That night, back at Furong Pavilion, Granny Yu shut the door and launched into another tirade against Liu Luowei. “Back then, you were so consumed by jealousy that you forbade Lin Hong from marrying Wu Zhenzhen. And what now? Just as I predicted, Wu Zhenzhen is about to become the Crown Prince’s secondary consort! She and the Eastern Palace were already difficult to deal with on their own. Now that they’re together and have witnessed what happened today, although I did my best to cover our tracks, it’s only a matter of time before they put the pieces together. Soon, you won’t even have the chance to grovel at Wu Zhenzhen’s feet. We are facing a catastrophe of epic proportions!” As she spoke, sorrow welled up from her heart, and she wiped away her tears fiercely. “I, your old mother, have schemed for years, enduring humiliation and hardship to get to this point. My wish was about to be fulfilled, but I never thought it would all be ruined by a moment of pique from you, you wretched creature!”
“I told you I won’t let that happen,” Liu Luowei said, her eyes also red. “Father has been gone for many years. There have never been any memorial ceremonies for his birthday or death anniversary in the capital. They won’t know that today was the anniversary of his death. Even if they grow suspicious and want to investigate, there are so many deceased officials that it would take them a while to find anything. We still have time.”
“Are you planning to do it yourself this time?” Granny Yu sneered. “After the poisonous mushroom incident, the Eastern Palace has become even more cautious with its meals. From the ingredients to the water, everything must be tested for poison multiple times before being served and consumed. It’s nearly impossible to use food or drink to get to them now.”
“Besides food and drink, I have other methods.” Liu Luowei walked slowly to the edge of the couch. She sat down, cast a rather haughty glance at Granny Yu, and ordered, “Go find Cheng Yuan. I need to ask him for a certain medicine.”
The next day, Liu Luowei had someone invite Fengxian over. She first let her meet and chat with Aunt Xu. Seeing the two of them beaming with joy, she then smiled at Fengxian and said, “I never realized before what a capable person Aunt Xu is. These past few days, she has been assisting Granny Yu, and together they’ve managed Furong Pavilion in perfect order. She even anticipates things I haven’t thought of, truly relieving me of all my worries and allowing me to just enjoy a life of leisure. Speaking of which, it was because of you that she was able to come to my side, so you deserve credit for the recommendation. The Emperor recently bestowed two bushels of southern pearls upon me. I had a few sets of pearl diadems made, so I’ll give one to you as a small token of my gratitude.”
With that, she had Granny Yu present the pearl diadem to Fengxian. The set contained five pieces, for a woman to affix to her glabella, the corners of her lips, and her temples. The pearls were white and flawless, their surfaces fine and substantial, their luster moist and exceptionally bright, as if they possessed a spirit of their own. As Granny Yu’s hand trembled slightly, the light seemed to flow and glide over the pearls like dewdrops carrying the brilliance of the sun and moon.
Fengxian knew at a glance that the diadem was extraordinarily valuable and hurriedly declined. “I appreciate Your Ladyship’s kind intentions. But this pearl diadem is far too precious. I am just an ordinary palace attendant; to use such a diadem would be overstepping my station. I absolutely dare not accept it.”
Liu Luowei said gently, “How are your looks and bearing not worthy of this diadem? Although you currently have no rank, with talent like yours, a promotion is just a matter of time. Take it for now; you’ll be able to use it soon enough.”
Fengxian still firmly refused. Liu Luowei’s brows furrowed slightly in displeasure. After a moment, she said, “You always remember to listen to the Empress Dowager’s teachings and relay them to me in a timely manner. I will naturally keep these good deeds in my heart and have long been thinking of giving you a generous gift. Now that the pearl diadem is before you, I will not take it back. If you don’t want it, you can give it to someone else. After all, there are many people in the palace and many social obligations. If you give it to someone important, you might gain a favor in return, which is not a bad thing.”
Seeing that she had put it this way, Fengxian had no choice but to accept the pearl diadem. Liu Luowei’s expression softened slightly. She had Fengxian stay for tea before ordering someone to escort her back.
After she left, Granny Yu asked Liu Luowei, “Can you be sure that Ling Fengxian will give the pearl diadem to Wu Zhenzhen?”
