Chapter 529: Change
Haoyue smiled faintly.
The Emperor glanced at her. "What are you smiling about? Even if I dislike her, I must admit she has some capability for a woman to achieve this much."
"It's not that I disagree with Your Majesty." Haoyue picked up her teacup, tracing circles with the lid. "I just feel this matter might not be so simple. Think about it—when this incident occurred, including Your Majesty, everyone immediately suspected the princes. 'Suspected' is putting it mildly—I'm afraid some had already made up their minds. If it really was one of the princes behind this, wouldn't he have anticipated the consequences? Personally, I find this whole situation rather dubious."
The Emperor fell into deep thought before asking, "Do you think this could be a play orchestrated by Hua Zhi? To clear obstacles for Little Six?"
"Do you think that's impossible?"
The Emperor shook his head slightly. "If she were in good health, that reasoning might hold. But her constitution can't withstand such schemes. Physician Liu said if she doesn't recuperate properly, it will shorten her lifespan. No one values their life lightly. Even if she wants to assist Little Six, she wouldn't sacrifice her life for it. She needs to stay alive for her contributions to be remembered."
Seeing this approach wasn't working, Haoyue immediately agreed. "You're absolutely right. I was being shortsighted."
"Staying confined within the palace walls, it's natural you wouldn't know the full picture. Still, your suspicion has merit." The Emperor stood up and began pacing. "The evidence points too obviously, making it seem fabricated."
"Is the rumor circulating outside that the mastermind is the Fourth Prince?"
"You've heard about that?"
Haoyue smiled faintly. "I merely guessed. With the empress position vacant, Consort Xu currently holds the highest rank in the rear palace. In some people's eyes, the Fourth Prince naturally appears most likely to succeed. Having such an obvious target standing there makes him the perfect scapegoat."
The Emperor looked at her. "You don't think it's him?"
"I wouldn't dare make such claims recklessly. Can't I just speculate a little?"
The Emperor pointed at her from across the room before turning to leave.
"Your humble servant bids farewell to Your Majesty."
As the hall quieted, Haoyue's smile gradually faded. She contemplated what effect her words might have. Sometimes the most obvious target isn't the real one—doesn't the saying go that the most dangerous place is the safest? When everyone assumes it's him, it might not be; when everyone doubts it's him, that's when it might actually be true.
After leaving Like Orchid Palace, the Emperor commanded, "Investigate the movements of the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Princes."
"As you command."
The rumors spread increasingly wider. When Hua Zhi learned the Fourth Prince was almost universally regarded as the culprit, she knew things were turning dangerous. She wasn't the only one muddying the waters—others were stirring the pot too.
"This subordinate has failed in his duties." Chen Qing knelt in apology the moment he arrived.
"I'm not Yan Xi—no need to kneel before me. Rise." Without looking at him, Hua Zhi continued polishing her dagger rhythmically. "Have we captured the first pawn?"
"Yes, we have him in custody."
"And the second one is under surveillance?"
"Correct."
"Good. Release information that the perpetrator has confessed, and throw out the first pawn."
Chen Qing acknowledged the order but hesitated before asking, "Should we steer the narrative toward implicating the Fourth Prince?"
"No need. We all know the truth of what happened. We have our sources. Even if the whole world claims the Fourth Prince is innocent, he knows he isn't. One hour from now, regardless of whether the Fourth Prince makes any moves, release information that the perpetrator has identified the Third Prince as the mastermind."
"Are you planning to drag the Third Prince into this muddy water?"Hua Zhi gazed at the ancient dagger that showed no hint of sharpness and said calmly, "I am merely a commoner now. Princes should contend with princes. The Third Prince may not be entirely innocent in this matter."
"Yes, I understand what needs to be done."
Hua Zhi's energy was rather low. Though her injury wasn't serious, she had lost considerable blood and frequently felt drowsy, spending most of her days asleep.
She didn't know how her grandmother had pacified the rear courtyard. Apart from her mother and Fourth Aunt's visit, everyone else remained calm and carried on as usual. She guessed her grandmother hadn't disclosed her injury.
This was for the best. It wasn't that she looked down on anyone, but women in this era truly excelled at weeping. The mere thought of being surrounded by a group of crying women made her shiver.
After these random thoughts, Hua Zhi drifted back to sleep.
The capital had warmed over the past two days, and rumors had intensified along with the rising temperature. Small groups gathered to discuss recent events with concealed excitement.
Imperial affairs had always been lofty and distant. While discord among princes was no secret, it had never been as blatantly exposed as the current conflict between the Third and Fourth Princes.
"Latest news—the two have taken their dispute before the Emperor," a man hurried into Yunlai Tavern, found his friend's table, and sat down, unconcerned about the attention his words attracted.
"Really? Is your information reliable?"
"Absolutely. During today's grand court session, the princes' quarrel enraged the Emperor. Both were reportedly punished. Just wait—it'll spread soon."
"This is truly... who knows whom the Emperor favors?"
"..."
In a private room on the second floor, Shen Qi closed the door. Having experienced many trials, his youthful face now appeared much more composed.
Jiang Huanran couldn't resist needling him, "If you want to know about the young lady's condition, just send a card and pay a visit. How much truth can there be in rumors?"
Ignoring him, Shen Qi said leisurely, "I will take the Lock Hall Examination this April."
Besides Jiang Huanran, four others were in the room. Their family status matched Shen Qi's, and their households were closely aligned with the Shen Family, as was the Jiang Family. Though Jiang Huanran and Shen Qi hadn't gotten along previously—one being the eldest grandson, the other the youngest son, walking different paths—they had inexplicably grown closer after both developed affection for the same person.
Yet his decision still surprised them, given he was barely twenty.
They exchanged glances, and the young master from the Chu family asked, "Isn't it too early?"
"The young lady is only sixteen, yet she handles both the salt tax and Transportation Department affairs. We're several years older—what notable achievements do we have?" Shen Qi took a sip of tea. "This is my carefully considered decision."
"Who wants to compete with her?" grumbled the young master from the Zheng family helplessly, dragging his stool closer to Shen Qi. "Feeling provoked?"
Shen Qi remained silent for a moment. "A few days ago, while playing chess with my grandfather, he discussed the current court situation. What struck me most was his remark about the lack of capable successors—true for both military officers and civil officials."
"But we don't see any vacant positions now..."
"Enough," interrupted the Chu young master. "Shen Qi means people who can actually get things done."Shen Qi smiled, "When military officers cannot fight and civil officials cannot govern, isn't that a gap between the old and the new? Since I aspire to an official career, if I don't enter early to gain experience, when the time comes to employ talent, I'll just be another incompetent one."
As the eldest grandson cherished by his grandfather's high hopes and the disciple meticulously taught by his mentor, he didn't even have the qualification to be incompetent. Moreover, if he became more capable, perhaps one day when the young lady needed to accomplish something, he might be able to lend a hand.
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