Wang Zhen told A’Lei everything that had happened in the capital.
Of course, only what he currently knew.
He didn’t know that Hu Shanwei had already been transferred to Beijing’s Forbidden City to avoid the controversy. With his still shallow understanding, he couldn’t predict that Emperor Yongle would show Hu Shanwei mercy and be as generous as possible, even fulfilling her request to have Ji Gang’s ashes buried in peace.
He didn’t even know of Mu Chun’s existence, or how much this couple had contributed to facilitating Emperor Yongle’s ascension to the throne.
Based on Wang Zhen’s understanding of imperial power, he thought Emperor Yongle would likely be unable to withstand the pressure of impeachment memorials and would imprison Hu Shanwei. After all, she was just a fifth-rank Palace Supervisor. For the consolidation of imperial power, Emperor Yongle had even allowed first-rank Grand Secretary Xie Jin to freeze to death in the snow. When the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked—executing a Palace Supervisor Hu wouldn’t be such a difficult decision.
All mortals have their positions, all mortals have their likes and dislikes, each different. One man’s honey is another’s poison.
What the Hu Shanwei family avoided like snakes and scorpions—such as the position of Imperial Grand Princess Consort, future Ming Empress—appeared to the ambitious eunuch Wang Zhen, eager to rise and grasp power, as the world’s greatest opportunity.
He wouldn’t understand Zhu Zhanji’s helpless letting go. He felt that there was clearly a path to success in both love and career, yet Zhu Zhanji and A’Lei had both chosen another path of no return, never to meet again.
Wang Zhen knew of Hu Shanwei’s predicament. At such times, she would at best lose her position, at worst possibly face mortal danger. Hu Shanwei had been kind to him, and he had once sworn to repay her. In his view, there was actually a shortcut for Hu Shanwei to escape her difficulties—A’Lei.
If A’Lei became the Imperial Grand Princess Consort, Hu Shanwei would be family to the imperial house. Even without being Palace Supervisor, no one would dare to trample on her, and those unseemly rumors about the traitor Ji Gang would naturally vanish like smoke.
The key point was that the Imperial Grand Prince clearly had feelings for A’Lei, and A’Lei also seemed to favor the Imperial Grand Prince. Childhood sweethearts with mutual affection—why must they separate instead of becoming spouses?
Wang Zhen felt he was doing the great good deed of facilitating a wonderful marriage.
Palace Supervisor Hu didn’t want to implicate her sister and wanted her to fly far away, but A’Lei wouldn’t abandon her sister.
Wang Zhen felt this move was absolutely right. Palace Supervisor Hu could escape difficulties, A’Lei and the Imperial Grand Prince could finally become spouses—truly killing two birds with one stone.
Wang Zhen was presumptuous. Actually, everything he had thought was wrong, except for one thing—A’Lei wouldn’t abandon Hu Shanwei.
A’Lei was shocked to hear the news. With such a major incident, whether Zhu Zhanji or Earl Pingjiang should have known, yet neither had told her.
A’Lei had lived too long under the protection of Mu Chun and Hu Shanwei, shielded from the world’s ugliness and dangers. Even the secular pressures on women regarding career and marriage choices, and clan control over family members’ fates, had all been resolved by her formidable parents, who allowed her to pursue her interests and gave her the freedom they had most craved in their youth.
Therefore, A’Lei was pure-hearted, devoted to her study of mechanical clocks, appreciating the harmony of numbers and formulas, enjoying herself in this pursuit. She was slow to react to political winds and hadn’t thought that Ji Gang’s treason would bring such great disaster to her sister.
She couldn’t just leave like this.
The time had come. Earl Pingjiang went to invite A’Lei to board the carriage for Liujia Port, only to find the place empty.
A’Lei found Zhu Zhanji at the wounded soldiers’ camp.
Zhu Zhanji was eating from the communal pot with a group of injured youth soldiers. Looking up to see A’Lei, he set down his porridge bowl and led her out of the camp. “This place is filthy—be careful of catching disease. Why haven’t you departed yet? Once the scorching sun comes out, it won’t be good for traveling. Did you encounter some trouble?”
A’Lei wasn’t one to beat around the bush. She said, “You’ve been hiding my sister’s situation from me. She’s being impeached and even slandered, with all kinds of dirty water thrown at her. Did you think you could keep paper wrapped around fire and hide it forever?”
