I don’t know why I left without waiting for Song Langsheng. Actually, it wouldn’t have mattered to joke with him a bit, saying I remembered past episodes of bullying him, fierce and malevolent with proper princess dignity, then endure his eye-rolling for a while, and the matter would be considered settled.

Just like how he casually mentioned my one-sided feelings to me, as if he were truly joking.

Was it that after being He Feng for so long, I had come to despise Xiangyi, this kind of arrogant princess who could summon wind and rain, who could easily toy with others’ lives to satisfy her momentary willfulness?

The more I thought about it, the more uncomfortable I felt inside.

In a moment of heated impulse, I had the coachman quicken the whip. As soon as I stepped through the mansion gates, I summoned the steward and had him take me to see Han Fei.

Steward Liu Bo was one of my maternal relatives – whether he was my seventh great-uncle or cousin-uncle, I couldn’t quite figure out. It was said that National Uncle Li had previously arranged a lucrative position for him in Yangzhou. Initially, local dignitaries continuously sent him precious gifts, but having absorbed the Four Books and Five Classics and Confucian teachings to his very bones, he not only returned and refused many favors but also contributed his own modest salary to the people. Before long, he could no longer continue in that position. Later, when the Emperor built the princess mansion for the princess – that is, me – and needed a steward, my mother empress remembered him.

In summary, what I actually wanted to express was that Liu Bo was quite an honest and decent old fellow, and entrusting him with many practical matters was fairly reliable.

Such an honest person couldn’t help trembling when he heard I wanted to see Han Fei, saying: “Young Master Han recently, aside from occasionally practicing sword in the courtyard, mostly reads and paints in his room. At this hour, he should be playing the zither at the water pavilion.”

I nodded impatiently: “Very good, lead the way.”

Liu Bo added: “Your Highness, the prince consort will return to the mansion soon.”

My face finally began to twitch: “What does this have to do with my going to see Han Fei?”

Liu Bo wrinkled his weathered old face and sighed, ultimately saying nothing more. He led me from the corridor onto a small path, around the separate courtyard to the water pavilion of the mansion.

The water pavilion in the mansion was built in the center of the lake, with wooden corridors leading directly to the shore. Plants and trees were cultivated, with dense green shade for contrast, forcibly transplanting southern charm to the northern land. The romantic beauty everywhere could well demonstrate the elegant refinement of the princess mansion.

Reaching the corridor entrance by the lake, with lush greenery everywhere, beautiful and clear, I couldn’t help asking: “Where is Young Master Han?”

As soon as I finished speaking, I spotted him.

In a small pavilion halfway along the wooden corridor, someone sat cross-legged playing music. The zither sounds drifted with the wind, accompanied by the rustling of willows and sand, creating a particularly leisurely and carefree melody.

I had Liu Bo return first, then walked alone into this water pavilion.

Hearing footsteps, the zither music stopped. The person playing turned around, and seeing it was me, he froze for a moment, stood up, and bowed slightly.

Good – I had been worried he might draw his sword and attack directly when no one was around.

He was as silent as I had imagined. I spoke first: “What piece were you just playing? It sounded quite like high autumn and purple vault, with the meaning of drunken poetry and wild guests.”

Han Fei said: “Just a folk tune, nothing particularly elevated about it.”

Seeing his cold expression, I smiled: “Unfulfilled Longing.”

Han Fei looked at me with some surprise. I said: “That’s what it’s called, isn’t it?”

Han Fei said: “I hadn’t expected the princess to have heard it.”

I chose a shady spot away from the sun to sit down, saying: “I once heard someone play this piece. I thought I’d never hear it again.”

Han Fei still said nothing, wearing an expression of “whoever played what piece for you is none of my business.” I had originally planned to chat with him a bit to ease the atmosphere, but it turned completely cold. Indeed, I wasn’t good at communication. Better to get straight to the point: “I hear Young Master Han spends his days in the mansion composing poetry, painting, playing the zither, and spacing out. Quite boring, isn’t it? Would you be willing to do some work for this princess?”

