That night, returning to Furong Pavilion, Granny Yu closed the door and scolded Liu Luowei again: “Back then you were jealous and wouldn’t let Lin Hong marry Wu Zhenzhen. What now? Just as I predicted, Wu Zhenzhen is about to become the Crown Prince’s consort! She and the East Palace were never easy to deal with, and now that they’re together and witnessed today’s events, although I tried my best to cover up, it’s only a matter of time before they figure it out. Soon you won’t even be able to beg for Wu Zhenzhen’s approval, and we’ll face complete disaster!” As she spoke, sorrow arose in her heart, and she wiped away tears viciously. “I’ve been plotting for years, enduring humiliation and bearing heavy burdens, finally reaching this point and about to achieve my wishes, but I never expected it would be ruined by your momentary petulance, you cursed child!”
“I said I won’t let that happen,” Liu Luowei also said with reddened eyes. “Father died years ago, and all these years on his birthday and death anniversary, there have been no memorial ceremonies in the capital. They won’t know today was Father’s death anniversary. Even if they feel suspicious and want to investigate, there are so many deceased officials – they won’t be able to find out anytime soon. We still have time.”
“This time you want to act personally?” Granny Yu sneered. “After the poisonous mushroom incident, the East Palace is even more cautious about food. From ingredients to water, everything must be tested for poison multiple times before use and consumption. It’s almost impossible to act through food and drink now.”
“Besides food, I have other methods,” Liu Luowei slowly walked to the bed, sat down, and looked at Granny Yu rather arrogantly, instructing: “Go find Cheng Yuan – I need to ask him for a medicine.”
The next day, Liu Luowei had someone invite Feng Xian over. She first had her meet and chat with Aunt Xu, and seeing both women beaming with joy, she smiled at Feng Xian: “I never knew before that Aunt Xu was such a reliable person. These past days, assisting Granny Yu, she’s managed Furong Pavilion so well – whatever I can’t think of, she helps me think of first. It truly relieves me of all worries, allowing me to simply enjoy comfort. Speaking of which, she came to my side because of you, so you could be said to have the merit of introduction. Recently His Majesty bestowed upon me two bushels of South Sea pearls, and I made several sets of pearl ornaments. I’ll give you one set as a token of my gratitude.”
She then had Granny Yu present the pearl ornaments to Feng Xian. This set consisted of five pieces for women to wear separately on the forehead, beside the lips, and at the temples. The pearls were flawless white, with delicate and lustrous surfaces, their pearl light gleaming with extraordinary brilliance as if they had souls. When Granny Yu’s hand trembled slightly, the light flowed and slid on the pearls like dewdrops carrying the radiance of sun and moon.
Feng Xian immediately knew these pearl ornaments were extraordinarily valuable and hastily declined: “My lady’s kind intention is appreciated. But these pearl ornaments are too precious. I’m just an ordinary palace woman – using such ornaments would be presumptuous. I absolutely dare not accept them.”
Liu Luowei said gently: “How are your appearance and temperament unworthy of these pearl ornaments? Although you have no rank now, with your talents, promotion is just around the corner. Keep them first – you’ll be able to use them soon.”
Feng Xian still firmly declined. Liu Luowei’s brows furrowed slightly, showing some displeasure, then she continued: “You never forget to listen to the Empress Dowager’s teachings and relay them to me when appropriate. I keep these favors in my heart and have always wanted to give you a generous gift. Now that the pearl ornaments are before you, I certainly won’t take them back. If you don’t want them, you can give them to someone else. After all, there are many people in the palace and many social obligations. If you give them to someone important, you might gain an additional favor, which wouldn’t be a bad thing.”
Seeing her speak to this extent, Feng Xian had no choice but to accept the pearl ornaments. Liu Luowei’s expression brightened somewhat, and she kept her for tea before having someone escort her back.
After she left, Granny Yu asked Liu Luowei: “Can you be certain that Ling Fengxian will give the pearl ornaments to Wu Zhenzhen?”
Liu Luowei replied: “Palace women without rank cannot use such ornaments – she cannot use them herself. With Wu Zhenzhen’s good fortune approaching, and since she’s always been on good terms with Wu Zhenzhen, she’ll naturally think to give these pearl ornaments to Wu Zhenzhen as a favor.”
