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Chapter 19: Changfeng

Zhao Yan paused her writing and sighed lightly at the slight chill on her fingertips.

She dried the ink and handed the letter to Liu Ying. “Write a letter in the name of the Crown Prince and send it to Huayang immediately. Shilan will know what to do.”

Shilan was one of her close palace maids in the Huayang Palace. Because she was similar in age and smart and loyal, every time Zhao Yan sneaked out to play, she would exchange clothes with Shilan, letting her stay in the palace to deal with the old maids’ inquiries.

Before being summoned back to the capital, she deliberately left Shilan in the Huayang Palace to accompany the Empress Dowager, just in case.

After all, Princess Changfeng had left the palace at a young age, and after so many years, who knew what the princess looked like now?

Liu Ying took the letter and pondered, “What about the Empress Dowager…”

Zhao Yan knew what she was worried about. It was easy to deceive the people in the imperial city by having palace maids pretend to be her, but it was not easy to deceive the Empress Dowager who had been with her for years.

Thinking of the string of sandalwood beads the Empress Dowager had sent with the old maids before she left, Zhao Yan sighed slowly. “You underestimate my grandmother. Although she is devoted to Buddhism, she is not an outsider. She knows better than us what to do.”

Liu Ying stopped saying more and respectfully went to make arrangements.

When they were attacked in the street earlier, Liu Ying’s reaction was too quick and timely, as if she had experienced it many times before, and her body had developed instincts.

But why would someone behind the scenes be so eager to assassinate a weak and sickly young prince like the Crown Prince, whom everyone in Xuan knew had been bedridden for years?

Many mysteries gathered like ink clouds, pressing heavily on her mind.

On the side, Liu Ji wiped the ink off her fingers and remained silent for a long time before suddenly saying, “Has Liu Ying ever told you that His Majesty fell ill this spring and had the Crown Prince handle state affairs?”

Zhao Yan slowly raised her eyes, seeming to understand something.

Everyone taught Zhao Yan to be benevolent and to shoulder the responsibility of the heir, but no one taught him how to protect himself.

“That servant is tight-lipped and stubborn. She won’t say anything.”

Liu Ji quickly dismissed her own question and angrily picked up the sweet pastries on the table, stuffing them into her mouth one by one. Suddenly, Zhao Yan remembered that her brother also liked sweets because he had been fed too much medicinal soup since childhood and was tired of the bitterness.

Zhao Yan nodded slightly and then shook her head lightly. “The enemy won’t spare me because they fear me, just as they didn’t spare Zhao Yan because of his weakness. Since the day I returned to the palace, I understood that if I don’t want to be overwhelmed by the flood, I can only grab every piece of driftwood and go against the current.”

Because of the assassination, the Eastern Palace was currently in chaos, with imperial guards patrolling outside, asking about the details.

Zhao Yan rubbed her eyes as if tired, got up, and walked to Liu Ji’s small couch, lying down carefully and slowly.

She gently closed her eyes and murmured, “We can’t forget about him, Liu Ji. That idiot shouldn’t have ended up like this.”

Her voice was light but firm, hiding a sense of determination. Liu Ji suddenly looked up and saw Zhao Yan tightly wrapped in her fox fur, her slender figure curled up slightly. Zhao Yan had said that her twin sister was restless when sleeping and kicked the blanket several times a night.

But the girl in front of her slept quietly and alertly, like a newborn baby.

Liu Ji got up, pulled the quilt over Zhao Yan, and thought for a long time before finally picking up a brush and ink, sketching on the paper from memory.

…

In the Prince Yong’s Mansion, in a secluded side hall with tightly closed doors and windows.

With a crisp slap, Zhao Yuanyu spun like a top, swaying before finally steadying himself, holding his face in pain and not daring to speak.

“I ask you, who leaked the route of the suburban sacrifice procession!”

The Prince Yong paced back and forth, almost poking his son’s face with his fingers, his voice suppressed, “I warned you after last year’s incident, not to act rashly, not to be impatient for success! Why can’t you listen? In less than half a year, you’ve committed such a heinous act again! You’ve even gotten involved with the underworld gangs. You… you want to kill your father!”

A huge palm print appeared on Zhao Yuanyu’s sharp-faced chicken coop as he complained, “Everything this son has done is for the sake of Father.”

“For me? Huh, I think you’re plotting against your old man.”

In order to cater to the Emperor’s fondness for seeking immortality and Taoism, the Prince Yong also wore Taoist robes all day long, but he ultimately lacked the aura of an immortal. The robes looked rather ridiculous on his stout figure.

He scolded, “The Emperor has no heir, and the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace has a short-lived appearance. It’s just a matter of enduring for a few years.”

“Father indeed can endure, and he’s not afraid that the short-lived Crown Prince will cause trouble before his death and produce an imperial grandson. After all, with his young age, he has beautiful maids and concubines serving him day and night.”

Zhao Yuanyu sneered, “A few years is enough for him to father several children. The Prince isn’t afraid of a cooked duck flying away.”

