Zhenzhen took the book and examined it carefully.
She was not unfamiliar with the story of Jing Ke’s assassination attempt on the King of Qin. In her childhood, both Uncle Pu and the teacher at the school had told her this tale. However, she had always only paid attention to the deeds of the main characters Jing Ke, King Ying Zheng of Qin, and Crown Prince Dan of Yan. Now, carefully recalling the details of that night, remembering the page Crown Prince Zhuangwen had been reading, besides Jing Ke, she had also glimpsed the name Fan Yuqi, so she focused on reading the plot concerning Fan Yuqi. She read how General Fan Yuqi of Qin suffered a crushing defeat in battle against the state of Zhao, offending the King of Qin and fleeing to the state of Yan, where he was treated with courtesy by Crown Prince Dan of Yan. However, Fan Yuqi’s parents and clan were executed by the King of Qin. Before Jing Ke’s assassination attempt on the King of Qin, in order to gain the king’s trust, he met privately with Fan Yuqi to discuss the matter… Her gaze fell upon this passage, and Zhenzhen read it repeatedly:
Jing Ke said: “Now there is a way to resolve Yan’s troubles and avenge the general’s grievances. What do you think?”
Yuqi came forward and said: “What should be done?”
Jing Ke said: “I wish to obtain the general’s head to present to the King of Qin. The King of Qin will surely be pleased and grant me an audience.”
After contemplating silently for a long while, she suddenly looked up and asked Zhao Ai, who was standing behind her also reading: “His Majesty was always at odds with Qi Xian when he was a prince. If Imperial Physician Zhang took refuge with Qi Xian at his instruction, even if Qi Xian didn’t know of their private relationship, Zhang had previously entered the palace and been trusted by the late emperor. Due to his profession, he frequently interacted with the imperial family. Qi Xian was cunning and shrewd – how could he easily trust Zhang and entrust his health to his care? Did Imperial Physician Zhang do something for this purpose?”
“To gain Qi Xian’s trust, he betrayed his friend, the then Imperial Censor Lin Yu,” Zhao Ai answered. After a pause, he gazed at the surprised Zhenzhen and added, “That is, Lin Hong’s father.”
Ever since learning that Zhenzhen admired Lin Hong, Zhao Ai had quickly investigated Lin Hong’s family background thoroughly. He knew about Lin Hong’s father’s past, but since he hadn’t previously known that Zhang Yunqiao might be Zhenzhen’s father, he had never mentioned these matters to her. Now that things had come to this point, he decided to tell Zhenzhen what he knew: “Lin Yu’s father, Lin Hong’s grandfather, was framed and demoted to Yazhou by Qi Xian for advocating northern expeditions, and died of illness far from home. Zhang Yunqiao and Lin Yu originally had a good private relationship. Later, Lin Yu frequently memorialized impeaching Qi Xian and his faction, which greatly angered Qi Xian. When Zhang Yunqiao sought refuge with him, he told Qi Xian that he had seen a Jin dynasty calligraphy piece that should have been stored in the Secret Repository at Lin Yu’s home. Since Lin Yu had once worked at the Secret Repository, Qi Xian instructed his faction to attack Lin Yu for theft while on duty. Later, Shen Han came forward to explain that the calligraphy was bestowed by the late emperor to him, and he had given it to Lin Yu. Qi Xian’s faction then said that one should not receive rewards without merit, and that Lin Yu’s acceptance of such a valuable gift was bribery, forming a clique with Shen Han to frame ministers. Thus Lin Yu was imprisoned and charged. Shen Han, through father’s strong arguments before the late emperor, avoided imprisonment but was also held accountable and sent to serve in the provinces for several years. Lin Yu fell ill in prison, and Zhang Yunqiao went to treat him – this time probably sent by Qi Xian. In the end, as Qi Xian wished, he failed to cure him, and Lin Yu soon died in prison. Shortly after, Zhang Yunqiao became Qi Xian’s personal physician.”
After listening, Zhenzhen pondered briefly, then told Zhao Ai about another matter: “When I left the palace and was attacked by falling rocks and a runaway horse, Crown Prince Zhuangwen and Pu Qinxin rescued me and took me to see Lin Hong. That day at Lin Hong’s home, Pu Qinxin said that years ago he had gathered with His Majesty, an imperial physician, and a scholar at a small mountain courtyard, and that the physician’s wife was skilled at cooking and Lin Hong resembled that scholar. Looking back now, the person he saw that day was probably Imperial Physician Zhang and Lin Yu.”
