Because there was no developed public lighting system at this time, people rarely traveled at night. Every year, many commoners died from falling into ditches, lakes, or even off cliffs while walking at night. Therefore, although Shaoshang had no understanding of the “Story of Emperor Xuan’s Crown Prince,” seeing Ling Buyi’s determined manner of rushing back to the capital overnight, she could understand the severity of this matter—it was probably another attack aimed at the good-natured Crown Prince.
Originally, she wanted to ask Ling Buyi during the journey, but who knew the Third Prince and Fourth Prince would also squeeze into Ling Buyi’s carriage. Fearing she would appear ignorant (though this was the truth), she didn’t ask much, only cursing in her heart that the Third Prince’s character trait of stealing carriages hadn’t changed in eight hundred years!
After settling into the spacious carriage, the Third Prince, as usual, maintained his coffin-like expression and closed his eyes to rest. It was the Fourth Prince who noticed Shaoshang’s confusion and spoke frankly: “Zicheng’s carriage is more solid and heavy than ordinary carriages. Even during forced marches, it won’t fall apart. Ordinary carriages would take three hours to travel this road, but this one can make it in two hours. Young Marquis Ban is still shaken, so it’s better to let his brother look after him and travel slowly.”
Shaoshang made a sound of understanding and boldly said: “Why must Your Highnesses rush back to the capital so urgently? I see the tutor is weak and shouldn’t be traveling in such haste.” The one being targeted isn’t you two!
The Third Prince suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze shooting over like lightning. Shaoshang involuntarily shrank back. Seeing her like a frightened little rabbit, even her ears twitching twice, Ling Buyi couldn’t help but find it amusing and reached out to pat her in comfort.
Shaoshang laughed dryly: “…I mean, His Majesty is in the capital. What matter can’t be settled? Third Highness and Lord Ling needn’t be so anxious.”
The Third Prince sneered: “Today I’ll teach you a lesson. Though you come from ordinary origins, you are after all within the palace and imperial family. Don’t just focus on flirting and bickering with Zicheng. You should keep your ears and eyes open, and should know about matters that need knowing at the first moment. The way you are now, with everyone in the palace praising your cleverness and wit—that’s only because the Empress is merciful and generous. Otherwise, if you fell among truly scheming and capable women, I wonder how many days you could survive!”
Shaoshang only asked one question but was severely reprimanded for a long time, and still the specific question received no answer. Truly, she tried to steal a chicken only to lose the rice.
Ling Buyi looked at the Third Prince with dissatisfaction, then turned and said gently: “You didn’t know, yesterday Immortal Yan suddenly arrived. His Majesty was both surprised and delighted, so he took him to the Tugao Mountain Hot Spring Palace to reminisce. His Majesty traveled light and simple, so this matter didn’t alarm the outer ministers. Only the Crown Prince and a few lords from the Chancellery knew.”
Shaoshang seemed to think of something: “…And that flying letter refers to something that happened today?”
Ling Buyi nodded.
Shaoshang smiled bitterly: “Then all the court officials must know now that His Majesty is not in the capital.”
Ling Buyi sighed and patted the top of her head.
Shaoshang worried in her heart: “Her Majesty will be troubled again, after finally having a few comfortable days these past days.” After pausing, she glanced secretly at the Third Prince and said in a very small voice, “I’ve been on leave for three or four days, so naturally I don’t know what’s happening in the palace…”
The Third Prince said coldly: “I also have established a residence outside the palace, yet I know everything!”
Ling Buyi countered sharply: “She is young and innocent, naturally not as perceptive as Your Highness.”
Shaoshang completely admitted defeat, clutching Ling Buyi’s hand and shutting her mouth in shock. Well, she admitted it, she was indeed afraid of the Third Prince, especially when he lectured her—he was exactly like Uncle Emperor.
The Fourth Prince had been secretly smiling since the Third Prince began reprimanding Shaoshang, but now he sighed quietly.
He thought, although this Miss Cheng has a bad temper, her heart is good and she is straightforward. Among his siblings, except for the Second Princess who truly stayed out of affairs, which of the remaining princes and princesses didn’t secretly pay attention to their father’s every move? Even those young princes still learning to read and write couldn’t be guaranteed safe.
Breaking camp at midnight, Shaoshang dozed in Ling Buyi’s arms the whole way until dawn when everyone saw the capital’s towering city walls. Ling Buyi used his own face and the Third Prince’s to get through the city gates, then headed all the way toward the palace city. When they reached Vermillion Bird Ward, the two princes got out of the carriage and switched to horses before leaving, no one knowing where they went.
Shaoshang rubbed her large eyes and said vaguely: “Aren’t they going to the palace? Then what was the rush last night for?”
Ling Buyi answered: “What would they do at the palace, watch the Crown Prince’s difficulties?… Actually, this matter is a double-edged sword. They also have great concerns.”
