Ever since the Crown Prince established his own residence within the palace and Emperor Hongwu set up the Crown Prince’s Office for him, mother and son rarely had intimate heart-to-heart talks like before, growing increasingly distant.

It was simple—the Crown Prince’s vision had long transcended the palace’s small confines. His mother’s palace intrigue experience and political acumen could no longer keep up with her son. The Crown Prince faced more complex and intense challenges, and as his mother, the Crown Princess couldn’t help him or provide useful advice.

The Crown Prince would rather communicate with Hu Shanwei, keeping his mouth shut about troubling matters when with his mother.

The more distant they became, the more the Crown Princess wanted to hold on tight. She ordered the maids around the Crown Prince to relay messages, and the underlying conflict between mother and son began to surface.

The Crown Princess didn’t think there was a problem with their mother-son relationship. She believed Hu Shanwei was sowing discord between them. Similarly, she understood who her lifelong support was and didn’t dare plant more informants to anger her son. But Hu Shanwei was different…

Putting it nicely, she was Palace Supervisor, a fifth-rank female official. Putting it harshly—just a head housekeeper who dared to drive a wedge between the master family’s mother and son.

Suddenly, rumors began circulating in the palace: Palace Supervisor Hu and Brocade Guard Captain Ji Gang were having an affair.

Moreover, the rumors grew more elaborate and detailed. They said that in Palace Supervisor Hu’s first year in the palace, during New Year’s following the palace custom of throwing door bolts to “drop a thousand gold,” Palace Supervisor Hu threw hers so hard it reached the roof, breaking several bright yellow glazed tiles.

It was Ji Gang who climbed onto the roof to retrieve the door bolt and repair the tiles. Due to inexperience, he lifted more and more tiles and slipped, falling through the roof. In the end, he crawled out from Palace Supervisor Hu’s bed.

Also, during Empress Xiaoci’s personal silkworm ceremony when they encountered the silkworm mother’s assassination attempt, Palace Supervisor Hu fought with the silkworm mother in the silkworm house. Guards shot arrows indiscriminately into the building, and finally Ji Gang arrived, ordered them to stop shooting, went into the silkworm house, and carried out Palace Supervisor Hu who was covered in blood on her back.

Additionally, whenever Palace Supervisor Hu traveled on business, her escort was always Ji Gang, and they were intimate on the road…

The rumors gradually fermented. After a few days, it became that Palace Supervisor Hu was no longer pure. By afternoon, the rumors worsened further, claiming Palace Supervisor Hu had aborted several pregnancies while outside the palace.

Hu Shanwei suddenly gained a lover and several never-seen fetuses.

Haitang was furious: “How can female officials’ reputations be so trampled? This is outrageous! Those gossiping behind people’s backs deserve to have their tongues cut out!”

Hu Shanwei continued writing her letter unhurriedly. “Don’t get angry. When you’re angry, your mind becomes chaotic and you make mistakes. I’ve already asked Palace Justice Department people to investigate who’s spreading rumors. We must trust Director Fan’s abilities—there are no waves she can’t calm.”

Haitang said, “Rumors can be frightening. Palace Supervisor shouldn’t underestimate this. These rumors are clearly carefully designed—the earlier parts are factual, the later parts malicious speculation, half-truth and half-lies. And it’s about male-female relationships, the easiest type to spread. Clearly someone is scheming behind Palace Supervisor Hu.”

Hu Shanwei put down her brush, looking at Haitang with the pleased gaze of “my daughter has grown up”: “Your analysis is correct. People believe very little in things that are completely true or completely false. Half-truths are most deceptive—you think they’re rumors, but many people take them as truth.”

Haitang said, “Palace Supervisor Hu has been in the palace fifteen years without such romantic rumors, except once—”

Haitang stopped.

Hu Shanwei looked at her: “Continue. I won’t get angry.”

Haitang steeled herself: “Except when Palace Supervisor Hu mourned for Empress Xiaoci for a year, then Noble Consort Duanjing Lady Guo invited you back to the palace. His Majesty, missing Empress Xiaoci, once kept you in Qianqing Palace almost all night talking about the empress’s past. There were rumors then that His Majesty transferred his longing for his deceased wife to Palace Supervisor Hu, and Noble Consort Duanjing brought you back to consolidate her favor.”

In a blink, Hu Shanwei gained two more rumored male leads.

Actually, talking all night about Empress Xiaoci was when Hu Shanwei had exposed the true culprit who repeatedly harmed the empress—Consort Dading—and suspected Consort Dading’s first son was actually surnamed Chen, going to Emperor Hongwu in the middle of the night to reveal the truth.

