Xing Muzheng intended to end matters quickly. The new emperor, Yongtai, had already begun purging the court, sending a group of elder ministers back to their hometowns, while another group submitted memorials impeaching him for hoarding troops—all allies of the Xu clan and his own faction. It was said that Emperor Yongtai had yet to release those memorials, but no one knew when he might.
When that time came, it would likely mean the emperor was ready to move against him. Should an imperial order be given to investigate, Xing Muzheng would have to go to Yongan to explain himself in person. And if he went—he might never return.
He hadn’t told Qian Jiaoniang any of this; he didn’t want her to worry too much. He only said that there were stirrings in court and they must guard against trouble. So after his birthday banquet, Xing Muzheng suddenly “fell ill.” Too ill to go out, he spent his days tangled up with Qian Jiaoniang.
By reason, the two were already husband and wife, but in truth, they hadn’t enjoyed much time of genuine mutual affection. These past days were their first taste of true newlywed sweetness, always wanting to be alone, and once together unable to resist. Before, each had been preoccupied with duties; now, with Xing Muzheng feigning illness at home, his excess energy had nowhere to go and he hounded Qian Jiaoniang to the point she could scarcely do anything, dragging her everywhere. Though she had been healthy, he wore her out so much she began waking late every day, drowsy and weary.
Thus they passed several shameless days. Then one day, as Qian Jiaoniang, drenched in sweat, knelt on the bed while Xing Muzheng “opened territory” from behind, a sudden flash of inspiration struck her, and she seized it.
She abruptly turned around—almost making Xing Muzheng lose control. He gave a muffled groan, seized her arms to pull her close, and licked the sweat from her cheek. “Why so anxious? It’s not time yet.”
Qian Jiaoniang panted, smacking him. “Hurry and finish—I have something serious to tell you!”
Obediently, Xing Muzheng bent his head to work harder, though he still couldn’t end quickly. Only after Qian Jiaoniang had died a little death did he carry her, sweating like a fish out of water, into the bath barrel.
In his arms, she slowly came back to herself. Her jade-white arm splashed the water as she turned to glare at him. Xing Muzheng, a little guilty, caught her hand and kissed her fingertips. “What serious matter?”
“All serious matters have been knocked clean out of me by you.” The words slipped from Qian Jiaoniang’s mouth in annoyance, unaware how suggestive they sounded.
At that, Xing Muzheng’s just-subsided fire flared again. Pinning her down, he growled, “If you’ve got something serious to say, say it quick—then we’ll tend to proper business.” Clearly, his “proper business” was not what she meant.
Qian Jiaoniang couldn’t help but laugh and fume. In the water, she pinched his ticklish spot. “Calm down, it’s really serious!” Without waiting for him to respond, she went on: “I just thought—Miss Zhao’s secret… perhaps it isn’t about the bridal chamber itself, but about her and her husband consummating the marriage… Think: only by being fully open with her husband, and during that act when the blood stirs and sweat flows easily—”
Xing Muzheng instantly caught on. “You’re saying maybe Lord Zhao used some method, tattooing the treasure map on her body, and it only shows when sweat reveals it?”
Qian Jiaoniang nodded. “That’s just my guess—it could be blood, it could be a man’s essence, we can’t say for certain. But we can try this idea first. Maybe we’ll be right.”
Xing Muzheng said, “Your reasoning isn’t without merit. Once we’re done with our proper business, we’ll do your proper business.”
Qian Jiaoniang laughed bewitchingly. “You rogue! You turn me into a flatcake day after day, like a starving wolf! I won’t bother with you. I’ll see to my business, and you go nurse your illness!”
With that, she stepped out of the bath, fluttering like a butterfly to fetch her clothes behind the screen.
Xing Muzheng was left simmering by her glance. He wanted to chase after and press her down again, but feared she’d be angry, so he let her go, waiting instead for the night.
But Qian Jiaoniang never got to carry out her plan. A few days later, Emperor Yongtai somehow learned of Xing Muzheng’s illness. He bestowed a cartful of fine medicinal herbs and even sent an imperial physician, saying he must treat Xing Muzheng personally.
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