The old servant woman led the way ahead. Seeing her stop, she smiled and said, “My lady, please don’t linger here. This courtyard has seen unfortunate events and carries a heavy energy. You are a lady of great worth, you mustn’t risk encountering anything ill.”
Su Xinghe chuckled at this. “I am here to investigate a case, I can’t afford to be superstitious. Since something happened in this courtyard, why wasn’t it sealed off?”
The old servant woman was quite talkative and rambled on “It was supposed to be sealed off, but the case hasn’t been solved yet, right? Besides, when a place is left empty for too long, even without ghosts. It’ll attract them. Our master, gave the order to have a few of us come in and check the house.”
After listening, Su Xinghe, let out a long “oh” and glanced around before continuing. “But the house is dirty after all. Aren’t people afraid to stay in a place like this?”
The servant woman smiled and said, “People like us don’t fuss over such things! We do whatever the master tells us.”
Su Xinghe nodded, “True enough. Thankfully, with the Second Master keeping an eye on things, the manor isn’t too desolated.”
This time, the old servant woman didn’t engage in idle chatter. She reminded Su Xinghe to watch her step while crossing the threshold, leading her directly into the princess’s courtyard.
Su Xinghe raised her eyes to take in the scene. After all, the princess was the daughter of the emperor. Even though she had established her household, the privileges she enjoyed hadn’t diminished. The main hall of the princess’s residence was of the same high status as those in royal mansions, belonging to the class of the Silver Peace Halls. The courtyards used for daily living were adorned with high-grade decorative paintings on the eaves. Even in this cold season, when everything else seemed barren, the princess’s residence stood out with its bright red walls and green-tiled roofs. Every detail was exquisitely crafted from the glazed tiles atop the hall to the cobblestones along the paths.
Perhaps to highlight the princess’s elegance or allowed thousands of households to visit discreetly thick sandalwood curtains were hung outside the corridors. From a distance, it was impossible to see anything inside. No wonder those captains who investigated the princess’s residence at night failed to uncover scandals like the typical “brother-in-law comforting the widow at midnight” scenario. Su Xinghe recalled that the last time she visited these curtains hadn’t been there. Could it be hanging bamboo curtains in the winter without the intent to conceal anything?
As they moved forward and approached the veranda, a female official from inside came out to greet them. She lifted the curtain and cheerfully said, “Lord Su is here? Our mistress has been waiting for you all day. Please, come in!”
The Su family had always served the Duke of Min, something Princess Xialing was well aware of. Because of this, Su Xinghe received a certain level of courtesy upon her arrival.
Su Xinghe thanked her and stepped up the stairs, entering through the curtains. Inside, despite the lack of sunlight, the atmosphere wasn’t cold. A radiant underfloor heating system warmed the princess’s winter quarters, and a strong fire burned in the kang (heated bed). Incense was also burning in the hall, and the scent, intensified by the warmth, was so rich it was almost intoxicating. Only someone with an intense temperament would prefer such an overpowering fragrance. At first whiff it made one feel dizzy.
Su Xinghe looked up and saw that the princess was still in her vanity, not delegating the task to a servant. She was applying lip balm, layer after layer until her lips took on a soft, watery red hue.
In the bronze mirror, a pair of beautiful eyes glanced over. Su Xinghe respectfully bowed to her. “I greet Your Highness.”
The princess had a delicate yet crisp voice, and even the most casual words from her mouth carried an innate air of authority.
“How is it that Lord Su has time to wander over to my place today?” she asked.
With a smile, Su Xinghe replied, “I’m still here for the case. The last time I visited Fengchu Palace to pay my respects, the Zuo Zhaoyi urged me to wrap up the matter quickly. It seems time is about right, so I’ve come to trouble Your Highness once more to bring this to a close.”
Princess Xialing continued her makeup routine, dabbing on some powder here and applying another layer of rouge there, not even bothering to maintain the pretense of a grieving widow. In the bronze mirror, her face always appeared in a golden hue. She responded slowly, almost indifferently, “The sooner it’s concluded, the better. My residence has practically turned into a racetrack, with your Commandery officers constantly coming in and out. Quite the spectacle!” After a brief pause, she asked, “I hear you’ve been promoted to the head of the Ministry of Military Control. Does that mean all matters concerning royal women fall under your jurisdiction?”
Su Xinghe lowered herself humbly and responded, “It’s all thanks to Zuo Zhaoyi’s favor.”
