Chapter 57: On Whom Does the Crown Prince Rely?
Although the imperial court did not wish for the matter to escalate, it was difficult for anything that happened in Shangjing, under the Son of Heaven’s gaze, to remain unknown to the common people.
Gu Jie’s imprisonment, along with the implication of officials from the Gold Department and the Vice Minister of Revenue, quickly caused a stir throughout the Imperial City.
At this critical juncture, the Xue Mansion was instead busy preparing for Sixth Miss Xue’s wedding banquet.
Red silk and green satin were delivered to the mansion in a continuous stream, and servants bustled in and out, creating a festive and lively scene, as if completely unaffected by the widely rumored “corruption case.”
“The more they try to conceal it, the more suspicious it becomes. If you ask me, we should make an example of the Xue Mansion.”
Seated before Li Zhao was Mei Ruhui, a Crown Prince’s Guest.
He watched the Crown Prince calmly play with a Ru ware porcelain vase, its glaze bright and delicate, and sighed at his relaxed demeanor.
“With Prince Duan as his powerful protector, no one dares to investigate him.”
This corruption case was led by the Ministry of Justice, with the Supreme Court and the Censorate jointly supervising, but the Minister of Justice, Xue Qingzhi, requested to recuse himself, so the Emperor appointed Xie Yanzhan, the Minister of the Supreme Court, to take charge.
Mei Ruhui said, “I sent someone to inquire. Gu Jie has been imprisoned for three days, and there has been no proper interrogation. He seems to be having an easier time in jail than anyone else…”
Li Zhao did not look up, his tone indifferent.
“What can be extracted from him?”
Mei Ruhui said, “Xie Yanzhan, that old fox, is adept at guessing His Majesty’s intentions. He clearly doesn’t want to interrogate further, unwilling to implicate more people and bring trouble upon himself…”
“Mm.”
The Crown Prince had not attended court today. He wore only a moon-white, wide-sleeved brocade robe made of soft, smooth fabric, exuding a hint of coolness. His hair was tied up with an obsidian hairpin, and he wore no ornaments, appearing slightly different from his usual self, yet exuding an air of nobility.
Mei Ruhui had been with Li Zhao for many years, yet he often found it difficult to fathom his thoughts.
After a moment of silence, he asked, “Your Highness, how do you think this matter will be resolved?”
Li Zhao lowered his gaze. “Whatever His Majesty wishes to hear, Xie Yanzhan will report.”
Mei Ruhui watched him turn the porcelain vase over, carefully examining the seal on its base.
He added, “His Majesty naturally wishes for the case to be concluded quickly, without further complications that could lead to an unmanageable situation. However, Sixth Miss Xue may not be content to remain silent…”
Li Zhao’s fingers paused slightly.
He chuckled softly, “Who would have thought that the currents of Shangjing would be stirred by a delicate hand.”
Mei Ruhui asked, “How should the Eastern Palace respond?”
Li Zhao said, “If they can be used, use them. If they can be utilized, utilize them fully.”
Mei Ruhui said, “Prince Duan’s birthday is approaching, and Sixth Miss Xue’s wedding date is also drawing near.”
He paused, seeing no emotion in the Crown Prince’s eyes, and continued, “A woman follows her husband after marriage. Sixth Miss wishes to marry Prince Duan, and Prince Duan is not an ordinary man; he clearly intends to leverage the power of the Old Mausoleum Swamp. If these two find common ground, it might not be a bad match.”
If they were to form a strong alliance, it would not be a good thing for the Crown Prince.
Li Zhao remained silent.
After a long while, the porcelain vase struck the table, emitting a clear, resonant hum.
His voice entered their ears, like the plucking of strings.
“What a pity for this fine object.”
Mei Ruhui was startled.
He looked up to see that the exquisite porcelain now bore a crack.
–
Xue Mansion.
Madam Fu and Xue Qingzhi, husband and wife, had another fierce argument about Xue Sui’s marriage, ending in an unpleasant parting.
Everyone in the mansion knew that the Master no longer visited Madam’s Qing Lan Courtyard, and Madam, being stubborn, refused to back down.
At noon, Jinshu came to Li Xiang Courtyard to speak with Xue Sui about the matter.
Xue Sui’s expression was indifferent, as if she couldn’t muster any enthusiasm. “Let them be.”
Seeing her like this, Jinshu felt a little worried.
“This is Sixth Miss’s marriage. Sixth Miss should consider it thoroughly…”
Marriage was a momentous event for any woman.
Sixth Miss was the only one Jinshu had ever met who didn’t seem to take it seriously.
Xue Sui smiled. “Aunt understands me.”
Jinshu sighed and said no more, taking a folded letter from her sleeve.
“Someone has sent a message for Miss.”
Xue Sui glanced at her, wiped her hands with a clean handkerchief, and then took the sealed note.
“Where did it come from?”
“Hongfu Gambling House.”
