Chapter 36
Yu She left in a rush . Zhong Wan watched him leave, spending a long time holding in his laughter .
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Fine . Once every ten days… was slightly better than the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl .
Zhong Wan slowly made his way back . When he finally reached his destination, Xuan Jing and them had already been asked to go elsewhere . Afterwards, Zhong Wan was careful to avoid them . He didn’t encounter these people again .
What did Xuan Jing want with him?
Zhong Wan felt restless as he held onto the paper ball Lin Si had given him . The third week after Third Prince’s passing, he asked someone to summon Lin Si . But two days had passed and Lin Si still hadn’t come . Zhong Wan dispatched the people he had in the capital to investigate in secret . Before he could get any results, Lin Si came .
As usual, Lin Si entered the estate after nightfall . Zhong Wan saw that his expression looked normal, so slightly relaxed . The two of them entered the inner room . Zhong Wan poured a cup of tea for Lin Si .
Lin Si hurriedly accepted it with both hands . He set the cup down and signed, “The last time I came here, I didn’t hide my tracks well enough . Fourth Prince found out . ”
Zhong Wan’s expression changed . Before he could speak, Lin Si hurriedly added: “Master ordered me to hide the information about Young Prince Yu . I had no other option and could only go along with this and tell Fourth Highness that the information from Fifth Highness had been blocked by Master . I came to you, seeking the information, but to no avail . Which was why I made that trip and why all my attempts at finding out information about Young Prince Yu have been fruitless . ”
Zhong Wan burst into laughter . “I was wondering why Xuan Jing wanted to meet with me out of the blue . ”
Lin Si looked extremely apologetic . He gestured, “It was because of my carelessness that caused Master to get dragged in . ”
“No matter . It’s not like Xuan Jing doesn’t know the relationship between us . Besides, I’m not scared of him . ” Though Xuan Jing and Yu She were sworn enemies, he had a bit of a frenemy relationship with Zhong Wan . The two of them hadn’t met in many years, but wouldn’t actually fight so easily . Zhong Wan was largely unbothered . “Last time, I was eager to find Yu She, so forgot to tell you some official business . I’ll just tell you everything now . ”
Zhong Wan paused . “Ever since I’ve arrived in the capital, you’ve mentioned Yu She’s identity to me several times . This information was discovered by Xuan Qiong and subsequently found out by you guys, right?”
Lin Si was perplexed, but nodded .
“So are you actually taking the easy path by following behind Xuan Qiong, or…” Zhong Wan became silent for a few moments . He asked, “Or are you only finding out what Xuan Qiong wants you to find out?”
Lin Si’s expression slightly changed .
Lin Si pondered a bit before responding with sign language, “Fifth Highness might not be capable of creating such a ploy . ”
“I’m not talking about him specifically . ” Zhong Wan smiled, “It’s true that Xuan Qiong is useless, but there are most likely a few intelligent people surrounding the useless ones, right? Previously, I didn’t think anything was wrong and was also preoccupied by Yu She, so didn’t have time for extra consideration . But now that the frequency has increased, I keep feeling like there’s a hand behind me pushing me forward . I feel a bit annoyed . ”
Lin Si furrowed his brows . He signed, “Master suspects that someone is using Fourth Highness as a sword?”
Zhong Wan was uncertain . “It’s too early to tell now who the sword is . It might be Xuan Jing, it might be you, it might also be… Yu She .
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“Third Prince is dead . Right now, Xuan Qiong and Xuan Jing are both waiting for the other to start feuding with Yu She so they can benefit . You guys have stayed behind Xuan Qiong the whole time . This situation seems a bit off . ” Zhong Wan’s brows were tightly furrowed together . “Yu She’s identity is a key to the fight for the throne . Everyone wants to know it, so as soon as any bit of information is leaked out, Xuan Jing and Xuan Qiong will both obediently start following that lead… That’s too passive . ”
Lin Si’s expression became conflicted . He gestured, “After all, this is related to the title of Crown Prince . As soon as Fourth Prince heard that it was related to Young Prince Yu, he became absurdly vigilant . There’s no persuading him out of it . ”
Zhong Wan pressed his lips together . “Not only him . Even I am…”
Lin Si paused . He signed, “What does Master want to do? You want to investigate too?”