Liu Luowei replied, “A palace attendant with no rank cannot use such a diadem, so she can’t use it herself. And with Wu Zhenzhen’s good news just around the corner, since she has always been on good terms with Wu Zhenzhen, she will naturally think of giving the diadem to her to curry favor.”
When Fengxian returned to her room in the Eastern Palace, she took out the pearl diadem and examined it closely. The piece for the glabella was especially dazzling. A central pearl the size of a fingertip was adorned with smaller pearls around it. The luster was so bright it could reflect a person’s image. On the back of the diadem was a layer of transparent, breath-activated adhesive. Normally dry and smooth, when one breathed on it, the adhesive would become sticky, allowing the diadem to be firmly attached to the face. To remove it, one simply had to apply a face towel soaked in hot water, and the diadem would come off.
Ordinary breath-activated adhesive was mostly made from boiled fish glue, but this set seemed to have added fragrances. It had a distinct scent of sweet orange and a hint of honey, like candy, making one want to lick it.
Fengxian played with each piece, lost in thought. A short while later, Yun Yinge, who shared the room with her, returned from outside. She spotted the pearl diadem at a glance and came over with a smile. “Did you buy this? It’s so beautiful. I’ve never seen pearls so bright.”
Fengxian thought for a moment and said, “You like it? Then it’s yours.”
With that, she pushed the box containing the pearl diadem toward Yinge. Yinge was startled and quickly waved her hands. “I just think it’s pretty, I didn’t mean anything else.”
Fengxian smiled. “I truly want to give it to you. I was suddenly sent to the Eastern Palace by the Empress Dowager, and I was very anxious, not knowing anyone. Thankfully, you’ve been there to guide me and have helped me a great deal. After the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet, I’ll be returning to Cifu Palace, so I prepared this gift for you to thank you for your care during this time.”
Yinge was very fond of the diadem. Hearing Fengxian’s words, she began to hesitate. After a moment’s thought, she said to Fengxian, “I’m just a female scribe right now, so it’s not appropriate for me to wear this diadem. Zhenzhen, on the other hand, is already a Dian Shan, and she’ll soon become a Commandery Madam. This diadem would be perfect for her. Why not give it to her?”
Fengxian said, “I’ve actually prepared a separate congratulatory gift for Zhenzhen. How about this: I’m giving the diadem to you, so from now on, it’s yours. You can decide who you want to give it to. It will be entirely from you, so there’s no need to mention me when you give it.”
Yinge smiled. “In that case, thank you so much. I was just worrying about what to give Zhenzhen. This has solved a pressing problem for me.”
Recently, Official Sun of Cifu Palace had fallen ill and was on leave to recuperate. The Empress, seeing that the Crown Prince had recovered and that Zhenzhen was capable of managing the Eastern Palace’s meals, ordered Qin Sishan to temporarily go to Cifu Palace to oversee the Empress Dowager’s meals for a few days. Qin Sishan chose Yinge as her assistant to accompany her. Before leaving, Yinge gave the pearl diadem to Zhenzhen. She had observed the situation between Zhenzhen and the Crown Prince and had sometimes asked Zhenzhen about it, to which Zhenzhen never hid anything. Thus, she knew that the Crown Prince’s birthday would also be a special day for Zhenzhen. Worried she might not be able to return from Cifu Palace that day, she gave her the diadem in advance as a congratulatory gift.
Zhenzhen was also very fond of the diadem but worried that Yinge had spent too much. Yinge smiled. “My family isn’t short on money, don’t worry about that. I was just afraid I wouldn’t be able to find a good enough gift with money to express my feelings for you. Luckily, by a stroke of fate, I came across this pearl diadem. It suits you perfectly. If you use it to adorn yourself, His Highness the Crown Prince will surely find you even more beautiful.”
The next day, Shen Han came to the Eastern Palace to lecture the three princes. At lunch, Pei Shangshi delivered several imperial dishes, but the Crown Prince had no appetite. When Zhenzhen asked what he wanted to eat, the Crown Prince mentioned that he had recently been thinking of Songjiang Perch Sashimi. Zhenzhen instantly recalled that night under the Moon Rock when the Crown Prince had reminisced about his mother. She understood that for him, the Songjiang Perch Sashimi was not just a delicacy, but a key to unlocking beautiful memories of his mother. Back then, he was still a carefree child who could nestle by his mother’s side, watching her smile and chat as she shared her favorite seasonal river fish with him.
