After allowing Zhao Ai to hold her for a moment, Zhenzhen gently withdrew and rose to fetch the prepared medicinal decoction for him to drink. Retrieving the medicine bowl and placing it back on the table, she remained with her back to him when she suddenly said, "I cannot forget Crown Prince Zhuang Wen."
"I understand," Zhao Ai replied, gazing intently at her back. "If I recall correctly, you spent about three months together. By next year, it will be three years since my elder brother passed away. Is three years enough time to resolve the joy and pain those three months brought you? I am willing to wait."
"He once told me that the depth of feelings is not measured by the length of time spent together," Zhenzhen said slowly, turning to face Zhao Ai. "You don’t know what those three months meant to me. Though brief, they showed me the best form of love between a man and a woman... Between us, there was a natural attraction, as well as a mutual understanding and appreciation born from admiration for each other’s talents. We always had much to talk about. When he spoke with me, a simple remark could make my heart race, yet he could also confide in me openly. Topics like family background or past loves—things usually difficult to discuss—flowed naturally between us... I can’t even pinpoint the exact day I fell in love with him. I only felt that with each passing day, my love for him grew deeper. When he fell critically ill from mushroom poisoning, I felt a fear as if the sky were collapsing, and I realized how deeply rooted my feelings for him had become—I was terrified of losing him."
Zhao Ai forced a smile. "My elder brother must have treated you more gently than Lin Hong did."
Zhenzhen replied, "He respected me greatly and was never hesitant to express his love for me. That was one of his greatest strengths, setting him apart from Teacher Lin."
Zhao Ai then asked, "Did Lin Hong not respect you?"
"Not exactly, but his respect felt more like politeness, making it hard to tell whether it was directed at a lover or a guest," Zhenzhen reflected, then added, "Teacher Lin was reserved and introverted, keeping everything to himself and rarely revealing his emotions. With him, I was always cautious, afraid of saying or doing something wrong that might upset him. Sometimes, I even unconsciously lowered myself to please him. Every day, I would wonder whether he truly liked me, swinging between joy and sorrow, filled with anxiety. In contrast, Crown Prince Zhuang Wen’s respect meant he was willing to listen to me, to empathize, and to see the world through my eyes. So he understood my joys and sorrows, as well as my regrets and hopes... He always protected me carefully, anticipating my needs and even doing things I hadn’t thought of... His respect was about understanding, nurturing, and treating me with sincerity. His feelings for me were also clear and unmistakable, leaving no room for doubt. With him, I could let go of all pretense and guard, feeling at ease in his company. That’s why, since he left, I have missed him every single day."
"Actually, I also respect you deeply and am not hesitant to express my love for you," Zhao Ai said slowly.
"Yes, that’s true," Zhenzhen acknowledged immediately, then added, "But you not only express it to me freely, you also proclaim it publicly, letting everyone know. Sometimes, that makes me feel quite awkward."
"So all sweet words should be spoken to you privately, while in front of others, we should appear calm and composed, treating each other with mutual respect," Zhao Ai realized, resting his forehead in his hand. "Once again, I fall half a step short of my elder brother."Zhenzhen couldn't help but smile, but quickly composed herself and said to Zhao Ai, "I still hold your elder brother in my heart. Moreover, his departure was shrouded in mystery. This matter has weighed heavily on my mind like a massive stone. If I were to cast aside these doubts, not seek the truth, and accept you for the sake of stability, it would be unfair to both you and him. I would never find peace within myself."
Zhao Ai nodded. "I understand what you mean, and I won't force you to accept me. Let's just let things take their natural course. We can still be friends. As for the truth about my elder brother, we will continue to investigate. One day, when everything comes to light, I believe heaven will grant you the best outcome."
Zhenzhen then shared her conjecture about the snake venom with Zhao Ai. After some thought, Zhao Ai said, "This theory is plausible, but the evidence is insufficient, and we cannot determine in which food or drink the snake venom was administered. For now, we cannot report this to The Emperor. Otherwise, with the details unclear, as the one who tasted the Eastern Palace's food and drink first, you would be held accountable regardless of whether you were the one who poisoned it or not. Once we gather more evidence and have some leads on who the poisoner might be, we can return to the capital together to clarify this matter."
As the two conversed, they didn't notice the approaching dawn until a layer of red light peeked through the window, spilling onto the floor before them. Startled, Zhenzhen quickly walked over and pushed open the window. Directly ahead on the horizon, a crimson sun was slowly rising.
