“Bang, bang, bang…”
At dusk, the great gates of the General Who Guards the State’s estate were being hammered until the sound shook the heavens. Old Zhang, the gatekeeper, grumbled in displeasure, “Who is it? Coming, coming—stop knocking! Don’t you even look whose gate this is before pounding so loudly? If you break it, you couldn’t afford to pay for it even if you tried.”
The solemn, heavy gates opened a crack. Old Zhang casually glanced outside through the gap—and with that one look, he was scared half out of his wits. Outside the gate stood two neat ranks of blue-clad brocade guards, over a hundred men in all. In the middle was a luxurious carriage, its doors tightly shut. Four men stood arrayed beside the carriage, each with a hand resting on the long sword at his waist, their expressions exceedingly solemn.
Good heavens, what a procession… Old Zhang knew at once that those who had come this time were no ordinary people. Just as he was about to open the gate, the guard who had been knocking shouted loudly, “Prince Li has arrived! Hurry and have the Great General Who Guards the State come out to receive him!”
The moment Old Zhang heard the words “Prince Li,” cold sweat broke out all over him. He hurriedly opened the gate and answered, “Yes, this lowly one will report at once.”
“No need.” Before Old Zhang could turn around, Fu Chou had already walked out from within, as if he had expected this. He cupped his hands slightly toward the carriage and said with gentle courtesy, “Prince Li honors us with his presence. This general has failed to welcome Your Highness from afar; I ask Your Highness not to take offense.”
A guard lifted the carriage curtain. Zongzheng Wuyou’s cold gaze shot straight toward him as he said without expression, “General, there is no need for courtesy. This prince has come uninvited for the sake of this prince’s… future princess consort. I heard she came to the general’s estate as a guest. Now that the hour is late, this prince has come personally to bring her back.” He enunciated the words “princess consort” with particular weight, as though declaring his possession to others.
When Fu Chou heard this, his gaze shifted through countless changes in an instant. He swept a glance over the hundred brocade guards in their imposing formation, then frowned in puzzlement. “The future Princess Consort Li is visiting this general’s estate? There is such a thing?” He turned to look at Old Zhang and questioned him sternly, “Zhang Geng, when did Princess Consort Li arrive at the general’s estate, and why did you not report it to this general? You caused this general to slight Princess Consort Li—what crime do you deserve?”
Zhang Geng’s legs went weak with fright. He immediately knelt on the ground and said in terror, “Reporting to the general, this lowly one… this lowly one did not see Princess Consort Li! No female guest has entered the estate today…”
Fu Chou turned back to Zongzheng Wuyou, a gentle smile once again appearing on his face, and asked, “May I ask where Prince Li heard that the future Princess Consort Li is in this general’s estate? Could it be… that the information was mistaken?”
Zongzheng Wuyou said, “You mean to say this prince believed rumors and came looking for trouble?”
Fu Chou hurriedly said, “This general absolutely has no such intention. Prince Li has misunderstood.”
Zongzheng Wuyou’s thick brows lifted. In a deep voice, he asked, “Then, General… are you unwilling to hand her over?”
Fu Chou smiled. “This general does not even know who the future Princess Consort Li is. How would Prince Li have this general hand her over?”
Zongzheng Wuyou’s expression turned cold. “This prince thought the general was an understanding man!” He refused to believe that, with the way Fu Chou had looked at Aman that night, he would not know she was a woman!
Fu Chou still smiled. “Unfortunately, this general happens to be dull-witted. I have disappointed Prince Li.”
Zongzheng Wuyou’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly. His patience was exhausted, and his tone turned profound. “Since that is so, then after this prince finds her, I shall come back and tell the general who she is! Men, go in and search.”
“Hold.” The smile on Fu Chou’s face finally faded. Those eyes, originally gentle, suddenly became like two cold, sharp swords, bearing an awe-inspiring force that struck fear into the heart and made the hundred brocade guards halt in unison. Aside from Prince Li, this was a supreme authority they had never sensed from anyone else.
