Chapter 027: Zhang Zhe

“After entering the palace, you’ve been learning the rules for two days straight. You must be exhausted and haven’t had a chance to explore the palace yet, right?” Shen Zhiyi said with a smile. Suddenly, she remembered something and turned to look at the others beside her, saying, “You all too, right?”

Although everyone had been selected to enter the palace, they hadn’t had much contact with Princess Leyang. Hearing her question, they were all stunned.

Only Xiao Shu, who was familiar with her, replied with a smile, “They haven’t.”

She used “they” instead of “we.”

This small detail in her words revealed her familiarity with the palace, different from the others, indicating she didn’t consider herself part of the group.

Shen Zhiyi clapped her hands and said, “You’ve almost learned the etiquette. Tomorrow, Master Xie will test your knowledge, and we don’t know how many will pass. Since you’re in the palace, you shouldn’t come in vain. Today, I’ll take you to visit the Imperial Garden.”

Everyone’s eyes lit up with joy.

Shen Zhiyi took Jiang Xuening by one hand and Xiao Shu by the other, and said directly to Su Shangyi, “Auntie, Ah Shu and I will take them out for a walk. Let’s not study today!”

Su Shangyi, who had watched the princess grow up, had no principles and said, “You’ve almost learned enough. It’s good for the princess to take you out for a walk, but don’t stay out too late. You can sleep in tomorrow, but the ladies have to take the test.”

Shen Zhiyi readily agreed, “Got it, got it!”

Then she happily went out, surrounded by a large group of people heading to the Imperial Garden.

The Imperial Garden was northwest of Yangzhi Zhai. Following the palace walls north and then turning west through a few turns, it could be seen from afar.

The palace was particularly quiet in the afternoon.

Although it was already late autumn and the northern flowers and trees were nearly withered, the palace gardeners were meticulous, still planting seasonal roses and potted chrysanthemums in the Imperial Garden. Some were pruned neatly, while others were arranged in a staggered manner, giving a rare Jiangnan charm.

Especially in the eastern corner of the Imperial Garden, near the palace wall, a plum tree was planted. Although it was not yet blooming season, the sparse branches already had a certain beauty.

Fan Yilan, who was quite fond of this, couldn’t help but praise, “It’s said that trees are not planted in the palace to prevent fires. I didn’t expect to see a plum tree here.”

Shen Zhiyi smiled and said, “This is an exception in the palace. It was planted three years ago when Master Yuanji lost a bet to Master Xie, causing quite a stir.”

Planting trees in the palace was considered unlucky, as the character for “tree” within walls formed the character for “trapped.”

Even though the tree planter was the monk Yuanji, he faced considerable resistance, but Xie Wei won the bet and enjoyed watching the drama.

Master Yuanji was the first monk to hold an official position in this dynasty.

Jiang Xuening remembered him well.

In her previous life, she had seen this person, who didn’t look like a monk at all. He was burly, with upturned triangular eyes, lacking the compassion and serenity of a Buddhist, but rather had a fierce aura. Even when he smiled, he seemed calculating.

People said he had a good relationship with Xie Wei, discussing philosophy together.

But based on clues from her previous life, Jiang Xuening deduced that these two were likely not on good terms, secretly guarding against each other. Until she committed suicide, Master Yuanji was still on the run, and it was unknown if Xie Wei eventually killed him.

At this moment, hearing Shen Zhiyi mention Yuanji, she followed everyone’s gaze to the plum tree in the corner and pondered the fate of the monk in her previous life. Coincidentally, as she turned her gaze, a group of people came walking from the other side of the palace wall.

Upon closer inspection, the person at the front was wearing a python robe.

Who else could it be but Prince Linzi, Shen Jie?

Following him were several eunuchs, seemingly coming from the direction of the harem, intending to pass through the Imperial Garden to leave the palace.

Shen Zhiyi’s eyes lit up when she saw him and waved from afar, “Brother, Brother!”

