"Your Highness." Inside the carriage, the attendant glanced worriedly at Prince Chen riding ahead on horseback and whispered to Prince Qi, "I fear if Prince Chen uncovers the identities of those two men, it may bring trouble upon you."
The Pingyuan Marquisate was Prince Qi's maternal family. Though the prince had no involvement in the misdeeds of those two servants, in the Emperor's eyes, it might appear as though Prince Qi was scheming against Prince Chen's in-laws.
"Whether we go or not, their identities will not change," Prince Qi replied calmly. "By accompanying him, at least I can prove my ignorance of the matter."
"Could the Marquisate be resentful over Consort Su summoning the Marchioness to the palace for reprimand, hence sending men to commit such acts?" Though there was no official Empress in the palace, Consort Su, as the highest-ranking consort, was effectively regarded as the quasi-Empress. If she summoned a noblewoman for censure, the lady could only submit meekly.
Prince Qi remained silent in contemplation.
Seeing his master unwilling to speak further, the attendant dared not press the matter, though inwardly he held the Pingyuan Marquisate in disdain—were they not dragging the prince down?
Prince Qi lifted the carriage curtain. From his position, he could only see Prince Chen's carriage, with Yun Duqing riding beside it in blazing red robes, so flamboyant it stung the eyes.
He let the curtain fall and took a slow, deep breath.
From a very young age, he had often heard his mother complain about Consort Su and Yun Duqing.
Consort Su was shallow and seductive, a femme fatale who ensnared hearts with her beauty. Even the son she raised had learned her ways of sycophantic charm.
Once, after painstakingly memorizing and transcribing an entire essay, he had finally earned his father's praise—only to turn and see Yun Duqing peeling an orange for the Emperor, coaxing laughter and delight from him.
Yun Duqing was close to him in age, yet inferior in studies, etiquette, and even maternal lineage. And yet, in their father's eyes, Yun Duqing remained the favored son.
He had even learned that the Emperor initially intended for Miss Sun to marry Yun Duqing. Had Miss Sun not preferred him instead, the prestigious Sun family—revered by scholars—would now be Yun Duqing's staunch ally.
The only miscalculation was the Ming family's daughter, who had been fostered away in Lingzhou. Fortunately, the Ming family was known for their uprightness and held little favor toward Consort Su and her son...
"Your Highness, we’ve arrived at the Capital Prefecture Office."
Lord Wang, the Capital Prefect, rose from his seat as the prisoners were brought in under heavy guard by the Imperial Guards. He addressed their captain, "Young General, what crimes have these two committed?"
For such a heavily escorted delivery, the offense must be grave.
The captain saluted. "Lord Wang, these men have shown contempt for the imperial family, slandered court officials, and presumed to speculate on His Majesty's intentions. We request a thorough investigation."
Lord Wang inhaled sharply. These two, now trembling so violently they could barely stand, had dared such audacity?
"Thank you for the clarification, Young General." Suppressing his shock, Lord Wang declared, "This official will detain them immediately for interrogation and ensure they face due punishment."
"Why wait?" Prince Chen strode in. "Today seems perfectly suitable."
"This humble official greets Prince Chen." Lord Wang hastily bowed deeper upon noticing Prince Qi following behind. "And Prince Qi."
"Spare the formalities." Prince Chen glanced at the two men collapsed on the floor like lifeless sacks. "These two have insulted this prince and speculated on imperial affairs. Lord Wang, you will investigate thoroughly—their identities, who sent them, and their purpose."
"Of course, of course." Lord Wang shot a glance at the two wretches. What foolhardiness had driven them to provoke Prince Chen?
"Your Highnesses, please be seated. This official will commence the trial—"
"Unnecessary. This prince is merely here to observe the proceedings, not interfere." Prince Chen tugged Jiuzhu, who had been eyeing the torture instruments curiously, to sit beside him.
Lord Wang glanced at the young woman now seated beside Prince Chen. Though unsure of her identity, he offered a respectful bow before addressing the princes. "Your Highnesses, with your permission, this official will take the bench."
