Chapter 278: Arrangements

A crackling sound of firecrackers echoed along the street in front of the Prince of Chu’s Residence, causing children from the surrounding area to clap their hands and run about excitedly.

“The Prince of Chu is getting married.”

Hearing these words, the passersby were somewhat bewildered. Didn’t he just get married? Did they remember wrong?

“No, it’s because His Majesty said that the Prince of Chu now has a wife and son and should focus on his duties. He’s been assigned to the Imperial Cavalry for training, and the Prince is celebrating this grace.”

So that’s it. The Imperial Cavalry is the Emperor’s trusted force, a position of great importance.

Indeed, it’s also where most of the imperial relatives and nobility serve.

However, during Empress Jiang’s time, she either killed or demoted the imperial relatives, leaving the Imperial Cavalry devoid of their presence.

“I thought the Prince of Chu would be driven out of the capital after getting married.”

“It’s said that Princess Jinyu spoke to His Majesty on his behalf.”

“His Majesty didn’t drive him out and even allowed him into the Imperial Cavalry.”

“It seems His Majesty truly favors this nephew.”

“The Prince of Chu is coming out—”

Accompanying these words, the people on the street turned their gazes towards the Prince of Chu’s Residence. They saw a group of guards emerge, followed by the Prince of Chu, dressed in magnificent attire, boarding a carriage and speeding away.

“Where is he going?”

“To the palace to express his gratitude?”

“To the Imperial Cavalry?”

But soon news spread that the Prince of Chu went to neither place. He went to Apricot Blossom Tower, where a group of prodigal sons were waiting to celebrate with him. It was said he planned to revel all night and even promised to secure official positions for them.

The people on the street were both amused and exasperated, yet not entirely surprised. Although this Prince of Chu was no longer called Shangguan Yue, his habits remained the same.

Compared to the boisterous Apricot Blossom Tower, the teahouse next door was much quieter, attracting little attention.

Hearing a soft knock on the door, Zhou Jingyun, who was standing by the window, quickly walked over and opened it. It seemed as if a gust of wind swept past, momentarily blurring his vision. The next moment, his sight cleared, and he saw Bai Li standing at the door, smiling at him.

“I thought you were waiting over there,” she said with a chuckle.

Zhou Jingyun smiled back, inviting her in. “I arrived early, before anyone noticed.” He then asked, “Nannan didn’t come with you?”

“I’m not here to play, so I didn’t bring her,” Bai Li replied. “You have no idea how difficult she is to handle now. She refuses to stay in the courtyard and wanders all over the residence. If I take her out, she definitely won’t want to stay in the residence either.”

“Children are all like that,” Zhou Jingyun said with a smile.

Bai Li glanced at him. “This is your first time raising a child too. You talk as if you understand it all.”

Zhou Jingyun nodded. “I’m excellent at studying and handling affairs, so I can grasp things quickly. I’m also excellent at raising children.”

Bai Li burst into laughter. “I wasn’t praising you.”

Zhou Jingyun smiled without responding, sitting down to brew tea. “This official position for the Prince of Chu, it was Consort Bai’s arrangement, wasn’t it?”

Bai Li watched him brew the tea. “Yes, besides inviting me to share in her glory, she also expressed her support to Li Yu. Originally, His Majesty wanted to send us out of the capital to our fief, but she persuaded him to secure a position for Li Yu in the Imperial Cavalry.”

“The Imperial Cavalry is indeed a sincere offer,” Zhou Jingyun said, handing a cup of tea to Bai Li. “By entering the Imperial Cavalry, the Prince of Chu is essentially standing by His Majesty’s side.”

Bai Li accepted the tea. “My sister, when she’s good to someone, she’s good to the core.”

“The purpose of her kindness is indeed to get to the core,” Zhou Jingyun remarked, pushing a plate of pastries towards her. “This tea pairs best with this. Try it.”

Bai Li asked, “Have you tried it?”

Zhou Jingyun nodded. “I have.”

Knowing they were meeting here today, he had arrived early and carefully sampled the tea and pastries at the teahouse.

Bai Li smiled at him without further words, taking a sip of tea and a bite of pastry.

Zhou Jingyun also remained silent, continuing to brew tea. The summer breeze swirled, carrying the aroma of tea.

The tranquility didn’t last long. The door was pulled open again, and Zhang Ze walked in, his gaze sweeping over the two seated figures.

“Greetings, Your Highness,” he said, bowing respectfully.

Bai Li smiled. “Inspector, there’s no need for formalities. Please, have a seat.”

Zhang Ze glanced at her. The young woman before him had delicate features and actually resembled Bai Ying quite a bit. No, she couldn’t resemble her. If she did, she wouldn’t be “Your Highness,” but just a Bai family daughter.

“Recently, Your Highness, it’s best not to meet with the Marquis’s Heir too often, lest someone discover you,” he said.

