Chapter 11: FlusteredNow, the sparrow is in his cage.Wispy clouds unfurled, the dazzling hues of sunset blending with the golden light of the dying sun.A modest carriage rolled into the prince's residence. Silver bells beneath the eaves chimed softly, and a draft carried away some of the stifling tension in the air.Jiang Weixu's temples throbbed, and his footsteps grew slightly unsteady."General Huo has already led troops to seal off Chengzhou. Physicians and grain supplies have also been dispatched—it should be brought under control soon. As for the salt patrol in Yizhou…"Lu Xun followed half a step behind, reporting on the memorials he had just received. The city lockdown had indeed effectively curbed the spread of the epidemic, but the panicked populace remained a thorny issue."Understood." Jiang Weixu replied flatly. As his dark satin court boots stepped into the main hall, he spotted Yutang waiting nearby."What is it?" Jiang Weixu frowned, a vague premonition stirring that this unease stemmed from a particular source."Master Su said his younger sister was gravely ill and rushed home in a hurry. I thought with the epidemic raging everywhere, it seemed dangerous, so I came to report to Your Highness." Yutang's face was anxious, her words coming faster than usual."Master Su's younger sister is gravely ill?" Lu Xun's face was full of surprise. "But just a few days ago, the scouts reported that she had improved after taking two doses of medicine. Your Highness even sent people to look after her. How could she suddenly be gravely ill?""How did he find out? Was it a letter, or did someone come to inform him?""I don't know. Master Su came back and immediately packed his things in a hurry. I didn't see him holding any letters…" Yutang looked at Jiang Weixu, tears welling in her eyes. "Your Highness, Master Su won't be in any danger, will he?""Lu Xun, go seal the city gates at once. Then question the guards at the gates—the capital has been strict with inspections lately. If he left the city, the guards will have a record.""Yes!" Lu Xun acknowledged the order and turned to leave, but Jiang Weixu called him back."Also question the docks in the capital. If he hasn't left the city, then I have a fair idea of who's behind this." Jiang Weixu's voice gradually deepened, his dark eyes churning with turbulent emotion."Guan Yang, go fetch He Xinli.""Yes."A shadow guard appeared from nowhere, knelt with a fist-and-palm salute, then vanished as quickly as he had come."You go back first. Prepare hot water and food—he may need them when he returns.""Yes." Yutang hastily wiped her tears with the back of her hand, steadied herself, and quietly withdrew.Only a few candles burned in the main hall, their flames faint. Jiang Weixu pressed his lips into a thin line. When he reopened his eyes, they were filled with ruthless severity.If it really was the Crown Prince, then he couldn't blame his younger brother for not showing him any mercy.—The openwork center of the gilt bronze censer released wisps of white smoke rising from the mountain-shaped lid, the scent of sandalwood thick in the air. Behind the peony-patterned screen, Su Zheyun awoke on the bed. The moon-white silk quilt draped over her made her pause in a daze.A barely audible creak sounded as a maidservant in emerald-green attire entered carrying a bronze basin. She wrung out a warm cloth and moved to wipe Su Zheyun's face.Su Zheyun immediately turned her head aside, grabbing the maidservant's fair wrist, and said in a calm voice, "I want to see His Highness the Crown Prince."The maidservant shook her head, pulled free from Su Zheyun's grip, made a few garbled sounds, and left with the basin of warm water.A mute slave! Su Zheyun thought of the inhuman treatment ancient nobles inflicted on their servants and felt a chill run down her spine.Outside the window, the warm yellow sunlight was still faintly visible, but bright lanterns had already been hung from the eaves of the building. It was only dusk, so she had been unconscious for just an hour or two—nothing too serious, she figured.She reached back and touched the back of her head where it had been struck. It still ached slightly, but thankfully her brains hadn't been damaged. Otherwise, what would she rely on to make a living for the rest of her life?Just as she was