Chapter 17

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Pei Shao stepped into the Council Hall, only to find it empty at first glance. He glanced at Ji Fang. “Weren’t there supposed to be important matters to discuss? Where is everyone?”

Ji Fang invited him to sit and busied himself serving tea with a smile. “The lords are probably still on their way. It must be because the Ministry of Military Affairs is mustering troops today; several streets are blocked. The Palace Marshal’s horse is fast—he arrived early.”

“Is that so?” Pei Shao lifted his teacup, his sharp gaze sweeping past the two tightly shut windows, then fixed steadily on the incense Ji Fang was lighting. “Since when did the Council Hall start using incense?”

Ji Fang’s hand trembled, scattering half a spoonful of incense powder. He forced himself to remain calm. “Oh, this incense helps focus the mind and calm the spirit. His Majesty’s health has been poor lately, so it’s used often.”

Pei Shao stared at him a moment longer, then sneered and lowered his head. The lid of his teacup scraped against the tea foam repeatedly, the faint ceramic clinks sending a chill down Ji Fang’s spine. He hurriedly finished lighting the incense, forcing a smile that was more pitiful than tearful. “The Palace Marshal, please be seated first. I shall go urge the others.”

Outside the Council Hall, Ji Fang gasped for breath, pressing a hand to his chest. For heaven’s sake, why was he always the one sent on such errands? If something went wrong today, it’d be fine if the princess and the Palace Marshal took the fall, but if not... wouldn’t he be torn apart alive?

Thinking of the Crown Princess’s eyes, sharp like daggers hidden behind a smile, and Pei Shao’s unyielding gaze that never cracked a smile, Ji Fang shivered despite the early summer warmth.

After much thought, he summoned a eunuch standing guard outside. “When the princess arrives, don’t lock this door.”

“Ah?” the eunuch hesitated. “But His Majesty ordered—”

“His Majesty and the princess are siblings. Even if something happens, it won’t be his fault. If blame falls anywhere, it’ll be on you and me. We servants have to be smarter, don’t we?” Ji Fang said with an air of nonchalance. “Also, prepare the cold tea I requested earlier, just in case.”

The eunuch stammered again. “But when the eunuch was ordered to prepare tea, it was already sent inside. The teapot just now contained that.”

“Are you stupid?!” Ji Fang slapped the eunuch’s official hat crookedly. “That tea was for if things went smoothly, to show goodwill before the masters. What good is sending it inside now?”

Ji Fang flared with frustration, fanning himself without pause. Before he could pace around and devise another plan, Cheng Muning’s sedan chair slowly arrived.

“P-Princess.” Ji Fang stopped in his tracks and stepped forward.

Cheng Muning stepped down, glanced at him, and said, “Why do you look so pale? If you’re ill, go rest. If His Majesty arrives and catches your illness, his body is fragile and can’t endure hardships—has His Majesty come yet?”

Ji Fang reluctantly replied yes. “The imperial physician happened to be taking His Majesty’s pulse, so he was delayed and will be a while longer. But inside...”

Watching as Cheng Muning was about to enter, Ji Fang called out, “Princess—”

She turned her head. “What now?”

Ji Fang made a grimace. “N-nothing. I’m outside the hall. If you need anything, just call.”

Cheng Muning glanced back, then stepped inside.

As she passed the screen, she halted. At the same time, the door slowly closed, dimming the light.

Pei Shao didn’t move an inch from his seat but looked her in the eye, still holding his teacup. “So it’s Her Highness the Princess. Looks like no one else will be coming today.”

Cheng Muning was momentarily stunned but quickly realized that Cheng Zheng must have been worried about her keeping Pei Shao’s loyalty and deliberately arranged for them to be alone. She wanted to smile but restrained herself. Composing her expression, she took a few steps forward and lowered her voice. “I didn’t see the Palace Marshal on the city tower earlier. So he’s been in the palace.”