“If Prince Li wishes to search this general’s estate, I am afraid it would be best to first ask His Majesty the Emperor. Although Prince Li is a noble imperial prince and bears the title of prince, this general is a first-rank great general of the court. By the grace of His Majesty’s esteem, I have been ordered to command the three armies and safeguard our nation’s peace. If today… without evidence or proof, I allowed men to search my estate at will, how would this general have any authority left to stand in court and command the three armies in the future? Moreover, our court has newly issued an explicit decree: for the estates of all court officials of the third rank and above, without His Majesty’s gracious permission, no one has the right to search them without authorization.”
His words rang firm and clear, neither yielding nor forceful.
But who was Zongzheng Wuyou? He did not even deign to acknowledge imperial edicts—how could he possibly take such court laws and decrees seriously?
“This prince thought the general had fought on the battlefield year-round and would only have time to study how to command troops and wage war. I did not expect that, after returning to the capital for only one day, the general would already know the newly promulgated articles and decrees of court so thoroughly. It seems the general has put in no small amount of effort.” With a tone that seemed both smiling and not, Zongzheng Wuyou instead restrained his temper.
Fu Chou smiled. “Prince Li overpraises me. This general merely feared that, after returning to court, I might commit mistakes I should not due to unfamiliarity with court laws and decrees. Thus, I had no choice but to spare some time to understand as much as possible. I have made Prince Li laugh.”
Because of the rain during the day, the evening weather was damp, and a faint scent of gunpowder seemed to hang in the air.
Zongzheng Wuyou and Fu Chou looked at one another, one sharp and indifferent, the other gentle and calm. They were of similar age, and both wore expressions of extraordinary depth that others could not see through.
“This prince has no time to play riddles with you here. This prince only wants to know: the person you brought back to your estate from outside today—where is she now?”
“So Prince Li was speaking of Liyue?” Fu Chou laughed as if suddenly enlightened, then said regretfully, “Then Your Highness has come at a truly unfortunate time. She has already left.”
“Is that so? Yet this prince heard she is still within the general’s estate. If the general truly refuses to hand her over, then this prince… can only offend you!” As he spoke, he was about to wave his hand and give the order, when suddenly, from not far away, another sinister, cold voice rang out: “I heard Seventh Imperial Brother’s voice from far away, so this crown prince came over specially to have a look. I did not expect it really was… Oh! Even the brocade guards of Prince Li’s estate have been mobilized. What is going on?”
As the voice fell, the crown prince had already walked over with Lord Yu and several personal guards.
Zongzheng Wuyou frowned. He could not even be bothered to look at him, still sitting steadily where he was. Fu Chou, however, smiled and went forward to salute. The crown prince, rarely courteous, quite genuinely gave him a supporting hand and said, “General Fu is a pillar of our court. In the future, this crown prince will still have many matters in which I must rely on the general. From now on, in private… let us dispense with empty formalities.”
With this simple sentence, he had expressed the purpose of his visit clearly.
Fu Chou smiled faintly. “How could that do? There is distinction between ruler and subject; propriety cannot be abolished.”
The crown prince also knew that a person like him would not be so easily won over. He then assumed his bearing as crown prince and raised his head to ask the brocade guards on both sides, “What exactly is going on here?”
No one answered him.
The crown prince’s expression turned ugly. Only then did Fu Chou say gently, “In truth, it is nothing serious. It is only that Prince Li has… some misunderstanding toward this subject.”
The crown prince said, “Since it is a misunderstanding… Seventh Imperial Brother, withdraw your men. What does it look like for so many brocade guards to stop in front of the general’s estate? Those who do not know might think something major has happened! You, all of you, hurry and take your men away. Return to Prince Li’s estate.” The crown prince waved his hand, using a commanding tone toward the leader of the brocade guards.
Not a single person responded. All the brocade guards turned a deaf ear to his command.
The crown prince’s expression grew even uglier. Pointing at them, he said angrily, “Are you rebelling? You actually dare disobey this crown prince’s order!”
Still, no one paid him any attention.
Zongzheng Wuyou sat idly in the carriage and said mildly, “Is the crown prince speaking of this prince?”
