Chapter 10: A Slip"You've fallen into my hands, Zheyun."Hearing that familiar name, the usually composed Yutang faltered slightly. The two exchanged a glance, and Su Zheyun dismissed her to withdraw."Why would Mr. Shen think that?" Su Zheyun looked puzzled, yet her tone remained calm."I feel that Mr. Su isn't very good at hiding things." Shen Bingwen looked at her with a smile. "Not only must one conceal one's purpose, but also one's emotions. Mr. Su has done neither.""Is that so?" Su Zheyun returned a smile. Though her purpose had been seen through, she felt no panic. "What gave it away?""You didn't know whether the Left Prime Minister was the chief examiner for the spring examination, so how would you know he had a poor scholar under him taking that exam? This shows you were after Zhang Yangyu from the very start—the Left Prime Minister was merely a stepping stone." Shen Bingwen's slender fingers tapped lightly on the rim of his cup, his gaze falling on the golden osmanthus pattern above. "A single detail reveals the whole picture. Mr. Su's groundwork wasn't thorough enough."Su Zheyun suddenly understood, her face showing no embarrassment at being exposed. Since she'd been found out, she instead grew eager. "So what happened between Cui Lingyi and Zhang Yangyu?""As you know, that is all there is between them."This somewhat dampened Su Zheyun's curiosity. Shen Bingwen dipped his fingertips in a few drops of tea and traced on the table.Su Zheyun looked up and saw the character "Zhao" rendered vividly on the table, which was then wiped away."Has Miss Cui promised a path to the heavens? Is Mr. Su tempted?"Su Zheyun met his gaze without backing down, and at his words, a different thought arose in her mind."It seems Mr. Shen has been promised something as well."Black clouds obscured the bright moon. It was the hour of deep night, and few servants moved about the estate.Shen Bingwen lifted his robe and rose, his tall figure blocking most of the light before her."If Mr. Su wishes to ask whether that path to the heavens is viable, I will tell you—it is." He stepped forward twice, stopping a foot away from Su Zheyun."However, Zhang Yangyu is a sanctimonious man. If you snatch something from a mad dog, you must be careful not to be bitten. A mad dog's bite is no mere flesh wound—"The fluttering black robes gradually receded into the distance. Shen Bingwen walked with light, unhurried steps, his silhouette as pristine and remote as a cold peak beneath a winter moon.His final words scattered in the long wind, stirring a chill in Su Zheyun's heart."You will lose your life."Recalling those words, Su Zheyun furrowed her picturesque brows, so lost in thought that she didn't even notice Yutang entering the room.It seemed she couldn't agree to Cui Lingyi's terms just yet. It was time for her to probe the depths of the undercurrents stirring in the capital.—On the day Hulan departed, Jiang Weixu brought her to the city gate.Soldiers stood in solemn ranks along both sides of the official road, banners fluttering in the wind. All the court ministers had gathered, with Crown Prince Jiang Chenghe standing at the center in dark ceremonial robes, raising a cup to bid Hulan farewell. His voice was steady: "Across mountains and rivers, may the Princess travel safely. May our two nations forever hold their alliance."Jiang Weixu stood quietly to the side, a jade belt at his waist, his expression unreadable. Hulan raised her cup in return, and as she looked up, she cast a glance at Su Zheyun on the city wall. A smile curved across her lips before she mounted her horse. Iron hooves ground against the blue stone as she rode off into the distance.Su Zheyun felt a rare pang of melancholy as the grand procession shrank to a black dot and finally vanished from sight."Let's go."On the city wall, Jiang Weixu leaned against the railing, his dark ceremonial robes snapping in the wind. The faint scent of aloeswood drifted over, and his tall frame nearly enclosed her.Su Zheyun took a subtle step back. Jiang Weixu seemed not to notice, turning to descend the steps. Below the wall, the Crown Prince's carriage with its vermilion lacquer and gilded roof sat not far away. Jiang Chenghe lifted the curtain, staring at her with a smile. Su Zheyun's skin prickled. She stopped and bowed respectfully, and then Jiang Weixu's voice reached her ears."Get in."The commoners on both sides had been held back by the imperial guards, clearing a wide, unobstructed