“What was Lin Hong’s reaction when he heard this?” Zhao Ai asked.
Zhenzhen said: “He said his father didn’t know any imperial physician.”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Ai said: “The entanglement between Lin Yu and Zhang Yunqiao was hardly a secret at court. Lin Hong must have known about it too. He probably said that because he hated Zhang Yunqiao extremely and didn’t want to admit his father once had private dealings with him.”
Zhenzhen remained silent. After a moment, she handed the volume of Records of the Grand Historian to Zhao Ai, indicating the passage about Fan Yuqi, and asked: “Do you think it’s possible that Imperial Physician Zhang’s betrayal of Lin Yu before taking refuge with Qi Xian, even leading to Lin Yu’s death, was the result of consultation and planning between His Majesty and the two of them?”
Zhao Ai took the book and quickly scanned through the page. He wasn’t surprised and said calmly: “I thought of that too. Zhang Yunqiao had practiced medicine for many years with an excellent reputation – he should have been a righteous gentleman. If he were someone who betrayed friends for personal gain, father wouldn’t value him so highly. Qi Xian betrayed the country and ruthlessly eliminated dissidents. Both father and Lin Yu had national and personal grievances against Qi Xian, so they joined with Zhang Yunqiao to set a trap similar to the assassination of Qin. To let Zhang Yunqiao gain Qi Xian’s trust and eliminate the great traitor, Lin Yu voluntarily and heroically went to his death, using his own life to send Zhang Yunqiao to Qi Xian’s side.”
Zhenzhen lowered her eyes sadly. Remembering Lin Hong’s expression and response when Pu Qinxin mentioned the imperial physician that day, she knew he must have identified Zhang Yunqiao as his father’s killer, but might not know that his father had originally gone to his death with Fan Yuqi’s kind of resolve… Suddenly startled with alarm, she said to Zhao Ai: “So when Lin Hong publicly refused the marriage that day, preferring to take plum blossoms as his wife rather than marry me, was it because someone told him I was Zhang Yunqiao’s daughter?”
Zhao Ai replied steadily: “Looking at it now, that’s very likely. Only this reason could make such a gentleman disregard your dignity and refuse the marriage publicly.”
“Who told him?” Zhenzhen asked sadly. “Does His Majesty know? Could it have been His Majesty?”
“No,” Zhao Ai reasoned. “If murdering Qi Xian was true, such matters would not be suitable for public knowledge. Father would certainly keep this secret. After so many years, to avoid complications, there would be no need to tell Lin Hong about the relationship between Zhang Yunqiao and you, especially since he might not even know about it. Even if he were to speak of it, he would patiently explain Zhang Yunqiao’s difficult position. Lin Hong is not an unreasonable person – if he knew the whole story, he wouldn’t take his anger out on you. Even if he didn’t want to marry you, he would explain properly in private and could never refuse publicly.”
“It wouldn’t have been Crown Prince Zhuangwen either,” Zhenzhen immediately said. “If he had known these things during the Jujing Garden banquet, why would he stare at the Jing Ke chapter in contemplation the night before his death? Only someone who had just learned of it would ponder it so carefully…”
Recalling the situation at that time, she couldn’t help but widen her eyes slightly, suddenly understanding something in an instant. “That night, he seemed particularly anxious about gains and losses. After I served him oranges and was about to withdraw, he suddenly grabbed me and said that Lin Hong had come to see him that day… and asked me if Lin Hong apologized to me one day, saying he was wrong, would I go with him… He must have learned about it recently and was worried that Lin Hong might have renewed entanglements with me after learning the truth…”
“How did you answer?” Zhao Ai asked.
“I said I would go with Lin Hong, then wait for him to chase me back…” Zhenzhen’s emotions were somewhat out of control at this point, her breathing becoming rapid. Her head drooped down, and her hands unconsciously trembling as she twisted her skirt sash. “I was joking – I didn’t want to leave… To reassure him, so I, I…”
“So you agreed to everything he asked,” Zhao Ai’s heart felt like it was being cut by knives in that instant, but he still forcibly suppressed the grief in his heart, maintaining a peaceful expression and speaking gently to her. “Alright, alright, you don’t need to continue.”
