The man driving the carriage for Ling Buyi was a Han-Hu mixed-blood surnamed Jin. He was someone Ling Buyi had rescued when he went to the border city at age fifteen. Everything related to horses, he knew inside and out—even driving on rugged narrow roads, he could proceed as if on level ground.

Shaoshang’s face bore a smile, but her tone was cold: “That day Lady Wenxiu said ‘Wang Chun was always unable to cover things up well, which is why she ended up in this situation’—meaning Wang Chun had known about this matter early on. Given Wang Chun’s nature of seeking your help in all matters, if he knew early on, how could he not have begged you to save his life?”

“Just now Wang Chun told me that he only learned of being impersonated in conspiring with Peng Zhen when Marquis Cui’s army departed. He immediately placed Lady Wenxiu under house arrest, then sent trusted men to pursue the army, hoping that after finding you, he could beg you to strike down Peng Zhen in one blow, then lead the charge into Shouchun and burn the Peng residence to the ground. Unfortunately, when his trusted men caught up, you had already left Marquis Cui’s army and were conducting patrols in the surrounding areas, making it impossible for them to find you no matter what.”

—This had been Wang Chun’s original plan. But because he couldn’t find Ling Buyi, he could only wait until Peng Zhen was escorted to the capital, then secretly find someone to beg Peng Zhen not to reveal the matter, promising to look after the Peng family’s old and young in the future. Who knew Peng Zhen wouldn’t believe him at all.

“How is this possible?” Shaoshang tilted her head to look at the man. “Someone like you, who knows clearly how many concubines the Crown Princess’s cousin who manages a separate estate has—how could you possibly leave the army alone without leaving personnel behind? What if Marquis Cui was injured and unable to manage affairs? What if the army suffered heavy casualties from an ambush? Wouldn’t you need to gallop back to reinforce them? I don’t believe a single word of Wang Chun’s supposed reasoning.”

“If someone couldn’t find you, there’s only one possibility—you didn’t want to be found.” She spoke word by word, staring unflinchingly at the young man before her.

Ling Buyi looked at his slightly clenched fist, extending his slender fingers one by one and resting them on his knee: “These are all your conjectures, but let’s assume they’re true. Then why do you think I acted this way?”

Shaoshang smiled as usual, but only she knew that her cheeks were already slightly aching—when truly afraid, this is how she pretended as if nothing was wrong.

“I couldn’t figure it out all along, until that day on the Eastern Palace steps when I saw His Highness the Crown Prince standing alone with only you beside him—that’s when I suddenly understood. Why you insisted on seeking justice for County Magistrate Yan Zhong of Tongniu without regard for gains or losses, why you pretended to be deaf and mute about Wang Chun being impersonated in conspiracy—in the end, it was all to eliminate dissidents!” Her anger gradually rose.

Ling Buyi raised his head, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth: “Lords Lou and Wang and I are all wholeheartedly devoted to the Eastern Palace. How can we be called dissidents?”

Shaoshang choked, then said loudly: “Even if they’re not dissidents, they’re still stumbling blocks on your path forward!”

Ling Buyi neither confirmed nor denied it.

“Everyone outside says His Highness the Crown Prince treats you like a brother and follows your every word, but I know that actually His Highness listens more to what Lou and Wang say. Not because those two are particularly capable or powerful, but because one is the Crown Prince’s childhood teacher and Junior Preceptor, while the other is an elder from the Crown Prince’s maternal family. I remember once complaining about Wang Chun’s drinking causing mistakes, and His Highness said that when he first entered the military camp at around ten years old, he was treated with contempt, and it was Wang Chun who put on a smile despite his old face and protected him from beginning to end. Reasoning from this, I imagine Lou Jing was no less devoted.”

“They have over ten years more experience than you. No matter how brilliant and talented you are, no matter how omnipotent, you still lose out in age—when His Highness married and took concubines, you were still rolling in the mud. When His Highness first received orders to oversee the state, you were still a young boy. And His Highness happens to be the most rule-following person!”

“Clearly every one of your admonitions was correct, clearly your predictions were unfailingly accurate, yet His Highness would hesitate repeatedly and ultimately always listen to Lou and Wang… For instance, marrying the Crown Princess—only now do I know it was Lou Jing who originally advised the Crown Prince to honor the betrothal.”

