As the year’s end approached, preparations began everywhere. The consorts who had been dispersed when the Retired Emperor abdicated were settled in nearby gardens. During festivals, the palace would send items according to established customs—food and drink went without saying, and there was no shortage of silk and satin for new clothes. However, there were always some small items that couldn’t be prepared completely, which required the imperial consorts to either request them from the palace or purchase them personally.

Chen Jing, the steward of the Noble Imperial Consort’s palace, specialized in this. Everyone knew that people from the Imperial Household Department were wealthy—how did they make money? By skimming profits. Chen Jing was equivalent to the Imperial Household Department’s steward in Langrun Garden, but with few masters in the garden, the money passing through his hands was limited. When opportunities like this arose, he wouldn’t delegate to others but would personally take charge. With two young eunuchs and a flatbed cart, he headed into the inner city.

The city was extremely lively. The New Year was good for business—stalls selling spring couplets stretched halfway down the street. Navigating through the crowds, Chen Jing knew his way around. He obtained all the items requested by the three imperial consorts one by one. Seeing that the sun was directly overhead and his stomach growling with hunger, it was time to remedy his emptiness! He would enjoy a small treat at the old place—Gao Ming Yuan Da Teahouse in East Pouch Alley outside the Front Gate.

Some teahouses in the capital also sold food, categorized with specific names such as Red Stove House, Nest House, Pot Moving House, and Two Meat Shop. Gao Ming Yuan was a pastry shop, most famous for its rod pastries. Made with hard dough into long oval-shaped cakes, both sweet and savory. Goose egg-shaped stones were placed on the stove, and through a combination of stirring, frying, and baking, the pastries produced had a different flavor from other establishments.

Chen Jing was a regular customer. As soon as he entered, the shop assistant called out, “Oh, Master Chen! Haven’t seen you in ages…” He bent his knee slightly, “This humble one has missed you dearly. May fortune be with you.”

Chen Jing waved his hand, “Stop flattering me and lead the way!”

He had his special seat in a separate room at the eastern end of the teahouse, facing the city with his back to the river—a feng shui treasure spot where he could observe in all directions. Gao Ming Yuan wasn’t just a teahouse; it had a deeper significance. South of the Imperial City, where officials of the Six Ministries gathered, discussions about official positions, bribes, and relationships often took place here. Eunuchs were good at gathering information—sitting in a corner, they could pick up various bits of news.

When the shop assistant brought tea, Chen Jing said he wanted to eat shredded meat noodles today. The assistant scratched his head in confusion, “That would have to be ordered from the Two Meat Shop. We don’t have it here.”

“If you don’t have it, go buy it from their shop! Don’t you see that Master Chen wants to eat it?” The speaker was neither Chen Jing nor the teahouse owner, but a dark-complexioned man in his forties. He looked rather shabby, but his small eyes gleamed with sharp intelligence.

The assistant was puzzled but then realized the man was right. He went off with his head hanging low.

Chen Jing sized up the man. “Who are you?”

The man placed his food box in the corner of the table, bent down in a bow, and said, “This humble one is called Mu Lian Sheng. You may not know me, but if I mention a certain person, you’ll surely recognize the name.”

Chen Jing glanced at him sideways. “Don’t beat around the bush. I don’t have time to listen to your nonsense.”

Mu Lian Sheng quickly agreed, half-sitting on the bench opposite him. “You’re the steward for the Noble Imperial Consort, right? What a coincidence! That young lady who accompanied your Twelfth Prince to pay respects in the garden—we raised her for over ten years. I’m her foster father.”

Chen Jing was stunned by this. The man before him looked too unsightly—what sort of person was this? How could he be the foster father of the Twelfth Prince’s Consort Fujin? He picked at his ear. “You’re falsely claiming relations. Is your behind itching for a beating?”

Mu Lian Sheng gave a sound of exasperation. “Don’t disbelieve me! My dead wife was her wet nurse. When her family fell, no one would take her in. My wife pitied her for having no parents and brought her back to our home.”

It seemed to make some sense, and the story connected. But something wasn’t quite right. Although her family circumstances weren’t good, they couldn’t have been so bad that she needed to be raised by him. She had brothers and uncles who were merchants and officials. This man was a peasant—the type who would engage in cheating, swindling, kidnapping, and theft. He was trying to deceive him.

Chen Jing pushed him away. “You’ve got some nerve, trying to trick me! Go home, boy. Your grandmother is praising you—what a good grandson!”

“Hey!” Mu Lian Sheng smacked his lips twice. “Don’t be so quick to berate me. Let me ask you, isn’t that young lady named Wen Ding Yi? Born in the Year of the Goat, turning nineteen this New Year?” He leaned forward, pointing to the corner of his eye. “Here, she has a black mole the size of a needle eye.”

