Sea of No Return

Wanwаn wаtсhеd аs the figure slipреd inside—a flаsh of pеасh-rеd аt thе door, gоne in the blink of an eyе.

Shе turned bаck tо Yu Хiхiа. "What's gоing оn?"

Yu Хiхiа clаsped his hands. "Тhе magistrаte of Huаining, Sha Wanshеng, has beеn dеtаinеd."

"Sо Маdam Sha саme tо рlеad fоr him?" she frоwnеd. "A crimе this grаve is еnough for the imрerial cоurt tо рrosеcute. No mаttеr whо she is, I dоubt it'll dо аnу gооd."

Yu Xiхiа smiled fаintly. "Dеsperаte tо sаvе her husbаnd, shе'll trу аny method. Whеther it works is another mаtter."

Wanwan fеlt uneasу. "A wоmаn sneаking into a man's room late at night—how shameless! Did you see what Madam Sha looks like? Is she pretty?"

Yu Xixia replied, "It was just a glimpse; I truly didn't get a clear look." He then lowered his gaze to her. "If Your Highness is concerned, I can go and check. After all, it's a place full of men—best not let unsavory types take advantage."

She hesitated. Should he really go? That didn't seem quite proper! Besides, he had been in discussions earlier, and attendants weren't far off. Though Madam Sha was a woman, she was there openly—nothing to suspect.

She shook her head, feigning magnanimity. "She must have something to report. When a man is convicted, someone must still try to intervene; you can't just watch him lose his head. This Madam Sha is rather pitiful—probably panicking and at her wit's end. Pleading with anyone else would be useless, so she might as well appeal to the Prince himself." She smiled. "Lord Yu, since arriving at the Southern Garden, we haven't had a proper chat. Where is your hometown?"

He said it was in Fengxiang Prefecture, "not far from Xi'an."

"When did you enter the palace?"

He thought for a moment. "At thirteen, the same year as Seal-holding Xiao entered. He went to the Bureau of Wine, Vinegar, and Noodles, while I was assigned to the Treasury of Prudence..." He trailed off, turning to look as the officials discussing matters in the Prince of Nanyuan's room began filing out, uncertain of the situation.

The Princess Royal was likely furious. He instinctively glanced at her and indeed saw her expression darken, though restrained by her royal status from outburst. She stood in the dim night for a while before turning back to her own quarters.

Meanwhile, Madam Sha knelt on the floor, weeping like a pear blossom bathed in rain. The faint lamplight illuminated her face, revealing cat-like eyes that gleamed with cunning between tears as she sobbed endlessly.

Liangshi was growing impatient and said coldly, "There are no outsiders now, Madam. Please rise. Speak freely."

Madam Sha rose reluctantly, taking two delicate steps. Beneath her Balustrade Skirt peeked the tips of her tiny feet, her figure as graceful as an opera dan actress. She glanced sideways at him—the nobleman under the lamp appeared stern and imposing. Though his features were as fine as jade, he seemed difficult to deal with. She felt a twinge of fear but forced herself to be bold. Men, after all, often feigned propriety. For now, he maintained his composure, but once drawn in, who knew what beastly form he might take.She inched closer, pleading her husband's case, "Our lord truly had no choice. The rainy season lasted so long, the city was flooded, and the stored grains piled up without being turned or aired. After more than ten days, they grew mold and worms, unfit for human consumption—eating them would make people sick. Our lord had intended to submit a petition to the Southern Garden early on, but he thought to wait for clear weather to weigh the grains and report the exact figures. Yet before he could, Your Highness arrived in person."

He listened with a scoff, "I know all these are just excuses. My men opened the granary and felt the walls—they were dry. According to your account, the rainy season ended only seven or eight days ago, so the inside should still be damp. Now, there are only a few dan of grain left, and no mold stains at the base of the walls. You dare deceive me before my very eyes? Quite bold of you."

