The Crown Prince rubbed his forehead. “What kind of incense is burning in this hall? Why does it make me feel dizzy?”
Su Xinghe replied, “Your Highness, are you aware of the rules of the Imperial Household Department? When a concubine is favored for the first time, they accompany her with ‘Hehuan incense.’ That incense is meant to heighten excitement easing nerves and making things go more smoothly.”
The Crown Prince let out a sound of understanding. “You even know about this?”
Su Xinghe nodded. “I am the Female Secretary, and everything in the Eastern Palace, including the court records, falls under my jurisdiction. Although I haven’t personally handled these things, I am familiar with the traditions.”
The Crown Prince massaged his forehead again. “So, this incense has the marvelous effect of inducing *feelings*?”
She responded earnestly, “It depends on the person. In my opinion, incense is effective for perfuming a room, but to use it to influence someone’s spirit, you’d need a large quantity in a confined space.” She observed his expression as she spoke. “What’s wrong, Your Highness? Is the scent making you uncomfortable? I can have it removed immediately.”
As she turned to leave, he grabbed her sleeve. “No discomfort on the contrary I feel quite comfortable, even warm all over.” He smiled. “Don’t stop; continue brushing my hair.”
Su Xinghe acknowledged his request and gently ran her fingers through his dark locks.
In the mirror, the Crown Prince sat with his eyes closed, a look of bliss on his face. When he was relaxed, his brows unfurrowed, his eyes softened, and even his sharply defined sideburns seemed to exude a scholarly elegance. The peachwood comb moved through his hair, stroke after stroke, silent and smooth. Neither of them spoke, allowing time to flow with a tender serenity. There was no need to hide anything he was firmly in his role as master, while Su Xinghe dutifully attended to him. Both were at ease, each fulfilling their part.
For the duration of a single incense stick, she combed his hair without the slightest hint of impatience. Perhaps because there were no ulterior motives in her heart, her expression remained open and sincere. As for the Crown Prince, his mind spun like a windmill. The lamps in the hall tonight were different from usual, their shades covered in red silk, casting an air of subtle romance. In such an atmosphere, it was hard not to be distracted. His hands, resting in his sleeves, went from relaxed to clenched into fists. He stared at her reflection in the mirror, a sight he had seen countless times, but one he never grew tired of.
He called her name: “Su Xinghe…”
“Hmm?” She raised her eyes. “Does Your Highness have any instructions?”
His heart thudded loudly. “I’m feeling a bit warm.”
Hearing this, she lifted his hair and casually touched the skin near his collar. Indeed, it was damp with sweat.
When serving their masters, especially in close proximity, palace attendants weren’t bound by too many formalities. It was like watching his mother care for him as a child back then when he was just learning to walk, she would always keep an eye on his diaper, occasionally checking it without any fanfare. No one would ever kneel down and formally announce, “Your servant humbly attends to your bodily needs.” Some things were simply too crude to speak aloud. To the Crown Prince, Su Xinghe’s touch felt similarly natural, like the care of a mother. Yet in his eyes, something had changed her light touch sent a shiver up his spine, igniting a fire in his heart.
Su Xinghe muttered, “Perhaps the heated floor is too warm. I’ll go and tell them to dampen the fire.”
The Crown Prince waved her off, saying it wasn’t necessary. He loosened his collar with a raised hand, finally feeling some relief as he let out a long breath.
The situation ended up creating an awkward moment for the person behind him.
The Crown Prince had been trained in martial arts since childhood. Starting at the age of six, he had three martial arts masters who took turns teaching him archery and horsemanship. Sixteen years of training had built a strong, robust physique. Normally, his fine robes hid this, but when he loosened his collar today, the sight was striking. Su Xinghe saw his well-defined muscles for the first time, outlined in shadow, sharp and distinct. Combined with his disheveled hair and languid demeanor, it created an indescribable, strange beauty.
She swallowed nervously, trying to maintain her composure. But, to her dismay, she accidentally locked eyes with him. Embarrassed, she forced an awkward smile, quickly putting down the comb and pulling up her sleeve. She fanned him vigorously, saying, “Your Highness, cool off a bit.”
He finally turned to face her, giving her a helpless look. “I’m dizzy.”
She pondered for a moment and concluded that it must be the *Hehuan* incense causing it. “I’ll have them remove the incense.”