Prince Qi nodded slightly and took a seat opposite Prince Chen, their gazes meeting across the hall.
"You kneeling before this court—state your names, origins, and residences at once!" Lord Wang struck the gavel, and the bailiffs took their positions, their staffs thudding against the ground like war drums.
Terrified by the spectacle, the two servants immediately broke into sobs, confessing every detail of their identities.
"You claim to be servants of the Pingyuan Marquisate's suburban estate? What proof do you have?" Lord Wang stole a glance at Prince Qi—the Marquisate was his maternal family, after all.
"Here, here!" The men frantically produced their waist tokens, essential for entry and exit from the estate.
A bailiff presented the tokens to Lord Wang, who examined them briefly before turning to Prince Chen. "Your Highness, your opinion...?"
These royal intrigues were best left to the princes—why torment a mere prefect?
"Proceed." Prince Chen waved off the bailiff about to show him the tokens. "This prince has said already—today, I am merely an observer."
Prince Qi stroked the jade pendant at his waist and smiled faintly. "Fifth Brother is right. Such criminals must not be spared. Of course... neither should innocents be wrongfully implicated."
Who were these so-called innocents?
The Pingyuan Marquisate?
Prince Chen scoffed. He crooked a finger at Jiuzhu, signaling her to lean closer. Noticing his gesture, she tilted her head toward him.
"Ever heard of the phrase 'putting on an act'?" Prince Chen murmured. "My dear fourth brother is a master of it."
Jiuzhu stole a glance at Prince Qi and whispered back, "The Pingyuan Marquisate is Prince Qi's maternal family. Would he shield the guilty?"
"He wouldn’t dare." Prince Chen snorted. "Not with me here."
"Mm." Jiuzhu relaxed instantly.
Prince Chen studied the girl who took his every word as gospel. How did that mind of hers work? Could she be lured away with just a stick of candied hawthorn?
Prince Qi observed Yun Duqing whispering intermittently with the Ming family’s daughter, his smile unwavering. The young lady’s expressions were transparent—he could tell they were discussing him, and none too favorably.
Feigning obliviousness to the tension between the princes, Lord Wang struck the gavel again. "Take them away for twenty strokes of the rod." After a pause, he added, "Administer it in the side hall. Let it not offend noble eyes."
Jiuzhu watched as the two men, limp as overcooked noodles, were dragged away. She couldn’t fathom why they’d risk such dire consequences for their actions.
Suddenly, warm hands covered her ears. She turned to see Prince Chen’s face close to hers.
"Young ladies shouldn’t listen to such howls of agony."
Muffled by his palms, his voice sounded distant. Jiuzhu blinked.
"Ever seen anyone take a beating before?"
She shook her head.
"That's right." Prince Chen turned his gaze toward the side hall separated by wooden bars, where two prisoners were already pinned down on wide black lacquered benches. Lowering his eyelids, he remarked with a mocking tone: "No matter how stubborn someone is, they always look particularly ugly when wailing in pain."
Jiuzhu instinctively followed his line of sight, about to turn her head and look.
"Don't look." Prince Chen cupped her face, his grip accidentally a little too firm, squishing her rosy lips into a pout like a little duckling.
Seeing Jiuzhu's wide, confused eyes staring at him, he quickly loosened his hold: "I told you it’s ugly. A young lady should listen and not sneak peeks."
A man's muffled, distant screams reached Jiuzhu’s ears, so faint she could barely make them out.
The hand covering her ear remained warm, and Jiuzhu couldn’t help but think—a man as gentle as His Highness must have been sent by the heavens.
When the screams finally ceased, Prince Chen released her. Noticing Jiuzhu still staring at him dazedly, he tapped her forehead: "Dazed by this prince’s charm?"
Jiuzhu thought for a moment, then nodded earnestly.
Prince Chen turned away with a dry cough.
Alright, alright, I get it. You really admire me.
He glanced down at his fingers, flexing them slightly. Were Ming Jiuzhu’s cheeks made of tofu?
So soft and tender, as if even a little more pressure might bruise them.
