"Your Highness, please proceed to the left. This is the Pavilion of Quiet Reflection." The Dean of the academy smiled awkwardly. "The courtyard next to it is planted with fruits and vegetables. Once the students arrive, it will not only supplement their meals but also help reduce expenses."
Prince Chen glanced at the garden and nodded. "Radishes are excellent—nourishing and versatile. If there are too many, they can even be dried for preservation."
"Your Highness has a keen eye. These are indeed radishes." The Dean praised in an almost exaggerated tone. "Your Highness understands the common folk’s way of life so thoroughly. To know even such details—truly, you care for the people like a father would!"
Li En forced an awkward smile. The Dean was his former classmate—a man pedantic in nature, devoted to academia, and overlooked for important positions over the years. It was precisely because of such qualities that His Majesty had chosen him to serve as the first Dean of Hongwen Academy.
However, flattery was not his forte. He was more likely to step on toes than to please.
"Your Highness, what the Dean meant was that despite your noble upbringing, you never forget to concern yourself with the people's livelihood." Li En spoke softly, attempting to smooth things over for his friend. "He meant no offense."
Prince Chen waved his hand. "This prince understands. Let us proceed to inspect the rest."
After touring the entire academy, Prince Chen praised, "It is well-built. Since this academy was established through His Majesty’s efforts, this prince should also contribute. Later, I will have my attendant deliver three thousand taels of silver—use it to furnish what is needed and purchase necessities."
"Many thanks, Your Highness, many thanks!" The Dean was overjoyed. Perhaps he did have a talent for flattery after all—how else could he have secured such a generous sum?
All past rumors about Prince Chen vanished from his mind. The only thoughts left were: *Prince Chen is magnanimous! Open-handed! Lavish in his generosity!*
Once Li En and Prince Chen had departed, he happily plucked a few large radishes and called out to the lingering students: "Tonight, there will be meat in the dishes!"
"Prince Chen is truly benevolent. Not only has he provided funds for paper and ink so you may copy books freely, but he has also donated three thousand taels for the academy’s improvement." The Dean was moved to tears. "His Highness is a good man."
The impoverished students, already salivating at the mention of meat, rose to their feet upon hearing that Prince Chen had personally funded their study materials. They bowed deeply in the direction of the imperial palace.
*His Majesty is a good man, and Prince Chen is a good man as well.*
One student, red-faced with shame, spoke up: "In the past, I was ignorant and believed what others said—that His Highness had... certain unsavory traits. I was foolish."
"Gossip is a fearsome thing. All of you are scholars. Whether or not you are admitted to Hongwen Academy in the future, I hope you remember one thing." The Dean looked at the students solemnly. "When you hear rumors among the people, listen—then reflect. Never listen and believe blindly."
"Thank you for your guidance, Dean." The students bowed in gratitude.
"You are still young. Soon, I hope you will become pillars of the empire—loyal to your sovereign above, blameless before the people below, upholding justice beneath the open sky." The Dean smiled, shaking the dirt off a radish. "We scholars must remember this to our dying day: *Act with a clear conscience.*"
News of Prince Chen’s donation to Hongwen Academy spread quickly. Fewer scholars spoke ill of him now, and some even began to praise him. Even in teahouses, among the popular tales of *The Overbearing Prince*, the most beloved was *The Overbearing Prince Takes the Imperial Exams*.
The common folk reasoned: *Surely, the prince must have taken the exams himself to understand the hardships scholars face. That’s why he spent so much on the academy.*
The story was absurd, but the people adored it. Whenever storytellers performed *The Overbearing Prince Takes the Imperial Exams*, crowds would gather in teahouses and under bridges to listen.
"Even a fool like Yun Duqing knows how to win over scholars now." Prince Huai paced angrily in his study upon hearing the rumors. "You all claimed the Ming family wouldn’t support him. If not for Ming Jingzhou’s advice, how could a man of his intellect devise such a strategy to sway public opinion?"
His advisors were equally surprised that Prince Chen had dared to use the emperor’s academy for his own reputation. "Your Highness, Hongwen Academy was established by His Majesty. If Prince Chen exploits it for personal gain, he may end up harming himself."
"Harming himself?" Prince Huai scoffed. "Do you truly believe His Majesty would resent him over such a trivial matter?"
