After the banquet ended, the Prince of Donghai personally helped Grand Empress Dowager Xuan return to rest. The Fifth Princess took the lead walking ahead. The Crown Prince kept a rigid face, silently reciting a hundred times “Only women and petty people are difficult to raise—once they’re fed, they love gossiping about everyone.” Luo Jitong wanted to wait and leave together with Huo Buyi, but who knew Huo Buyi would walk with the wind beneath his feet, disappearing in the blink of an eye. The remaining gossip-seeking crowd departed quite unsatisfied.

Shaoshang had a whole pile of matters to wrap up. She waved at Yuan Shen and hurried to the rear hall, having palace maids confirm all cooking fires were extinguished, dismissing all workers from outside the palace, counting bowls and food tables, cleaning up the filth left behind from the delicacies and rare foods… After giving instructions at one place, she had to go to the next. As she turned a corner in the corridor, she nearly collided with someone.

Huo Buyi stood ahead, gazing fixedly at her.

Shaoshang silently retreated a small step: “What are you doing here?”

Huo Buyi curved his slender fingers, lightly stroking the patterns on the corridor pillar: “…Walk with me a bit—north of Yong’an Palace there are no palace buildings, and in the afternoon no one walks about. No one will see you and me together.”

Shaoshang hesitated for a moment, then raised her head to meet his pair of deep, long eyes and said softly: “Alright.”

The Northern Palace was built by Uncle Emperor during these past ten years. With the court needing money everywhere, many grand plans for the palace complex still only existed on paper. Quite a few places remained primitive forests with mountain rocks, slopes, and streams.

The two walked silently along a long cluster of variegated flowering trees. Unknown wild flowers bloomed on the branches. Because no one attended this garden area, they grew wildly and unbridled, welcoming the spring light and rain and dew.

The afternoon sun slanted down, pale golden silken threads falling on Huo Buyi’s face, giving his features a hazy, handsome quality in the light and shadow. It was now late March in spring, and today he rarely wore light furs with loose sash, his appearance elegant and refined.

Shaoshang didn’t want to stay with him long. Seeing no one around, she spoke first: “General Huo…”

Huo Buyi laughed lightly: “You used to always call me General Ling. No matter how much I pleaded, you only said you’d call me Zicheng after marriage.”

“…How about this concubine addresses you as Marquis Gaoyong?” Shaoshang said with a rigid face.

Huo Buyi ignored her provocation and continued asking: “What do you call Attendant Gentleman Yuan when you’re together daily—surely not Lord Yuan?”

Shaoshang said displeasedly: “Other people’s marital affairs—why is General Huo asking so much?”

Huo Buyi stopped walking, turned to look at her. In his eyes the depths were so intense they couldn’t dissolve, yet his voice was like metal striking stone: “…Shaoshang, you know my temperament. If I wanted to make earth-shaking trouble, I definitely could. If I don’t plan to let things rest peacefully, I also won’t regard this bit of title, rank or authority—I’d disregard everything and fight to the death. Now I want to let you go, so speak properly with me.”

Shaoshang had intended to retort sharply, but remembering her resolution to be “polite and courteous without resentment or blame,” she forcibly restrained her anger: “Then many thanks that General Huo is willing to let me go—when Yuan Shen and I are together daily, I either call him ‘Yuan Shangjian’ or ‘Ashen.’ How about that?”

Huo Buyi said nothing and continued pacing forward. Shaoshang could only follow while suppressing her fire.

“These past five-plus years, have you been well?” Huo Buyi said as he walked.

Shaoshang’s voice carried sarcasm: “Thanks to you, I’ve accompanied Her Majesty in Yong’an Palace with food and drink, and haven’t been bullied! Ow… what are you doing…?!”

Huo Buyi suddenly gripped her wrist, his palm burning hot, his eyes profoundly deep: “Will you truly marry Yuan Shen?”

Shaoshang struggled as if scalded: “That’s right! He and I share interests and aspirations, we discuss everything together. Moreover, the Yuan family is large and prosperous. We don’t quarrel anymore—marrying him couldn’t be better! Hey, hey… let go!”