The instant the crown prince met those ice-cold, wickedly arrogant eyes, his heart could not help but lurch. Yet on the surface, he still pretended nothing had happened, doing his utmost to maintain the proper dignity of a nation’s heir apparent. Slowly approaching the carriage, he bent at the waist and lowered his head, saying in a voice only the two of them could hear, “Seventh Imperial Brother, don’t go too far! I have yet to settle accounts with you over the more than one million taels of silver from last time.”
Zongzheng Wuyou said with amusement, “You want to settle accounts? Last time in the Ministry of Justice prison, this prince did not have the time. Today happens to be suitable; this prince also has an account I would like to settle with you.”
He was clearly smiling, yet the crown prince felt as though his gaze was seeping up from hell itself, cold enough to pierce the bone. He could not help trembling, and once again brought out his trump card. “What do you want to do? Don’t forget the promise your mother, Noble Consort Yun, made to us mother and son!”
This again! Zongzheng Wuyou’s gaze sharpened, instantly becoming as keen as a blade. He sneered. “If not for that promise, do you think you would still be standing here speaking to this prince? Zongzheng Xiaoren, although I have no interest in the crown prince’s seat, you had best not force me! You should also know that no matter what bargaining chip one holds, there will come a day when it is used up. You know very well what you have done over these years. This prince not settling accounts with you in the past does not mean I will continue tolerating you in the future.”
The crown prince froze, feeling somewhat guilty. He understood very well that whether he, Zongzheng Xiaoren, was the crown prince or a beggar was nothing more than a single word from this man!
The atmosphere instantly became stiff and heavy. Even the gentle breeze of early summer could make one’s body shiver. First there had been the confrontation between Prince Li and the general; now, with the crown prince added in, the three most powerful men in the entire Lintian Kingdom aside from the emperor were all here. Lord Yu quietly retreated a few steps, hiding behind the brocade guards and not daring to make a sound.
Just then, a gorgeously decorated carriage drove swiftly toward the front gates of the General Who Guards the State’s estate and stopped beside Zongzheng Wuyou’s carriage.
A woman dressed in phoenix robes, her face covered by a beaded veil, stepped down from the carriage with the support of a maid. She looked around at the gathered people and smiled. “So His Highness Prince Li and His Highness the Crown Prince are here as well. Rongle pays her respects!”
As she drew near, a powdery scent, as if emanating from her very bones, rushed into his nose. Though it could not be considered very strong, what he hated most in his life was precisely this sort of smell. At once, his brows knitted. A guard beside him saw that his expression was poor and quickly stepped forward to block her. The woman was forced to retreat several steps.
Fu Chou went forward and greeted the woman. “In two days, it will be the day of this general and the princess’s grand wedding. This general invited the princess to the estate because I wished for the princess to see whether there is anywhere in the residence that dissatisfies her. Though there is no time to rebuild, it would still be good if some arrangements could be slightly changed. Crown Prince, Prince Li, Lord Yu, if you do not disdain it, why not enter the estate together and allow this general to arrange an evening banquet?”
The crown prince was naturally willing. Zongzheng Wuyou, however, did not immediately state his position. He slanted his eyes and studied the woman, and suddenly discovered that her figure was extremely similar to Aman’s. Even her gestures and bearing were astonishingly alike. Only her voice and scent were different—one clear, graceful, and ethereal; the other carrying a slight huskiness. He thought to himself: Fu Chou inviting her into the estate at a time like this—could there be some hidden scheme?
The sky was dim, and the evening wind was cool. Because of the arrival of esteemed guests, the General Who Guards the State’s estate was brightly lit. Fu Chou led Princess Rongle to tour the various parts of the estate. When they reached the rear garden, he pointed to a lush green bamboo grove and said, “This patch of bamboo was planted two years ago. If you do not like it, you may have people cut it down. Behind this bamboo grove is Qingmi Garden. This general has already ordered people to clean it up for the princess to use as her sleeping quarters… Let us go take a look.”
Qingmi Garden was, indeed, quiet, secluded, and serene, without losing elegance. Fu Chou and the woman walked in front, entering each room one by one to take a look.
After following for a while, the crown prince felt rather bored. Yet he discovered that Zongzheng Wuyou, who normally took no interest in anything, was in surprisingly good temper and high spirits today, following them into every room to look around. He could not help saying in surprise, “Why is Seventh Imperial Brother in such fine spirits today? Ordinarily, you cannot even be bothered to glance at the imperial garden.”