Actually, I estimated that given his attitude, he would refuse. But unexpectedly, after hearing me out, his expression suddenly changed, his face darkening with stormy uncertainty. After a long moment, he said: “If the prince consort doesn’t mind, what qualification do I have to be unwilling?”

I looked at him in bewilderment. What did this have to do with the prince consort again? But I saw him turn away, standing with hands clasped behind his back, his tone grave: “Since this day would come sooner or later, tonight the princess need only send someone to give instructions.”

Me: “…”

Good heavens, I had actually forgotten his current status was the princess’s male favorite, so he thought I had specially come to ask him to do… that kind of thing? This was truly a great injustice. Han Fei appeared dignified and upright – how could his thoughts be so impure? And what was with this air of enduring humiliation? Even if I really wanted to find him for that, by any calculation, wouldn’t this princess be the one at a disadvantage?

I struggled to restore my mental balance, rubbing my forehead: “I think Young Master Han has misunderstood. If I coveted Young Master Han’s… cough, if I harbored ill intentions toward Young Master Han, I wouldn’t have waited until today to make my move.” These words sounded truly awkward, but fortunately, from his earlier words, I vaguely sensed that I hadn’t yet done anything to him… so he was still pure, which should make negotiations somewhat easier.

Seeing I had no intention of taking advantage of him, Han Fei finally relaxed, saying: “What matter does the princess seek me for?”

I exhaled in frustration and briefly mentioned the matter of selecting an inspector that I had discussed with the Crown Prince in the palace today, adding some embellishment about the high hopes the Crown Prince placed in him. I was just waiting for him to nod and the matter would be settled.

After I finished, there was silence for a moment. Han Fei frowned and stubbornly said nothing.

I couldn’t help asking: “Young Master Han is unwilling?”

Han Fei seemed to be pondering. He thought for quite a while and still didn’t speak. I asked: “What are you thinking about?”

He raised his head and stared at me: “Princess… exactly how long do you intend to toy with me?”

Me: “…”

He said: “Will the princess only be satisfied when she drives me to death?”

I remained motionless, my eyes wide. Just what had I done when I abducted him to the mansion that caused his resentment to reach such a twisted degree? Why did listening to Han Fei speak always give me such a shocking feeling?

I said: “I don’t understand what you mean.” I truly didn’t understand.

Han Fei showed a contemptuous smile: “Surely the princess hasn’t forgotten why I ended up in this situation.”

I really had forgotten.

He picked up his zither and rose, with no intention of continuing this nonsense with me: “If Your Highness has no other business, Han Fei will take his leave first.”

I finally became somewhat angry: “Since you don’t fear this palace, why speak so evasively? Saying I toy with you and drive you to death – don’t think too highly of yourself. If not for the Crown Prince’s intention, I would have forgotten you existed in this mansion. If you’re greedy for life and afraid of death, unwilling to get involved in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang mess, just say so directly. No need to play riddles here.”

Han Fei paused in his steps: “The princess forgot about me – could it be she also forgot Fang Yachen?” After saying this, he bowed to me and left the small pavilion.

Fang Yachen? Where did this character spring from? What connection does he have with him and me?

I sighed somewhat wearily. Princess Xiangyi, you’re still just a twenty-year-old young woman. How difficult was it to be this princess that you finally couldn’t bear the burden and jumped off a cliff to end your life…

When I returned to the main courtyard, Song Langsheng was already back. He had changed into a fresh, comfortable cotton robe and sat in the hall reading. Seeing me enter, he glanced up: “I heard the princess visited the Court of Judicial Review. Why did you leave without waiting for me?”

I sat in the chair beside him and casually picked up the teacup on the table, moistening my throat: “Seeing the prince consort so engrossed in hearing cases, I couldn’t bear to disturb your refined interest.”

Song Langsheng didn’t look up at me: “In your current condition, if you wander around everywhere and encounter acquaintances but fail to recognize them and reveal yourself, there will be much trouble.”

I said: “Can’t I go see you?”