The advisors exchanged puzzled glances. Was this not enough to provoke displeasure?
"You say this only because you’ve never witnessed the extent of Father’s favoritism toward Yun Duqing." Prince Huai let out a cold laugh. "You don’t understand him at all."
On the day of their father’s enthronement, before the ceremony had even begun, he had stood outside Taiyang Palace and watched as the emperor bent down to carry the nearly eight-year-old Yun Duqing on his back—uncaring that the child might wrinkle his dragon robes.
From that moment, he knew: in His Majesty’s heart, Yun Duqing was different from the rest of them.
All these years, he had avoided conflict with Prince Chen because he understood better than anyone that the emperor would always side with him.
"Then... should we follow Prince Chen’s example and donate to Hongwen Academy?" an advisor suggested. "It would earn Your Highness a reputation for benevolence."
Prince Huai: "..."
*Three thousand taels of silver—not mere stones.*
His household had countless expenses. How could he frivolously toss away thousands of taels like Yun Duqing?
"Forget it." Prince Huai dismissed the idea. "With Yun Duqing having taken the lead, any donation from us would yield little benefit. Let this matter rest."
Seeing their prince unwilling to spend, the advisors exchanged glances and acquiesced.
As Prince Huai’s advisors had anticipated, word eventually reached Emperor Longfeng.
"Duqing has grown considerably under Ming Jingzhou’s influence—he even cares for impoverished scholars now." The emperor smiled approvingly. "Had I known he would mature so well, I would have appointed Ming Jingzhou as his tutor long ago."
Liu Zhongbao chimed in with a smile: "His Highness is soon to be wed. Naturally, he is no longer the same as before."
"The Ming family..." Emperor Longfeng sighed, guilt stirring in his heart.
In their youth, the three Ming brothers had been celebrated scholars, parading through the streets on horseback in glory—until they were imprisoned on false charges and exiled to the frontier.
Not long after their banishment, the late emperor, swayed by treacherous ministers, confined him to his princely estate.
He had never imagined that those two years of isolation would both torment and preserve him. His brothers had rebelled, and in the end, some died, some were crippled, and the luckiest among them were sent to guard the imperial tombs.
*What had Father been thinking when he passed the throne to me on his deathbed?*
"If not for me, Ming Jingzhou would not have been separated from his daughter for sixteen years." Emperor Longfeng shook off his thoughts and glanced at the night outside. "Tomorrow is the wedding of the fourth prince and Miss Sun?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Liu Zhongbao answered quietly.
He expected the emperor to issue rewards for either the Sun family or Prince Qi, but after a long silence, no such order came.
"Your Majesty, Consort Ning requests an audience."
"The night is late." Emperor Longfeng did not turn. "Tell Consort Ning to retire early."
**Chapter Excerpt**
"Yes." The young eunuch bowed and retreated from the hall, approaching Consort Ning, who stood waiting outside. "Your Highness, the wind is strong tonight. You should return early to rest."
Consort Ning gazed at the brightly lit Taiyang Palace and smiled gently. "I understand. Thank you for delivering the message."
She turned and walked down the long palace corridor, where crimson lanterns swayed in the night breeze.
"Your Highness." Hong Mei supported her arm. "The night is cold. Please take the palanquin and let the servants carry you back."
"I wish to walk." Consort Ning pushed Hong Mei aside and looked up at the lanterns hanging beneath the eaves, letting out a self-deprecating laugh. "Tomorrow is my son’s wedding, yet His Majesty refuses to see me. How utterly heartless."
Consort Su had bewitched the Emperor to such an extent that the entire harem was reduced to mere decoration because of her.
She resented the Emperor’s cruelty, but even more, she loathed Consort Su for seducing His Majesty’s heart. Every waking moment, she wished for Consort Su and her worthless son to perish.
"Your Highness." Bai Shao glanced at Hong Mei, who had been shoved aside, and stepped forward to steady Consort Ning. "Among all the royal consorts, Miss Sun holds the most distinguished lineage. If His Majesty bestows further lavish rewards, the other princes will surely grow envious of Your Highness' son."
"You’re right." Consort Ning tightened her grip on Bai Shao’s hand. "None of those girls—whether from the Wu, Liu, or Ming families—can compare to my son’s bride."
