After the noon meal, Lin Hong led everyone to admire the scenery inside and outside the small courtyard. The Crown Prince was quite interested in the clear spring in the courtyard, saying the water was pure and untainted, cold to the touch, and where it splashed, it sparkled like leaping crystals. The water quality must be excellent. Lin Hong then invited him and the other guests to the back courtyard, where they sat cross-legged on the floor in the meditation room where he usually practiced Zen and quiet contemplation, drinking tea brewed with spring water.
This tea soup was indeed extraordinary, exceptionally light and soft upon entering the mouth. The Crown Prince felt he wasn’t drinking water, but rather holding a flowing cloud in his mouth. The Crown Prince praised it endlessly, saying he would send people up the mountain daily to fetch spring water for brewing tea. Lin Hong said, “This water has spiritual essence. Fresh, flowing water is best. After some delay, the water quality won’t be as clear, sweet, and soft.”
The Crown Prince smiled and said, “Unfortunately, I am a worldly person who cannot live in the mountains like you, sir, and lack the fortune to drink fresh spring water at any time.”
“One need not necessarily live in the mountains to drink mountain spring water,” Lin Hong told him. “You can use thick, sturdy bamboo as water pipes to channel the spring water to the Eastern Palace.”
“Oh?” The Crown Prince was very interested. “How should this be done?”
Lin Hong explained in detail: “Cut several large bamboo poles, pierce through the joints inside, tightly bind them with hemp rope and coat with lacquer to connect them. Carve a large stone basin under the rocks where the spring water seeps out to collect water, then use the connected bamboo poles to channel water into the Eastern Palace. Cover and bury the bamboo pipes above with kudzu thatch to resist sun, rain, and impacts from trampling, protecting the water pipes.”
The Crown Prince said, “It sounds feasible, but I wonder if such a project would be too expensive.”
“It wouldn’t be,” Lin Hong said. “Using the materials I just mentioned, every twenty li would cost no more than a hundred strings of cash.”
Zhenzhen also remembered: “It’s indeed feasible. This slave has seen mountain springs channeled into pools this way at Prince Yin’s residence.”
Lin Hong nodded: “This was an idea that Dongpo Jushi came up with years ago to channel water for Guangzhou city. Later, some wealthy families occasionally used this method to channel mountain spring water.”
The Crown Prince thought again and asked, “But bamboo poles used for a long time are probably prone to cracking. If one section breaks or gets blocked, it’s difficult to investigate, and dismantling and replacing all the pipes would be costly and burdensome to the people.”
“That’s not difficult,” Lin Hong said calmly. “You can drill a mung bean-sized hole in each bamboo section, normally plugged with a small bamboo needle. If the pipes break or get blocked in the future, just pull out the small bamboo needle and see if the hole sprays water – then you’ll know which section has the problem. Only that damaged section needs to be dismantled and replaced, and the entire water channel system can be reused.”
The Crown Prince then smiled and asked, “I wonder if you, sir, have time to undertake this project for the Eastern Palace?”
Lin Hong pondered and said, “Jujing Garden should be roughly completed by next spring. If Your Highness is willing to wait until then, I would be willing to serve Your Highness.”
“I’m naturally willing to wait,” the Crown Prince laughed. “Such a project can only be done perfectly by someone as talented and meticulous as you, sir.”
Shi Huaien, listening from the side, interjected at this moment: “However, the terrain where Scholar Xuanyi’s mountain spring is located is quite high, and the mountain paths are rugged. I wonder if digging channels and drainage pipes would be very difficult.”
Pu Quxin immediately said, “His Highness the Crown Prince only mentioned channeling mountain spring water – it doesn’t necessarily have to be this particular spring of Scholar Xuanyi’s. When I came up the mountain, I saw several other water outlets along the roadside that all looked good. Your Highness could choose one with flatter terrain that’s more convenient for channeling water.”
Shi Huaien asked doubtfully, “Are there any? How did I not see them just now?”
“There are.” Pu Quxin excitedly stood up to pull Shi Huaien. “Come, come, I’ll take you to see!”
The two walked to the door. Pu Quxin looked back at the Crown Prince and, seeing him smiling as he watched them leave, said to the Crown Prince, “Why don’t Your Highness come with us to see which water has the best quality?”
The Crown Prince agreed, immediately stood up, and led the way out the door.
