The Jin Princess Consort arrived at the Summer Mountain Villa to pay respects to the Emperor, but he did not grant her an audience. Afterward, she hurriedly went to see Mu Wanyao, as this was her true purpose for coming.

Mu Wanyao, dressed in elegant attire, received the Jin Princess Consort. The Princess Consort carried the deed of sale given by Chunhua’s elder brother, demanding to see Chunhua.

As the two sat drinking tea in the main hall, Mu Wanyao merely raised an eyebrow at the request, showing no intention of rising.

She smiled sweetly, “My maid is currently ill and cannot receive visitors.”

She deliberately emphasized the words “my maid” with particular clarity.

The Jin Princess Consort understood the implication.

Though somewhat intimidated by the Princess, she persists in carrying out her husband’s instructions: “I know Sixth Sister values her maids greatly, especially this Chunhua, even freeing her from slave status. But Sister, despite your good intentions, now that Chunhua is no longer a slave, her coming and going naturally falls under her elder brother’s authority.”

The Princess Consort continued, “Her brother has given her to your Fifth Brother, which is entirely proper according to custom. Rather, it is your obstruction that seems improper.”

Mu Wanyao raised her eyes to look at the Princess Consort, with a half-smile: “I don’t quite understand why Sister-in-law is so devoted to helping Fifth Brother acquire someone. Is Sister-in-law truly so virtuous that she enjoys sending women to Fifth Brother’s chambers? Since I am unwilling, if Sister-in-law were wise, you should join me in delaying this matter.”

The Jin Princess Consort’s gaze flickered.

She hesitated before saying bitterly, “How can life in our Prince Jin’s estate compare to your peaceful solitude? In any case, since our Prince Jin desires her, I must take this Chunhua back with me.”

Mu Wanyao slammed down her teacup with a “bang” and lifted her chin: “If I refuse to release her, does Fifth Sister-in-law intend to use force against me?”

“You!” the Princess Consort exclaimed.

She stood up and earnestly advised, “Why must you be like this? Let the men handle their affairs. She’s just a maid…”

Mu Wanyao replied impatiently, “As Sister-in-law says, she’s just a maid, so why make such trouble with me over one maid?”

The Princess Consort blurted out, “I have her deed of sale!”

Mu Wanyao’s expression turned cold as snow as she countered, “How absurd! I am still her mistress!”

“According to the law, her master should now be your Fifth Brother…”

“Does our royal family only follow the law? Is there no blood kinship between siblings? I merely wish to keep one maid, and Fifth Brother is unwilling? What reasoning is this? Father Emperor is right here in this villa – I’d like to discuss this logic with Sister-in-law before him!”

“No, no, no!” the Princess Consort hurriedly protested.

How could she, a daughter-in-law, possibly compare to a princess’s standing before the Emperor?

But this was Prince Jin’s order… As the Princess Consort fretted, she noticed movement outside the hall.

Mu Wanyao saw it too.

Not only were the Princess Consort’s maids anxious outside, but Mu Wanyao’s maids were also agitated.

Mu Wanyao and the Princess Consort exchanged glances before each summoning their respective maids.

The maid whispered anxiously in Mu Wanyao’s ear, causing her expression to suddenly turn cold. Across from her, the Princess Consort exclaimed loudly, “What is this about? The ones who forced Chunhua’s brother and seized their house and fields were your people? Sister, are you not the thief crying ‘stop thief’?”

Mu Wanyao gave a cold laugh.

What the maid had whispered was about the local strongman who had seized the houses and fields. The family surname was Zheng, originally part of the Former Empress’s dowry when she came to Chang’an. Over these years, even as part of the dowry, they had developed into powerful local gentry.

After the Former Empress’s death and the Li clan’s retreat to Jinling, they no longer maintained influence in Chang’an. With their old master gone, the Zheng family naturally transferred their loyalty to Mu Wanyao.