Shaoshang lowered her hand and said in a daze: “They’re afraid people will say they have ulterior motives.”
Ling Buyi made a sound of agreement.
The carriage stopped as usual at the Upper West Gate. The palace gate guards quietly told Ling Buyi: “Early this morning several lords entered the palace, saying they wanted to find the Crown Prince to discuss matters.”
Ling Buyi paused. Originally Shaoshang was anxious to see the Empress, but he pulled her toward the Chancellery instead, whispering instructions: “In a moment, just say the Empress is unwell and requests the Crown Prince to come see her.”
Shaoshang was pulled along in confusion: Huh, the Empress is unwell again? How did she not know?
The young eunuch guarding the Chancellery was very familiar with both Ling and Cheng and let them pass without obstruction. Before they even entered the side hall, they heard the Crown Prince’s helpless voice arguing inside: “…The matter of land surveying, Father only mentioned briefly. Why must you lords press so insistently?”
Next came a chorus of rebuttals—
“Your Highness speaks incorrectly. His Majesty never speaks of useless matters. Since he mentioned land surveying, he must have this intention. Your Highness, as Crown Prince, how can you know nothing about it!”
“Exactly! Land surveying is not a small matter. How to survey, where to survey, which households to survey—there’s great learning in this. Your Highness must produce a plan!”
Shaoshang was no longer sleepy at all. She quickly rushed over and peered through the door gap, seeing the side hall filled with a large group of men dressed as scholars, all speaking with flying spittle and aggressive manner, though she didn’t recognize any of them.
Over the past half year, she had run errands to the Chancellery every other day. She had seen the ministers Uncle Emperor usually summoned three or four times around. That meant the current group of fellows probably didn’t have very high official ranks.
The Crown Prince was finally forced to speak: “Father’s intention in proposing land surveying is to investigate population and farmland, verify households and taxes. This can both enrich the national treasury and allow understanding of the states and commanderies’ situations, as well as suppress those clan military leaders who ignore court orders. It’s a great good deed benefiting the country and people, with excellent intentions…”
“Your Highness speaks incorrectly.” A sarcastic voice said, “Speaking of intentions, weren’t the intentions behind the Usurper Emperor’s ‘new policies’ good? Speaking of them, they were all well-reasoned and cited classics—even ordinary great scholars couldn’t argue against him! And the result?”
“Exactly! The Usurper Emperor’s so-called new policies—changing currency one moment, gifting tax revenue the next, and searching household by household for land and population—all spoken of grandly. Who knew they only forced tragic incidents of families being destroyed, merely filling the bellies of corrupt officials underneath. Your Highness must take warning…”
Shaoshang was pressing against the screen listening intently when, without warning, Ling Buyi lifted his long leg and kicked. The screen was kicked down with a crash, exposing Shaoshang, who was still bending over to eavesdrop, before everyone’s eyes.
Ling Buyi surveyed the people in the hall with varying expressions and said coldly: “You lords keep mentioning the previous dynasty’s Usurper Emperor—are you referring to His Majesty or the Crown Prince?”
The hall fell silent for a moment. Everyone looked at each other. The Crown Prince looked toward Ling Buyi and said happily: “Zicheng has come.”
A scholar with prominent features stood up and said loudly: “Why must General Wei apply such charges to people? Using history as a mirror to admonish the sovereign is our duty as ministers…”
“Is your duty to make false accusations and create something from nothing? That truly would be impressive skill.” Ling Buyi looked at them coldly, each word forceful.
“The Usurper Emperor obtained his position improperly, being one who relied on a woman’s power to usurp the throne! His Majesty fought for this realm with soldiers and horses, state by state, commandery by commandery, with blood and flesh! The Usurper King falsely assumed righteousness, appearing benevolent but acting contrary, using treacherous and evil talents to take advantage of four generations of upheaval, accomplishing the disaster of usurpation. But His Majesty possesses the wisdom of Yu and Tang, punishing and eliminating violent chaos, continuing the ancestors’ legacy, and relieving the myriad people from suffering—in all these respects, what similarity does he have with that Usurper Emperor that allows you to speak such nonsense!”
The people in the hall were momentarily shocked by his imposing manner and couldn’t speak for a long while. Another scholar who looked more amiable said softly: “We are admonishing His Highness, not His Majesty…”
“It was His Majesty who mentioned land surveying, not the Crown Prince! If you have words to say, you may submit memorials to court. Why must you pester the Crown Prince? Has His Majesty delegated the land surveying matter to the Crown Prince?! His Majesty has said more than once that His Highness still needs to observe and learn more. You seem to have more ideas than His Majesty, forcing the Crown Prince to interfere in government affairs!” Ling Buyi said.
Shaoshang thought to herself, the Crown Prince hasn’t interfered in anything yet, and already there are these blabbering turtles’ grandsons. If he truly managed something, wouldn’t he be drowned by flying spittle?
