Chapter 54: A Suspicion, A Night of Wild Abandon

It had started as a casual, offhand question, but for some reason, Shen Ji was suddenly reminded of what the new Tanhua, Xie Lanxiu, had said at the Qionglin Banquet: “That Zhaoyang Princess and His Highness the Crown Prince don’t look alike at all…”

His mind buzzed as if something was about to burst forth.

Prince Yan glanced at him in surprise. “Yes, she’s his biological sister. They were both born to the Empress, fraternal twins. It’s normal for them to be close.”

Shen Ji was lost in thought, his voice extremely low. “What if they aren’t?”

“What?”

“Nothing.” Shen Ji shook his head. While one part of him felt he was being fanciful, another couldn’t help but entertain the idea: what if the Crown Prince and the princess were not biological siblings?

They didn’t look alike.

At the Qionglin Banquet, it was the Crown Prince who first proposed the marriage. After Shen Ji politely declined, he had insisted repeatedly. Zhaoyang Princess, on the other hand, had only said one thing from beginning to end—a single sentence echoing the Crown Prince—before promptly taking her own life.

…

His mind was a chaotic mess, a thousand threads tangled together.

Shen Ji raised a hand to press his temples, which were starting to throb.

Prince Yan, however, seriously considered his earlier words, his expression turning grave. “He Ming, are you suspecting they aren’t biological siblings? Or are you suspecting they are having an illicit affair?”

Either possibility was enough to rock the imperial court.

Shen Ji fell silent.

He, too, felt that the thought that had just flashed through his mind was far too audacious.

Prince Yan sucked in a breath of cold air and said decisively, “That’s impossible. The imperial family isn’t some minor household. The births of princes and princesses are all clearly recorded in the Imperial Genealogy. Besides, the inner palace—what kind of place is that? If they were truly having an affair, that would be incest…”

Shen Ji cupped his hands. “This official misspoke.”

Prince Yan clasped his hands behind his back, his expression solemn. “Alright, let’s not discuss this matter for now.”

“Yes.”

Although he said that, the suspicion left a deep impression on Prince Yan’s mind.

The idea was outrageous, but if, by some chance, it were true, then it wouldn’t be hard to understand why the Crown Prince would pursue Shen Ji for a thousand li to kill him, nor would it be hard to understand the Crown Prince’s apprehension.

Composing himself, Prince Yan patted Shen Ji’s shoulder gently and said in a warm voice, “This prince has no intention of blaming you. It’s just that this matter is of great importance. We need conclusive evidence, otherwise, do not speak of it lightly to anyone.”

“This official understands.”

Prince Yan gave a slight nod, then changed the subject, deliberately teasing, “Newly married yesterday, how does He Ming feel?”

A faint smile touched Shen Ji’s lips. “Very good.”

It was long-awaited, so naturally, it was exceedingly good.

Prince Yan burst into hearty laughter.

At the same time, Yan Wangfei was asking Su Zhenyue the very same question.

—During Prince Yan’s visit this time, Yan Wangfei and her entourage, having nothing else to do, had all come to the County Yamen Back Residence.

Perhaps it was a case of husband and wife being of one mind, for when Su Zhenyue was entertaining Yan Wangfei, the latter posed the same question.

“It was fine,” Su Zhenyue replied softly, her cheeks slightly flushed.

“Oh? Just fine? I thought it would be ‘very good’,” Yan Wangfei said intentionally. “It seems our bride isn’t very satisfied with our Number One Scholar.”

“No, no, Cousin is very good to me,” Su Zhenyue hastily clarified.

Seeing her blushing and flustered, Yan Wangfei chuckled.

Perhaps it was a sign of getting older, but she had recently taken a particular liking to teasing the young ones.

Not wanting to continue this topic, Su Zhenyue took the initiative to ask, “Your Highness, did Divine Doctor Xu not come with you?”

Yesterday, she had thought she simply hadn’t noticed, but today she confirmed it—there was indeed no sign of Divine Doctor Xu.

—Everyone she had seen at the Dragon King Temple that night was here, with the sole exception of Divine Doctor Xu.

“What is it? Do you need him for something?” Yan Wangfei asked in return.

“It’s nothing major. I just wanted to thank him in person. I’ve been feeling much better after taking his medicine.”