Feng Xian returned to her room in the East Palace and took out the pearl ornaments to examine them carefully. The piece for the forehead was especially dazzling – a main pearl the size of a fingertip surrounded by smaller pearls, with pearl light so bright it could reflect one’s image. On the back of the ornaments was a layer of transparent adhesive that was normally dry and smooth, but when breathed upon, the adhesive would become sticky and could firmly attach the ornaments to the face. When removing makeup, one could use a face cloth dipped in hot water to press briefly, and the ornaments would come off.
Ordinary adhesives were mostly made from fish glue, but this set seemed to have spices added – it had a distinct orange fragrance and honey scent, like candy, making one want to lick it.
Feng Xian examined each piece thoughtfully. Shortly after, Yun Yingge, who shared the room with her, returned from outside and immediately noticed the pearl ornaments. She came over smiling: “Did you buy these? They’re so beautiful – I’ve never seen pearls this bright.”
Feng Xian thought for a moment and said: “Do you like them? Then I’ll give them to you.”
She pushed the box containing the pearl ornaments toward Yingge. Yingge was startled and quickly waved her hands: “I just thought they looked nice – I didn’t mean anything else.”
Feng Xian smiled: “I really want to give them to you. I was suddenly assigned to the East Palace by the Empress Dowager, unfamiliar with people and places, and quite frightened. Fortunately, you’ve guided me in everything and helped me greatly. After the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet, I’ll be returning to Cifu Palace, so I prepared this gift, wanting to give it to you to thank you for your care during this time.”
Yingge really liked the pearl ornaments, and hearing Feng Xian say this, she began to hesitate. After thinking for a moment, she said to Feng Xian: “I’m just a Female Secretary now – it’s not appropriate for me to use these ornaments. But Zhenzhen is already a Food Service Official and will soon become a Lady of the Commandery. These ornaments would be perfect for her. Why not give them to her?”
Feng Xian said: “I’ve prepared a separate congratulatory gift for Zhenzhen. How about this: I’m giving you the pearl ornaments anyway – from now on they’re yours. You can decide who to give them to later. It would be entirely your intention, and you needn’t mention me when giving them.”
Yingge smiled: “In that case, thank you. I was just worrying about not having a suitable gift for Zhenzhen – this solves my urgent problem.”
Recently, Sun Sishan of Cifu Palace had been unwell and took leave to recover. The Empress, seeing that the Crown Prince had recovered and Zhenzhen could manage the East Palace’s food affairs, ordered Qin Sishan to temporarily go to Cifu Palace to take over Sun Sishan’s duties managing the Empress Dowager’s meals for several days. Qin Sishan chose Yingge as her assistant to accompany her to Cifu Palace. Before leaving, Yingge gave the pearl ornaments to Zhenzhen. She had observed Zhenzhen and the Crown Prince’s situation daily, and when she occasionally asked Zhenzhen about it, Zhenzhen didn’t hide anything from her, so she knew the Crown Prince’s birthday would also be Zhenzhen’s good day. Worried she might not be able to return from Cifu Palace that day, she gave the pearl ornaments to Zhenzhen first as a congratulatory gift.
Zhenzhen also loved the pearl ornaments upon seeing them, but worried that Yingge had spent too much. Yingge laughed: “My family isn’t short of money – don’t worry about that. I’m just afraid that having money won’t buy good things worthy of expressing my feelings for you. Fortunately, by coincidence, I encountered this set of pearl ornaments that suits you perfectly. If you wear them, His Highness the Crown Prince will surely find you even more beautiful.”
The next day, Shen Han came to the East Palace to lecture the three princes. At lunch, Pei Shangshi sent several imperial dishes, but the Crown Prince had no appetite. When Zhenzhen asked what he wanted to eat, the Crown Prince said he had been thinking often lately about Songjiang bass sashimi. Zhenzhen immediately recalled that night at Moon Rock when the Crown Prince had reminisced about his mother to her, understanding that Songjiang bass sashimi was not merely a dish to him, but a key to unlock beautiful memories of his mother – when he was still a carefree child who could nestle beside his mother and watch her share her favorite seasonal river delicacies with him with a gentle smile.
