The matter was urgent. Shao Shang immediately sought permission from Madam Xiao and, after obtaining it, returned home to pack her belongings before heading to the palace with Lian Fang and Sang Guo. Before leaving the Wan residence, Madam Xiao solemnly instructed her, "Serve the Empress well, and don't speak out of turn about other matters."
Shao Shang understood perfectly: "Who am I to speak out of turn? Even if I wanted to, who would listen?"
Knowing she couldn't control her daughter, Madam Xiao sighed, "The palace is treacherous, and matters concerning the Crown Prince are ten times more dangerous. Be careful and don't stir up trouble!"
Shao Shang acknowledged the wisdom in her words and obediently agreed.
Using the token bestowed by the Empress, she had the Upper West Gate opened and proceeded straight to the Everlasting Autumn Palace. When she was still about ten zhang away from the palace gates, she heard the voices of palace maids trying to dissuade someone and a shrill, desperate cry. Drawing closer, Shao Shang saw it was indeed Wang Ling.
The palace maids spotted Shao Shang and called out joyfully—
"Lady Cheng is here! Hurry inside, Her Majesty has fallen ill again!"
"Sister Shao Shang, you’ve finally come! Her Majesty has been coughing since last night—it’s terrified us all!"
"Earlier, Zhai Nanny said that if you didn’t come soon, she’d send someone to fetch you from your home!"
Before Shao Shang could react, Wang Ling, disheveled and weeping, threw herself at her. Tears streaked her face, her expression frantic and fearful. She didn’t even dare stand, kneeling instead at Shao Shang’s feet and wailing, "Lady Cheng, save my father! He and my brothers have all been arrested and thrown into the Northern Army Prison!"
Shao Shang was taken aback. Right—these weren’t criminal offenses, so they wouldn’t be held in the Court of Justice.
One palace maid said indignantly, "Lady Wang! We’ve told you many times. Her Majesty refuses to see you—forcing your way in would be defying her decree! Her Majesty is ill, and your commotion outside is deliberately preventing her from resting!"
Another maid shouted, "Lady Wang, leave at once! If you don’t, we’ll summon the Central Yellow Gate Attendants to drag you away!"
Wang Ling snarled, "You lowly maids! Before, you all groveled before me, and now that my family is in trouble, you trample on me! What a pack of opportunistic sycophants!"
Shao Shang planted her hands on her hips. "They’re palace maids—should they act haughty instead of deferential to their betters? And the Empress is the mistress of the inner palace. Who would the people of Everlasting Autumn Palace need to flatter? Even the princes and princesses are polite here, yet you, the daughter of an outer court official, dare to be so domineering!"
She already held some authority among the palace maids and eunuchs, and now the maids around her, moved by her words, chimed in one after another. The eunuchs encircling them even cheered softly.
Wang Ling trembled with rage and sprang to her feet, shouting, "You wretched Cheng Shaoshang! I always knew you were cunning and vicious! Now that my family is in trouble, you’ve finally gotten your wish—you can stand by and watch the show!"
"How amusing! What does your family’s misfortune have to do with me? If you’re smart, leave now and stop disturbing Her Majesty’s rest!"
"I won’t leave! I must see Her Majesty! She can’t abandon us—how can she stand by and watch our family be destroyed?!"
"Oh, so you’re picking on the weak? Her Majesty is the mistress of the inner palace, but the ruler of the realm is His Majesty. It was His Majesty who ordered your father and brothers arrested. If you’ve got the nerve, go plead with him! Why pester Her Majesty?!"
Unable to argue further, Wang Ling turned toward the palace gates and screamed, "Your Majesty! Aunt! Save us, save us! For the sake of my mother, your own flesh and blood—!"Shao Shang interrupted, "What flesh and blood kin? Her Highness and Wen Xiujun are cousins by marriage, not even sharing the same surname. Don't call it so affectionately! If your father and brothers are in such dire straits, why doesn't Wen Xiujun come personally to beg Her Highness?"
Just as Wang Ling was about to respond, the gates of the Everlasting Autumn Palace suddenly swung open. The Grand Princess and the Second Imperial Concubine emerged gracefully, surrounded by a retinue of palace maids. Shao Shang immediately lowered her hands from her waist and composed herself to bow in greeting.
The Second Imperial Concubine approached slowly with a gentle smile. "What are you arguing about outside? We could hear you from within."
The Grand Princess curled her lip. "What else? A Ling is such a devoted daughter, insisting on disturbing Mother Empress, and Shao Shang won't allow it."