Zongzheng Wuyou ignored him. The wind was somewhat strong today. He fell some distance behind the two in front, yet the powdery scent on the woman was still clearly discernible. He frowned, vaguely remembering that the first time they had met in the great hall, this woman had not carried such a powdery fragrance. Today was rather strange. Unconsciously, he fell even farther behind, and only then did the smell grow fainter.
At the end of Qingmi Garden was a spacious bathing chamber. One had to turn two corners to reach it, and each passage was very narrow.
“This is the bathing chamber. This afternoon, a friend of this general used it here, and it has not yet been cleaned. The princess will not mind, I hope?”
The woman smiled and said she would not. After turning the corner, she entered the bathing chamber.
Zongzheng Wuyou’s gaze darkened. Naturally, he knew who the friend Fu Chou spoke of was. He followed them into the bathing chamber. The first thing that entered his sight was a curtain hanging between the doorway and the bathing pool, blocking the view within. The woman was no longer in his line of sight. Just as Zongzheng Wuyou was about to step forward, he saw Fu Chou pull down the still-damp curtain that obstructed his view and say to the servants, “Why is this curtain still hanging here? Take it down and wash it!”
A maid hurriedly took the curtain away. The entire bathing chamber could now be seen at a glance. Aside from the walls, the floor, and the pool, only the few of them remained; there was nothing else.
Zongzheng Wuyou watched as the woman half-crouched beside the bathing pool and stirred the water with her hand a few times, raising jade-green ripples. Against her pale, slender fingers, they were even more like green onion shoots and white jade, incomparably soft and beautiful. He suddenly thought of last night by the hot spring pool, when Aman had also stirred up layer upon layer of ripples in the hot spring with her hand. Her back had been just as slender, always carrying a stubbornness in it.
Involuntarily, he was about to walk toward the woman. At that moment, she spoke. “Though this bathing chamber cannot compare with the luxury and beauty of Qiyun Kingdom’s imperial palace, it is spacious enough. It is only a pity that this water… is not hot spring water. It truly is cold!” After the woman finished speaking, she rose. She seemed to be looking at Fu Chou, yet from the corner of her eye she caught Zongzheng Wuyou’s gaze falling on her hand. Her expression changed slightly, and without a trace, she drew her hand into her sleeve, as though it had been chilled by the cold water. The ripples in the pool remained, but she had already stepped out the door. As she passed by Zongzheng Wuyou, another wave of powdery fragrance rushed into his nose, seeming to carry within it a faint, elegant scent as well—there and not there, impossible to grasp.
Fu Chou smiled apologetically. “The princess speaks truly, but there truly is no hot spring nearby to draw from. We can only wrong the princess by asking her to make do.”
The woman said no more, her hands clenching tightly inside her sleeves.
Zongzheng Wuyou swept a glance over the clear bathing chamber, then followed them out. He lifted his hand and waved lightly. Leng Yan immediately appeared and said softly by his ear, “We searched everywhere. Still no one.”
Zongzheng Wuyou’s eyes sharpened. He asked, “Are you certain she did not leave the general’s estate?”
Leng Yan nodded with great certainty. All around the general’s estate were his eyes and ears. Even if a fly flew out, they would be able to tell whether it was male or female.
Zongzheng Wuyou said in a deep voice, “Keep searching. Pass down the order: pay close attention to every person who enters and leaves the general’s estate today. This prince refuses to believe she can fly into the heavens or burrow into the earth!”
The banquet hall of the general’s estate was very spacious, large enough to accommodate several dozen people. Everyone took their seats. The crown prince and Zongzheng Wuyou sat side by side in the seats of honor. Fu Chou and Princess Rongle sat opposite one another. Lord Yu sat below Fu Chou. As the banquet began, there was naturally a round of polite formalities first, and Fu Chou handled all official etiquette with immaculate thoroughness. For this evening banquet, not only had he invited the most famous chef in the capital, he had also called for the ladies of Tianxiang House to play the zither and dance, adding to the festive drinking mood.