At the Eldest Princess residence.
The Eldest Princess warmly bid farewell to the palace eunuch who had come to deliver a message and let out a long breath before glaring at her useless son.
Qi Wang, hearing the eunuch’s report, lounged lazily. “Mother, I told you—how could Uncle possibly punish me over something like this? Even if he doesn’t care for me as his nephew, he should at least remember the kindness you showed him.”
The Eldest Princess was startled. “Don’t say such things!”
She quickly dismissed the servants.
“Am I wrong?” Qi Wang smirked. Recalling the humiliation he suffered today before all the noble families, his face darkened, and he sneered, “He was just a discarded crown prince. If not for your pity back then, would he even be where he is now? Has he repaid your kindness? If he really wanted to, he would have let me enter court. Now, even nobodies look down on me! I bet the Commander is laughing at me right now!”
The Eldest Princess was alarmed. “It’s one thing to say such things in private, but outside—never—”
“So annoying, so annoying! I’m not stupid, I know!”
“Your uncle hasn’t treated you badly—he even granted you a Wang title—”
“Mother, can you even convince yourself with that? What kind of worthless Wangye am I? Do I have any real power? Your son is reduced to bowing and scraping before a bunch of old fossils, and now even some nobody from Junzhou can toy with me. Doesn’t that make your heart ache?”
The Eldest Princess hesitated, her gaze flickering.
The emperor’s refusal to allow Rong Yu into court had long been a thorn in her heart. She had humbled herself repeatedly, begging for it, but the emperor never relented—perhaps he was doing it just to make things difficult for her, to humiliate her.
Qi Wang took a breath, and as he recalled today’s events, some of his anger subsided. He sneered, “At least in my uncle’s eyes, our Eldest Princess’ Manor still holds more weight than some mere top scholar. Otherwise, we might as well pack up and leave the capital before we become a laughingstock.”
Anyone with a brain could see what was really going on. His uncle was well aware of the situation, but not only had he refused to punish him, he hadn’t even uttered a single harsh word. Clearly, he didn’t see the top scholar as a serious concern—just as before, he turned a blind eye and let Qi Wang do as he pleased.
The message was obvious: he was still indulged.
The Eldest Princess let out a sigh of relief. Though the emperor had slighted them in some ways, at least in this matter, he hadn’t entirely forgotten past kindnesses.
Qi Wang’s mind flashed to that elegant, picturesque figure. The more he thought about it, the more restless he became, his eyes brimming with possessive determination.
Where could he run?
The emperor had already taken his side—who would dare stand against him? And who could possibly win?
….
Three days later, the emperor hosted a banquet for the newly appointed scholars, held at Qionglin Garden in the imperial gardens.
The emperor himself did not attend, so the banquet was lively and relaxed.
A steady stream of officials came forward to congratulate Xie Caiqing, while the second and third-place scholars, both from noble families, received much less attention.
Many seasoned officials observed the situation in silence.
The top scholar maintained a calm and courteous smile, displaying no trace of arrogance. Each time someone offered congratulations, he stood to bow in return, neither too close nor too distant, perfectly polite but leaving no room for undue familiarity. He was presenting himself as a paragon of scholarly virtue.
The older officials nodded approvingly.
Meanwhile, Qi Wang, surrounded by beautiful maidservants, was drinking and laughing, but his eyes never left Xie Caiqing. He narrowed his gaze, dark emotions swirling within. Dressed formally, the scholar looked even more enticing, making Qi Wang itch to shatter his pristine image.
After all, he was nothing but a hollow shell, all facade and no substance. He carried himself with reserved dignity, an air of untouchable coldness—but who knew whose bed he had warmed just last night, moaning for some decrepit old official?
Three days. Just three days, and he could already act like nothing had happened, socializing with ease, smiling at everyone. It was as if he wanted the whole world to know exactly what kind of person he was.
Maybe he was just a shameless plaything, throwing himself at anyone who could advance his position. How else could someone of his lowly birth climb all the way to the top? He had only been in the capital a few days, and he was already warming someone’s bed.
The fool who sent him that jade pendant must have been an easy mark. If he were a woman, who knew how many times he’d secretly gotten rid of an unwanted pregnancy by now?
And he was only eighteen.
The more Qi Wang thought, the hotter his blood burned. All this time, the scholar hadn’t even looked at him—not once, not even to offer a simple toast.
Qi Wang sneered, picked up his wine cup, and subtly flicked his fingers, letting a fine powder slip from beneath his nails into the liquor. Then, swaying slightly, he stood and walked toward Xie Caiqing in full view of the banquet hall.
A hush fell over the crowd.
The officials present were no fools—news of what had happened at Mingyan Pagoda had already spread in whispers. Qi Wang’s unsavory preferences were well known. Though no one knew exactly what had transpired that day, everyone had their suspicions.