Shao Shang laughed. "Ah, my Eldest Princess! Your insight is truly brilliant—you see through everything!"
The Grand Princess covered her mouth with a light chuckle. "You mischievous girl! Just the other day, Father Emperor was complaining to Mother Empress, saying you shouldn't be allowed to take leave day after day. Without your chattering by their side, the palace feels empty."
Shao Shang feigned a sigh. "My father says it's customary for parents to scold their children—both to warn them and to vent their frustrations. But since all Their Highnesses are so filial, reasonable, and wise, His Majesty has no one among his many children to reprimand. So naturally, he has to scold me day after day to make up for it!"
The Grand Princess burst into laughter, pointing at Shao Shang as she turned to the Second Imperial Concubine. "Look at her! No wonder Father and Mother Empress adore her. If the Eleventh Master hadn't acted early, I would have surely matched her with one of our imperial brothers!"
The Second Imperial Concubine chuckled, glancing at Wang Ling before addressing Shao Shang. "Have you heard the news outside as well? We all know of your devotion to Her Highness. These next few days, we'll trouble you to look after Mother Empress."
Shao Shang thought to herself that this woman was cut from the same cloth as her own Female Lord, Xiao. Though the meaning was similar, she replied respectfully.
"Your Highnesses, I—"
Wang Ling knelt again, about to plead, but the Grand Princess cut her off bluntly. "Spare us your nonsense. Your father, Wang Chun, is nothing but a mediocrity. Over the years, how many messes has he made? Were it not for the Eleventh Master repeatedly cleaning up after him, Father Emperor would have dismissed him long ago! Now that such a grave matter has arisen, implicating even the Eastern Palace, how dare you come here to beg for leniency? The audacity!"
"Your Highness," the Second Imperial Concubine said softly, signaling with her eyes to keep things discreet. Shao Shang watched coldly from the side.
The Grand Princess exhaled slowly and spoke icily to Wang Ling. "I'm not as patient as Mother Empress. If you're smart, you'll leave now. Otherwise, I'll summon the Grand Steward to have you beaten to death for disturbing the palace. Let's see who would dare speak up for you then!"
Wang Ling shrank back, weeping quietly.
Shao Shang quickly stepped forward with a smile. "This humble one knows Your Highness is deeply filial, but why tarnish your reputation for benevolence over such a trivial matter? Why use a butcher's knife to kill a chicken? Allow me to drive Lady Wang away instead!"
The Second Imperial Concubine gave Shao Shang a knowing half-smile, while the Grand Princess nodded. "Very well, we'll leave this to you... Let's go." The last three words were directed at the Second Imperial Concubine.
Arm in arm, the two departed affectionately. Shao Shang watched their retreating figures, along with the large entourage of palace maids and eunuchs, murmuring to herself, "I'd long heard the Second Imperial Concubine was close with the Grand Princess, but I didn't realize they were this intimate now."
Kneeling on the ground, Wang Ling whispered, "You didn't know? Months ago, they arranged a marriage alliance between their children."Shao Shang glanced at her and suddenly raised her voice to address the surrounding crowd, "Alright, what are you all crowding around for? Get back to your duties! You lot, aren’t you supposed to be guarding the gates? Scram! And you four, what are you gawking at? Is today’s incident more thrilling than the stories I usually tell? How shallow! Don’t expect me to share any snacks with you in the future! And you, standing so high up there, grinning like a cracked pot lid—don’t you have work to do in the kitchen?!"
Under her scolding, the palace maids and eunuchs around them lowered their heads, chuckling as they dispersed.
Shao Shang wiped the smile off her face, grabbed Wang Ling’s arm, and began dragging her away while whispering, "You saw it yourself. If you don’t want to be beaten to death, leave now. This matter is grave, with far-reaching implications—it’s not something you or I can comment on…"
Wang Ling stumbled along, sobbing softly, "No, my father is truly innocent! Those letters absolutely weren’t written by him!"
Shao Shang halted abruptly, "What are you saying? Don’t spout nonsense just to save your own skin!"
"It’s true! Really, really true!" Wang Ling clutched Shao Shang’s arm, tears brimming as she pleaded, "As his daughter, I know exactly what kind of man my father is! The Eldest Princess was right about one thing—my father is utterly mediocre, and a coward to boot! With fine wine and beautiful women at his disposal, why would he ever plot rebellion? He wouldn’t dare even if you gave him eighteen extra lives!"