An idea struck . Lin Si furrowed his brows and gestured, “Or, you want to kill all witnesses?”
Zhong Wan’s intentions became exposed . He smiled .
Xuan Jing and Xuang Qiong were investigating Yu She to get a clear understanding of the events of the past . But Zhong Wan wanted to erase all these old traces completely .
Kb Itbcu Qjc, la vlvc’a wjaafg ktb Te Vtf’r ojatfg kjr .
Itbcu Qjc rjlv, “Gbc’a kbggs . Bcbk atja P kbc’a tjgw Wejc Alcu… Eluta cbk, P pera kjca ab xcbk ktb tjr yffc qertlcu wf obgkjgv jibcu atlr qjat . ”
Itbcu Qjc ibbxfv abkjgv Te Vtf . Coafg rtjglcu tlr qgfnlber mbcmfgcr, tf jvvfv, “Tbe uesr cfnfg obecv la atf rilutafra yla ragjcuf? Qts kbeiv Te Vtf tjnf ecmbnfgfv remt jc lwqbgajca rfmgfa jr remt j sbecu juf?”
Lin Si had no clue .
Zhong Wan was troubled . With a brain like Xuan Jing’s… how could he fight for the throne against Xuan Qiong or Yu She?
Zhong Wan softly said, “But the issue of Yu She discovering the truth and becoming temporarily unable to accept it is one thing . Could it be possible that all his behavior after that was intentionally guided by someone?
“I asked Steward Feng of the side courtyard of Prince Yu’s estate to help me investigate what had actually happened the first time Yu She had encountered cold food powder . ” Zhong Wan paused and pushed down the intense emotion threatening to swell up . “Steward Feng said that the first time Yu She learned of that thing was at Xuan Jing’s estate . ”
Lin Si froze . He hurriedly shook his head and signed, “Fourth Highness definitely hasn’t eaten that thing before!”
“Of course he hasn’t . ” Something dark flashed through Zhong Wan’s eyes . “It was a servant on his estate . One day, he bumped into Yu She in a daze . That person didn’t seem in the right state of mind; his gaze was unsteady . Upon seeing this, Yu She became confused . He asked the person next to him and that person explained . And then… Yu She started consuming cold food powder . ”
Lin Si hesitated for a moment . He signed, “Master, allow me to be straightforward . If Young Prince Yu hadn’t wanted to eat something of his own accord, no one would’ve been able to force him . ”
Zhong Wan knew that this blame couldn’t be pushed onto Xuan Jing, but he still said, “However, what if someone had known that he was in a terrible mood and purposefully told him that eating cold food powder could temporarily alleviate such sorrows? Yu She couldn’t have not known that it was poisonous . But, him wanting to commit suicide is one thing . Outsiders handing him a knife to do so is another thing . ”
Lin Si had nothing to refute . He gestured, “I don’t dare to confirm anything, but Fourth Highness is straightforward in his actions . I’m afraid he most likely isn’t capable of doing such a thing . ”
“I didn’t say Xuan Jing did it . ” Zhong Wan lowered his voice and continued, “That time, to keep me in the capital, Steward Feng told me that Yu She had once visited Xuan Qiong’s estate to watch a snake charming performance . He clearly knew that the snakes were poisonous, but still held one in his hand to play with . He got bitten on the arm by that snake…”
Zhong Wan looked at Lin Si . “At the time, I didn’t think too much of it, but carefully thinking back now, the situation seems extremely strange . How bold must that snake charmer have been to perform with poisonous snakes in front of the sons and relatives of the emperor . ”
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Lin Si paused, “So Fifth Highness… permitted him?”
