TBR CH155

The arrival of summer heat isn’t a process; it’s a result. It’s as if one day, the sun hanging in the sky became brighter than ever, and in the capital, one could hear the loud chirping of insects and birds. Heat waves rolled heavily from the ground, sharply brushing past one’s cheeks.

Wiping sweat from one’s face with a sleeve, after walking outside for only a moment, coarse clothes would become drenched with perspiration.

In such weather, a delegation sent to procure items for His Majesty’s birthday still had to rush about. Precious spices, exotic jewels, and newly arrived teas filled the carriage compartments, continuously being transported into the palace. Sometimes they would encounter other convoys head-on, those convoys always surrounding a leading sedan chair, their tired horses’ hooves treading wearily on the capital’s paved streets.

These were high-ranking officials and nobles who had traveled far to return to the capital and celebrate His Majesty’s birthday.

Their carriages stretched endlessly, never lacking ice, their silk garments clinging dryly to their delicate skin.

Their arrival brought a slight hint of vitality to the capital, which had been dulled by the scorching heat. The old man residing in the center of the vast palace city had recently paid particular attention to his birthday banquet. To satisfy him was a pipe dream; every detail left him displeased. After dealing with the礼官 (officials in charge of rites) who offered discouraging opinions, His Majesty finally began to personally manage all aspects of the birthday banquet.

With the emperor personally toiling, the imperial physicians in the palace were on high alert, fearing any mishaps.

The more they worried, the more problems seemed to arise. His Majesty went to inspect the decorations in the imperial garden yesterday and caught a cold upon his return, once again becoming bedridden. Precious tonics were administered, but day after day, there was no significant improvement. The atmosphere in the palace awkwardly stagnated, uncertain whether to continue offering congratulations for a long life or to cautiously attend to His Majesty’s fragile mood.

Fortunately, there was still Ji Ying.

His Majesty’s greedy and crazed eyes had once stared fixedly at Ji Ying, as if trying to find some non-existent clue in the person’s expression before him. He was weak, and though he was extremely reluctant to relinquish his power, after deliberately forcing the man before him to suffer from the poison twice and using the Lin family to curb him, he temporarily felt at ease letting him take over.

Ji Ying’s deterrence was undeniable. Although everyone privately cursed him as a lackey who disregarded right and wrong in court, standing before this sinister and influential minister, being stared at by those dark, malicious eyes, everyone couldn’t help but fall silent.

“My lords, your efforts are appreciated,” his voice was soft, yet impossible to ignore. “His Majesty’s intention is that I will be responsible for all subsequent arrangements and receptions. As for His Majesty’s other arrangements and private matters, we, as his subjects, have no right to comment. Everything will proceed according to previous plans.”

The emperor’s illness this time was indeed opportune.

So opportune that he couldn’t even receive guests who had traveled thousands of miles to the capital, including his own younger brother. On the day Prince Ping arrived in the capital, Ji Ying sent him an invitation in His Majesty’s name. But his reputation was probably too bad. By the time twilight covered half the sky, the messenger only cautiously stepped onto the threshold of the Ji residence, reporting with a trembling voice for all to hear:

“Prince Ping… Prince Ping went directly to the Prime Minister’s manor to pay a visit after arriving in the capital. As for your invitation, sir, there has been no reply yet—”

Was he eager to choose a side, and had he decided on Chu Huaicun?

Ji Ying’s expression was indifferent. He didn’t make things difficult for the messenger, raising a hand to dismiss him. Although Ji Ying had painstakingly worked for years, in the current capital, it wasn’t uncommon for people to disregard imperial authority and only recognize the overwhelming power of Prime Minister Chu. Especially since the current emperor didn’t see anyone, and he, a notorious court lackey, whose power mostly relied on His Majesty’s support, how could he be worthy of a visit from someone who had traveled thousands of miles?

That’s what they say…

Ji Ying’s lips suddenly curved again, revealing a hint of mockery. His voice was soft:

“His Highness Prince Ping has been away from the capital for a long time, and has probably forgotten the rules. But I, Ji, am not one to neglect guests, nor do I wish to betray His Majesty’s trust. Come, prepare the carriage. I will personally go to the Prime Minister’s manor to welcome the distant guest.”

