Before Jiang Zhou could choose an auspicious day to go out and see more beautiful girls, a decree arrived from the Palace summoning her for an audience with the Emperor.
Just yesterday, as soon as Jiang Zhou had left the yamen, the Governor of Jingzhao had bathed, changed his clothes, and rushed to the Emperor to confess his “sins.”
As a seasoned veteran of the imperial court, the Governor knew exactly how to play his cards. Given how much the Emperor doted on the Eldest Princess, the news would reach the throne by tonight at the latest. Instead of waiting for the hammer to fall, it was better to confess first and leave the Emperor with a good impression of his proactive accountability.
“That’s absolutely not what happened! Nonsense!” Jiang Zhou flatly denied the Emperor’s words. “I merely went to the Spring Breeze Pavilion to look around. I did not engage in any brawls!”
“Changning, are you sure you’re not lying to us?” The Emperor’s face was full of suspicion; he clearly didn’t buy her story. “Minister He submitted a memorial asking for forgiveness, saying his son accidentally offended Princess Changning and begging for Our mercy.”
“Oh, that matters.” Jiang Zhou sat down directly beside the Empress and flashed a smile at the Emperor. “Imperial Father, that had nothing to do with me. I was just there eating some pastries when He Li brought a gang of men and smashed down the door to my room.”
“He Li had so many thugs with him, I was scared! So I called An Yi out to help me.” Jiang Zhou winked at the Emperor. “Imperial Father, this truly wasn’t my fault.”
“You… honestly…” The Emperor sighed helplessly. “Changning, you have already reached your ji-ji (adulthood). You must be more steady. Places like the Spring Breeze Pavilion are no place for a Princess!”
“Then who should go? Should you go, Father?” Jiang Zhou retorted. “Wow, I didn’t think you were getting up there in years but still had such thoughts…”
“Nonsense! How could we ever visit such a place of ill repute!” The Emperor bristled, glancing nervously at the Empress. How dare she say such things in front of her mother!
“Fine, fine. Regardless, I didn’t solicit anyone, and I certainly didn’t fight over any girls.” Jiang Zhou began to act like a spoiled child, clinging to the Empress’s arm. “Mother, can I not even go out for pastries? If I’m being bullied, am I not even allowed to call An Yi for help?”
Jiang Zhou was the only child of the Emperor and Empress. In an era that strictly prioritized legitimate heirs over children of concubines, she was the apple of their eyes.
“Of course it wasn’t our Changning’s fault. It’s their own lack of eyes. How dare they interrupt our Changning’s snack time?” The Empress clearly enjoyed Jiang Zhou’s coddling. “Your Majesty, Changning is still young. Let her enjoy what she likes. Just send a few more guards to watch over her.”
The Emperor glared at Jiang Zhou. What else could he do? He had already assigned his best secret guards to her, and the hundred personal guards at her manor were elites he had hand-picked himself.
…
The Imperial Examination
“Your Majesty, the First Prince requests an audience,” the head eunuch announced.
The Emperor’s brow furrowed slightly as he straightened his posture. “Let him in.”
A man wearing a jade crown entered and bowed. The First Prince was twenty-two, Jiang Zhou’s elder half-brother. Since he held no noble title of his own, he technically had to bow to Jiang Zhou.
“Rise,” the Emperor said, his expression cooling. “What business do you have?”
“Imperial Father, the metropolitan examinations are in half a month. These are the topics proposed by the chief examiners. Please review them and select the final topic for this session.”
The Emperor took the memorial and squinted at it. Talent selection was vital for the state; the topic could not be chosen lightly.
“Changning, come help us look.” The Emperor beckoned her over.
Jiang Zhou glanced at the First Prince, stood up from the Empress’s side, and leaned in to look at the scrolls. Seeing her interest, the Emperor scooted over to make room for her on his seat. “Come, Changning, sit and take your time.”
“Alright.” Jiang Zhou didn’t hesitate. Except for the Dragon Throne in the Grand Hall, she treated almost every other seat in the palace as her own territory.
The First Prince kept his head lowered, suppressing the flash of jealousy in his eyes while maintaining a respectful stance.
“Father, I think this topic is good,” Jiang Zhou said after a quick scan.
“Changning thinks this one is best?” The Emperor stroked his short beard. “Excellent. We shall use this one. Changde! Bring the brush.”