Shao Shang wanted to press further, but the time and place weren’t suitable for such talk. Instead, she lowered her voice threateningly, "Then swear a heavy oath, and I might believe you! Say this: If your father truly harbored any intent or took any action toward rebellion, may you marry eighteen times, be divorced and sent home each time, and then die destitute, starving, and freezing to death!"
Given Wang Ling’s usual temperament, she would have cursed back, but this time she gritted her teeth and actually repeated the oath word for word, startling Shao Shang.
Shao Shang’s mind raced, and she immediately raised her voice again, "...Good, you’ve finally understood. Now that you’ve come to your senses, hurry home!"
The palace servants nearby overheard and stifled giggles, thinking how impressive this lively and witty Cheng Niangzi was.
Wang Ling stopped struggling and knelt down respectfully, whispering her plea, "Eleventh Master has been sent away by His Majesty—I don’t know where. If you see him, please pass a message to my father and brother. They’ve been wronged. Before my father was taken away, he told me, ‘This matter targets the Eastern Palace.’ Even if Eleventh Master cares nothing for the Wang family, for the sake of the Crown Prince, I beg him to lend his aid."
Shao Shang didn’t reply, only nodded slightly before instructing Lian Fang and Sang Guo to help Wang Ling up and escort her out of the palace.
When she arrived at the Empress’s Inner Chamber, Zhai Nanny was indeed frantic, her wrinkles and white hair seeming to have multiplied from stress. Shao Shang quickly made an excuse to send her to the kitchen to check on the medicinal broth, then took a seat by the Empress’s bedside.
Over the past several months in the palace, Shao Shang had learned that the Empress was her opposite in constitution. Though she appeared delicate and fragile like a weeping willow, she was surprisingly resilient—capable of flipping the Fifth Prince with her bare hands (Huh, why did she use the Fifth Prince as a unit of measurement?).
The Empress, however, was like an empty peanut shell—sturdy-looking on the outside but fragile within. Whether it was a cold, a cough, heatstroke, or indigestion, the Empress always took longer to recover than anyone else.Since the onset of winter, the Empress had been suffering from a recurrence of her chronic cough, confined to her sickbed for days. The sudden news of Peng Zhen's confession had overwhelmed her completely. Now, as Shao Shang looked at her sallow complexion and sickly appearance, she sighed inwardly and gently massaged the Empress's weak muscles, occasionally using the ox-horn comb to carefully scrape away the swelling on her hands and feet.
Outside the room, a red clay stove stood with bright red charcoal flames boiling a pot of water. The bubbling steam was channeled indoors through a specially designed long-spouted tube by Shao Shang, ensuring the air inside wouldn't become too dry.
After what seemed like an eternity, the Empress slowly awoke to find the beautiful young girl attentively caring for her, warming her heart.
Seeing the Empress awake, Shao Shang quickly had the palace maids assist her in sitting up against the hidden cushion. After wiping her sweat, combing her hair, and helping her drink some water and porridge, the two began to talk softly.
Shao Shang said, "Your Majesty is so ill. Why not ask His Majesty to come see you?"
The Empress smiled weakly. "His Majesty hasn't visited these past few days. I imagine he's also troubled... Don't frown. Even if the Crown Prince can extricate himself from this matter, there's still Wang Chun. In short, all these messy affairs stem from my side."
Irritated, Shao Shang waved her hand as if shooing a fly. "Your Majesty, let's not talk about this. Leave these worries to those who should be worrying. Your Majesty must pull yourself together. Besides the Crown Prince, you have other children to care for!"
The Empress seemed touched by something and smiled. "Did you see the Grand Princess and the new bride of the second prince when you arrived earlier?"
Shao Shang instantly regretted her words—why had she brought up this topic?
"I had hoped they would be united, especially the Eldest Princess. His Majesty has always favored her and her husband, and the Grand Princess's husband has considerable influence before the throne. But who would have thought... Hah, before the enemy even attacks, they start fighting among themselves."
A mix of mockery and sorrow crossed the Empress's face. "They came together, yet neither mentioned the Crown Prince in front of me. Instead, they urged me to rest and recover, advising me not to interfere in court affairs. Especially now that His Majesty is furious—they warned me not to provoke the dragon. Do they think I don't understand their implications?"
"Your Majesty..." Shao Shang grasped the Empress's thin hands—when it came to seizing family assets, who cared about sibling bonds? Even ordinary families would fight tooth and nail over half a demolition house or two parking spaces, let alone this vast empire.