At this moment, that sarcastic scholar spoke: “I’ve long heard General Wei not only possesses unparalleled martial prowess but also has the talent of Su Qin and Zhang Yi. Seeing you today, your reputation is indeed well-deserved. Yesterday someone posted flying letters in the capital about the Story of Emperor Xuan’s Crown Prince. I wonder if the General has heard of it?”
Ling Buyi said lightly: “There are many old historical precedents. If we’re to speak of precedents, I also have one—do you lords still remember the story of Emperor Wu’s Crown Prince Wei?”
At these words, the officials in the hall all showed expressions of terror, though Shaoshang still didn’t know what this meant.
Ling Buyi looked at everyone, speaking each word: “Some who call themselves loyal ministers, under the guise of admonishing Emperor Xuan’s Crown Prince, are actually doing the deeds of sycophants Jiang Chong and Han Shuo!”
After saying this, no one in the hall dared to refute. Ling Buyi turned to glance at Shaoshang leaning by the door. Shaoshang understood and immediately called out loudly: “Reporting to Your Highness the Crown Prince, Her Majesty is unwell and requests you to come see her.”
The Crown Prince seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and hurriedly rose to take his leave.
Walking in the palace lane, Shaoshang complained in a low voice, disappointed by his weakness: “Your Highness, really, those chicken and dog scraps of fellows weren’t there to discuss politics at all, they were purely there to bully you. Why do you care so much? Just tell them to shut up and get lost!”
The Crown Prince smiled bitterly: “How can one speak harshly without distinguishing right from wrong…”
Shaoshang put her hands on her hips and cursed quietly: “There’s a type of person in this world called despicable. When you meet despicable people, what reasoning is there to discuss? Not using violence is already being polite!”
The Crown Prince didn’t argue with the young girl, just shook his head helplessly and continued walking forward.
A small storm seemed to dissipate just like that.
Shaoshang originally thought the Empress had just recovered from illness and would feel worse encountering such vexing matters. Who knew this time she was quite calm. When Shaoshang rushed back, she saw her reading and writing with dignified composure, with Changqiu Palace peaceful as always.
The Empress stroked the girl’s cute, soft twin buns: “Didn’t you say yourself, if it’s a blessing it’s not a disaster, if it’s a disaster you can’t avoid it. I’m also tired, I’ll just wait for His Majesty to return, and then everything will be decided.”
Shaoshang thought about it and agreed, so she obediently stayed in the palace, planning to stay a few days to observe the situation.
However, academic questions couldn’t wait. That noon, Shaoshang took advantage of the Empress’s afternoon nap to slip out of Changqiu Palace. Watching for her chance, she caught the Fifth Prince who was in the middle of flirting with young palace maids and dragged him to a secluded place for questioning.
The Fifth Prince had suffered at Shaoshang’s hands before and initially refused to be alone with her, even calling out and shrinking into the group of palace maids. Shaoshang, with a ferocious expression, shouted loudly, and the young palace maids scattered clean away. The Fifth Prince could only comply.
“Don’t worry, today I’m not asking you to testify for me, nor to help me commit violence… just asking you about two small historical precedents.” Shaoshang had one hand pressing back the Fifth Prince’s arm, the other pressing his neck.
The Fifth Prince cried out repeatedly: “It hurts, hurts, hurts… let go first. I’ve already come with you, why are you still being rough! What precedents? I’ll tell you!”
Shaoshang released her hand and frowned: “Fifth Highness should also practice. Your whole body is flabby fat, hands and feet without strength, breathing unstable. I see your little belly is starting to show, and how old are you!”
The Fifth Prince rubbed his arm: “What do you know? If I learned both civil and martial arts, that would truly be courting death. The Empress has righteous justification and Father’s respect, Consort Yue has a powerful family background and Father’s favor. What does my mother consort have? She’s a deep palace woman who doesn’t know the height of heaven or depth of earth, thinking foolish thoughts all day. I won’t follow her path! Only by being this way can I live safely and live long!”
Shaoshang looked at him with respect: “I didn’t expect Fifth Highness to think so clearly. Then why do you usually jump around causing annoyance? Last time when His Majesty held sacrifices at Tugao Mountain, I heard you actually interrupted matters between Second Prince and Third Prince and even got beaten!”
The Fifth Prince said: “If I don’t stir up some trouble, Father might not even remember me. If he doesn’t remember me, will I get good titles and rewards in the future? Moreover, the more foolish and ridiculous the trouble I cause, the more at ease my brothers and sisters feel.”
Shaoshang said curiously: “Why do you tell me everything?”
The Fifth Prince rolled his eyes: “Ling Buyi saw through me the first time I caused trouble. That time I reported to Father that he snuck out of the palace, he beat me once but also praised me a few times… Aiya, stop babbling. What precedents do you want to ask about!”