Shi Huaien immediately followed, with Pu Quxin trailing behind. After going out, he intentionally or unintentionally closed the door of the meditation room.
Zhenzhen suddenly realized that only she and Lin Hong remained in the meditation room. She felt somewhat delighted, but also somewhat apprehensive. She was still thinking about how to reminisce with Lin Hong when he had already stood up, walked to the cabinet, took out a small porcelain jar, and walked back to her side.
He slowly knelt and sat down in front of her, then suddenly grasped her left foot and drew it into his embrace. Despite her struggles, he removed her silk stockings without question.
Zhenzhen’s ankle was red and swollen – an injury from falling out of the carriage. She had tried her best to conceal it, attempting to walk normally, but Lin Hong had still noticed her injury.
You always appear so carefree and composed when facing me, Zhenzhen thought resentfully as she covered her face. So you still have one eye constantly watching me.
Lin Hong held Zhenzhen’s bare left foot with his left hand, took a small amount of medicinal ointment from the small porcelain jar with his right hand, and applied it to her swollen area. The ointment felt cool to the touch and had a fragrant aroma. Zhenzhen carefully identified it and couldn’t help guessing, “This ointment contains borneol, musk, frankincense…”
“Also myrrh, pine resin, and dalbergia fragrance. It has miraculous effects in reducing swelling, relieving pain, and dissolving blood stasis,” Lin Hong supplemented, smiling slightly. His hand continued applying the medicine without pause. “Palace Food Supervisor Wu has indeed gained knowledge in the palace – you can even distinguish medicinal fragrances now.”
“Of course. My sense of smell and taste have both strengthened considerably these past two years,” Zhenzhen said proudly.
“It’s just that your reckless and careless temperament hasn’t changed,” Lin Hong said, looking down as he massaged her ankle. “Otherwise, this foot wouldn’t be swollen like a pig’s hoof.”
“Bah!” Zhenzhen lifted her foot to lightly kick him. “I was framed by someone.”
Lin Hong’s movements stopped. He frowned and looked at her. “Who wants to harm you? What did you do?”
“I didn’t really do anything. I probably just cut off the financial resources of the Imperial Kitchen, the Hanlin Academy, and the Ceremonial Department…” Zhenzhen stole a glance at Lin Hong’s increasingly furrowed brow and said guiltily, “That’s all.”
She then briefly recounted recent events and today’s dangers. Lin Hong said, “Even if you can’t stand certain things, you shouldn’t rush to take a stand. You’re a girl without foundation, while they are a group of people operating in the shadows. Opposing them so openly will only make you a target for everyone, which is very dangerous.”
“Actually, I’m not afraid of them framing me. I originally thought that if they drove me out of the palace, wouldn’t that suit my wishes exactly? So I was even more fearless…” Zhenzhen sighed. “I just didn’t expect them to be so vicious as to want my life.”
Lin Hong gazed at her with pity, wanting to comfort her, but not knowing what to say for a moment. He remained silent and lowered his head to gently stroke her injured area.
“Hey, aren’t you afraid of the Crown Prince and the others coming back and seeing you holding my foot like this?” Zhenzhen asked.
Lin Hong said, “I’m not afraid. I’m treating you, with pure intentions. It wouldn’t matter if they saw.”
“But…” Zhenzhen’s voice was as low as a whisper. “When you do this, I have impure thoughts.”
Lin Hong was startled and released her left foot.
Zhenzhen leaned toward him, staring at him with bright, clear eyes, and asked with a smile, “These past days, have you missed me?”
“Mm, a little…” Lin Hong looked at her matter-of-factly and answered calmly, “After all, we have the bond of shared jade.”
Zhenzhen was caught off guard. His casual remark made her so embarrassed and annoyed that she cried out softly, then pounced on him to hit him.
Only then did Lin Hong laugh, raising his hands to grasp her wrists and pin down her flailing fists.
Zhenzhen took advantage of the momentum to lie across his knees, turning her head to look at the afternoon sun streaming through the latticed door, casting several layers of light patches on the ground. Her gaze gradually became dreamy.
“Teacher Lin, I want to see you all the time,” she murmured like talking in her sleep, pillowing her head on his knees.
