Prince Chen turned to look at the newcomer with a faint, mocking smile. "Fourth Brother."
"Fifth Brother." Yun Yanze stepped from the shadows into the candlelight. He did not glance at the Zheng family imprisoned in the cell but instead nodded slightly to Liu Zhongbao before addressing Prince Chen. "What brings you here, Fifth Brother?"
"That’s the question I should be asking you." Prince Chen eyed Yun Yanze, whose snow-white robes stood starkly against the grim backdrop of the imperial prison. "Shouldn’t you be recuperating in Zhangliu Palace instead of coming to a place like this?"
Yun Yanze slowly turned his gaze toward the Zheng family behind bars. "Rest assured, Fifth Brother, I’m not here to plead for my uncle and aunt’s innocence. I merely came to see them. Don’t overthink it."
"I’m not thinking anything." Prince Chen crossed his arms. "Now that you’ve seen them, you should leave."
"Your Highness," Zheng Zhen spoke up, her voice trembling. "We’ve been wrongfully accused. Please, find a way to save us."
"Cousin," Yun Yanze replied gently, "His Majesty rules with the people’s welfare at heart, and the ministers administer justice impartially. They will surely restore your innocence." He looked at the Zheng family. "If there’s anything you need, let me know. I’ll have it delivered."
Madame Zheng let out a bitter laugh. Of course, the prison lacked everything—but even if His Highness sent supplies, they wouldn’t be able to keep them. What they truly needed was not food or drink but freedom.
"Aunt," Yun Yanze said apologetically, "Forgive my inability to clear your names immediately. Now that… now that Mother has been demoted to a low-ranking consort, I am confined to the palace and can do little. But you need not worry about one thing—your youngest son is being held in a separate residence. I’ll ensure he’s well cared for."
His smile was as warm as jade through the prison bars. "I believe in your innocence. Cooperate fully with the investigation, and don’t fret over your son. I’ll handle everything."
Madame Zheng’s grip on the bars tightened, then loosened, then tightened again. "If Your Highness is watching over him, I am at ease."
"I’m glad you understand." Yun Yanze turned to Liu Zhongbao. "Eunuch Liu, might I send some clothing for my uncle and aunt?"
"Your Highness may prepare a list of items," Liu Zhongbao replied courteously. "This old servant will see to their delivery. Your kindness is evident, but the imperial prison has its own rules. I beg Your Highness not to make things difficult for this lowly one."
"Thank you, Eunuch Liu." Yun Yanze paused, glancing once more at the Zheng family. "Then I shan’t disturb Fifth Brother and you any longer. Farewell."
With that, Yun Yanze left as swiftly as he had come—leaving nothing behind, asking no questions, as if his visit had truly been nothing more than familial concern.
Prince Chen smirked derisively and motioned to the imperial guards at his side. "Don’t just stand there. Take Zheng Wangnan to the castration chamber."
"I’ll confess! I’ll confess!" Tears streamed down Madame Zheng’s cheeks as she choked out her words. "My husband and the old madam knew nothing of this. I acted alone."
Master Zheng, sprawled on the ground, gaped at her in shock. "Wife, why would you do such a thing? It’s a capital offense!"
"All of this is my fault." Madame Zheng covered her face, weeping. "It’s all my fault."
"Mother… how?" Zheng Zhen had believed their family had been framed by a treacherous consort. Had it truly been her own mother’s doing?
"Over twenty years ago, this guilty woman met the Imperial Consort at a teahouse in the capital. The Consort was breathtakingly beautiful, and envy took root in my heart. After she entered the prince’s mansion, I visited as a guest and saw how much more His Majesty favored her over my younger sister. My resentment grew. When His Majesty ascended the throne and I learned the Consort would accompany him on his southern tour, I… I plotted against her."
"I know my crimes are unforgivable. I seek no mercy from the Consort or His Highness. I only beg that the innocent be spared." Madame Zheng kowtowed repeatedly to Prince Chen. "I willingly submit to death by a thousand cuts to atone for my sins."
"So, out of jealousy, a young noblewoman sent assassins to murder an imperial favorite and her son?" Prince Chen laughed coldly. "A fine tale—but I don’t believe it."
"Your Highness!" Madame Zheng stared at him in disbelief. "I swear it was my doing!"
"Before coming here, I took the liberty of reviewing your family records." Prince Chen shook his head. "You have two elder brothers and a younger sister, do you not? I hear your brothers already have grandchildren—adorable, fair-skinned little things."
"Under the law, if the Zheng family disowns you, their lives may yet be spared. But your brothers and sister? Entire clans will be imprisoned, their descendants enslaved. Tell me, Madame Zheng—do you feel no regret?"
Kneeling on the ground, Madame Zheng sobbed, her shoulders trembling. Yet after a long silence, not a word of remorse passed her lips. Prince Chen glanced at Master Zheng, cowering in silence, and Zheng Wangnan, too terrified to speak. Disgusted, he finally spoke.
"Lock Madame Zheng in solitary confinement. If she dies suddenly, it will be proof the Zheng family silenced her to shift blame. If she lives, proceed according to the law—children under nine and elders over eighty may be exempted." He turned to leave, tossing a final order over his shoulder. "And bring that spoiled brat of theirs in. Let him share a cell with… Madame Zheng."
Stepping out of the prison, Prince Chen exhaled deeply and lifted his face to the sun. "My apologies for taking up so much of your time, Eunuch Liu. You may go."