But before she could finish, he suddenly leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her waist, pressing his face against her side. “Don’t move, just like this.”
Su Xinghe froze in place, her limbs stiff. She gave him a gentle push, but he wouldn’t budge. “Are you going to pass out?” she asked, fanning him more vigorously while lightly patting his back. “Your Highness, don’t scare me.”
The Crown Prince held her tightly, his original intention being to demonstrate his strength. But somewhere along the way, his thoughts drifted in another direction. However, this girl was like a wooden bell no matter how much you struck it, it made no sound. Apart from her initial awkwardness, she seemed entirely focused on worrying about his health. One “Your Highness” after another, her concern became annoying to him, so he tightened his grip around her waist even more.
At this point, Su Xinghe realized something was off. What was happening here? They had just settled the matter of being “childhood friends,” and now it seemed like he intended to take things further.
His face was pressed against her stomach, and she was afraid he’d notice any extra fat and mock her for it, so she sucked in her breath as much as she could. But he refused to get up, holding her tightly. She poked him with a finger. “Aren’t you afraid you’ll suffocate like this?”
Suffocating was indeed a concern, so the Crown Prince took a breath before continuing to bury his face in her.
In the palace, it wasn’t customary to wear too many layers. Female officials and servants typically wore light robes to avoid clumsy movement. This gave the Crown Prince an opportunity, and as he nestled against her, he thought about how soft Su Xinghe’s stomach was. Even though she was trying to suck it in, he couldn’t help but think how soft it still felt. In truth, he’d been wanting to do this for a while but had never found the right moment. Now, with the cover of the incense as an excuse, he could later claim he was just momentarily out of his senses, not acting on purpose.
Her chest, right within reach, tempted him. He gathered the courage several times to go further but ultimately didn’t dare. Even so, he felt satisfied. The scent of her body, warmed by the heat, filled his senses completely. He inhaled carefully and decided he liked her scent, reinforcing the claim that he could recognize her.
The tighter he held her, the more uncomfortable she became. She muttered, “You’re acting like a child who won’t let go…”
After a while, he finally raised his head and looked at her. “Earlier, someone was sent to my bed, and I refused. Do you know how hard that was for me?”
Su Xinghe was started to feel panicked herself. The atmosphere was becoming dangerous if this continued, something was bound to go wrong. She stammered, “Then I’ll call her back. She’s just in the attendants’ room.”
But he didn’t respond. Instead, he stood up, still pressed close, and spun her around in one smooth movement. Before Su Xinghe could figure out what had happened, she found herself half-reclined against the dressing table.
The cold surface of the bronze mirror pressed against her back, sending a chill through her. Her hands gripped the edge of the table, and a half-broken comb dug into her palm, causing a sharp sting. Stunned, her wide eyes met the Crown Prince’s hazy gaze as he moved closer and closer until she could see the tiny beads of sweat forming on his nose. In a panic, she blurted out, “What are you doing?”
He wasn’t pleased by her response. “What do you think I’m doing?” he grumbled, twisting the grape-shaped button on her collar and leaning in closer. In a low voice, he murmured, “Should we have the Imperial Household register you?”
Su Xinghe’s feet weren’t firmly on the ground; she spread them wide to maintain balance. The Crown Prince smirked as if he were trying to edge in even closer. Without thinking, her mind in a haze, she instinctively kicked out. Her kick successfully pushed him away, but perhaps in her panic, she had misjudged the aim. The result was immediate his expression changed drastically. He staggered back a few steps, hands clutching his waist, legs wobbling until, unable to keep his balance, he plopped down heavily onto a nearby stool.
Had she caused trouble? Su Xinghe’s scalp tingled with fear. She jumped down and hurried to him, frantically feeling around his abdomen. “Where did I kick you? Did I hurt you? Oh, my lord…” She was nearly in tears, choking up as she said, “It’s my fault, I didn’t know my strength… I’ll call for the imperial physician!”
The Crown Prince was in so much pain that he couldn’t even unclench his jaw. Still, he tightly gripped her sleeve, refusing to let go. If the imperial physician came and examined this area, how could he save face?
“I’m fine…” he forced a smile despite the pain. “It’ll get better soon.”