The Emperor circled Jiang Zhou’s choice with vermilion ink. “Eldest son, We do not need to remind you how important this is. Ensure there are no mishaps.”
The First Prince bowed and took the memorial. Though he had been involved in politics since his capping ceremony, the Emperor had not given him much real power, keeping him as a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Rites.
Seeing the two start discussing dull administrative matters, Jiang Zhou slipped away back to the Empress, said her goodbyes, and left the hall.
…
The Beast in the Cage
Jiang Zhou knew the palace like the back of her hand. After dismissing her trailing guards, she whispered, “An Yi?”
“This subordinate is here.” An Yi appeared instantly.
“Don’t people mistake you for an assassin, hiding in the shadows like that?”
“Princess, I have been in the palace for over ten years. The other guards recognize me. Furthermore, the Emperor granted me a decree allowing me free passage.”
Jiang Zhou nodded. It made sense; her father would give An Yi every permission necessary to protect her. “Are there others in the shadows?”
“There are nine others with me, Princess, though they are not permitted inside the inner palace.”
“Well, from now on, don’t hide. Just stay by my side,” Jiang Zhou said, eyeing An Yi’s outfit. “Next time we go out, I’ll buy you some new clothes. You wear so much black I can’t find you at night.”
An Yi hesitated, then bowed. “Understood.”
Jiang Zhou stared at An Yi’s mask. The dark metal made her exposed skin look exceptionally pale and soft. It made Jiang Zhou quite tempted to… touch.
“Poor Fifth Prince, he was beaten again.” “I don’t know what Consort An is thinking. He’s the Emperor’s son, how can she abuse him like that?” “With a mother like that, his chances of even being named a Prince are slim.”
Two palace maids were gossiping nearby. Their voices grew clear, then stopped abruptly as they saw Jiang Zhou. They fell to their knees in terror.
“Who were you talking about?” Jiang Zhou squinted.
“Spare us, Princess!” The maids were trembling. They hadn’t expected the Princess, who had her own manor outside, to be wandering the palace.
“Don’t be afraid. I’m not one to kill servants for no reason. Where is this Fifth Prince now?”
Jiang Zhou searched her memory. According to the system’s data, if the timeline remained unchanged, this Fifth Prince was the future Emperor. In the original timeline, Princess Changning died mysteriously shortly after his enthronement. If my death has nothing to do with him, I’ll eat the system whole!
The maids led her to the side hall of the Palace of Pure Heart. There, a boy of about twelve or thirteen was kneeling on the ground, his face pale and his body shivering.
“An Yi,” Jiang Zhou whispered, “Will you follow any order I give?”
“Whatever the Princess commands, even if it means walking through fire or water.”
“Good. Go and bring Consort An out here.”
Within five breaths, Consort An was dragged out and tossed onto the ground.
“Who?! Who dares!” Consort An screamed, before realizing who stood before her. She forced a smile. “Oh, it’s the Eldest Princess.”
“Why is the Fifth Prince kneeling?” Jiang Zhou asked. She caught someone watching her and met the Fifth Prince’s gaze.
Hah. The boy’s eyes were like those of a trapped beast—powerless, yet vicious. If someone pulled him out now, he’d likely be eternally grateful. But…
“He was clumsy and ruined a painting bestowed upon me by the Emperor,” Consort An said.
“Ruining Imperial gifts is indeed a crime,” Jiang Zhou nodded. She looked at the boy. “How did you ruin it?”
“I… I tripped. I didn’t mean to…” The Fifth Prince’s eyes suddenly became harmless and innocent.
Jiang Zhou’s wariness spiked. Such incredible acting at such a young age? He’d be a monster when he grew up.
“In that case, let me help Consort An with the punishment. Is that alright?” Jiang Zhou tilted her head.
“Of course. You are his elder sister; it is only right,” Consort An replied, her smile stiffening.
“Good.” Jiang Zhou smiled at the Fifth Prince. “Fifth Brother, which leg did you trip on first?”
The boy’s expression shifted. His hands tightened into fists inside his sleeves.
“Forgotten? Tsk.” Jiang Zhou glanced at her shadow guard. “An Yi, break the Fifth Prince’s left leg. Consider it punishment for destroying an Imperial gift.”
Rather than wasting time trying to tame a beast that might turn out to be a thankless wolf, it’s better to just break the beast from the very start. Problem solved.