Though Mu Wanyao maintained a calm exterior, her heart skipped a beat, uncertain how this had become connected to her. She had too many loyal followers to keep track of each one. But this time, her followers had caused trouble for Chunhua, indirectly sending Chunhua’s deed to Prince Jin…

Mu Wanyao softened her expression and said, “Since we’re family, I’ll give the word and clear up this misunderstanding. Sister-in-law need not worry. Once everything is explained, Fifth Brother should naturally give me a face regarding Chunhua’s situation.”

The Princess Consort was uncertain but nodded, “Then I must see Chunhua first.”

Mu Wanyao frowned, worried the Princess Consort would discover Chunhua was with child, and immediately refused without courtesy, greatly angering the Princess Consort.

The Princess Consort had previously felt that Princess Danyang showed her more respect than other royals. But now it seemed Princess Danyang also looked down on her as a second wife, giving her no face at all.

The Princess Consort left in anger, declaring she would stay at the Summer Mountain Villa until she received the news.

As soon as the Princess Consort left, Mu Wanyao ordered her advisors to personally visit the Zheng family and pacify Chunhua’s brother’s family, while also investigating why they had seized the property. If handled well, they should convince Zheng to cajole Chunhua’s brother into returning the deed.

Chunhua’s brother was a wastrel who should be accustomed to making scenes.

Minimize the impact of this incident, and prevent the Princess Consort from learning of Chunhua’s pregnancy… The Jin Prince’s estate desperately needed a child, and Mu Wanyao did not want Chunhua to enter the Jin Prince’s household because of the child—

In a night pavilion, elegant lanterns cast a soft glow.

Under the imperial canopy, the Emperor lay on a couch with a thin brocade covering. Lakes surrounded the pavilion, with koi jumping and lotus flowers fragrant.

The place was exceptionally peaceful.

A eunuch entered the canopy with a bowed head, leaning close to the Emperor’s ear to whisper a few words.

The Emperor seemed to laugh softly.

He opened his eyes.

His dragon eyes were deep as he gazed into the night, saying languidly, “So it seems Yaoyao has protected that maid’s child. And seeing how desperately she prevents the Jin Princess Consort from meeting the maid, presumably the child is Prince Jin’s.”

He mused thoughtfully, “Yaoyao doesn’t want her maid to enter Prince Jin’s household.”

The eunuch said, “The Sixth Princess has never been close to Prince Jin; it’s the Princess Consort who always seeks out the Sixth Princess.”

The Emperor said, “After all, it’s the Li clan of Jinling. How glorious they were in the past, but now they’re no longer in Chang’an. Yet even I could only force them back to Jinling temporarily. If I wanted to eliminate the Li clan, the North would be fine, but I fear I would lose the hearts of the Southern noble families… Yaoyao’s existence remains very important.”

He paused.

“Too important.”

That’s why sometimes he felt it would have been better if his young daughter had stayed in Wuman.

If Mu Wanyao had stayed in Wuman, the Li clan couldn’t use her to gradually infiltrate the north again, and the northern noble families couldn’t ally with the south… With the noble families’ power thus divided, and commoners entering officialdom, only then could imperial power rest easy.

Though the Emperor no longer handled state affairs, he still held the empire’s situation in his grasp.

The Emperor lowered his head slightly and said, “Actually, it would be good if that maid entered Prince Jin’s household.”

The eunuch’s heart skipped a beat.

He wondered if the Emperor meant to distract Princess Danyang and the Crown Prince. To prevent the Crown Prince from gaining the Li clan’s support?

The eunuch whispered, “If Your Majesty wishes, we could quietly hint to the Princess Consort about the maid’s pregnancy. Prince Jin desperately needs a child… If the Princess Consort learns of the maid’s pregnancy, she will do anything to take her away.

“After all, it’s rather pitiful that Prince Jin has no children.”

The Emperor smiled sardonically.