Bai Shao suppressed the pain as Consort Ning’s nails dug into her palm, forcing a smile. "If His Majesty truly disliked the Prince, why would he assign him to the Ministry of Revenue? In this humble servant’s opinion, perhaps His Majesty is protecting him."
Blood welled from Bai Shao’s palm, trickling down Consort Ning’s nails.
When Consort Ning finally released her, the cold wind stung the wound, making Bai Shao curl her fingers in pain.
---
Prince Qi’s wedding was a grand affair. Princes, princesses, and court officials all gathered at Prince Qi’s residence to offer their congratulations. The estate was adorned with vibrant red lanterns, even the treetops draped in festive silk. The street outside was packed with carriages from noble households, bustling with excitement.
By the time the Ming family’s carriage arrived, the line of vehicles stretched beyond the alley. Recognizing the Ming family’s status, the guests ahead stepped down to apologize and even offered to yield their spot.
"Absolutely not." Ming Jingzhou quickly declined with a courteous bow. "The Prince’s residence isn’t far from here. Might I suggest we dismiss the carriages and proceed on foot?"
"An excellent suggestion, Lord Ming." The man glanced at the other Ming carriage. "Is that your lady and daughter?"
"Indeed." Ming Jingzhou returned the bow. "Please excuse me while I fetch my wife and child."
"Take your time, Lord Ming." The man bowed once more.
When Lady Shen and her daughter descended from the carriage, he couldn’t help but steal a few glances. A young girl in a pale yellow dress hopped down, then turned to offer her hand to the woman inside.
The girl had an endearing face, her smile bright and lively.
Seeing Lady Shen step down and affectionately adjust the golden hairpin in the girl’s hair, he knew—this must be the future Princess Chen.
No wonder rumors circulated among the ministers that Ming Jingzhou was reluctant to let his daughter marry into Prince Chen’s household. Who would willingly give away such a sweet, charming daughter to a domineering prince?
"So many people." Jiuzhu stared at the congested street. "How will the bridal sedan pass through all these carriages?"
"The imperial guards will clear the way soon." Lady Shen’s mood seemed subdued as she gazed at the red silk draping the streets, her expression tinged with melancholy.
"Mother, are you unwell?" Jiuzhu asked worriedly.
"No." Lady Shen studied her daughter’s innocent face. *Does this child truly understand what marriage entails?*
"Your uncle wrote a few days ago. He’ll return to the capital in about a week." Lady Shen changed the subject. "When Brother Fuli asks you to go out, don’t agree."
"Why not?"
Lady Shen chuckled. "Your uncle plans to test his studies. I suspect he’ll use you as an excuse to escape punishment."
"Oh." Jiuzhu nodded slowly, already scheming to intervene when her uncle scolded Brother Fuli. As a girl meeting him for the first time, surely her uncle wouldn’t humiliate Brother Fuli in front of her.
Lady Shen saw right through her but said nothing.
---
"Lord Ming Jingzhou of the Ministry of Rites, accompanied by his wife and daughter, congratulates His Highness on his wedding!"
At the announcement, guests turned toward the entrance. Officials acquainted with Ming Jingzhou approached to exchange greetings. After addressing a string of uncles and elders, Jiuzhu followed her mother to the inner courtyard reserved for noblewomen.
"Little Sister Ming!" Miss Chen spotted Jiuzhu and curtsied to Lady Shen before eagerly taking Jiuzhu’s arm. "The others have been waiting for you. Come sit with us!"
Lady Shen watched fondly as Jiuzhu was whisked away by her friends, then joined the other matrons.
---
"An envoy from Bright Moon Palace, Consort Su, congratulates Prince Qi on his joyous union!"
"An envoy from Zhaoxiang Palace, Consort Xu, congratulates Prince Qi on his joyous union!"
"An envoy from Yunlai Palace, Consort Lü, congratulates Prince Qi on his joyous union!"
"Sister Chen," Jiuzhu whispered, "who is Consort Xu of Zhaoxiang Palace?"
Neither at Consort Su’s birthday banquet nor during the scripture-copying event had she heard mention of Consort Xu.
"Consort Xu is Prince Huai’s mother. Since His Majesty’s ascension, she has lived in seclusion, devoted to prayer. No one knows why. Some say she wronged His Majesty, but I doubt it."