The Empress patted Shao Shang's small hand. "Yes, yes. Giving them life and raising them isn't enough. Bestowing them wealth and honor isn't enough. Unless they're given the supreme throne, it will never be enough."
At a loss for how to handle such family matters, Shao Shang said, "Your Majesty, let's not talk about this either. Let's discuss your health. Your illness lingers because your heart remains troubled. As I see it, children will find their own fortunes—no need to slave for them. Your Majesty should focus on taking care of yourself first."
Seeing the girl constantly changing the subject, the Empress laughed. "Ironically, you're the one who can't let go of this matter. Do you know how long my late father lived? Or how many years my grandfather survived? Our Xuan family has never been long-lived. Of course, my father passed too soon, just past thirty. My mother outlived him by over a decade. By His Majesty's grace, my younger brother and I have survived this long, but who knows...""Ahhhh, Your Majesty, how can you say such things?!" Shao Shang sprang up, refusing to let the Empress continue. "If you keep talking like this, I'll go home and never enter the palace again!"
The Empress chuckled and coaxed her repeatedly until Shao Shang finally sat back down. Noticing the Empress looked weary, she gently pressed her to lie down again.
Before leaving the Inner Chamber, the Empress suddenly opened her eyes and asked, "Has His Majesty sent Zisheng out again?"
"Yes. Since Rebel Peng's private army surrendered this time, they can't just execute the remaining members, but they also can't let them stay gathered in one place. So His Majesty sent Lord Ling to dismantle their household."
The Empress smiled faintly. "Dismantle their household? More like offering them wealth in exchange for laying down their arms."
"Exactly, exactly," Shao Shang said cheerfully. "So don't worry, Your Majesty. Lord Ling will return as soon as he hears any news. He'll definitely have a solution by then."
The Empress closed her eyes and murmured softly, "After this incident, His Majesty is the first to be displeased, and Zisheng will likely be the second. Shao Shang, don't go provoking Zisheng. He knows what he's doing."
For some reason, Shao Shang detected an ominous undertone in the Empress's words but couldn't pinpoint why. She shook her head and dismissed the thought.
By mid-afternoon, the Crown Prince arrived at the Everlasting Autumn Palace with slumped shoulders. Since the Empress was asleep, he sat silently in the Inner Chamber for hours before leaving slowly as dusk deepened.
Watching the Crown Prince's exhausted retreat, Shao Shang felt a profound sense of helplessness.
Not just in the past, but even now—Old Man Cheng, Madam Xiao, Old Madam Wan, Aunt Sang... and Ling Buyi—everyone she knew in her life were resourceful people who would never surrender without a fight. Even Uncle Zhuti Cheng Zhi, though a bit foolish, still searched desperately for his wife amidst chaos.
In stark contrast was Second Uncle Cheng Cheng. Though Shao Shang pitied him, she couldn't deny that his cowardice and incompetence had allowed Ge Shi to dominate for a decade.
Shao Shang herself shared the former mindset, so seeing the Crown Prince so despondent made her both sympathetic and slightly disdainful. Though the Empress was serene and dignified, she had managed the Everlasting Autumn Palace flawlessly, never allowing any mishaps.
True, the Crown Prince was unfairly implicated in the case where Peng Zhen falsely accused Wang Chun. But so what? Mediocrity invites no envy—what Crown Prince doesn't face open and covert attacks? Being secretly resented was practically a universal rule for heirs apparent. What mattered was having the ability to resolve crises when they arose.
Yet the Crown Prince couldn't.
Thus, Shao Shang fell into deep doubt—she and Ling Buyi were now tied to the Crown Prince's ship. But was this ship steady? Would it capsize?
The next morning, the Empress felt slightly better and even ate half a bowl more of vegetable porridge for breakfast. Then Cen Anzhi came bustling in. After conveying the Emperor's regards, he specifically pulled Shao Shang outside the hall, hinting that she should go see the Emperor.
Shao Shang was baffled. "Eunuch Cen can just relay Her Majesty's condition. Why do I need to have an imperial audience?"
Cen Anzhi's eyes darted evasively. "In case His Majesty wishes for a detailed account of Her Majesty's condition, Cheng Niangzi can explain thoroughly."
Studying Cen Anzhi's chrysanthemum-like smiling face, a thought flashed through Shao Shang's mind. She narrowed her eyes unhappily. "Oh, I see."She dragged Cen Anzhi into a corner and hissed through gritted teeth, "His Majesty has been in a foul mood these past few days. You want me to get scolded by him, don't you? You old fox! Just the other day, I emptied my private savings to help you adopt a son! How can you betray me like this? Doesn't your conscience ache? Tell your son to watch out on his way home from school—if I see him, I'll give him a good beating! That's called 'the sins of the father visited upon the son'!"
