The next day, Zhang Gong’s two sons submitted a memorial, listing ten grave offenses committed by the Eldest Princess’s household.
Having relied on her past merits to the Emperor, the Eldest Princess had grown utterly arrogant over the years, with no regard for restraint. Her misdeeds were so numerous that eliminating her posed no real challenge—if the Emperor had set his mind to it, her downfall was inevitable.
The listed crimes were all valid, shocking in their severity. Public outrage erupted.
The imperial decree came swiftly.
Even the imperial family is subject to the law. However, out of consideration for her past service, the Emperor showed leniency—her life was spared, but her household was confiscated, and she was exiled to Xiannan. Without a direct summons from the Emperor, she and her descendants were forbidden from ever entering the capital again.
Zhang Ninghan, as an accomplice with malicious intent, was sentenced to fifty floggings and permanently barred from ever participating in the imperial examinations.
Other court officials involved were punished with salary deductions and corporal punishment, depending on the severity of their involvement and their attitude toward making amends.
For a time, the entire court and common folk were shaken, but the people rejoiced.
The once-mighty Eldest Princess’s residence, which had been bustling with guests just days prior, was now sealed off with official notices. The mighty had fallen, and the once-glorious estate was reduced to ruins, all due to a single person—a sobering sight.
The Emperor had eradicated evil for the people, showing great righteousness by punishing his own kin. Zhang Gong was praised for his fearless defiance of power, and the top scholar was lauded for his noble character and selflessness. The common people sang their praises.
The court officials, having been thoroughly shaken, now kept to themselves, avoiding visitors to stay clear of any accusations of factionalism. Business in the capital’s restaurants and pleasure houses took a noticeable hit.
Seizing the momentum, Zhang Gong’s two sons repeatedly submitted memorials to impeach corrupt officials, eliminating numerous longstanding problems and bringing a fresh atmosphere to the court.
At this moment, Zhang Gong, having achieved great success, retired in glory to enjoy his later years.
Following these events, the court’s attitude toward Xie Caiqing shifted from indifference to goodwill. Officials now greeted him with kind smiles, recognizing his unwavering integrity in a treacherous political landscape. Such steadfastness was rare and valuable—worthy of trust and friendship. There was no fear that he would later turn against them or betray them.
Xie Caiqing’s days at the Hanlin Academy became much easier.
…
While the matter of Qi Wang was being dealt with urgently, in the imperial palace, the Emperor stood still in a cross-like posture, allowing Yin Xian to dress him in his dragon robe while he focused intently on the memorials held up by the eunuch before him.
Yin Xian served him carefully, eager to make amends after unknowingly displeasing His Majesty a few days prior. In an ingratiating tone, he asked, “Your Majesty, did you not finish reading the memorials last night?”
Xiao Yun did not look away from the text. He skimmed through the document quickly before replying with mild irritation, “Do you know why I didn’t get rid of the Eldest Princess’s estate sooner?”
Yin Xian was momentarily stunned by the abrupt change of topic, but he quickly adjusted—His Majesty was known for his unpredictable train of thought. After a moment of contemplation, he responded smoothly, “Because there was no suitable pretext?”
Xiao Yun scoffed. “If I wanted to deal with them, I could have fabricated ten different reasons.”
Yin Xian realized this was true. There was no one the Emperor couldn’t bring down. He quickly flattered, “Your Majesty is wise and mighty, with achievements that will be praised for generations!”
After racking his brain for another reason but failing to find one, he resorted to fawning, “Then why was it, Your Majesty?”
Xiao Yun sighed, “Because I would have had to read too many memorials.”
“…” Yin Xian nearly burst into laughter.
Indeed, taking action against the Eldest Princess’s estate meant a flood of reports—progress updates from various departments, impeachment memorials from the Censorate, and anxious confessions from guilty officials seeking leniency. The sheer volume of paperwork would be overwhelming.
The eunuchs serving nearby trembled with suppressed laughter.
After dressing Xiao Yun, Yin Xian gestured toward a row of junior eunuchs holding trays. “Your Majesty, which waist ornament would you like to wear today?”
Without lifting his gaze, Xiao Yun replied impatiently, “Whichever.”
The Emperor had never been particular about his attire, so Yin Xian was merely asking out of formality. Just as he was about to choose one himself, Xiao Yun suddenly asked, “What do you think of my sense of aesthetics?”