Song Langsheng still held that book: “Oh.”

I added: “I returned to the mansion, went to the water pavilion to chat with Han Fei, then came back.”

He hummed, still holding that book. He looked at the book, I looked at him, watching to see when he would turn to look at me.

Song Langsheng was very persistent. He stared at the book for half an incense stick’s time without turning a page or looking up at me, clearly intending to become a sculpture. I decided to give him some leeway and asked: “Who is Fang Yachen? Do you know?”

Song Langsheng recalled for a moment and said: “Fang Yachen… seems to be the princess’s male favorite.”

Me: “…”

Another male favorite!

Why was it that whenever I curiously asked “who is this,” the answer was always identically horrifying?

I asked with difficulty: “So… is he also in the mansion now?”

Song Langsheng said: “No.”

Me: “…”

Prince consort, what wind has possessed you to suddenly become so economical with words?

I asked: “Then where is he?”

Song Langsheng said: “Imperial Academy professor.”

Five flavors churned within me at once: “Why would my male favorite run off to teach at the Imperial Academy?”

Song Langsheng continued calmly: “Anyone who could safely escape the princess mansion should be a person of great ability. What’s wrong with going to the Imperial Academy to teach?”

Me: “…”

Prince consort, can’t you change your habit of subtle mockery and sarcasm? Conversing with you like this is very stressful.

I drooped my head: “Because Han Fei mentioned Fang Yachen, there seems to be some connection between them…”

Song Langsheng made an “oh” sound: “They once worked together at the Hanlin Academy.”

Then he said nothing else.

No wonder the prince consort was imprisoned by me like drawing a circle on the ground – with such a narrow mind, when would he ever escape to see the light of day?

I sighed: “It seems that being my prince consort must have caused you considerable gossip at court.”

Song Langsheng said: “That’s also true.”

I resolved not to speak to him for the rest of the day.

Song Langsheng saw me gulp down the pastries hastily and dusted off his clothes: “Did the princess take something of mine?”

I thought for a moment: “Mm… you mean the fan?”

Song Langsheng extended his hand. I squinted at him: “What, it’s just a broken fan. If I took it, I took it.”

Song Langsheng said: “Since to the princess it’s just a broken fan, what use is taking it?”

I remembered that phrase “beloved” from deep in my memory and turned away unhappily: “I won’t give it back.”

Song Langsheng frowned. He probably thought I was being unreasonable.

Although I had no memory, I definitely didn’t want my husband to have someone else in his heart.

I wanted to say this to Song Langsheng.

I asked: “Does this fan have some story? Why do you treasure it so?”

Song Langsheng’s expression became somewhat distant. The afternoon sunlight slanted in through the window, and for a moment, my vision blurred – I actually thought he looked sad.

I took the fan from my sleeve and returned it to him, then went back to the bedroom on my own: “Forget it, I never could understand you anyway.”

Perhaps I had no right to criticize him, whether because of those messy relationships with male favorites in the past, or because of the person I couldn’t forget in my heart now.

I discovered that emotions like melancholy and grief wouldn’t linger in my heart for more than half a day.

After dinner, the prince consort returned to the Court of Judicial Review to handle major cases. I lay on the bed, but couldn’t stay lying down.

I had casually agreed to the Crown Prince’s assignment, but was refused by that Han Fei with his sarcastic remarks. How could I explain this to my imperial brother?

Thinking of Fang Yachen at the Imperial Academy, I rolled off the bed, still feeling I should do something.

I changed into scholarly robes, bound up my hair, stuck on a small mustache, and boldly went out.

This set of male disguise clothing was something I had rummaged out from turning boxes and cabinets upside down. Just in terms of mustaches, there were more than ten varieties – handlebar mustaches, two-stroke whiskers, full beards, everything imaginable. The former me must have extremely loved disguising myself for private visits, or perhaps harbored dreams of being a man deep in my heart. If I had truly been born male, I would definitely have been a handsome bearded gentleman who frequently changed his facial hair, and would never have learned from the prince consort to hide in rooms all day keeping everything meticulously neat, clearly a refined scoundrel when wearing official robes.