Jiuzhu blinked in surprise.
"Shh." Miss Chen pulled her into a corner. "I know you’re discreet, and since you’ll soon marry into the imperial family, it’s best you hear this. Consider it a lesson in caution."
"His Majesty’s birth mother was neglected by the previous Emperor and suffered greatly in the harem. It’s said she died from illness without proper medicine. After ascending the throne, His Majesty showed compassion to the palace women, establishing the Palace Treasury to ensure no one deprived them of necessities." Miss Chen sighed. "A pity the Empress Dowager passed too soon to enjoy his filial devotion."
"But… what does this have to do with Consort Xu?"
Miss Chen tapped Jiuzhu’s cheek. "Because even if His Majesty pities the women of the harem, he would never tolerate a betrayal from his own consort. That’s why the rumors about Consort Xu don’t hold water."
"Perhaps His Majesty tolerates her out of gratitude for bearing Prince Huai?"
"Oh, you." Miss Chen shook her head, amused. "You don’t understand men."
Jiuzhu frowned. How had a simple question spiraled into this?
The Grand Master once said that if some matters remain unfathomable no matter how hard you ponder, perhaps the truth is as simple as it appears on the surface. It’s just that people tend to complicate straightforward things, only to end up deceived by their own minds.
As night fell, the bride descended from her sedan chair. Jiuzhu squeezed into the corridor with the other young ladies to catch a glimpse of the groom and his bride.
Miss Sun of the Sun family wore a phoenix crown, her delicate hands holding a fan to veil her face. She gently grasped one end of the red silk bridal ball as she stepped through the inner gate. Prince Qi, the groom, held the other end, his crimson wedding robes making his face appear somewhat pale in contrast.
"The bride has entered!"
Behind them, children cheered, but someone suddenly shoved Jiuzhu hard—fortunately, she had been steadying herself against the railing and didn’t budge.
She whipped her head around and locked eyes with a little brat.
"You… I didn’t mean to!" The Second Young Master Zheng pushed through the crowd and immediately bolted.
But after only a few steps, he felt his collar yanked, and suddenly, he was lifted into the air.
"Waa—"
"Shut it." Prince Chen glared at him impatiently. "If you dare make another sound, I’ll strip your family of their noble title so thoroughly there won’t be a scrap left!"
The Zheng family’s little terror stared at Prince Chen with teary eyes, too frightened to scream. "Y-you can’t bully a child!"
"What’s wrong with bullying a child?" Prince Chen dropped the brat onto the ground and smirked coldly. "A brat like you? Ten years ago, I could’ve kicked twenty of you halfway across the city with one foot."
Jiuzhu gazed at Prince Chen with admiration. His Highness was even more impressive than her.
The child trembled in fear. His family had warned him—this prince was especially wicked, the kind who ate misbehaving children who didn’t sleep properly.
"Your Highness." Jiuzhu struggled through the crowd, reached out, and hoisted the child up again. "Why did you push me?"
"Let me go, you evil woman!" The brat kicked his legs. "I’ll tell my cousin how you bullied me!"
"You’ll tell *who*?" Prince Chen rapped the child sharply on the forehead. "With me here, who exactly do you think you can tattle to?"
The child’s face scrunched up, and he opened his mouth, ready to wail.
"Go ahead. Cry." Prince Chen crossed his arms. "Guards! Summon the Zheng family’s adults. I *love* hearing both old and young weep together."
"Hic!" The brat choked back his sobs, forcing them down his throat.
"Ah, so you *do* understand human speech." Prince Chen sneered. A brat who pretended innocence while causing mischief—did he really think he could outdo the prince? Back in the day, *he* had been the king of troublemaking children.
"Fine, put him down. I doubt he’ll dare run now." Pretending not to notice Jiuzhu’s surprising strength, Prince Chen caught the sly glint in the child’s eyes and added, "But if he does, I’ll throw the entire Zheng family into the dungeons."
Jiuzhu set the brat down and whispered in Prince Chen’s ear, "You’d really jail the whole Zheng family?"
Prince Chen: "…"
She actually believed a threat meant to scare a child?
"Do *you* want them imprisoned?"
If his little Ming Piglet truly wished for it, he’d make it happen—it wasn’t entirely impossible.
