“Have you all made enough of a scene?” Zhu Minda shouted.

He glanced at the sword scabbard pressed against Zhu Mixiao’s neck and said to Zhu Nanxian: “Thirteen, remove your blade.”

Zhu Nanxian silently withdrew his sword.

Zhu Minda continued: “Fourteen, look clearly. The person standing before you is the Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate. If you don’t show some respect, forget Imperial Father—this palace will punish you right now.”

In his momentary fury earlier, he hadn’t noticed that Su Jin had been promoted in rank and was no longer what she once was.

Zhu Mixiao’s gaze swept across the cloud-and-goose insignia on her robe, and a plan suddenly formed in his mind.

He climbed up from the ground. The vicious look in his eyes hadn’t faded, yet a smile emerged, making him appear strangely sinister for a moment: “Elder Imperial Brother has wronged younger brother. Younger brother was precisely going to congratulate Censor Su on his promotion, wishing to offer congratulations personally.” Then he suddenly turned around and said: “Ah, that’s right. Didn’t Third Imperial Brother say he recently acquired a pair of ‘golden-winged birds’ and invited this prince to his residence tonight to admire them? How about this—you set up a feast and host a banquet, and invite Censor Su as well. I’ve long heard of Censor Su’s great talent. Perhaps he could even compose a poem for your pair of ‘golden-winged birds,’ adding more interest.”

The Third Prince Zhu Jiyou was arrogant, extravagant, and debauched, raised to be corpulent and gluttonous. All the princes disdained associating with him.

Only Zhu Mixiao, in order to expand his own power, would actually stoop to bringing such goods under his banner.

Hearing Zhu Mixiao’s words, Zhu Jiyou coughed and said solemnly: “Censor Su, this prince and the Fourteenth Prince invite you together. You wouldn’t refuse to give us this face, would you?”

They had already put on the airs of princes. How could she refuse?

Su Jin could only bow and acknowledge.

Zhu Mixiao laughed heartily and said with feigned enthusiasm: “Are there any other imperial brothers who wish to come?”

No one paid him any attention.

Zhu Mixiao then looked toward Zhu Nanxian and said, not without regret: “What a pity. Thirteenth Imperial Brother must accompany Elder Imperial Brother to dine with Imperial Father. Otherwise, given the friendship between Imperial Brother and Censor Su, if you could come together to admire Third Brother’s newly acquired ‘golden-winged birds,’ that would truly be interesting.”

Zhu Nanxian looked at him silently.

At this moment, Zhu Minda said: “Su Jin, since you must attend the banquet, there’s no need to stand at attention. Return to the Censorate first.”

Su Jin bowed and responded “Yes,” withdrew a hundred paces away, then turned and left.

After Zhu Mixiao’s disruption, all the princes seemed to have lost their enthusiasm. Zhu Minda said again: “Thirteen, Seventeen, let’s go as well.”

The three walked wordlessly all the way to the Chuihua Gate outside the Eastern Palace. Only then did Zhu Nanxian call out: “Imperial Brother.” Zhu Minda turned around and said: “I know what you want to say. I’ll find an excuse to cover for you with Imperial Father. Your brother only asks you one question—are you confident you can deal with Fourteen?”

Zhu Nanxian nodded firmly and decisively: “I will make him never dare to act rashly again!”

Zhu Minda laughed heartily: “Good! Your brother believes in you!”

Zhu Mixiao had truly gone too far this time. Were it not for Imperial Father’s birthday approaching and his health declining by the day, as the dignified Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, taking Fourteen’s life would be a light punishment.

However, misfortune may be a blessing in disguise.

Before Zhu Nanxian went to his fiefdom years ago, he had begged him to protect Su Jin’s safety no matter what, and promised to help him ascend the throne in the future. Now it seemed that exchanging one Su Jin and one Zhu Shisi for his Thirteenth Imperial Brother’s enlightenment and meteoric rise was not unworthy.

Zhu Minda extended his hand: “In future dangers and obstacles, to have you walking alongside your brother—what great fortune!”

Zhu Nanxian was silent for a moment, then raised his hand and grasped his palm in return.