"This room faces east, so we can see the sunrise," Zhenzhen exclaimed in delight, turning back to Zhao Ai.
Hearing this, Zhao Ai stood up and walked slowly to Zhenzhen's side with a smile, lifting his gaze toward the rising sun.
Nearby, the wheat fields rippled in the gentle breeze, gilded with golden-red light by the newly risen sun, blending with the morning glow in a splendid tapestry. To the east, the sky gradually brightened, and near the horizon, a faint trace of fresh green appeared, like the color of early spring grass, tender and delicate.
Zhenzhen pointed toward that hint of green and asked Zhao Ai, "What is that?"
"That's the rice seedling bed," Zhao Ai replied cheerfully. "The seedlings are ready. Once the wheat is harvested, we can transplant the rice."
Zhenzhen's face immediately lit up with joy. "Congratulations, congratulations! Your plan for two harvests of rice and wheat is within reach."
"Shared joy, shared joy," Zhao Ai smiled, meeting her gaze. "You have contributed to this as well."
Standing side by side with Zhao Ai, Zhenzhen lifted her face to bask in the golden glow of the rising sun, completely forgetting the fears, worries, and sorrows of the previous day. With smiles, they welcomed the new day filled with hope, feeling the warmth of the sunlight and the softness of the breeze—everything was just right.
After a long while, she turned her head and noticed Zhao Ai smiling as he watched her, though she didn't know for how long. Zhenzhen avoided his gaze, blushing as she turned away.
"I hope that one day, this firefly of mine can also transform into such a beam of light, illuminating boundless joy for you and dispelling all sorrows," Zhao Ai said softly beside her. Then, calmly withdrawing his gaze, he stood with his hands behind his back, looking with her toward the distant fields of water and green seedlings, that gentle trace of green.
Luo Shihua's medicine proved effective indeed. After resting for several days, Zhao Ai's poisoning symptoms completely disappeared, and his wounds healed. He soon immersed himself again in handling official duties, inspecting the alternating cultivation of rice and wheat, often forgetting to eat or sleep in the process. Not long after, however, a eunuch arrived from Lin'an to convey the Emperor's decree, summoning him back to the capital temporarily for discussions.
Urged by the eunuch, Zhao Ai had no choice but to depart immediately, returning to the imperial city he had left behind for so long.As soon as he entered the imperial city gates, Zhao Ai headed straight for the Hall of Blessing and Tranquility, intending to pay his respects to his father. However, the eunuch in the hall informed him that The Emperor and the Third Great King had gone to the Phoenix Mountain training grounds again today to practice archery and horsemanship, and asked the Second Great King to return later. Zhao Ai then went back to his own quarters to rest briefly before returning to the Hall of Blessing and Tranquility. After waiting for a long time, he finally saw his father and Zhao Hao returning together. Both were clad in golden armor, striding into the hall while chatting and laughing. At first, the Emperor did not notice Zhao Ai, who had come out to greet him, and continued patting Zhao Hao’s shoulder, praising, “Third Brother’s archery skills have improved again, well done, well done! Your heroic bearing now greatly resembles mine!”
Zhao Ai silently pushed aside the ominous feeling that rose in his heart and stepped forward to bow to his father. Upon seeing him, the Emperor seemed somewhat surprised but soon broke into a smile, speaking warmly as he invited both brothers to take their seats. He briefly inquired about Zhao Ai’s official duties in Ningguo Prefecture, expressed approval of his efforts in repairing embankments and promoting agriculture, and offered some words of praise.
Zhao Ai bowed and asked his father what matter had prompted his summons. The Emperor replied, “Go to Cifu Palace and let the Empress Dowager explain it to you.”
Seeing that his father did not wish to elaborate, Zhao Ai had no choice but to take his leave. Noticing this, Zhao Hao also rose to bow and prepare to depart, but the Emperor stopped him, saying, “Third Brother, stay a while longer. I still have some things to discuss with you.”
Zhao Ai thus left alone, keenly sensing from his father’s attitude that he and his third brother were already treated differently in his father’s heart.
Zhao Ai then set off for Cifu Palace. Along the way, he saw many eunuchs hurrying about, spreading the news that the Hanlin Academy would be locked tonight.
Whenever the Emperor had an important edict for the duty Hanlin academician to draft, he would summon the academician for an audience. Once the academician returned to the Hanlin Academy, the eunuchs would lock the academy gates, prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving. This was known as “locking the academy.” After the Hanlin academician drafted the edict, the eunuchs would present it to the Emperor, and the following morning, it would be handed over to the Secretariat for the court officials to announce. Only then would the academy be reopened—a process called “announcing the lock.”