So despite Shen Han’s objections, Zhenzhen decided to go to the Imperial Kitchen to request a Songjiang bass to prepare sashimi for the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince’s current diet had basically returned to normal, and Zhenzhen had previously asked Qin Sishan – the Crown Prince had eaten fish sashimi in previous years, so as long as it was fresh and clean and the portion controlled, it should be fine.
In the afternoon, Zhao Ai, Zhao Hao, and Shen Han successively took their leave. Zhenzhen also went to the Imperial Kitchen, while the Crown Prince rested briefly in his bedchamber. Later, Yang Zicheng entered to report on the matter the Crown Prince had requested investigation of: “Your Highness, I had people investigate carefully according to the date you specified, and today we finally have results. That day was this person’s death anniversary…”
Yang Zicheng presented a piece of paper with a person’s name written on it. The Crown Prince focused his gaze and immediately held his breath, his expression growing somber. He stared at the name for a long while, then ordered: “Prepare the sedan chair – I’m going to Funing Hall.”
Yang Zicheng agreed and was about to relay the order when the young eunuch guarding the door suddenly entered to report: “Your Highness, Xuanyi Lang Lin Hong has arrived at the East Palace gates and requests an audience.”
The Crown Prince was somewhat surprised but still ordered: “Have him come in.”
Lin Hong entered, performed the proper courtesies, then expressed his apologies to the Crown Prince for causing his illness through the spring water project, requesting punishment and willing to bear all responsibility.
The Crown Prince said gently: “I have already explained this matter to His Majesty. This project was requested by me for you to oversee. Although someone used the water pipes for ill purposes, we know it was done by someone who could command eunuchs, which has nothing to do with you. You need not blame yourself.”
Lin Hong still expressed guilt. The Crown Prince comforted him with kind words and invited him for tea. After chatting for a while, Lin Hong rose to take his leave. The Crown Prince dismissed the surrounding attendants and said to Lin Hong: “You may have heard that I will take Zhenzhen as my consort. There’s one question I’ve never understood – can you tell me the truth?”
Lin Hong asked him to speak directly, so the Crown Prince asked: “Why did you give up Zhenzhen originally?”
Lin Hong was silent for a moment, then raised his head to look at the Crown Prince: “Between her and me, there’s a very large obstacle that can never be overcome.”
The Crown Prince frowned: “Obstacle?”
“Yes,” Lin Hong said, “it’s a wall that can never be torn down.”
The Crown Prince remained silent, guessing that Lin Hong might already know Zhenzhen’s background. As the son of Lin Yu and a scholar well-versed in the classics, this would naturally be an insurmountable obstacle – he would never marry the daughter of his father’s killer. However, wondering if there might be other possibilities, he pursued from another angle: “It’s not that you love someone else?”
Lin Hong answered calmly: “No.”
Seeing the Crown Prince had no words, Lin Hong bowed deeply to him, stepped back a few paces, and turned to leave. But the Crown Prince called out again: “Xuanyi Lang, actually…”
Lin Hong turned back to face him, waiting for him to continue, but the Crown Prince hesitated again. Finally, he smiled broadly: “Actually, I’m very grateful that you fulfilled the relationship between Zhenzhen and me.”
“How can this be called fulfillment?” Lin Hong said sadly. “I hurt her too deeply. If Your Highness hadn’t appeared, she would have suffered much more.”
He looked at the Crown Prince again and decided to mention something: “During Your Highness’s illness, Wu Dishan came to ask me about the pipeline and also spoke to me about her feelings for Your Highness, saying…” He paused, then repeated the words that had deeply wounded him that day: “I vow to serve my husband unto life and death.”
Having said this, he no longer looked at the stunned Crown Prince and quickly left, afraid that staying too long would cause him to lose composure as well.
If one were to speak of fulfillment, perhaps telling him this was it, he thought sadly.
Suddenly hearing Lin Hong repeat Zhenzhen’s heartfelt words, the Crown Prince was naturally both surprised and moved, feeling that with her words, he had no regrets in this life. But then he thought of how Lin Hong had given her up without knowing the hidden circumstances of their fathers’ generation – they had missed their chance because of this. Knowing the truth but not telling them seemed less than honorable. Yet as his feelings for Zhenzhen deepened daily, revealing the truth at this point would likely make Lin Hong regret how he had treated Zhenzhen, while Zhenzhen would very likely want to return to Lin Hong’s side. Even if she stayed, she would probably never forget Lin Hong and worry about him for life.
