55. Fu Jingchu’s Unique Insight

“The Grand Preceptor was once one of His Majesty’s most trusted ministers. With such an end, how could the emperor’s wrath ever be appeased?” Xu Guiyi pitied the fate of the Gong family, yet her thoughts turned inevitably to her own grandfather, Master Jintang—Old Cheng'en Duke. Though he had retired early from office, he lived out his days in peace, surrounded by the joy of his children and grandchildren.

“That’s why I say—why do you think the former Censor-in-Chief, who had performed such meritorious service by submitting his impeachment, was, just half a year later, sent away to that remote outpost in Yazhou on some mysterious charge? He’s likely never to return.” Xu Zhouyan tapped her fingers on the table, her expression inscrutable.

Xu Guiyi was momentarily stunned. “But what does this have to do with the Eastern Palace?”

Xu Zhouyan shot her a sidelong glance. “What do you think?”

Xu Guiyi was only half certain. “It can’t be that the Crown Prince was behind it, could it? Second Sister, you know better than anyone—relations between the Crown Prince and the Censorate have been strained for years. The Censorate can’t wait to impeach him. Why would they take orders from him?”

“The Censorate needs only a memorial or a list of charges to act; they don’t need anyone’s instigation. I know the Crown Prince has long kept his distance from state affairs, perhaps he truly knows nothing of this. But can you guarantee that neither the Changqiu Palace nor the Marquis of Changping’s household has interfered? If I had no reliable information, why would I warn you to avoid the Princess Consort of Qi?” Xu Zhouyan concluded firmly.

Yes, she had forgotten the Changqiu Palace and the Marquis of Changping’s house.

All these years, the reason Fu Lancheng still held the position of heir apparent was entirely due to the support of the Empress and the Marquis’s household.

Her doubts eased, yet Xu Guiyi suddenly felt a chill in her heart.

After a long silence, she spoke quietly: “Second Sister, do you think that, in time, we too will become like the Empress? Will we learn to embrace her ruthlessness, her cold indifference?”

Just days before, she had mocked Fu Lancheng’s naïveté, his innocence—but before the Emperor and Empress, they were like children at play.

How does the saying go? One cannot measure the sea with a bucket. If the Emperor and Empress are the sea, then they are merely that small vessel, foolishly attempting to gauge its depths...

The Noble Consort found a powerful family for the Prince of Qi to marry into, while the Empress sat serenely in the Changqiu Palace, orchestrating everything with a gentle smile.

She gazed impassively upon the Gong family’s ruin, listened with concealed delight as rumors spread that the Princess Consort of Qi could bear no more children, and yet outwardly remained calm and gracious, sending gifts of rare tonics to the Qi Prince’s residence and visiting the Noble Consort’s palace to admire peonies, sharing tea with her.

Xu Zhouyan took Xu Guiyi’s hand and spoke gently, “You won’t become like that. Nor will I.”

Xu Guiyi suddenly smiled, but there was a chill in her eyes and at the corners of her lips. “But aren’t we, as bystanders, no different from the perpetrators themselves?”

Xu Zhouyan was at a loss for words, her tone bitter. “Even if you are the Crown Princess and I am Princess Consort of Jiancheng, how can we ever contend against absolute imperial power? The Crown Prince has struggled for years, fighting back again and again—have you seen the Emperor or Empress waver, even for a moment? Never. They only tighten their hold, forcing the Crown Prince ever more ruthlessly, growing ever more adept at hiding their darkness and crimes. Nothing ever changes. That is the way of the world, Sister.”

Xu Guiyi laughed through her tears. “The way of the world? And because of that, we must accept our fate?”

She would not.

One day, she would shatter the rules set down by the Emperor and Empress, lay bare the darkness and crimes they hid from the world. The times were perilous, but even if it cost her family, her life, even if it took her entire existence—she would do it.

She believed that an upright spirit would resonate like bronze struck upon stone.

When she returned to the Eastern Palace, Xu Guiyi found Cheng Hewei and Lu Zhirou Marquis waiting in the Chunhui Hall.

“Greetings, Your Highness,” they said in unison, bowing.

“How long have you been waiting? Why not come inside?” Xu Guiyi noticed they were still outside, and as the autumn wind was sharp, she scolded them lightly.

Cheng Hewei drew close, whispering in Xu Guiyi’s ear, “Prince An is here—he’s in Yonghui Pavilion.”

Xu Guiyi raised her brows in surprise. “A rare guest indeed!”

Lu Zhirou chimed in quietly, “Who would have thought? He’s been chatting with the Crown Prince for half an hour now.” The three of them talked as they entered, leaving the attendants outside.

Xu Guiyi recounted the day’s events in the palace. Both women sighed repeatedly.

Lu Zhirou said easily, “Luckily, I’m the youngest in my family—no little sisters left to worry about.”

Cheng Hewei looked equally relieved. “Thankfully, my sister’s already engaged to the Heir of Prince Huai, so there’s nothing for me to fear.”

After speaking, they glanced at Xu Guiyi, who quickly said, “All my sisters are betrothed as well, so I have nothing to worry about—just need to start preparing their dowries. You two shouldn’t be idle either; help me pick things out. It’s been so busy lately.”

Cheng Hewei and Lu Zhirou agreed with smiles.

The next morning, as Xu Guiyi prepared to enter the palace, Nanny Wu said, “Your Highness, the Crown Prince requests your presence at Yonghui Pavilion.”

Xu Guiyi glanced at the time—it was still early. “Very well, I’ll go.” She was puzzled; ever since that day in Taining Palace, they hadn’t met. What could this be about?