Tears suddenly poured forth like a spring. Zhenzhen collapsed and covered her face, weeping: “I don’t know why His Highness suddenly… was it really because of me?”
Zhao Ai crouched down in front of her, handed her a handkerchief to wipe her tears, and softly comforted her: “I asked Han Suwen later. He was certain that elder brother’s death had nothing to do with this, saying that elder brother had already recovered at that time… Think again, did elder brother himself notice anything?”
Zhenzhen looked up in confusion, staring blankly for a long time, then told Zhao Ai: “He said something to me, telling me to find Yang Zicheng… But I was subsequently imprisoned on the island and knew nothing of any news. After escaping and staying at Yinqi’s small courtyard for a while, I asked Yin Rui about Yang Zicheng. He said Yang Zicheng disappeared the next day and has been missing ever since.”
“If Yang Zicheng wasn’t related to the cause of elder brother’s death, he might know who wanted to harm elder brother. Now we don’t know if he’s hiding somewhere or has been silenced…” Zhao Ai pondered for a moment, then forced an encouraging smile for Zhenzhen. “I’ll send people to search for him. Though we’re investigating the truth, don’t blame yourself too much. There’s currently no evidence that you caused elder brother’s death. Pull yourself together and live actively as you did before. Don’t let yourself remain immersed in the shadow of this matter.”
Zhao Ai sent several trusted eunuchs to return to Lin’an to investigate Yang Zicheng’s whereabouts and asked Yin Rui to secretly dispatch reliable soldiers to search together. But in the vast sea of humanity, it was difficult to obtain definite information quickly, and no good news came even by winter.
During this period, Zhao Ai continued handling Ningguo Prefecture affairs, particularly focusing on the dike project. He often personally rode to the Huimin and Huacheng dike construction sites to observe the progress. One night, returning from Huacheng dike, he carried a bundle of lamei flowers he had picked along the way, riding toward Luming Pavilion to give them to Zhenzhen. That day during daylight, suddenly seeing flowers blooming on the roadside and remembering that Zhenzhen often arranged flowers in the tavern, he slowed his pace and strolled among the flower shadows. Unable to suppress a gentle smile, he immediately decided to pick some for her to arrange in vases.
At this time, Zhenzhen had taken up permanent residence at Luming Pavilion, while Zhanle Pavilion was usually managed by Granny Song and assistants sent by Wei Qingxun. She designed a new menu for Luming Pavilion. The fine dishes included both classic flavors from Lin’an and Ningguo Prefecture, as well as her own innovative creations, attracting many new and old customers. Zhenzhen understood that Zhanle Pavilion had an elegant environment suitable for small groups of friends to chat and discuss business, while Luming Pavilion was located in the bustling market with a much livelier atmosphere. Customers needed music and entertainment, and Wei Qingxun’s flower-pinning gatherings were precisely intended to let the whole city know that Luming Pavilion had the most beautiful singing and dancing courtesans in the entire city. Zhenzhen also heard customers chatting about how Guangzhou had many beautiful and talented foreign girls, and taverns with singing and dancing to accompany drinking were often packed with guests. Seeing the customers’ eyes full of anticipation when they spoke of this, she sent people to Guangzhou to buy two foreign girls skilled in singing and dancing to perform at Luming Pavilion. As a result, Luming Pavilion’s entrance was indeed bustling with traffic all day long, with an endless stream of customers, becoming even livelier than before.
When Zhao Ai arrived at Luming Pavilion, it was past the second watch. That day’s customers had already dispersed. Wei Qingxun, seeing business had been thriving recently, was in a good mood. That evening she had the foreign girls sing and dance in the hall while she sat shoulder to shoulder with Zhenzhen, raising cups and drinking for entertainment.
When Zhao Ai entered the building and saw this scene, he couldn’t help but furrow his brow slightly. Seeing his expression, Wei Qingxun deliberately put her arm around Zhenzhen’s waist, smiled and clinked glasses with her. They leaned against each other and drank the wine, then asked Zhao Ai cheerfully: “Would Your Highness like to sit down and have a drink?”
Zhao Ai didn’t answer but walked straight to Zhenzhen, handed her the lamei flowers, then turned to leave. Zhenzhen immediately stood up and asked him: “Second Brother, have you had your evening meal?”
