The Palace Stewardess

Zhenzhen took the book and examined it carefully.

The story of Jing Ke's assassination attempt on the King of Qin was not unfamiliar to her. In her childhood, both Pu Bo and the schoolteacher had told her the tale. However, she had always focused only on the deeds of the main characters—Jing Ke, King Ying Zheng of Qin, and Crown Prince Dan of Yan. Now, as she repeatedly recalled the details of that night, she remembered the page Crown Prince Zhuang Wen had been reading. Besides Jing Ke, she had also glimpsed the name Fan Wuqi. Thus, she paid special attention to the passages concerning Fan Wuqi. She read about how the Qin general Fan Wuqi suffered a crushing defeat in battle against the state of Zhao, incurred the wrath of the King of Qin, fled to Yan, and was treated with courtesy by Crown Prince Dan of Yan. Meanwhile, Fan Wuqi’s parents and entire clan were executed by the King of Qin. Before Jing Ke set out to assassinate the King of Qin, in order to gain his trust, he privately met with Fan Wuqi to discuss a plan... Her gaze lingered on this passage, and Zhenzhen read it over and over:

Jing Ke said, "Now I have a plan that can resolve Yan’s crisis and avenge the general’s grievances. What do you think?"

Fan Wuqi stepped forward and asked, "What should be done?"

Jing Ke replied, "I wish to present the general’s head to the King of Qin. The King of Qin will surely be pleased and grant me an audience."

She pondered silently for a long while, then suddenly looked up and asked Zhao Ai, who was standing behind her also reading the book, "Back when His Majesty was still a prince, he was always at odds with Qi Xun. Even if Imperial Physician Zhang, under His Majesty’s instructions, defected to Qi Xun, even if Qi Xun was unaware of their private connection, Imperial Physician Zhang had previously frequented the palace, enjoyed the late emperor’s trust, and due to his profession, frequently interacted with the imperial clan. Qi Xun, being cunning and treacherous, would not have easily trusted him and entrusted him with his medical treatment. Did Imperial Physician Zhang do something to earn that trust?"

"In order to gain Qi Xun’s trust, he betrayed his friend, Lin Yu, who was then the Remonstrance Official," Zhao Ai replied. After a pause, he gazed at the astonished Zhenzhen and added, "That is, Lin Hong’s father."

Ever since learning of Zhenzhen’s affection for Lin Hong, Zhao Ai had quietly investigated Lin Hong’s family background and learned about his father’s past. However, as he had not previously known that Zhang Yunqiao might be Zhenzhen’s father, he had never mentioned these matters to her. Now, given the circumstances, he decided to tell Zhenzhen everything he knew: "Lin Yu’s father, Lin Hong’s grandfather, advocated for the northern expedition and was framed by Qi Xun, exiled to Yazhou, where he fell ill and died far from home. Zhang Yunqiao and Lin Yu were originally on good terms. Later, Lin Yu frequently submitted memorials impeaching Qi Xun and his faction, which greatly angered Qi Xun. When Zhang Yunqiao defected to Qi Xun, he told him that he had once seen a Jin dynasty letter at Lin Yu’s home that should have been stored in the imperial archives. Since Lin Yu had previously served in the imperial archives, Qi Xun instructed his followers to accuse Lin Yu of stealing from the archives. Afterwards, Shen Han came forward and explained that the letter had been bestowed upon him by the late emperor, and he had gifted it to Lin Yu. Qi Xun’s faction then argued that one should not accept such lavish gifts without merit, and that Lin Yu accepting such a valuable gift constituted bribery, forming a faction with Shen Han to frame high officials. Consequently, Lin Yu was imprisoned and interrogated. Thanks to my father’s vigorous defense before the late emperor, Shen Han avoided imprisonment but was still held accountable and sent away from the capital for several years. Lin Yu fell ill in prison, and Zhang Yunqiao went to treat him—this time likely sent by Qi Xun. In the end, as Qi Xun wished, he was not cured, and Lin Yu soon died in prison. Not long after, Zhang Yunqiao became Qi Xun’s personal physician."Zhenzhen pondered for a moment after hearing this, then spoke to Zhao Ai about another matter: "When I left the palace and was attacked by falling rocks and a runaway horse, Crown Prince Zhuang Wen and Pu Luxin saved me and took me to see Lin Hong. That day at Lin Hong's home, Pu Luxin mentioned that many years ago, he had gathered with The Emperor, a physician, and a scholar at a mountain cottage. He also said the physician's wife was an excellent cook, and that Lin Hong resembled that scholar. Thinking back now, what he likely saw that day was Imperial Physician Zhang and Lin Yu."