Shen Jie had just paid his respects to the Empress Dowager and was about to leave the palace. Hearing this voice, he looked up and saw Shen Zhiyi. A gentle smile appeared on his scholarly face, and he said, “Zhiyi, what are you doing here?”

Shen Zhiyi pointed to the people behind her and said, “I’m taking my companions to tour the Imperial Garden.”

Shen Jie followed her finger and looked over.

Indeed, it was a group of girls.

At the front was Xiao Shu, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Chengguo, whom Shen Jie had seen a few times; but the one not far from Xiao Shu…

She had changed out of her usual men’s clothing and was now wearing a light purple dress. Standing among the crowd, her figure was slender and delicate, her skin fair, her neck long, her cherry lips red, and without the deliberately thick eyebrows, her distant mountain brows were light, and her eyes had an indescribable elegance and charm.

Shen Jie was startled at first glance.

At this moment, he thought, if it weren’t for Yan Lin’s prior warning that this Second Miss Jiang was the girl he was protecting and intended to marry, he might have had some improper thoughts upon seeing her.

Xiao Shu, seeing him, was about to step forward and salute.

After all, they had met before.

But when she looked up, she saw that Shen Jie’s gaze easily passed over her and fell on Jiang Xuening beside her, lingering for a while, causing a slight chill in her heart.

By the time she was about to salute, the best moment had already passed.

Shen Zhiyi, unaware of anything, pulled Shen Jie’s sleeve and boasted, “How about it? My group of companions is no less impressive than when you and the Emperor were princes, right?”

Shen Jie smiled, “Yes, yes, who can compare to our Princess Leyang?”

Shen Zhiyi snorted, “You only had one or two companions back then, I have twelve here—hmm, what’s this?”

As she spoke, she was playing with Shen Jie’s wide sleeve, and accidentally flipped out a light green embroidered handkerchief with her finger.

Shen Jie was stunned and immediately reached out to take it back, “Give it to me.”

Shen Zhiyi’s eyes widened, and she quickly dodged away, examining the light green embroidered handkerchief. It had an orchid embroidered on it, with a small red ginger flower in one corner.

She clicked her tongue twice and teased, “Brother Wang, this doesn’t look like something a man would use. Which girl’s is it?”

Shen Jie frowned, his handsome face turning slightly red. He stepped forward and snatched the handkerchief back, stuffing it back into his sleeve haphazardly, saying, “You’re too young to be talking nonsense!”

Shen Zhiyi stuck out her tongue, “I’m almost twenty and ready to get married. You’re twenty-three or twenty-four and still don’t have a princess consort. I’m sure the Emperor is worried about you. If you like someone but are too shy to say it, I can help you talk to the Emperor.”

Shen Jie was a person who valued his dignity.

Being teased by his sister made him even more embarrassed.

After stuffing the handkerchief back into his sleeve, he tried to put on a stern face and said, “Don’t you dare. Today, it was just discovered that the silk boat on the Cao River capsized because of collusion between officials and merchants to inflate silk prices. Just now, the Ministry of Justice and the Embroidered Uniform Guard had a dispute, almost throwing someone into prison. Even Master Xie and several elders couldn’t stop it. If you bother the Emperor with such trivial matters, you’ll be walking into trouble. Give your brother a break, don’t make a fuss.”

Shen Zhiyi pouted. She wouldn’t really take the handkerchief to Shen Lang and make up stories. She just found her brother’s nervous reaction amusing and said, “Alright, whatever Brother says. I don’t understand court affairs anyway. They go in one ear and out the other, and I wouldn’t know even if the Emperor fooled me.”

Shen Jie was exasperated.

Seeing the many noble ladies watching, he became even more embarrassed and hurriedly said, “I’m leaving the palace first,” before quickly departing.

His manner clearly showed he was fleeing in haste.

Shen Zhiyi almost laughed herself to tears.

But the expressions of the others varied.