Madam Sha blinked, "With the blazing sun overhead, if I speak falsely, may I die this instant." Then she shifted to a pleading tone, sweet and delicate, "Your Highness, with your discerning wisdom, please understand our difficulties. The Porridge Kitchen accommodates the elderly, weak, women, and children; a slight shortage is unavoidable. After all, priorities must be weighed. The two porridge kitchens in the city are dedicated to disaster victims, while the five large cauldrons outside the city dare not stop casually. You see... our hearts are solely devoted to you. If there were any other way, who would wish to trouble the people? This is truly a last resort, the grain..."

She paused, her beautiful eyes glancing around, and lightly patted her own lips, "Oh dear, I deserve a slap! I spoke carelessly and offended Your Highness."

Liangshi, grain... What a prosperous and well-fed name! Madam Sha covered her mouth with her sleeve, smiling meaningfully.

Sometimes these officials' wives were truly foolish, likely thinking they held some leverage, mixing complaints with negotiation. After listening for a while, he roughly understood: they dared not withhold rations for the troops outside the city, so they targeted those inside. If discovered, they could use this to silence him, leaving him unable to protest. Thus, the matter was already clear. What remained was to consider how to handle the aftermath and how to take full control of Huaining.

He remained silent, his fair and slender fingers tapping rhythmically on the table, unhurried and deliberate, each movement like a stroke in a painting. Madam Sha recalled Magistrate Sha's hands—thick, clumsy fingers, rough and reckless. Indeed, people could not be compared. What would it feel like to have such hands, skilled in playing the zither, glide over one's body? Just imagining it made her feel weak.

"My lord..." she called tenderly, shuffling closer, "Sha Wansheng is an honest man, truly incapable of such schemes. He serves you with genuine sincerity, my master..." As she spoke, she reached his side, twisting the corner of her garment, her eyes brimming with emotion, "Take, for instance, that time Prince Chu tried to win him over..."He glanced sidelong at her as the heavy scent of her cosmetics swept over, almost suffocating. She spoke only half a sentence, but he was interested in Prince Chu’s movements, so he suppressed the urge to brush her away and waited for what came next. Just as expected, she leaned in closer, her hands painted with red nail polish clinging to his chest. The earlier sorrow had vanished, replaced by a face full of springtime allure as she whispered, "You are a Feudal Prince and also the Imperial Consort... Even if the Princess Royal is a delicacy, one can grow tired of it... I don’t ask for much, only desire you... Sha Wansheng is loyal to you, and so am I. If you’re used to sea cucumbers and fish maw, let me offer you something simpler..."

But with a sudden thud, before she could understand what was happening, she was flung backward, her waist hitting the corner of a cabinet so hard she nearly lost her breath from the pain.

He stood up, brushing off the places she had touched, and called out in a low voice, "Dachun." The person outside immediately entered, standing with hands clasped, awaiting orders.

He lifted his chin slightly. "Get her out. Don’t dirty my place."

Dachun acknowledged the order, glancing up to gauge his expression. With a slight nod from him, Dachun understood, pressing one hand to his sword and dragging the woman out of the bedroom with the other.

A beauty trap, throwing herself at a man to protect him—she really went all out. He clasped his hands behind his back and stepped over the threshold, saying to Shucun, "Interrogate her under severe torture. We must find out where the grain is. But we must also prepare for the worst. It’s likely hopeless to recover it now, so we’ll have to find another way to requisition grain. Also, ask the Second Master to draft a memorial and send it to the capital, stating that Sha Wansheng, the magistrate of Huaining County, was found guilty of corruption and embezzling disaster relief grain, and has been executed. I have temporarily ordered Yuwen Shuchuan, the Commissioner of the Maritime Trade Office, to assist in managing Huaining, and I request the Emperor’s approval."

After giving his orders, he felt he could finally rest and turned eastward with his hands clasped behind his back.