thinking this, several clear footsteps sounded outside. The door was pushed open, and Su Zheyun looked up. Jiang Chenghe entered in a trailing crimson robe, a hint of an ambiguous smile playing at his lips, his handsome features carrying a hint of sinister charm."Awake." Jiang Chenghe sat down naturally on the rattan chair, his posture languid and casual. Chen Nianzhou and the other attendants stood nearby, remaining perfectly still.Su Zheyun threw off the covers and got off the bed. Her soft black hair cascaded down her back, but she paid it no mind as she bowed respectfully before Jiang Chenghe."Your humble servant Su Zheyun thanks Your Highness for saving me."A scoff sounded from above. Su Zheyun looked up and met his deep, pool-like eyes."No need to thank me. I invited you here."Her hand, hidden beneath her sleeve, clenched into a fist. Su Zheyun was momentarily at a loss for how to respond when she heard Jiang Chenghe's slow, deliberate words."Zheyun, you're far too difficult to invite. Without a little effort, how could I ever get you to step foot in my residence?"Seeing that he didn't even bother to pretend, Su Zheyun felt the situation was extremely troublesome. She forced a gentle smile onto her face and began to put on the appearance of a meek, harmless soul."Your Highness jests. I am but a commoner. To catch Your Highness's eye is my fortune—how would I dare not come?""You wouldn't dare refuse me, yet you dare to ruin my plans time and again?"Jiang Chenghe watched her slightly trembling form, a smile curling at his lips.Like a startled little sparrow.His pale hand rested on the armrest of the rattan chair, feeling the uneven weave beneath his fingers.He raised his eyes to her slender shoulders and back, a playful glint swirling in his gaze.Now, the little sparrow was in his cage."Your Highness," Di San rushed in urgently. Jiang Chenghe cast a cold sidelong glance, and Di San's movements immediately became cautious.Su Zheyun looked over and saw the newcomer whisper a few words into Jiang Chenghe's ear. The aura around Jiang Chenghe instantly turned heavy and dark."Tell him to wait in the main hall." Jiang Chenghe's tone was icy as he stared at Su Zheyun, then swept his robes aside and rose, his tall frame instantly looming over her."Take her to the secret chamber.""Huh?!" Su Zheyun was caught off guard by the sudden turn of events. Two guards stepped forward and blindfolded her. She struggled but couldn't break free, and in the end, she let the guards escort her toward the secret chamber.In the main hall, white jade paved the floor, and carved lattice screens divided the space into two sections. A celadon flowerpot sat on the desk at the head seat, while two rows of carved rosewood chairs lined the lower sides."Third Brother, what brings you to my humble abode today?"A clear, resonant voice came from the doorway. He Xinli set down his teacup and rose to his feet along with Jiang Weixu."Imperial Brother.""Have a seat, all of you." Jiang Chenghe wore his usual smile, gesturing for them to sit from the main seat."Imperial Censor He, what brings you here as well? Isn't the Censorate busy these days?"He Xinli gave a faint smile and did not answer. Jiang Weixu then interjected, his gaze fixed directly on Jiang Chenghe."I hear the Eastern Palace Guard is most capable. My strategist has gone missing without a trace today, likely taken by 'bandits,'" Jiang Weixu said in a calm tone, but he deliberately emphasized the word "bandits." "So today, I've come to ask Imperial Brother for your assistance.""The plague in the capital hasn't cleared, and the streets are crowded with all sorts of people. Running into bandits is hardly unusual. But the Eastern Palace Guard has never handled such trivial matters, so I'm afraid I can't help you, Third Brother." Jiang Chenghe's expression did not change, his tone as casual as if he were chatting about household matters.Jiang Weixu naturally knew he wouldn't give in easily. Taking the document Lu Xun presented, his indifferent tone carried a hint of chill."In Yizhou's salt inspection, Salt Transport Commissioner Guan Lei colluded with local magnates, selling private salt for profits exceeding five hundred thousand taels. The Salt Tax Bureau is riddled with corruption—officials lining their pockets and shielding one another. The