Shaoshang suddenly stood up in the carriage, her body trembling slightly with anger. “Though they’re not dissidents, you probably detest them even more than you detest dissidents. Against dissidents you can use both open schemes and conspiracies, but against these two important ministers who have looked after the Eastern Palace for many years, not only can you not act against them, you must constantly show patience and clean up after them everywhere! Now I must congratulate you—the Crown Prince’s two relied-upon arms, one civil and one military, one has been demoted back to his native place, one has been exiled to southern Jing. From now on, His Highness will only be able to listen to you! Aiyou…”

Somehow the carriage jolted violently. Shaoshang was speaking enthusiastically, completely unprepared, lost her footing, and immediately lunged forward in a face-planting posture. Ling Buyi didn’t even need to rush to the rescue—he just opened his arms slightly in mild surprise, perfectly catching the girl in his embrace.

Ling Buyi’s embrace was all-encompassing. Shaoshang’s face flushed completely red from being held—her momentum interrupted, how could she continue her righteous interrogation? Embarrassed and angry, she pushed away Ling Buyi’s arms and pounded on the sliding window in the carriage wall. After opening the window, she shouted outside: “Old Jin, how are you driving? What kind of road did you choose? So unstable!”

Liang Qiu Fei, riding alongside on horseback, said in puzzlement: “This is the same road we took coming here—it’s close and easy to travel. Didn’t we already tell you on the way here that two drainage ditches haven’t been filled in yet… oh my, the second one’s coming, Young Lady, hold steady…”

The carriage jolted again. Shaoshang’s bottom fell backward like a wild goose landing on sand, dropping very accurately back into someone’s embrace.

Ling Buyi held the huffing little girl, his broad chest slightly trembling as he emitted muffled laughter. Shaoshang forcefully pushed him away and scrambled back to sit opposite, trying hard to compose herself and sit properly.

“Are you finished? Then it’s my turn to speak.” Ling Buyi steadily slid the carriage window closed, shutting out the howling mountain wind, the flowing water in the ditches, and the shouts of the guard cavalry outside.

Inside the carriage was half-dark, half-bright, with only a small brazier flickering with golden-red light. The girl had a delicate, harmless face, lovely and adorable, but unfortunately she was now frowning in displeasure, like a child whose candy had been stolen, her eyes full of hostility and wariness, determined to pursue that bad-hearted bandit to the end.

“Actually, I only began frequently visiting the Eastern Palace four years ago on His Majesty’s orders. His Majesty even had me command thirty percent of the Eastern Palace guard force, his intention being to have me assist the Crown Prince.” Ling Buyi bent down, picking up the fox fur blanket that Shaoshang had angrily dropped on the floor when she stood up, and gently covered the girl’s knees with it. “In just a few months, I discovered the Eastern Palace situation was not good.”

“When His Majesty established the heir, Consort Yue had not yet given birth. At that time, the court had few soldiers and little territory, surrounded by strong enemies. His Majesty himself had to campaign east and west, personally entering battle. But swords and spears have no eyes—no one dared say what might happen. So His Majesty hastily established the Crown Prince, who was still learning to walk, to secure the foundation of the state—in this matter, even ministers with grievances against the Qian’an faction couldn’t say much.”

Ling Buyi picked up the purple-bronze tongs beside the brazier and stirred the charcoal fire: “But later, times and circumstances changed. The court’s forces grew strong, the situation stabilized, and people’s hearts began to stir. When the Crown Prince does nothing, people criticize him for being dull and talentless. When the Crown Prince does something, there are even more who find fault. His Majesty has appointed three Crown Prince Grand Preceptors in total. The first was Marquis Yu…” His motion of stirring the fire paused.

Shaoshang clutched the fox fur blanket, saying in a low voice: “His Majesty wanted the Crown Prince to grow close to the meritorious officials of abundance.”

Ling Buyi set down the purple-bronze tongs and smiled: “Correct. Unfortunately, after less than half a year, Marquis Yu used an error as pretext to request punishment himself, saying he ‘lacked talent and virtue, unworthy of such responsibility.’ What’s the point of forcing people against their will? His Majesty approved it. Later His Majesty found two more elderly, virtuous, renowned scholars throughout the realm to serve as Crown Prince Grand Preceptor. Both old gentlemen were fine in character and learning, but unfortunately one died early from illness, one retired due to poor health—only Lou Jing’s position as Crown Prince Junior Preceptor lasted the longest.”

“In other words, those who are young and vigorous, powerful and influential, with achievements and reputation—none are willing to support the Crown Prince?” Shaoshang was secretly alarmed.

Ling Buyi smiled: “Well said. Those who are young and vigorous, powerful and influential, with achievements and reputation, are either ministers of the Jing’an faction or unwilling to oppose ministers of the Jing’an faction. Like the Grand Prince Consort’s father—born into a prominent clan and having merit for bringing his forces to surrender, afterward serving as Left General and Grand Palace Grandee, now serving as a regional governor… Called leading both civil and military affairs, guarding a region. That year when His Majesty wanted him to serve as Crown Prince Grand Preceptor, he claimed illness and didn’t attend court for a full half year. Again, what’s the point of forcing people against their will?”