The princess gave a faint, mocking laugh. “I don’t think that’s the whole story. You’ve always been clever. Even if they had to pick someone from the palace to handle this task. I believe you’d be the most suitable choice. Since the case is ending, do you have a clear plan in mind?”
Su Xinghe replied, “I intend to downplay the major matters and resolve the minor ones quietly. After all, it concerns the royal family’s reputation. With so many people in the household, a malicious servant might have poisoned the food while serving the meals…”
As Su Xinghe spoke, she carefully observed the princess’s expression, expecting some relief, but to her surprise, she saw none.
The princess simply nodded. “You’re right. The royal family’s reputation is of utmost importance, and it’s not a good idea to let this case drag on without a conclusion.”
Su Xinghe agreed, then glanced at the attendants standing nearby. “Your Highness, I have two things to report privately. May I ask Your Highness to dismiss the others?”
Princess Xialing closed her rouge box, the fine porcelain clicking lightly and clearly. She raised her delicate hand, signaling her attendants. They understood and withdrew to the other side of the curtain. Only then did the princess turn to face Su Xinghe calmly, saying, “Lord Su, speak freely.”
Su Xinghe appreciated the directness and didn’t hesitate. “Now that it’s just the two of us, I’ll be straightforward. Before the marquis was killed, did he argue with Your Highness?”
The princess thought for a moment. “Which time are you referring to? We argued so often that I’ve lost count.”
“Then, when the marquis attempted to fulfill his marital duties, did Your Highness have the walls of your bedroom plastered with the names of his parents?”
Anyone would feel both humiliated and enraged in the marquis’s position, being forced to engage in such acts under the watchful names of their ancestors only a beast would be able to ignore that kind of shame.
Princess Xialing was taken aback for a moment, clearly not expecting such intimate details to be uncovered by the Commander. Su Xinghe anticipated she might lash out, but instead, the princess let out a chuckle. “What is it exactly that Lord Su wishes to ask? Do you suspect I poisoned the marquis? If I had wanted him dead, do you think I’d have let him die in my residence? The world is vast. There are plenty of ditches and waterways where you could bury a hundred bodies. Why would I let him sully my home?”
If the princess had intended to act, she certainly wouldn’t have done so itself. Su Xinghe knew her visit was little more than a formality, something to allow her to provide an excuse later.
She nodded slightly and said, “With the year-end approaching, the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate will soon be reviewing cases, sending twelve major ones for reexamination at the southwest corridor of the Chengtian Gate. Normally, the Commander would have to follow this procedure as well, but since this concerns Your Highness’s residence, I wonder if I might be able to intervene, suggesting a closed-door trial by a few trusted scribes. As long as the accused confesses the rest will be easier to handle.”
The princess seemed very pleased. “This is what your Commander is known for. With you in charge, I can be at ease.”
A marquis had died, and whether or not the princess had been involved, her mood seemed entirely unaffected. Su Xinghe responded with a polite smile, but deep down, she felt only sorrow. Even those who were once spouses could turn into mortal enemies. The coldness of this world had long since chilled hearts beyond warming.
After a brief hesitation, Su Xinghe added, “When I was waiting with the captains outside the gates, I saw Vice Minister Gao leaving the residence. I wonder if…”
It was an awkward question to ask but to smooth things over later.
This time, however, Princess Xialing didn’t answer directly. Leaning casually against her dressing table, with a faint, knowing smile, she said, “I’ve heard a rumor myself that Lord Su is in a rather special position with His Highness the Crown Prince. It’s said that His Highness holds you in quite high esteem.”
Su Xinghe calmly replied, “Yes, I am the Crown Prince’s favored concubine, entangled in ambiguity for quite some time now. It’s hardly news anymore…”
Princess Xialing hadn’t expected Su Xinghe to turn the situation around like that, and for a moment, her eyes widened in surprise. Before she could respond further, she noticed a figure standing at the door. Several older maidservants were already gathered outside the bamboo curtain, their faces filled with sorrow and frustration, their necks shrunk as if afraid to speak.
Both the princess and Su Xinghe were startled. The princess blushed and stood up, smiling apologetically. “Second Brother, what brings you here?”
The Crown Prince gave a soft hum in response. “I came to check on you. I haven’t seen you at the palace recently, so I wondered how you’ve been. Besides, this is Lord Su’s first time handling a case. I was concerned she might be too abrupt, so I came to keep an eye on things.”