Ever since falling into the water last year, Su Zhenyue had developed a case of Uterine Cold. The pain was especially severe during her monthly courses. While on the road, she had taken medicine to barely suppress it. Later, during their short stay at the Yan Prince Manor, while Shen Ji and Ping An were recuperating, she had asked Divine Doctor Xu for a few prescriptions.

She hadn’t felt much of a difference right after taking it, but later, after arriving in Anle County, her period came again, and she found the pain had eased considerably.

The effect was remarkable, truly living up to his reputation as a divine doctor.

“So that’s how it is.” Yan Wangfei smiled. “He didn’t come. He went to the Shu Region a short while ago to treat a patient.”

“The Shu Region? That far?”

“Yes, the son of the Sichuan Xingdu Si Commander has a strange illness, and they couldn’t find a cure despite consulting numerous famous doctors. They wrote a letter asking for help, so the Prince recommended Divine Doctor Xu.” Yan Wangfei didn’t hide it from her.

The color drained from Su Zhenyue’s face. “The Sichuan Xingdu Si Commander? Is that… Princess Ruining’s family?”

Yan Wangfei was a little surprised. “You even know about this? Yes, it’s their family. That Princess Ruining is technically a paternal cousin to our Prince, though they’ve never been close. Their family must have been at their wit’s end to write to us for help.”

Of course Su Zhenyue knew. Because the only son of Princess Ruining and the Sichuan Xingdu Si Commander was Yuan Ye. The man who had appeared in her nightmares time and time again.

The June weather was hot, but she couldn’t stop an involuntary shiver.

But Su Zhenyue quickly told herself: Things are different now, don’t think about that. In this life, I will have nothing to do with Yuan Ye ever again. Besides, Yan Wangfei said the two families aren’t close.

So, there was no need to overthink it.

After comforting herself like this for a while, Su Zhenyue felt much more at ease.

She smiled, her expression back to normal. “Divine Doctor Xu’s medical skills are superb. He will surely be able to cure him.”

“Let’s hope so,” Yan Wangfei said casually, though she was rather indifferent in her heart.

She had vaguely heard that Princess Ruining’s son was an arrogant and violent man who would whip people at the slightest disagreement. He was no good person.

If he could be cured, so be it. If he couldn’t, it wasn’t a big deal.

But such things were not to be said to others.

Shu Region.

The Yuan Residence.

Princess Ruining’s face was etched with worry.

Over a month ago, her son had caught a cold. It wasn’t serious at first, but for some reason, he had suddenly developed a high fever that wouldn’t break for days, and he mumbled deliriously in his sleep.

Princess Ruining had only this one son, whom she cherished like a precious jewel. Seeing that no doctor or medicine could cure him, she had no choice but to write to various relatives for help.

As a member of the imperial clan, she usually kept a low profile and had never made enemies. Now that she had swallowed her pride to ask for help for once, people were willing to give her face.

Not only did the imperial court send a few imperial physicians, but several vassal princes and clan members also sent doctors to help.

Perhaps it was a blessing from the heavens, or perhaps it was the combined efforts of all the doctors, but her son finally woke up. Unfortunately, while the fever had subsided, his habit of talking nonsense had not improved, with talk of life and death constantly on his lips.

How could Princess Ruining, as a mother, not be worried?

Although her son was strange and violent, he was still her own flesh and blood.

Princess Ruining chanted sutras and prayed before the Buddha, secretly beseeching the heavens to bless her son with health.

As she was lost in thought, a young maidservant timidly approached and reported, “Your Highness, the Young Master requests your presence.”

Princess Ruining opened her eyes. “I know.”

She composed herself and turned to walk toward her son’s quarters.

The moment she stepped inside, she was hit by the strong, somewhat pungent smell of medicine.

Princess Ruining used her round fan to discreetly wave the air.

Her son, Yuan Ye, sat by the table in a white inner robe, his face pale. The maids and servants all stood at a distance, none daring to approach.

He was not old, but he had a gloomy air about him. His features were originally quite handsome, but due to his illness, he looked exceptionally haggard, his appearance diminished by several points.

Seeing his mother enter, Yuan Ye lifted his eyelids. “I want to go to the capital.”

“You child, you haven’t even fully recovered. What would you go to the capital for?”