Her voice contained implicit concern, and hearing it warmed Zhao Ai’s heart. He was silent for a moment, then shook his head. Zhenzhen then said: “The food here has gone cold. Let me go cook you a bowl of noodles.”
Zhenzhen arranged the flowers in a vase and hurried toward the kitchen. Zhao Ai waited a moment but really didn’t want to be alone with Wei Qingxun, so he followed Zhenzhen.
Zhenzhen was boiling water and cooking noodles at the stove. Zhao Ai silently sat down at the table. After a day of rushing about, in this environment full of cooking smoke and fire, gazing at her figure bustling about for him in the candlelight, he suddenly felt his nose tingle and experienced a kind of ordinary common people’s worldly warmth he had never felt before.
“Is the dike construction going smoothly? What have you been busy with recently?” Zhenzhen asked casually, her hands still moving without pause, not turning back to look at him.
“It’s going well. There are no problems with the construction, but there are too many abandoned wasteland fields within the dike area. We’re currently recruiting tenant farmers to cultivate them,” Zhao Ai steadied his mind and began answering her questions. “I’ve stipulated that each mu will only require five sheng of grain tax in the future – very favorable conditions – but progress on this matter is still not very smooth. Those wasteland fields have been unclaimed for many years, and tenant farmers don’t dare easily sign up to cultivate them, worried that when the fields start producing, the original owners will suddenly appear and reclaim the property, leaving the tenant farmers with total losses. I’ve promised that if original owners return, they must wait until tenant farmers finish harvesting their crops before reclaiming the fields, but the tenant farmers are still full of concerns.”
“That’s easy to solve,” Zhenzhen said. “Why don’t you petition the court for approval to establish a clear regulation: anyone who cultivates wasteland for a full five years and pays grain taxes on time can claim the cultivated wasteland as their own property. If original owners come looking within five years, they wait until the crops planted at that time mature, let the tenant farmers harvest them, then return the fields to the original owners. Tenant farmers don’t have much property – they must be eager to own their own land. You need to let them see hope. This way, with the hope of claiming wasteland as their own, tenant farmers will definitely actively take on wasteland to cultivate. Even if original owners return, based on the previous regulations, both original owners and tenant farmers should have no objections.”
Zhao Ai then asked: “What if the original owners return after five years?”
Zhenzhen answered: “Tenant farmers who have worked hard cultivating wasteland for many years should rightfully be awarded the land after five years. However, if those who come are truly the original owners, we can’t let them suffer losses either. Ningguo Prefecture has many abandoned wasteland fields – at that time, just take them to claim another plot.”
After consideration, Zhao Ai said: “This sounds quite reasonable. I’ll memorialize the court for instructions.”
Soon after, Zhenzhen finished cooking a bowl of mushroom and chicken broth noodles and brought it to Zhao Ai’s table. The broth was a golden yellow color, very appetizing. Zhao Ai immediately took up his chopsticks and began eating.
Seeing him eat quickly, as if he had been hungry for a long time, Zhenzhen asked: “Did you have lunch today?”
“No,” Zhao Ai said. “I was too busy during the day, and I was in the fields where there were few people around and no restaurants to eat at… I did bring some dry rations, but I had no appetite for them.”
“Now that it’s cold, dry rations are ice-cold and certainly don’t taste good,” Zhenzhen thought for a moment, rummaged around in the kitchen, and took out a silver food box to show Zhao Ai. “In the future, when you need to go to the dike fields, tell me a day in advance. I’ll prepare food early in the morning and put it in this kind of food box, have someone deliver it to the prefectural office for you to take to the dike fields… You could also have craftsmen make a small stand. When it’s mealtime, find a sheltered place, put the food box on the stand, and light a small piece of candle underneath to heat the food.”
Zhao Ai’s chopsticks paused, and he deliberately lowered his head, not wanting Zhenzhen to see his reddened eyes.
Zhenzhen didn’t notice his change at the moment and was still thinking about how to perfect her plan. After a moment, she instructed him: “When heating the food, first add a tiny bit of water to the food box so the food won’t burn.”
Zhao Ai still kept his head down, responding with a low “mm,” then quickly picked up the remaining noodles, finished them in two bites, and immediately lifted the bowl to drain all the soup.