The details matched. Chen Jing squinted. “You’ve investigated quite thoroughly, putting in considerable effort! Why are you stirring up trouble with me? I don’t have money to give you, and I can’t grant you an official position. If you’re our Consort Fujin’s foster father, go to Duke Chun’s mansion. Being a meritorious person should earn you a few taels of silver, right?”

This struck at Mu Lian Sheng’s heart. He spat and said, “Do I covet her silver? I just can’t swallow this grievance!”

There was more to this! When Chen Jing’s curiosity was aroused, no one could stop him. He slowly blew on his tea, looking at Mu through the steam. “So you two have had some conflict?”

“She’s nothing but an ungrateful wretch!” Mu Lian Sheng took a breath, preparing to enumerate her faults, but seeing people coming and going outside, he got up to close the door. He lifted the lid of the food box on the table and pushed it toward Chen Jing. “Don’t just drink tea. Have some snacks to fill your stomach.”

Chen Jing lowered his eyes to look—it was all sweets: sugar ears, honey twists, yellow and white bee cakes, basin cakes… The sight made him dizzy. He shook his head. “What’s going on? Tell me.”

Oh, now Mu Lian Sheng spilled everything, starting from the family’s downfall to her apprenticeship, and from her apprenticeship to her service at Duke Xian’s mansion. The more he spoke, the angrier he became. “She pretended to be a man and deceived me for so many years. Had I known she was a girl, I would have sold her and not let her anger me like this now. I raised her to this age, even if just by giving her water to drink, and now that she’s climbed to a high branch, she turns her back on me! Giving me a few coins, treating me like a beggar! I can’t do anything about her, but I can’t let her harm Duke Chun, can I? Her father was an imperial criminal, and she grew up among men. As the saying goes, ‘one who often walks by the river will eventually wet their shoes’—who knows how many men have enjoyed her favors. Your prince is known as an upright gentleman, too kind-hearted. Seeing her pitiful state, he fell into her trap. Will you just stand by and let the Imperial Consort lose face? You can’t! You must report back to the Imperial Consort, and expose that girl’s schemes. This way, you’ll have done a great service, and the Twelfth Prince will even thank you!”

Chen Jing was stunned after hearing all this. If true, it would be a major scandal. Not just the prince’s mansion, but even an ordinary household wouldn’t take a daughter-in-law with such a background.

“Are you telling the truth? Think carefully. If there’s a single falsehood, your neck will be separated from your body!”

Mu Lian Sheng patted his chest in the guarantee. “If I’m lying, may I die and descend to the eighteenth level of hell. You can inquire at the Shuntian Prefecture whether there was someone called Mu Xiao Shu who apprenticed under Wu Chang Geng. At Duke Xian’s mansion on Denei Street, ask if there was a woman disguised as a man who served as a bird-handler in the mansion…”

Chen Jing’s heart trembled. He forgot about the shredded meat noodles, quickly put on his warm hat, and headed out. After a few steps, he paused, turned back, and pointed at Mu. “Find a place to stay in the city. Tell the shop assistant which alley you’re in, in case the Imperial Consort summons you. If everything you’ve said is true, you won’t lack for rewards.”

Mu Lian Sheng repeatedly agreed, bowing as he saw Chen off. Pleased with himself, he began clapping a rhythm, “That day at Hulao Pass, I compared skills with the Peach Garden brothers… I killed until Liu, Guan, and Zhang could only dodge left and right, while my name, Lü Bu, became famous throughout the land…”

Meanwhile, Chen Jing returned to Langrun Garden, rushing into Enhui Qingyu as if on fire. The Noble Imperial Consort was reclining on a couch, smoking an orchid pipe. Hearing the hurried footsteps, she raised her head. Chen Jing was in such a rush that he knocked over a copper crane ornament in the hall, causing a loud crash that startled everyone.

“What’s happening?” The Imperial Consort frowned. “What kind of manner is this, behaving so frantically!”

Chen Jing approached, swept his sleeves, and bowed deeply. “Noble mistress, this servant just returned from outside and met someone who told me some news. It’s terrible—something has happened with the Twelfth Prince…”

The Noble Imperial Consort sat up, her voice stern as she reprimanded, “What do you mean something has happened to the Twelfth Prince? What has happened? Straighten your tongue and report properly!”

Chen Jing caught his breath and reported everything from beginning to end—how he met Mu Lian Sheng and how Mu revealed the background of the Twelfth Prince’s Consort Fujin. The Noble Imperial Consort was caught off guard and exclaimed in shock, “Such a thing? Have you verified it? Is this commoner just making false claims?”