As the girl ranted about 'fathers and sons,' Cen Anzhi felt oddly pleased. The thought that he now had a son filled him with quiet satisfaction.
Lowering his voice, he said, "Lady Cheng, don't mistake kindness for malice. Do you not know why Her Majesty fell ill? Half of it is heartache! This old servant went through great pains to persuade His Majesty to summon you. Wouldn't it be better for you to sound him out rather than stay cooped up in the Everlasting Autumn Palace? If you could say a few kind words to His Majesty, he might soften and visit Her Majesty. Then her illness would surely improve!"
Shao Shang found his reasoning sound but hesitated. "What if I say the wrong thing and His Majesty flies into a rage, scolding me until I'm drenched in blood and tears?"
Cen Anzhi studied the girl and chose his words carefully. "In this servant's humble opinion, whether you speak carefully or not has little bearing on whether His Majesty scolds you 'until you're drenched in blood and tears.'"
Shao Shang was speechless.
She narrowed her eyes at him. "Elder Cen, you're so adept at playing both sides. When you rise to greatness and your descendants flourish, don't forget to pull your little sister up with you."
Cen Anzhi chuckled, his eyes crinkling into lines. "Of course, of course."
—She was a delightful young girl with a peculiar charm, making you feel like the most ordinary person in her presence. It had nothing to do with official rank or physical imperfections—just a rapport built over time, a mutual fondness.
After reporting to the Empress, Shao Shang followed Cen Anzhi to the Department of State Affairs. According to him, only a few Classics Lecturers should have been with the Emperor at this time. But when they arrived, the junior palace attendant guarding the gate said, "Many officials have arrived and are currently in audience with His Majesty. However, His Majesty previously instructed that Lady Cheng be announced upon her arrival."
Cen Anzhi seemed to know something, giving Shao Shang a meaningful look before leading her inside.
Today's meeting between the Emperor and his ministers wasn't held in the main hall but in a side chamber where the Emperor often drank and reminisced with his old comrades. Before Shao Shang even stepped inside, she could hear the clamor from within.
A gruff voice boomed, "...Back then, His Majesty showed mercy and spared them, but instead of gratitude, they nursed resentment and plotted revenge in secret! In my view, we should root them out completely!"
A chorus of agreement followed—"Exactly!" "Great kindness breeds great enmity—they should all be executed!" and the like.
Then a refined voice interjected, "Gentlemen, please calm yourselves. As the saying goes, times have changed. When His Majesty spared the Qian'an Remnants, he had his reasons. But after all these years, people's hearts may have shifted..."
Shao Shang silently admired the speaker's skill—while ostensibly supporting the Emperor, he was also applying subtle pressure.
Hearing the heated debate inside, she felt like retreating. But Cen Anzhi seemed confident, instructing the junior attendant to announce their arrival before striding into the side chamber. With a resigned grimace, Shao Shang followed.With many people present today, Shao Shang knelt, kowtowed, raised her arms, and performed the entire set of rituals flawlessly. The Emperor, seated above, gave a slight smirk. Then, Shao Shang bowed to the assembled ministers, saying, "This humble one, Lady Cheng, pays her respects to all the esteemed lords."
Out of deference to the Emperor, the ministers each raised their arms slightly in acknowledgment.
In that brief moment when she lifted her gaze, Shao Shang took in the scene inside the hall—
Yuhou and General Wu were certainly present. Behind the former sat three or four civil officials, while the latter was surrounded by four or five military officers. The Marquis of Da Yue and Marquis Zhongyue were also there, encircled by a group of noble elders not dressed in official robes.
What was rather unusual was the presence of the Third Prince, who sat quite independently in the seat just below the Emperor.
"...How is the Empress's health?" the Emperor asked.
As soon as this question was voiced, the ministers in the hall exchanged meaningful glances—though today was an informal occasion, they were still discussing matters of state. Under such circumstances, it was highly inappropriate for the Emperor to suddenly summon the daughter of an outer court official to inquire about the Empress's illness.
Shao Shang suddenly understood: this impropriety was exactly what the Emperor wanted.
She steadied herself and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, Her Majesty's cough worsened two days ago. This morning she stopped coughing, but her melancholy remains unresolved. She suffers from weak qi and cold constitution, sleeping incessantly, and will not recover quickly."