"This old servant takes his leave." Liu Zhongbao bowed and returned straight to Taiyang Palace, where he recounted every detail to Emperor Longfeng.
"That boy has never been one to suffer losses quietly," the Emperor chuckled. "Even as a child, if he overheard guards at the old mansion speaking ill of me, he’d charge at them—a scrawny seven-year-old—and come back bruised and grinning, bragging about how he’d torn out a handful of their hair."
"This old servant remembers—the little prince’s forehead was swollen, his trousers torn." Liu Zhongbao smiled. "At dinner, he ate half of Your Majesty’s portion."
In those days, when they were confined to the old mansion, life had been harsh—even rice was rationed. The young prince, always hungry and full of energy, had relied on the sweet potatoes Imperial Consort Mei Dai planted in the courtyard. On nights when hunger gnawed too sharply, they’d dig one up, peel it, and chew quietly before sleep.
The Emperor’s expression softened at the memory. Who could have guessed that the weeping girl his father had forced into his household would become his steadfast companion through decades of trials?
His birth mother had been lowborn; every woman in his mansion had been chosen for him by others. Only Mei Dai—sent to him in tears, with nowhere else to go—had stayed because he allowed it. And she had remained, through all these years.
"The New Year is approaching," Emperor Longfeng gazed at the vibrant red plum blossoms outside the window. "Go pick a few of the finest branches—I'll take them to Bright Moon Palace."
"At once, Your Majesty." Liu Zhongbao hurried to the plum tree and began selecting the best blooms.
On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, Jiuzhu perched atop the wall separating her home from her uncle's residence, waiting for her sixth brother, Ming Cunfu, to return from his marriage proposal.
After what felt like an eternity, footsteps finally echoed in the courtyard. The moment she saw Ming Cunfu stride in, beaming with joy, she knew the proposal had been successful.
"Sixth Brother, Sixth Brother!" Jiuzhu waved excitedly from the wall. "Congratulations on getting your wish!"
"Young Master, you’re finally back," Chunfen said to Ming Cunfu with an exasperated smile. "The young mistress refused to go anywhere else—she’s been waiting here for a full hour."
"Thank you for your concern, little sister." Ming Cunfu pulled a embroidered pouch from his sleeve and passed it over the wall to Jiuzhu. "Take this money and buy yourself some rouge."
"Thank you, Sixth Brother!" Jiuzhu accepted it gleefully. Waiting here for him had clearly been the right decision.
The "auspicious gift" from her brother, the New Year’s money from the elders, and the holiday stipend from the palace for her as a County Princess—all combined, she now had enough funds to take care of His Highness when she returned to the palace.
Pocketing the money, Jiuzhu promptly climbed down from the wall and skipped away without a second glance.
Ming Cunfu watched his sister’s merciless retreat and wondered if her long wait had been solely to extract silver from him.
No—how could he think such a thing about his sweet, innocent little sister?
He was failing as an elder brother.
"Ten taels!" Jiuzhu opened the pouch and laughed in delight. "Sixth Brother is unusually generous today!"
She carefully placed the silver into her wooden chest and counted its contents repeatedly.
"Young Mistress," Chunfen fed her a piece of fruit and whispered, "On the 28th of the twelfth month every year, the stewards from the manors and shops come to the estate to deliver the annual profits."
A clever youngster knows that when elders are counting money, one must serve tea and attend to them diligently—happiness leads to generosity, after all.
"Thank you, Sister Chunfen! I’ll go keep Mother company at once." Jiuzhu hastily swallowed the fruit, lifted her skirts, and dashed toward the main courtyard.
"Ah…" Chunfen sighed, glancing at the still-open chest before tidying it up for her.
This simple parent-child interaction—something ordinary for most—was a happiness the master and mistress had waited sixteen years to experience with their daughter.
"Jiuzhu." Lady Shen, who was tallying the silver, spotted her daughter peeking through the doorway and beckoned her in. "Come here."
"Mother!" Jiuzhu gasped in genuine awe at the sacks of copper coins. "So much money!"
"This is a year’s harvest from the manors." Lady Shen casually handed Jiuzhu a handful of loose silver, her smile tender. "Take it and amuse yourself elsewhere. Don’t disturb my calculations."
"Thank you, Mother!" Jiuzhu tucked the silver into her pouch and obediently sat nearby, watching Lady Shen’s fingers fly across the abacus.
"If you're bored, go play," Lady Shen said, glancing up. "Don’t stifle yourself on my account."
"I’m not bored." Jiuzhu shook her head earnestly. "When I was little and went to the city, I saw a bun seller’s daughter sitting beside her mother as she counted money. She gave her daughter five coins."
Jiuzhu grinned. "But Mother is much more generous—you gave me a whole handful of silver!"
Lady Shen’s hands stilled on the abacus. She stood, walked over, and pulled Jiuzhu into a tight embrace.
Her child.
She would make sure Jiuzhu grew up as the happiest young lady in the capital.
"Mother." Jiuzhu hugged her back, nuzzling against her like an affectionate puppy. "Father said he was on leave today—why isn’t he home?"
"Him?" Lady Shen stroked her daughter’s hair. "He’s out settling accounts."
Jiuzhu tilted her head. "Does he need to leave the house to do year-end accounts?"
"Of course." Lady Shen smiled. "With the New Year approaching and the weather turning cold, it’s time to collect what’s owed."