Zhu Seventeen looked left and right. Thinking his two brothers were only discussing Zhu Mixiao’s matter, he also placed his hand on their clasped palms and said: “Elder Brother, Thirteenth Brother, and me too!”

Zhu Nanxian glanced at him, his lips curving in a faint smile as he swatted away his hand: “What are you butting in for?”

Zhu Minda also smiled slightly and said with hands behind his back: “Let’s go. Your imperial sister-in-law must be getting anxious.”

After Zhu Minda and his two companions left, the princes dispersed in twos and threes, soon scattering completely.

It was already the hour of Wei. The sky that had been brilliantly clear early in the morning gradually accumulated cloud masses. Without the cascading sunlight, the surroundings suddenly gained several degrees of chill. Zhu Zhaowei’s carriage stopped beside a teahouse. He lifted the curtain to look and saw that everyone around was pulling their sleeves close and hunching their necks, walking hurriedly.

He sat in the carriage for a while longer until the teahouse server came to report that the customers inside had already changed over once. Only then did he descend from the carriage and climb to a private room on the second floor.

Inside the private room, a black-robed figure stood by the window gazing into the distance. Hearing footsteps, he said leisurely: “The power structure in the palace is about to change.”

On the table was an unfinished chess game. Zhu Zhaowei glanced at it, smiled elegantly, sat on one side of the board and took up the white pieces: “Oh? How will it change?”

The black-robed person said: “Now that Zhu Shisan has returned to the palace, things are different from before. Isn’t the Crown Prince’s faction dominant now? He has talented people in abundance—Shen Tuo of the Ministry of Justice, Gong Quan of the Ministry of War, Zhang Shishan of the Court of Judicial Review, and the Hanlin Academy.”

Zhu Zhaowei placed a white piece, saying carelessly: “Just a bunch of old fossils.”

The black-robed person said: “So you should be grateful that though Shen Xi of the Ministry of Finance is the Elder Imperial Brother’s brother-in-law, he’s someone who always leaves room for maneuver in everything. Otherwise, with his abilities, if he truly wholeheartedly assisted the Crown Prince, would your days be easy?”

Zhu Zhaowei’s fingertips tapped the center position of the board, smiling: “Shen Qingyue’s temperament is somewhat similar to Liu Yun’s. They would never truly submit to anyone, loyal only to their own hearts. So this prince doesn’t need to worry about that at all.”

Hearing these words, the black-robed person turned around: “What about Su Jin of the Censorate then? Rising from eighth rank to fourth-rank Vice Censor-in-Chief in less than two years—truly quite capable.”

Zhu Zhaowei looked at the board and shook his head: “This person is not simple. It’s as if he’s hiding secrets.” He raised his chin toward the black-robed person, indicating he should sit across from the board. “When Su Jin fell into the water years ago, Zhu Shisan sent two guards out of the palace overnight. I sent people to capture one; the other escaped. Unfortunately, we couldn’t extract anything useful. Later I sent people to Qizhou to investigate his background, but could never get complete information. It’s as if he’s wrapped in layers upon layers of fog.”

He smiled as he spoke: “However, he works with a ruthless vigor—perceptive and thorough. He truly has some ability.”

The black-robed person also placed a chess piece: “Then should you bring him to your side before his foundation is stable?”

Zhu Zhaowei said: “I never use people whose backgrounds I don’t know.”

Then he stared at the board and suddenly smiled, using one white piece to capture several black pieces: “However, he can be utilized.” He called over an attendant and said: “Have someone go tell Ninth that he should apologize to Zhu Shisi and show weakness, then go together to Third’s residence for the banquet to see the ‘golden-winged birds.'”

Speaking to this point, Zhu Zhaowei suddenly frowned and closed his eyes, tapping his temple: “I remember that years ago, the Assistant Magistrate of Yingtian Prefecture was surnamed Sun—what was his name? He came to pledge allegiance to this prince?”

The attendant replied: “Reporting to Your Highness, his name is Sun Yinde. Later Your Highness had Minister Zeng transfer him to the Ministry of Works as a Bureau Director.”

Zhu Zhaowei nodded: “That’s right. Under Zhu Shisi’s command, the only thing of value is part of the Ministry of Works.”