“The Crown Prince was established by His Majesty—they’re opposing His Majesty!” Shaoshang pounded the carriage wall forcefully.

Ling Buyi said: “In any case, those who stayed by the Crown Prince’s side the longest were Lou Jing and Wang Chun. You can well imagine how much the Crown Prince trusts these two.”

Shaoshang fell silent, then said coldly: “So you absolutely had to eliminate those two?”

Ling Buyi closed his eyes and leaned back against the carriage wall: “Needless to say about Wang Chun—managing household affairs was fine, but his sons and nephews were corrupt and debauched at a glance. But Lou Jing is also no good thing. The Crown Prince often praises his ability—hmph, jealous and envious of talent is more like it. His younger brother Lou Ji is capable and talented, yet he blocked him in the position of commandery magistrate for nearly ten years!”

Shaoshang suddenly understood: “You deliberately befriended the Lou family sons to investigate the Lou family situation?” No wonder back then Lou Yao had praised Ling Buyi profusely, saying he had repeatedly helped the Lou family.

Ling Buyi clearly thought of Lou Yao. He glanced at her coolly. Shaoshang felt somewhat alarmed and shrank back uneasily.

“Just like that—a muddled, incompetent wine and pleasure seeker, a self-satisfied hypocrite—just because of years of affection, the Crown Prince has always relied on these two.” He said, “His Majesty constantly tells me to support the Crown Prince more, but how to support him? Is cleaning up messes year after year called support? If this continues, even if the Crown Prince makes no mistakes, he’ll be wrong, and the mistakes will multiply.”

“Do you know, that Minister Han Qing who committed suicide was not part of the Jing’an faction, nor had he ever had dealings with the Yue clan. He was simply dissatisfied with the Crown Prince’s practice of employing relatives and favorites.”

Shaoshang was shocked: “Then didn’t His Majesty force to death…” A loyal minister?!

“Yes, His Majesty deeply regrets it.” Ling Buyi said, “But Han Qing also lacked propriety. In usual audiences before the throne, he was quite confrontational. Actually, he had already suggested to His Majesty before that a decree of censure should be issued to the Crown Prince. His Majesty summoned him to appease and persuade him for a long time, but who knew he would turn around and raise the matter again at a small court assembly. With everyone watching, that’s when His Majesty became angry.”

Shaoshang sighed regretfully and made no further judgment.

Ling Buyi simply acknowledged everything: “Correct, I knew about Lady Wenxiu conspiring with Peng Zhen even before Wang Chun did. Also correct, I deliberately avoided Wang Chun’s messengers—this time I didn’t want to continue cleaning up after him. As for the Lou Ben case, it truly was a coincidence, but later insisting on pursuing the investigation—I cannot say I had no selfish motives. However, if you don’t remove weeds and tares, how can you plant precious famous varieties?”

“…So you’re saying you’re acting entirely for the public good? I’ll go back and tell His Highness the Crown Prince to properly thank you for eliminating the two great parasites at his side!” Shaoshang’s words dripped with sarcasm.

Ling Buyi frowned: “Don’t speak hurtful words. Talk properly.”

Shaoshang was choked half to death. She laughed coldly: “Fine, I’ll say it this way. With Lou and Wang eliminated, you’re the number one person at the Crown Prince’s side. Not only will the Crown Prince follow your every word today, but in the future, you’ll be second only to one and above ten thousand!”

Ling Buyi said lightly: “Second to one or above ten thousand—actually, either way life is quite bitter, not as interesting as flying away with Lou Yao to distant places.” —Very good, he had also begun speaking hurtful words.

Shaoshang’s chest ached with anger. She stood up abruptly, but unfortunately after taking only two steps she reached the carriage door and could only stand there fuming.

Ling Buyi saw her helpless yet angry appearance and suddenly softened. He extended his left arm to pull the girl over, originally intending to have her sit beside him, but who knew Shaoshang wouldn’t comply. In the scuffle, she ended up rolling all the way to the floor, half-kneeling, half-sitting on the soft fur.

Ling Buyi placed both hands on her shoulders: “Shaoshang, I am not a person with malicious intent.”

Shaoshang refused to raise her head: “Mm, you have good intentions. There, satisfied?”

Ling Buyi lifted her face, stubbornly making her look at his eyes, and said again: “I am not a person with malicious intent.”

Shaoshang was held immobile and had no choice but to look at him.