After thinking it over, he couldn’t really blame her. He hadn’t had good intentions, so this was karma. But the pain there were no words for it. He wanted badly to rub the sore spot, but with her right in front of him, all he could do was clutch his waist, having no other way to deal with it.
He breathed heavily through the pain, tears welling in his eyes as he said, “Su Xinghe, you should go back.”
She refused, kneeling before him and insistently massaging him. “What if I leave and you die? What am I supposed to do then?” In her panic, she blurted out whatever came to mind, genuinely terrified. She was imagining the worst, if the Eastern Palace raised white mourning banners tomorrow morning, everything would spiral out of control.
She cried and whimpered, “Let me help you…” as she fumbled, trying to find the source of the pain. “Is it here?”
The Crown Prince’s face went from pale to green, then to red. As the pain gradually subsided, it was replaced by a deeper sense of emptiness, like a sieve that engulfed him entirely.
“Ah… ah… ah…” He awkwardly tried to pull away, saying bashfully, “It’s fine now, it doesn’t hurt anymore.”
She didn’t believe him. “Look at your face it keeps changing colors!” She was filled with regret, wishing she hadn’t kicked him. If something serious had happened, no amount of regret would have fixed it.
She gently continued to rub the sore area. Seeing his embarrassment, she remained calm and said, “I’ll be more gentle. Take a few deep breaths and relax.” Her motions were like petting a cat or a dog, back and forth a few times. Then, she looked up and asked, “How are you feeling now? Any better?”
The Crown Prince felt like crying but had no tears. “Su Xinghe, you’ve got some nerve. If I can’t have children in the future, you’ll have to take responsibility.”
That put her in a difficult spot how was she supposed to take responsibility for that? “Well, if I have a son in the future, I can pass him on to you. How about that?”
He thought her idea was laughably bold. She would have a son with someone else, then pass him off to carry on the royal family line? Such audacity she wasn’t even trying to hide her intentions! The Crown Prince, still gasping in pain, gritted his teeth and said, “What are you thinking? I’m in this state, and your heart is made of iron, isn’t it?”
What was she supposed to do? He was the one who had brought up the possibility of not having sons. She continued her massage, wanting to comfort him further, but as she pressed and kneaded, she noticed a bump forming on his abdomen. Surprised, she muttered, “Could it be swollen?”
Alarmed, the Crown Prince quickly pushed her away. Su Xinghe stood there for a moment, then seemed to understand. She got up awkwardly, rubbing her hands together, and said, “Well… it’s late. You should rest, Your Highness.”
As she hurried out of the hall, she glanced back at him one last time. He had his hands over his face, looking a bit sad. Su Xinghe felt ridiculous herself how had things gotten to this point? In public, they were both sharp and meticulous, but when they were alone, it was as if they both turned into fools with half a brain. Maybe that’s how childhood friends were. The lines between genders had blurred long ago, and when they joked, there seemed to be no boundaries at all.
After all that had happened, her head was indeed spinning. The hall was unbearably hot, so much so that it made her feel faint. She rushed out of the hall and stood under the eaves, dry-heaving a couple of times. Just as she was about to leave, she noticed Dequan, the eunuch, hiding behind one of the pillars, his tiny sesame-seed-like eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Startled, she asked, “Chief Eunuch, what are you doing?”
Dequan approached her, smirking as he folded his hands into his sleeves. “My lady, are you feeling unwell? Shall I summon the imperial physician to check your pulse? It’s cold out better take care of your body. If there’s good news and you don’t even know it, and something happens, you’ll regret it.”
She was stunned for a moment, thinking to herself that even if she jumped into the Yellow River, she wouldn’t be able to clear her name. What good news? Did he really think that just by joking around, a child could magically appear? But then she remembered the comment about “recognizing the door” from earlier. What could she do? She felt bitter, knowing that her reputation was slowly being tarnished by the person in that hall. She had felt guilty for kicking him earlier, but now, after some reflection, she thought he deserved it. Still, she couldn’t help but pity herself. Lou Yueting, her older brother, worked closely with her, and he hadn’t married yet. She had harbored some secret hopes, but now, after so much dirt had been thrown at her, she doubted she was worthy of him. She had once hoped to find a chance to explain things to him, but now that seemed unnecessary.
Dequan looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to nod. She sighed and said, “Chief Eunuch, bring me the register of all the maids in the Eastern Palace tomorrow.”