Speaking the truth would be difficult, but not speaking troubled his conscience. For a moment, the Crown Prince was agitated and paced back and forth in the pavilion, temporarily abandoning his plan to go to Funing Hall to tell his father about Liu Jieyu’s matter.
Zhenzhen obtained a Songjiang bass and prepared the sashimi. Normally she should have had Qin Sishan taste it first, but Qin Sishan had gone to Cifu Palace. Knowing that Pei Shangshi was in the kitchen, Zhenzhen presented it to her for tasting first. Actually, the two had worked together before His Majesty for a long time and had an understanding – Pei Shangshi completely trusted Zhenzhen. Moreover, due to her taste issues, she wouldn’t actually taste it, so she tacitly approved of Zhenzhen sending the bass sashimi to the East Palace.
At dinner, Zhenzhen first tasted several slices of the bass sashimi herself, then invited the Crown Prince to try it. The Crown Prince tasted some and smiled, saying it was similar to the taste in his childhood memories. When he wanted to eat more, Zhenzhen wouldn’t allow it, saying that since it was raw food, tasting it was enough – he must not eat too much.
The Crown Prince had a habit of reading in Zhanlü Hall after dinner. Zhenzhen entered with several fresh oranges from this year and saw him holding a book, sitting in a chair, silently lost in thought under the candlelight, not knowing what he was thinking about.
Zhenzhen quietly walked behind him and saw he was holding a volume of “Records of the Grand Historian,” opened to the “Jing Ke” page in the “Biographies of Assassins.” Zhenzhen set down the oranges and reached to snatch the Crown Prince’s book, laughing: “Is this book so interesting? Your Highness was reading so intently you didn’t even notice me come in.”
The Crown Prince fended off her hand and quickly returned the book to the shelf: “Nothing interesting – I was just afraid tomorrow’s tutor might mention it, so I read it carefully first.”
He went to close the door, then took another scroll from the shelf, unrolled it on the desk, and asked Zhenzhen: “Look at this – can you recognize who this person is?”
Zhenzhen looked carefully and said in surprise: “She looks very much like my mother… Who painted this?”
The Crown Prince replied: “An artist from Kaifeng Prefecture who specializes in drawing portraits of missing persons based on witness descriptions. I previously sent him to Pujiang to visit many of your neighbors, and after hearing their descriptions, he painted this portrait. He showed it to each of them, and they all thought it resembled your mother before bringing it back.”
Zhenzhen asked: “Does Your Highness want to publish this portrait publicly to search for my mother?”
The Crown Prince shook his head: “I showed it to His Majesty, and he said… this is Consort Ju.”
Zhenzhen was shocked, looking alternately at the portrait and the Crown Prince, momentarily speechless.
“If your mother is Consort Ju, then many things would make sense,” the Crown Prince said. He then told Zhenzhen the results of the previous investigation into Wu Qiuniang’s household registration and analyzed: “Back then, Zhang Yunqiao and Liu Sishan fled Lin’an to escape the Qi family’s pursuit. Consort Ju very likely traveled with them. Later, Liu Sishan was captured by the Qi family and executed in Lin’an, while Zhang Yunqiao and Consort Ju continued fleeing with you. The father you remember who smelled of medicine was Zhang Yunqiao. We just don’t know why he later disappeared, after which Consort Ju raised you alone. She probably lived in Ningguo Prefecture for a while, then went to Pujiang. Moreover, Cheng Yuan’s deliberate efforts to conceal your mother’s whereabouts now have a reason. Precisely because your mother is Consort Ju, he might have been ordered by the Empress Dowager, or he might want to confine her by his side out of admiration – both would be understandable.”
Seeing Zhenzhen looking lost and helpless, the Crown Prince knew she still couldn’t face the conclusion that her beloved mother wasn’t her birth mother, so he comforted her: “But this is still just my speculation. If Consort Ju hadn’t traveled with the Zhang couple but had left the capital alone, met someone she liked, and gave birth to you, and because she liked the name Zhenzhen from Liu Sishan’s daughter, she also named you Zhenzhen – that’s also possible… I’ll continue investigating to find the truth. I’m also having people watch Cheng Yuan’s side and will strive to rescue your mother soon for you to reunite.”