Yin Xian’s hand froze mid-reach, startled. “Y-Your Majesty… why do you ask?”
Xiao Yun casually replied, “A few days ago, the top scholar gave me a sachet, but I find its colors quite plain. What do you think?”
“….” Yin Xian followed the fragrance and glanced at the black-and-gold sachet resting on the Emperor’s desk. Carefully choosing his words, he said, “This servant believes it is quite refined—black represents dignity and authority, while gold signifies wealth and good fortune. It is stately yet elegant.”
“But there’s no embroidery on it,” Xiao Yun remarked. “I noticed that the sachets carried by young ladies are always embroidered with things like mandarin ducks or peacocks—quite festive. I rather like those. Why does mine have nothing?”
Yin Xian tried to suppress his laughter at the thought of the top scholar sitting in his study, delicately embroidering a sachet. “Your Majesty, the sachets embroidered with patterns are usually gifted to one’s beloved. Mandarin ducks and peacock pairs symbolize marital harmony and mutual devotion—”
Xiao Yun raised an eyebrow. “A gift for one’s beloved?”
For the first time, his eyes left the memorials.
“Yes,” Yin Xian explained matter-of-factly. “In common households, it’s quite normal for a young lady to gift a sachet to her sweetheart as a token of affection.”
“Oh?”
Yin Xian added, “This servant has never smelled this particular fragrance before. It must be personally blended by the top scholar with great care—fragrant yet capable of repelling insects, and tailored to suit Your Majesty’s preferences. He must have put in considerable effort.”
Xiao Yun subtly curled the corner of his lips but maintained a neutral expression. “Oh? I suppose it’s just so-so.”
Yin Xian chuckled. “Your Majesty’s sense of smell is unparalleled. No scent in the world could possibly impress you! But the palace maids were all raving about this fragrance yesterday, saying that any man who wears it would become even more attractive to women.”
Because of the events in court the previous day, Yin Xian had developed a newfound appreciation for the top scholar and had no qualms about speaking highly of him.
Xiao Yun glanced at the sachet on his desk. “Is that so?”
Yin Xian casually remarked, “The scent is quite similar to the top scholar’s own fragrance—Your Majesty’s is sharper, while his is gentler. They complement each other, much like twin lotus flowers growing from the same stem—originating from the same source yet distinct, enhancing one another. I wonder what they would smell like together?”
Xiao Yun raised an eyebrow.
After a long silence, Yin Xian suddenly had an epiphany. Testing the waters, he asked, “Would Your Majesty like to wear it today?”
Xiao Yun pondered for a moment before replying at a measured pace, “Since you insist, I suppose I can humor you and wear it. It’s not as though I’m particular—after all, you’ve always been the one choosing for me, haven’t you?”
….
After the morning court session, Xie Zhe accompanied the Emperor back to Yangxin Hall, reporting on the progress of Qi Wang’s case as they walked.
Once the report was complete, the Emperor casually chatted with him for a moment before suddenly asking, “Xie Zhe, don’t you think something about me is different today?”
Xie Zhe was startled and quickly said, “Your Majesty is especially wise and mighty today!”
“…” Xiao Yun gave a perfunctory response. After a moment, he hesitated, as if he wanted to say more, and then asked again, “Nothing else?”
Xie Zhe started to panic and was just about to spout all the flattery he had memorized when his eyes suddenly landed on the object at the Emperor’s waist. The words on the tip of his tongue abruptly changed: “Your Majesty is wearing Xie Caiqing today!”
“…”
Xie Caiqing, who was walking towards them from a distance, suddenly paused mid-step upon hearing this.
Xie Zhe tried to gauge the Emperor’s mood. “Does Your Majesty like this sachet?”
“Not really,” Xiao Yun said with a smile. “But he wears the jade I gave him close to his skin. Everyone saw it—he must really like my things. An item for an item, I can’t just ignore the effort he put into giving me this. Returning the favor, at least a little, is only proper, so he doesn’t feel slighted. Don’t you think?”
Xie Caiqing bit his lip slightly.
So… he doesn’t actually like it.
He glanced down at the brocade box in his hands and smiled faintly.
While the Emperor was speaking with Xie Zhe, the top scholar walked up to them.