“Unfilial son!”

The Prince Yong raised his hand to hit again, and Zhao Yuanyu quickly raised his sleeve to dodge.

Seeing his own son’s cowardly appearance, the Prince Yong became even angrier. If only his legitimate son had both internal and external qualities, possessing half the intelligence and demeanor of the Crown Prince, the Emperor wouldn’t have disliked him to the point of refusing to acknowledge him as his son, let alone falling to the current desperate situation.

The Prince Yong clenched his iron palm into a fist and swept his gaze over his son. Before worrying about others’ business, he might as well take care of the soft worm in his own house first!

Zhao Yuanyu was struck where it hurt, his face changing color instantly.

He was naturally lustful and had countless concubines since he came of age, but ever since he was injured in the spring hunt last year, even his beard had become sparse.

He was afraid!

With so many beauties unable to enjoy, how could someone as unfit for humanity as he inherit the position of the next Crown Prince? He could only desperately take medicine, desperately consume it, even trying the aphrodisiacs brought by those concubines, but several women died from the ordeal, yet his body remained unresponsive!

In his father’s eyes, he was a libertine indulging in lust, but only he knew how terrified he was.

He dared not report the truth, so he reluctantly said “yes” and walked out of the side hall in a daze.

A middle-aged man who looked like a counselor came out of the corner, saluting him. Just by looking at the slap marks on the youth’s face, he knew that the Prince Yong was angry this time.

He said, “The young master did indeed act rashly this time.”

“Even you dare to lecture me!” Zhao Yuanyu’s suppressed anger surged up again.

“Please calm down, young master. My meaning is, if the assassination fails once, there shouldn’t be a second attempt to avoid leaving evidence.”

Glancing around, the counselor said cautiously, “If the young master wants to eliminate that person, why not choose a more prudent strategy instead of resorting to such risky tactics?”

Zhao Yuanyu was impatient. “So what do you think is the best strategy?”

“Isn’t that person quite respected? Killing him directly may arouse public outrage, but ruining his reputation would be the best strategy. Only when his virtue is questioned can the young master’s excellence be highlighted.”

The counselor revealed a smile that could only be understood, “In a little over a month, it will be the Spring Banquet. The Crown Prince will definitely attend. Why doesn’t the young master…”

He leaned in and whispered a few times.

Zhao Yuanyu narrowed his eyes, feeling greatly pleased.

“Hmm, that’s a good idea.”

He couldn’t wait to find someone to arrange it, and coincidentally, he saw someone squatting on the steps in front of the woodshed.

The man was about thirty years old, towering about nine feet tall, with muscular arms and a slim waist. He wore a dirty and tattered black and blue martial robe, and his boots with mud spots had a hole, revealing dark toes.

He held a sea bowl and squatted on the steps, greedily eating some leftover food without meat or fish, like a starving wild dog.

In Zhao Yuanyu’s eyes, this person was indeed only worthy of being a dog.

He walked over and kicked the man from behind, sneering contemptuously, “Hey, go call the lady from the Hongxiang Courtyard! This young master has something to do!”

The man took his kick without budging an inch like a stone.

Only after finishing the last bite of overnight leftovers did he stand up, pick up the curved knife beside him, pull up the black triangular scarf with frayed edges around his neck to cover the scars on his face, and silently left.

The man didn’t say a word, but the counselor sensed a chilling atmosphere and couldn’t help but advise, “Young master, leaving this person behind may lead to trouble in the future.”

“What trouble could there be? He’s just a lowly servant. Whoever feeds him is who he obeys.”

Zhao Yuanyu sneered, gritting his teeth as he stretched out his foot, still hurting from the kick. “Of all the people I’ve raised, this dog is the most obedient, easy to handle.”

Thinking of the man’s background, the counselor hesitated to speak, but in the end, he shook his head with a sigh.

…

Zhao Yan slept heavily through the night.

Early the next morning, an old eunuch from the palace brought the Emperor’s edict, summoning the Crown Prince to the Taiji Hall for an audience.

Zhao Yan didn’t expect the edict from the Taiji Hall to come so quickly, especially after yesterday’s incident with Wen Renlin’s bone consultation… She didn’t dare to think too much and just ordered Liu Ying to tighten her chest even more.

In the sedan chair on the way to the Taiji Hall, Zhao Yan wore a purple robe and a golden crown. She applied delicate makeup to her lips in front of the mirror and asked, “How do I look?”

The makeup covered her originally rosy lips, revealing a somewhat sickly paleness. Because her chest was tightly bound, her breathing was weak and short, and the wound on her neck, bandaged on the side, oozed a faint red color. Anyone who saw her “sickly appearance” would feel pity for her.

Liu Ying nodded, “You do look quite shocked and seriously ill.”

Zhao Yan finally felt slightly relieved.

Inside the Taiji Hall, incense wafted through the air, and the candles were bright.

Supported by a young eunuch, Zhao Yan slowly entered the hall. Just as she was about to sway and kneel down, she saw a figure standing behind a curtain. 