“You’re not wrong.” Huo Buyi slowly released his grip. “The Yuan family is indeed excellent. Yuan Shen is calm and thoughtful, diligent and meticulous—truly a good match. Looking at it from any angle, this is a fine marriage.”

Shaoshang rubbed her wrist, saying bitterly: “Good that you know it!”

“That year I caused great trouble. You cleared the Huo family’s name before His Majesty and the ministers. I never thanked you.” Huo Buyi said. “I underestimated Chunyu Shi. No one could have imagined she actually held evidence in her hands.”

“This is called being blind to what’s under your nose. Only outsiders can see through clearly. You were in the situation for over ten years—your obsession ran deep. It’s not strange you couldn’t see it.” Shaoshang pouted.

“In any case, I must thank you. If you have any requests in the future, I will do my utmost to accomplish them for you.” Huo Buyi turned to look at her.

Shaoshang couldn’t help laughing coldly repeatedly: “I wouldn’t dare. In the future, as long as General Huo doesn’t threaten or frighten me with actions or words, that’s good enough. How would I dare trouble you to expend effort…”

“Fine, then I’ll just thank you verbally a few times and skip the actual service.” Huo Buyi raised an eyebrow.

“Wait!” Shaoshang took a deep breath.

She very much wanted to curse back cheerfully, tell Huo Buyi to die as far away as possible so she could peacefully marry. But at the same time, she was a practical person—life is long. What if in the future there were difficulties requiring his help?

“How many matters?” Shaoshang asked again.

“What do you mean, how many?” Huo Buyi didn’t understand.

“As thanks, how many matters are you willing to handle for me?” In an instant, Shaoshang thought of Zhang Wuji promising Zhao Min three things, Yang Guo giving Guo Xiang three golden needles.

Huo Buyi smiled faintly: “As long as I’m alive, whatever difficulties you have, I will resolve them for you. This promise is valid for this lifetime.”

Shaoshang froze, staring up at him blankly.

“In any case, I hope this lifetime of yours will be smooth and disaster-free, filled with joy and free of worries.” Huo Buyi said word by word. A bright golden ray of light crossed the side of his high nose bridge, like a golden deity enshrined in a lofty hall.

“This isn’t proper.” Shaoshang lowered her head. “In the future you’ll have a wife, children and family—you’ll need to consider many people. Three things—just handle three matters for me, that’s enough.”

She knew how precious this promise was. With his capabilities, ascending to heaven or diving into the sea weren’t difficult—it was like a universal blank check. But putting herself in others’ shoes, even if it were to repay a debt of gratitude, she wouldn’t be happy if her husband kept doing things for his former flame.

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll arrange it properly myself.” Huo Buyi clasped his hands behind his back and stepped forward again.

Shaoshang looked at his desolate back, a jumble of mixed feelings.

Remembering something, she hastily caught up a few steps: “Hey, hey, let me tell you—establishing a family and career is good, but I don’t think that Luo Jitong is very suitable. You should think more carefully! This isn’t the harsh, bitter northwestern borderlands anymore. In the capital there are refined ladies from famous families you can slowly select… Don’t laugh! I’m not being jealous! Fine, I won’t say more!”

Huo Buyi kept laughing lightly. Just as he was about to speak again, he glimpsed someone emerging from behind an ancient plum tree ahead that would take three or four people to encircle—it was Yuan Shen.

Shaoshang was startled and waved forcefully toward the front.

Huo Buyi’s smile faded as he stopped: “We’ll walk to here then… Farewell.”

“Oh, alright, alright.” Shaoshang didn’t have time to think deeply and could only respond.

The two parted ways—one running toward the ancient plum tree ahead, one walking in another direction. Dense flowering trees dropped scattered, floating fine petals that spread evenly on the ground. Only where people walked would they tread out dark-colored traces.

As Huo Buyi walked, he finally couldn’t help but turn back. He saw the two of them moving farther and farther away. The dark soil traces on the ground happened to form a huge “Y” shape. Looking at this “Y,” his heart ached violently—he and she had ultimately parted ways.