"What was Lin Hong's reaction when he heard this?" Zhao Ai asked.

Zhenzhen replied, "He said his father didn't know any physician."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ai remarked, "The connection between Lin Yu and Zhang Yunqiao is hardly a secret in the court. Lin Hong must know about it. He likely said that because he harbors deep resentment toward Zhang Yunqiao and refuses to acknowledge that his father once had a personal relationship with him."

Zhenzhen fell silent. After a while, she handed the volume of Records of the Grand Historian to Zhao Ai, pointing to the section about Fan Yuqi, and asked, "Do you think it's possible that before Imperial Physician Zhang defected to Qi Xun, he betrayed Lin Yu—even causing Lin Yu's death—as part of a plan devised by The Emperor and the two of them?"

Zhao Ai took the book and quickly scanned the page, showing no surprise. Calmly, he said, "I've considered that as well. Zhang Yunqiao has practiced medicine for many years, saving lives and earning an excellent reputation. He should be an honorable man. If he were the type to betray friends for personal gain, Father wouldn't hold him in such high regard. Qi Xun colluded with the enemy, betrayed the country, and ruthlessly eliminated dissenters. Both Father and Lin Yu had national and personal grievances against Qi Xun. They likely joined forces with Zhang Yunqiao to devise a plan similar to the assassination attempt on the King of Qin. To gain Qi Xun's trust and eliminate this great traitor, Lin Yu willingly sacrificed his life, using his own death to place Zhang Yunqiao by Qi Xun's side."

Zhenzhen lowered her eyes sadly, recalling Lin Hong's expression and response that day when Pu Luxin mentioned the physician. She knew he must have firmly believed Zhang Yunqiao was his father's killer, yet might not have realized that his father likely went to his death with the same noble intent as Fan Yuqi... Suddenly, she shuddered and said to Zhao Ai, "So, when Lin Hong publicly refused the marriage proposal that day, preferring to marry a plum tree rather than me, was it because someone told him I am Zhang Yunqiao's daughter?"

Zhao Ai replied gravely, "It seems very likely now. Only that reason could make such a gentleman disregard your dignity and reject the marriage publicly."

"Who told him?" Zhenzhen asked despondently. "Does The Emperor know? Could it have been The Emperor?"

"Unlikely," Zhao Ai reasoned. "If the plot to assassinate Qi Xun is true, such matters naturally shouldn't be made public. Father would certainly keep this secret. After so many years, to avoid complications, there would be no need to tell Lin Hong about Zhang Yunqiao's relationship with you—especially since he might not even know about it. Even if he were to say something, he would patiently explain the circumstances behind Zhang Yunqiao's actions. Lin Hong is not unreasonable. If he knew the whole story, he wouldn't blame you. Even if he didn't want to marry you, he would have explained privately, not publicly reject you again."

"It couldn't have been Crown Prince Zhuang Wen either," Zhenzhen added immediately. "If he had known these things during the banquet at Gathering Scenery Garden, why would he have been lost in thought over the chapter on Jing Ke the night before his passing? Only someone who had just learned of it would ponder so deeply..."Recalling the situation at that time, she couldn't help but widen her eyes, suddenly realizing something. "That night, he seemed particularly anxious and uncertain. After I served him the oranges and was about to take my leave, he suddenly grabbed me and said that Lin Hong had come to see him that day... He even asked me, if one day Lin Hong apologized and admitted he was wrong, would I leave with him... He must have just learned about it and was worried that after Lin Hong discovered the truth, he might reconnect with me..."

"How did you answer?" Zhao Ai asked.

"I said I would leave with Lin Hong and then wait for him to win me back..." Zhenzhen was now emotionally overwhelmed, her breathing growing rapid. She lowered her head, her hands unconsciously twisting the sash of her skirt, trembling. "I was joking—I didn’t really want to leave... To reassure him, I, I..."

