Su Yan gasped.
From outside, the voice said again, “Qinghe, I know you’re still awake. The candlelight’s still on.”
“I… I’m getting dressed. Your Highness, please wait a moment.”
Su Yan forcefully pushed Shen Qi. “You need to leave now! If the Crown Prince sees you, you’re done for. You won’t need to worry about Feng Que; you’ll die here tonight!”
Shen Qi cursed under his breath, grabbed his armor and helmet from the floor, hurriedly putting them on. Finally, he picked up his blade.
“Go out through the window!” Su Yan limped over to the wardrobe, pulling out an inner robe and trousers, hurriedly putting them on. He then threw on a new lake-blue Taoist robe, tightening the sash around his waist.
His pale body disappeared from Shen Qi’s sight as he dressed again. Gripping his blade, Shen Qi suddenly hesitated, no longer wanting to leave.
After getting dressed, Su Yan didn’t have time to fix his hair. His long black hair, reaching down to his waist, was scattered and getting in his face, so he loosely tied it with a blue string that had a jade pendant, letting it hang by his neck.
When he looked back, he saw Shen Qi staring at him with an intense gaze, like a thief, and couldn’t help but urge, “Aren’t you leaving? Do you really want to lose your head?”
Shen Qi smiled, wrapped his arms around Su Yan’s waist and hips, and kissed him firmly twice on the lips. Then, carrying him to the door, he put him down, leaped up to the ceiling beam, and disappeared from sight.
Su Yan looked up in shock and mouthed silently, “Are you crazy?”
Shen Qi replied with a soft whistle.
…This guy is definitely crazy! Su Yan thought. But there was no time to worry about him. He took a deep breath and opened the door.
Barely opening it halfway, a young man dressed as a servant slipped inside like a fish, commanding someone outside, “Withdraw, and if you dare gossip, I’ll cut out your tongue.” He then quickly shut the door.
That imperious tone—who else could it be but the Crown Prince?
“I’m dying of thirst. Pour me some tea, and we’ll talk.” Zhu Helin pulled Su Yan along by the arm and took a few steps, then noticed something wrong. He looked down at Su Yan’s ankle and exclaimed, “Ah! Your ankle is swollen! How did it get this bad?”
Su Yan forced a smile through the pain, “I slipped while bathing. It’s nothing, really. I’ve applied some medicine, and it’ll be fine after resting overnight.”
“You can even hurt yourself while bathing? You klutz! You’re always getting injured; can’t you give me a break?” Zhu Helin’s face showed both annoyance and concern as he reached out to help Su Yan. “Come on, get to bed. I’ll pour the tea myself.”
Su Yan, leaning on the Crown Prince, limped over to the bed and sat down, carefully adjusting his leg.
Zhu Helin saw that the bath bucket hadn’t been cleared away, with water and flower petals still scattered on the floor. He frowned. “What are your servants doing? Why haven’t they cleaned this up? You could slip again. I’ll make sure the head eunuch of the Eastern Garden teaches them a lesson.”
Su Yan reassured him, “I didn’t call them to clean up. I thought it would be a hassle this late at night, so I decided to wait until morning. I know the water’s there, and I’ll be careful.”
Zhu Helin poured a cup of cold tea from the purple clay teapot on the table and handed it to Su Yan.
Su Yan, feeling thirsty, drank two cups in a row and then waved his hand to indicate he’d had enough.
Zhu Helin then drank directly from the teapot, finishing the remaining tea, wiped his mouth, and walked back to the bed. He took off his shoes and sat cross-legged on the bed, as if it were his own.
Suddenly, a faint creak echoed from the ceiling beam, clearly audible in the quiet room. Zhu Helin frowned, “What was that noise?”
Su Yan thought: That’s the sound of someone courting death. He replied, “Probably a mouse running along the beam. No big deal, I’ll take a bamboo pole later and chase it out. What brings Your Highness here so late?”
Zhu Helin took off his official cap, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and casually threw it on the floor. “I’ve been thinking about the case from earlier today and couldn’t sleep, so I came to talk to you. What do you think Royal Father is up to? Clearly, you’ve already been cleared of suspicion, but he still has you living with those who weren’t even at the scene. Isn’t he worried that the real culprit might be hiding among them, putting you in danger again?”
