Chapter 23: The Grand Prince Likes That Girl

Tang Wanlan knelt on the cold floor tiles. Sweat beaded at her temples, her palms tightened, and she dared not raise her head, let alone speak.

“I have only recently entered the household and do not know many things. I happened to hear the prince mention something like that,” she chose her words carefully, very cautiously, “only then did I learn that Prince Xiangyang seems to have a secret residence, not far from my family’s estate.”

“In the dead of night it was quiet and the incident was sudden. Even if Fang Jiwu was the magistrate, he could not have arranged everything so perfectly in such a short time. Borrowing a house that was ‘just right’… Prince Xiangyang was on good terms with a line of military officers before his demotion, so I have always felt this matter is somewhat fishy.”

Of course it was not merely a feeling. Afterwards, to remedy what she had done that day, she asked some questions and gave some instructions. To say this so boldly, she naturally had grounds for her suspicions.

“And Young Master Li’s death: others say it was revenge by an enemy of Li Hongsu, but I don’t think it’s that simple. At the Wang family banquet he originally intended to act against Tang Wanning, could it possibly also have been Prince Xiangyang?”

Seeing Consort Xin remain silent, as if pondering, Tang Wanlan’s eyes flickered and her voice grew steadier, “If that’s truly the case, I think we might as well push forward with this match. When it comes to people in love, they will follow one another in life and death. Your Highness would be doing a kind deed by facilitating them. If I’m mistaken and things are not as I suspect, we lose nothing. Even if some people get upset, Your Highness was just showing some concern toward a younger family member. What wrong is there in that?”

The light gauze stirred slightly. The light fell without a trace.

The hall fell silent for a long while before Consort Xin finally signaled Nanny Yuan to help Tang Wanlan up. “One tactic fails, and you rise with a new front. I must say I underestimated you.”

“I would not dare,” Tang Wanlan said, secretly relieved.

Consort Xin twirled a fingertip and leisurely skimmed the tea foam. “Haven’t you considered why the deposed crown prince dared act so brazenly? Might he have a trump card? Your sister is not without guile. On that day at the estate, you were on the losing end. If others were to take it seriously, could you contend?”

Tang Wanlan gritted her teeth. “I have learned from the previous lesson and this time I will be cautious beyond caution. My sister…there will be no trouble, and it will absolutely not implicate Your Highness!”

With a plink, the teacup lid dropped onto the cup and Consort Xin said in a flat voice, “Very well. If you insist on this, I will give you a chance. Children must be tempered. Only after tasting enough hardship do they learn fear.”

Tang Wanlan immediately smoothed her skirts and kowtowed, “Thank you, Your Highness, for permitting it!”

Consort Xin sipped her tea. “You only recently entered this household. Not entrusting the inner management to you is for your own good. Too many things, and they must all be learned bit by bit. You are clever, so don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

Tang Wanlan bowed her head even lower. “I would not dare.”

“What, not convinced?” Consort Xin snorted coldly. “If you fail again this time… You must know that my Nanny isn’t the only capable person by my side!”

Tang Wanlan broke out in a cold sweat. “Yes, Your Highness!”

She had to make sure no other woman entered the Second Prince’s harem! The Second Prince has not given himself to her utterly. If someone else came to share his favor, how was she supposed to live? This was her only chance, this matter must succeed. Even if it failed she had to make it succeed!

The next evening, Consort Xin set her plan in motion.

A consort as shrewd as she would not take a single person’s word. After Tang Wanlan offered her scheme, she immediately sent people to investigate. Whether Young Master Li’s death was Zhao Cong’s doing she did not know and it could not be proven. Zhao Cong, ruthless against his enemies, never left traces. But the secret residence by the cliff could not be hidden. Tang Wanning had indeed stayed there for a night.

“…Your Majesty? Your Majesty, did you hear what I just said…?” Consort Xin leaned against the soft bolster, batting her eyes seductively at Emperor Jingyuan.

The Emperor frowned. “You say…Cong’er sheltered a girl for a night and did not send her away?”

“Isn’t that so?” Consort Xin purred, snuggling and resting on the emperor’s knee. “The Grand Prince has always been aloof since childhood, ignoring everyone. When has he ever been so close to an outsider? I think the Grand Prince must have taken a fancy to that girl.”

Emperor Jingyuan said nothing and continued to flip through the book in his hands.

Consort Xin sighed lightly. “I shouldn’t say this, technically. Her Majesty the Empress passed many years ago, and I shouldn’t meddle in the Grand Prince’s affairs, but I cannot help but care. The old favors and support I received… While the Grand Prince may take them lightly, I cannot forget them. Your Majesty has long wanted to find a match for the Grand Prince, but he always refuses. He consented twice with difficulty, but they met with mishaps and a reputation spread that he brings misfortune to his wives. The Grand Prince was heartbroken and refused to speak of it. But look at his age… Yan’er is already married, and I am truly anxious. If he keeps wasting time like this and the Grand Prince will still lacks someone who knows his needs while Yan’er starts having lots of children, how will I face Her Majesty in the future?”

Consort Xin’s eyes reddened. “I also feel bad for Your Majesty’s paternal love. Since this girl is the one he himself favors, why won’t Your Majesty give them your blessing?”

Emperor Jingyuan snorted coldly. “Isn’t he very capable? He dares to do anything and kill anyone, does he need my help? The things I give, has he ever treasured them?”