"So you agreed to everything he asked." At that moment, Zhao Ai felt as if his heart were being torn apart, but he forced himself to suppress the sorrow, maintaining a calm expression and speaking gently to her. "Alright, alright, you don’t need to say any more."

Tears suddenly streamed down her face as Zhenzhen broke down, covering her face and sobbing, "I don’t know why His Highness suddenly... Was it because of me?"

Zhao Ai half-knelt before her, offering a handkerchief for her to wipe her tears, and comforted her softly, "I later asked Han Suwen, and he confirmed that my elder brother’s death had nothing to do with this. He said my brother had already recovered by then... Think again—did my brother himself notice anything?"

Zhenzhen looked up blankly, lost in thought for a long while before telling Zhao Ai, "He once said something to me, telling me to find Yang Zicheng... But I was imprisoned on the island afterward and knew nothing. After escaping, I stayed in Yin Qi’s courtyard for a while and asked Yin Ti about Yang Zicheng. He said Yang Zicheng disappeared the next day and has been missing ever since, with no news at all."

"If Yang Zicheng isn’t connected to my brother’s death, he might know who wanted to harm him. Now, it’s unclear whether he’s hiding on his own or has been silenced..." Zhao Ai pondered for a moment before mustering an encouraging smile for Zhenzhen. "I’ll send people to look for him. Although we’re investigating the truth, don’t blame yourself too much. There’s no evidence yet that you caused my brother’s passing. Pull yourself together and live as actively as you used to. Don’t let yourself remain trapped in the shadow of this matter."

Zhao Ai dispatched several trusted attendants to return to Lin’an and inquire about Yang Zicheng, also asking Yin Ti to secretly send reliable scouts to assist in the search. However, with the vastness of the world, it was difficult to obtain concrete information immediately, and no good news arrived even as winter approached.

During this time, Zhao Ai continued handling the affairs of Ningguo Prefecture, paying special attention to the embankment projects. He often rode personally to the construction sites of Huimin and Huacheng embankments to observe the progress. One night, returning from Huacheng Embankment, he held a bunch of wintersweet he had picked along the way and galloped toward Luming Tower to deliver it to Zhenzhen. Earlier that day, seeing the flowers blooming along the path, he remembered how Zhenzhen often arranged flowers in the tavern. Slowing his pace and strolling among the blossoms, he couldn’t help but smile gently, deciding in that moment to pick some for her to place in a vase.By this time, Zhenzhen had taken up permanent residence at the Deer Song Pavilion, while the Serene Joy Pavilion was managed by Grandma Song and assistants dispatched by Wei Qingxun. Zhenzhen designed a new menu for the Deer Song Pavilion, featuring both classic dishes from Lin’an and Ningguo Prefecture as well as her own innovative creations, attracting many new and returning customers. Zhenzhen understood that the Serene Joy Pavilion, with its elegant and tranquil environment, was suitable for small gatherings of friends to chat or discuss matters. In contrast, the Deer Song Pavilion was located in a bustling market area, and its atmosphere was much livelier. Guests there enjoyed entertainment with music and dance, and Wei Qingxun’s Flower Hairpin Festival was intended to let everyone in the city know that the Deer Song Pavilion had the most beautiful singing and dancing performers in town. Zhenzhen also overheard customers chatting about the many talented foreign dancers in Guangzhou, noting that restaurants offering such performances were always packed. Seeing the eager anticipation in the guests’ eyes as they spoke, she sent someone to Guangzhou to purchase two skilled foreign dancers to perform at the Deer Song Pavilion. As a result, the Deer Song Pavilion’s entrance was indeed bustling with activity day and night, with a steady stream of customers, making it even livelier than before.

When Zhao Ai arrived at the Deer Song Pavilion, it was already past the second watch of the night, and the day’s customers had dispersed. Pleased with the recent booming business, Wei Qingxun had ordered the foreign dancers to perform in the hall that evening. He sat side by side with Zhenzhen, clinking cups and drinking for their own amusement.

Upon entering the pavilion and seeing this scene, Zhao Ai couldn’t help but frown. Noticing this, Wei Qingxun deliberately wrapped an arm around Zhenzhen’s waist, clinked his cup with hers, and the two leaned against each other as they drank. Then, with a relaxed smile, he asked Zhao Ai, “Would Your Highness care to sit down and have a drink?”