Su Yan remembered how the Emperor had squeezed his arm before leaving and said, “I suspect the Emperor wants me to investigate the case.”
“Investigate?”
Su Yan nodded. “The people who weren’t present at the scene are all suspects, and they need to be screened. But interrogating them one by one would damage their reputations and give them the chance to weasel out with excuses. It’s more effective to plant someone among them to quietly gather information.”
Zhu Helin thought this made sense, but after a moment’s reflection, he was still unhappy and complained, “He’s using you as a spy but isn’t even concerned about your safety! At the very least, he should send some guards to protect you. Truly, he can be wise all his life and foolish at a moment’s notice.”
Su Yan quickly covered his mouth. “As a subject, how can you complain about the Emperor? If a third party overhears and word spreads, wouldn’t it anger the Emperor into punishing you?”
Zhu Helin indignantly pried Su Yan’s hand away. “I’ve been spouting nonsense since I was a child. Royal Father won’t turn on me over one careless remark! Besides, it’s just the two of us here—where’s this so-called third party?”
Su Yan sighed, glancing up toward the ceiling beams—though seated on the bed, he couldn’t actually see them. He could only hope that Shen Qi, who was hiding there, knew better than to seize on this conversation and provoke the Crown Prince. After all, a young tiger is still a tiger, capable of bloodshed and ferocity.
“Advice is hard to hear. If Your Highness doesn’t want to listen, then so be it,” Su Yan said coolly, withdrawing his hand.
Zhu Helin, most afraid of Su Yan’s sudden cold demeanor, quickly conceded. “I’m listening! I’m listening! I know to be cautious in word and deed; the tutors have taught me well.”
Su Yan finally smiled. “Your Highness is wise, understanding that my intentions are for your good. Naturally, I won’t betray our private conversation, but this place isn’t truly secure—walls may have ears, and we must be cautious.”
Zhu Helin’s irritation melted away under Su Yan’s reasoning, and he took Su Yan’s hand. “Alright, alright, you’re always right. But let me ask you: was me giving false testimony for you today a betrayal of heaven and morality? Is that really the behavior a Crown Prince should display?”
Su Yan was caught off guard and momentarily speechless.
He saw Zhu Helin’s eyes wide with sincerity, earnestly seeking an answer, and he couldn’t help feeling a bit ashamed, thinking he might have led this promising young prince astray.
No matter how indulgent or arrogant the young Crown Prince was, there was still something precious about him—an innocence in his heart.
“What do you think, Your Highness?” Su Yan asked in return.
Zhu Helin hesitated before responding, “Giving false testimony is wrong, but I had no choice.”
“Why?”
“Uh, even sages don’t always follow the rules… Yes, I shouldn’t be bound by rigid rules either. As long as justice is served and I remain true to my conscience, that’s what matters. Giving false testimony is wrong, but it upheld justice—it prevented an innocent person from being wronged and ensured the guilty wouldn’t escape. It also followed my heart in protecting you. So, while it was technically wrong, I had no other choice, and I don’t regret it.”
Su Yan was touched. “Your Highness has grown up and formed your own principles. I’m genuinely pleased.”
“Really?” Zhu Helin beamed with joy, but then his expression quickly soured. “But the way you’re speaking to me feels odd… You say I’ve grown up, but in your heart, you still see me as a child!”
Su Yan, long accustomed to the crown prince’s mercurial moods, laughed. “Yes, yes. I misspoke and shouldn’t have condescended to Your Highness.”
“And you’re still calling me ‘Your Highness’!” Zhu Helin pounced on Su Yan, tickling his waist.
Su Yan was extremely ticklish, especially around his waist and feet. He squirmed and laughed uncontrollably, accidentally banging his ankle, and quickly cried out for mercy. “No more! No more! My foot hurts!”
Zhu Helin immediately stopped and cradled Su Yan’s injured leg.
Su Yan, now with his bare foot in Zhu Helin’s hand, was even more ticklish, unsure whether to pull it away or leave it there. “Let go! It’s filthy.”