He hastily quickened his pace and left, restraining himself from looking at those two people beneath the plum tree.

Shaoshang ran several quick steps forward: “How are you here?”

Yuan Shen gently brushed falling plum blossoms from his body, saying slowly: “Waiting for you two.”

A flash went through Shaoshang’s mind. She immediately said: “At the banquet earlier, what you and General Huo discussed was this matter?”

Yuan Shen kept a rigid face: “He said he wanted to talk with you once, then it would be as you said—’the past goes with the wind.’ Have you two settled everything?” His gaze moved toward that tall man departing in the distance.

“All settled.” Shaoshang waved her hand lightly. “Not only has the past gone with the wind, but to thank me for clearing the Huo family’s case back then, he also promised to help me handle several matters in the future.”

Yuan Shen released a powerless breath: “I only hope it’s so. These past days I’ve been frightened and alarmed, fearing he’d cause some trouble and delay our marriage. Whether he handles matters or not doesn’t matter—as long as Huo Buyi is willing to let things rest, anything is fine.”

“Truly doesn’t matter?!” Shaoshang brought her face close, deliberately saying: “As they say, people in the martial world cannot help themselves. Have you thought it through—in this long life ahead, truly, absolutely, you won’t need Huo Buyi’s help?!”

Yuan Shen’s elegant, long eyes glared: “Don’t need it! Definitely don’t need it!”

“Ambitious!” Shaoshang narrowed her eyes. “However, I need it!”

“Can you have some backbone?!” Yuan Shen lamented her failure to meet expectations.

Shaoshang smiled gleefully: “Between us two, as long as you have backbone, that’s enough. I’ll focus on practical benefits instead.”

Hearing the girl casually say “us two,” Yuan Shen’s heart felt as refreshed as a clear spring flowing through.

He smiled: “Fine. Whatever you want is fine.”

Shaoshang saw him smiling cheerfully and thought—this time things surely won’t have any more complications.

After this day, she continued serving Grand Empress Dowager Xuan in Yong’an Palace. Yuan Shen returned home to have his old father find someone to calculate auspicious dates based on their birth characters. The two would occasionally meet in a lakeside pavilion, joking and chatting for a bit, then go to Yong’an Palace to mooch some refreshments—this too could be considered living up to the fine season and good scenery.

Unfortunately, Shaoshang was born unlucky. Her life’s circumstances were like a mudslide—no one knew what would come tumbling down mixed within. Others had their wishes come true; hers came true in reverse. This peaceful life lasted only seven or eight days before she heard people in the palace spreading rumors—Huo Buyi had been accused of killing innocents and claiming their heads as enemy kills, a crime that couldn’t be pardoned!

Shaoshang wanted to find Yuan Shen to ask clearly, but the Emperor summoned her first.

She touched her head, completely clueless as she followed the young eunuch. Upon reaching the inner hall of the Department of State Affairs, she discovered that besides Uncle Emperor and the stern-faced Crown Prince, Court Judicial Official Ji Zun with his sparse hair was also there.

“Greetings to Marquis Yang.” After paying respects to the Emperor and his son, Shaoshang also bowed to Old Man Ji.

Ji Zun returned the courtesy.

“Your Majesty summoned this concubine here—I wonder what instructions you have.” Shaoshang said respectfully.

The Emperor sighed: “It’s a long story. Ziduan, you explain.”

The Crown Prince, skilled at summarizing, spoke: “Zhang Yao has accused Zicheng of killing innocents and claiming their heads as enemy kills.”

That’s too simple!

The Emperor covered his forehead. Ji Zun suppressed a smile. Shaoshang helplessly pressed further: “May I ask Your Highness, who is Zhang Yao? When and where does he accuse General Huo of killing innocents for credit? Also, summoning this concubine here is for this matter?” What did this have to do with her?

The Crown Prince said: “First, you’ve met Zhang Yao. Five years ago, he was the one who struck Zicheng off the cliff.”