Perhaps others didn’t recognize the handkerchief, but Xiao Shu, standing close by, clearly saw the red ginger flower embroidered on one corner. Remembering Shen Jie’s glance at Jiang Xuening, her grip on the delicate scented fan tightened slightly.

She turned her gaze to Jiang Xuening.

This time, her look was different from any before.

Jiang Xuening thought that Shen Jie had already had contact with Jiang Xuehui at this time, and this handkerchief was their “token.” In her previous life, she had taken the opportunity to impersonate Jiang Xuehui.

In this life, she didn’t interfere, so she didn’t know how things would turn out for them.

Judging by Shen Jie’s expression, he seemed quite serious.

But this thought only appeared in a fleeting flashback before her attention snapped back to Shen Jie’s words about the ‘Cao River Silk Boat’.

So the silk boat capsized because of a conspiracy.

In her previous life, You Fangyin had used all her money to buy raw silk before the price rose, which made sense now. Perhaps she had inadvertently received some information.

As for this life…

The wooden-faced expression of You Fangyin suddenly came back to her in a flashback.

Jiang Xuening sighed lightly and shook her head, not noticing Xiao Shu’s scrutinizing gaze. Instead, she turned her attention to Yao Xi, who was standing a bit further back.

This young lady from the Ministry of Personnel’s household had been looking gloomy for two days. Even when Fang Miao and others told jokes that made everyone laugh, she just sat aside without smiling.

When Jiang Xuening looked over, her face looked even worse.

Her hands were clasped in front of her, holding an embroidered handkerchief.

It was clear that her fingers were gripping it tightly. Her nails, dyed pink with balsam flower juice, were too sharp for the silk handkerchief, leaving marks.

Jiang Xuening’s brows furrowed slowly.

It was fine while they were walking in the Imperial Garden, but after bidding farewell to the princess and returning to Yangzhi Zhai with everyone, Yao Xi went straight to her room and cried on her couch.

She seemed very heartbroken.

Those who saw her return noticed her unusual expression and exchanged glances.

Since they were all under the same roof, it wouldn’t be right not to show concern.

But it was also inappropriate to disturb her while she was crying.

So they made tea and set out dried fruits and candied snacks in the Liushui Pavilion. When they heard the crying gradually stop, Fang Miao, who could cheer people up, and Chen Shuyi, who was steady, went to coax her out to sit down.

Yao Xi’s beautiful almond eyes were red from crying, and her makeup was smudged. Her expression was full of resentment and grievance. When asked, she said, “I cried because I heard Prince Linzi talking about the matter of the Censor of the Ministry of Justice in the Imperial Garden.”

Someone didn’t understand, “The Censor of the Ministry of Justice?”

Chen Shuyi knew a bit and asked, “Is the marriage settled?”

Yao Xi almost choked up again and said, “Half settled. But how can a seventh-rank Censor of the Ministry of Justice be worthy of me? He’s not even a scholar by examination, just a commoner who passed the civil service exam and became an official. His family has a coarse, widowed mother, old and ugly. My father said that although the Censor of the Ministry of Justice is not a high-ranking official, he is close to the emperor. If he gains the emperor’s favor, he could be promoted quickly. Marrying such a person is about his future prospects. So I was persuaded and agreed to this marriage. But now? The emperor almost threw him into prison! I heard that he likes to deal with dead bodies when investigating cases, and his temperament is very strange, not easy to get along with. Now that the Embroidered Uniform Guard is powerful, he has offended them. What future does he have? If I marry him, I have to serve his old mother, endure his strange temper, and might even end up in prison with him! Why should I…”

Everyone then understood that she was talking about the Censor of the Ministry of Justice, Zhang Zhe, who had recently caused a stir in the court.

Because of him, the emperor dismissed a thousand-household officer named Zhou from the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Yao Xi was engaged to him.

For a moment, no one knew what to say.

