“What about the noble young master who redeemed them that day? How much do you know about him?” Faced with Yunyi’s question, Xing Niang shook her head and said, “That noble young master only said his surname was Li. As for the rest… this servant did ask, but he refused to say, so this servant didn’t ask further. I suppose he didn’t want people to know he was keeping courtesans.”

Yunyi stared at her for a moment, then said to Jixiang, “Go fetch the four treasures of the study.”

Jixiang responded and quickly brought brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. After grinding the ink, Yunyi picked up the brush, dipped it in ink, and sketched Li Jiancheng’s appearance on the paper. Though it was just a few strokes, it bore six or seven parts resemblance. “Take a look, is this him?”

After Xing Niang looked, she nodded repeatedly, “Yes, yes, yes! That noble young master looked exactly like this. He often had two sword-bearing guards following behind him. I once heard him call one of the guards by name, it seemed to be Xue… Xue something.”

Ruyi’s eyes shifted as she said, “Could it be Xue Wanche?”

“Xue Wanche…” Xing Niang repeated the name, frowning, “This servant only heard it once and can’t remember clearly, but it should be this name.” Speaking thus, she glanced at Yunyi and said timidly, “Princess, they… what happened to them? Why are you asking about these things?”

“When it’s time for you to know, you’ll naturally know.” Saying this, Yunyi said to Ruyi, “Take her to Marquis Lin’s residence. As for the rest, Marquis Lin will naturally inform her what she needs to know. Be careful on the road, don’t let anyone see her.”

After Ruyi took Xing Niang away, Jixiang said, “From this, it seems Talented Lady Yin and Imperial Woman Zhang must undoubtedly be from Xinghua Brothel. The Crown Prince is truly bold, daring to present courtesans to His Majesty.”

Yunyi said slowly, “But it cannot be denied that after these two entered the palace, they indeed provided considerable assistance to the Crown Prince. If not for suspicions about their origins, who knows what would have happened in the future.”

Jixiang wrinkled her nose and said, “The Crown Prince brought this upon himself. When His Majesty learns of this matter, he’ll surely have a hard time. Perhaps… even his position as Crown Prince won’t be secure.”

“Don’t speak nonsense.” Faced with Yunyi’s rebuke, Jixiang said dismissively, “This servant wasn’t speaking nonsense. Actually, in terms of ability and military achievements, how does the Crown Prince compare to our Prince in any way? The only reason he was made Crown Prince was because he’s a few years older, the so-called legitimate eldest son.”

“Still talking!” Yunyi glared at her and said, “Whether the Crown Prince deserves his position in the Eastern Palace is not for you to say. If others heard this, would you still want your life?”

“There are no outsiders here, how could anyone…” Before Jixiang could finish, Yunyi already said coldly, “Walls have ears!”

Although Jixiang didn’t think there would be any disloyal people in the Prince of Qin’s residence, seeing Yunyi’s displeased expression, she had to hold her tongue and instead said, “There are still several people in Xinghua Brothel who know about this. Should we also bring them to Marquis Lin’s residence?”

Yunyi thought for a while, then shook her head, “No need for now. If we alarm the Eastern Palace, we won’t be able to achieve complete success. One Xing Niang is enough.”

Jixiang nodded and said no more. That night passed peacefully, with only occasional spring insects that had emerged early from the soil chirping in the courtyard.

The next morning, while Yunyi was having breakfast, Ruyi came in, bowed, and said softly, “Princess, Marquis Lin has already taken Xing Niang into the palace.”

“Mm.” Yunyi nodded and said, “What about the Eastern Palace? Any movement?”

“None. The Eastern Palace has no awareness of our affairs.” Ruyi’s words put Yunyi’s mind at ease. Stirring the lily porridge in her azure floral white porcelain bowl, she smiled lightly, “The good show is about to begin. It’s a pity we can’t watch it ourselves, only wait here for news.”

What Yunyi didn’t expect was that instead of waiting for news about this matter, she received an imperial edict summoning her to the palace.

“His Majesty summons me to the palace for an audience?” Yunyi looked in surprise at the eunuch who had come to deliver the edict.

The eunuch respectfully said, “Yes, His Majesty has decreed that Imperial Consort Yang should proceed to Ganlu Hall for an audience.”

Yunyi pondered for a moment and said, “Do you know what it’s about?”

“Your Ladyship will naturally know once you enter the palace and see His Sacred Majesty.” Before the eunuch finished speaking, Ruyi had already quietly slipped a money pouch into his hand, whispering, “His Majesty’s sudden summons naturally makes the Princess uneasy. Please enlighten us, Your Excellency.”

Having received the pouch, the eunuch’s expression became much warmer than before. Speaking in a thin voice, he said, “How could this servant presume to fathom His Majesty’s thoughts? However, early this morning, Marquis Lin brought a woman who clearly wasn’t from a respectable family to see His Majesty. When this servant left, they were still questioning her, so it should be related to this matter.” After a pause, he added, “Oh, besides sending this servant to summon Imperial Consort Yang, His Majesty also sent someone else to the Eastern Palace to invite the Crown Prince.”

Yunyi listened to every word without missing a single one, then lowered her eyes and said, “Please wait a moment, Your Excellency. I’ll go change clothes and then accompany you to the palace.”

After entering the inner chamber, Jixiang helped Yunyi take out the clothes for entering the palace while saying, “From what that eunuch said, His Majesty’s summons should be about Xing Niang’s matter. But didn’t the Noble Consort say she wouldn’t involve the Princess in this affair? Why did she change her mind?”

Yunyi stretched out her arms, letting Jixiang and Ruyi help her dress, while saying, “I’m not sure either. After I enter the palace, unless I speak, you two must not say anything, especially you, Jixiang. You’re the least able to keep your composure. Do you hear me?”

Jixiang said helplessly, “Without the Princess’s permission, this servant won’t say a single word. Is that acceptable?”

Ruyi helped Yunyi arrange her clothes, pursed her lips, and smiled, “How can one speak half a word? Don’t you speak one word at a time? You’re clearly being evasive with the Princess.”

Hearing this, Jixiang quickly defended herself, “I wasn’t! Don’t misinterpret my meaning. I clearly meant…”

“Enough.” Yunyi interrupted Jixiang’s words and said, “In any case, remember to be cautious with words and actions. Before His Majesty, it’s not like when we usually see the Noble Consort so casually. The slightest carelessness could bring disaster.”

Seeing her speak so seriously, the two dared not joke anymore and each agreed. Just before leaving, Yunyi remembered something, “Has His Highness returned after court today?”

Jixiang shook her head, “This servant hasn’t seen him. He probably went to the military camp for training.” Although things had been quite peaceful since the elimination of Western Qin, everyone knew that unrest remained elsewhere and war could break out again at any time. Therefore, from generals to ordinary soldiers, no one dared to slack off, and they would practice military drills whenever they had time.

Yunyi nodded and walked out, entering the palace together with that eunuch. Upon stepping into Ganlu Hall, just as the eunuch had said, Marquis Lin, Xing Niang, Li Jiancheng, and Li Yuanji were all there. Besides them, Madam Lin, Madam Yin, and Madam Zhang were also present. Whether it was Yunyi’s imagination or not, Marquis Lin’s expression didn’t look very good.

Yunyi walked to the center of the hall, knelt down, and said, “Your subject pays respects to His Majesty. May His Majesty’s sage health be blessed!”

Li Yuan looked at her deeply and said in a cold voice, “Rise.”