The Emperor said coldly, "Wang Chun is the Empress's kinsman. With such a grave matter as colluding with rebels coming to light, it's only fitting the Empress falls ill!"
—Making it sound like the Empress was feigning illness! This old man is truly wicked! Shao Shang silently cursed in her heart.
"Father," the Third Prince suddenly spoke up, "Wang Chun married Wen Xiujun, making him the Empress's relative by marriage, not blood relation."
The Emperor snapped irritably, "You shut your mouth!" Then turning back to Shao Shang, he said, "I heard you quarreled with Wang Chun's daughter yesterday. It seems you're becoming more and more accomplished—arguing right outside the Everlasting Autumn Palace gates!"
Shao Shang inwardly groaned 'here it comes.' The stinky old Emperor wasn't going to let her off!
"Your Majesty," she bowed her head respectfully, "This humble one did not intend to be rude. But Lady Wang kept insisting General of Chariots and Cavalry was wrongfully accused, saying her father would never conspire with rebels! She also said..."
A booming voice interrupted—it came from a burly, bearded officer standing behind General Wu. "She's Wang Chun's daughter, of course she'd claim he's innocent. Such words aren't worth mentioning..."
General Wu said sternly, "His Majesty is letting Cheng Niangzi speak. Who asked for your interruption? Step back!"
The bearded officer could only retreat resentfully.
The Emperor nodded to Shao Shang. "Continue."
Shao Shang said, "Lady Wang claimed that General Wang is a mediocre man who would be perfectly content with fine wine and beautiful women. To rebel against the throne... General Wang would never have such 'ambition'!"
She raised her head pleadingly, "Your Majesty, this humble one also thinks General Wang Chun wouldn't dare do such things. Could there be some mistake? The Empress has fallen ill from worry... Perhaps..."
"Ignorant woman!" A scholar beside Yuhou erupted in anger. "What does a mere woman know of court affairs! How dare you spout such nonsense here—this deserves severe punishment!"
Just then, a junior palace attendant outside the hall loudly announced—"General of the Guards Ling Buyi has arrived!"
The Emperor's eyebrows rose almost imperceptibly. "Admit him."
Ling Buyi entered the hall and bowed. After rising, he sat properly, then addressed the scholar who had reprimanded Shao Shang: "Magistrate Li cuts quite an imposing figure. Does listening to my wife speak disgrace you so? It seems I dare not open my mouth before Your Excellency in the future."
Magistrate Li said indignantly, "Today we discuss governance before His Majesty. What business does this little girl have here, she actually—"
"Magistrate Li, are your eyes crooked or your heart?" Ling Buyi interrupted, casting a dissatisfied glance at the Emperor as he spoke.“Was my wife the one who barged into the hall to give orders or speak out of turn? Clearly, it was Your Majesty who summoned her and inquired, and she merely answered truthfully. Official Li should petition Your Majesty—either to have my wife expelled from the hall or to advise Your Majesty not to question her. What kind of hero bullies a young girl barely over ten years old?” Ling Buyi’s slender brows arched slightly, his voice carrying a hint of gloom Shao Shang had never heard before.
Official Li said nothing more, only his face remained indignant.
“Your Majesty, do you still require my wife’s response? If not, perhaps she should return,” Ling Buyi respectfully petitioned.
The Emperor coughed twice, stroking his long beard to mask his expression. “Lady Cheng, continue.”
Shao Shang had already cursed the Emperor a hundred and eight times in her heart, but her face feigned even greater timidity. “Your Majesty, this humble one has heard that the late Old Prince Qian’an had fifteen sons and twenty-one daughters. Wen Xiujun was only the eighth daughter—neither the eldest nor the youngest, nor the most favored. Thus, neither the old prince nor the other sons of the household held General Wang Chun in high regard.”
“How does Lady Cheng know so much about these past matters?” Yuhou suddenly interjected.
Shao Shang looked somewhat embarrassed. “Well… Wang Ling once insulted my father as a lowly peasant from the countryside. I was so angry that I investigated General Wang’s background, so that if I ever met Ling again, I wouldn’t lose in an argument…”
Yuhou chuckled. “You young girls hold grudges fiercely!”
The hall filled with light laughter, easing the tension.
“The young lady speaks the truth,” Marquis of Da Yue said with a smile. “During Old Prince Qian’an’s lifetime, Wang Chun was never entrusted with important matters—troops, provisions, construction, or taxes. Even in major discussions, he was never invited.”
