A complete defeat.

Mo Zi had never been rendered so speechless as she was today. Honestly, she had thought Mu Shi would be easy to deal with. Not only did she think so, but judging from Qiu Sanniang’s unpleasant expression, there was a ninety percent chance she thought the same. But every word Mu Shi spoke conformed to the standards of this era. This era—which she had always tried to view from an observer’s perspective and strived to prevent its rigid rules from constraining her—finally demonstrated its terrifying power once again, making her appear naive and laughable. It proved once more that her previous low-profile and tactful approach had been a wise move indeed. She could change the people around her, but she couldn’t change everyone.

Lu Ju was an outstanding woman. Because of this excellence, she attracted someone who should have had no intersection with her, but she didn’t have Bai He’s luck. Jiang Tao had no parents. Ironically, what should have been a major taboo for Jiang Tao’s marriage became the very factor that allowed Bai He to marry successfully.

Mo Zi had nothing to say to Mu Shi. No, even if she could speak eloquently, she couldn’t persuade the other party. For Mu Shi, her Xiao family was on the rise. To marry a maid as a daughter-in-law, even if that maid’s dowry could rival that of a young lady from a wealthy family, was nothing but wishful thinking. Because some things cannot be bought with money. Mu Shi’s formidability lay not in her sharp tongue, but in her crystal-clear understanding of Lu Ju’s strengths and weaknesses, her ability to clearly judge the inevitable direction of matters, and her firm implementation of her decisions.

This was the reality of society.

Therefore, when Qiu Sanniang said “that’s enough” and had the shop assistants bring out Xiao Min’s betrothal gifts to return them, Mo Zi could only watch helplessly. She hated her own powerlessness, but what could she do? Ask the Emperor to grant the marriage? Have Yuan Cheng put in a good word? Even seek help from Xiao Wei? Each method might allow Lu Ju to marry into the family. But after the marriage, what then? Would a marriage obtained through such humble begging bring happiness?

Xiao Min wasn’t Wang Lang, and Lu Ju wasn’t Luo Niang—the outcome could be entirely different.

Bai He cried terribly. She had thought Lu Ju would be as fortunate as herself, never expecting this marriage arrangement to come suddenly and leave just as suddenly. She also discovered that even Qiu Sanniang and Mo Zi working together couldn’t prevent it, which meant there would likely be no possibility of intersection between Lu Ju and Xiao Min again.

Later, Mo Zi heard that Xiao Min went to see Lu Ju, but Lu Ju refused to meet him. Then Xiao Min left, heading straight back to the border garrison. Lu Ju was unwilling to leave Qiu Sanniang’s side and barely left the mansion, remaining despondent for a long time.

After Lu Ju’s situation, combined with Yang Qiao’s matter, Mo Zi’s emotions plummeted to rock bottom. Bai He said she would go see Lu Ju, but Mo Zi didn’t know how to face her and only went downstairs after Qiu Sanniang and Bai He had left.

“Well, isn’t this Mo Zi of the Song family?” A frivolous voice drifted into her ears, making her skin crawl with goosebumps.

Mo Zi turned to look. The speaker was a man in brocade robes and fine clothing. His features were rather refined, but his gaze was somewhat improper, and his smile was quite uncomfortable. She didn’t recognize this person, but since he called out her name, she nodded in acknowledgment.

However, the man continued with gestures she detested, crooking his index finger. “Song Mo Zi, come here.”

Mo Zi’s mood was already poor, and encountering such improper advances made her even angrier. She stopped paying attention and turned to leave.

She heard the man order someone to stop her, and two forces grabbed her arms from left and right, pulling them backward.

“Let go!” she shouted.

Xu Yang and Geng Wo knew something was wrong. With a whistle, they drew their swords and surrounded them.

The customers in the main hall were frightened and ran off, abandoning their bowls and chopsticks.

“What audacity, to dare tell this prince’s men to let go.” The man sneered coldly. “Song Mo Zi, as this court’s foremost female official, can it be you don’t even recognize this prince?”