Shaoshang, momentarily distracted, quickly said: “Right, right. I want to ask you, what does that… Story of Emperor Xuan’s Crown Prince mean, and also who are Crown Prince Wei and Jiang Chong?” Even the Fourth Prince who doesn’t love reading knows, so the Fifth Prince should know.
The Fifth Prince’s eyes lit up: “Oh, you also heard about the flying letters posted in the city yesterday? Tsk tsk tsk, seems your reading isn’t very good. But why are you…”
Shaoshang rolled up her sleeves and stepped forward, threatening in a low voice: “Stop your nonsense. It’s inconvenient to ask the Empress or the tutors, Old Lady Zhai doesn’t know, and Lord Ling is out on business. I need to know urgently right now, so speak quickly!”
The Fifth Prince stepped back, then stood firm before saying awkwardly: “Fine, I’ll speak—I’ll make it brief, if I go into detail you won’t understand anyway.”
“Are you asking for a beating?”
“Step back, I’m going to speak—Emperor Xuan was an emperor of the previous dynasty, merciful and loving to the people, with trustworthy rewards and punishments, an enlightened ruler. He was deeply devoted to his original empress, but later the original empress was murdered…”
“Hmph, if even an empress could be murdered, this emperor wasn’t very enlightened.”
“Don’t interrupt. The original empress was murdered when Emperor Xuan hadn’t yet taken power! Alright, where was I… oh, the original empress passed away but left a son behind, both legitimate and eldest, so Emperor Xuan made him Crown Prince.”
“Oh, so this is Emperor Xuan’s Crown Prince.”
“Correct. To protect the Crown Prince, Emperor Xuan specially made an unfavored and childless woman Empress, and found many remarkable people to teach the Crown Prince. Even though Emperor Xuan later had a deeply favored consort and son, the Crown Prince’s position remained secure.”
“This Emperor Xuan was a good person.”
“He was a good person, but this Crown Prince wasn’t the best choice for heir. The tutor who taught us said Emperor Xuan’s Crown Prince was weak and indecisive, soft-hearted, and trusted eunuchs. Later, the eunuchs around him caused the death of an important court minister, yet he didn’t severely punish them and let it go. Actually, Emperor Xuan saw this while alive and even said heavy words like ‘the Crown Prince can’t distinguish between the kingly way and the way of force, how can I entrust him with governing the country’ and ‘the one who will disorder my house is the Crown Prince’—but because he remembered his feelings for the original empress and pitied the Crown Prince for losing his mother young, Emperor Xuan ultimately let the Crown Prince succeed him, who became Emperor Yuan.”
After finishing this long passage, the Fifth Prince looked at Shaoshang’s expression and stepped back a few paces.
Shaoshang stood in place and said with difficulty: “…So, later generations had quite a few criticisms about this?”
The Fifth Prince nodded: “The tutor said the previous dynasty’s decline began with Emperor Yuan. If Emperor Xuan had been decisive and changed the Crown Prince, it would have been better. Also, Emperor Yuan later made a Crown Prince a hundred times worse than himself, which was Emperor Cheng. Emperor Cheng was addicted to wine and women, with consort families controlling power and court politics in chaos. Oh, the usurping Usurper Emperor was promoted under his watch—the flying letters posted in the city mentioned this precedent, clearly aimed at the Crown Prince!”
Shaoshang was stunned for a long time, unable to speak: “You can’t say it like that. Who says if they’d changed the Crown Prince, the previous dynasty would never have declined.” Dynastic decline follows a cyclical pattern and won’t change based on subjective will… but how could people of this time accept such words!
“What about the second precedent?” she pursued. “Is it also suggesting the Emperor depose the Crown Prince?”
The Fifth Prince smiled: “This one is quite the opposite. Crown Prince Wei was Emperor Wu’s heir. He was lenient, wise, and deeply loved by the people, so Jiang Chong, the harsh official Emperor Wu heavily employed, feared in his heart that Crown Prince Wei would punish him after succeeding to the throne. So he struck first, falsely accusing Crown Prince Wei of treason. Later, Crown Prince Wei was forced to raise troops and ultimately was defeated and committed suicide. After Emperor Wu investigated and found the Crown Prince was wronged, he flew into a great rage and had several families involved in the matter exterminated.”
Now Shaoshang understood Ling Buyi’s meaning. Everyone considered themselves loyal ministers advising Emperor Xuan to change the heir—who knows if they were actually Jiang Chong? She smiled.
She came back to herself, clasping her hands in her sleeves, smiling delicately and charmingly, weak as a willow: “Why is Fifth Highness so honest and sincere today, answering whatever is asked? This concubine is quite apprehensive.”