He smiled at the black-robed person: “Didn’t you say I had fewer people under me than Elder Imperial Brother?” Turning to instruct the attendant: “This Sun fellow is a fool who just helped Third build a traveling palace in Shanxi. Right now Su Jin is investigating the Shanxi scholar and woman who died after striking the Petition Drum, isn’t he? You go tell Ninth to reveal the matter of Sun Yinde building the traveling palace in Shanxi to Su Jin at the banquet.”

Hearing him say this, the black-robed person asked: “What? Does this Sun-surnamed Assistant Magistrate have grievances with Su Jin?”

Zhu Zhaowei smiled: “A grudge formed during the scholar riot case years ago. Su Jin can’t wait to finish him off.” He picked up another piece and shook his head. “What a pity. A thousand-mile dike collapses from an ant hole. With Su Jin’s ability, he’ll definitely be able to break through from Sun and extract this tooth of the Ministry of Works from Fourteen’s mouth.”

The black-robed person also picked up a black piece: “If you know that the dead scholar and woman are related to Third in Shanxi, how could Elder Imperial Brother not know?”

Zhu Zhaowei sneered: “Of course he knows, but he’s waiting for Fourteen and me to fight over this matter so he can watch the fire from across the river.” He placed another piece. “Moreover, regarding Third building a traveling palace, who in the Censorate like Liu Yun or the Ministry of Finance like Shen Qingyue doesn’t know? Don’t they all have their own calculations? Third is a waste who has no impact on the situation. Let him cause trouble in Shanxi—it’s still better than handing this treasure land over to someone with ambition.”

The black-robed person shook his head: “So when choosing allies, one must keep eyes sharp and choose carefully. Fourteen even wants Third—doesn’t he know he’s lifting a rock to drop on his own foot?”

Zhu Zhaowei felt they saw eye to eye and smiled brilliantly, the cinnabar mark between his brows blood-red: “So I only chose you. You and I, brothers in civil and martial affairs—isn’t that just perfect?”

Su Jin knew Zhu Mixiao harbored ill intentions.

After finishing work, she returned to the Reception Bureau to change into casual clothes. Sitting at the table, she pondered briefly, then tucked the dagger Zhu Nanxian had given her at her waist.

Upon reaching the vicinity of the Third Prince’s residence, she instructed Tan Zhaolin: “Lead two fast horses and wait for me at the alley entrance. If I haven’t emerged by the end of the hour of Hai, have someone go to Zhengyang Gate to find that patrol censor named Zhai Di. Have him borrow troops from the Military Commissioner’s office under the pretext that bandits have infiltrated the prince’s residence, and request permission to enter and search. Then go find any one of the three lords—Liu, Zhao, or Qian. First tell them the truth, then tell them they can use the excuse of ‘hearing that I was injured in the Third Prince’s residence’ to forcibly bring me out.”

Tan Zhaolin said: “But I can see you ain’t injured.”

Su Jin was speechless: “How hard is it to give yourself a cut?”

Maids welcomed her at the gate of the Third Prince’s residence. As soon as Su Jin entered the residence, she saw two people approaching along a stone path to the side.

Looking carefully, the person in front was actually the Ninth Prince Zhu Yutang whom she had seen in the palace today.

Su Jin hurriedly bowed, but Zhu Yutang extended his hand to stop her, smiling: “Since you’ve come to the banquet, Censor Su need not be so formal. Just treat this prince as an ordinary old friend.”

Su Jin acknowledged and straightened up. Her gaze swept past the person beside him, and she couldn’t help but freeze.

Short stature plus a pair of bulging fish eyes—if not Sun Yinde, who else could it be?

Sun Yinde currently held the position of fifth-rank Bureau Director of the Ministry of Works, already one rank below Su Jin. However, relying on having come together with Zhu Yutang, he neither knelt nor bowed, but instead said arrogantly: “Censor Su, long time no see.”

Su Jin couldn’t be bothered with him. She bowed to Zhu Yutang and stood in place, waiting for him to proceed first.

Zhu Yutang nodded slightly and walked two steps, then suddenly said to Sun Yinde: “So Lord Sun and Lord Su are old acquaintances.”