“What brings you here, Top Scholar?” Xiao Yun asked.
The Top Scholar was about to speak, but as soon as his eyes landed on the sachet at the Emperor’s waist, his face flushed red. The words on his lips seemed to get stuck, and he stood there frozen, his expression delicate and picturesque as the wind brushed past him.
“Top Scholar?” Xiao Yun called out in feigned confusion.
Standing half a head taller than him, Xiao Yun gazed down at him. The Top Scholar kept his head bowed, refusing to meet his eyes. He clenched the brocade box in his hands and murmured, “Your Majesty, may I speak with you in private?”
Xie Zhe coughed lightly, suddenly feeling like an unnecessary presence. “I have matters at home to attend to, so I shall take my leave first.”
Without waiting for the Emperor’s permission, he turned and left.
Xiao Yun watched Xie Zhe leave with a smirk before turning back to Xie Caiqing with a much gentler expression. “Of course.”
The accompanying palace attendants slowed their steps, keeping a distance behind.
Xie Caiqing walked alongside the Emperor but remained half a step behind, adhering strictly to protocol, as if he were a docile and obedient newlywed wife.
“What is it?” Xiao Yun asked, his eyes unconsciously drifting toward Xie Caiqing’s neck. His smile suddenly froze.
The red string was gone, leaving only a small patch of fair, smooth skin.
Xie Caiqing maintained his respectful demeanor, his voice very low. “It is nothing urgent, Your Majesty. I merely… merely came to return something.”
He lifted the brocade box with both hands, and perhaps due to nervousness or embarrassment, his delicate fingers trembled slightly.
Xiao Yun stared at the box, his face darkening.
Yesterday, after court, he had instructed Yin Xian to return the jade to Xie Caiqing. Xie Caiqing had accepted it silently at the time, yet now he was returning it in private. So he had taken it earlier just to save his face.
The Emperor remained silent for a long time.
Afraid of angering him, Xie Caiqing spoke softly, “…Your Majesty, please do not misunderstand. I am not being ungrateful. It’s just… just that this is an imperial gift, and I am not worthy of it. Moreover, yesterday… I… I…”
His voice trailed off. As if recalling something, he flushed crimson, looking like a timid little rabbit. “I… I was improper… Please do not take it to heart. In any case… it is better for me to return this to Your Majesty. If I keep it, I… I…”
Normally, Xiao Yun would have turned cold by now, but faced with Xie Caiqing, he simply couldn’t. He said mildly, “There is no reason for me to take back what I have given.”
“Your Majesty…!” Xie Caiqing lifted his gaze, his eyes filled with a hint of pleading.
Xiao Yun’s patience wore thin. “Just wear it without worry. It’s just a piece of jade. I have plenty. Do you think I would hold this against you? Even if it breaks, I won’t punish you.”
Xie Caiqing shook his head, his face burning. “I… I would feel uneasy keeping it. How could I dare wear it again? I was improper before, but I won’t be in the future. I was young and foolish, greedy for nice things, and I wore it… which led to Your Majesty being mocked. I… I am sorry, Your Majesty. I know I was wrong. I won’t wear it again…”
Xiao Yun’s face turned completely dark.
Xie Caiqing hurried to correct himself, “I misspoke. I don’t mean I won’t wear it—I mean I must return it.”
Xiao Yun’s expression grew even colder as he said in a firm, final tone, “I will not take it back.”
“Your Majesty…”
Xiao Yun sneered. “My word is law. If you don’t want it, then destroy it.”
With that, he flicked his sleeves and strode away.
Xie Caiqing gazed after him with wide, helpless eyes. A fleeting smile flickered at the corners of his lips.
He bit his lip and jogged to catch up.
Hearing the approaching footsteps, Xiao Yun assumed he was going to argue again. His temper, never the best, was about to flare—until a soft, unexpected sensation brushed against the back of his hand.
Xiao Yun turned in shock.
Xie Caiqing gently took hold of his left hand, his soft fingers carefully prying apart Xiao Yun’s rigid ones, and without a word, placed the brocade box into his palm. The entire time, he didn’t dare look at him.
By the time Xiao Yun came to his senses, the man had already turned and fled, head lowered.
A faint warmth lingered on his hand.
Xiao Yun stared at his left hand for a long time, wordless.
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