Pei Shao curled his lips in a half-smile, but it was insincere. “I lack the princess’s noble concern for the country. I am truly ashamed.”

“Not at all.” Cheng Muning seated herself opposite him. “I know the smooth arrest of the Marquis of Wude was largely thanks to you, Palace Marshal. Without you, I doubt the Court of Justice could have held him.”

Pei Shao said, “Fortunately, the princess kept her word.”

He was referring to Wei Lin. They both knew Wei Lin’s deployment was Cheng Muning fulfilling a promise made to the Infantry Command.

But Pei Shao’s tone shifted coldly. “However, I advise you not to set your sights on Wei Lin.”

Cheng Muning paused. “What do you mean by that?”

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“You’d best not have any designs on him at all,” Pei Shao said.

Wei Lin was from Shuodong. He became Pei Shao’s right-hand man immediately upon arrival and even surpassed Zhou Min because his father was Pei Gong’s deputy general. Shuodong had sent him here to replace Pei Shao’s position.

In the past two years, Pei Shao had thrived before the emperor, so much so that many had forgotten he had been trapped in the capital four years ago by imperial edict. The Pei family had been forced into this situation, and Pei Shao never truly belonged here; he wanted to return home. Now, the court could no longer cut down the Pei family’s military power nor imprison Pei Shao, but the Pei clan could not lack influence in the capital, or it would soon face past humiliations. Wei Lin was carefully chosen by the Pei family and sent over. With Pei Shao leading the charge these years, Wei Lin could take Pei Shao’s place in less than three years.

Since Cheng Muning had learned of Wei Lin’s preferences, she naturally knew these details well.

She was catering to his tastes with the intent of winning hearts.

But Pei Shao’s words left Cheng Muning unsure whether he was alluding to her cold-hearted past, or if the Pei family now had other plans.

She fell silent, lost in thought. The hall was quiet.

Having returned to the capital for two months, she and Pei Shao had maintained a relationship of “water and fire don’t mix,” seemingly able to coexist peacefully as long as the past was not mentioned. Their exchanges were fluid, but it was a facade concealing turbulent undercurrents both understood well.

She studied Pei Shao and suddenly asked, “Are you... thirsty?”

Pei Shao hadn’t set down his cup since earlier. Hearing her, he paused pouring tea and glanced at her. “Are you not thirsty?”

Cheng Muning was startled, then frowned.

She felt warm.

Every time she saw Pei Shao, she instinctively let down her guard. When she entered, she had noticed a faint scent but didn’t pay it much mind. Now it grew stronger, causing her headache. She blinked and looked toward the incense burner on the long desk.

...Hmph, she really couldn’t trust Cheng Zheng.

Just as she stood, her legs weakened. With a crash, the golden nanmu wood rack beside her toppled, shattering a presented glass bottle into pieces. Cheng Muning fell with it, her palm cut and stinging, briefly pulling her back to clarity.

Pei Shao remained seated, calmly observing her.

She hesitated. “You... didn’t smell it?”

Pei Shao was silent for a moment before rising and stepping forward. Looking down at her, he extended a hand and pulled her up. Before she could speak, he said, “I smelled it. The scent is familiar.”

Cheng Muning blinked.

“I was merely curious what new trick the princess might play with her old tactics,” Pei Shao said, lowering his gaze to her. So close, he could see the fine peach fuzz on her cheek. “After three years, it seems the princess hasn’t improved much.”

Cheng Muning moved her lips, memories stirring under his cold gaze.

Silence lingered. As Pei Shao was about to withdraw his hand, Cheng Muning suddenly clenched it tightly. “If I were the one today, I’d claim the theft from Fuluan Palace as a pretext to summon you to my palace, not meet here.”

She steadied her breath and forced calm. “By the way, I lost a ring. Should the night watch troops be held responsible?”

Neither showed much expression, but their bodies burned with restrained tension. Pei Shao’s arm muscles tensed, and Cheng Muning’s grip was merciless.