I wandered the streets for quite a while, strolling over to a teahouse near the South Vermillion Bird Gate to sit for a bit.

Originally, there was a Yueyang Restaurant next to the teahouse, famous throughout the capital. Besides excellent cuisine, it was especially known for high prices. Not only ordinary households, but even fairly upright officials didn’t dare enter those doors, fearing accusations of insufficient salary leading to corruption for drinking. Therefore, most patrons were wealthy merchants and powerful nobles.

Actually, I had intended to try this restaurant first, but ended up seeing the teahouse first.

Yuelu Teahouse.

From this name alone, you could tell the teahouse owner was someone who affected refined tastes. After asking nearby passersby, I learned the proprietor had actually once been an Imperial Academy student, served as a mid-level civil official for several years, experienced some storms, resigned his post and went to teach at Yuelu Academy in Hunan. Now in his old age, he had returned to the capital with his children and opened this teahouse.

There were probably many more colorful legends in between. Many scholar-officials in the capital came here attracted by the reputation, often drawing Imperial Academy students, and occasionally Hanlin Academy scholars would drop by for drinks. Over time, its fame was no less than Yueyang Restaurant.

This teahouse’s young assistant was quite authentic. As soon as I entered, he warmly came forward to greet me. Knowing I hadn’t reserved a private room, he enthusiastically led me toward the second floor. The young assistant pointed toward the stage area: “Right now, it’s a courtesan invited by Yuanping House singing some songs. When the time comes, there will be a gentleman telling stories. Many literary guests come specifically for the storytelling.”

I heard the singing voice was clear and sweet, truly lingering for three days, and nodded continuously, then asked: “What kind of place is upstairs?”

The young assistant said: “The third floor is high up and you can see lake scenery and plum blossoms through the windows – it’s an elegant place, but today the Imperial Academy students have reserved it, saying it’s for discussion purposes. Young master, if you’re interested, why not listen to some songs on this floor first…”

I deliberately paused the fan in my hand, putting on an expression of surprise then understanding: “So they’re here too…” Seeing the young assistant’s questioning expression, I opened my fan and waved it: “I won’t hide it from you, brother. I’m also a new student at the Academy. It’s rare to encounter fellow students here…” The young assistant very perceptively gestured the way: “In that case, this way please, young master.”

As I climbed the stairs step by step, I could faintly hear voices in debate. When I pushed aside the brocade curtain, the sounds suddenly amplified and rushed toward me. The first thing I heard was: “I thought Princess Xiangyi had shown some restraint, but today she’s begun interfering in government affairs again. I heard she even blocked Premier Zhao’s recommended candidate.”

“Jiangsu and Zhejiang are major tax regions. With such incidents occurring, naturally we must work to pacify the people’s hearts. How can there be any reason to set this aside?”

“I fear Princess Xiangyi will again arrange her own people for this assignment. If the Crown Prince approves, who else would dare say much?”

I closed my eyes rather melancholically.

So this group of imperial students was debating about this princess in broad daylight.

Regarding my reputation among the people, I was vaguely aware of some things. In the past, even from far across the capital, I would hear storytellers talking about Princess Xiangyi and such, but I hadn’t paid attention then. During those few days wandering the capital, I had concluded that although this princess wielded great power, in the eyes of common people, especially scholars, she was a complete villain – manipulating court struggles with one hand while covering the bright sun and clear sky with the other.

Of course, while people were wringing their hands in anger, they still harbored hope for goodness in their hearts. They believed good and evil would eventually be rewarded and the wheel of justice would turn. Someday, treacherous villains like this princess would receive their due retribution.

These twenty-odd students before me obviously thought exactly this way.

They sat in groups of two or three at tables, passionately expounding their viewpoints. Apart from their somewhat extreme criticism of me, there were quite a few genuinely insightful observations. The more they spoke this way, the more unsettled I felt watching them. Imperial Academy students were mostly sons of officials – there was no guarantee someone might recognize me, leading to another round of “Princess Xiangyi’s secret visits with ulterior motives” rumors spreading.