Zhao Ai didn’t answer. Instead, he walked straight up to Zhenzhen, handed her the wintersweet flowers, and turned to leave. Zhenzhen immediately stood up and asked him, “Second Brother, have you had dinner yet?”

Her voice carried a hint of concern, warming Zhao Ai’s heart. After a moment of silence, he shook his head. Zhenzhen then said, “The food here has gone cold. Let me go make you a bowl of noodles.”

Zhenzhen placed the flowers in a vase and hurried toward the kitchen. Zhao Ai waited briefly, unwilling to be left alone with Wei Qingxun, and followed her.

Zhenzhen boiled water and prepared noodles at the stove. Zhao Ai silently took a seat at the table. After a long day of running around, in this environment filled with the warmth of everyday life, gazing at her figure busily working for him in the candlelight, he suddenly felt a lump in his throat, experiencing a kind of ordinary, worldly warmth he had never known before.

“Is the embankment construction going smoothly? What have you been busy with lately?” Zhenzhen asked casually, her hands still moving without pause, not turning to look at him.

“It’s going well. The construction itself is fine, but there are too many abandoned fields within the embankment area. We’re currently recruiting tenant farmers to cultivate them,” Zhao Ai composed himself and began answering her questions. “I’ve set the condition that each mu of land will only require a tax of five sheng of grain in the future, which is a very favorable rate. But progress on this matter hasn’t been smooth. Those fields have been abandoned for years with no one claiming them, and tenant farmers are hesitant to sign up, fearing that the original owners might suddenly reappear just as the crops are about to be harvested and demand the land back, leaving the tenants with nothing. I’ve promised that even if the original owners return, they must wait until the tenant farmers have harvested their crops before reclaiming the land. But the tenants still have many reservations.”"That's easy," Zhenzhen said. "Why not petition the court for approval and establish a clear regulation: anyone who cultivates wasteland for five full years and pays taxes on time may claim the land as their own property. If the original owner returns within those five years, wait until the current crop matures, let the tenant harvest it, then return the land to the original owner. Tenants have little property and surely yearn for their own land—they need to see hope. This way, with the hope of eventually owning the wasteland they cultivate, tenants will actively seek out such land to farm. Even if the original owner returns, following the established rules for distribution should leave both parties without objections."

Zhao Ai then asked, "What if the original owner returns after five years?"

Zhenzhen replied, "After tenants have toiled on the wasteland for years, the land should rightfully be awarded to them after five years. However, if the one who comes forward is truly the original owner, we cannot let them suffer losses either. There is plenty of abandoned wasteland in Ningguo Prefecture—when the time comes, we can take them to claim another plot."

After considering it, Zhao Ai said, "That sounds quite reasonable. I will submit a memorial to the court for instructions."

Not long after, Zhenzhen cooked a bowl of mushroom chicken noodle soup and brought it to Zhao Ai's table. The broth was a tempting golden yellow, and Zhao Ai immediately picked up his chopsticks to begin eating.

Seeing him eat so quickly, as if he had been starving for a long time, Zhenzhen asked, "Have you had lunch today?"

"No," Zhao Ai said. "I was too busy during the day, and out in the fields where there are few people around, no food stalls to eat at... I did bring some dry rations, but I had little appetite for them."

"Now that the weather has turned cold, dry rations are icy and surely unappetizing," Zhenzhen mused. After rummaging through the kitchen, she took out a silver food container to show Zhao Ai. "Next time you go to the polder fields, tell me a day in advance. I'll prepare meals early in the morning, pack them in this container, and have someone deliver it to the prefectural office for you to take along... You could also ask a craftsman to make a small stand. At lunchtime, find a sheltered spot, place the container on the stand, light a short candle underneath, and you can warm up the food."

Zhao Ai's hand holding the chopsticks slowed, and he deliberately lowered his head, not wanting Zhenzhen to see his reddening eyes.

Zhenzhen didn't notice his change in expression at the moment, still thinking about how to refine her plan. After a moment, she reminded him, "When warming the food, add a little water to the container first so the food doesn't burn."

Zhao Ai kept his head bowed and softly replied, "Mm," then quickly picked up the remaining noodles, finishing them in two bites. Immediately after, he lifted the bowl and drank all the soup.