After being beaten, the servant, now dragged back in, spilled everything like beans from a sack—detailing what the two stewards had said and why they’d orchestrated the scheme.
"Your Highness, since this matter involves stewards from the Pingyuan Marquisate, what do you propose...?" Lord Wang offered Prince Qi an ingratiating smile. "It’s only right to investigate thoroughly."
With Prince Qi’s renowned benevolence and virtue, it was unthinkable that he would ever order such a thing. Unfortunately, the Pingyuan Marquisate’s lax control over its subordinates had led to this incident, tarnishing Prince Qi’s reputation.
"Of course." Prince Qi nodded, turning to his attendant. "Bring the two stewards they mentioned."
"No need to trouble yourself, Fourth Brother. My men are already on it." Prince Chen smiled. "As you know, my estate breeds fine horses, and my guards are all skilled riders. They’ll be faster—saves us waiting here longer."
"Fifth Brother is as thoughtful as ever." Prince Qi’s thumb paused over his jade pendant. "I’d forgotten how many prized steeds you keep."
"Don’t worry. If you forget again, I’ll remind you." Prince Chen rummaged through the pouch at his waist but found nothing edible, sighing in resignation. "Trivial matters like this don’t bother me."
Noticing his movement, Jiuzhu retrieved a few strips of dried meat from her own pouch and placed them in Prince Chen’s palm.
Prince Chen glanced at her, and Jiuzhu blinked back with a smile.
Lord Wang, watching the pair snack together, took a deep breath.
How could they eat so casually right after witnessing a flogging?
True to Prince Chen’s word, his guards returned swiftly—not only with the two accused stewards but also an additional steward from the Pingyuan Marquisate.
Upon hearing the accusations, the estate steward looked bewildered: "My lord, we’re just minor stewards of a countryside villa! How would we dare commit such treasonous acts?"
The two servants, incensed, retorted: "It was your idea! You’re the ones who told us to do it!"
"I remember you two—drinking on duty days ago. I docked your pay as punishment. Could this be your revenge, framing me out of spite?" The steward countered. "The Marquisate has strict standards for promotions. Why would they transfer me to the main household for such a ludicrous reason?"
Lord Wang nodded, finding the steward’s argument plausible. No noble family would reward such insubordination—expulsion would be more likely.
Jiuzhu, however, wasn’t listening. Her attention fixed on the Marquisate steward with a scarred chin. Her fingers, resting on her knees, curled slightly.
That scar—she’d made it herself, with her little silver hairpin. The blood had dripped onto her face, sticky and foul.
That pin had been a gift from her masters, saved up for over months. She’d cherished it, polishing it daily before carefully tucking it into her little hair bun.
When they’d bound her limbs, gagged her, and thrown her into the river, the pin had been lost—perhaps buried forever in the riverbed’s silt.
"You there." Prince Chen pointed at the scar-faced steward. "Step back. Your face offends this prince’s eyes."
He popped another piece of dried meat into Jiuzhu’s mouth. "Hungry? It’s nearly noon—time for lunch."
Jiuzhu snapped out of her thoughts, chewing quietly as she met Prince Chen’s gaze.
The scarred steward, though seething, dared not protest. Forcing a grotesque smile, he retreated to a corner, turning his face away.
"Spacing out again?" Prince Chen arched a brow.
Jiuzhu touched the hairpin at her temple. She no longer wore her hair in that little bun.
"Your Highness." She plucked lightly at the jade ornaments hanging from her waist.
"Hmm?"
"Nothing." She shook her head, then beamed up at him.
Prince Chen pointed at her pouch. "Got any more meat?"
Jiuzhu nodded. "Yes."
She handed him the entire pouch.
As Prince Chen munched, Lord Wang concluded the trial, having the two servants confess and sign their testimonies. Only then did Prince Chen speak again:
"I’ve long heard of the Pingyuan Marquisate’s ways, but even I’m surprised that with such a grave crime, not a single representative has come to account for it."
The scarred steward in the corner: "..."
When summoned, he’d been told it was a minor servant dispute—who knew it’d escalate like this?
