Chapter 0176: A More Humane Hu Lai, An Eternal Truth

So in the original story, the wet nurse revealed the truth because the Second Prince wasn’t the real Second Prince?

She naturally wouldn’t care about the feelings of an imposter, but she cared deeply about the real Second Prince’s feelings.

Having called someone “Father Emperor” for twenty years, only to discover he wasn’t your biological father—who could endure that?

But…

“Aren’t you afraid of death if you fail to complete that person’s task?” Xie Chengze unconsciously used the respectful “you” as he looked at the wet nurse with complex emotions.

The wet nurse’s eyes instantly welled up with tears. Probably only the young prince had never distinguished between noble and humble, even using honorifics when addressing an old servant like her…

“Young Prince, don’t worry. As long as that person wants to control you, they will keep this servant alive.”

The wet nurse said gently, “The palace is filled with all kinds of sinister creatures. It’s you, Young Prince, who needs to be more careful.”

“What about your son?” Xie Chengze asked, “Aren’t you going to care for him anymore?”

The wet nurse trembled all over and suddenly stared at Xie Chengze, “Young Prince… you, how did you…”

“Hmm? How did I know about your son’s gambling debts?” Xie Chengze smiled slightly, “Wet Nurse, many secrets in this world cannot remain hidden forever. Just like the secret of your background that you mentioned—I already learned about it from another source.”

The wet nurse was stunned for a moment, then suddenly became agitated, “Did the Young Prince find out, or did the usurper find out?!”

Xie Chengze’s eyes flickered, “The usurper.”

“So the Prince also has the other’s memories? Then does the Young Prince know who told the usurper about his background?” The wet nurse tightly grasped Xie Chengze’s arm, growing increasingly agitated, “If we find this person, we might learn why the usurper appeared!”

It was that person who caused Her Majesty’s death! If the Prince hadn’t had his soul replaced, how could Her Majesty have died of depression!

Xie Chengze parted his lips, then a profound meaning flashed in his eyes.

Indeed, why hadn’t he thought of that?

Who was the first person to secretly tell the Second Prince about his background?

After leaving the tavern, Xie Chengze said to Hu Lai, “Go repay the silver owed by the wet nurse’s son. Find a way to make sure he never dares to gamble again.”

Just as Hu Lai was about to say something, Xie Chengze added, “Be more humane. Don’t chop off his hands or feet.”

Hu Lai:…

Your Highness! Do you really think I’m that vicious in your heart!

Although he had indeed been about to ask if he could use some ruthless methods.

But… “Your Highness, before this, did someone else tell you about the secret of your background?” Hu Lai asked curiously, “Who was it?”

“Well…” Xie Chengze stroked his chin, pondering slightly, “Although there’s no concrete evidence, I can probably guess who it is.”

An eternal truth: whoever ultimately benefits is the culprit.

The Second Prince initially only wanted to live a low-profile life but was instigated to embark on the path of rebellion. He thought he could achieve great things, but instead found himself constantly overshadowed by the Crown Prince in court.

Who could be the beneficiary in all this?

After returning to the palace, Xie Chengze threw a major tantrum in Cheng Huan Palace. When he felt it was about enough, he turned and went to Kunning Palace.

——

Upon learning that Xie Chengze requested an audience, Cao Qingran instinctively wanted to refuse.

“Empress, this is a letter from the Second Prince. He said you should read it before making your decision.” The palace maid presented the letter.

Cao Qingran hesitated for a moment, but ultimately couldn’t resist her curiosity and accepted the letter.

【Mother, your son has recently been tasked with investigating corruption. I’ve heard the Imperial Guard Cavalry Division has embezzled substantial military funds. I wonder…】

Cao Qingran: …

The Imperial Guard Cavalry Division was staffed by members of the Cao family. Xie Chengze might as well have carved his threat directly onto his face.

Cao Qingran sighed.

It seemed he had returned, and with sharper wits. Had it been the imposter, how could they have possibly uncovered the corruption within the Imperial Guard Cavalry Division?

This would not be easy to handle.

Cao Qingran glanced at the golden Buddha statue, then rose and knelt on the prayer cushion. She gently rubbed the peachwood prayer beads before speaking, “Let him in.”

As soon as Xie Chengze entered the western chamber, his eyes fell upon the conspicuous golden Buddha statue enshrined on the rosewood table.

