8
That determined, resolute little expression of hers was just like the wolfdog he kept at his residence—bright-eyed and tongue-lolling, as if following him guaranteed a meal of meat.
The next day, Ye Jiangbai stood in the court hall. The voices of ministers making their reports filled his ears, but his mind was occupied by the Seventh Prince’s face. Somehow, he found himself distracted.
Feng Tingyun, standing in the row behind on the opposite side, swept a glance at him. He paused, thinking he’d seen wrong, and swept another glance.
It wasn’t his eyes. The Duke of Fugu who was usually so eloquent in court, hadn’t said a word all day. He just stood there, smiling foolishly to himself.
“Have you taken a fancy to some woman?” After court was dismissed, Feng Tingyun dashed over to Ye Jiangbai like the wind and asked with wide eyes.
Ye Jiangbai gave him a look of pure disdain. “Nonsense.”
Feng Tingyun choked, then gasped. “Then… t-taken a fancy to some man?”
Ye Jiangbai: “…”
Ye Jiangbai withdrew his wandering thoughts and shot the man a vicious glare. “If you have so much free time to spout nonsense, why not use it to get your case work done properly?”
“Hey, I’m serious,” Feng Tingyun said with a dramatic sigh. “In all these years, I’ve never seen that expression on your face before. It looked like… yes—like a lovesick maiden!”
Ye Jiangbai stopped in his tracks, turned his head, and softened his expression. “There are indeed many lovesick maidens in the capital. Your father sent a stack of portraits to my residence three days ago, asking me to help you choose. I’ll go find the most suitable one right now and ask His Majesty to grant you a marriage.”
Feng Tingyun’s face turned green. He immediately leaped back three paces. “I won’t talk nonsense anymore! Don’t do anything rash!”
With a cold snort, Ye Jiangbai flicked his sleeve and walked off. He was in a hurry to go check on his little wolfdog. Why waste more time bickering with this damn sword-lover?
Zhao Changnian’s injuries were no small matter. Even though he had already given her the antidote to alleviate the symptoms, the twenty strokes of the paddle she had received were real and severe—she would need at least a month to recover. Nevertheless, in order to accompany him to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Zhao Changnian had specially instructed her attendants to prepare a stretcher. The moment Ye Jiangbai stepped into Suoqiu Palace, he saw her lying on it, grimacing in pain.
“Lord, you’re here!” Zhao Changnian said. “When do we leave?”
Once again, she didn’t invite him inside to sit but Ye Jiangbai was used to it by now. Standing in the courtyard, he clasped his hands toward her. “If it’s convenient for Your Highness, we can leave now.”
“Convenient, convenient!” Zhao Changnian waved her hand, signaling the two young eunuchs to lift her up. She looked slightly embarrassed. “My posture is a bit lacking, but I really am in too much pain to walk. Would it be alright if I stay lying down until we reach the Hall of Mental Cultivation?”
“Your Highness has endured much.” Under the circumstances, there was nothing wrong with it. Ye Jiangbai led the way as the eunuchs carried her out.
Zhao Changnian lay on her stomach, turning her head to look at the Duke of Fuguo walking beside her. She reached into her sleeve, fumbled around, and pulled out a small box.
“This is for you.”
Ye Jiangbai looked puzzled as he took the box and opened it.
Inside was a fine piece of white jade, crafted into an exquisite handheld ornament. On one side was carved a scene of a tiger descending a mountain. The other side was smooth and polished, fitting comfortably in the hand—cool to the touch and very pleasant to hold. Silk tassels hung from both ends: one for tying, the other a gold-threaded knot. If one didn’t want to hold it, it could be hung from the waist.
“This is…?”
Seeing that he seemed to like it, Zhao Changnian sighed with relief and smiled. “This is the thank-you gift I promised you. Thank you for helping me.”
Ye Jiangbai paused. Dimly, he recalled that this person had indeed said she had a modest savings of a few hundred taels and would send him something to thank him for arranging the meeting with the Crown Prince.
The white jade was heavy, flawless, and exquisitely carved. It must have cost a few hundred taels at least. The Seventh Prince was sincerely and genuinely thanking him, completely unaware that she had been harmed by his own doing.