Outsiders could easily misinterpret this. Fortunately, several people knew the truth—Emperor Hongwu, Mao Qiang, and others—otherwise it would truly be impossible to clear her name.

Hu Shanwei sneered: “The rumor-monger knows limits. With such a big target available, they don’t shoot, not daring to say I have secret affairs with His Majesty, but choosing Captain Ji Gang instead, fearing His Majesty’s great wrath.”

Actually, thinking back, Hu Shanwei felt somewhat frightened. When Palace Supervisor Cao left office, she had mentioned thinking Hu Shanwei would be in Consort Cui’s current position. Consort Cui was Palace Supervisor—unexpectedly their positions were swapped.

Could the old emperor have indeed had such thoughts then? A chill rose in Hu Shanwei’s heart. She increasingly felt she couldn’t stay in this palace. Once the beauty selection was finished, she would immediately resign and leave.

Haitang quickly said, “Indeed! This rumor-spreader is an expert, considering all aspects. They just didn’t expect Palace Supervisor Hu’s heart already belonged to someone, and His Majesty had agreed to this. No matter how they calculated, they couldn’t imagine Palace Supervisor Hu liked someone thousands of miles away in Yunnan.”

Her romance with Mu Chun saved Hu Shanwei’s precarious reputation.

Hu Shanwei rested her chin in thought: “I feel this rumor-spreader’s methods seem familiar. Years ago there was a major palace rumor saying that when Crown Prince Yiwen’s consort Lady Chang gave birth to second son Zhu Yunting, the child was stuck too long in the birth canal, and Zhu Yunting was born somewhat simple-minded with damaged intelligence.”

Actually, Zhu Yunting was definitely not a fool—he was just too ordinary. Compared to Crown Prince Zhu Yunwen who began learning at three and could compose poetry at five, he seemed foolish.

Haitang nodded repeatedly: “I know about this. Director Fan killed quite a few people to stop the rumor.”

Hu Shanwei looked toward the Eastern Palace: “The same half-truth, half-lie method with truth and falsehood mixed. It seems this person is a repeat offender.”

As they talked, rumored boyfriend Ji Gang arrived. Ji Gang was a year younger than Mu Chun—thirty-one today—still looking like a youth with fair skin, beautiful features, and long legs. The Brocade Guards’ top flower, talented (?), handsome, powerful, and influential, just wouldn’t marry. He ignored all gossip and lived carefree.

Previous rumors were that Ji Gang had male preferences with unusual tastes. Current rumors were that Ji Gang and Palace Supervisor Hu had long been having an affair—he’d been on her roof, rolled in her bed, saved her life several times, and whenever Palace Supervisor Hu traveled, she specifically requested Ji Gang’s escort.

All of the above were facts, making the rumors increasingly believable, rolling like a snowball, growing bigger and bigger. No wonder Ji Gang never married—apparently he was waiting for Palace Supervisor Hu to leave the palace.

Hearing the announcement outside, Haitang frowned: “At this critical time, Master Ji doesn’t know to avoid suspicion and actually comes calling.”

“Let him in,” Hu Shanwei said. “Truth is the only way to defeat rumors. We’re completely innocent. In broad daylight, why should we hide? If word gets out, people will think we’re guilty.”

All six bureaus and one department worked in offices east of the Eastern Six Palaces, north of Cangzhen Gate. Ji Gang swaggered through Cangzhen Gate, deliberately slowing his pace in a leisurely stroll. Handsome as he was, the Flying Fish robe fit perfectly everywhere—truly worthy of being the Brocade Guards’ perennial top pretty boy. Whenever Emperor Hongwu traveled, Ji Gang always led carrying banners—the Brocade Guards’ poster boy.

Master Ji was so flamboyant, drawing sideways glances from passersby. Adultery with female officials was a serious crime of defiling the court, punishable by death for entire households. Master Ji daring to show off like this proved the rumors unbelievable.

Master Ji arrived at the Palace Supervisor Bureau. When the rumored lovers met, both were between laughter and tears. Ji Gang felt very wronged: “I’m really at a loss—did nothing but got an empty reputation.”

This angered Hu Shanwei into rolling her eyes: “What? You wanted to do something?”

Ji Gang twisted his wasp waist, turning sideways: “I’m just better looking than others. When did I ever sweetly call you ‘Sister Shanwei’ like someone, or open my feathers like Xiaoling’s green peacocks upon seeing you, rustling to display brilliant plumage to seduce you? Yet when they make up stories outside, I’m first in line. Even Master Mao personally interrogated me. You and I couldn’t be more innocent—what could he investigate?”

