"Your Highness? Your Highness, wake up. Something has happened in the mansion."
Prince Yu hadn't woken yet, but his bedmate Li Jiubao, being a light sleeper, was roused by the calls outside the bed curtains.
Li Jiubao's current position in Prince Yu's mansion mirrored Shang Qinglan's in the Forbidden City - both enjoyed exclusive favor. Beautiful and gentle-natured, her eyes remained unruffled no matter what occurred, like a tranquil lake that soothed Prince Yu's grief over his family's demise. The prince often found solace in this serene waters.
Except for residing in the princess' main chamber on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, and staying at temples or his study during the birthdays and death anniversaries of his mother, wife, and children, Prince Yu spent nearly every night in Li Jiubao's quarters.
Though he daily projected an air of despondent indifference, being merely twenty-three and in the prime of youth, he remained quite vigorous in bed with such beauty beside him. Last night had required two calls for hot water before they finally settled.
Exhausted from his vigor, Prince Yu remained asleep despite two calls from outside, while Li Jiubao awoke instead.
Accustomed to early rising from household chores, Li Jiubao would often rise before dawn to prepare family meals. Her light sleep made her sit up at the sound, asking softly, "Is that Chief Steward Li?"
Prince Yu's chief attendant Li Fang, an outstanding graduate of the Inner Study Hall and profoundly learned, had been selected by the Jiajing Emperor as Prince Yu's study companion back when the prince was still a young royal learning to read. From handling writing brushes to answering questions, Li Fang had tied his entire life's fortunes to the prince, remaining absolutely loyal as the closest companion.
The Yuan imperial court called such persons "companions" (as Guo Jing served Tolui, Genghis Khan's fourth son, in The Legend of the Condor Heroes), a practice continued by the Ming imperial court as "chief attendant."
Eunuch Wei served as Prince Jing's chief attendant. Li Fang was both Prince Yu's chief attendant and the mansion's chief eunuch.
Li Fang replied, "This humble servant is Li Fang. Has His Highness not awakened yet?"
Shrewd as ever, Li Fang asked despite knowing the answer - Prince Yu's snores were clearly audible. Having served the prince since age five, he understood this ruler's peculiar, rigid, and stubborn temperament. Being awakened from sound sleep would surely provoke anger.
Li Fang thought: Better you wake him than I. Seeing your lovely face might prevent his temper.
Noting Prince Yu's deep slumber, Li Jiubao said, "His Highness is somewhat fatigued and hasn't awakened. Is there urgent business, Chief Steward Li?"
No fool, Li Jiubao wouldn't take this blame! If it's important, deliver the message yourself.
Li Fang reported, "According to night patrol guards, they spotted the Dark Spectre in the mansion and fled in panic. The household is now terrified. The princess has awakened and ordered all lanterns lit and displayed outside. The main courtyard's entrance has the Mid-Autumn lantern mountain erected to prevent the Dark Spectre's intrusion."
The Dark Spectre feared bright light and only emerged at night.
Having long been an absentee master, leaving Princess Yu in what amounted to a widowed marriage these past two years, life had honed her household management skills. Without needing instructions from her nearly invisible pillar of support, she had already arranged everything properly.
Skeptical of ghosts and spirits, Li Jiubao asked, "Was anyone injured?"
Li Fang answered, "None. After the Dark Spectre appeared, they fled to the nearest Duty Room and barred the doors."Li Jiubao said, "Everyone has heard about the Dark Spectre haunting the palace a month ago. It was Lan Daohang who performed rituals to subdue it. But as you know, our prince has a strong aversion to such mystical matters. If we wake him, he might become so enraged that he grabs his sword and braves the snowstorm to hunt down the creature. In this bitter cold, what if he harms his health?"
Prince Yu detested Taoist priests so deeply that he had even embraced Buddhism just to oppose them, believing they spread delusions with their sorcery. While others revered Lan Daohang as the "Blue Immortal," the mere mention of "immortal" disgusted the prince, which was why Li Jiubao always referred to him by his real name.
Prince Yu was the hope of everyone in the manor, including Li Fang’s. Li Fang also worried about the consequences if this stubborn prince were to lose his temper—after all, he was a royal who dared confront even his own father. Li Jiubao’s concerns were well-founded.
