At Marquis Xianan’s residence.
Mister He was walking along the corridor when he saw a maid from the marquis’s household waiting outside his door.
There was also a woman standing by the railing, wearing a white silk jacket and a blue satin skirt, seemingly admiring the large cherry blossom tree in the courtyard. Her hair was adorned with jewels and phoenix hairpins, slightly loosened. Even her graceful back was enough to stir a man’s imagination.
But Mister He only gave her a brief glance, his gaze as indifferent as if he had seen a stone.
The maid bowed and said, “Greetings, Sir. This is Miss Ruan from Yongning Palace, sent by Her Highness to discuss some matters with you.”
Mister He nodded and gently replied, “I understand. You’ve worked hard waiting. You may go.”
The maid blushed and bowed before leaving.
Mister He addressed the woman who still had her back to him: “I wonder what business Her Highness the Noble Consort has sent Miss Ruan to discuss with me?”
The woman turned gracefully, smiling softly. Her brows were like willow leaves, lips like cherry blossoms, almond-shaped eyes, and a delicate face. Though she wasn’t as breathtakingly beautiful as Consort Wei, she had a unique charm and allure.
“Does Sir intend to discuss matters with a humble woman out here in the corridor?” Her voice was soft, with a slight tremble at the end, like a teasing string of music.
Mister He lowered his gaze in thought for a moment, then opened the door and gestured, “Please, Miss.”
After Miss Ruan entered, they sat facing each other, and she got to the point: “I come under Her Highness’s order. This is the Noble Consort’s phoenix-beaded girdle. Please inspect it, Sir.”
Mister He carefully examined it. It was indeed the phoenix-beaded girdle Consort Wei often wore at her waist. He had seen it on her several times.
He returned it to Miss Ruan, but she deliberately didn’t take it and continued, “Her Highness wishes to ask if Sir knows about the stone pillar that appeared in the well at Disaster Relief Bureau yesterday?”
Mister He placed the girdle on the tea table, lit the sandalwood incense in the burner, and replied calmly amidst the rising smoke: “This matter has spread throughout the capital overnight. Many rumors claim it is a divine omen, insinuating that the Second Prince is an ill-starred person who will one day bring disaster to Great Ming. I imagine Her Highness was deeply troubled upon hearing this.”
“Indeed, Her Highness was so anxious she couldn’t sleep all night.” Miss Ruan said, “Although the stone pillar has been smashed and sunk into the river on the Empress Dowager’s orders, the rumors persist and could greatly damage the Second Prince’s reputation. He’s just a child—why should he bear such infamy? Her Highness cannot understand and sent me to ask Sir: was this incident man-made? And is there a way to resolve it?”
Mister He personally poured tea for Miss Ruan. Only after she sipped and showed satisfaction did he say, “If Her Highness believes it to be the will of heaven, then it is the will of heaven. If she believes it to be man-made, then it is man-made.”
Miss Ruan smiled, “I am but a simple person. Sir, speaking in riddles with me is like playing a fine tune to a cow. May I understand your words this way: instead of saying heaven used human hands to manifest its will, it’s more that people used the guise of heaven to carry out their designs?”
“Miss is truly perceptive.”
“Her Highness says Sir is wise. Do you know who was behind this?”
Mister He said, “I believe Her Highness already has someone in mind. There’s no need to ask me.”
Miss Ruan sighed, “Indeed, Her Highness believes that the stone pillar was discovered through the Crown Prince’s hands. Destroying the Second Prince’s reputation benefits the Crown Prince most. Apart from him, she suspects no one else. Now that the rumors are rampant, may I ask if Sir has a way to break this situation?”
Amidst the curling incense smoke, Mister He rose and walked to the qin table. He sat cross-legged on the cushion, his black hair cascading over his white robe. He plucked the qin strings, producing a series of crisp, metallic notes.
“If we only react to each move, we will always be passive. In fact, I already told the Marquis, Madam, and Her Highness the solution long ago. It still comes down to those words—‘adapt according to the situation.’”