“Filthy? You just bathed.” Zhu Helin let go of the injured foot and grabbed the other one, inspecting it closely. The arch was gracefully curved, and the toes, pale with a hint of pink, were perfectly rounded and smooth, like tiny shells tinted with peach blossom essence.
Remembering something he’d read in a popular novel, Zhu Helin mumbled, “If you painted your nails red and wore a gold chain with a little bell, it would look incredible…”
Su Yan’s smile froze, and he had a sudden urge to kick this impudent brat across the room.
And he did, though he spared Zhu Helin’s face and aimed for his chest instead.
Zhu Helin stumbled backward, hitting his head on the bedpost. Startled, he quickly apologized. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to insult you…” Then he caught himself. Wait, why am I apologizing? I’m the Crown Prince, the future ruler! I compliment him, and he kicks me? How dare he!
“Don’t you ever say something so outrageous again! If anyone overhears, they’ll accuse you of harassing a subordinate, and how will you hold your place in the Eastern Palace?” Su Yan scolded, frustrated.
Zhu Helin, rubbing the back of his head, angrily got up. Hearing the rats scurrying in the rafters, gnawing on the beams, he shouted, “Where’s the bamboo pole? Even the rats are this bold! I’m going to get them!”
Su Yan grabbed his belt, pulling him back with a smile. “A mighty Crown Prince, quarreling with vermin—what a sight! Come, come, let me massage your chest and calm you down.”
With that, he began rubbing Zhu Helin’s chest until he was swaying like a reed in the wind.
Zhu Helin, now dizzy, gave up. “Alright, alright, I won’t bother with it anymore! I’m sleepy now. I’ll stay here tonight, but make sure not to kick me in your sleep.”
Su Yan immediately refused. “It’s not safe here. You should return to Ningfu Palace before someone notices the Crown Prince is missing and causes a stir.”
Zhu Helin said, “It’s precisely because it’s unsafe that I need to stay and protect you! Don’t underestimate me. My martial arts instructor said I can easily take on five or seven grown men!”
Su Yan sighed and rubbed his forehead, wanting to persuade a bit more, but just then, another round of knocking echoed at the door.
It was already past the Hai Hour, and there was still a visitor? Zhu Helin looked annoyed, “Who is it? Coming this late, with no sense of courtesy.”
Su Yan thought to himself, You arrived just ten minutes ago, are you saying you were courteous?
From outside came a familiar deep voice, “Since Qinghe is still awake, why not open the door for me? Have you forgotten our prior agreement?”
Zhu Helin immediately jumped up, lowering his voice to angrily ask, “Prior agreement? What prior agreement? What are you meeting about so late at night for?!”
Su Yan helplessly raised his voice towards the door, “Though there was an agreement, it wasn’t for tonight, but for after breakfast tomorrow. What brings Wangye here ahead of time? It’s late and I was about to sleep. Forgive me for not being able to open the door.”
“You really did have an agreement!” Zhu Helin yanked on him forcefully, “What did you agree on? Tell me clearly!”
Su Yan grabbed the crown prince’s hand and explained, “It’s just about the case. The Emperor has instructed Yu Wang to remain in the Eastern Gardens, and after the assembly, he gave him further instructions. Before coming to Chongzhi Hall at dusk, Yu Wang sought me out, asking me to pay attention to the speech and behavior of the other suspects, and if I noticed anything suspicious, to report it without putting myself in danger.”
Zhu Helin snorted coldly, “He talks a good game. Why couldn’t he wait until the agreed time to meet? Why insist on visiting your chambers in the middle of the night? Clearly, he has ulterior motives. I’ve heard plenty about this Fourth Uncle—he’s not the most proper of men and loves to make ‘bosom friends’ with young, good-looking officials. You mustn’t entertain him!”
“Alright, alright, I won’t entertain him. I’ll go and send him away.”
Just as Su Yan was about to refuse the visitor, Zhu Helin suddenly grabbed his sleeve again, changing his mind. “No, let him in. I want to see for myself what he intends to do to you! If he acts improperly, I’ll report him harshly to Royal Father and make sure he gets a proper scolding!”
As he spoke, he looked around the room and noticed a tall wardrobe made of huanghuali wood in the corner. Given the youth’s small stature, he could just about fit inside.