So, despite Shen Han’s objections, Zhenzhen decided to go to the Imperial Kitchen to request a Songjiang perch and slice it for the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince’s diet had mostly returned to normal. Zhenzhen had previously asked Qin Sishan, who confirmed that the Crown Prince had eaten fish sashimi in previous years. As long as it was fresh and clean, and the portion was controlled, it should be fine.
In the afternoon, Zhao Ai, Zhao Hao, and Shen Han left one after another. Zhenzhen also headed to the Imperial Kitchen. The Crown Prince rested for a while in his bedchamber. Afterward, Yang Zicheng entered and reported on the matter the Crown Prince had asked him to investigate. “Your Highness, I had my men investigate the date you specified. We finally have a result today. That day was the death anniversary of this person…”
Yang Zicheng presented a sheet of paper with a name written on it. The Crown Prince stared at it, his breath catching in his throat as his expression darkened. He gazed at the name for another moment, then ordered, “Prepare the palanquin. I am going to the Hall of Blessing and Tranquility.”
Yang Zicheng acknowledged the order and was about to relay it when the Junior Eunuch guarding the door suddenly entered to announce, “Your Highness, Gentleman for Promulgation of Edicts Lin Hong is at the gate of the Eastern Palace, requesting an audience.”
The Crown Prince was somewhat surprised but still commanded, “Let him in.”
Lin Hong entered, performed the proper salutations, and then expressed his apologies for the Crown Prince’s illness, which was caused by the spring-water project. He asked the Crown Prince to punish him, willing to bear all responsibility.
The Crown Prince said gently, “I have already explained this matter to the Emperor. I was the one who asked you to oversee this project, sir. Although someone used the water pipes for nefarious purposes, we know it was done by someone who could command palace eunuchs. It has nothing to do with you. You need not blame yourself.”
Lin Hong still expressed his guilt. The Crown Prince offered words of comfort and invited him for tea. After they had talked for a while, Lin Hong rose to leave. The Crown Prince dismissed the surrounding attendants and said to Lin Hong, “You may have already heard, sir, that I am going to take Zhenzhen as my secondary consort. There is one question I have never been able to figure out. Could you tell me the truth?”
Lin Hong invited him to speak freely. The Crown Prince then asked, “Why did you give up Zhenzhen back then?”
Lin Hong was silent for a moment, then raised his head and looked at the Crown Prince. “Between her and me, there is a great obstacle that can never be overcome.”
The Crown Prince frowned. “An obstacle?”
“Yes,” Lin Hong said. “A wall that can never be torn down.”
The Crown Prince fell silent, guessing that Lin Hong might already know of Zhenzhen’s parentage. As the son of Lin Yu and a Confucian scholar steeped in the classics, this would naturally be an insurmountable obstacle; he would never marry the daughter of his father’s killer. However, wondering if there might be other possibilities, he pursued a different line of questioning. “It wasn’t because you loved someone else?”
Lin Hong answered calmly, “No.”
Seeing the Crown Prince’s silence, Lin Hong gave him a long bow, took a few steps back, and turned to leave. But the Crown Prince called out to him, “Gentleman for Promulgation of Edicts, actually…”
Lin Hong turned back to face him, waiting for him to continue, but the Crown Prince hesitated. Finally, he broke into a smile. “Actually, I am very grateful to you for making it possible for Zhenzhen and me to be together.”
“How can this be called making it possible?” Lin Hong said wistfully. “I hurt her too deeply. If Your Highness had not appeared, she would have suffered much more.”
He looked at the Crown Prince again and decided to bring something up. “While Your Highness was ill, Director Wu came to ask me about the pipes. She also spoke to me about her feelings for Your Highness, saying…” He paused, then relayed the words that had pierced him so deeply that day. “She vowed to live and die with her husband.”
After speaking, he quickly left without looking at the stunned Crown Prince, afraid that if he stayed any longer, he too would lose his composure.
If one were to speak of making it possible, perhaps telling him this was the true way, he thought grimly.
Upon hearing Lin Hong relay Zhenzhen’s heartfelt words, the Crown Prince was naturally both overjoyed and moved. He felt that with her saying such a thing, he would have no regrets in this life. But he immediately remembered that Lin Hong had given her up without knowing the hidden story of their fathers. Their fated connection had ended because of this, and for him to know the truth and not tell them felt like an unfair victory. Yet, his feelings for Zhenzhen were growing deeper by the day. If he were to tell them the truth now, Lin Hong would most likely regret how he had treated Zhenzhen, and Zhenzhen would very likely want to go back to Lin Hong. Even if she stayed, she would probably never forget Lin Hong, and would worry about him for the rest of her life.