He said, “I’m too lazy to intervene, too lazy to manage these children’s affairs.

“You’ll see, this matter isn’t so simple. Let’s watch how they employ their schemes to bring this matter to a conclusion.”

The Emperor gazed at the peaceful, quiet lake water. Though the surface was still, the currents beneath had never ceased for a day.

After a long while, the Emperor slowly said, “Cheng’an, tell me, for one who rules as Emperor, is benevolence most important, or ambition, or backing power, or perhaps skillful methods? Tell me, in this world, what truly makes one most suitable to be Emperor?”

The eunuch named Cheng’an softly said he didn’t know.

The Emperor said wearily, “Just speak your thoughts.”

The eunuch considered, “Perhaps only with strong backing can one sit securely on the dragon throne.”

The Emperor said quietly, “But then one would be constrained by that backing. How one gains the imperial throne determines how one will lose it.”

The eunuch: “Then strong methods of control are needed.”

The Emperor: “Ruling with harsh ruthlessness only makes people fear you. Over time, you become blind and deaf, with none daring to tell you the true state of the realm. You control the officials but cannot see the common people.”

The eunuch struggled: “Then benevolence must be most important. A heart that loves the people is paramount – only by loving the people can one have empathy and universal love for the realm.”

The Emperor said, “I fear having only benevolence without method would still result in corrupt officials controlling the government.”

The eunuch’s forehead broke out in sweat, truly unable to say more.

Finally, he could only smile bitterly: “That’s why Your Majesty is most capable. You haven’t handled state affairs for three years, yet this realm… remains in your control, with nothing escaping Your Majesty’s notice.”

The Emperor smiled sardonically.

He said, “Yet I am old.”

Cheng’an felt uncomfortable, calling out a sad “Your Majesty,” unable to say more. He had followed His Majesty for decades, and now his temples were gray – how much more so for His Majesty? If only the Former Empress were still here… but now, His Majesty was truly alone.

The Emperor also fell silent, no longer discussing these matters with the eunuch.

The Emperor closed his eyes and fell back asleep.

The eunuch covered the Emperor with blankets, hearing him mumble unclearly in his sleep: “Nuan’er, I didn’t kill Second Brother.”

Cheng’an started, looking down at the Emperor’s thin, weary face with tears in his eyes before silently withdrawing. His Majesty’s mental demon had become an illness with no cure—

The Jin Princess Consort harassed Mu Wanyao daily, determined to see Chunhua.

Mu Wanyao, fearing her firm stance might raise the Princess Consort’s suspicions, had Chunhua make herself presentable for a brief meeting with the Princess Consort.

Chunhua lay in her sickbed, her appearance somewhat withered, startling the Princess Consort who found her completely different from the beauty she had seen before.

But the Princess Consort was also somewhat satisfied by this – if Chunhua were too beautiful, she would pose a threat to herself.

The Princess Consort pushed for more, wanting her to bring a physician to check Chunhua’s pulse after seeing her, to determine what illness had made her so haggard. Chunhua was terrified and adamantly refused, fearing the Princess Consort would discover her pregnancy.

As the Princess Consort was pressuring Chunhua, Mu Wanyao pushed open the door and entered, saying, “We have imperial physicians here who serve Father Emperor. Sister-in-law, why are you showing off your meager skills?”

The Princess Consort’s face flushed red at Mu Wanyao’s merciless words.

She could only say, “Our Prince heard Lady Chunhua was ill and out of concern…”

Mu Wanyao: “We have imperial physicians here, no need to worry.”

With an icy expression, Mu Wanyao headed for the door. The Princess Consort had to follow her out, bringing up the old topic of Chunhua’s fate again.

Inside the room, Chunhua was consumed with anxiety.

She hated her helplessness, having become a burden to the Princess.

Whether she wanted to terminate the pregnancy or avoid entering Prince Jin’s household… she didn’t want to be the Princess’s burden. The Princess had already overcome so much hardship; how could she allow herself to hinder the Princess now?