“To find someone,” Yuan Ye said, his gaze heavy.

“Find someone? Who are you looking for?”

Yuan Ye did not answer.

Princess Ruining tried to persuade him earnestly, “If you need to find someone, just tell us their name, their features, and where they live. You can have your men find them. Why must you go yourself? Just stay home and recuperate. If anything were to happen to you, how would your mother live on…”

As she spoke, her eyes reddened.

Despite his mother’s tearful pleas, Yuan Ye remained silent, scene after scene flashing before his eyes.

He had too many questions in his heart.

But it didn’t matter. He would find the answers himself.

Prince Yan had come to Anle County for two reasons: Shen Ji’s wedding and the matter concerning the Crown Prince.

Now that the wedding was over, Prince Yan did not linger. After a few more words, he prepared to lead his people away.

At their parting, Yan Wangfei was reluctant to leave, holding Su Zhenyue’s hand and secretly whispering much advice on the “art of managing a husband.”

Su Zhenyue’s face flushed as she listened.

She really hadn’t expected that Prince Yan and his wife interacted like this in private. The future Emperor and Empress were quite loving.

“Little sister, I’m only telling you this because you’re one of us. In a marriage, besides feelings, you still need technique. Substance is far more important than appearances.”

Su Zhenyue glanced at Shen Ji, who was talking with Shi Jun and the others not far away, and nodded. “I’ll remember everything Your Highness has said.”

Although every couple had their own way of getting along, she knew Yan Wangfei meant well and was willing to accept her kindness.

Prince Yan’s party left Anle County, but the troop of personal guards remained.

The newlyweds had no living parents, so the custom of visiting the groom’s parents on the second day of marriage was skipped.

Before the wedding, the two had written out their parents’ memorial tablets and enshrined them here.

After the wedding, they burned incense and paid their respects, which served as a way to comfort their parents’ spirits in heaven.

After seeing the distinguished guests off, Su Zhenyue returned to her room.

Nanxing handed her an item. “Miss—no, I should change how I address you. Madam, this is yesterday’s gift list.”

“Either is fine.” Su Zhenyue smiled, looking very easy-going as she took the gift list and examined it.

Before the wedding, Shen Ji had announced that he would not accept extravagant gifts, so the wedding presents from colleagues and neighbors were all simple. As a result, the most valuable item was the embroidered screen from Yan Wangfei.

However, compared to the other “generous gifts” from the Yan Prince Manor, this screen was the least worthy of mention.

As she was looking at it intently, Shen Ji entered from behind the curtain.

Seeing him, Nanxing quietly withdrew.

Su Zhenyue put away the gift list, looked up at Shen Ji, and casually poured him a cup of tea. “Cousin, Prince Yan didn’t come looking for you just to offer congratulations, did he?”

She was a little curious about what Prince Yan had said to him in private.

Why did he seem a little absent-minded?

Shen Ji sat down beside her and took two sips from the teacup. “He asked me a little about the Crown Prince.”

“Oh, I see.” Su Zhenyue nodded. Remembering something, she hesitated for a moment before asking in a small voice, “Cousin, how did you offend the Crown Prince in the first place?”

—She had been curious about this for a long time, but thinking he didn’t want to talk about it, she hadn’t pressed. But now, they were married, and she felt their relationship was much closer than before. Perhaps she could try to understand now?

But as soon as the words were out, she regretted it and quickly amended, “Never mind, I was just asking. It’s fine if you don’t want to say.”

Seeing her like this, Shen Ji smiled and deliberately teased her, “Mianmian really wants to know?”

“Not that much,” Su Zhenyue replied.

She was just a little curious. In the capital, the story she heard was that he had offended the Emperor at the Qionglin Banquet. But that night at the Dragon King Temple, she had clearly heard him tell Prince Yan that he had been sent into exile and targeted for assassination because he had offended the Crown Prince.

Shen Ji sighed in an exaggerated manner. “Alas, I was thinking, if you really wanted to know, and if you begged me a little, it’s not like I couldn’t tell you.”

“Eh?” Su Zhenyue was taken aback and gave him a light push. “If you don’t want to tell me, then don’t. Who wants to beg you?”

She failed to move him, and instead, he caught her hand.