Seeing seven or eight seats occupied, I found an inconspicuous corner to sit down. Only when I sat did I notice someone lying on the bench beside the table, face covered with a book, apparently asleep. The young assistant served me tea and snacks, then withdrew.

Hearing the snap of a folding fan, a blue-robed scholar who had been silent suddenly spoke: “The princess holds the regency seal – how can you call it interfering in government? No matter how dissatisfied you are, you shouldn’t speak this way!”

My eyes brightened. Oh my, I didn’t expect someone to speak for me?

But I saw that blue-robed scholar raise an eyebrow, spiritedly cupping his hands: “In my view, we should gather scholars from across the realm to jointly petition, listing Princess Xiangyi’s many misdeeds, citing officials’ impeachment memorials, having all court ministers attack together, begging the princess to transfer the seal to the Crown Prince and yield regency power. This would be the very best strategy.”

Me: “…”

Brother, I’m afraid before this strategy succeeds, you’ll be the first to get strategized against.

I lowered my head to sip tea, when suddenly I heard another thud. This time it wasn’t a fan closing, but the blue-robed scholar getting hit in the head by a book.

Everyone’s gazes immediately drifted over. I blinked innocently – obviously I hadn’t thrown it, though I certainly had the motive.

The person who had been lying on the bench sleeping yawned and sat up – a quite handsome young gentleman. “Jiang Xuanqing, if your brain doesn’t work well, just stay quiet. Don’t open your mouth spouting about heavenly way and people’s hearts.”

That scholar called Jiang Xuanqing said: “What we’re discussing is a great plan concerning the people’s welfare and livelihood crisis. What do you know?”

The young gentleman picked up his teacup and rinsed his mouth, staring directly at Jiang Xuanqing with those large, dark eyes: “I only know that the princess’s regency was the Emperor’s wise decision. Your wild talk is disrespectful to His Majesty. If I were to report this, forget this year’s imperial examination – you idiots probably wouldn’t be seen in court again.”

At these words, everyone present changed color. Jiang Xuanqing tried to calm himself: “Who would believe your word alone?”

The young gentleman stood up and stretched. Only then did I notice his purple robes were particularly bright, with no scholarly air whatsoever. He smiled quite cheerfully: “No one believes what I say? Once I take first place in the palace examination, someone should believe me, right? If you’re not convinced, why don’t you try beating me to the top scholar position? Ah, wait – this year’s Academy top student is this young master. If the Academy really produces a top scholar, that would be my prize too. You have no chance.”

It seemed no one present had the confidence to match this young gentleman’s academic achievements. Jiang Xuanqing momentarily forgot scholarly refinement entirely, his voice rising several octaves: “Surnamed Lu, who in the entire Imperial Academy doesn’t know your filthy thoughts? If even someone like you can become an official, won’t the entire government become as murky as a black pond?”

The young gentleman looked at him with interest: “Why don’t you tell me exactly how my thoughts are filthy?”

Jiang Xuanqing’s entire face turned almost green, pointing at him with a trembling finger: “You, you, you…”

The young gentleman simply put one foot up on the wooden bench and lifted his robe hem, three parts teasing and three parts frank, batting his eyelashes: “You can’t even finish one sentence properly – truly ‘scholars are useless for everything.’ I, Lu Lingjun, neither seek office as minister with noble title, nor envy clean reputation lasting through history. My greatest ambition in life is to become Princess Xiangyi’s male favorite. What’s wrong with saying it openly!”

Author’s Note: Competing for rankings, you idiots. Having written so much in one update, don’t you understand dividing it into 2 chapters would get more comments? I’m truly foolish.

However, I’ve finally introduced all three male lead candidates. The team-choosing can begin now, (^__^) hehe…

The visualization of purple-robed Lu Lingjun mainly comes from this animated gif, full of teasing and playfulness~~~

Of course, he’s also a devastatingly handsome guy~~