Nose tip to nose tip, eyes meeting eyes—she felt as if she were being pressed into a pool of cool, amber-colored water. The young man’s breath was crisp and pure, carrying a faint herbal fragrance.

She had always known she didn’t understand him, but living together day and night, she had inevitably become familiar with some of his habits.

As long as he wasn’t in the military camp or such inconvenient places, he would bathe three times daily. Not because he had a cleanliness obsession, but because he didn’t want others to guess anything from the scent on his body.

Like Old Lady Zhai—if she carried the fragrance of food, she must have just come from the kitchen; if she bore the scent of camphor wood, she must have gone to the storeroom; if it was the elegant orchid and rhinoceros incense, she must have just been in the Empress’s inner chambers.

But Ling Buyi always carried that cold herbal fragrance—a medicinal bath formula specially prepared for him years ago by a divine physician outside the world, originally meant to strengthen sinews and bones and dispel illness and fatigue.

His fingers were fair and lustrous, slender as jade, cleaner and more beautiful than finely carved mutton-fat white jade. When he held a brush, he appeared even more elegant and refined than when wielding a sword. If he wore a scholar’s robe, he’d probably look more like a scholar than Yuan Shen, yet he deliberately grasped the world’s most vicious weapon—wherever his sword pointed, blood stained the roses.

When there was nothing happening, he could go an entire day without uttering a word. When there was business, he could explain with graceful courtesy and patient gentleness—of course he could also speak coldly and sarcastically, but why didn’t many criticize his sharp tongue? Because anyone he addressed coldly would often quickly disappear from the capital’s social circles. For example, the Fifth Princess, and also… Lady Wenxiu.

Shaoshang’s gaze moved to meet his clear, strong Adam’s apple, moving slightly on his fair, slender neck. She suddenly felt a stirring impulse and, as if possessed, reached up to touch it, then slowly moved to his face. The young man’s skin had a kind of vigorous, slightly rough texture. When it touched the girl’s tender fingers, Ling Buyi’s body trembled. He forcefully pressed down on the small hand caressing him, lifting one to kiss that small, tender white palm.

“Actually, I don’t care at all about how Lou Jing and Wang Chun are, nor do I care whether the Crown Prince has an easy time at court. If it really doesn’t work out, even not counting the Second Prince, Her Majesty still has three sons. His Majesty is in robust health—who knows about the future.”

Shaoshang felt her whole body go soft, her breathing rapid. Her palm was being kissed until it burned. From those intense, hazy amber eyes, she saw her own cheeks flushed bright red.

“I just want to know what kind of person you are. How can you act as if nothing’s wrong in front of the Crown Prince and Her Majesty, yet behind the scenes calculate everyone into your schemes?” Her voice trembled, both fearful and resentful.

Ling Buyi buried his face in the girl’s warm, delicate neck hollow, murmuring: “You’ve often said before that you don’t understand me, but you never cared.”

Shaoshang cupped his face and brought it out, looking directly at him, pleading mournfully: “But now I want to understand you. I want to know what kind of person I’ll be sharing a bed with, bearing children with in the future.”

Ling Buyi was momentarily stunned. Looking at the girl’s bright, clear large eyes, the past seemed like a dream. He murmured: “That night you stood in the lantern market, all alone by yourself. I thought, whose little girl looks this lovely? If she has no family, I’ll just carry her home.”

Tears suddenly welled up in Shaoshang’s eyes. Then she heavily kissed his slightly cool lips, passionately and lingeringly licking and sucking, desperately like a drowning person grasping driftwood. This was the first time in her life she helplessly accepted her fate. Ling Buyi was the karmic bond she could never escape. She couldn’t hide from him, couldn’t walk away—she could only kiss clumsily, bite desperately with all her might!

Ling Buyi seemed to awaken from a dream. Just as he was about to respond, he suddenly felt a sharp, intense pain on his lips, followed by a heavy taste of rust flooding his tongue.

Shaoshang forcefully pushed him away, her face covered in tears, her lips stained with blood.

Her glaring gaze was fierce and angry. Ling Buyi felt as if his entire body was being scorched by flames—his chest burning hot and intense, his lips split and bleeding, pain mixed with sweetness, an indescribable stirring of the soul.

Without knowing when, the carriage had already stopped.

Shaoshang looked at him proudly once, then kicked open the carriage door and jumped down. Ling Buyi was a beat slow and hurried to follow, only to discover they were already outside the palace guard station. As soon as he stepped down from the carriage, he was surrounded by guards and sentries surging from all directions.