Now, seeing that the academy was to be locked, Zhao Ai knew that an important edict would be announced the next day. However, since the Emperor had not mentioned any major matters to him, he assumed it was unrelated to him and did not dwell on it further, continuing instead to make his way to the Northern Inner Palace.
Upon arriving at Cifu Palace, the Empress Dowager carefully looked Zhao Ai over from head to toe, asking about his well-being and occasionally wiping away tears as she remarked that he had grown thin, likely having endured many hardships while away. Her affection was evident. Zhao Ai spent some time chatting with her about everyday matters before asking what she wished to discuss with him. The Empress Dowager then said, “You are already past twenty, no longer young, yet you have always been unwilling to marry. Previously, when your eldest brother passed away, you were in mourning, and later, your father sent you to serve as an official in an outer prefecture, making marriage inconvenient. Now, nearly two years have passed since your eldest brother’s death, and I see that you have achieved some success in your official duties. Yet, with no one to manage your household affairs, my grandson has grown so haggard—it truly pains my heart. I have selected several girls from noble families, descendants of meritorious officials, and relatives of the imperial clan, all of good appearance and character, and had painters create portraits of them. Stay in the Northern Inner Palace tonight and take a good look at these portraits. If any catch your eye, I will speak to your father and arrange a betrothal for you as soon as possible.”
“There is no need for Your Majesty to trouble yourself with this matter,” Zhao Ai immediately refused. “Your grandson is fully occupied with official duties day and night and does not wish to be distracted by marriage. Moreover, life in the outer prefectures is harsh, far less comfortable than in Lin’an. I would not want to subject these noble young ladies to such hardships by taking them with me.”The Empress Dowager said with displeasure, "Men should marry when they come of age, and women should wed when they are ready. No matter how busy official duties may be, they must not delay the important matter of marriage... You needn't worry about those young ladies. As long as they are willing to marry you, they will naturally follow you through wind and rain. Besides, you are a legitimate imperial prince, a noble prince of the dynasty, and your appearance is extraordinary. What young lady wouldn't eagerly wish to marry you? What does enduring a little hardship in the outer provinces matter?"
Having said this, she no longer listened to Zhao Ai's excuses, instructing him to stay overnight in the Northern Inner Palace after dinner. That night, in his bedchamber, he was to select his future wife from a pile of portraits.
That evening, the eunuchs brought the portraits, unrolling them one by one for Zhao Ai to examine. Zhao Ai hardly glanced at them, giving them only a cursory look before waving his hand for the eunuchs to roll them up and take them away. He then picked up a scroll of books to read, ignoring the eunuchs' earnest pleas.
Early the next morning, Zhao Ai bid farewell to the Empress Dowager and returned to the Southern Inner Palace. As soon as he entered the imperial city, he sensed an atmosphere vastly different from the day before. Officials, eunuchs, and Imperial Guards he encountered along the way were whispering among themselves, their faces barely concealing excitement. Yet upon seeing him, they immediately fell silent, bowed to him, and often cast meaningful glances his way, as if trying to gauge his expression.
Filled with confusion, Zhao Ai continued inward. Seeing Yin Ti stationed in front of the Chuigong Hall, he approached and called out to him, asking what major event had occurred that day. Yin Ti hesitated but eventually told him, "Just now, the Secretariat announced the edict appointing the heir apparent... The Emperor has decided to enthrone the Third Prince as Crown Prince."
Zhao Ai was momentarily speechless, standing silently before the hall, unsure where to go. At that moment, Zhao Hao, who had already received the decree, strode out of the hall with a confident and unhurried gait, escorted by the Chief Palace Attendant Zhang Zhibei, his face brimming with unrestrained joy. Upon seeing Zhao Ai, Zhao Hao paused briefly, hesitated for a moment, then walked up to him, bowed, and softly called out, "Second Brother."
Zhao Ai smiled faintly, returning the courtesy, and said, "Congratulations, Your Highness."
Zhao Hao flushed slightly, offered his thanks, and hastily took his leave. Zhang Zhibei bowed to Zhao Ai before following Zhao Hao away, not forgetting to whisper a reminder to Zhao Hao: "Your Highness is the heir apparent. In the future, when you meet the Prince of Wei, you must not bow to him first. Wait for him to bow before returning the courtesy..."