The scene at the Prime Minister’s manor at this time, Chu Huaicun sighed silently, could only be described as utterly deplorable.

On his left sat Prince Ping’s… eldest son. Such seating arrangement was impolite, but Prince Ping probably hoped his son could forge a good relationship with Prime Minister Chu, who was currently in power, so that he might receive a greater reward in the future. Thus, he meticulously arranged a set of unrefusable words.

Unfortunately, no matter how good the words, if the person wasn’t up to it, it was all useless.

Aside from having darker skin, Prince Ping’s heir was a pampered young master through and through.

As he entered the capital, some of his scandalous misdeeds inevitably reached Chu Huaicun’s ears. He wore the finest pearls and jade, and from his waist hung a golden curved saber inlaid with pigeon-blood red rubies. His attire was meticulously chosen to make him appear extravagant, but compared to the truly noble young masters of the capital, it had a somewhat cheap, imitative quality.

“Today, meeting Prime Minister Chu,” he was shoved by his father from behind, racking his brain for a topic, “I truly understand what extraordinary bearing means. It’s a pity, Prime Minister Chu, that the treasured sword at your waist is a bit plain. I wonder how it compares to my golden saber?”

At these words, Chu Huaicun seemed to hear Prince Ping let out a choked sigh from behind.

To his right, there was a disdainful sneer. Prince Ping’s heir quickly shut his mouth, feeling his face flush hotly, and his gaze involuntarily shifted to the person there.

He saw the young master in white, whose attire still couldn’t conceal the subtly luxurious air of his various accessories. Simply by sitting there, he seemed like an elegant and proud scion of an aristocratic family, completely dismissive of him. Prince Ping’s heir had just heard others respectfully address him as Young Master Qin, and thus knew this must be the capital’s newly renowned “foremost gentleman.”

The other party now sat up straight, lifted his chin, his gaze carrying a hint of disdain falling upon him:

“So, this is His Highness Prince Ping’s eldest son? Please forgive me, Young Master, I, Qin Sangzhi, never deal with ill-mannered people. It’s just that there are not many people in the capital who dare to speak to Prime Minister Chu like this, which is truly surprising.”

Before coming, Prince Ping had repeatedly warned him. They were merely idle princes from a remote wilderness, at most local tyrants. They absolutely must not get into disputes with those around Prime Minister Chu. So, Prince Ping’s heir could only smile awkwardly. He subtly used his hand to cover the large jewel on his brocade robe, worried that others would call him vulgar.

“Prime Minister Chu,” the young master in white then turned his head, his voice somehow becoming softer, almost gentle and tender, “I’m a little tired and would like something cold to eat. I think iced lychees would be nice.”

Qin Sangzhi gazed at Chu Huaicun with deep affection, hoping his appearance would be sufficiently attractive in the other’s eyes. He was Chu Huaicun’s “white moonlight,” and now that he was actively making a move, how could the other not respond? Before, he had been too arrogant, but now it was different. Having emerged from prison, he finally understood that Chu Huaicun was the best person to him.

Chu Huaicun calmly instructed: “Serve Young Master Qin a plate of lychees.”

Prince Ping said with a compensatory smile, “Yes, indeed, this year’s lychee harvest in Lingnan is excellent, each one tender and sweet. Prime Minister Chu and Young Master Qin, please taste them first to soothe your anger, and pay no mind to what my good-for-nothing eldest son said.”

A hint of undisguised delight showed in Qin Sangzhi’s eyes. This batch of lychees was originally to be offered to His Majesty the Emperor first, but now it had reached Chu Huaicun’s hands first, and he was the first to taste them. Didn’t this show that he was special, revealing Chu Huaicun’s unique favoritism towards him?

Before, he had simply treated this as something to be taken for granted; but now, his heart beat a little faster, and he could even taste a hint of sweetness.

This was a feeling he had never experienced when facing those he had deceived and exploited before.

Indeed, compared to everyone Qin Sangzhi had ever encountered, Chu Huaicun was a world apart. He wielded immense power, effortlessly controlling everything, yet was generous towards those he cared about. His demeanor was austere, yet he would cherish his “white moonlight” in his heart, elevating them to a peak no one else could reach.