The Fifth Prince wasn’t fooled by appearances and said straightforwardly: “Because I also hope the Crown Prince will be safe and sound! He has such a good temper, my days will be good when he succeeds in the future! But if it were Second Brother…” He pouted his mouth, making a suffering expression.
Shaoshang curtsied pleasingly and smiled: “Then I accept your auspicious words.”
Ling Buyi acted swiftly. Uncle Emperor returned from Tugao Mountain to the capital the next day. Facing the coarse hemp flying letters placed on the imperial desk, he flew into a rage and ordered the Court of Judicial Review to investigate thoroughly. Old Man Ji Zun accepted the order with a stern face, and after a flurry of chaos, they indeed caught the people who posted the flying letters. Who knew they were just a few marketplace loafers, and moreover working for money—they themselves couldn’t even read, much less know what was written on the flying letters.
The Emperor wasn’t so easily fooled. He ordered a deep investigation, insisting on digging out the mastermind behind it. So after adding people from the Northern Army Prison and the City Gate Colonel’s camp, the capital continued in chaos.
As the saying goes, wherever you walk, you leave traces; there are no impenetrable walls in the world. After turning the capital upside down and greatly affecting the entertainment industry, they finally tracked down the person who had directed the loafers to post the flying letters.
As a result, Ji Zun hadn’t yet relaxed his breath when it caught again. It turned out that person was a disciple of the deceased important minister Han Qing. He had been poor and orphaned since childhood, and Han Qing had raised and taught him. But Han Qing had committed suicide over the Crown Prince matter, and he was indignant and couldn’t calm down.
Since the Emperor couldn’t be resented, he could only inherit his teacher’s “dying wish” and publicize the evil consequences of choosing the wrong heir, to show that Han Qing had done no wrong. After being arrested and brought to the Court of Judicial Review, if Ji Zun hadn’t taken early precautions, he would have killed himself by hitting the wall.
Now even the Emperor was silenced. He already regretted Han Qing’s death, never expecting both teacher and disciple to be so indignant, ready to seek death at the slightest disagreement. Besides being an important minister, Han Qing was also a great scholar who studied ancient text classical learning, with a long-standing reputation. When people in court and countryside heard of this matter, they all pleaded for this disciple, saying “though the law is difficult to avoid, the circumstances are understandable.”
In the end, the Emperor climbed down the slope, raising high but putting down gently, sentencing that disciple to short-term exile and hastily concluding the case.
After the Empress heard the result, she sighed after a long while: “What truly formidable scheming, finding Lord Han’s disciple to set up this trap, so His Majesty cannot severely investigate.”
Shaoshang asked doubtfully: “Could that disciple have been manipulated by someone? Why not investigate further?”
The Empress smiled bitterly: “How can such a matter be investigated? That disciple meets with friends through literature every day—so many people. Should we arrest everyone who mentioned the Crown Prince or precedents to him and interrogate them one by one?”
Shaoshang was speechless.
The Empress comforted the girl again: “Alright, this matter has passed. When His Majesty comes, don’t pout at him. His Majesty has been very tired these past days. Be good, don’t cause trouble, yes?”
Shaoshang nodded seriously.
When Uncle Emperor came to Changqiu Palace, she was indeed very obedient. Not only did she bring out her best skills to personally make several light and delicious new dishes, she also told a few silly jokes from home for the Emperor and Empress to hear.
“…Just like that, Sister Qiqi has already been adopted to her uncle’s family, and my second brother will also be adopted to the Wan family. Uncle Wan happily tells everyone ‘I also have a son now,’ and even took second brother to those flower and willow places to enjoy himself. When Sister Qiqi heard about it, she immediately went to question Uncle Wan ‘How can you take your son-in-law to such places?’ Who knew Uncle Wan turned his face and refused to acknowledge his daughter, even telling Sister Qiqi to be more virtuous and gentle, not to constantly control her husband—this angered Sister Qiqi so much she turned around and told my mother.”
The Emperor laughed: “Wan Songbai’s daughter I still remember—able to kill tigers and cut out their hearts, very formidable! “
“Even more formidable is my mother.” Shaoshang pretended to look frightened. “After mother found out, she wanted to use family discipline on second brother. Uncle Wan blocked her and wouldn’t allow it, even saying ‘Why should you beat my son?’ Mother said ‘He’s still my son now, so it’s just right for me to beat him.’ Just as second brother was pressed onto the table about to receive family discipline, who knew Uncle Wan sat down on the ground and rolled around, wailing loudly—’My life is so bitter, losing my father young, half a life without a son; now someone wants to beat my son, who will judge this fairly for me…’ “
She imitated it vividly, making the Emperor and Empress collapse with laughter.
“What about Colonel Cheng? Didn’t he manage things?” the Empress asked with a smile.
Shaoshang pouted: “He hid away long ago without a trace.”
The Emperor slapped his thigh and laughed loudly: “He hid well! If it were me, I’d also have to hide!”
