Li Ce's shock rendered Li Jing thoroughly perplexed."So what if she went to the Prince of Jin's residence?" Li Jing asked, "Xiaojiu, it's not that your brother wants to meddle, but if you fancy someone with a wild nature, then don't try to restrain her so much. Perhaps she's just there to pay a New Year's visit—or maybe just scrounging a meal. Don't act like those petty, jealous men who panic the moment their wife glances at someone else, thinking she's ready to run off…"
Before Li Jing could finish his sentence, Li Ce flung off the brocade quilt and, breathing heavily, struggled to sit up.He looked at Li Jing, a flicker of reluctance flashing through his eyes—reluctance to reveal the truth, to expose Li Zhang's sinister nature, to make his brother realize that Ye Jiao had likely gone not to greet or feast—but to settle a score.
Li Jing and Li Zhang, after all, were blood brothers. Naturally, that meant deeper trust between them.
Li Ce hurriedly stepped toward the clothes rack, reaching for his dark robe. But perhaps because he'd been bedridden too long, the moment his fingers brushed the garment, a wave of dizziness overtook him, and he faltered.
Li Jing rushed forward to steady him."Lie down, quickly," he said, guiding Li Ce back to the bed. "You're like trying to pull eggs out of a hen's backside—always in a rush. Rest for a while. Once you've had your medicine, Lord Ye will be back."
Li Ce pressed his forehead with a trembling hand, his vision blurred. But inwardly, he was clear: Ye Jiao would not return so easily. She would gain no advantage at Li Zhang's residence.
At the Prince of Jin's mansion, the steward saw Li Jing's token and, as expected, didn't wait for any formal announcement before inviting Ye Jiao directly to the front hall.The tea for male guests was removed, replaced with candied fruits and a pot of crimson fruit tea favored by noble ladies of the capital.Ye Jiao touched none of it. She stood beneath a hanging scroll, silently studying the painting.
It was a small landscape of Mount Tai, with jagged rocks and a welcoming pine tree stretching its limbs.She had seen many such paintings, yet only this one exuded an aloof, untouchable aura. Though it depicted a pine meant to welcome guests, it stood haughtily proud, its outstretched branches more like barriers than invitations.Indeed, here at the Prince of Jin's estate, guests were never in short supply.
"What a rare visitor," a voice called out as the hall doors were abruptly pushed open by a servant.The Prince of Jin, Li Zhang, stepped inside, clad in a cyan robe with a circular collar and a belt adorned with inky jade. A faint, polished smile played on his lips. His manner was elegant, his steps measured. His gaze fell on Ye Jiao—but it was the look of a man observing something beneath his concern.
Without a word, he moved to the small table and gestured politely for her to sit.
Ye Jiao did not sit.Li Zhang knelt down gracefully, lifted the copper lid of the red clay brazier, examined the coals within, and placed a kettle atop.Every motion exuded ease and leisure, as if the world around him obeyed his command like chess pieces on a board.
"I wonder what pressing matter brings the Marquis of Wu here on a holiday?" he asked calmly.He dismissed all attendants, even the maids. Though the hall doors remained open, no servant or guard remained within thirty feet.He sat by the window, shrouded entirely in shadow save for the hand resting at the corner of the table.For reasons unclear, some of his gestures bore an uncanny resemblance to those of the Emperor himself.
Ye Jiao raised a hand and threw something onto the table, shattering the tranquil rhythm of Li Zhang's movements.A block of wood—sandalwood as thick as a wrist—thudded against the table and rolled to a stop before him.His fingers tightened around his teacup for the briefest moment, though his face betrayed nothing."What is this?" he asked.
"Sandalwood," Ye Jiao replied coolly. "Today, I visited Daxingshan Temple. I carved it from the sacred eaves."
In truth, the sacred relics of the temple had already been replaced with camphorwood.This piece came from the charred remains of a burnt woodshed, but Ye Jiao had shaved away the scorch marks, leaving only the smooth surface.It looked convincingly like a relic from beneath the eaves.
