Chapter 12: Prisoner"Tan Yi, have you not taught Zheyun any manners?"The faint light of a candle illuminated the blackish stone walls, the stench of decay lingering at the tip of her nose. There were no windows anywhere; only when Su Zheyun moved did the stagnant air stir.The room was not large, with a set of eight-immortal chairs in the center. She ran her fingertip across one and came away with a thick layer of dust.Footsteps descended the stairs softly. The mute servant's green hem swayed, and the black wooden food box in her hands was carved with large peonies, its corners wrapped in silver. When opened, it released the fragrance of fine rice and fresh vegetables, stirring the hunger in Su Zheyun's belly.She had been busy all day without eating. Su Zheyun held a porcelain bowl in one hand and wooden chopsticks in the other, crouching to the side and wolfing down her meal.Even if she was going to die, she'd rather die with a full stomach.The mute servant crouched beside her, watching. Seeing the dust on her delicate face, she carefully wiped it away with a handkerchief.Su Zheyun smiled at her gratefully. With rice in her stomach, her energy was already seventy percent restored.Suddenly, the hidden door turned softly, and light spilled into the sealed chamber. Chen Nianzhou stood against the light, speaking in a calm tone."Master Su, have you finished eating? His Highness the Crown Prince requests your presence."Cold sweat broke out on Su Zheyun's temples. What did he want with her this late at night? Surely not torture?She swallowed hard. The mute servant helped brush the grime from her outer robe. Su Zheyun straightened her back, forcing an air of composure."Much obliged."Chen Nianzhou gave her a look that was half-smile, half-sneer, then led the way ahead with a lantern.The Crown Prince's residence was entirely different in layout from the Prince Duan's mansion. Peonies of every color lined both sides of the path, the bluestone slabs mostly swallowed by branches and leaves, with only the occasional corner peeking through.The building at the end of the corridor was resplendent, and the faint sound of trickling water could be heard. Pushing open the carved door covered with golden gauze, a wave of heat mixed with sandalwood rushed to meet her face. Su Zheyun sensed something was terribly wrong, but Chen Nianzhou slammed the door shut behind her.She steeled herself and stepped inside. Before her stood a twelve-panel sandalwood screen, and the white marble floor tiles were carved with lifelike patterns of flowers, birds, and beasts. Passing the screen, layers of white gauze hung down, and in the center was an enormous pool. Through the misty steam, she could make out the back of a figure bathing.The person in the pool turned his head and met her gaze. His features were elegant and refined, his skin pale as snow, his black hair like silk spreading through the water—only his icy eyes carried a hint of sharpness.Su Zheyun quickly turned her back, stumbling a few steps in panic, her ears burning red."S-s-sorry, I didn't mean to look at you." She bit her tongue several times over the words, then touched her flushed cheeks with her hand, trying to calm herself down.No voice came from behind her. She only heard the clear sound of water as he rose, growing closer, followed by the rustle of fabric.Su Zheyun stared intently at the patterns beneath her feet, her mind replaying the scene from moments ago, mortifying beyond belief.Why did Jiang Chenghe make her watch someone bathe? If it was a seduction tactic, shouldn't he have sent a woman?!Incense burned in the brazier by the pool, its smoke carried by the heat—not rising upward, but drifting in wisps, skimming along the surface of the water.The man slipped into a moon-white gauze robe and pushed open the inner door on his own, his tone flat, betraying no emotion."Follow."There was no one else in the room, so Su Zheyun had no choice but to follow. The wind swept through the hanging gauze, brushing lightly against the sleeves at her sides.Su Zheyun dared not look around, keeping her head down and staring at his bare feet beneath the robe.Stepping over the threshold, the dampness was entirely blocked off. The inner chamber was brighter, with gems and treasures scattered everywhere."Come here."Jiang Chenghe's voice came from the center of the room. Su Zheyun froze for a moment, and before she could react, the person beside her had already walked over.Su Zheyun looked up. A carved canopy bed hung with rosy gauze curtains, a string of jade bells dangling from the corner. Jiang Chenghe reclined against the cloud-patterned brocade, his casual robes loosely tied. Beside him lay that handsome young man, his moon-white brocade robe revealing a large expanse of chest. The two nestled together, the room steeped in intimacy.Before her mind could catch up, Su Zheyun's feet had already retreated a few steps on their own, drawing a light laugh from Jiang Chenghe—languid and noble."Tan Yi, have you not taught Zheyun any manners?"Su Zheyun's mind was about to explode. She turned and ran to open the door, but it was firmly locked from the outside.Tan Yi wound his arms around Jiang Chenghe's hand, a mist of tears gathering in his eyes."Your servant would not dare."A burst of teasing laughter rose from behind her. Su Zheyun felt humiliated, anger kindling in her chest, and her voice rose without her meaning it to."Your Highness, if you think I ruined your fun, then kill me or cut me up as you please. But if you're trying to pry information about His Highness Prince Duan out of me, you've miscalculated. I'm just one of his advisors—I've been privy to very few secrets." Su Zheyun clenched her teeth. "Please let me go back. I can return to Yi County and never involve myself in Prince Duan's affairs again."The laughter behind her grew even more unrestrained. Jiang Chenghe twirled a strand of Tan Yi's hair around his finger, his gaze landing on the distant figure. "An advisor? I think not. He came today carrying a hefty price to ransom you."Ignoring the malicious amusement in his words, Su Zheyun's heart stirred: Jiang Weixu knew she was here? And he had come to save her?A wave of gratitude surged through her, and her emotions settled considerably."Can Your Highness the Crown Prince let me go now?""What's