Outside the Princess Royal’s door, Yu Xixia stood like a nail. The guards he had posted had been dismissed, and when asked why, it was said to be on Her Highness’s orders, allowing them to rest.

He nodded. "Minister Yu, you’ve had a long journey. There’s no need to stand guard tonight. The courier station is well-guarded inside and out, so it’s safe. You should rest too."

Yu Xixia accepted the order, bowed, and withdrew. He turned and lightly knocked on the door. The person inside did not come to open it but asked, "Has the Prince finished his business?"

He replied, "Yes, everything that needed to be dealt with has been settled."

She hummed in acknowledgment. "You must be exhausted. Go rest early."

He detected a note of displeasure in her voice and hesitated inwardly. "Open the door first. I have something to say to you."

Wanwan lay in bed, filled with irritation. "It’s late today, and it’s inconvenient to entertain. Please return, Your Highness."

He stood before the door, facing the crisscrossing latticework, knowing she was upset. If he left now, wouldn’t the misunderstanding only grow worse? He had no choice but to knock again, lowering his voice as he said, "I’ve come to attend to you. Open the door quickly, before everyone finds out."

She was both angry and annoyed, raising her voice. "Attend to a disheveled ghost! Who asked you to attend to me? Stop making noise and go back. I don’t want to see you today."

Wanwan was angry with him and with herself. What kind of secret matter required dismissing everyone to be alone with that Madam Sha? Whether man or woman, not reflecting on oneself is truly unwise. She was right there, and he dared to act recklessly under her very eyes. If she had looked away for even a moment, who knows what might have happened!He knew the situation was serious and resolutely refused to leave. Clinging to the doorframe, he said, "If you don't open the door, I'll come in myself. If I end up breaking the latch, you can just move into my room."

Hearing the sound of a dagger being unsheathed, she knew she couldn't bluff her way out of this. She resented his shamelessness but had no choice. Fuming, she finally went over and opened the door.

"What do you want?" She blocked the doorway, but when she saw his smiling eyes, her anger quietly subsided by more than half.

"Nothing much. I finished my work and came to see how you're doing. Did you enjoy dinner? Do you have any clothes that need washing? I told you before, I didn't want you to come—this place is nothing like Nanjing..." He forced his way in, but before he could finish, she gathered a pile of clothes and threw them into his arms.

"Covered in dust—I changed out of them all. Sorry to trouble you, Prince." She held her head high, not even glancing at him.

He smiled apologetically. "What's wrong? You were fine just a moment ago..." Then he remembered—Madam Sha's visit must have caused a misunderstanding. Once the jealousy jar is overturned, the sourness spreads for miles.

Yet he was so happy. If she had ignored it, that would have been truly despairing. He would rather she made a scene with him—making a fuss meant she cared, meant she truly had him in her heart. If she didn’t care about you at all, why would she pay such close attention to your actions!

He set the clothes aside and came over to coax her. "I came to explain what happened earlier. Sha Wansheng's wife came to the courier station—did you know?"

She sat under the lamp, turning her face away. "I saw her in the courtyard. She must have had something important to discuss with you. So? Did you have a pleasant conversation?"

From her feigned indifference, he detected hidden anger. Smiling, he bent slightly at the waist and said, "She came to plead for Magistrate Sha, claiming the rainy season ruined tens of thousands of bushels of grain—all of it moldy. Even the livestock wouldn't eat it."

She laughed upon hearing this. "Do you believe her?"

He said he didn’t. "Even if it all went moldy, there should still be remains. We can go inspect it ourselves to see if it's true or not." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "When Madam Sha realized her pleas weren’t working, she offered herself... I was afraid you’d misunderstand, so I had her escorted out. That’s how I managed to come see you."

She had guessed why the woman visited so late at night, and indeed, it was just as she thought! Wanwan pursed her lips and said nothing. The thought of seduction disgusted her as something vile and despicable. He was a Feudal Prince, after all—he must have encountered such situations often. Even if nothing ultimately happened, she still felt deeply unsettled.