“This prince,” “this prince”—that meant the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace. Mo Zi didn’t attend court and had only seen this Crown Prince once from afar without paying attention, so she didn’t remember him. Moreover, the evaluation she’d heard from Yuan Cheng’s circle of scholars wasn’t high. Mediocre qualifications, ordinary abilities, unkind nature, lacking in virtue—in short, not impressive at all.

“I never expected to encounter His Highness the Crown Prince here. Mo Zi is most fortunate. My apologies for the discourtesy.” Now, seeing him up close, she found that his reputation fell short of reality—he was even worse than the评价评评.

Xu Yang had also clearly seen the Crown Prince’s face by now, but he didn’t sheathe his blade. “Your Highness, please have your guards release Lord Mo Zi.”

Mo Zi hadn’t expected Xu Yang to speak so directly.

The Crown Prince, seeing Xu Yang, narrowed his eyes. “Why is General Xu here?”

“This humble general is following His Majesty’s orders to temporarily assist Lord Mo Zi with official duties.” Xu Yang spoke quite tactfully.

“Father Emperor’s orders?” The Crown Prince clearly believed this without doubt and waved his hand for his men to release Mo Zi. “Official Song is deeply valued by my Father Emperor—it appears the reports are true. Since what just happened was a misunderstanding, this prince won’t take it to heart, as long as Official Song accompanies this prince for a small drink. How about it?”

Mo Zi had no desire whatsoever to drink with him. “Your Highness’s kind invitation, Mo Zi is grateful—”

“Excellent then.” The Crown Prince cut off her words. “This prince has long wanted to deepen feelings with Official Song. Today is just the right opportunity.”

“Your Highness, Mo Zi still has matters to attend to.” She should have deflected smoothly, should have made some polite conversation, but Mo Zi’s internal alarms were blaring. This man with improper eyes had no good intentions.

“Official Song, that won’t do. This prince sincerely invites you, yet you make excuse after excuse. Just now you ignored this prince, and this prince didn’t hold it against you. If you don’t drink with this prince to make amends, I’m afraid today’s matter won’t be so easily settled.” The Crown Prince’s expression darkened. “Could it be that even with this prince personally speaking, Official Song’s face still isn’t important enough?”

Mo Zi felt suffocated under his repeated “this prince, this prince,” but no matter how worthless he was, he was still the current Crown Prince—she couldn’t speak back freely.

“Your Highness speaks too severely. Mo Zi is now an idle official, yet still receives Your Highness’s favor—I truly don’t deserve it.” They say bad things come in threes. She’d had too smooth and pleasant a time on the boat; as soon as she disembarked, trouble came looking for her.

“Since you know what’s good for you, then come with this prince. This prince came incognito, but because of Official Song, everyone knows about it now. Listening to Ge Qiu sing has become rather dull—might as well change locations.” The Crown Prince ordered horses prepared.

Mo Zi was already caught in a dilemma. Whether she agreed or not, she had to agree. So she forced a smile. “Your Highness’s invitation—Mo Zi dare not refuse. Let me settle the bill first before leaving.”

The Crown Prince waved his hand. “Official Song need not make such a fuss. This prince will cover this small amount of silver.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a close servant scurried off to pay.

Mo Zi looked at Manager Feng, who was quite far from her. Though their eyes met, she didn’t know if he understood the meaning within, or whether he could quickly inform Cen Er. On the other hand, she could only hope that the Crown Prince’s sudden enthusiastic invitation truly was just a purely superior’s concern for a subordinate.

When they reached the North City Gate, seeing the Crown Prince still had no intention of stopping, Mo Zi reined in her horse. “Your Highness, His Majesty has decreed that Mo Zi may not leave the capital.”

The Crown Prince’s eyes were long and narrow and flirtatious. A single glance gave Mo Zi an uncomfortable, nauseating feeling. “Official Song, Father Emperor said you cannot leave the capital, not that you cannot leave the city, correct?”

Mo Zi’s heart turned cold. This Crown Prince wasn’t quite so capable after all, was he?

She looked at Xu Yang. “What does General Xu say?”

