What silenced Lin Jing was Wang Qianshan's foot—a sharp kick to his leg that cut off his words. Lin Jing immediately understood, stifling his pain and bowing deeply as though in deference to Bai Xianyu."With Captain Bai blessed by such an auspicious omen, allow me to bask in a bit of that fortune," he said respectfully."Get lost," Bai Xianyu laughed, cursing lightly as he waved him away. Then, after a pause, he added, "Marquis Wu is at Prince Zhao's residence."
Bai Xianyu was a perceptive man. Seeing Lin Jing's prolonged absence, he knew he must have been on an errand for Ye Jiao. Now that Lin was back in the city, he was certainly reporting in. Lin Jing gave his thanks, turned against the flow of the crowd, and hurried toward Prince Zhao's manor.
It had been over a month since they last met. The once softly smiling Ye Jiao now bore a trace of cold solemnity. Lin Jing first gave his report on finding Wang Qianshan, then hesitated before recounting the matter of the auspicious omen.
Ye Jiao looked up in astonishment, a cautious gleam flickering in her almond-shaped eyes. After a moment of contemplation, she asked in a low voice, "Does anyone else know about this?"
The miraculous omen that had so delighted the Emperor was nothing more than a fabrication by the Daoist, Wang Qianshan—a crime punishable by death. And Wang Qianshan was her father's disciple."No one else knows," Lin Jing replied, still shaken. "I nearly said it aloud... but fortunately, I held my tongue."
"You've done well. It was a hard journey," Ye Jiao said gently, standing by the window and looking down at Wang Qianshan, who shivered in the cold courtyard. "Go visit your mother. She's missed you."
She had already sent Feng Jie ahead with New Year's goods for Lin Jing's family, but no amount of gifts could make up for not spending the New Year together.
Once Lin Jing had left, Ye Jiao turned to Wang Qianshan. "Explain the omen."Wang Qianshan tucked his hands into his sleeves, clearly nervous, though he tried to feign innocence."Ask your father. It was his idea," he said.Ye Jiao's eyes widened. "He's back?""Maybe... possibly... probably not," Wang Qianshan muttered, scratching his head.
Ye Jiao instinctively took a step closer, her expression a mix of disbelief, confusion, hope, and resistance. After a long pause, her voice turned cold. "Superstitious trickery! Does he not know deceiving the court is a capital crime?""He does not," Wang Qianshan sighed. "To the likes of my master, a man beyond mortal understanding, such concerns are trivial. On his behalf… could you, perhaps… give me a meal?"
Lin Jing had returned in haste and skipped two meals. Wang Qianshan now felt so famished that he was starting to feel ethereal, ready to float away with the wind."Return to the courtyard you stayed in before," Ye Jiao said. "The kitchen will bring you food. After you've eaten, Prince Zhao will summon you."
Li Jing wished to ask if his fate included children—that had been the original reason for summoning Wang Qianshan. No one expected that his return would bring about an omen, sparing Li Ce from punishment. Yet Ye Jiao's heart grew heavier. Who had switched the carved eaves' timber? The incident at the festival needed thorough investigation.
This year's sacrificial ceremony had been perfect in the Emperor's eyes. Though the eaves had collapsed, the officials of the Ministry of Rites claimed it was a divine trial. Coupled with the appearance of auspicious clouds above the capital, it was a most fortunate sign. The Emperor fancied himself a sage king like Yao or Shun, ready to pen his legacy for the ages.
But the ministers were all on leave and none had the sense to visit the palace with praises. To hear flattering words, he had to linger in the harem. There, every consort's lips dripped honey:"His Majesty's virtue moves heaven and earth.""Oh, might I accompany you next year to the ceremony? I long to witness it myself.""Let me cling to Your Majesty, to absorb a bit of your good fortune."
As they clung, the Emperor decided to spend the night with Consort Bai.
Later that night, still unsated and wide awake, Consort Bai asked him to recount the ceremony again. As he neared the end of his tale, a tear unexpectedly slipped from her eye and fell hot on the Emperor's chest."What troubles you?" he asked.Eyes brimming, she replied, "Everyone rejoices in the auspicious signs, but I was moved by the bond between Your Majesty and your sons. When the eaves collapsed, both Prince Chu and Prince Jin rushed to your aid. Especially His Highness Jin—instinct should've told him to flee, yet he chose to shield you instead. I was truly touched… and deeply grateful."
The Emperor gently patted her delicate shoulder and chuckled, "Filial affection is only natural. Is that really worth crying over?"
Though his tone carried mild disdain, he woke several times that night.
For days, he had been overwhelmed with excitement about the omen, neglecting the danger of the falling eaves and overlooking the devotion shown by the princes. He rose from bed in the dark, lifting the brocade covers, and began pacing. In the flickering candlelight, his expression shifted between caution and contentment.
Eventually, he murmured, "I misjudged him. One should not assume cruelty from a single sheepskin coat."
With that thought, his face softened, and peace returned to his heart. Confident that all was settled, he returned to bed. In her sleep, Consort Bai shifted and draped a smooth, slender leg over his waist. The Emperor frowned slightly and gently moved her leg aside. His aging body could no longer bear the weight, not even of a beauty's leg.
"Sheepskin coat…"
Before Prince Jin Li Zhang lay an open book. Under the palace lantern's glow, his refined features exuded the solemn strength of mountains. He mouthed the words carefully, his downcast eyes avoiding the person seated across from him.
Bai Xianyu sat with clenched fingers, clearly nervous. "It's true—my sister said so herself."
His sister was none other than Consort Bai."She said His Majesty muttered in the night that he had wrongly blamed Your Highness over the sheepskin coat. I've thought it over—this must be why that matter happened."
"That matter" referred to the Emperor halting the crown prince's investiture.
Li Zhang nodded heavily, closed the book before him, and smiled faintly. "Understanding the reason is enough. Thank you—and please thank Her Grace as well."
Bai Xianyu was visibly flustered by the honor, laughing heartily in a forced manner. "Your Highness is too kind. If there's ever anything I can do for you, please command me."
He stood and bowed. "I won't take more of your time. I'll take my leave now.""Captain Bai," Li Zhang called, lifting a sincere gaze, "within the Imperial Guards, is there a post you favor?"
Bai Xianyu froze, his hand resting on his sword. A broad grin spread across his face. "I obey Your Highness's command.""Good." Li Zhang nodded. "A man of your caliber must not be wasted."
Now that they had a lead, the investigation would be much easier.
After returning from the north, Li Zhang had distributed three sheepskin coats—one each to the Fourth, Sixth, and Seventh Princes. The Emperor had seen only the Fourth Prince, Prince Wei, on the day he decided to delay the crown prince's installment. What secret lay within Prince Wei's coat?
Li Zhang sent men to investigate. Within a day, they found a tailor's shop. A servant from Prince Wei's estate had brought in a sheepskin coat and had the lamb fleece replaced with something called "Yi Hu Zhu"—Pearl of the Bushel.
"What is 'Yi Hu Zhu'?"
Prince Jin cared little for fabrics. The name sounded familiar, but he couldn't place it.The attendant explained, "It's made by slaughtering a pregnant ewe, extracting the unborn lamb, and flaying the fetus for its skin."
"Disgusting," Li Zhang murmured, his Adam's apple bobbing. After a moment, he added, "Cruel.""Undoubtedly, His Majesty thought the same," the advisor nearby growled. "This was Prince Wei's doing!""This was no mere mischief," Li Zhang corrected coldly. "It was strategy—the fang of a predator, finally bared after years of silence.""What will Your Highness do now?" the advisor asked...