"Ah, forgive me." Prince Chen turned to Prince Qi. "The Pingyuan Marquis is your uncle, Fourth Brother. With you here, no wonder his household feels no urgency."
Prince Qi’s attendant paled. What was Prince Chen implying?
"To suffer such an insult, yet receive no apology—clearly, the Marquisate holds me in contempt." Prince Chen rose, pocketing Jiuzhu’s dried meat. "No need to plead for them, Fourth Brother. I’ll seek justice from His Majesty myself."
Prince Qi’s attendant: "..."
His Highness hadn’t said a word! Since when was this about pleading?
After this entire spectacle—dragging everyone to the magistrate, conducting a trial—the real issue was the Marquisate’s lack of respect?!
"Fifth Brother—"
"Save your words, Fourth Brother. As your younger brother, I understand your dilemma." Prince Chen’s crimson sleeves swirled gracefully, his expression magnanimous. "Rest assured, I won’t blame you for this."
With that, he shot Jiuzhu a meaningful look.
Jiuzhu quickly rose to her feet. After a moment's thought, she lifted her delicate chin and snorted at the two servants kneeling on the ground, mimicking Prince Chen's mannerisms by flicking her sleeves before following him out of the Capital Prefecture's gates.
"Hmph! Petty villains." The chief attendant of Prince Chen's household sneered sarcastically before leading the other guards and attendants in a bustling exit, leaving half the Capital Prefecture's courtroom abruptly empty.
Lord Wang hastily clasped his hands and bowed toward the gate where Prince Chen had departed, then turned to Prince Qi with an awkward smile—though the latter's expression remained cold. "Your Highness..."
"Lord Wang has worked hard. This prince shall take his leave." With that, Prince Qi turned and exited the Capital Prefecture.
Lord Wang removed his official hat and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. Being the Capital Prefect was truly a thankless job—not a single day of peace.
"Your Highness, what should we do now?" The chief attendant of Prince Qi's household had not expected Prince Chen to act so... capriciously. The moment they stepped outside the Capital Prefecture gates, he fretted, "This humble servant fears Prince Chen may use this incident to falsely accuse you."
"Tell the Heir of Pingyuan Marquisate to intercept Prince Chen before he reaches the palace and offer a formal apology," Prince Qi said sternly. "The more sincere the apology, the better—even if it means kneeling in the street to beg forgiveness. The people must witness the Pingyuan Marquisate's sincerity in seeking Prince Chen's mercy."
"This servant will see to it at once!" The attendant mounted his horse, his resentment toward the Pingyuan Marquisate growing by the minute. Prince Qi had never enjoyed the Emperor's favor, so he dared not misstep in word or deed. Yet the Pingyuan Marquisate had done nothing but drag him down, using his name to swagger around the capital without offering the slightest assistance.
After escorting Ming Jiuzhu back to Vice Minister Ming's residence, Prince Chen turned his horse toward the imperial palace.
If he said he would lodge a complaint at the palace, he wouldn't wait until tomorrow.
Halfway there, Prince Chen spotted two innkeepers bickering across the street, each accusing the other's chef of failing to cook authentic dishes.
"My establishment serves the true flavors of the capital! Yours reeks of Lingzhou-style cooking—how dare you call yourself a century-old capital restaurant?"
Prince Chen tugged on his horse's reins and pointed at the innkeeper being accused of inauthentic capital cuisine. To his attendant, he said, "Invite the chef who knows Lingzhou-style cooking to work in my household."
"Rest assured, Your Highness," the attendant replied promptly. "Before nightfall, this servant will have him brought to your residence."
Prince Chen turned his head to glare at him. His less-than-stellar reputation outside the palace was partly due to attendants who couldn't speak properly.
"Prince Chen! Please, wait!"
Glancing back at the Heir of Pingyuan Marquisate galloping toward him, Prince Chen signaled his guards. "The market streets are no place for reckless riding. Stop him."
With that, he patted his horse and leisurely continued toward the palace.
Did they expect him to halt?
Hmph.
Since when did a prince of his standing need a fool from the Pingyuan Marquisate to tell him what to do?