Shen Ji raised an eyebrow. “You really don’t want to know?”

Su Zhenyue didn’t speak, just turned her head away, refusing to look at him.

Shen Ji’s smile faded. Without going into specifics, he said in a low voice, “I’m not certain. I just suspect that the Crown Prince thought I knew his secret.”

“Secret?” Su Zhenyue pulled her hand back, her interest piqued. “What secret? That he’s not the Emperor’s biological son?”

“What did you say?” Shen Ji was startled, his expression one of disbelief, but he quickly composed himself. “Mianmian, why would you say that? Do you know something?”

“I… I don’t know anything. I just said it randomly,” Su Zhenyue said, startled, not knowing how to explain herself.

The words had just tumbled out. It was because in that long dream, more than two years later, the Emperor would pass away and the Crown Prince would ascend the throne. The Third Prince would then claim the Crown Prince was an illegitimate child who had wrongfully taken the throne and would launch a rebellion.

The Crown Prince’s side would immediately counter, also claiming the Third Prince was not the Emperor’s biological son.

The two sides would be at a deadlock, and the Third Prince would even bring foreign troops into the court, causing chaos in the capital and displacing the common people. It was at this time that Prince Yan would lead his army to relieve the capital’s crisis and eventually win the throne.

Su Zhenyue had reasoned that the slogans used to attack political enemies during a rebellion weren’t necessarily true, so she hadn’t paid it much mind.

—Besides, there had never been an opportunity to bring it up.

Now, seeing Shen Ji’s rather strong reaction, she too was a bit stunned.

Shen Ji let out a soft “en” and slowly released her hand.

Peeking at his expression, Su Zhenyue added in a small voice, “Alright, actually, I dreamed about it. I dreamed that the Third Prince said he wasn’t the biological son.”

Shen Ji was momentarily stunned, then he chuckled and reached out to pinch her cheek.

Though it was just idle chatter between husband and wife, her words were like a stone dropped into the lake of his heart, sending out ripple after ripple.

For some reason, Shen Ji was suddenly reminded of the situation when they passed through Yinma Post Station that night.

If conditions allowed, perhaps he could investigate in that direction?

Officials in this dynasty were granted a full nine days of marriage leave.

But as a county magistrate, Shen Ji didn’t have that much free time. On the afternoon of the second day of his marriage, someone beat the drum to file a complaint.

It was an extremely simple inheritance dispute, but the two parties bickered and argued endlessly.

By the time the case was settled, dusk had fallen.

Shen Ji didn’t feel tired at all, because the night was coming.

As soon as they finished dinner, he pulled his wife back to their room.

“No, it’s too early. Let’s go for a walk outside first,” Su Zhenyue quickly stopped him.

“Alright.”

And so, the two went out under the moonlight.

It was the height of summer, and there were many idle people on the streets enjoying the cool evening air.

This was their first time going out together at night.

Under the cover of night, Su Zhenyue secretly hooked a finger around the hand of the person beside her.

Shen Ji glanced at her, smiled faintly, and directly enveloped her entire hand in his.

Their sleeves drooped down, concealing their joined hands.

A smile touched Su Zhenyue’s lips. Thinking back to last year, it felt like a lifetime ago.

In a few more years, when Prince Yan ascended the throne, the good days would truly begin.

But things were good now, too.

She was very content.

They walked outside for about half an hour, but after running into three acquaintances in a row, they decided to stop strolling and went straight back to the rear residence.

Back in their room, after bathing, Shen Ji brought up the matter from that morning.

Su Zhenyue’s face instantly turned red, and she muttered, “How do you still remember?”

“My memory isn’t that bad.” Shen Ji’s eyebrow twitched. He leaned in close to her ear and lowered his voice, “I want to see more clearly. Is that alright?”

The woman’s cheeks were thoroughly flushed, but she finally gave a light nod.

That night, they were not in bed, but on the daybed to the side, with the red candles burning brightly, leaving nothing to the imagination.

Su Zhenyue was utterly mortified and simply covered her eyes with a handkerchief.

She had thought that blocking her vision would make it a little better. But once she truly couldn’t see, she understood the meaning of “plugging one’s ears while stealing a bell.” In the darkness, all her other senses were magnified, and she could only let him have his way.

A night of wild abandon.