He gently stroked the loose hair by her temples, pondering for a moment before saying gently, “Wait a little longer. I’m still powerless now and can’t say much before His Majesty. When Jujing Garden is completed, perhaps I can… During this time, you must be cautious in word and deed and protect yourself. Don’t do anything more that will make people resent you.”
“When you presented dishes to remonstrate and asked His Majesty to abolish the salt certificate system, didn’t you think you might also incur people’s resentment?” Zhenzhen asked.
Lin Hong was momentarily speechless.
Zhenzhen continued, “These things always need someone to do them. If we want to do them, let’s do them. Even if we invite trouble, we can think of ways to solve it.”
After returning to the palace, Shi Huaien told the Emperor and Consort Li about the ambush on the road. The Emperor didn’t express his position for the time being, but Consort Li was very upset. She privately said to Zhenzhen, “This matter fundamentally arose because of my investiture ceremony. You exposed the corruption within, originally speaking up for justice, but incurred people’s hatred and nearly lost your life. I will suggest that His Majesty thoroughly investigate this matter, find the mastermind, give you justice, and prevent such incidents from happening again.”
“Thank you for your kind intentions, Your Ladyship, but in this slave’s opinion, there’s no need for such a big fuss,” Zhenzhen said. “His Majesty and Your Ladyship, though you clearly know that those involved in corruption aren’t limited to the Imperial Kitchen, Hanlin Academy, and Ceremonial Department, still haven’t investigated to the end because you don’t want to mobilize forces before the investiture ceremony, causing upheaval in court and country. Now that I was ambushed, there’s insufficient evidence – we didn’t even catch that horse, so we can’t determine who was responsible. Even if we investigated, there would be no leads, and a real investigation would likely waste manpower fruitlessly. It’s better to hold back for now and wait for the other party to reveal their hand before investigating.”
Consort Li sighed, “If we don’t investigate, I fear the other party will repeatedly scheme to harm you.”
Zhenzhen bowed to Consort Li and said, “This slave has a method. Your Ladyship need only say a few words publicly to deter those people and make them not dare act rashly.”
The next day, Consort Li summoned many palace servants to admire the early-blooming plum blossoms in the back garden’s plum pavilion. After drinking a cup of tea in the pavilion, Consort Li summoned Zhang Zhibei, the Director of Palace Affairs, and asked him in front of the surrounding palace servants: “There’s been a lot of rain recently. Have people go look around Phoenix Mountain – repair what needs repairing, fix what needs fixing. Don’t let landslides cause big rocks to roll down and hit people.”
Zhang Zhibei bowed and accepted the order.
Consort Li continued, “Also make sure the horses you ride are properly secured. Don’t be careless and let horses run out to crash into people.”
Zhang Zhibei understood there was meaning behind her words but didn’t dare ask details, just kept his head bowed in agreement.
Consort Li coldly surveyed the palace servants around her and finally said, “What I’ve mentioned and what I haven’t mentioned – you’d better all take to heart. Don’t create accidents that hurt people. If anything else goes wrong, we’ll go through the blue salt incident and the person who hanged themselves on Phoenix Mountain, case by case from the beginning, to see what’s amiss.”
Zhenzhen stood among the palace servants, listening silently. She knew that those who harmed her probably also had spies hidden among this current group, and Consort Li’s words would soon reach the mastermind’s ears. Someone capable of discovering what Zhenzhen had done, knowing her whereabouts, and laying such a thorough murder plot couldn’t be an ordinary eunuch or minor official. Many unsolved mysteries that had occurred in the palace were likely related to them, such as the blue salt and Wang Muze case. So it wouldn’t hurt to have Consort Li mention them all together, showing her determination to thoroughly investigate and severely punish if provoked again. Now that she would formally take charge of the six palaces, her status and power were incomparable to before. The other party wouldn’t be completely unrestrained.
“You’ve all heard the Empress’s words clearly.” At this moment, the Emperor suddenly appeared, striding up to the plum pavilion and declaring this loudly, publicly confirming the imperial status of Consort Li, who had not yet had her investiture ceremony.
He stood firm in the pavilion, surveying in all directions, then said coldly, “I’ve always been busy with state affairs, unable to give full attention to the inner palace. But some things – just because I haven’t dealt with them doesn’t mean I haven’t seen them. Now I’ve handed the authority to deal with them to the Empress. If anyone still harbors thoughts of stirring up trouble, they’d better calm down and pray for their own good fortune.”