“I remember at the time, Steward Feng said that Xuan Qiong got scolded by the emperor afterwards . ” Zhong Wan lowered his gaze . “This happened so long ago in the past that it would be impossible to conduct a complete investigation . The truth has long since been buried…”
Lin Si thought about it and signed, “If Young Prince Yu desired to commit suicide, an indefinite amount of people would definitely aid him . After all…”
After all, he was in the way for a lot of people .
“I understand, but I still feel angry…” Zhong Wan added, “Forget about that . Right now, I only want to find out who is adding fuel to the flames . Lin Si, I want to start with Xuan Qiong . ”
Zhong Wan slowly stated, “I don’t want to keep following Xuan Qiong’s trail and eating his leftovers . ”
Lin Si felt pained . He gestured, “You are determined to get tangled into this mess, right?”
Zhong Wan smiled . “It’s not that I want to get tangled in, it’s that… Nevermind . I can’t explain clearly . ”
“I have a few people in Xuan Qiong’s estate too . Let’s try,” Zhong Wan said . “Either way, enmity already exists between them . There’s nothing else to fear… I want to first get the few servants who once served at the Royal Mausoleum out . ”
Lin Si’s heart squeezed in shock . He signed, “How?”
“Borrowing a sword to kill . I have a plan . ” Zhong Wan lowered his gaze . In a subdued voice, he asked, “…Say, would Old Imperial Preceptor Shi have known about these things?”
Lin Si didn’t understand why Zhong Wan was suddenly bringing up Shi Jin . After a short pause, he signed, “According to his age, he might have . But the Old Imperial Preceptor has passed for many years already . Why is Master asking?”
“Before he passed, the Old Imperial Preceptor once sent me several letters . He left me some people . ” Zhong Wan scoffed at himself . “I’m a disappointment . The Old Imperial Preceptor feared that I would get accused again in the future, so left some people to help me stay alive . But since they’re the Preceptor’s people…they might know some old information . ”
Zhong Wan took a deep breath . “There’s too little information from Xuan Qiong’s side . And, the information can’t be entirely trusted . I might be able to find out some additional things from the Old Imperial Preceptor’s side . ”
“It would probably be impossible to stop Xuan Jing from stealing information from Xuan Qiong . However, remind him that he should take things with a grain of salt . ” Zhong Wan spoke incredibly quickly . “Someone wants to use Xuan Jing as a sword, but who’s to say that no one wants to use Xuan Qiong as a sword as well?”
Lin Si signed, “Master, if you manage to gain Young Prince Yu’s trust in the future…”
Zhong Wan burst into laughter . “Then certain things would become much easier . ”
Lin Si continued to sign, “If anything happens in the future, I’d like to ask Master to ensure Fourth Highness stays alive . ”
Zhong Wan smiled . “Okay . ”
The next day, Xuan Congxin, who had given the excuse of being sick to stay home, was in a great mood . She ordered the servants to make some local Qian An pastries . They were of all shapes and sizes, varying greatly .
Zhong Wan had just made contact with Old Imperial Preceptor Shi’s people . As soon as he got back to the estate, he saw the table full of intricate pastries . He smiled . “How come you suddenly thought to make these?”
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“Xuan Yu misses Eldest Brother and home . Yesterday, he started crying when no one else was watching . ” Xuan Congxin couldn’t take watching her brother cry, but she was firm in speech and soft in the heart . “I wanted to make some Qian An food… and cheer him up . ”
A smile appeared on Zhong Wan’s . “Did you succeed?”
Xuan Congxin nodded while laughing . She added, “I was scared that you would be homesick too, so made extra . These are for you . ”
Zhong Wan smiled and bit back the Qian An actually isn’t my home . He sat down and very supportively tried each pastry . He praised, “Normally I don’t feel this way, but after so many months without eating these, I actually find that they truly taste good . ”
While eating, Zhong Wan said, “Can I pick some out to give away?”