Confused, Dequan asked, “What do you need the register for, my lady?”
She gazed out into the distance and replied, “To see if there are any older ones.”
Dequan finally understood. He let out a long “Oh,” his face breaking into a smile. So, it turns out she’s worried too, trying to find an older woman to help take care of the future heir to the throne. Ah, as an old servant, he’s been through a lot, worrying himself to the bone. His eyes teared up, and he couldn’t help but roll up his sleeves to wipe them away. He’d been assigned to serve the Crown Prince since the time of the late Empress, watching the Prince grow up. The Crown Prince, being of noble birth, was proud and aloof, and up until now, the only woman he’d taken a liking to was Lady Su. If things continued this way, there would surely be trouble. But now, at least it seems there’s hope for an heir. Dequan happily agreed, unable to hold back his tears, which left Su Xinghe completely confused.
Su Xinghe sighed, tucking her hands into her sleeves. “I just had a serious talk with His Highness. He said he prefers women who are a bit older. Today’s court lady… she’s too young.”
Dequan was dumbfounded. “But don’t most men prefer younger women? And our master, the Crown Prince…”
Who knew what to make of it? Su Xinghe gave a wry smile, not elaborating further, and wrapped her cloak around herself before returning to the Women’s Court.
Since all the preparations had been made the day before, by the hour of Chen (7-9 AM) the next day, the chief scribes from the Five Ministries and the Twelve Department had all arrived at the Ministry of Military Control. Su Xinghe was the chief judge for this case and had arrived early to greet each official at the gate, personally escorting them into the courthouse. Her status was special, and everyone in the inner court knew this, so they greeted her warmly and with respect.
She spoke clearly from the start, “The accused was brought to the Ministry of Military Control half a year ago along with five other servants from the household. Half a year has passed, and while people can change, the records remain the same. Although I re-interrogated and re-examined the accused, his confession came too easily, which struck me as unusual. The accused has already confessed, and there’s little more to uncover. You all know how delicate this matter is it concerns the Princess’s household. We must be mindful of appearances. I’ve asked you all here today to make this process official. We’ll handle everything behind closed doors in the Ministry of Military Control.”
The chief scribes all understood the implications. In cases like this, it was often enough to have someone take the fall, whether it was due to personal grudges or being directed by others.
The trial proceeded with all the pomp and ceremony expected. The bailiffs made a loud show, and the servant, accused of poisoning the princess’s husband, knelt before the court amidst cries of “Order!” He had been dragged before the court so many times over the past six months that he had become hardened, and the usual intimidating courtroom tactics no longer scared him. The chief scribe at the head of the court asked him questions, but he kept his head down and didn’t respond. Since they couldn’t extract anything from him. They were ready to wrap up the case. Everyone was busy, after all.
A lower official took up the record and began reading aloud the details, from the servant’s name and age to how he had worked in the Princess’s household and taken advantage of his position. The servant, who could have had a career as an actor if he had chosen that path, sat quietly, listening intently. But when the part about poisoning the consort was read, he suddenly burst into loud sobs, crying, “Injustice! I’ve been wronged! I have a grievance, and I beg the honorable officials to deliver justice!”
At his sudden reversal in court, the chief scribes sat up straight. Su Xinghe, twirling a piece of white jade in her hand, listened as the servant repeated everything according to the prior instructions. Finally, when the words “Second Master Gao” left his mouth, she quietly breathed a sigh of relief but let a troubled expression appear on her face. She then turned to the chief scribes and asked, “How should we handle this matter? After all, Assistant Minister Gao is the brother of the princess’s husband!”
The chief scribes exchanged uneasy glances. “According to the law, even if the Son of Heaven breaks it, he must face the same punishment as a commoner…”
Su Xinghe immediately stood up. “Summon the commander, Su Xinghai, and order him to use the Ministry of Military Control’ warrant to arrest the suspect, Gao Zhiya.”
With a clang, the order was received, and the main gates of the courthouse slowly creaked open. The mournful sound of the door hinges echoed far into the cold winter air, carrying away on the thin rays of the pale sunlight.
She turned back to the court, cupping her hands in salute to everyone present. “Since the case has encountered complications, it seems difficult to reach a decision today. I ask all the esteemed officials to report the truth to His Majesty and allow me two days. I will certainly overcome all obstacles to uncover the truth.”