The Empress wiped her tears: “Your mother did right. After raising a son well and properly for over ten years, upright in character—once adopted he’s immediately to pick up bad habits? Wan Songbai, this person, hmph, what happened afterward?”
Shaoshang said: “Uncle Wan has already set up an incense table and beheaded a chicken, swearing to heaven and earth that he absolutely will not lead second brother to do things one, two, three, four, and five.”
The Emperor asked curiously: “What are things one, two, three, four, and five?”
“Mother forced Uncle Wan to write a full bolt of silk with over ten prohibitions listed on it. I didn’t look carefully, but in any case, from now on Uncle Wan is practically half a Daoist practitioner.”
The Emperor and Empress both laughed heartily.
After laughing, the Emperor saw the Empress in good spirits and proposed having the Crown Prince substitute for himself in presiding over next month’s Shangsi Festival. The Empress knew the Emperor felt guilty for punishing Han Qing’s disciple too lightly and was looking for an opportunity to make it up to them, mother and son. She didn’t expose this and only smiled gently in thanks. For a time, the atmosphere in the hall was very harmonious and warm.
Seeing the Emperor and Empress behaving affectionately, clearly about to do that this and that, Shaoshang quickly slipped out. Thinking about it, she decided to tell the Crown Prince this good news in advance, so he wouldn’t be depressed anymore—the Emperor still supported him strongly.
With support from the highest boss, what bicycle did he still need?
Rushing all the way to the cold and cheerless Eastern Palace, Shaoshang as usual scattered money around. The eunuchs and palace maids of the Eastern Palace were all smiles, smoothly letting her into the inner hall. Who knew from afar she smelled a heavy scent of alcohol.
Shaoshang quickened her pace. Going in to look, she nearly went crooked with anger—the Crown Prince was already drunk and collapsed sideways on the table, while the Second Prince kept urging the Crown Prince to drink, simultaneously speaking dispiriting words like “the court officials all look down on you, secretly saying you’re weak and incompetent,” and “saying you’re unworthy of your position, His Majesty making you Crown Prince was truly his greatest mistake in life”… and so on.
Shaoshang took a deep breath. Looking around and seeing no one else present, she immediately crouched down to build momentum, then flew up with an invisible kick right at the Second Prince’s waist and buttocks—did he think she’d mixed in society for nothing before!
The Second Prince was caught off guard, screamed, and fell to the floor, pointing at Shaoshang with a trembling voice: “You, you you… how dare you be so disrespectful!” After all, he was a prince raised with orthodox education and never dreamed he’d see Shaoshang in such a shrew-like state.
“So what!” Shaoshang put her hands on her hips. “If you have the ability, fight back!” She pointed at her own face. “Hit here, don’t be polite! Hit me, why don’t you hit me…” As long as this idiot prince dared to strike, she’d immediately run to Uncle Emperor with her injuries and wouldn’t rest until she got him punished!
Whether the Second Prince thought of this or retained some gentlemanly bearing, in any case, though his face changed colors several times in anger, he ultimately didn’t strike. He stood up and said angrily: “What are you doing at the Eastern Palace?!”
“What are you doing at the Eastern Palace!” Shaoshang shot back. “You snuck out again while the Second Princess Consort was sleeping, didn’t you!”
“What sneaking out! I come when I want and leave when I want. Who can control me?!” The Second Prince’s face turned green, being described so wretchedly—anyone would be unhappy. “I’m full blood brothers with the Crown Prince, specially coming to console him!”
“Forget it, Second Highness. Who doesn’t know what you’re scheming?” Rarely with no one around, Shaoshang was in full force. “From Changqiu Palace to the Eastern Palace, if you can find along the palace lanes even one servant who believes Your Highness has deep fraternal feelings for the Crown Prince, I’ll kowtow three times to you plus a pair of the renowned Spring Fragrance House braised pig elbows!”
The Second Prince trembled all over with anger: “You you you, don’t rely on Ling Buyi having power and influence to overstep and offend superiors. I I will…”
“Does Second Highness think His Majesty letting the flying letter case pass lightly means he’s dissatisfied with the Crown Prince!” Shaoshang decided to shatter this idiot’s illusions, also counting as contributing to the country and people. “Not at all. His Majesty only looked to the face of the deceased Lord Han, not wishing to severely punish his disciple! Just now His Majesty even told Her Majesty that he still loves and values the Crown Prince greatly!”
She didn’t mention the Shangsi Festival matter. Telling the Crown Prince to let him be happy early was one thing; telling others would be leaking secrets.
The Second Prince was so angry he felt dizzy and faint, yet still stubbornly said: “I don’t believe you. I’m going home to ask Aheng.” Aheng was the Second Princess Consort’s given name.