Xue Sui opened it. The handwriting was bold and unrestrained, a powerful cursive script. If she hadn’t had some skill in calligraphy, she might not have recognized a single character.
“It’s from You Huang, ‘In You Huang, cease your arrogance and wild revelry.'”
It looked like a love poem.
In reality, it was a ruse to avoid suspicion, in case it fell into the wrong hands.
This was Li Zhao’s naked warning and threat, telling her to cease her arrogance…
At the same time, it was an invitation to meet him at You Huang Ju.
Jinshu asked, “Miss, what’s wrong?”
Xue Sui took a deep breath and slowly tore the note into pieces, burning them in the brazier.
She had neglected Li Zhao these past few days.
The Eastern Palace was monitoring Prince Duan’s every move, and of course, that included the Xue Mansion and her.
Being summoned at this time could only mean trouble…
–
The last ray of sunset faded into the clouds, and the sky, as if covered by a curtain, gradually plunged into darkness.
Two young ladies walked one after another to the back corner gate of You Huang Ju. After looking around to ensure no one was present, they knocked three times.
The door opened.
It was Eunuch Lai’s familiar, plump, smiling face.
“Sixth Miss Xue has arrived. Please come in!”
Xue Sui glanced at him. There was a slight sheen of sweat on Lai Fu’s face.
At this season, the weather was warming up, but it was not yet cold enough at night to break into a sweat.
Xue Sui stopped and bowed to Lai Fu. “Is Eunuch feeling unwell?”
Lai Fu was slightly taken aback.
She could tell that?
It wasn’t his body that was unwell, but his mood.
What had he said earlier? Don’t provoke the Crown Prince. Now, if the Crown Prince broke their contract and stopped playing with her, Sixth Miss Xue would be in dire straits!
Eunuch Lai Fu felt a pang of pity.
He hadn’t felt this way before. He could watch a horse or a cow die with a smile. Sixth Miss Xue hadn’t been particularly close to him, nor had she been overly warm. Unlike others, she hadn’t tried to curry favor with him just because he was the Crown Prince’s attendant…
But he couldn’t bear to see this young lady fall into the Crown Prince’s hands.
Perhaps it was the scars on her body that had burned into his eyes?
Ever since he had seen them, he found it difficult to remain indifferent.
However, facing Sixth Miss Xue’s open gaze, Lai Fu couldn’t say anything.
“No, no, no. I was just in a hurry, that’s all.”
Xue Sui glanced at him and walked directly towards Rong Hua Hall.
It was there that Li Zhao had summoned him last time.
Lai Fu led the way for her. Perhaps it was the silence around them, but he could hear his own breathing, which felt uneven. Finally, he couldn’t help but sigh, “Miss, when you see His Highness, try to go along with him a bit. His Highness… is a good Highness… it’s just that sometimes he can’t help but… can’t help but act on impulse…”
He couldn’t speak ill of the Crown Prince, yet he was afraid Xue Sui wouldn’t understand. Burdened by his worries, he couldn’t articulate his thoughts for a long time.
Xue Sui smiled. “Thank you for your guidance, Eunuch.”
–
The room was illuminated by lamps, casting light upon Rong Hua Hall.
The Crown Prince sat alone in the hall, his expression serene, his handsome features as exquisite as a masterpiece painting favored by heaven.
“Your Highness, the person has been brought.”
Lai Fu’s usual respectful tone broke the silence.
Li Zhao said, “You may withdraw.”
The Crown Prince’s voice was light, giving no indication of his mood.
Lai Fu glanced at Xue Sui, sighed softly, and led everyone away.
Xiao Zhao, however, refused.
She stood guard over Xue Sui, her gaze fierce, not flinching from the oppressive aura emanating from Li Zhao.
Xue Sui nodded at her, and Xiao Zhao reluctantly hummed in response.
As she left, her fists were clenched tightly, as if she were ready to pounce at the slightest disturbance.
Xue Sui felt a warmth in her heart and looked up, only to see Li Zhao’s figure bathed in the halo of the lamplight…
The firelight could not clear his eyes, and his expression was indistinct.
She walked in slowly and bowed.
“Your Highness summoned me late at night. For what purpose?”
Li Zhao raised his eyes and looked at her indifferently for a moment. His tall figure, like the clear breeze and bright moon, slowly moved from his seat and stood before her.
“A good question.”
His cold gaze fell upon her, more serious than ever.
The corners of his lips curved slightly, and he spoke in a gentle tone, yet it was like a royal decree.
“Listen to me, do not marry into Prince Duan’s Mansion.”
Xue Sui was slightly surprised. “Is Your Highness afraid of him? Or do you wish to keep me?”
She was very calm.
Li Zhao appeared equally calm.
The two looked into each other’s eyes, not a trace of a smile reaching their depths.