official salt in the warehouses is coarse and poor quality, with embezzlement totaling one hundred thousand taels. All of this has been verified."Jiang Weixu recounted each word deliberately. Jiang Chenghe swept his eyes over the densely packed evidence on the desk, his knuckles whitening as he crushed the thick document with creases."That would be one thing, but under interrogation, they dared to drag Grand Tutor Wang into it, claiming outright they were acting on his orders."Jiang Weixu's gaze locked tightly onto Jiang Chenghe's face. Jiang Chenghe let out a scoff and countered, "What are you trying to say, Third Brother? Speak your mind.""Grand Tutor Wang is your maternal uncle, Imperial Brother. If word got out, who knows what rumors might spread outside." Jiang Weixu paused, observing his reaction. "Of course, they're just baseless accusations. If you help me find my man, Brother, I can naturally help you snuff out those rumors.""What? If I can't find him, are you going to submit that document to the Censorate?"Jiang Chenghe hurled the document onto the desk, the force of it stirring a cold gust of air."Third Brother also said it's just rumors. Do you think I'm afraid? And why should I help you?""It seems Imperial Brother has no intention of helping." Jiang Weixu rose to his feet, his expression dark and sinister."If that's the case, then I'll find him myself. Men—"Dozens of armored soldiers charged into the main hall. The mansion's servants couldn't hold them back and were knocked to the ground one after another.Jiang Chenghe's expression shifted from clear skies to storm clouds. The Eastern Palace Guard rushed in as well, drawing their swords in defense. In an instant, the air was thick with tension, swords at the ready."Jiang Weixu, are you trying to rebel?"Cold light gleamed in Jiang Chenghe's eyes, a dark malevolence surging across his face."I've received intelligence that an assassin is hiding in the Crown Prince's residence. For your safety, Imperial Brother, I've brought troops to guard you. Search the place!"At Jiang Weixu's command, the soldiers immediately dispersed, but they were promptly intercepted by the Eastern Palace guards, the two sides locked in a standoff.He Xinli, standing nearby, quickly rose to mediate. Fortunately, a censor made his living by his tongue—anyone else would have struggled to handle this."Prince Duan, Prince Duan! What are you doing?" He Xinli grabbed Jiang Weixu's sleeve and took the chance to whisper in his ear: "Calm down, Your Highness. Even if Su Zheyun really is in his hands, you won't find her. Instead, he'll turn it around on you, and he might even take revenge on Su Zheyun."He Xinli patted his shoulder, flashed him a smile, then turned and presented a memorial."This is a joint petition from your subordinates regarding Master Tan Yi. As long as the Crown Prince is willing to do Prince Duan this favor, I'll act as if I never saw this memorial."Jiang Chenghe fell silent for a moment. He Xinli gestured for Lu Xun to sheathe his sword.Jiang Weixu raised his hand, and his men obediently sheathed their blades."Imperial Brother, you let Su Zheyun go, and I'll let Tan Yi and Grand Tutor Wang go. If you still refuse, the military authority over the Western Suburb camp remains in my hands."At this undisguised threat, He Xinli's mouth twitched, inwardly wishing he could sew shut that ancestor's foul mouth.The setting sun faded completely, and the crescent moon had just risen.A handsome man in a moon-white brocade robe walked into the main hall, ink-black hair cascading down his back, his eyes like fresh bamboo after rain—clear, cool, and moist.Tan Yi saluted those present with neither humility nor arrogance, his voice crisp and clear."It is already the hour of Chen. Will Your Highness and Lord He stay for a meal?""No need." Jiang Weixu only glanced over, quickly withdrawing his gaze."Tonight, your younger brother awaits Your Majesty's good news."Jiang Chenghe's face regained its composure as he poured himself a cup of clear tea."The Eastern Palace guards have now retired for rest; perhaps we may find them tomorrow.""Then tomorrow morning, your younger brother will be waiting."Jiang Weixu bowed his head in salute, then swiftly turned and strode away.No other reason—he simply felt disgusted.

Plotting with My Wife