While investigating, the Dragon Guards discovered that the Zheng family’s servants had fled to a dilapidated temple on the mountain. They had anticipated various possibilities, but what they didn’t expect was finding a group of servants, guards and a noble lady dressed in brocade attire standing outside the temple’s gate.

“We, the Dragon Guards, are searching for the fugitives under imperial command. Please move aside, My Lady.” The Commander of the Dragon Guards fished out a golden yaopai1Yaopai [腰牌] – It is a jade plaque used to be hung at the waist and served as identity proof. and cupped his hands toward Jiuzhu. “May I ask the noble lady if you have seen two suspicious middle-aged men?”

“I have.” Jiuzhu nodded.

“Where?” The Commander’s hand was already pressed onto the hilt of his sword.

“There.” Jiuzhu pointed to Scar, who was bound by a waistband, and then to the fake monk whose hands were pressed down by a stone. “And there.”

The Dragon Guards looked at the two men lying on the ground and were collectively left speechless.

The Commander reckoned Jiuzhu and bowed again. “May I ask who you are, My Lady?”

“This little girl is the Minister of Rites’ Assistant Minister Ming’s daughter.” Jiuzhu bowed in response. “These two men disguised themselves as monks but were discovered by us. That is why we had the guards subdue them. Didn’t expect them to be fugitives tracked down by His Majesty. They are now in Officer’s care. Please handle them as you see fit.”

“So it is Ming Xianzhu2T/L: Just a reminder, xianzhu (县主 or xiànzhǔ) means County Lord.. This general has acted discourteously, please forgive him for his impropriety.” The Commander’s expression changed slightly. He bowed deeply. “Has Xianzhu been frightened?”

“Thank you, Officer. With the guards by our side, we were not frightened.” Jiuzhu saw two of the Dragon Guards moving aside the stones and using manacles and leg irons to restrain the fake monk. She took two steps back. “Please go ahead, Officer.”

The Commander glanced at the Zhou siblings inside the temple and said, “These two are involved in a major issue. I request that Xianzhu and the other two noble lord and lady to keep everything that happened today a secret. Please do not let others know.”

“Officer need not worry. I will convey this message to them.”

“Many thanks, Xianzhu.” The Commander bowed and left immediately with the other Dragon Guards and the pair of captives.

Jiuzhu stood at the end of the path, watching the Dragon Guards leave. The wind blew the silk cloak draped on her shoulders as it fluttered in the wind gently. 

“Your Majesty.” Liu Zhongbao helped Emperor Longfeng, who had returned from the morning court, take off his imperial guan3T/N: A guan (冠) is a hat-like thing worn by adult males in ancient China. But of course, the imperial guan is more fancy and elaborate than the ones lower-ranked people wore. and whispered, “The Zheng family’s runaway servants have been captured by the Dragon Guards.”

“So fast?” Emperor Longfeng calculated the time. It had not been more than three shichen since he gave the order.

“The Commander said that when they arrived, the two had already been caught.” Liu Zhongbao carefully took off the dragon belt. “This was possible all thanks to the help of Ming Xianzhu.”

Emperor Longfeng looked at him with a smile that was yet not a smile. “Go and inquire what these two people have done in the past.”

“This old slave obeys.” Liu Zhongbao put the dragon belt into a box. “Your Majesty, in the past few days, the maternal families of each of the Wangfei-s have been sending things into the Palace.”

Except His Highness Chen Wang, who had no in-laws, received no such gifts. 

“I see, you came to curry favor on behalf of Duqing.” Emperor Longfeng laughed. “Send someone to summon Ming Jingzhou into the Palace and have him tutor Chen Wang.”

“This old slave will obey Your Majesty’s imperial order.” Liu Zhongbao smiled and bowed. “This old slave will now take his leave.”

He left the main hall of Taiyang Palace, took the horsetail whisk4Horsetail whisk [拂尘] – It is the stick with a hairy tail like that of a horse carried around by eunuchs of the Palace. You will often see it in historical Chinese dramas. For more info on its use, click here. handed to him by a young eunuch and swung it. “You go to the Ministry of Rites and invite Assistant Minister Ming into the palace. Remember to be polite and not offend him on any account.”

“Please be at ease, Liu yeye5T/N: Usually, ‘爷爷’ means grandfather (paternal) but I think here it is used to show respect (sometimes high-ranked eunuchs of the Palace adopted younger ones and trained them personally).. This one will make sure to handle this matter without any error.” The little eunuch, who was tasked with running errands, walked away with a big smile.

Liu Zhongbao went directly to the Dragon Guards’ prison with his people to meet the two servants of the Zheng family, who were being locked up separately.

“Li-Liu…” Recognising him, Scar was so nervous that he couldn’t even speak properly.

How can the Chief Eunuch, who is always by the Emperor’s side, come here?!

“Oh, from your expression, it seems that you have actually seen me.” Liu gonggong smiled faintly. “Coincidentally, I also like to speak with acquaintances. Let’s chat today, we are not in a hurry.”

He raised his head. “But before we start, let’s relax our two precious guest’s body. If your body remains tight, you two will also remain tight-lipped, and it will be difficult for you to speak. So please bear with it.”

Scar and the black-clothed man were dragged out, and soon their miserable screams could be heard.

Liu Zhongbao shook the horsetail whisk in his hand and said to the Commander, “It seems that the young general who is helping them relax is quite strong and skilled.”