Xiao Shu frowned slightly and said, “But the marriage is already being discussed.”

Jiang Xuening sat aside, listening to Yao Xi’s complaints, but her gaze fell on the large fish tank on the antique shelf, watching the goldfish swimming under the lotus leaves. She lowered her eyes, lost in thought.

Yao Xi clenched her teeth, her resentment becoming more apparent. In the dim, flickering candlelight, she looked somewhat sinister and frightening. “It’s because the marriage is being discussed that I’m unwilling! But now that the betrothal letters have been exchanged, if we back out, people will say the Yao family is opportunistic. Now, it’s awkward—marrying is bad, not marrying is also bad. Zhang Zhe has already been engaged twice before: one was broken off because the girl privately pledged herself to someone else, and the other died before the wedding. This time, he finally managed to attach himself to my Yao family, and he won’t willingly break off the engagement. My father is a high-ranking official, and I, a legitimate daughter of a noble family, how can I marry such a person?”

Jiang Xuening almost laughed coldly: Zhang Zhe eager to attach himself to the Yao family? Really thinks highly of herself!

Hearing the name “Zhang Zhe,” You Yue subconsciously glanced at Jiang Xuening, covered her mouth with her hand, and smiled lightly. She said to Yao Xi, “Why worry about such a small matter? Yao sister, your thinking is too rigid. There are many paths in the world and many ways to solve problems. Why insist on Zhang breaking off the engagement? Why not have your family do it first? As long as you find the right reason, no one can say anything.”

Everyone’s eyes turned to her.

Yao Xi also looked up in surprise and saw it was You Yue from the declining Qingyuan Marquis household. She frowned instinctively, usually looking down on her, but now, hearing she might have a solution, she asked, “What reason?”

The Qingyuan Marquis household was in decline, and You Yue was more anxious than anyone to be selected into the palace. She had even forgotten her previous conflict with Jiang Xuening over Zhang Zhe. Jiang Xuening’s father, Jiang Boyou, was only a vice minister, while Yao Xi’s father was the Minister of Rites and a Grand Secretary. Why should she fear Jiang Xuening?

So she smiled.

She said slowly, “If it’s as sister Yao said, Zhang Zhe has been engaged twice and both failed. It shows he’s destined to be without a wife, and the second fiance died before the wedding. What does that mean? It means he’s cursed to bring misfortune to his wife!”

Yao Xi was stunned and murmured, “But his fiance was frail and sickly from childhood and died of a cold…”

You Yue sneered, “Sister Yao, why are you so rigid? No matter what, the fact is she died. If you want to break off the engagement, just say Zhang Zhe is cursed to bring misfortune to his wife, a lone star of misfortune. Whoever marries him will not have a good end. Who would dare say your family is wrong? Given the current situation, even if your father appreciates his talent, hearing such things repeatedly, how could he not care for his daughter? Grand Secretary Yao is influential in court, even the emperor respects him. If Zhang Zhe doesn’t know what’s good for him, he’s opposing Grand Secretary Yao. Can he not be dealt with?”

Yes.

Zhang Zhe, who rose through the ranks due to his skill in criminal cases, had no scholarly title and struggled in court. As long as she could find a reasonable excuse and persuade her father, given his love for her, how could this engagement not be broken?

Yao Xi clutched the embroidered handkerchief, her eyes flickering.

Jiang Xuening quietly glanced at Yao Xi, then at You Yue, who had just given the advice and glanced at her provocatively. She clenched her fist. 

She remembered the first time she met Zhang Zhe, at the summer resort.

She had taken palace maids to enjoy the lotus flowers on the lake.

Unexpectedly, a sudden downpour in July forced them to seek shelter in a nearby pavilion. There, she found a man already seated, with a young eunuch standing by, seemingly waiting for someone.

The man, wearing the robe of a third-rank civil official, sat on a stone bench by the round table, one hand on the table, the other resting on his right knee, quietly watching the rain outside.