Shaoshang froze: “The one who wielded a pair of iron melon-shaped heavy hammers? This concubine remembers now. I heard this person harbored resentment toward General Huo all along because he failed to command the Yulin Guards.” Actually the Crown Prince had told her these details. Later the Crown Prince found an opportunity to demote him to guard imperial tombs—how did he pop up again now?

The Emperor felt the girl spoke cleverly and smiled at her. Ji Zun said expressionlessly: “Lady Cheng, don’t speak carelessly about others’ wrongdoings.” Right off the bat pinning a resentment charge on the plaintiff—palace women truly weren’t simple.

The Crown Prince said: “Second, the matter Zhang Yao accuses occurred over five years ago, just before the army departed to suppress Peng Zhen…” He paused. “Specifically, the last six or seven days of October.”

Hearing this date, Shaoshang’s heart jumped.

“Two or three hundred li west of Panqing Great Camp, there was a band of several dozen brigands causing trouble, often ambushing and killing travelers in mountain passes. At the time, Zicheng was training newly enlisted soldiers at Panqing Great Camp. After hearing this, he voluntarily took command to suppress the bandits.” The Crown Prince continued. “It was late October. Zicheng led a team of soldiers out of camp and returned six or seven days later with several dozen bandit heads.”

“That’s… quite good, isn’t it?” Shaoshang didn’t understand.

The Crown Prince glared coldly at her: “Who knew Zhang Yao found somewhere a group of elderly, weak, women and children, saying over five years ago troops invaded their village and massacred indiscriminately regardless of circumstances, especially the village’s able-bodied men—after killing them, they even cut off their heads and took them away. They barely escaped with their lives and hid for years before daring to come forward with accusations.”

Shaoshang was stunned.

Ji Zun frowned: “If it truly was killing innocents for credit, the villagers would indeed fear being silenced and not dare come forward to accuse. A few days ago, this subject already sent people to investigate. Below Gushan, the land is barren. Seven or eight years ago, several dozen households received the government’s ‘Encouraging Agriculture Order,’ gathered there, and opened wasteland to farm. Nearby villages all said that for unknown reasons, five years ago those households all disappeared. They thought those families saw the thin soil yielding poor harvests and thus fled. This subject then followed the plaintiffs’ directions and excavated a burial pit at their settlement site. Inside were indeed corpses dressed as villagers. Moreover, several women described in detail the appearance and weapons of the leading general in dark armor—exactly matching Huo Buyi’s description!”

“Zicheng has led troops since age fifteen, suppressing bandits and killing enemies countless times. How could he possibly do such a thing?!” The Crown Prince raged.

Ji Zun said expressionlessly: “This subject knows Your Highness trusts and values Huo Zicheng, however one matter is one matter. The wounds on those corpses were indeed left by military weapons, and there are eyewitnesses. Having reached this point, Your Highness cannot unconditionally shield him without any reason!” Though he spoke to the Crown Prince, his eyes looked toward the Emperor—the meaning was self-evident.

The Crown Prince was angry but silent.

“…What did the soldiers who went to suppress bandits say?” Shaoshang was shocked. “Did they say General Huo ordered them to kill innocents for credit?”

The Crown Prince said coldly: “At the time, Zicheng led new recruits. There were three deputy generals in command—two have already died in battle. The remaining one is Zicheng’s retainer. As for the remaining soldiers, they either died in battle during these five years or were demobilized and returned home after last year’s Shu campaign. To summon them all back intact would be extremely difficult.”

Shaoshang’s gaze moved, slowly looking toward the Emperor seated above. The Emperor nodded slightly—both understood clearly like a mirror.

“Third.” The Crown Prince furrowed his brow. “Why Father Emperor summoned you here today, I also don’t know.”

Meeting the puzzled gazes of the Crown Prince and Ji Zun, plus Uncle Emperor’s encouraging look from the side, Shaoshang’s thoughts turned a hundred times. She powerlessly dropped her shoulders: “Your Highness Crown Prince, Lord Marquis Ji, this concubine doesn’t know whether there was killing innocents for credit five years ago, nor who killed innocents for credit. But this concubine knows this matter absolutely could not have been General Huo.”