“This servant threatened him, saying his head would be taken if anything was found to be untrue, but he insisted that the Consort Fujin is indeed Mu Xiao Shu.” Chen Jing swallowed and continued, “Noble mistress, it won’t be long until the Beginning of Spring. Please consider this carefully! She’s both the daughter of a criminal official and someone who dressed as a man. If this gets out, won’t it be a huge scandal? The Twelfth Prince is likely being kept in the dark. The Consort Fujin knows how to put on an act, winning the Twelfth Prince’s heart. No wonder she was so quiet that day. For people like her, titles are secondary—she sees things. As long as she has the man in her grasp, how could she lack wealth and status? The Twelfth Prince is kind-natured; you must make decisions for him. Don’t let a good prince ultimately be ruined by her hands. Once the wedding takes place, this matter will become common knowledge. How can we stop the mouths of her former colleagues and old neighbors? If the palace and Changchun Garden learn of this, I fear the Twelfth Prince will not only lose face but his official career will also suffer.”

The Noble Imperial Consort was at a loss for what to do. She murmured, “I knew this girl wasn’t simple, making your Twelfth Prince so infatuated… Don’t spread this yet. Send people to investigate—go to the Shuntian Prefecture, go to that what-do-you-call-it compound. Find out everything and report back to me. If it’s as Mu Lian Sheng says, this woman definitely cannot remain. Eliminate her cleanly and early.”

No mother in the world would willingly watch her son be deceived. When the Twelfth Prince returned from Khalkha, she had inquired about those around him. In all these years, he hadn’t shown interest in any girl. He had even returned the two palace maids she sent him. Regarding matters of the heart, he was a blank slate, with no romantic entanglements. Now, someone had taken advantage of this. While he was sincere toward her, what about her? She was deceiving him, swindling for food, drink, and status. If she were to become the Primary Fujin, it would be disastrous—wouldn’t she empty Duke Chun’s mansion? The daughter of a criminal official, with a father executed and three brothers banished as slaves—how could she be anything good? The Twelfth Prince had been so thoroughly deceived that he believed everything she said. Today, Chen Jing had stumbled upon this, but if everyone remained in the dark until it was too late, how would Hong Ce handle such a reputation-destroying turn of events?

The Imperial Consort was so angry that she clutched her chest, breathing rapidly, feeling extremely wronged. She had taken the Empress’s words to heart that day, looking forward to the Retired Emperor’s visit, but he hadn’t come by bedtime. Having been deceived once, in her happiness she had agreed to let Ding Yi become the Consort Fujin. Now, thinking back, it was utterly embarrassing—being seen by younger people, at her age, still thinking about men. She regretted it deeply, but words once spoken couldn’t be taken back. Fortunately, they had slipped up, and she clenched her teeth, determined to vent her anger.

Before long, the eunuchs sent to investigate returned to report. Mu Xiao Shu did indeed exist, but whether the Consort Fujin and Mu Xiao Shu were the same person remained unknown.

The Noble Imperial Consort turned to instruct Chen Jing, “Invite her to Langrun Garden tomorrow. At that time, bring her master and the neighbors from the compound together. Let them identify her and confront her. I refuse to believe she could relocate her eyes and nose to avoid recognition!”

“Yes, my lady.” Chen Jing accepted the order and withdrew from Enhui Qingyu with his sleeves hanging down.

Early the next morning, timing it carefully, everyone was gathered. The Twelfth Prince had to report for duty at the fifth watch, with the court dismissing at the hour of Chen, so bringing people before Chen time was appropriate. The group from Langrun Garden arrived at Vinegar Bureau Alley at three-quarters past the hour of Mao. The sky was just beginning to lighten when they entered the courtyard. They had assumed everyone in the house would still be asleep, but to their surprise, the Consort Fujin was already drinking tea in the front hall. She seemed somewhat surprised by their arrival but didn’t appear flustered. Calmly, she asked him, “Does the Imperial Consort have an edict to deliver?”

Chen Jing’s imposing manner diminished slightly. He smiled apologetically, “In response to the Consort Fujin, the matter between you and the Twelfth Prince is almost settled. The Imperial Consort is concerned about you. She has summoned you to the garden to discuss what you might need or lack—mother and daughter-in-law can talk easily together.”

Ding Yi made a sound of acknowledgment. “If that’s the case, please wait a moment, allowing me to change my clothes.”

“No need,” Chen Jing smiled. “I see you’re properly dressed—even for meeting the Imperial Consort, it’s not disrespectful. Please, let’s go early. When you arrive, the Imperial Consort will just be rising—it’s the perfect time for you to show filial piety. You can serve her tea, prepare a hand towel—this will win the Imperial Consort’s favor.”

It seemed a bit rushed. Though the words sounded reasonable, something felt off. Ding Yi had experienced enough in life. So early in the morning, not long after the Twelfth Prince had left, people from Langrun Garden had arrived—when had they set out? She kept her wits about her, putting on a cloak while instructing Sha Tong, “You needn’t follow. The two pomegranate trees in the courtyard are still bare and might die from frost. Have someone wrap them with two bundles of straw. I think there will be another snowfall before the New Year, a big one.”

Sha Tong stepped forward, understanding her meaning. He answered affirmatively and saw her into the carriage.