Tea was brewing on the table, steam mingling with the fragrance.

Outside, the rain roared.

In this corner of the pavilion, it felt as if it had been abandoned by the world, with an inexplicable sense of tranquility.

Jiang Xuening hesitated for a moment before stepping inside.

She was dressed in palace attire, with phoenixes flying and peonies clustered on her skirt.

The young eunuch saw her first and quickly bowed, saying, “Greetings, Your Majesty.”

Only then did the man notice her. He immediately stood up, bowed his head, and saluted, “Your humble servant Zhang Zhe greets the Empress.”

Zhang Zhe.

At the mention of this name, she raised an eyebrow: During that period when Zhou Yinzhi was working for her, the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Three Judicial Offices were vying for power. Zhang Zhe, the newly appointed Assistant Minister of Justice, was constantly opposing Zhou Yinzhi, causing even the meticulous Zhou to lose his composure, flipping tables in the Supervisory Office in a fit of rage.

So, although she had never met him, she had long heard of his reputation.

She glanced at him up and down, then said with a half-smile, “Rise, Minister Zhang, no need for formalities.”

She had intended to exchange a few words with him.

But unexpectedly, he remained expressionless and, after rising, said directly, “Zhang Zhe is an outsider and dares not disturb Your Majesty.”

Then he stepped out of the pavilion and stood on the steps outside. It was still raining heavily, and he was drenched within moments.

The young eunuch was startled.

Zhang Zhe was waiting in the pavilion with a eunuch by his side, likely summoned by Shen Jie, who had not yet arrived. The young eunuch dared not let a court official get soaked and hurriedly grabbed an umbrella to shield him.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Xuening sneered and said, “Give it to me.”

At that time, as the Empress, everyone treated her with utmost respect and flattery.

Yet Zhang Zhe avoided her like the plague.

With past grievances and power struggles, how could she let him off easily?

So she took the umbrella from the eunuch and leisurely walked to the edge of the pavilion. Standing higher than the steps, she looked down at Zhang Zhe but did not shield him with the umbrella.

She toyed with the umbrella handle, watching the rainwater stream down his stern face.

Zhang Zhe’s face naturally lacked any hint of a smile, with thin lips and eyelids. When he glanced at her, his gaze was as sharp as a blade, leaving a mark on her heart.

Jiang Xuening smiled, “Why does the minister avoid me? Are you afraid I’ll eat you?”

Zhang Zhe remained silent.

Jiang Xuening felt he was being ungrateful, “I’ve heard that Minister Zhang is quite capable, even making the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard suffer. I’ve known about you for a long time, but I didn’t expect to meet you today…”

Her voice was pleasant, but her words carried a clear tone of mockery.

The rain roared, and the mist blurred the view.

Zhang Zhe looked at her, then turned away without a word, intending to leave.

But as he took a step, he found he couldn’t move.

He turned to see—

His robe’s corner, soaked by the rain, was caught under a shoe embroidered with silver clouds.

Jiang Xuening pretended not to notice and asked, “Why isn’t Minister Zhang leaving?”

Zhang Zhe looked at her for a moment, then bent down in the rain and pulled at his robe.

“Rip!”

The sound of tearing fabric was sharp and jarring amidst the rain.

He tore off the corner of his robe that Jiang Xuening had stepped on, stood up, and said calmly, “No need to trouble Your Majesty. But I have a word of advice: those who seek profit by dealing with a tiger will eventually be devoured by it. Your Majesty, take care.”

With that, Zhang Zhe left.

Jiang Xuening, furious, threw the umbrella down. It spun in the rain, making a loud noise.

The young eunuch in the pavilion was pale with fear.

At that moment, she thought, how could there be such an ungrateful person in the world?

Later, she realized that Zhang Zhe was inherently ungrateful.

Stubborn and unyielding, he never changed, no matter how much he was scolded.