To speak up was easier said than done, but to remain silent left him with a guilty conscience. For a moment, the Crown Prince was agitated, pacing back and forth in the pavilion. He temporarily abandoned the idea of going to the Hall of Blessing and Tranquility to tell his father about Consort Liu.
Zhenzhen obtained a Songjiang perch and sliced the sashimi. According to custom, she should have asked Qin Sishan to taste it first, but Qin Sishan had already gone to Cifu Palace. Knowing that Pei Shangshi was in the kitchen, Zhenzhen presented it to her to taste first. In truth, the two had worked together before the Emperor for a long time and had a tacit understanding. Pei Shangshi trusted Zhenzhen completely. Besides, due to her issue with taste, she wouldn't actually try it anyway, so she tacitly permitted her to send the Sliced perch to the Eastern Palace.
At dinner, Zhenzhen tried a few slices of the Sliced perch herself before inviting the Crown Prince to have some. The Crown Prince tasted a little and said with a smile that it was similar to the taste he remembered from his childhood. When he wanted to eat more, Zhenzhen wouldn’t allow it, saying that since it was raw, a taste was enough, and he shouldn’t eat too much.
The Crown Prince had a habit of reading in Zhanlu Hall after dinner. Zhenzhen entered carrying a few of this year’s newly harvested oranges and saw him sitting in a chair, holding a book, lost in thought under the candlelight. She didn’t know what he was thinking about.
Zhenzhen walked quietly behind him and saw that he was holding a volume of the Records of the Grand Historian, open to the “Jing Ke” section of the “Biographies of Assassins.” Zhenzhen put down the oranges, reached out to take the book from the Crown Prince, and smiled. “Is this book so interesting? Your Highness is reading so intently you didn’t even notice me come in.”
The Crown Prince blocked her hand and quickly put the book back on the shelf. “It’s nothing interesting. I was just afraid the tutor might bring it up in tomorrow’s lecture, so I’m reading it carefully beforehand.”
He went over and closed the door, then took another scroll from the bookshelf, unrolling it on the desk. He asked Zhenzhen, “Take a look. Can you recognize who this is?”
Zhenzhen examined it carefully and said in surprise, “It looks a lot like my mother… Who drew this?”
The Crown Prince said, “A painter from Lin’an Prefecture. He is best at drawing the true appearance of missing persons based on witness descriptions. I previously ordered him to go to Pujiang, where he visited many of your family’s neighbors. He drew this portrait based on their descriptions, then had them all look at it. Only when they all agreed it looked like your mother did he bring it back.”
Zhenzhen asked, “Does Your Highness intend to publicize this portrait to find my mother?”
The Crown Prince shook his head. “I showed it to the Emperor, and he said… this is Madam Ju.”
Zhenzhen was shocked. She looked from the portrait to the Crown Prince and back again, speechless for a moment.
“If your mother is Madam Ju, then many things would make sense,” the Crown Prince said. He then told Zhenzhen the results of his earlier investigation into Wu Qiuniang’s household registration and analyzed, “Back then, when Zhang Yunqiao and Official Liu fled Lin’an to escape the Qi family’s pursuit, it’s very likely that Madam Ju was with them. Later, Official Liu was captured by the Qi family, taken back to Lin’an, and executed. Zhang Yunqiao and Madam Ju continued to flee with you. The ‘father with the scent of medicine’ from your memory is Zhang Yunqiao. It’s just unclear why he disappeared later. Madam Ju then took you on her own, perhaps living in Ningguo Prefecture for a time before going to Pujiang. Moreover, this would explain why Cheng Yuan has gone to such lengths to hide your mother’s whereabouts. Precisely because your mother is Madam Ju, it’s not hard to understand that he might be acting on the Empress Dowager’s orders, or that he wants to keep her captive for himself out of admiration.”