All eyes turned toward Xie Caiqing.
Qi Wang shoved aside those standing near him and smirked. “Congratulations, Top Scholar.”
For the first time, Xie Caiqing’s expression faltered. He hesitated for a moment before forcing a smile. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Qi Wang chuckled. “Aren’t you thanking me? Come, drink with me—I’ll only feel properly thanked if you do.”
He extended the cup.
Xie Caiqing did not take it. Lowering his gaze, he said softly, “Forgive me, Your Highness, but I do not drink. I never touch alcohol. I hope you can understand. Perhaps I may substitute tea instead—”
“Tea instead of wine? Who do you think you’re fooling?” Qi Wang laughed, glancing around. “No one starts out drinking, but there’s always a first time. You’re at the peak of success—there will be plenty of banquets in your future. How can you not drink? Come now, let this be your first.”
Several military officials, more boisterous in nature, laughed and cheered for Xie Caiqing to drink. Others, particularly the upright officials, found it distasteful—forcing someone to drink was disgraceful.
Qi Wang pushed the cup almost to Xie Caiqing’s lips.
The scholar turned his head away, shaking it. “Forgive me, Your Highness.”
Qi Wang’s expression darkened. “Refusing is an insult to me.”
Xie Caiqing stared at the cup, his face growing pale as if some horrible memory surfaced in his mind. After a long pause, he murmured, “Forgive me. I must take my leave.”
He stepped back from his seat.
Qi Wang reached out to block him, sneering, “Be careful not to refuse a toast, only to end up drinking the forfeit.”
Xie Caiqing flinched, trembling slightly, and without another word, he all but fled.
Qi Wang watched his retreating figure, sneering as he signaled to his servants.
…..
In the imperial gardens, Xiao Yun strolled leisurely, carrying a birdcage.
“His Majesty is wise and mighty, his glory eternal!”
“His Majesty is wise and mighty, his glory eternal!”
The bird bobbed its head and sang. Pleased, Xiao Yun rewarded it with a few grains of millet.
Behind him, Yin Xian asked, “Your Majesty, since you’re already in the imperial gardens, why not attend the banquet? It’s quite the lively affair.”
Xiao Yun chuckled. “Besides those scheming endlessly to put on a grand performance for me, does anyone truly want me there? Why spoil their fun?”
“How could that be? They can’t wait for Your Majesty to go!” Yin Xian said.
Xiao Yun laughed and cursed, “Who are you fooling? If I don’t go, they can have their fun. If I go, I have to act like their father, and they have to act like grandsons—exhausting, isn’t it?”
Yin Xian was about to flatter him when the bird spoke first: “His Majesty is wise and mighty, his glory eternal!”
Xiao Yun laughed heartily, liking the bird even more. “Good.”
He scattered a few more grains. “Yin Xian, this bird is better at flattery than you.”
Yin Xian chuckled. “That’s because the top scholar is good at flattery.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yun paused for a moment, suddenly recalling the scene from yesterday—when the top scholar clutched the jade and stuffed it into his robe.
Qi Wang’s filthy words followed in his mind, along with the scholar’s flustered and shy expressions. Xiao Yun savored the memory for a moment before shaking it off with a silent curse. The scholar wasn’t really into men; it was just a desperate move. Though he was a bit delicate, he would still marry and have children someday.
But Qi Wang wasn’t wrong—the scholar did seem… very enticing.
The thought flashed through his mind, and Xiao Yun fell silent, his Adam’s apple moving as he swallowed. He scoffed at himself—was he really letting Qi Wang’s nonsense lead him astray? He casually remarked, “What a pity. If I don’t go, I won’t see him. That’s one less amusement.”
Yin Xian chuckled. “He’s reporting to the Hanlin Academy the day after tomorrow. If Your Majesty wishes to see him, you can summon him anytime. You could even have him teach the bird to say auspicious phrases.”
Xiao Yun burst into laughter and pointed at him. “Now that’s a good idea!”
“Your Majesty, please wait!”
Xiao Yun turned around.
Behind him, Xie Zhe was hurrying over. Xiao Yun handed the birdcage to Yin Xian and stopped to wait.
Xie Zhe arrived, caught his breath, and reported in a grave tone, “Your Majesty, just now, Qi Wang forced Xie Caiqing to drink at the banquet. After being refused, he sent someone to follow him. I was worried… so I came to report.”
Yin Xian was shocked. “That is far too audacious!”
This was the royal banquet for newly appointed scholars, held in the imperial garden. What was Qi Wang planning?
It had only been three days, and he already dared to act under the emperor’s very nose?
It was as if he had no regard for the emperor at all!
Xiao Yun’s smiling gaze suddenly turned cold, laced with an indifferent cruelty, as if he had expected this. “Send someone to keep watch. Make sure nothing disgraceful happens in broad daylight. If he really doesn’t want it that much, I can have it cut off for him.”