Ye Jiao was gambling—that Li Zhang, though he had ordered the replacement and burning of the sandalwood, had not personally verified the outcome.She watched the hand that gripped the teacup—and in that fleeting moment of murderous intent in his eyes—Ye Jiao knew she had won her bet.
"His Highness of Jin commands great influence indeed," she said, finally approaching and taking a seat across from him, her tone languid and composed."Even the imperial temples now bend to your will. They follow no one but you.However…" she continued, a cold edge slipping into her voice, "they were far too slow."
She never once mentioned Bai Xianyu.She feared that doing so might lead Li Zhang to suspect betrayal and harm him.Everyone has their own path. Let him serve Li Zhang if he wishes.
At last, the man before her lifted his head and truly examined her face.
Her face was beautiful—especially those almond-shaped, peach blossom eyes.Such eyes often carried a hazy, intoxicated charm, but hers were startlingly clear, like an unfrozen winter stream, piercing through ice and snow with an almost cruel sharpness.
Li Zhang even suspected she could sense his emotions.
That thought made his fingers unclench stiffly from the cup."What is it you want?" he asked at last.
There was no doubt—she knew about the sandalwood.She was never that clever; it must be Li Ce who had uncovered the truth, and Ye Jiao was here to demand justice.
She hadn't gone to the Emperor to report him. That meant she was here to bargain.
Good.She wasn't smart, but she wasn't a fool either.
While waiting for her to state her terms, Li Zhang summoned a servant, whispered an order, and sent him rushing to Daxingshan Temple.The round trip would take no more than half an hour.
So Ye Jiao had only that long to intimidate and deceive him—to get what she came for.
The kettle atop the brazier whistled.Steam coiled into the air, then slowly dissipated.Boiling water surged, lifting the lid again and again, spilling over with a hiss—yet Li Zhang remained motionless, unfazed by the scalding steam or sound.
Ye Jiao reached out and lifted the kettle.Li Zhang flinched instinctively—but she merely poured him a cup of plain water.
"Your Highness," she said with a soft smile,"Unless I'm mistaken, you are to be Crown Prince soon—future ruler of the realm.I do not dare confront you openly, nor stake the safety of the Duke of An's entire household on a reckless move.Prince Chu is already wounded. Even if we did nothing, you would still lie awake at night, afraid we might learn the truth."
Li Zhang would have discovered her trip to the temple sooner or later.This matter could not be buried—not by patience or pride.
"So?" he asked. "Are you here to threaten me?"
"No," Ye Jiao replied gently."I came to beg."
Her tone was earnest, though her eyes glinted with sly cunning."I beg Your Highness to write a few words—something that will put our minds at ease.When Your Highness ascends the throne, we want to believe you will leave us a path to survival."
As her words concluded, Li Zhang's stiff back gradually relaxed.He placed both hands on the table, a faint smirk playing at his lips.
Yes, this was how it should be.No one would dare threaten him—no one would oppose him.No matter what he did, all they could do was beg.
Li Zhang looked at Ye Jiao the way a master might glance at a household cat, and teased:"I don't hand out imperial pardons.Go back and do your job, Marquis of Wu.As for the temple incident—we'll chalk it up to a misunderstanding."
Ye Jiao's fingers unconsciously clenched around her shawl.Tension tightened her voice:"If Your Highness refuses to write, I will take it as proof that neither I nor Prince Chu have any chance of survival. In that case, no matter what you do in the future, we'll have no choice but to stand against you—for our own protection."
Even if he became Crown Prince, he could still be dethroned.Li Zhang did not want to make another enemy before ascending the throne.
"What would you have me write?" he asked, voice cold and low, eyes fixed on her soft red lips.
"Just this," Ye Jiao said,'The blame for this matter lies with me. Ye Jiao bears no guilt.'"
Li Zhang's brows furrowed tightly.A long silence followed. Then came a mocking smile.
"'This matter'?And what if one day you burn down the Purple Hall…"