When Qin Sangzhi faced blackmail, it was Chu Huaicun who descended like an immortal, his sword light like snow and moonlight, saving him.

—Qin Sangzhi’s inner transformation, even the system itself hadn’t fully explained.

In Chu Huaicun’s eyes, however, it was a different scene. Though lychees were valuable, to him they were the least valuable things, along with everything Qin Sangzhi demanded from him. Priceless jewels were given away casually, and the revered “four treasures of the study” by renowned scholars were merely a thought away for him. All these items were simply transferred from the storeroom, never needing to pass through his hands.

The person before him enjoyed playing with people’s emotions, yet could not do without material desires.

He wanted to gain Chu Huaicun’s love; in other words, he sought to prove it by continuously demanding expensive items from him.

Merchants who raise cattle and sheep feed them until they are plump and fat with fodder; jewelers who run a business spend decades nurturing slowly growing pearls. Only keen individuals can sense the gloom beneath the luxurious facade; a successful schemer understands how such a transaction comes into being.

“Have someone pack another basket, fill it with ice, and have Young Master Qin take it back to his residence.”

Prime Minister Chu was very willing to exchange this small cost for Qin Sangzhi’s misunderstanding.

Prince Ping’s heir couldn’t get a word in, so he could only sit there awkwardly, staring at the person before him. Seeing that he had completely forgotten the talking points his father had taught him, and that every word he spoke was almost enough to choke someone, Prince Ping quickly nudged him again. However, this warning gesture was interpreted as an urging.

The foppish young master then stammered:

“That’s right, Young Master Qin. Our lychees there taste especially good. My father and I, to prevent the ice from melting and the lychee flavor from changing, even hired extra people to hurry. If there was any problem, we would cut off their heads. These are the lychees brought like this, as soon as they entered the capital, they didn’t go anywhere else, but immediately came to see Prime Minister Chu, and now they are in your hands.”

He said these two sentences with a naive expression, completely unaware of the information contained within, and utterly accustomed to the threat of having servants “lose their heads” over lychees. Chu Huaicun sighed silently:

“Has Prince Ping already heard about His Majesty? His Majesty is currently ill in bed, but surely there are still people sending invitations from the palace, aren’t there?”

Prince Ping said softly: “Prime Minister Chu is right, there are indeed…”

There were indeed, but once he entered the capital, he was ready to choose a side. Now, no matter how he looked at it, Chu Huaicun seemed like the safer bet, so he rushed here without delay. As for the person who sent the invitation, it was said that he was violent, gloomy, and unpredictable. Having been away from power struggles for a long time, he gradually let go of those thoughts, and even raised his son to be a good-for-nothing, so he naturally planned to keep his distance.

Footsteps interrupted the unfinished sentence.

Chu Huaicun raised his eyes, his snow-white robes rustling with the slight movement. Prince Ping’s heir had been nervous just now and hadn’t dared to look directly at the arrogant figure in court. Now, concentrating for a moment, he felt a chilling sensation throughout his body, even his limbs felt somewhat stiff. He quickly wiggled his fingertips, then involuntarily reverted to his usual superficial thoughts, comparing them recklessly.

That Qin Sangzhi was naturally aloof in his white robes, refined and elegant. It was just a pity… sitting beside Chu Huaicun, he seemed to fade into insignificance, starkly contrasted as merely a commoner.

Only someone like Prime Minister Chu could be considered aloof and transcendent, like an exiled immortal.

Presumably, Young Master Qin also thought the same. Although he looked down on commoners like him, the gaze he directed at Chu Huaicun held a hint of elusive fascination.

Footsteps hurried to Chu Huaicun’s front. The servants of the Prime Minister’s manor were well-trained, their mannerisms seemingly adhering to a set standard. At this moment, they stood respectfully before Prime Minister Chu, reporting:

“Prime Minister Chu, please allow me to report: Lord Ji Ying has come to visit and is currently waiting at the gatehouse. Your subordinate has already informed him that you have guests at this time, but Lord Ji said that he came specifically to find His Highness Prince Ping, and that he must see you in person. Does Prime Minister Chu wish to receive him?”