road. Crystal tassels hanging from the carriage eaves swayed gently, and the curtain was embroidered with several strands of entwined lotus.Su Zheyun curled up in the corner, unafraid of angering Jiang Weixu—after all, she was "afraid of men," which saved her from much unnecessary contact."After Yunzhou was sealed off, the plague was brought under better control. But many people had fled beforehand, and some prefectures and counties are actually worse off than Yunzhou."Su Zheyun looked at Jiang Weixu, who was reading a memorial with his head bowed, and couldn't help but admire her workaholic superior. "Your Highness need not worry. When a plague first breaks out, it's natural for the people to panic. Simply send more personnel."Jiang Weixu looked up at her, about to speak, then swallowed the words back. "You did well with the Hulan matter. The gold and silver rewards have already been delivered to your courtyard. Also, some time ago I sent silver to the woman caring for your younger sister—I've deducted it from this month's salary."At this, Su Zheyun's face lit up with delight, unable to suppress the smile tugging at her lips. "Thank you, Your Highness. This is all what Zheyun ought to do."The person across from him nodded faintly. Su Zheyun gauged his mood and tentatively made a request. "Does the estate have a courier service for sending supplies? I'd like to send something home. I can pay in silver—I won't take advantage of Your Highness's service for free.""The estate has dedicated messengers for sending and receiving. Ask Steward Zhou and he'll arrange it for you." With that, his phoenix eyes lifted, his tone indifferent. "No need for payment. If you're in a hurry, a little something is fine—consider it their hard-earned fee.""Yes." Su Zheyun was delighted and began to push her luck. "Your Highness, if I were to take the imperial examinations… do you think I could pass the provincial exam?"This question caught him off guard. His gaze fell on Su Zheyun's fair face, noticing the loose strands of hair at her temples gently stirred by the breeze seeping in. His throat felt a little dry."You want to sit for the imperial examinations?" He paused. "The path of the examinations has always been difficult, but if you truly intend to, I can help you.""How would Your Highness help me?" The figure in light green leaned slightly closer."The Imperial Academy has great scholars lecturing. I can get you in. Moreover, Minister Shen's talent is known throughout the world—you could seek his guidance.""I see," Su Zheyun said with a hint of disappointment, half-joking. "I thought Your Highness might have other connections."The clamor outside the carriage gradually faded. Lu Xun rode his fine horse, keeping pace alongside the carriage.Jiang Weixu closed the memorial, slowly rotating the thumb ring on his right hand, his eyes darkening a shade. "I naturally have other connections as well. Vice Minister of Rites Gui Lun is my man. Does Su Qing want that?"Su Zheyun met his gaze openly, a smile on her face. "Of course. Only a fool would refuse a shortcut, wouldn't they?""Do you sit for the examinations to serve the country, or merely to secure a career? If it's just for a career, staying by my side offers far more prospects than fighting tooth and nail in the officialdom." Jiang Weixu's tone was flat, yet carried an air of unquestionable authority."I want to serve the country." Su Zheyun's tone was sincere, but then she let out a sigh. "I'll take the examinations on my own. Lord Li and Lord Shen both earned their positions through their own efforts. Taking a back door would feel shameful to me."The carriage had already arrived at the prince's residence. Jiang Weixu did not argue, only told her to think it over carefully, then alighted from the carriage."By the way," Jiang Weixu thought of something and turned back to instruct, "Many refugees fleeing from various prefectures and counties have gathered outside the capital. There's a risk of epidemic. Don't leave the estate recently. If you need anything, tell Steward Zhou and Yutang.""Alright." Su Zheyun obediently agreed. Just as she was about to enter the residence in high spirits, she was hailed by a burly man."Su Zheyun! Su Zheyun!" Wang Dali's coarse voice shouted at her, so loud that the guards at the gate frowned."Brother Wang?" Su Zheyun was startled and walked toward him. "Why are you here? Is Liniang doing well at home?""Ah, don't even mention it!" Wang Dali's plain clothes were