Chunhua’s heart was tormented. She missed Liu Wenji, wondering what he was doing now, while also hating her pregnancy, yet unwilling to terminate it for fear she might never conceive again… She felt utterly trapped, seeing only dead ends in every direction.

The Princess was protecting her now, sheltering her out of kindness, unwilling to see her separated from her lover. However… how could she bear to watch the Princess face Prince Jin’s threats because of her?

After all… he was a Prince.

The Princess, being female, was naturally of lower status than a Prince.

Chunhua trembled as she rose from her bed, supporting herself against the wall as she inched toward the door to eavesdrop on Mu Wanyao and the Princess Consort’s argument—

For days, Mu Wanyao and the Princess Consort had been arguing about Chunhua’s fate.

The Princess Consort had the deed of sale, giving her legal right; but Mu Wanyao’s stubborn refusal left the Princess Consort helpless.

Moreover, there was now the added complication that the one who had forced Chunhua’s brother’s family to give up their house and fields was a local strongman loyal to the Princess.

The Princess Consort was anxious, fearing that if they admitted fault, Chunhua’s shameless brother might come demanding the deed back, with Mu Wanyao fanning the flames… and she would fail to take Chunhua away.

Failing to take Chunhua would affect the Princess Consort’s relationship with Prince Jin.

Today, seeing she again couldn’t prevail against Mu Wanyao and reach a resolution, the Princess Consort was about to leave in frustration when suddenly, a guard from Prince Jin’s estate burst in.

The guard, disregarding the Princess’s presence, reported loudly to the Princess Consort: “Princess Consort, terrible news! Our Prince was shot in the thigh and has fallen!”

The Princess Consort was shocked, her face turning pale.

The guard quickly glanced at Princess Danyang, his gaze strange.

Mu Wanyao suddenly stood up, her eyelid twitching with a bad premonition.

Sure enough, the guard quickly continued: “It was one of the Zheng family’s warriors, standing on a tower, who shot our Prince. Our Prince had merely gone to meet Lady Chunhua’s brother, and that Zheng man was there too. Not knowing it was our Prince, he shot an arrow from the second floor, hitting the Prince’s thigh.”

Mu Wanyao immediately exclaimed in shock and anger: “Nonsense!”

Her lips began to tremble: “I had already sent advisors to investigate the situation…”

As she spoke, her people arrived with reports.

A guard angrily said: “Your Highness, that Zheng family initially didn’t recognize your sent advisors, as they didn’t bring your token, only saying they were from the Princess’s household, and the other side wouldn’t acknowledge them. Our gentlemen were all driven away… Later when they were recognized, they were finally invited in. But that Zheng man who shot Prince Jin is terrified now and asks Your Highness what to do.”

The guard continued harshly: “The Zheng family seized these fields and houses because the Ministry of Revenue was collecting rent, and they needed to collect taxes and money from the common people! They did it for the Crown Prince!”

The Princess Consort laughed coldly: “So that’s how it is. It seems they truly were acting under Your Highness’s orders. Mu Wanyao, do you claim ignorance of this?”

Mu Wanyao’s eyelashes trembled.

After a long moment, she said: “I did know, I should have known… The wealthy strongmen have money but no power, they can only rely on noble families and the royal family. I gave the Zheng family the courage, but I only knew about the rent collection, I didn’t know about all these things behind it…”

Princess Consort: “But it was your emboldening them that led to your Fifth Brother being injured!”

Mu Wanyao felt dizzy for a moment, stepping back twice.

The Princess Consort burned with anger: “Mu Wanyao! You’ve gone too far! I’m going to report this to His Majesty! That Zheng family was left to you by your mother the Empress, and you can’t control them, and now they’ve injured your Fifth Brother. Your Fifth Brother only wanted one maid, yet you go this far.”

