Now, the Crown Prince was the one hiding in the background, surreptitiously enjoying the show.
Qin Zizhang stared at Xiao Ci with an intensity that suggested he would not stop until he received an answer.
Qin Ziyu watched the farce for a moment. Fearing he might push the man too far, he interjected, “The underfloor heating in the Hall of Supreme Harmony is kept high; if the quilts are too thick, it is not good. One might fall ill from the heat.”
“Director Xiao acted out of kindness. He does not need to explain; I understand.”
As he spoke, Qin Ziyu tilted his chin toward Xiao Ci.
Qin Zizhang looked at his brother, appearing as though he wanted to say more but hesitated.
After Xiao Ci departed, Qin Ziyu reminded Qin Zizhang that while the red date cakes were sweet, he must not overindulge, though the Eastern Palace would always keep a supply ready for him.
Qin Zizhang frowned. “Imperial Brother still treats me like a child. I am seventeen, only a year younger than Xiao Ci.”
“Indeed, you are nearly of age,” Qin Ziyu mused. Seventeen was considered an adult in ancient times, old enough to marry and have children, but in the modern era, he would be nothing more than a high school student.
Qin Zizhang grabbed his arm. “Father intends for me to move to Zichen Palace. My mother is loath to let me go and wants me to stay in Chang’e Palace for the New Year.”
“If I move to Zichen Palace, it will be much more convenient for me to visit Imperial Brother!”
Chang’e Palace was, after all, the residence of the imperial concubines. Princes were generally expected to move out by the age of eight. The Noble Consort had pleaded repeatedly, relying on her imperial favor to keep Qin Zizhang with her until now. Any longer would invite criticism. Furthermore, keeping him in the inner palace restricted his development and made it difficult for him to interact with external officials.
“While you are in Chang’e Palace, Lady Wen can find time in her busy schedule to see you. Once you move out, there will be a distance between you; it is only natural for her to be reluctant,” Qin Ziyu said.
“Just be diligent in paying your respects. In time, Lady Wen will naturally grow accustomed to it.”
Qin Zizhang nodded. “I know this. If not for my mother, I would have moved out long ago.”
Once he moved out, he would no longer be bound by the strict taboos regarding the separation of men and women. Someone like Lu Moyun could enter and exit the Eastern Palace daily, yet was forbidden from entering the inner palace.
“Imperial Brother… the walls in this palace have ears. You… you should also be more cautious.”
Seeing his hesitant manner, Qin Ziyu guessed what he was implying. “Children are not allowed to eavesdrop. If anyone dares to speak nonsense in front of you, tell Lady Wen, and have them expelled from the palace immediately.”
“I am not a child!” Qin Zizhang protested. “I entered the court this spring. My mother is secretly scouting for a consort for me, and there have been people in my palace for two years now. I know what that is; I simply haven’t touched them.”
“Imperial Brother, it was only because of your poor health that Mother did not make preparations earlier. You have side consorts and concubines now—are they not good? Why must you…”
“Why must you do this for a eunuch?”
He truly could not bring himself to say the words that followed. He had wanted to ask for a long time but had never found the opportunity. Had he not seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed it.
What was his brother thinking? Was it truly as the rumors suggested—that he was doing this to win Xiao Ci over to his side?
His tone was both angry and anxious, like an ant on a hot griddle. His eyes were red, and his confusion was laced with accusation.
How could someone as wonderful as his brother bow and scrape for the sake of power? He was the Crown Prince!
“Eunuchs are also human,” Qin Ziyu said calmly. “When you listen to too much hearsay, it is inevitable that you will develop prejudices against them. In this world, whether one is a man, a woman, or a eunuch, you cannot judge them all by a single standard. Take Lady Wen, for example many people in this palace curse her in private, and even more envy and hate her. Yet in your eyes, she is the best.”
“That is different!” Qin Zizhang shook his head, still gripping Qin Ziyu’s arm. “How can my mother be compared to others?”
“Indeed. In your heart, Lady Wen is different from everyone else. And in mine,” Qin Ziyu looked up and exhaled slowly, “Xiao Ci is also different from everyone else.”
He gently pried Qin Zizhang’s hand from his arm, his expression becoming serious. “You have heard these words, but you must never tell Lady Wen. Do you understand?”
Confusion flashed in Qin Zizhang’s eyes. He could not comprehend his brother’s logic. His mother was the one who gave him life and raised him; she was the person who treated him best in the world. Xiao Ci was a hundred thousand miles removed from his mother; there was simply no comparison.
“But Imperial Brother, if I can hear it, Mother surely hears even more, and things that are far more unpleasant.”
Had the Noble Consort not suppressed the rumors, the palace would have been turned upside down long ago.
“Since Lady Wen has chosen not to believe them, you can also choose not to listen or believe.” Qin Ziyu patted Qin Zizhang’s shoulder. “It is cold outside; do not see me out. Go back and study well.”
“Imperial Brother…”
Qin Ziyu turned and waved his hand, taking a hand warmer from Jinfan. He walked away without looking back.
On the day of the Winter Solstice, a grand drama began with a flourish.
First, Minister Zhao, who had retired to the countryside, led the commoners of Jinling to strike the drum and cry for justice. He petitioned the Emperor to thoroughly investigate the case of the Prince of Nankang and the Prince of Puning seizing the people’s land ten years ago. Following this, Jiang Changyuan, the Governor of Shuntian Prefecture, presented the grievances uncovered over the past fortnight dozens of lives were involved, every word soaked in blood and tears.
The sound of the drums echoed from morning until noon. Even in the Eastern Palace, Qin Ziyu could hear them.
Jinling was Minister Zhao’s hometown. Ten years ago, while he was still holding office in the capital, the Princes of Nankang and Puning had deliberately avoided the Zhao family’s lands while seizing others. However, this act only served to place the Zhao family on a bed of hot coals.