As his words fell, the woman before him sat up straight, holding her teacup. Her delicate face rippled like water, her distant mountain brows raised. “Zhang Ze, I’m already a ghost. Who could discover me? It’s you who shouldn’t be discovered.”

Zhang Ze bowed again. “Yes, I will be careful.”

The woman’s voice, laced with a smile, reached his ears. “Sit down.”

Zhang Ze obeyed, watching as the woman before him took a sip of tea.

“There’s nothing special about the Imperial Cavalry. In recent years, without the interference of imperial relatives, it’s been a place where people stay based on true ability,” she said. “Li Yu, this newly appointed noble, will inevitably be tossed about.”

Zhang Ze replied, “Your Highness, there’s no need to worry. This is just a perfunctory gesture from Bai Ying. It won’t last long. She will definitely make another move.”

His gaze flickered as the woman set down her teacup and picked up a pastry, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. “But I think it’s unnecessary. It would be faster to simply eliminate Bai Ying.”

She looked at Zhang Ze.

“Zhang Ze, you still have the witnesses and evidence regarding the switch of the imperial heir, don’t you?”

For instance, the biological parents of the current false prince, the midwife and physician who attended the birth.

Zhang Ze looked at the face that had transformed back into Bai Li’s. “Such haste is not a good thing. Even if Bai Ying and the little prince are eliminated, the Emperor has countless consorts in his harem. He will have more sons. Moreover, His Majesty is sensitive and suspicious by nature. Your identity, after all, is Bai Ying’s younger sister. If Bai Ying is eliminated, you and the Prince of Chu will not meet a good end.”

Bai Li let out an “oh.” “So you’re saying you do have them?” she said with a smile. “My sister truly misjudged you. You’re actually guarding against her.”

Zhang Ze also smiled. “One must always leave a path of retreat.” Looking at this face that resembled Bai Ying, he continued, “Previously, I was leaving a path of retreat for myself. Now, with Your Highness, everything I have will be used to pave the way for you, waiting for the day you become the true Empress.”

The face before him fluctuated once more, transforming into the likeness of Empress Jiang.

“Good, I understand,” she said, no longer looking at Zhang Ze but turning towards Zhou Jingyun. “Pour tea for Inspector Zhang. Inspector Zhang might help me.”

Zhou Jingyun lowered his gaze and obediently poured the tea, pushing the cup towards Zhang Ze.

Zhang Ze picked up the cup and drank it in one gulp. “Thank you, Your Highness.” He then stood up. “I won’t stay any longer.”

The woman nodded. “Go ahead.”

Zhang Ze rose and walked out. As he turned to close the door, he saw the face revert to its original form. She was smiling, her hands gently pushing a teacup across the table, inching it towards Zhou Jingyun.

“I want another cup of tea.”

Zhang Ze closed the door, his brows furrowing slightly.

✿✿✿

Why didn’t Bai Li transform into Empress Jiang in front of Zhou Jingyun?

It seems Zhou Jingyun’s heart isn’t with Her Highness.

Fortunately, he’s here.

He will make her the true Empress Jiang.

Bai Li watched as the tea was poured into her cup, picking up a pastry and taking a bite.

“I didn’t manage to ask,” she said. “I should have let”

Let Empress Jiang appear and frighten him. Before she could finish the sentence, Zhou Jingyun looked at her, his expression serious.

“Bai Li,” he called out, “it’s their business how others see you. You must remember who you are.”

Bai Li smiled. “I know, I know.”

Zhou Jingyun was absolutely unwilling to see her use Empress Jiang’s identity.

Even though she had already used it many times.

She pushed the plate of pastries towards him.

“Have one. It’s sweet.”

Zhou Jingyun didn’t speak further, obediently picking up a pastry and taking a small bite.

“Zhang Ze is a cautious and petty man. Even if he were facing Empress Jiang, he wouldn’t leave himself without a way out,” he said.

The evidence regarding the true and false little prince was crucial for Bai Ying, Bai Li, and the Prince of Chu. Zhang Ze wouldn’t hand it over easily.

Bai Li nodded. “I know. It’s fine. It wasn’t my purpose to ask about that anyway.” She finished her tea in one gulp and handed the cup to Zhou Jingyun. “Another cup, please.”

Zhou Jingyun couldn’t help but smile. So, was her purpose to come here and drink tea?

Through the window, Cai Songnian saw Zhang Ze quietly leave the teahouse next door, escorted by several disguised attendants.

He turned and made his way through the crowd of young masters who were drinking and enjoying themselves, stopping beside Li Yu, who was reclining with a wine cup in hand, a smile on his face.

“Zhang Ze has left,” he whispered.

Li Yu nodded with a smile, his gaze directed towards the entrance. Zhou Jingyun should be arriving soon, right?