That’s exactly why Earl Pingjiang needs to quickly get you to Liujia Port! Zhu Zhanji thought, but said aloud, “Palace Supervisor Hu has weathered many storms—this setback isn’t much. The emperor isn’t a foolish ruler; he won’t believe rumors. Moreover, your godfather is still in the capital with Palace Supervisor Hu. The storm will pass quickly. If I had told you, it would only have added to your worries.”
A’Lei said coldly, “So I’m that useless? When trouble comes, just pack me up like luggage and send me away, waiting to enjoy the benefits without effort?”
Zhu Zhanji hurried to say, “I… I didn’t mean that. How could you possibly be useless? You’ve clearly saved me several times.”
A’Lei said, “If that’s the case, when this kind of thing happens in the future, could you not hide it from me and let me make my own decisions?”
That depends on what specifically happens, Zhu Zhanji thought. Based on past experience communicating (arguing) with A’Lei, he couldn’t tell the truth now.
Zhu Zhanji blurted out, “Fine.”
A’Lei: …
She had originally come here intending to interrogate him and pick a fight. Based on past interactions, they could definitely argue, but Zhu Zhanji wasn’t following the usual script. She was momentarily speechless, not knowing what to say next, like a chef who had prepared all the ingredients but discovered the oil pot was empty just before stir-frying.
The atmosphere became inexplicably awkward.
Fortunately, Earl Pingjiang arrived with his men to find her. He was truly afraid of this little ancestor—if he lost Mu Chun’s precious daughter, the consequences would be more terrifying than treason.
“Miss Hu, we need to depart,” Earl Pingjiang said. There absolutely cannot be any mistakes!
Earl Pingjiang brought two hundred elite soldiers as escort, imposingly, even loading A’Lei’s luggage into the carriage, determined to get her to Liujia Port—she had to go whether she wanted to or not. If possible, taking her directly to Quanzhou wasn’t impossible.
Seeing this, A’Lei realized she was outnumbered. She retreated three steps, pushed Zhu Zhanji forward, and slipped into the house herself.
Earl Pingjiang: What does this mean?
At this moment, Zhu Zhanji quite enjoyed the feeling of being depended upon. He said, “Earl Pingjiang, let’s discuss this reasonably. She’s worried about Palace Supervisor Hu’s safety and doesn’t feel at ease leaving.”
Upon hearing this, Earl Pingjiang knew the secret was out. He sighed, “The situation in the capital is tense. This subject was entrusted to protect Miss Hu—this is her… sister and brother-in-law’s wish, not this subject deliberately making things difficult for a young lady.”
Earl Pingjiang naturally knew the background of the Chunlei father and daughter.
Zhu Zhanji said, “In that case, let me communicate with her again. She’s not a willful person and should be able to listen to reason.”
Earl Pingjiang: “Then I’ll trouble Your Highness the Imperial Grand Prince.”
Zhu Zhanji entered the house and came out shortly after.
Earl Pingjiang was delighted: “You persuaded her so quickly?”
Zhu Zhanji pointed to the open rear window and footprints on the windowsill. “She ran away. Earl Pingjiang, quickly take your men to search for her.”
Truly like father, like daughter! Both are troublemaking ancestors!
Earl Pingjiang immediately went to search.
After everyone had left, Zhu Zhanji returned to the house, looked around, and said to the empty room, “Come out. They’re all gone.”
The house seemed to be sleeping, quiet and still.
Zhu Zhanji added, “If you don’t come out, I’ll call Earl Pingjiang back.”
There was rustling in the bookshelf, like mice scurrying. The cabinet door opened, and A’Lei came out of the closet. “How did you know I hadn’t escaped and was hiding in the house?”
The window was deliberately opened by her, and the shoe prints on the windowsill were also deliberately left.
Zhu Zhanji said, “We grew up together—we still have this much understanding between us.”
Earlier, in front of Earl Pingjiang, he had seen through but not exposed her.
A’Lei was convinced and stopped holding it against Zhu Zhanji for hiding things from her. Zhu Zhanji asked, “What do you plan to do next?”
A’Lei thought for a moment. “Lend me some money.”
Zhu Zhanji: …
A’Lei said, “Earl Pingjiang loaded all my luggage into the carriage. I’m penniless and need to return to the capital to find my sister and brother-in-law.” Borrowing travel expenses.
Zhu Zhanji said, “The storm won’t calm down that quickly. Once you return to the capital, you’ll likely miss this voyage to the Western Seas. Who knows when the next opportunity will be.”
A’Lei said, “I know the consequences, but my family is equally important. I’m going back to do something for them—I can’t always just enjoy benefits without effort.”
Zhu Zhanji was quite envious. “Being your family member must be a very happy thing.”