The other party’s arrival was ominous and aggressive.

Prince Ping’s face tightened, and he looked anxiously at Chu Huaicun. Prime Minister Chu nodded at him reassuringly, then lightly tapped the table before him with his knuckles, saying indifferently: “His Highness Prince Ping has already decided to leave. If Lord Ji still wishes to investigate further, then please invite him in.”

Ji Ying stood before the Prime Minister’s manor gate, and at these words, he raised his eyes with a half-smile: “Prime Minister Chu has already spoken to this extent; isn’t it obvious that you don’t welcome me as a guest? Why should I make myself unwelcome?”

The palace carriage still aggressively blocked the entrance to the Prime Minister’s manor, and at the same time, Prince Ping’s carriage had not yet moved. But since Chu Huaicun said Prince Ping was leaving, he must have already left. Anyone with a modicum of discretion would not dare to expose this fact.

Although Ji Ying wasn’t exactly a discreet person, his objective at this moment had shifted from Prince Ping.

“I hear Lord Ji has been very busy lately,”

Chu Huaicun’s expression remained unchanged as he walked towards him step by step. Ji Ying’s current situation was rather complicated. He was surrounded by people from the palace, and although he had gained considerable power from His Majesty recently, this also brought correspondingly intense surveillance. Ji Ying curved his lips. His dark purple official robes rustled with his movements, clearly again resembling a viper baring its fangs:

“Naturally,” Ji Ying said softly, almost like a sigh, “not as much as Prime Minister Chu, nor have I had a taste of this year’s new batch of lychees yet.”

“Come in for a cup of tea?” Chu Huaicun asked.

“No,” the people behind Ji Ying clearly became alert, but he remained expressionless, refusing with a smile. “Prime Minister Chu can see that I have more than one purpose for coming out this time. Since His Highness Prince Ping is already ‘not’ at the Prime Minister’s manor, I’m afraid I have other things to do later and cannot stay.”

There were no other obstacles between the two of them. If they took two more steps closer, their palms could touch intimately under the cover of their robes. Yet, it could not be so. Both stared fixedly into the other’s pupils, cold as ice, yet burning as if they had already melted in the subtlest places due to surging emotions. Ji Ying, while no one else was facing him, moved his lips.

Chu Huaicun saw it clearly.

“I…”

“I. Miss. You.”

Chu Huaicun had no other immediate reaction, merely continuing to ask calmly, “Then, Lord Ji is acting on His Majesty’s decree and is going elsewhere to handle matters, I presume? I wonder if His Majesty’s health has recovered by now.”

“More or less.” The smile on Ji Ying’s face deepened a few shades. “His Majesty has been suffering from a cold this time and has been slow to recover. Yesterday, he had the Imperial Astronomer observe the stars. Fortunately, the star chart did not fall on Prime Minister Chu—”

Chu Huaicun was somewhat surprised by these words.

Those old pedants of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau would bring him up almost periodically, saying they saw a guest star shining brightly, clashing with the Ziwei Emperor Star—nothing but those old platitudes Chu Huaicun was tired of hearing. This time, without him, it felt rather unbelievable.

In fact, he wasn’t absent.

It was just that those civil officials of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau were ultimately concerned for their own heads and dared not speak of the fact that this star, which had been observed for so long and dared to clash with the Emperor Star, now actually seemed to mean to replace the Emperor Star. With His Majesty bedridden, they decided to let the astronomical records rot within their bosoms, absolutely never to speak of them to outsiders.

“Then,” although their meeting was brief and somewhat regrettable, being able to see the other’s eyes was actually satisfying. Chu Huaicun said softly, “I’m very glad, I think so too. I wish Lord Ji a smooth journey.”

I think so too. These words were simple, yet Ji Ying blinked rapidly.

He turned and left, followed by a group of people from the palace. The silk covering the imperial sedan shone under the scorching sun, suggesting they had come prepared. The visit to the Prime Minister’s manor was indeed merely a detour, intended to intimidate the newly arrived Prince Ping. The last time Ji Ying led so many people to cause trouble was after the imperial examination fraud case, when he played the villain everywhere.