Mu Wanyao opened her mouth, but suddenly held back her words, feeling everything was too strange… too coincidental.

It was as if an invisible hand was pushing everything forward.

Pushing her to break with Prince Jin, to become his enemy.

Chunhua had become one of the causes, a sacrifice… Mu Wanyao furrowed her brow, wondering who was behind all this.

Were they aiming for her downfall, or using her to bring about someone else’s downfall?

Seeing Mu Wanyao’s silence, the Princess Consort turned to go report to the Emperor. The situation had reversed, and she had become the victor. Just one complaint before the Emperor… daring to harm her own brother, Mu Wanyao’s disregard for blood ties, wouldn’t it chill people’s hearts?

Mu Wanyao coldly watched the Princess Consort’s retreating figure, her heart beginning to ache.

She clenched her hands, desperately trying to figure out who would benefit from this and how to save herself, to extract herself from this situation. After much consideration, it seemed Chunhua would have to be sacrificed.

As Mu Wanyao agonized, the door suddenly burst open, and Chunhua stumbled in, falling to her knees.

For an instant, Mu Wanyao and Chunhua’s eyes met.

Chunhua’s eyes brimmed with tears, her grief and farewell undeniable.

Mu Wanyao’s face went pale as she tried to speak, but Chunhua spoke first, calling out to the Princess Consort: “Your Highness, I am willing to go with you! I carry Prince Jin’s child, and I am willing to enter Prince Jin’s household! I only beg the Princess Consort to ensure Prince Jin doesn’t implicate our Princess in this matter.

“Our Princess had no intention of harming Prince Jin. It was the local strongmen who were too powerful, too ignorant, too arrogant…”

Princess Consort: “The Zheng family serves Princess Danyang! The Zheng family’s will is Princess Danyang’s will!”

Mu Wanyao shouted: “Then I will certainly give Fifth Brother an explanation!”

The Princess Consort was startled into silence, staring blankly at Mu Wanyao.

Chunhua, kneeling on the ground, crawled forward two steps to grasp the Princess Consort’s hem: “Please, Princess Consort, don’t report this to His Majesty… I am willing to follow you back to the Prince’s estate, just please give our Princess some time, our Princess will give you and Prince Jin an explanation.”

Mu Wanyao stood perfectly straight, her face like snow, but turned away, no longer looking at Chunhua.

Though she had protected Chunhua so fiercely before, now that she could no longer protect her, she showed utter indifference, no longer expending any energy.

The Princess Consort, seeing the beauty in tears, hemmed and hawed, extremely annoyed. But concerned about Prince Jin, she looked to Mu Wanyao.

Mu Wanyao, forcibly suppressing her anger to remain rational, managed to say: “Rest assured… this matter will not end here.”—

Either there was a problem with the Zheng family, or there was a problem with Prince Jin, or… there was another hand behind everything, bringing all these coincidences together.

Now the other party’s purpose had revealed the tip of the iceberg.

They wanted Mu Wanyao and Prince Jin to break completely.

Or rather… they wanted the Crown Prince and Prince Jin to break.

Or perhaps, to sow discord between Mu Wanyao and the Crown Prince.

After the Princess Consort left, Mu Wanyao paced in the room. Her expression became very strange, wishing she could personally go investigate this matter. But she couldn’t go – she was officially here accompanying His Majesty for the summer retreat, and officially, Prince Jin’s injury had not yet become known…

A Prince’s injury was no small matter.

Now that Prince Jin had tentatively agreed to reconcile because of Chunhua, Mu Wanyao needed to offer a sincere apology.

According to Mu Wanyao’s thinking, the best solution now was to suppress this matter first… and settle it privately with Prince Jin.

Settle it privately with Prince Jin, don’t let the Crown Prince know, and don’t let him become involved. Because she feared that if the Crown Prince entered the scene, the other party would use this to attack the Crown Prince for poor judgment in selecting his people, to complain about the Crown Prince before the Emperor.