“I’m dull-witted and have not heard Niang Niang mention it. May I ask, Sir, what are those words?”
“‘Remove the firewood from under the pot.’” Mr. He said lightly while playing the qin. “Rather than racking one’s brain on how to break the situation, why not simply eliminate the person who set the trap? Isn’t that the same as removing the firewood from under the pot?”
Ruan Hongjiao frowned slightly. “But the Crown Prince is still the Crown Prince—how could we possibly remove him?”
“First, sever his right arm, cause him intense pain and force him to be overwhelmed, then cut off his foundation—once and for all.”
“The Crown Prince’s right arm…”
Mr. He stopped pressing the strings, pausing the music, and looked steadily at Ruan Hongjiao. He said slowly, “Shaoqing of the Dali Temple, Su Yan, Su Qinghe.”
Ruan Hongjiao’s heart jolted, nearly revealing her shock. Fortunately, she was quick-witted and immediately covered half her face with her sleeve, letting out a coquettish laugh. “I’ve heard of that name. I even saw this Lord Su during the parade of the successful scholars. Truly, such a handsome young man. What a pity.”
“What is a pity?”
“It’s a pity he chose the wrong side. Since he cannot be used by Niang Niang, then as Sir said, he must be taken down.”
The sound of the qin slowly resumed. Mr. He closed his eyes slightly, his fingers gently plucking the strings as if he had forgotten himself.
Ruan Hongjiao leaned closer to him, half-sitting on the cushion beside the qin table, her blue skirt pooling around her like ocean waves. She leaned in and whispered softly, “How exactly should we proceed? Please enlighten me, Sir.”
Mr. He said nothing with his eyes closed. Only after finishing a tune of Wind Through the Pines did he turn and whisper the instructions into Ruan Hongjiao’s ear.
The more she listened, the more alarmed she became, though her face only showed admiration. In the end, she nodded and said, “I will return to the palace immediately to report your words to Niang Niang. Please wait for my reply.”
She rose, gave a polite bow, and after walking a few steps, suddenly seemed to remember something. She turned back, took a scroll of paper as white and strong as silk from her sleeve, and handed it to Mr. He. “This is a scripture personally written and annotated by Niang Niang. She knows you are well-versed in Buddhism and Daoism, so she asked me to bring it to you for your esteemed advice. If you have any insights, you may write them on this scroll and I will bring it back to the palace next time we meet.”
Without waiting for his reply, she stuffed the scroll into his arms and left.
Mr. He unrolled the scroll and saw a painting of the Bright King and Bright Queen embracing each other, their limbs intertwined. Below it was a single line: “Commentary on the Mahāvairocana Sūtra, Volume Nine says: ‘Furthermore, when a man and a woman unite, the seed of cause is entrusted to the womb and does not perish; this is the meaning of mutual empowerment.’ What does this mean? I beg Sir to instruct me.”
This was no scripture—it was clearly a veiled proposition using the esoteric practice of Tantric dual cultivation. So, the Noble Consort actually harbored such intentions toward him… Mr. He raised an eyebrow, glanced at the phoenix-jade tassel Ruan Hongjiao had left on the tea table, and smiled meaningfully. He then walked over to his desk, opened the box where he kept his trophies and collections, and locked the scroll and the tassel inside.
After leaving the marquis’ residence, Ruan Hongjiao’s legs suddenly gave out, and she nearly collapsed, barely supported in time by her maid.
The maid pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from her forehead and asked worriedly, “Miss, are you alright? Should we call a doctor?”
Ruan Hongjiao took a deep breath and said firmly, “No need. Take me back to Rouge Alley. I need to think this through carefully before making the next move. Oh, the court is on holiday for three days for the Longevity Festival. Su Yan is likely at home. Once I’ve made up my mind, quietly go to the Su residence and deliver a message for me. Be sure not to be discovered.”
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