This time, who knows where he was going to aid the wicked.

This mystery was no secret to Chu Huaicun, but to the unfortunate victim about to suffer, it was completely unexpected.

Ever since his loss of influence, the Crown Prince’s life had become remarkably straightforward. After all, even if he still held a strong winning hand, there wasn’t much for him to decide. He simply sat in his vast Eastern Palace, feeling郁闷 (depressed/frustrated).

His maternal uncle, meanwhile, comforted him while discussing how his mother’s family’s influence could be of assistance to him.

Fortunately, the current situation wasn’t particularly favorable for Prince Duan either. It was said that he had recently kept to himself, rarely even attending banquets. At least he still held the position of Crown Prince. His Highness the Crown Prince slowly exhaled a turbid breath. It wasn’t that he was worried, but rather that His Majesty’s birthday was approaching, and those royal brothers who had lost out in previous struggles were all returning to the capital.

Who knows which one Chu Huaicun might have taken a liking to. This was something he was very aware of as a potential threat.

He hadn’t finished sighing when he heard hurried footsteps. The Eastern Palace guards rushed into the hall, almost scared out of their wits. Seeing him was like seeing a savior, and they cried out with long faces:

“Your Highness, Lord Ji… Lord Ji has brought people from the palace. They say the Imperial Astronomer cast a divination last night, saying that the direction of the Eastern Palace clashes with the Emperor Star, and fears it is the crux of His Majesty’s lingering illness. At this moment… at this moment, they have come with ill intentions, saying they have His Majesty’s decree. Disregarding our obstruction, they insist on thoroughly searching every blade of grass and every tree in the Eastern Palace!”

“What!” The Crown Prince immediately stood up and was about to rush out.

Although he considered himself to have done nothing wrong, among those involved with the court, who could claim to be completely innocent? He was, after all, the Crown Prince. He undoubtedly held some power in his hands, and there were unquestionably a few unspeakable account books hidden in his study. He hurried to the scene but froze in place.

Ji Ying stood calmly in the middle, directing the palace staff in their search.

However, the palace rooms and courtyards within the Eastern Palace were spared, while the actual problem lay in the backyard, which the Crown Prince had meticulously managed. It was the height of summer, and the pond in the garden was filled with resplendent lotus flowers, a stark contrast to the sparsely maintained appearance of the Prime Minister’s manor. Now, the surrounding earth had been turned over, and the neatly kept garden was in utter disarray.

Flames almost leaped from the Crown Prince’s eyes as he angrily said: “Ji Ying, don’t push too far—”

“Ah,” Ji Ying seemed to just notice him, then turned around calmly, not at all like he was on someone else’s territory. His pair of dark eyes were unfathomable. “Your Highness, this is His Majesty’s decree. Your Highness, with your filial piety, surely wouldn’t do anything irreparable.”

“Father Emperor’s decree?” The Crown Prince quickly took a few steps, pressing closer. “How would I not know? Lord Ji says whatever he wants. Even if I now send someone to kick you, this filthy wretch, out—”

“I’m not talking about that.”

Ji Ying’s lips curved again, the smile on his face almost grotesquely intense, yet he gently extended his hand. Even if His Highness the Crown Prince had a million objections in his heart, at this moment he couldn’t help but look in the direction of Ji Ying’s finger. There, a giant pagoda tree grew, and beneath it, a somewhat deep pit had been dug.

Besides the people from the palace, there were also people from the Eastern Palace present. Presumably, all of this happened in plain sight.

“I hope Your Highness has not done anything irreversible.”

Ji Ying’s words had a hidden meaning. And the Crown Prince was already frozen in place. The scorching sun of June illuminated everything down to the smallest detail, including the few wooden limbs exposed in the pit, and whether or not they were painted with red characters on a black background, and nailed with several-inch-long nails—all of this gradually magnified in his eyes.

Witchcraft (厌胜之术, literally “spell-casting for victory”)—

This was the most taboo practice in this dynasty, the most forbidden item to touch, the most defiling curse.

At the same time, it was also the most widely known method of framing.