Mu Wanyao drank cup after cup of water, her fingers trembling, her heart racing.

Since returning to Chang’an, this was the first time she realized she had been drawn into a conspiracy. The first time she had to rely on her abilities to resolve it… Mu Wanyao pressed her lips together, having settled on a plan, and began writing letters.

She wrote to the Crown Prince, telling him someone might be manipulating events behind the scenes; and to her advisors, telling them to meet with the Zheng family again, to clarify whether there were problems with the Zheng family, whether they could still be trusted.

The Zheng family was a powerful local force… it would be a shame to abandon them, better to suppress them now and settle accounts later.

But as she wrote letter after letter, arranging for her advisors to handle this matter, Mu Wanyao suddenly paused, falling into thought.

According to her original intention, she should have her long-serving advisors handle this.

But they had just met with the Zheng family, and some had been driven away.

And perhaps some of these advisors had problems… if she sent these potentially problematic people again, this matter might become even more difficult to resolve.

The name “Yan Shang” floated unbidden into Mu Wanyao’s mind.

She bit her lip, frowning to herself.

To be honest, she was very reluctant to use Yan Shang, very reluctant to have him handle this matter.

Because he was still busy with his studies because she had just hurt him and was giving him the cold shoulder… if she had Yan Shang handled this matter, what did her previous cold treatment mean?

But Yan Shang was truly very suitable.

He had a good temperament, not easily angered when handling matters, and not being easily angered meant he wouldn’t be easily led by those behind the scenes. His speaking skills were excellent, easily persuading others to accept his views.

If it were a matter requiring a strong personality, then Yan Shang’s gentle nature would naturally be extremely unsuitable; but if Mu Wanyao wanted the Zheng family to submit, wanted to mediate the conflict between the Zheng family and Prince Jin, and also resolve the conflict of the Zheng family seizing common people’s fields and houses… wasn’t someone like Yan Shang, who excelled at mediating conflicts, most suitable?

After much internal struggle, Mu Wanyao still wrote down Yan Shang’s name for the sake of bringing this matter to a graceful conclusion.

She hoped he wasn’t holding a grudge.

She hoped he would help her this once, help her mediate between the Zheng family and Prince Jin, not letting others find an opportunity to exploit—

After Princess Danyang’s letter was sent out, the advisors naturally received it.

Several advisors were already helping the Princess handle matters, and upon receiving the letter, they saw that Mu Wanyao wanted Yan Shang to take the lead, asking them all to follow Yan Shang’s arrangements this time.

The advisors were taken aback, feeling somewhat resentful. Though they hadn’t handled things well before… they had followed the Princess for so many years, yet now she wanted a teenager to stand before them, asking them to listen to this youth?

However displeased they felt, they still went to find Yan Shang.

That night, several advisors old enough to be Yan Shang’s father knocked on the Yan family estate’s door, showing the Princess’s letter to Young Master Yan and saying they would follow his lead completely this time.

Yan Shang read Mu Wanyao’s letter, remained silent for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

Yan Shang’s temperament was consistently gentle, and the advisors left with relief. After they departed, the servant Yunshu came to collect the tea set and saw his young master still sitting lost in thought in the hall, holding the Princess’s letter.

Fearing his master was hurt by the Princess’s letter, Yunshu said, “It seems Her Highness still trusts you, master. Having so many people follow your lead.”

Yan Shang looked up, glancing at Yunshu.

He said, “She doesn’t trust me the most, she just thinks my temperament is most suitable for handling this matter.

“She thinks my good nature and way with words make me most suitable for mediating conflicts.”

Yunshu was startled, then stammered, “That- that still shows your abilities are recognized by Her Highness. Even if the Princess only values one of your capabilities… that’s still trust, isn’t it?”

Yan Shang smiled slightly and closed his eyes without speaking—

The next afternoon, Yan Shang rode out of the city with several advisors to visit the powerful Zheng family.