A noble behind him added, “But in a way, it was a blessing in disguise. When the old prince… ahem, when he later plotted treason, Wang Chun wasn’t involved and thus avoided any repercussions.”
Shao Shang quickly added, “This humble one heard that the current Prince Qian’an is the old prince’s fourteenth son, and he even bullied General Wang back then.”
General Wu nodded. “Indeed. The current Prince Qian’an was born to the old prince’s favorite concubine. He was arrogant and domineering from childhood and treated us with little courtesy.”
A bearded officer cautiously chimed in, “General, back then, he wasn’t even as tall as a horse’s leg, yet he tried to seize your beloved steed! You scared him off with a single punch!”
Then, the court officials began chattering about the old affairs of the Qian’an Royal Manor—mostly about the old prince’s lofty ambitions but meager talents, and his sons’ tyrannical and violent natures. In short, none were good. Wang Chun, in contrast, was barely noticeable—aside from his decent lineage, he was thoroughly mediocre.
“If that’s the case, why would General Wang Chun collude with Prince Qian’an?” Shao Shang pressed. “Your Excellencies, consider this—General Wang Chun lives comfortably under Your Majesty’s rule. Not only does Your Majesty treat him with leniency, but he also holds rank and authority. Has he grown tired of good days? Does he want the Qian’an Royal Manor to regain its former glory, only to be bullied again by the young prince?”
A refined scholar spoke slowly, “Young lady, you are mistaken. Perhaps Wang Chun is merely deceiving Prince Qian’an, intending to eliminate him once he gains power. With those letters as evidence, I believe Wang Chun’s collusion with Prince Qian’an is just bait—his true aim is rebellion and regicide.”
Shao Shang immediately recognized this as the same man whose gentle voice had carried such sharp intent earlier—apparently surnamed Han.Then she feigned surprise and said, "But... but General Wang Chun hasn't been able to write with his own hand for five or six years now."
The hall fell silent. She continued, "I once heard that General Wang suffered a severe injury to his hand five or six years ago. Since then, he hasn't written a single word—all his correspondence has been penned by scribes. His Majesty knows this as well."
The ministers quickly turned to look at the Emperor, who slowly nodded. "The injury was just an excuse. Wang Chun drank too much, and his hands trembled so badly he couldn't hold a brush. That's why I said earlier, gentlemen, that this case has many suspicious points and requires thorough investigation."
Ling Buyi tilted his head slightly toward Shao Shang, signaling her. She understood that her role for the day was over, but unfortunately, unless the Royal Uncle dismissed her, she couldn't leave on her own. She could only shift slightly to the side, letting Ling Buyi's figure completely shield her from view.
Marquis Zhongyue frowned. "But the seals and hidden marks on those letters match those from the General of Chariots and Cavalry's residence."
The Emperor pondered briefly before saying, "Zisheng, you explain."
Ling Buyi spoke calmly, "Minister Ji Zun and I previously discussed this matter. From start to finish, it's filled with oddities—not with Wang Chun, nor with the Qian'an Royal Manor, but with Peng Zhen!"
"How so?" Yuhou asked curiously.
Ling Buyi replied, "Because none of the schemes mentioned in those letters could possibly succeed. First, the letters claimed they would lure Your Majesty to personally lead the campaign. Your Majesty is not a warmongering ruler and understands the importance of strategic planning. It's been years since Your Majesty last led a campaign in person. Shouchun is a mere insignificant place—to think they could draw Your Majesty there is so foolish it's almost laughable."
The Emperor smiled and nodded, while the ministers began murmuring among themselves.
"Second, the letters spoke of assassinating Your Majesty during the campaign. This is even more absurd. Your Majesty is surrounded by trusted aides, protected by the Feather Forest, the Tiger Guard, and the Imperial Army—three layers of defense. Even in the most difficult times, with Your Majesty's martial prowess, no one could get within three steps of you. Who would dare speak so lightly of harming Your Majesty? It's pure delusion!"
The ministers in the hall burst into laughter, all agreeing it was indeed so.
Ling Buyi continued, "Lastly, if everything in the letters had come to pass—Your Majesty perishing during the campaign against Peng Zhen, and the Crown Prince ascending the throne—"
"Outrageous!" General Wu bellowed.
The Emperor waved his hand. "It's fine. Let Zisheng continue."