The Commander smiled. “Liu gonggong has come here in person. Brothers naturally wish to show off their skills today.”

The two people smiled at each other as if they were standing in the midst of green hills and clear water rather than a prison full of blood-curdling shrieks.

Chen Wang sat on a rocking chair in his yard and watched some eunuchs and palace maids move big and small items around Huai Wang’s yard. He beckoned to a eunuch, “Is Huai Wang moving out?”

“Replying to Your Highness, those are some things sent by Huai Wangfei’s natal family.” The eunuch continued, “It might be their token of affection to their daughter.”

Yesterday, it was Qi Wangfei’s family and An Wangfei’s family. Today it was Huai Wangfei and Jing Wangfei’s family. These days have been so noisy; there was not a moment of peace.

Turning over on his recliner, Chen Wang snorted disdainfully. As princes, why would they need gifts from their Wangfei’s natal family?

“Your Highness, Assistant Minister Ming of the Ministry of Rites is here. Would you like to meet him?”

Ming Jingzhou is here?

Chen Wang sat up, “Meet him!”

He glanced at the recliner beneath him and called the eunuchs, “Take away the recliner and bring a tea table and some chairs. Oh right, keep a few classics on Ben Wang’s table too.”

After Ming Jingzhou set foot in the Zhangliu Palace and entered the small courtyard where Chen Wang was residing, he was greeted by the sight of a handsome prince engrossed in reading.

“Xiachen greets Your Highness.”

“No need to be so polite, Lord Ming.” Chen Wang put down his book and reached out to help Ming Jingzhou up, “Lord Ming, please have a seat.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Ming Jingzhou didn’t refuse and sat down at the table. He glanced at the books kept on the table that Chen Wang had the eunuchs place in the yard, and accepted the tea handed to him, “Xiachen is extremely gratified to see Your Highness studying  diligently.”

“Ben Wang does not want to waste time even if he is living in the Palace now.” There was no trace of embarrassment on Chen Wang’s expression as he spoke, “Why is My Lord here today?”

“Xianchen has come under imperial order to educate Your Highness about the affairs of the Ministry of Rites. Moreover, xiachen has brought this item for Your Highness.” Ming Jingzhou placed a scroll on the table.

“This is?” Chen Wang looked at the scroll in confusion.

“This is a painting called «Red Plums in the Snow» gifted to Your Highness by Xiachen’s daughter.” Ming Jingzhou took a sip of tea, “Your Highness, please take a look and see if you like it.”

Did Ming Xiaozhu finally complete the snowscape she was painting?

Chen Wang unrolled the scroll and saw a painting that had practically nothing to do with its name. He chuckled softly, but his eyes were filled with love and tenderness.

“Thank you, Lord Ming.” He put away the painting carefully, “I will surely cherish Jiuzhu’s masterpiece dearly.”

Although the painting was a bit ugly, upon closer inspection, it was… somewhat adorable.

At least, the person who painted it was adorable.

“It is good that Your Highness likes it.” Ming Jingzhou nodded with a smile, “Knowing that Your Highness likes her painting, xiachen’s daughter will be rather happy.”

After saying that, he pulled out a few books from his sleeve, “As an unrelated male outsider, xiachen cannot enter the Palace frequently. Your Highness can read, reread and transcribe these books for now. Xiachen will bring you new books when he comes again.”

Chen Wang: “……”

“Your Highness?” Ming Jingzhou looked at Chen Wang with a smile.

“Please rest assured, My Lord. Ben Wang will definitely read and transcribe these books diligently.” Chen Wang forced a smile, “Thank you for your hard work.”

“Not at all.” Ming Jingzhou put on an even more good-natured smile, “Your Highness’ joy is all that matters.”

Chen Wang showed a happy smile to Ming Jingzhou.

Within a day, all the princes in the Zhangliu Palace learned that Chen Wang had received a picture scroll from the future Wangfei.

When the four brothers sat in Qi Wang’s chamber and ate hot pot, Huai Wang brought up this matter: “Ming Xianzhu is truly the daughter of the Ming family. Her painting skills are extraordinary.”

“Naturally.” Chen Wang smiled, “It is a pity that the Ming family only paints for family members and spouses. Otherwise, I could have requested Assistant Minister Ming to paint a piece for all of us brothers.”

“Indeed a pity.” An Wang looked at Chen Wang regretfully, “Can fifth younger brother give me a chance to see Ming Xianzhu’s paintings?”

The movement of Chen Wang’s chopsticks picking up a piece of meat stopped, “Let’s talk about it when we have a chance in the future.”

Having ‘a chance in the future’ was just a subtle rejection, everyone in the imperial family understood this clearly.

An Wang sighed, growing even more curious about the Ming family’s painting skills.

Meanwhile, Qi Wang lay on the bed, ignoring the four of them eating hot pot and chatting away at leisure. It had been three days, three whole days! They still hadn’t gotten tired of eating hot pot but his chamber was already filled with the smell of hot pot.

Before they could finish the hot pot, Liu Zhongbao entered the room with a strong-looking eunuch.

“Your Highnesses.” Liu Zhongbao greeted them, “His Majesty has summoned you all. Please leave for the Taiyang Palace at once.”

Chen Wang put down his chopsticks and perceived a faint smell of soil and… blood coming from Liu Zhongbao.

“Your Highness Qi Wang is injured, so us slaves will carry him there.” Liu Zhongbao bowed to Qi Wang, “Please forgive us, Your Highness.”

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