“What? His Highness is going to the Censor’s residence—to act as a matchmaker?” Xu Guiyi was so shocked her voice rose threefold.

Just yesterday, she had been complaining to Xu Zhouyan about how the Duke and Duchess of De loved matchmaking and meddling in other people’s business.

And now today… Had the sun risen in the west? Fu Lancheng, who normally disdained even state affairs, was suddenly volunteering to arrange a marriage for the Censor? Why?

Yet from the look on his face, he clearly didn’t want to talk about it.

“I heard Prince An visited His Highness yesterday. Was this his idea?” Who else would care about Qu Anlan’s marriage prospects for no reason?

Fu Lancheng’s expression was dark, his tone less assured than usual. “Yes, I’ve already agreed to Prince An’s request. I’ll pay a visit—whether they agree or not is between the two families. I’m just there to convey the intention.”

At this, Xu Guiyi was truly impressed by Prince An. Even the Emperor and Empress might not have this much sway with Fu Lancheng, but Prince An did—how could she not be impressed?

“So, what exactly did Prince An say to His Highness?” Or what did he offer in exchange?

Fu Lancheng shot her a sharp look, clearly unwilling to answer. “It’s none of your concern what Prince An said.”

Xu Guiyi found it all very strange, but as she was rushing to the palace, she didn’t press further. “Then I wish Your Highness a smooth visit.”

Fu Lancheng rose, hesitated, then spoke: “You… come with me.”

Xu Guiyi thought she’d misheard. “What did Your Highness say?”

He looked evasive. “Crown Princess, accompany me.”

She heard him clearly this time, and her temper instantly flared. She had just asked about Prince An’s words, only to be told to mind her own business. Fine—she wouldn’t care. She didn’t want to care.

But as someone not privy to the details, why should she have to go along to the Censor’s residence and take part in such an unwelcome errand?

Anger seethed within her, but her expression remained tranquil. “Your Highness, I must see the Empress today—I fear I cannot accompany you.”

Fu Lancheng parried her refusal with ease. “We’ll go to the Censor’s residence first. Afterwards, I’ll accompany you to the palace.”

Xu Guiyi was speechless.

On the carriage, Xu Guiyi deliberately sat as far from Fu Lancheng as possible, turning over in her mind why Prince An wanted to match Qu Anlan with the Censor, and why Fu Lancheng had to be the one to broker it.

After all, both Fu Lancheng and Prince An were regular targets on the Censorate’s impeachment lists.

Fight poison with poison?

“What is the Crown Princess thinking?” Fu Lancheng glanced at her.

Xu Guiyi sat upright, smiling. “Nothing at all.”

“Your eyebrows are so tightly knitted, and you say you’re not thinking?” Fu Lancheng exposed her without mercy.

Xu Guiyi let out an exaggerated sigh. “I’m just wondering what the chances are that the Censor will agree.”

Fu Lancheng withdrew his gaze. “I don’t know.”

Xu Guiyi laughed. “Actually, Your Highness should have invited my eldest brother—he and the Censor are old classmates. He’d be easier to talk to.”

Fu Lancheng snorted. “Nian Shaoqing’s temper—if he doesn’t want to agree, it’s useless no matter who goes. Even the matches my father arranged for him, he’s refused several times. I’m only going to help A Yu give up hope. I heard General Qu intends to marry his eldest daughter off to Liaodong. A Yu has been to the Qu family several times, all to no avail. Yesterday, Prince An asked me to persuade Nian Shaoqing, so at least the girl could stay in Guangling.”

She inched closer, sitting nearer to Fu Lancheng. “But why is General Qu suddenly marrying off his daughter? At the Mid-Autumn banquet, didn’t he say he’d keep her at home for another two years? Why the sudden change?”

Fu Lancheng pressed his thumb to his temple, his voice low. “It is sudden. But… if General Qu doesn’t marry his daughter off soon, Prince An’s household may end up with a new concubine.”

Xu Guiyi was shocked—could it be that Qu Anlan and Prince An’s affair had already been exposed? Stifling her agitation, she probed, “Your Highness means… Miss Qu and Prince An…”

She was suddenly very curious how Fu Lancheng felt about Qu Anlan’s rejection of Shen Yu, and her infatuation with Prince An instead.

“Their business is none of mine. But A Yu… I truly don’t know what to do with him.” Fu Lancheng sounded helpless. “Because of this, Princess An even caused a scene at the Qu family. General Qu became even more determined not to let his daughter become a concubine in Prince An’s household, so he’s eager to marry her off far away. But Prince An, feeling guilty, somehow set his sights on Nian Shaoqing. He says that although the man is rigid and unsociable, he’s an upright gentleman—surely he would be devoted to his wife. So…”

Xu Guiyi was left speechless. Nian Shaoqing was indeed a gentleman—but what made Prince An so sure he would be devoted to his wife? Was it because Nian Shaoqing had repeatedly impeached him for his own debauchery and misconduct?

“Prince An… truly has a discerning eye!” Xu Guiyi praised, her face expressionless.

Fu Lancheng snorted and closed his eyes, tacitly agreeing.

Seeing that his eyes were shut, Xu Guiyi boldly tried to see how the scar on his right temple was healing. But today, Fu Lancheng wore a light yellow headband embroidered with golden clouds, neatly covering the scar—she saw nothing.

“The imperial physician said the wound is no longer a concern,” Fu Lancheng suddenly remarked, startling Xu Guiyi into sitting up straight. “That’s good to hear, very good indeed.”

He did not open his eyes, and she wondered how he could possibly have sensed her subtle movements.