Consort Xin quickly patted the emperor’s back. “Please do not be angry, Your Majesty. This time is truly different. I heard that at the Wang family banquet the Grand Prince met this girl again. Someone saw them meet at the doorway, that girl even said she would send something to the Grand Prince, and Eunuch Tian passed along the address…”

The emperor threw the book from his hands in even greater anger. “How ridiculous. Do I look poor or pitiful as emperor? My son admires someone and doesn’t fight for her or make a fuss, fine. But he expects a girl to send things to him instead?!”

A stronger smile glittered in Consort Xin’s eyes. “How could I deceive Your Majesty? You could check and see for yourself. The Grand Prince has little experience and doesn’t overthink, I only mentioned it casually. Matters of the Grand Prince must ultimately be decided by Your Majesty. Your health is important, so please, don’t get angry anymore…”

…

That night there was no wind. Gentle moonlight fell across the window lattice and the stars shimmered shyly.

Tang Wanning had some trouble sleeping.

She turned over, lifted the bed drapes, and saw the moonlight on the floor. For some reason it reminded her of the young man in the wheelchair. The moonlight was mellow and calm, like his eyes.

This man gave her a strange feeling: every feature and bearing were impeccable, perfect from hair tips to fingertips, as if favored by time and raised amid adoration and protection. Yet he carried a certain haughtiness that was not arrogance. It was not self-satisfaction or the spoiled attitude of a favored son. Rather, it was a kind of world-weariness.

He was solemn yet refined, restrained yet overbearing, sharp-tongued but kind-hearted, not rebellious but careless of others when he spoke. He said what he wished, he was decisive and blunt. He resembled those high and mighty types who issued orders. Many contradictory qualities blended perfectly in him, he was both paradoxical and mysterious, like the deep night sky, simply impossible to read.

Tang Wanning fretted: what should she give him?

She wasn’t that curious to learn who he truly was, but her pride was strong. She felt that casually gifting something would not match his style nor her superior intellect. She wanted to know what would make him smile, what would make him angry… would he actually get angry? Or would he only coldly sneer, ‘Is that it?’

Seeing him lose his temper would surely be amusing.

But after much thought she still couldn’t decide. She had only seen him twice and didn’t know his tastes. Food was always the safest route, so Tang Wanning resolved to show off a bit and amaze the world. Confident, she called Xiaoman and went into the little kitchen.

Half a day later she expressionlessly brought out a plate of red bean cakes.

Just plain red bean cakes made with ordinary dough, ordinary red bean filling, no frills. Xiaoman was the one who helped watch the cooking time closely.

“Miss, are you really giving this?” Even though Miss had made them herself, they did seem a bit meager.

Tang Wanning said resolutely, “Yes.”

Oh well, whatever. He’s just a man, so having something to eat is enough. Who cared if it fits his status? Even if her hands were clumsy and she could only eat rather than cook, her intellect still shone! That man looked so sour and fierce, he should eat more sweets to balance it out!

The food box was quickly delivered into Eunuch Tian’s hands and placed on his master’s table.

Zhao Cong stared at the plate of red bean cakes for a long while. “I do not like sweets.”

Eunuch Tian forged his words with great effort, “Perhaps this is Miss Tang’s favorite flavor, and she wanted to share it with Your Highness?”

“What good things could she possibly like?” Zhao Cong recalled the way that woman ate at the banquet, seeming somewhat disdainful, yet he still picked up a red bean cake and took a very small bite, barely touching the edge.

Eunuch Tian sighed. “It’s also really because the House of Earl Xuanning is not that well-off, so Miss Tang hasn’t had the chance to like finer things, not that she intends to slight Your Highness. Besides, not all red beans are the same…”

Zhao Cong suddenly said, “Delicious.”

Eunuch Tian was speechless.

Who was the one who went on and on complaining earlier! This old servant even came up with all sorts of excuses to defend Miss Tang! Yet… Your Highness, you say it’s delicious as soon as you take a bite!

But Zhao Cong’s attention was elsewhere. “A red bean is a red bean. What’s the difference?”

Eunuch Tian explained, “Red beans grown by farmers are edible and sweet. In sparse groves there are saga seeds, which many call the red bean too. But it is highly poisonous and cannot be eaten, but can symbolize longing.”

Zhao Cong lowered his eyes to the plain little cakes on the plate. “If she’s so gluttonous, what would she know about longing?”

Eunuch Tian snorted inwardly, as if to say, ‘As if you know.’

Dusk approached, the twilight thickened, and the sunlight glowed fiercely, spilling the day’s last colors. The man bathed in the sunset was bright but no longer as distant as before. Covered with a veil of worldly warmth, he became warm, approachable, touchable.

Eunuch Tian sighed inwardly. It had been a long time since he saw his master look like this.

Zhao Cong quietly finished a piece of red bean cake, set down his chopsticks and said, “Delicious things cannot be enjoyed alone.”

Eunuch Tian immediately put on an expectant posture, waiting for a reward. But Zhao Cong lifted the entire plate, rolled his wheelchair to the wall, pressed a mechanism, and opened a secret door.

Inside was a small, concealed room with a memorial tablet. In front of the tablet, besides the incense burner and offering fruits, was a stack of papers. The top one bore the name of Wang Kangbo, and in cinnabar someone had drawn a question mark.

He placed the red bean cakes on the table. Zhao Cong’s long fingers lightly stroked the memorial tablet. His voice was low, gentle and mellow, like the moonlight at night. “This flavor… You would surely like it.”