For some inexplicable reason, Ye Jiangbai felt a twinge of guilt.
“If anyone sees this, it could be considered bribery,” he said, pressing his lips together. “Your Highness should take it back.”
She blocked his hand as he tried to return it. Propping up her little head, Zhao Changnian looked left and right with a shrewd expression. “Everyone here is one of us. Even if I am bribing you, no one will ever know!”
With that, she took the box and, like a seasoned bribe-giver, stuffed it into his sleeve.
Ye Jiangbai found it amusing. Feeling the weight settle into his sleeve, he thought for a moment and decided not to refuse any further.
He had received bribes from countless people. Even a minor county official from some remote prefecture had given him gifts more valuable than this small jade piece. The Seventh Prince was truly poor, and truly unfamiliar with the ways of the world.
But that was fine. He always had a surplus of internal fire to burn off; having such an object to hold and cool his temper would be a good thing.
Lifting the corner of his mouth in a slight smile, Ye Jiangbai said, “Since Your Highness holds me in such high regard, I am determined to repay your kindness well.”
“No need, no need! My lord has already helped me more than enough.” Zhao Changnian said, thoroughly satisfied. “If I can see my father today, I’ll be happy for two whole months!”
She spoke with such excitement. Ye Jiangbai listened, and felt a little—just a tiny little bit of bitterness in his heart.
When he laid traps for others, the bait he used was always rich and tempting. But the Seventh Prince required no effort at all. It was as if she lacked everything; give her the slightest taste of sweetness, and she would wag her tail.
It made him feel rather embarrassed, actually.
The Hall of Mental Cultivation was just ahead. Ye Jiangbai signaled for her to wait outside, then lifted his robes and entered.
“My beloved minister, you’ve come just in time.” The emperor sat on the dragon throne, looking as though he had just finished venting his anger. He turned, saw Ye Jiangbai, and waved him over. “Come and see what a fine job the Crown Prince has done!”
Glancing to the side, Ye Jiangbai was entirely unsurprised to see the Crown Prince kneeling there, perfectly upright.
It seemed that His Highness the Crown Prince had already come to confess his fault on his own initiative—quite clever of him.
“I came here precisely because I have a matter to report as well,” Ye Jiangbai said, withdrawing his gaze and cupping his hands in salute. “The Empress Dowager’s birthday was supposed to be a joyous occasion, but a murder occurring within the palace walls is utterly unacceptable. Regarding this matter, the blame should begin with the imperial guards. Even if many people are implicated, there must be no leniency.”
The Crown Prince lowered his head with a guilty expression. “It is your son’s fault. I was too focused on Grandmother and failed to properly manage the people under me, allowing someone to take advantage of the situation.”
The emperor shot him an annoyed look, then turned to Ye Jiangbai. “What my beloved minister says is true. But the Ministry of Justice has reported that there are very few clues, and the assassin has not been caught. What do you suggest we do?”
Ye Jiangbai cupped his hands and said, “Your servant has a lead.”
The Crown Prince froze and glanced at him from the corner of his eye.
“Oh?” The emperor sat up straighter. “What lead?”
“At the time of the prison warden’ death, the Seventh Prince happened to be present. He came and spoke with your servant, so I drafted a testimony on his behalf.” Reaching into his sleeve, Ye Jiangbai produced a memorial and presented it with both hands to the eunuch. Then he tucked his hands back into his sleeves and said, “It is rather unfortunate. The Seventh Prince should have come to testify earlier, but he was injured and unconscious.”
The emperor had not known why the Seventh Prince had been punished by the Crown Prince that day. Hearing this, the emperor frowned and looked toward the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince stiffened. He wanted to open his mouth to explain, but the Duke of Fuguo hadn’t actually said anything accusing him. If he jumped out to defend himself now, he would only look guilty. Yet if he didn’t explain, the emperor would inevitably suspect him.
Have I offended the Duke of Fuguo recently? he thought. I sent him quite a few gifts just the other day. Why is he treating me like this today!
**