Li Fang replied, "In that case, let’s wait and see. I’ll report any new developments."
Li Jiubao said, "Very well, I’ll follow your lead." She certainly wasn’t going to take responsibility for this.
Li Fang thought: It was your idea, yet you’re making it seem like my decision. It seems this Consort Li doesn’t rely solely on her looks—her wit and eloquence are sharp. No wonder Prince Yu favors her.
Li Fang went to the main chamber to deliver the message. The room was brightly lit, as if it were daytime. Princess Yu waited anxiously, but the pillar of the household remained invisible—he still hadn’t come.
Li Fang said, "The prince... hasn’t woken up yet."
Princess Yu grew angry. "With such a major incident, didn’t Consort Li try to rouse him? How exhausted could he have been last night?"
Li Fang explained, "The prince has always despised talk of ghosts and gods. Forcing him awake might provoke him. If he impulsively rushes out to uncover the truth about the Dark Spectre on this stormy night, any mishap would be disastrous..."
Princess Yu thought to herself: Day after day, my life is worse than being widowed!
But as a wife and princess, she couldn’t openly resent her husband. Suppressing her fury, she said, "Understood. Instruct the night watch to keep the lamps filled with oil. Tonight, everyone is like Zhuge Liang borrowing life with the Seven-Star Lamps—each flame is a life. Not a single lamp may go out. They must stay vigilant until dawn before resting."
Li Fang acknowledged the order. Soon after, Li Jiubao arrived to pay her respects to Princess Yu.
The prince might not come, but as a mere consort, she had to obey the princess.
Noticing the faint shadows under Li Jiubao’s eyes and her weary expression—evidence of a sleepless night—Princess Yu felt a twinge of jealousy. "You may return. The prince is in your quarters. If he wakes and asks for tea or water, he’ll need someone attentive to serve him."
"Yes," Li Jiubao withdrew.
She seemed oblivious to the sarcasm in Princess Yu’s words, offering no defense. She came when summoned and left when dismissed, utterly compliant.
Yet to Princess Yu, this obedience felt like a silent rebellion.
The stewardess matron remarked, "Your Highness has been too generous to Consort Li. She’s merely a concubine, yet you allowed her to reside in the main compound. Now, like a snake trying to swallow an elephant, she aspires to climb beyond her station."Princess Yu naturally had no desire to live alongside a concubine either. "Once the Pomegranate Garden is renovated, we can move her there," she declared. "Her courtyard must be the largest and most beautiful among the nine chosen attendants—after all, she contributed to the funds for this garden renovation. Without Doctor Wei’s connections, Vice Minister Yan wouldn’t have released the silver so quickly."
"If His Highness wishes to visit her in the future, even ten times a day, it won’t bother me. I’ll be able to live in peace and quiet. As long as she knows her place, I won’t treat her unfairly. I’m not one to burn bridges after crossing them. Otherwise, who would dare assist us in the future?"
The steward matron fell silent, not daring to say another word.
Princess Yu was only eighteen this year. After two years of marriage into the imperial family, harsh reality had already transformed her from an innocent girl with dreams of love, marriage, and the future into a weathered woman who treated her role as princess as a job—merely getting by day after day while working for the Yu Wang residence.
Still, Princess Yu was human. There were moments when her heart stirred, and occasionally, she felt pangs of jealousy. But her timing was unfortunate: she had been thrust into the role of princess just two months after Prince Yu had successively lost his son, wife, and daughter.
Prince Yu could not refuse the imperial marriage arrangement, but he silently observed a full year of mourning for his late primary wife before consummating the marriage with his new princess.
Princess Yu sighed: This is fate! What can one do but accept it? Life must go on.
By daybreak, there was still no sign of the Dark Spectre. They had finally made it through the night.
Princess Yu looked at the lamp oil expenses on the bill and felt a pang of distress: Ah, money flows out like water. I must be more frugal.
Li Jiubao attended to Prince Yu’s washing, while Li Fang, speaking from behind the curtain, casually mentioned the previous night’s incident with the Dark Spectre.