Watching the Second Prince leave the Eastern Palace in a daze, turning to see the Crown Prince still drunk and unconscious, Shaoshang lost interest in talking. Waving away the alcohol fumes before her nose, she then had the palace maids come in to serve the Crown Prince in washing and resting.
Coming out of the Eastern Palace, Shaoshang felt quite refreshed—the Crown Prince was (temporarily) resting easy, the Emperor and Empress were (newly) loving each other again, there (should) be no other major issues, just waiting for Ling Buyi to return!
The Eastern Palace reeked of alcohol, Changqiu Palace was emitting pink bubbles—Shaoshang couldn’t think of where to go for a while and wandered aimlessly. Walking along, she came to an octagonal pavilion. She saw one person in the pavilion, with jade crown and brocade robes, clear and elegant features, standing tall and jade-like—it was none other than Yuan Shen.
Shaoshang was startled.
Yuan Shen also saw her and smiled, beckoning her into the pavilion.
Shaoshang walked over: “What are you doing here?”
Yuan Shen pointed to the bamboo slips and scrolls placed on the stone pedestal in the pavilion: “Following His Majesty’s command, waiting for several tutors to finish organizing these to send to the Eastern Palace. I’m the youngest, so I got this errand-running task.”
Shaoshang asked doubtfully: “Then you should go to the Eastern Palace. Why are you standing here?”
Yuan Shen hesitated for a moment. Shaoshang immediately continued: “Oh, I know. You just saw the Second Prince carrying wine jars into the Eastern Palace. You didn’t want to encounter him, much less be invited to drink together, so you’re avoiding him here!”
Yuan Shen smiled bitterly: “When you should play dumb, you must play dumb. Can’t you pretend to be a bit more foolish?”
Shaoshang shrugged: “Who told me to be born too smart? Can’t help it. But…” She leaned closer to Yuan Shen. “Tell me, who exactly is secretly harming the Crown Prince? One incident after another.”
A light flashed through Yuan Shen’s eyes. He still hesitated, but looking at the girl’s eyes full of anticipation, he suddenly remembered her shouting at him, “Ling Buyi has saved and helped me many times, but what good have you ever done me?”—He steadied himself and began explaining step by step.
“You keep asking who is targeting the Crown Prince, and Ling Zicheng, to comfort you, hasn’t told you many things.”
“Actually, targeting the Crown Prince isn’t one person, nor one family, but many forces reaching tacit understanding in silence. For example, the Crown Princess’s cousin Sun Sheng—the ones who induced him to commit crimes of debauchery were one family, those who investigated his background and obtained evidence against him were another family, and those who planted people around the Crown Prince to discover that he was meeting Madam Qu at Purple Cassia Villa were yet a third family.”
“These people have no very clear schemes, just like gnawing rats, constantly, bit by bit, hollowing out the Eastern Palace’s walls. You one shovel, me one plow—as soon as an opportunity arises, they can immediately put the Crown Prince in a dangerous predicament.”
Shaoshang was stunned listening. First, she hadn’t expected Yuan Shen would explain everything to her in detail today. Second, she was frightened by the implications behind these words. She remembered all the attacks the Crown Prince had suffered so far seemed to be like—whenever there was an opportunity, immediately enemies on all sides.
She said hurriedly: “I I I know, back then the old Prince of Qian’an caused the deaths of many from the Jing’e ministers, so they’re angry and resentful…”
“Not only that!” Yuan Shen interrupted her lightly. “Those with grudges against the Qian’an faction are actually not to be feared. The real hidden danger is those important ministers whose hands are stained with the blood of the Qian’an faction.”
Shaoshang made a sound of surprise.
Yuan Shen said: “Do you think only the old Prince of Qian’an has blood on his hands? The Qian’an faction’s power and influence scattered completely clean—where did all the old prince’s many capable sons, sons-in-law, and sworn sons go? Those brocade-like flowers were irrigated with blood and flesh. His Majesty’s methods are brilliant, but the important pillar ministers are also not far behind. With such causes, even if the Crown Prince has never said half a word for the Prince of Qian’an’s mansion, can they feel at ease? This concerns their very lives and families.”
Shaoshang gradually understood, her fingers gripping her sleeves tightly.
Yuan Shen stared into her eyes: “Not to mention others, the one who personally beheaded the old prince’s first fierce general under his command, who was also his eldest daughter’s husband, was the Marquis of Yu’s cousin—though he too was acting under orders. What do you think the Yu clan thinks about the Crown Prince?”
Before Shaoshang’s eyes appeared a great river. At first, it was just a small whirlpool in the river’s center, but in the process of flowing, at every turn, forces pushed that whirlpool, ultimately forming a huge vortex that could swallow everything.
“So that’s why they brought up that Story of Emperor Xuan’s Crown Prince—speaking plainly, they want His Majesty to change the heir!” she said indignantly.