Xu Yang frowned. “Your Highness, His Majesty’s meaning was that Lord Mo Zi cannot leave the city.”

The Crown Prince’s cold eyes swept over. “This prince personally saw Father Emperor’s decree at the Central Secretariat this morning. You need not speculate on His Majesty’s intentions here. Since this prince is taking Official Song out of the city, if the sky falls, this prince will bear it. Stop dawdling. If you disturb this prince’s enjoyment, you’ll have trouble to answer for.”

However, Xu Yang remained neither humble nor arrogant, cupping his hands in reply. “If Your Highness insists on leaving the city, please allow this humble general to have someone relay a message to His Majesty, lest His Majesty blame this humble general for dereliction of duty.”

The Crown Prince’s gaze swept over Mo Zi, his smile becoming somewhat oily as he said to Xu Yang, “Acting as if this prince is going to eat someone? All wanting to send messages out. Fine, this prince permits it.”

Xu Yang summoned one of his men. “Where is Your Highness taking Lord Mo Zi?”

“Xianghe Town, ten li away. There’s a fine tavern there.” The Crown Prince raised his eyebrows, his face bearing an amused smile.

The Jinlin Guard rode off swiftly.

“Official Song, may we depart now?” The Crown Prince reached out, wanting to take hold of Mo Zi’s reins.

Mo Zi pulled the rope, and her spirited horse nimbly stepped aside. “Your Highness, please lead the way.”

The Crown Prince snorted and kicked his spurs. “Official Song has quite the airs, actually telling this prince to lead the way for you. This temperament—sharp and spicy—how can it please people?”

She had no intention of pleasing him, Mo Zi thought silently but said nothing aloud.

Xu Yang moved closer and whispered, “My lord need not worry. Since His Highness the Crown Prince has permitted me to send a message to His Majesty, he likely truly only wants to have a drink with you. When the time comes, we shall act according to circumstances.”

Xu Yang was a very reliable person. Even Huayi praised his upright integrity. Mo Zi thought there should be no mistake.

However, neither of them could have anticipated that the Jinlin Guard who carried the message never reached the palace, being intercepted and killed halfway.

A forest of emerald mountains and green, half a lake of blue sky. Hidden between the lake scenery and mountain colors, Mo Zi saw crow-blue tiles.

“Your Highness, we’re quite a distance from the town now.” Xu Yang spoke on Mo Zi’s behalf.

“Xu Yang, it seems you don’t want to be a general anymore, questioning this prince again and again.” The Crown Prince pointed his riding crop toward the house in the woods. “Isn’t this it? This prince’s favorite place to drink, and also a Crown Prince’s traveling lodge. This is giving Official Song face.”

Mo Zi forced a tight smile, feeling not the slightest bit honored.

The Crown Prince perceived her reluctance. “Official Song is quite clever. That pretty face of yours shows an expression that seems to know this prince harbors ill intentions. Unfortunately, you had no choice but to follow this prince earlier, and now you have even less chance of escape—not even wings could save you.”

Mo Zi started in alarm, only to see the path they’d come by blocked by a mass of black soldiers, at least a hundred strong.

“Since you’re here, make yourself comfortable. As long as Official Song goes along with this prince’s wishes, naturally your life will be safe.” The Crown Prince laughed without restraint.

Xu Yang led his men in drawing their blades. “This humble general is under imperial orders to protect Lord Mo Zi. I ask Your Highness to reconsider.”

The Crown Prince made clicking sounds with his tongue. “General Xu need not panic. This prince truly is inviting Official Song for drinks. However, what happens after the drinking needn’t be stated so plainly. This prince is a man, Official Song is a woman—a pleasant encounter will only bring pleasure, not take lives. General Xu needn’t worry unnecessarily. Men, bind them. If they resist, kill without mercy.”

Xu Yang’s eyes widened. “Your Highness, please exercise restraint. Lord Mo Zi is someone His Majesty values highly—you absolutely must not act rashly. Even if Your Highness has feelings, you should report to His Majesty first and marry properly with full ceremony.”

The Crown Prince laughed loudly.