Seeing Zhenzhen looking lost and distraught, the Crown Prince knew she was still unwilling to face the conclusion that the mother she loved was not her birth mother. He comforted her, “But this is still just my speculation. It’s also possible that Madam Ju didn’t travel with Zhang Yunqiao and his wife back then, but left the capital on her own, met someone she liked, and gave birth to you. Because she liked the name of Official Liu’s daughter, Zhenzhen, she also named you Zhenzhen… I will continue to investigate and find out the truth. I also have people watching Cheng Yuan. I will try to rescue your mother as soon as possible so you can be reunited.”
Zhenzhen felt both heartbroken and comforted. Now that she was with him, the sense of rootlessness that used to surface from time to time was gradually fading. She felt that he was truly someone she could completely trust and rely on. With him, she was finally no longer alone. With him by her side, she had more confidence to face the unknown storms ahead.
She had a thousand things to say but didn’t know how to begin. In the end, she just silently took a knife, cut open a fresh orange, sliced it into several pieces, and sifted a thin layer of Wu Salt over them with a small tea sieve to cut the tartness, before handing it to him with a smile.
After the Crown Prince finished the orange, Zhenzhen brought him water to rinse his mouth and tidied up the desk. Then, she curtsied to take her leave, but as she turned, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her forcefully into his arms, seating her on his lap.
“Lin Hong came to see me today. He mentioned you,” the Crown Prince told Zhenzhen.
Zhenzhen froze, then said, “I don’t want to know what he said. Your Highness doesn’t have to tell me.”
The Crown Prince held her and whispered in her ear, “If one day, Lin Hong apologizes to you, says he was wrong, and asks for your forgiveness… would you go with him?”
Zhenzhen thought for a moment and answered decisively, “I would.”
The Crown Prince’s eyes instantly darkened, and the arm around her stiffened.
Seeing this, Zhenzhen chuckled, perfectly at ease. “And then I’d ride off on a horse, cracking melon seeds, and watch how you chase me back.”
The Crown Prince instantly let out a breath of relief. He pretended to let go completely and laughed. “I won’t chase you, I won’t. I don’t want you anymore!”
Zhenzhen immediately put her feet together and jumped off his lap. “Farewell.”
The Crown Prince laughed and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her back into his embrace. “Didn’t you vow to live and die with your husband? You’re leaving just like that?”
Zhenzhen was very surprised. “He even told you that?”
“Mhm,” the Crown Prince said nonchalantly. “He and I are becoming close friends.”
Zhenzhen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“You can’t run away…” The Crown Prince kissed the pearl diadem on her brow and said softly, “I won’t even give you the chance to run. Although I can pretend, on this matter, I am definitely no gentleman. I can’t bring myself to hand over the one I love.”
He lowered his head, seeking her lips. But Zhenzhen suddenly reached out, cupped his face, and leaned up to kiss him first. Before he could react, she parted his teeth with her tongue and, mimicking how he usually did, stirred up waves to sweep over him.
Once she had confirmed her own heart, she no longer hesitated or worried about gains and losses. She felt that the carefree self that had been lost for so long had returned. Because of her confidence and the sense of security he gave her, she could face him without any timidity. Since she loved him, she would not be stingy with her affection.
All their previous kisses had been initiated by him, with her responding passively. She had never been as passionate as she was this time. The great waves she stirred crashed against his heart, making him tremble all over. He was immediately struck by a dizzying joy. He quickly tightened his arms around her, letting her entangle him for a moment before kissing her back in a counterattack. After a long while, seeing her cheeks flushed red, her eyes hazy from the kiss, and the hands that had been wrapped around his neck loosening slightly as if she couldn’t hold on any longer, he could no longer restrain himself. He decisively lifted her, took several quick steps, and placed her on the couch in front of the large screen, which was usually used for tea and short rests.
He removed her socks and shoes, then leaned down himself, supporting his weight on his elbows as he hovered above her. He began to kiss her again, little by little, from her forehead down to her neck.
She could guess his intentions and didn’t resist. Feeling him breathing a little heavily, she was more concerned about his health and asked, “Your Highness, are you tired?”
He stopped, momentarily confused, and looked up at her.
“I mean…” Zhenzhen told him frankly, “I did happen to learn how to undo a belt.”
He thought about it seriously and asked her, “Did you learn other things too?”
Zhenzhen recalled the contents of the lesson the female official had given her on her first night in the Eastern Palace and said bluntly, “I actually did.”
Hearing this, His Highness lay down leisurely, looking at her expectantly. “Then you teach me.”
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