"Never mind." Jiuzhu looked down at the Zheng child. "I saw you push me on purpose earlier."
"It was an accident!"
"No, it wasn’t." Jiuzhu stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Prince Chen. "You used *that* much force—how could it *not* be deliberate?"
Realizing he couldn’t weasel out of it, the brat snapped, "Fine, I did it on purpose! So what?"
"You’re just a lackey of that wicked consort, marrying a child-eating prince! If it weren’t for you, our family wouldn’t have lost our rank! You’re nothing but—" He racked his brain for the word he’d heard days ago. "—a *jinx*!"
Jiuzhu immediately rolled up her sleeves.
"What are you doing?" Prince Chen, seeing her fiery temper flare, hastily tugged her sleeves back down.
"Teaching this brat a lesson!" She rolled them up again.
"Let it go." Prince Chen grabbed her wrist. "The child’s just ignorant—it’s the adults who failed to teach him. Later, I’ll take you to bully *them* instead."
Jiuzhu struggled briefly before freezing. She looked up at him, eyes brimming with hurt. "But he insulted you… and Consort Su too."
Prince Chen paused, then reached out to adjust the crooked pearl hairpin at her temple. "Silly girl. If you hit him here, everyone will just say, ‘He’s just a child, let him go.’"
"Then what do we do?"
"Find a quiet spot, dig a hole, and bury him." Prince Chen tossed out the words lightly, his smile frigid. "A brat this annoying is beyond saving."
The child, who had been holding back his tears, finally burst into loud, terrified sobs.
Prince Qi had just escorted his bride to the bridal chamber when a eunuch rushed to him. "Your Highness, there’s trouble!"
"What happened?" Prince Qi frowned.
"Young Master Zheng tried to push down Miss Ming, then fled when Prince Chen caught him. He also… insulted Consort Su, Prince Chen, and Miss Ming." The eunuch’s shoulders trembled—whether from fear or the cold wind, it was hard to say.
Prince Qi sighed. "I’ll handle it."
Inside the bridal chamber, Sun Caiyao overheard the conversation and felt her disdain for the Zheng family grow. What use were they besides causing trouble for His Highness?
In the side hall, Prince Chen eyed the cowering Zheng family. "I thought allowing your servants to slander the imperial family was already bold enough. Turns out I underestimated you."
"Your Highness, this humble wife failed to discipline her son. I beg for your mercy!" Countess Pingyuan knelt, weeping. "Please show leniency—he’s only a child…"
"Children mimic what adults say and do." Jiuzhu cut in. "So his behavior reflects *your* influence."
"That’s not what I meant!" The Countess panicked. "I wouldn’t dare speak ill of the imperial family!"
She yanked her son forward and smacked him twice. "Apologize to His Highness and Miss Ming!"
"Spare me the theatrics." Prince Chen stood, his voice icy. "As Fourth Brother’s relatives, every single thing you’ve done has been to provoke me. Whether you acted alone or under orders, today’s matter *will not* go unpunished."
"Fifth Brother!" Prince Qi pushed the door open, taking in the kneeling Zheng family. "Today is my wedding. For my sake, don’t let outsiders turn this into a spectacle."
"When the Zheng family plotted against my future wife, they didn’t spare *your* dignity." Prince Chen scoffed. "Don’t worry, Fourth Brother. I’d never assume *you* instructed them."
The Zheng family paled.
Prince Qi turned to Jiuzhu, who had remained silent. Cupping his hands, he bowed slightly. "Miss Ming, my brother has always been forthright. Might I ask you to persuade him to reconsider? Escalating this will only embarrass everyone."
He’d noticed Prince Chen’s unusual regard for her—perhaps she could rein him in.
"Prince Qi." Jiuzhu rose gracefully and curtsied deeply in return to his greeting. "Today's incident began when your cousin ambushed a defenseless young lady like myself from behind, did it not?"
Prince Qi glanced at the Zheng family members before giving a slight nod.
"Your Highness intervened to uphold justice for me, yet your cousin had the audacity to hurl insults at him." Jiuzhu frowned, as if struggling to comprehend Prince Qi's stance. "So, while His Highness defended my honor, you expect me to speak on your behalf and stop him?"
"Prince Qi, surely you must be jesting with me?"