Wen Renlin had one hand behind his back and the other holding a candlestick, lighting the hundreds of bright lamps on the wooden frame for the Emperor. Their eyes met, and he slightly curled his lips, revealing a smile of unknown meaning.

Warm light fell on his flawless and handsome face, and the candlelight flickered in his pitch-black eyes, making his divine smile seem sinister.

Zhao Yan’s breath caught in her throat, and her head felt like it was struck by thunder.

Why was Wen Renlin here!

Was he here to inform the Emperor?

Did the Emperor already know everything, so he called her here for interrogation?

Countless thoughts raced through her mind, her throat dry, and she almost used all her strength to control her trembling voice and calmly said, “Your Majesty, your son pays respects.”

The Emperor sat cross-legged on the platform and slowly said, “According to Prince Su, you were attacked in the streets yesterday…”

Sure enough, he came for this matter, and Zhao Yan instinctively tightened her five fingers.

“…were you injured?”

The Emperor paused and completed the sentence.

“Thank you for your concern, Father Emperor. It’s just minor injuries, nothing serious.”

She weakly replied, but the corner of her eye glanced at the reflection on the floor, trying to discern the Emperor’s expression.

“That’s good.”

The Emperor nodded, then opened his eyes and said, “I intend to set up a special examination next month to select talents for the court. Those who pass will be treated to a banquet with hairpins. Since you are the Crown Prince, I entrust this matter to you.”

Zhao Yan was stunned, her eyelashes trembling slightly. Was it just for this?

“You too.”

The Emperor looked at Wen Renlin, who was focused on lighting the lamps, “I remember you’ve been of age for two or three years now and still haven’t married. I’ll have the Empress select a few unmarried noble girls to attend the banquet, and then you can also choose one if you find someone suitable.”

Wen Renlin finished lighting the last lamp, extinguished the candle in his hand, and stood up.

He stood in the faint light of the lamps, like a fairy stepping out of a painting, and calmly said, “Yes.”

He responded with his mouth, but his eyes looked through the thin veil and fell on the little Crown Prince who was nervously staring at her toes.

Indeed, Zhao Yan was nervous.

She didn’t believe that Wen Renlin came to the Taiji Hall just for a walk. However, despite her tense vigilance, the Emperor didn’t say anything except assigning her the responsibility of managing the banquet for the successful candidates.

Puzzled, Zhao Yan had no choice but to obediently retire.

As soon as she left the Taiji Hall, Wen Renlin followed behind.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

That low, elegant voice came from behind, and Zhao Yan closed her eyes and had to stop her steps, coughing lightly as she turned around to greet him, “Does Prince Su have something else?”

Wen Renlin stopped in front of her, and his cool gaze lingered on the bandage that oozed a bright red on her neck. After a moment, he reached out, “This blood, hasn’t it stopped yet?”

Seeing his fingers about to touch her neck, Zhao Yan instinctively covered her neck and took a step back, saying, “My body is weak, so it takes longer to heal than normal.”

Nonsense. She applied a special potion before leaving, just to make herself look pitiful and evoke the Emperor’s affection.

Wen Renlin withdrew his hand that was suspended in mid-air and lowered his gaze to look at her.

“Why does Your Highness react like a mouse meeting a cat when you see me?”

He suddenly smiled and leaned down very low, asking, “Could it be because of your…?”

Zhao Yan’s heart clenched suddenly.

“…repeatedly skipping lessons by feigning illness. Are you afraid that I will report it to the Emperor?”

He completed the sentence with a smile. Zhao Yan’s heart jumped to her throat and then plummeted.

She opened her lips, but after a while, she only managed to choke out, “I didn’t… feign illness.”

Wen Renlin nodded, “Oh,” and then continued, “You didn’t feign illness, just pretended to be a man…”

Zhao Yan tightened again.

“…pretended to be uncomfortable.” Wen Renlin said softly.

…

Zhao Yan was stunned, her lips tightly pursed, her heart pounding in her chest.

Wen Renlin, on the other hand, turned his head away and chuckled softly. His face, which was as gentle as spring breeze melting snow, was tinged with a sinister pleasure in his eyes.

Zhao Yan’s fingers tightened and loosened in her sleeve, repeating to herself three times, “He kills without blinking, I can’t beat him. He kills without blinking, I can’t beat him. He kills without blinking, I can’t beat him.” Only then did she manage to force a gentle and obedient smile and said respectfully, “I know my mistake and will never disappoint the Grand Tutor again in the future.”

After a pause, she earnestly said, “At the banquet, I will definitely choose a virtuous and noble lady for the Grand Tutor, as a token of my respect.”

Wen Renlin raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

“In that case, Your Highness should choose carefully. After all, ordinary women cannot catch my eye.”

He looked into Zhao Yan’s eyes, his dark eyes capturing her slender figure, and said meaningfully, “In my opinion, Your Highness’s younger sister, Princess Changfeng, is quite good.”

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