According to their plan, he would accompany Bai Li to meet Zhang Ze, and after their conversation, he would come over here. This way, people would see that he was also attending the feast, drawing attention to them, while Bai Li could come and go unnoticed.

As figures passed by, another attendant squeezed through the crowd, whispering in his ear, “Marquis Zhou’s Heir said he won’t be coming over. He’ll leave directly from the teahouse and pass by the restaurant. People will naturally speculate and gossip. By not appearing in front of everyone, there will be no concrete evidence, which is better for Your Highness.”

Li Yu let out an “oh” and laughed heartily.

A young master sitting on the floor nearby overheard him. “Your Highness is so happy!” he exclaimed, raising his wine cup. “Congratulations, Your Highness!”

Li Yu clinked his cup against his. “Happy, happy. Let’s enjoy ourselves together.” He then drained his cup.

Watching the young master beside him collapse in a drunken stupor, Li Yu’s eyes, devoid of any intoxication, darkened.

Not appearing in front of him, better for him?

Then why didn’t he think that way when he went to the residence earlier?

“Inspector, Inspector.”

As Zhang Ze stepped into the Censorate, he saw Guo Shun rushing towards him.

“What’s all the shouting? Speak if you have something to say,” Zhang Ze said.

“Where did you go?” Guo Shun asked.

Zhang Ze stopped in his tracks and looked at him. “What? Are you investigating me?”

Guo Shun hastily waved his hands. “How could I dare? It’s Her Highness who keeps asking about you.” He lowered his voice. “Her Highness seems to have encountered something.” He continued, his tone laced with a hint of grievance, “She summoned me, but didn’t tell me anything, only asked about the Inspector. Even if I wanted to help, I had no opportunity.”

Is that so? Zhang Ze hummed in response.

“Inspector, please go and see her. I heard from the imperial physicians that Her Highness seems to be having nightmares again and can’t sleep,” Guo Shun whispered.

Nightmares? Zhang Ze paused. “Like Princess Jinyu?”

It was public knowledge that Princess Jinyu had met with the Prince of Chu and his wife that day, refused to drink the tea offered by the Princess of Chu, and ran off to tend to her flowers.

However, the Censorate knew more clearly. Princess Jinyu’s behavior that day wasn’t out of her own volition. She was terrified and restless, even sleeping in the flower garden and refusing to leave, calling out Empress Jiang’s name.

Because it involved Empress Jiang, not only did the Princess’s Residence suppress the news, but Zhang Ze also ordered it not to be spread.

Of course, Guo Shun was aware of this. He shook his head. “I’m not sure about that. The Inspector has ordered us not to inquire about Her Highness.”

Zhang Ze pondered for a moment. It must be that after Bai Li entered the palace, Her Highness started tormenting Bai Ying. A hint of a smile flitted across his lips before disappearing.

“I’ll go and see her,” he said.

Guo Shun replied, “Yes. Last time, Inspector, you wanted to select a few suitable individuals for Her Highness to use. I’ve already chosen them. Let’s bring them over and let Her Highness take a look, cheer her up a bit.”

These things didn’t matter to him. Zhang Ze hummed in agreement, unconcerned. Guo Shun followed him cheerfully, arriving at Hanliang Palace, only to find Bai Ying absent.

This was quite unusual. Bai Ying rarely left this place.

“Her Highness said she couldn’t sleep,” a eunuch who remained there whispered. “She went to the Cold Palace. She can actually sleep better there.”

Zhang Ze let out an “oh.” Hiding in the Cold Palace? The entire Imperial City had once belonged to Her Highness. What difference did the Cold Palace make? He headed towards the Cold Palace once more.

Guo Shun followed, carrying the box. The Cold Palace was rarely visited, but today, eunuchs and palace maids were stationed outside.

Seeing Zhang Ze approach, they lowered their gazes as if they didn’t see him, neither greeting nor obstructing him. Zhang Ze entered the Cold Palace directly.

“Inspector, there’s a case I can’t seem to crack. The suspect refuses to confess,” Guo Shun muttered beside him.

Zhang Ze scoffed. “After all this time, you still haven’t learned? The most effective method, charcoal roasting in a jar.”

As he spoke, he looked towards a palace chamber ahead, his footsteps suddenly halting.

There was no sign of Bai Ying inside the chamber. Instead, a large jar was placed there, surrounded by piles of burning charcoal.

At the same time, a chaotic sound of footsteps came from behind.

Zhang Ze slowly turned around, seeing a circle of soldiers surrounding him. They weren’t Censorate soldiers, nor were they the familiar Imperial Guards.

“These were borrowed from the Grand General Li’s family, transferred from the Capital Garrison,” Guo Shun said with a chuckle, throwing the box in his hand to the ground. He gestured invitingly. “Inspector, please enter the jar.”

A new month, a new day~