Without another word, Zhu Helin opened the wardrobe and squeezed himself in, then poked his head out, saying confidently, “Go open the door. Don’t worry, with me here, you won’t suffer any losses!”
The wardrobe door creaked shut. Su Yan stared at it in disbelief and thought, What a mess! Do you think this is some kind of revolving drama?
Meanwhile, Yu Wang knocked again. Su Yan had no choice but to open the door slowly and greeted him with a less-than-enthusiastic expression.
“Wangye, I was just about to retire for the night. The room is simple, and there’s not even any tea, so forgive me for the lack of hospitality.”
Yu Wang didn’t seem to mind. He scanned the room with a smile, “Your place looks like a storm passed through—fallen flowers all over, and the bed in disarray. It doesn’t seem like you were sleeping alone. Looks more like you’ve been in quite a tussle with someone.”
Su Yan forced a smile, “Where could there be anyone else? It’s just me here. Wangye jests.”
Yu Wang looked down at Su Yan’s bare ankle and asked, “You’re hurt? Shall I send for the imperial physician?”
“Thank you Wangye for your concern, but that won’t be necessary. I’ve already applied medicine. With a night’s rest, I’ll be fine.”
Noticing Su Yan’s reserved attitude, Yu Wang sighed and found it a bit tedious, though it also annoyed him. He picked a seat by a small table and motioned for Su Yan to sit as well.
“I didn’t come tonight just to talk about the murder case. That’s merely an excuse. The real reason is to discuss what happened at the retreat.”
Su Yan’s heart sank at the mention of the retreat, recalling the time when Yu Wang had tied him to the bedpost with a belt and nearly assaulted him. His scalp tingled as he replied sullenly, “Can Wangye not let me go? There are plenty of handsome young officials in the court; I’m just a stubborn reed, not worth your attention.”
Yu Wang’s gaze softened, his handsome features glowing in the candlelight as if filled with affection. He spoke gently, “I’m here to apologize.”
“?”
“The incident at the retreat was my fault. I shouldn’t have treated you that way. I’ve always said these things should be mutual and not forced, but I lost control and nearly harmed you. I hope you won’t hold a grudge. Can we still be friends, going forward?”
“…”
“Qinghe, do you not trust me?”
Su Yan thought, Do you even have any credibility left? You’ve hit rock bottom. He lazily replied, “Since Your Highness says so, I’ll accept the apology. No need to mention it again, just don’t toy with me in the future.”
Yu Wang chuckled, “What counts as ‘toying’? Playing a game of chess, drinking some alcohol, or strolling through a flower garden together—that’s not toying, is it?”
From the wardrobe came a faint creaking sound, like someone grinding their teeth.
“Who’s there!” Yu Wang immediately snapped his head towards the sound, his posture suddenly rigid, muscles tensing beneath his robes like a coiled spear ready to strike.
Su Yan couldn’t see the sharp look in Yu Wang’s eyes, but he was more worried that the young crown prince in the wardrobe was about to cause trouble. He quickly covered, “Just the rats chewing on the wood. This little southern courtyard is nice, but it’s rarely occupied, so rats are common. I’ll scare them off with a bamboo rod later, nothing to worry about.”
Yu Wang gave the wardrobe a suspicious glance, then shifted his gaze to the wrinkled eunuch hat lying on the floor near the bed. Without a change in his expression, he said, “The culprit hasn’t been caught yet. You should be more careful. It’s unlike my cautious brother not to assign guards to protect you in secret.”
Su Yan detected a genuine tone of concern and allowed a faint smile to appear. “No need to worry, I’ll be careful. Besides, the culprit might not even be one of the seven.”
“What do you mean? Have you discovered something?”
“As for Marquis Fengan, let’s set him aside for now—he resides alone in Hongqing Hall, and I have yet to meet him. As for the other six, the Zhuangyuan, with his relaxed and unrestrained demeanor reminiscent of the Wei and Jin dynasties, does not seem the type for scheming. The Tanhua is ethereal and detached, uninterested in mundane affairs, and seems to have some difficulty with social interactions… uh, I mean, he avoids strangers. It’s hard for me to imagine him making a move against Ye Langzhong.