The corners of Xuan Congxin’s lips curled up slightly . “To give to little sister-in-law?”
Zhong Wan smiled, but didn’t answer . Xuan Congxin was too shy to ask further about such a love affair . She left and personally picked out an intricate box, then ordered a servant to bring it to Zhong Wan’s courtyard .
Zhong Wan had someone bring it to the side courtyard of Prince Yu’s estate . Before four hours had passed, it got returned, unopened .
Zhong Wan furrowed his brows . Was Yu She saying… that he refused to eat Zhong Wan’s gift?
Is Yu She overly wary or does he not trust me?
The family soldier returning the box of food was very tall and largely built . Zhong Wan kept feeling like he had seen the other before . He hesitated, then asked, “Does Young Prince Yu not want it?”
“Young Master Zhong, don’t be worried . ” The family soldier placed the box on the table with both hands and took two steps back . He bowed and said, “Our Heir said, the time limit of ten days hasn’t been met yet . Young Master Zhong mustn’t contact Heir of your own accord . ”
Zhong Wan: “…”
He had already forgotten about the “once every ten days” agreement . Yu She hadn’t only been joking?
Zhong Wan was speechless . “This is only a box of pastries…”
The family soldier had no clue what was going on . He could only loudly parrot what Yu She had told him . “That won’t do! The rules are the rules!”
Zhong Wan was dizzy with anger . His hand shook as he picked up a teacup and took a few sips .
The family soldier added, “But after seeing this box of food, our Heir most likely did feel quite pleased . So he also said, if Young Master Zhong behaves well in the future, he might reduce the time from once every ten days to once every nine days . ”
Zhong Wan: “…”
Young Prince Yu really knew when to reward and punish people .
The family soldier strictly stated, “I’ll have to ask Young Master to take back this item . But, there is no need for Young Master to be glum . I specially asked Heir and Heir said that after only five days, Young Master can send over this box of food . ”
Zhong Wan powerlessly said, “It can’t wait five days . In another day, these pastries will go bad . ”
The family soldier froze . “But the rules… were set this way! Is there anything else Young Master wants to explain?”
Zhong Wan shook his head . “I . Have nothing to say . ”
The family soldier knelt on one knee, then stood up and left .
Zhong Wan stared at the box that had been returned . For a long time, he was speechless .
He was exhausted and stressed, spending every day worrying about Yu She . But what was Yu She doing daily?!
First disregarding this . If in the future, Yu She married a Young Princess Consort Yu, would he create so many regulations for his own princess consort too?
The night of the wedding, Yu She would set rules for his princess consort with a stormy expression: Every ten days, you may lay in my bed with me . Anything else is closed for discussion!
After ten years of marriage, if Princess Consort Yu behaved well, Yu She might give her an additional benefit: From now on, every seven days, you may come see me once .
After twenty years of marriage, Princess Consort Yu might be blessed enough to hold hands with Yu She once .
Thirty years after marriage, Yu She would finally accept exchanging a kiss .
Previously, Zhong Wan had heard that some people liked to take things slow in certain regards . But he had never expected that anyone could be as slow as Yu She!
According to this speed, if they could only kiss after thirty years, then… then…
What about that?!
What was Yu She’s plan?
Near the end of their days, Princess Consort Yu broke through the barrier, successfully passing Yu She’s decades of tests . After overcoming all difficulties, she finally earned Yu She’s trust and was permitted to… with him .
This was truly using one’s entire life to test a single person .
Zhong Wan thought in despair, in Yu She’s mind, perhaps that most intimate act could only be performed once in a lifetime?
In an entire lifetime, only having sex once .
Zhong Wan trembled as he opened the box . He took a bite out of one of the pastries and muttered, “Young Prince Yu has truly placed too much importance on his first time…”