Ji Gang sighed deeply: “Alas, clearly I’ve been too good to you publicly, so much so that everyone knows. When rumors start, they immediately fly everywhere like spring willow catkins, becoming truer with each telling until even I feel we actually have something.”

Ji Gang looked at Hu Shanwei: “Knowing I’d bear this empty reputation, I shouldn’t have been so foolish. Previously when Master Mao schemed to drive you from the palace, you couldn’t be driven away. Later your career flourished, rising steadily. Empress Xiaoci wanted you to stay three years at Xiaoling then leave without returning as a female official, but you had your own ideas, returning to the palace with Noble Consort Duanjing after one year. Despite various obstacles, you still chose to be a female official in the palace.”

“I thought you’d serve the court until old age like Director Fan, thinking since we were both in the palace—you not marrying, me not wedding—living out our lives like this would be fine. Unexpectedly, this was only my foolish devotion. You were ultimately moved by shameless Mu Chun, deciding to leave the palace. But now these flying rumors have dragged me in. I truly have grievances with nowhere to appeal.”

Ji Gang’s words left Hu Shanwei stunned.

“I’m just better looking than others,” “Even I feel we actually have something,” “Bear this empty reputation,” “My foolish devotion,” “Grievances with nowhere to appeal”…

These phrases circled in Hu Shanwei’s mind, finally forming a shocking conclusion.

Fortunately, Hu Shanwei was no longer the shy young girl of before. She was mature enough to handle emotional matters calmly: “You mean… you’ve stayed unmarried because of me?”

Ji Gang stared at her steadily, nostrils fluttering, beautiful eyes flowing with autumn waves, lips opening and closing several times. Finally he opened his mouth wide, laughing toward heaven, laughing until he bent forward and backward, laughing until tears came.

Hahahahahaha!

Finally stopping his laughter, Ji Gang gasped: “Just teasing you. Didn’t expect brilliant Palace Supervisor Hu to be fooled by me. It seems those outside rumors affect your judgment too—you can’t even distinguish my truth from lies. But Master Mao said His Majesty knows you and Mu Chun have always been proper, and having promised Empress Xiaoci to help you succeed, these rumors don’t matter. They’ll die down soon. Just focus on handling this beauty selection well without distraction.”

Hu Shanwei’s heart was like willow catkins—one moment swept high by wind, the next falling into a pond, soaking up water and sinking.

She’d always thought Ji Gang simple-minded, but now Hu Shanwei felt she couldn’t see through this person. Everyone had many faces. Ji Gang showed her his cute-but-silly side, making her overlook many things. What she’d always taken for granted actually wasn’t so. For instance, in fifteen years in the palace, she’d grown accustomed to Ji Gang’s companionship and protection, thinking it was Brocade Guard duty—Ji Gang seemingly protecting but actually monitoring.

Thinking now, Ji Gang indeed had some “wolf in sheep’s clothing” and “impure motives,” harboring romantic thoughts about her.

However, both Hu Shanwei and Ji Gang were adults. Adult rules meant seeing through but not speaking through, for easier future meetings.

So Ji Gang would laugh loudly, saying “just teasing.”

Hu Shanwei feigned anger: “Not funny at all. Don’t make such jokes in future. Since you came so brazenly to find me, you must have discovered who’s spreading rumors.”

Ji Gang nodded: “To clear my name, Master Mao actively joined with Director Fan—Brocade Guards and Palace Justice Department investigating together. What can’t they find? They found the rumor-spreader—formerly a palace maid in the Crown Prince’s Palace who understood music, often carrying guqin for the Crown Prince, so called Baoqin. She went to the Eastern Palace for duty a few days ago. Right now Director Fan and Master Mao are leading people to the Eastern Palace to arrest Baoqin.”

This result wasn’t unexpected. This Baoqin was the palace maid who had leaked Hu Shanwei and the Crown Prince’s conversation to the Crown Princess. After Hu Shanwei sent fried cat ears to the Crown Prince’s Office, the Crown Prince sent Baoqin to serve the Crown Princess in the Eastern Palace.

Director Fan acted decisively. With Mao Qiang’s support, they screened the harem layer by layer. Numerous clues all pointed to Baoqin in the Eastern Palace.

Eastern Palace.

Green was the color of the east, so the Eastern Palace was also called Green Palace. Imperial buildings all used yellow glazed tiles, except the Eastern Palace and current Crown Prince’s Palace used green glazed tiles.