Seeing her displeased expression, he grew anxious and quickly placed his hands on her shoulders to explain. "With you here, how could I ever be interested in such common powder and paint? If you think I have such low standards, you’re underestimating me."

After a long silence, she finally spoke. "Why did you send away all the people around you? What kind of private conversation couldn’t others hear? If you knew how to avoid suspicion, you wouldn’t have done such a thing. Clearly, flies don’t land on an uncracked egg—that saying holds true."He was taken aback—how had he suddenly become the egg with a crack? When someone asks you to dismiss your attendants, most people would be willing to hear what secret matter they have to share. But she was displeased, believing he was defying the odds and showing signs of disloyalty... He dared not tell her the truth, only offering a roundabout explanation: "Prince Chu once tried to win over Magistrate Sha, and she came to pledge her allegiance."

"Aren’t the people around you all trusted confidants? Why dismiss them?" She turned her back, muttering under her breath, "A young woman, making such a request late at night—you should have guessed her intentions. Thankfully, you’re a man. If you were a woman, would you have acted the same way?"

He looked at her with a pained expression. "I... was wrong."

Her lips remained pressed into a firm line. "Did she touch you?"

He immediately denied it outright. "No, how could I have let her get close to me!"

"Then she must have flirted with you verbally. Otherwise, why would you have had her thrown out? If you were just talking normally, was there any need to resort to force?"

Her reaction was too quick, her logic too sharp, leaving him with no room for excuses. He stared at her in astonishment, feeling a sense of panic for the first time in his life—more intense than when he faced Ama’s scolding as a child. She was small and seemingly fragile, yet she had found his weak spot. He felt there was no way out; he was bound to become a henpecked husband in the future. But instead of sorrow, he felt only joy. This was probably what they called "needing to be kept in check."

Seeing him speechless, she wore a look of disdain and waved her sleeve, pointing straight at the door. "Prince, please leave. From now on, take better care of yourself. Don’t stir up any unsavory rumors that would disgrace me."

He opened his mouth, wanting to plead, but feared adding fuel to the fire. Gathering his clothes, he shuffled his steps and glanced back at her before leaving. She remained unmoved, leaving him helpless. He could only sigh and walk out.

At dawn the next day, Shu Quan returned to report the results of the night’s interrogation. Entering the courtyard, he asked where the Prince was, and Dachun gestured toward the well. Shu Quan had assumed he was washing up, but to his surprise, the Prince was huddled over a basin, washing clothes. Instantly furious, he exclaimed, "Where are the attendants? Those lazy dogs, slacking off and making the master wash his own clothes—is there no law anymore?"

"Second Brother!" he shouted, making Liangshi feel utterly embarrassed. "It’s just washing clothes once—what’s the big deal?"

Shu Quan’s gaze fixed on a piece of crimson silk submerged in the water. Recognizing the pattern of the Ceremonial Robe, he stared wide-eyed before clutching his stomach and bursting into laughter. "This scene... Old Five missed out..."

Liangshi flushed red. "Shut up! Did you rush back this early just to laugh at me?"

Shu Quan laughed so hard he nearly choked, sighing repeatedly. "The authority of a husband is in decline! The authority of a husband is in decline..."

Liangshi didn’t even have the courage to slam the clothes. Instead, he scooped a handful of water and splashed it at him. "If you have something to say, say it!"