The advisors, fearing the Zheng family might drive them away again, brought guards. But this time, the Zheng family knew they had offended both the Princess and Prince Jin, knew they had made a grave mistake, and were anxious. Seeing the Princess had sent people again, they were greatly relieved.

Master Zheng personally came out to welcome them. Before he could express his plea for the Princess’s help, he saw standing in the field before him a graceful young man leading the group.

The advisors who had been driven away last time said ungraciously, “This is Young Master Yan. Her Highness has sent him to take you to apologize to Prince Jin.”

Master Zheng nodded repeatedly, leading Yan Shang into the estate, saying, “We’ve truly troubled Her Highness… Her Highness’s continued support makes her the Zheng family’s benefactor…”

Yan Shang said mildly, “Her Highness doesn’t abandon the Zheng family because you are a powerful local gentry. She can’t afford to lose your strength, that’s why she’s reluctant to abandon you.”

Master Zheng was taken aback, wondering if this Young Master Yan was being too direct.

Even the advisors following Yan Shang exchanged strange looks, thinking this wasn’t Young Master Yan’s usual style of speaking.

Yan Shang just followed the leading Master Zheng, asking, “Uncle, are you the current head of the Zheng family?”

Master Zheng nodded, saying shamefully, “A few days ago some young men acted foolishly, daring to shoot Prince Jin. I’ve already bound those two children and will take them with us to beg Prince Jin’s forgiveness, subject to whatever punishment he deems fit… Would you like to see them?”

Yan Shang maintained his mild manner, saying, “No hurry.”

Master Zheng’s expression relaxed slightly.

The Princess’s previous advisors had been solemn and harsh, making the Zheng family fear she would abandon them. Seeing this time she sent someone so young and gentle… it seemed Her Highness wanted this mild-mannered young man to lead them in apologizing to Prince Jin.

Even if the Princess meant to deal with the Zheng family, that would come later.

Master Zheng pondered how to privately make amends to the Princess after this was over… even if she wanted to execute a few people, he would grit his teeth and bear it.

At the same time, Master Zheng felt somewhat proud, thinking how powerful local gentry were – in another hundred years, they would become noble families… then he could rest easy.

As Master Zheng pondered these things, he heard Yan Shang ask curiously, “Before I came, I heard that for many years the Zheng family has oppressed the common people, and in the areas you control, none dare voice a complaint?”

Master Zheng was startled.

He hurriedly replied, “Young master must have heard wrong! The Zheng family does not oppress the villagers! If you don’t believe me, you can ask the villagers…”

Yan Shang smiled and said, “Why ask? Since this is Zheng family territory, naturally no one would dare speak ill of the Zhengs. After all, I will eventually leave, but this world cannot do without powerful local gentry like the Zheng family.”

Master Zheng felt something odd about his words and was becoming displeased, but for the Princess’s sake, he didn’t show it.

He dismissed it as a young man’s poor way with words.

But the advisors behind Yan Shang already wore strange expressions: Young Master Yan did not speak poorly. He was most skilled at speaking… what was he trying to do? This didn’t match the Princess’s plan at all.

This wasn’t how the Princess had arranged things!

Yan Shang followed Master Zheng along the field paths, seeing the vast green fields, people living in peace… Master Zheng showed some pride, but before he could boast further, Yan Shang said, “So these are the good fields seized from the common people? The harvest should be very good this year.”

Master Zheng started, forcing himself to say, “This is also to pay taxes to the Ministry of Revenue… the Princess demands money from us, we demand money from the common people. Everyone suffers, from top to bottom.”

Yan Shang nodded.

Walking ahead, Master Zheng said reflectively, “Young master, I know what you mean. You probably disapprove of powerful local gentry like us, but we also serve the royal family and noble houses. These common people, you see them always trying to file complaints, but they live quite well – at least they haven’t starved to death. Under Zheng’s family rule, there have been no peasant rebellions, no refugees, isn’t that so?”