For some reason, looking at the statue made him feel deeply uncomfortable.

Before the golden Buddha, four incense sticks were planted in the burner. Three were burning, while the fourth was half-burnt, as if it had broken during a previous offering and been replanted without being fully consumed.

“Mother.” Approaching Cao Qingran, Xie Chengze offered a slight bow before letting his gaze drift to the incense altar, examining it carefully.

Noticing something unusual, his eyes lowered slightly. His fingertips brushed against the lacquered rosewood table, and he raised an eyebrow.

Hmph, interesting.

He spoke slowly, as if making casual conversation, “Mother, why hasn’t this incense been lit? Are you waiting for the other three to burn down to match its length before lighting it?”

Cao Qingran’s body trembled faintly. She lifted her eyes to look at Xie Chengze.

Her gaze held a sharpness, as if probing for something, but after a moment, she abruptly withdrew her attention back to the Buddha statue.

“Not at all. It’s just that this incense refuses to light, no matter what.”

When the Soul Incense breaks, the old soul returns. If it won’t ignite, the soul has scattered.

“Perhaps it’s damp. Why not replace it, Mother?” Xie Chengze asked.

“There’s no need.”

There is only one Soul Incense; another cannot be found.

“I see.” Xie Chengze gave the broken incense another glance, speaking with feigned casualness, “It seems the one who seized another’s nest can’t return either.”

The peachwood prayer beads in Cao Qingran’s hand suddenly stilled.

But only for a moment before she resumed moving them. She smiled faintly and said, “What are you talking about, Second Prince? What do you mean by ‘seizing another’s nest’?”

“Nothing important.” Xie Chengze withdrew his gaze, letting it fall upon the peachwood prayer beads in Cao Qingran’s hand. “Your birthday is approaching, isn’t it? These beads appear to be made of peachwood? Peachwood can ward off evil but has little other use. Why don’t I find some bodhi seeds and make you a new string of prayer beads?”

Cao Qingran started, the prayer beads falling from her hand onto the cushion. Silent, yet stirring thousand-layer waves in her heart.

What was he implying?

What did he… already know?

“Ah, now that I think of it, my birth mother and you share the same birthday!” Watching Cao Qingran’s reaction, Xie Chengze already had his answer. He smiled and said, “What a pity my birth mother will never receive another birthday gift from me.”

Cao Qingran clenched the beads that had fallen on the cushion, her voice barely suppressing its tremor as she said calmly, “What exactly are you trying to say, Second Prince?”

“I was just making conversation. Ah! Did I accidentally kill the mood?” Xie Chengze covered his lips, feigning remorse. “My apologies, Mother. My birth mother passed away early, and our relationship wasn’t good. I truly don’t know how to have a heart-to-heart with you… You won’t hold it against me, will you?”

His tone sounded genuinely innocent, making Cao Qingran close her eyes deeply as a surge of restless anger rose within her.

This Xie Chengze—why did he speak like a concubine deliberately vying for favor!

So difficult to handle!

“Very well, it seems your son is clumsy with words. I shall go practice with other imperial consorts before returning to chat with you, Mother Empress.” Knowing when to stop, Xie Chengze bowed to Cao Qingran once more before turning to stride away.

With each step, his footsteps grew heavier.

Cultivating purity and worshipping Buddha while draped in luxurious golden robes—this was a clear case of “the body in Cao’s camp but the heart with Han,” never letting go of the position as master of the rear palace from start to finish.

When offering incense to Buddha, three sticks are raised, representing precepts, concentration, and wisdom, corresponding to greed, hatred, and delusion, to repent for one’s sins and restrain human flaws. Yet that fourth broken incense stick was truly peculiar.

And then there was that string of peachwood prayer beads. At first, he hadn’t noticed anything unusual, but after touching the rosewood table clearly forged with red lacquer, he grew suspicious.

The palace had many rosewood tables—why was this particular one fake?

What kind of wood was this “rosewood” table actually made from?

That night, Xie Chengze sent Wuji to infiltrate Kunning Palace and obtained the answer.

It was peachwood.

Peachwood wards off evil spirits.

Heh. Who could say whether Empress Cao was using it to ward off the Second Prince’s vengeful spirit… or the displaced soul of the original body?