddenly bulging forehead veins and fingers gripping the peach branch tightly, she could see he was indeed very angry, but instead of raging, the Crown Prince smiled:

“Indeed, a court lady who dares contradict His Majesty would naturally dare mock the heir apparent. How interesting – this makes me want to cooperate with you even more. I’ll ask again: what must I do for you to believe my sincerity?”