the hurry? I'll release you tomorrow." Jiang Chenghe let go of her hair, his tone turning low and grave. "I didn't want to agree, Zheyun. You've truly made me angry."The atmosphere grew dangerous. Su Zheyun steadied her nerves and tried to make her voice sound sincere. "Your Highness, please forgive me. I swear I won't do it again."The sound of footsteps rose behind her—steady, slow, and rhythmic, each step pounding against Su Zheyun's heart.Jiang Chenghe pinched her chin, gazing into her clear, water-like eyes, and leaned in close.Su Zheyun's lips trembled. Just as she was about to push him away, Jiang Chenghe stopped."If you ever fall into my hands again, I'll make you wish for death but find none."Su Zheyun lowered her lashes, not daring to meet his gaze, and answered in a dry voice."I understand."The grip on her jaw released, and the door beside her feet swung open. Su Zheyun took a deep breath of the cool air, a faint smile curling at the corners of her lips.Amazing. She'd survived another day.—On the other side, Lin Chengyun was expertly driving the carriage. He Xinli looked at Jiang Weixu, whose eyes were closed, and felt a sour ache in his chest."Your Highness! You performed terribly just now!" He Xinli fumed. "We could have traded that leverage for her release, but instead you handed over another one! A huge loss!"Jiang Weixu opened his eyes and gave the man beside him a faint glance. "Forget it. I wouldn't stoop to threatening with something like that.""My prince! Your Highness, Prince Duan!" He Xinli glared at him indignantly. "When others indulge in male favor, it's merely improper. But when the heir apparent does, it's a moral failing! Though such matters aren't rare, once they're brought into the open, it becomes a serious affair!"Jiang Weixu said nothing. He Xinli let out a long sigh and made his conclusion."I think you've simply lost your composure.""Mm." Jiang Weixu pressed his fingers to his temple, offering no rebuttal."He Xinli, tell the men below—when it comes to the private salt affair in Chengzhou, once the ringleader is caught, let it end there.""Understood."The carriage wheels rumbled forward, passing through bustling streets where the faint strains of music from song houses drifted in.He Xinli lifted the carriage curtain, glanced at an ornate signboard, and turned back with a smile."Red Sleeve House has recently been promoting a courtesan named Su Jingzhu. Would Your Highness care to take a look?""No." Jiang Weixu raised his eyes to meet his gaze, his voice low. "A third-rank Censor-in-Chief going to visit a brothel?""It's a tavern! A tavern!" He Xinli protested. "Your Highness is far too rigid. Even the Crown Prince, for all his fondness for men, keeps several concubines at his estate. You stay clear of romance entirely—doesn't Lady Noble Consort ever nag you about it?""She doesn't." Jiang Weixu had no desire to elaborate and steered the topic back to state affairs. "At next spring's imperial examinations, I wonder what extraordinary talents will emerge?""In terms of scholarship and character, Shen Bingwen takes the lead." He Xinli stroked his chin thoughtfully. "But lately, he's been looking rather weary. I suspect the top scholar title will fall to Zhang Yangyu."Jiang Weixu nodded to show he'd taken note."Isn't Su Zheyun also planning to sit for the exams? What rank does Your Highness intend to give him?""He's still a commoner—what could I give him? Perhaps he'll fail repeatedly and lose the will to try again." At the mention of Su Zheyun, a ripple stirred in his heart. "I imagine his sharpness drew the Crown Prince's attention. He ought to learn some steadiness from Shen Qing."At the thought of Shen Bingwen, He Xinli let out a rare sigh. "If not for his father, fifteen-year-old Bingwen would have been the youngest top scholar in this dynasty!""Wouldn't that have stolen the spotlight from our own top scholar?" Jiang Weixu watched his rapt expression and let a faint, elusive smile tug at his lips."I wouldn't mind being the most handsome tanhua of this dynasty."The moon rose above the willow tips, the stars sparse in the sky.Back at the familiar estate, his steps nonetheless drifted of their own accord toward a small courtyard.Yutang was startled to see Jiang Weixu standing in the yard and hurried forward."Your Highness, has Master Su been found?""Don't worry. He'll return tomorrow morning. Prepare some of his favorite dishes in advance, along with hot water and a change of clothes.""Yes, I'll see to it." Yutang felt reassured at his words.Jiang Weixu stepped into the room. An ink-wash screen, a nanmu clothes rack, a tidy desk—beside it sat the gold and silver bestowed that morning, most of it already taken away.His black boots carried him to the carved ebony display stand, where various ornaments had been sorted and neatly arranged in each compartment—no doubt Yutang's handiwork.Jiang Weixu opened the box, his right fingertips delving among the scattered jewels until they touched a smooth, lustrous jade pendant. The lotus pendant warmed at his touch. His gaze dimmed slightly as he recalled that it had never been worn since he'd bestowed it. In the long night, he let out a quiet sigh.His fingers brushed over the tassel—woven and tied by his mother's own hand. On the inner lower right corner of the pendant were two tiny characters carved: "Weixu." He set the pendant back and let his gaze drift elsewhere."That's the hairpin Princess Hulan gave to Master Su's younger sister. He left in a hurry and didn't take several things with him."Jiang Weixu hummed in acknowledgment, closed the box lid, swept his gaze around the room once more, and finally settled on a wooden case by the bedside."Inside are the personal belongings brought by Mr. Su; we're not allowed to touch them casually.""I understand. Take good care of him. In a few years, once he shows some progress, I'll arrange a marriage for the two of you."Yutang bent her knees and folded her hands in a deep, formal bow."Zhao Yutang deeply thanks Your Highness."Jiang Weixu's silhouette merged into the twilight, and Yutang watched him grow increasingly distant until he vanished from sight. The lingering scent of aloeswood in the room was also scattered by the evening breeze, leaving no trace, as if he had never stopped here at all.

Plotting with My Wife