The Crown Prince’s eyes brightened. Ji Zun was half-believing, half-doubting: “How so?”

Shaoshang sighed: “It was before the Peng suppression army departed, right? The last few days of late October, right? At that time, General Huo was taking this concubine sightseeing at Mount Tugao.” Saying this, she inevitably blushed somewhat.

The Crown Prince forcefully pressed down on the table, his eyes blazing: “I knew it! I knew Zicheng wouldn’t… uh, then who led the troops to suppress bandits at that time…” After his joy, his tone turned hesitant.

“Lady Cheng must speak carefully!” Old Man Ji wore a solemn expression.

Shaoshang called out: “Marquis Ji need not doubt me, because His Majesty knows about this matter! Your Majesty, please speak!”

Ji Zun and the Crown Prince looked in unison at Uncle Emperor.

The Emperor smiled: “Correct. Back then after Zicheng returned from Mount Tugao, he told me about this matter. The one who led troops in his place to suppress bandits was a retainer under his command. I remember… his name was Li Si.”

Ji Zun was displeased: “Huo Buyi—this is dereliction of duty! How can Your Majesty shield him to this extent?!”

“Hey, it’s just dereliction of duty! Fine him some salary!” The usually King Yama-like Crown Prince was now extremely amiable and cheerful. “Moreover, if Zicheng never went to Gushan at all, how could those women identify his appearance? There must be something fishy here!”

Ji Zun snorted heavily through his nostrils. After fuming for a while, he said formally: “Your Majesty, this subject has always trusted Your Majesty’s character. But these years, to shield Huo Buyi, Your Majesty has not only repeatedly made exceptions but also at times acted with favoritism. There is already much dissatisfaction among court officials. Now this matter is causing an uproar in the marketplace. Therefore, this subject believes the proper procedures should still be followed once.”

“Marquis Yang is right!” The Crown Prince was extremely enthusiastic. “Have Zicheng go to the Court of Judicial Review to defend himself. Right, Lady Cheng should go too!”

“Ah!” Shaoshang was greatly alarmed. “Why should this concubine go?! Just have General Li Si speak!”

“Li Si is Zicheng’s retainer, and also came from Huo family estate troops. If he says Zicheng wasn’t at Gushan then, who would believe it?!”

“But this concubine was his… hey…” Shaoshang got stuck.

“You’re engaged to the Yuan family, so you no longer have any connection with Zicheng! If you speak, it will surely quell the rumors and gossip!”

“This…” Shaoshang hesitated.

The Crown Prince’s face turned cold: “Lady Cheng, though Zicheng no longer has any connection with you, you cannot stand by and watch him die!”

“It won’t come to death though…” Shaoshang laughed awkwardly.

“Shaoshang isn’t that kind of person. Ziduan, don’t frighten her.” Uncle Emperor’s expression was kind. “Shaoshang, what do you say?”

Shaoshang bit her lip and said with determination: “So be it. Lord Marquis Ji, this concubine is willing to make a trip to the Court of Judicial Review and explain the circumstances clearly, absolutely not making things difficult for the court’s legal system!” Dammit, could she say no?!

Ji Zun called out “Good!”: “Excellent then. Three days hence, the Court of Judicial Review will hold trial. This old subject awaits Lady Cheng.”

…

After Ji and Cheng departed, the Crown Prince stared fixedly at his father. The Emperor was calm and composed, his bearing elegant and proper.

“Father Emperor, these years Zhang Yao has been guarding the Western Mausoleum.”

“Wasn’t it you who assigned him there?”

“Your son remembers the commanding leader of the Western Mausoleum Guards was a trusted scout who served under Father Emperor’s command in the past.”

“Is that so? My son has a good memory.”

“The matter of Zhang Yao meeting with that group of elderly, weak, women and children—Father Emperor must have known earliest.”

“Perhaps so.”

“If last month the Grand Empress Dowager of Huai’an hadn’t said she missed Zicheng, would you also have had Zicheng return to the capital to defend himself?”

“What does my son think?”