I won’t get to enjoy such happiness.
Little Chicken Brother still had his petty, roundabout nature, but A’Lei could still hear the subtext in Zhu Zhanji’s words. Not being able to become family with someone you know and love was regrettable for her too, but she had no other choice. She pretended not to understand and extended her hand. “Will you lend it or not?”
Zhu Zhanji’s eyes dimmed. He pulled out a pouch containing gold leaves for rewards.
A’Lei took the pouch, but Zhu Zhanji wouldn’t let go. Their fingers touched, as if covered with paint, stuck together, not separating for a long time.
Two people with feelings, yet strangers to each other.
The feeling of that warm embrace in the storm at the pirate nest came again—a flower of love blooming in the dark and cruel world of fame and profit, incompatible with this world, like a candle in the wind, barely alive, yet always stubbornly maintaining a glimmer of flame at the moment of extinguishing, shining brilliantly whenever there was a chance.
The darker the outside world, the more dazzling this light became. Even if you closed your eyes and forced yourself not to look at that light, it would still forcefully penetrate through your eyelids, refracting in your heart like a branding iron, leaving deep marks that became increasingly unforgettable.
Candles may be extinguished, but the heart’s fire is hard to calm. Battles may be won, but the barrier of emotion is hard to overcome.
Both let go simultaneously. The pouch loosened, and the gold leaves inside rustled like fallen leaves, scattered across the floor. When the first leaf fell, the two embraced.
This kiss was lingering and bone-deep, dreamlike and intoxicating, like being drunk and unwilling to wake.
Creak—someone pushed the door.
It was Earl Pingjiang Chen Xuan, who had been searching everywhere for A’Lei. He had led his team out to search but quickly returned to the original location under Eunuch Wang Zhen’s guidance.
Wang Zhen said he hadn’t seen Miss Hu run out.
After all, having dealt with her father Mu Chun for half a lifetime, this little girl was quite devious, inheriting Mu Chun’s military deception tactics.
Earl Pingjiang realized he’d been fooled and hurried back. Just as he was about to rush in, he was stunned by the scene before him. The door only opened halfway before closing again. He ordered his subordinates: “Retreat ten steps, surround this place, don’t let anyone approach!”
Fortunately, I’m used to leading from the front. If someone else had seen that scene, I would have been forced to kill to silence them.
Shocking! A’Lei and the Imperial Grand Prince actually…
Earl Pingjiang’s appearance startled the infatuated young lovers.
“Stay.” Zhu Zhanji gripped her hand tightly, like a drowning person clutching the last straw. “Zhu Zhanhe has left, and you’re leaving too, leaving only me alone. Though still alive, I’m like a lonely ghost with no one to depend on. No one understands what’s in my heart, and I have no one to confide in. I have everything, yet actually have nothing. The future days will be difficult, and I still have to fulfill my promise to Zhu Zhanhe.”
“I know this request is too selfish, but being alone is really too hard for me. I often stay by myself—in empty rooms, yet pressure comes from all directions. I can barely breathe. I don’t know how much longer I can hold on alone. If you stayed with me, no matter how difficult the future days—”
Speaking to this point, Zhu Zhanji suddenly froze, his words cutting off abruptly. Then he released A’Lei’s hand. “I’m sorry, I was too impulsive just now, and too selfish. The difficult days are my own choice—I chose to give up freedom. It has nothing to do with you. Since I like you, why would I drag you in to share hardships with me? Imperial life isn’t what you want. If I love you, I should let you go.”
Zhu Zhanji’s mind had two little people fighting for control—emotion and reason were waging war. His personality was nearly splitting; he wished he could use a knife to separate his soul from his body, giving his soul to A’Lei and returning his body to the imperial palace.
Watching the agonized and conflicted Zhu Zhanji, A’Lei was also battling between heaven and earth in her heart. The fierce battle between emotion and reason had reached white heat, with every inch of her soul burning. However sweet that kiss had been, her soul now hurt just as much.
Suddenly, A’Lei made a decision. “I’ll stay. We’ll walk the future path together. It’s just that I can’t always stay in the palace with you. I’ll accompany you through the most difficult path, help you ascend the throne, solve Prince Han’s problem, and give Zhu Zhanhe an explanation. When your path becomes smooth, then… please let me leave the palace and set me free to continue my dream of voyaging to the Western Seas. Zhu Zhanji, my life can’t be only as your wife, can’t have only love. I am a daughter, and I am also myself. My sister said that for each role, doing seventy percent is enough. Can you accept a wife who only plans to be seventy percent of one?”