As expected, Prince Yu dismissed it. "The more fuss we make about such supernatural matters, the more panic we’ll cause—stirring up trouble where there is none. Issue an order: the residence is forbidden to speak of this Dark Spectre. No more rumors. What ghosts and monsters are there that can compare to the treachery of human hearts?"
Prince Yu went to the main chambers. Princess Yu hurriedly greeted her husband. Today was the death anniversary of their deceased eldest daughter. By custom, Prince Yu was to visit the temple early to conduct rituals for her and return in the evening to spend the night alone in his study.
Princess Yu had not expected her husband to come to the main chambers. She quickly said, "I already instructed them yesterday to serve Your Highness’s breakfast in Attendant Li’s room. I’ll have them bring it to the main chambers now."
Prince Yu replied, "I’ve learned of last night’s events. In the future, do not panic as you did then, Princess. Such tales of ghosts and spirits are not to be believed—they’re mostly fabrications, frightening oneself. With the extensive renovations underway in the residence, many craftsmen are staying here. There are too many eyes and ears. Last month, the palace had its own incident with the Dark Spectre, and now our residence experiences it right after—what a coincidence. I suspect someone is stirring the pot. Since childhood, I’ve seen plenty of such schemes. A clear conscience fears no accusation. If the princess shows no fear, the servants won’t either. Stay calm in all matters, and those malevolent spirits won’t dare come near."
Princess Yu promptly assented, "I will follow Your Highness’s guidance."
Prince Yu added, "Also, instruct the kitchen: no alcohol is to be consumed at night. Prepare mutton soup and hot noodle soup for those on night duty to warm themselves. Too much drink causes hallucinations. If one person claims to have seen something, others who haven’t will say the same. From one, it spreads to ten, and rumors are born."
Princess Yu shot a glance at the steward matron. "Go to the kitchen at once!"Prince Yu gave a few more instructions, to which Princess Yu nodded repeatedly like a chicken pecking at rice, responding with either "yes, yes, yes" or "right, right, right," treating her husband as if he were her boss.
Prince Yu finally said, "I'm going to Guanghua Temple today and will return before dark. We'll have dinner at home—invite Lady Li and the others over so everyone can gather and steady their nerves. During the day, if you have nothing to do, copy Buddhist scriptures to accumulate blessings and cultivate your character."
Princess Yu replied, "Your Highness is right. Each of us will copy the Diamond Sutra one hundred times."
Meanwhile, at the Lu family villa by Shichahai in the northern part of the capital, Wei Caiwei had moved in early that morning. Today was Wang Daxia's fifteenth birthday, and the three of them sat together to eat his longevity noodles.
After the meal, Wang Daxia rested there to recuperate from his leg injury, while Lu Ying prepared to ride through the snow to the Imperial Guard Office. Wang Daxia teased, "It's my birthday today—aren't you going to give me a gift, Commander Lu?"
Lu Ying glanced around and said, "This house isn't mine; it's my father's."
Wang Daxia shuddered in mock fear. "I wouldn't dare accept it even if you gave it to me! The best gift today would be getting that five hundred taels reward cashed out."
Lu Ying thought for a moment. "This matter can't be made public yet, but the reward can be given to you in advance. However, I don't have the authority to decide this alone. I'll need to go to the office and have my father sign off on it."
Wang Daxia, dragging his injured leg, pleaded playfully, "Please, I'm in a hurry to save up for a wife!"
Lu Ying replied, "Just wait here. It shouldn't be a problem."
As Lu Ying mounted her horse, Wei Caiwei remembered something and rushed over to say, "Make sure to keep a close watch on Lord Lu. Don't let him drink, don't let him drink, don't let him drink—repeat it at least ten thousand times a day."
According to the events of her previous life, there were only seventeen days left until Wang Daxia's self-castration and twenty-five days until Lu Bing's sudden death from alcohol.
In this life, the root cause of Wang Daxia's self-castration had been completely eradicated. However, Wei Caiwei remained uneasy about Lu Bing, who had suffered two severe strokes. Especially as the year-end approached, with its endless social engagements, she feared he might not refuse alcohol to save face.
Author's note: The arrow is nocked on the string, ready to be released at a touch. It's the weekend again. This chapter gives away 100 red envelopes—wishing everyone a happy weekend~ Early readers get red envelopes, hahahahaha!
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