It was currently spring with continuous light rain silently falling on the Eastern Palace’s green tiles, creating a cold, desolate feeling.

Director Fan and Mao Qiang stood side by side, looking at the swaying crooked-necked corpse hanging from the beam.

It was palace maid Baoqin, a white silk around her neck.

They had interrogated through the night but were still a step too late.

When Hu Shanwei and Ji Gang rushed over after hearing the news, Baoqin had been taken down. Her corpse had already stiffened, lying on a wooden door panel.

Director Fan handed her a letter: “This was found on Baoqin.”

Hu Shanwei unfolded the letter while Ji Gang leaned over to read together. This was a confession letter written by Baoqin herself, saying she resented Hu Shanwei for reporting to the Crown Prince, causing the Crown Prince to despise her and demote her to the Eastern Palace, cutting off her future prospects. She thus fabricated rumors about Hu Shanwei and Ji Gang having an affair, originally thinking it was just talk to make Hu Shanwei lose face. Unexpectedly the rumors snowballed, becoming increasingly outrageous. Things had blown up—it was all her fault, unrelated to the Eastern Palace or Crown Prince.

The handwriting was neat. Director Fan had people verify the writing—indeed Baoqin’s own hand. Initial examination showed Baoqin died by hanging herself, not hanged after death.

Hu Shanwei closed the letter and asked Director Fan: “Does this Baoqin have family outside the palace?”

Director Fan nodded: “From Wuxi. Parents and brothers all alive, with modest family property.”

Hu Shanwei said: “According to palace rules, suicide is a serious crime. When one person kills themselves, the whole family must be buried with them. Baoqin had been in the palace for years—she should know the consequences.”

Those who chose self-destruction in the palace were usually alone in the world with no family, ending everything with death. But Baoqin had family. Knowing suicide would harm her whole family, she still chose to kill herself.

Was it fear, or did someone threaten and bribe her?

All this became mystery with Baoqin’s death.

Director Fan said: “After Master Mao and I used various severe interrogation methods, all clues pointed to Baoqin. Female officials’ reputations are as important as life itself. She dared use such vicious rumors to slander Palace Supervisor Hu and Master Ji—she should bear these consequences.”

Ji Gang beside them said: “Isn’t my reputation important? I have face too, you know. Even rumors about illegitimate children came out—becoming a confused father, I’m more wronged than Dou E.”

Everyone was speechless: When did Master Ji ever have something called reputation? The Brocade Guards’ top smiling tiger who killed like flies—your “reputation” sounds lovely indeed.

Mao Qiang, feeling embarrassed, pulled Ji Gang aside to lecture: “Among all the men in the capital, why don’t they make up stories about others but specifically target you? It’s because whenever Hu Shanwei has the slightest trouble, you run to help. Over time, gossip is inevitable—just not as vicious as today’s. If you didn’t care, there wouldn’t be so much trouble.”

Ji Gang protested innocence: “Master Mao, you clearly ordered me to secretly monitor Hu Shanwei and the Hu family. How can you scold me now for getting too close? What exactly do you want me to do?”

Mao Qiang wanted to beat him: “Monitoring is monitoring, but your motives weren’t pure. Don’t you know in your heart? You were mixing personal desires with official duties. Now that problems arose, aren’t I cleaning up your mess?”

Knowing he was wrong, Ji Gang said nothing and obediently followed Mao Qiang away.

Baoqin’s corpse was carried away by the Palace Justice Department. The case was closed.

Hu Shanwei looked at the white silk and overturned stool on the ground. Her anger still unabated, she said to the Eastern Palace people: “I want to see the Crown Princess.”

The Eastern Palace servants quickly said: “Because Baoqin spread rumors and killed herself, the Crown Princess was frightened ill and is currently bedridden resting, inconvenient to see guests.”

Wanting to hide? Not so easy. Hu Shanwei felt that a mere palace maid Baoqin wouldn’t dare slander the chief female official and the most untouchable Master Ji of the Brocade Guards.

Baoqin was a scapegoat pushed out to take responsibility.

Hu Shanwei said: “Please tell the Crown Princess I have some words for her. If she won’t see me, then I can only say these words to someone else.”

If this matter ended here, who knew what similar vicious methods might be used against her in future? The Crown Princess’s methods weren’t sophisticated but were indeed effective. She’d even prepared scapegoats before acting. It seemed the Crown Princess had frequently used such methods in the Eastern Palace before.