Yin Xian, a eunuch himself, felt a chill in his lower abdomen.
Xie Zhe said, “I’ve already sent people to watch over him before coming to report.”
Xiao Yun nodded. Xie Zhe had always been meticulous. He thought for a moment and then frowned. “The top scholar didn’t drink, did he?”
“He didn’t,” Xie Zhe knew what he was asking and continued, “As for whether the wine was drugged, I’m not sure. Qi Wang was cautious—once he saw the scholar refuse, he poured the wine out directly, not leaving a single drop.”
Xiao Yun pondered. “The top scholar doesn’t seem foolish.”
Xie Zhe hesitated. “But I fear Qi Wang…”
Xiao Yun considered this. No matter how clever the scholar was, he was still young and inexperienced, with no one to rely on. He was no match for Qi Wang.
Yin Xian glanced at Xie Zhe disapprovingly. His dark eyes flickered as he whispered, “Your Majesty, since you’re already planning to deal with the Eldest Princess’ household, why not… go with the flow?”
Xie Zhe was startled, stealing a glance at Yin Xian. He hesitated several times, then lowered his head and remained silent.
What Yin Xian suggested was, indeed, the easiest method for the emperor.
Qi Wang had delivered such a massive scandal right into the emperor’s hands. If the emperor simply let it happen, he could use it as irrefutable evidence to bring down the Eldest Princess household for good.
And the emperor had never been one to show mercy. He wasn’t the type to believe in not sacrificing one person to save a city—he didn’t have that kind of nobility in him.
But Xie Caiqing…
Xie Zhe couldn’t help feeling pity.
Xiao Yun smirked. “Yin Xian, do you think I’m that incompetent?”
Yin Xian never expected the emperor to say that. Startled, he hurriedly knelt. “Your Majesty is wise and mighty. This servant was foolish—please enlighten me.”
Xiao Yun laughed and said, “Isn’t this just like you going around with a knife ready to kill someone, but instead, you first tie yourself to the chopping block and let them hack at you before making a move? How’s that the same thing?”
“…Your Majesty is wise! This servant was shortsighted and foolish!” Yin Xian replied in deep shame, sweating in embarrassment.
Xiao Yun pulled the corner of his mouth into a smile.
He had originally planned to wipe out the Eldest Princess’ residence in one sweep.
But for something this trivial, if he still had to sacrifice a top scholar, then all his years of scheming would’ve been for nothing.
Besides, there was clearly a more amusing and effortless way to handle things.
Xiao Yun said, “Yin Xian, atone for your mistake. Go back to my alchemy room. On the third shelf in the southwest corner, bring over all the antidotes in that row, and go with the commander.”
Hearing this, Xie Zhe finally breathed a full sigh of relief for Xie Caiqing.
There was no poison the Emperor couldn’t cure.
Yin Xian and Xie Zhe accepted the order and were about to leave.
“The bird—give it to me.”
Yin Xian had already rushed out a few steps before realizing he was still anxiously holding the birdcage. He quickly ran back and handed the nearly dizzy bird to the Emperor.
Once they had left, the Emperor carried the birdcage and resumed strolling in the imperial garden.
His good mood had been completely ruined by this mess. The garden walk was now boring, and Xiao Yun impatiently shook the cage, waiting for Xie Zhe to report back.
Along the way, the bird chirped, “Long live the wise and mighty Emperor! May your achievements shine through the ages!”
Xiao Yun replied perfunctorily, “Yeah, yeah, got it.”
The bird chirped again, “His Majesty is wise and mighty, his glory eternal!”
Xiao Yun, annoyed, said, “Got it already!”
The bird chirped again, “His Majesty is wise and mighty—”
“Shut the h*ll up!” Xiao Yun suddenly stopped, lifted the birdcage, and glared menacingly at the bird.
At a time like this, a parrot-top-scholar chirping nonsense in his ear over and over again—who could tolerate it?
“His Majesty —”
“You make one more sound, just try it!” Xiao Yun shook the cage threateningly.
The palace attendants behind him held back laughter—this wasn’t the first time His Majesty had gotten into a fight with a dumb animal.
The bird shrank into the corner of the cage, fell silent, its feathers ruffled and its little body trembling slightly.
Xiao Yun inexplicably thought of the poor top scholar, who was probably in a pitiful state right now. He smacked his forehead and, finding himself with nothing better to do and increasingly annoyed, said, “Fine, I’ll go take a look too, alright?”
He handed the birdcage to the attendant behind him and strode off toward Qionglin Courtyard.
Behind him, the bird started bobbing its head again: “His Majesty is wise and mighty, his glory eternal!”
“His Majesty is wise and mighty, his glory eternal!”