Pei Shao’s Adam’s apple moved subtly, his tone still calm. “The princess lost it? Are you sure it was yours?”

“It was in my hand. How could it not be mine?”

Pei Shao narrowed his eyes, sensing a different meaning in her words.

He said nothing. Veins bulged along his neck out of her sight. His cold gaze fixed on the hand resting on his cheek. “I advise you to stop.”

Cheng Muning took a deep breath, knowing this wasn’t the right moment. She reluctantly withdrew her hand, closed her eyes, fighting the tremor as she steadied herself on the chair and slowly crouched to pick up the broken porcelain.

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But Pei Shao yanked her back.

Before she could speak, a strike landed sharply on the back of her neck.

...

When Cheng Muning awoke, night had fallen. She opened her eyes to the bed canopy above. It took her a long moment to rise, the soreness in her neck making her hiss softly. This man’s blows had become too ruthless.

Ji Fang was already kneeling outside, his head bowed low at the sound of movement, trembling. “P-Princess, I am at fault...”

Cheng Muning ignored him and circled the incense burner. A breeze drifted through the window. She calmed herself, seemingly not intending to blame Ji Fang, even appearing in good spirits. Ji Fang hesitated then glanced at her, noticing she had picked up the memorial on the desk. Raising an eyebrow, he said, “Ministry of Works?”

At that moment, Yin Zhu entered carrying medicine. “This afternoon, a lord from the Ministry of Works delivered a memorial. The outer wall on the west side of the princess’s residence has collapsed. It seems that during repairs months ago some corners were cut to save money. They plan to fix it quickly for the princess soon.”

Cheng Muning was unconcerned but asked, “Was anyone hurt?”

“No.” Yin Zhu replied, “But that Mr. Du...”

Du Linyi—Cheng Muning nearly forgot him.

Yin Zhu said, “The steward passed word that Mr. Du insisted on leaving, but since he was brought into the residence by the princess, the servants dare not casually release his documents. Right now, he refuses food, saying if not freed, he’ll die here... The steward fears trouble and came to ask: what should be done with him?”

Yin Zhu then produced letters sent by the residence to the palace.

They looked like simple family letters, but Cheng Muning stared at them for a long time. Folding them, she exchanged a glance with Yin Zhu before saying, “The documents cannot be released. Let him starve for now.”

After drinking her medicine, she took the memorial from the Ministry of Works again and examined it. “This handwriting is beautiful. What’s the name of the messenger?”

Yin Zhu answered, “Wen Jiayu.”

Cheng Muning remembered the name—the newly crowned top scholar. Had it not been for the Qionglin Banquet incident, he would have been the most prominent figure.

Ji Fang seemed to sense the Crown Princess’s worry. He whispered, “This Lord Wen isn’t focused on the Hanlin Academy. He petitioned to enter the Ministry of Works himself. Lately, he’s been close to Minister Xu. The princess should be cautious.”

Cheng Muning set down the memorial and gazed out the window for a long time. Ji Fang thought she was troubled by this and comforted her, “Princess needn’t worry too much. He’s only a scholar in the Ministry of Works now.”

But the position of Ministry of Works scholar already handled many important affairs.

“Did Pei Shao seem all right today?” Cheng Muning changed the subject.

“Ah?” Ji Fang lowered his head again, thinking she wanted to scold him. He whispered, “He seemed no different than usual. He could still ride his horse back to the residence.”

Cheng Muning’s hand was wrapped in coarse cloth, the pain still sharp. She walked slowly to the window and said, “With Pei Shao’s robust physique, that little incense you burned is hardly enough.”

She casually broke off a sprig of flowers, speaking with experience. “Even doubling it might only confuse him briefly. Such things aren’t that effective on him.”

Ji Fang was a little dazed. “Then next time, I—”

He kowtowed heavily, crying, “I dare not again, I dare not.”