Yuan Shen smiled slightly: “Didn’t Ling Zicheng also counter swiftly? Hmph, ‘calling themselves loyal ministers, actually being Jiang Chong’—truly good eloquence. Over ten years ago, when His Majesty placed Ling Zicheng in Changqiu Palace, who knows if he anticipated today.”
“Lord Ling… is also acting according to His Majesty’s intentions.” Shaoshang said softly.
Yuan Shen glanced at her and continued: “Correct, so you don’t need to worry too much about the Crown Prince. As long as His Majesty’s heart still favors him, the Crown Prince is as secure as bedrock. Emperor Jing smoothly changed heirs because he wanted to change heirs—no civil or military official could stop him. Emperor Wu killed until blood flowed in rivers because he didn’t want to change heirs but was trapped by villainous schemes, so he had all important ministers, aristocratic clans, and consort families who could benefit from the Crown Prince’s death exterminated. Emperor Xuan, no matter how much criticism he spoke of the Crown Prince, ultimately didn’t change heirs—this was Emperor Xuan’s true intention. In the end, it’s still His Majesty who matters most.”
“With Emperor Wu’s example before them, those secretly wanting to change heirs dare not imitate Jiang Chong’s actions, at most publicizing the Crown Prince’s romantic affairs or posting precedent flying letters and such.”
“So rest assured, as long as His Majesty’s intention doesn’t change, no one can change the heir.”
Shaoshang sat on the stone pedestal on the other side, half happy and half worried. After a moment, she suddenly tilted her head: “I feel you’re quite different from usual today.”
Yuan Shen laughed self-mockingly: “You finally noticed. Mm, I am different—I’m engaged.”
Shaoshang was greatly surprised, then smiled: “After being so picky for so long, you’ve finally settled on a match? Which family’s young lady is it?”
Yuan Shen said lightly: “She’s from the Cai family of Henan, the daughter of Grand Minister of Works Cai Yun’s family.”
“Wow, a perfect match in family status—congratulations, congratulations.” Shaoshang cupped her pale little fists, smiling with curved brows and eyes.
Yuan Shen said with displeasure: “You needn’t smile so joyfully, as if casting off some burden. I’ve never pestered you much before!”
Shaoshang rolled up her sleeves and said leisurely: “Stop pretending. You’re not someone who acts on impulse. Everything you do is after careful consideration. That you would become engaged means you definitely carefully compared the Cai family’s strengths and weaknesses, confirmed this marriage was best for you, and only then nodded in agreement!”
Yuan Shen stared at her for a long time, finally laughing himself.
“Don’t make me sound so mercenary.” He sat on the stone pedestal opposite Shaoshang. “I’m entering this marriage with complete sincerity. It’s just a pity, alas…”
“What’s a pity? Is the Cai family asking too much for bride price? Even looking at the face of my third aunt’s former fiancé, I’d have to lend you money to get married!”
“Go away, not a single good word from your mouth—actually, I originally wanted to marry Cai Yun’s daughter, my current fiancée’s cousin. She truly is a good woman suitable for managing a household. Though not outstanding in appearance, she’s wise and capable, virtuous and reasonable. Unfortunately, she was betrothed in infancy to a sickly invalid. Hmph, I think she’ll be widowed sooner or later!”
“Ptui ptui ptui, you also say I don’t have a single good word—your spit could poison an elephant! But…”
“But what?” Yuan Shen pressed.
Shaoshang suddenly changed her tone: “Your marriage is like conducting business. Don’t you want to find someone you truly like? Perhaps you’ll meet such a person in the future.”
Yuan Shen looked into the distance and said softly: “Actually, loving too deeply isn’t a good thing… Mother initially didn’t marry Father. Later, her first husband died, and if not for Grandfather pleading bitterly, Mother would have followed him long ago.”
Shaoshang was startled. Why was he telling her such private matters?
“Though Mother lives, I know her heart has already died, leaving only a shell.” Yuan Shen continued speaking as if to himself.
Shaoshang remembered the outside rumors—the mistress of the Yuan household was an eccentric who didn’t go out, didn’t socialize, and if not for fear of being rude wouldn’t even want to attend imperial banquets. For over ten years she paid no attention to household matters or her son, single-mindedly devoted to cultivating the Dao—afraid she wasn’t cultivating the Dao but commemorating her deceased beloved.
Shaoshang suddenly understood Yuan Shen and felt a strange sense of shared suffering—a mother in self-imposed isolation, a father always away on frontier duty, growing into a shrewd and wary temperament himself. She sighed: “Put this way, since childhood we both had parents but were as if we didn’t.”
Yuan Shen smiled faintly: “I said long ago, we’re very alike. If you hadn’t met Ling Buyi, you’d also carefully consider things like me, then find a husband most beneficial to yourself.”
“Yes.” Shaoshang sighed. “But I still met him.”
Yuan Shen fell silent. After a long while, he said wistfully: “Yes.”