She thought she hadn’t taken his words to heart, but countless sleepless nights later, they resurfaced from her memory. Those around her either sought favors, had intentions, or were under her control, never speaking to her like that…

How could she not be dealing with a tiger?

But everyone has their own ambitions.

In her previous life, she was determined to be Empress, ignoring all advice, persisting in her mistakes.

Unexpectedly, in this life, she hadn’t seen Zhang Zhe yet but had met his “fiance” first…

The night was dark, and the candlelight flickered.

After giving her advice, You Yue stood aside, smiling smugly.

Yao Xi slowly clenched her fingers, her face dark with determination.

Jiang Xuening suddenly thought: Living in this world, being a good person is exhausting. You have to endure, yield, restrain yourself, be humble, and avoid conflicts. Compared to being a bad person, it’s really not satisfying. Although being bad eventually comes with consequences, from her past life’s experience, no matter the final outcome, the moment of being bad was extremely satisfying and exhilarating…

“Miss You.”

Jiang Xuening stood up and walked over to the fish tank she had been staring at earlier. Watching the goldfish swim slowly in the waist-high tank, she called out.

“Please step aside; I suddenly have a few words to say to you.”

She wore a peaceful smile, showing no signs of anything unusual.

You Yue guessed that Jiang Xuening might be annoyed by her earlier suggestion but felt safe in the palace with so many people watching. She even looked forward to seeing Jiang Xuening’s unpleasant expression up close.

So she smiled and walked over.

The room fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to them.

As soon as You Yue approached, she said, “Say what you want.”

But she never expected that as she reached the fish tank, Jiang Xuening suddenly reached out without warning, grabbed her head, and pushed it into the white porcelain tank!

You Yue screamed.

But Jiang Xuening’s sudden move was forceful and ruthless, leaving You Yue no chance to escape.

Her entire head was submerged in water!

Everyone in the room was shocked and cried out in alarm.

Zhou Baoying dropped the candied fruits she was holding onto the table, and Fang Miao covered her mouth in shock.

Even Xiao Shu’s expression changed as she stood up abruptly!

At this moment, there was no trace of kindness on Jiang Xuening’s face. Her expression was icy and devoid of any smile. Her whole demeanor was filled with hostility as she pressed You Yue into the water without any emotion.

Water splashed onto her clothes as You Yue struggled, but she didn’t move an inch.

Only when everyone recovered from their shock and rushed forward to intervene did Jiang Xuening coldly pull the weakened You Yue out of the water and throw her onto the ground.

You Yue was terrified and pale.

She pointed at Jiang Xuening with a trembling hand: “You… you…”

Jiang Xuening lowered her eyes and wiped her hands with a nearby embroidered handkerchief, saying calmly, “What about me?”

Everyone’s eyes were on her.

She merely smiled faintly, looking down at You Yue, and said, “Are you going to complain that I bullied you? But I have Yan Lin, the Princess, and a father who holds a real position. What do you have?”

You Yue couldn’t believe what had just happened, nor could she believe Jiang Xuening’s brazen words.

She wanted to retort.

But facing Jiang Xuening’s fierce eyes, she trembled all over.

Jiang Xuening then slowly turned her gaze to Yao Xi, who was also frightened, her deep eyes shining with a faint light, and her tone surprisingly calm and friendly: “Young ladies, not yet married, already conspiring to ruin someone’s reputation and lifelong happiness. So vicious at such a young age, what will you become when you grow up? If this gets out, who would dare marry you? Miss Yao, don’t you agree?”

Yao Xi then realized that Jiang Xuening was acting because of Zhang Zhe.

She felt a mix of fear and anger.

But she didn’t dare meet Jiang Xuening’s gaze, only looking away.

Jiang Xuening had thought Yao Xi must be very bold to use such cruel tactics, but seeing her cowardice, she sneered. She slowly folded the handkerchief and put it down, saying to everyone, “You all continue chatting. I’m a bit tired and will go to sleep first.”