Shu Quan dodged nimbly, catching his breath before sitting on the edge of the well. "The one surnamed Sha confessed. He colluded with a grain merchant from Liuzhou and sold all the rice to him. Not just food supplies, but also canal salt. They’ve been dealing privately for five or six years, completing at least ten or twenty transactions, with silver earnings amounting to hundreds of thousands of taels."He rubbed the clothes thoughtfully: "Liuzhou Prefecture belongs to the Guizhou Bureau, Prince Zhen'an's fiefdom... Wonderful. The rice from our Southern Garden has been feeding Wang Ding's troops. That traitor Sha Wansheng deserves death by a thousand cuts! The urgent task now is to transfer stored grain from the Fengyang granary. So many people are relying on it for food—we can't delay. Any longer, and we'll need carts to collect the dead again. Second Brother, I'll trouble you to allocate some from the surrounding townships first to get through these next few days. Sixth Brother has likely received the Pigeon Post by now. When he sees my Imperial Edict, he'll know what to do."

Shu Quan agreed, "What about that grain merchant? We can't let him off so easily."

He wrung out the washed clothes and placed them in a basin nearby. Noticing Shu Quan staring at the garments, he pulled a long face and said, "Turn around. Is this something an elder brother should be looking at?"

Shu Quan held back a laugh and averted his gaze. "Third Brother, oh Third Brother, you're the model of our Yuwen Clan. Everyone says the old master dotes on people, but none are quite like you. It seems hand warmers won't be needed in the future—a washboard covers everything."

He clicked his tongue. "Are you deliberately trying to provoke me? I enjoy this—what's it to you!" He had gotten up early specifically to wash clothes, never expecting to run into Second Brother. What rotten luck!

Shu Quan laughed enough, fearing he might become embarrassed and angry, and quickly waved his hand. "Enough, let's stop here. Let's continue discussing the grain merchant."

"Capture him and make sure to recover the grain. Investigate whether he has any ties to Wang Ding. If he does..." He bit his lip, considering. "Just burn him halfway."

Shu Quan was surprised. "Why?"

Calmly drawing a bucket of water, he poured it all into the basin with a splash and said to himself, "Then I can submit a memorial of impeachment. When the time comes, Prince Zhen'an won't be able to shirk responsibility."

Shu Quan let out a long "oh." So it was a scheme of self-inflicted suffering—to divert the imperial court's attention away from the Southern Garden, share some burden with the Guizhou Bureau, and give the Southern Garden a chance to catch its breath.

Second Brother accepted the orders and went to handle the matter. His clothes were also finished washing. The yìhé-tú sǎ robes were fine to hang out to dry, but the inner garments and underclothes couldn't be.

Speaking of underclothes... His heart still raced at the thought. This Highness—she could be incredibly shrewd, yet also incredibly careless. She had always been this way: discarding worn clothes in a messy pile, leaving it to the servants to sort out. Last night, she must have been so angry that she forgot to pick out her smallclothes. When he brought them back to his bedroom and saw them, his legs trembled and his body swayed, nearly losing his balance. Though she wasn't physically beside him, her intimate garments were there. It was a sleepless, torturous night.

At dawn, he happily began washing them. If not for Second Brother's ill-timed interruption, he might have even enjoyed the process. Looking down at the basin, the delicate colors seemed to shyly resist. Glancing around, the courier station was crude, with rough men coming and going—he couldn't let them see. After some thought, he decided to hang them only in his own room. He strung a line between two ends of the room, carefully hanging each piece of smallclothes, adjusting them repeatedly to ensure the outside breeze could reach them. Satisfied, he finally left.

He went to find Wanwan to tell her the clothes were washed. There was nothing urgent today—everything that needed doing had been assigned. If she was willing, she could go out for a stroll with him.Wanwan sat in the room in a daze. Having woken up in the fourth watch, she suddenly remembered the bellyband and undergarments she had changed out of. After searching around without finding them, she felt too embarrassed to ask him directly. Only when he arrived did she hesitantly inquire, "Have you... seen my bellyband?"

He cheerfully pointed outside, "They’re already washed."

Her face flushed red at first, then turned pale. "Washed..."

"Don’t worry, I didn’t hang them outside. They’re all in my room."

She lowered the corners of her mouth and glanced at him, then slowly raised her hands to cover her face.

She felt she would never have the courage to face him again.