He received no response from Yan Shang and turned his head, only to find no one beside him.

Master Zheng turned back in shock to see Yan Shang standing seven or eight paces away.

The young man stood on the field path, as elegant as jade, as straight as bamboo.

Yan Shang smiled slightly and said, “So, seizing good fields is true, shooting Prince Jin is true, and driving away Her Highness’s people is also true.

“Year after year you oppress the common people, leaving them homeless, forcing them to flee elsewhere. All this vast land has become the Zheng family’s. I was wondering earlier why this area was so sparsely populated, not much different from our Lingnan. After all, this is Wannian County, under Chang’an’s direct administration – how could it compare to our remote region?

“With local gentry like the Zheng family, it’s no wonder the land is so empty of people.

“If you hadn’t seized that family’s sister, who happens to be the Princess’s maid if Prince Jin hadn’t happened to be nearby… who would know what the Zheng family has been doing?”

Across the distance, Yan Shang’s calm words carried to everyone in the field.

The commoners working in the fields stood up, looking at the young nobleman; the advisors behind Yan Shang exchanged worried glances; the guards beside the advisors gripped their swords and bows, fearing the Zheng family might attack; Master Zheng’s men showed angry faces, about to rush forward before being stopped by him; Master Zheng’s face alternated between green and white, but he ultimately suppressed his reaction.

Master Zheng said, “Young man, you seem to have strong opinions about us. Is this Her Highness’s intention?”

Master Zheng said coldly, “You’re still young and understand nothing. There’s no need to stand on high ground criticizing how we manage our territory.”

Yan Shang said, “I had no intention of criticizing.”

He seemed lost in thought for a moment, saying, “Actually, Her Highness sent me to mediate your conflicts. She wants to minimize this matter. However, she doesn’t truly understand my nature – this matter shouldn’t end so casually. There is no justice in this world if I only mediate for your sake… what of the common people’s suffering?

“Though I don’t seek fame, sometimes one must act.”

Master Zheng asked warily, “What do you mean?”

Seven paces away, Yan Shang said, “I wish to borrow something from Master Zheng, then I’ll end this topic and proceed according to the Princess’s instructions.”

Master Zheng’s expression softened slightly as he asked, “What do you wish to borrow?”

Yan Shang’s robes fluttered like clouds; standing in the wind, pure as jade and orchids, he said with perfect courtesy, “I wish to borrow the head from your shoulders—”

Before anyone could react, he reached out and grabbed a crossbow from a stunned guard beside him. Before everyone’s eyes, Yan Shang aimed the crossbow at Master Zheng and fired with a “bang.”

The arrow struck Master Zheng between the eyes. His eyes widened as blood flowed down his face, and he fell unwillingly to the ground.

Yan Shang hadn’t lowered the crossbow yet, and the Zheng family guards behind Master Zheng were momentarily bewildered, unable to react.

After a long moment in the howling wind.

First, someone among the surrounding peasants shouted: “Good!”

Then everyone snapped back to awareness.

One of the advisors behind Yan Shang sighed: “Young Master Yan’s name… after today, it will spread throughout Chang’an, won’t it?

“Such decisive action stirs the blood… yet we wouldn’t dare do it ourselves.”

The people of Great Wei admired heroic spirit – when Yan Shang killed someone in public, their first reaction was not that the killer should pay with his life, but that it was truly satisfying—

At the Summer Mountain Villa below Fan Valley.

The Emperor received this news before anyone else.

He learned that a young man among the advisors sent by Princess Danyang had publicly killed Master Zheng.

The Emperor sighed: “What spirit.”

He paused: “From today forward, whether or not that young man is imprisoned, his reputation will first spread through Chang’an, won’t it? The spirit of a noble scholar… precisely what everyone admires.”

The eunuch said: “But killing someone in public should be punished with death.”