“Your Highness knew I was going to Prince Duan’s Mansion long ago. Why are you only stopping me now? Are you afraid I will be attracted to Li Huan and pledge allegiance to him?”
Li Zhao appraised her with a glance and raised an eyebrow slightly.
“Do you think all this will allow you to sway Ping Le?”
Xue Sui thought for a moment and replied truthfully, “I cannot sway her. Therefore, I intend to use Prince Duan as a stepping stone and conspire with the Crown Prince.”
Her gaze was firm, expressing both loyalty and arousing resentment.
Li Zhao seemed impatient. He gave a sarcastic smile, lifted the corner of his robe, and lazily sat on the chair directly opposite her.
“At the Spring Flower Banquet, the Empress will select consorts for me… You want a stepping stone? I am no worse than Li Huan.”
Xue Sui couldn’t help but laugh.
This Crown Prince had to compete with Prince Duan in everything.
Had he lost himself in this competition? Did he have to fight over even this?
She looked at Li Zhao with a sense of disbelief and calmly and earnestly told him.
“The Eastern Palace has a noble status. As a concubine’s daughter of Xue Liu, I am entirely unsuitable. Moreover, there are too many people, too much trouble.”
According to the regulations of the Eastern Palace in this dynasty, there was one Crown Princess, two favored consorts, six favored ladies, eight attendants, sixteen attendants of virtue, and twenty-four imperial consorts.
When Li Zhao married, these consorts would likely be gradually appointed, and she couldn’t imagine how much more vibrant the Eastern Palace would be then, far more lively than Prince Duan’s Mansion…
After speaking, she mimicked Li Zhao and let out a cold laugh.
“I have never had designs on Your Highness. Please rest assured.”
Li Zhao laughed. “Do you truly intend to go your own way?”
Xue Sui curtsied. “Sixth Xue acts according to her own heart.”
Li Zhao seemed amused by her words, as if he were laughing at her.
“Then you will have to bear the consequences of opposing me.”
Xue Sui remained silent.
Dealing with Li Zhao was far more terrifying than dealing with people like those in the Xue Mansion or Gu Jie.
It was like the snakes he kept in the cellar of You Huang Ju. They seemed dormant and silent, coiled stealthily, but they harbored hidden dangers, and one never knew when they might strike and take a life.
However, if she wanted to accomplish something, she could not bypass this cunning Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace.
After a long while, Xue Sui sighed softly.
“Although it is not my wish, if Your Highness will not tolerate it, then consider my visit that day a mistake. Our gentleman’s agreement is null and void.”
Gentleman’s agreement?
Who was the gentleman? He certainly wasn’t.
Li Zhao responded dismissively, “Scram!”
Her first visit to You Huang Ju had earned her the word “scram.”
And a poisoned Lu Ban box.
She wondered what it would be this time…
Xue Sui hesitated for a moment, then bowed to him in farewell.
“Sixth Xue will always remember Your Highness’s kindness in helping me recently. If the Crown Prince has any requests in the future, I will do my utmost to fulfill them. Farewell!”
Her demeanor was graceful, her eyes held a clear radiance, and her actions were decisive. This contrasted sharply with Li Zhao’s cold, stern face, his expression extremely displeased.
Li Zhao watched Xue Sui leave, silent for a long time.
“If they are useless, then there is no need to keep them.”
Lai Fu and Guan Ya entered the room and heard these words.
They exchanged a glance, and their hearts sank.
Sixth Miss Xue was finished!
The Crown Prince could not tolerate betrayal the most.
—
The night she left You Huang Ju, Xue Sui asked Jinshu to arrange a meeting with Yaoguang.
Yaoguang met her at Hongfu Gambling House as usual and greeted her with a warm smile.
“Little Junior Sister, you miss your Senior Brother again?”
Xue Sui ignored his teasing, her brows furrowed sternly. “I need to see Senior Disciple Brother.”
Yaoguang frowned. “What happened?”
Xue Sui shook her head and said indifferently, “Remember to invite Senior Sister Yuheng as well. I have a request for her.”
Yaoguang huffed in displeasure. “Don’t think that just because you invited Yuheng, I’ll help you. Let me be clear, Senior Disciple Brother is not easy to invite. Every time I do, I get scolded, injured, and exhausted…”
“The Crown Prince wants to kill me,” Xue Sui suddenly said, interrupting Yaoguang. He stared at her, his face a mask of disbelief. “Why? Is Li Zhao mad?”
Xue Sui smiled faintly. “Perhaps.”
Li Zhao was a man of obsession and madness. His summoning her today was less of a discussion and more of a final ultimatum. Once he felt things were beyond his control, he would likely destroy them rather than let them be, and he would show her no mercy…
Ah, I’ve been feeling groggy and out of sorts these past two days after taking my medicine. I will review this chapter later and may make corrections. Thank you, my dear readers, for your subscriptions, votes, and readership. Sending you all big hearts…
Welcome to report any errors!