Censor Jia, with his sharp tongue, has previously submitted memorials impeaching the Eastern Palace and myself. Liu Shaozhanshi’s son was supposed to be promoted to Minister in the Ministry of Revenue, only to have Ye Langzhong take the position instead. These two accuse each other of having motives for murder, yet I find their intentions too surface-level; they don’t strike me as people with deep, hidden schemes. If either were the real culprit, why would they create such a public commotion and draw attention to themselves?”
“There are two other officials, unfamiliar faces to me, whose names I still can’t recall.”
Yu Wang reminded him, “They are the Left and Right Shaoqing of the Court of Diplomatic Rites, fifth rank officials in charge of foreign guests.”
Su Yan nodded and continued, “Those two are quite close and always muttering to each other. From what I overheard, they were complaining about Fengan Marquis monopolizing the new hall and grumbling about the poor food and accommodations at the small southern courtyard. Their chatter was as trivial as market gossips, either extremely vulgar or utterly hypocritical.”
Yu Wang raised an eyebrow, “So, you’re suggesting that they might either be genuinely ignorant or deliberately pretending to be?”
“It’s hard to say, but neither seems to have any motive for the crime. This is just my initial impression from interacting with them during dinner. More investigation is needed.”
Having said this, Su Yan stood up and cupped his hands. “That’s all the information I have for now. If I discover anything new tomorrow, I’ll report it to Wangye. I’ve had a long day and am exhausted. Please forgive me for taking my leave to rest.”
Seeing Su Yan struggling to walk, Yu Wang rose to offer support.
It was meant as a kind gesture, but once bitten, twice shy. Su Yan, wary of being taken advantage of again, hastily backed away, only to bump into a red lacquered, gold-inlaid table by the window.
….For the third time that day! D*mn it, what rotten luck! As Su Yan braced himself to fall, he couldn’t hold back and angrily flipped off the heavens.
Yu Wang stepped forward just in time, wrapping an arm around Su Yan’s waist, catching him in a perfect “cradling the moon” pose.
Su Yan exclaimed in alarm, “Wangye, let me go!”
Yu Wang teased, “Let you go? Do you want to fall flat on the floor?”
Suddenly, the wardrobe door in the corner burst open with a bang. The Crown Prince leapt out in a fury, rushing forward and shouting, “I knew you were up to something! Fourth Royal Uncle, how dare you act so indecently? We’ll see what Royal Father has to say about you harassing court officials!”
Yu Wang turned his head to look at the Crown Prince, showing no surprise. Instead, he smirked and said, “I am only twenty-eight, in the prime of my life—not old at all. If I were to halve that age, I’d indeed be young, but too immature and lacking in charm, much like that rice flower—pale and insignificant compared to the full bloom of a peony.”
The fourteen-year-old Crown Prince turned red with anger, yelling, “Shameless! Absolutely shameless! You think you’re a peony? I’m not some rice flower!”
Su Yan took a very deep breath, steadied himself, and limped over to open the door. Standing just outside, he crooked a finger at them. “Your Highnesses, come here. I have something to say.”
Both looked at him in confusion.
Su Yan forced a (flattering) smile. “Come on now.”
The Crown Prince, slightly dazed, was the first to walk over, and Yu Wang, sneering, followed suit.
Once they were close enough, Su Yan grabbed each by the hand and clasped their hands together. With utmost sincerity, he said, “Why don’t the two of you just love and fight with each other and leave me out of it?”
Before they could react, he spun around, dashed back inside, slammed the door shut, and locked it with three bolts in quick succession.
Left under the eaves, the Yu Wang and the Crown Prince stared at each other in stunned silence before quickly pulling their hands back.
The Crown Prince fumed, “You just wait! I’m definitely reporting this!”
Yu Wang, unfazed, replied, “Do as you please.”
Leaning against the door, Su Yan sighed deeply. “So tired… I don’t think I can love anymore.”
Suddenly, a figure hanging upside down from the roof beam dropped their head into view and said, “Then love me. I’m not as much trouble as they are.”
Su Yan furiously threw open the window. “Lord Commander, please kindly—GET OUT!”