Sun Yinde said coldly: “I wouldn’t dare call us acquaintances. How would this humble official dare to presume upon Censor Su’s friendship? We merely served together at the Capital Magistrate’s office years ago and have met, that’s all.”

Zhu Yutang smiled: “Lord Sun truly has friends throughout the realm. This prince thought that having spent this past year in Datong Prefecture in Shanxi supervising the construction of a traveling palace, you wouldn’t know the new favorites in the palace.”

Hearing the words “traveling palace,” a flash of unusual light passed through Su Jin’s eyes—the Emperor was frugal and had clearly ordered that after the princes went to their fiefdoms, aside from their own residences, they could not construct any more palace buildings or halls.

She glanced at Sun Yinde’s back and silently made note of this matter.

The banquet was set up in a water pavilion with seating arranged on all four sides. In the center, several scantily clad women danced gracefully to the sound of pipes and songs.

Zhu Jiyou sat in the place of honor, embracing two golden-haired, blue-eyed women on his left and right, laughing as he drank the wine they fed him.

Su Jin followed behind the Ninth Prince and Sun Yinde to take her seat. But just as she crossed the plank bridge, two guards with swords at the water pavilion entrance blocked her. Behind her, a maid slowly approached, holding up a tray and kneeling before her.

On the tray sat three cups of wine of different colors and appearances.

Su Jin was puzzled and looked up toward the seats.

Zhu Jiyou finished his wine and leaned over to lick the slender jade hand of the blue-eyed woman. The three were thoroughly enjoying themselves, as if they hadn’t seen her at all.

Instead, it was Zhu Mixiao who walked over slowly holding a wine cup. Seeing Su Jin’s puzzled expression, he curved his lips in a smile and said: “This is Censor Su’s first time attending Third Brother’s banquet, so you probably don’t know the rules here. These three colored wines were personally brewed by Third Brother. Newcomers must choose one cup from among them and drink it.” With that, he raised his hand. “Censor Su, please?”

Lewd laughter came from inside the water pavilion again. Su Jin pondered darkly for a moment. Thinking that she was already a fish on the chopping block anyway and could delay as long as possible, she asked straightforwardly: “What’s in the wine?”

Zhu Mixiao smiled again, not beating around the bush with him: “Censor Su can rest assured about this. Of the three cups of wine, only one is poisoned wine. If the Censor has good luck, you won’t die.”

Su Jin asked again: “What about the other two cups?”

Zhu Mixiao said: “Usually one of the other two cups is clear wine and one contains an aphrodisiac. However, since Censor Su has extremely rarely deigned to grace us with your presence at a banquet, tonight both of these cups contain aphrodisiacs.”

Su Jin’s eyes turned cold. Looking at Zhu Mixiao, she seemed unconcerned as she said: “Aphrodisiacs are for women. Why would Your Highness bestow them upon this humble subject? What’s the reasoning here?”

Zhu Mixiao smiled: “Yes, they’re for women. But who knows whether the Censor might have a cut-sleeve preference? How else could Censor Su have risen from a mere magistrate to Vice Censor-in-Chief within two years if not by relying on that face to serve others with beauty? And how else could you receive Zhu Shisan’s repeated protection? This prince precisely wants to use this wine to test you today. Rest assured, Censor—after drinking this wine, whether you prefer men or women, Third Brother has plenty of maids and catamites here for your enjoyment.” As he spoke, he turned to look at Zhu Jiyou entangled with the two blue-eyed women and said “Ah,” adding: “This prince nearly forgot—there’s also a pair of ‘golden-winged birds.'”

Golden-winged birds were originally legendary divine birds. Su Jin never imagined that Zhu Mixiao’s “golden-winged birds” actually referred to those two Persian women.

His language was unbearably vulgar. Su Jin could no longer bear to listen. Just as she turned around, she saw someone in moon-white python robes covered by a dark cloak striding across the plank bridge at the other end.

His steps seemed to carry a fierce wind. Coming to Su Jin’s side, he swept his hand and knocked over the tray. The wine spilled into the lake, creating rippling waves of light.

Zhu Nanxian gazed coldly at Zhu Mixiao, then suddenly raised his eyebrows in a smile: “No need to test. This prince simply likes her.”