His words… the first half was an excuse, while the second revealed his true reason for coming. Princess Xialing smiled knowingly, but Su Xinghe felt as if struck by lightning. What was his purpose in showing up now? She was about to deal with the Gao Family, and he appeared seemingly eager to fuel Princess Xialing’s suspicions of the Su family’s loyalty. Was he intentionally stirring the pot?
“Your Highness…” Su Xinghe began.
The Crown Prince shot her a glance. “A favored concubine has no right to speak.”
She had no choice but to swallow her words. Once again, he had caught her in a vulnerable moment. Why did he always seem to appear when she was riding high, just to bring her down?
From that point on, Su Xinghe had no place to speak. She stood quietly to the side, watching as the Crown Prince and Princess Xialing performed their show of sibling affection. Although they were not born of the same mother, they shared the same father, and the Crown Prince always maintained an image of moral purity in front of those he wasn’t close to. He advised the princess, “The matter is over, don’t dwell on it too much. And don’t listen to those foolish people who say you can’t enter the palace because you’re still mourning. The doors of my Eastern Palace are always open. If you feel weary, come by anytime your brother will never turn you away.”
Princess Xialing appeared deeply moved. “Thank you, Second Brother. To be honest, lately, I’ve lost all interest in life. People outside criticize me, and I can’t return to my family home. If this keeps up, I might just be driven mad.”
The Crown Prince responded with more comforting words, full of false sincerity. The princess played along, acting pitifully and wiping away tears. Su Xinghe found that watching their charade was less interesting than staring at the Western clock on the desk. Under the glass cover, two enamel birds stood side by side on a golden branch, looking far more affectionate than the royal siblings.
In truth, the Crown Prince had little interest in making small talk with this estranged sister. After a few more exchanges, it was clear that the princess grew tired of the conversation, and he, too, was ready to leave. Patting his knees, he stood up and said, “Alright, I’ve stayed long enough. It’s time for me to go. Take care of yourself your health is the most important thing.”
Princess Xialing stood up to see him off. “Brother, it’s rare for you to visit. Why don’t you stay a little longer?”
The Crown Prince dismissed the idea with a wave, “I have meetings this afternoon. No time to linger.” As he walked, his eyes flicked to Su Xinghe. “Is your work still unfinished? Why aren’t you attending to me?”
Su Xinghe felt a knot of frustration in her chest. She blinked and bowed politely to Princess Xialing. “I’ve disturbed Your Highness long enough. I shall take my leave.”
Princess Xialing slightly nodded, watching Su Xinghe follow the Crown Prince out of the courtyard. She turned and smiled to herself. “What an interesting person, yet she’s as cautious around the Crown Prince as a mouse avoiding a cat.”
The Crown Prince walked quickly, and Su Xinghe had to jog to keep up with him. They said nothing as they left the princess’s residence, passing by the officers and guards without the Crown Prince, so much as acknowledging them. Instead, his gaze fell on Lou Yueting, standing in the shadows of a nearby alley.
As the heir to the throne, the Crown Prince didn’t need to greet anyone first. Simply by standing still, others would come to pay their respects.
Sure enough, the man in the shadows, knowing there was no way to avoid the situation, stepped forward to bow deeply. The Crown Prince with his hands tucked into his sleeves, spoke in a calm and friendly tone, “General Lou, what brings you here?”
Lou Yueting was a man with a dignified, unyielding nature. He didn’t bother making excuses and reported plainly, “The Deputy Director of the Privy Council sent me. Since the princess’s residence is no ordinary place, he feared Lord Su might not leave unharmed, so I was instructed to wait outside.”
The Crown Prince nodded thoughtfully. “Su Xinghai has certainly troubled himself over his sister’s affairs. As it happens, so have I, which makes me understand his concerns.”
Everyone present tried to discern the deeper meaning behind the Crown Prince’s words. When he said, “So have I,” did he mean he cared for Princess Xialing like a brother? Or was he implying, like Su Xinghai, that he was concerned about Su Xinghe, Xinghai’s sister?
Su Xinghe kept her head lowered, saying nothing. She might have been the only one who could truly understand the Crown Prince’s mood at that moment. He had even used the word lonely, implying that he was considering how to damage her reputation in front of Lou Yueting. Anxiety churned in her gut. “Your Highness, don’t you still have meetings to attend? Allow me to escort you back to the palace.”
The Crown Prince gave her a restrained smile. “The day is still young. Why are you in such a hurry? Whatever needs to be said, we can discuss it tonight.”
