The palace walls of Spring Gazing Garden ran deep, yet they could not entirely block out the clamor from outside.
In the night, only scattered lanterns glimmered. Occasionally, palace maids and eunuchs passed by, and upon hearing the faint, indistinct sounds of weeping from beyond, they quickened their steps.
The bedchamber where the Third Prince resided was dimly lit. Though called a bedchamber, it more closely resembled a library, with bookshelves standing tall and casting dense shadows that filled the hall.
The Third Prince sat on the central couch, surrounded by scattered scrolls. His already pale face appeared even more ghastly under the faint lamplight.
"Have the people outside not dispersed yet?" he asked.
The attending eunuch trembled as he replied, "Your Highness, they are all begging for your mercy."
The Third Prince spat in disdain, "Mercy? They want me to confront the Crown Prince. Why don’t they go themselves? Why are so many people gathered outside my door, weeping?"
"They’re not fools," a slender voice interjected. "The Crown Prince is ruthless—daring to strike and kill. If they were to surround his palace gates, wouldn’t they be courting death?"
As the words were spoken, a tall, lean figure emerged from behind a bookshelf. He was a middle-aged man in his forties, his complexion as ashen as the Third Prince’s.
In his hand, he held a scroll, as if he had been selecting books moments before.
"They know you won’t strike them, so they come here to make a scene."
The attending eunuch bowed respectfully, "Lord Zhao."
This was the Third Prince’s maternal uncle, the brother of Imperial Concubine Zhao, known as the new Imperial Uncle, Lord Zhao.
The Third Prince stepped on a book beneath the couch and stood up. "With such cowardice, how can we ever expect them to clamor for a change in the heir?"
Lord Zhao sat on the floor. "It’s no wonder they’re frightened. The Crown Prince acted so suddenly and so ruthlessly—even I was taken aback."
He then looked at the Third Prince.
"Have you seen His Majesty? What did he say? Is he truly doing nothing?"
The Third Prince’s expression grew even gloomier. "Father said the Crown Prince has ample evidence for the arrests. He also said that scholars are a mixed lot—why else would I be outshone by a mere girl?"
Lord Zhao chuckled. "This time, the Crown Prince seized the opportunity and cornered His Majesty, preventing him from shielding you."
The Third Prince said coldly, "Father never intended to protect me. Usually, he just humors my mother and me. When it comes to crucial moments, only the Crown Prince is his beloved son."
Lord Zhao continued to smile. "Don’t dwell on it. Whether it’s genuine or just comforting, what does it matter? You are still his son."
"Uncle," the Third Prince turned around, his eyes blazing with fury, "we cannot let this matter rest."
"Of course not," Lord Zhao said. "We’ve suffered such a great loss—we must vent our anger. For instance, that little girl—"
The Third Prince sneered, "That little girl Chu Zhao is in league with the Crown Prince and entangled with the Xie family."
Lord Zhao laughed. "Wasn’t it said to be a rumor? It angered the Xie family so much they even imprisoned Minister Liang."
"What of rumors?" the Third Prince said. "Truth can become rumor, and rumor can become truth."
He let out a sinister laugh.
"At this Hope Spring Garden Literary Gathering, we’ll let the Xie family and that little girl bask in glory together."
"As for Chu Ling, that dying cicada, I’ll let him sing his last song."
He ranted fiercely, imagining countless ways to frame the little girl and implicate the Xie family, especially that Young Master Xie the Third—
But behind him, there was only silence. No agreement from his uncle, nor any more refined schemes.
Had his uncle, too, been frightened by the Crown Prince’s ferocity?The Third Prince turned his head sharply and saw Minister Zhao sitting on the floor, propping his chin in a daze.
"Uncle!" the Third Prince called out.
Minister Zhao looked up and responded with a smile, "I'm thinking, I'm thinking. But, Ah Zhu, why don't we think even further ahead—"
Think even further ahead? The Third Prince was puzzled.
Minister Zhao beckoned, and the Third Prince approached, sitting on the floor beside his uncle. He listened to his uncle's whispered words as the shadows cast by the surrounding bookshelves enveloped them, dancing and flickering with the candlelight.
...
...
In the end, the Third Prince did not defend the arrested scholars. It was as if nothing had happened, and Spring Gazing Garden remained as tranquil as before.
After being flogged and paraded through the streets, the scholars were quickly sent to perform hard labor.
They were tasked with hauling stones and repairing roads outside the capital. The crack of whips fell like rain, and one by one, people collapsed. In less than ten days, the road repairs had not progressed faster; instead, the high number of casualties had caused blockages.
The official in charge of the road repairs was so furious that he rushed over to berate the overseers.
"These are all newcomers, scholars who have never endured such hardships."
"I know they must endure it now that they're convicts, but take it slow."
"Or at least be gentler—don't let them die or get injured on the road. Let it happen somewhere else!"
Listening to the official's scolding, the once-ferocious overseers humbly apologized with forced smiles.
"Sir," they repeatedly agreed, "we understand."
The official fumed, and the overseers hurriedly held up umbrellas and fanned him, inviting him to rest by the roadside.
"Sir, perhaps it's better not to send such laborers anymore," one overseer suggested. "They're only causing trouble and delaying our schedule."
The official sighed helplessly. "It's not up to us. Things will only get worse from here, and more will surely be sent—"
Just as he spoke, he noticed a group of soldiers and horses halted not far down the road, dusty and clearly having traveled a long distance.
"Who are you?" the official hurriedly demanded.
"We're from Yunzhong Commandery," the leading soldier replied.
...
...
Before Zhong Changrong could introduce himself, the official eagerly asked, "From Yunzhong Commandery? Are you from Garrison General Chu Ling's side?"
Since nearing the capital, Zhong Changrong had grown numb to hearing the general's name, but this time, he was still taken aback.
Mention Yunzhong Commandery, and no one asked about anything else—they went straight to Garrison General Chu Ling, as if there were no other generals in Yunzhong Commandery.
Zhong Changrong gazed at the faintly visible city walls ahead, feeling somewhat at a loss. He wondered what awaited them in the capital.
He recalled the scene years ago when the general sent eight victory bulletins and escorted the Crown Prince of Western Liang to the capital for an audience—the entire city had turned out to see the famed General Chu.
"Yes, we are General Chu's men, here to see—" Zhong Changrong snapped out of his reverie and replied.
The official cut him off, "To see Miss Chu's competition, right? It's about to start—you've arrived just in time."
Zhong Changrong set aside his wandering thoughts. Indeed, things were different now: the whole city was talking about the Chu daughter.
He smiled faintly. "Yes, we're here on the general's behalf to watch the young lady compete."
The official laughed heartily. "As it should be! My own daughter was fortunate enough to win three consecutive matches at Chu Manor. Ha! My father was overjoyed, insisting he finally had a successor, while us four brothers were pushed to the sidelines."
His daughter was close with the Chu daughter, so he regarded General Chu as a dear friend.
Zhong Changrong observed this official, who was as warm as a decade-old friend—even though the man hadn't yet introduced his own name."This is our—" Zhong Changrong began.
He was about to present their travel credentials—
The official didn't even glance at them. "Hurry along now, go quickly to see Miss Chu."
Zhong Changrong had anticipated difficulties along the journey, especially the closer they got to the capital. Yet contrary to expectations, their passage grew smoother near the capital—not because of General Chu, but because of Miss Chu.
His heart swelled with both sorrow and joy. The General would be immensely pleased to know this.
"Forward!" he shouted commandingly. "Let us go lend our lady some formidable presence!"
The soldiers roared in unison, galloping away under the official's smiling gaze.
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