Ling Buyi glanced around the room. "If the traitors had truly succeeded, the first thing the Crown Prince would do upon ascending the throne would be to avenge his father and exterminate Peng Zhen's entire clan. In that case, Peng Zhen would be doomed—so how could there be any talk of 'the Wang and Peng families sharing prosperity'?!"
Even the burly general who had spoken earlier was now engrossed, muttering, "This doesn't add up...!"
"Indeed, it doesn't," Ling Buyi said. "I've already questioned Peng Zhen. Even he found the contents of those letters implausible, yet he still hid them away."
Yuhou said gravely, "This case is indeed riddled with doubts. It must be thoroughly investigated!"
By now, no one was clamoring for the Qian'an faction's blood anymore. The Emperor smiled in satisfaction, then turned and noticed the Third Prince sitting quietly. "Third Son, why aren't you speaking?"
The Third Prince replied, "You told me to keep quiet, Father."
The Emperor was speechless.
"Very well, I'll say a few words," the Third Prince said. "Today, Father was supposed to select a Classics Lecturer for me from among the candidates. But then all these ministers came storming into the Department of State Affairs. I thought it must be some major affair—turns out it's just this trivial little case..."The bearded general muttered, "This concerns a major case of treason, how can it be called trivial..."
"There are only two possibilities here," the Third Prince continued, ignoring him entirely. "Either Wang Chun is innocent, in which case we need to find out who forged those letters; or Wang Chun did conspire with Rebel Peng and Prince Qian'an—but Peng Zhen is already a prisoner, and Prince Qian'an is nothing more than a bird in our hands. What can a bunch of incompetents possibly achieve? I truly don’t understand why all of you are making such a fuss... Has the sky fallen? Have enemy troops reached the city gates? It’s truly unbelievable."
One of the nobles persisted, "But the Crown Prince intends—"
Ling Buyi interjected, "If you want to implicate the heir apparent, you should at least produce a letter from the Crown Prince or a seal from the Eastern Palace. Right now, there’s nothing—not even Wang Chun’s guilt has been confirmed. There’s no need for you to be in such a hurry to drag others into this."
An eerie atmosphere filled the hall. The Marquis of Da Yue and the Marquis Zhongyue exchanged helpless glances, Yuhou fanned himself with a smile, and General Wu leisurely finished his wine.
The gloomy-faced Li Gongcao asked, "May I ask the Third Prince, if Prince Qian'an is indeed implicated in this matter, what should be done?"
The bearded general straightened up. "Exactly! Surely we can’t just let them go!"
"Those who plot rebellion and treason should be dealt with according to the law. It’s not like we’re keeping traitors around to celebrate the Shangsi Festival," the Third Prince replied without even a flicker of emotion.
Li Gongcao and the bearded general sat back, satisfied.
Shao Shang now understood. There were roughly three factions present today to see the Royal Uncle.
First, the "Eliminate the Qian’an Faction" group, represented by Li Gongcao and the bearded general. Most of them had blood feuds with the Qian’an Royal Manor, and they seemed to be the largest group, comprising civil officials, military officers, and nobles alike.
Second, Yuhou, General Wu, and the two Marquis of Yue—they had been pushed forward by their subordinates. When families pledged allegiance to you and became your followers, you had to stand up for them. Besides, they all had their own hidden agendas.
What Shao Shang couldn’t understand was the refined Minister Han. He seemed to hold a high official rank, but she still couldn’t fathom his intentions.
"Enough. Since this isn’t a major issue..." The Emperor’s gaze swept across the room. "Third Prince, you and Zisheng will interrogate Wang Chun and report back with the details."
The Third Prince responded reluctantly, while Ling Buyi bowed in acknowledgment.
Shao Shang watched the Emperor with great interest. From the moment she entered until now, when the matter was resolved and the ministers pacified, the Royal Uncle hadn’t even shifted his slightly reclined posture against the armrest. His tone remained steady, his gaze gentle, his entire demeanor like an idol upon a shrine—unfazed, unangered, perfectly at ease, and utterly inscrutable.
He hadn’t actually said much, nor had he argued with any of his ministers. He simply let them debate among themselves, and everything was resolved. Shao Shang couldn’t help but admire the Royal Uncle. The throne truly wasn’t something just anyone could sit on. If only the Crown Prince could learn a fraction of this.
After giving orders to his son and foster son, the Emperor turned and noticed the girl staring at him expectantly. On a whim, he added, "If the Empress wishes to send someone along, you may take them as well."
Shao Shang blinked in surprise. Was he... talking about her?
Author’s Note: A "bianmian" is a type of folding fan.
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