splattered with mud, his face dusty, as if he had lost weight. "Wen Yu has come down with a plague! The doctors in the county don't dare treat her. She'd already had a fever for two days when I left. Liniang couldn't decide what to do, so I hitched a ride with a merchant caravan and rushed all the way to the capital.""What?" Su Zheyun was shocked, grabbing Wang Dali's arm with both hands. "Is it serious? Has she taken any medicine? When did this happen—I had no idea!""Five or six days after you left," Wang Dali said urgently, panting heavily. "First, people who went to the county market caught the illness. Then a few at Master Chen's school fell ill one after another. Within a few days, Wen Yu was down too. Liniang brewed her some medicine for typhoid, but when I left she still showed no improvement. What should we do now?""I don't know what to do either—my mind is a complete mess right now." Su Zheyun forced herself to calm down. "Wait here for a moment. I'll go back to get money, and I'll return with you to see the situation."Su Zheyun made her decision on the spot and hurried back to her courtyard to pack.Spare clothes, the hairpin Hulan had given Wen Yu, loose silver… Su Zheyun stuffed everything into her bundle. Seeing her flustered expression, Yutang hurriedly asked what was wrong."Yutang, where are the things His Highness bestowed?""I put them on the desk. What's the matter with you?""My sister is ill. I need to go home." Su Zheyun took a few silver ingots and placed them in her bundle, then pressed one into Yutang's hand. "Yutang, thank you for your care. Please let the others know for me."With that, paying no heed to her barely healed arm, she strode out of the residence.The capital had been under strict control these past days, not allowing outsiders to enter. Wang Dali had rented a donkey cart and disguised himself as a woodcutter to sneak in.The donkey cart swayed and jolted, much like Su Zheyun's anxious heart. They rumbled over several stone bridges, with Wang Dali driving—yet he passed right by the East City Gate."Brother Wang, why aren't we going through the city gate?"Wang Dali gave a dry smile and steered onto a somewhat secluded path. "The gates are heavily guarded—no one is allowed in or out freely. I know a small path that leads out of the city." As he spoke, he urged the donkey on with increasing urgency.The cries of street vendors gradually faded, and Su Zheyun calmed down, but her heart grew more and more uneasy. Suddenly, she let out a light laugh. "Brother Wang, the port has been busy lately. It must have taken you five or six days to come by boat, right?""Indeed, the boat was packed with people. I struggled through five or six days."The shadows cast by the towering walls on both sides of the street deepened, and Su Zheyun's unease swelled once more. She reached into her bag, and after feeling the hairpin, swiftly pressed it against Wang Dali's back.A sharp pain shot through his back as the pointed golden hairpin pierced a bloody hole into it. Wang Dali cried out in agony but still gripped the reins tightly."If you made it here in five or six days, that means you didn't come by water." Su Zheyun's unease grew again. "Stop the cart! Stop the cart!"A second stab of pain came, fiercer than the last. Su Zheyun lunged forward, trying to snatch the reins. Wang Dali was, after all, a sturdy man—even wounded, he didn't easily let her have her way.The hairpin pressed against his throat, Su Zheyun's hands trembling, yet her voice still feigned calmness. "If you don't want to die, stop the cart!"Wang Dali gritted his teeth, released his right hand to grab at the hairpin, and the two wrestled. The donkey cart began to veer out of control, and with no time to dodge, Su Zheyun was thrown violently from the cart."Bang." A heavy thud as she hit the ground. Pain spread across her back, and the palms of her hands were scraped raw by the gravel on the road. She curled up on the ground, her vision blurred and swimming.A ringing sound filled her ears, rattling her skull with pain. A few seconds later, steady footsteps drew closer and closer, until a pair of bright yellow brocade short boots came to a stop right before her.Before Su Zheyun could react, a teasing, light laugh came from above her head, its voice carrying a chill like being plunged into an icy abyss."You've fallen into my hands now, Zheyun."Su Zheyun struggled to lift her eyelids, and then darkness swallowed her vision.

Plotting with My Wife