After the floods, the Zhao family had taken in many refugees, setting up shelters and porridge kitchens in Jinling. They had exhausted their family fortune, yet it was but a drop in the ocean. As the number of refugees grew, they swarmed into the Zhao manor, looting everything in sight. Minister Zhao’s elderly mother lost her life in the chaos.
At that time, the bark on the trees outside Jinling was scraped cleaner than the bottom of a bowl. The fields were strewn with corpses, and people even resorted to “exchanging children for food.”
Merely hearing of it allowed one to realize the hardships of that time. The commoners were displaced, wandering from the south to the north. Some were intercepted by the government, some fled to the mountains to become bandits, and others starved to death on the road—just like Xiao Ci’s father and mother.
The old Minister was invited into the Golden Throne Hall. His statement was impassioned; looking at his aged face, his trembling beard, and the Jinling commoners standing behind him, the Emperor had no choice but to summon the two Princes for a confrontation.
Inside the Eastern Palace, fresh flower tea was brewing. Qin Ziyu and Xiao Ci sat opposite each other with a chessboard between them.
Qin Ziyu held the white pieces, and Xiao Ci held the black. Neither side was willing to yield.
The Go skills Qin Ziyu had once learned out of curiosity were now being put to use. He spotted an opening and placed a white stone, capturing the surrounded black pieces.
“Is My Lord not curious about the situation in the Golden Throne Hall?”
Xiao Ci looked up and swept a glance over him. “The east wind has already departed. The outcome cannot be changed, so why bother listening to them bicker?”
There was no Grand Court Session on the Winter Solstice. During the day, the Emperor hosted a banquet for his ministers, and in the evening, a banquet for the imperial consorts and relatives. On such a grand day, the drama could not be missed.
“The evidence is all at the Court of State Ceremonies. If I were to go, those two would likely be so weak in the knees they wouldn’t even be able to stand.”
Qin Ziyu laughed. “True.”
“Though this matter began with Shuntian Prefecture, you were the one conducting the interrogations in the interim. You are Father’s confidant and are deeply involved; it is indeed right for you to avoid suspicion.”
Otherwise, given Xiao Ci’s background, people would assume the confessions were merely the result of torture.
“I won.”
Qin Ziyu reached out. “As agreed: one question per round. You may choose not to answer, but you cannot lie.”
Xiao Ci stared at the board, his cheek twitching slightly. His original intention had been to interrogate Qin Ziyu, but his skills were inferior, and he had been outmaneuvered instead.
“My Lord has been in the palace for so many years. Do you have a confidante by your side, or… someone who has moved your heart?” Qin Ziyu raised an eyebrow with a smile.
Xiao Ci said coldly, “None.”
Qin Ziyu brought his hands together in a soft clap. “Oh dear, it seems I wasted a question.”
“I also felt there was no one.”
Xiao Ci gathered the black stones. “Again.”
…
After another round.
Qin Ziyu: “Does My Lord have any hobbies?” Xiao Ci: “Killing people.”
Another round.
Qin Ziyu: “What kind of food does My Lord prefer?” Xiao Ci: “I am not a picky eater.”
After five consecutive rounds, Xiao Ci had not won a single one. His face was darker than Lord Bao’s.
Qin Ziyu teased him, “One more round. In the next one, I’ll make sure you win. How about it?”
“No need.” Xiao Ci set down his piece. “The results over there will be known soon.”
It was rare for the two of them to sit and play chess peacefully. It had actually been Xiao Ci’s suggestion, but Qin Ziyu wouldn’t let him leave. “My Lord came to the Eastern Palace specifically to avoid being summoned by Father, didn’t you?”
Xiao Ci did not answer.
Qin Ziyu stood up and blocked his path. “To leave after you’ve used me… My Lord is being a bit too cold-hearted.”
It was common knowledge that the Crown Prince should avoid anxiety during his illness. The drums had been beating since early morning; had a summons come, he would have insisted on knowing what had happened, which would be detrimental to his recovery. Thus, hiding in the Eastern Palace was more effective than hiding in Wanguo Temple.
After all, the Emperor cared about his son; he didn’t care about a group of bald monks.
“What does Your Highness want?” Xiao Ci lowered his head slightly, meeting Qin Ziyu’s smiling eyes. His retort was instantly stifled.
Is he… this happy to see me?
Xiao Ci’s gaze unconsciously fell upon Qin Ziyu’s chest. Thinking of the character carved there, his lips thinned into a straight line.
Qin Ziyu stood by the screen. The space was narrow; if Xiao Ci insisted on passing, he could, but he did not move.
“I’ve spent half the day playing chess with you; can’t you at least smile?” Qin Ziyu asked.
“Every time I see you, your face is cold, as if you were born unable to smile. Even when you do occasionally smile, it is either sarcasm or a threat.”
What a waste of such a handsome face.
“If Your Highness wishes to see people smile, there are plenty of others who will smile for you,” Xiao Ci replied.
Qin Ziyu frowned. “Truly a man who lacks romantic sentiment.”
“No wonder the eunuchs and palace maids are all afraid of you. You won’t make any friends this way. You don’t even have anyone to share your inner thoughts with. Aren’t you lonely?”
Xiao Ci ignored him. Lonely? To one focused on survival, that was a truly absurd word.
Qin Ziyu raised a hand, attempting to pinch Xiao Ci’s cheek. He deliberately used a feint, hoping Xiao Ci wouldn’t have time to dodge. He was fast, but Xiao Ci was faster. Qin Ziyu missed his mark, lost his balance, and toppled forward.
This time, Xiao Ci did not have time to move out of the way. His chin was struck hard by Qin Ziyu. Long sleeves swirled as red and blue intertwined.