Shaoshang ran forward with all her might, not even having time to call to Lian Fang and Sang Guo. She could only faintly hear Liang Qiu Fei’s high-pitched exclamation from behind—”Young Master, what happened to your mouth? Oh heavens, it’s bleeding! Quick, find a physician! Someone come quick!”

“Ah Fei, shut up!” This was Liang Qiu Qi’s voice.

She didn’t dare turn back. The wind whooshed in her ears. Even if running made her chest feel like it would explode, she didn’t dare stop.

…

Shaoshang had bitten with real sincerity. If Ling Buyi didn’t want to attract attention, he could only claim illness and stay home.

At first the Emperor thought his adopted son’s old injuries had relapsed and was so frightened he hurriedly dispatched a physician. After the physician returned and made his report, the Emperor immediately became furious. This kind of matter couldn’t be told to others, so he could only go complain to the Empress.

“Shaoshang really went too far, biting so viciously that Zicheng won’t be able to see people for quite some days!” The Emperor said indignantly, “She’s quite clever—knowing she’s caused trouble, she quickly requested several days’ leave from you. She’s avoiding the storm!”

Only then did the Empress learn the truth. Recalling the girl’s embarrassment and discomfort when requesting leave, she couldn’t help but laugh.

“Whether being affectionate or quarreling, there should be moderation. She could bite somewhere not visible!”

The Emperor very much wanted to offer guidance to his adopted son and his wife as someone with experience, which earned him an eye-roll from the Empress.

As the central figure in this topic, Shaoshang was also feeling completely uncomfortable. She just wanted to find a deep sand pit and bury herself in it so she wouldn’t have to see anyone, concealing her feelings of both shame and alarm.

When she first learned she had to marry Ling Buyi, she felt like she was walking a path where she already knew the dangerous sections. She knew Ling Buyi had a strong personality, knew she would be controlled and managed in everything… Although not very willing, she had already prepared herself to face all of this.

But now, she felt as if stepping into a territory of unknown terror—what kind of person was Ling Buyi, really?

With no one to confide in, Shaoshang circled around home and finally could only go find her fortune-teller brother.

“…I really don’t understand this person Ling Buyi.” She crouched beside the sand table that Cheng Shaogong had carefully arranged, murmuring, “How can I marry someone I completely don’t understand? Right now, who can know my state of mind?”

“I know, I know.” Cheng Shaogong traced patterns on the sand table.

“What do you know?!” Shaoshang said in displeasure.

Cheng Shaogong raised his head and said coolly: “Recently there’s been turmoil at court. You must have witnessed certain methods of Ling Buyi’s, so now your heart is racing, you’re doubting his character, unsure whether you should marry him… Am I right or not?”

Shaoshang was stunned—the fortune-teller had actually guessed correctly.

Cheng Shaogong said proudly: “Heaven made me emerge from Mother’s womb one step ahead of you—there’s always a reason for it. I say you shouldn’t trouble yourself needlessly. Whether you marry or not isn’t for you to decide. Look on the bright side—Ling Buyi being able to turn clouds with one hand and rain with the other shows he has ability!”

“What if in the future I have a falling out with him, and he uses these methods of turning clouds and rain on me—what then?”

Cheng Shaogong looked at his sister and said teasingly: “I think you’d better spend more time thinking about what to do if he never has a falling out with you in your entire life, and you have to live under his thumb for your whole life—that would be more useful.”

The siblings exchanged verbal sparring for a while. Then Cheng Shaogong invited his younger sister to go sightseeing outside the city at South Mountain the next day.

“The snow hasn’t even melted yet. What’s there to do on the mountain? There’s no game to hunt.” Shaoshang wrinkled her delicate brow.

Cheng Shaogong said: “When have you ever seen me enthusiastic about hunting? It’s Young Marquis Ban who wants to go up the mountain to find an herb for his uncle’s leg treatment. That herb can only be found as winter draws to a close. Young Marquis Ban is timid and doesn’t dare take just his household servants alone. He has no friends, so he could only beg me to accompany him.”

Shaoshang said in wonder: “Third Brother is such a lazy person, yet this time you’re being enthusiastic, willing to accompany someone in their filial duty.”

“What enthusiasm? I lost to Young Marquis Ban at chess.”

“Then why should I go? I didn’t lose at chess.”

“To relax! Shut up in the palace all day, I see you’re becoming more and more like a palace woman—narrow-minded and full of resentment. Go out for a walk, look at the snowy mountains and clear sky with white clouds, and all your worries will disappear. What’s there to fear about marrying the wrong person? There are people who were born into the wrong womb too.”

Shaoshang thought this made sense and clapped her hands: “Fine, let’s go!”

—Not long after, Cheng Shaogong would regret this suggestion until his intestines turned green and his courage shattered.