These words drifted on the wind into Zhao Ai's ears. He felt neither anger nor resentment, only a desolate emptiness in his heart, like the abandoned polder fields of years past. In truth, this was an outcome he had anticipated ever since he was sent away to Ningguo Prefecture, but he had not expected it to affect him so deeply when it finally came to pass.
After a moment, he turned around, abandoning his intention to see his father, and instead headed back toward the Northern Inner Palace.
"Your Majesty kept me in the Northern Inner Palace last night because you knew Third Brother would be appointed Crown Prince, fearing I might cause trouble upon hearing the news, didn't you?" Zhao Ai asked the Empress Dowager directly.The Empress Dowager sighed and consoled him, "My grandson, do you think being the Emperor is easy? If you truly take the throne, you will find that worries multiply far beyond those of a prince. The Emperor, the Son of Heaven—it sounds glorious, the supreme ruler of all under heaven. But is governing the realm so simple? Take the officials, for instance. The Emperor wishes to employ talented individuals, yet fears that those he relies on may grow arrogant with their abilities, disregard imperial authority, or even seize power and plot rebellion. To protect the nation and restore lost territories, he must rely on military commanders, yet worries they may amass too much power, leading to a repeat of incidents like the Chenqiao Mutiny. Managing officials requires a delicate balance—too lenient or too harsh, and the consequences can be severe, even risking the downfall of the dynasty... Moreover, having served as a local official, you must know that whenever natural disasters strike and famine spreads across the land, each province and county cries out like starving children, begging for relief. The Emperor has only limited reserves of grain and must decide how to distribute it, whom to prioritize. Mishandling this can spark further calamity... And before disaster relief, he must first issue an Edict of Self-Reproach, taking upon himself the blame for the calamities... Over these decades, I have watched your grandfather and father exhaust themselves for the state, and I deeply understand how difficult governance is. You are my most beloved grandson, and I would rather you live as a carefree and prosperous prince, enjoying a lighter burden."
Seeing Zhao Ai remain silent, the Empress Dowager changed the subject, speaking gently, "I heard from the palace eunuchs that you are dissatisfied with the portraits of the young ladies presented to you. In fact, there is another noble lady of distinguished status, quite connected to you by fate. The Emperor also finds her suitable and has asked me to speak with you about it..."
"Please do not mention this matter again, Your Majesty," Zhao Ai interrupted her, reiterating his stance. "At present, I only wish to accomplish several important tasks in Ningguo Prefecture and do not wish to be distracted by marriage. I hope Your Majesty and Father will grant me permission to return to Ningguo Prefecture as soon as possible."
"You ask me and your father to indulge your wish not to marry, but your third brother, the Crown Prince, has reached the age where he must take a wife. Can you not accommodate him?" The Empress Dowager adopted a stern expression and said coldly, "You are the elder brother. If you do not marry first, it would be improper for your third brother to wed out of turn."
Zhao Ai gave a faint, mocking smile. "Has a candidate for Crown Princess been selected?"
"Yes," the Empress Dowager replied frankly. "In fact, you know her—it is Ling Fengxian, the palace attendant from the Bureau of Palace Provisions who once served you."
This answer took Zhao Ai completely by surprise, leaving him somewhat stunned. He could tell that Zhao Hao was fond of Fengxian, but he had never imagined that Fengxian, as a palace attendant, would be considered a candidate for Crown Princess.
"Your third brother likes Fengxian and often finds excuses to visit Cifu Palace for her sake," the Empress Dowager explained slowly. "Originally, I thought she was merely a palace attendant and could be given to your third brother as a concubine. However, Shangguan Chen read her physiognomy and told me that this girl has 'dragon eyes and a phoenix neck,' bearing the signs of great nobility, and that she may one day become the mother of the realm. Her father is Ling Tao, who has achieved some merit in defending the northern borders against frequent incursions by southern raiders. Therefore, the Emperor also considers Ling Fengxian, as the daughter of a meritorious general, a suitable candidate for Crown Princess."
Recalling Fengxian's previous advice to him, Zhao Ai inwardly sneered, though he showed no expression, merely stating calmly, "Excellent. Ling Fengxian and Third Brother are a match made in heaven."
"So, are you willing to accommodate them and marry first?" the Empress Dowager asked."Unwilling," Zhao Ai flatly refused, saying, "If Third Brother wishes to marry, let him marry—there's no need to consider my actions... Since he could surpass the order to become Crown Prince, why can't he surpass the order to marry?"
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