Zhenzhen felt both sad and comforted. Now being with him, the sense of rootless drifting that used to surface in her mind from time to time was gradually fading. She felt he truly was someone she could completely trust and rely on with peace of mind. With him there, she was finally no longer alone. With him walking alongside her, she had more confidence to face storms of unknown intensity.
She had countless things to say to him but didn’t know how to express them. Finally, she silently took a knife to cut open a fresh orange, carefully cutting it into several pieces, using a small tea strainer to sprinkle a thin layer of Wu salt to remove the sour taste, then smiled and handed it to him.
After the Crown Prince finished the orange, Zhenzhen brought water for him to rinse his mouth, tidied up the desk, then bowed to take her leave. But as she turned around, he grasped her wrist and pulled her into his arms, seating her on his lap.
“Lin Hong came to see me today and mentioned you,” the Crown Prince told Zhenzhen.
Zhenzhen was startled, then said: “I don’t want to know what he said – Your Highness needn’t tell me.”
The Crown Prince held her and whispered in her ear: “If one day Lin Hong apologizes to you, says he was wrong, and hopes you’ll forgive him… would you go with him?”
Zhenzhen thought for a moment and answered straightforwardly: “I would.”
The Crown Prince’s eyes immediately darkened, and his arms holding her stiffened.
Seeing this, Zhenzhen smiled and said cheerfully: “Then I’d ride a horse, eating watermelon seeds, watching how you’d chase me back.”
The Crown Prince immediately breathed a secret sigh of relief, pretending to completely let go of his hands, laughing: “I won’t chase, I won’t chase – I don’t want you anymore!”
Zhenzhen immediately put her feet together and jumped down from his lap: “Farewell.”
The Crown Prince laughingly pulled her back into his arms by the waist: “Didn’t you swear to live and die with your husband? You’re leaving already?”
Zhenzhen was greatly surprised: “He actually told you that too?”
“Mm,” the Crown Prince said calmly, “he and I are practically confidants now.”
Zhenzhen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“You can’t escape…” the Crown Prince kissed the pearl ornament on her forehead and said softly, “I won’t even give you a chance to run. Although I can pretend, in this matter I’m definitely not a gentleman – I can’t bring myself to hand over the one I love to someone else.”
He lowered his head to seek her lips. But Zhenzhen suddenly reached up with both hands to cup his face, leaned up and kissed him first, then before he could react, she used her tongue to part his teeth, learning from his previous manner to stir up waves that swept over him.
Once she had determined her feelings, she no longer struggled or worried about gains and losses, feeling that the carefree self who had been lost for so long had returned. Because of her confidence and the sense of security he gave her, facing him, she could be fearless – loving him, she didn’t stint on expressing it.
All their previous kisses had been initiated by him, with her responding passively. She had never been as passionate as this time. The huge waves she stirred up crashed heavily against his heart, startling him into trembling, then he felt a dizzying joy. He quickly held her tight, letting her entangle him for a while before returning the kiss and attacking her. After a long time, seeing her cheeks flushed red, her eyes misty from kissing, and her hands around his neck loosening slightly as if she couldn’t support herself, he could no longer restrain himself. He resolutely lifted her up, strode several steps, and placed her on the couch used for tea and rest in front of the large screen.
He removed her socks and shoes, then leaned down himself, supporting himself on his elbows, lying above her, and began kissing her again, bit by bit, from her forehead down to below her neck.
She could guess what he intended and didn’t resist. Feeling him somewhat breathless, she was more concerned about his health and asked: “Your Highness, are you tired?”
He stopped, momentarily confused, and looked up at her.
“I mean…” Zhenzhen told him frankly, “I did learn how to untie belts, by the way.”
He thought seriously and asked her: “Did you learn other things too?”
Zhenzhen remembered the content of the female official’s lessons on her first night in the East Palace and said directly: “Actually, yes.”
Upon hearing this, His Highness leisurely lay down and looked at her with composure: “Then you teach me.”